CM Omar receives guard of honour as Durbar Move offices reopen in Jammu
Srinagar, Nov 02: The Durbar Move offices reopened in the winter capital, Jammu, on Monday after closing in the summer capital, Srinagar, on Friday and Saturday. The Civil Secretariat, which houses the offices of the Chief Minister, Ministers and senior bureaucrats, resumed functioning in Jammu as part of the Durbar Move. On his arrival in the civil secretariat, this morning, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah received a Guard of Honour from a contingent of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on the occasion. The Durbar Move is the biannual shifting of the Civil Secretariat and other government offices between Srinagar, the summer capital, and Jammu, the winter capital. From May to October, these offices function from Srinagar, while during the winter months they operate from Jammu. The practice was introduced in 1872 by Maharaja Ranbir Singh and has remained a distinctive feature of Jammu and Kashmir's administrative system(KNO)
Tucker Carlson claims Netanyahu pushing Trump towards nuclear strike on Iran
Srinagar, Nov 02: US political commentator Tucker Carlson has claimed that President Donald Trump could be days away from authorising a nuclear strike on Iran, alleging that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressuring the US administration to launch an attack on an underground nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran. In a lengthy post on X, Carlson claimed that Netanyahu wants the US to target the facility, where Israeli intelligence allegedly believes Iran has restarted its uranium enrichment programme. Under pressure from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Trump administration may be within days of launching a nuclear strike on Iran, Carlson wrote. He argued that the facility, believed to be buried beneath approximately 300 feet of solid granite, could not be destroyed using conventional American weapons, leaving a nuclear strike as the only military option. Claiming that Netanyahu has been lobbying Trump personally, Carlson quoted an unnamed source as saying: Bibi calls Trump about it every day. Carlson also suggested that Netanyahu's domestic political difficulties were driving his push for continued military action against Iran. He claimed that the Israeli prime minister was struggling to secure the 61 seats needed to form a government and could face investigations and possible imprisonment if he loses power. He further alleged that Netanyahu had sought support from the United Arab Emirates during a secret visit to Abu Dhabi on September 27, but that the Emiratis had refused to join the lobbying effort. Warning of the wider consequences of a nuclear attack, Carlson said fallout from a ground-level nuclear explosion at Pickaxe Mountain could contaminate the Persian Gulf and threaten the water supply of around 100 million people. He also warned that an American nuclear strike could establish a dangerous international precedent, potentially encouraging other nuclear-armed countries, including Russia, Pakistan, India and North Korea, to consider using nuclear weapons. After the first nuclear strike, World War Three is inevitable. That war would be short and final, he wrote. Carlson claimed that Trump was likely to decide by November 7 whether to use nuclear weapons against Iran. However, he said the US president was still weighing diplomatic options, with Vice-President JD Vance and US envoy Steve Witkoff favouring a negotiated settlement. Theyre right, though it wont be simple, Carlson wrote, adding that despite growing radicalisation within parts of the Iranian leadership, there was a consensus among decision-makers in Tehran that further war would be damaging to all sides. His warning comes amid reports that Washington is considering renewed military action against Iran following the November 3 US midterm elections. The Associated Press reported that US officials had privately urged Middle Eastern countries and regional allies to prepare for possible renewed strikes and Iranian retaliation. However, the report did not indicate that nuclear weapons were being considered. Carlson did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate his claims that Netanyahu was lobbying for a nuclear strike or that Trump was actively considering authorising one. The allegations should therefore be treated as unverified. Carlson criticised the absence of public consultation over the prospect of nuclear escalation, writing: One group that hasnt been consulted so far is the global population the hundreds of millions of people who will be killed along with their children if Trump is pushed by Netanyahu into launching a nuclear strike next week. Now would be the time for them to speak up.
Delhi's AQI enters 'very poor' category for first time this season at 312
New Delhi, Nov 02: Delhi's air quality slipped into the 'very poor' category for the first time this season on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recording 312 at 9 am, while the minimum temperature at the Safdarjung weather station settled at 16.4 degrees Celsius, 1.1 notches above normal. The minimum temperatures at other weather stations were recorded at 16.4 degrees Celsius at Palam, 16.8 degrees at Lodhi Road, 17.2 degrees at the Ridge and 16.7 degrees at Ayanagar, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). No rainfall was recorded at any of the five weather stations during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Monday. The AQI reading of 312 is the morning reading and not the day's average, which will be available at 4 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 2 is applied in Delhi when the Air Quality Index (AQI) enters the Very Poor category, ranging between 301 and 400. The Sub-Committee for Operationalisation of the GRAP, ie, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decides to invoke Stage 2 based on dynamic air quality and meteorological forecasts, include strict measures to curb air pollution.
Video: Is Tim Hortons Better In India? Canadian Creator Shares Honest Review
A content creator from Canada decided to try Tim Hortons in India and shared his experience on social media.
Business jet carrying 9 people crashed in Florida neighborhood, erupting in a massive fireball
West Palm Beach, Nov 02: A business jet carrying nine people nose-dived into a South Florida neighborhood Sunday and erupted into a giant fireball that appeared to just miss homes before crashing near a busy roadway, creating a giant fiery crater in the pavement. It was not immediately known if anyone on the Learjet 60 or on the ground in the Palm Beach County neighborhood was injured or killed. The aircraft had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to the Bahamas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Authorities did not immediately say what caused the jet to go down or who was on it. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, said it was a private aircraft. He could not immediately provide details about who was on the flight. This is definitely a tragedy, he said. He said the tail number for the flight was N722BD. Video shot from people inside their cars captured the terrifying moment the aircraft plunged from the sky, before striking near the roadway and exploding. Flames flickered around chunks of pavement lining the crater as people milled about, expressing shock it landed only feet from homes and only inches from passing vehicles. Thick black smoke engulfed the crash site. It was unclear if the crash caused any damage to homes. The crash occurred near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office closed roads in both directions and urged motorists to avoid the area. Firefighters and other emergency personnel rushed to the scene. A woman working nearby said electricity in the area had been out for approximately two hours following the crash. The circumstances of the crash remained under investigation.
CM Omar hosts farewell dinner in honour of former Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo
Jammu, Nov 01: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah this evening hosted a farewell dinner in honour of Atal Dulloo, who retired as Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir on October 31. The Chief Minister acknowledged Atal Dulloos distinguished service to Jammu and Kashmir and appreciated his contributions during his tenure as Chief Secretary. He extended his best wishes to Dulloo for a happy, healthy and fulfilling life ahead. All Ministers, acting Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar, officers from Army, Airforce, Railways, other organizations, senior officers of J&K administration among others, were present on the occasion.
KTMF calls for unity, stronger trade representation in Kulgam
Kulgam, Nov 1: Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) President Mohammad Yaseen Khan administered the oath of office to Shariq Ahmad Bhat as President of the Traders Federation Kulgam at a ceremony attended by prominent trade representatives from across Kashmir. The gathering reflected the unity of the trading community and its collective commitment to strengthening trade representation under the banner of KTMF. Those present included KTMF senior members Bashir Ahmad Rather, Qazi Tauseef, Abdul Majeed Khan and Sheikh Abdul Rashid; Chairman Shopian Traders Federation Riyaz Ahmad Mantoo; General Secretary Pulwama Traders Federation Rouf Reshi; President Qazigund Traders Federation Mohammad Shafi; President Banihal Traders Federation Shadab Wani; and General Secretary Anantnag Traders Federation Imtiyaz Ahmad Vaid, among other trade representatives. Addressing the gathering, Mohammad Yaseen Khan said traders form the backbone of Jammu and Kashmirs economy and that their collective strength lies in unity, mutual cooperation and strong institutional representation. He said KTMF remains committed to safeguarding the interests of traders across all ten districts of Kashmir, irrespective of the size of their businesses or markets. Khan urged the newly appointed leadership to work with dedication, maintain close coordination with the administration and ensure that the genuine concerns of the trading community are effectively projected before the appropriate forums. The KTMF leadership congratulated Shariq Ahmad Bhat on assuming the responsibility and expressed confidence that he would work towards strengthening the trade fraternity, addressing the concerns of local traders and improving coordination among market associations. The ceremony was also attended by senior officers from the civil and police administration, including Assistant Commissioner Kulgam Reyaz Ahmad, Additional Superintendent of Police Kulgam Aftab Ahmad, Deputy Superintendent of Police Nasir Ahmad and SHO Kulgam Syed Mubarak Ahmad. The oath-taking ceremony followed the elections of the Traders Federation Kulgam held last month under the supervision and guidance of KTMF. The election process witnessed active participation from the local trading community, strengthening the federations representative structure through a democratic process.
GST mop-up grows 23 % to over Rs 2.31 lakh Crore in October
New Delhi, Nov 1: GST collections jumped 23 per cent year-on-year to the second-highest level of over Rs 2.31 lakh crore in October as festive buying boosted domestic demand, according to government data released on Sunday. October is the second consecutive month when monthly gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) crossed Rs 2 lakh crore, and second only to the record about Rs 2.43 lakh crore mop-up in April. Also, the 22.9 per cent year-on-year growth clocked during the month is the fastest recorded pace of gross mop-up in the current fiscal year. Gross GST collections from domestic sales rose 16 per cent to over Rs 1.59 lakh crore, and revenues from imports climbed 42 per cent to Rs 72,246 crore. The Rs 2.31 lakh crore collection includes Central GST mop-up of 42,935 crore, State GST of Rs 51,340 crore and Integrated GST of over Rs 1.37 lakh crore, data showed. Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds increased 6.5 per cent year-on-year to Rs 27,934 crore in October. After adjusting for refunds, net GST collections rose 26 per cent to over Rs 2.03 lakh crore in October. In April-October, gross GST collection grew 13.2 per cent to over Rs 14.77 lakh crore. Net collections rose 13 per cent to over Rs 12.69 lakh crore. Grant Thornton Bharat, Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader, Manoj Mishra said October collections capture the festive-season demand cycle, which typically brings higher consumer spending, retail activity and movement of goods across sectors. The performance across key states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, also points to continued strength in GST collections across major economic centres. The focus now should be on sustaining domestic revenue growth and ensuring that the benefits of GST 2.0 translate into stronger compliance, smoother input tax credit flows and faster refunds for businesses, Mishra said. EY India Tax Partner, Saurabh Agarwal, said the GST collections for October 2026 reflect the continued resilience of the Indian economy, despite persistent global headwinds. The steady month-on-month rise in revenue indicates strong underlying consumption and improving compliance. Looking ahead, the festive season should keep demand buoyant, and collections for the coming month are likely to remain strong. Businesses should use this period to keep their compliance and reconciliation processes robust, so that the benefits of this growth are sustained, Agarwal said. Deloitte Partner Indirect Tax Mahesh Jaising said the sustained revenue buoyancy, despite bold rate cuts mid last year, is providing the confidence and headroom for the GST Council to continue with the reform express. The recent 57th GST Council meeting reflects this reform momentum, with the reform agenda increasingly focused on simplification, faster refunds, smoother credit flows and reducing friction for taxpayers. The GST reform express continues to gather pace, supported by an increasingly strong and resilient revenue base backed by a robust technology platform. With festive season sales now underway, it is expected that the momentum would continue, Jaising said. Price Waterhouse & Co LLP Partner Nitin Vijaivergia said the collection reflects strong revenue momentum. Domestic collections grew 15.8 per cent, signalling healthy consumption and economic activity, and import revenues surged 42.2 per cent, highlighting the increasing contribution of imports to overall GST revenues. AKM Global, Lead, Indirect Taxation, Ikesh Nagpal said collections coincide with the festive season, increased consumer spending and post-GST 2.0 price rationalisation, potentially supporting demand across several sectors. The broader significance lies in the fact that GST is increasingly serving not just as a revenue instrument but also as a reflection of economic formalisation and business activity, Nagpal said.
Rahul Gandhis PM dream will not be fulfilled: Amit Shah
Chandigarh, Nov 1:Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, mocking his ambition to become Prime Minister and predicting further electoral defeats for the Congress, NDTV reported. Addressing a gathering in Chandigarh, Amit Shah took a swipe at Gandhis Mohabbat Ki Dukaan slogan, alleging that the Congress leader was spreading hatred instead of love. Rahul ji, you will find nothing but hatred in your shop of love, Amit Shah said. Targeting Gandhi over his mock Parliament exercise, Shah said the Congress leader had found a new way to pursue his prime ministerial ambition. Rahul Gandhi wants to become Prime Minister, and that is why he has found a new way by organising a mock Parliament. Rahul ji, you can continue to remain Prime Minister in your mock Parliament. Your dream of becoming the Prime Minister of the country, however, will not be fulfilled, he said. Amit Shah also cited the Congresss failure to win a single seat in the last three Delhi Assembly elections and predicted a similar outcome in the next three polls. Get ready to sit in the Opposition once again, he said. With Punjab scheduled to hold Assembly elections in 2027, Amit Shahs remarks signal an aggressive BJP campaign against both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He has made tackling the drug menace a key poll plank, promising to make Punjab and the country drug-free by December 31, 2029. The BJP is seeking to expand its political footprint in Punjab and form its own government in the state.
Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti attend INDIA BLOC Protest rally at Ramlila Maidan
New Delhi, Nov 1: Stressing that everybody is equal and has the right to vote in India's Constitution, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday asserted that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will remain a part of India. Addressing the INDIA bloc's rally against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, Abdullah criticised the BJP and RSS over what he described as attempts to portray Muslims as outsiders and question their patriotism These people point fingers at Muslims and call them Pakistanis. I want to tell the BJP and RSS: We have given our blood for India. We gave it in the past, we are giving it today, and we will give it tomorrow, he said. This is Ambedkar's Constitution. This is India's Constitution. We are all equal, and everyone has an equal vote. Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will remain a part of India. They will not be able to separate it, he declared. People's Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti, addressing the same rally, focused on constitutional rights, democratic participation and the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir following the 2019 constitutional changes. She cautioned that the rights available to citizens under the Constitution, particularly the right to vote and elect or change governments, needed to be protected. Referring to the constitutional provisions that empower citizens to participate in the democratic process, Mufti alleged that attempts were being made to take away these rights. She said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had experienced significant political and constitutional changes in 2019 and urged citizens across the country to remain vigilant about protecting their democratic rights. The very Constitution that has given you the vote to change the government, to bring down the government, and to form a new government, they want to snatch that right away from you. We, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, have been ruined. In 2019, they destroyed the Constitution there, Mufti said. But now you must save yourselves, lest they turn the entire country into Jammu and Kashmir. We are with you. Standing shoulder to shoulder, we are with you in your struggle, she added.
Rahul says Gyanesh Kumar would be removed, warns PM Modi, Shah they are next after CEC,
New Delhi, Nov 1: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah that they would face consequences over alleged electoral irregularities, declaring that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar would be removed from office and sent to jail. Addressing the INDIA blocs Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi said, After Gyanesh, you are next, reports The Times of India (TOI). Gyanesh Kumar will be removed as CEC, he will go to jail, he said. This is not an ordinary theft. This is treason, Rahul Gandhi said, accusing the BJP of stealing votes in several state Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He alleged that electoral manipulation had taken place in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, besides the 2024 general elections. The Congress leader said the INDIA bloc would not allow democracy to be destroyed or the Constitution to be undermined. The rally was organised to protest against alleged electoral irregularities and demand the resignation of the CEC. Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the BJP of benefiting from alleged manipulation of electoral rolls and electronic voting machines (EVMs), charges the ruling party has rejected. Opposition leaders march to Ramlila Maidan The INDIA blocs Chalo Dilli march began from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction, with Opposition leaders, including Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister of J&K, Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister of J&K, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who also spoke to the crowd, voicing save the constitution at the Ramlila Maidan. Press Trust of India reported Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said the Ramlila Maidan has turned into the Haldighati of democracy with a massive turnout of people and asserted that this is indicative of change that is in the offing, as he asserted that those who came to power at the Centre through Uttar Pradesh will also exit from there. Taking a dig at the BJP, Yadav said those who speak of having a firm, immovable stance -- likening it to the unshakeable foot of Angad -- should consider where they would even place that foot, given that there is no ground left to stand on. Addressing the INDIA bloc rally at Delhis Ramlila Maidan against vote chori, Akhilesh referred to the recent MLC polls and said the people of Kashi (Varanasi) have reduced the double-engine government to a double zero. The rally followed the Oppositions mock impeachment proceedings against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, held on Saturday at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The latest confrontation comes amid the Oppositions continuing allegations of vote chori and its objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in several states. Rahul alleges BJP forced shops shut Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP of forcibly shutting shops in Connaught Place, alleging that the move caused losses to local traders. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), Rahul Gandhi made the allegation in a video recorded while he was travelling in an open vehicle towards the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction. He said the INDIA bloc had appealed to people attending the rally to shop at local markets during the festive season to support traders. But upon reaching Connaught Place, we learned that the BJP has forcibly shut down all the shops. The country is watching how the BJP is causing loss to the shopkeepers, Gandhi said. On Saturday night, he had urged people travelling to Delhi for the march and rally to purchase goods from local shops ahead of Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj. Rahul Gandhi had accused the BJP of spreading rumours that the Oppositions programme would hurt businesses, saying the rally and shopping could take place together. Nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in central Delhi for the rally, while more than 200 CCTV cameras were installed in the area, Hindustan Times reported. Police said arrangements had been made to facilitate the march and manage crowds at the venue. While the INDIA bloc expected a large turnout from different states, police preparations were based on Ramlila Maidans capacity of around 50,000 people, with any overflow to be managed on surrounding streets. The Oppositions campaign against the CEC gathered momentum after a report by The Indian Express last month said Election Commissioners had objected to decisions taken by the CEC on 14 occasions over a 10-month period. The Election Commission maintained that its decisions had been unanimous.
BJP takes out protest march in West Delhi's Hari Nagar against anti-Sikh riots, seeks Cong's apology
New Delhi, Nov 1:The BJP took out a protest march in West Delhi's Hari Nagar, seeking an apology from Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi over the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, ahead of the INDIA bloc's 'Vote Bachao Desh Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. Leading the protest march, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the violence against Sikhs in 1984 was a well-planned massacre and not a riot or spontaneous happening. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, state BJP president Harsh Malhotra, Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Supreme Court senior advocate HS Phoolka participated in the protest march, which was also attended by many Sikh leaders.
