The Government College for Women on MA Road, Srinagar, has renamed its auditorium from “Lalla Arifa” to “Lal Ded”, following objections from members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, The Hindu reported. The controversy arose after the college had originally named the auditorium Lalla Arifa, a title that sparked protests from Pandit groups and community leaders. They argued that the name did not accurately reflect the 14th-century mystic poetess and spiritual icon, whose historically accepted name is Lal Ded or Lalleshwari. Kundan Kashmiri, president of the Kashmiri Pandit Conference, said the original naming “distorted the legacy of Lal Ded and misrepresented Kashmir’s cultural history.” Pandit organisations emphasized that Lal Ded is regarded as the mother of Kashmiri Shaivite philo...

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Cabinet Sub-Committee’s final report on reservation has been approved, with the Social Welfare Department tasked to prepare a cabinet memo for further action within days. Addressing a press conference marking one year of his government, Omar said that while the administration “couldn’t have done better under current circumstances,” it will be judged only after completing its five-year term. “We’ve fulfilled the promise of tabling the statehood resolution and begun regularising daily wagers — 860 CPWs were confirmed today,” he said. Reiterating his stance on statehood, the Chief Minister appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to “honour the commitment made in Parliament and the Supreme Court.” He said stat...

Locals Thursday alleged that expired medicines were distributed to patients at the Ayushman Bharat Comprehensive Primary Health Centre (PHC) Odina, in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. According to reports, a local female patient suffering from bone and joint pain was prescribed medication by a medic posted at the health centre. However, after collecting the prescribed medicines from the dispensary, the patient discovered that the tablets had already passed their expiry date. “We are being given expired medicines that can endanger our lives,” said the female patient, showing the expired strips. “This is gross negligence, and the authorities must be held accountable.” The attendants who accompanied the patient also voiced anger, alleging that the dispensary staff had handed ov...

Police on Thursday detained two persons during naka checking at Budran Magam and recovered several posters belonging to a banned organization, officials said. A top police officer told news agency—Kashmir News Corner (KNC), that two persons were detained during naka checking at Budran Magam, and over 18 posters of the banned organization were recovered from their possession. He said the duo has been identified as Muzamil Ahmad Bhat and Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar—both residents of Aripanthan Magam. Meanwhile, a case has been registered and further investigation has been taken up.—(KNC)

Reports of unseasonal flowering and leaf growth in apple, almond, and other fruit trees across parts of Kashmir have triggered concern among orchardists, who fear the phenomenon may signal deeper climate change impacts on horticultural patterns. However, experts have cautioned against drawing such conclusions, saying the recent developments are physiological responses to plant stress rather than indicators of changing weather cycles. According to horticulture scientists, the premature sprouting of new leaves or flowers at this time of year occurs when trees experience stress caused by insect attacks, diseases, or leaf damage, followed by a spell of favorable conditions such as mild temperature and adequate moisture. “This phenomenon often happens when leaves are badly affected by ...