Tag: #MentalHealth

Beyond Marks: Rethinking Merit, Youth, and Mental Well-Being in Kashmir

Umar Khan Amiri
Beyond Marks: Rethinking Merit, Youth, and Mental Well-Being in Kashmir

Beyond Marks: Rethinking Merit, Youth, and Mental Well-Being in Kashmir By Umar Khan Amiri In Kashmir, the declaration of academic results has increasingly become more than a routine educational milestone. It has evolved into a social yardstick—one that often measures not just performance, but worth, intelligence, and future potential. This mindset, deeply entrenched in society, has had a distressing impact on the mental health and self-esteem of young people. Every year, students give their best within the limits of their individual capacities. Yet the first and often the only question…

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Over 1.3 Million People Affected by Drug Abuse in Jammu & Kashmir: A Deepening Crisis Threatening Youth, Security, and Social Stability

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Over 1.3 Million People Affected by Drug Abuse in Jammu & Kashmir: A Deepening Crisis Threatening Youth, Security, and Social Stability

Drug Abuse Crisis in Jammu & Kashmir: Over 1.3 Million Affected as Heroin Use and Youth Addiction Surge By: Javid Amin | 07 January 2026 A Grim Milestone: Drug Abuse Reaches Alarming Levels in Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir is confronting one of the most severe social and public health crises in its recent history, with over 1.3 million people now affected by drug abuse, according to official estimates. The figure represents a dramatic rise from approximately 600,000 cases just three years ago, underscoring the speed and scale at…

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From Detox to Despair: Why J&K’s Drug Crisis Needs More Than Short-Term Fixes

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From Detox to Despair: Why J&K’s Drug Crisis Needs More Than Short-Term Fixes

10% of J&K Population Struggling with Substance Abuse, Yet Long-Term Rehab Remains a Mirage By: Javid Amin | 26 October 2025 The Hidden Epidemic Jammu and Kashmir is facing one of India’s most severe drug addiction crises, with over 10% of its population—approximately 13.5 lakh individuals—struggling with substance abuse, according to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment. Behind the numbers lies a grim picture: a generation caught between trauma, unemployment, and easy access to narcotics. Despite government campaigns and public awareness drives, long-term rehabilitation remains a distant…

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The Digital Danger Lurking in Kashmiri Homes: How Screen Addiction is Rewiring Childhood

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The Digital Danger Lurking in Kashmiri Homes: How Screen Addiction is Rewiring Childhood

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

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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…

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Beyond the Rotting Orchards: Kashmir’s Silent Crisis of a Generation Adrift

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Beyond the Rotting Orchards: Kashmir's Silent Crisis of a Generation Adrift

Kashmir’s Dual Crisis: Apple Orchards Rotting & A Generation’s Values Eroding | Expert Analysis By: Javid Amin | 17 September 2025 A Season of Ruin in the Valley of Plenty The scent of decay hangs heavy in the crisp autumn air of Kashmir. It’s a poignant, sweet-sour smell that speaks of loss. In orchards that stretch across the valley floor and climb the gentle Himalayan slopes, a bounty is turning to mush. Piles of once-prime apples—the iconic Trew, American, and Maharaji varieties—lie discarded, their vibrant reds and greens fading into a uniform, melancholic brown.…

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Endless Loop of Heart Tragedies: Genes, Binge Drinking, and Stress Behind Surging Deaths in Young Adults

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Endless Loop of Heart Tragedies: Genes, Binge Drinking, and Stress Behind Surging Deaths in Young Adults

Heart-Related Deaths in Young Adults – How Genes, Binge Drinking, and Stress Are Fueling a Silent Epidemic By: Javid Amin | 18 Aug 2025 The Silent Epidemic Among Young Hearts They look fit, they hit the gym, and their Instagram feeds show vibrant lifestyles filled with marathons, protein shakes, and fitness selfies. Yet, in shocking headlines week after week, we read about young men and women—some barely in their 20s or 30s—collapsing from sudden heart attacks. India today is witnessing a disturbing surge in heart-related deaths among young adults. What…

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Endless Loop of Drug Addiction: From Heroin to Prescription Pills – The Silent Epidemic in Kashmir and South Asia

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Endless Loop of Drug Addiction: From Heroin to Prescription Pills – The Silent Epidemic in Kashmir and South Asia

Endless Loop of Drug Addiction: From Heroin to Prescription Pills in Kashmir & South Asia By: Javid Amin | 18 Aug 2025 From One Trap to Another In Kashmir and across South Asia, a silent epidemic is tightening its grip. People who fight bravely to escape the deadly clutches of heroin addiction are finding themselves caught in another trap—prescription pill dependency. This troubling pattern is reshaping the narrative of recovery. What begins as a hopeful journey of detox and healing often ends in another cycle of dependence, this time hidden…

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The 21-Course Curse: Kashmir’s Lavish Weddings & The Shocking Rise Of Instant Divorce – Can Tradition Be Saved?

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The 21-Course Curse: Kashmir's Lavish Weddings & The Shocking Rise Of Instant Divorce – Can Tradition Be Saved?

Kashmir Marriage Crisis: Lavish Weddings, Rising Divorce & Islamic Solutions | Social Change By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 12 July 2025 The majestic valleys of Kashmir, often called “Paradise on Earth,” are echoing with a dissonant sound: the clatter of extravagant wedding festivities swiftly followed by the hushed, painful whispers of divorce papers filed within weeks, sometimes days. Beneath the surface of vibrant phirans, glittering jewelry, and the intoxicating aroma of wazwan, a profound social crisis is fracturing the very fabric of Kashmiri society. This isn’t merely about changing…

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

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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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