BJP calls INDIA bloc rally super flop, asks where 10 lakh people were
New Delhi, Nov 1: The BJP on Sunday mocked the INDIA blocs rally at Delhis Ramlila Maidan, calling it a super flop and claiming that around 40 per cent of the venue was empty, The Times of India reported. BJP MP Sambit Patra targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders, questioning their claims of a massive turnout and asking where the 10 lakh people they had expected to gather were Rahul Gandhi is speaking and empty chairs. Congress couldn't even fill full Ramlila Maidan of capacity 50,000. Super Flop rally, Patra said in a post on social media, sharing a video of the gathering. Speaking to reporters, Patra said the BJP had been watching the rally since morning and listening to Rahul Gandhis address, but the event had turned out to be a complete waste of time. Where were the 10 lakh people? Show us. No one becomes a leader or Prime Minister through such tricks, he said. Taking a swipe at the Congress leader, Patra said, PM doesn't just mean Prime Minister. P stands for Paseena (sweat) and M stands for Mehnat (hard work). A Prime Minister is made through sweat and hard work. He added that despite bringing together several Opposition parties and their flags, the INDIA bloc had failed to gather the expected number of people. Patra also accused the Opposition of using camera angles to create an impression of a larger crowd, dismissing the visuals as trick photography. Hindustan is not your abujans property. Hindustan belongs to Hindustanis. Here, even a chaiwala can become the Prime Minister, and that is what bothers you, he said, taking a further swipe at Gandhi as reported by TOI. The INDIA bloc held the Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao rally at Ramlila Maidan to protest against alleged electoral irregularities and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi had accused the BJP of vote theft and warned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would also face consequences. The rally was part of the Oppositions Chalo Dilli marcgk news seh, which saw leaders from several INDIA bloc parties converge on the national capital.
JKP, Rotary Club organise medical camp for Police personnel, families
Jammu, Nov 1: District Police Jammu, in collaboration with Rotary Club Jammu, organised a one-day free medical camp for police personnel and their families at Police Public School, Miran Sahib on Sunday. The medical camp was inaugurated by DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range, Shridhar Patil, in the presence of SSP Jammu, Joginder Singh. Rajeev Sharma, Principal, Police Public School, Miran Sahib, was also present on the occasion. The camp was organised with the objective of promoting healthcare and ensuring access to specialised medical consultation for police personnel and their family members, recognising the demanding nature of police duties and the importance of their physical well-being. Specialist doctors from various disciplines, including Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, Dentistry and Gastroenterology, provided medical consultations, conducted health check-ups and offered necessary medical advice to the beneficiaries. The initiative reflects the commitment of District Police Jammu towards the health and welfare of its personnel and their families, it was stated. District Police Jammu expressed gratitude to Rotary Club Jammu, the participating medical professionals and the management of Police Public School, Miran Sahib, for their valuable support and cooperation in making the initiative possible.
Srinagar Jammu NH open for 2-way traffic
Ramban, Nov 1: The Darbar Move convoy of Secretariat employees crossed safely from Srinagar to Jammu via the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) on Sunday under tight security arrangements, while the highway remained open for regulated two-way movement of light, medium and heavy passenger vehicles. On the second day of the Darbar Move traffic, the authorities continued to regulate the upward movement of heavy goods carriers towards Srinagar to ensure the smooth passage of the Secretariat convoy. Downward movement of heavy vehicles from Qazigund towards Jammu was allowed after the tail of the convoy crossed Chanderkote. Officials said Kashmir-bound heavy goods carriers would be allowed to proceed towards Srinagar from late Sunday evening. Traffic authorities said subject to fair weather and good road conditions light, medium and heavy vehicles (trucks) would be allowed to ply on either side towards Srinagar and Jammu would be allowed to ply on NH-44 on Monday. Meanwhile, vehicular movement on NH-44 remained slow at several locations due to ongoing road construction and widening work, single-lane stretches, uneven road surfaces and vehicle breakdowns. Traffic authorities attributed the slow movement mainly to a 3040-metre single-lane, undulating and uneven road stretch at Dewal in Udhampur district and another narrow section between Marog and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district. Breakdowns of a few vehicles between Nachlana and Ramsoo further affected the smooth flow of traffic. The movement of nomadic livestock herds was also likely to cause delays, particularly along narrow stretches between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. Commuters were advised to maintain lane discipline and strictly avoid overtaking. Officials at the Traffic Control Unit Jammu said that, subject to fair weather and satisfactory road conditions, light motor vehicles, including passenger vehicles and private cars, would continue to be allowed to ply in both directions. Meanwhile, in view of ongoing highway widening work on the Digdol-Khooni Nullah stretch, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted during daytime hours from 7 am to 7 pm. As vehicles carrying inflammable materials are not permitted through the tunnels, upward-bound tankers will be allowed to move beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am. Tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly. Those transporting fresh perishable goods and livestock have also been asked to load their vehicles in accordance with the advisories issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters. Passengers and light motor vehicle operators have been advised to undertake journeys during daylight hours and avoid night travel due to the possibility of shooting stones and landslides, movement of nomadic herds and ongoing construction work along the Ramban-Banihal highway stretch. Heavy vehicle operators have been directed to avoid overloading, ensure proper vehicle fitness and carry sufficient fuel before starting their journeys. Commuters have also been advised to avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting-stone-prone locations.
Drone knowledge, forensic understanding imperative to address emerging challenges : Director SKPA
Udhampur, Nov 1: Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Director Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA), Udhampur Dr Mohd Haseeb Mughal has stressed the need for police personnel to remain technologically informed, develop specialised skills and keep pace with advancements in drone technology to effectively address emerging security and investigative challenges. He was addressing the gathering at SKPA, Udhampur during a presentation-cum-valedictory session marking the culmination of a five-day course on Drone Technology, Interception and Drone Forensics for the officers of J&K Police, aimed at enhancing the professional knowledge and operational capabilities of police personnel in the rapidly evolving field of unmanned aerial systems. Dr Mohd Haseeb Mughal, while delivering a comprehensive power-point presentation, highlighted the growing significance of drone technology in contemporary policing and its emerging applications in law enforcement, surveillance, security and crime investigation. During his presentation, the Director elaborated on the fundamentals of drone technology, different types of drones, their operational capabilities and the need for police personnel to develop a sound understanding of drone systems. He also highlighted the importance of drone forensics, particularly in understanding digital evidence, identification and examination of drone-related data, preservation of electronic evidence and its relevance in criminal investigations. The Director also drew attention to the emerging challenges associated with the misuse of drones, including security threats, unlawful surveillance, smuggling and other technology-driven criminal activities. The presentation provided participants with valuable insights into the practical and investigative dimensions of drone technology and reinforced the importance of integrating technological understanding with professional policing. The session was followed by the valedictory function, during which the course was formally concluded. The participating officers and officials were encouraged to utilise the knowledge and skills acquired during the course in their respective fields of assignment. The programme concluded with an emphasis on continuous learning, technological up gradation and capacity building to make policing more effective, responsive and future-ready.
Srinagar, Nov 1: In a landmark breakthrough for high-altitude agriculture, an experimental saffron cultivation project on newly restored land in Leh has achieved its first bloom in a record-breaking 30 dayscutting the standard two-month flowering timeline in half. The pilot initiative has yielded nearly 22 grams of pure saffron within just its first four days of harvest, signaling a transformative shift for farming in the Union Territory. The achievement was inspected on-site by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, who praised the trial as a triumph of ecological restoration and sustainable farming. Ladakhs experimental saffron cultivation has produced its first flowers within 30 days of planting, well ahead of the usual two-month flowering timeline, with nearly 22 grams of pure saffron harvested in the first four days, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said on Sunday. Saxena, who inspected the experimental saffron field on recently restored degraded land in Leh, described the early results as a significant breakthrough for high-altitude agriculture in the Union Territory, opening up the possibility of expanding cultivation of the high-value spice beyond its traditional growing areas in Kashmir. Proud to announce that the experimental saffron cultivation, over recently restored degraded land in Leh, has begun to blossom, in a record-breaking 30 days, against the usual two-month timeline for the first bloom. Inspected the saffron field today to witness the first saffron bloom, he said. On an average, 20 to 25 flowers are blooming daily with 72 flowers blooming this morning. In just 4 days, nearly 22 grams of pure saffron has been collected. This remarkable achievement is a powerful testament to the resilience of our environment and the immense, untapped potential of high-altitude farming in our region, LG Ladakh posted on X, adding, This breakthrough lays a promising foundation for commercial-scale production, thereby, opening up new avenues for cultivation, agro-based entrepreneurship in Ladakh and paving the way for a stronger, thriving, self-reliant local economy. Lauding all the stakeholders in the exercise, LG Saxena said, My deepest appreciation and congratulations to the Agriculture Department of UT Ladakh, our dedicated and hardworking field staff, for significantly contributing to the success of this pilot project. Saffron (Crocus sativus), often dubbed red gold, typically requires around two months to flower following planting. However, the unique microclimate, intense sunlight, and revitalised soil composition in Leh triggered an accelerated growth cycle. Field officers reported an average daily bloom of 20 to 25 flowers, with a single morning peak reaching 72 blossoms. This intense flowering phase allowed agricultural workers to harvest and process 22 grams of high-grade saffron stigmas in less than a week. The experiment, spread over 4,000 square metres in Leh, involves the plantation of 90,000 saffron corms weighing approximately 800 kilograms. It is being undertaken as part of Project Him Sarovar, a government initiative aimed at reclaiming degraded and lost agricultural land in Ladakh and putting it to productive use. The project, launched on October 2, seeks to explore the commercial potential of saffron cultivation in the cold deserts distinctive agro-climatic conditions. Its early flowering has raised expectations of creating new livelihood opportunities through high-value agricultural production.
A Norwegian sings Pakistan, and India sings along
Srinagar, Nov 1:When Norwegian performer William Gamborg joined children singing Pakistani songs at Lahores Sur Taal Music Academy, videos of the performances spread across social media, drawing admiration from Indian audiences and offering a glimpse of how music can create connections between people divided by national borders. The performances, featuring songs including 'Alfaaz' and 'RanjyaVe', have prompted a wider conversation about the potential for music to foster cultural ties between India and Pakistan, and whether Kashmirs rich literary and Sufi traditions could provide a new source of collaboration. For Kashmir, whose poets have explored love, spirituality, separation, and the search for truth for centuries, the moment offers an opportunity to bring a comparatively underrepresented literary tradition to audiences across South Asia. The regions poetic inheritance extends from Lal Ded to Habba Khatoon, Rasul Mir to Shamas Faqir, Soch Kral to Wahab Khar, Samad Mir to Ahad Zargar, and Naem Saeb. It also encompasses modern literary figures like Rahman Rahi, Amin Kamil, Dina Nath Nadim, Ghulam Ahmad Mahjoor, and Abdul Ahad Azad, whose work could introduce new audiences to Kashmirs linguistic and cultural heritage. The response to Gamborgs performances has shown how music can briefly shift attention away from political disputes and towards shared cultural experiences. A similar approach, using Kashmiri poetry in contemporary compositions and collaborative performances, could create opportunities for Indian and Pakistani musicians to discover a wider range of literary traditions. Kashmirs mystical poetry developed through interactions among indigenous spiritual traditions, Persian literary influences, and the regions own languages and musical forms. Lal Ded, the 14th-century mystic poet, expressed philosophical and spiritual ideas through short Kashmiri verses known as vaakhs. She has remained closely connected in Kashmiri cultural memory. Her legacy is often invoked as a symbol of the regions shared spiritual heritage and the historical interaction between religious traditions. Historian Dean Accardi, in a chapter published by Cambridge University Press, examined how LalDed became embedded in Kashmirs cultural landscape. He wrote that she had been venerated for centuries and that poems attributed to her were frequently recited at Kashmiri cultural events and festivals. Habba Khatoons poetry offers a different but equally compelling avenue. Her verses, associated with love, longing, and separation, remain central to Kashmirs literary and folk imagination. Other important figures in the regions mystical tradition include Rupa hawani, Parmanand, Mahmud Gami, Maqbool Shah Kralawari, Momin Saeb, Shah Qalandar, Ahmad Batwari, WazaMahmood, and Nyama Saeb. Their work deserves a place in the wider South Asian musical imagination alongside the poetry of Bulleh Shah and Kabir. Though the poets do not share identical traditions or philosophies, Kashmirs literary inheritance merits comparable attention and opportunities for musical interpretation. Kashmirs poetic story did not end with its medieval mystics. Ghulam Ahmad Mahjoor, often called the poet of Kashmir, helped shape modern Kashmiri poetry through his writing on society, identity, and the natural world. Abdul Ahad Azad became an important figure in the progressive literary movement. Dina Nath Nadim contributed to modern poetry and drama. Rahman Rahi was among the most prominent modern Kashmiri poets, critics, and translators. He received the Jnanpith Award for his collection Siyah Rood JaerenManz, becoming the first Kashmiri-language writer to receive Indias highest literary honour. Amin Kamil, a noted poet and literary scholar, helped shape modern Kashmiri writing, while other figures like Ghulam Nabi Firaq, Ali Mohammad Lone, and Farooq Masudi contributed to the regions evolving literary landscape. All these writers are Sufi poets. Their work encompasses mystical reflection, modernism, social criticism, romantic poetry, and other literary approaches. However, together they represent a broader cultural resource that musicians could bring to new audiences. Contemporary collaborations could combine the verses of LalDed with modern poetry, allowing listeners to encounter Kashmirs literary history as a living tradition rather than a collection of historical names. A generation of Kashmiri musicians is already exploring ways to connect the regions literary heritage with contemporary sounds. Singer-songwriter YawarAbdal has incorporated Kashmiri, Persian, and Urdu poetry into modern compositions. His song 'Tamanna', drawing on the works of Mirza Ghalib, Mahjoor, and Amir Khusrow, helped establish his reputation as an artist seeking to connect regional literary traditions with contemporary musical arrangements. Ali Saffudin has similarly brought Kashmiri and Urdu poetry into contemporary music, drawing on rock and blues influences. His interpretations of HabbaKhatoons ballads, including 'Chol Hama Roshe' and 'Rah Bakshtam', have helped introduce the poets work to newer audiences. Mohammad Muneem, frontman of the Kashmiri band Alif, has also explored Kashmiri-language music and regional literary traditions through contemporary arrangements. Their work suggests that Kashmirs poetry need not remain confined to traditional performances or audiences already familiar with the language. Collaborative projects with Indian and Pakistani musicians could introduce these texts through contemporary production while preserving their original language and cultural context. A Kashmiri poem could be interpreted by a Pakistani qawwali ensemble, a Kashmiri singer-songwriter and an Indian classical musician, with each arrangement offering a different perspective on the original work. Such projects could also enrich the musical repertoires of India and Pakistan by opening access to a literary tradition that remains comparatively underrepresented in mainstream popular music. A recent example of this possibility is 'Ishq', a song from Kashmiri singer Faheem Abdullahs 2024 album 'Lost; Found', which brought together a Kashmiri musical voice and poetry by Pakistani writer Amir Ameer. Performed by Abdullah and fellow Kashmiri musician Rauhan Malik, the song was built around a poem Abdullah had encountered online. In a May 2024 interview with The Times of India, Abdullah said that he had decided to compose a melody around the poem about four and a half years earlier. The song subsequently attracted a wide audience on social media, helping establish Abdullah as a prominent figure in Kashmirs independent music scene. His reach expanded further in 2025 when he performed the title track of the Bollywood film 'Saiyaara', alongside fellow Kashmiri musician ArslanNizami, with music composed by Tanishk Bagchi and lyrics by Irshad Kamil. The song brought Abdullah to a much larger Hindi-film audience. The success of 'Ishq' demonstrates how a Pakistani poets words can find a wider audience through a Kashmiri singer without either the poems origins or the singers regional identity being erased. The same approach could bring Kashmirs own poets to audiences in India and Pakistan. The verses of Lal Ded, Habba Khatoon, Mahjoor, and Rahman Rahi could be interpreted through independent music, contemporary pop, qawwali-inspired arrangements, and film soundtracks. The experience of 'Ishq' suggests that such collaborations need not be limited to traditional Sufi music. Modern arrangements can create opportunities for poetry to reach younger listeners while retaining its linguistic and cultural identity. Academic research has examined how popular music can create spaces for cultural affinity between Indian and Pakistani audiences even during periods of political tension. A 2025 study, 'Popular music as desecuritising discourse: A YouTube analysis of Coke Studio across South Asia', examined audience comments on three Pakistani music performances: 'Pasoori', 'AfreenAfreen', and 'ChaapTilak'. The researchers found that 40 percent to 47 percent of comments across the selected performances expressed peace or cultural kinship, while hostile comments accounted for between 1 percent and 2 percent. The findings suggest that digital music platforms can provide spaces for cultural solidarity, although the selected comments cannot be treated as representative of public opinion across either country. Mayank Mishra, a researcher at Jawaharlal Nehru Universitys Centre for South Asian Studies, examined a similar question in a 2023 paper, 'Instrumentality of Music in Cultural Diplomacy Between India and Pakistan', published in the International Journal of Public Law and Policy. The paper considered how cultural and artistic exchanges could foster people-to-people connections and offer an alternative to the antagonistic narratives that often dominate bilateral relations. Such research does not establish that music changes government policy. However, it does provide a basis for examining how shared cultural experiences can create opportunities for dialogue and mutual appreciation. The potential extends beyond music itself to Track II diplomacy, which involves unofficial dialogue among artists, academics, former diplomats, and civil society groups outside formal government negotiations. Samir Ahmad, an academic at the Central University of Kashmir, examined the role of Track II dialogue in an analysis published by the National University of Singapores Institute of South Asian Studies in 2016. Ahmad described Track II dialogue as an important medium to explore new policy options between India and Pakistan, noting that such initiatives had been used to discuss contentious issues including Kashmir, Siachen, and cross-border terrorism. Music cannot resolve territorial disputes or replace formal negotiations. Nor can a viral performance erase the painful experiences of people affected by conflict. But sustained cultural exchanges could create relationships that outlast a single social media moment. A programme involving musicians, poets, academics, and young performers from Kashmir, India, and Pakistan could include collaborative recordings, online workshops, poetry translations, and performances dedicated to the regions literary heritage. Kashmiri artists and scholars would need to play a central role in selecting and interpreting the material, ensuring that their language and traditions were represented accurately rather than used merely as symbols of reconciliation. Such initiatives could also support traditional performers and help preserve Kashmirs sufianamausiqi, the regions classical Sufi ensemble tradition, by creating new audiences and opportunities for younger musicians. The response to Gamborg and the Sur Taal children has demonstrated how a musical encounter in Pakistan can attract appreciation from audiences in India, offering a brief alternative to the political hostility that frequently characterises public discourse between the two countries. Kashmirs poets offer a deep reservoir of material for similar encounters, from Lal Ded to Habba Khatoon, from Mahjoor to Rahman Rahi, and the contemporary generation of Kashmiri singers. The challenge is to turn that possibility into sustained cultural engagement: to give the regions poets a wider audience, create opportunities for Indian and Pakistani musicians to work together, and support the artists who will carry these traditions forward. The success of 'Ishq' shows that a Pakistani poets words can find a mass audience through a Kashmiri singer. Yawar Abdal, Ali Saffudin, and other contemporary musicians show that Kashmirs literary inheritance can be interpreted for new generations. A collaboration built around these traditions would not guarantee reconciliation, but it could preserve cultural heritage, support young artists, and keep channels of communication open when formal relations are strained. For Kashmir, that would mean recognising its poets as central figures in the wider South Asian literary and musical tradition, worthy of serious attention alongside Bulleh Shah, Kabir, Amir Khusrow, and other celebrated voices. Their words have survived centuries of change. A new generation of musicians could help them reach a wider audience.
