January 2026 | Page 2 of 8

Saving Handicrafts: Beyond Slogans and Selective Concern

January 27, 2026January 28, 2026 Umar Khan Amiri

Challenges: Exploitation, Decline, and Market Saturation The renewed concern expressed by the Copper Handmade Utensils Union, echoed by sections of the administration, about saving handmade copperware has reopened a larger and more uncomfortable debate about the future of traditional crafts in Kashmir. While the intention to protect any indigenous craft is welcome, the selective urgency surrounding copperware raises critical questions about policy consistency, cultural priorities, and economic realism. Kashmir has historically been a global centre of handicrafts. From carpet and shawl weaving to handmade paper, kitabat (calligraphy), wood carving, papier-mâché,…

Deadly Crash on Jammu–Srinagar Highway: Four Killed Near Udhampur

January 27, 2026 Editor

Four Killed in Triple-Vehicle Crash on Jammu–Srinagar Highway Near Udhampur By: Javid Amin | 27 January 2026 At least four people, including a CRPF jawan, were killed in a multi-vehicle collision involving a bus, a four-wheeler and a motorcycle on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur district on Tuesday, triggering fresh concerns over road safety on the Valley’s lifeline highway. Full News Report At least four people lost their lives in a tragic multi-vehicle accident on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) near Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur district on Tuesday, January…

Mohra Hydroelectric Project: How Asia’s First Powerhouse in Kashmir Became a Forgotten Ruin

January 26, 2026 Editor

Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project: How Asia’s Earliest Power Station in Kashmir Slipped Into Silence By: Javid Amin | 25 January 2026 More than a century ago, when large parts of Asia still relied on oil lamps and fireplaces, electric bulbs glowed in Srinagar—powered not by coal or diesel, but by the flowing waters of the Jhelum River. At the heart of this quiet revolution stood the Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project, commissioned in 1905 during the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh. It was not merely a power station; it was a…

Re-merging the Lost Unity: Omar Abdullah’s Call to Restore Ladakh with Jammu & Kashmir

January 26, 2026 Editor

Re-merger of Ladakh with Jammu & Kashmir: Omar Abdullah’s Historic Call from Gulmarg Snowfields | Political Feature By: Javid Amin | 25 January 2026 A Snowy Summit with a Political Message On Republic Day 2026, from the expansive, iconic snow slopes of Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah delivered a politically charged appeal: “Re-merge Ladakh with Jammu & Kashmir.” This was not an ordinary speech, nor merely a political soundbite targeted at local constituencies. Rather, it was a strategic declaration framed to resonate with history, symbolism, and contemporary…

Special Katra–Srinagar Train to Run on January 27–28: How Railways Are Keeping Kashmir Connected Amid Snowfall Crisis

January 25, 2026 Editor

Special Train Between Katra and Srinagar to Run on January 27–28: A Lifeline During Kashmir’s Winter Disruptions By: Javid Amin | 24 January 2026 When winter tightens its grip on Kashmir, connectivity becomes more than a logistical concern—it becomes a lifeline. Heavy snowfall, landslides, and freezing temperatures routinely cut off the Valley from the rest of the country, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and supply chains stretched. Against this backdrop, officials have announced that a special train service between Katra and Srinagar will operate on January 27 and 28, 2026,…

Ladakh Pins Hopes on Feb 4 Talks With Centre Over Statehood and Sixth Schedule Demands

January 25, 2026 Editor

Ladakh Pins Hopes on February 4 Talks With Centre Over Long-Pending Demands By: Javid Amin | 24 January 2026 Statehood, Sixth Schedule safeguards, and land rights dominate agenda as region awaits a decisive political moment A Crucial Date for Ladakh’s Political Future Ladakh is preparing for what many residents and political observers see as a make-or-break moment. Scheduled for February 4, 2026, talks between Ladakhi representatives and the Union government, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs, have raised expectations across the region that long-pending demands will finally receive serious consideration.…

Fresh Snow in Kashmir: Srinagar–Jammu National Highway Closed for Third Day

January 25, 2026 Editor

Fresh Snowfall in Kashmir Keeps Srinagar–Jammu Highway Shut for Third Day By: Javid Amin | 24 January 2026 Hundreds of Vehicles Stranded as Winter Weather Continues to Isolate the Valley Highway Closure Enters Third Day Fresh snowfall across Kashmir has paralysed road connectivity, with the 270-kilometre Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remaining closed for the third consecutive day on Sunday. The highway — the only all-weather road link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country — has been shut since Friday, January 23, 2026, due to heavy snow…

Srinagar Airport Suspends Flights Amid Heavy Snowfall: Delays, Cancellations and Travel Advisory

January 23, 2026 Editor

Srinagar Airport Suspends Flight Operations 2026 | Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Air Travel By: Javid Amin | 22 January 2026 Flight operations at Srinagar Airport were temporarily suspended on January 23, 2026, as heavy snowfall and poor visibility conditions across the Kashmir Valley forced authorities to halt both arrivals and departures. The disruption has affected air travellers en route to and from the region, left several flights cancelled, and prompted airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and others to issue urgent travel advisories for passengers. This comprehensive feature explores the overarching circumstances…

Forest Fires Ravage Kashmir Valley in Unprecedented Spate

January 23, 2026 Editor

Forest Fires in Kashmir Valley 2026: Causes, Impacts, Response, Climate Context | Kashmir Wildfire Crisis By: Javid Amin | 22 January 2026 A Valley Under Fire In late January 2026, multiple forest fires erupted across the Kashmir Valley, consuming large swathes of woodland, threatening residential settlements and wildlife habitats, and drawing a stark spotlight on the growing wildfire crisis in the region. Fueled by unusually strong winds and prolonged dry conditions, these fires have rapidly spread across districts such as Anantnag, Kulgam and Uri, stretching firefighting resources and raising alarm…

Kashmir’s Smart Meter Rollout Sparks Power Bill Shock: Why Households Are Paying More and What It Means for the Valley

January 23, 2026 Editor

Kashmir’s Smart Meter Push: When Modernisation Meets Public Anger Over Power Bills By: Javid Amin | 22 January 2026 For decades, electricity in Kashmir followed a familiar rhythm—erratic supply, predictable billing, and public frustration that rarely spilled onto the streets. That balance has now been disrupted. Across towns and villages in the Valley, the government’s push to replace traditional electricity connections with smart meters has ignited widespread protests, sharp political reactions, and a growing trust deficit between consumers and power authorities. What was projected as a technological upgrade promising transparency,…