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Danishwar Hameed Amid growing public anger over viral videos showing tourists consuming alcohol in public places in Kashmir, support is surging for the proposed bill to ban alcohol in the region. People across Kashmir are welcoming the initiative, expressing gratitude to PDP MLA Fayaz Mir and NC legislator Ahsan Pardesi for planning to introduce the legislation aimed at preserving the "region’s cultural and religious values". The issue gained momentum after videos of tourists drinking openly in popular tourist spots sparked widespread criticism, with many Kashmiris arguing that such behavior "disrespects local traditions and social norms". The incidents intensified calls for stricter regulations on alcohol consumption and sales in Kashmir. The proposed bill follows an earlier a...

Jammu Kashmir has 10,848 urban homeless individuals, according to the latest figures presented in the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on February 10, 2025. The data, sourced from the Primary Census Abstract: Houseless Population, Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, highlights the growing challenge of providing adequate shelter for vulnerable communities in the region. Across India, the total urban homeless population stands at 9,38,348, with the highest numbers reported in Uttar Pradesh (1,80,929), Maharashtra (1,11,373), and West Bengal (1,04,967). While Jammu Kashmir’s figures are lower in comparison, the presence of over 10,000 homeless individuals underscores a pressing issue requiring urgent attention. The government not...

Meer Irfan  In a remarkable feat of dedication and scholarship, 75-year-old Gulzar Ahmad Parray from Kaprin, Shopian, has completed a translation of the Holy Quran into the Kashmiri language after 42 years of relentless work. Parray, a retired government employee with a Master’s degree and a B.Ed in Kashmiri, embarked on this journey decades ago to make the sacred text more accessible to Kashmiri-speaking people. Over the years, he published and distributed five parts (separa) of the Quran to various educational institutions. Now, after completing the translation of all 30 chapters, he is preparing for its full publication. Reflecting on his journey, Parray shared, “There were moments when I felt overwhelmed by the responsibility, but the thought that future generations would r...

A video circulating on social media showing non-local men filming Kashmiri women without their consent has ignited anger and concern among residents and online users. The footage, allegedly recorded from inside a car, shows the men staring at and capturing videos of women in public spaces. The incident has been widely condemned, with many calling it an invasion of privacy and a blatant disregard for local culture and women's safety. Social media platforms have been flooded with criticism, with users demanding strict action against those involved. https://x.com/PanditAbrar/status/1885594059332608316 Mehak Firdous, a Kashmiri woman expressed, “Kashmir is not your safari & its people are not exhibits for your amusement. If you can’t act like a decent human being you don’t d...

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...