Health & Fitness

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In 1816, a Barbados-born doctor used dogs and cats to test blood transfusion

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Tomato plants in space switched thousands of genes, Nasa study reveals

'BJP facilitated, NC repressed': Omar Abdullah slams differential treatment of protesters

Srinagar, Sep 2: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday accused the police and the administration of adopting different standards while dealing with protests by the BJP and the National Conference, claiming while the saffron leaders were escorted, those from his party were dragged. Talking to reporters, Abdullah said while police facilitated the BJP leaders during their march to the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday, his National Conference (NC) colleagues were brutally repressed. You saw one protest that was denied. It showed the situation in J&K today: if you want to march on the Chief Minister's residence, you're allowed to; if you want to gherao the Secretariat, you're allowed to; but if you want to protest outside the BJP's office, God forbid, you will not be allowed, because the police are there only to protect the honour of the BJP; they don't care about anything else, the Chief Minister said. The remarks came after police stopped NC protesters from marching towards the BJP headquarters in Jawahar Nagar to press for the restoration of statehood after its leaders and workers assembled in large numbers near the Gindun Sports Complex in Rajbagh. The BJP too held a large protest against the alleged failure of the J&K government, with hundreds of party workers assembling near the Clock Tower at Lal Chowk. The protesters had planned a gherao of the Civil Secretariat the seat of the J&K government but were stopped by police near Hari Singh High Street. Abdullah said he saw videos of journalists interacting with the BJP leaders during the latter's protest march. I saw many of you accompanying that protest. The ease with which you were able to interview the leader of the opposition (Sunil Sharma) was seen by all. You saw how the BJP was allowed to protest, but the NC was not. So, please don't draw false equals. One side was facilitated, the other was brutally repressed. My colleagues were dragged and injured, and some of them had to seek treatment in hospitals, Abdullah claimed. Responding to Suni Sharma's demand for his resignation as the chief minister, Abdullah said there was no reason for him to step down. Why should I resign? Should we assume that they have no intention of granting statehood to this government? If so, why are we not hearing it directly from the Centre? If they truly intend to tear the Constitution to shreds, disrespect the Supreme Court, disrespect Parliament and prove Modi's promise as false, let them do so. I am not going to resign just to please the LoP, Abdullah said. The chief minister said the people of J&K gave his party a mandate for five years and he will present a report card to them. As for the allegations (of corruption), does my government even have the authority to conduct an investigation? Let the LoP tell us what investigation was carried out. If backdoor appointments took place, which agency investigated them? Let him name just one. The Anti-Corruption Bureau is not under my control. The Crime Branch is not under my control. The CID is not under my control, let alone the central agencies. Tell us, where was an FIR filed? he asked. Abdullah also accused the BJP of making baseless allegations since it didnt have anything else to say. We are bearing the brunt of their mistakes; we are trying to fix them, yet they are the ones protesting, he said. Asked about RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark that Muslims cannot be downgraded, the chief minister said it needs to be put into practice. Addressing members of the Indian-American community in New York recently, Bhagwat said that if any Hindu believes there should be no Muslims in Bharat, he will not remain a Hindu. Making a statement is one thing; putting it into practice is another. The truth is, what the RSS chief said sounded good. But it has to show on the ground, Abdullah said. On the Supreme Court quashing all FIRs against student protesters, Abdullah said the BJP had been on the back foot for quite some time. Ever since the Cockroach Janta Party was launched and Gen Z took the matter forward, the BJP has been on the back foot. We will see how long it remains on the back foot, he said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed all the FIRs registered against students who participated in the CJP-led protests across the country between July 20 and 25, prompting the group to call off its September 5 march in the national capital. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also directed the Centre to provide compensation to families of students who ended their lives over the NEET paper leak within three months.

Vlogger Claims Japan Has The 'Best Indian Food In The World', Internet Reacts

The video featured a tempting plate of butter chicken, complete with a vibrant, spice-laden gravy.

UGC approves 33 new, 21 updated allied and healthcare courses; revises degree durations

New Delhi, Sep 2: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is strengthening the education, training and professional standards of Allied and Healthcare Professions to build a skilled, competent and future-ready healthcare workforce for the country. In a significant step in this direction, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified 33 new and 21 restructured/updated Allied and Healthcare Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) degrees under the regulatory purview of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP). The UGC has issued the 5th Amendment to the Specification of Degrees under Section 22(3) of the UGC Act, 1956 vide Notification No. F.21-12/2026(CPP-II) (UIN:3/2026) dated August 27, 2026. The Gazette Notification was published on August 31, 2026. The notification is an important step towards bringing greater uniformity in Allied and Healthcare education across the country and strengthening academic and professional pathways in these critical healthcare disciplines. Appreciating the efforts made by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, UGC and NCAHP team, Dr. Yagna Unmesh Shukla, Chairperson, NCAHP said, This UGC notification will bring uniformity across Allied and Healthcare courses, their duration, degree nomenclature and entry qualification under the One Nation, One Curriculum mandate by the Commission. This notification will provide immense guidance to students who are aiming to pursue their career in Allied and Healthcare Professions scheduled under the NCAHP Act, 2021. The degrees notified cover disciplines including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Emergency Medical Technology, Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Psychology, Medical and Social Psychiatric Social Work, Medical Radiology, Imaging and Therapeutic Technology, Physician Associate, Respiratory Technology, Dialysis Therapy Technology and Health Information Management, among others. The notification specifies the degree nomenclature, abbreviation, duration and entry qualifications, while course durations have also been revised for select programmes. The notification further provides for specialisation-specific degrees, with nine specialisations in Master of Occupational Therapy, eight in Master of Physiotherapy, four in Master of Medical Laboratory Sciences, three in Master of Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology and two in Master of Respiratory Technology. This will expand academic opportunities for students and enable universities to offer specialised programmes aligned with the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. The reform is aimed at establishing institutional parity and uniform national standards in Allied and Healthcare education while aligning degree nomenclature with globally accepted degree-level qualifications. This is expected to encourage more students to pursue these professions, provide clearer academic and career pathways and facilitate greater mobility and international recognition of Indian Allied and Healthcare professionals. The initiative fulfils the statutory mandate of NCAHP under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, which provides for the regulation and maintenance of standards of education and professional services across Allied and Healthcare Professions. In line with this mandate, NCAHP has already released 18 competency-based curricula covering 28 professions, with the objective of standardising curricula and degree nomenclature across the country. The competency-based curricula place particular emphasis on hands-on clinical training through adequate-duration internships at hospitals or associated practising facilities. This approach seeks to ensure that students develop the practical skills, professional competencies and clinical exposure required for effective healthcare delivery. To ensure seamless adoption of the reforms, NCAHP has already issued directive to all the states, union territories and other relevant stakeholders much before the commencement of the academic year to mandatorily implement the released curricula from 2026-27 academic year, with an option to commence the Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) course. The Commission is also working towards finalising the remaining competency-based curricula for implementation from the subsequent academic year. The measures are expected to strengthen the availability of a well-trained and qualified Allied and Healthcare workforce, which forms an essential component of multidisciplinary healthcare delivery. The reforms will also provide greater clarity and consistency for students, educational institutions and healthcare establishments while creating improved opportunities for professional growth and mobility.

PM Modi's New Video Puts The Spotlight On Avocado And Its Rising Popularity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about how avocado can become a health staple in India, with farmers increasing production and profits.

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CCPA fines Dial4Trade Rs 10 lakh for unauthorised online sale of ammonium nitrate

New Delhi, Sep 2: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of 10 lakh on Dial4Trade Technologies Private Limited for facilitating the online listing, hosting, advertising and sale of Ammonium Nitrate on its e-commerce platform without the mandatory regulatory safeguards required under law. The final order was passed by the CCPA, headed by Chief Commissioner Smt. Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Shri Anupam Mishra, under Sections 10, 20 and 21 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The CCPA has also directed Dial4Trade to immediately discontinue the listing, hosting, advertising or facilitation of sale of Ammonium Nitrate, or any other substance classified as an explosive under the Explosives Act, 1884, on its platform. CCPA finds absence of mandatory disclosures and verification During examination of the platform, the CCPA found that Ammonium Nitrate was listed and made available for purchase without adequate safeguards, including: Disclosure of valid PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation) licence details of the seller; Verification of the identity and licensed status of the buyer before purchase; Mechanisms to ensure traceability of transactions, as required under the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012; and Cautions regarding legal restrictions on the possession and use of the substance and the consequences of unauthorised possession. The listing was also accompanied by imagery depicting explosions and blast effects. The CCPA observed that such imagery was likely to attract attention to the product rather than communicate its hazardous and regulated nature. The CCPA held that a product listing hosted on a digital marketplace and communicated to the public over the internet falls within the definition of an advertisement under Section 2(1) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The Authority further held that presenting a regulated explosive substance for sale in the manner of an ordinary consumer product, without informing users that its lawful purchase requires the prescribed licence, constitutes a misleading advertisement and unfair trade practice under Sections 2(28) and 2(47) of the Act. Dial4Trade contended that it operates as a Business-to-Business (B2B) marketplace intermediary and should not be held responsible for listings uploaded by third-party sellers. The CCPA rejected the contention, noting that the platform permitted purchase of the substance in quantities as low as a single unit and did not have minimum order quantity or institutional-buyer verification mechanisms ordinarily associated with a B2B model. The CCPA also held that the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 apply to marketplace e-commerce entities, irrespective of how the platform describes its business model. The CCPA also examined Dial4Trades reliance on the intermediary safe-harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The Authority observed that such protection is subject to compliance with prescribed due-diligence requirements. It found that a compliance mechanism based only on reactive removal of listings after detection, rather than verification at the point of listing, was insufficient in the case of regulated and hazardous substances. The CCPA also noted that Dial4Trade had the ability to block sellers and delist products from its platform, indicating that the platform exercised control over the content hosted on it. Sector-wide examination of e-commerce platforms The action against Dial4Trade forms part of the CCPAs ongoing examination of e-commerce platforms concerning the unauthorised online sale of hazardous chemicals, explosive substances and related precursors. The substances under examination include Ammonium Nitrate, Gun Powder, Picric Acid and Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN). The matter is currently under examination in respect of the following platforms: India MART; Justdial; Sigma-Aldrich India; Exporters India; Ibuychemikals; Alpha Chemika; and TradeIndia. CCPA reiterates need for due diligence by e-commerce platforms The CCPA noted that Ammonium Nitrate is a regulated substance whose unauthorised sale or possession without prescribed safeguards can pose risks to public safety. The Authority reiterated that consumers rely on product listings and descriptions while making online purchases and that e-commerce platforms are required to undertake appropriate due diligence when dealing with regulated products. The CCPA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumer rights, preventing unfair trade practices and strengthening compliance by e-commerce platforms, particularly in relation to regulated and hazardous products.

Top US doctors offer updated flu and COVID vaccine recommendations, aiming to ease confusion

Allergic to Semen? 6 Expert-Backed Signs You Might Have Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity

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How This Simple Aluminium Hack Can Keep Your Refrigerator Clean

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Kishtwar rape-death case: Crime Branch raids prime accused's house; 2nd hospital worker dismissed

Jammu, Sep 2: The Crime Branch on Wednesday raided the residence of the prime accused in the rape-and-death case of a 15-year-old tribal girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar, while authorities dismissed a second sanitation worker from the hospital in the case, officials said. The case was handed over to the Crime Branch on August 29 following widespread condemnation and protests. A minor was raped allegedly by her school teacher over several months before she died during a pregnancy termination procedure on August 20. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of police has arrested a total of seven persons, including the main accused, his brother, two hospital sanitation workers and a nurse, in connection with an FIR registered at Chatroo police station under relevant provisions of the POCSO Act, BNS and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The officials said a Crime Branch team raided the residence of the prime accused along with the house of his brother. The raids were carried out as part of the ongoing investigation, with the team searching the premises to gather evidence and examine material that could establish the sequence of events and the alleged involvement of the accused, the officials said. In a related development, the officials said the services of a hospital development fund (HDF) sanitation worker at district hospital Kishtwar, have been terminated with immediate effect following her arrest in the case on August 30. This office has been formally intimated about the said arrest...the allegations and the nature of the offences involved are of an extremely grave and serious nature, which have rendered the continuation of the said individual in service wholly incompatible with the discipline, integrity, reputation and functioning of a public health institution, the order reads.

How Fit Is Your Heart? Find Out With These 7 Simple Signs

Heart health is a difficult aspect of wellness because it doesnt always show obvious signs when something is wrong. However, certain signs help you analyse your cardiovascular well-being; learn about them in this article.