Home to lakhs of wildlife, Kashmirs wetlands have no vet for sick, injured wildlife
Srinagar, Nov 1:Kashmir has rich wetland geography. Three of its eight notified wetlands under the Wetlands Division Kashmir are Ramsar sites. These wetlands are home to a rich diversity of birds and other animals, yet, the Department of Wildlife Protection that is mandated to protect them, has no veterinary facility to treat or assess an animal in need. According to an RTI reply, the Wildlife Warden, Wetlands Division, Kashmir, has said that no veterinary care facility is available with the division. In the same reply, the division has reported tranquilizing or rescuing 40 animals in 2025-26 and 44 in 2026-27 in Budgam district alone. The reply has been furnished to an RTI query by M MShuja, RTI activist and Journalist. The reply did not specify where animals rescued by the division are treated. The department, has said it does not have any veterinarian on its rolls. The division manages eight Wetland Conservation Reserves - Hokersar, Hygam, Shallabugh, Mirgund, Chatlam, Freshkhoori, Manibugh and Kranchoo. These reserves lie across Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Ganderbal and Pulwama districts. The Asian Water Bird Census 2025 has been enclosed with the same reply. It counted 13,43,506 birds across Kashmirs wetlands. The Eurasian Teal was the most numerous species at about 2.92 lakh, followed by the Mallard and the Northern Shoveler. Four wetlands in Kashmir - Hokersar, Shallabugh, Wular and Hygam, are home to about 96 percent of all birds counted. Beyond birds, Kashmirs wetlands is home to a wider range of wildlife. BirdLife Internationals site factsheet for Hokersar says the common otter is common in the lake. The reserve is also known to hold the red fox and the jackal. Leopard and wild cats are also occasionally spotted moving through adjacent forested edges of these wetlands. In addition, there is a rich fish fauna that includes common carp. The division has said its conservation work has improved habitat conditions. It has consistently counted 12-13 lakh migratory water birds annually in recent years. The reply shows the division regularly handles live and injured animals, and in Budgam district, it tranquilized or rescued 40 animals in 2025-26 and 44 in 2026-27 (till the time of the reply October 2026) he department has also installed 123 cages in 2025-26 and 86 in 2026-27. It has reported that 168 animals were driven back, provided safe passage in 2025-26 and 122 in 2026-27. Just four animals were found dead in 2025-26 and two in 2026-27. The reply does not specify which species were involved. The divisions staff-strength annexure enumerates posts including deputy conservator, ACF (Wildlife), range officers, wildlife foresters, deputy foresters, wildlife guards, watchers, farash and helpers. It lists no veterinary posts. The reply does not say whether another wing, such as the office of the Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, runs a veterinary facility.
Police, security agencies intensify hunt for terror modules, OGWs
Srinagar , Nov 1:Jammu and Kashmir Police, in close coordination with the Army, Central Armed Police Forces, and intelligence agencies, has intensified operations to identify and neutralise suspected terror modules and overground workers (OGWs), as security agencies step up efforts to dismantle the logistical, financial, and communication networks sustaining violence in the Union Territory. The renewed focus follows clear directions from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to the civil administration and police leadership to maintain sustained pressure on terror modules, strengthen counter-infiltration measures, and improve inter-agency coordination. During a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar on Friday, Sinha directed senior officials, including Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police, to ensure coordinated action against suspected networks and enhance district-level vigilance. Under no circumstances should communal harmony and the law and order situation be allowed to deteriorate. We must institutionalise best practices and implement District Convergence Plans to ensure sustainable peace and development, the Lieutenant Governor had said. He also called for tighter counter-infiltration arrangements, greater vigilance against radicalisation, and monthly reviews of property-attachment proceedings involving suspected narco-terrorists and elements linked to the terror-support ecosystem. Director General of Police NalinPrabhat has underlined the need to go beyond armed encounters and systematically dismantle support structures. Addressing a gathering on Police Commemoration Day on October 21, he said: Our objective is clear: to identify and completely uproot terrorism and every element associated with terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He warned that individuals supporting terrorist activities would be identified and brought to justice, while appealing for public cooperation with the police, Army and other security forces. Officials emphasise that the strategy targets local networks suspected of facilitating terrorist movement, providing shelter, arranging finances, maintaining communication links and offering logistical assistance. Overground workers are under scrutiny for roles in communication, transportation, shelter and the movement of supplies. Investigators are also examining possible connections with handlers across the border and wider inter-district networks. Security officials stress that effective intelligence sharing remains central to identifying modules and preventing revival of militant activity. Police have appealed to citizens to report suspicious activities through appropriate channels. Investigations continue to map financial and logistical connections, with legal action to follow where evidence supports prosecution. The intensified emphasis on OGWs and support networks reflects a broader shift: targeting not only armed terrorists but the entire ecosystem that enables them to operate, regenerate and sustain influence even under pressure.
J&K bucks national trend as women's blood pressure rises
Srinagar, Nov 1:There is a common perception in Kashmir, that hypertension is something to worry about only as you grow older. The latest health survey has found a striking trend while blood pressure affected females are decreasing nationally, J&K is on an opposite trend now one in every four women here has hypertension. One in every four women, who are 15 years and above in J&K has elevated blood pressure. They may also be taking medication to control it, according to the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6). What is more concerning is that the proportion has climbed from 20 percent in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 25 percent in NFHS-6 (2023-24). There is a five-percentage-point increase in J&K, a significant rise against the national trend. Across India, the proportion of women with elevated blood pressure or taking medication has declined from 21.3 percent to 19.4 percent as measured by NFHS 5 and NFHS 6. Men have not been spared either the percentage of men aged 15 and above with elevated blood pressure has increased from 18.9 percent to 20.9 percent. The findings point towards the growing cardiovascular risk burden in J&K. Hypertension often develops without noticeable symptoms and can remain undetected for years, while it may be putting an individual to risk nevertheless. Although hypertension is commonly associated with ageing, doctors have repeatedly warned that changing lifestyles are responsible to a large extent. Unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, stress and excessive salt consumption are contributing to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. DrIrfanBhat, noted consultant and interventional cardiologist at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, has summed up the relationship between inherited susceptibility and lifestyle in a telling phrase: Genetics load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger. DrBhat has called for early screening for all adults, and in particular for people with family history of hypertension, smoking, and obesity. The concern is particularly relevant in Kashmir, where dietary habits include substantial consumption of salt-rich traditional foods. Sedentary routines and limited physical activity add to cardiovascular risks. Hypertension in J&K is difficult to isolate from the obesity epidemic. One in every two urban women in J&K carries excess weight. Mohammad Salim Khan, former Head of Department of Community Medicine, GMC Srinagar, said undiagnosed cases are a real worry. Most people are unaware of their hypertension and do not modify risk factors. They are sitting on a time bomb, he said. Uncontrolled hypertension is among the most important modifiable risk factors for stroke. Persistently elevated blood pressure can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. It also contributes to heart disease and kidney damage.
Kulgam quake puts Kashmirs seismic risk in focus
Srinagar, Nov 1:A 3.6-magnitude earthquake in south Kashmirs Kulgam district has brought renewed attention to the seismic risks facing the valley, where active faults and complex geological structures make large areas vulnerable to earthquakes. Earth scientists say detailed mapping of local hazards, safer construction and preparedness are essential to limit the damage from future earthquakes. The earthquake struck DamhalHanjipora at 1:00:46 am on Friday at a depth of 10 km, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). Its epicentre was recorded at latitude 33.628 N and longitude 74.922 E. Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, eminent earth scientist and Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), said the tremor was a reminder of Kashmirs active tectonic setting. Although an earthquake of this magnitude is minor, its shallow depth made the tremors perceptible in nearby areas, Romshoo said. Such earthquakes are not unusual in the seismically active Kashmir Himalaya and should be interpreted as part of the regions larger seismicity. He said earthquakes could not be predicted in terms of their timing, location or magnitude. Preparedness, establishing a culture of disaster preparedness and risk-reduction measures are our most effective safeguards against future earthquake disasters, Prof Ramshoo said. Riyaz Ahmad Mir, a scientist at the National Institute of Hydrologys Western Himalayan Regional Centre (WHRC), Jammu, said several regional and local faults, thrusts and other active tectonic structures traverse Kashmir. DH Pora, Kulgam, is no exception. The area is influenced by tectonic structures such as the Balapur Fault and Jhelum Fault. Furthermore, the southwestern PirPanjal is considered tectonically active, adding to the regional seismic hazard, Mir said. The Balapur Fault is a reverse or thrust fault, where pressure pushes one block of the Earths crust over another. The Jhelum Fault is a strike-slip fault, along which blocks of the crust move horizontally past each other. Mir said the risk at a particular location depends on its proximity to faults, geological conditions, site characteristics and the vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure. Much of Kashmir falls in Seismic Zone V, the highest earthquake hazard category under Indias current classification. Parts of the Chenab Valley - Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts in the Jammu region also fall in Zone V, while areas including the PirPanjal region - Rajouri and Poonch -are classified under Zone IV. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) IS 1893:2016 divides the country into four seismic zones; II, III, IV, and V. Zone IV denotes high seismic hazard, while Zone V denotes very high hazard. Zone VI was proposed in the revised seismic zonation in 2025 to represent the exceptionally high earthquake hazard of the Himalayan region but was subsequently withdrawn. Mir said the Himalaya was a continuous, tectonically active mountain belt largely governed by the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT), but earthquake hazard varied across the range. Seismic zoning divides the region based on differences in expected ground shaking, earthquake potential, tectonic segmentation, local fault systems, geological conditions and historical seismicity, he said. Mir said broad regional classifications could overlook local differences in risk, even within the same seismic zone. The presence of a common active tectonic system does not imply identical seismic hazard everywhere. However, broad regional zoning may oversimplify local variations, he said. He called for detailed seismic microzonation and active fault mapping to assess earthquake risk across the Himalaya. The experts also called for strict enforcement of earthquake-resistant building codes, assessment of vulnerable structures and regular safety drills in schools and public institutions.
Darbar moves to Jammu today with extra zing
Jammu, Nov 1:Slight chill in weather enveloping Jammu will contrast the warmth and vitality signifying the return of Darbar to the winter capital as all Move offices, over 100 in number, will reopen here tomorrow, November 2, 2026. Political churning in the corridors of power - post J&K cabinet expansion and additional cavalcades of newly inducted ministers criss-crossing Jammu roads will add extra zing to the Darbar Move this year. Layered security is in place all across Jammu and adjoining areas - wearing refurbished look- and more prominently in and around the complex, housing the nerve centre of governance the Civil Secretariat donning a fortified look. Arrival of 'Darbar' - a bi-annual practice, in Jammu will be marked by a ceremonial Guard of Honour to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) contingent at the Civil Secretariat on Monday (November 2) morning, before the Move offices resume their functioning. It is likely to be followed by the customary press conference by the Chief Minister. CM Omar Abdullah chairing meetings with the Council of Ministers and Administrative Secretaries to get an update on the functioning of various departments and assess the administrative preparedness following the move will be major engagements on the opening day of Darbar in Jammu Civil Secretariat. This year, however, the winter capital will miss last year's magnificent spectacle of Chief Minister's foot-march on way to the Secretariat from his official residence to celebrate the resumption of Darbar Move after a hiatus of four years and people reciprocating the gesture with glowing warmth. Another high point that marked last years opening of Darbar in the winter capital was the visit of the members of the family of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, led by National Conference president and the former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, to the Civil Secretariat. This year after the Chief Minister recently began a new journey, the level of anticipation and element of interest is quite high to know if the family will make an appearance in the Civil Secretariat on the opening day of Darbar, this time also. For Civil Secretariat and Heads of Departments located within the Civil Secretariat premises, the office timings on the re-opening of offices at Jammu will be 9.30 am to 5.30 pm while for all moving Heads of Departments located outside the Civil Secretariat and observing six days a week, the office timings will be 10 am to 4.30 pm. The General Administration Department, however, has already established a winter secretariat at Civil Secretariat, Srinagar. Meanwhile, the second batch of Move employees, along with important records, too reached Jammu on Sunday, November 1, 2026, as per schedule. Earlier, the offices observing five days' week closed in Srinagar on October 30 and those observing six days' week on October 31, 2026, for the next six months. The Chief Ministers Secretariat and 40 other offices moved to Jammu in full and 50 other specified offices moved in camp for winter session, 2026-27. The offices moving in camp are carrying only 33 percent of the staff strength in that particular office, or 10 officials, whichever is minimum, or otherwise as specifically indicated. This is the second year in succession of Darbar Move to Jammu after the bi-annual practice was resumed by the elected J&K government in November, 2025 in the Union Territory set up in consonance with its electoral promise. Darbar Move practice, initiated around 150 years ago by Dogra Maharaja with strategic and climatic considerations, was scrapped by the administration of the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in 2021 with the assertion that it would save Rs 200 Cr of the state exchequer.
Digdol-Marog tunnel may take until 2030, delaying NH-44 relief
Srinagar, Nov 1:Motorists may have to wait until 2030 for relief at Battery ChashmaMorh, Monkey Morh and Anokhifall on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), as work on the 4.38-km Digdol-Marog twin-tube tunnel is only 36% complete after more than four years. These stretches, along with sections of Digdol and Marog, are prone to landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and rockfalls. NHAI Project Director ShubhamYadav told Greater Kashmir that the Jammu-bound tube is targeted for completion by December 2028, while both tubes are expected to be ready by the end of 2029. Officials associated with the project said completion could slip into 2030 if work continues at the current pace. Awarded in November 2021, the project entered the construction phase in August 2022 and was initially scheduled for completion in August 2025. After missing that deadline, the target was extended to June 30, 2027, which also appears unlikely to be met given the current progress. The project comprises two tubes for traffic towards Jammu and Srinagar, approach roads on both sides and an additional 0.6-km section. Once completed, it will bypass nearly 5 km of vulnerable highway stretches; Battery ChashmaMorh, Monkey Morh, Anokhifall, and sections of Digdol and Marog. An official familiar with the Ramban-Banihal project said extensive hill cutting during the earlier four-laning phase had destabilised slopes and aggravated landslide activity. The official also cited shortcomings in geological and environmental assessments and inadequate slope-stabilisation measures. The alignment was subsequently redesigned to avoid vulnerable stretches, adding to construction time. Four-laning of the Ramban-Banihal stretch began in 2015, relying initially on extensive hill cutting. Repeated slope failures prompted authorities to shift towards tunnels, viaducts, flyovers, suspension bridges, and overhead bridges. Revised alignment work began in 2021 to bypass vulnerable points along the Ramban-Banihal highway, including KhooniNallah, Cafeteria Morh, Mehar, Sita-Ram-Passi, MokeyMorh, KelaMorh, Panthiyal, Marog, Magarkote, Digdol, Battery ChashmaMorh, Anokhifall, Monkey Morh, Sherbibi, Silar, Nachlana, Shalgadi, Gangroo, Ramsoo and several others. The Digdol-Marog tunnel is among the major projects intended to improve traffic safety. The Panthiyal-Digdol and Panthiyal-KhooniNallah twin-tube tunnels are also nearing completion and will bypass major trouble spots, including KhooniNallah, often described as the lood-soaked ravine. ShaitanNallah (Devils-Gorge), another deadly spot was the first to be bypassed after the completion of Qazigund-Banihal in 2022. The Banihal - Ramban project was initially executed by Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), Gammon India and Chaudhary Power Projects Limited (CPPL). Ceigall India Ltd is now undertaking much of the remaining work. Officials have cited difficult geological conditions, work stoppages, local hindrances, slow contractor progress, unseasonal rain and delays in deploying machinery and manpower for the slow pace of construction. Heavy rain, cloudbursts and flash floods in 2025 further disrupted work. The highway remained closed for more than three weeks in April following landslides and washouts. Mudslides and flash floods again disrupted traffic in August and September, affecting supplies to Kashmir and leaving hundreds of apple-laden trucks stranded, causing losses to the horticulture sector. Officials said mitigation measures had since been strengthened. About 2.2 km of tunnel and viaduct works at identified sliding zones in Dalwas were completed in December 2025. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway four-laning project was divided into six subprojects: Srinagar-Qazigund (67.7 km), Qazigund-Banihal (15.25 km), Banihal-Ramban (36 km), Ramban-Udhampur (44 km), Chenani-Nashri (9.2 km) and Jammu-Udhampur (65 km). Officials said all major subprojects had been completed and opened to four-lane traffic, except for the remaining work on the most challenging Ramban-Banihal stretch. Launched in 2011 with an initial five-year target, the overall project is expected to shorten the Jammu-Srinagar road distance by nearly 50 km and reduce travel time from around nine hours to four hours.
