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...

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...

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, ...

The prolonged delays in completing two crucial bridges over the Jhelum River in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are causing hardships to residents of over a dozen villages, according to locals. The work on the Dogripora and Reshipora bridges, started in 2007 and 2008, respectively, are yet to be finished, leaving locals grappling with challenges. Mukhtar Ahmad, a resident of Dogripora village of Awantipora, expressed concern over the slow progress, saying many people have met with accidents while attempting to cross the Jhelum on boats due to the absence of the bridge. “These bridges are vital as they would connect numerous villages with the national highway at Pujteng, Sethar, and over 50 villages with the Panzgam Pulwama Railway station,” Ahmad said as per the news agency—Kashm...

In a significant development, a court has ruled in favor of the petitioner, quashing the preventive detention order imposed under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act. The judgment, delivered under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, highlights concerns about the lack of factual and legal reasoning in the grounds of detention. The petitioner, represented by their father, challenged the detention order dated December 31, 2022, issued by the District Magistrate, Srinagar. The court expressed serious reservations about the grounds of detention, describing them as an "opinionated caricature" created by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar. The court pointed out that the grounds of detention lacked context and failed to provide a factual basis for the petitioner's allege...

Dense fog engulfed Srinagar and several other parts of Kashmir for the second day in running even as night temperature plummeted at most places of the Valley on Tuesday. A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.0°C against minus 2.3°C on previous night and it was 1.0°C below normal for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year. Most parts of the Valley including Srinagar again saw a thick blanket of fog, reducing visibility and causing inconvenience to commuters. Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 3.0°C against minus 2.6°C on the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature was 1.0°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 4.7°C against minus 4.3°C...

Reacting to the announcement of CM Siddaramaiah to lift ban on the hijab, Muskan Khan, a student from Mandya district in Karnataka who had raised the slogan of “Allah hu Akbar” against a group that chanted “Jai Shri Ram”, stated that, “hijab is our right and let us live like brothers and sisters henceforth”. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Muskan said, “Hijab is our culture. It is our right. I believe that we will get the right. There should be no politics in education. “I thank CM Siddaramaiah, Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan, Speaker U.T. Khader and DyCM D.K. Shivakumar. I thank them for giving back our rights. They have supported our culture. We used to study at the college like brothers and sisters. It should always be like that,” she stated. “She further said, “Hijab is our rel...

Scores of residents of Bafliaz area in Poonch staged a demonstration to protest against the alleged death of three civilians in the custody of government forces. Sources said that several persons had been arrested for questioning in the aftermath of the militant ambush that left five troopers dead and two other injured on Thursday. Three civilians who were in custody, as per the locals, were rushed to the hospital where they were declared brought dead by the doctors. News agency Press Trust of India reported that the three were among the eight people reportedly picked up by the Army for questioning in connection with Thursday's attack at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station, the officials said. Poonch Deputy Commi...

Bhat Yasir In the midst of the 'Curative Survey Scam' unsettling Kashmir, a courageous young man from South Kashmir emerged as the central figure, bringing the scandal to light two days prior to the public uproar. Nafi Javaid, a B-Tech student from Kulgam, runs the 'Nafxx Tech' page on social media through which he educates the masses about online frauds and provides technical training. On 16th December, Javaid posted a video on his social media page in which he exposed the reality behind the 'Curative Survey', which was actually a scam. Hundreds of Kashmiris claim that they were cheated by this fraud company. “It isn't the first time; I have exposed a fraud company before the 'Curative Survey Scam' as well,” Javaid said, adding, “Many people contacted me and inquired about thi...

The exclusion of Nawroz from the list of public holidays recently issued by the Jammu Kashmir administration has sparked discontent among various segments of society. Syed Karar Hashmi, a prominent sociopolitical activist, expressed his disappointment over this decision, emphasizing Nawroz's cultural significance and its role in fostering unity and camaraderie in the Valley. In a press statement, Hashmi highlighted Nawroz as a valuable component of the region's cultural heritage, noting its inclusion in the "International Day of Nawroz" by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010. He pointed out that Nawroz was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009 and extended in 2016, as recognized by the 2003 Convention for the Safeg...