Security forces use lathis as BJP workers attempt to march towards secretariat in Srinagar

Doomscrolling Before Bed? Psychiatrist Explains If It Causes Morning Anxiety

Doomscrolling has become a habit for many, especially before sleep. But this seemingly harmless habit may be the reason behind your morning anxiety. Read on.

CM Omar accuses police of facilitating BJP protest in Srinagar

ACB arrests junior assistant for accepting Rs 15,000 bribe in Jammu

Jammu, Sep 2: Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Wednesday trapped and arrested a Junior Assistant posted in the office of Assistant Commissioner (General), Jammu for allegedly demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 15,000 for issuing a marriage certificate. Officials said the ACB trapped and arrest a public servant identified as Ajay Kumar, S/o Late Sh. Ram Murti, R/o Village Gango Chack, Gajansoo, Jammu, presently posted as Junior Assistant in the Office of the Assistant Commissioner (General), Jammu, for demanding and accepting a bribe. They said a written complaint was received by the ACB alleging that the accused public servant had demanded a bribe of 20,000 from the complainant for issuance of a Marriage Certificate under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. Following negotiations, the accused allegedly agreed to accept 15,000 as illegal gratification. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau and requested legal action against the accused public servant. Upon receipt of the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which established a prima facie case regarding the demand of bribe by the accused public servant. Consequently, FIR No. 11/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), was registered at Police Station ACB Central J&K, Jammu, and investigation was taken up, officials said. During the course of investigation, a trap team was constituted by the ACB. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe amount of 15,000 from the complainant. The accused was immediately arrested on the spot, and the bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap proceedings. Subsequently, searches were conducted at the residential premises of the accused government employee in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses. Officials added that further investigation into the case is underway.

Why Does Taking a Break Sometimes Make You Feel More Anxious?

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Farooq Abdullah says J&K will no longer remain silent, demands restoration of statehood

Patient care hit as Medical Interns strike overburdens GMC Srinagar PG doctors

Which State Is Known As The Ginger Capital Of India?

Grown across the hills of the Northeast, this spice has become a major source of income for farmers and an important part of the state's agricultural identity.

Energy security inseparable from national security, strategic autonomy and economic resilience: Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, Sep 2: Energy security is inseparable from national security, strategic autonomy and economic resilience, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State, PMO, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said today while addressing the 6th International Climate Summit 2026 Indias Energy & Food Security Mission, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi. He said that in the prevailing environment of geopolitical uncertainties, disrupted supply chains and volatile energy markets, it is imperative for India to become increasingly self-reliant, indigenous, affordable and technology advanced in the energy sector. Dr. Jitendra Singh said that technological advancement and self-reliance are closely interlinked, and affordability is equally important for ensuring that the benefits of emerging technologies reach their full potential. He said that with the emergence of an AI-driven data-centre era, India would require affordable as well as clean sources of energy to derive maximum outcomes from these technologies. The Minister described the present period as a time of transition towards a secure and sustainable energy future, including a transition towards clean energy. He said that as India seeks to assume a greater global role, it would also have to keep pace with global trends and technological developments in the energy sector. Highlighting the Governments approach of pursuing energy security through multiple pathways, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that nuclear energy is one of the important areas being pursued. He highlighted the nuclear energy mission with a target of 100 GW by 2047, describing the opening up of the nuclear sector to private players as a significant development. He said that an integrated approach and an enlarged resource pool would be necessary to meet the country's ambitious energy targets. The Minister also referred to the target of five Small Modular Reactors by 2033, saying that the years ahead would see such technologies becoming increasingly important. He also highlighted the efforts being undertaken in the area of green hydrogen, including the recently flagged-off green hydrogen train. Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised that biofuels and the circular economy would form an important part of India's clean-energy transition. He further mentioned that the next industrial revolution would be driven significantly by the circular economy and new technology pathways, including biofuels, ethanol and sustainable fuels. He stressed that India's growing requirements in sectors such as agriculture, health, irrigation, fertiliser and transport make it necessary to continuously increase the pace of development and adoption of clean-energy technologies. Highlighting the role of the Ministry of Science & Technology and its associated departments, the Minister said that scientific institutions, teaching institutions, universities and StartUps are actively contributing to India's emerging technology ecosystem. He noted the rapid expansion of the country's start-up ecosystem, which has grown from around 350 start-ups to almost 2.4 lakh, with India now ranking third in the world. Dr. Jitendra Singh also emphasised the importance of greater participation of the private sector in India's technology and innovation journey. He said that the Government cannot undertake everything on its own and that the private sector needs to increasingly participate in areas that are opening up to new players. Referring to the 1 lakh crore RDI Fund, the Minister said that it has been introduced to accelerate private participation in research and development. He said that the initiative represents an effort to incentivise the private sector and encourage it to participate in new and emerging areas. The Minister also highlighted the importance of non-government participation in research, noting that the Anusandhan National Research Foundation envisages greater participation from non-government sources, with around 5060 per cent of resources expected from non-government sources. He said that such participation would be necessary for India to remain globally competitive. Dr. Jitendra Singh observed that the earlier skepticism between the public and private sectors has been gradually declining and that both sides have increasingly learnt to work together. He said that achieving ambitious national targets would require the Government, industry and other stakeholders to put their collective efforts together. The Minister called upon the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry to act as a bridge and catalyst between the Government and the non-government sector. He said that industry and professional bodies can play an important role in bringing the two sides together and contributing to India's collective journey towards 2047. Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised that India's energy transition cannot be viewed in isolation and would require simultaneous progress in technology, self-reliance, affordability, clean energy, private participation and innovation. He said that the country's growing energy requirements and its aspiration to remain globally competitive make it essential to continue developing indigenous and technologically advanced solutions.

Kargil gets post office passport seva kendra to provide easier access to passport-related services

Kargil, Sep 2: The post office passport seva kendra (POPSK) was inaugurated in Ladakh's Kargil on Wednesday to provide residents easier access to passport-related services, officials said. Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh inaugurated it in the presence of Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh V K Saxena and Member of Parliament Mohmad Haneefa Jan. The POPSK, established under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Department of Posts and Passport Seva, is aimed at bringing citizen-centric passport services closer to people in the remote and geographically challenging region of Ladakh, they said. The facility will enable applicants to avail themselves of passport-related services closer to home, offering significant relief to residents who earlier had to travel to Srinagar or other distant centres for such services. The opening of the POPSK underscores efforts to leverage the extensive postal network for delivering essential citizen services, particularly in remote and underserved areas, they said. The initiative is expected to make passport services more accessible, efficient and people-friendly. The Ladakh Postal Division has added another milestone to its public-service infrastructure with the opening of the centre, an initiative led by Superintendent of Post Offices, Ladakh Postal Division, Arvind Kher, they said.

Congo's Ebola outbreak shows no signs of slowing as deaths top 3,000

The latest government data shows Congos Ebola outbreak has killed more than 3,000 people out of over 6,100 confirmed cases

Myth vs Fact: Does Excess Protein Cause Hair Loss? Dietitian Reveals the Truth

Worried that your high-protein diet or whey supplements are causing hair fall? Discover the truth from a dietitian about protein, DHT, and your hair health.

Video: When Salman Khan Turned Chef And Made 'Bhau Chi Bhel' For Riteish Deshmukh

Salman Khan personally prepares and serves bhel to Riteish Deshmukh in a viral throwback video.

Sunscreen Making Your Face Red? 3 Possible Reasons Behind the Reaction

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Researchers edit beagle embryos to remove a major dog allergen

What makes a birdsong beautiful?

New Zealands heaviest parrot surges from 51 to 325 after decades of conservation

Quick Protein-Packed Tacos You Can Make With Leftover Roti Without Any Fuss

Rajma tacos are an Indian twist on the Mexican dish, made with spiced mashed rajma and served with a spicy hung curd dip.

Either work or leave the chair: Sat Sharma targets Omar Abdullah government at Lal Chowk protest

Rice, Roti and Cholesterol: Can Your Carbohydrate Intake Affect Your Lipid Profile?

Carbohydrates have a bad reputation when it comes to health. Rice and roti are the most common food items with high cabs content, and so, they are often titled as unhealthy, but is it so? According to experts, these are not automatically bad for cholesterol, but the type, portion, and overall diet matter.

NC workers, leaders detained during Srinagar protest over statehood, reservations and pending issues

Omar Abdullah government has failed to address peoples issues: Sunil Sharma

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NC activists detained outside BJP headquarters in Jammu

Jammu, Sept 02: Dozens of ruling National Conference activists were detained on Wednesday while attempting to march towards the BJP headquarters in Trikuta Nagar here as part of a protest seeking restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Led by Jammu provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta, the NC activists assembled at the Trikuta Nagar market and were proceeding towards the nearby BJP headquarters to stage a gherao when they were stopped by a large police contingent deployed at the spot. The protesters attempted to cross the barricades and were subsequently detained by police, officials said, adding they boarded them into two waiting vehicles and took them to district police lines, effectively foiling their proposed BJP office gherao. Prominent among those detained by police include Gupta, provincial secretary Sheikh Bashir Ahmad and former minister Ajay Sadhotra, the officials said. Earlier, a NC spokesperson said the party would peacefully gherao the BJP headquarters to demand accountability for commitments made by the Union government in Parliament and before the Supreme Court. Our demands are clear constitutional guarantees, restoration of statehood, clearance of the reservation file and justice for the people of J-K, the spokesman said. The protesters carried placards carrying messages, including BJP failed to raise the voice of J-K, restore statehood, BJP failed to bring employment package and BJP creating hurdles for statehood. The spokesman said the mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir could not be treated as a blank cheque and called for the commitments made to the people to be honoured. The mandate of the people of J-K is not a blank cheque. It must be respected, not taken for granted, he said.

Soaked Almonds vs Soaked Walnuts: Which is The Best Morning Starter for a Healthier Brain?

Soaked almonds and soaked walnuts are a beneficial addition to your diet. But which one is a better option when it comes to boosting your brain health? Read ahead to know.

Police foil NCs march to BJP headquarters in Srinagar

India, Afghanistan Joint Working Group reviews measures to strengthen bilateral trade, economic cooperation

Srinagar, Sep 02: The IndiaAfghanistan Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade, Commerce and Investment held its meeting virtually on 1st September 2026. The meeting was attended by officials from India and Afghanistan, including representatives from commerce, industry, customs, regulatory authorities and diplomatic missions. The two sides reviewed various issues relating to bilateral trade and economic cooperation and discussed measures to further facilitate trade and strengthen commercial engagement between the two countries. Key areas of discussion included trade facilitation and customs cooperation, visa facilitation for Afghan traders, banking and financial cooperation, pharmaceutical and agricultural trade, energy cooperation, investment and trade promotion, tariff concessions, cargo connectivity and port-related issues. Both sides agreed to strengthen institutional cooperation and pursue follow-up actions in the identified areas, including enhanced customs and data-sharing cooperation, regulatory cooperation in pharmaceuticals and agriculture, improved trade connectivity, and promotion of investment and business-to-business engagement. The meeting was held in a warm and constructive atmosphere. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening IndiaAfghanistan trade, commerce and investment ties and agreed to maintain continued engagement on the issues discussed.