LG calls for stronger cultural unity
Srinagar, Nov 1:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday called for stronger cultural unity. Extending his warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Keralam, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu on their Foundation Day, LG Sinha emphasised the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' and urged all citizens to work towards a future where diversity is respected, knowledge and innovation flourish, culture and heritage are preserved, and every individual is assured dignity, opportunity, and meaningful participation in the countrys progress. Addressing a commemorative programme marking the occasion at LokBhavan, he said that the celebration of Foundation Days of different states and Union Territories reflects Indias enduring civilisational ethos of unity in diversity. The LG expressed gratitude to Prime Minister NarendraModi for strengthening the spirit of coordination, harmony, and emotional integration among various regions of the country and advancing the vision of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. He said that Indias identity was rooted not only in geography but also in a shared cultural consciousness that has bound together diverse traditions, languages, customs, knowledge systems and artistic expressions for centuries. Highlighting ideals of ancient Indian scriptures and literary traditions from different regions, LG Sinha said that Indias rich heritage continues to nurture a sense of belonging that transcends geographical boundaries. Our literary and spiritual heritage, from Keralam to Madhya Pradesh, from Andaman and Nicobar to Andhra Pradesh tells us that we are integral parts of the same stream of life, and geographical distances can never erase our emotional closeness and the spirit of oneness, he said. Highlighting the cultural contributions of the states and Union Territories being celebrated, the LG said that each region has enriched the national fabric while preserving its unique identity. He also referred to Keralams literary and artistic heritage, Andhra Pradeshs contributions to literature, spirituality and the freedom movement, Karnatakas saint-poet tradition, Punjabs profound spiritual legacy, and Haryanas contribution to devotional literature. LG Sinha also underlined the significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in showcasing Indias cultural diversity, Chandigarhs place as a symbol of modern urban planning, and Delhis role as a vibrant confluence of cultures from across the country. Indian traditions demonstrate how diversity and unity coexist harmoniously. Our cultural practices, faith traditions and literary heritage reinforce the idea that people from different regions remain connected through shared values and collective national consciousness, he said. The LG said that the Foundation Day celebrations provide an opportunity to understand one anothers heritage, strengthen mutual respect and foster deeper people-to-people connections. He called upon citizens, particularly the younger generation, to draw inspiration from the ideals of the nations ancestors and contribute actively to nation-building. We have the responsibility to internalise the ideals of our ancestors, walk the path they showed us, and make our role in nation-building more effective, he said.
Per Capita Income of Rs 1.55 Lakh
There is good news in Jammu and Kashmirs latest income figures, but there is also a larger economic question we should not ignore. Per capita income in J&K increased from ` 62,327 in 201415 to ` 1,54,703 in 202425, an increase of nearly 148 per cent in ten years. This reflects an expanding economy, but the real story lies beyond the headline figure. What kind of economy are we building, and is this growth creating enough productive jobs and better incomes for ordinary people? J&Ks economy is estimated at around ` 2.65 lakh crore in 202425. The primary sector contributes approximately 20 per cent of Gross State Value Added (GSVA), the secondary sector 18.3 per cent and the services sector 61.7 per cent. At first glance, these figures suggest a reasonably diversified economy. A closer examination, however, reveals a different picture: a large dependence on services and public administration, substantial livelihood dependence on agriculture, seasonal tourism and a relatively small manufacturing base. This is where the real economic challenge begins. What Does the Income Figure Actually Mean? Divide ` 1,54,703 by 365 and the result is approximately ` 424 a day. Of course, this does not mean that every person in J&K earns ` 424 daily. Per capita income is an average measure of economic output, not an individuals salary. It also does not tell us how income is distributed among households. A hotel owner, a government employee, an orchardist and an unemployed graduate do not experience economic growth in the same way. The average can increase even when a significant section of the population sees little improvement in its income. There is another important factor. The 148 per cent increase is measured at current prices, which means inflation is included. The actual improvement in purchasing power is therefore smaller. Nevertheless, the progress deserves recognition. The more important question is whether this growth is translating into better wages, stable employment, stronger businesses and improved household incomes. The Gap with the National Average Indias per capita Net National Income in 202425 stood at approximately ` 2,00,162, compared with ` 1,54,703 in J&K. This means J&Ks per capita income is around 77 per cent of the national average. The gap has narrowed compared with earlier years, which is encouraging. But it remains significant. Why do some states generate considerably higher incomes than J&K? The answer is not simply that they have more economic activity. Many have developed stronger manufacturing industries, technology businesses, financial services, pharmaceutical companies and export-oriented enterprises. These businesses create value beyond their immediate local markets. They generate employment, develop supply chains, attract investment and improve worker productivity. J&K has resources, educated people, tourism potential and established traditional industries. What it lacks is sufficient economic depth to convert these advantages into higher and more consistent incomes. Agriculture: More Production Must Mean More Income Agriculture and allied activities contribute around 20 per cent of J&Ks GSVA and support a substantial proportion of its workforce. Horticulture, in particular, remains one of the regions strongest economic assets. Apples, walnuts, cherries and saffron have established markets. Yet the income of an orchardist depends on much more than the quantity harvested. What happens after the fruit leaves the orchard is equally important. Cold storage, grading, packaging, processing, transportation and direct access to buyers determine how much of the final selling price reaches the grower. We often celebrate record apple production, but production alone does not guarantee better incomes. If growers continue to sell primarily raw produce without sufficient processing and branding, much of the potential value is created elsewhere. J&K needs to move from being primarily a producer of agricultural commodities to developing a complete horticulture industry. This means more food-processing units, better storage facilities, organised supply chains and stronger connections with national and international markets. Tourism: Beyond Counting Visitors Tourism supports thousands of families through hotels, restaurants, transport, handicrafts, guides and other services. Its importance to J&K cannot be questioned. However, we should distinguish between the number of tourists arriving and the actual income generated for local businesses. Tourism is seasonal. A successful summer does not guarantee employment throughout the year. A hotel, taxi operator, guide or restaurant owner may earn well during a few months and struggle during the remaining period. The focus should therefore shift towards longer stays, higher visitor spending and year-round tourism. Winter activities, heritage tourism, village stays, conferences and cultural experiences can help extend the season. More importantly, we must ask how much of the money spent by visitors remains within the local economy. Tourist arrivals are an important indicator, but local earnings and stable employment are better measures of economic benefit. Government Employment Cannot Carry the Economy Alone One of the most striking features of J&Ks economy is the contribution of public administration, which accounts for approximately 17.5 per cent of GSVA. This helps explain why government employment carries such importance in the region. For many families, a government job represents financial security and social stability. But the government cannot be the principal employer for every educated young person entering the labour market. Nor can recruitment alone create the productive capacity required to raise incomes across the economy. We need a stronger private sector that offers professional careers, competitive wages and opportunities for growth. This also requires a change in how we approach entrepreneurship. Telling young people to start businesses is not enough. They need access to finance, markets, mentoring, practical skills and simpler procedures for establishing and operating enterprises. Manufacturing: The Missing Link Manufacturing remains one of the weaker components of J&Ks economic structure. This is important because manufacturing can connect agriculture, raw materials, technology, logistics and skilled employment. There are opportunities in food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, handicrafts, packaging, furniture, sports goods and light engineering. We do not necessarily need large industrial complexes. Clusters of small and medium enterprises, supported by reliable electricity, modern equipment, finance, quality certification and market access, could make a meaningful difference. Consider the apple industry. Instead of selling most produce in its raw form, J&K could develop a stronger processing industry producing juices, concentrates, dried fruit, packaged products and other value-added goods. The same principle applies to handicrafts. Pashmina, carpets, papier-ma ch and wood carving have considerable market potential, but artisans often receive a limited share of the final selling price. Better branding, product authentication, modern designs and direct access to buyers could improve both business earnings and artisan incomes. The objective should be to retain more economic value within J&K. Infrastructure and Hydropower: Investment Must Produce Returns Roads, tunnels, power projects and other infrastructure are essential for economic development. Construction generates employment and improves connectivity, but infrastructure expenditure should not be treated as an achievement in isolation. A road becomes economically valuable when it reduces transportation costs, connects producers to markets and encourages investment. A power project creates wider benefits when reliable electricity supports local industries, cold storage, food processing and businesses. Hydropower offers J&K an important strategic opportunity. But the benefits should extend beyond electricity generation. Project execution, environmental safeguards and local economic participation will determine how much value the region ultimately receives. We must look at infrastructure not only in terms of money spent or projects completed, but also in terms of the economic activity they generate. The Opportunity in IT and Professional Services Perhaps the biggest opportunity for J&K is to connect its educated workforce with markets beyond the region. Software services, digital operations, accounting, design, financial support, healthcare administration and other professional services can serve customers across India and overseas. These businesses do not always require large factories or extensive physical infrastructure. They need reliable connectivity, practical training, professional standards and access to clients. A young professional in Srinagar should be able to work for a company in Delhi, Dubai, London or Toronto without necessarily relocating. This requires educational institutions to work more closely with employers, training programmes to focus on actual market requirements and businesses to create opportunities for local talent. J&K does not need to become another Bengaluru. It needs to identify areas where its people can compete and build businesses serving wider markets. The Real Challenge Is Execution Most of these priorities have been discussed for years. We know that horticulture requires processing, tourism needs to extend beyond the summer season, handicrafts need stronger market access, and young people need employment beyond government recruitment. The problem is not a shortage of ideas. It is the gap between policy and implementation. We should measure progress through the income earned by orchardists, the number of functioning manufacturing units, private investment, permanent jobs, wages, business survival and the value of products exported outside J&K. Training programmes should be judged by employment outcomes, not certificates. Infrastructure should be judged by the economic opportunities it creates, not simply the amount spent. The administration, financial institutions, educational establishments and private businesses all have a role in making this transition possible. Growth Must Reach the Household J&Ks increase in per capita income from ` 62,327 to ` 1,54,703 deserves recognition. It reflects economic progress despite considerable challenges. But the next stage of development requires a different approach. We must create an economy that produces more value from its existing resources, provides stable employment and allows local businesses to compete beyond the region. The real measure of progress will be whether an orchardist earns more from his produce, whether a hotel worker has employment throughout the year, whether an artisan receives a fair price and whether a young graduate can build a meaningful career without being compelled to leave home. The question is no longer simply how much J&Ks economy has grown. It is whether we are building an economy capable of generating better incomes, productive employment and opportunities for the next generation. Syed Afaq has over 25 years of project management experience, including a long tenure at the Central Bank of Oman, and now mentors youth.
Cabinet Reshuffle: A Storm in a Teacup!
A cabinet reshuffle is the prerogative of the elected leader of the ruling party, who, in the present case, is the Chief Minister. Therefore, the recent expansion of Omar Abdullahs cabinet falls well within his powers. It is for him to decide the shape and composition of his cabinet. As leader of the National Conference Legislature Party, he enjoys the confidence of his party legislators. These are established norms of parliamentary democracy, and there is little room to question the authority of the leader in this regard. It is also important to remember that Jammu and Kashmir is presently a Union Territory and not a state. The rules governing the size and composition of the cabinet are different in a Union Territory. The popular idiom, Ek Anaar, Sau Bimaar, aptly describes the situation in UT cabinet formations. There is a limit on the number of ministers, based on a prescribed percentage of the total strength of the legislature. Therefore, the grievances of NC legislators cannot be entertained merely because they were not accommodated in the expansion. The only reasonable ground for complaint, though even that may be difficult to establish, would be that seniority or merit was ignored while making the selections. The much-hyped meeting of around twenty NC legislators, described by sections of the Kashmir press as dissidents or potential dissidents, does not carry much political significance when viewed against the established norms and the peculiar political history of the National Conference. Like legislators of other parties, NC members owe much of their political standing to the party that brought them into the Assembly. Few can claim that they won solely on the strength of their personal image or individual performance. It is the NCs political agenda, its policies and, above all, the continuing influence of its founder leader that have shaped its electoral strength. In my opinion, this legacy may continue to influence Kashmirs politics for another half a decade. By then, a large section of our population and opinion-makers will belong to Generations Y and Z, many of whom may know very little about Sheikh Abdullah and his politics. The disgruntled MLAs are fully aware of their political standing. Their leaders, too, particularly the Sheikh family, understand the strength of the political legacy and following they have inherited. This game of political posturing and hide-and-seek may continue for some time, but it is likely to subside once these legislators realise the limits of their political influence. After all, political ambitions have to be weighed against the ground realities of electoral politics. Obviously, a few overambitious members within this group may be hoping for a Ghulam Mohammad Shah-type coup, looking for political support from other groups, both inside and outside the Assembly. However, such a possibility appears remote because of the regional political divide and the lack of political compatibility among potential partners. A similar experiment in the past not only failed but also proved disastrous for the political future of the Peoples Democratic Party. The party continues to face the consequences of that political misadventure. The present political situation in the country is also not favourable for such an operation, even if it may be technically possible within parliamentary rules and conventions. Political consequences are often more important than immediate political gains. A government may be formed or destabilised through numbers, but sustaining such an arrangement is an entirely different matter. In the 90-member Assembly, the NC has 41 members, followed by the BJP with 29. Interestingly, both parties have strong regional bases: the BJP is concentrated largely in the Jammu region, while the NC enjoys its main support in Kashmir, with some presence in the Jammu province as well. This regional divide works in favour of the NC in the present political situation. Several other parties and independent members, who do not share the BJPs political ideology, are more likely to support the NC or remain neutral if its government faces any challenge. This makes any attempt to dislodge the present government politically difficult, even if some disgruntled legislators decide to explore such possibilities. Those who are now up in arms against the NC leadership over cabinet expansion would do well to revisit the partys history and recall the firm hand with which its leadership has dealt with dissent within its own ranks from time to time. The party has rarely allowed internal challenges to threaten the authority of its central leadership. The status and importance of the National Conference in Kashmir politics must be viewed in the context of its nearly century-old history and the lasting impression its founder, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, left on the people of Kashmir. I do not subscribe to the view that the NC and its policies have always been right or necessarily in the best interests of the people of Kashmir. However, no one can deny the enormous political influence and importance that this old political party, and particularly its founder, enjoyed over the decades. The NC has traditionally been a grassroots, cadre-based party, but it has also revolved around the personality and legacy of Sheikh Abdullah. His personality and influence over the party remain so strong, even decades after his death, that very few political personalities or parties have been able to dent its standing in Kashmir politics. History offers several examples. What happened to the political fortunes of Sheikh Abdullahs fellow leaders after the winding up of the Muslim Conference? How did Maulvi Yousuf Shah disappear from the leadership landscape of Kashmir? What became of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammads party and his political colleagues after he ruled the state for a considerable period? What remained of Mirza Afzal Begs political future, despite once being Sheikh Abdullahs most trusted confidant? And, more recently, the political fate of the heirs of late Ghulam Mohammad Shah, Sheikh Abdullahs son-in-law, is known to everyone. These examples show how difficult it has been for individual leaders to build an independent political identity within the National Conference or to survive politically after falling out with its central leadership. The partys history is, in many ways, a history of the extraordinary hold of one political legacy over its organisation and supporters. The present resentment over cabinet expansion, therefore, should not be mistaken for a serious threat to the National Conference or its leadership. It may make some political noise for a while, but the larger political realities are unlikely to change. In Kashmirs political landscape, the National Conference continues to enjoy an influence that cannot be measured merely by the number of ministers accommodated in its cabinet. In the end, what appears to be a political storm may well turn out to be nothing more than a storm in a cup of tea!
Like a living body has a defence mechanism we usually call immunity, a governance system also needs to raise its defences while it performs different functions. There is, otherwise, every possibility that the system might develop some snags that if left unattended can morph into terminal illnesses. The most serious threat to a governance system emanates from corruption. No matter how diligently a system is crafted, no matter what profound theories undergird a system, no matter how best a political set up is atop a governance system, it finally comes to the very officers and the offices that comprise the system, and that perform on ground. If the officers do not function honestly and in an upright manner, policies and procedures go for a toss. That is where the criticality of a defence comes in. A well entrenched mechanism to fight against the dangers of corruption is an inescapable imperative. In the more developed countries we see less cases of corruption. In fact the rampant corruption that one encounters in the third world countries is something inconceivable for the people in the developed countries. How have those countries established smooth systems and honest atmosphere; something we need to understand and then internalise. That is a continuous process and it deserves a ceaseless attention. At the moment the task is to display an attitude of intolerance against corrupt practices. If some statements are pouring in, and an intent is expressed to fight against corruption, there is a need to put in every possible thing into making it workable. If some concrete action is taken in just a few cases, and examples created, that can serve some purpose. If corruption cases are unearthed, guilty caught hold, and punishments served, that would act as some deterrence. There is a need to walk past mere announcements and display a will to fight corruption. That can alone be done through action. Catch the bull of corruption by its horns. The people in J&K deserve a better governance system, that works to the advantage of people and not at the cost of people.
