Health & Fitness

Russian President Vladimir Putin begins 3-day India visit

It will be his first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022

UP: Jauhar University case hearing postponed to Sep 25

Amroha, Sep 11: The hearing in the Jauhar University case before the divisional commissioner's court in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad could not take place on Thursday, with the court posting the matter to September 25. The case relates to an appeal filed by the Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust against a notice issued by the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) on July 15, declaring 38 of the 40 buildings on the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University campus illegal and ordering their demolition. The appeal was filed before the divisional commissioner's court on July 20. The hearing on the application for admission of the appeal and a stay was initially fixed for July 28. However, due to a lawyers' strike on July 28, the then divisional commissioner heard the matter a day earlier, on July 27, and granted a stay till the appeal was admitted. The next hearing was fixed for August 3. On August 3, the court directed the university to submit relevant documents and fixed August 10 for the next hearing. On August 10, the trust sought the master plan, the zonal development plan, building bye-laws, regulations and other relevant rules from the RDA. The matter was then listed for August 13. The RDA, however, did not produce the documents sought by the trust, which subsequently submitted that the building maps are available with the Public Works Department and the Rampur district magistrate's office and have already been verified. It stated that 14 campus buildings were constructed by 2008 and another 13 in 2009. The divisional commissioner accepted the application and fixed August 25 for the next hearing. In the meantime, the then divisional commissioner of Moradabad was transferred, and Sangeeta Singh was appointed to the position. No hearing took place on August 25 either. The court subsequently fixed September 10, but the matter could not be heard on Thursday as well. Jauhar Trust counsel Junaid Ejaz said there has been no lapse on their part in the legal process and that everything has been done in accordance with rules. We have complete faith in the Constitution and believe that we will get justice, Ejaz said. The university, located in Rampur, is managed by the trust, which is headed by Nikhat Aflak, sister of jailed former Uttar Pradesh minister and Samajwadi Party veteran Azam Khan, who was previously its chairperson. Azam Khan's elder son, Mohammad Adeeb Azam, is the trust's secretary, while his wife, Tazeen Fatma, is among its trustees.

Deadlock over SinghporaVailoo tunnel project ends, Rs 3,567-cr project set to move ahead

Srinagar, Sep 11: The long-pending SinghporaVailoo twin-tube tunnel project under Sinthan Pass is set to move ahead, with the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) inviting bids for its construction along the KishtwarVailooKhanabal section of National Highway-244. The project, estimated to cost Rs 3,567.51 crore, is aimed at providing an all-weather connectivity link between Kishtwar in the Chenab Valley and Anantnag in south Kashmir, offering an alternative to the treacherous Sinthan Top route that frequently remains closed during winter due to heavy snowfall. According to a Notice Inviting Bid issued by NHIDCL, the 38.611-km highway package will be executed in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. The package includes construction of a 10.331-km left tunnel tube and a 10.363-km right tunnel tube, along with approach roads and other associated infrastructure. The stipulated construction period is 60 months, followed by a 120-month maintenance period. The project will connect Chhatroo in Kishtwar district with Vailoo in Anantnag district. The eastern approach from Chhatroo to the tunnel portal will cover 17.088 km, while the western approach towards Vailoo will extend for 11.160 km, including the portal section. The eastern portal, proposed near Singhpora in Kishtwar district, will be located at an elevation of around 2,243 metres, while the western portal at Gadole will be at approximately 2,404 metres. The tunnel will have a nine-metre carriageway, footpaths and dedicated emergency facilities. The two tubes will be interconnected through cross-passages at intervals of about 500 metres to facilitate pedestrian movement and emergency evacuation. As per the project documents, 20 cross-passages, each 6.1 metres wide and 18.5 metres long, have been proposed. The tunnel will be equipped with semi-transverse ventilation, fire detection and firefighting systems, CCTV surveillance, emergency communication facilities, traffic-control systems, lighting, drainage and waterproofing arrangements. Fire hydrants will be installed at intervals of 250 metres, besides hose connections and fire extinguishers at shorter intervals. The project package also includes construction of approach roads, bridges, viaducts, culverts, drainage systems, safety installations and other ancillary works. A total of 21 major and minor bridges, viaducts and viaduct-cum-bridge structures have been proposed, with the longest being a 1,345-metre viaduct at design chainage 139+660. The approach roads will be developed as two-lane highways with paved shoulders. The project also provides for roadside and catch drains extending over 26 km and 28 km, respectively. The tunnel has been proposed to comply with relevant Indian and international standards, including applicable IRC guidelines for road tunnels, CIE standards for tunnel lighting and NFPA provisions relating to fire safety. The VailooSinghpora tunnel project, approved in 2017 and reaffirmed in 2021, has faced repeated delays over the years. Once completed, the tunnel is expected to provide a reliable all-weather alternative to the Sinthan Top route, improve connectivity between Kashmir and the Chenab Valley, reduce travel time and facilitate greater movement of people and goods. The project is also expected to give a boost to tourism, trade and economic activity in both regions while strengthening strategic and inter-regional connectivity along NH-244.(KNO)

Wisconsin restored old farmland into prairie and rare bumblebees began returning

HP Governor Kavinder Gupta meets former President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi

Governor of Himachal Pradesh Kavinder Gupta Thursday called on former President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi. During the meeting, Kavinder Gupta conveyed his warm regards to Shri Ram Nath Kovind and expressed his deep respect for his distinguished journey in public life and his invaluable contribution to the nation in various constitutional capacities. The two leaders exchanged views on matters of national importance, with particular emphasis on constitutional values, strengthening democratic institutions, education and the role of youth in nation-building. Kavinder Gupta also shared his perspective on the priorities and initiatives being pursued in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in the areas of quality and value-based education, youth empowerment, preservation of the States rich cultural heritage and promoting its spiritual and cultural potential. The meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the shared commitment to the ideals of public service, constitutional values and the continued progress and development of the nation.

PM Narendra Modi addresses International Space Summit in Paris, France

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday addressed the International Space Summit held in Paris, France, via Video conference. The Prime Minister thanked President Emmanuel Macron for taking a timely initiative and extending a gracious invitation. He expressed delight in participating in this landmark gathering. I am happy to be a part of the first International Space Summit, remarked Shri Modi. Reflecting on humanitys enduring fascination with the cosmos, the Prime Minister observed that space has inspired human imagination for centuries. He highlighted that this frontier now shapes everyday life on Earth, from climate and crops to oceans and communities. The promise of space is infinite, and our responsibility is collective, noted Shri Modi. Addressing the growing complexity of the cosmic environment, the Prime Minister emphasized that orbits are becoming more crowded, technologies more powerful, and actors more numerous. He stressed that global partnerships must prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gains. Our choices must be clear: cooperation over confrontation, sustainability over short-term gain, and inclusion over exclusion, PM Modi said. He connected Indias philosophical worldview to outer space and pointed out that the nations approach is firmly rooted in the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning One Earth, One Family, One Future. He advocated for this unifying spirit to travel beyond our planet to ensure a secure domain. We support a safe, secure, peaceful and sustainable space domain, anchored in international law, dialogue and multilateral cooperation, he said . Highlighting the importance of transparent research, Prime Minister stressed that Indias cosmic journey perfectly reflects the philosophy of universal welfare. He said that the ethical sharing of information is paramount for global progress. Scientific data must serve the common good, with openness and integrity, PM Modi said. Tracing the remarkable trajectory of the nations aerospace enterprise, the Prime Minister highlighted the practical benefits of satellite technology for weather forecasting, disaster management, and navigation. He said that these advanced capabilities directly serve grassroots communities, including farmers and fishermen. ISRO, which stands at the heart of this journey, has earned global admiration for its excellence and cost-effective missions, PM Modi added. Detailing Indias collaborative international footprint in launch services, the Prime Minister highlighted the successful deployment of more than 430 payloads from 34 countries aboard domestic rockets. He emphasized the broad global utility of these cooperative scientific endeavors. ISROs technologies and partnerships serve not only India, but the wider world, noted Shri Modi. Ascribing this institutional success to the relentless human capital of the nation, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the dedication and hard work of generations of Indian scientists, engineers, and technicians. He commended how their tireless efforts have secured a place of pride among spacefaring nations. Working day and night, they have built ISROs global reputation mission by mission, success by success, he added. Recalling monumental milestones in planetary science, the Prime Minister cited that Aditya-L1 is currently unlocking the secrets of the Sun, while an Indian astronaut visited the International Space Station last year. He proudly recounted the historic lunar touchdown that set a new global benchmark. Chandrayaan-3 made India the first nation to land near the lunar south pole, he said. Outlining ambitious futuristic targets for the national roadmap, the Prime Minister announced plans to establish an indigenous space station by 2035 and send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040. He maintained that these long-term efforts are driven by a singular, overarching purpose. In all these efforts, our guiding principle has been clear: their benefits must reach all humanity, PM Modi said. Describing the rapid evolution of the domestic commercial ecosystem, the Prime Minister observed that Indias private space sector is surging in a big way alongside institutional agencies. He acknowledged the dynamic synergy forming between emerging startups and established organizations. The energy of enterprise is joining the excellence of ISRO, remarked Shri Modi. Valuing long-standing bilateral relations, the Prime Minister recalled that France has been a trusted partner since the inception of the Indian space program at Thumba in the 1960s. He emphasized that current joint initiatives successfully merge high-level research with tangible societal benefits. Today, our cooperation spans Earth observation and advanced technologies, uniting scientific excellence with human purpose, he said. Extending an open invitation to international stakeholders, the Prime Minister called upon the global community to participate in upcoming exploratory missions. He welcomed worldwide partners to join hands in pioneering the next wave of cosmic discovery. We invite France and the world to be co-travellers in Indias next space frontier, the Prime Minister said. He conveyed his best wishes to all the participants of the summit and urged the international community to safeguard the celestial environment through collaborative exploration and innovation. Let the Space Summit in Paris send a clear message: we will explore together, innovate together and protect space together, for all humanity, and for generations to come, PM Modi added.

4 Srinagar climbers open new route on Koh e Noor South-West

A team of four climbers from Srinagar has opened a new route on Kohenoor South-West, the highest peak of the Kohenoor massif in the Marwah valley of Kishtwar district, climbing it from a side of the mountain that no recorded expedition had attempted before. As per a statement, the climbers claim that it is the first ascent of the peak in nearly fifty years. The team recorded an elevation of 5,146 m on the summit. Earlier records list the peak at 5,136 m. Muzakir Khan, Yasir Khan, Faik Aijaz Pattoo and Saqib Shafi, all aged between 20 and 30, summited at 1:15 p.m. on 6 September after a climb of close to nine hours from their base camp. They believe it is the first time an all-Kashmiri team has stood on the summit. The peak was last climbed in August 1976, by a Japanese team. The team left Srinagar on 4 September for Sukhnai village (2,800 m), intending to push through to Kohenoor Lake the same day. They stayed the night in the village instead. At 5 a.m. on 5 September they set out with a plan to bypass a conventional base camp altogether and place an advanced camp directly on the Sheeshnag glacier, above the col separating Kohenoor South-West from Kohenoor Central. The trail climbed steeply out of the valley floor, and by 10:30 a.m. they had reached Kohenoor Lake at 4,060 m. By 1:30 p.m., at the snout of the glacier, the weather turned. Hail gave way to snow and then to a complete whiteout. The climbers built a small bivouac under a rock, pulled a tarp over themselves and their gear, and waited. With no improvement, they abandoned the advanced camp entirely and descended some 400 metres to a doka roughly 200 metres below the lake, reaching it at 4 p.m. That shepherds hut, at 3,860 m, became their base camp. The retreat forced a change of strategy. Rather than carry heavy loads to an advanced camp and climb from there, the team decided to strip down and attempt the summit directly from base camp, moving as fast as the terrain allowed. Nine hours to the summit They left at 4:30 a.m. on 6 September. Within two hours they had regained the ground lost the previous day. Moving up and across the glacier, they reached the col between Kohenoor South-West and Kohenoor Central at 4,750 m by 8:10 a.m. There they roped up, fitted crampons and crossed the Sheeshnag glacier, negotiating crevasses and the bergschrund before reaching the north-east face of Kohenoor South-West. From this point the route was unknown ground. The team had plotted a line on the map beforehand and followed it, scrambling a steep wall that took two hours to yield 200 metres of height. The summit arte above proved harder still: narrow, exposed, and interrupted by pinnacles that had to be traversed one by one. They reached the top at 1:15 p.m. The summit gave a full circle of the ranges Thajiwas, Kolahoi, Amarnath, Nanga Parbat, Nichheng, Katsal, Kallatip, Brammah, Flat Top, Sickle Moon, Nun Kun, the Zanskar range, and the peaks above Warwan and Kishtwar. The climbers left a rock piton as their summit marker. Judging the north-east face unsuitable for a descent, the team came down the south-west side instead, through steep gullies and along traversing ridge lines in what proved to be a heavy rockfall zone. Rocks came down around them through the afternoon. They reached base camp at 7 p.m. and walked out to Sukhnai the following morning. The route has been named One Day Boys Up & Down. The climb was made in alpine style. Porters carried loads only as far as base camp; above it the team used no fixed ropes, no supplementary oxygen and no high camps. The three summits of the Kohenoor massif South-West, which is the high point of the group and is recorded at 5,136 m, the middle peak Kunyirhayan or Kohenoor Central (5,036 m), and North-East (4,966 m) carry an unusually long climbing history for a Kashmir massif. In September 1898, the British mountaineer C.G. Bruce climbed the north-eastern summit while Karbir, the Gorkha climber accompanying him, took the south-western and highest top. The middle peak followed in 1911, climbed by Captain J.B. Corry, Lt. R.D. Squires, men of the Sherwood Foresters and Dr. Ernest Neve. In 1972, an American-Kashmir expedition led by Mohammad Ashraf, the former Director General of Tourism, climbed all three summits with a team that included Nazir Ahmad, Vijay Kumar and Mohammad Aslam alongside American climbers. A Japanese team repeated the trio in August 1976. Nothing has been recorded on the massif since. Climbers have gone in from the Sheeshnag side in the decades that followed, but according to the team, none of those attempts reached a summit. That approach is the other thing that sets this months climb apart. Every recorded expedition to the Kohenoor peaks, successful or not, has gone in from Sheeshnag and up the glacier from there. The four climbers came instead from the opposite side of the mountain, walking in from Sukhnai in the Marwah valley and climbing directly to the col between the central and south-west summits ground that, until this month, no one had taken to the top. The climb is one of the more significant in an ongoing series of route openings the team is undertaking in the valley. We are opening new routes in Kashmir so that fellow climbers can come and climb them, and so we can revive and promote alpinism and mountaineering in the valley, the team said.

Nitu Gupta reviews implementation of Agriculture Department, allied institutions

Secretary in Agriculture Production Department (APD), Nitu Gupta, today chaired a review meeting to assess the implementation of various programmes being executed under UT Capex Budget 2026-27, NABARD, HADP, JKCIP,CSS and SASCI In Kashmir division at Directorate of Agriculture Lalmandi. The meeting was attended by Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, Director Command area Development Kashmir, Director Planning Agriculture production department, Director Finance SKUAST-K, Chief Agriculture Officers and other senior officers of the department. The meeting focused on the progress and performance of the Department under CAPEX, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and NABARD. Detailed discussions were held on physical and financial achievements, expenditure, targets and implementation status of various ongoing interventions. The Secretary reviewed the progress of key projects and schemes and emphasised the need for timely execution, effective monitoring and optimum utilisation of funds to ensure that the intended benefits of these interventions reach the farming community. She stressed upon the officers to adopt a result-oriented and farmer-centric approach, strengthen field-level monitoring and ensure close coordination among all concerned stakeholders for expeditious implementation of developmental programmes. Earlier, the Secretary had also reviewed the functioning and performance of SKUAST-Kashmir, Command Area Development Department and Sericulture Department, taking stock of their respective programmes, achievements and implementation challenges. During these reviews, emphasis was laid on strengthening coordination between the Agriculture Production Department and allied institutions, promoting technology-driven interventions, improving service delivery and ensuring effective implementation of farmer-oriented programmes. Director Agriculture Kashmir apprised the Secretary of the overall performance of the department. He briefed her about the progress achieved under various schemes and initiatives besides highlighting the steps being taken to further accelerate implementation at the field level. The Secretary directed the concerned officers to maintain regular monitoring, ensure timely completion of targets and strengthen inter-departmental convergence, with a clear focus on improving agricultural productivity, supporting farmers and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities across the region.