BJP leaders and workers march towards secretariat to protest misgovernance

Matcha-do About Nothing, Soha Ali Khan Whips Up A Protein Rich Drink

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BJP workers march towards Civil Secretariat in Srinagar

People are angry, that is why they are on streets: LoP Sunil Sharma

Srinagar, Sep 02: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Wednesday said the BJPs protest in Srinagar reflected what he termed the failures of the National Conference-led government, as party leaders and workers gathered at Lal Chowk ahead of a planned march towards the Civil Secretariat. Security was tightened across Lal Chowk ahead of the BJPs proposed Civil Secretariat gherao, with the Hari Singh High Street road towards the Secretariat closed and heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel in place. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the gathering near the Clock Tower, Sharma said people were taking to the streets over issues including electricity, water, roads and unemployment. This is a reflection of the failures of the government, which you are seeing on the streets today. Those who are yearning for electricity and water, those who are yearning for roads, those who are yearning for a job, especially young people, those young people are told that today they will not get a job from PSC or SSRB, Sharma said. He alleged that the government had failed to provide adequate employment opportunities to the youth and claimed that jobs were being linked to contractors associated with the National Conference. Today you ask for a job from a contractor of the National Conference. Today, if you have to appoint a doctor anywhere, he will be the contractor of the National Conference, he alleged. Sharma also criticised the government over the increase in electricity tariffs, saying it had placed an additional burden on the poor. On top of that, the government has increased the electricity tariff and has put a burden on the poor. People are angry, that is why they are on the streets, he said. Targeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Sharma questioned the promises made by the National Conference during the Assembly elections, including its commitments on Article 370, free electricity and jobs. Mr Omar Abdullah had said he would bring back the so-called Article 370. He had said he would give 200 units of electricity for free and 100,000 jobs, Sharma said. He also challenged Omar Abdullah to seek a fresh mandate from the people on the issue of statehood. If Mr Omar Abdullah has even a little bit of dignity left, then come and fight the elections on statehood and resign from Ganderbal. If people win the elections and send you to the statehood, then we will bow before you, Sharma said. The BJP had announced that it would march towards the Civil Secretariat as part of the protest. The party leaders and workers were gathered at the Clock Tower at the time of filing this report and had not yet begun the march.(KNO)

NC holds protest in Srinagar, demands restoration of statehood, constitutional guarantees

Srinagar, Sep 02: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration in Srinagar, pressing the BJP-led central government to fulfil its promises on restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees for the Union Territory. The protest, which was taken out towards the BJP headquarters here, saw NC workers raising slogans and carrying placards demanding the restoration of J&K's statehood a key promise made by the Centre both in Parliament and before the Supreme Court following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. We only want to remind the BJP leadership in Delhi that the promises you made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be fulfilled. The time has now come, NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq told reporters on the sidelines of the protest. MLA Sadiq said the peaceful march was intended to convey the party's demands to the central leadership, not to target the BJP's local unit in J&K. We have nothing against the BJP's local leadership. We want to remind Prime Minister Modi and the central leadership of the commitments made before the Supreme Court. We have come here to seek fulfilment of those promises, he said. The NC leader listed the party's key demands, which include restoration of statehood, constitutional safeguards, and reservation-related issues concerning the youth of J&K. It is not only about constitutional guarantees and special status, but also about statehood and reservation for our children. Something must be done for the youth today, MLA Sadiq added. He also raised concerns over delays in the rationalisation of posts for youth, saying employment-related issues needed urgent attention. Asserting that the protest was rooted in the mandate given by the people of J&K, Sadiq said the NC was seeking respect for that mandate and the restoration of the rights of the people. We are here for all the rights and the mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. That mandate must be respected. That is why we have come here today, he said. (KNS)

BJP workers hold protest at Lal Chowk against NC government

Security tightened around Jawahar Nagar ahead of NCs protest and gherao of BJP HQ in Srinagar

Five chargesheeted over fake appointment, transfer orders in Education Department

Srinagar, Sep 2: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a charge-sheet against five persons in connection with an alleged fake appointment and transfer racket in the Education Department. The charge-sheet was presented before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, in FIR No. 36/2021 under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 201 and 120-B RPC. The accused have been identified as Nisar Ahmad Bhat of Iqbal Colony, Tral, Pulwama; Shakir Gull of Kachdoora, Shopian; Mohammad Ayaz Rather of Takipora, Ratnipora, Shopian; Sheikh Ruhail Ahmad of Kachdoora, Shopian; and Tanveer Ahmad Rather of Khudpora Mowgam, Anantnag. According to the Crime Branch, the case originated from a communication received from the Director, School Education Kashmir, regarding three persons who had joined as teachers in Zone Nagam, Charar-i-Sharief, Budgam, on the basis of purported transfer/adjustment orders allegedly issued by the Directorate. A probe was subsequently ordered, and the investigation revealed that the questioned orders carried forged signatures, order numbers and dispatch/endorsement numbers, the agency said. Records obtained from the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Nagam, and the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Budgam, confirmed that Mohammad Ayaz Rather, Sheikh Ruhail Ahmad and Tanveer Ahmad Rather had been transferred/adjusted on the basis of the questioned documents. Verification from the Directorate further established that its order book had been closed as of December 31, 2019, indicating that the order and endorsement numbers mentioned in the documents were fictitious, the Crime Branch said. The investigation also found that the three individuals had never been appointed anywhere in the Education Department. According to the charge-sheet, accused Nisar Ahmad Bhat, a teacher, and Shakir Gull allegedly acted as facilitators/intermediaries. The investigation further alleged that Bhat arranged the means and machinery used for fabricating and printing the forged official documents. The Crime Branch said the allegations were found substantiated during the investigation and the charge-sheet was filed before the court for judicial determination. The EOW Kashmir has advised the public to remain vigilant against economic frauds and report suspicious activities to the SSP, EOW Kashmir. Complaints can also be lodged through email at sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in .

NC, BJP to stage counter protests in Srinagar; security tightened

Security forces were heavily deployed in Srinagar on Wednesday to manage planned protests. The BJP planned to gherao the Civil Secretariat over unfulfilled electoral promises. The National Conference announced a counter protest outside the BJP office. Roads were sealed and entry points restricted to prevent gatherings. Both parties aim to highlight their respective concerns regarding governance and statehood.

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Make the most of the citys last few rainy days with a bowl of this comforting Oriental one-pot meal

ED raids multiple States in fraud NHAI toll plaza collection case

They said about 14 premises in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and West Bengal were brought under the searches

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Prepare These 6 Festive Dishes For Lord Ganesha

Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated from September 14 to 25, marks Lord Ganesha's birth with devotional worship and community events across India.

US and Iran trade strikes, and other Mideast news

Dubai, Sep 02: The United States military struck targets in Iran on Tuesday as hostilities flared after a month without military action. Iran fired missiles and drones in response, Iranian semiofficial media said. The Fars and Tasnim news agencies, seen as close to Iran's security forces, reported late Tuesday that Iran had launched such operations. One US strike hit a home hosting a wedding, killing five people and wounding dozens, local officials said. Here's a look at the latest developments in the Iran war and the wider Middle East. Full coverage can be found here. US strikes targets in Iran US Central Command said the new strikes come after Tehran tried to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and US service members in the region. US President Donald Trump warned in a social media post that if Iran retaliates, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings. On Sunday, the US military said it struck rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by launching missiles at US sites in Jordan, which were intercepted, while the United Arab Emirates said it stopped an Iranian drone over its waters. After the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, Iran established a chokehold on the strait, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil passed in peacetime, slowing ship traffic to a trickle. That has roiled the global economy, raising prices worldwide for energy and other goods. While Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has long favoured a negotiated end to the war, the most powerful force in Iran remains the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which is pressing for greater concessions from the US, including Iranian control over the strait and financial compensation for the war. Those conditions would likely be unacceptable to Washington. US renews regionwide Mideast travel alert The State Department renewed a regionwide travel alert for the Middle East as hostilities between the US and Iran resumed. Due to tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation, the department said in a blanket advisory covering all countries in the region. The language is similar to that used in previous warnings that came before a lull in combat activities and said Americans in the Mideast should exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential travel disruptions. Iran is working with Oman on a plan for shipping traffic Iran has been working with Oman, which sits on the south side of the Strait of Hormuz, on a framework for managing shipping traffic, though it remains unclear whether the plan would be acceptable to the US. Other Gulf nations have stressed the need to reopen the strait unconditionally. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, met with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Tuesday, according to the Saudi Press Agency, which said the two discussed ongoing efforts to maintain regional security and stability, but did not mention the strait specifically. Iran continues to deny UN inspectors access to nuclear sites The United Nations nuclear watchdog has been unable to inspect nuclear facilities in Iran affected by the 12-day war in June 2025, according to a confidential report by the UN watchdog circulated to member states and seen Tuesday by The Associated Press. The International Atomic Energy Agency said in its report that therefore it cannot provide any information on the current size, composition or whereabouts of the stockpile of enriched uranium in Iran. Israeli raid to detain Hamas militant in Gaza kills 4 people Israel said it detained a senior Hamas security official in a special forces raid in Gaza City on Tuesday. The operation killed at least four people, including two children, hospital officials said. In a joint statement, Israel's military and national security agency said the operation targeted the head of Hamas' internal security. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that the detainee, who he did not name, is one of the most senior Hamas leaders and that he was most recently engaged in efforts to restore Hamas's governance in Gaza. Islamic State spokesperson killed in Yemen Yemen's state security said that Islamic State spokesperson Abu Huzayfah al-Ansari was killed in Yemen in a joint operation by Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and the Yemeni counterterrorism forces. He was killed at dawn Tuesday while he was hiding in a house in Seiyun city in the Yemeni province of Hadramout, according to a security statement published by state-run SABA news agency. A US official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was no US military involvement in the operation. (AP) 2 ships attacked in and around the Strait of Hormuz The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said it received reports of an attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, and a second report involving a nearby tanker. The UKMTO said a tanker was hit by three projectiles Monday on its way out of the Persian Gulf through the strait east of Oman. In the second attack the same day, the centre received a report involving a tanker and military forces off the coast of Oman, east of the Strait of Hormuz. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to participate in BRICS Summit in India

Guterres also reaffirms the commitment of the UN to support all diplomatic efforts aimed at a comprehensive and durable solution

Inter-Zonal Cricket: Cricketers compete across 4 cluster venues in Baramulla

Baramulla, Sep 1:The Inter-Zonal District-Level Cricket Competition for Boys commenced Tuesday across District Baramulla, organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Baramulla, under the supervision of DYSSO Baramulla, Mushtaq Ahmad Pampori. The week-long competition, as per an official statement, is being held simultaneously at four cluster venues viz Singpora Kalan, Sopore, Pattan and Boniyar, providing young cricketers an opportunity to showcase their talent, teamwork and sporting spirit. At Cluster Pattan, Zone Pattan defeated Zone Kunzer in the opening match, while Zone Singpora Pattan emerged victorious against Zone Nehalpora in the second match. The competition will continue throughout the week, with teams vying for district-level honours and an opportunity to showcase their cricketing potential.

J&K Sports Council launches gymnastics academy in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council has launched a new gymnastics academy at the Gindun Sports Complex in Rajbagh, opening registrations for beginners as part of efforts to expand access to the sport among children in the Valley. As per a statement issued, it is an ongoing effort to give children across the Valley access to sports that haven't had much of a foothold here. Gymnastics builds strength, flexibility, balance and, just as importantly, confidence and discipline in young athletes. We want kids in Jammu & Kashmir to have a real shot at gymnastics, something that just hasn't been available to them before, said Dilbagh Singh, who's coordinating the program for JKSC. If a few of them go on to represent J&K one day, that is exactly why we are doing this. The academy joins a growing list of grassroots programmes, and the Sports Council has been rolling out to get more young people into organised sport. Parents can reach out to Dilbagh Singh at +91 90860 86060 to registration.

Kashmir Sporting FC, Shaheen FC register wins in Srinagar A-Division League

Srinagar, Sep 1:Srinagar A-Division League witnessed two exciting encounters on Tuesday. In the first match of the day, Kashmir Sporting FC, as per the DFA statement, put up an impressive performance to defeat Safallo FC by a convincing margin of 61. In the second match, Shaheen FC secured a well-deserved 31 victory over National Dalgate FC in an entertaining contest. Both matches showcased competitive football and strong performances from the participating teams.

Over 300 registrations received on first day

Srinagar, Sep 1:More than 300 young footballers registered on the opening day of the Sub-Junior Boys Football Trials across Jammu and Kashmir, with 301 registrations received from aspiring players in both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. A total of 214 registrations, as per a statement, were received online, while around 87 registrations were received offline. The trials are being conducted to identify and shortlist talented players for the Sub-Junior Boys Football Team, with participants being assessed on their technical skills, tactical understanding, physical attributes and overall performance. The second day of registration will be held tomorrow, providing eligible players who have not yet registered with another opportunity to complete the registration process and participate in the selection trials.

MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami backs protesting medical interns

Srinagar, Sep 1: CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, has extended his support to the ongoing protest by MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir and urged the government to immediately revise their monthly stipend, currently fixed merely at Rs 12,300, a figure that has remained unchanged for nearly six years. Interns at SKIMS Bemina, GMC Srinagar, GMC Jammu, GMC Anantnag and GMC Baramulla have been on an indefinite strike since August 31, demanding that the stipend be raised to Rs 30,000 a month. Tarigami, as per a statement, said the demand was neither excessive nor unreasonable but fair compensation for young doctors who are often the first to attend to patients in emergency wards and who routinely work shifts stretching to 24 or even 36 hours. These are young men and women who have spent years training to serve the sick, and today they stand on the roads instead of inside hospitals, because the system has failed to value their labour, he said. A stipend of Rs 12,300 a month, unchanged since 2019, insults the effort these interns put in every single day. He noted that a committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education Department in 2023 had itself recommended raising the stipend to around Rs 25,000, yet no formal order has followed. When your own committee tells you, the current amount is inadequate, and you still let the file gather dust for years, it stops being a matter of process and becomes a matter of will, he said. The strike also raises a larger question of equal work for equal pay, and the interns in J&K earn a fraction of what their counterparts receive in several other states despite comparable duties and training. He appealed to the Health and Medical Education Minister and the administration to treat the matter with urgency rather than assurances and to issue a formal revision order without further delay. Doctors who serve patients round the clock deserve dignity, not delay, Tarigami said, adding that continued inaction risked disrupting healthcare services across the Union Territory at the cost of ordinary patients who depend on government hospitals.

