Kashmir’s Growing Drug Crisis: A Deep Dive Into the Valley’s Hidden Epidemic

Kashmir's Growing Drug Crisis: A Deep Dive Into the Valley's Hidden Epidemic

The Shadow Pandemic: Understanding Kashmir’s Drug Crisis By Javid Amin | May 12, 2025 Eighty-two kilometers from Srinagar, nestled among the majestic Himalayan foothills, 23-year-old Javaid (name changed) sits in a small rehabilitation center. His sunken eyes and trembling hands tell a story that has become increasingly common across the Kashmir Valley. Three years ago, he was a promising engineering student. Today, he’s fighting a desperate battle against heroin addiction. “It started with charas (cannabis),” he recalls, his voice barely audible. “Then pills, and finally, heroin. Before I knew it,…

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Want to Age Gracefully? Add These Flavonoid-Rich Foods to Your Diet

Want to Age Gracefully? Add These Flavonoid-Rich Foods to Your Diet

Drink Black Tea, Eat Berries & Apples: The Secret to Healthy Aging Aging is a natural process, but how we age depends largely on our lifestyle choices. While genetics play a role, research increasingly shows that diet is a major factor in determining how well we age. A groundbreaking study conducted by Edith Cowan University (Australia), Queen’s University Belfast (UK), and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (US) has revealed that consuming flavonoid-rich foods—such as black tea, berries, citrus fruits, and apples—can significantly improve physical function, mental health, and…

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Digital Addiction Epidemic in Kashmir: Experts Call for Immediate Intervention

Digital Addiction Epidemic in Kashmir: Experts Call for Immediate Intervention

Dr Margoob Warns of Digital Addiction Crisis in Kashmir, Calls for Urgent Action Srinagar: Dr Mustaq A Margoob, an eminent psychiatrist, has raised alarm over the growing crisis of digital addiction among children in Kashmir, describing it as a pandemic that is already reshaping the mental health landscape of the region. Speaking at an interaction on “Digital Addiction: An Invisible Pandemic,” organised by the Amar Singh Club in Srinagar, he warned that excessive use of digital devices was leading to severe behavioural and psychological disorders among children, including virtual autism—an…

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Magnesium Matters: Harvard Gastroenterologist Shares 4 Warning Signs of Deficiency

Magnesium Matters: Harvard Gastroenterologist Shares 4 Warning Signs of Deficiency

Harvard Doctor Shares 4 Signs of Magnesium Deficiency and Urges Not to Ignore Them By: Saika J Magnesium is a vital mineral that plays a crucial role in numerous bodily functions. It is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, making it essential for maintaining overall health. Despite its importance, many people do not get enough magnesium in their diets, which can lead to various health issues. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a renowned gastroenterologist from Harvard, has shared important insights into magnesium deficiency. Posting on Instagram, Dr. Sethi explained the symptoms of…

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The Virtual Casino: How Kashmir’s Youth are Betting Their Futures Away

The Virtual Casino: How Kashmir’s Youth are Betting Their Futures Away

Online Gambling in Kashmir: A Silent Epidemic Fueling Financial Ruin and Emotional Despair By: Javid Amin The Rising Tide of Online Gambling in Kashmir In the picturesque valleys of Kashmir, a silent crisis is unfolding. Online gambling, once a distant concern, has now become a pervasive issue, pushing countless families into financial ruin and emotional despair. What began as a seemingly harmless pastime has morphed into a full-blown epidemic, ensnaring the youth and leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Experts warn that the accessibility of online betting platforms,…

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Ticking Clock, Fragile Identities: Confusion Clouds Class 10 Exam Preparations for Many

Ticking Clock, Fragile Identities: Confusion Clouds Class 10 Exam Preparations for Many

Tagging of students not in sync with policy, will lead to identity crisis of students: Experts As the deadline for the submission of class 10th examination forms approaches, a cloud of uncertainty looms over students enrolled in private schools having land issues and have been denied the release of Registration and Registration Return Forms (RRF). The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) recently announced the last date for submission as December 20, 2023, raising concerns for a significant number of students. An official said that the students of…

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Fatty liver may increase risk of personality disorders by threefold: Study

Fatty liver may increase risk of personality disorders by threefold: Study

People with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are around three times more likely to have a personality disorder than those without the disease, a new study has revealed. NAFLD is a global health problem and multi-faceted disease, with the main risk factors being obesity and insulin resistance. Whilst in its early stages there may be few symptoms, the disease can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure in at-risk individuals such as diabetics. Scientists at the University of Birmingham in the UK call for NAFLD patients to be screened for personality…

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Kashmir’s Silent Plague: Battling the Scourge of Drug Addiction

Kashmir's Silent Plague: Battling the Scourge of Drug Addiction

By: Mudasir Wani Kashmir valley, renowned for its beauty and culture, has recently been cast into the shadows by a growing epidemic – drug addiction. This ominous presence is unraveling the social fabric and dragging the valley into a bleak abyss. The Pandora’s box of this crisis is wide open. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment recently revealed in the Lok Sabha that nearly 10 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir are entangled in the clutches of drug addiction. To put this into perspective, the population of Jammu and…

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Kashmir’s Youth in Crisis: The Need for Suicide Prevention

Kashmir's Youth in Crisis: The Need for Suicide Prevention

By: Nawaz Manzoor Malik Suicide is a global concern, and its impact is far and wide, affecting individuals, families, and entire communities. In Kashmir, the menace of suicide has been exacerbated by decades of conflict, political turmoil, and a unique cultural context. Trying to explore the latest information and initiatives surrounding suicide prevention in Kashmir, shedding light on the challenges faced and the glimmers of hope that are emerging. As per the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) report, suicide has claimed the maximum number of lives in Kashmir after terrorism.…

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Kashmir’s dark side: How black magic is destroying lives

Kashmir's dark side: How black magic is destroying lives

By : Mehr-u-Nisa Zargar By early May, Shoby Jan, a resident of the Kachdoora area in south Kashmir’s Shopian allegedly showed an immense transformation in her behaviour. It was not normal. After days of struggle, her husband Muzaffar Ahmed Sheikh got in touch with a faith healer from Qazigund in the Kulgam district. The “faith healer” came to her house in Kachdoora and right away said, Shoby was possessed by a Djinn. After the “revelation” Shoby started facing a social boycott. Nobody visited her or went close to talk to…

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