By Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon Kashmir, with its snow-capped peaks, shimmering lakes, and Mughal gardens, has always carried a reputation for unmatched beauty and cultural depth. Yet, amid the grandeur of its landscapes and the poetry of its history, another jewel quietly thrives—its culinary traditions. Kashmiri cuisine, best known to outsiders for the royal feast of […]
SOCIETY
Teachers’ Day: Beyond Ceremonies, Toward Respect
By Rayees Ahmad Kumar During the turbulence of the Second World War, when intellectuals and leaders were falling to violence, Adolf Hitler was once asked what should be protected at all costs. His response was telling: “Protect only the teachers; the whole nation will be rebuilt.” The statement, though coming from one of history’s darkest […]
The Wolf Within Us
By Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon The wolf, a creature that has fascinated humanity for centuries, occupies a unique place in myth, folklore, and the natural world. It is at once feared and revered—cast as a cunning predator in old tales and celebrated as a symbol of loyalty, strength, and independence in cultural traditions. Its duality mirrors […]
The Enduring Role of Libraries Today
By Mool Raj In an era where information is available at the tap of a screen, it is tempting to assume that libraries have outlived their usefulness. With smartphones delivering instant answers and digital platforms offering books, films, and lectures, the quiet stacks of a public library might seem like relics of another age. Yet […]
Teaching Beyond the Blackboard
By Syed Mustafa Ahmad Teaching is often described as the most difficult profession in the world, a claim that may sound exaggerated until one steps into a classroom and confronts the daily realities of the job. While other professions demand skill, effort, and dedication, teaching demands something more elusive: the ability to ignite minds, sustain […]
Childhood in Kashmir: Then and Now
By Rayees Ahmad Kumar Childhood has always been the most delicate and crucial stage of human life. Doctors advise parents to exercise extra caution during these formative years, while psychologists and educationists stress the need for vigilance, knowing that this stage becomes the cornerstone of a person’s overall personality. Writers and poets have celebrated childhood […]
Beyond the Battlefield
By Abid Hussain Rather Whenever we hear the word war, our minds instinctively drift toward images of armed conflict—armies clashing on distant battlefields, nations locked in combat, or the great wars etched into history books. Yet, war is not confined to blood and gunpowder. In truth, it is an inseparable part of life itself. Each […]
Book Review: Whispers of the Valley
By Aubaid Akhoon Kashmir has long been called paradise on earth—a place where snow-fed rivers weave through emerald valleys, where mountains guard centuries-old shrines, and where poetry is as natural as the scent of blooming almond orchards. It is here, in this landscape steeped in mysticism, that poet, writer, and entrepreneur Nawaz Kashmiri found his […]
Bandipora Ki Aham Shakhsiyaat
By Rayees Ahmad Kumar Nestled between the shimmering waters of Wular Lake and the snow-kissed peaks of North Kashmir, Bandipora has long been celebrated for three treasures — Ilm (Knowledge), Adab (Literature), and Aab (Water). This blessed land has nurtured a remarkable legacy, producing generations of poets, scholars, authors, educationists, and reformers who have left […]
Trapped by Desire
By Sameer Ahmad Life, like a calm river, often conceals hidden perils beneath its tranquil surface. We chase after glittering opportunities—wealth, power, and fleeting joys—unaware of the dangers that lie in wait. These illusions of grandeur often distract us from eternal truths, much like a fish enticed by bait, oblivious to the deadly hook it […]