By Ajaz Rashid Kashmir’s rich handicraft heritage has once again claimed the national spotlight, reaffirming the Valley’s stature as a crucible of artistic excellence. The recent National Awards announced by the Union Ministry of Textiles celebrate two master craftsmen whose patience, skill, and creative devotion embody the very essence of Kashmir’s living cultural legacy. Their […]
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The Siren Trap
The ancient tale of the sirens becomes a striking metaphor for the seductive distractions that steer us off course today. By Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon Long before modern navigation apps and digital maps, sailors traced their journeys by instinct, courage and the shimmer of a faraway horizon. Among the many stories carried by those who braved […]
The Brick Trap
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 […]
Social media claims on JKPSC exam misleading: LG Sinha
Jammu, Dec 6: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday clarified that recent social media posts regarding the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) examination are misleading. He said that the file received by Lok Bhavan on December 2, 2025, was specifically related to age relaxation. “Despite a lapse of four days, Lok Bhavan did […]
Lifestyle Shift Fuels Rising Diabetes in J&K
By Ajaz Rashid The rising tide of non-communicable diseases in Jammu and Kashmir is no longer a distant warning—it is an unfolding crisis. Fresh assessments by health experts reveal that roughly one in ten residents is already living with diabetes, while nearly 15 percent hover in the pre-diabetic zone. These numbers, growing with alarming consistency, […]
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 — […]