The Silk Road didn’t just bring goods; it brought flavors. Discover how Persian traders influenced one of Kashmir’s most iconic dishes. It’s a story of history, heritage, and the 40 harshest days of winter. By Aubaid Akhoon As the first heavy snows of Chillai Kalan—the harsh, forty-day period of intense cold—descend upon the Kashmir Valley, […]
India
Guldanda’s White Gold
How a High-Altitude Meadow is Redefining Bhaderwah Tourism By Mool Raj Perched at a staggering altitude of ten thousand feet, the Guldanda meadow in the Bhaderwah region of Jammu and Kashmir has transformed into a veritable winter wonderland, effectively ending a disheartening two-month dry spell that had gripped the Chenab Valley. This scenic locale, often […]
J&K Sets Stage for Census 2027
By Sameer Ahmad After a long delay that left policy planners and political strategists relying on aging data from 2011, Jammu & Kashmir is finally set to undertake the colossal exercise of Census 2027. The Union Territory-level Census Coordination Committee is expected to soon decide on a 30-day window for houselisting operations (HLO) between April […]
Back from the Brink
Kashmir’s Hangul Population Hits 323 as Conservation Efforts Turn a Corner By Irfan Bashir For the first time in decades, the mist-shrouded forests of Kashmir are witnessing a verifiable resurgence of their most iconic resident. The critically endangered Kashmiri Hangul (Cervus hanglu hanglu), a species once teetering dangerously close to extinction, has recorded a population […]
Predatory Premiums
Behind the glossy brochures lies a ‘profitable nexus’ of coercion. As banks in the region prioritize non-interest income to fuel their operational costs, vulnerable borrowers are finding that their loans come with strings—and premiums—attached. By Rafiq Dar For many in Jammu and Kashmir, a visit to a local bank branch is an act of trust. […]
Doda: The Hidden Soul of the Middle Himalayas
While the plains swelter under the summer sun, a quiet revolution of cool air and emerald meadows awaits in the Chenab Valley. From the “Mini Kashmir” of Bhaderwah to the high-altitude thrills of Padri Pass, we explore why Doda is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul seeking respite. By Mool Raj In the sweltering heart […]
Eggs are Back on the Menu: FSSAI Debunks Cancer Myths
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a firm clarification on Saturday, dismissing recent claims that eggs in India pose a cancer risk. The regulatory body labeled such allegations as “scientifically unsupported” and warned that they create “unnecessary public alarm.” The statement comes in response to viral social media posts and media […]
Gifts, Guard, And Geopolitics
India welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Kashmiri-infused state banquet and high-level talks aimed at reinforcing defence, energy and trade cooperation. By Sameer Ahmad Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to India concluded on Friday last week with a grand vegetarian state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where Doon Chetin made with Kashmiri morels […]
Agencies Deny Claims as Mehta’s Defamation Suit Reaches Delhi HC
New Delhi, December 1: The Delhi High Court on Monday heard the defamation suit filed by former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta against retired IAS officer Ashok Kumar Ranchhodbhai Parmar and several news media platforms, in a case that has quickly become a study in how unverified allegations can be weaponised […]
Planet on the Brink
As wildlife vanishes and ecosystems unravel, scientists warn the world is running out of time to protect the natural systems that sustain human life. By Mool Raj The natural world is entering a dangerous new chapter, one defined by shrinking habitats, collapsing species populations, and ecosystems pushed to the brink. Scientists warn that biodiversity is […]