KCCI welcomes 2-year extension of LTC scheme for J&K

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has welcomed the Central Governments decision to extend by another two years the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) facility for its employees to visit Jammu and Kashmir. The Chamber said the extension is a positive and timely decision that will provide a further impetus to the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly by encouraging government employees and their families to visit the region. KCCI had taken up the matter with the Central Government, seeking continuation of the LTC facility for Jammu and Kashmir, keeping in view its importance for the tourism industry and the wider local economy. The Chamber thanks the Government for considering the issue and for the favourable decision. The KCCI said the tourism sector has a significant multiplier effect on Jammu and Kashmirs economy, supporting hotels, houseboats, restaurants, transporters, travel agencies, guides, handicraft, and other allied businesses. Increased tourist movement through the LTC scheme will, therefore, benefit a wide range of stakeholders across the UT. The Chamber expressed hope that the extended LTC provision will contribute to sustained tourist arrivals and help strengthen confidence in Jammu and Kashmir as a preferred travel destination. KCCI further urged the Central and UT Governments to continue taking measures that facilitate travel, improve connectivity and promote Jammu and Kashmir as a safe, attractive and accessible destination for domestic tourists.

Jamkash Vehicleades launches all-new Baleno

Jamkash Vehicleades (Kashmir) Pvt. Ltd., a Maruti Suzuki dealership, today launched the all-new Baleno 2026 at an event in Srinagar. The launch ceremony was attended by Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Srinagar, Qazi Irfan, who was the chief guest, along with Irfan Ahmad, Managing Director, Jamkash Vehicleades; Amber Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer; A R Bhat, CGM; senior company officials, customers and representatives of J&K Bank, SBI, Mahindra Finance and HDFC Bank. Speaking on the occasion, Qazi Irfan congratulated Jamkash Vehicleades on the launch and said the Baleno had established itself as one of Indias leading premium hatchbacks. He expressed confidence that the new model, with its updated design, technology and safety features, would further strengthen its appeal among customers. Waseem Ahmad, Sales Manager, NEXA, said the new Baleno 2026 introduces several features aimed at raising the benchmark in the premium hatchback segment. According to the company, the vehicle comes with first-in-segment Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), a new design, Z12E engine, six airbags as standard, SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system, 360-degree camera, Head-Up Display (HUD), ventilated front seats, Clarion premium sound system, wireless phone charging with active cooling and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The company said the launch reinforces Jamkash Vehicleades focus on bringing new products and technology to customers in Jammu and Kashmir while strengthening its presence in the regions automotive market.

ReT Teachers Forum elects three office-bearers unopposed

The Jammu and Kashmir Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) Teachers Forum on Thursday declared three senior office-bearers elected unopposed after scrutiny of nomination papers for the organisation's UT-level elections. The announcement was made at a press conference in Handwara by Election Commissioner Ghulam Mohammad Dar. Dar said September 9 was the last date for filing nominations, while scrutiny was completed on September 10. He said elections for the posts of Chairman, Senior Vice Chairman and General Secretary were scheduled for September 20. However, only one nomination was received for each post and none of the candidates withdrew, leaving all three posts uncontested. Jahangir Alam Khan was elected Chairman, Zahoor Ud Din Beigh Senior Vice Chairman, and Khalid Rafiq Bhat General Secretary of the J&K Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers Forum. Dar said the candidates had the unanimous support of all district presidents and UT executive members of the Forum, making polling unnecessary. He congratulated the newly elected office-bearers and expressed hope they would work for the unity, welfare and legitimate interests of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers across Jammu and Kashmir.

Fire guts 21 shops in Kupwaras Warnow Lolab, traders suffer heavy losses

At least 21 shops were gutted in a major fire in Warnow area of Lolab in north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday, causing extensive damage and heavy financial losses to local traders. Officials said the blaze engulfed three commercial buildings, destroying shops, stock and other property. The first building had 16 rooms, including eight shops on the ground floor, an agriculture laboratory and two hotel units. Five other rooms were being used as grocery shops, while the eight rooms on the first floor were vacant. The second building housed a single-storey grocery shop, while the third building contained a grocery shop, a mobile phone shop, a photostat shop and a fertiliser shop. A total of 21 shops and one motorcycle were damaged in the fire. The blaze reduced commercial establishments and merchandise to ashes, leaving traders with substantial losses. Tehsildar Lalpora Dr Masroor Gayaas told Greater Kashmir that the administration had begun assessing the damage and would provide assistance to the affected traders under the applicable provisions. The cause of the fire and the exact extent of the losses are being assessed, he said. National Conference district president Kupwara and Lolab MLA Qaiser Jamsheed Lone visited the affected area and urged the district administration to provide immediate relief and financial assistance to the shopkeepers. He called for a prompt assessment of losses and timely support to help the traders recover. Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone also expressed grief over the incident and appealed to the government to take immediate steps for rehabilitation of the affected shopkeepers.

Childrens safety at risk as stray dogs invade Gulmarg Childrens Park

Gulmargs popular Childrens Park has become a growing safety concern, with stray dogs roaming freely inside the facility as large groups of schoolchildren continue to visit during the peak picnic season. The park is a popular attraction for visitors, particularly schoolchildren who arrive in groups for picnics and spend hours playing and relaxing. However, the unchecked presence of stray dogs inside the recreational facility has raised concerns among visitors over the safety of children. Basharat Ahmad, a resident of Pattan, Baramulla, said it was disturbing to see stray dogs roaming in a park meant for children. The presence of so many stray dogs is frightening. It is extremely risky to leave a child unattended here. The dogs are constantly roaming around and surrounding visitors, he said. Visitors said there appeared to be no effective mechanism to keep stray dogs out of the park or prevent them from coming into close contact with children and families. The concern is particularly serious during the school-picnic season, when the park witnesses a heavy influx of students. Visitors also questioned the collection of a Rs 50 entry fee, saying authorities should ensure basic safety within a facility specifically designed for children. Despite collecting an entry fee, authorities are charging visitors to enter a designated childrens recreational space. Who is responsible for ensuring that the premises are reasonably safe? said another visitor, Bilal Ahmad. Visitors said any bite or attack involving a child could have serious consequences, turning a routine picnic into an emergency. For parents and teachers accompanying school groups, they said, the responsibility for managing the risk posed by stray dogs should not be left entirely to them after paying to enter the facility. The situation has also raised questions about Gulmargs image as a premier family tourist destination, with visitors saying the condition of a childrens facility reflects a gap between tourism promotion and on-ground management. The Rs 50 entry ticket may provide access to the park, but it cannot become a price parents pay for heightened anxiety over their childrens safety, said Fayaz Ahmad.

Machils quiet transformation: From border valley to emerging tourism destination

Soon after crossing Kalaroose, the mountainous road winding through dense forests and open landscapes leads to Machil Valley in north Kashmirs Kupwara district. Located 47 kilometres from the district headquarters, the remote valley has long been known for its proximity to the Line of Control and relative isolation. That is slowly changing. Tourists are beginning to arrive in Machil for its meadows, streams, mountains and peaceful surroundings, offering locals a new source of hope and livelihood. Several families have converted parts of their homes into homestays, providing basic facilities and locally prepared food to visitors. Locals see tourism as a potential economic lifeline. Shopkeepers and transporters are hoping for more business, while young people see opportunities to work as guides and in other tourism-related services without leaving the area. Tourism has given people a new hope. The district administration and, most importantly, the Indian Army have helped promote the area and encouraged us to participate in tourism-related activities, said former Machil sarpanch Habibullah, who has converted his house into a homestay. From families opening homestays to young people working as guides and transport providers, tourism can gradually create an economic chain across the Machil sector, he said. Visitors are also being drawn to Naaz-e-Hind and Zulu Cafe at Z-Gali. The roadside cafe set up by the Indian Army serves a variety of fast food and has added to the visitor experience in an area where tourism infrastructure remains limited. Abdul Jabbar, a resident of Pushwari, said Machils tourism potential extends beyond the places currently attracting visitors. Ring Bala, Ring Payeen, Katwara, Pushwari, Dappal and Misri Behak have their own beauty. With better infrastructure and connectivity, tourists could spend more time exploring the valley instead of simply passing through, he said. For many families, homestays offer a direct way to benefit from the emerging tourism economy. Homestays can be a great prospect for locals to earn their livelihood. We generally charge Rs 2,000 for a room, including locally cooked food, said Shabir Ahmad, another resident. Visitors say the valleys natural surroundings are its biggest attraction. The pristine atmosphere and cool breeze throughout the day soothed us. I would certainly like to visit again. Machil has considerable potential to emerge as a border tourism destination, said Nasir Ahmad of Lalpora, who was visiting the valley for the first time. Machils appeal is not limited to its landscape. The valley also has a distinct agricultural identity, with locals primarily cultivating potatoes, rajma and maize. Paddy cultivation is not feasible in much of the area, residents said. Locally grown rajma, known for its taste and organic cultivation, is particularly valued. Much of the produce is stored for winter, when heavy snowfall can disrupt supplies to local shops. People love our rajma because of its taste and protein value. It also provides good revenue to farmers, but much of the crop is kept for winter because heavy snowfall can leave local shops short of essential food items, Shabir Ahmad said. As tourism takes its first steps in Machil, locals hope that better connectivity and planned infrastructure will allow the valleys natural beauty, homestays and agricultural products to become part of a sustainable local economy.

Annual IIPA Debate-2026: KU, FDA plan major food-safety awareness push in J&K

In a significant development, Kashmir University (KU) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), J&K are set to intensify efforts to combat food adulteration. The varsity administration and FDA are planning a major consumer-awareness campaign alongside capacity-building programmes for food business operators. Talking to Greater Kashmir on the sidelines of the Annual IIPA Debate 2026, organised by the Department of Students Welfare, University of Kashmir, in collaboration with the IIPA J&K Regional Branch, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University (KU) Prof. Nilofer Khan said the varsity was ready to collaborate with the government by leveraging its scientific expertise, infrastructure and student strength. If there is any need to make a change, it is the youth who can make it possible, Prof Khan said. She added that the recommendations emerging from the debate would be compiled and explored for implementation. The annual IIPA Inter College, Department, University Debate-2026 was organised on the topic Food Adulteration: The Biggest Public Health Challenge Facing J&K. VC KU said the university scientists have worked on food-adulteration projects at the national level and possess state-of-the-art infrastructure in its Food Science and Technology Department. We can utilise their expertise and infrastructure. The students from Food Science and Technology, Social Work, Sociology, Home Science and other related departments could be taken to rural areas, schools and colleges to create awareness about food safety, she added. Prof Khan said the university could also undertake awareness programmes and research projects and help integrate its students with government initiatives. There is a huge amount of data present in the university, which can be the base, she said, adding that the university would work with the Food and Drug Administration on ways to involve students in its activities. Commissioner Food & Drug Administration J&K Khalid Jahangir earlier in his address said that consumer awareness would be the first line of defence against food adulteration amid the growing complexity and scale of the food industry. He said food products that were earlier largely sourced locally are now transported across the country and even from outside India, making production, storage and transportation a major challenge for food safety. The first and foremost bulwark against adulteration is an informed citizen. The first line of defence is awareness among consumers, Jahangir said. He stressed the need for consumers to develop the habit of reading food labels before purchasing packaged products. Jahangir said tampering with labels had emerged as a new challenge, saying that the FDA had recently scrutinised around 400 labels, of which more than 10 percent were found to have been tampered with. A label must inform. It should not mislead, he said. The Commissioner FDA said the department would soon launch a comprehensive awareness campaign covering digital and social media platforms, print and electronic media and other communication channels, including WhatsApp broadcasts. He said the government had supported the initiative and the department was hiring a creative agency to develop the campaign. The campaign will cover issues including milk adulteration, pesticide residues and scrutiny of food labels, with the aim of reaching at least 10 lakh consumers during the current financial year. Jahangir also briefed about the provisions empowering consumers under Section 40 of the food safety law, saying a consumer suspecting that a food product was unsafe or non-conforming could get it analysed independently. He said consumers could approach food safety authorities with the test results and, in specified circumstances, the cost of testing would be reimbursed if the product was found unsafe or non-conforming to prescribed standards. Consumers cannot be passive recipients. He or she has to be an equal partner and stakeholder in the food safety governance system, he said. The Commissioner said the department was also working on guidelines for traditional foods specific to Jammu and Kashmir, including local dishes and breads, in consultation with food safety experts. He said the proposed guidelines would be placed in the public domain for suggestions before being notified. Jahangir said J&Ks tourism-based economy had added another dimension to the food-safety challenge, with the influx of tourists contributing to the growth of food joints and eateries. He said the department would conduct regular inspections of food establishments, particularly with regard to hygiene and other prescribed standards. The FDA is also planning capacity-building programmes for 10,000 food business operators during the current financial year, covering different categories such as restaurants, street vendors and milk vendors. These programmes will be organised across all districts of J&K. The department plans to expand the target next year, he added. Jahangir said the administrations broader objective was to have informed consumers, responsible food business operators and a responsive regulatory system. The debate was organised by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), J&K Regional Branch Srinagar, in collaboration with the English Debate Club of the Department of Students Welfare, University of Kashmir.

Security forces conduct searches in Batamaloo

Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), on Thursday launched a cordon-and-search operation (CASO) in Srinagars Batamaloo area as part of routine security measures, officials said. Joint teams of the police and CRPF cordoned off several parts of the densely populated locality and conducted searches at multiple points. The operation was aimed at checking suspicious movement, verifying identities and strengthening the security grid in the area, officials said. Security personnel were deployed at strategic points during the operation, while searches were conducted in the locality as part of precautionary measures. There were no reports of any arrests, recoveries or exchange of fire during the operation. Officials also did not indicate any militant presence or security-related escalation in the area.

Walnut harvest turns deadly for Kashmir's poor labourers

For Kashmirs poorest labourers, the walnut harvest has become a deadly gamble. At least seven workers have died in walnut-tree falls since harvesting began in late August, a period of just over two weeks. Several others have suffered serious injuries, including spinal damage that has left them paralysed for life. Most victims were breadwinners who climbed tall walnut trees without helmets, harnesses or other protective gear to earn seasonal income. Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, 46, of Damjan, Qazigund, died Aug. 30 after falling while harvesting. He left behind his wife, Meena Jan, a daughter pursuing graduation and a son in Class 12. I don't know who will take care of my two children now. He used to sustain our family and was everything for us, his wife said. Abdul Hamid Wani, 55, of Kund, Kulgam, fell on Sept. 4 while harvesting in his orchard. He was taken to GMC Anantnag, referred to SKIMS Soura and died the next day. We own only a few walnut trees. My father harvested them to support the family. We are already struggling to survive, said his son, Gowhar Wani, a pharmacist. Wani is survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters. Ghulam Mohammad Ganai, 50, of Laribal, Tral, was a seasonal labourer who earned Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 for every eight large bags of walnuts he harvested. He fell while threshing walnuts Sept. 1 and later died at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar. The businessman earns well, but it is always the labourer's life on the line. My husband worked hard, yet his life was not valued, his wife said. Mohammad Ashraf, 33, of Khaipora Khag in Beerwah, Budgam, died Sept. 5 after falling from a walnut tree. He lived in abject poverty. He was a hardworking man, and his death leaves a void impossible to fill, a neighbour said. Hilal Ahmad Mir, 33, of Puchal, Pulwama, died Sept. 2 after suffering serious injuries in a fall. He is survived by his wife and two young children. Ashiq Hussain, 35, of Pawadan village in Uri, Baramulla, died earlier in August after falling while threshing walnuts. As this report was being written on Sept. 10, Mukhtar Ahmad Najr, 46, of Jiabal-Lamer in Kulgam district died after falling from a walnut tree while plucking the fruit. He was shifted to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The deaths have renewed concern over a harvest that still relies on dangerous manual methods. Plucking walnuts requires workers to climb 20- to 30-foot trees with slippery bark, balance on branches and strike them with long sticks called Laanz. Helmets, harnesses and safety nets are rarely used. Wet weather can make the work even more dangerous by leaving bark and branches slippery. People think this is simple work, said Farooq Ahmad, chairperson of Help Poor Voluntary Trust, which supports victims of walnut-tree falls. But one slip can be catastrophic. These men risk their lives because they have no other livelihood. The trust provides medicines and hospital care to injured workers and is trying to provide safety gear to poor seasonal labourers. Revenue and law enforcement agencies must ensure labourers are fully protected before they climb, said Muhamad Ali Lone of the trust. No one should be allowed to risk life for a bag. Medical research shows the wider toll. A Srinagar Bone and Joint Hospital study, 'Walnut Tree Falls as a Cause of Musculoskeletal Injury' - A Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Kashmir, by Dr. Asif Nazir Baba and others, found that falls can cause fatal head injuries, spinal damage leading to lifelong paralysis and fractures that can leave victims dependent on others. In 2025 alone, eight men died, dozens suffered spinal injuries and hundreds were treated for fractures and other serious injuries in hospitals across Kashmir. Most victims are young men, the sole earners for their families. The burden on hospitals is tremendous, and these injuries are largely preventable, said Baba, professor of orthopaedics. A separate 2025 study, 'From Injury to Economic Strain: Assessing the Unseen Costs of Labour Risks in Kashmir's Walnut Harvesting Industry,' examined 150 labourers in Kupwara and Ganderbal and records of 95 workers treated at SKIMS Soura. It found falls from height were the main occupational hazard, with injuries including spinal trauma, head injuries, internal bleeding and lung damage. Of the 95 hospital cases, 12 workers were brought dead and 13 died within 24 to 72 hours of admission. Workers typically spend 7.5 to 8.5 hours a day harvesting, often using long bamboo or wooden sticks from considerable heights. The study cited the lack of helmets, harnesses and fall-arrest systems and recommended mechanical harvesting and pruning equipment, mandatory safety kits, worker training, health insurance and compensation for injured workers and families of those killed. Farmers and safety advocates are calling for helmets, harnesses, safety nets and non-slip boots, along with pre-season training and the mapping and controlled removal of high-risk trees. They also want ageing trees replaced with shorter hybrid varieties. Old trees need to be replaced as many of them have low yields, while decomposed branches also pose a serious risk to workers, said Muhamad Ashraf, a walnut farmer from Salia, Anantnag. He called for free distribution of hybrid walnut plants. The danger is not new. Every walnut harvest in Kashmir brings similar risks. In 2025, eight people died and several sustained severe injuries- including spinal damage. Among the victims was a 38-year-old Noor Muhammad of Lankreshipora, Bandipora, who died after being struck by a walnut branch. Our father left behind five children and my mother. He worked every day to provide for us. Now we are struggling to survive. Our relatives support us, but life has changed forever, said his elder son, Umar, 17. Neighbour Farooq Ahmad Reshi said Muhammad lived in abject poverty and had built a small house only months before his death. Walnut cultivation covers about 95,601 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir, more than 85% of India's walnut cultivation area, according to departmental data. Kashmir accounts for about 56,721 hectares, with Anantnag, Budgam, Pulwama and Kupwara among the major producing districts. Jammu and Kashmir produces about 2.66 lakh metric tonnes of walnuts annually, while growers face growing competition from imported walnuts, particularly from China, Chile and California. For labourers who depend on the harvest for seasonal income, one fall can take a breadwinner's life and leave a family struggling for years.

