January 2022 | Page 4 of 7

Pherr Or Smoked fish -Kashmir’s winter delicacy

January 16, 2022 Editor

By: Urvat il Wusqa With the arrival of the winter season in Kashmir, many traditional delicacies are prepared. One of among them is “Pherr” or “Smoked Fish”. When its appetising aroma fills the room, one forgets the harshness of the cold weather. From ancient times people of Kashmir have been fond of smoked fish especially the elderly people of the downtown area of Srinagar. It is believed that Pherr provides energy to beat the harsh cold winters and helps keep the body warm. The pherr is usually cooked with Kashmiri…

Latest surge in Covid-19 cases giving big blow to Kashmir tourism industry

January 16, 2022 Editor

Just when the tourism season in Kashmir was picking up, the surge in Covid-19 cases has again hit the tourism sector. Tourists are cancelling their bookings. Just when the tourism season in Kashmir was picking up, the surge in Covid-19 cases has again hit the tourism sector. Tourists are cancelling their bookings. Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF) president Abdul Wahid Malik told this daily hotel occupancy has declined. He said tourists are cancelling bookings and they were receiving scores of calls in this regard. According to Wahid, there…

J&K reports 3251 fresh cases of Covid19 and 04 deaths in 24 hours

January 15, 2022 Editor

Cases included 1129 from Jammu and 2122 from the Kashmir division with the maximum number of 685 coming from the Jammu district Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a major spike in Covid-19 cases with 3251 cases being reported within 24 hours. Four Covid deaths were also reported from the UT. The cases included 1129 from Jammu and 2122 from the Kashmir division with a maximum number of 685 coming from the Jammu district. Srinagar district reported 624 cases and Ramban and Shopian reported minimum cases at three and four respectively. Two Covid…

As cold wave continues unabated in valley MeT predicts fresh rain, snow in J&K

January 15, 2022 Editor

Srinagar recorded minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 11.4, and Gulmarg minus 9.5 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature on Saturday. Intense cold waves continued in J&K and Ladakh on Saturday as morning fog covered most parts of Jammu city and its adjoining areas. An official of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said cold waves continued in J&K and Ladakh on Saturday as morning fog added to the chilly conditions in Jammu city and its adjoining areas. Srinagar recorded minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 11.4, and Gulmarg minus 9.5…

Imran Khan unveils new National Security policy, ‘Kashmir at core of ties’ bats for better ties with India

January 15, 2022 Editor

Pakistan desires to improve its relationship with India, though a “just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir” issue will remain the core of bilateral relations, according to Islamabad’s new National Security Policy released on Friday. Past governments had focused solely on military security and never planned beyond this, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said while addressing a ceremony at which he released the public version of the policy. “We’ve never had the concept of a coordinated national security policy,” he said. National security adviser Moeed Yusuf said the…

Guf Kral -The endangered legacy of Kashmiri potters as they struggle to keep the art alive

January 15, 2022 Editor

Gufkral is a site inhabited by potters who utilise the caves. Among the oldest caves in Kashmir, some estimates trace their origin to around 3000 BCE By : Mudasir Rawloo Guf Kral is a Neolithic site located at Banmir village in Hurdumir area of Tral which is 40 kilometers from the summer capital of Srinagar. Gufkral is a combination of two Kashmiri words ‘Guf’ (means cave ) and ‘Kral’ (means potter). Gufkral is one of the oldest caves in Kashmir and its origin has been traced to 2000-3000 BCE. These…

J&K sees 2456 Covid infections, 5 deaths; Govt imposes weekend curfew

January 15, 2022 Editor

In response to a surge in Covid-19 cases in the union territory, the Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered complete restrictions on non-essential movement during weekends. The number of active positive cases crossed the 10,000 mark. However, officials said only 5.4 percent of hospital beds are occupied. The officials said 68,803 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, around 3,000 less than yesterday when more than 71,000 tests were conducted since the start of the pandemic. Of the total infections on Friday, 934 cases and three deaths were reported…

Surya Namaskar: Forced order stokes controversy across Kashmir Valley

January 15, 2022January 15, 2022 Editor

Surya Namaskar: Forced order stokes controversy in J&K

A government order asking faculty members and students of colleges to perform Surya Namaskar has drawn sharp criticism from two former J&K chief ministers and city mayor as they termed this order as undemocratic. Director colleges, higher education department, Yasmeen Ashai in order had directed nodal principal, Jammu division colleges, and nodal principal, Kashmir division colleges, for organising a large-scale Surya Namaskar on Friday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. “The Government of India has desired that on the occasion, a large-scale virtual Surya Namaskar be organised under the Azadi…

With huge spike of 1695 infections, J&K clocks highest daily Covid case count in 7 months

January 13, 2022 Editor

J&K reported the highest 438 cases in Jammu district followed by 320 cases in Srinagar, 250 in Kashmir’s northern district of Baramulla and 116 in Valley’s central district of Budgam Jammu and Kashmir saw another major spike in Covid cases after recording 1,695 fresh infections on Wednesday, highest daily count in over seven months. A death was also witnessed in Jammu division. The surge is 47% more than Tuesday’s 1,148 cases and 900% more than 169 cases on January 1. The last time the union territory had recorded such high daily…

Citing huge losses, Kashmir apple growers demand ban on imports from Iran

January 13, 2022 Editor

Iranian apples had been reaching India via Dubai Apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevent the huge losses they have incurred due to the import of Iranian apples to India. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, President of Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association and New Kashmir Fruit Association Bashir Ahmad Bashir said traders outside Kashmir have imported huge quantities of apples from Iran at cheap rates due to the sanctions on Iran. “Iranian apples are selling cheap,…