REGIONAL

Amid frequent power cuts, the Kashmir valley continue to freeze in extreme cold from north to down south, even as weatherman has predicted wet weather during the next few hours. In a report, Independent weather forecaster, Kashmir Weather, reported that a weak Western Disturbance is going to affect Jammu Kashmir between today afternoon and tomorrow morning. Under its influence, light rain/snow is expected at a few places, especially over higher reaches. Light snowfall is also expected in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Gurez Valley, and Mughal Road. "Shopian Town may also experience light snowfall tonight," Kashmir weather reported. Meanwhile Srinagar, the summer capital of the region recorded a slight rise in the minimum temperatures against last night. The temperature recorded was minus 1...

DNB resident doctors at the Government Medical College-associated hospital in Janglat Mandi, Anantnag on Thursday continued their strike to protest the non-payment of their monthly stipends. The Diplomate of National Board (DNB) is a postgraduate Master’s degree equivalent to the MD/MS degree awarded to Specialist Doctors in India after the completion of a three-year residency. Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), DNB resident doctors expressed frustration, saying they haven't received their stipends for the last seven months, which has compelled them to go on strike. “We are around 40 DNB residents, and most of us are from outside J&K. We have families dependent on us, and without stipends, we are unable to make ends meet,” they said. Doctors lamented t...

In a concerning revelation, an RTI revealed that all records of the Chief Education Office in Srinagar were ravaged by the floods in September 2014. The revelation was made after an RTI activist, Suhail Ahmad Dar, filed an application under the Right to Information Act seeking information pertaining to Foundation World School. The Chief Education Officer Srinagar, in response to Dar's RTI, stated in a document accessed by The Kashmiriyat, “In the light of above cited subject. The RTI filed by you regarding Foundation World School, in this regard it is to submit that all the records of this office were damaged due to Sept. 2014 floods.” An official from the CEO Office, divulging further details, confirmed that almost all records up to 2014 fell victim to the floods. “The school re...

Prayers were disallowed at Jama Masjid Srinagar and Aga Syed Mohammed Hadi Kashmiri, prominent religious cleric was placed under house arrest for the tenth consecutive Friday. Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq also continues to remain under house. The Anjuman said that no reason is provided by the authorities for these restrictions and curbs. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, as per the statement, has condemned the repeated closure of the Jama Masjid on Fridays and his detention, including on Fridays. He said that all claims of so called normalcy fall flat by such anti people measures and he fails to understand why the Jama Masjid was being targeted again and again. He said the the rulers should stop playing with the religious sentiments of the Muslims and let them offer prayers in their mo...

The Jammu and Kashmir Bank continues to disappoint customers with its digital services. Even as the customers were informed by text messages that UPI services will remain affected between 12 to 6 am on 13 December but customers say the service is still down. The customer told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that none of the transactions were happening via UPI. Those with J&K Bank accounts and living outside the J&K, who mostly rely on online mode of payments using UPI services in multiple modes like PayTM, GPay and PhonePay were affected. We were able to make Mpay transfers for the same bank beneficiaries but transactions to other banks both from Mpay and UPTO services are not getting through,” they said. A Kashmiri student wrote on 'X' that the bank users ou...

The night temperature has improved at multiple places in Kashmir on Friday while Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu Kashmir shivered at minus 3.5 degree Celsius. According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the parts of Dal Lake froze amidst the bone-chilling cold across the region. The sub-zero temperature has been recorded across all the stations while Qazigund, the gateway of Kashmir, also recorded a low of minus 2.8 degree Celsius. Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, has recorded a low of minus 3.4 degree Celsius while Pahalgam, a famous tourist place, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.0 degree Celsius. In Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 4.2 degree Celsius while in Kokernag, a minimum temperature of minus 1.9 degree Celsius was recorded—(KNO)

In a remarkable feat for Jammu & Kashmir, two young talents, Labeeb and Zaid, etched their names in history at the Asian Championship held in Bahrain from December 9 to 12. Facing formidable opponents from South Korea and the UAE, the duo emerged victorious, securing two gold and two bronze medals in the Youth A category. Labeeb and Zaid's exceptional performances against opponents Won Gyu Park from South Korea and Humaid Al-Ali from the UAE showcased their prowess in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Their success adds a glittering chapter to India's medal tally, with Labeeb and Zaid bringing home gold and bronze, respectively. Zahoor Ahmad and Sheikh Khalid, accompanying Team India as coaches, played a pivotal role in shaping the team's success. The President of MMA J&K, N...

The Assam government has renamed at least 1281 Madrasas across 31 districts in the state and turned them into general schools, officials said on Thursday. Taking to his X handle, state education minister Ranoj Pegu shared the information. He wrote, “Consequent to conversion of all Govt and Provincialised Madrasas into general schools under Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA). Department of School Education, Assam has changed the names of 1281 ME Madrasas into Middle English (ME) School by a notification today.” The order shared by Pegu read as, “As per approval of the state government, the nomenclature of the 1281 Upper Primary Schools ME Madrassa under Directorate of Elementary Education, Assam shall be known as ME School with immediate effect.” A legislation was passed by...

The night temperature across Kashmir plummeted further with Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recording the coldest night of season at minus 5.4 degree Celsius. According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the sub-zero temperature has been recorded across all the stations while Qazigund, the gateway of Kashmir, also recorded a low of minus 3.8 degree Celsius. Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, has recorded a low of minus 5.0 degree Celsius while Pahalgam, a famous tourist place, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.8 degree Celsius. In Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 4.2 degree Celsius while in Kokernag, a minimum temperature of minus 1.6 degree Celsius was recorded—(KNO)

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has introduced detailed rules for the registration of marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, addressing a longstanding demand of Sikhs to have their marriage rituals recognized separately from the Hindu Marriage Act. The newly framed 'Jammu and Kashmir Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2023' designate tehsildars as registrars for Anand marriages within their territorial jurisdiction. Sikh couples can apply for registration within three months of marriage, with a late fee applicable after the deadline. The move has been hailed by the Sikh community, ending an identity crisis caused by the absence of a distinct Sikh marriage act. Dating back to 1909, the Anand Marriage Act aimed to acknowledge and honor Sikh wedding customs. In 2012, the Par...