November 2021 | Page 6 of 11

Dotted with Security Bunkers & Frisking Points, Kashmir has ‘Returned to the Nineties’

November 16, 2021 Editor

Locals, political observers, and opposition parties say that the increased presence of security forces is disrupting lives and fuelling resentment By: Auqib Javeed When 65-year-old Mohammad Ramzan was recently passing through the Lal Chowk area of Srinagar—the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, he witnessed the “return of the nineties” in Kashmir. “Stop and check” by security forces was routine back then when armed insurgency was on the rise in the valley. Ramzan, a businessman from the Bandipora area of North Kashmir, remembers people standing in long queues with hands…

Ladakh leaders announce mass agitation to press for statehood

November 16, 2021November 16, 2021 Editor

Call for a strike on December 6 Accusing the BJP-led central government of being non-serious towards the issues and concerns of the people of Ladakh, prominent leaders from the union territory on Saturday announced a mass agitation to press for their four main demands, including full statehood and constitutional safeguards for the region. Govt has failed to meet demands The entire Ladakh region is united in support of our jointly chalked out agenda. The government has not shown seriousness towards addressing the demands of Ladakh. Asgar Ali Karbalai, Co-chairman of…

Why Kashmir’s famed willow cricket bat industry is fighting for a big hit?

November 16, 2021 Editor

In a country where cricket is like a religion, bats are obviously prized commodities, but the industry needs sustenance By: Kalpana Sunder Driving down the national highway from Srinagar to Pahalgam, past snow-covered peaks, saffron fields, and army checkpoints, you come across Sangam. This sleepy village, located about 40 kilometers from Srinagar, greets you with grids of willow clefts stacked along the roadside and on roofs of buildings and left to dry under the mellow Kashmiri sun. Sangam’s claim to fame is its cricket bats, which find their way into…

As fog engulfs Kashmir Valley, Health experts advise people to avoid morning walks

November 16, 2021November 16, 2021 Editor

Experts cold weather conditions increase the risk of stroke and heart attack as it constricts blood vessels; increasing Covid cases, another concern; so people must avoid morning walks till the fog conditions subside As Kashmir continues to witness low and sub-zero night temperatures, which leads to foggy mornings, doctors have advised people to avoid going out for morning walks as it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Another concern is the increasing Covid cases. Jammu and Kashmir’s capital Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season on Saturday…

Wicker-Willow craft dying a silent death

November 16, 2021November 16, 2021 Editor

Wickerwork, a well-known art in Kashmir, is slowly fading away, as many artisans associated with this industry are switching to other forms of livelihood. Wicker, a plant species also known as Shallows, is found in a Shalbug village of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Shalabug was given a Model Village title back in 2002, where 6000 people depend on willow work for their livelihood. The village produces a lot of raw material from locally cultivated willow rushes and reeds. Villages like Harran, Shalla Bug, Tehlipora, Kachan, Gundi Rehman are the main…

COVID19: 108 new cases, 3 deaths in J&K

November 16, 2021 Editor

J&K recorded 108 Covid cases and three fatalities due to the disease, taking the infection tally to 3,34,288 and the death toll to 4,453, officials said on Monday. Of the fresh cases, 19 were from the Jammu division and 89 from Kashmir. Srinagar district recorded the highest number of 40 new cases, followed by Baramulla with 19. There are 1,517 active cases in the UT while the number of recoveries stands at 3,28,318. Ladakh reported 28 fresh cases. The infection tally has reached 21,176, while the number of active cases…

Human Shield: Two ultras, house owner killed in Hyderpora gunfight

November 16, 2021November 16, 2021 Editor

Two Ultras, a Civilian killed in Hyderpora encounter

Civilian killed during the encounter was used as “Human Shield” by the forces, claims family Two unidentified militants and a civilian were killed in an encounter between the ultras and security forces in the Hyderpora area of the city on Monday, officials said. The encounter broke out near a hospital here when security forces launched an anti-militancy operation, a police official said. He said two militants were killed in the gun battle, while a civilian also lost his life. The deceased civilian has been identified as a 44-year-old businessman, Mohammad…

Autumn In Kashmir; Season to walk over the Chinar Leaves

November 15, 2021November 15, 2021 Editor

Enter Chinar garden at Dal Lake in Srinagar. At one side of the garden, children were playing cricket on fallen Chinar leaves. Naseer Ganai “Jis khaak ke zamir mein ho aatish-e-chinar Mumkin nahien ke sard ho wok hake arajmand” (The spark that has in its conscience the fire of Chinar trees, The spark, celestial dust, will never become cold) – Sir Muhammad Iqbal For centuries the Chinar tree has attracted and inspired Kashmiri poets. And Iqbal’s couplet is on everyone’s lips. Enter Chinar garden at Dal Lake in Srinagar. At…

Harissa to HokhGaed: Some mouthwatering Kashmiri delicacies you should try this winter

November 15, 2021 Editor

Winter s here, so are the delicacies that will rule your kitchen for the next four months. Winter in Kashmir is harsh as bone-chilling and heavy snowfall remain the order of the day. In Kashmir which usually remains cut-off from the rest of the country, the preparation for winter begins in autumn when people stockpile essentials from food to fuel. Under such circumstances, people usually remain indoors, hence a chance to savor winter delicacies both as meals and snacks. Here in this article, we will discuss the delicacies, which remain…

COVID19: J&K registered 181 cases with 155 from Kashmir

November 15, 2021 Editor

Srinagar continues to report the highest cases Srinagar: One hundred and eighty-one new positive cases COVID-19, 26 from Jammu division and 155 from Kashmir division, were reported on Saturday in Jammu and Kashmir, an official bulletin said. Moreover, 95 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from various hospitals including 15 from Jammu Division and 80 from Kashmir Division. Providing district-wise breakup for positive cases, the bulletin said that Srinagar reported 44 cases, Baramulla reported 43 cases, Budgam reported 23 cases, Pulwama reported 02cases, Kupwara reported 17cases, Anantnag reported…