By Ajaz Rashid The Jammu and Kashmir government’s recent announcement to extend crop insurance cover to apple, saffron, mango and litchi growers marks a significant step toward securing the region’s horticultural backbone. For a Union Territory where horticulture sustains nearly 35 lakh people and contributes around 8 percent to the GDP, this policy move signals […]
Editorial
The Significance of LG Sinha’s Russia Visit
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s recent visit to Russia to bring back the sacred relics of Lord Buddha marks a rare confluence of spirituality, diplomacy, and cultural renewal. Beyond the ceremonial and religious grandeur, the journey underscores India’s timeless role as a custodian of Buddhist heritage and its commitment to strengthening civilizational ties across borders. The […]
Kashmir’s Rising Animal Bites
By Ajaz Rashid As World Rabies Day approaches, the numbers emerging from Srinagar’s Anti-Rabies Clinic at SMHS Hospital are a stark reminder of a persistent public health challenge. In just the first six months of this year, over 8,300 cases of animal bites—mostly involving dogs and cats—have been recorded. Since 2015, the clinic has logged […]
PoK Protests Shake Pakistani Rule
By Ajaz Rashid The recent eruption of violent protests across Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) marks a watershed moment in the region’s struggle for political and civil rights. Over the past weekend, thousands poured into the streets of Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, Rawalakot, and Neelum Valley, united under the leadership of the Awami Action Committee (AAC). Their message […]
Next-Generation GST
By Ajaz Rashid On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, not merely with festive greetings, but with a message signaling a new chapter in India’s economic journey. With the launch of the Next Generation GST reforms, India steps forward in its pursuit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, bringing relief, simplicity, and […]
Kashmir’s Horticulture Gets a Lifeline
By AJaz Rashid Kashmir’s Horticulture Gets a Lifeline: The launch of the daily parcel train service connecting Kashmir with New Delhi marks a significant milestone in the region’s economic development and infrastructural modernization. Flagged off recently from Nowgam Railway Station, this initiative promises to transform the way perishable horticulture produce, particularly apples and walnuts, reach […]
Rising Drug Overdoses
By Ajaz Rashid Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing a silent but alarming public health crisis: the rise of drug overdose cases among its youth. This trend is no longer limited to illegal narcotics; prescription drugs and sedatives are increasingly being misused, often with fatal consequences. What makes the situation particularly concerning is that the majority […]
From Pen Drives to GovDrive
By Ajaz Rashid The Jammu & Kashmir government’s decision to prohibit the use of USB drives and pen drives on official devices is more than just a bureaucratic directive—it is a recognition of how fragile digital security has become in an era of cyber vulnerabilities. In a region where governance often intersects with heightened political […]
A Matter of Dignity in Healthcare
By Ajaz Rashid The ongoing complaints from women patients in Jammu and Kashmir over the absence of female staff in ECG rooms highlight a gap in our healthcare system that is too significant to ignore. An electrocardiogram is among the most common diagnostic procedures, yet for many women in the Valley, the thought of undergoing […]
From Slaughter to Scandal
In Kashmir, where fo By Ajaz Rashid In Kashmir, where food is both a cultural pride and a religious duty, the recent discovery of over 3,500 kilograms of rotten, possibly non-halal meat has done more than disgust—it has shattered public trust. This is not merely a public health scare; it is a collapse of the […]