January 2024 - Page 21 of 22

Jan32024 by News DeskNo Comments

Kashmir witnesses 79 per cent dip in rainfall in December

REGIONAL

Amid an unyielding dry and cold wave, Kashmir experienced no respite on Wednesday as minimum temperatures persisted several degrees below freezing point. On Tuesday night, Anantnag town emerged as the coldest spot in Jammu and Kashmir, with the mercury plummeting over seven degrees below freezing, creating a thin layer of ice on Dal Lake’s surface. For the second consecutive night, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, causing residents living in houseboats on the lake to face difficulties navigating through the icy waters. The extreme cold-wave conditions have led to frozen water supply pipes in various parts of Kashmir, adding to the challenges the locals face. Pahalgam, a vital base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir’s Anantna...

Jan32024 by News DeskNo Comments

Legacy in peril: Kashmiri artisans sound alarm on decline of walnut wood carving craft

BUSINESS

The traditional art of walnut wood carving is facing a decline as demand diminishes, posing challenges to the centuries-old craft and its skilled artisans. Artisans associated with this craft expressed their concerns to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), saying the tradition of walnut wood carving is experiencing a decline. Ghulam Qadir Matoo, 80, a seasoned walnut wood carving artist in Arampora Nawakadal Srinagar, said his grandfather, Ghulam Mohammad Matoo, initiated their workshop in 1920. He recounted that there used to be hundreds of artisans engaged in walnut wood carving, but after 1980, the industry witnessed a decline due to a shift in people's preferences and a decrease in demand. “Tourists visit the area, but they prefer purchasing from showrooms, which yi...

Jan32024 by News DeskNo Comments

Anantnag shivers at Minus 7.2°C as Kashmir faces extreme dry and cold spell

REGIONAL

Amidst a persistent dry spell, the Kashmir Valley continues to face sub-zero temperatures, with Anantnag recording the coldest at -7.2°C. Officials anticipate generally cloudy conditions from January 4–5, with dry weather prevailing across plains and a slight possibility of isolated light snowfall in extreme higher reaches. The forecast for January 6–7 indicates mainly dry weather with no significant changes. Kashmir has been grappling with an extended dry period, with no precipitation expected over the next six days, resulting in a significant 79% rainfall deficit in December. Notably, most plain areas lack snowfall, and the upper reaches of the valley have received below-average snowfall by the end of December. The minimum temperatures today depict a chilly scenario across th...

Jan32024 by News DeskNo Comments

Mosque among two structures gutted in fire incident in Kulgam

REGIONAL

Danishwar Hameed A fire incident in Frisal, Kulgam, resulted in the destruction of a mosque and a residential house on Wednesday. The blaze originated in the joint partitioned house of Jahangir Ahmed Pala and Ab Majeed Pala, completely gutting the residence, locals told The Kashmiriyat. The two-story Jamia Masjid also suffered extensive damage to its rooftop, but the fire was eventually brought under control by the efforts of police, fire tenders, and local residents. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Jan22024 by News DeskNo Comments

Kashmir’s Umrah tour operators report drastic slump in pilgrimage bookings this season

OTHERS

Umrah tour operators in Kashmir are grappling with subdued response this season with heavy slump in the bookings. As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), this is despite the fact that the rate of Umrah package this year is comparatively Rs 10,000 low compared to the previous year. Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken any time of the year. Typically, the Umrah season, i,e from December to March, in Kashmir sees a surge in bookings and enthusiasm as devout Muslims embark on a spiritual journey to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. However, this year has proven to be an exception, with tour operators facing unexpected challenges that have resulted in a substantial decline in the number of pilgrims. As per the Umrah tour operators of Kashmir, ver...

Jan22024 by News DeskNo Comments

Kashmir’s Gujjar Women fight to save traditional Skull Caps amid cultural shifts

OTHERS

Gujjar women in Kashmir struggle to sustain the fading tradition of crafting traditional skullcaps, facing diminishing orders and changing fashion trends, as they call for cultural programs and support to revive their unique cultural heritage. As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), in Namblan village of Southern district of Pulwama, 65-year-old Zulaikha sits on the grass in front of her kotah (mud and wood house), stitching a skullcap. Despite receiving fewer orders, Zulaikha is content, as any order brings hope that the tradition will endure. Gujjar and Bakerwal women, forming the third largest ethnic group in the region, have distinctive traditional caps known as "topi." Stitched from cloth and embroidered with colorful threads, these caps hold cultural significance. Howev...

Jan22024 by News DeskNo Comments

Decline in Kashmiri language usage threatens our cultural identity

OTHERS

In a worrying trend, the Kashmiri language is experiencing a significant decline, especially among the younger generation, with civil society raising concerns about the erosion of cultural identity. For them, the importance of language as a vital cultural bond and a means of effective communication cannot be overstated. They said the apparent drop in Kashmiri language proficiency needs urgent intervention. Speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), renowned poet and writer Zareef Ahmed Zareef highlighted the historical significance of the Kashmiri language, saying it has served as a language of culture for over 5000 years. He acknowledged the impact of English-medium schools on the language but cautioned against the total adoption of languages other than Kashmiri, ...

Jan22024 by News DeskNo Comments

Cluster University Srinagar students fear degree completion delay, seek attention

REGIONAL

In a stark contrast to the progress made by universities like Kashmir University and Islamia College Srinagar, students at Cluster University Srinagar are expressing growing concerns over the sluggish pace of their academic calendar. While some institutions are already in their 6th semester, Cluster University Jammu has even released the datesheet for the 5th semester, the CUS is yet to take internal examination of 5th semester students. A student said, “Right now I'm in 5th semester. My academic session started in March 2021 and it was supposed to be completed in March 2024.” “But now given the situation my degree will be completed in October 2024 and even I fear will it be complete by October or not,” she said. Students indicate that the 6th semester might stretch until Septe...

Jan22024 by News DeskNo Comments

Fuel stations across Jammu Kashmir hit by massive queues amidst truckers’ protest

REGIONAL

Extensive queues formed at fuel stations throughout Jammu Kashmir as truckers initiated a strike in protest of stringent penalties for hit-and-run incidents under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita law. The strike severely impacted fuel supplies in the region, leading to a surge in panic buying. The J-K fuel station owners' association reported that 90% of petrol pumps in Jammu had run dry, with the remaining stocks expected to deplete within hours due to the absence of 1,500 fuel tankers on strike. The All J&K Petrol Tanker Owners' Association declared their intention to sustain the strike until the contested legislations were revoked. Long queues of vehicles at fuel stations in Kashmir resulted in traffic congestion in parts of Srinagar and other areas of the Valley. The Bhara...

Jan22024 by News DeskNo Comments

School Edu Dept seeks recommendations, proposal for establishment of Madrassa Board in JK

REGIONAL

School Education Department has sought recommendations and proposal from the draft committee for establishment of Madrassa Board in Jammu Kashmir. According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) in this regard has accorded to establish a draft committe of four members. “Sanction is accorded to the establishment of Draft Committee comprising of four officials who will prepare a comprehensive draft proposal regarding establishment of Madrassa Board in J&K,” it reads. DSEK said that the Committee shall meet at its headquarters from January 03-7. “They shall submit their recommendations and proposal to DSEK by or before January-10-2024.”—(KNO)