From the ancient epics of Mesopotamia to the modern classroom, poetry has always been the language of the human soul. By Sahil Sharifdin Bhat Every sane person carries a verse in their heart. Whether it is a fragment of a nursery rhyme, a line from a sacred text, or a couplet from a film song, […]
Opinion
Healing Old Wounds
For decades, the silence in Kashmir was often loudest in the homes of terror victims. These were families who, after losing loved ones to the brutality of terrorism, were forced into a shadow existence—marginalized by a system that seemed paralyzed by fear or, worse, indifference. However, the recent ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar, where […]
The Two-Rupee Note and the White Fiat
From the gleam of the Principal’s white Fiat to the taste of a two-rupee samosa: A personal journey back to Greenland High School and the gentle, unhurried rhythm of 1980s Srinagar By Syed Majid Gilani To understand what we have lost, we must sometimes travel back. Not just across the years, but into a different […]
Kashmir’s Winter Smog
As winter deepens across Kashmir, a silent but potent threat is tightening its grip on the Valley: worsening air pollution. What was once considered a seasonal inconvenience has now emerged as a full-blown public health crisis, driven by a dangerous cocktail of prolonged dry weather, traffic congestion, biomass burning, and unchecked construction dust. Across urban […]
The Green Machine Fighting Climate Change
From ancient oceans to modern farms, algae may hold the key to cutting carbon and methane while feeding the planet. By Mool Raj Algae are not just pond scum or seaweed washed up on the beach; they are among the most ancient and adaptable life forms on Earth and may hold the key to solving […]
Weaving Legacy
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]