January 2025 | Page 7 of 11

From Slopes to Spectacle: Skiing Takes Center Stage at Guldanda

January 15, 2025 Editor

Skiing at Guldanda: A New Era of Winter Tourism in Bhaderwah Nestled amidst the pristine beauty of Jammu and Kashmir, the snow-covered Guldanda meadow in Bhaderwah has become the latest hotspot for adventure tourism with the introduction of skiing. This exciting initiative, spearheaded by the tourism department in collaboration with the Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA), promises to transform Guldanda into a vibrant winter sports destination. A New Beginning for Adventure Tourism Perched at an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level, Guldanda, located along the Bhadarwah-Pathankot highway, offers breathtaking landscapes…

Crackdown on Capitation Fees: Education Minister Promises Strict Action

January 15, 2025 Editor

Will take action against schools demanding capitation fee: Education Minister Sakina Masood Srinagar, Jan 14: The Minister for Education, Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare Sakina Masood today called on parents to formally report schools demanding capitation fees, assuring them of the government’s strict action against such institutions. Speaking to media, Masood emphasised the need for community cooperation to curb this unethical practice. “Parents must put their foot down and assist the government in addressing this issue. We will ensure the strictest action against schools violating norms,” she said.…

J&K Incomplete Without PoK, Says Rajnath Singh in Strong Message to Pakistan

January 15, 2025 Editor

J&K incomplete without PoK: Rajnath targets Pakistan Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reiterated India’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir being incomplete without Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), and that Islamabad must stop using the territory to sponsor terrorism or be ready to face consequences. Addressing an event on the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans Day at Akhnoor in Jammu, the minister said, “For Pakistan, PoK is nothing more than foreign territory. The people living there have been deprived of a dignified life. Efforts are being made by Pakistan to mislead and provoke…

Nasir Aslam Wani Calls for Constructive Criticism After Omar Abdullah’s Praise for PM Modi

January 15, 2025 Editor

Opposition parties should do constructive criticism: CM’s Adviser Nasir Aslam Wani A day after the opposition parties in Kashmir Valley came down heavily on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of Sonamarg tunnel, CM’s Adviser Nasir Aslam Wani advised them to do constructive criticism. “I am surprised at the kind of behaviour they wanted from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah,” Wani told reporters in Srinagar on Tuesday. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a guest and Omar Abdullah put forth his point and…

State Health Agency Takes Action: Shifa and Florence Hospitals Face Six-Month Suspension

January 15, 2025 Editor

State Health Agency Suspends Empanelment Of Twin Private Hospitals For 6 Months; Imposes penalty of over Rs 26 lakh for illegal payments collected from beneficiaries Srinagar 14 Jan: The State Health Agency (SHA) in Jammu and Kashmir has suspended the empanelment of Shifa hospital, Srinagar and Florence Hospital Srinagar for violating the guidelines issued by National Health Authority (NHA). As per an order issued by SHA, a penalty of over Rs 26 lakh has been imposed on Shifa hospital and around Rs 3 lakh on Florence hospital for the illegal…

United Front: Religious Leaders and Activists Take on Drug Menace in Kashmir

January 14, 2025 Editor

Ulema, Scholars, and Activists Unite in Kashmir to Tackle Drug Addiction and Women’s Issues A significant seminar addressing the escalating menace of drug addiction and the multifaceted issues affecting women in Kashmir was recently held at the Community Center Kralgund in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. This pivotal event was organized by Abu Baseer Karwaan J&K and saw the convergence of Ulema, scholars, Imams, civil society activists, and students, all coming together with a shared resolve to confront these pressing social challenges head-on. In his powerful inaugural speech, Mufti Hilal articulated…

Strategic Connectivity Enhanced: PM Opens Z-Morh Tunnel in Sonamarg

January 13, 2025 Editor

Prime minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to seven people, including labourers, who were killed in a terror attack in the area in October 2024. Speaking at the inauguration event of Jammu and Kashmir’s Z-Morh tunnel on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the union territory as India’s “crown,” and expressed his desire to see it as “beautiful and prosperous.” “Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of the country. I want this crown to be beautiful and prosperous,” he said. The prime minister also paid tribute to seven people, including labourers,…

Faith and Devotion: Mahakumbh 2025 Kicks Off with Record-Breaking Crowd

January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 Editor

2,751 CCTV cameras, including 328 AI-enabled ones, and advanced AI-powered analytics are deployed at key locations to improve surveillance. As the Maha Kumbh begins in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, with four crore devotees set to take a holy dip on January 13-14, a seven-ring security plan has turned the mela area into a fortress for pilgrim safety. The mela has begun, with authorities expecting around 1 crore devotees to visit the area on Paush Purnima (January 13) and an estimated 3 crore people to take a holy dip on Makar Sankranti…

Adventure Awaits: Chadar Trek on Zanskar River Kicks Off

January 13, 2025 Editor

Chadar trek on Zanskar river to begin today after delay; The much-anticipated Chadar trek on the frozen Zanskar river in Ladakh is set to commence on January 13, following a delay caused by the late formation of ice along the riverbanks. The much-anticipated Chadar trek on the frozen Zanskar river in Ladakh is set to commence on January 13, following a delay caused by the late formation of ice along the riverbanks. The trek, which attracts adventure enthusiasts from across the country every year, was initially scheduled to begin on…

How Mandatory Train Stops Could Derail Kashmir’s Growth

January 13, 2025 Editor

Katra Train Swap: Convenience or Concern? The Kashmir Rail Project Debate By: Javid Amin The Kashmir Rail Project, once heralded as a transformative infrastructural achievement, now finds itself at the center of controversy. The mandatory deboarding of train passengers at Katra has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, with concerns ranging from passenger inconvenience to its potential impact on logistics, business, and tourism. While government authorities cite security concerns as the rationale behind this decision, stakeholders question whether this move aligns with the original vision of seamless connectivity promised by…