August 2024 | Page 7 of 12

From Rivals to Allies: Ex-J&K Minister Zulfkar Ali Joins BJP Ahead of Polls

August 19, 2024 Editor

After joining the BJP, Chaudhary Zulfikar Ali said that the policies and schemes of the BJP have reached even the last person in the queue. Former Jammu and Kashmir cabinet minister Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali joined BJP at the party office in Jammu on Sunday, just a few days ahead of the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir starting from September 18. On why he joined the saffron party, he said that the policies and schemes of the BJP have reached even the last person in the queue. He further added…

Mandatory Govt Schooling on Cards for Employees’ Wards

August 19, 2024 Editor

As the discussion is going on over implementation of the proposal, the School Education Department is yet to reach any consensus regarding its implementation. Srinagar, Aug 18: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday said that it is discussing a proposal regarding the enrolment of wards of all government employees in state-run schools. The proposal, submitted by a local organization to the monitoring and grievance cell of the office of the J&K Lieutenant Governor has gained attention and is currently under review. The proposal suggests that all the government employees should…

J&K Blazes New Trail: Satellite Launch and Tech Roadmap Unveiled

August 19, 2024 Editor

Srinagar: In a significant development for the region’s technological landscape, Greenovator Incubation Foundation, NIT Srinagar, and Chinar Quantum AI convened a high-level meeting to accelerate efforts toward launching Jammu and Kashmir’s first satellite. Held at the Greenovator Incubation Foundation Conference Room at NIT Srinagar, the event gathered key industry leaders, innovators, and academia to discuss startup ecosystems and advancements in satellite technology. Leaders of Greenovator Incubation Foundation, NIT Srinagar, and Chinar Quantum AI in a high-level meeting at NIT Srinagar on August 16, 2024. Dr Saad Parvez, Principal Investigator of…

J&K BJP to Contest Assembly Elections Solo, Says State Chief

August 19, 2024 Editor

BJP Jammu and Kashmir president Ravinder Raina said discussions are ongoing with 8 to 10 independents in the Kashmir valley for contesting the elections together. Jammu: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not form any pre-poll alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, state party president Ravinder Raina said here. He, however, said discussions are ongoing with 8 to 10 independents in the Kashmir valley for contesting the elections together. He said the party is fully geared up for Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and will announce the first list of…

Omar Abdullah’s Decision Dilemma: To Contest or Not in J&K Assembly Polls

August 18, 2024 Editor

The National Conference faces a leadership dilemma ahead of assembly polls. Omar Abdullah, initially unwilling to run, may reconsider due to party pressure, while his father, Farooq Abdullah, is ready to step in. Political parties are wasting no time in prepping for the assembly polls, which were announced on Friday, with the National Conference entering election mode almost immediately.. NC, however, finds itself in a leadership dilemma. With party vice-president Omar Adudullah having earlier said he would not contest polls till Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is restored, the onus may…

Jammu and Kashmir Congress Gets a New Face: Karra’s Task to Revive the Party

August 18, 2024 Editor

Hours after the Election Commission announced dates for assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress nominated former MP Tariq Hameed Karra as the party’s new local unit president Hours after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced dates for assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress nominated former MP and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Tariq Hameed Karra as the party’s new local unit president. Karra, 69, is a veteran leader who belongs to a prominent political family from Srinagar. A strong critic of the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party…

KCCI Decries Airport Parking as Unfair and Unjust

August 18, 2024 Editor

Kashmir’s Hospitality Under Siege: A Cry Against Airport Parking Extortion By: Javid Amin The once-serene landscapes of Kashmir, renowned for their breathtaking beauty and warm hospitality, are now under an unexpected threat. A recent, arbitrary change in the Srinagar Airport’s parking policy has ignited a firestorm of protest, with the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) leading the charge against what it terms “extortionate” charges and “inconvenience” to tourists, travelers, and locals alike. A Mountain of Grievances The KCCI has leveled serious accusations against the Airport Authority of India…

Border Tourism in North Kashmir Faces Challenges Amid Militancy Surge

August 18, 2024 Editor

February 2021 ceasefire agreement had spurred nascent tourism, new off-roading circuits, and cross-border bonhomie; now, many areas are no-go zones, or require prior permission with stringent police vetting The growing militant footprint in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir has cast a shadow over the border tourism that had picked up two years ago against the backdrop of a renewed ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. The process to get passes for areas closer to the Line of Control (LoC) has now been made stringent again, and many areas…

J&K Prepares for First Assembly Polls in a Decade: Voting Begins on September 18

August 17, 2024 Editor

The three-phase elections to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly will be held on September 18, September 25 and October 1. Jammu and Kashmir is set to witness a multi-cornered contest for 90 assembly seats in three phases from September 18, setting the stage for its first election since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 amid a spike in terror attacks in the Jammu region. The results will be declared on October 4. “The three-phase elections to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly will be held on September 18,…

Kashmir’s Crown Jewels in Peril: A Cry for Help

August 17, 2024 Editor

The Pristine Canvas is Being Tainted By: Javid Amin Kashmir, often lauded for its unparalleled natural beauty, is home to a constellation of lakes that have captivated hearts for centuries. Nestled in the embrace of the Pir Panjal mountain range, these pristine water bodies have been a source of inspiration, sustenance, and recreation for generations. However, a dark shadow is creeping over this idyllic landscape. The once immaculate lakes of Kashmir are now grappling with a severe pollution crisis, a stark reminder of the fragile equilibrium between humans and nature.…