Nepals only billionaire praises India, PM Modi for swift disaster response; calls rebuilding task gigantic

Nepals only billionaire and philanthropist Binod Chaudhary on Tuesday praised India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their swift response to the devastating flash floods in the country, saying the scale of the disaster was far bigger than anyone had contemplated. Chaudhary also described the rebuilding task as gigantic, highlighting how villages, markets, schools and bridges were washed away and more than 500 megawatts of power generation capacity went out of operation. The scale of the disaster is far bigger than one would have ever contemplated. We had floods in the past in the same location even last year and thats nowhere close to what it is now, Chaudhary told PTI Videos. Weve lost about a thousand people. About 4,000 people are missing... More than the last count that Ive taken, we had lost some 40-odd bridges, he said, highlighting the scale of damages. More than 500 megawatts of power stations had gone out of circulation, out of operation and many projects which were under construction, particularly the power projects, they all had to be halted, theyre washed away, damaged. So its really a very, very painful situation, Chaudhary added. The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal crossed 1,000 on Tuesday, as rescuers struggled to trace those stranded amid intermittent rainfall and a fresh flood alert. Around 4,000 people, including 583 foreigners, remained missing, while around 12,000 people had been rescued, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. Chaudhary praised the Nepal government, security agencies and friendly neighbours, particularly India, for their response to the disaster. I must acknowledge that the government and the security agencies and also supported by our friendly neighbours, India in particular has done a great job in supporting, in coming forward with the relief material right away, he said. He particularly praised New Delhi and PM Modi for supporting Nepal, not just after the latest disaster but also recalling Indias response during the 2015 earthquake. I think we have no doubt in my mind that India is equally concerned. And Ive seen this on multiple occasions. Even during the 2015 earthquake, India was the first one, Prime Minister Modi was the first one to come up with the immediate rescue arrangement, support, infrastructure, logistics, he said. He said India had gained that prominence, gained that capacity and the ability to respond on a large scale. Given the scale at which India has been able to move, build the infrastructure. There has been a transformation in the quality of the infrastructure that India has been able to build over during the last 12 years. So the whole system is of a different level and caliber, Chaudhary said. I would hope and I would appeal to the Indian government, Prime Minister Modi and all those who matter to do everything possible. I think these are the moments when India can make a big difference, Chaudhary said. Chaudhary said financial assistance from different countries, companies, foundations and business houses remained of utmost importance, but cautioned that money is one thing and it cannot solve the problems overnight. You cant get the markets [to] start to function again. You cant rebuild the homes to house these people who are homeless, he said. Chaudhary emphasised that the task ahead was gigantic and Nepal would have to rebuild better. It is also an engineering issue. It is not only an issue which relates with one of those normal disasters, because the glacier meltdown because of global warming is really becoming a significant issue, which the whole world should be concerned about, he added.

SKUAST-K hosts 37 IFS officers from 18 states for capacity-building programme

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir) has brought together 37 Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers from 18 States for a three-day national capacity-building programme on Ecotourism in Forest and Wildlife Realms: Prospects & Challenges, being held from September 01to 03 at the Shalimar Campus. Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, the programme brings together senior forestry professionals, university leaders, researchers and subject experts to deliberate on emerging opportunities and challenges in sustainable ecotourism, forest and wildlife management. Addressing the participants, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, stressed that tourism in ecologically fragile regions must be guided by sustainability, conservation and community participation. He said the objective should not be to maximise tourist numbers but to maximise the positive value of tourism while minimising its ecological footprint. Emphasising the vulnerability of Himalayan ecosystems, Prof. Ganai called for a calibrated approach in which tourism becomes an instrument for conservation rather than ecological degradation. The Vice Chancellor also underlined the growing role of GIS, remote sensing, Artificial Intelligence and digital monitoring in protected-area management, biodiversity assessment, visitor management, ecosystem monitoring and evidence-based decision-making. He said SKUAST-K has an important role in generating scientific evidence, building professional capacities and providing technology-driven solutions to emerging environmental challenges. Former Chief Secretary, Ramesh Negi, Guest of Honour, emphasised the need to shift ecotourism from a tourism-centric to a conservation-centric model, keeping ecological carrying capacity, biodiversity protection, local livelihoods and responsible visitor behaviour at the centre of planning and management. Dr. Javeed Iqbal, Course Director, said the programme has been designed to go beyond conventional classroom-based training by providing participants with a field-oriented, interdisciplinary and technology-enabled learning experience. He noted that participation from 18 States would facilitate cross-state learning and exchange of experiences from diverse forest and ecological landscapes. The programme covers key themes including Himalayan biodiversity, protected-area management, ecosystem carrying capacity, legal and institutional frameworks, Eco-Development Committees, participatory planning, gender integration, overtourism mitigation, sustainable livelihoods, GIS, remote sensing and AI-based conservation monitoring. As part of the experiential component, the participating officers will visit important ecological and tourism landscapes including Wular Lake, Gulmarg, Zabarwan landscape, Chandaji Eco-Restoration Site and Hokersar Wetland. They will also be exposed to technological innovations at SKIIE and the Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, SKUAST-Kashmir. The programme builds upon SKUAST-Kashmirs continuing engagement with MoEFCC through capacity-building initiatives focused on smart conservation, forest landscape restoration, climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation. The University has also been advancing multidisciplinary, technology-driven solutions involving AI, IoT, CRISPR and precision systems.

1st batch of 50 students begins skill training under TCI MAX Cements scholarship programme

The first batch of 50 students supported under the Scholarship-cum-Financial Assistance Programme sponsored by Trumboo Industries Pvt Ltd (TCI MAX Cements) has commenced classes in various skill and vocational courses at Government ITI Pampore. According to a statement issued by TCI MAX Cements, the training is being conducted under the Skill Development Department, Jammu and Kashmir, with the scholarship initiative aimed at providing better educational and employment opportunities to youth from the adjoining areas. The initiative is part of the companys Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts focused on promoting skill development and creating opportunities for the youth. On the occasion, MLA Pampore and Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, along with Chairman, Trumboo Industries Pvt Ltd, Mohammad Shafi Trumboo, interacted with the students and encouraged them to make the best use of the opportunity provided to them. Addressing the students, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi and Mohammad Shafi Trumboo wished them success in their academic and professional journey. They emphasised that acquiring technical and vocational skills can play a vital role in enhancing employability and building a sustainable future. The students were encouraged to attend classes regularly, develop practical skills and make optimum use of the facilities and training being provided at the ITI, with the aim of becoming skilled, confident and self-reliant professionals. The scholarship initiative, being implemented in collaboration with Government ITI Pampore, reflects TCI MAX Cements commitment towards youth empowerment, skill development and community welfare in the region. TCI MAX Cements congratulated all 50 students on the commencement of their training and wished them success in their academic and professional journey.

J&K exports in focus as KCC&I flags decline, seeks Centres intervention

President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I), Javid Ahmad Tenga, held meetings with senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), raising concerns over the decline in Jammu & Kashmirs exports and seeking measures to support exporters and revive traditional export sectors. During his meeting with Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Kapil Choudhary, Tenga highlighted the declining export trend from Jammu & Kashmir and drew attention to the challenges confronting exporters, particularly those engaged in traditional sectors. He specifically flagged concerns relating to Pashmina, handicrafts and other traditional products, calling for targeted policy interventions and greater institutional support to restore their competitiveness and expand their presence in international markets. Tenga also briefed the Joint Secretary on KCC&Is efforts to facilitate the participation of J&K exporters in national and international trade fairs and exhibitions. He said the Chamber had already applied to the DGFT for participation in several such platforms and requested favourable consideration of the applications and the necessary institutional support. He stressed that such exhibitions provide exporters with an opportunity to showcase J&Ks products, establish direct connections with international buyers, explore new markets and secure business opportunities. He said institutional support was particularly important amid the decline in the regions exports. The KCC&I President also sought closer coordination between the Ministry of Commerce, DGFT and the Chamber to expand market access, promote traditional products and create new opportunities for exporters from Jammu & Kashmir. In a separate meeting with Abhinav Gupta, Additional Director General, DGFT, Tenga raised the difficulties being faced by exporters from J&K in obtaining Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoOs). The Chamber pointed out that exporters had been facing delays and difficulties in obtaining Preferential CoOs following the India-Oman Free Trade Agreement. Since the certificates are required to avail preferential tariff benefits under trade agreements, delays can affect shipment schedules and exporters ability to secure the concessions available to them. Tenga specifically requested that the DGFT Ludhiana office remain operational for issuing Preferential CoOs for Kashmir consignments from October 2026 to March 2027, coinciding with the regions peak export season. The Additional Director General assured Tenga that the DGFT Ludhiana office would remain operational during the period to facilitate the issuance of Preferential CoOs for Kashmir consignments. The assurance is expected to provide relief to exporters, particularly during the peak season when shipment volumes typically increase. Tenga thanked the officials for their time and for considering the concerns raised by the Chamber. The KCC&I said it would continue engaging with the concerned authorities on measures to strengthen J&Ks export sector, support traditional industries such as Pashmina and handicrafts, facilitate participation in international and national trade fairs, and improve access to domestic and overseas markets.

SSI Bonafide Unit Holders seek restoration of SICOP marketing assistance

A delegation of the SSI Bonafide Group of Unit Holders Kashmir today called on Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Surinder Choudhary, along with Commissioner/Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Vikramjit Singh, in the presence of MLA Anantnag West Abdul Majeed Larmi. During the meeting, the long-pending issue of restoration of SICOP marketing assistance and procurement support for Bonafide SSI Unit Holders of Kashmir was discussed. The delegation apprised the Deputy Chief Minister of the difficulties being faced by Bonafide SSI units due to the discontinuation of effective SICOP marketing assistance. The delegation emphasised that thousands of workers and entrepreneurs are dependent on these industrial units and that restoration of institutional marketing support is essential for the survival, growth and revival of the local SSI sector. The Deputy Chief Minister listened patiently to the delegation and passed on-the-spot directions to the Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department to extend full support and necessary intervention for the early restoration of SICOP marketing assistance to Bonafide SSI Unit Holders. The delegation expressed its sincere gratitude to the Deputy Chief Minister for giving the matter due consideration and for taking an on-the-spot decision and assuring early action on the issue. The Bonafide SSI Unit Holders expressed hope that the assurance will translate into a formal policy decision at the earliest, thereby providing much-needed relief to genuine and bonafide SSI units across Kashmir. The delegation also placed on record that a strong and effective marketing mechanism through SICOP can significantly strengthen local manufacturing, increase government procurement from local SSI units, protect existing employment and create new opportunities for unemployed youth. The meeting was attended by the Administrative Council of the SSI Bonafide Group of Unit Holders Kashmir: Shabir Abdullah, Chief Coordinator; Shoaib Hakak, Vice Chief Coordinator; Showkat Sheikh, Coordinator South Bashir Ahmed Najar, Coordinator and Coordinator North besides other members.

J&K Bank bids farewell to 2 general managers

J&K Bank today accorded a warm farewell to General Managers Rakesh Koul and Syed Rais Maqbool, who superannuated today after rendering nearly 37 years of dedicated service to the institution. MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee chaired the farewell meeting at the Banks Corporate Headquarters, which was attended by Executive Director Sudhir Gupta, Chief General Managers, General Managers, Deputy General Managers, and other senior officers of the Bank. Speaking on the occasion, MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee commended both the retiring executives for their long, dedicated, and valuable service to the Bank. He said, The retirement of senior leaders invariably entails a loss of accumulated experience, institutional memory, and professional wisdom. Both Rakesh Koul and Syed Rais Maqbool have contributed meaningfully to the Banks growth through their competence, integrity and commitment across the important responsibilities entrusted to them. Emphasising the importance of leadership continuity, he added, With a well-defined succession plan in place, the responsibility now rests with the emerging leadership to take up the mantle and build upon the legacy of the outgoing officers. The MD & CEO wished both the retiring executives good health, happiness, and a fulfilling post-retirement life. Known for his gentle disposition and thorough professionalism, General Manager Rakesh Koul joined the Bank on October 25, 1989. Expressing his gratitude at the farewell meet, General Manager Rakesh Koul said, I remain deeply grateful to the Banks leadership and all my colleagues for their trust, guidance, and unwavering support throughout my career. It has been an honour to serve and be part of Jammu and Kashmirs leading financial institution. Whatever I have achieved professionally, I owe in large measure to the opportunities, guidance and affection extended to me by the J&K Bank family. General Manager Syed Rais Maqbool joined the Bank on October 18, 1989, and is known for his suave personality and refined demeanour. Reflecting on his association with the Bank, General Manager Syed Rais Maqbool said, J&K Bank has been much more than a workplace for me; it has been a defining part of my life and identity. I sincerely thank the leadership and generations of colleagues whose trust, encouragement and caring companionship enriched my journey. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our stakeholders, especially the Banks esteemed customers, for their enduring trust and support. I feel privileged to have witnessed and contributed, in my own measure, to this great institutional story of transformation from J&K. The attending officers recalled their professional association with the retiring executives and acknowledged their contribution to the Banks growth and institutional development.

