Substance Abuse in Kashmir: A Crisis Unfolding In the picturesque valleys of Kashmir, a dark and growing crisis is gripping families and communities—substance abuse. The story of Murtaza Hussain, a 27-year-old recovering heroin addict, sheds light on the devastating impact of addiction on individuals and their loved ones. A Promising Future Lost to Addiction Once a disciplined and ambitious student, Hussain’s life took a tragic turn during his 11th grade. His father recalls the early signs: withdrawing from family, skipping school, and staying out late. What began as bad company…
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Gulmarg Fashion Show Sparks Outrage During Ramadan; Designers Issue Apology
Gulmarg Fashion Show Sparks Outrage Amid Ramadan; Designers Issue Apology Srinagar, March 10, 2025 – A fashion show held in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, has ignited a storm of controversy, drawing sharp criticism from religious leaders, political figures, and civil society. The event, organized by designer duo Shivan & Narresh to mark the 15th anniversary of their label, featured models showcasing skiwear on snow-covered ramps. However, its timing during the holy month of Ramadan and the nature of the attire have been widely condemned as a “cultural invasion” and an…
Read MorePolitical Divide in J&K: Omar Abdullah Says No Alliance with BJP, Focus on Statehood
No Possibility of NC-BJP Alliance in J&K: CM Omar Abdullah Reaffirms Party’s Political Stand Jammu 03 March 2025: In a strong political statement that puts to rest speculation about a potential alliance between the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday categorically ruled out any such possibility. Dismissing the remarks made by BJP legislator R.S. Pathania hinting at a possible tie-up, Omar made it clear that NC and BJP have fundamentally different ideological standpoints and that there is neither…
Read MoreNC MLA Faces Backlash Over Remarks on Liquor Sales in Muslim-Majority Kashmir
Mehbooba Mufti praised her party MLA for introducing a bill to ban alcohol in J&K, calling it a positive step and urging religious leaders to lead the way. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq came under fierce criticism from Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for his statement that the impact on the region’s tourism industry must be considered if liquor is banned. Mirwaiz said that Jammu and Kashmir, being a Muslim-majority state, should not promote liquor sales, opposing the government’s emphasis on revenue generation from alcohol instead…
Read MoreFacade of Normalcy in J&K Criticized by Mehbooba Mufti Amid Draconian Laws
Facade of normalcy created in J&K by imposition of draconian laws: Mehbooba Mufti Mehbooba Mufti urges Chief Minister Omar Abdullah “to refrain from endorsing the August 5, 2019 decision (abrogation of Article 370) in the formulation of business rules for the assembly” Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday (February 16, 2025) asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “to come down from its high horse and acknowledge that the situation in J&K is not as normal as it appears”. “The façade…
Read MoreKulgam Terror Attack: Ex-Serviceman Killed, Wife and Daughter Wounded
Ex-serviceman killed, wife and daughter injured in terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Kulgam; The incident occurred in the Behibagh area, where terrorists opened fire on Manzoor Ahmad Wagay and his family. Srinagar, Feb 03: An ex-Army man, who along with his wife and daughter injured after terrorists fired upon them from point-blank range in the Behibagh area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, has succumbed to his injuries on Monday. The officials said that all three were taken to hospital in injured condition where ex-army man identified as Manzoor Ahmad Wagay succumbed…
Read MoreKashmir Faces Water Shortage as Chillai Kalan Ends with 75% Deficit
Jammu and Kashmir ends Chillai Kalan with just 25% normal rainfall, experiencing erratic weather patterns, with mild rains and snowfall forecasted. Some parts of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed mild rains in plains and snowfall over mountains on Friday as the Valley’s harshest winter period – Chillai Kalan – ended, recording just 25% of the normal precipitation, the meteorological centre said. The 40-day Chillai Kalan, which started on December 21, has behaved erratically this winter starting with a bone chilling night temperatures of -8° to -12° Celsius but ending with day…
Read MoreDark Nights Ahead: Kashmir’s Hydel Power Generation Plummets by 76%
Dark nights ahead, Kashmir’s hydel power generation falls by 76 % Srinagar, Jan 31 : Owing to the low water level, the Power Development Department (PDD) is currently able to produce only 24 Megawatts (MWs) of electricity against the total capacity of around 250 MWs from the power plants in Kashmir region. A top official from Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that “From Kashmir power plants, we have a power generation capacity of around 250 MW out of which currently,…
Read MoreDelhi Meeting: Ruhullah Mehdi and Mirwaiz Address Post-2019 Kashmir Issues
The two discussed about a joint effort for the rejection of Waqf Amendment Bill inside and outside Parliament -legislatively and politically – by meeting important political players National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Ruhullah Mehdi and Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq held a surprise meeting in New Delhi and discussed the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, religious freedom of Muslims in the country, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir post 2019 and the plight of youth of Kashmir who are in jails. The two discussed about a joint effort for the…
Read MoreExperts Sound Alarm: Kashmir’s Snowfall Drop Could Lead to Water Scarcity
Kashmir receiving less snowfall can lead to water scarcity in coming months, say experts Srinagar, Jan 30 : Kashmir witnessing less snowfall during peak winter season this year could lead to water scarcity in coming months, experts said on Thursday. Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the experts said the changing weather patterns have led to decline in the intensity of snowfall in Kashmir and it can have far reaching consequences. Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the snowfall in winters is important for the…
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