India will give a strong response if Pakistan does not stop harming Kashmir: Ravinder Raina

India will give a strong response if Pakistan does not stop harming Kashmir: Ravinder Raina

Ravinder Raina, President, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), J&K said that if Pakistan does not shun wounding Kashmir onwards, India has no option left except to respond heavily while penetrating in their territory. “Whenever Kashmiris start to live a peaceful and untroubled life and continue their affairs brotherly with each other, Pakistan intervenes with violent activities like Anantnag and Rajouri encounters. Pakistan wants to turn Kashmir into a graveyard. It has paid a heavy price in the past for such actions, and if the neighboring country will not mend its behavior…

Read More

Kashmiri students demand action against police officers accused of brutality

Kashmiri students demand action against police officers accused of brutality

A disturbing and shocking video went viral on social video, Kashmiri muslim students of Desh Bhagat University (DBU) in Punjab were reportedly beaten by university staff, police and local goons allegedly hired by the staff after students, raised concerns over the university’s admission practices. Scores of Kashmiri students pursuing nursing degrees at Desh Bhagat University have found themselves embroiled in a contentious admission debacle. Nursing students had been protesting for the past one month against the university for admitting more students in the course than the number allowed by the…

Read More

Kashmir’s walnut and apple growers face tough competition from cheaper imports

Kashmir's walnut and apple growers face tough competition from cheaper imports

While cheaper imported walnuts from countries such as China, Turkey and the US are causing alarm among the growers, the apple industry, which is the economic lifeline of Kashmir, is also being adversely affected by foreign imports By : Riaz Wani Cheaper imported walnuts from countries such as China, Turkey, and the United States are threatening the produce in Kashmir and causing alarm among traders who want the government to step in. Walnuts cultivated in Kashmir are more expensive to produce due to various factors, such as the high cost…

Read More

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s house arrest: High Court issues notice to J&K administration

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's house arrest: High Court issues notice to J&K administration

Court gives four weeks’ time to the administration to file its response The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday issued a notice to the Manoj Sinha led administration seeking its response on a petition filed by Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq over his house arrest since August 2019. Mirwaiz’s lawyer, Nazir Ahmad Ronga said the court has given four weeks’ time to the administration to file its response, PTI reported. The Hurriyat leader filed a writ petition in the high court “seeking an order, or direction upon the…

Read More

Kashmirites to get all-weather train service from November

Kashmirites to get all-weather train service from November

Kashmir’s all-weather train, known as Vistadome coach, is all set to chug this November, which would give a further boost to the tourism industry here, officials said. An official from Northern Railways told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Ministry of Railways has greenlit the deployment of the Vistadome coach train on the Baramulla to Banihal railway track. “The announcement follows a successful trial run of the Vistadome coach, which has solidified its readiness for service,” the official said. He said the Vistadome coach (train) is expected to start…

Read More

Climate change to bring more extreme weather events to Kashmir, including September heatwaves

Climate change to bring more extreme weather events to Kashmir, including September heatwaves

By: Wahid Bhat Kashmir is currently experiencing an unprecedented heatwave in September, shattering long-standing temperature records due to an ongoing dry spell that has persisted for the last 45 days. Srinagar, on September 12th, recorded a scorching maximum temperature of 34.2°C, a staggering 6.0°C above the normal seasonal average. This marks the second-highest maximum temperature ever recorded in September since the establishment of the weather observatory in 1891. The previous record of 33.8°C dated back to September 1, 1970, with an all-time high of 35.0°C set on September 18, 1934.…

Read More

Kashmir Heat Wave Worsens, Leaves Locals and Tourists Struggling

Kashmir Heat Wave Worsens, Leaves Locals and Tourists Struggling

Kashmir is reeling from a heat wave after the valley earlier this week witnessed the second-hottest September day in recorded history, causing hardships to locals and tourists alike. On Tuesday, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 34.2 degrees Celsius, six degrees above normal, the met office (Srinagar) deputy director Mukhtar Ahmed told PTI. He said it was the second-highest maximum temperature ever recorded in September since 1891, when the weather observatory was established. Ahmed said it broke a 53-year-old record of 33.8 degrees Celsius, recorded on September 1, 1970. The…

Read More

GoI’s move to cut extra duties on US imports will be a death knell for Kashmir’s Agro Industry: KCCI

GoI's move to cut extra duties on US imports will be a death knell for Kashmir's Industry: KCCI

Kashmiri leaders slam Centre’s decision to cut import duty on US apples, walnuts As the Government of India has announced its decision to eliminate the additional import duty on apples, walnuts, and almonds imported from the United States, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry has sought the order to be reconsidered as it affects the Kahmir’s apply industry badly. This untimely decision is raising alarms, as it is expected to have far-reaching consequences on the livelihoods of nearly seven lakh apple grower families in the Kashmir region, KCCI said.…

Read More

Aru Valley: A hidden gem for nature lovers and adventure seekers

Aru Valley: A hidden gem for nature lovers and adventure seekers

Aru Valley: A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Kashmir’s Natural Splendor By: Javid Amin Nestled amidst the majestic mountains and serenaded by a gushing rivulet, Aru Valley has become a magnet for both local and foreign tourists seeking solace in the lap of nature. Located just 12 kilometers from Pahalgam, Aru Valley serves as a gateway to the famed Kolahoi glacier. Renowned for its breathtaking ice-fed streams, pristine lakes, dense pine forests, challenging mountain trails, and awe-inspiring glaciers, Aru Valley has established itself as a trekker’s paradise, with a…

Read More

Persistent Heatwave in Kashmir: Receding River Levels Impact Apple Quality

Persistent Heatwave in Kashmir: Receding River Levels Impact Apple Quality

Dry weather and above normal temperatures in Kashmir over seven weeks have adversely affected horticulture production, particularly apple, but have proved good for paddy crop, experts said. The weather has also led to a fall in the water level of Jhelum and other water bodies. Kashmir is India’s largest apple grower, producing around 20 lakh metric tonnes of apples every year. They added that if the rain scarcity continues, it will have a negative impact on Saffron and potato production in the region. The Valley is experiencing high temperatures with…

Read More