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 […]
Columns
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 […]
The Art, Emotion, and Science of Signs
How simple symbols became powerful tools for expression, inclusion, and understanding in a rapidly changing world. By Aubaid Ahmed Akhoon Since the dawn of civilization, signs have been the quiet companions of human progress—silent but deeply persuasive forces that shaped how people communicated, learned, and even felt. Long before written alphabets or structured languages existed, […]
The Crisis We Created
The environment we inherited was pure; the one we’re leaving behind is battered. This piece traces how everyday choices, industrial greed, and policy failures have triggered a crisis that threatens future generations — unless we act decisively now. By Tariq Ali Dar There was a time, not too far in the past, when nature and […]
Saving Lives, Raising Awareness
By Sameer Ahmad On October 17, 2025, the world observed World Trauma Day, a pivotal occasion dedicated to raising awareness about trauma and advocating for enhanced emergency care systems. Established in 2011 by the Trauma Association of India, the day underscores the critical need for timely medical intervention and the prevention of traumatic injuries, which […]
Mind Under Siege
By Jahangeer Ganaie Amid a mounting mental health crisis across Jammu and Kashmir, an increasing number of people are beginning to seek treatment, signaling a slow yet significant shift in awareness and acceptance. Official data from the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag shows that over 2.7 lakh patients with mental health issues have been treated […]
The Ever-Changing Art of Love
By Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon “Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone; it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.” — Ursula K. Le Guin In the grand symphony of human existence, love is the melody that endures through every note of joy and sorrow. It is not static or […]
The Glitter and Gloom of Social Media
By Mool Raj Every age sets its own benchmarks for living standards, shaped by the prevailing forces of progress and human need. The twenty-first century is undeniably defined by technology. From artificial intelligence to biotechnology, from space exploration to digital communication, modern inventions have redefined the rhythm of daily life, bringing convenience and speed into […]
Kashmir’s Marriage Crisis
By Waris Nissar Nikah — the sacred bond of marriage in Islam — was meant to be a source of love, tranquility, and moral security. It is described in the Qur’an as a blessing from Allah, and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized it as a simple yet powerful act of worship. But in contemporary Kashmir, […]