Secretary I&B reviews functioning of media units in Srinagar

Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Chanchal Kumar, IAS, today reviewed the functioning of various media units of the Ministry at Doordarshan Kendra (DDK) Srinagar. Representatives and officials of Doordarshan, Akashvani, Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) participated in the review meeting. The Secretary reviewed the news and programme content of Akashvani and Doordarshan and the campaigns and outreach activities undertaken by PIB and CBC. He expressed satisfaction over the overall functioning of the media units. Emphasising stronger digital outreach, the Secretary stressed the need to strengthen social media presence and audience engagement, particularly on Instagram, and called for the creation of engaging, audience-friendly video content on digital platforms. The media units were advised to undertake aggressive and sustained campaigning under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and strengthen Swachhata campaigns through news, programmes, social media and outreach activities. The Secretary also stressed better coordination and synchronisation among all media units for effective dissemination and greater public outreach. The meeting was attended by heads and senior officials of Doordarshan, Akashvani, PIB and CBC Srinagar, besides other officers and employees associated with the media units of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

El Nio health warning puts J&K on alert

A strengthening El Nio event has put India among countries facing high or very high health risks. According to a new World Health Organisation (WHO) assessment, there are increased concerns over heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases and water insecurity. The warning has particular relevance for J&K. Kashmir has experienced an unusually warm start to September. Temperatures at several stations are running above normal. Srinagar recorded a maximum of around 32C during the recent spell. India Meteorological Department has reported maximum temperatures 25C above normal at more than one place in Kashmir. Director Meteorology, IMD J&K, Mukhtar Ahmed said that September temperatures have been above normal. He, however, said the deviation has not been alarming. The beginning has been hotter than what we anticipate for September, he said. For Srinagar, IMDs 19912020 climatological normal shows average September temperatures of 13.1C for the minimum and 27.6C for the maximum. The month is usually cooler than the peak summer period. This September, however, has started considerably warmer. From September 18, Srinagars daily mean temperatures averaged about 25C, around 3C above normal. The maximum temperatures reached 32.5C on September 3 and 31.8C on September 8. The persistence of daytime temperatures around 3032C is therefore a notable departure from the usual September pattern. In Jammu, the IMD 19912020 September normal is substantially warmer, at about 23.2C minimum and 32.8C maximum. Jammu is experiencing a warmer-than-usual start to September, although the departure is much less striking than in Kashmir. On September 5, WHO released its Global Public Health Situation Analysis El Nio 2026. It identifies India among countries at high or very high health risk as El Nio alters weather patterns in many South Asian countries including India. This part of the earth is experiencing drier-than-normal conditions, along with above-normal heat during August-October. For J&K, especially Jammu division, the concern is not limited to heat, as rainfall patterns getting erratic have an impact on vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. WHO, however, has cautioned that the current rise in such diseases cannot automatically be attributed to El Nio. The phenomenon acts as a risk modifier. The effects depend on local weather and population vulnerability. The Union Health Ministry's National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control maintains J&K among the areas monitored for dengue. WHO has also warned that higher temperatures can increase the risk of impact on cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney and metabolic conditions. Pregnant women and newborns are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. Changes in rainfall and water availability also affect food production and nutrition. The warning comes as India's weather outlook itself points to a warmer September. The IMD has forecast below-normal rainfall for the month. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to remain above normal. The agency has also said the strengthening El Nio is contributing to the changing monsoon pattern in India. The developing El Nio is expected to remain a concern beyond the monsoon, as the event could persist until February 2027.

Drug trafficking accused escaped from NCB Jammu custody arrested in Punjab

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in close coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Punjab Police, on Thursday traced and apprehended Aqib Bashir, a notorious drug trafficker who had fled from NCB custody in Jammu. The operation is a strong example of three-day sustained search and tracking operation across J&K and Punjab and prompt coordination and intelligence sharing between J&K Police, Punjab Police and NCB besides the valuable support of the media fraternity in disseminating the alert, said an NCB Jammu spokesperson. It also reflected strong coordination between Central and state and UT agencies, spokesperson said. After fleeing from Jammu, the accused, according to the spokesperson, reached Jalandhar via the Pathankot route. He initially attempted to evade detection by taking shelter under the cover of darkness and hiding in a forest area near Narwal Fruit Mandi, Jammu. To conceal his identity, he clean-shaved, changed his clothes and altered his appearance. He subsequently used his contacts in Jalandhar to seek shelter and evade the search teams. Continuous intelligence inputs and coordinated field efforts enabled the agencies to track and narrow down his location. The NCB (Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh)Punjab Police team apprehended him when he was reportedly preparing to move towards Delhi or another state, spokesperson said, adding that the successful operation reflected the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination, real-time information sharing, sustained efforts and public cooperation.

Timelines, designated officer notified under PSGA

J&K Government has notified the timelines and designated officer or appellate authorities for the service of No Objection Certificate (NOC) for issuing solvent order license of Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. The timelines and designated officer or appellate authorities have been notified by the government in exercise of the powers conferred by section 4 read with section 8 of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Guarantee Act, 2011 (Act No. IX of 2011). As per the notification, the stipulated time frame for providing service will be 30 days and the designated officer will be the Director concerned of Department of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. Special Secretary, Department of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs will be the first appellate authority while Administrative Secretary, Department of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs will be the second appellate authority.

White Knight Corps GoC visits Poonch LoC

General Officer Commanding (GOC) White Knight Corps, Lt Gen PK Mishra on Thursday visited forward locations on Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and took stock of overall security scenario. Army said that GOC White Knight Corps visited these forward posts along the LoC to review operational preparedness and assess the prevailing security situation. The Corps Commander was briefed on the security environment, counter-infiltration measures, surveillance grid and initiatives to further enhance operational effectiveness, said army. Commending the troops for their high state of readiness, vigilance and commitment, the GOC exhorted all ranks to remain steadfast. He also asked troops to maintain the highest standards of operational preparedness and responsiveness, the army said.

Hailstorm, heavy rain damage maize, paddy crops in Rajouri

Several areas of Rajouri district received heavy hailstorm accompanied by intense rainfall, causing concern among farmers as maize and paddy crops are nearing the harvesting stage. Reports reaching from different parts of the district said that areas including Khawas, Kotranka and Peeri witnessed heavy hailstorm along with rainfall on Thursday, with farmers fearing damage to standing crops. The sudden weather event has come at a crucial time when farmers are preparing to begin harvesting maize and paddy in the coming weeks. The hailstorm could potentially damage mature maize cobs and paddy crops, affecting grain quality and overall production. Farmers have expressed concern over the unexpected weather conditions and sought assessment of the crop damage by the concerned authorities.

Jammu custodial death: BPP incharge, constable placed under suspension

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu Joginder Singh has placed in-charge Border Police Post (BPP) PSI Vikram Choudhary and Constable Rinku Kumar under suspension in case of death of a youth on September 9, in Police custody in R S Pura area. Pending enquiry into inquest proceeding initiated vide DDR No 35 dated September 9, 2026 at Police Station R S Pura relating to death of deceased Uttam Chand, son of Darshan Lal, resident of Rakh Chakroi, these officers/officials of BPP Chakroi are hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect, read an order issued by SSP Jammu. As per order, they will report to DPL Jammu and deposit uniform articles in DPL Store. However, they are entitled to draw subsistence allowances as admissible under rules, the order specified. SP Rural, Jammu has been directed to hold departmental enquiry against them and submit findings into the matter to DPO Jammu at the earliest for further course of action. Enquiry officer has also been directed to conduct a preliminary enquiry against SPOs Rajesh Choudhary, Ashwani Kumar and SPO Manpreet Singh for their conduct in connection with the incident. The three SPOs have been attached from BPP Chakroi to DPL Jammu with immediate effect.

Sawalkot HEP moves ahead with opening of Rs 5,129 Cr technical bid: NHPC

The ambitious Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project, being developed as one of the largest hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, has moved a step closer to implementation with the opening of the technical bid for its main construction works estimated at Rs 5,129 Cr. The technical bid was opened on September 9, marking a significant milestone in the execution of the long-awaited project, according to an NHPC press release. Head of Project (HOP), Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project (HEP), Satnam Singh, met NHPC Director (Personnel) Paresh Rasiklal Ranpara at the NHPC Regional Office in Jammu on Thursday and apprised him of the latest developments and progress achieved in connection with the project. During the meeting, Singh briefed the NHPC Director on key developments and various aspects of the project and also highlighted issues requiring the consideration and priority intervention of the NHPC management to ensure smooth progress. Ranpara assured the project authorities of full support and cooperation from the higher management and emphasised the need to facilitate the timely progress of the flagship project. The meeting was followed by a one-on-one interaction between the two officials, during which they discussed broader issues concerning the power and energy sector as well as matters specifically related to the Sawalkot project. As a gesture of appreciation, Singh, on behalf of the Sawalkot project, presented Ranpara with a specially designed project memento and invited him to visit the project headquarters. Ranpara, who concluded his three-day visit to the Jammu region on Thursday, also reviewed various projects being executed by NHPC independently as well as through the NHPC-led joint venture, Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL). The opening of the technical bid for the main construction package is expected to give further impetus to the implementation of the Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project and strengthen the region's hydropower infrastructure. The project is being closely watched for its potential to contribute significantly to Jammu and Kashmir's power generation capacity and to provide a major boost to infrastructure and economic activity in the Chenab valley.

Will not allow public concerns to be reduced to political rhetoric: LoP Sunil Sharma

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma on Thursday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not allow the concerns of the people to be pushed aside or reduced to political rhetoric. He reaffirmed it, while leading an extensive public outreach programme at the Jammu Convention Centre along with MLAs Sham Lal Sharma, Vikram Randhawa, Yudhvir Sethi, Arvind Gupta, Dr Rajeev Bhagat, Mohan Lal Bhagat and Surinder Bhagat. A large number of delegations representing different sections of society apprised the Leader of Opposition and BJP MLAs of their grievances, pending demands and issues concerning their livelihoods, employment, business, infrastructure and welfare. The delegations included representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, Traders Federation, NHM employees, Daily Wagers, OBC Samaj, Transporters, Industries Federation, Junior Pharmacists, Farmers, Sports Associations, PoJK Refugees, Citizen Cooperative Bank and many other organizations and sections of society. Sunil Sharma and the BJP MLAs gave a patient hearing to the delegations. He also directed the concerned departments to take immediate remedial measures. He also assured them that every genuine issue would be raised forcefully during the Assembly Session. Sharma said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had voted with great expectations for change, development, employment and better governance, but the NC government increasingly failed to live up to those expectations. Instead of addressing pressing public issues, he said, the government appeared more focused on excuses, political distractions and rhetoric while genuine concerns of employees, traders, farmers, youth, refugees, transporters and other sections continued to remain unresolved. LoP said, The BJP stands firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and will remain their strongest voice inside and outside the Legislative Assembly. BJP will not sit quietly while the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir are compromised by the failures and misgovernance of the NC government. Sunil Sharma said the BJPs public outreach was aimed at ensuring that the voice of every section reached the highest forums of governance. He added that BJP MLAs would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people and fight for their legitimate rights, dignity, development and a better future for Jammu and Kashmir.

Online waste bin booking service launched in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 10: Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Faz Lul Haseeb, along with Joint Commissioner SMC, Suhail Ul Islam, today launched the Online Waste Bin Booking Service, a digital facility aimed at making the process of requesting waste bins simpler, faster and more accessible for citizens. The service enables residents to submit their requests online without physically visiting SMC offices. The initiative is part of SMCs efforts to expand digital services and make civic service delivery more transparent, efficient and citizen-friendly. The system will also help the Corporation maintain a structured digital record of requests, monitor their status and facilitate better deployment of resources and field staff. Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner said the initiative reflects SMCs commitment to citizen-centric governance and technology-driven service delivery. Our focus is to bring municipal services closer to citizens through technology. The Online Waste Bin Booking Service is a simple yet significant step towards ensuring that residents can access essential civic services conveniently, while SMC is able to respond to their requirements in a more efficient, transparent and accountable manner. Citizens can submit their waste bin requirements along with necessary details, including their location and contact information, through the official SMC website: smcsrinagar.jk.gov.in The Commissioner directed the concerned officers and field functionaries to ensure the timely and efficient implementation of the service. He also stressed the need for wider public awareness so that residents can make full use of the digital facility. The initiative is part of SMCs ongoing efforts to strengthen sanitation and solid waste management through digital services, transparency, accountability and greater citizen participation, with the broader objective of building a cleaner, smarter and more responsive Srinagar.

'J&K can once again emerge as a global filmmaking destination'

Srinagar, Sep 10: Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting L. Murugan today said Jammu and Kashmir has the potential to once again emerge as a preferred destination for filmmakers from India and across the world. Addressing the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, Murugan said the festival reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of encouraging filmmakers to shoot and create films in Kashmir. Highlighting the regions distinctive landscapes and cinematic heritage, he expressed confidence in its renewed potential as a filmmaking destination. The Minister said India is emerging as a major global hub for media, digital content and virtual reality, and emphasised the Governments initiatives to strengthen the creative economy, including the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) and programmes supporting content creators and film production. Emphasising the need to equip young people with industry-relevant skills, Shri Murugan said the focus is on nurturing talent, strengthening industry linkages and providing quality infrastructure and opportunities. He noted the growing participation of Jammu and Kashmirs youth in filmmaking, scriptwriting and digital storytelling, and expressed hope that the festival would create new opportunities for local talent and foster collaboration with the wider creative industry. On the occasion Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Chanchal Kumar said Jammu and Kashmirs landscapes, literature, music and traditions offer significant potential to position the Union Territory as a destination for filmmakers and a hub for creative enterprises. He said the regions cinematic journey could be strengthened by connecting local talent with filmmakers, producers, mentors and audiences across India and the world. Referring to initiatives such as the Create Indian Challenge and WAVES Bazaar, Shri Kumar said young creators can develop skills, showcase their work and connect with industry, buyers, investors and collaborators. He also encouraged young people from Kashmir to explore opportunities at the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, and emphasised the need to take such opportunities closer to youth through outreach, workshops and guidance. The Secretary said professional film productions involving local talent as trainees and crew members could provide practical exposure and strengthen skills. He expressed hope that the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir would evolve into a sustained platform where local stories connect with producers, creative talent with mentors, and promising projects with opportunities.