Unlicensed pesticides wont be allowed into J&K: Javid Dar

Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Elections Javid Ahmad Dar announced a major crackdown on the sale and movement of unlicensed pesticides in Jammu and Kashmir, saying checkpoints would be established at entry points to prevent such products from entering the Union Territory. Dar said the government would take strict measures against the sale and use of unlicensed pesticides, stressing that the move was aimed at safeguarding the agriculture sector and protecting farmers from potentially harmful products. Talking to reporters at Sopernaghama in the Qaziabad area of Kupwara, Dar also spoke about the National Conference (NC), describing it as a strong political party with deep and firm roots. He dismissed attempts to weaken the party, saying that the NC was a movement and that the departure of individuals would not dent its strength. NC is a movement, so anyone who leaves the party cannot dent it. Instead, they are destined to lose, he said. Earlier, Dar inaugurated the newly constructed Block Development Council (BDC) building at Sopernaghama, Qaziabad, in Handwara. The building has been constructed at a cost of 97 lakh and is aimed at strengthening the institutional infrastructure for local development and governance in the area. MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed and Director Rural Development Riyaz Ahmad Wani were also present on the occasion.

Scooty rider killed in Bemina road accident

A scooty rider was killed after his two-wheeler was hit by a tipper near Government Degree College Bemina in Srinagar on Monday evening. An official told local news agency GNS that a speedy Scooty TVS Antorq bearing registration number JK01AW-9883, ridden by an unknown person, collided with an unknown tipper near Govt. Degree College Bemina, resulting in the scooty rider succumbing to his injuries on the spot. His dead body was lying on the roadside when Police Station Batamaloo reached the spot and took cognisance of the matter. The identity of the deceased is being ascertained, while the tipper driver fled from the spot, the official added.

EPG seeks protection of water bodies

The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has sought measures for protection of water bodies in Srinagar. EPG in a statement has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over a video circulating on social media that allegedly shows filling or reclamation of a portion of Dal Lake near the office of the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) at Miskeen Bagh. In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, EPG urged the competent authorities to verify the video and establish the exact location and nature of the activity shown. The group said the matter required prompt examination given the ecological importance and sensitivity of Dal Lake. EPG Convenor Faiz Ahmad Bakshi said that if the activity shown in the video involves filling of a water body, reclamation of lake area, dumping of material, alteration of a water channel or unauthorised encroachment, it could raise environmental and regulatory concerns. The group has sought a spot inspection by LCMA and other concerned departments to determine whether any portion of lake near Miskeen Bagh has been filled, reclaimed, encroached upon or otherwise altered. It has also asked the authorities to verify the ownership, land classification, revenue status and permissible land use of the area shown in the video. The EPG said the concern was not limited to Dal Lake and called for greater attention to the protection of water bodies and natural drainage systems across Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir possesses a highly interconnected network of lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams, springs, nallahs, flood channels and other natural water systems, the group said. It referred to Wular Lake, Anchar Lake, Nigeen Lake, Manasbal Lake, Khushal Sar, Gilsar and Hokersar, besides the River Jhelum and its tributaries. These water bodies are not vacant land available for gradual reclamation, the EPG said, adding that they play a role in water storage, regulating flows, supporting biodiversity, groundwater recharge and flood protection. The group also referred to Government of India documentation on encroachment pressures affecting the lacustrine systems of the Kashmir Valley and cited observations from the Comptroller and Auditor Generals report on the conservation and management of Dal Lake. The EPG said the CAG report had recorded issues including blocked nallahs, construction affecting drainage, dumping of construction material and shrinkage of drainage channels. The organisation has called for a comprehensive review of major lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams, springs, nallahs, flood channels and natural drainage systems across J&K to identify cases of encroachment, filling, reclamation and obstruction. It has proposed GIS- and satellite-based mapping of major water bodies and their buffer areas, followed by physical verification on the ground. The group has also suggested continuous monitoring of sensitive water bodies through satellite imagery, drone surveys, GIS mapping and periodic field inspections. The EPG further urged the government to ensure that any filling, reclamation, construction or alteration affecting the natural extent or drainage characteristics of a water body is subjected to environmental, hydrological and technical scrutiny by the competent authorities. It has also suggested treating natural flood channels, nallahs, wetlands and drainage corridors as important components of climate and disaster resilience. The group has called for greater transparency in the handling of encroachment cases and suggested that information on identified encroachments and action taken by the authorities be made publicly accessible. Jammu & Kashmir's water bodies are part of its natural capital, the EPG said, adding that they should be protected while development activities are undertaken. The group has requested the Chief Minister to direct the concerned authorities to examine the video, conduct an on-ground verification and take appropriate action if any violation is established.

CM Omar Abdullah meets Group of Concerned Citizens J&K

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a meeting with members of the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) J&K at the Civil Secretariat here and discussed a range of issues concerning governance, development, environment and public welfare in Jammu and Kashmir. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani was also present at the meeting. The civil society group was led by Khurshid Ahmed Ganai (IAS Retd.) and comprised other members of the GCC. The delegation raised several issues of public importance, including governance, environmental protection, municipal administration and waste management. Particular attention was drawn to the conservation of water bodies and wetlands and the need for effective measures to safeguard these important ecological assets. The GCC also raised issues relating to the conversion of agricultural land, traffic management, flood mitigation and management, and power development, including greater focus on renewable energy. Issues pertaining to skill development and employment generation, as well as digitisation of revenue records, were also discussed. The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the concerns and suggestions put forth by the members of the GCC. He noted the issues raised during the meeting and assured that these would be taken into consideration by the government while examining the relevant matters.

Fire guts building at Nawab Bazar Srinagar

A major fire broke out in a four-storey commercial building in the congested Nawab Bazar area of Srinagar on Tuesday morning gutting the structure and triggering panic among residents. Two firefighters suffered suffocation during the operation but were rescued and are stated to be out of danger. Officials from the Fire and Emergency Services said they received a distress call at around 10:40 am, following which multiple firefighting units and fire tenders from Maharaj Ganj, Baba Demb and the department's headquarters were rushed to the spot. They said the fire originated on the ground floor of the commercial building, which housed paint, colour, hardware and other business establishments, before rapidly spreading to the upper floors. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Our teams immediately launched firefighting operations and worked relentlessly to prevent the flames from spreading to adjoining structures, a Fire and Emergency Services official said. Officials said the operations in downtown areas are particularly challenging as they are among the most congested areas of Srinagar, surrounded by closely packed commercial and residential buildings. The morning rush further complicated the movement of firefighting vehicles and equipment. Officials said firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control after sustained efforts, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings. During the operation, Two firefighters developed suffocation related complications while battling the flames. They were immediately evacuated, provided medical assistance, said the official. The blaze caused panic in the locality as thick smoke billowed into the sky, drawing large crowds to the scene. Eyewitnesses said people rushed out of nearby shops while many locals and traders assisted in shifting goods from adjacent establishments as a precautionary measure. There was panic because the fire spread very quickly and everyone feared it could engulf nearby shops as well, an eyewitness said. The incident comes amid a series of fire mishaps reported in Srinagar over the past few weeks. In recent years, several devastating fires, particularly in the city's downtown areas, have caused extensive damage to commercial properties. Fire officials have repeatedly urged owners of commercial establishments to install and maintain fire fighting equipment in accordance with prescribed safety norms and strictly follow standard operating procedures to minimise losses in the event of such incidents.

Another sanitation worker arrested, 7 held so far

Ramban, Sep 1:The District Hospital Kishtwar has terminated the services of another sanitation worker following her arrest in connection with the case registered at Police Station Chatroo regarding the death of a minor girl. According to an official order issued by the Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Kishtwar, Zareena Begum, wife of Shabir Ahmed and a resident of Bandereena, Kishtwar, who was engaged as an HDF sanitation worker at the hospital, was arrested by Police Station Chatroo on August 30, 2026, in connection with FIR No 34/2026. The hospital authorities stated that they received formal information about her arrest from the Station House Officer, Police Station Chatroo, through a wireless signal dated August 30. Following the receipt of the communication, the Medical Superintendent ordered the termination of Zareena Begums services with immediate effect. The order cited the extremely grave and serious nature of the allegations and offences involved, stating that her continuation in service was considered incompatible with the discipline, integrity and functioning of a public health institution. The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, including Sections 61(1), 65(2), 90, 91 and 92 of the BNS and Sections 4, 6, 8, 10 and 17 of the POCSO Act, as mentioned in the official record. Copies of the termination order have been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Director Health Services Jammu, SSP Kishtwar, Chief Medical Officer Kishtwar, and the Station House Officers of Police Stations Kishtwar and Chatroo for information and necessary action. The latest departmental action comes amid an ongoing investigation into the Chatroo minors death case, which has resulted in multiple arrests and triggered widespread concern across the Chenab Valley. Police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the circumstances of the case and ascertain the alleged role of each person connected with the matter. Later, the case was transferred to the Crime Branch. Earlier, Farooq Ahmed, another sanitation worker posted at District Hospital Kishtwar, was also terminated from service following his arrest in connection with the same case. With the latest action against Zareena Begum, the hospital has now terminated two sanitation workers in connection with the investigation. The investigation has involved the arrest of several persons allegedly linked to the case, with investigators examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged sexual exploitation of the minor, her subsequent medical treatment and the role of various individuals. Authorities have maintained that the investigation is being conducted on the basis of evidence and material collected during the probe. Further action is expected as the investigation into FIR No. 34/2026 progresses.

CEO iQuasar delivers lecture at CUK

Tahir Qazi, Chief Executive Officer of iQuasar, LLC, delivered an insightful lecture to the students of the Department of Management Studies (DMS), Central University of Kashmir (CU Kashmir), on the topic Use AI as Your Coach to Build Skills for Career Growth at the varsitys Green Campus. iQuasar, LLC, is a Sterling, Virginia-based firm that provides technology solutions and outsourcing services to government and commercial clients. His lecture focused on the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in learning, skill development and professional growth. Qazi highlighted how AI tools can be effectively used as personal coaches to identify skill gaps, develop new competencies, improve productivity and prepare students for the evolving demands of the workplace. Qazi emphasised that students and professionals need to engage in intentional, self-directed learning to get ready to work in their desired careers. He explained how to write AALIM prompts and agents and how to write prompts in the ACT format - Actor, Context and Task - making them easy to remember and hard to get wrong. The session encouraged students to embrace AI not merely as a technological tool but as a continuous learning partner that can support them in achieving their academic and career goals. The key takeaway of the interaction was: Learn, Apply, and Master! Earlier, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, Head, DMS, introduced the guest to the students of BBA and MBA. Dr Zia Ul Haq, Associate Professor, proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Mir Insha Farooq and Dr Waseem Jehangir were also present.

