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 […]
Opinion
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, […]
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, […]
A Blow to Terror
By Ajaz Rashid The latest crackdown on a transnational terror module linked with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) is more than just another successful police operation. It is a resounding affirmation that the Indian state is neither asleep nor intimidated. With eight arrests including three doctors who shockingly betrayed their professional oath, the operation […]
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 […]
Solar Revolution Brightens J&K
The promise of clean, reliable, and affordable energy is no longer a distant dream for Jammu and Kashmir as the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a flagship rooftop solar initiative, is gradually transforming rooftops into power hubs and households into self-sufficient energy producers. With thousands of consumers already receiving zero electricity bills, the scheme […]
The Age of Information Overload
In an era flooded with alerts and updates, the human mind struggles to stay afloat. What was once a quest for knowledge has turned into a battle for clarity. By Abid Hussain Rather There was a time when knowledge was a beacon of light—an instrument of wisdom, reflection, and inner peace. It elevated the human […]