December 2023 - Page 4 of 22

Dec272023 by News DeskNo Comments

IED detected, defused in Lawaypora Srinagar

REGIONAL

An improvised explosive device (IED) was recovered and defused along National Highway in Lawaypora area of Srinagar on Wednesday. A top official told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that security forces detected and defused an improvised explosive device (IED) concealed within a gas cylinder on the highway in the Lawaypora area of Srinagar. They said that soon after the detection, BDS was called and it was accordingly defused without any damage. Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance and started investigation. (KS)

Dec262023 by News DeskNo Comments

Government seeks tighter grip on WhatsApp, Zoom, and Gmail with New Telecom bill

INDIA

The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, has been passed by the Indian parliament, sparking concerns over its potential impact on user privacy and online services. The legislation, which aims to regulate all telecommunication services, including popular platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom, Reddit, and Gmail, brings about substantial changes to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997, and expands the regulatory purview to include broadcasters under the telecommunication umbrella. The recently passed bill, relying on 36 sets of subordinate legislation for operationalization, has raised eyebrows due to its potential implications for user privacy and the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Notably, the legislation permits only "authorized entities" to provide telecommuni...

Dec262023 by News DeskNo Comments

If there is no dialogue, Kashmir will become Gaza, says Farooq Abdullah

REGIONAL

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has criticized the reluctance of the Narendra Modi government to engage in peace talks with Pakistan. Stressing the significance of resolving bilateral issues through dialogue, Abdullah echoed the sentiments of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He referred to Vajpayee's assertion that while friends can be changed, neighbors cannot, emphasizing that maintaining friendly relations with neighbors is essential for mutual progress. Recalling Atal Bihari Vajpayee's stance on peace talks, Abdullah stated, "If we do not find a solution through dialogue, we will meet the same fate as Gaza and Palestine, which are being bombed by Israel." He questioned the absence of dialogue despite signals from the Pakistani side, highlighting the ne...

Dec262023 by News DeskNo Comments

Battle of flavors: Kashmir’s Home Chef competition draws 200 top chefs

REGIONAL

Inspired by the reality cookery show Master Chef India, a similar but local show is coming up in which 200 contestants will compete against each other to win prize money worth Rs 50000. In an effort to highlight Kashmiris' culinary prowess, ConsortX Media and Dabur Homemade are collaborating to host the first social media-based cooking competition in the valley, called “Home Chef.” The registration for the show has already begun and the organisers expect that 200 chefs from the valley will tantalize taste buds of the jury to showcase local talent. The show as per the organisers will be judged by the celebrated chef of Kashmir Yaseen Rishi who will select the winner after accessing their creations in two phases. Organisers said the show has two phases including a social media co...

Dec262023 by News DeskNo Comments

27-year-old Kulgam driver dies in Maharashtra road accident

REGIONAL

Danishwar Hameed In a heart-wrenching incident, a truck laden with cotton seeds, bearing license plate JK18A-9574, met with a fatal accident on the roads of Maharashtra. The driver, identified as Aejaz Ahmad Dar, a 27-year-old resident of Pombay, Kulgam, lost his life in the unfortunate collision. Aejaz Ahmad Dar, the son of Gh Mohd Dar, was on a journey from Hyderabad to Kashmir when the incident occurred. The truck, heavily loaded with cotton seeds, was part of a long and arduous journey. The news of his demise has left the community in shock, especially considering the promising age of the young driver. Hailing from a family with three brothers and two sisters, Aejaz Ahmad Dar's untimely departure has cast a shadow of grief over his loved ones.

Dec262023 by News DeskNo Comments

Gulmarg jampacked with 10,000 visitors on Christmas

REGIONAL

In a festive spectacle, Gulmarg, the renowned ski-resort embraced its winter charm, attracting around 10,000 tourists on Christmas Eve. The pristine snow-covered landscape echoed with joyous celebrations as locals, domestic and foreign tourists immersed in the festive spirit. The snowfall not only added to the scenic beauty but also contributed to Gulmarg's economic vibrancy. Assistant Director Tourism, Gulmarg, Javeed Ahmed, speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said Gulmarg recorded over 10,000 tourists on Christmas Eve, with a significant influx of foreign visitors. Javeed expressed optimism about a surge in foreign arrivals as winter activities unfold. On Sunday, Gulmarg marked 4,912 visitors, followed by 4,828 on Monday, which indicates a robust start to ...

Dec262023 by News DeskNo Comments

Dense fog again envelops Kashmir amid severe cold wave

OTHERS

Dense fog engulfed Srinagar and several other parts of Kashmir for the second day in running even as night temperature plummeted at most places of the Valley on Tuesday. A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.0°C against minus 2.3°C on previous night and it was 1.0°C below normal for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year. Most parts of the Valley including Srinagar again saw a thick blanket of fog, reducing visibility and causing inconvenience to commuters. Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 3.0°C against minus 2.6°C on the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature was 1.0°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 4.7°C against minus 4.3°C...

Dec262023 by News DeskNo Comments

Two separate earthquakes hit Jammu Kashmir

REGIONAL

Two earthquakes of mild intensity struck Ladakh and Jammu Kashmir early Tuesday, officials said. There were no immediate reports of any damage due to the tremors, they said. The epicenter of the two quakes were in Ladakh’s Leh district and Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, they added. According to the National Centre of Seismology (NCS), an earthquake of 4.5 magnitude occurred at 4.33 am in Ladakh.

Dec252023 by News DeskNo Comments

Community sense prevails: Over 45 Kashmiri youth donate blood to save a life at New Delhi hospital

REGIONAL

Suhail Dar In a remarkable display of unity and compassion, more than 45 Kashmiri boys stepped forward to donate blood to save the life of a fellow Kashmiri undergoing open-heart surgery at Delhi Apollo Hospital. The call for assistance was met with an overwhelming response after Shahid Nanda, Chairman of The Kashmir Blood Donors, and his colleague Huzaif of Pleasing Kashmir took charge of the situation. The family of the patient, originally from Srinagar, informed Shahid Nanda that the hospital required 25 pints of blood for the critical surgery. Acting swiftly, a union of all NGOs entrusted Shahid Nanda and Huzaif with the responsibility of coordinating the blood donation efforts. Shahid Nanda leveraged social media, particularly his Facebook page "The Kashmir Blood Donors...

Dec252023 by News DeskNo Comments

Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad: Mukhlis Wajdani, chasing dreams in his verses

WRITE-UPS

Bint e Haider My connection with Mukhlis Wajdani unfolded entirely by chance, as I initially had no knowledge of who he was. This connection evolved accidentally through the dynamics of a teacher-student relationship. When it became apparent that I harbored a mild interest in reading, he generously shared some books with me, without disclosing that he was the author. ALSO READ: Ibrahim Gul’s literary odyssey in the heart of Muzaffarabad Upon stumbling upon a picture with a name and title at his place. I was utterly astonished, my mouth agape in disbelief. Here was a person, a poet, and such a remarkably beautiful one. However, his demeanor portrayed an image of vulnerability and introversion. It seemed as though he lacked the ability to communicate, and observing him, one might think ...