No check on poultry prices in Srinagar, consumers question Govt inaction

Srinagar, Sep 10:The continued rise in poultry prices has become a growing concern for consumers across Srinagar, with households saying the high cost of chicken and eggs is adding to the pressure on already stretched family budgets. Chicken is currently being sold at Rs 180200 per kilogram in most markets, while a tray of 30 eggs is priced at over Rs 210 at several outlets. Consumers say poultry products, traditionally among the more affordable sources of protein, are gradually becoming less accessible to ordinary households. Residents said chicken and eggs form part of the regular diet of thousands of families, particularly children, elderly people and those advised to consume protein-rich food. However, the sustained increase in prices has prompted many families to reduce their purchases. We cannot afford to buy chicken as frequently as we used to. Earlier, we would buy it two or three times a week, but now we think twice before entering a poultry shop, said Abdul Rashid, a Hazratbal resident. Another consumer, Shabir Ahmad of Downtown Srinagar, said poultry prices had risen during the shortage of mutton supplies a few months ago, prompting many people to turn to chicken as an alternative. At that time, the increase was understandable because meat supplies were affected. But supplies returned to normal months ago. We expected chicken and egg prices to come down as well, but that never happened. The rates have remained almost the same, he said. Consumers are also concerned that prices could rise further during winter, when weather-related disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway can affect the transportation of essential commodities. If prices are already touching Rs 200 per kilogram now, what will happen in winter when highway closures become frequent? It is worrying for ordinary families, said a Rajbagh resident. Several residents also alleged that the absence of a regulated pricing mechanism has led to varying rates across localities, with differences of Rs 1020 reported between markets. They recalled that the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs earlier issued rate lists and conducted inspections to keep prices in check. Since the department no longer fixes retail poultry prices, they said, vendors have been charging according to prevailing market conditions and location. There is no uniformity anymore. Every shop has its own rate. There should be proper monitoring so that consumers are not left at the mercy of the market, said another customer. Residents have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the administration to monitor poultry markets closely, intensify inspections and explore measures to ensure reasonable and uniform pricing. They also urged the government to strengthen the role of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs in monitoring the market and protecting consumers from arbitrary pricing.

IUST Journalism students attend Master Classes at International Film Festival in Srinagar

Awantipora, Sep 10:The students of Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (DJMC), Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), attended the Master Classes at the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir at the SKICC, Srinagar, on September 8 and 9. The students, as per a statement, were given hands-on training in Camera Tech, OTT Writing, Animation, Editing, Cinematography, Sound Design and Screenplay Writing. The students, who were accompanied by Dr Sayar Ahamd Mir, Assistant Professor, DJMC, expressed their satisfaction over the conduct of the festival and learning opportunities they received. To mention, the four-day International Film Festival was inaugurated on September 7 with 135 films including 60 foreign entries being screened in an attempt to revive J&Ks long- association with cinema. The festival was organised by J&K Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation.

Sajid Yousuf seeks compensation for Warnow, Lolab fire victims, dedicated fire station

Kupwara, Sep 10: BJP Media Incharge Kashmir and Prabhari BJP Kupwara, Adv Sajid Yousuf Shah, has expressed deep sorrow over the devastating fire incident in Warnow, Lolab, which gutted several shops and left local traders facing heavy losses. Expressing solidarity with the affected shopkeepers and their families, Shah, as per a statement, said the incident has taken away not just shops and property but also the means of livelihood of families who have worked hard to build their businesses. He said the loss is particularly painful for those who have invested their savings or taken loans to establish their shops and support their families. He urged the District Administration Kupwara and the government to immediately assess the losses & provide adequate compensation and relief to all those affected by the fire.

JKCSF backs striking NHM employees, urges CM to intervene: Ab. Qayoom Wani

Srinagar, Sep 10: Chairman Jammu Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) and president Pensioners United Front Ab Qayoom Wani said NHM employees are the vital pillar of the healthcare delivery system in J&K. For years, thousands of these employees have worked tirelessly across hospitals, health centres and remote areas, often under difficult conditions, to ensure that essential healthcare reaches the people. Wani, as per a statement, said that it is unfortunate that despite their prolonged service and contribution, their legitimate concerns regarding salary revision, appropriate retirement benefits/Golden Handshake, EPF and social security, long-service and loyalty benefits, study and educational leave and other welfare measures continue to remain unresolved. Wani said the government must appreciate that these issues are not merely service matters; they directly concern the dignity, livelihood and future security of thousands of employees and their families. A workforce that has dedicated years to strengthening the public healthcare system deserves security, fairness and recognition. I, therefore, appeal to the Chief Minister and the concerned authorities to personally intervene, engage with the representatives of NHM employees and initiate a meaningful, time-bound process for resolving their grievances. Prolonging the impasse will only add to the difficulties of employees and may also affect healthcare services being provided to the people. The government should adopt a humane, conciliatory and positive approach instead of pressure tactics and ensure that the genuine concerns of NHM employees are addressed with the urgency they deserve. JKCSF stands firmly with the NHM employees in their legitimate struggle for dignity, justice, fair remuneration and social security. Their years of service to the people of J&K must not go unrecognised.

Omar government committed to development, prosperity, justice: Showkat Mir

Srinagar, Sep 10:The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President Kashmir Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir, Thursday, hailed the people-friendly and welfare-orientated measures undertaken by the Omar Abdullah government. He said that the government has made significant progress in the areas of public welfare, development and provision of basic amenities. He said that this progress has left opponents, including the BJP and PDP, rattled, prompting them to resort to misleading statements, false propaganda and fabricated narratives. However, he said, the people of Kashmir are well aware of the intentions and past record of these self-serving and Kashmir-opposed parties. Interacting with party functionaries, workers and various public delegations from different areas at the party headquarters, Showkat Mir, as per a party statement, said that the positive impact of the public-oriented measures taken by the Omar Abdullah government over the past two years is reaching the people. He said that providing relief to the people remains the governments foremost priority and that every decision and initiative is being undertaken keeping public interests at the centre. From the very first day, he said, the government began taking decisions aimed at public welfare and continues to work along the same lines. Showkat Mir said that the National Conference would continue its selfless service to the people and pursue its struggle for development, prosperity and justice while giving voice to public aspirations. He urged party office-bearers and workers to put in their utmost efforts to further strengthen the party and maintain close contact with the people. He asked workers to remain with the people in their times of happiness and distress, understand their problems and difficulties, and use their influence to help resolve them.

CM Omar calls for making J&K hub for film production

Srinagar, Sep 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for transforming Jammu and Kashmir from merely a sought-after filming location into a vibrant centre for storytelling, talent development and film-making, as he addressed the concluding ceremony of the four-day International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at the SKICC back lawns along the shores of Dal Lake. Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, J&K's Council of Ministers, Advisor to the Chief Minister, several J&K legislators, Chief Secretary J&K, Secretary, Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, and senior officers of civil and police administration were present on the occasion. Addressing filmmakers, artists, members of the jury, delegates from India and abroad, students, young filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts, the Chief Minister said the first edition of IFFJK had demonstrated that the idea of creating a meaningful new platform for cinema in Jammu and Kashmir had found both an audience and a purpose. Four days ago, we gathered here to raise the curtain on the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir. At that time, the festival was an idea being testedan invitation, an experiment and, above all, a hope that Jammu and Kashmir could create a meaningful new platform for cinema. Tonight, as this first edition comes to a close, we can say that the idea has found both an audience and a purpose, he said. The Chief Minister noted that over the four days, IFFJK had brought filmmakers and audiences together, connected established professionals with young aspirants and created a space where cinema from Jammu and Kashmir could engage with India and the world. He said the participation of young people from J&K was particularly encouraging, with conversations during the festival extending across storytelling, filmmaking craft, technology and collaboration. Referring to the participation of 120 films from over 30 countries, Omar Abdullah said the scale of the festival was important, but its deeper value lay in the connections created among people from different backgrounds and stages of their cinematic journeys. A young writer meeting a director, an aspiring filmmaker learning from a professional, or two people meeting here who may one day make a film togetherthese encounters, he said, represented the enduring value of a festival such as IFFJK. Congratulating those recognised and honoured during the festival, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the jury, filmmakers, delegates, film fraternity, organisers, volunteers and audiences whose participation gave the inaugural edition its energy and meaning. He also highlighted the emotional significance of bringing iconic films associated with Kashmir back to the shores of Dal Lake during the festival. Recalling his remarks at the opening ceremony about Jammu and Kashmirs long association with cinema, he said films such as Junglee, Arzoo, Kashmir Ki Kali and KabhiKabhie had been screened against the very landscape that had helped make them memorable. For decades, Kashmir travelled to audiences through the cinema screen; this week, in a sense, the screen came back to Kashmir, the Chief Minister said, describing the floating cinema as one of the defining memories of the first IFFJK. However, he emphasised that nostalgia alone could not define the future of cinema in Jammu and Kashmir. Our ambition must go beyond being a beautiful filming location: Jammu and Kashmir must increasingly become a place from which stories emerge, talent is discovered, and films are conceived and created, he said. The Chief Minister stressed that J&K had far more to offer cinema than its landscapes, pointing to the regions cities, towns and villages, languages, literature, music, crafts, history and everyday lives as a rich source of stories. Our landscapes may bring filmmakers here, but our stories, our people and a professional filmmaking environment can bring them back, he said. Calling for a two-way relationship with the wider film world, Omar Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir should continue to welcome filmmakers from India and across the world while simultaneously creating opportunities for local talent to find audiences, collaborators and opportunities beyond the region. He placed particular emphasis on investing in young people and said the long-term success of IFFJK should not be judged merely by the number of films screened or personalities who participated. Ten years from now, IFFJKs success will be measured not only by the films screened or the personalities who joined us, but by the careers that began here, the opportunities and collaborations it created, and the stories from Jammu and Kashmir that reached audiences across India and the world, he said. The Chief Minister said the presence of filmmakers and artists had given the first edition of IFFJK its stature, adding that the most meaningful tribute to their contribution would be to build on the inspiration and opportunities created during the festival and help a new generation from J&K find its place in cinema. He called for IFFJK to evolve beyond a four-day annual event into a continuing platform for screenings, learning, training and collaboration throughout the year. He said the future shape of the festival should be informed by the experiences and feedback of participants and audiences. Government can provide the platform and an enabling environment, but a vibrant film culture must be sustained by the creative community itself, CM Omar said. Highlighting the wider economic potential of the film sector, the Chief Minister said cinema could support professionals, local services, artists, craftspeople and businesses. He emphasised that filmmaking activity in Jammu and Kashmir should create a lasting local impact in the form of developing skills, generating employment and stronger capabilities. Films coming to Jammu and Kashmir should therefore leave behind not only memorable images, but also skills, employment and stronger local capabilities. Our mountains and lakes may bring filmmakers here once; the experience of working here must bring them back again, he said. Extending an invitation to visiting filmmakers, actors and delegates, the CM urged them to return to Jammu and Kashmir to shoot, write, teach, collaborate and discover more of the region. Addressing young filmmakers and storytellers, he encouraged them to learn the craft, experiment and begin telling stories rooted in their own surroundings. Tell the stories of your neighbourhoods, villages, families and generation. Some of cinemas most powerful stories are intimate and local; what matters is that the voice is authentic and the craft is strong, he said. Concluding his address at the shores of Dal Lake, the Chief Minister said the setting was particularly appropriate for the conclusion of the first IFFJK. He drew a parallel between Dal Lakes reflection of the mountains, sky and changing seasons and cinemas longstanding role in reflecting Kashmir to the world. Perhaps the opportunity before us now is for Jammu and Kashmir increasingly to reflect itself through cinema to tell its own stories, in its own voices and with confidence, and to share them with audiences across India and the world, he said. CM Omar said the conclusion of the first edition should not mark the end of the idea that brought the festival together. If, years from now, filmmakers from Jammu and Kashmir are standing at festivals across the world with stories that first found encouragement or opportunity here, we may look back on these four days as the moment when something enduring began beside Dal Lake, he said. The Chief Minister thanked everyone associated with the inaugural edition of IFFJK and expressed hope of welcoming the filmmakers, artists, delegates and cinema fraternity back to Jammu and Kashmir.

Judicial Officer Bourney recommended as judge of J&K, Ladakh HC

Srinagar, Sep 10:The Supreme Court Collegium on Thursday recommended the appointment of judicial officer Yash Paul Bourney as a judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on September 10, 2026, has approved the proposal for the appointment of Yash Paul Bourney, Judicial Officer, as a Judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, a statement issued by the Collegium today said. Born on August 25, 1967, Bourney entered judicial service on December 1, 1997. A resident of Dadwara Bhaddu in the Billawar area of Kathua district, Bourney entered into suppertime scale of District and Sessions Judge on August 30, 2011. Bourney is currently serving on deputation as a Member of the J&K Special Tribunal, Jammu, where he was posted on November 14, 2025.

J&K cabinet puts Mission Skill, Home Stay policies on hold

Jammu, Sep 10:Jammu and Kashmir cabinet, led by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Thursday decided to put on hold the Mission Skill and Home Stay policies for further deliberations yet cleared rest of entire agenda, including the government business to be transacted during the ensuing autumn session of J&K Legislative Assembly. Among the major proposals, according to sources, considered by the cabinet, which met in Srinagar on Thursday evening, for approval also included the bill related to Ease of Doing Business, which formed part of government business, besides regular yet crucial administrative agenda items. The cabinet, following deliberations, also okayed construction of flyover from Muthi flyover to Shakuntala theatre in Jammu; industrial park under BHAVYA scheme in Vijaypur of Samba district for which transfer of land will be made to the Industry and Commerce department; transfer of land to BSNL for saturation of 4G mobile services in uncovered villages in J&K and transfer of 3-kanal Shamlat land to the Agriculture Production Department for SabziMandi at Sopore. Besides, a few promotions, as per routine agenda, were also effected by the cabinet. Following the cabinet approval, all cleared agenda items will be sent for the Lieutenant Governors nod. With regard to Mission Skill and Home Stay policies, which too were among agenda items before the cabinet, sources stated that they were discussed yet could not get approval. More information was sought by the cabinet about both the policies. They will be taken up before the cabinet for further deliberations and approval next time, sources maintained. The government business, considered for approval during the cabinet meeting, comprised four bills including the bill related to Ease of Doing Business (EODB), which was revised after addressing the concerns related to Industry and Commerce, Housing and Urban Development and Fire Services departments. Earlier on September 2, the J&K cabinet was given a presentation on the EODB bill by the concerned officials. The EODB issue was part of the August 4, 2026 cabinet meeting as well given its importance yet the approval (by cabinet) was put on hold in wake of certain queries by the ministers. The significant proposed bill once approved will see drastic reduction vis--vis requirement of No Objection Certificates by various government departments or agencies. The bills cleared by cabinet, after getting the Lieutenant Governors approval, will be introduced in the upcoming J&K Assembly session, commencing from September 21 in Srinagar. Following the meeting, an official spokesperson said that the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a meeting of the Council of Ministers in Srinagar today. The meeting deliberated and considered various proposals concerning public welfare and governance. Earlier, the Chief Minister, while speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an official function in Srinagar, described the cabinet meeting as a routine monthly exercise, mandatory to keep administrative wheels functioning. Cabinet meeting is a regular exercise, convened at least once in a month. After all, one cannot afford hindrance in governance agenda, CM Omar stated, while responding to media queries about the cabinet meeting. This was the first cabinet meeting after the Chief Ministers much hyped meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the union capital on September 4, where the issues related to statehood, business rules, reservation and other pending files figured during the deliberations.