River Jhelum, which is considered to be the lifeline of Kashmir, has been facing extreme ecological threat due to unabated pollution, illegal mining and encroachments. Jhelum serves a dual purpose for Kashmirits major source for drinking water and irrigation and importantly saves the Valley from floods. Ironically the river has been fast losing both these functions in absence of conservation measures. Jhelum originates from Verinag in south Kashmir, spans over 175 sq Kms and settles in Wular lake before flowing to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) from Baramulla district in north Kashmir. The river is propelled by four streamsSundran, Brang, Arapath and Lidder is Anantnag district. Besides small streams like Veshav and Rambiara also fed the river with fresh lease of waters. All water bodies flow into Jhelum making it an important part of Kashmirs interconnected hydrological system. Despite its immense ecological importance, Jhelum is facing extreme pollution as all drains from south to north Kashmir directly flow into the river. The irony is that instead of constructing Sewage Treatment Plants, authorities have set up hundreds of pumping stations to empty drains into the river. The problem is compounded by dumping of solid waste and illegal sand mining. All these factors have severely affected flora and fauna and the hydrological system of the river. Jhelum has lost its carrying capacity also. It has been observed that the river swells and overflows after incessant rains for even 2-3 days. Wetlands like Hokersar, Bemina, Narakara, Batamaloo numbal, Rakh-e-arth, Anchar and Gilsar on the left and right of Jhelum, which acted as reservoirs of floodwaters, have been encroached upon, filled and converted into colonies. Deterioration of these wetlands have affected their capacity to absorb flood waterputting extra pressure on Jhelum. Jhelum Action Plan formulated for four towns of Anantnag, Srinagar, Sopore and Baramulla to intercept, divert, transmit sewage of these areas and treat it in STPs is still on paper. The intervention of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir to restore the glory of Jhelum is timely. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Yash Paul Bourney recently sought the report after Advocate Nadeem Qadiri, assisting as amicus curiae in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Environmental Policy Group on conservation of Jhelum, raised concern over deteriorating condition of Jhelum. The Court has sought a report attesting to mining activities, proposed setting up of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in river Jehlum as also construction or removal of embankments for flood control of the waterbody. It has also sought milestones achieved so far in the matter related to flood mitigation. EPG has filed the PIL in 2017 to flag the fragile flood management system in Kashmir and seek the courts intervention for measures to protect Kashmir from future flood disasters. The PIL also highlights shortcomings in flood management due to which massive damage was caused during 2014 floods and seeks tangible steps to avoid such situations. EPG Convenor, Faiz Bakshi minces no words to raise red flags over illegal mining, untreated sewage discharge and condition of river embankments saying this has significant implications for the rivers ecological health, carrying capacity and flood-management system. EPG rightly states that these concerns cannot be addressed through administrative assurances alone and require transparent information, scientific assessment and effective implementation on the ground. Following incessant rains on September 7, 2014, Jhelum had crossed record 23-feet at Ram Munshi Bagh gauge, while level went over 36 feet at Sangam submerging localities on both sides of the river from south Kashmir to Srinagar. As per estimates flood water measuring about 120,000 cusecs surpassed the carrying capacity of Jhelum by five times. However no lessons have been learnt from the deluge. Despite the passage of 12 years, sustained and scientific measures are missing to increase the rivers carrying capacity. Believe it! Despite massive silt accumulation, no dredging has been undertaken in Jhelum in the last 5 years. On the other hand, unabated illegal mining in Jhelums tributaries Doodh Ganga and Sukhnag has increased siltation in the river. An official report reveals that 15 lakh tonnes of riverbed material (RMB) comprising boulders, sand, nallah muck and gravel, were illegally extracted from Sukhnah river in the last several years. This wanton extraction of riverbed material severely altered the natural course of the river and extensively damaged its flora and fauna. Besides, imagine how many tons of silt must have been deposited in river Jhelum. The Ram Bagh flood spill channel looks like a forest with heavy growth of grass and other vegetation. Near Tengpora bridge, a vast chunk of the flood spill has been converted into a football ground. When water level in Jhelum rises, these bottlenecks hamper free flow of water. It is shocking to see how habitations have come up in the Jhelums floodplains. It was a practice of Dogra rulers to breach the Kandzal area to save Srinagar from floods. Excess water of Jhelum used to be diverted through Kandzal area and the waters would spread to Nowgam areas in central Kashmir Budgam areas. Now the Kandzal area is dotted with concrete constructions. The flood plains have been filled up! Earlier this year following incessant rains, Jhelum waters spread through its original flood plains from Shalina to Lasjan areas. The question is who allowed filling and constructions of Jhelums flood plains at the cost of endangering Srinagar city? Serious measures are missing to increase carrying capacity of Jhelum and restoration of its flood plains. We hope that judicial intervention will ensure long term conservation of Jhelum and restoration of its glory. And people shouldnt forget that its also their responsibility to contribute their bit to protect their lifeline, the Jhelum. Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir
DPS Srinagar hosts Bookaroo festival to revive reading habits, nurture imagination among children
Srinagar, Nov 1:Amid growing concerns over children's increasing dependence on digital devices, Delhi Public School (DPS) Srinagar hosted the eighth Srinagar edition of Bookaroo Festival of Childrens Literature (2026) on Sunday. The event saw participation of young readers, authors and parents to promote reading habits, creativity and imagination among children. The festival featured a range of literary and creative activities, including storytelling sessions, interactive engagements with authors, craft corners and doodle walls, providing children an opportunity to explore their creative abilities beyond textbooks and digital screens. The event was organised under the aegis of the DP Dhar Memorial Trust and the day-long festival brought together young readers from several districts, including Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Baramulla and Ganderbal, among others, turning the DPS Srinagar campus into a vibrant space of creativity, discovery and literary exploration. The theme for this year was Where Books Come Alive and event offered children an opportunity to move beyond conventional reading experiences and immerse themselves in a world of storytelling, art, illustration, music, drama and interactive learning. Principal DPS Srinagar Shafaq Afshan said the festival aimed to bring children back to books, develop their intellect and expose them to the literary world at a time when excessive dependence on digital platforms is affecting their ability to imagine and think independently. Literary festivals bring a thought process in a child, nurture imagination and encourage expression. We organise this festival almost every year to ensure that children develop the ability to imagine and analyse things independently rather than simply consuming what the digital world presents to them, the Principal said. She said the festival also provides an opportunity for parents to observe their children's creative abilities and engagement in different activities. The event brings children and parents together, allowing the latter to witness how their children express their thoughts through storytelling, art, craft and other creative exercises, she added. Author Mala Kumar, who participated in the festival, said books provide children not only with knowledge but also different perspectives and an understanding of experiences beyond their immediate surroundings. Books of all kinds give us so much knowledge, but they also give us perspective. They tell us about things happening around the world and help children connect what they read in textbooks and learn from teachers with experiences that people have actually had, she said. She said literary festivals provide an opportunity to bring these experiences together, helping children understand concepts better and encouraging them to explore and learn more. Festival Director of Bookaroo, Venkatesh, said the children's literature festival was established in Srinagar in 2011 and its continued presence in the city reflected its acceptance among children and parents. We started this in Srinagar in 2011 and we are still doing it in 2026. That means we have been accepted by Srinagar, its children and parents, he said. He said children in Srinagar were keen to read, visit bookstores and participate in different sessions, while parents were equally interested in encouraging their participation. Venkatesh said the festival was designed to cater to different interests, offering children a combination of storytelling, art, craft, writing, reading and other creative activities. It is not just that I am giving them a story or a craft or art. I am giving them everything. Different children have different interests, and the idea is to provide them with choices so they can engage in activities they enjoy, he said. Students participating in the festival also described it as an enriching experience, particularly the opportunity to interact with authors and discover new books. Mohammad Khubab Malik, a Class 3rd student said the festival offered young children an opportunity to engage in activities beyond watching television and mobile phones. Another student, Atiya, said it was her first experience at Bookaroo and that she particularly enjoyed meeting authors, interacting with them and learning about new books and facts. DPS Srinagar has been hosting the festival for several years, providing a platform for children from different schools to interact with authors, explore literature and participate in creative activities. This year the 8th edition of Bookaroo once again highlighted the importance of creating accessible platforms that encourage children to read, think independently, explore their creativity and develop a lifelong relationship with books. The festival was supported by Encash Mahindra and Amandeep Ujala Hospital, Bemina, whose support contributed to making the literary celebration possible. The festival featured 11 speakers from eight cities across India, with a carefully curated programme of 21 sessions catering to children between the ages of 4 and 14. Acclaimed authors, storytellers, illustrators, artists and creative practitioners engaged young participants through imaginative storytelling, hands-on workshops and thought-provoking interactions. From tales of talking animals and magical mangroves to mountains of adventure, nature, history and environmental awareness, the sessions encouraged children to explore new ideas, ask questions and express their creativity. Art-based activities, interactive storytelling and opportunities to meet authors further enriched the experience. Speaking on the occasion, Swati Roy, Co-founder of Bookaroo, said, Bookaroo has always believed that reading should be an experience children look forward to, rather than something they associate only with classrooms and textbooks. The enthusiasm we witnessed in Srinagar, particularly the participation of children from different districts, reflects the power of stories to bring young minds together. We hope every child who attended today leaves with a new story, a new idea and, most importantly, a greater love for books. Roshni Vyam, author and artist, who participated in the festival for the first time in Srinagar, said it was a great and beautiful experience. I met such amazing and kind students at DPS. Small children were thanking me for taking the session, and that was really special. It was wonderful to interact with them, and I would love to continue this beautiful journey with Bookaroo, he said. Likla Lall, author of Ganesh Haloi: Colours of Home, shared, Its been a beautiful experience at Bookaroo Srinagar. For so many of us, it was our first trip to Kashmir. The warmth, beauty and enthusiasm with which we were received were truly wonderful. In my session, I introduced children to the works of artist Ganesh Haloi. They were curious, creative and sharp all budding young artists. The teachers and student volunteers were encouraging and passionate. It has been a pleasure and an honour to be part of the festival. I hope we have fulfilled our role in keeping the spark for literature alive! Parents also appreciated the initiative for providing children with an engaging and meaningful learning experience outside the classroom. A parent of a DPS Srinagar student said it was wonderful to see children so excited about books, stories and creative activities. In an age when children spend so much time with screens, an event like this reminds them of the joy of reading, imagining and creating. It was also a great opportunity for parents to be part of their childrens learning journey. The participation of schools from different districts added a special dimension to the festival, creating opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds to interact, share experiences and celebrate a common love for stories and learning.
KU's SACMS, Sahitya Akademi holds An Evening with a Critic featuring Iqbal Nazki
Srinagar Nov 1:The Shaikh-ul-Aalam Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies (SACMS), University of Kashmir (KU), in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi, organised a literary programme titled 'An Evening with a Critic at the Main Campus, featuring eminent Kashmiri literary critic Iqbal Nazki. The programme provided a platform to discuss the role of literary criticism in interpreting texts and understanding the wider cultural and social contexts of Kashmiri literature. Sharing reflections on his literary journey, Iqbal Nazki spoke about the importance of critical inquiry in appreciating literary works and engaging with their deeper meanings. He said, Literary criticism helps us look beyond the surface of a text and understand the ideas, experiences and cultural realities it reflects. Particular emphasis was placed on the richness of Kashmiri literary traditions and the need to nurture a vibrant culture of literary criticism and scholarly dialogue. Prof. Aadil Amin Kak, Chairman, SACMS, said that such literary interactions create opportunities for sustained engagement with critical thought and encourage students and scholars to approach literature from diverse perspectives. The session was presided over by Prof. Mohd. Zaman Azurdah, while Prof. Shad Ramzan delivered the welcome address and highlighted the importance of literary criticism in enriching the understanding of Kashmiri literature and its literary traditions. Dr. Satish Vimal, Professor of Practice at SACMS; Prof. Noor Ahmad Baba; Dr. Maroof Shah; Mohammad Amin Bhat; and Shakeel ur Rehman were among the participants who contributed to the discussion. The programme was attended by faculty members, students and scholars. The interactive session provided an opportunity for meaningful exchange among the distinguished participants and the audience.
CAT directs BSNL, LIC to settle widows pension claim
Srinagar, Nov 1:Observing that pension is not a bounty but a right of an employee, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in Srinagar has directed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to settle the superannuation pension claim of a widow and her two minor children within six weeks. A bench of Judicial Member M S Latif ordered the settlement of the claim while deciding a plea by Irfana Salam, wife of late Sheikh Muhammad Altaf, a Sub-Divisional Engineer in BSNL who died due to COVID-19 on May 16, 2021, while in service. In her plea, Irfana had sought the Tribunals intervention for the release of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and BSNL Superannuation Pension benefits in favour of herself and her two minor sons. The case arose after the pensionary benefits of the deceased employee remained unsettled despite a civil courts order dated September 17, 2021, wherein release of service benefits to the persons entitled to receive them was ordered under the rules and in accordance with a compromise between the parties. The Tribunal observed that BSNL and LIC had not disputed Irfanas status as the deceased employees wife or the fact that two minor children were born out of wedlock. It was also brought to the Tribunals notice that the applicant and her children had been declared dependents of the deceased through a certificate issued by the Deputy Commissioners Office, Srinagar, on February 17, 2022. The Tribunal, while emphasising the legal status of pensionary benefits, noted that pension is not a bounty but a right of an employee. Depriving the family or dependents of such benefits under service rules or an applicable scheme would violate constitutional protections, it observed. Referring to Supreme Court judgments, including Deokinandan Prasad v State of Bihar and D S Nakara v Union of India, the Tribunal reiterated that family pension must be released strictly in accordance with the governing scheme. During the proceedings, counsel appearing for BSNL and LIC expressed no objection to disposal of the matter in accordance with the applicable rules and pension scheme. The Tribunal directed BSNL and LIC to process and settle the superannuation pension claim within six weeks positively. It made clear that the official respondents would have no power to extend the stipulated period and would have to seek the Tribunals permission if an extension became necessary.
70-year-old Ganderbal hydel project generates just 02 MW against 15-MW capacity
Ganderbal, Nov 1:At a time when Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with a severe power crisis and the government is purchasing electricity from outside the Union Territory to meet demand, one of the regions oldest hydropower projects in Ganderbal is operating far below its installed capacity, generating barely 02 MW against its rated capacity of 15 MW. Commissioned in 1955, the Lower Sindh Ganderbal Hydel Power Project was once a major source of electricity for the region. However, alleged official neglect, ageing machinery and delays in maintenance have severely affected its generation capacity, according to locals and official sources. Ganderbal district has three hydropower projects the 15-MW Lower Sindh Ganderbal project, the 105-MW Upper Sindh Hydropower Project Stage-I at Kangan and the 22-MW Upper Sindh Hydropower Project Stage-II at Sumbal with a combined installed capacity of 142 MW. Locals said the continued neglect of the Lower Sindh project had resulted in a sharp decline in its generation from the installed capacity of 15 MW to barely 2 MW. Sources said that despite the reduction in water levels, authorities had failed to undertake adequate maintenance and modernisation of the project. They pointed to the need for system remodelling and upgradation, digitalisation, adequate manpower, improved facilities and hi-tech supervision. Official sources said the authorities had also failed to repair and replace defunct machinery in time, leaving the power station virtually non-functional. An official acknowledged the decline in the generation capacity of the Ganderbal power house, saying that the overhauling of one unit was currently underway, while another defunct unit was being replaced. The deterioration of the old project has also raised questions over the fate of the proposed 93-MW New Ganderbal Hydropower Project. According to official sources, the existing power project was pushed to the back burner following the announcement of the new project. However, successive governments have failed to initiate construction of the much-awaited 93-MW project, despite its potential to augment power generation in the region. The failure to take up the project has drawn criticism from various quarters in Ganderbal, particularly at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is facing a widening gap between electricity demand and available supply. Officials said that construction of the proposed 93-MW project would increase the regions power availability and help ease the prevailing power crisis to some extent. The continued underutilisation of the existing 15-MW project, coupled with the delay in the proposed 93-MW project, has brought the focus back on the need to revive ageing hydropower infrastructure and expedite new generation projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
High Court puts on hold National Medical Commissions order on Kashmir Medical College
Srinagar, Nov 1:The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has kept in abeyance the National Medical Commissions (NMC) order, rejecting Kashmir Medical Colleges plea for permission to establish the institution with an annual intake of 150 MBBS seats for the academic year 2026-27. A bench of Justice Muhammad Yousuf Wani, while hearing the plea by the College which is a unit of Mili Trust, directed the authorities of the NMC to revisit and review the impugned order dated October 27 in light of the applicable law and the colleges objections. The Court also asked the authorities to explore the possibility of issuing a conditional permit to the college, subject to reasonable terms, so that it could admit MBBS students for the current academic session. The court issued the direction while hearing the colleges petition through advocate Shoukat Naqshbandi wherein challenge was thrown to the rejection by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC. The college had approached the NMC seeking permission for its formal establishment at Industrial Estate, Sempora, with an annual intake capacity of 150 MBBS students. It maintained that its application, submitted on January 22 this year, was complete in all respects and supported by the Essentiality Certificate, Consent of Affiliation, proof of a functional 650-bedded teaching hospital, statutory licences, solvency certificate and details of faculty registered on the AEBAS/NMC portal. However, the MARB rejected the application on June 9 this year, citing that the infrastructure was under process. The college challenged the decision before the appellate authorities, but its first appeal was rejected. Thereafter, the Second Appellate Authority in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, through an order dated August 24 this year, remanded the matter to the NMC for re-examination of the documents and records and issuance of appropriate orders. Alleging non-compliance with the appellate order, the college approached the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution. During the proceedings, the Deputy Solicitor General of India informed the Court that the NMC authorities had conducted a physical inspection in compliance with the High Courts earlier directions dated October 5 and 13 this year, and subsequently rejected the colleges application through a detailed order dated October 27. The college, however, challenged the latest rejection, alleging violation of Sections 28 and 29 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, as well as the principles of natural justice. It contended that the authorities had failed to communicate the deficiencies, if any, identified during the inspection and provide an opportunity to rectify them.
