Community Archives | Page 13 of 184

Beyond Reverence: Protecting Kashmir’s Elders from Abuse

June 16, 2024 Editor

Broken Trust, Broken Hearts: Unveiling Elder Abuse in Kashmir Dr Zubair Saleem Every year on June 15th, the world commemorates UN World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This day serves as a painful reminder of a grim reality—elder abuse. Writing about abuse is always distressing, but it becomes even more painful when we speak of abuse directed at our elders. Elder abuse is not just a term; it is a haunting reality, particularly in Kashmir. Having treated more than 30,000 seniors in both the government and private sectors, I have encountered…

Beyond the Bite: The Looming Crisis of Shrinking Loaves in Kashmir

May 23, 2024May 23, 2024 Editor

Shrinking Loaves, Growing Concerns: A Fight for Kashmir’s Soul Baked into Bread By: Javid Amin The aroma of freshly baked bread isn’t just a pleasant scent in Kashmir; it’s a memory, a tradition, a warm hug in the crisp mountain air. The sight of a plump, round loaf of Choort or Tchewur, staples in Kashmiri households for generations, used to be as common as the snow-capped peaks themselves. But lately, a troubling trend has emerged: these beloved breads are shrinking, both in size and significance. This isn’t a case of…

Online Scams on the Rise: How to Protect Yourself and Recover Lost Money

May 23, 2024May 23, 2024 Editor

Phishing, UPI Fraud, and Fake Investments: How to Avoid Online Scams in India By: Javid Amin In recent years, India has been witnessing rapid digital growth, with everything from banking to shopping now being conducted online. This shift has brought unparalleled convenience, but it has also led to a significant increase in online scams. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, employing new techniques to defraud individuals. The incidence of these scams is rising, with victims losing thousands to crores of rupees to faceless fraudsters. From work-from-home scams to fake reviews and…

From Gridlock to Greenlight: Rethinking Srinagar’s Smart City Journey

May 7, 2024May 7, 2024 Editor

Navigating Srinagar’s Smart City Odyssey: A Tale of Challenges and Solutions By: Javid Amin Srinagar, the jewel of Kashmir, is embarking on a transformative journey toward becoming a Smart City. This endeavor holds the promise of a brighter future, with enhanced infrastructure, sustainable development, and improved quality of life for its residents. However, recent developments have cast a shadow over this vision, raising questions about the efficacy of its execution. The Squeezed Streets: A Bottleneck for Progress As the Smart City project unfolds, one of the most glaring issues plaguing…

Prescription for Danger: Expired Drugs a Bitter Pill to Swallow in Kashmir

May 6, 2024May 6, 2024 Editor

In a worrying turn of events, the use of white labels to obscure expiry dates on medicine strips has ignited fear and suspicion among the local populace. The residents have raised their suspicions regarding the possibility of substandard medicines flooding the market, posing serious risks to public health. The practice of concealing expiry dates has raised questions about transparency and accountability within the pharmaceutical industry. Muneer Ahmad, a 30-year-old resident of Srinagar has been suffering from viral infection for the last month. Ahmad consumed many medicines for relief. However, lately, his medication…

A Silent Storm: Understanding the Surge in Youth Suicides in Kashmir

May 2, 2024 Editor

Understanding the Rise in Youth Suicides in Kashmir: A Multifaceted Crisis By: Javid Amin Kashmir, a land known for its breathtaking beauty, is facing a growing crisis – a surge in suicides among its youth. This alarming trend has sent shockwaves through society, leaving families devastated and communities searching for answers. Over the past few months, these tragic incidents have become disturbingly frequent, prompting urgent calls to action. While the exact causes of this phenomenon remain complex, experts point to a confluence of factors that are pushing young people to…

iGen: Are Smartphones Ruining Our Youth? A Deep Dive into Haidt’s ‘The Anxious Generation’

April 30, 2024 Editor

Alarming Rise in Teen Anxiety: Are Smartphones to Blame? By: Javid Amin Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s new book, “The Anxious Generation,” throws down a gauntlet – teenagers’ widespread smartphone use is causing a mental health crisis, and we need immediate action. Haidt argues for a collective response, from parents to policymakers, to curb this pervasive issue. A World Raised on Screens: The “Great Rewiring” The book opens with a chilling analogy: would you raise your child on Mars, knowing the health risks? Similarly, a decade ago, parents couldn’t foresee the…

Chasing Dreams or Chasing Smoke? The Lure of Easy Money in Kashmir’s Digital Age

April 29, 2024 Editor

From Clickbait to Careers: Empowering Kashmir’s Youth in the Digital Age By: Javid Amin In the heart of Kashmir, amidst breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural tapestry, a new challenge is emerging. Young people, bombarded by online success stories and a culture of instant gratification, are increasingly drawn to the mirage of easy money. This trend, while fueled by technological advancements, raises critical questions about social responsibility, financial literacy, and the future of Kashmir’s youth. Generation Alpha: Tech-Savvy but Reality-Blind? Take Moonis, a bright-eyed eighth grader. Raised in a lower-middle-class…

J&K Prepares for Refreshing Spring Showers as Night Temperatures Rise

April 18, 2024April 18, 2024 Editor

Srinagar: Weather department here has forecast “widespread light to moderate rain and thunders” on April 18 and 19 even as night temperatures recorded a rise at most places in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. “On April 18-19, generally cloudy weather with light to moderate rain and light snow over higher reaches is expected at most places with thunder/lightning during April 18 evening to April 19 late evening/night,” a meteorological department official here told GNS . He said on weekend, light rain is expected at scattered places while from April 21-25, generally…

Kindness Cracks Rs 2 Lakh Mark: Egg Donation Funds Mosque Construction

April 17, 2024 Editor

An egg donated to raise money for the construction of a mosque in this apple town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has helped raise Rs 2.26 lakh in an auction, the committee managing the religious place has said. The heartwarming gesture has come to the fore from Malpore village in Sopore, 55 kilometre from Srinagar, where the local mosque committee started collecting donations both in cash and in kind. An elderly woman, who has requested anonymity, said she donated a freshly laid egg by her chicken. All donations made in…