By Ajaz Rashid In the serene valleys of Jammu and Kashmir, the rugged mountains have found a young ambassador in Aabid Ahmad Thoker, a 23-year-old biochemistry student and avid trekker. Known to his growing social media following as Alfaaz Aabid, he hails from Narapora Shopian, a quaint village that has shaped both his love for […]
India
The Sacred Trek of Kailash Kund
By Mool Raj High in the Pir Panjal mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, where clouds kiss jagged peaks and the air carries the scent of pine and snow, lies one of the Chenab Valley’s most ancient and sacred pilgrimages: the Kailash Kund Yatra. Every year, thousands of devotees undertake this arduous journey to reach Kailash […]
Indian Forces Show No Restraint Against Terror
India has warned Pakistan that it risks losing its place on the world map if it continues to sponsor terrorism, as the Indian Army and Air Force outlined the extent of their strikes during ‘Operation Sindoor.’ The military operations, carried out to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, have demonstrated […]
Fragile Peaks, Fading Future
By Mool Raj The Himalayan states of India—Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and the northeastern hill regions—are standing on the frontline of climate change. Long celebrated as the “water towers of Asia,” these mountains feed the mighty Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems, sustaining nearly two billion people across South Asia. Yet, this […]
Kashmir’s Women and the Hidden Burden of PCOS
By Sameer Ahmad Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is increasingly emerging as a significant health concern for women in Kashmir and across India. Once considered a condition affecting only a fraction of women, PCOS is now being diagnosed more frequently among adolescents and young adults, raising alarm bells for both public health officials […]
The Subtle Shadow of Eugenics in Modern Advertising
By Kalpana Pandey On July 23, 2025, the clothing retail giant American Eagle released a highly controversial advertisement featuring young actress Sydney Sweeney. At a time when the company was struggling with financial losses, the campaign sought to capture the attention of its core demographic—young women—by casting Sweeney, whose fair skin, blonde hair, and blue […]
Wetland Revival Brings Record Migratory Influx to Valley
By Ajaz Rashid Kashmir’s wetlands have transformed into bustling sanctuaries for migratory birds, witnessing a record-breaking influx this season. According to the latest census, more than 1.34 million waterbirds belonging to 67 species have flocked to the Valley, marking a 65 percent increase in just six years. This surge is not just a triumph of […]
The Cost of Convenience in Modern Parenting
By Mool Raj In today’s fast-paced world, parenting has become a juggling act. Deadlines, household responsibilities, and the constant buzz of modern life leave many parents searching for quick fixes. One of the most common—and dangerous—shortcuts has quietly crept into our homes: handing a phone to a child as a digital pacifier. What begins as […]
Eleven Years of Jan Dhan
By Sameer Ahmad When Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) on August 28, 2014, few anticipated the scale of transformation it would bring. Eleven years later, India’s flagship financial inclusion programme stands as a global benchmark, with over 56 crore bank accounts opened and deposits crossing […]
Women Lead Red Rice Revival in J&K
By Arsheed Ahmad Bhat In the remote border villages of Teetwal and Tangdar in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, a quiet but powerful revolution is reshaping lives. The fields that once seemed abandoned are now blushing crimson at harvest time, as women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) […]