J&K Draft Mountain Policy proposes visitor limitsat tourist hotspots to check overcrowding
Srinagar, Nov 1:A draft policy on sustainable mountain development has proposed a major overhaul of tourism management, infrastructure development and environmental protection in Jammu and Kashmir, including daily visitor limits at popular destinations, restrictions on private vehicles, a green cess of up to Rs 2,000 for foreign tourists and tighter controls on construction in ecologically sensitive areas. The Draft Jammu and Kashmir Sustainable Mountain Development Policy (JK-SMDP 2026), dated October 12, 2026, envisages a framework to regulate tourism, protect fragile mountain ecosystems and ensure that local communities benefit from economic activity in the region. The document, which is still a draft for consideration, does not represent an approved government decision. Its recommendations would require formal approval and, where necessary, legal backing before they could be implemented. One of its key proposals is to introduce carrying-capacity limits at 15 high-pressure tourist destinations, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Yusmarg, Gurez, Bangus, Sinthan Top, Patnitop, Katra, Paddar, Basoli and Bhaderwah. The draft proposes that scientific carrying-capacity studies be completed within 12 months. Pending these studies, interim daily visitor limits could be introduced within 100 days of the proposed policys approval, based on the capacity of roads, parking facilities and sanitation infrastructure. It also envisages an online registration and time-slot booking system for visitors at high-pressure destinations, supported by digital entry passes, cess collection, weather alerts and visitor data management. In a significant proposed change to tourist transportation, the draft recommends that private cars, taxis and buses be stopped at designated green gateways located approximately 10 kilometres below fragile destinations. Beyond these gateways, movement would be restricted to electric or CNG vehicles, walking, ponies or cycles. The document proposes that electric vehicle fleets be operated by local youth cooperatives, self-help groups and registered local operators, while outside operators would not be licensed. Tangmarg has been identified as a possible green gateway for Gulmarg, Pahalgam town for Aru, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari, and Sonamarg market for the Thajiwas area. Emergency, defence, disaster-response and essential local-service vehicles would be exempted. The draft also proposes a Mountain Green Cess, with different rates for domestic and foreign visitors. According to its detailed tariff table, domestic tourists would be charged Rs 500 at Zone B destinations, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Patnitop, Sonamarg and Doodhpathri, and Rs 1,000 at Zone A sites such as glaciers, high-altitude lakes, alpine meadows and high-altitude trekking routes. For foreign nationals, the proposed cess is Rs 2,000 at both categories of destinations. Children below 12 years, specially abled individuals and residents of the local body where a destination is situated have been proposed for exemption. Other Jammu and Kashmir residents and students on institutional tours would be charged Rs 100. The policy estimates that the cess could generate approximately Rs 750 crore annually, based on an estimated 1.5 crore to 2.5 crore tourists and a conservative average collection of Rs 500 per visitor. It proposes that the revenue be ring-fenced for destination-level environmental management, with 40 per cent allocated to waste collection, toilets and sanitation, 20 per cent to ecological restoration, 20 per cent to local employment, 10 per cent to visitor safety and rescue systems, and the remaining 10 per cent to monitoring and administration. The draft states: Cess collected at a destination is spent at that destination; it cannot be diverted. The document also proposes restrictions on new construction in high-risk and ecologically sensitive areas, including glacier forelands, stream corridors and identified hazard-prone zones. It calls for stronger land-use planning and environmental safeguards to prevent unregulated construction in mountain regions. On waste management, the draft envisages that every notified destination should be free of visible garbage and untreated sewage within three years. It proposes a ban on single-use plastics in notified destinations, deposit-refund mechanisms, material recovery facilities and a carry-in, carry-out system for visitors. Legacy waste at identified locations would be targeted for clearance within two years, while penalties would be introduced for violations. Disaster preparedness forms another major component of the proposed policy. It recommends multi-hazard risk mapping for hill towns, tourist destinations, pilgrimage routes and highways within three years, covering landslides, flash floods, avalanches, glacial lake outburst floods and earthquakes. It also proposes early-warning systems, trained community volunteers, rescue equipment and evacuation plans. The draft envisages automatic closure of tourist sites and routes during red alerts issued for extreme weather and other hazards. We cannot stop cloudbursts, but we can stop them from becoming mass tragedies. The goal is zero avoidable deaths from mountain hazards, the document states. Pilgrimage management has also been addressed, with the draft proposing science-based daily limits for yatras and religious destinations, including the Amarnath Yatra, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Machail Mata, Shiv Khori and Buddha Amarnath. It recommends temporary suspension of movement when weather and early-warning systems issue red alerts for cloudbursts, landslides or flash floods. The policy places considerable emphasis on creating employment opportunities for residents of mountain areas. It proposes local jobs in electric vehicle operations, waste management, recycling, guiding services, homestays, slope restoration and visitor assistance. Protecting the mountains must put money in the pockets of mountain people. Regulation without livelihoods will fail; this Policy ties every rule to local jobs, it states. For institutional implementation, the draft proposes a Jammu and Kashmir Mountain Development Authority and a non-lapsable J&K Mountain Green Fund. The proposed fund would receive money from the green cess, trekking and expedition fees, penalties, deposits and other sources, including government schemes, corporate social responsibility contributions and climate finance. The document also proposes that a J&K Sustainable Mountain Development Act be brought into law within one year, providing legal backing for inspections, penalties, restoration orders and enforcement measures. A policy without legal teeth becomes a document on a shelf, the draft states, adding that This Policy shall move to law within one year. The proposed implementation roadmap envisages action during the first 100 days following Cabinet approval, including the identification of three model destinations, interim visitor caps, pilot green gateways, cess collection and the launch of the proposed Mountain Pass platform. The draft identifies Gulmarg, Patnitop and Bhaderwah as possible model destinations. It also proposes a freeze on new building permissions in glacier forelands, stream corridors and identified red zones during the initial implementation phase. Over the following three years, the document envisages expansion of visitor caps, green gateways and cess collection to notified destinations, alongside risk mapping, early-warning systems and hill-town master plans. By the fifth year, it aims for notified destinations to be free of visible garbage and untreated sewage, with fossil-fuel vehicles eliminated beyond green gateways and measurable improvements in mountain ecosystems. The draft sets out a broader vision of moving Jammu and Kashmir away from mass tourism towards managed, high-value tourism, stating: J&K will move from mass tourism to managed, high-value tourism: fewer vehicles, cleaner sites, better experiences and more income for local and specially abled people. However, the document contains a discrepancy in the proposed cess rates. Its overview section refers to a green cess of Rs 100 to Rs 300 per visitor per site, while the detailed tariff table proposes charges ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 2,000, depending on the category of visitor and destination. The difference would need clarification before the proposal is finalised. The recommendations, if approved and backed by the required legal and administrative measures, could significantly change how tourism, construction, transportation and environmental protection are managed in Jammu and Kashmirs mountain regions.
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Administration gives heartfelt farewell to outgoing Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo
Srinagar, Nov 1:The Jammu and Kashmir Administration today accorded a warm and heartfelt farewell to the outgoing Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, on his superannuation, bringing to a close a distinguished chapter of public service and leadership at the helm of the Union Territorys administration. A farewell ceremony was organized in his honour by the IAS Officers here and was attended by Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Deputy Commissioners; several HoDs and other senior officers of the administration. The occasion was marked by warmth, affection and heartfelt reminiscences as officers came together to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of the outgoing Chief Secretary, recalling his tenure as one of purposeful leadership, administrative dynamism and collective progress. Speaking on the occasion, the officers remembered his tenure as a significant and progressive phase in the administrative journey of Jammu and Kashmir. They observed that the period under his stewardship witnessed renewed energy and coordinated efforts across the government, resulting in notable progress in several sectors and spheres of governance. The officers recalled that Dulloo assumed the responsibility of leading the administration at a crucial juncture and brought with him a clear sense of purpose and an ability to unite the entire administrative machinery around common goals. They noted that every officer and department was made an integral part of the collective endeavour, creating an atmosphere of coordination, mutual trust and shared responsibility achieved through teamwork. The officers further observed that the tenure witnessed significant strides across various sectors, with sustained emphasis on improving public service delivery, strengthening institutions, accelerating developmental programmes and ensuring that the benefits of governance reached the people effectively. Recalling his style of functioning, several officers described Dulloo as an accessible and grounded administrator who combined professional rigour with a humane approach. His ability to listen, guide and encourage officers, they said, helped foster a sense of confidence and collective ownership within the administration. In his remarks, Atal Dulloo expressed his deep gratitude to his colleagues and the entire Jammu and Kashmir Administration for their cooperation, support and commitment throughout his tenure. He said that whatever was achieved during this period was the outcome of the collective efforts of officers and officials working across departments and districts. He thanked his colleagues for their companionship and support and expressed confidence that the administration would continue to carry forward the momentum of development and good governance with the same dedication and commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. As the ceremony drew to a close, senior officers and colleagues extended their heartfelt wishes to Dulloo for a healthy, peaceful and fulfilling life after superannuation. The warmth of the farewell reflected the respect he commanded among his colleagues and the enduring relationships forged over years of public service making the occasion both a celebration of a distinguished career and an emotional farewell to a leader and colleague who leaves behind a lasting imprint on the administration.
Srinagar, Nov 1:FC Ganderbal defeated Northall United FC 3-1, while Sports Council Football Academy and ARCO FC played out a goalless draw in the My Youth My Pride Srinagar Premier Division Football League 2026-27 on Sunday. As per a DFA statement, in the first match, FC Ganderbal registered an impressive 31 victory over Northall United FC, securing all three points with a convincing performance. The second match between Sports Council Football Academy and ARCO FC ended in a goalless draw (00), with both teams sharing the points after a closely contested encounter. The league continues to provide a competitive platform for football clubs to showcase their talent and contribute to the growth of football.
A Bride, a Zapan and a Journey back in time: Sonamargs Gagangir relives Kashmirs past
Sonamarg, Nov 1: No decorated car, no motorcade. Instead, a wooden Zapan , carried on the shoulders of village elders and relatives, took a bride through the winding lanes of Gagangir village near Sonamarg, bringing a fading Kashmiri wedding tradition back to life. The unusual Ruksati (bridal farewell) drew crowds of villagers and guests as women sang Wanvun, the traditional Kashmiri wedding chorus, accompanying the bride on her journey to her marital home. Draped in colourful, intricately designed fabrics, the Zapan offered a glimpse of a wedding custom that has largely disappeared from the valley's celebrations, replaced over the years by decorated cars. For generations, Kashmiri brides were carried in wooden Zapan s to their husbands' homes during Ruksati. The practice was once an integral part of village weddings, but modern transport has gradually pushed it out of use. Seeing a bride leave in a Zapan took us decades back, said village elder Mohammed Akram. In the fast-paced modern world, our priceless customs are slipping away. This beautiful effort reminds us of who we are and where we come from. The family's decision to bring back the custom won appreciation across the Ganderbal region, with locals saying such gestures can help preserve Kashmir's cultural identity and familiarise younger generations with traditions they have rarely witnessed. At her in-laws' home, the bride was welcomed with prayers, showers of flowers and traditional blessings. Photographs and videos of the procession soon circulated locally, turning a village wedding into a moment of collective nostalgia and reminding many that some journeys are as much about preserving the past as beginning a new life.
First Kashmiri book on Seerat-i-Sahaba released in Handwara
Handwara, Nov 1: The first Kashmiri book dedicated to Seerat-i-Sahaba (the lives and teachings of the companions of Prophet Muhammad) was released at a literary function in Handwara on Sunday. Titled Yeli Posh Phooli, the book has been authored by noted Kashmiri writer Ghulam Nabi Inqilabi. It was released at Girls Higher Secondary School Handwara during a literary gathering organised by Joi Adab Kajinag Handwara under the aegis of Adabi Markaz Kamraz Jammu and Kashmir. The function was attended by prominent writers, intellectuals, academicians and members of the literary fraternity. Among those present were former Director Doordarshan and Patron Adabi Markaz Kamraz Dr Rafiq Masoodi; President Adabi Markaz Kamraz Mohammad Amin Bhat; Dr Abdul Hafeez Masoodi, Secretary, Information Technology Department; Chief Education Officer Bandipora Rafiq Ahmad Mir; writer and scholar Dr Reyaz Towheedi Kashmiri; former Director General, Planning and Development, Ghulam Ahmad Qureshi; Executive Engineer PMGSY Handwara Syed Ahmad Masoodi; and former Deputy Chief Education Officer and DIET Principal Kupwara Manzoor Ahmad Bhat. Speakers discussed the literary and cultural significance of the publication and appreciated Inqilabi's effort to bring religious and spiritual themes into Kashmiri literature. A review of the book was presented by Javid Iqbal Maweri and Maqbool Faiq, who shared their critical assessments of its content and literary significance. Inqilabi, originally from Lach Mawer in Handwara, is presently settled in Srinagar. He retired from government service as a Zonal Education Officer and continues to contribute to Kashmiri and Urdu literature. Speaking at the function, Dr Abdul Hafeez Masoodi said literary gatherings provide an important platform for emerging writers, intellectual exchange and preservation of Kashmir's distinct literary identity. He stressed the need for sustained efforts to keep the region's literary and intellectual traditions alive. Dr Rafiq Masoodi emphasised the importance of promoting reading and writing among younger generations. Literary institutions have an important role in preserving the region's cultural and spiritual heritage, he said. The proceedings were conducted by noted writer Arshid Mohiuddin.
Kidney patients await dialysis services at Shopians Zainapora hospital
Shopian Nov 1:Residents and patients in Zainapora area of south Kashmirs Shopian district have demanded the early operationalisation of a dialysis centre at the Sub-District Hospital, saying the facility remains non-functional nearly three months after its inauguration. According to residents, the dialysis centre was inaugurated around three months ago with the expectation that it would provide relief to patients suffering from kidney-related ailments. However, the facility has yet to begin functioning, forcing patients to continue visiting private healthcare centres for regular dialysis sessions. Mubashir Ahmad Bhat, a local resident, told Greater Kashmir that despite the inauguration of the facility several months ago, patients had not received any benefit from it. We do not understand what the purpose of inaugurating the facility was when it has yet to become operational, he said. He said kidney patients required regular dialysis and the absence of the facility at the local hospital had added to their difficulties, particularly for those who could not afford treatment at private centres. Nadeem Ahmad, another resident, said patients from Zainapora and adjoining areas had to travel long distances to access dialysis services, causing inconvenience and adding to their financial burden. Patients have to travel considerable distances to get dialysis done. Besides the inconvenience, they also have to bear additional expenses because the facility at the hospital remains non-functional, he said. Residents said the availability of dialysis services at the Sub-District Hospital would provide much-needed relief to patients who otherwise had to depend on facilities outside the area. They said regular dialysis sessions are essential for patients with kidney failure and delays or difficulties in accessing treatment can further compound their problems. The residents urged the Health Department and hospital authorities to look into the matter and take immediate steps to make the centre functional. They also sought clarification from the authorities about the reasons for the delay, saying the facility should be made available to patients instead of remaining limited to an inaugurated infrastructure. They said operationalising the centre would reduce the need for patients to travel to distant locations and help ease the financial and logistical difficulties faced by kidney patients and their families.
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DC Budgam hands over keys to PM Package employees at transit accommodation Kakanmaran
Budgam, Nov 01: PM Package Employees of District Budgam along with officers of District Administration Budgam today attended the virtual inauguration of transit accommodation for Kashmiri migrant employees at Kakanmaran Budgam. On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Jatin Kishore, handed over keys to the beneficiary employees for their allotted residential quarters and interacted with them. He also inspected various residential blocks and reviewed the availability and functionality of essential facilities, including water supply, lifts, internal roads, electricity and other civic amenities. The Deputy Commissioner stressed the importance of proper maintenance and uninterrupted functionality of all essential facilities to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment for the beneficiary families. Congratulating the beneficiaries, the Deputy Commissioner termed the inauguration a significant milestone towards addressing the residential needs of Kashmiri migrant employees. He also appreciated the efforts of the Public Works Department (PWD) and Relief Commissioner office for successfully completing the project. He added that an effective mechanism would be put in place to ensure timely resolution of any issues faced by the resident families. The transit accommodation complex at Kakanmaran comprises 12 residential blocks housing 192 quarters, besides a community centre and other common facilities, aimed at providing safe, secure and comfortable residential accommodation to Kashmiri migrant employees. The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by the Additional Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Superintending Engineer, R&B, Executive Engineers of R&B and Jal Shakti departments, and other concerned officers.
Mirwaiz says placed under house arrest ahead of religious sermon in Srinagar
Srinagar, Nov 1: Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday said he had been placed under house detention ahead of a scheduled religious sermon at Masjid Mehboob-ul-Alam (RA) in Zoonimar, Srinagar. In a post on X, Mirwaiz said he was being detained for referring to a recently published International Crisis Group report on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir during his address at Jama Masjid on Friday. Apparently, stating uncomfortable facts and endorsing recommendations, out of concern for the future of my people and genuine peace in J&K and the region, is not acceptable to the ruling regime, he wrote. Expressing disappointment over the restrictions, Mirwaiz said people looking forward to attending the religious gathering, Majlis-e-Waaz, would be hugely disappointed.
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New Delhi, Nov 1: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday questioned the claim that many voters deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were infiltrators, asking whether Hindu voters allegedly removed from the rolls in Uttar Pradesh were also Pakistanis. Addressing an INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan here, Abdullah accused the BJP-RSS of repeatedly questioning the loyalty of Muslims by calling them Pakistanis and said they too had sacrificed their lives for the country. They are pointing fingers at Muslims all the time, calling them Pakistanis. I want to tell the BJP-RSS, we have given our blood for the country. We have to live in this country and strengthen it, he said. At the rally, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti warned that the Constitution was being hollowed out. In an apparent reference to the claims about removing infiltrators through the SIR, Abdullah questioned the Election Commission over the reported deletion of over one crore Hindu voters in Uttar Pradesh. Over one crore Hindus have been removed in UP. Are they also Pakistanis? How long will you give this excuse? he asked, accusing the poll body of vote chori. He said people belonging to any religion were Indians and would live and die as Indians, invoking the Constitution to underline their equal rights. This is Ambedkar's Constitution. We are all equal and every citizen has equal voting right. We have to ensure no Indian is denied the right to vote, he said. Urging people not to be afraid, Abdullah said the power rested with citizens and called for unity to save the country. He also asserted that Jammu and Kashmir was, and would remain, part of India, before ending his address with Jai Hind. Addressing the rally, PDP president Mehbooba warned that the Constitution was being hollowed out and alleged that the Centre was transferring the country's assets to a corporate friend while neglecting the poor. Seeing you people, it feels you understand the problem and can change the situation in the country. If you don't change it now, it will be too late, she said. Mehbooba also alleged that land was being handed over to corporates at throwaway prices and that the government's employment promises had not been fulfilled. They promised jobs, but even those who proudly joined the Army have been made daily wagers, she said. Questioning the BJP's claims of championing Hindutva, she referred to the alleged donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. They have stolen donations from the Ram temple. What can be a bigger shame? she said. She said the Constitution gave people the right to elect their representatives and change governments and alleged that the government wanted to take away that right. Referring to the 2019 developments in Jammu and Kashmir when Article 370 was abrogated and the state was divided into two Union territories, the former chief minister said the people of the region had experienced the consequences of the Constitution being hollowed out. We, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, have been destroyed. They hollowed out the Constitution in 2019. But you should ensure they don't make the whole country Jammu and Kashmir. We are with you, she said. Calling Jammu and Kashmir the soul of India, she ended her address saying, Sare jahan se achchha Hindustan hamara.
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Army's peacetime role as important as its wartime contribution: Jitendra Singh
Jammu, Nov 1: Underscoring the Army's invaluable contribution beyond its conventional role of safeguarding the nation's borders, Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said its role during peacetime was as important as its contribution during war. He particularly highlighted the Army's efforts to assist civilians in remote and geographically challenging areas through humanitarian initiatives, disaster relief and healthcare outreach. Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a two-day mega medical camp organized by the Army under Operation Sadbhavana at its Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. The medical camp is expected to benefit around 5,000 people by providing access to specialist doctors, free diagnostic facilities, medicines and assistive aids. The camp also features ABHA registration facilities, dedicated welfare stalls for Veer Naris and ex-servicemen, a youth guidance stall, besides awareness stalls set up by banks and various government departments. Singh appreciated the coordinated efforts of the Army, specialist doctors, civilian medical practitioners, chief medical officers and the local administration in organising the camp and said such initiatives are particularly important for rural and remote areas where access to specialised healthcare facilities remains limited. He pointed out that several diseases, which can be prevented or treated through timely intervention, often go undiagnosed because people living in far-flung villages are unaware of their medical conditions. One of the distinguishing features of this camp is that it offers several medical specialities that are otherwise not readily available in this area. There are many diseases that can be prevented, but people living in remote villages often remain unaware of their conditions. As a result, these ailments sometimes reach a serious stage before they seek medical attention, the minister said. Highlighting the importance of eye care, he said a considerable number of patients attending the camp were found to be suffering from cataracts, many of whom had not been aware of their condition. In medical terminology, cataract is considered a preventable cause of blindness. In today's world, nobody should lose their eyesight because of cataracts. If that happens, it is certainly not a good reflection of our healthcare system, he remarked. Singh said such medical camps serve a dual purpose: providing immediate medical assistance to people while also generating valuable information about the prevalence of diseases and the specific healthcare requirements of different areas. He said the initiative had been started earlier this year with a particular focus on rural and geographically challenging regions where all medical specialities and healthcare facilities are not readily available. Based on the findings of these camps, we prepare a report and share it with the civilian authorities and the chief medical officer. This helps them understand which diseases are more prevalent in particular areas and what kind of specialised medical facilities are required there, he said. The Union minister also underlined the Indian Army's contribution beyond its conventional role of safeguarding the country's borders and maintaining security, particularly in regions that have witnessed difficult geographical conditions and security challenges. The Army is active during wartime, and its activities naturally receive considerable media attention. However, its contribution during peacetime, particularly in our region, is equally invaluable. Whether it is a flood, an outbreak of disease, or a medical camp like this, the Army always comes forward to help. In these mountainous and remote areas, which have also witnessed the shadow of terrorism, the Army not only protects the people but also extends valuable assistance to the local population, the Udhampur MP said. The minister expressed satisfaction over the response received during the initial hours and said I am confident that more than 5,000 people will benefit from the services being provided over two days. The two-day medical camp under Operation Sadbhavana reflects the Army's continued efforts to supplement civilian healthcare services and extend specialised medical assistance to people living in geographically challenging areas of Jammu and Kashmir, an Army spokesman said. With specialist consultations, diagnostic facilities, free medicines, dental procedures and various welfare and awareness initiatives under one roof, the camp is aimed at improving access to healthcare while strengthening coordination between the Army, civil administration and the health department, he said.