CTTIK urges LG Sinha to initiate daily Vaishnodevi Yatra bulletin to tackle misleading information

Jammu, Sep 1:Chamber of Tourism Trade and Industry Katra (CTTIK) on Tuesday made an earnest appeal to the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to consider initiating a daily official Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra bulletin. The proposed bulletin, according to CTTIK, may provide updated and authentic information regarding the current status of the Yatra, weather conditions, route accessibility, pilgrim movement, accommodation and transport facilities, health and emergency services, advisories and other important arrangements made for devotees. Appeal was made in a meeting of the office bearers and executive members of the Chamber of Tourism Trade and Industry Katra (CTTIK) held under the chairmanship of its president, Raj Kumar Padha. The meeting was aimed at deliberating upon various important issues concerning the smooth facilitation and better management of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, as well as matters relating to the welfare and interests of the local business community and residents of Katra. During the meeting, the participants said the Chamber (CTTIK) believed that a regular official bulletin would serve as a credible and reliable source of information for pilgrims across the country and abroad, while effectively countering misinformation and unverified social media content. Such an initiative would also contribute significantly towards the better regulation, management and facilitation of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, it was stated. The meeting was attended by Babu Ram senior vice president, Sushil Dubey vice president, Rajnish Purohit general secretary, Atul Sharma secretary, Karan Vaid secretary, executive members Rattan Sharma, Vivek Gupta and Neelam Singh. During the meeting, detailed and threadbare discussions were held on the role of CTTIK and other stakeholders in facilitating pilgrims visiting the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. The members emphasised the need for close coordination among the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the local administration, tourism stakeholders and business establishments to ensure that pilgrims receive accurate information, proper guidance and all necessary facilities for a smooth, safe and comfortable pilgrimage. The CTTIK members expressed serious concern over the increasing circulation of misinformation and unverified content regarding the status of the Vaishno Devi Yatra and various facilities available to pilgrims, particularly through reels and other social media platforms. It was observed that many prospective pilgrims tend to believe such unverified information often created unnecessary confusion and in some cases- led them to cancel or postpone their planned visit to Katra. The members felt that the circulation of such misleading content not only adversely affected the local tourism and business ecosystem but also did a disservice to the religious sentiments and faith of millions of devotees associated with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. Daily bulletin would check this menace, they asserted. The meeting also discussed important issues concerning the welfare of the residents of Katra. CTTIK requested that the local residents of Katra should be provided access to subsidised healthcare facilities at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super Speciality Hospital, Kakryal considering the significant contribution and association of the local community with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage and its supporting ecosystem. The members further sought appropriate reservation of seats and concessional or subsidized tuition fees for deserving local students of Katra at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University so that the youth of the region could get benefits from quality higher education and greater opportunities for their future. The office bearers unanimously resolved that CTTIK would continue to work closely with all concerned authorities and stakeholders for the smooth conduct of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, dissemination of authentic information, welfare of the local community and sustainable development of Katra as one of the country's most important pilgrimage destinations.

High Court dismisses plea questioning Shopian Bar Associations election rules

The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has rejected a plea challenging the amended Constitution of the District Bar Association Shopian. Dismissing an advocates plea challenging the 2023 amendment enhancing the eligibility criteria for contesting the posts of President, Vice-President and Secretary of the Association, a bench of Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal held that disputes concerning the lawyers bodys internal affairs and elections are not amenable to writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution. Under the amended provisions, the required standing at the Bar was increased from 10 to 15 years for President and Vice-President and from seven to 10 years for Secretary. The petitioner had called into question the election notification issued on December 11, 2025, contending that the amendment had been introduced without following due procedure. He further contended that no valid General Body Meeting was held, no proper notice was circulated and no resolution approving the amendment had been passed. The amendment, he argued, was arbitrary and intended to exclude younger advocates from contesting elections. Opposing the plea, the respondents said that the amendment had been approved by the General Body after due notice and a majority vote. The Association, they said, was a voluntary body governed by its own Constitution and bye-laws and was neither State under Article 12 nor a body performing a public function under Article 226. Agreeing with the respondents preliminary objection, the court held that the District Bar Association Shopian neither derives its existence from any statute nor exercises statutory powers or governmental functions. It observed that merely because its members are advocates and the legal profession has an important role in the administration of justice, every activity of the Association cannot be treated as a public function. The Court underscored that the dispute over eligibility for holding office in the Association concerned internal governance and the electoral rights of its members, without any public-law element. It therefore could not be examined through writ jurisdiction. The Court noted that the case involved disputed questions of fact, including whether notice for the General Body Meeting was issued, whether the meeting was held and whether the amendment was validly approved. Such issues require examination of evidence and are more appropriately adjudicated by a competent civil court, it said. Moreover, the Court took note of the delay in challenging the 2023 amendment. The amended Constitution had remained operative for a considerable period and subsequent elections had allegedly been conducted under it. The Court observed that the petitioners conduct raised issues of acquiescence and approbation and reprobation, particularly as the challenge was made after the issuance of the election notification when the amended eligibility criteria affected his candidature. The Court, in keeping with the Supreme Court and various High Court decisions, including a recent one concerning the New Delhi Bar Association, reiterated that a Bar Association does not become amenable to writ jurisdiction merely because it consists of advocates. The Court accordingly dismissed the petition as not maintainable.

CM Omar Abdullah meets newly inducted IAS officers

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today met several officers, deputations and other individuals at the Civil Secretariat here. A group of newly inducted IAS officers, including Babila Rakhwal, Shabnam Shah Kamili, Rachna Sharma, Leena Padha, Rajinder Singh Tara, Munir ul Islam, Sajjad Hussain Gani, Anoo Malhotra, Nitu Gupta, Prediman Krishan Bhat, Bhawani Rakhwal and Anuradha Gupta, made a courtesy call on and met the Chief Minister. The officers were recently inducted into the Indian Administrative Service. The Chief Minister congratulated the officers on their induction into the countrys premier civil service and wished them a successful tenure. He expressed hope that they would continue to serve the people with the same dedication and enthusiasm. Commissioner Secretary, Information and Planning Department, R. Alice Vaz, separately met the Chief Minister and apprised him of the preparations for the First International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10, 2026. The Chief Minister took note of the preparations and stressed the need to ensure seamless arrangements and effective coordination among all concerned departments and agencies for the successful conduct of the international film festival. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Sujit Kumar, also called on the Chief Minister following his recent assumption of charge. Omar Abdullah extended his best wishes to the officer for his new assignment and discussed matters pertaining to the security and policing environment in the Kashmir region. Managing Director, Ernst & Young (E&Y), Amit Khandelwal, and Regional Head, E&Y, Navreet Singh, also called on the Chief Minister. The delegation briefed him on the work being undertaken by the firm in Jammu & Kashmir.

8 stranded in swollen Rajouri river rescued

Rajouri, Sep 1:Eight members of two families, including five children and three women, stranded in the middle of a swollen river at Badhoon village of Rajouri following a sharp rise in water levels amid heavy rainfall, were rescued to safety on Tuesday evening. The water level in the Jamola and Khandli rivers increased rapidly after heavy rains lashed several parts of Rajouri district, leaving the eight persons trapped in the river. Soon after receiving the information, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with local police, launched a rescue operation. The operation continued for several hours before all eight stranded persons were safely evacuated. The timely intervention of the rescue teams averted a major tragedy, while the heavy rainfall also led to a rise in water levels in several rivers and streams across the district. Authorities have urged people, particularly those residing near rivers and water channels, to exercise caution and avoid venturing into or crossing swollen water bodies amid the prevailing weather conditions.

Govt issues orders for faculty promotions in 5 GMCs

In a move to strengthen medical education and faculty hierarchy in the Government Medical Colleges of J&K, Government today sanctioned the promotion of 53 of faculty members across GMCs in Jammu, Rajouri, Doda, Baramulla and Anantnag. The orders were issued on August 31, 2026,after the nod of the Departmental Promotion Committee and the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission. Eligible Associate Professors have been promoted to the post of Professor and Assistant Professors to Associate Professor in various clinical and non-clinical disciplines. The promotions, as per the order, will take effect on a prospective basis. The largest list appears in Government Order No. 656-JK (HME) of 2026 for Government Medical College, Anantnag affecting promotion of 22 faculty members. This includes promotions in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Community Medicine, Psychiatry, Physiology, Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology, ENT, Orthopaedics, Radio Diagnosis, Pathology, Paediatrics, Dentistry, General Medicine, Radiation Oncology and Microbiology. Several Assistant Professors have also been regularized/promoted to Associate Professor. Government Order No. 660-JK (HME) of 2026 covers Government Medical College, Jammu. It lists 13 faculty members, including in departments of Radiotherapy and Anesthesiology. Faculty has also been promoted in department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Biochemistry, Community Medicine, Physiology and Anatomy. Government Order No. 659-JK (HME) of 2026 pertains to Government Medical College, Rajouri, where seven faculty members have been promoted. These include Dr. Syed Shuja Akhtar Qadri (Community Medicine), Dr. Suhail Banday (Anaesthesiology), Dr. Meenakshi Khajuria (Pathology), Dr. Rohni Sharma (Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy) and Dr. Satish Sharma (Dentistry) to Professor. Two others move up to Associate Professor in Biochemistry and Pathology. At Government Medical College, Doda, ten faculty members have been promoted. These include promotion to Professor level for Dr. Najmus Saqib (Paediatrics), Dr. Madhu Kapoor Chib (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), Dr. Garima Charak (Physiology), Dr. Khalid Muzzafer (Orthopaedics), Dr. Babar Rashid Zargar (General Surgery), Dr. Sumat-Ul-Khurshid (Pathology), Dr. Rahil Muzaffar (ENT) and Dr. Rajat Rakesh Khajuria (Dentistry). Two Assistant Professors have been promoted to Associate Professor in Orthopaedics and Biochemistry. Government Order No. 657-JK (HME) of 2026 for Government Medical College, Baramulla promotes a single Associate Professor, Dr. Mehmood Rashid of General Surgery to Professor. All the orders carry a standard caveat that the promotions and regularizations will remain subject to the outcome of any writ petition(s) pending in court.

Heavy rains lash Rajouri-Poonch, affect life

Rajouri, Sep 1: Several areas of Rajouri district received heavy to very heavy rainfall since Tuesday afternoon, affecting normal life and triggering a fresh rise in water levels in rivers and other water bodies. Reports from different parts of the district said intense showers continued for several hours, with waterlogging reported at multiple locations. The persistent rainfall has also raised apprehensions of a further increase in water levels in rivers and streams by evening. Several areas had witnessed heavy rainfall on Monday as well, with flood-like conditions reported along river bodies, particularly in Kalakote subdivision. Meanwhile, severe waterlogging was reported along the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch National Highway in Rajouri town following the heavy downpour on Tuesday evening, disrupting traffic movement. At Panj Peer area of Rajouri town, a stretch of the highway was submerged under accumulated rainwater, causing difficulties for commuters and affecting the smooth movement of vehicles. With rainfall continuing, authorities and residents are keeping a close watch on rivers, streams and other vulnerable locations amid apprehensions of flash floods and further waterlogging. In neighbouring Poonch district, all schools remained closed on Tuesday amid heavy rainfall leading to surge in water level in major rivers and nullahs. The closure of schools for the day was notified by the Chief Education Officer, Poonch. The officer asserted that the situation across district was being closely monitored, with particular focus on vulnerable areas. Rain water had disrupted traffic on Poonch-Mendhar road as well.

Enhance stipend of MBBS,BDS interns: Iltija Mufti

PDP leader Iltija Mufti on Tuesday asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to enhance the stipend of protesting MBBS and BDS interns from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000 per month. Iltija joined the protesting medical interns at GMC Srinagar and expressed solidarity with their legitimate demand to enhance their monthly stipend. It is deeply concerning that medical interns across Jammu & Kashmir continue to receive one of the lowest stipends in the country, despite shouldering an enormous workload. Interns are routinely required to perform duties extending from 12 to 48 hours and, across J&K, are often denied even basic holidays and adequate leave, she said. She called upon the government to immediately initiate a meaningful dialogue with the protesting interns, resolve their concerns and enhance their stipend to Rs 30,000 without further delay. The government must also ensure that interns receive reasonable working conditions, adequate leave and basic protection commensurate with the demanding services they render, she said. The demand for a Rs 30,000 stipend is both reasonable and justified. Several states have already substantially revised their internship stipends upwards. Odisha and West Bengal provide around Rs 45,000, while Uttar Pradesh has increased its stipend from Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000, with Bihar also having undertaken a revision, Iltija added. Young doctors serving in government hospitals cannot be expected to work 12- to 48-hour shifts without adequate holidays or benefits while being among the lowest-paid medical interns in the country. Their demand is legitimate, and the government must respond with urgency and sensitivity, she said. The government must seriously reconsider its priorities. At a time when substantial public resources are spent on lavish government programmes and activities, it is difficult to justify denying a modest and legitimate increase to young doctors who work round the clock to sustain the public healthcare system, the PDP leader added. The medical interns began their indefinite strike on Monday, seeking a higher stipend and better working conditions. Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Monday said the demand of the interns was already under consideration by the government and that they need not resort to strikes.