Lost in projection

Srinagar, Sep 10:A high-profile film scheduled to play in the World Cinema section of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) was unexpectedly removed from the programme amid technical failures and apparent organisational disarray, the filmmaker and his producer said. The film, Swaha, a multi-award winner with a premiere at the Shanghai Festival and more than 17 international prizes and appearances at over 50 festivals, was due to screen in the World Cinema lineup. Abhilash Sharma has always held a profound appreciation for the Magahi language, which not only serves as his mother tongue but is also intricately woven into his narratives. Swaha, his second feature, was inspired by the same. It won awards at the Shanghai International Film Festival and is now travelling within India. Director Abhilash Sharma told Greater Kashmir that he learned about the cancellation only after arriving at the venue for a technical check. Festival staff did not inform him in advance, he said, and offered no clear explanation. They cancelled the screening without notifying me, Sharma said. When I tried to find the venue and go for a technical check, I discovered my film was off the schedule. Later they told me they would reschedule, but we were then offered a slot in Screen 1 the next day, and the technical quality was unacceptable. Sharma described the decision to programmeSwaha at the festival as particularly fraught because of the films strong festival track record. When you select a film in World Cinema, and a film like Swaha with such a record is treated this way, its not a good feeling, he said. Multiple filmmakers and producers interviewed at the festival painted a picture of repeated failures in screening standards and management. Problems reported included films flickering or jittering in the middle of screenings, subtitles rendered outside the visible frame, and insufficient personnel to address urgent technical problems. One film reportedly stopped mid-projection because of technical faults. Every time I asked someone about the problems, the reply was, Sorry, sir, we dont know anything, Sharma said. Theres no one responsible for the quality of screening. The resources are there, but it's complete mismanagement. The disruption affected other titles as well. Organisers had scheduled a run check night intended for technical rehearsals. Another film, 'The Scientist Who Runs at Night', directed by MithunPramanik, had screened earlier that morning. Pramanik said a screening was underway when complications emerged, and Screen 2 was reportedly full despite the problems. A producer who attended said their own film produced by a small team including the filmmakers husband and several collaborators, played to a tiny audience. Three of us were there: I, my daughter, my husband, and the empty seats, the producer said. Several attendees said the identity of the festival leadership was unclear to guests on the ground. Industry observers say such failures can damage a festivals credibility and harm the filmmakers who rely on festivals for exposure, distribution deals, and press attention. Film festivals should be run by people who understand filmmaking and exhibition, National Award-winning film director, screenwriter, editor, and producer Onir (AnirbanDhar) told Greater Kashmir. This isnt the first time problems have come up. There needs to be accountability. For filmmakers, technical presentation is not a peripheral matter. Poor projection, faulty subtitles, and sudden cancellations can compromise a films reception, reviews, and the networking opportunities that festivals provide. Producers present at the festival said they left frustrated and worried that their work would not reach the audiences and buyers they had hoped to attract. What happens next remains unclear.Organisers reportedly offered rescheduled slots for some films, but filmmakers said the proposed replacements were unsuitable given concerns about projection quality. Several participants said they would consider lodging formal complaints and documenting the technical failures. Such concerns raise broader questions about professional standards at international festivals and the oversight structures that ensure screenings meet basic technical criteria, he said. Filmmakers and producers who spoke to Greater Kashmir urged festival organisers to appoint experienced exhibition professionals and establish clear chains of responsibility for projection and subtitle quality. Where are the schedules of the films? Who on earth cancels a screening even after announcements at these festivals? The Dharamshala Film Festival has become a benchmark because it is run by film professionals, not Babus, Kashmiri-American linguist and artist SadafMunshi said. It feels sad when you see halls empty and filmmakers ending up watching their movies alone. It is complete mismanagement. Secretary Information, Muneer-ul-Islam, said that it was a good beginning. It took lot of effort for the CM to ensure that such festival is organised in Kashmir. I am sure it will keep improving. There was scope for a lot of improvement, he said. Director of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Shreya Singhal, who is also the festival director, told Greater Kashmir, The festival is witnessing a rousing response and is going absolutely well. Responding to concerns raised by filmmakers, Singhal said, I knew this was going to come. She said the festival had gotten off to a good beginning and that there was considerable scope for further improvement and engagement as it progressed.

CM Omar bets on film industry to create jobs for Kashmir youth

Srinagar , Sep 10:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the ongoing International Film Festival J&K (IFFJK) in Kashmir could open a new avenue of employment for local youth saying the government was working to equip young people with skills required by the film industry. Talking to reporters at Gupkar, CM Omar said efforts were being made to train local youth in areas such as camera work and film production so that they could secure opportunities in the growing industry. You will definitely get a chance, but a new series of employment can start here, he said. The CM said that the government was, from the first day of the festival, looking at ways to help local youth enter the film industry. He said that local youngsters would be encouraged to undertake courses in camera work, production and other technical aspects of filmmaking, enabling them to get opportunities to work in the sector. On a protest by a Kashmiri Pandit seeking accommodation, CM Omar questioned the basis of the demand, saying that accommodation had already been allotted to those eligible. Which Kashmiri Pandit is without accommodation? Not one of them is homeless, he said. The CM said the administration was ready to address the issue if anyone genuinely required accommodation, but criticised that people have a tendency to protest without sufficient reason. This has become a tradition to protest for no reason, he said. CM Omar said anyone still requiring accommodation should approach the administration, saying that those eligible had been allotted accommodation. On the controversy surrounding the playing of the full stanzas of Vande Mataram at official functions, he said the administration was bound by statutory obligations and that the requirement applied across the country, not merely in Jammu and Kashmir. The CM said official functions featuring the national anthem would also include the national song as required under the applicable law, arguing that the issue should not be turned into a controversy. We have never accepted Vande Mataram as a party. We will not accept it in the future either. But we will have to fulfil our legal and statutory obligations, he said. CM Omar also defended National Conference chief spokesman TanvirSadiq over remarks concerning the historical poverty of Kashmiris, saying the issue was documented by historians including Walter Lawrence. He said Kashmir witnessed a period of severe poverty when people were trapped under the influence of landlords and other intermediaries, and eferring to that history did not warrant an apology. This is a historical fact. But Kashmir has since progressed to a stage where families were educating their children and producing doctors and engineers, the CM said. Neither Tanvir nor any other party member needs to tender apology for what Tanvir said on poverty in Kashmir. He also accused the BJP and PDP of having a common issue and playing together on the controversy. On the upcoming BRICS summit in Delhi, CM Omar said the governments functioning would not be affected, saying that the Cabinet meets every month and that the governments agenda could not be halted.

PM Modi expected to visit Ladakh by Sep end

Kargil, Sep 10:Prime Minister NarendraModi is expected to visit Ladakh later this month, a possible visit that comes amid a series of measures by the Centre and the Union Territory administration aimed at addressing long-standing political and developmental concerns in the region. PM Modi is expected to visit Ladakh soon to inaugurate key infrastructure projects and interact directly with the local populace. The upcoming high-level visit was indicated by Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju during a public address in Leh recently, although he did not mention any dates. Speaking at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Druk Padma Karpo School in Shey, Union Minister Rijijuemphasised the Prime Ministers deep commitment to the border state. While a final itinerary is being finalised by the administration, officials suggest the PM will launch a package of major infrastructure initiatives several of which are nearing completion focusing on all-weather border connectivity, telecommunications, and civic amenities. A major highlight of the upcoming engagement involves significant policy shifts regarding the J&Ks administrative and constitutional governance. According to government statements, the Ministry of Home Affairs is actively finalising special provisions under Article 371 for Ladakh. These proposed constitutional safeguards aim to protect the unique cultural identity, land rights, and socioeconomic interests of the local Himalayan population. In addition, the Centre is executing a structural expansion to decentralise grassroots democracy and administration across the region. Key reforms in motion include creation of seven new administrative districts alongside the establishment of corresponding councils to empower local governance; setting up a dedicated bench of the High Court in Ladakh to streamline access to justice for residents; and timely completion of last-mile road projects and communication networks in forward locations near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The visit could acquire significance beyond its immediate itinerary. It comes at a time when the Centre and Ladakh are discussing a new political and constitutional framework for the Union Territory, even as a series of confidence-building measures have been announced in recent months. The administration has already announced the extension of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council system to all seven districts of the Union Territory. Ladakh, which had only Leh and Kargil as its districts, now has five additional districts Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass. The proposed governance architecture also includes a UT-level elected body under a customised Article 371 framework. Current discussions between Ladakh representatives and the Centre are considering enhanced safeguards for land, employment, culture, and local governance. The precise powers and constitutional provisions, however, are still being negotiated. Against this political backdrop, PM Modis possible visit is also expected to take him to Chumur, a remote settlement close to the Line of Actual Control, where the government is developing Ladakhs first model border village under the Vibrant Villages Programme. Chumur is the first of 10 border villages planned to be developed as model border villages in the first phase of the programme.

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Creation in pairs

Allah (SwT)s creation embodies a universally applied principle---Creation in Pairs. It is One and Only Allah (SwT) Who is beyond possessing a pair, a likeness or an equal, otherwise the principle of pairs holds in all things, as ordained: Glory to Allah, exalted beyond all, Who created pairs in all things that the earth produces, as well as their own selves (human kind) and many other things of which you know nothing (36:36) There are three examples of pairs as noted in the Holy Verse: pairs produced by the earth, pairs of selves (human kind) and many other created pairs of which we have no knowledge Pairs produced by the earth may be listed as: similar pairs that differ in their physical and chemical characteristics e.g. metals and nonmetals, biologically opposed pairs--the male and the female sexes of plants and animals and physically opposed pairs, these include: electrically opposed pairs--positively and negatively electrically charged ions and magnetically opposed pairs--the poles of a magnet referred to as North and South respectively. Pairs of selves (human kind): e.g. could be--men and women (opposite partners) complimentary personality traits: cruel/compassionate, brave/cowardly, generous/miserly and traits which are similar but subject to opposite value judgements: barbarism/courage, hypocrisy/consideration. Many other created pairs of which we have no knowledge: Turkish scholar--Dr. Haluk Nurbaki in his treatise VERSES FROM GLORIOUS KORAN AND FACTS OF SCIENCES speculates that some of the created pairs could be-- processes of energy emission and absorption which physics and astrophysics have recognized in recent times and forces of attraction and repulsion--gravitation counterbalanced by centrifugal forceif the opposite between these forces did not exist, all planets would either fall in their respective suns or be flung into outer space. It emerges thus that Divine Shaping of Pairs is mandatory for maintaining Universal Balance.

The Child Behind the Adult

We live in a generation that talks about mental health more openly than ever before. We have learned the wordsanxiety, depression, trauma, attachment, emotional neglect, burnout, people-pleasing, boundaries. We know how to identify symptoms, name patterns and sometimes even recognise them in ourselves. And that is progress. But perhaps there is something more important than learning the name of a wound. Perhaps we need to learn how to understand where it came from. Because before there was an anxious adult, there was a child who was trying to feel safe. Before there was an adult who could not trust people, there may have been a child who learned, very early, that trusting someone came with consequences. Before there was a perfectionist constantly terrified of failure, there may have been a child who discovered that mistakes changed the way people looked at them. Before there was someone who struggled to express their emotions, there may have been a child who was repeatedly told to stop crying, stop being sensitive, stop making a fuss. We often meet people at the end of their story and judge them for the behaviours they have developed, without ever asking about the beginning. A teenager becomes withdrawn, and everyone asks, Why dont you talk to anyone? A child becomes angry, and the adults ask, Why are you behaving like this? Someone becomes excessively sensitive, and we tell them they need to toughen up. Someone becomes desperate for reassurance, and we call them needy. Someone becomes distant, and we call them cold. Someone becomes obsessed with achievement, and we praise their ambition without wondering why failure feels unbearable to them. We see the behaviour. We rarely see the child who learned it. Psychology has increasingly shown us how deeply our early environments can influence the way we understand ourselves and the world around us. Childhood does not simply pass through us as a collection of memories. Our relationships, experiences and environments can help shape the ways we regulate emotions, understand relationships, respond to stress and perceive our own worth. A child is constantly learning. Not only from what we tell them, but from what we repeatedly show them. They learn whether love is consistent or conditional. Whether mistakes are safe. Whether emotions are welcomed or punished. Whether asking for help brings comfort or humiliation. Whether conflict means temporary disagreement or the threat of abandonment. Whether they are allowed to be childrenor whether they have to become adults too soon. And children are remarkably adaptive. They adapt to survive the environments they are given. The problem is that sometimes the very adaptations that helped a child survive can follow them into adulthood. The child who learned to stay quiet to avoid conflict may become an adult who cannot express what they need. The child who learned to monitor everyones moods may become an adult who constantly reads between the lines of every message and every silence. The child who learned that being useful earned affection may grow into an adult who feels guilty whenever they put themselves first. The child who was never allowed to fail may grow into someone who would rather not try than risk being imperfect. And then, years later, we look at that adult and ask, Why are you like this? Perhaps that is the wrong question. Perhaps the better question is: When did you first learn that you had to be this way? This does not mean that every mental-health difficulty begins in childhood. Human psychology is far more complicated than that. Genetics, biology, temperament, relationships, social circumstances, trauma, ongoing stress and countless other factors shape us throughout our lives. Childhood is not a sentence. It is a foundation. And foundations can be repaired. There is another uncomfortable truth we sometimes avoid: parents are often raising children while carrying their own unfinished childhoods. A parent who never learned how to regulate anger may struggle to teach emotional regulation. A parent who grew up believing that vulnerability was weakness may unknowingly teach the same lesson to their child. And so, without anyone consciously intending it, wounds can travel from one generation to another. That is why understanding our childhood should not become an exercise in blaming our parents for everything that went wrong. It should become an exercise in understanding. Because there is a difference between saying, My parents ruined me, and saying, Something happened in my childhood that shaped the way I learned to protect myself, and now I want to understand it. The second one gives us something the first does not. It gives us agency. Perhaps this is where our modern conversation about mental health needs to go next. We have become remarkably good at naming our struggles. But knowing the label is not the same as healing the wound. Calling someone anxiously attached does not tell us what they are afraid of losing. Calling someone a people-pleaser does not tell us why disappointing others feels so dangerous. Calling someone a perfectionist does not tell us what they believe will happen if they fail. Calling someone emotionally unavailable does not tell us what vulnerability once cost them. A label can describe a pattern. Understanding asks why the pattern had to exist in the first place. And perhaps that is what we owe ourselvesand the children growing up around us. Instead of only asking children, Why are you behaving this way? perhaps we should sometimes ask, What are you trying to tell me through this behaviour? Instead of immediately correcting an angry child, perhaps we should wonder what the anger is protecting. Instead of dismissing a teenager who suddenly withdraws, perhaps we should ask what made connection feel unsafe. Instead of telling a sensitive child to grow up, perhaps we should teach them that having feelings does not make them weak. Because one day, that child will become an adult. And we may meet them again years laterin the form of someone who cannot trust, cannot rest, cannot ask for help, cannot accept love, cannot forgive themselves for making mistakes, or cannot believe they are worthy without constantly proving it. And when that happens, perhaps we should remember: There is still a child somewhere inside that adult. A child who once learned how the world worked from the people closest to them. A child who did not have the vocabulary to explain what was hurting. A child who could not leave. A child who could only adapt. And perhaps healing begins when the adult finally turns back toward that childnot with shame, but with understanding. We cannot rewrite our childhood. We cannot go back and give ourselves every conversation, apology, hug, boundary or reassurance we needed. But we can learn. We can notice the patterns. We can question the beliefs we inherited. We can seek help. We can choose differently. And perhaps most importantly, we can make sure that the children who come after us do not have to spend their adulthood healing from the childhood we gave them. Because maybe the goal of understanding mental health is not simply to become better at identifying what is wrong with people. Maybe it is to become curious enough to ask what happened before the symptoms appeared. To look beyond the behaviour. Beyond the diagnosis. Beyond the label. And to remember that sometimes, behind the adult we are struggling to understand, there is simply a child who learned to survive the only way they knew how. Baiza Mushtaq, alumna GK School of Communication

Law and Intangible Heritage

The book Intangible Cultural Heritage under National and International Law: Going beyond the 2003 UNESCO Convention published in 2020 is edited by Marie Cornu, Anita Vaivade, Lily Martinet and Clea Hance is based on the Osmose project initiated in 2014 to study the legal regimes established in different countries to safeguard the ICH. The editors and their team coordinated an international study on the ICH in about 26 countries. A comprehensive questionnaire was circulated among informed members in these countries to elicit information regarding the comprehension and negotiation of the pertinent national laws and how these national laws were modified, or may be retained, in light of the provisions of the UNESCO convention of 2003. After collecting the responses to the questionnaire, the editors have categorized, commented and expanded on the responses under several broad heads like environment and the ICH, interaction between the national and the international laws, the national and international tools for the safeguarding of the ICH, and, importantly, the judicialization of the ICH. All complexities involved in the institutionalization of laws at the local, national and international levels about the ICH are put forward in a transparent manner without prejudice or unconditional bolstering of the clauses of the UNESCO Convention. This is the first such comprehensive study on the connection between the international legal framework and the national legal instruments for safeguarding the ICH. The UNESCO convention of 2003 on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is an important milestone in the discussion on the global ICH. There was a tacit recognition of the fact in organization of the Convention that cultural diversity and heritage are an equivalent of the environmental biodiversity. Both are sine qua non for the material and spiritual welfare of the human beings. A community loses its bearings without the notion of heritage. Soon after the convention, the member states of the United Nations ratified the convention. Subsequent to the ratification, measures as envisioned in the convention were thought about, deliberated at the national level and sought to be put into practice. India also became a signatory to the UNESCO convention of 2003 and ratified the convention in 2005. The 2003 convention provided a broad framework about the nature, definition, implications and the necessity of the safeguarding of the ICH. To that end, following the convention, an inter-governmental committee for the safeguarding of the ICH was constituted at the international level under the aegis of the UNESCO, which in turn led to the creation of inventories at the national level, and the procedure for inscription in the list of the ICH. There is already a procedure for the inscription of the ICH item in the UNESCO, however, now, after the ratification of the 2003 convention by member states of the United Nations, inscription processes were initiated at the nation level. To say that the member states ratified the UNESCO convention does not imply that prior to the Convention there was no mechanism in place to safeguard the ICH. The different nation states had created mechanisms to protect the intangible cultural heritage. The Convention reenergized efforts in this direction, and provided a clear and comprehensive framework to understand the nature and implications of the ICH, in addition to providing an international legitimacy to the notion of the ICH by instituting discussion on a prestigious global platform. In different countries the nomenclature was variegated and often confusing. In some countries, the term, cultural heritage was used, in others the terms like, folklore or even folk culture or popular culture were used. A colorful array of terms and expressions were used to discuss the heritage elements and those who practiced these aspects of the heritage. In some countries the term heritage holders was used for the communities dealing with a particular heritage, in others the expression used was the living communities. The UNESCO convention of 2003 for the first time clubbed all these words, phrases and terms together, and used the umbrella term Intangible Cultural Heritage. No doubt there were linguistic and cultural problems in merging the divergent usages, however, countries since the ratification have tried to bring their nomenclatures in line with the widely accepted intangible cultural heritage, and then branching away from it to create sub sets. An important dimension that the book discusses is the judicialization of the ICH before and more so after the UNESCO 2003 Convention. The terrain of the ICH is not devoid of the tedious lawsuits. The interests of the heritage holders and the evolving laws about animals and environment have often clashed, resulting in the bitter litigation process. Hence, some rituals which are part of the heritage of a community are often seen at odds with the evolving dynamics of the animal rights. For example, to give just one instance, among scores of others from the 26 countries studied by the editors, bull fighting may be a longstanding game associated with some communities in Europe, but in the contemporary discussion about animal rights, the game is seen as an anathema, an eyesore to those who plead for the rights of the animals, especially in the scenarios where the threat of physical violence is patent. Same applies to cockfighting. There are several such case studies, where the notion of heritage has had a head on collision with the current delimitation of the rights of animals. Some of the ICH have met with stiff resistance when it comes to their inscription in the inventories at the national level. A number of inscriptions have been challenged and had to be removed from the inventories. The inventories, by the way, are at the local level as well, in some countries. The ICH and the mechanisms to protect it is a fraught territory with contesting claims of the stakeholders and the legal machinery. The judicialization is no debilitating bar to the rich inventories that have been created hitherto. The field of the ICH is vast and heterogenous, with the scope to nurture traditions that have stood in good stead of the communities they are a part of, in shaping their identities, perspectives on life and the world and lending a sense of stability and continuity. The book is a good resource for scholars of different fields like heritage studies, humanities, anthropology, history, law etc. With the presentation of actual comparative case studies from countries that have ratified the Convention, the understanding of the ICH becomes clearer. In Kashmir, the need for sound legal instruments to safeguard the ICH is needed more than ever before, for the threat of extinction to the ICH is imminent, with an emergent and striking cultural gap between generations. A legal instrument can provide the pivot for identifying and creating the perimeters of the ICH, with an assurance of transference of the same to the future generations. Dr. Javaid Iqbal Bhat, Associate Professor, South Campus, UoK

