FEATURED

The death toll in Rajouri’s Badhal village has reached 17 after 15-year-old Yasmeen Akther, the last surviving child of Muhammad Aslam’s family, succumbed to a mysterious illness at SMGS Hospital Jammu. The tragic deaths, which began on December 7 after a family fell ill following a social gathering, have left the region in shock and searching for answers. In a significant development, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Kotranka has ordered the sealing of a spring in Badhal village after water samples tested positive for pesticides or insecticides. The spring, a primary water source for the affected village, is now suspected to be linked to the fatalities. The discovery raises critical questions: Has the long-standing mystery finally been resolved? Could contaminated w...

Backchannel talks between the Indian government and Kashmiri separatists have led to a thaw in relations, with increasing indications that peace talks may resume soon, Deccan Herald reported. After a period of deadlock, attributed largely to the BJP's assertive approach towards Jammu Kashmir, the Centre is reportedly ready to restart meaningful dialogue with key separatist groups, particularly the Hurriyat Conference, which has been led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent political and religious figure in Kashmir. Sources suggest that the government has softened its stance following a shift in the mindset of influential separatist leaders. These leaders, it is believed, have recognized the futility of ongoing confrontation and discord, prompting a shift towards dialogue. The Centre, ...

The Salamabad olive orchard in Kashmir's uri has become a beacon of agricultural innovation. Established in 1987 through an Indo-Italian collaboration, this 30-kanal orchard is the only olive farm in the region. It houses 232 olive trees producing six to seven varieties, managed under the Department of Horticulture, Kashmir Life reported. Despite its potential, the orchard faces significant challenges due to climate change. While it produced 20 quintals of olive oil in 2021, extreme heatwaves in Uri, one of Kashmir’s warmer areas, caused a steep decline to just one quintal in 2023. The orchard employs a meticulous oil extraction process. Olives are hand-plucked, cleaned for 24 hours, ground into paste, and pressed using hydraulic machinery. Sixty plates are pressed simult...

Jammu Kashmir has recorded its driest year in four decades, with rainfall plunging to 870.9 mm in 2024—29 per cent below the normal annual average of 1232.3 mm. According to Kashmir weather, This significant deficit has sparked panic across the Union Territory, already grappling with the impacts of prolonged dry spells on agriculture, energy, and water supply. The latest figures mark the fifth consecutive year of below-normal precipitation in the region. Rainfall levels have been steadily declining, with 2023 recording a 7% deficit (1146.6 mm), 2022 witnessing a 16% deficit (1040.4 mm), and 2021 seeing a 28% drop (892.5 mm). With this year’s numbers nearing the previous low of 802.5 mm recorded in 1974, concerns are growing over the region’s ecological and economic stability. M...

A Neolithic burial site has been uncovered in Karewa (Wodder) of Newa village, Pulwama, marking a significant archaeological discovery in the Kashmir. The site was discovered during road expansion work and documented by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on October 9, 2024. An ASI team led by Superintending Archaeologist Rahul Ramesh Bhosle found 11 pits at the site, eight of which contained human bone remains. The remains were accompanied by artifacts such as red ochre, potsherds, and slab stones, consistent with Neolithic burial practices. The discovery suggests that these pits likely served as ancient burial grounds, raising questions about the cultural significance of the site and its connections to other Neolithic locations like Burzahom. Further investigations, c...

Several viral videos showing tourists drinking alcohol in public spaces in Kashmir have sparked widespread criticism and outrage across various sections of society. The incidents have reignited debates on cultural preservation, legal enforcement, and public behavior in the region. The videos, widely circulated on social media, show tourists openly consuming alcohol, has lead to anger among local Kashmiris, many of whom took to social media platforms to express their displeasure, highlighting the violation of both the region's cultural values and legal norms. Arif Husain, a social media user wrote, "Tourists are welcome in Kashmir. We want more and more tourists in Kashmir. but they are not allowed to disrespect the culture, traditional and the beliefs of a place. We ask the Police...

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on Ayaan Sajad, a 12-year-old musical sensation from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Recognized for his exceptional contribution to art and culture, the young singer was honored at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 26, 2024. Ayaan rose to fame with his rendition of the Kashmiri classic Be Dard Dadi Chane, a song penned by 17th-century Sufi poet Shamas Fakeer. His innovative take, blending traditional Sufi melodies with modern pop and rap elements, struck a chord with millions, making him a household name in the Valley. His journey began humbly, singing at family gatherings and local events, until radio jockey RJ Umer recognized his talent Speaking to media outlets, ...

Bhat Yasir Despite having lower per capita power consumption than its neighboring regions, Jammu Kashmir continues to face severe power shortages, especially during the cold winter months. According to the latest Central Electricity Authority (CEA) report, J-K’s per capita consumption stands at 1526 kWh, compared to neighboring Himachal Pradesh’s 1799 kWh, and far below Chandigarh (1674 kWh), Punjab (2574 kWh), Delhi (1848 kWh), and Haryana (2360 kWh) The situation has worsened with the onset of Chillai-Kalan, Kashmir's harshest winter period. Locals across the region have reported prolonged unscheduled power cuts, despite the installation of smart meters in certain areas. Residents of Kani Mazar in Downtown and Fateh Kadal shared their frustration with the Kashmir Power Distri...

Of late, a subtle yet noticeable shift has taken place in the language used for official press releases in Kashmir Valley. Hindi has gradually supplanted Urdu in many government communications, including those issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations. Even flagship government initiatives now frequently include Hindi terms, sidelining the once-dominant Urdu. When one keenly looks at the official press statements, one finds countless examples of Hindi words appearing in official English press releases including terms like ‘Prashasan’, ‘Bhavan’, ‘Divas’, ‘Satarak’, ‘Abhiyan’, ‘Atmanirbhar’, and so on and so forth. These terms have replaced Urdu equivalents that were once standard in such communications. Even major government initiatives and schemes are frequ...

Concerned citizens and social activists have raised alarms over the extensive degradation of ‘karewas’ (fileds) in the Parigam Newa village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, criticizing the authorities for disfiguring these unique landscapes under the guise of development. Karewas, known for their fertile soil and historic almond and saffron cultivation, are being stripped of their topsoil, with over 400 dumpers of soil reportedly transported to other areas. “This large-scale excavation has devastated the agricultural fields and left the surrounding village at heightened risk of landslides,” some activists told the news agency Kashmir News Trust. Activists have questioned the role of the Pollution Control Committee and Land Revenue Authorities in permitting such activities, poi...