September 2023 | Kashmir POST

Preserving a Forgotten Treasure: The Gufkral Caves and the Ancient Potter’s Legacy in South Kashmir

September 30, 2023 Editor

By: Surinder Singh Oberoi In the idyllic landscapes of Tral, south Kashmir, a hidden gem from ancient times languishes in a treasure trove of history and culture the Gufkral Caves, nestled within the old-fashioned Gufkral village. It also witnesses the passage of time and the enduring legacy of eighteen potter families spanning generations. It is a saga of resilience and heritage now overshadowed by neglect, slowly crumbling as we endeavour to revive the ancient arts and crafts. The village’s cultural and historical significance deserves to be resurrected from oblivion and…

Omar accuses government of “Insensitivity” for declaring Eid Holiday a day early

September 30, 2023 Editor

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has criticised the decision of the J&K government to “declare Eid Milad-un-Nabi holiday a day earlier than the actual date”. Speaking after offering Friday congregational prayers at the Hazratbal shrine, which holds the relics of Prophet Muhammad, Omar expressed his disappointment with this decision. Eid Milad-un-Nabi commemorates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Omar took the opportunity to extend his greetings to the people on this occasion. However, he questioned the government’s rationale behind declaring a holiday a day in advance when it was widely known…

NHAI Breaks Own Rule, Places Toll Plazas Less Than 60 km Apart on Srinagar NH

September 30, 2023 Editor

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said last year that toll won’t be collected at collection points located within 60 km of one another. On the Pathankot-Srinagar highway, there are two such plazas within that range where the NHAI has been charging toll. The NHAI claims these are on different sections of the same NH. It also says toll can be imposed within 60 km if needed. Contrary to the statement of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari last year that toll tax would not be levied at…

Seven Trains Cancelled Due to Farmers’ Protest, Passengers Stranded at Jammu and Katra

September 30, 2023 Editor

Inflated taxi cost : Taxi operators have been demanding Rs 35,000 for a trip to Delhi. Station authorities told us to come tomorrow. Where will we stay? Suraj Singh, Shmedabad resident No assistance: We have been stranded here since yesterday. No one is listening to us. Bihari Lal, Chhattisgarh resident Many passengers, including pilgrims, were stranded at Jammu and Katra railway stations on Friday as seven trains were cancelled and 13 diverted due to a ‘rail roko’ agitation by farmers in different parts of Punjab. Members of several farmers’ bodies began their…

Kashmir Grapples with heavy Load Shedding, Residents Demand Relief

September 30, 2023 Editor

Kashmir is currently grappling with a significant electricity crisis as it faces persistent load shedding, resulting from a substantial gap between the demand and supply of electricity, amounting to a staggering 300 Megawatts (MW). Officials of Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) have cited two primary factors exacerbating this situation: a drought-like situation in Jammu and Kashmir leading to reduced water discharges in River Jhelum and River Chenab, affecting hydropower generation, and decreased purchases of power from outside power generation companies (Gencos) by the government. According to a senior KPDCL…

J&K Students allegedly beaten up at Jhansi School, sent Home

September 30, 2023 Editor

Student exchange programme between J&K, UP cancelled after reports of assault, violence Eighteen male students of Navodaya Vidyalay (NV) from J&K, who were at the school’s branch in UP’s Jhansi under an exchange programme, were sent back to the Valley after they were allegedly assaulted by local students when the latter staged a protest on the campus on Thursday night, alleging their schoolmates sent to Rajouri were beaten up there following a dispute the previous day, said police. The Jhansi students were also on their way back from Rajouri and…

BJP issues show cause notices to eight senior leaders in Kashmir

September 30, 2023 Editor

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Altaf Thakur among those served show-cause notice for ‘indiscipline’ The Bharatiya Janata Party in Kashmir has issued show cause notices to eight senior leaders for ‘indiscipline’ within the party. The show cause notices have been issued to Ghulam Mohammad Mir, Dr Ali Mohammad Mir, Altaf Thakur, Asif Masoodi, Arif Raja, Anwar Khan, Manzoor Bhat and Bilal Parray. Earlier this month, BJP had issued similar notice to one of its senior vice presidents and former legislator, Sufi Yusuf. “While holding inquiry of indiscpline against Sofi Yusuf, vice president of…

Hit-and-Run Crashes: A Growing Problem on Our Roads

September 29, 2023 Editor

By: Javid Amin The streets of posh localities in the Kashmir Valley have been witnessing a concerning trend. Young men, hailing from influential families and accustomed to a life of privilege, have been recklessly speeding through the streets in cars often owned by their parents. This reckless behavior, fueled by their sense of entitlement and disregard for the law, has been causing a growing number of accidents, and sadly, pedestrians are frequently the victims. These young drivers, sometimes rightly labeled as spoiled brats, seem to believe they are above the…

Load Shedding ON: Kashmir Power Supply Disrupted as Dry Spell Reduces Water Levels in Reservoirs

September 29, 2023 Editor

Prolonged Dry Spell in Kashmir Leads to Electricity Woes The picturesque region of Kashmir is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, with its abundant water bodies, lush green valleys, and towering Himalayan peaks. However, the past few months have brought about an unexpected challenge for the people of Kashmir – a prolonged dry spell that has significantly reduced the water levels in the region’s vital water bodies. This has led to a domino effect, impacting the generation of electricity and, consequently, causing power curtailment that’s affecting the daily lives of…

Kashmir Faces Power Shortage as Dry Spell Reduces Hydropower Output

September 29, 2023 Editor

With prolonged dry spell leading to the reduction in water level in most of the water bodies across the Valley, the Kashmir-based power houses are generating less electricity, prompting the government to go ahead with power curtailment, causing immense hardships to the people. Pertinently, August and September—2023 has recorded deficient rainfall while the hot and humid weather conditions continued for weeks together, breaking the decades old record in the month of September. The hot and humid weather conditions resulted in reduction in water level in the famous water bodies including…