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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...

A genetic study conducted by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Jammu Kashmir has unveiled the profound historical influence of Central Asian and Arab populations on Kashmir's genetic makeup, tracing these connections back to the Silk Road. This genetic research offers new insights into Kashmir's ancient demographic interactions. The study, published in the International Journal of Legal Medicine, analyzed genetic markers from 694 individuals randomly selected from various districts across Jammu Kashmir. The results highlight strong genetic ties between Kashmir’s population and communities from Central Asia and Arab regions, reflecting the lasting impact of the Silk Route—an extensive network of trade routes connecting China with the Mediterranean from as early as 130 BC. ...

The months' long dry spell in Kashmir has left farmers struggling as the lack of rainfall continues to affect crops, from fruit to vegetables, experts and farmers said Monday. Even as the dry spell was broken by the snowfall in upper reaches and light rain in plains, the experts opined that there was a desperate need for major spells of rainfall as trees are craving for moisture and soil is thirsty. The scarcity of water has not only affected the sowing of new crops but also hindering the growth of the existing ones. Farmers who usually grow a variety of vegetables, including carrots and collard greens, are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their crops. Without water, many of these crops are withering under the relentless sun. “Our irrigation systems are failing, an...

Suhail Dar In an unfortunate incident, a seven-year-old schoolboy was critically wounded when he met with an accident in the Dooru area of Anantnag district, prompting authorities to take action against the private school involved. The family of the boy, Usman Ahmad Itoo, son of Imtiyaz Ahmed Itoo and a resident of Nishan area in Dooru, spoke to The Kashmiriyat and accused the school authorities of negligence, which they claim led to Usman's serious injuries. On October 29, Usman, who was aboard a school bus from Iqbal Memorial Institute (IMI) Dooru, fell from the moving vehicle at around 10 A.M., suffering severe injuries. Hospital documents accessed by The Kashmiriyat confirm that Usman has sustained multiple injuries, including fractures to his pelvic bone, rectum, legs, and...

In a significant move, the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed a bill today seeking the restoration of the region's special status, nearly five years after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The bill, introduced by the ruling National Conference's (NC), Surinder Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister and MLA from Jammu region and supported by several opposition parties including the People's  Democratic Party, calls for the reestablishment of the privileges that once set Jammu Kashmir apart within the Indian Union. The passing of the bill in the state assembly comes at a time of ongoing political uncertainty in Jammu Kashmir, which was reorganized into two Union Territories—Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh—following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. The abrogation has been one of...