Hajj 2026: Amid Faith, Tears and Hope, Kashmir’s First Batch of Pilgrims Leaves for Holy Sojourn By: Javid Amin | 18 April 2026 Emotional farewells at Srinagar’s Hajj House as 431 pilgrims embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey The Hajj season has begun in Kashmir with a powerful mix of faith, emotion, and quiet strength, as the first batch of pilgrims departed for the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. At the heart of this moment was Hajj House Srinagar, where families gathered in large numbers to bid farewell—many with tears…
Read MoreCategory: Community
J&K Police Cyber Alert: Fake Job Offers Trapping Youth in Global Fraud & Trafficking Rackets
J&K Police Warn of Fake Job Scam Targeting Youth | Myanmar Trafficking Case Raises Alarm By: Javid Amin | 17 April 2026 Rising Cyber Threat: Fake Job Offers Targeting Kashmir’s Youth In a serious and evolving cyber threat, the Jammu & Kashmir Police have issued a public advisory warning that organized cybercrime syndicates are actively targeting job seekers—especially educated youth—through fake employment offers. What appears to be a promising career opportunity is often a well-crafted trap leading to financial fraud, identity theft, or even human trafficking into international cybercrime hubs.…
Read More“Streets Under Siege”: Srinagar’s Stray Dog Crisis Escalates, Jawahar Nagar Residents Demand Immediate Government Action
Srinagar Stray Dog Crisis: Jawahar Nagar Panic, Rising Bite Risk & Urgent Call for Government Action By: Javid Amin | 03 April 2026 When Fear Becomes Routine In parts of Srinagar, stepping out of one’s home is no longer routine—it is a calculated risk. From early morning walks to late evening returns, residents are navigating streets increasingly dominated by packs of stray dogs. The crisis has reached a flashpoint in Jawahar Nagar, where locals describe the situation as “out of control” and “ignored for too long.” This is no longer…
Read MoreStay Alert, Stay Safe: A Growing Concern Every Family Must Understand
Stay Alert: How Families Can Protect Daughters and Women from Fraud, Exploitation & False Promises in 2026 By: Javid Amin | 26 March 2026 Kashmir on Alert: A Silent Threat Growing Behind False Promises In the quiet neighborhoods of Srinagar and across towns in Jammu & Kashmir, a silent but dangerous pattern is emerging—one that rarely makes headlines until it is too late. Families are increasingly reporting cases where young women and girls are approached with promises of jobs, marriage, or opportunities outside the region. At first glance, these offers…
Read MoreNearly Half of Kashmir’s Students Report Mental Health Struggles Linked to Social Media
45% of Kashmir’s Students Struggle With Mental Wellbeing Linked to Social Media: A Wake-Up Call for Schools and Parents By: Javid Amin | 07 March 2026 A new study examining adolescent behaviour in the Kashmir Valley has raised serious concerns about the mental wellbeing of school students. According to the research, around 45% of students up to Class 12 report sub-optimal mental wellbeing associated with excessive social media use. The findings highlight a growing challenge for families, schools, and policymakers: how to balance the benefits of digital connectivity with the…
Read More124-Year-Old Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project in Uri Set for Revival After Three Decades
124-Year-Old Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project in Kashmir Set for Revival By: Javid Amin | 07 March 2026 One of South Asia’s earliest hydroelectric power stations—the historic Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project—is set to return to life after remaining defunct for more than three decades. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has announced plans to restore the century-old power plant under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, aiming to combine heritage preservation with modern renewable energy development. Located in the scenic Uri region of Baramulla district, the project was originally built in 1902…
Read MoreKashmir’s Tourism Crisis: Littering, Loud Parties and “Zero Civic Sense” Are Threatening India’s Paradise
Paradise at Risk: Kashmir’s Tourism Boom Meets a Civic Sense Crisis By: Javid Amin | 05 March 2026 The early morning mist rises slowly over Dal Lake as the first shikaras begin to glide across the water. For centuries, travellers have come to Kashmir to witness scenes like this — the quiet beauty of mountains reflected in lakes, the calm of pine forests, the soft silence of snow-covered meadows. Poets once described the valley as “heaven on earth.” Today, millions of tourists arrive each year hoping to experience that same…
Read MoreJ&K Liquor Sales Cross 5.63 Crore Bottles Till January 2026; ₹435 Crore Excise Revenue Earned
Over 5.63 Crore Liquor Bottles Sold in J&K Till January 2026; Excise Revenue Touches ₹435 Crore By: Javid Amin | 26 February 2026 Official excise data reveals that more than 5.63 crore liquor bottles were sold across Jammu & Kashmir up to January 2026, generating approximately ₹435 crore in excise revenue for the Union Territory. The bulk of sales came from Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer, reaffirming alcohol taxation as one of the most consistent non-GST revenue streams for J&K’s administration. While volumes have shown a marginal dip…
Read MoreJ&K Reopens 14 Tourist Spots After Security Review; 26 Destinations Now Operational Post-Pahalgam Attack
J&K Reopens 14 Tourist Spots After Security Review; Tourism Revival Gains Momentum By: Javid Amin | 16 February 2026 In a significant move aimed at restoring confidence among travellers, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, has ordered the reopening of 14 tourist destinations that were closed following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. The attack, which claimed 26 lives—mostly tourists—led to heightened security measures and the temporary closure of nearly 50 tourist sites across the Union Territory. Officials confirmed that the latest decision follows a comprehensive security…
Read MoreSaving Handicrafts: Beyond Slogans and Selective Concern
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,…
Read More