Sufi View of Paradise and Immortality

Nothing is annihilated in its reality, although its sensible form may be effaced. This immortality of forms is a grace of Allah. (Fusus al-Hikam Fas Ilyasiyah) Secularist, agnostic and atheistic objections to the idea of afterlife are well known but Sufi understanding of the latter is not so well known. Exposing oneself to the Sufiystical/metaphysical view dissolves these objections. Let us have a glimpse of them. Other world is better described as higher world and the two worlds here and there are ultimately not separated. The Beyond can be within though too deep to be accessed ordinarily. None of us not even among atheists is ready to go for certain sins. It means all of us live lives with some consciousness of sin that costs us exile from heaven that is the serenity of spirit that accompanies clear conscience. Dreyfus and Kellys All Things Shining shows how there remain a lot of entry points to certain space that partakes of Heaven a fulfilled or meaningful life is the life giving shade of heaven we all seek here open for those who don t know God as believers know Him. The world is indeed a ravishing bride or houri that chooses to unveil before all who care to see. Dostoveskyean insight This very garden is the Garden of Eden is shared by saints of all traditions. How challenging it is to feel this when one strolls in ones garden. Darshan or deedar of a saint or prophet is a vision of Heaven. It is prophets, saints, sages, artists messengers of love and beauty that invite us to exchange the hell of our own making for the Heaven. Heaven is accessible here and now, albeit partially, to all. And if we havent found a semblance of heaven here, we cant get it there. It isnt a deal with insurance company that you pay premiums for life here and get returns there. Every moment is, to transpose Renans metaphor for nation, a plebiscite for heaven or hell. God has ordained self determination. Ibn Abbas has said God has kept paradise here and one who doesnt enter it here cant enter it in afterlife either. Hafiz says: Passing beyond Lifes pains and pleasures, I have reached a spot, Where there is neither heaven nor hell! The mystics dont demand any compensation in some other world; here and now he sees the face of the Beloved and unties all the knots and is liberated from all the fetters: Thy glory is manifest without a veil even today: I am wondering why there is the promise of tomorrow. In Hadi Hasans Golden Treasury of Persian Poetry edited by M S Israeli we read lines from Hafiz: The two worlds are but one blaze of His lustrous face:/ this is my exoteric comment to thee, and the esoteric as well. [When I am getting paradise in cash today why should I trust the hermits words and hid paradise of tomorrow?] Imperishable walls of Heaven are built of love as, in Hafizs words, Perishable is every edifice save the edifice of love which is imperishable. It is in this context that we can comprehend what Ibn Arabi has to say on immortality and Heaven. For Ibn Arabi God/ the Real/ Being is our Origin and End to whom/which is return and what is indestructible is the Face of God/the Real. It means that the fellowship of God is being in ones home. But people have fuzzy and fantastic notions and even doubts about heaven, our real home. If a man succeeds in being loyal to himself or divine image on which he is created, he enters what has been called terrestrial paradise. Sheikh s Nr ad-Dn Ahmad (Schuon) writes: What is paradise? It is the inward nature of pure Existence; to be in conformity with that nature is to be carried by the wave of becoming toward beatitude. To be in conformity with Existence is to submit; to submit ourselves to the celestial law, to conform to our own essence, the essence by which we exist and which is the innermost nature of things. Without Existence we would not be; how can we reasonably revolt against it and set ourselves against that by which we are, that, which makes us to be ourselves? The essence of Existence is blissful; opposition to that essence- the idolatry of contents or of accidents-leads us away from Beatitude and encloses us in the blind alley of our own contingency and in the measureless hell of our own absurdity. Schuon has beautifully expressed the idea of immortality that informs Ibn Arabi and the chapter on Jonah in Fusus al-Hikm in the following lines. A man sees a beautiful garden, but he knows: he will not always see this garden, because one day he will die; and he also knows: the garden will not always be there, because this world will disappear one day. And he knows also: this kinship with the beautiful garden is the gift of destiny, because if a man were to find himself in the middle of a desert, he would not see the garden; he sees it only because destiny has put him, man, here and not elsewhere. But in the innermost region of our soul lives the Spirit, and in it is contained the garden, as it were, like a seed; and if we love this gardenand how is it possible not to love it since it is of a heavenly beauty?we would do well to look for it there where it has always been and always will be, that is to say in the Spirit; maintain yourself in the Spirit, in your own center, and you will have the garden and in addition all possible gardens. Similarly: in the Spirit there is no death, because here you are immortal; and in the Spirit the relation ship between the contemplator and the contemplated is not only a fragile possibility; on the contrary, it is part of the very nature of the Spirit and, like it, it is eternal. . . . Whatever you are in the Spirit now, you will remain so after death; and whatever is yours now in the Spirit, will be yours after death. Before God there is neither being nor ownership except in the Spirit; whatever was outward must become inward and whatever was inward will become outward: look for the garden in yourself, in your indestructible divine Substance; then this will give you a new and imperishable garden. Whatever you love outwardly is to be found in the Divine Name; therefore attach yourself to it, dwell in it, and live in it. The holy invocation is the seed of our eternity. In the Supreme Name we are at the Center and at the Origin and we are already in a certain way in the place which by the Grace of God is destined for us in Paradise. This is why we must, already down here, be in our predestined place in Paradise and we must be so wholeheartedly and as much as we can and this ceaselessly; because we are made for Beatitude since knowledge of God and free will, that is to say Truth and Love, are our very nature. Garden. Thus Schuon makes clear, that whatever experience we cherish every trot in a garden, every smile from the loved one, beauty of our youth and vibrancy of childhood is eternally etched or fixed for us and will be with us. Whiteheads contribution to immortality debate is to ground this insight more rationally. Whitehead has referred to basic insights or initial intuitions or feelings of mankind calling for explanations or justifications. Our desire for immortality is one of these initial intuitions, or persistent dreams, or impulses. If we begin with this fundamental impulse of the human spirit, the question is not disputing their truth on this or that so-called scientific ground or explaining it away but how to express it. So those who believe in heaven arent risking their hope on a mere speculation. For Ibn Arabi the Real alone is and constitutes the reality of everything manifest and unmanifest and is the object of all perception, imagination and conception. Fleeing to God (through the discipline of senses and transcendence of desiring self) for Ibn Arab is merely a way of expressing the flight from ignorance to knowledge and is not a flight away from one thing towards another, since there is nothing in existence but God.

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IFFJK-2026, Rang-e-Cinema

On a pleasant September evening, the Sher i Kashmir International Convention Centre on the banks of Dal Lake was bathed in bright lights. The occasion was the opening of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, celebrated as Rang e Cinema. For anyone watching the venue decorated with colourful banners and filled with delegates, the message was unmistakable. Kashmir was once again opening its doors to the magical world of cinema. For me, the venue brought back a deeply personal memory. Five years ago, in the aftermath of August 5, 2019, I spent nearly four months detained inside this very building before being moved to the MLA hostel. Sitting in that same hall among filmmakers, musicians, and artists from across India and abroad, I could not help reflecting on how much the atmosphere has shifted. The gathering saw Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, and several governors sharing space with creative minds. It felt less like a routine state function and more like a sincere attempt to rebuild an old cultural bond. Inevitably, my mind travelled back to another September 7, thirteen years ago. In 2013, maestro Zubin Mehta stood at the historic Shalimar Bagh, conducting the Bavarian State Orchestra for the Ehsaas e Kashmir concert. The melodies of classical western masters floated across the lake towards the Zabarwan hills. The setting was magnificent and the music was unforgettable. However, the Valley outside was gripped by strikes, curfews, and intense tension. It remained a restricted gathering, held behind heavy security cordons for an invited audience. The contrast in 2026 could not be sharper. This festival brings over one hundred and thirty films from more than forty countries across Srinagar, Jammu, and Gulmarg. During the opening function, lively performances by young artists, including singer Palak Muchhal, showed abundant creative energy. Yet, as the final notes faded, an old question returned. Will this major gathering leave behind an enduring film movement, or will it remain another grand event that fades from memory? To answer that honestly, we must recall the loss of our local cinema heritage. Decades ago, Srinagar had bustling cinema theatres where families gathered, young people discussed ideas, and visual storytelling flourished. When militancy erupted, those halls closed down and most never opened again. Those abandoned buildings are not merely closed commercial properties. They represent a broken link in our social life. A society without public cultural spaces loses its ability to engage with fresh artistic ideas and develop local talent. Kashmir has long been celebrated as an extraordinary shooting location. Generations of Indian film directors have captured our snow clad mountains, clear streams, and lush meadows to add romance to their songs. But there is a vital difference between serving as a picturesque outdoor location and becoming a genuine film destination. A true film hub needs local technicians, sound recordists, camera operators, editors, and modern post production studios. It must generate steady employment for electricians, carpenters, drivers, and costume makers. If outside crews arrive, shoot scenes, pack their bags, and leave, the local community gains very little. The real success of this festival should therefore be measured by what happens after the red carpets are rolled up. If a young Kashmiri girl who attends a directing masterclass this month receives practical guidance next month, the festival has succeeded. If a local youth with an original script finds production funds and mentorship, the initiative has worked. Our youth do not lack imagination or storytelling ability. What they lack is an institutional setup that converts raw passion into viable professional careers. The administration must establish year round creative labs, script development grants, and regional film funds to support local independent projects. A flourishing film trade will also directly support our economy and tourism. Independent films, international documentaries, and digital series shot in Kashmir can showcase the authentic culture and daily life of the region to global viewers. More importantly, it gives our people the confidence to tell their own stories in their own mother tongues, rather than letting others define their identity. As I left SKICC that evening, the contrast between the two September evenings remained with me. In 2013, Zubin Mehtas music travelled across the waters of Dal Lake from Shalimar against a backdrop of uncertainty and heavy security. In 2026, Rang-e-Cinema unfolded at SKICC amid a gathering that included political leaders, filmmakers, artists, administrators and citizens, with cinema from dozens of countries arriving in Kashmir. The distance between those two evenings is not merely thirteen years. It is a measure of how much the circumstances around Kashmir have changed. Spectacles can produce pleasant headlines for a few days, but strong institutions transform societies for generations. The true triumph of the festival will not be judged by the presence of famous stars or the number of official speeches. It will be achieved when a local youth from a humble village stands up on a world stage and proudly says that their creative journey started right here. Only then will Rang e Cinema truly blossom into a permanent cultural movement, ensuring that the lights never go out. Hopefully, this time, the lights will not go out when the festival ends. Dr. S. Bashir Ahmad Veeri is a serving legislator from South Kashmirs Bijbehara constituency and writes occasionally on public policy and governance.

The geography of illusion

Vladimir Putins recent assertion that Russian forces are advancing every day across the entire line of contact in Ukraine is less a military assessment than a political performance designed for domestic consumption. The speech, delivered at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, contained contradictions so glaring they undermine its own credibility. Most notably, Putin claimed that Russian troops are now 12 km from the circle road of Sumy, despite stating in June that they were only 10.5 km away. The Sumy claim collapses under minimal scrutiny. First, Sumy has no ring road or circle road to speak of, a geographical fiction that OSINT analysts and Ukrainian military commands have repeatedly pointed out. Second, even by Putins own arithmetic, Russian forces have not advanced toward Sumy but have retreated 1.5 km farther from it over two months. Third, independent mapping projects such as DeepState place Russian positions roughly 17 km from Sumys administrative border, with the front line in that sector essentially static since May 2025. This is not an isolated slip. Putin has also claimed the capture of settlements like Sviatohirsk that do not appear on any verified control map, prompting Ukraines Center for Countering Disinformation to accuse him of compensating for the lack of victories on the front with fictitious geography. To understand why such claims ring hollow to anyone following the war, it helps to grasp what the line of contact actually is. Military analysts describe the zero line as a 20 to 40 km deep kill zone where drones, artillery, and mines make sustained movement nearly impossible. Buildings in towns across this belt are reduced to ruins, civilians have long fled, and vehicles and tanks are destroyed almost instantly upon entering. Resupply often happens by drone, and pockets of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers can be interspersed within the same ruined landscape. In such an environment, declarations of daily advances across the entire line are militarily meaningless. Russian offensive assessments from August 2026 confirm that gains remain slow and limited, with advances measured in square kilometers per day and no operational breakthrough achieved. In some sectors, Ukraine has even recaptured territory, with OSINT data showing Russia lost more ground in parts of the front in 2026 than it gained. If the claims do not reflect reality, why repeat them? The answer lies in audience. Putins rhetoric is not aimed at soldiers in the trenches, who know the war is a merciless meat grinder, nor at international negotiators, who rely on verified intelligence. It is aimed at Russians at home, many of whom are growing restless as Ukrainian drone strikes reach deep into Russian territory, hitting logistics hubs, refineries, and even energy infrastructure near Moscow, St. Petersburg, Siberia, and the Arctic. Reports of fuel queues and economic strain compound the pressure. By insisting that the end is near, Putin attempts to offer a horizon of relief to a population facing the wars domestic costs. Yet this narrative is not new. Similar promises were made in early 2022 when a rapid capture of Ukraine was expected. The repetition now signals not confidence, but the need to manage expectations and quell dissent. Serious military analysts, intelligence agencies, and open-source mappers all agree: the front is largely stagnant, Russian advances are incremental at best, and some Ukrainian counter-pressure is yielding results. Putins Vladivostok speech, with its invented ring roads and retreating advances, is propaganda calibrated for civilians, not a credible account of the battlefield. In a war where information is a weapon, geography itself has become another front line, one where facts, not fiction, will determine the outcome. Ruvaid Wani is a Journalist based in Kashmir who writes about geopolitics and warfare.

'Our own artists will emerge': Farooq Abdullah hails inaugural IFFJK

Srinagar, Sep 10: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday hoped that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir will take advantage of the first International Film Festival held in the Union Territory to establish a Bollywood-like industry here. I believe this is a very wonderful thing that has happened. And I hope that our boys and girls will take advantage of this. From here, our own artists will emerge, writers will emerge, music directors will come up, and film directors will be made. Our youth will come forward in everything, Abdullah told reporters. When asked how much connection with Bollywood can be expected in the future, the three-time chief minister said, I believe we ourselves will become Bollywood.