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CJI Surya Kant calls for introspection on need to improve responsiveness of judicial process
Kochi, Nov 1: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday called for introspection on whether there is room to improve the responsiveness of the judicial process in view of the growing tendency among litigants to move the Supreme Court for urgent listing or early hearing of matters pending before the High Courts. CJI Kant said that the apex court has as consistently respected the institutional autonomy of High Courts, including their authority to regulate their own rosters, but the frequency of such requests invites us to consider whether there is room to improve the responsiveness of our processes. We must ask ourselves -- can urgent matters be identified more effectively? Can listing procedures be made more transparent and predictable? Can technology assist in prioritising cases where delay may cause irreversible prejudice? And can we ensure that a litigants access to timely justice does not depend upon their ability to travel to the national capital? were queries he posed during his inaugural address on the occasion of the platinum jubilee anniversary celebrations of the Kerala High Court here. Justice Kant said that constitutional justice in India does not begin and end in New Delhi as its strength lies in a robust network of 25 constitutional High Courts spread across the country, each entrusted with the duty of protecting rights and upholding the rule of law. He said that the High Courts remain closely connected to the everyday realities of the people as they understand the language of local grievances, the circumstances of regional communities, and the practical consequences of governmental action. He further said that under Article 226 of the Constitution, the High Courts have a wide canvas o fashion meaningful remedies across diverse legal, statutory, administrative and contractual disputes. Equally important is their power to grant timely interim protection. Sometimes, the difference between justice and injustice lies not in the final judgment, but in whether the court intervenes when intervention is most needed, the CJI said in his address. Referring to the Kerala High Court's seven decade long history, Justice Kant said that the High Court and the state of Keralam were both formed in 1956 and their journey during the last 70 years was closely intertwined with each other. He said that the court played a vital role in the state's constitutional development. Through its decisions, it has helped translate constitutional principles into lived realities, ensuring that the rights and liberties of citizens remain protected and that public power is exercised within the bounds of law, the CJI said. He said that the Kerala HC's history did not begin with the formation of the state, rather it inherited a centuries old ich judicial tradition from the regions that now constitute Keralam. From the early courts of Travancore and Cochin, to the establishment of the Travancore High Court in 1887 and the Travancore-Cochin High Court in 1949, each successive institution contributed to the foundations upon which the present Court was built, Justice Kant said. He said that the progressive spirit of the High Court was evident in its constitutional jurisprudence. Whether through its extensive engagement with doctrines of environmental protection, or its invocation of fundamental rights to safeguard life and personal liberty, this High Court has repeatedly demonstrated that constitutional promises must find expression in everyday realities, he said. The CJI said that one example of this was the High Court's 1999 order prohibiting smoking in public places, the first constitutional court to do so across the world. It was a remarkable instance of constitutional foresight, where the Court did not wait for society to catch up with the law, but used the law to show society the way forward, he said. He said that Keralam has long demonstrated that progress is sustained through the combined strength of education, social awareness and public participation. Justice Kant said that just like Keralam's backwaters, where countless streams and waterways ultimately sustain one interconnected ecosystem, the constitutional courts in India too must retain their individual authority while working in harmony towards a shared purpose.
Srinagar, Nov 01: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has urged J&K Bank to adopt a uniform, evidence-based and non-discretionary methodology for valuing mortgaged properties, saying subjective land assessments are restricting MSMEs access to credit and impeding compromise settlements. FCIK has urged the Bank management to issue clear instructions to empanelled valuers and branches for evidence-based collateral valuation and its consistent application in lending and debt settlements. Many borrowers have reported that Bank-approved valuers rely excessively on informal local and real-estate enquiries reflecting sellers asking prices rather than verified sale transactions. Such estimates vary with the persons consulted, making them an unreliable basis for determining loan eligibility or debt settlement amounts. An asking price establishes what a seller hopes to receive, not what a buyer will pay. A valuation with serious consequences for a borrower must rest on evidence that can be examined and verified, FCIK observed. FCIK called for government-notified circle rates and recent registered sales of comparable land to serve as the principal reference points, with documented adjustments for location, access, size, permitted use, tenure and other material factors. Circle rates may not invariably equal market value, but substantial departures should be supported by credible evidence, FCIK maintained. FCIK also questioned the reported restriction of leasehold industrial-land valuations to allotment premium while proprietary land receives substantial appreciation through estimated market rates. Although the ownership rights differ, both assessments should follow transparent principles reflecting transferability, restrictions and achievable proceeds. The Federation highlighted borrowers concerns over the differing use of market, realisable and distress values. Lower or distress values reportedly determine lending eligibility, while higher market estimates underpin Net Present Value (NPV) calculations for compromise settlements. An entrepreneur faces a double disadvantage when the property supports a lower loan while a higher valuation makes settlement unaffordable. The Bank should explain the policy governing this difference and demonstrate how each assessment serves its stated purpose, FCIK said. It further sought clarification of the reported requirement that an auction must fail before realisable value can be considered for settlement. RBIs compromise-settlement framework, it noted, requires prudent reckoning of the current realisable value of collateral under a methodology prescribed in the Banks Board-approved policy. Marketability and foreseeable recovery limitations can be assessed through documentary evidence and professional scrutiny before an auction, the Federation argued, seeking the precise policy and regulatory basis for the reported condition. Despite FCIKs repeated appeals against publicly naming and shaming distressed borrowers, auction notices identifying them continue unabatedly. The reported failure of majority of such auctions raises questions about whether assessed prices are achievable and reinforces the need to distinguish market estimates from realisable amounts. Borrowers should not have to endure an unsuccessful auction merely to establish that a valuation does not attract buyers, FCIK said. The Federation stressed that settlement deadlines frequently compel entrepreneurs to sell assets urgently. Expected recovery and NPV calculations should therefore reflect achievable proceeds, recovery time, realisation expenses and properly supported distress-sale circumstances. FCIK has urged the Managing Director to prescribe verifiable valuation evidence, recorded reasons for adjustments, independent scrutiny and consistent implementation across branches, alongside clear rules governing the valuation basis and NPV methodology for lending and compromise settlements. Transparent, evidence-based valuations can spare loan applicants unwarranted demands for additional collateral and enable stressed borrowers to settle their debts on realistic and rational terms. Such an approach would safeguard the Banks interests while helping entrepreneurs resolve legacy liabilities and rebuild their livelihoods, FCIK added.
Agriculture graduates call off 42-day strike after talks with Minister Javed Dar
Srinagar, Nov 01: Unemployed agriculture graduates in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday called off their 42-day-long strike following a meeting with Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, who assured them that their genuine demands would be addressed soon. The breakthrough came after the minister discussed two key proposals with the protesting graduates a 50:50 recruitment formula for gazetted posts and the merger of two non-gazetted cadres to create a common post at the panchayat level. Speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar said the government was committed to addressing the genuine concerns of unemployed agriculture graduates. I met the delegation and listened to their concerns. Their demands are genuine, and I have assured them that these will be fulfilled soon. We will hold further discussions to resolve the outstanding issues, Dar told KNS. Following the meeting, representatives of the graduates announced their decision to end the ongoing agitation, saying the assurances had provided a basis for further engagement with the government. The meeting was constructive. We discussed our demands in detail, and the minister acknowledged our concerns. On the gazetted cadre, he proposed a 50:50 recruitment formula, with half the posts reserved for direct recruitment and the remaining half for departmental candidates, a representative of the delegation said. On non-gazetted recruitment, the delegation said the minister had proposed merging the Agriculture Extension Assistant (AEA) and Junior Agriculture Extension Officer (JAEO) posts into a single cadre without reducing their combined strength. The proposed common post would be available at the panchayat level, potentially creating a unified recruitment structure within the Agriculture Department. The graduates said the proposals would require further discussions before a final decision could be taken. We are calling off our strike for now on the strength of the assurances given by the minister. We will continue to follow up on these issues and expect the government to take concrete steps, the representative said. The delegation also thanked the Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir for supporting their concerns and the Director Agriculture Kashmir for facilitating talks with the government. The graduates acknowledged the support of students, researchers, scholars and others who stood with them during the 42-day agitation. Although the strike has ended, the proposed recruitment formula and cadre merger remain under consideration, with further discussions expected between the government and the graduates. The protesters said they would closely follow the progress of the assurances until their demands were formally addressed.
Police solve two-month-old fatal hit-and-run case in Pulwama; vehicle seized, driver arrested
Srinagar, Nov 01: J&K Police has successfully solved a fatal hit-and-run case registered at Police Station Pulwama, nearly two months after the incident. On 04 September 2026, FIR No. 161/2026 under Sections 281 and 125(A) of BNS was registered at Police Station Pulwama following a fatal road accident in which an unidentified vehicle hit a pedestrian at Babhar area, identified as Inthakab Khan, son of Sheraz Khan, resident of Rajouri, resulting in his death on the spot. The driver had fled the scene taking the advantage of darkness, leaving behind no immediate trace of the offending vehicle. Acting swiftly, the investigating team of Police Station Pulwama pursued multiple investigative leads, technical assistance and undertook sustained efforts to identify and trace the vehicle involved in the accident. Their persistent efforts eventually led to the identification of the offending vehicle, a Hyundai Venue bearing registration No. JK13F-9915, which was seized on October 30, 2026. The accused driver, identified as Asif Illahi, son of Ghulam Mohidin, resident of Shadimarg, has also been arrested in connection with the case. The successful tracing of the accused and the offending vehicle reflects the dedication, perseverance and professional approach of Police in pursuing investigations and ensuring that the culprits do not evade the law by fleeing the scene. The successful outcome has been widely appreciated by the general public in general and by the bereaved family in particular, who lauded Police for its sustained efforts, effective investigation and commitment to deliver justice to the bereaved family.
How Much Protein Do You Need at Every Age? A Simple Guide to Meeting Your Daily Requirement
Protein is indeed one of the most important nutrients that our body needs. Sadly, a lot of people struggle to meet the daily requirements of protein because they are unaware of the right amount to be consumed. To know the right protein intake for your age, read this article.
Kashmir incomplete without Pandits: LG Manoj Sinha
Srinagar, Nov 01: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said Kashmir remained incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits, asserting that their dignified return to their homeland with security, confidence and dignity is a commitment towards restoring the regions historical heritage and human values. The dignified return of Kashmiri Pandit families is a commitment towards restoring the historical heritage of Kashmir and reinstating human dignity, the LG said while addressing a gathering after inaugurating transit accommodation flats at Zewan in Srinagar. He said the natural, cultural and spiritual beauty of Kashmir would attain completeness when Kashmiri Pandit families are able to live in their homeland with dignity, security and confidence. Behind every flat is a family and behind every family is a long story of struggle, patience, waiting and hope, Sinha said, referring to the families being provided accommodation under the Prime Ministers Development Package. The Lieutenant Governor inaugurated 936 flats at Zewan and virtually inaugurated two other residential complexes at Kankarmal in Budgam and Toham Bagh in Kupwara, taking the total number of flats inaugurated to 1,416. He said the project envisages construction of 6,000 flats across 20 locations in 10 districts through 342 residential blocks. About 5,200 flats have been completed so far, while approximately 3,800 have been allotted to PM Package employees, he said. Sinha said the project was initially approved at an estimated cost of Rs 920 crore, which was subsequently revised to Rs 1,325 crore, adding that its execution had faced delays following the 2014 floods. He said the commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now beginning to take shape on the ground. Calling for proper maintenance of the residential complexes, the LG stressed the need for regular water supply, uninterrupted electricity, adequate security and effective waste management. No resident should feel that the administrations attention has ended immediately after the inauguration, he said. Sinha also assured PM Package employees that the administration would extend all possible assistance to those willing to construct their own houses. He congratulated the families who had received their new homes and expressed hope that the accommodation would provide them with a secure and dignified living environment.(KNO)
Which City Is Known As The Kachori Capital Of India?
Crispy, flaky and packed with flavour, kachori is more than just a snack in this Rajasthani city, it's a tradition that's best experienced fresh from the fryer.
Kashmiri apple supplies fall short of Diwali demand amid fungal outbreak
Srinagar, Nov 01: Amid steady festive demand for Kashmiri apples in terminal markets across the country ahead of Diwali, supplies remain inadequate after a substantial portion of this year's crop was hit by a scab outbreak, according to growers and dealers. The demand is very good. On this occasion (Diwali), our large apples (Grade A), especially the gift pack, have a good demand, Zahoor Ahad Tantray, general secretary of Kashmir Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, said. Tantray, however, said apple supplies in fruit mandis were inadequate as scab affected the crop. This year more Grade B and Grade C apples are arriving in the mandis. This is because apple scab, whether primary or secondary scab, spread extensively this year, causing the quality to deteriorate significantly. Most of the apples...around 50 to 55 per cent or even up to 60 per cent arriving here are Grade B and C apples, which have very low demand in today's market, he said. Tantray said growers are facing trouble because production cost remains the same. Whether it is Grade A, B or C, the cost of production is identical. Yet, in terms of market return, only Grade A fetches good money. As the quality deteriorated this year, growers are worried, traders are worried, and buyers are worried, he added. Mohammad Sohail Tanveer, a dealer from Bihar, said he is satisfied with apple prices. Right now, the prices are reasonable. A wooden crate is selling for around Rs 1,300, and a cardboard carton is going for up to Rs 600. Due to Diwali, prices are good, and quality goods are arriving. Around 400 to 500 truckloads leave this market (mandi) every day, Tanveer added.
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Road crash in J-K's Kathua leaves boy dead
Jammu, Nov 01: A 13-year-old boy was killed and seven people sustained injuries after a speeding truck collided with two mini-buses and an auto-rickshaw in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, officials said. The accident took place at 8.30 am when the driver of a truck, which was on its way from Jammu towards Lakhanpur, lost control and hit the vehicles at the busy Kalibari crossing, the officials said. They said a boy identified as Shivam lost his life while seven other persons were injured in the accident. The injured, including a 10-year-old boy, have been shifted to the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital, Kathua.
UP Bans Artificial Colours In Chutneys Served With Samosas, Momo
UP's Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has issued new rules to stop the use of harmful chemical colours in food.
Anantnag, Nov 01: Continuing its sustained campaign against drug trafficking and narcotics abuse, Anantnag Police has recorded significant achievements during the first ten months of 2026. Police spokesperson, in a statement, said that during this period, Anantnag Police registered 525 FIRs under various provisions of the NDPS Act and arrested 602 drug peddlers for narcotics trafficking and related activities. In multiple operations across the district, police seized more than 597 kilograms of contraband substances and recovered cash amounting to 27,64,276 from drug peddlers. As part of its action against properties acquired through narcotics proceeds, properties worth approximately 63 crore were attached in 43 cases under relevant provisions of law. Additionally, 20 illegal properties worth 20 crore, linked to narcotics proceeds, were demolished. Under its destruction drives, 2,000 kilograms of narcotic substances were destroyed after completing due legal procedures. Illegal narcotic cultivation spread over 305 marlas of land was also destroyed. Police further retrieved more than 271 marlas of government land from encroachment by drug peddlers. As part of its special enforcement measures, female drug peddlers and 13 female cultivators were arrested. Eight government employees were also found involved in drug-related cases, with legal action initiated against them. Under preventive measures, 17 drug peddlers were detained under the PIT NDPS Act. Besides, 28 driving licences and 22 Registration Certificates (RCs) were cancelled in connection with narcotics-related offences. To curb the movement and supply of narcotics, Anantnag Police conducted 300 Narco-CASOs across the district. During inspections conducted jointly with concerned departments, 23 medical shops were inspected, with 23 violations detected and legal action initiated. As part of capacity-building measures, 220 Investigation Officers handling NDPS cases were imparted training at DPO Anantnag on legal procedures and evidence handling. Anantnag Police reiterated its firm commitment to eradicating the drug menace from society and appealed to the general public, particularly the youth, to cooperate in identifying and reporting drug-related activities. Police said public support remains vital in the collective fight against drug abuse to safeguard the future of society. (JKNS)
Global criticism during COVID-19 hardened China's attitude towards world: Foreign Secretary Misri
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the challenges faced by India during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that China felt stigmatised by the international community for the virus. Misri reflected on his experience as Ambassador during the India-China confrontation in Galwan Valley. He highlighted the importance of coordination in Operation Sindoor, which included multiple government agencies. Additionally, he expressed his connection to his Kashmiri Pandit heritage and community resilience.
