Blackouts and Broken Promises: A Tale of Two Cities in Jammu and Kashmir By: Javid Amin In the heart of Jammu and Kashmir, a tale of two cities unfolds—a story etched in darkness and disparity. While Jammu basks in the uninterrupted glow of electric lights, Kashmir grapples with an ever-worsening power crisis. Homes plunge into darkness for hours on end, a cruel reminder of a broken promise—the promise of a life illuminated by reliable power. This isn’t a seasonal inconvenience; it’s a systemic failure with far-reaching consequences. During peak winter…
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PM Modi’s Dos and Don’ts: Speak Sparingly, Act Timely
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told his newly inducted Cabinet ministers “to speak only when necessary… and not to make unnecessary statements.” The Prime Minister listed out dos and don’ts for the members of his new Cabinet at the first council of ministers meet at his residence in the evening of June 10 after which the portfolio allocated to ministers was announced. ‘Avoid giving Pravachans’ “Do not make unnecessary statements, speak only when necessary on issues related to your ministry,” sources to News18 quoted the prime minister as saying.…
Read MoreApplauding Victories, Embracing Setbacks: A More Balanced Approach to Education in Kashmir
Understanding the Societal Bias Highlighted by Class 12th Results By: Javid Amin The recent declaration of the class 12th annual (regular) examination results by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) has sparked a wave of celebrations and acknowledgments for the achievers, particularly the toppers. However, amidst the applause, a stark reality looms—society’s glaring neglect of those who could not pass the exam. This phenomenon not only underscores the societal bias towards success but also raises critical concerns about the emotional well-being of students who do not make…
Read MoreModi 3.0: New Cabinet with 71 Ministers Takes Charge
New Delhi, June 9: Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister for his third term on Sunday, alongside 71 ministers forming his new cabinet. Modi, now the first three-term Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru, took the oath at Rashtrapati Bhawan amid massive security and a gathering of over 10,000 guests, including top leaders from South Asian countries, Bollywood stars, business moguls, religious leaders, and prominent politicians. PM Modi’s cabinet includes 30 cabinet ministers, 5 Ministers of State with Independent Charge, and 36 Ministers of State. The cabinet ensures representation from all…
Read MoreSoaring Skies, Sinking Spirits: Kashmir Airfares Take Off, Tourists and Locals Land Hard
Flight of Fancy or Financial Folly? Kashmir Airfares Leave Travelers Rethinking Plans Srinagar: Air travel to Kashmir has become a luxury, with skyrocketing airfares surpassing even the costs of international flights. The prohibitively high ticket prices are not only deterring tourists but also burning a hole in the pockets of locals who need to travel from Srinagar to other parts of the country. Despite an increase in the number of daily flights to Srinagar airport, which now exceeds 100, the steep rise in fares is acting as a significant deterrent…
Read MoreMistaken Identity: Cook Loses Life in Border Firing, Family Devastated
In a case of mistaken identity, a 26-year-old man was killed when the Border Security Force (BSF) troops opened fire on observing suspicious movement near a forward post along the International Border (IB) in Samba, an official said on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Vasudeva, a resident of Akhnoor area in Jammu. He was working as a cook with a company engaged in construction work in the border area, the official added. “An untoward incident took place at border outpost Regal late Friday night when BSF personnel, as…
Read MoreNEET-UG Controversy: Education Ministry Forms Panel to Re-examine Results
In a recent development, the Education Ministry has formed a panel to reassess the results of more than 1,500 students who received grace marks in the NEET UG 2024 exams, according to National Testing Agency DG Subodh Singh. The panel will consist of four member, chaired by a former UPSC chairperson, who will be examining the potential discrepancies in the NEET-UG 2024 results. The committee tasked with reviewing these cases is expected to present its findings within the next week. “The panel headed by a former UPSC chairman will submit…
Read MoreMirwaiz Urges Strict Action Against Public Drinking Violations in Kashmir
The Muttahida Majlise-e-Ulama, an amalgam of religious scholars headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Saturday urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to strictly implement laws banning drinking in public places. The MMU expressed concern over a video circulating on social media in which some tourists can be seen consuming alcohol while taking a ride on a shikara in the Dal Lake. The group asserted that the people of Kashmir are hospitable and respect tourists, but any “un-Islamic” or “unethical” act will not be tolerated. “The MMU expresses serious concern over…
Read MoreNC-Congress Alliance Surges Ahead with 41% Vote Share in J&K Lok Sabha Polls
An analysis of the Form 20 result sheets of all five parliamentary constituencies from the UT revealed that 51.59 lakh people cast their vote in the elections The INDIA bloc partners National Conference (NC) and Congress have received 41.6 % of the total votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections, an analysis of the Election Commission of India data shows. In contrast, the parties that opposed the bloc — Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Apni Party (AP) and People’s Conference (PC) — collectively managed to muster 31.7% of the votes. An analysis…
Read MoreGhulam Nabi Azad’s DPAP Falls Short in Maiden J&K Polls
The DPAP’s candidates only managed to bag 80,264 votes from the three Lok Sabha constituencies it contested in Jammu and Kashmir, which has around 54 lakh voters The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), a party floated by former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad with a lot of fanfare, has failed to make a significant mark in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir. The DPAP’s candidates only managed to bag 80,264 votes from the three Lok Sabha constituencies it contested in Jammu and Kashmir, which has around…
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