Ladakh constitutional safeguards, UT-level elected body under discussion: Chief Secretary Kundra

Leh, Sep 10: Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Thursday said the Centre and representatives of Ladakh are moving towards a framework for constitutional safeguards for the region under a special provision in Article 371 and the formation of a Union Territory-level elected body vested with legislative, executive and financial powers. Kundra made the announcement after a sub-committee meeting with representatives of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), where discussions focused on taking forward progress made in earlier rounds of dialogue. Explaining the proposed political architecture, Kundra said the panchayat would remain the foundational unit, followed by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs), with the proposed UT-level body above them. Speaking to reporters here, the chief secretary noted that the Centre was not seeking to impose any political model on Ladakh and wanted to proceed only after consulting and deliberating with stakeholders and people of the Union Territory. It was discussed that for providing constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, a special provision under Article 371 would be made, which could provide safeguards for the people here. And what would the safeguards be? The basis of the democratic movement that has started here is that safeguards should be provided for the land of the people of Ladakh, their culture, their environment and their natural resources, all these things, Kundra said. Now the process of discussion and negotiations is continuing. The next meeting is scheduled for October, and we hope that by the next meeting an advanced draft of the Constitutional Amendment Bill will be ready, he added. The representatives were also briefed on the parliamentary process involved in the constitutional amendment and the legislation required for details regarding the proposed bodys powers. So, from the UT administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs, we are making every effort so that the aspirations of the people, their democratic aspirations, can be fulfilled, he added. Briefing reporters on the ongoing political dialogue, Kundra said the previous meeting on July 3 had decided to take the process forward on the understanding that such a body would be constituted. There was a discussion about whether there should be direct elections from constituencies to this body or indirect elections through the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC). All those who attended from the Apex Body and the KDA were of the view that there should be direct elections from constituencies, and there was agreement on this issue, he said. Kundra said the dialogue was aimed at addressing the aspirations of the people of Ladakh, particularly their demand for protection of land, culture, heritage, mineral resources, environment and jobs. As far as jobs are concerned, a reservation process has already been provided. This is a unique reservation system for Ladakh, and there is no similar reservation system anywhere else in the country, he said. For the remaining issues, the Centre has conveyed that constitutional protection would be provided, he said. There are therefore some questions regarding the relationship between the LAHDC and the UT-level bodywhat powers would fall within the jurisdiction of the LAHDC and what powers would fall within the jurisdiction of the UT-level body, he said. A list of eight to ten such questions was shared with the leaders at the meeting, who were asked to deliberate on them, consult among themselves and with the people before conveying their views to the government, Kundra added. He stressed that the exercise involved a Constitutional Amendment and not an ordinary law and, therefore, required the requisite parliamentary majority and political consensus. A constitutional amendment requires a majority. Therefore, there has to be political consensus across political parties, including among the Members of Parliament who will be involved in the process, he said. Kundra said the process would essentially have two stages, with major provisions incorporated through the constitutional amendment, followed by detailed legislation and regulations for Ladakh. He said the proposed amendment would have to undergo the full parliamentary process. He said legal drafting of the constitutional amendment bill would follow only after consensus was reached on the underlying principles. The central government does not want to impose any model that is not acceptable to the people. The intention is to move forward only after consultation and deliberation among everyone, he said. Urging patience in the process, the chief secretary said haste could result in an arrangement that might subsequently prove difficult to change.

Jammu railway division to install desktop simulator to train loco pilots for emergencies

Jammu, Sep 10: Northern Railway's Jammu Division is set to install a state-of-the-art desktop simulator that will allow loco pilots to practise handling emergencies such as brake failures, signal failures, dense fog, landslides and sudden obstructions on tracks, officials said. The workplace-based training facility is aimed at enhancing the technical skills, operational preparedness and decision-making abilities of loco pilots by exposing them to a range of simulated real-world situations without the risks involved in live train operations, they said. The simulator will enable loco pilots to virtually experience challenging operational conditions, including dense fog, heavy rain, landslides, signal failures and other adverse situations. It will also provide hands-on practice in signalling, braking techniques and locomotive operations, helping improve their technical proficiency and confidence in handling trains under difficult circumstances, officials said. A key feature of the facility will be the simulation of emergency situations such as brake failure, overshooting and sudden obstructions on the track, allowing loco pilots to practise taking quick and safe decisions. The simulator will also facilitate repeated training without the consumption of fuel or other resources required to operate a real locomotive, making it a safe, economical and environment-friendly training tool, officials said. The facility is expected to make regular training, refresher courses and skill-development programmes for new and existing loco pilots more effective. It will also help loco pilots identify operational shortcomings and work towards improving their skills, they added. The Jammu division has also recently been organising awareness programmes focusing on the mental health and welfare of loco pilots. Railway officials said strengthening training infrastructure through the simulator is an important step towards ensuring safe and efficient train operations. The initiative is expected to enhance the confidence and preparedness of loco pilots and further strengthen passenger safety. The Jammu division is continuing its efforts towards achieving the Indian Railways' Safety First objective.

DGP Nalin Prabhat visits joint security post at Doda-Kathua-Udhampur trijunction

Jammu, Sep 10: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Thursday visited a joint temporary operating base manned by personnel of the Special Operations Group (SOG), Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF at the Doda-Kathua-Udhampur trijunction, officials said. Prabhat was accompanied by IG Jammu zone, Tejinder Singh; DIG Doda-Ramban-Kishtwar range, Sargun Shukla; DIG Udhampur-Reasi range, Shiv Kumar Sharma; and SSP Doda, Kartik Shrotriya during the visit, they said. He was briefed on operational readiness and assessment of the security situation in the district by the SSP. The visit comes amid heightened security operations in the region. There are reports of suspicious armed movement in the Billawar area of Kathua district, prompting security forces to launch a cordon-and-search operation, they said. The operation was underway in Billawar after locals reportedly spotted suspicious armed men, officials said. The operation is being conducted by the SOG of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, they said.

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IGP Kashmir reviews security landscape, counter-terrorism grid in Kulgam and Shopian

Srinagar, Sep 10: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar today visited twin districts of South Kashmir including Kulgam and Shopian to comprehensively assess the security landscape, counter terrorism grid, crime mitigation efforts, and general law & order scenario. On his visit, IGP Kashmir was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir Range Javed Iqbal Mattoo. During the visit, IGP Kashmir chaired security and crime review meetings in both districts, attended by respective Senior Superintendents of Police along with other senior and jurisdictional gazetted police officers. The SSsP of Kulgam and Shopian presented comprehensive briefings outlining the prevailing security situation, status of anti terror operations, counter insurgency grids, crime prevention strategies, and steps taken to uphold public order. Reviewing operational preparedness, Sujit Kumar emphasized the imperative need for robust, proactive intelligence gathering, close inter agency coordination, and swift, decisive responses to neutralize emerging security challenges. Sujit Kumar instructed field formations to sustain pressure on terrorist ecosystems and maintain zero tolerance against inimical elements attempting to disturb peace and public order. As part of the tour, IGP Kashmir also visited rural Sub-Division D.H. Pora in district Kulgam, where he held an interactive session with local jurisdictional supervisory officers, station house officers, and jawans of Special Operations Group.

Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project head meets Director NHPC, briefs him on key developments

Srinagar, Sep 10: Head of Project (HOP), Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project, Satnam Singh met Director (Personnel), NHPC, Paresh Rasiklal Ranpara, in Jammu on Thursday and briefed him on significant developments in the progress of flagship project. The Sawalkot HE Project, set to become the largest hydropower utility in Jammu & Kashmir, took a major step forward with the opening of the much-awaited technical bid for its main construction works, worth Rs 5,129 crore, on September 9, 2026. Ranpara, who concluded his three-day visit to the Jammu region on Thursday, reviewed several projects being executed by NHPC on standalone basis and with NHPC-led joint venture, Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL). In a meeting held at NHPC's Regional Office in Jammu, the HOP briefed Ranpara on key developments and progress made on the project, while flagging pertinent issues requiring consideration of NHPC management and redressal on priority. Ranpara assured full support on the merits and cooperation of higher management for the progress of project going forward. A brief one-on-one meeting followed, during which Singh discussed the broader energy landscape as well as project-specific matters, in a cordial and constructive exchange. On behalf of the project, Singh felicitated Ranpara with a specially designed Sawalkot Project memento and extended his invitation to visit the Sawalkot project headquarters.

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Amit Shah chairs 3rd Governing Body meeting of NIDM, calls for disaster-resilient villages and cities amid climate change

New Delhi, Sep 10: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah today chaired the third meeting of the Governing Body of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by the Union Home Secretary, Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University, Member and Head of Department of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Executive Director of NIDM, and senior officials from several Central Ministries and State Governments. Addressing the meeting, the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi there has been a comprehensive transformation in both the approach and methodology of disaster management over the last 12 years. The Modi Government has completely transformed the entire disaster management system, set the goal of Zero Casualty and taken the country towards achieving this objective. We have also successfully faced several disasters with Zero Casualty, which is a major achievement. Shah said that earlier disasters were viewed only from the perspective of relief and rehabilitation. Today, we have entered a new era based on three pillars - risk reduction, early warning systems and Zero Casualty. This is a matter of pride for all of us. He said that in this direction, the Whole of Government approach is increasingly becoming an integral part of our work culture. Whenever a disaster occurs, all government departments actively respond. Now, with the strength of new research, we should take this process forward with greater speed and ensure continuous monitoring. Just as a Whole of Government approach has been adopted in dealing with disasters, we must also move forward with a Whole of Government approach to further strengthen the disaster management system. Union Home Minister said that along with the transformation in the approach to disaster management, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also laid special emphasis on environmental protection. He said that ultimately environmental protection is the most effective means of preventing disasters. Environmental protection, risk reduction, resilience and a broad national vision are enabling India to gradually emerge as a model for the world. Initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), Pro-Planet People and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) are making an important contribution to disaster prevention. Shri Shah said that the Zero Casualty approach should not be applied only at the site of a disaster. Zero Casualty can also be achieved by preventing disasters from occurring in the first place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a safe and balanced world, going beyond the conventional approach of world leaders. Amit Shah said that there was a time when the predecessor of NIDM, the National Centre for Disaster Management was lying almost inactive in a corner of Krishi Bhawan. However, in 2003, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took the historic decision to give it a new lease of life. Keeping in view the wide scope of the subject and the need for coordination among various agencies, it was decided to bring the institution under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has played a significant role in revitalizing the institution. NIDM has emerged in its present form with a transformed and strengthened role before the country. Union Home Minister said that the relevance and significance of both NIDM and NDMA are going to increase further in the coming days. The number of disasters is likely to increase due to global warming and climate change. At the same time, new types of disasters may also emerge due to new applications of science and their expanding areas of use. Keeping all these aspects in mind, the two institutions share responsibilities ranging from policy-making to training and implementation. In some areas, both institutions are also working together. Amit Shah directed all stakeholders to constitute a dedicated cell in their respective departments for implementation of the agenda. He said that departmental heads should conduct a review meeting of the cell at least once every three months and accord priority to this subject. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that NDMA and NIDM should study research being undertaken across the world in the field of disaster management and make efforts to implement its findings in India in accordance with local requirements. The Department of Agriculture should focus on permanent preparedness to deal with locust swarm attacks originating from the Pakistan side. He said that the best practices being adopted in other countries to deal with such attacks should be implemented in India. Shah added that seriousness should be ensured in disaster management training and priority should be given to those who are genuinely committed to the subject in disaster management training programmes. Union Home Minister said that NIDM and NDMA should jointly issue guidelines for the entire country. These guidelines should clearly specify what should and should not be done in the event of each type of disaster and how it should be done. NIDM should undertake the training component while the NDRF, State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) and other concerned agencies should work together to implement these guidelines on the ground. Amit Shah said that it is extremely important to prepare a document, through research, identifying the causes of disasters. Effective prevention and rescue measures can be developed on this basis. After every disaster, a joint team of NDMA and NIDM should be constituted, including the NDRF and SDRF. These four institutions should jointly study the causes of the damage and prepare a detailed report. Amit Shah said that NIDM has emerged as a national centre for research, innovation, policy support, training and departmental cooperation. We need to further strengthen these four pillars and explore new horizons. There are still unexplored areas in research, innovation, training, policy support and departmental cooperation that we should seek to address in the coming days. He said that NIDM has already taken steps in this direction. There is a need to take knowledge and best practices beyond departmental silos. In the coming days we must develop the habit of working in a coordinated manner, rising above departmental boundaries. Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided that the distribution of disaster funds should also be carried out through a scientific process. The allocation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) has increased nearly fourfold, while the allocation under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) has increased nearly threefold. Around 2.5 lakh crore has been spent in this sector over the last 11 years, which is a major achievement. The Disaster Management Act was amended after 20 years. The concept of Urban Disaster Management Authorities was introduced and such authorities have also been established. The process of creating digital disaster databases at the national and state levels has begun. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) has been accorded statutory status. In addition, the 16th Finance Commission has provided for 2 lakh crore for this period. Amit Shah said that the mobile application that has been developed needs to be widely promoted through primary, secondary and higher education. The Government is making every possible effort to strengthen NIDM. Recently, four acres of land have also been allocated for the institution. NIDM is working towards developing itself as a world-class model institution, and both its campuses are functioning smoothly. Shri Shah said that while enhancing international cooperation is undoubtedly commendable, our priority must continue to focus on the five lakh villages of the country. Keeping this priority in mind, there should be no objection to learning as much as possible from the world and enabling the world to learn as much as possible from us. He stated that the Modi government's goal is to create disaster-resilient villages and cities, and we must move forward by prioritizing this objective. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah said that a provision should be made for at least one top-level meeting of NIDM to be held every year so that the meetings are meaningful and outcome-oriented and effective implementation of the decisions taken is ensured. He said that through this institution, we must transform knowledge into capacity, capacity into preparedness and preparedness into outcomes, so that together we can achieve the goal of Zero Casualty.

IIPA J&K Holds Annual Inter-College Debate in KU on Food Adulteration as Public Health Challenge

Fire guts 15 shops in Warnow Lolab, traders suffer heavy losses

Union Minister reviews preparations for Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 with States, UTs

New Delhi, Sep 10: The meeting reviewed preparations for the nationwide campaign, which will be observed from 17th September to 17th October 2026. This years theme, Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat, underlines the role of cUnion Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power Manohar Lal, today chaired a high-level meeting with State Urban Development Ministers, Principal Secretaries, Urban Development and State Mission Directors to review the preparedness of States and Union Territories for Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026.ollective participation and shared responsibility in advancing the vision of a Swachh and Viksit Bharat. The key focus areas of SHS 2026 include transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) and high-footfall public places; Swachh Paathshala -Yuva for Swachhata; SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivirs; Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata; and Swachhata se Samriddhi, with a focus on circular economy and Waste-to-Wealth initiatives. During the meeting, States/UTs were briefed on the key focus areas of the campaign and the need to undertake coordinated action across the nation. Emphasis was laid on ensuring extensive citizen participation, effective implementation at the local level and visible cleanliness outcomes during the campaign period. States Departments should take a lead in ensuring cleanliness drives across each office premises, tourist spots and water bodies. In his remarks, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, called upon Citizens to begin the Swachchata hi Seva campaign from their own homes on 17th September. He urged citizens to clean their homes themselves, and thereafter light a Diya in their homes in the evening, symbolising a clean home, healthy family and positive energy; while also representing a commitment to sustain the cleanliness achieved. He said that the campaign should be taken forward in the spirit of Seva Sankalp, with the objective of making cleanliness a sustained people-led commitment rather than a month-long activity. Referring to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Minister said that the campaign begins on 17 September, the Prime Ministers birthday, and seeks to connect his spirit of service and resolve with the cause of cleanliness. Recalling the Prime Ministers message in Mann Ki Baat, Manohar Lal said that when keeping a place clean becomes the resolve of its people, the change goes beyond cleanliness and transforms the very identity of that place. He emphasised that the endeavour should therefore be to make Swachhata a collective resolve of citizens. The Minister emphasized that 25th September, the birthday of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, should mark cleanliness drives across all segments of society, with particular focus on inclusivity and social welfare. In particular, States were urged to undertake extensive planning and advocacy activities leading up to 1st October, for nation-wide Shramdaan for Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath, where State Education and Sports Departments were asked to engage youth and sportspersons for Swachchata activities at scale. The Minister appealed to all Ministers, MPs/MLAs, Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Ward Councillors, Commissioners, Eminent personalities of each State to lead this nation-wide Shramdaan from their respective areas/constituencies and ensure mass mobilisation for the same. He also urged all municipalities to engage Residential Societies and RWAs by organising inter-ward and inter- RWA Swachchata Competitions to further bolster their efforts, and promote key Swachchata messaging in prominent RWA locations. On 2nd October, or Swachch Bharat Diwas, Special Council meetings and special cleanliness drives would be organised by the ULBs at Public places to share the message of Mahatma Gandhi, and conduct advocacy drives on Solid Waste Management Rules. In addition, tree plantation activities would be conducted under Ek Ped Maa ke Naam. The meeting also highlighted the importance of ensuring the welfare, safety and recognition of sanitation workers through SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivirs, including linkages with eligible welfare schemes, preventive health check-ups and provision of safety gear. It was emphasized that these Shivirs be organised recurrently across the year for maximum impact. The Minister further urged States to organise Special Swachchata Programmes on 7th October, to mark the completion of Honble PMs 25 years of Public Service. States/UTs were also advised to undertake effective and innovative advocacy and outreach with Jan Bhaagidaari, sports events, playing spiritual/soulful songs and Swachchata Anthems, around SHS 2026 and ensure regular reporting of activities undertaken during the campaign; and take pro-active measures to ensure that the Campaign translates to measurable outcomes on the ground and strong behaviour change in every citizen of the Nation. While the campaign officially ends on 17Th October, States were urged to carry the Swachchata momentum forward throughout the year.