Census 2027 population enumeration in snow bound areas of J&K, Ladakh begins

Jammu, Sep 1:Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director, Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Amit Sharma on Tuesday declared commencement of population enumeration (phase-II) of Census 2027 across the snow-bound areas of the Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with field operations formally launched from the remote and snow-bound areas of Dudu and Basantgarh in Udhampur district. The September enumeration marks a significant operational milestone in Census 2027, as the Census machinery now moves towards the enumeration of the population itself, with special arrangements in place to ensure comprehensive coverage of the region's remote, high-altitude and difficult-to-access areas. CPCO Amit Sharma said that the commencement of Population Enumeration from Dudu and Basantgarh carried particular significance as it reflected the Directorate's commitment to taking the census to every part of the Union Territories, including areas where terrain, distance and weather would present formidable field challenges. He said extensive preparations involving enumeration block demarcation, mapping, logistics, training and deployment of field functionaries were undertaken to ensure that every household and every resident was brought within the ambit of the Census. He also highlighted that during the self-enumeration phase for population enumeration in snow-bound areas, Jammu and Kashmir emerged as the top-performing UT across the country among all the snow-bound areas in states or UTs, covered under the September 2026 population enumeration schedule, recording the highest number of self-enumeration submissions. The self-enumeration exercise was conducted from August 17 to 31, 2026, which provided residents an opportunity to participate directly in the digital Census process. During the self-enumeration phase for population enumeration in the snow-bound areas, conducted from August 17 to 31, 2026, the UT of Jammu and Kashmir recorded 9,672 self-enumeration submissions highest among all states and UTs covered in this phase. The response was particularly encouraging in several districts, with Pulwama recording 3,204, Kishtwar 2,231, Doda 1,169, Ramban 629, Poonch 569 and Kulgam 554 Self-Enumerations. In Ladakh, 527 households completed self-enumeration, including 301 in Kargil and 226 in Leh. Thus, a combined 10,199 households across the two Union Territories participated through self-enumeration ahead of the field phase. Amit Sharma appreciated the strong public response and said that the participation demonstrated the growing acceptance of the digital census process and provides a strong foundation for the successful conduct of population enumeration. He urged all residents to extend the same spirit of cooperation to enumerators and supervisors and ensure that their households and eligible family members were accurately covered. During the visit he was accompanied by Prem Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Darshan Kumar, District Statistics and Evaluation Officer from Deputy Commissioner Office, Udhampur district. From the Directorate of Census Operations, Manmeet Singh Loomba Deputy Chief Principal Census Officer, Balbir Singh and Nimrat Kour, Assistant Chief Principal Census Officer and Ajit Kumar District Coordinator for Udhampur District accompanied the CPCO. Population Enumeration in the snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir covers 16 districts and 95 charges, with an estimated 4,146 enumeration blocks being formed. These include Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi, Kupwara, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam. In Ladakh, the entire Union Territory is being enumerated during September through an estimated 637 enumeration blocks, making it the first Union Territory to be completely enumerated during the second phase of Census 2027. A significant component of the September exercise will be the enumeration of the houseless population, which will also be covered during this phase. The Directorate has made necessary arrangements to ensure that such population groups are appropriately identified and included within the Census coverage. The exercise will also include the enumeration of special charges, including Defence and Central Armed Police Force establishments and other restricted-access locations, in coordination with the concerned authorities. Following completion of the field enumeration, a revisional round will be conducted from October 1 to 5, 2026 to review the coverage and incorporate eligible changes arising within the prescribed period. This will provide an additional layer of field verification and help ensure that the Population Enumeration is as complete and accurate as possible. The second phase was preceded by a structured training cascade covering master trainers, field trainers and subsequently enumerators and supervisors, with emphasis on census concepts, definitions, field procedures and digital tools. Nodal officers and district coordinators have also been deployed to coordinate field preparations, enumeration block demarcation, distribution of census kits and availability of manuals and other operational material. CPCO Amit Sharma said that the launch from Dudu and Basantgarh sent a clear message about the approach of Census 2027 in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh i.e., the more difficult an area is to reach, the greater the importance of ensuring that its people are counted accurately. Expressing confidence in the preparedness of the census machinery, Amit Sharma said that the Directorate would continue its efforts to ensure complete, accurate and timely population enumeration across the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir and the entire Union Territory of Ladakh.

MBBS interns protest for stipend hike at GMC Anantnag for 2nd day

MBBS and BDS interns at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag staged a peaceful protest for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, seeking implementation of a long-pending proposal to increase their monthly stipend. Scores of interns gathered on the medical college premises and raised demands for enhancement of the stipend, which they said had remained unchanged for more than seven years despite rising inflation and living costs. Dr Mohammad Akib Javid, an intern at GMC Anantnag, told Greater Kashmir that the government had already constituted a committee to examine the issue and recommended an increase, but the revised stipend had yet to be implemented. We are currently being paid Rs 12,300 per month, he said, adding that interns were seeking implementation of the committees recommendation. The stipend was last formally revised in January 2019, when the Jammu and Kashmir government increased the monthly payment from Rs 4,800 to Rs 12,300 through Government Order No. 80-HME of 2019. Since then, the stipend has remained unchanged even as the cost of living has increased significantly. The government had constituted a committee on June 27, 2023, through Government Order No. 538-JK(HME) of 2023 to examine the enhancement of stipends for MBBS and BDS interns. The committee subsequently recommended an increase in the stipend. The J&K government later informed the Legislative Assembly that the committee had recommended a monthly stipend of Rs 25,000. While some earlier reports and representations had cited a figure of Rs 26,350, the Rs 25,000 figure was subsequently reflected in the governments Assembly response, said Javid. However, the recommendation has not translated into an increase in the stipend, he added. Following the committees recommendation, the proposal was processed by the Health and Medical Education Department and referred to the Finance Department for concurrence. The proposal remained pending amid financial and administrative queries, with the Finance Department seeking additional information and clarifications. Information was also sought from government medical colleges before the matter was processed further and resubmitted. Despite the passage of several years since the committee was constituted, the final government order implementing the revised stipend has not been issued. The interns have now renewed their demand for the government to clear the proposal and implement the enhanced stipend.

The voice we carry

The first person who told me I was too much was not a stranger. It was my first mirror. Someone who braided my hair before school, whose fragrance stayed with me even when she wasnt around and whose face was the most beloved. I called her mother. Sometimes the first person who teaches a girl to doubt herself is another woman who loves her. You'll never learn. Why can't you be more like their daughter? You are too clumsy. At the time, I did not think of those words as wounds. They were simply part of growing up. After all, mothers scold, mothers worry, mothers know best. It took me years to realise that not every scar announces itself with raised voices or bruises. Some arrive disguised as comparisons, others as constant criticism, affection that feels conditional, or expectations that leave little room to simply be. They do not break bones; they simply reshape the way a daughter sees herself. The cruellest part is that daughters rarely stop loving their mothers. Instead, they stop trusting themselves. A compliment begins to feel undeserved because faults were all they ever heard. A mistake feels catastrophic because perfection was expected. Even success is followed by a familiar whisper insisting it could have been better. The very voice that should have nurtured confidence starts eroding it slowly. It rarely happened all at once. It happened in passing, disguised as ordinary afternoons and ordinary conversations. I wore a dress I loved. She looked at me for a moment before asking, Is this really what you're wearing? I left my hair open. Tie it properly. I spent an hour cleaning my room. When I was your age, I did much more than this. I returned home excited about something I had written. She corrected my grammar before she noticed my enthusiasm. I stood first in class. She reminded me that someone else's daughter had scored higher. Years pass. Daughters grow up. They leave home, earn degrees, build careers, marry and become mothers themselves. But only a few can leave behind the voice that raised them. Others, before wearing a dress, before speaking in a meeting, before celebrating an achievement, before forgiving themselves for a mistake. They hear it. The tragedy is not that mothers make mistakes. Every human does. The tragedy is that some daughters spend years believing those voices are their own. Psychologists have long observed that a child's inner voice is often shaped by the voices they hear most consistently during their formative years. For many daughters, that first voice is their mother's. We often inherit our mothers' eyes, their smile, the shape of their hands and feet. But sometimes, we inherit their fears. Sometimes we inherit the words they spoke to us so often that, years later, we begin speaking them to ourselves. None of this is to deny the burdens many mothers carry. Many women raise their daughters while carrying their own unhealed wounds, struggling with expectations they never question, grappling with criticism they themselves endure and living lives shaped by scarcity, fear or silence. In spite of that, many a time, what mothers pass on to their daughters is not jewellery or recipes, but ways of speaking, disciplining, and believing that harshness builds strength. And in doing so, what is passed on is an emotional deprivation, one that renders their daughters screaming within and quiet without. Perhaps this is why conversations about emotionally difficult mother-daughter relationships remain so rare. We have become comfortable speaking about absent parents, abusive partners, and bullying classmates. But when the hurt comes from a mother, silence often takes its place. Love, gratitude, sacrifice, and pain become tangled together until daughters begin to wonder whether they are even allowed to speak about it. And thus, a daughter who is not understood at home does not stop longing to be understood. She simply begins carrying that hunger everywhere she goes. A teacher's praise tarries longer than it ought to. A friend's reassurance becomes unforgettable. Sometimes, the first person who says, You are enough, is trusted with a dangerous urgency, not because daughters are naive, but because they have spent years waiting to hear those words from the one person whose voice mattered the most. The starvation of acceptance caused by a mother's emotional negligence creates an emptiness that no amount of validation can fully satiate. Perhaps healing shall begin the day we learn to tell the difference between our own voice and the one we have been carrying all along. - From a daughter, still learning the difference. Asma Majid, V-YES (Voices of Young and Adolescent Women for Empowerment and Social Change) Research Fellow, Jammu and Kashmir Association of Social Workers (JKASW)

J&K health indicators outperform national averages: NITI Aayog

Jammu and Kashmir has recorded better outcomes than national benchmarks on several key health indicators, including neonatal, infant and under-five mortality, besides reporting higher immunisation coverage, life expectancy and sex ratio at birth. As per the figures presented by NITI Aayog, the comparison of health indicators shows that J&Ks neonatal mortality rate stands at 10 against the national figure of 18, while its infant mortality rate is 14 compared to 24 at the national level. As per the figures, the under-five mortality rate in J&K is also lower at 15 against the national figure of 28. The J&K UT has recorded a total fertility rate of 1.4, which is lower than the national figure of 1.9. On the demographic front, the official data reveals that the overall sex ratio in J&K is 948 females per 1,000 males against the national figure of 1,020. However, the sex ratio at birth is higher in J&K, which is recorded at 976 compared to 929 at the national level under NFHS-5. The data further shows that fully immunised children aged 1223 months stood at 93.7 per cent in J&K against 87.1 per cent nationally under NFHS-5. Under HMIS, full immunisation coverage is reported at 100 per cent in both J&K and nationally. As per the official figures, J&K has also reported a higher life expectancy at birth of 74.2 years, compared to the national figure of 69.7 years. The official document revealed that 273 hospitals have been empanelled, while approximately 88.25 lakh Golden Cards have been issued under the AB-PMJAY-SEHAT scheme. Over 21.84 lakh treatments have been provided under the scheme, with around Rs 3,984.32 crore in out-of-pocket expenditure of patients saved, it reads. The figures state that the 102-108 ambulance network has also expanded to 530 ambulances, with around 5.58 lakh patients having availed themselves of the services. As per the figures showing the Status of Health Infrastructure and Manpower in J&K, MBBS seats have increased from 500 up to 2019 to 1,725 by July 2026, which is an addition of 1,225 seats. The figure includes AIIMS Jammu, ASCOMS and 50 supernumerary seats. The expansion has also been recorded across other medical and allied health disciplines. DNB seats increased from 20 to 403, while B.Sc Nursing seats jumped from 685 to 3,240. B.Sc Paramedical seats rose from 78 to 1,898, B Pharma seats from 33 to 373 and M.Sc Nursing seats from 25 to 283. Similarly, PG and super-speciality seats have increased from 513 to 802 during the period. As per the figures, the bed capacity per 10,000 population has also increased from 13.74 to 16.63.