Darbar Move convoy crosses Ramban amid tight security arrangements
Jammu, Nov 01: The annual Darbar Move convoy, carrying government employees, official records, files and other Secretariat material, crossed Ramban district on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on Sunday morning amid tight security arrangements. An official said the convoy is moving from Srinagar to Jammu as part of the traditional seasonal relocation of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Secretariat to the winter capital ahead of the onset of the winter season. He said elaborate security and traffic management arrangements are put in place by the administration to ensure the smooth and safe movement of the convoy along the strategically important highway. The Darbar Move is a long-standing administrative practice in Jammu and Kashmir under which the Civil Secretariat and other government offices shift between Srinagar and Jammu according to the seasons. (KNS)
Amit Shah flags off Run for Unity on Sardar Patels 151st birth anniversary
New Delhi, Oct 31:Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday flagged off the Run for Unity in the national capital to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. Amit Shah also administered the Unity Pledge to participants, reaffirming the commitment to national unity and integrity. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Ministers of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and Bandi Sanjay Kumar were among those present. Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah said Patel had not only transformed Indias history but also shaped its geography by integrating numerous princely states after Independence. He said that within 1,218 days of Independence, Patel achieved the task of uniting the country despite predictions that India would disintegrate. Amit Shah said the countrys linguistic, cultural and religious diversity was its strength and called for preserving national unity through dialogue, trust and an inclusive approach. Referring to the governments initiatives, he said the removal of Article 370, the elimination of Naxalism and the introduction of a unified tax system were significant milestones. He added that building a drug-free India was essential to realising Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a Viksit Bharat. Amit Shah also recalled Patels role in envisioning the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple and said initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat were helping the country advance towards becoming one of the worlds leading economies.
ISRO successfully launches 3rd-generation navigation satellite NVS-03
New Delhi, Oct 31: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its next-generation navigation satellite NVS-03 aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket from Sriharikota, marking another step towards strengthening Indias indigenous satellite navigation system, NavIC. The rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh and placed the 2,232-kg satellite in its intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. It was the 20th flight of the GSLV. NVS-03 is the third satellite in ISROs second-generation navigation series. It carries an indigenous atomic clock and introduces the L1 frequency band alongside the existing L5 and S bands to improve navigation services and strengthen Indias positioning and timing capabilities. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said the mission was completed with a turnaround time of just 56 days between two successive GSLV launches, the shortest so far. He said NVS-03 carried the third indigenous atomic clock placed in orbit by India. Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the ISRO team, saying the successful mission would strengthen NavIC and advance Indias self-reliance in critical space technologies.
North Zone-2 secures 2nd place in CBSE National Boys Cricket Championship
Srinagar, Oct 31:North Zone-2 delivered an outstanding performance to secure second place in the CBSE National Boys Under-17 Cricket Championship 2026. The prestigious national tournament was held at Velammal School in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, and witnessed participation from teams across the country along with international teams representing CBSE schools from Oman and Dubai. Throughout the tournament, the North Zone-2 team, as per a statement, demonstrated discipline, sportsmanship, and exceptional cricketing skills. Competing against strong opponents, the players showcased their talent and determination, leading the team to one of the top positions in the championship. Manish Kumar from Panipat played a crucial role as the teams head coach. His guidance, strategic preparation, and continuous efforts with the players helped the team deliver an impressive performance throughout the competition. Mohammad Talah from Kashmir lead North Zone -2 team to second position under his captaincy. Garv Rohilla of Salwan Public School -Gurgaon delivered an outstanding performance in the semi-final. His achievement has brought immense joy and pride to his school and family.
Srinagar, Oct 31: The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council has convened a consultative meeting with representatives of the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) and stakeholders of the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) on November 2 in Srinagar to deliberate on the proposed executive committee elections and ensure a transparent electoral process. As per a statement issued, all stakeholders of the Jammu & Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) and affiliated units of JKFA are hereby informed that a high-level consultative meeting is scheduled to be held with the visiting representatives of the All-India Football Federation (AIFF), on Monday, 2nd November 2026 at Time: 03:30 PM in Conference Hall, TRC Srinagar. The statement added, The deliberations shall focus on critical governance matters to ensure fair and robust electoral process, keeping the larger interest and long-term development of football in Jammu & Kashmir paramount, ensuring genuine district representation, eligibility of voting members, and formulating the clear procedure for transparent electoral execution under independent supervision. Your active participation, constructive insights and valuable suggestions are earnestly solicited in the collective interest to strengthen and foster the collective growth of football in Jammu & Kashmir. All stakeholders are requested to kindly make it convenient to attend the deliberation on scheduled date and time. The stakeholders who are unable to attend the meeting physically may participate through virtual mode. The meeting link shall be shared separately. To obtain the link, kindly email on jkstatesportscouncil@gmail.com by or before 02.11.2026 (10:00 AM), the statement added.
Athwas Retail announces Diwali cashback offer in partnership with J&K Bank
Srinagar, Oct 31:Athwas Retail, Jammu and Kashmir's first homegrown omnichannel hypermarket, has announced a special Diwali cashback offer in partnership with J&K Bank, providing festive savings to eligible bank credit and debit cardholders on electronics and grocery purchases. The offer, which remains valid until November 30, 2026, was announced in the presence of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Javid Ahmad Tenga and Senior Vice President Umar Nazir Tibet Baqal. Senior J&K Bank officials present on the occasion included Arshid Qadri, Divisional Head, Kashmir; Anita Nehru, General Manager, Digital and Alternate Channels; Sheikh Mohammad Muzaffar, Zonal Head, Srinagar; Ashok Kumar Raina, Deputy General Manager, Digital and Alternate Channels; Zahoor A. Qanoongo, Cluster Head; and Humaira, Incharge, Digital and Alternate Channels. Under the offer, customers purchasing electronics can avail themselves of 5 per cent cashback, up to Rs 3,000, on eligible credit cards and 3 per cent cashback, up to Rs 2,000, on eligible debit cards, subject to a minimum transaction of Rs 10,000. For grocery purchases, eligible credit cardholders can receive 5 per cent cashback, up to Rs 500, while debit cardholders can avail themselves of 3 per cent cashback, up to Rs 300, on a minimum transaction of Rs 2,500. EMI facilities are also available across categories at Athwas Retail, subject to eligibility and applicable terms and conditions. Each eligible cardholder can avail of one offer per month. Welcoming the dignitaries, Irfaan Ahmed Guju, Managing Director of Athwas Retail, a unit of IA Multi Ventures Pvt Ltd, said the initiative was aimed at making festive shopping more rewarding for customers. Diwali celebrates joy, togetherness and new beginnings. Through this offer with J&K Bank, we aim to bring greater value to our customers and make festive shopping more rewarding for families. We thank the leadership of J&K Bank and KCCI for joining us and extend our warm wishes to everyone celebrating the festival of lights, he said.
J&K Tourism bags 2 awards at IITM Mumbai
Srinagar, Oct 31:Jammu and Kashmir Tourism has won two prestigious awards at the recently concluded India International Travel Mart (IITM) in Mumbai, being recognised as the Best Adventure Tourism Destination and Best Experiential Tourism Destination. The awards were received by Waseem Raja, Joint Director, Tourism Kashmir, on behalf of the J&K Tourism Department. The recognition underscores Jammu and Kashmirs growing popularity as a leading destination for adventure and experiential tourism, further strengthening its position in the domestic tourism market. IITM is a major tourism promotion event organised across several states in the country, bringing together tourism departments, travel operators and private stakeholders. J&K Tourism participated in the Mumbai edition alongside several states, including Gujarat and Telangana, as well as other private sector participants. The J&K Tourism stall attracted an encouraging response, with hundreds of local tour operators and tourism stakeholders from Maharashtra visiting the stall during the two-day event. The J&K Tourism delegation comprised Waseem Raja, Joint Director Tourism Kashmir, and Vivek Puri, Chief Executive Officer, Surinsar Mansar Development Authority. During the event, the delegation also held detailed interactions and meetings with prominent tour operators and tourism stakeholders from Maharashtra to explore opportunities for strengthening tourism promotion and attracting more visitors to Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K Bank bags top CGTMSE Award for highest guarantee coverage in J&K and Ladakh
Srinagar, Oct 31:In recognition of its contribution to expanding access to collateral-free credit for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), J&K Bank has been honoured by the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) for Highest Guarantee Coverage (Number) in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Divisional Head (Rest of India) Riaz Ahmed Wani received the award on behalf of the Bank, accompanied by Zonal Head (Mumbai) Irfan Kawoosa and Incharge GSGD (CHQ) Vikas Aithmia. The award was presented at the Member Lending Institutions (MLI) Felicitation Ceremony 2026, organised by CGTMSE in Mumbai, to honour the outstanding contribution of its MLIs towards widening access to collateral-free credit for MSEs. Welcoming the recognition, MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee said, We thank CGTMSE for recognizing the Banks efforts to widen access to enterprise credit in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. I congratulate our staff, particularly our colleagues in operations, whose diligence in processing proposals, securing guarantee coverage and supporting borrowers has been central to this achievement. Underscoring the strategic significance of guarantee-backed lending, he said, Expanding access to collateral-free credit is strategically important for strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. CGTMSE coverage helps us support viable enterprises whose promoters may have the ability and commitment to build a business but lack collateral. By extending this support to more eligible entrepreneurs, we aim to encourage enterprise creation, support business expansion and generate employment across the region. We will continue to deepen awareness of guarantee-backed credit and strengthen its delivery across our operational network so that more eligible micro and small enterprises can access the finance they need to establish, sustain and expand their businesses, he added. The recognition reinforces the Banks focus on using credit guarantee mechanisms to broaden formal credit access and support a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Srinagar, Oct 31:Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, Tazayun Mukhtar, Saturday visited Gindun Sports Complex, Rajbagh, Srinagar, where she attended a two-day District Srinagar Rollball Championship and inspected the ongoing development of the gymnastics centre. She also inspected other sports facilities during her visit. The District Srinagar Rollball Championship, as per a statement, witnessed the participation of around 100 athletes, providing them an opportunity to enhance their skills, interact with fellow players and gain valuable exposure through organised sporting activities. During the visit, the Secretary J&K Sports Council interacted with the participating athletes and coaches, taking feedback on the camp and encouraging the players to pursue sports with dedication and discipline. The athletes also presented a demonstration of their skills through various sporting activities and matches, showcasing their talent and enthusiasm for the game. The two-day camp concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, where the Secretary felicitated the participants and appreciated their efforts and performances. Later, Secretary J&K Sports Council visited the gymnastics hall at the complex, where she interacted with athletes and reviewed the facilities being developed for the promotion of gymnastics in Jammu and Kashmir. The gymnastics centre is being established by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council as a state-of-the-art facility, equipped with modern infrastructure and equipment to provide athletes with a conducive environment for training and skill development. During the interaction, the Secretary emphasised the Council's commitment to promoting gymnastics on a wider scale and creating opportunities for young athletes to excel at the national and international levels. She said the development of quality sports infrastructure and the availability of modern training facilities were essential for nurturing sporting talent and encouraging greater participation in sports. The visit was part of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council's continued efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure, promote different sporting disciplines and provide athletes with better opportunities to develop their skills and achieve excellence.
After weather-induced losses, saffron growers hope for better returns
Pampore, Oct 31:A sense of cautious satisfaction is visible on the face of Irshad Ahmad, a saffron cultivator from Patlibagh in south Kashmirs Pampore, as he gathers the delicate purple flowers from his saffron field. After a devastating season last year, he hopes the current harvest will bring some respite to farmers who suffered heavy losses due to unfavourable weather conditions. This year, the crop is comparatively better, Ahmad said, adding that saffron growers witnessed a nearly 80 percent decline in production last year. As the harvesting of the worlds most expensive spice gets underway in Pampore, the heartland of Kashmirs saffron cultivation, farmers are reporting a marginal improvement in production compared with the previous year. However, they remain cautious, saying it is too early to assess the overall yield. Last year, prolonged dry weather and a snowless winter took a heavy toll on saffron production, leaving cultivators struggling to recover their investment. According to farmers, the yield declined by more than 80 percent in several fields, resulting in substantial financial losses. Last year, saffron cultivators suffered heavy losses. All their hard work went down the drain due to a lack of moisture in the saffron fields, Ahmad said. He said farmers were once again concerned about the impact of largely similar weather conditions on the crop this year. However, rainfall in August brought some relief by improving moisture conditions in the fields and raising hopes of a better harvest. Despite the improvement, Ahmad said the weather remained a major concern for saffron growers, whose crop depends heavily on suitable soil moisture and favourable climatic conditions during crucial stages of growth. Farmers said the initial signs were encouraging, but the actual production would become clearer as more saffron flowers emerged in the coming days. The harvesting season is crucial for cultivators, who carefully pluck the flowers and separate the delicate red stigmas that are dried and processed into saffron. The crop requires considerable labour, particularly during harvesting, when flowers must be collected and processed carefully to preserve the quality of the spice. Any substantial decline in production directly affects growers earnings, given the investment involved in maintaining saffron fields. For many cultivators in Pampore, saffron remains an important source of livelihood, supporting at least 20,000 to 25,000 farming households and workers involved in harvesting and processing. However, erratic weather conditions have added to the uncertainty surrounding production, making it difficult for farmers to estimate their returns before the season progresses.
Fire-Hit Shiv Market Jammu:Announce relief package, provide adequate compensation: AIP
Jammu, Oct 31: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi visited the fire-ravaged Shiv Market in Jammu to assess the devastation caused by the massive blaze that gutted dozens of shops and severely affected the livelihoods of local traders. Expressing solidarity with the affected trading community on behalf on AIP leadership, Inam Un Nabi, as per a statement, urged the Omar Abdullah-led government to announce an immediate relief package, ensure transparent assessment of losses and provide adequate compensation without unnecessary procedural delays. The affected traders cannot be left to rebuild their lives on assurances alone. For many families, these shops represented years of hard work, investment and their only source of income. The government must provide immediate financial assistance and ensure their businesses are restored through a time-bound rehabilitation plan, he said. Inam Un Nabi said the government must move beyond expressions of sympathy and political assurances and demonstrate its commitment through tangible relief, timely compensation and a clear roadmap for restoring the affected businesses. AIP reiterated its solidarity with the affected trading community and urged the administration to act with urgency and sensitivity.
Arif Laigroo holds Habba Kadal Zone meeting at PDP Headquarters
Srinagar, Oct 31:PDP former State Secretary and Constituency Incharge Habba Kadal, Arif Laigroo, chaired an important meeting of Habba Kadal Zone at the party headquarters to review preparations for the upcoming Workers Convention scheduled to be held on November 2 at 10:00 AM at Sher-i-Kashmir Park, Polo View, Srinagar. The convention, as per a statement will be addressed by PDP President Mehbooba Mufti.
CRPF celebrates National Unity Day in Srinagar
Srinagar, Oct 31:Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) was celebrated by CRPF with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervor at Group Center CRPF Srinagar, Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) & HQ Srinagar Sector on Saturday to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India. He was not merely a freedom fighter, he was the architect of Indias political unity and integrated more than 562 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence in 1947, thereby laying the foundation of a united India. As per a statement, the occasion was marked by a series of activities aimed at promoting national unity, integrity, solidarity and a sense of collective responsibility towards the nation. The Programme commenced with floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, followed by the administration of the National Unity Day Pledge, reaffirming the commitment to preserve the unity, integrity and security of the nation. The commemorative Programme was observed at GC CRPF Srinagar and presided over by Rajesh Kumar, IPS, SDG, CRPF, J&K Zone, and attended by the Pawan Kumar Sharma, Inspector General, CRPF Srinagar Sector, Vivek Bhandral, DIG, GC CRPF Srinagar, other senior officers & personnel of the Force.
GD Goenka MUN promotes diplomacy, dialogue among students
Srinagar, Oct 31:The two-day GDGS MUN 2026, organised by GD Goenka Public School, Srinagar, concluded on Saturday with a grand felicitation ceremony, bringing together enthusiastic young delegates from various participating schools for an enriching experience of diplomacy, dialogue, critical thinking, and experiential learning. Held on 29th and 30th of October, the conference, as per a statement, provided a vibrant platform for students to deliberate on pressing global issues, engage in meaningful discussions, and explore solutions through negotiation, collaboration, and consensus-building. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Naseer Ahmad Wani, Director of School Education, Kashmir, as the Chief Guest, while Dr Iqbal Hussain Mir attended as the Guest of Honour Farid Ahmad, Senior Journalist, Aaj TakIndia Today, was also among the distinguished guests. The occasion was attended by the school's management, including Chairman Imtiyaz Kawoosa, Managing Director Madam Massara Kawoosa, Director, HR Director Adil Zargar, and Principal Zubair Ahmed Khan. The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a melodious welcome song presented by the students of the Music Club. Asia Mushtaq, Lead Coordinator, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the significance of Model United Nations in nurturing leadership qualities, critical thinking, effective communication, and a sense of global citizenship among students. A documentary on the United Nations was subsequently screened, followed by the National Anthem.
JKSA welcomes restoration of Jamia Students Union
Srinagar, Oct 31:The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Saturday welcomed the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students Union, describing it as a historic victory for student democracy and the collective determination of students who fought a prolonged battle to reclaim their democratic rights after nearly two decades. The Association, as per a statement, said the university administration's decision to concede to the demands of protesting students marks a significant milestone in Jamias institutional history and reflects the strength of peaceful, sustained and collective student resistance. National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said that following 18 days of an intense and unwavering hunger strike, the university administration had finally agreed to recognise and restore the Students Union, paving the way for the revival of an elected representative body at the university. He said, This victory has not come easily. It has been earned through immense sacrifice, determination, courage and perseverance. Despite intimidation, restrictions and repeated attempts to weaken the movement, Jamias students stood their ground and remained steadfast in their democratic demands. Their 18-day hunger strike and sustained agitation compelled the administration to acknowledge the legitimacy of their struggle. Those who underestimated the strength of collective resistance and student unity have witnessed what determined students can achieve when they stand together for their rights. He said the struggle, sacrifices and unwavering commitment of Jamias students to democratic rights would always occupy a special place in the university's history. Their perseverance has reaffirmed the importance of student representation, democratic participation and institutional accountability within educational institutions. Khuehami said the movement had endured an extraordinary series of challenges, including show-cause notices, disciplinary proceedings, suspensions, campus restrictions, locked gates, restricted access, disruption of academic activities, police intervention, detentions, FIRs and judicial proceedings. Several student leaders were also sent to judicial custody during the course of the agitation. Khuehami remarked, They barricaded our gates, but could not barricade our voices. They attempted to restrict our movement, but could not restrict our aspirations. Jamia has won. Its students have won. This is a victory of courage over intimidation, unity over division and democratic aspirations over every attempt to silence student voices. Congratulating the students of Jamia Millia Islamia, Khuehami said the restoration of the Students Union was not merely about holding elections or establishing an elected representative body; it was about reclaiming an essential democratic space within the university. He added that an elected Students Union provides students with a legitimate institutional platform to articulate their concerns, represent their interests, engage constructively with the administration and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting campus life. Student representation, he said, is an essential component of a vibrant, inclusive and accountable university environment.
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