In the busy lanes of Lal Chowk, a quiet mystery unfolded for months—until one clever trap exposed the truth. By Syed Majid Gilani In the late 1980s, Court Road in Srinagar’s bustling Lal Chowk was at its vibrant best. Lines of shoppers threaded through the narrow lanes, vendors shouted over the hum of traffic, and […]
The Cost of Leaving
In Jammu and Kashmir, a broken marriage rarely ends with two people — it becomes a public trial. Behind the silence and stigma are stories of courage, loss, and quiet reconstruction. By Mool Raj Sometimes a relationship doesn’t collapse — it frees the people trapped inside it. But in Kashmir, where the scent of chinar […]
Kashmir’s Saffron on the Brink
A disastrous season leaves Kashmir’s saffron growers staring at empty fields and a fading legacy. This is the year Pampore’s purple turned pale. By Jahangeer Ganaie In the sun-baked plateau of Pampore, where autumn usually unfurls a purple-tinged carpet of saffron blossoms, despair has taken root instead. Growers in Kashmir’s famed saffron belt say 2025 […]
A Decade of Silence
How One Man’s Marriage Unravelled Into Accusations, Courts, and a Fight for Dignity By Syed Majid Gilani When Arman’s family chose Rukhsar as his bride, their expectation was modest: a peaceful home, a kind partner, and a future built on trust. Wealth and social standing never entered the equation. What they noticed in her was […]
A Silent Climb
J&K’s HIV Cases Hit New Highs By Sameer Ahmad The steady rise in HIV cases across Jammu and Kashmir is becoming an increasingly serious public health concern, with updated data indicating a persistent upward trajectory over the past several years. According to new figures accessed through a Right to Information (RTI) application, 117 HIV-positive individuals […]
Ladhoo Gears Up for Annual Urs of Sheikh ul Alam
The annual Urs in Ladhoo blends spirituality, tradition and Kashmir’s saffron season, creating a unique cultural moment. By Er Aausyf ibn Farooq As winter settles over the Valley and saffron fields glow in their late-autumn bloom, the village of Ladhoo Pampore in Pulwama is preparing for one of its most deeply rooted spiritual gatherings — […]
Kashmir’s Alpha Generation Steps Into the Tech Dawn
Kashmir’s youth are stepping beyond traditional career paths and embracing the digital revolution, turning code, creativity, and global skills into new engines of opportunity. By Aubaid Akhoon Today’s era belongs to technology, and real success now rests with those who have learned to adapt and stay aligned with the fast-moving world around them. This urge […]
Tulip Garden Gears Up for 2026 Bloom
Floriculture teams begin sowing as the first batch of Holland bulbs arrives, setting the stage for another vibrant tulip season in Kashmir. By Chasfeeda Shah As Kashmir slips deeper into winter and soil temperatures tumble across the Valley, the Floriculture Department is already in spring mode. Preparations at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden — […]
The Art, Emotion, and Science of Signs
How simple symbols became powerful tools for expression, inclusion, and understanding in a rapidly changing world. By Aubaid Ahmed Akhoon Since the dawn of civilization, signs have been the quiet companions of human progress—silent but deeply persuasive forces that shaped how people communicated, learned, and even felt. Long before written alphabets or structured languages existed, […]
Book Review: Ganderbal Through a Child Prodigy’s Eyes
At just 12, Bhat Sehran emerges as one of Kashmir’s youngest chroniclers, capturing the natural beauty and cultural depth of Ganderbal in his latest work. By Rayees Ahmad Kumar Ganderbal, often described as the serene heart of Kashmir, has long been celebrated for its pleasant climate and breathtaking landscapes. From the rolling meadows of Mohandmarg […]