“Safar Taveel Hai, Bhoj Bhi Bari Hai. Par Har Surat, Yeh Safar Jaari Hai.” (The journey is long, the burden is heavy. But at all costs, the journey continues.) With these poetic words resonating through the august House, the Finance Minister rose to present the Second Budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir […]
Cover Story
Budget Session: LG Unveils Roadmap for a Prosperous J&K
In his first address to the newly elected Assembly, the Lieutenant Governor laid out a vision anchored in Economy, Ecology, and Equity. In a landmark address marking the commencement of the Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir laid out a sweeping vision for the Union Territory, defining the […]
77th Republic Day, J&K Redefines “Integration” Through Rail, Road, and Resolve
From the termination of the Indus Water Treaty to the arrival of the first freight train in the Valley, the 77th Republic Day address outlines a radical shift in strategy. The message is clear: the era of managing conflict is over; the era of aggressive integration has begun. The 77th Republic Day celebrations in Jammu […]
The Silent Ebb
Can Kashmir’s Vanishing Blue Veins Be Saved? For centuries, the Kashmir Valley has been defined by the rhythm of its waters. From the sweeping expanse of Wular Lake to the intricate, willow-lined veins of the Jhelum River, the region’s identity is as much liquid as it is solid. But today, a quiet crisis is unfolding […]
Cloud, Code, and Connectivity
From “snail mail” to cloud computing and digital addressing infrastructures, the Department of Posts is undergoing a radical reinvention. By Ajaz Rashid For generations, the image of the Indian postal system was immutable: the sturdy red letterbox standing sentinel on a street corner, the rhythmic thud of a date stamp, and the uniformed postman on […]
Year 2025: How J&K Moved Forward
From governance reforms and infrastructure milestones to tourism revival and social welfare, 2025 marked a year of steady movement for Jammu & Kashmir. As the sun sets over the peaks of the Zabarwan Range this December, the reflection on the waters of the Dal Lake carries more than just the golden hue of winter. For […]
The Gifted Hands of Kashmir
Policy-driven modernization, skill-transfer schemes and global market access are breathing new life into Kashmir’s traditional crafts, long seen as relics of the past. By Ajaz Rashid Deep within the emerald folds of the Himalayas, the rhythmic clatter of the handloom and the soft scraping of the kalam against papier-mâché continue to serve as the heartbeat […]
LG Admin Corrects Past Wrongs
In a decisive blow to the ‘backdoor culture,’ the government terminates 103 illegal F&ES appointees, upholding its ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy against corruption. By Ajaz Rashid In a decisive crackdown aimed at restoring the sanctity of public institutions and upholding the merit of aspiring youth, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday terminated the services of […]
GROUNDED AND CAPPED
The Centre imposes emergency fare caps after a week of mass flight cancellations and steep price spikes, aiming to stabilise domestic air travel. By Ajaz Rashid In early December, as holiday bookings peaked and families finalised travel for weddings and work, India’s domestic skies turned chaotic. Thousands of flyers found their plans upended by a […]
Kashmir’s Shift to a Concrete Jungle
Unregulated construction is swallowing Kashmir’s farmland, reshaping its landscape and future. By Ajaz Rashid The landscape of Jammu and Kashmir is undergoing a profound shift—one that is visible in the fast-rising concrete structures, disappearing paddy fields, and orchard land flattened to make way for shopping complexes and residential colonies. What was once a region defined […]