FEATURED

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...

The cases of HIV/AIDS are increasing with each passing year in Jammu Kashmir, as a total of 6,995 patients have tested positive in the region from 1998 until October 2024. A top health official informed the news agency that 1,569 HIV-positive patients have died since 1998 until October 2024, while 3,814 patients are living on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). He added that 406 patients have left follow-up. The health official stated that 5,379 cases of HIV have been reported at GMC Jammu, and among them, 1,372 have died, 336 have left follow-up, and 2,882 are living on ART. Similarly, at SKIMS Srinagar, the number of such patients till October 2024 is 851, with 33 deaths, 39 leaving follow-up, and 536 living on ART, he added. In ART Kathua, the number of patients registered in HIV ...

At an event hosted by Global Kashmiri Connect on Sunday, prominent Kashmiri clinical researchers and scientists shared insights into how locally informed medical research is revolutionizing healthcare for the people of Kashmir, while also influencing global health practices. Esteemed medical professionals such as Dr Mohammad Sultan Khuroo, Dr Abdul Hamid Zargar, Dr Parvaiz Koul, Dr Upendra Koul, Dr Javeed Iqbal, and Dr Nargis Bali Kaur engaged with medical students and young professionals, discussing their groundbreaking contributions across various medical specialties, from gastroenterology and endocrinology to microbiology. Together, these six researchers have published nearly 2,000 scientific papers, creating a wealth of knowledge grounded in the unique healthcare challenges of Ka...

A recent report from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has painted a grim picture of Jammu Kashmir’s employment landscape, revealing that the region has the highest unemployment rates in the country. The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) shows that 32 percent of youth in the 18-29 age group are unemployed in urban areas of J&K, making it the highest unemployment rate in India for this demographic. The data further highlights a concerning gender gap in the region’s job market. With a staggering 53.6 percent unemployment rate among women, J-K tops the country in female joblessness, which remains an urgent challenge for policymakers. The survey, which covers the July-September period, also found that youth unemployment in the region is disturbingly ...

In a powerful display of communal harmony, the Ehsaas Foundation extended critical support to Kashmiri Pandit families devastated by a massive fire in Purkhoo and Mishriwala villages. The incident, which left several homes in ruins, became a rallying point for unity as Muslim volunteers from the foundation worked tirelessly to aid their Hindu neighbors. Responding swiftly to the tragedy, foundation members, including Malik Zahoor, Faheem Reshi, Tahir Peerzada, Burhan Nazir, Farash, Umer, and Harris Hameed, mobilized resources to provide food, clothing, and temporary shelters to the affected families. Beyond material aid, their presence offered emotional solace to the displaced families, reinforcing a sense of shared humanity. "This isn't just about providing relief," said Malik Zaho...