BSNL Ushers in a New Era of Mobile Connectivity with OTA and USIM Platform By: Javid Amin Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the state-owned telecom behemoth, has taken a giant stride in revolutionizing the mobile experience for its subscribers. The company has unveiled a groundbreaking Over-the-Air (OTA) and Universal SIM (USIM) platform, designed to not only enhance network capabilities but also offer unprecedented flexibility and convenience to users. What Does OTA and USIM Mean? Before delving into the implications of this new platform, let’s understand what OTA and USIM entail.…
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Last Bell Not Yet Rung: HC Intervenes for Schools
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has given a relief to private schools operating from community and government lands, The Private Schools’ Association of Jammu and Kashmir said on Friday. While deciding a batch of writ petitions, Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice (acting) in his order observed that where the schools are being run on Kahcharie/ state Shamilat etc. land are concerned, the petitioners therein can either acquire the proprietary land or approach the respondent-authority (Principal Secretary to Government, Department of School Education, UT of J&K/J&K Board…
Read MoreSmart Meter Surge: J&K Tackles Power Losses, But at What Cost?
J&K’s Smart Meter Gamble: 15% Loss Cut, 10% Tariff Hike Srinagar, Aug 9: In a significant development for Jammu and Kashmir’s power sector, installing smart meters has led to improvements in revenue collection and reduction of power losses. However, high Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and substantial expenditure on power purchases remain areas of concern. According to an official government document, installing 5.74 lakh smart electricity meters has resulted in a 15 percent reduction in power losses and a 10 percent improvement in tariff realisation for the fiscal year…
Read MoreAnother Major IT Breach: 3 Billion Affected in Latest Attack That Exposed Data on the Dark Web; How to Stay Safe
The Growing Threat of Cybersecurity Breaches By: Javid Amin In today’s increasingly digital world, data breaches are becoming alarmingly frequent and severe. Just as the dust was beginning to settle from the recent Microsoft IT outage, the global cybersecurity landscape was shaken by another major breach—one that has potentially compromised the personal data of over 3 billion people worldwide. This latest incident has not only highlighted the vulnerabilities within our digital infrastructure but also raised pressing concerns about the state of data privacy and security on a global scale. The…
Read MoreHope Fades as Wayanad Search Enters Day 10; Toll Rises to 413, 152 Missing
Wayanad, Aug 08: The death toll in the landslide-affected Wayanad in Kerala reached 413 on Thursday as the search for 152 missing people continued on day 10. Over 1,000 people from the Defence and other agencies led by a team of officials began the search operations early this morning. Like in the past few days, a few teams continue to search areas where the Chaliyar River originates in Wayanad and passes through the Malapurram district. A total of 78 bodies and over 150 body parts have been recovered. The standard operating…
Read MoreJ&K HC Slams Govt for 6K Contempt Cases
J&K high court observes that justice dispensation system in the UT had been reduced to to a ‘cruel joke’ With over 6,000 contempt petitions pending, the Jammu and Kashmir high court lashed out at the UT administration for “ignoring” court orders. The observations came in an order passed by justices Atul Sreedharan and Javed Iqbal Wani on Monday as the chief secretary Atal Dulloo and secretary, general administration department (GAD) failed to appear before the court through video conferencing to respond to a contempt case with court now summoning them…
Read MoreJammu & Kashmir Statehood May Be Restored in October, Says MoS Ramdas Athawale
Statehood may be restored in October: MoS Ramdas Athawale In a significant development, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, has hinted at the potential restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. The region, which lost its special status following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, may see its statehood reinstated before October this year. Athawale emphasized the need for people to actively participate in the democratic process by voting in large numbers during the upcoming assembly elections. He expressed optimism about the progress made in…
Read MoreBreaking the Chains: India’s Fight Against Organized Begging
The Normalization of Begging in Urban India By: Javid Amin The sight of beggars on the streets has become an almost normalized part of urban India. Outstretched hands, pleading eyes, and the constant murmur of requests for alms are common in cities. Yet, beneath this seemingly innocuous act lies a complex web of exploitation, child trafficking, and organized crime. The Hidden Exploitation Behind Begging Begging is often perceived as a symptom of poverty and a desperate act of survival. While this is true in some cases, organized crime syndicates increasingly…
Read MoreKashmir’s Hospitality at Risk: Proposed Fee Hike Sparks Outrage
Draft Tourism Trade Rules Face Backlash: Stakeholders Slam ‘Exorbitant’ Fees Srinagar, Aug 7: The tourism industry in Kashmir is up in arms following the administration’s notification of draft Tourism Trade Rules. The proposed regulations, which detail new registration and renewal fees for a wide range of tourism-related businesses, have sparked intense criticism from industry stakeholders. At the heart of the controversy are two key issues – a substantial hike in fees across various categories of establishments and the continuation of a two-year renewal policy, despite longstanding demands for a one-time registration…
Read MoreJ&K Administration Ready to Face Poll Challenges Despite Terror Threats: Manoj Sinha
Jammu & Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, spoke to Hindustan Times on new ground realities in the region, the surge in terror strikes in Jammu, and the Opposition’s criticism on the alleged crackdown on dissent. Srinagar Five years after the abrogation of Article 370 that removed Jammu & Kashmir’s special status and split the state into two Union territories, J&K is on course to holding its first assembly elections in a decade in line with the Supreme Court-mandated deadline of September 30. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, 65, spoke to Hindustan…
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