ACB arrests ASI for accepting bribe in Reasi

Jammu, Sep 10: The Jammu & Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has successfully trapped and arrested Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Talib Hussain, stationed at Police Post Talwara in District Reasi, in a bribery case, officials said. They said a case under FIR No. 08/2026, Section 07 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered against the accused public servant at the ACB Police Station in Udhampur. ASI Hussain, acting as the Investigating Officer (I.O.), demanded illegal gratification from a complainant in exchange for presenting a charge sheet (challan) against accused individuals in a court of law. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB to seek legal action. Upon receiving the complaint, the Bureau conducted a discreet verification that corroborated the officer's demand for a bribe. Subsequently, a specialized trap team led by an officer of Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy. SP) rank was constituted. During the operation, the ACB team successfully caught ASI Talib Hussain red-handed while he was demanding and accepting a bribe amount of Rs. 5,000 from the complainant. The arrest was executed on the spot in accordance with due legal process. The bribe money was recovered directly from the accused's possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team.. Further investigation into the case is currently ongoing, officials said and added, The incident marks the second successful trap operation laid by the ACB at Police Post Talwara, District Reasi, in the year 2026.

CM Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah attend IFFJK concluding event

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Novartis India MD Amitabh Dube appointed as OPPI president

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PM Modi lauds ISRO, its scientists for India's space success and global recognition

New Delhi, Sep 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday heaped praise on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for its contribution to the country's space journey, saying the global trust in the agency is the result of the dedication and hard work of generations of scientists, engineers and technicians. The prime minister's commendation of ISRO and its scientists came days after nine employee associations of the agency wrote to its chairman seeking an official clarification on the proposed transfer of its manufacturing and operational functions to private entities. The associations, in the letter dated September 4, also raised questions about ISRO's future role and the consequences for serving employees and future recruitment. Virtually addressing the first International Space Summit, being held in Paris, PM Modi said ISRO, which stands at the heart of India's space research journey, has earned global admiration for its excellence and cost-effective missions. He said ISRO's capabilities serve farmers and fishermen, weather forecasting, disaster management and navigation, and more than 430 satellites from 34 countries have travelled to space aboard Indian rockets. ISRO's technologies and partnerships serve not only India, but the wider world. Behind this global trust is the dedication and hard work of generations of Indian scientists, engineers and technicians. Working day and night, they have built ISRO's global reputation mission by mission, success by success, and given India a place of pride among spacefaring nations, he said. Modi said Chandrayaan-3 made India the first nation to land near the lunar south pole and the Aditya-L1 is unlocking the secrets of the Sun. Last year, an Indian visited the International Space Station. Looking ahead, we aim to establish an Indian space station by 2035 and send an Indian to the Moon by 2040. In all these efforts, our guiding principle has been clear: their benefits must reach all humanity, he said. The prime minister also said that alongside ISRO, India's private space sector is also surging in a big way. The energy of enterprise is joining the excellence of ISRO, he said.

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SC seeks response of Centre on PIL seeking safeguards for minors accessing social media

New Delhi, Sep 10: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Union ministries of electronics and information technology as well as law and justice on a plea seeking safeguards for minors accessing social media and to ensure no such platform enters into a contract with a child below 18 years of age. A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notices to the two ministries on the plea filed by NGO Just Rights for Children Alliance. We need some safeguards in India, the bench said after taking note of brief submissions by senior advocate HS Phoolka, who appeared for the NGO. The plea seeking directions to the Centre to take appropriate steps to inform the digital platforms including social media intermediaries that any contract entered into by them with any child below the age of eighteen years is void ab-initio (invalid from the moment of creation) and that any steps taken in furtherance thereof shall be immediately suspended. The plea sought enforcement and protection of the fundamental rights of children below 18, who, despite their statutory incapacity to contract under Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act are currently permitted to independently create and maintain accounts and access social media and other digital platforms without an effective, uniform and enforceable mechanism to safeguard their legal incapacity and constitutional rights in the digital environment. The plea said it is a settled principle of law that a minor lacks contractual capacity and that a contract entered into by a minor is invalid at the outset. The continued exposure of children to contractual and data-driven digital ecosystems without meaningful age-assurance and parental safeguards is not a mere regulatory deficiency, but raises grave constitutional concerns, exposing a particularly vulnerable class to foreseeable and serious harms, including online grooming, sexual exploitation, trafficking, behavioural manipulation and profiling, misuse of personal data, cyberbullying and exposure to age-inappropriate content, it said. Such unregulated exposure threatens the childs right to life, dignity, privacy, safety, healthy development and overall well-being, and consequently calls for an urgent judicial intervention to ensure that the digital environment does not become a domain where the statutory and constitutional protection accorded to children is rendered illusory, it said. The petition contended that despite strict penal provisions prohibiting the dissemination and storage of Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material, internet platforms have failed to deploy automated content-filtering tools and age-verification mechanisms. The plea contended that platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat (India) permit users to create accounts from the age of 13 while Indian law treats persons below 18 as minors. The PIL, filed through advocate-on record Sakthom Meheshwari, sought directions to amend the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, or frame specific guidelines, to ensure that no digital platform enters into a contract with a child below 18 without the consent of the parent or lawful guardian, subject to identity verification/e-KYC of the parent or guardian. Issue a writ, order or direction, directing respondent to issue guideline/advisories to digital platform(s) including social media intermediaries mandating that, wherever a minor is permitted to access or use any digital platform(s), such access or use shall be subject to a legally recognised mechanism of parental or lawful guardian involvement, including verification/e-KYC of the identity and authority of the parent or guardian, commensurate with the nature and risk of the service, it said.

Not a single Kashmiri Pandit employee is homeless: Omar Abdullah on accommodation protests

Omar defends Tanvir, says Vande Mataram compliance is statutory

Srinagar, Sep 10: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday defended his party colleague and chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq over his remarks on poverty in Kashmir, while saying that the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at government functions was now a statutory obligation. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah also said he hoped the festival would pave the way for more film shoots in the region and create new employment opportunities for local youth. On the prospects of films being shot in Kashmir, Abdullah said the development would boost tourism while opening up jobs for young people. Hopefully, films will be shot here. It will certainly give a boost to tourism, but it can also start a new process of employment here, he said. Abdullah said the government wanted local youth to acquire skills that could help them find work in the film industry. I said on the very first day that our effort is that our local boys and girls should take courses in camera work, production and other such areas, so that when films are shot here, they get an opportunity to work in them, he said. The Chief Minister was also asked about a protest by Kashmiri Pandit employees over accommodation. Which Kashmiri Pandit is without accommodation? Abdullah asked, asserting that not a single one of them is homeless. Wherever accommodation has been made available, it has been allotted to them. So which Kashmiri Pandit employee is without accommodation? he said. If there is even one or two people who need accommodation, tell us. Everyone else has been allotted accommodation, Abdullah added. On the controversy over the singing of the complete version of Vande Mataram at the film festival, amid objections from Congress leaders, Abdullah said the government was bound by law. Either they should have stopped this in Parliament. But the law has been made, he said. He argued that the presence of the Lieutenant Governor, governors and the Acting Chief Justice at a government function meant that the national anthem would necessarily be played, and said the legal framework now also covered the national song. This is not just for Jammu and Kashmir; it is across the country. Wherever there are Congress governments, this will also happen at government functions, Abdullah said. If it does not happen, those who do not stand can face legal action. So what does Congress want? That Kashmiris should be put in jail on this pretext? he asked. Abdullah, however, made it clear that the National Conference's position on Vande Mataram as a party remained unchanged. As a party, we have never adopted Vande Mataram and we will not adopt it in the future either. But we have to fulfil our legal and statutory obligations, he said. He added that if the Congress disagreed with the law, it could repeal it if it returned to power at the Centre. Turning to the controversy over remarks by Tanvir Sadiq on poverty among Kashmiris in the past, Abdullah rejected calls for an apology or clarification. What did Tanvir say that was historically incorrect? Walter Lawrence wrote about it in his book, Abdullah said. He said several historians had written about the poverty and exploitation prevalent in Kashmir under the old agrarian system. And this is not the first time Tanvir has said this. Hardly any senior National Conference leader, from our president to the general secretary and others, has not spoken about a time when Kashmiris were so poor that they had to borrow a pajama from the mosque to come into the city, he said. This is not Tanvir's own thinking. It is a historical fact, Abdullah said. He said Sadiq's intention had been to highlight how Kashmir had emerged from that poverty and progressed to a point where families could educate their children and produce doctors and engineers. So the BJP and PDP are playing the same game together. They take up one common issue and run with it. They have a common agenda, Abdullah alleged. Tanvir does not need to apologise for this. Nor does he need to give any clarification. There is no need for anyone in my party to apologise over this. Tanvir has said nothing wrong, he said. On the BRICS summit scheduled in Delhi, Abdullah said he would wait to see how the meeting develops, while noting the participation of countries including Russia, China, South Africa and Brazil. On the J&K Cabinet meeting, Abdullah said the government would continue its regular business. We hold at least one Cabinet meeting every month. The governance agenda cannot stop, he said, adding that there would be nothing earth-shattering in the meeting.

Omar Abdullah says Kashmir film festival could open new employment opportunities through film shoots

Coxon's kill us all warning joined by six more AI insiders over four days

Srinagar, Sep 10: Former Anthropic and OpenAI researcher Jacob Coxon's warning that people building advanced artificial intelligence earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade has been joined by six other current and former researchers from leading AI laboratories, with seven people in all voicing serious concerns about the risks of AI over the past four days. Coxon, who announced his resignation from Anthropic two days ago after three years of pretraining research at OpenAI and Anthropic, warned that the companies developing increasingly powerful AI systems were racing straight to self-improving superintelligence and gambling with our lives. Since then, or around the same four-day period, researchers and former researchers from Anthropic, OpenAI and Google DeepMind have made their own stark assessments, ranging from the possibility of human extinction to fears that AI development is advancing at a pace that leaves humanity little room for error. Evan Hubinger, Anthropic's alignment science lead, directly endorsed Coxon's warning. Jacob is correct herewe really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans! Hubinger wrote. Samuel Marks, Anthropic's scalable oversight lead, offered another stark assessment of the risks perceived by people working in AI. AI developers believe their technology could cause human extinction (or similarly bad outcomes), Marks wrote. This could happen in the next few years. Former Google DeepMind research scientist Alex Turner also backed Coxon's assessment. I left Google DeepMind in June. Jacob is right: many researchers believe they are building something that could kill everyone on the planet, Turner wrote. It was literally my day job to think about how to stop that. The warnings are not confined to former employees or researchers who have left the companies. OpenAI chief scientist Jakub Pachocki called for extreme caution as machine intelligence continues to advance. This is a time that calls for extreme caution, Pachocki wrote. I am concerned no one is prepared for the consequences of a continued rapid rise in machine intelligence. OpenAI researcher Jason Wolfe similarly warned of a range of potentially disastrous outcomes, while stopping short of assigning a probability to extinction. I don't know what my probabilities are on literal extinction, but I think there are a number of ways AI could go poorly for humanity, Wolfe wrote. At the current frankly terrifying pace humanity will be quite lucky if we manage to find and stay on the narrow path between all the bad outcomes. Former Google DeepMind senior research scientist Jonathan Richard Schwarz raised concerns about another consequence of the AI race the concentration of technological power. I left DeepMind after 7 years (and since rejected offers to join the other two) due to severe concerns about the concentration of power these labs represent, Schwarz wrote. What is currently happening in this field is deeply unhealthy for society. The seven warnings, including Coxon's, have emerged over a period of just four days from people with direct experience of some of the world's leading frontier AI laboratories. Their concerns are not identical. Coxon has focused on the possibility of self-improving superintelligence and an AI race that he believes is moving too quickly. Hubinger and Marks have explicitly raised the prospect of extinction, while Pachocki and Wolfe have warned about the consequences of rapid advances in machine intelligence. Schwarz has highlighted the concentration of power within the industry.

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Iran-backed Houthis seize Al-Makha, close in on strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait in Red Sea

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Assets worth over Rs 6.22 crore attached in six NDPS cases: Srinagar Police

Srinagar, Sep 10: Intensifying its crackdown on drug trafficking and the financial networks of narcotics offenders, Srinagar Police has attached and frozen immovable assets worth Rs 6.22 crore acquired from the proceeds of illicit narcotics activities in six separate NDPS cases, officials said on Thursday. In a press statement, an official spokesperson said that t he properties, attached or frozen under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, 1985, include residential houses and land located in different parts of Srinagar, police said. In the latest action, Police Station Nigeen attached an immovable property comprising a double-storeyed residential house along with land, valued at approximately Rs 1.10 crore, at Danihama, Hazratbal, the statement said. The property belongs to Mubashir Ashiq Teeli, son of Ashiq Hussain Teeli, a resident of Saderbal, Hazratbal, presently at Danihama, Hazratbal, and was attached under Section 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act in connection with FIR No. 24/2026 under Sections 8/21 of the NDPS Act registered at Police Station Nigeen, it said. During investigation, the spokesperson said, the property was identified as illegally acquired and linked to proceeds of drug trafficking activities, following which the competent authority ordered its attachment in accordance with law. In another action, Police Station Zakura attached an immovable property comprising a residential house and land, valued at approximately Rs 1.14 crore, at Mulphaq Abu Baker Colony, Hazratbal. The property belongs to Zubair Ahmad Rather, son of Mohd Shaban Rather, a resident of Lariyal, Tral, presently residing at Abu Baker Colony, Mulphaq, and is linked to FIR No. 44/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act registered at Police Station Zakura. Police said the property was identified during investigation as illegally acquired and linked to proceeds of drug trafficking. The attachment was carried out under Section 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act, 1985. Earlier, Police Station Shalteng froze an immovable property valued at approximately Rs 1 crore belonging to accused Mohd Altaf Dar, son of Ghulam Ahmad Dar, a resident of Dilawar Colony, Mujgund, Srinagar, during investigation of FIR No. 76/2025 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act. The property comprises a single-storey residential house along with 11.5 marlas of land and was frozen under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act after being found to have been acquired from the proceeds of illicit drug trafficking. In another major action, Police Station Ahmad Nagar attached an immovable property valued at approximately Rs 2.2 crore belonging to accused Owais Ahmad Mir, son of Ghulam Hassan Mir, a resident of Baghaat Shoora, Srinagar. The property comprises a double-storey residential house, including a hall on the second floor, along with approximately 10 marlas of land at Baghaat Shoora. It was attached under Section 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act following confirmation by the Competent Authority, SAFEMA, Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, New Delhi. Police said investigation established that the property had been acquired through proceeds of illicit narcotics trafficking. Meanwhile, Police Station Lal Bazar attached a drug-linked immovable property comprising a double-storey residential house along with 3.5 marlas of land, having an estimated market value of more than Rs 35 lakh. The property belongs to Waseem Ahmad Langoo, son of Farooq Ahmad Langoo, a resident of Sheikh Colony, Lal Bazar, and is linked to FIR No. 52/2023 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act. The property was attached under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act after investigation established that it was liable for attachment under the relevant provisions of law, police said. Police Station Shalteng also froze another immovable property belonging to accused Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Panzinara, Srinagar, during investigation of FIR No. 87/2025 under Section 8/20 of the NDPS Act. The property comprises a single-storey residential house along with six marlas of land, valued at approximately Rs 43 lakh. It was frozen under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act after being found to have been acquired from the proceeds of illicit drug trafficking. Police said that the latest actions---carried out by Police Stations Nigeen and Zakura, along with earlier property attachment/freezing proceedings by Police Stations Shalteng, Ahmad Nagar and Lal Bazar--- reaffirm Srinagar Polices commitment to dismantling not only the operational networks of drug traffickers but also the financial infrastructure that sustains the illicit narcotics trade. With these actions, Srinagar Police has attached or frozen immovable properties collectively valued at over Rs 6.22 crore in six separate NDPS cases. The sustained action reflects the zero-tolerance approach of Srinagar Police towards drug trafficking and its efforts to target the financial networks supporting narcotics activities, police said. Srinagar Police reiterated that stringent legal action will continue against drug peddlers, traffickers and their associates, including identification, attachment and freezing of movable and immovable properties acquired from the proceeds of illicit narcotics activities, strictly in accordance with law.