In 2005, Nasa sent five geckos into space for 16 days without food or water

The politics of an endless tomorrow

Politics has a curious relationship with unfinished promises. A promise that is fulfilled ceases to be a promise; it becomes a fact. A promise that fails, however, can acquire an unexpected political afterlife. It can be repeated, refined, mourned, blamed on circumstances, and eventually presented to the electorate once againas though its previous failure were itself evidence of the sincerity of those who made it. In this peculiar economy of democratic politics, the unfulfilled promise can become more durable than the fulfilled one. The unfolding political episode involving Aga Ruhullah Mehdi appears to be approaching precisely such a moment. Mehdi is expected to resign from the National Conference and from the Lok Sabha in November, following his increasingly public disagreement with the party over its approach to Article 370. If the resignation is followed by a by-election, he is likely to return to the electorate seeking a fresh mandate. There is, of course, nothing inherently illegitimate about any of this. A politician may leave a party when he believes that it has abandoned a principle, and a citizen has every right to seek electoral vindication. But the circumstances raise a question that is considerably more important than the resignation itself: what exactly is the electorate being asked to renew? Mehdi was elected to Parliament in 2024 in a political campaign in which the restoration of Article 370 occupied a central place. He did not present the issue merely as a matter of historical sentiment. He spoke of carrying the political aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir to Parliament and of pursuing the struggle for constitutional rights. After entering Parliament, he continued to raise Article 370 and criticised the National Conference for what he regarded as its retreat from the position on which it had sought the peoples mandate. He has also spoken of a political roadmap in which restoration of Article 370 would constitute an important step towards the larger objective of autonomy. That is precisely why the present moment demands more than another declaration of commitment. Where is the roadmap? The question may sound almost offensively mundane in the presence of such a grand constitutional aspiration. But democracy is often saved from political theatre by mundane questions. What is the strategy? What are its institutional mechanisms? Who are its political allies? What constitutional route is envisaged? What parliamentary arithmetic is being pursued? What political constituencies outside Jammu and Kashmir are being cultivated? What are the stages of the campaign? What constitutes measurable progress? And after two years, how far has that strategy actually travelled? These are not questions designed to diminish Article 370. They are questions designed to take the promise seriously. There is a fundamental difference between saying that Article 370 ought to be restored and telling an electorate that one will fight to restore it. The former is a political conviction. The latter is a claim of political agency. Once agency is claimed, accountability follows almost automatically. The problem, therefore, is not that Mehdi continues to believe in the restoration of Article 370. He is perfectly entitled to that belief. Nor is the problem that he considers the National Conference insufficiently committed to it. He is entitled to leave the party if that is his considered judgment. The difficulty arises when an extraordinarily complicated constitutional objective is repeatedly presented to the electorate without a sufficiently credible account of the route by which it is supposed to be achieved. A constitutional aspiration is not a strategy. A speech is not a strategy. A protest is not a strategy. And, with due respect to the theatre of political resignation, a resignation is certainly not a strategy. This distinction becomes particularly important because restoration of Article 370 is not a conventional policy demand. The constitutional architecture of Jammu and Kashmir has changed profoundly since August 2019. The Supreme Court has also adjudicated upon the constitutional changes. The present institutional arrangement is therefore not something that can simply be rewound by political will. Anyone seeking its reversal must confront a formidable constitutional and political reality. That does not make restoration impossible in the metaphysical sense. Constitutional orders are made by politics and can, in principle, be altered by politics. But the greater the institutional distance between a political aspiration and its realisation, the greater the obligation upon the politician to explain the bridge between the two. This is where Mehdis political argument deserves to be tested rather than merely applauded or condemned. If the National Conference had a proper roadmap, as Mehdi himself suggested in 2024, what happened to it? If restoration of Article 370 was to be the first step towards autonomy, what were the subsequent steps? If the strategy depended upon building a broader national political coalition, where is that coalition? If parliamentary pressure was central to the strategy, what measurable political pressure has been generated? If the answer is that the political environment made progress impossible, then the next question is unavoidable: what precisely was the strategy designed to overcome that environment? It is not enough to say that the objective is difficult. Politics is, almost by definition, the art of pursuing objectives under conditions in which they are difficult. The BJPs presence at the Centre was not a secret in 2024. The constitutional consequences of 2019 were not unknown. The political obstacles to restoring Article 370 were not suddenly discovered after the election. They were part of the very circumstances in which the mandate was sought. The electorate was therefore not merely asked to endorse a grievance. It was asked to endorse a politician who claimed that the grievance could be politically pursued. Two years later, the burden is to explain what that pursuit has yielded. And here the proposed by-election produces an irony that should not be lost on anyone interested in democratic accountability. Imagine the electorate being approached once again with essentially the same proposition. The candidate says: Give me your vote. I will fight for Article 370. The voter may reasonably respond: You already had our vote. The candidate may then say: Yes, but the party did not fight. The voter can ask: Then what did you do? The candidate may answer: I have now left the party. And the voter may quite reasonably ask the question that political rhetoric would prefer to postpone: Why should leaving the party entitle you to another mandate when the first mandate has not yet been accounted for? This is not an argument that Mehdi had the power to restore Article 370. He did not. To demand such an outcome from an individual MP would be both politically nave and constitutionally unserious. The relevant standard is not whether he achieved the impossible. The standard is whether he can demonstrate a coherent political strategy proportionate to the promise on which he sought office. There is an important distinction between failure and non-performance. A politician may pursue a credible strategy and fail because circumstances overwhelm him. That is an ordinary feature of politics. But if there is no discernible strategy, then failure becomes almost impossible to distinguish from political inertia. And when political inertia is wrapped in increasingly emphatic rhetoric, the electorate has a right to become suspicious. This is where the promise of Article 370 risks becoming something more than a constitutional demand. It can become a form of political capital whose value depends precisely upon its remaining unresolved. An unresolved cause is remarkably convenient politically. It cannot be disproved by events because its fulfilment is always deferred. It allows the politician to say that the struggle continues, that the circumstances were unfavourable, that others betrayed the cause, and that another mandate is therefore necessary. The political calendar moves forward. The promise does not. The electorate is asked to move with it. This is the danger of perpetual political promise. It transforms the absence of an outcome into an argument for another opportunity. The politician does not necessarily have to demonstrate that the strategy worked; he only has to demonstrate that the cause remains emotionally alive. For a society with Kashmirs political history, this is particularly consequential. Constitutional questions here are not abstract matters of institutional design. They are intertwined with memory, identity, dignity, loss and competing understandings of political belonging. The language surrounding Article 370 therefore possesses a moral intensity that ordinary electoral promises rarely acquire. For that reason, politicians who invoke it should be subject to greater intellectual scrutiny, not less. There is something almost paradoxical in demanding that citizens vote again for the restoration of something that has not moved appreciably closer to restoration during the first mandate. Yet perhaps this is the point at which democratic politics must resist its own sentimental tendencies. Conviction is not competence. Persistence is not progress. And repetition is not evidence. Mehdi has been vocal. He has spoken in Parliament. He has criticised his party. He has continued to foreground Article 370. None of this should be denied. But the question is not whether he has been politically active. The question is whether that activity constitutes a strategy capable of producing political consequences. If he believes the National Conference constrained him, he should explain the precise nature of those constraints. If he believes independence will make the struggle more effective, he should explain why. If he believes a fresh mandate will strengthen his hand, he should explain what the new mandate will enable him to do that the previous one did not. Otherwise, the by-election risks becoming a curious democratic ritual in which the electorate is invited to vote twice on the same promise without being given an account of what happened between the two votes. That would be an inversion of the logic of representation. An election is not merely a mechanism for expressing hope. It is also a mechanism for remembering. The voter carries the previous mandate into the next election. Political time is cumulative. The second vote cannot simply erase the first. The politician who asks for renewal must confront the record that makes renewal necessary. This is why the impending contest, if it occurs, should not be reduced to a personal battle between Mehdi and the National Conference. It should be treated as a question about the meaning of political accountability itself. The National Conference certainly owes the people an explanation for the gap between its promises and its present conduct. If it promised to fight for Article 370, it must explain what fight meant and why its political conduct subsequently departed from that commitment. But Mehdi owes the electorate something as well. He must explain what his fight produced. Not what he believes. Not what he said. Not what he intended. What did it produce? That is a harder standard, but it is also a democratic one. There is perhaps an even more uncomfortable question. If restoration of Article 370 is neither presently achievable through any identifiable political route nor supported by a credible strategy capable of altering the existing constitutional order, then is it responsible to continue presenting its restoration as though it were an imminent electoral deliverable? A politician may say that a cause will take decades. That is legitimate. But then he should say so. He should tell the electorate that he is asking not for a mandate to deliver an outcome within a foreseeable political horizon, but for a mandate to participate in a long historical struggle whose result may lie beyond the tenure of any individual politician. There would be intellectual honesty in such an admission. What is problematic is to oscillate between the language of immediate political mandate and the temporal reality of an indefinite constitutional struggle. The people deserve to know which of the two they are being offered. Mehdi may ultimately decide that the National Conference has failed him. He may conclude that leaving the party is necessary to preserve his political integrity. He may contest a by-election and place himself once again before the people. All of that is legitimate. But legitimacy cuts both ways. The candidate has the right to ask for another vote. The voter has the right to ask for an account. And perhaps the most important question in the next election will therefore not be whether the people still believe in Article 370. They may very well continue to believe in it. The question will be whether they believe that Ruhullah Mehdi has demonstrated a credible political capacity to advance it. He cannot reasonably ask the electorate to treat 2026 as though 2024 never happened. The first mandate exists. Its promises exist. Its limitations exist. Its record exists. Before another promise is made, there must be a reckoning with the old one. Otherwise, the political bargain becomes remarkably simple: make the promise, receive the mandate, explain the failure, resign, return, and make the promise again. The electorate deserves a more demanding conception of politics. Article 370 may remain a legitimate political aspiration. But if it is to be presented as an electoral programme, then it must confront the elementary disciplines of political reasoning: What is the route? What is the strategy? What has been attempted? What has been achieved? What has failed? And why should the next mandate produce a different result? Until those questions are answered, the problem is not merely that the promise remains unfinished. The problem is that the promise itself has never been made to account for reality. Dr Zahid Sultan, Independent Researcher Based in Srinagar, India.

CS-led panel clears Rs 2,692 crore urban transformation projects

In a major step towards accelerating sustainable and investment-driven urban transformation in J&K, the Union Territory Level High Powered Steering Committee (UTHPSC), chaired by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, has approved three major urban development projects with a cumulative base cost of Rs 2,692.58 crore under the Government of Indias Urban Challenge Fund (UCF). The meeting was attended by the senior officers in the administration, including the ACS, Tourism; ACS, Finance; Principal Secretary, Culture; Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; Commissioner, JMC/SMC and other concerned officers. The projects identified by the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) includes TARANG (Tawi Area Regeneration and Green Growth) in Jammu, Walled City & Nigeen Lakefront Revitalization in Srinagar, and KRIPA (Katra Revitalisation Through Integrated Pilgrimage Amenities) in Reasi are designed to combine public investment with market-linked financing and private participation to create modern, sustainable and economically vibrant urban spaces. The approvals mark a significant advancement in J&Ks efforts to leverage the UCF framework for transformative urban infrastructure, while unlocking additional institutional, municipal and private capital for large-scale development. With an estimated cost of Rs 1,567.91 crore, TARANG envisages comprehensive regeneration of the Tawi riverfront and surrounding urban areas through a combination of public infrastructure and PPP-led commercial development. The project has a funding structure comprising Rs 307.05 crore each from the Government of India and UT Government, while Rs 953.81 crore is proposed to be mobilised through market and PPP financing. The PPP component will facilitate development of a high-end residential group housing project, an upscale hotel, a modern retail mall and associated Left Bank road infrastructure. The Central Island will also be activated through development of a luxury resort asset. The project further provides for extensive structural and river-protection works, including a diaphragm wall, embankment filling, retaining wall with anchor slabs and interceptor drainage infrastructure. The Walled City & Nigeen Lakefront Revitalisation project, with an estimated cost of 1,010.77 crore, seeks to rejuvenate Srinagars historic urban core and unlock the economic potential of its lakefront areas in the interiors of the historical city. Around 300.77 crore will be deployed towards core public infrastructure and revitalisation of the historic city, while the PPP component will support development of a Hospitality Centre, Pokribal Lakefront and a premium five-star boutique hotel. The Katra Revitalisation Through Integrated Pilgrimage Amenities (KRIPA) project in Reasi, estimated at 113.90 crore, will focus on improving pilgrim amenities, mobility management and institutional infrastructure in Katra. A major component is the Katra Gateway Centre, envisaged as a 5+2 floor mixed-use facility over a 10.17-kanal site, with approximately 1.39 lakh sq ft of built-up area. It will include pilgrim dormitories with 480 beds across 36 dormitories, 35 guest rooms, retail outlets, a community dining hall and dedicated prayer spaces. To address parking and traffic congestion, the project also provides for a Multi-Level Car Parking facility with capacity for 365 Equivalent Car Spaces, EV charging infrastructure and dedicated bus bays near the Yatra Parchi Counter. The project additionally provides Rs 15.25 crore for institutional remodelling, including modern commercial office spaces, retail kiosks and upgraded administrative facilities for the Municipal Committee, Katra. The three projects reflect the UCFs emphasis on developing bankable, investment-ready urban projects by combining government support with market-based financing. The approach is aimed not only at creating modern urban infrastructure but also at ensuring that such assets generate sustainable economic activity and long-term revenue streams. The Committee has also laid emphasis on ensuring timely, quality and financially sustainable execution of the approved projects. The initiatives are expected to significantly enhance urban infrastructure, mobility, tourism and economic activity while creating new public spaces and investment opportunities across Jammu, Srinagar and Katra.