A Silent Crisis in Kashmiri Households By: Javid Amin | 16 October 2025 The phrase “The Digital Danger Lurking in Kashmiri Homes” has rapidly emerged as a powerful lens through which journalists, educators, and psychologists are examining a growing—and deeply concerning—crisis: the unchecked rise of digital addiction among children and teenagers in the Kashmir Valley. What began as a tool of connection during lockdowns and political disruptions has quietly evolved into a force reshaping childhood, family dynamics, mental health, and even cultural continuity. As per features in Kashmir Observer and…
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The Social Burden of Marriage on Kashmiri Women: Between Tradition and Trauma
The Social Burden of Marriage on Kashmiri Women | Dowry, Pressure & Cultural Change By: Javid Amin | 15 October 2025 Marriage in Kashmir: A Celebration with a Hidden Weight In the lush valleys of Jammu and Kashmir, marriage has long been seen as a sacred institution—a blending of spiritual belief, cultural tradition, and familial bonding. The solemnity of the nikah, the elegance of the bride’s attire, the aroma of wazwan, and the warmth of shared laughter reflect the community’s deep-rooted values of togetherness. But beneath this ceremonial grandeur, many…
Read MoreEarly Snowfall Blankets Pahalgam and Aru Valley as Pir Panjal Farmers Face Harsh Realities
The beauty of early snow is undeniable, but Kashmir’s shifting weather patterns reveal a deeper story—one of breathtaking landscapes, fragile livelihoods, and climate uncertainty. By: Javid Amin | 07 October 2025 Winter comes early, and the valley reacts On crisp mornings in Srinagar and the valleys beyond, an early snowline rewrites the season. Within days of rain and a sharp fall in temperatures, meadows that usually glitter in autumnal gold turned to silver: Gulmarg’s slopes, Pahalgam’s meadows, Daksum’s oak pockets and the intimate Aru Valley were dusted with snow. Tourists…
Read MoreKashmir Tightens Meat Labeling Rules: Halal & Source Transparency Made Mandatory
Kashmir Tightens Meat Labeling Rules: Transparency Now Mandatory By: Javid Amin | 04 October 2025 Transparency on the Table: Kashmir’s New Meat Labeling Law Kashmir’s food regulators have drawn a firm line in the sand. Beginning August 2025, every kilogram of dressed meat entering the Valley — whether mutton or chicken — must come with a full, verifiable label. The Jammu & Kashmir Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made it clear: no label, no sale. The move follows a storm of public concern triggered by the seizure of 1,200…
Read More‘Kashmir and Ladakh United in Pain, Divided on Paper’: Ruhullah Mehdi’s Call for Solidarity
Divided on Paper, United in Pain: How Kashmir and Ladakh Share a Common Struggle Under the BJP-RSS Regime By: Javid Amin | 03 October 2025 A Voice from Kashmir to Ladakh The Himalayan silence has been broken. On the turbulent faultline of Kashmir and Ladakh, a voice rises—calm yet piercing, mournful yet defiant. It belongs to Ruhullah Mehdi, senior National Conference (NC) leader and parliamentarian, who has emerged as one of the most uncompromising critics of Delhi’s post-Article 370 governance model. His words have quickly become a rallying cry: “The…
Read MoreSonam Wangchuk Arrested Amid Ladakh Unrest: Statehood Protests Turn Explosive
Sonam Wangchuk Arrested by Leh Police Amid Ladakh Unrest By Javid Amin | September 26, 2025 Arrest Amid Ladakh Turmoil In a dramatic escalation of Ladakh’s statehood movement, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested in Leh by a police team led by DGP S.D. Singh Jamwal. The arrest comes just days after violent clashes left four people dead and more than 80 injured during protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. What Triggered the Arrest? September 24 Protest Violence: Demonstrations spiraled out of control when mobs attacked the BJP office…
Read MoreKashmir Witnesses Alarming Rise in Cancer: Over 50,000 Cases in Seven Years
A Silent Emergency Unfolds in the Valley By: Javid Amin | 25 September 2025 On a cold morning in Srinagar, 38-year-old Shazia from Pulwama sat in the oncology ward at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), waiting for her chemotherapy session. A schoolteacher, mother of two, and until recently, the picture of health, she never imagined that a small lump in her breast would turn into a battle for survival. Her story is not an isolated one. It echoes across Kashmir’s towns and villages, where cancer is slowly emerging as…
Read MoreLadakh Turmoil Sparks Alarm in Kashmir: Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti Warn of Crisis
Ladakh Violence Sparks Alarm in Kashmir, Omar Abdullah & Mehbooba Warn of Crisis By: Javid Amin | 25 September 2025 Flashpoint in Leh Ladakh, long known for its relative calm, is now witnessing one of its most violent protests in recent memory. Demonstrators demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards clashed with security forces in Leh, setting police vehicles and a BJP office ablaze. Casualties: Four people killed. Injuries: At least 59, including 40 police personnel. Shift in Mood: A movement once marked by peaceful marches has escalated into fiery street battles.…
Read MoreWhen Highways Fail, Railways Respond: Kashmir Gets Temporary Train Boost
NH-44 Disrupted: Special Train Between Katra and Banihal to Run for 15 Days By: Javid Amin | 18 September 2025 When Highways Fail, Rail Steps In The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44), the arterial lifeline of Kashmir, has long been a symbol of connection—linking valleys, cities, and livelihoods. Yet, in September 2025, the highway’s chronic vulnerabilities were laid bare once again. Landslides and repair works in the Ramban sector brought a key stretch to a near-standstill, disrupting travel, trade, and tourism. In response, the Indian Railways announced a special 15-day train…
Read MoreSenior Lawyer Cites ‘National Integrity’ in Exiting AAP MLA Malik’s PSA Case
A Legal Exit That Echoes Politically By: Javid Amin | 18 September 2025 In September 2025, the fragile line between law, politics, and national security in Jammu & Kashmir blurred yet again. A senior lawyer, initially part of the defense team for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Abdul Rashid Malik, abruptly withdrew from the case challenging Malik’s detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The lawyer cited concerns of “national integrity” in stepping away — a phrase that instantly ignited debate in Kashmir’s political and legal circles. Was this a…
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