July 2024 | Page 10 of 11

Embracing Faith: Ex-Imam Defends Voluntary Conversion to Islam; Challenges Waqf Board’s Decision

July 4, 2024 Editor

Srinagar: Questioning the ‘authority’ of the Muslim Waqf Board for barring him to stop discharging his religious duties, the former Imam-o-Khateeb of the revered Hazratbal shrine, Dr Kamal-ud-Din Farooqi Tuesday said the man who embraced Islam did so ‘voluntarily’ and not under ‘duress’. Following allegations of forced conversion of a Hindu man from Haryana in April this year, Farooqi was barred from leading prayers at the Hazratbal shrine. He said the Waqf Board accused him of presiding over the meeting of the alleged forced conversion, causing total chaos and confusion…

Sizzling Srinagar: Valley Swelters as Second Hottest July Day in a Decade Scorches City

July 3, 2024July 3, 2024 Editor

Kashmir Sizzles Under Unprecedented Heatwave, Srinagar Records Second Hottest July Day in a Decade Kashmir is experiencing a brutal heatwave, with scorching temperatures exceeding normal levels by a significant margin. On Tuesday, Srinagar, the region’s capital, witnessed its hottest day of the season, reaching a staggering 34.6°C. This scorching temperature even surpassed Kolkata’s high of 31°C, making Srinagar hotter than a city typically known for its sweltering summers. This scorching heatwave isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s setting records. Meteorological officials report that Tuesday marked the second hottest July day in Srinagar…

J&K Assembly Polls: NC Announces Formation of Manifesto Committee

July 3, 2024 Editor

The committee will be led by senior party member and former Jammu and Kashmir finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather With an eye on the impending assembly polls scheduled to be held before September, the National Conference has constituted its manifesto committee. The committee will be led by senior party member and former finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather. The NC is buoyed by its recent performances in the Lok Sabha polls, where it had won two of the three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir and polled the highest number of total…

Reunion on the Cards: Three DPAP Leaders Set to Re-Join Congress

July 3, 2024 Editor

Ahead of the Assembly elections Jammu and Kashmir Congress party is all set to get a boost as three Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) leaders are all set to re-join Congress party in upcoming days. These leaders include former Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Uri Taj Mohiddin, former MLA Shangus Gulzar Ahmed Wani and former MLA Doda Abdul Majeed Wani. Sources said that they have contacted party leadership in New Delhi and during the recent meeting between party high command and Congress leaders from Jammu and Kashmir it was…

Triggering UAPA: Tribunal Stresses Caution on Plebiscite Advocacy in J&K

July 3, 2024 Editor

The tribunal also said that the outfit cannot take refuge behind the UN resolutions of 1948 or any international treaty. New Delhi: An association in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be permitted to blatantly indulge in secessionist activities and cannot ague that seeking a plebiscite does not amount to unlawful activity under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a tribunal has ruled while confirming the Union home ministry’s ban on Muslim League Jammu Kashmir, which is led by separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat (MLJK-MA). The tribunal also said that the outfit cannot…

Beat Stress Naturally: Discover the Top 7 Foods for Relaxation and Calm

July 3, 2024 Editor

Eat Your Way to Zen: 7 De-Stressing Foods to Combat Chronic Stress By: Saika J Chronic stress has become a modern-day epidemic, impacting both our mental and physical health. The relentless pressure to juggle work, family, and personal commitments can leave us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and depleted. While seeking professional help and practicing stress-management techniques are crucial, what we put on our plates can also play a significant role in managing stress levels. Certain foods are nature’s stress-busters, packed with nutrients that can help regulate stress hormones, improve mood, and…

Heat Wave Scorches Kashmir Valley: Srinagar Records 34.6°C

July 3, 2024 Editor

The heat wave has gripped Kashmir Valley on Tuesday with most of the places recording the hottest day of the season while the weatherman forecasted flash floods amidst the possibility of light to moderate rainfall from July 4 to July 7. According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the maximum temperature recorded a further rise today with Srinagar recording the hottest day of the season at 34.6 degree Celsius. Some other parts including Kupwara, Pahalgam, Qazigund and Kokernag have also recorded the hottest day of the season today. In…

Restore J&K’s Statehood Status Before Assembly Elections; Will opposes any attempt to impose a Delhi-like statehood model: Altaf Bukhari

July 3, 2024 Editor

Altaf Bukhari said the statehood for Jammu and Kashmir must be the same as it was before August 5, 2019 After failing to open its account in the Lok Sabha polls, Apni Party said a statehood model akin to Delhi will not be acceptable for Jammu and Kashmir. Party president Altaf Bukhari, the first local politician to open dialogue with the Centre post the abrogation of Article 370, said in a perceived attempt to reach out to the public said it was essential to restore statehood even before conducting assembly…

Hathras Horror: Stampede Claims Over 100 Lives at Religious Gathering

July 2, 2024 Editor

At least 107 people, including mostly women, died in a major stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district on Tuesday At least 107 people, including mostly women, died in a major stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district on Tuesday. The incident took place when a religious preacher was addressing his followers at a specially laid tent in the Rati Bhanpur village within the Sikandra Rau area of Hathras district. According to the police, prima facie, it appears that suffocation at the venue led…

Endless & Empty: Kashmir’s ‘Smart City’ Project Leaves Businesses in the Dark

July 2, 2024 Editor

Stalling Progress? Kashmir Markets Buried Under Construction Debris Srinagar: In a landscape dotted with ongoing construction, Kashmir’s business community is raising alarm over the snail’s pace of developmental works, particularly the Smart City projects in Srinagar. The slow progress has sparked widespread frustration, with local businesses bearing the brunt of the prolonged disruption. President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Javed Tenga voiced the community’s concerns: “It is concerning that the pace of work on developmental projects is not up to the mark, as a result of which the business community…