Srinagar, Aug 25: A government order issued in April this year to change the timing of doctors and paramedical staff at the Super Speciality Hospital (SSH) in Srinagar has badly impacted patient care with critical medical services remaining non-available here after the afternoon hours on Saturdays. Due to the order to change the timing of doctors from 9 am to 5 pm instead of the routine 10 to 4:30, Saturday remains only a half day at the hospital as a result of which medical services even in the critical cardiac…
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Drug Addiction Crisis Among Kashmir Students: A Growing Concern
Save Kashmir’s Future: Fight Drug Addiction Srinagar, Aug 10: The growing menace of drug addiction among school and college students in Kashmir has thrown up a major challenge for the authorities to keep this vulnerable age group away from substance abuse. According to various surveys and experts, this vulnerable age group has increasingly become the worst victims of substance abuse, leading to a widespread call for collective efforts to save the present generation from this menace. Amid the growing concern, the role assigned to the School Education Department (SED) and…
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 MoreBeyond Closed Doors: The Youth Addiction Epidemic
Drug Scourge: 1.4 Lakh Youth Sought Help Srinagar, Aug 4: In the Karan Nagar area of Srinagar, a chilling incident has cast a spotlight on a growing drug menace. Last week, vigilant residents, their suspicions heightened by recent thefts, caught a young man in the act of pilfering goods. But what unfolded next was far from a simple case of petty crime. In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the apprehended thief, his face a map of desperation, confessed to a motive far more complex than mere greed. “The…
Read MoreKashmir’s Hidden Epidemic: Drug Abuse and Suicides
Unveiling the Silent Crisis Devastating a Generation By: Javid Amin In the serene valleys of Kashmir, an alarming crisis is taking root, shattering the lives of countless young individuals and leaving an indelible scar on the community. The twin evils of drug abuse and suicide are silently claiming a generation, and the statistics are stark and sobering. With a tobacco usage rate of 20.8%, the sixth highest in India, the situation is dire. Yet, a veil of silence and denial persists, exacerbating the problem and hindering effective intervention. The Stark…
Read MoreFaith Amidst Fury: Kashmiris Pray for Relief from Heat
Thousands offer special prayers to seek an end to dry spell in Kashmir An unprecedented heatwave has gripped Kashmir, troubling people, disrupting daily life and impacting the horticulture and agriculture sectors. In view of the dire situation, people across Kashmir have begun offering special prayers for early rains. Srinagar recorded its third-highest temperature ever at 36.2°C today, with temperatures continuing to soar across the region. The prolonged dry spell and intense heat have led to significant challenges for farmers and horticulturists. Crops are wilting under the scorching sun, and irrigation systems…
Read MoreReligious Leaders Pledge to Protect Kashmir’s Unity
Muttahida Majlise-e-Ulama (MMU) expresses resolve to disallow any attempts to spread sectarian discord A special meeting, presided over by MMU patron Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was attended by top religious leaders MMU appeals to scholars and clerics to refrain from targeting the beliefs of other sects in their lectures, sermons, addresses or discussions The Muttahida Majlise-e-Ulama (MMU), a conglomerate of major religious bodies of Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday expressed its “firm resolve” to disallow any attempts to spread sectarian discord in Kashmir and harm the region’s traditional sectarian harmony. According…
Read MoreLittle Victims, Big Scars: Kashmir’s Mental Health Emergency
Unemployment, Mental Health, and the Kashmir Crisis By: Javid Amin Kashmir, a region of breathtaking beauty and rich cultural heritage, is grappling with a silent epidemic: the devastating impact of unemployment on mental health. The socio-political turmoil that has plagued the region for decades has created a perfect storm, leaving its youth disillusioned, hopeless, and, tragically, in some cases, driven to despair. A Region in Crisis The unemployment rate in Kashmir is alarmingly high, particularly among the young, educated population. This economic distress, coupled with the ongoing political unrest, has…
Read MoreVegetable Prices Outpace Meat in Kashmir: A Shocking Reality
Vegetable Prices Skyrocket in Srinagar: A Green Nightmare By: Javid Amin Srinagar, once a haven for affordable and fresh produce, is now grappling with a surreal situation: the price of vegetables has eclipsed that of meat. This unprecedented surge in prices has thrown the local populace into a state of disbelief and financial distress. A staple in Kashmiri cuisine, collard greens, or Haakh as it’s locally known, now commands a staggering Rs 120 per kilogram, surpassing the price of chicken at Rs 115 per kilogram. This absurd anomaly highlights the…
Read MoreOutrage Erupts in Kashmir Over Government’s 40% Open Merit Policy
Kashmir Youth Raise Concerns Over Revised Reservation Policy By: Javid Amin The decision by the Jammu and Kashmir government to allocate only 40% of positions for open merit in government job recruitments has ignited widespread outrage among the youth in the Union Territory. This new policy, introduced after accounting for reserved quotas, has stirred significant opposition across various districts of the erstwhile state. Unlike past trends where frustration often led to support for terrorism or separatism, today’s youth in the Kashmir Valley and parts of Jammu are taking to the…
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