Month: March 2021

Badamwari to open from March 21

Editor

The famed Badamwari in Srinagar which is witnessing an almond bloom will open for visitors from March 21, officials said today. “Tourism Department is organizing cultural evening at Badamwari Garden from 4 PM to 6 PM on March 20 (Saturday) to announce its opening and the garden will be open for [the] general public from March 21 (Sunday),” said an official. He said Secretary Tourism, Sarmad Hafeez along with Director Tourism Kashmir, Dr. GN Itoo will be present at the cultural evening. For Booking & Information can visit JKL Travels…

Read More

First Delhi bound night flight took off from Srinagar Airport successfully

Editor

GoAir completes the trial, Indigo to hold trial today: Dir Airport The first night flight was operated from Srinagar Airport tonight by Go Air to New Delhi at 1915 hrs. Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce, Ranjan Prakash Thakur who was present on the occasion greeted the crew of the flight and other ground personnel. Speaking on the occasion, the Principal Secretary said that the start of the night operations from Srinagar is the dawn of a new era as it will improve air connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir. He added…

Read More

2021 Gave a dream start to the dead tourism industry in Kashmir

Editor

Come Spring, Kashmir is fully sold out with hotels booked to the brim. An official of the tourism department said they are preparing for bumper spring and summer seasons in Kashmir. “Travel agents are receiving satisfactory queries from tour operators across the country. The bookings have surged since December. Hotels are 100% booked till April,” he said. Post unlock, Kashmir has been one of the most sought-after destinations for backpackers.Data reveals that tourism arrivals surged by 30 percent in the first quarter of 2021. As per the figures, more than…

Read More

Narparistan the Epitome of Faith

Editor

The auspicious arrival of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (R.A) heralded a new era in the history of Kashmir. Almost every sphere of the society had its impact felt as the immigrants who accompanied the great missionary settled in the state. The traditional account puts the number of people as seven hundred, comprising religious luminaries, sufis, artisans and skilled persons which is corroborated by the contemporary and later sources. In the spiritual sphere the mystic silsilhas or orders were introduced by these Sufis. Among the luminaries accompanying Mir Syed Ali…

Read More

Hammam Concepts: Kashmir Vs Turkey

Editor

Although the concept and architecture of hammams in Kashmir and Turkey differ, they served as a popular spot for socializing in both places Hammams utilize an age-old technique and a very eminent heating system in Kashmir. While the concept of hammam originated in Turkey, this system was introduced to the Kashmiris by Mughals, who came to India in the 16th century from Central Asia. Besides the popular cuisines, arts and crafts, hammams continue to be one of the most lavish traditions in Kashmir. However, the hammam concept is different in…

Read More

No outsider purchased land in J&K: MHA

Editor

More than a year after the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was revoked and the State made a Union Territory, the administration has identified over 22,000 government jobs but recruitment is yet to take place. No person from outside J&K has purchased land in the UT so far, according to information provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to a parliamentary panel. The panel was informed that the vacant jobs include only 533 gazetted posts and 21,846 Class IV posts. J&K has been under Central rule since…

Read More

After two years of lockdown children from across the Kashmir Valley started returning to schools

Editor

Schools across Kashmir have reopened after nearly two years of home learning forced by back-to-back lockdowns. Initially closed after the disputed region’s partial autonomy was revoked in 2019, the schools were shut again after the coronavirus was declared a pandemic in March 2020. It was the day Waseem, a 16-year-old grade 10 student had been waiting for. “We were away from friends, from school which impacted our mental health. We used to feel depressed as we had no one to talk to and our classes also got impacted.” But the…

Read More

Recent Protest in Srinagar triggers the biggest crackdown since 2019

Editor

The first protest in months in Srinagar’s old city has triggered the biggest government crackdown since 2019, with dozens of youths arrested since Friday and some of them booked under the stringent Public Safety Act. Police said they had arrested 39 “stone-throwing” youths during dozens of raids after a protest at Jamia Masjid on Friday. Fifteen accused have been booked under the PSA, Valley police chief Vijay Kumar told a news conference on Wednesday. A person can be detained for six months or even longer without trial under the PSA.…

Read More

India topped the list of 29 countries that forced Internet Shutdown

Editor

In 2020, India topped list of 29 countries that blocked access to the internet despite increased demand during COVID-19. Over the past year, billions of people all over the world have relied heavily on internet connectivity to keep in touch with family and friends, learn online, work from home and get vital information about the coronavirus pandemic. Yet over the course of 2020, 29 countries intentionally shut down or slowed their internet communications at least 155 times, according to a new report published by Access Now, a non-profit digital rights…

Read More

Pheran Row: Fear of the Pheran returns to Kashmir Valley, Security forces issue fresh guideline

Editor

Security forces have been asking those wearing the loose, traditional garment – including the reporter – to take it off as they fear it may be used to hide arms. Civilians wearing pherans – the long robe traditionally worn in Kashmir in winter as protection against the cold – have found themselves under security forces’ scrutiny once again. On February 19 two policemen were killed after being shot at close range by a militant in the Baghat area of uptown Srinagar, along the high-security Airport Road. The incident was captured…

Read More