RisingKashmir

Srinagar, Aug 29: Beneath the soil of Zehanpora in north Kashmir lies a story waiting to be told a nearly 2,000-year-old Buddhist settlement that archaeologists believe could rewrite the region's ancient history. The second phase of excavation at the Kushan-period archaeological site began on Saturday, with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo visiting the location to inaugurate the work. He was accompanied by officials from the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums (DAAM), University of Kashm

Kulgam, Aug 29: When Kashmir's rice fields yield over 100 quintals per hectare nearly three times the national average the credit goes to a research station in Kulgam that has spent decades turning food security into a reality for the Valley. The Mountain Research Station for Field Crops (MRFC) at Khudwani has been the backbone of Kashmir's rice revolution, Prof (Dr) Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K), sai

Srinagar, Aug 29: Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Enforcement, Jammu and Kashmir, Mubashir Jan has raised serious concerns over the use of private vans for transporting schoolchildren, stating that such vehicles do not meet the prescribed safety standards for school buses under the Motor Vehicles Act and the AIS-063 protocols. Speaking to reporters here, Jan said school vans being used for transporting children are totally illegal and warned that authorities and society should not wa

Srinagar, Aug 29: The playing field never lies. On National Sports Day, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand, describing the hockey wizard as one of India's deepest and most enduring symbols whose brilliance compelled the world to pause and acknowledge the country's immense sporting talent. In his address at the National Sports Day function, the Lieutenant Governor observed that every stroke of Major Dhyan Chand's hockey stick symbolised discipline, dedic

Srinagar, Aug 29: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir Anshul Garg on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) to review preparations for the upcoming 1st International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJ&K). During the meeting, the Div Com directed all concerned departments to ensure befitting, comprehensive and meticulous arrangements for the successful conduct of the festival and to execute their assigned responsibiliti

Srinagar, Aug 29: The devastation in Nepal has sent a chilling warning across Jammu and Kashmir: when a warming climate meets fragile mountain terrain and unchecked human intervention, an extreme weather event can rapidly turn into a catastrophe. For J&K, the question is no longer whether climate change is altering the Himalayan environment. It is whether the Valley is adequately prepared for the increasingly erratic and intense weather events being witnessed across the region. Nepal recently wi

Srinagar, Aug 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said modern tools should inspire solutions for easy accessibility of the best possible healthcare to all citizens. He urged stakeholders to make Jammu and Kashmir a laboratory for low-cost, high-impact innovations such as drone-based delivery of medical supplies and solar-powered cold chains for high-altitude health centres. Inaugurating the 3rd edition of the CII Jammu & Kashmir Health Conclave, the LG emphasised the transformative v

The month of Rabi-al-Awwal occupies a distinctive place in the religious and cultural consciousness of Muslims across the world. It is associated, above all, with the remembrance of the life, character and mission of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In Kashmir, as in many other parts of the Muslim world, the arrival of this month brings gatherings, sermons, devotional programmes and discussions centred on the blessed life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). These traditions reflect a deep and enduring love for th

For centuries, the wooden houseboats of Kashmir have rested upon the serene waters of Dal and Nigeen lakes like floating palaces. Crafted from resilient Deodar cedar, their ornate Khatamband wood-panelled ceilings and delicate Pinjrakari lattice-work windows stand as living archives of the Valleys artistic soul. Yet their origins were born out of clever adaptation. During my school days at the prestigious Islamia High School, Srinagar, our school excursions would take us through the pristine wat

Soil is often treated as if it were endless, a quiet layer beneath our feet that will always be there, no matter how carelessly we use it. But that assumption is one of the most dangerous habits of modern life. Soil is not just dirt. It is the foundation of agriculture, the storehouse of nutrients, the sponge that holds water, and the living system that sustains forests, farms, and human settlements alike. Yet across the world, and increasingly in our own region, soil is being eroded, exhausted,

FAMILY & SOCIETY DR SHABEENA YAQOOB Behind every child with a developmental or intellectual disability, there is a family quietly absorbing stares, unsolicited advice, rigid workplace expectations, and persistent self-doubt. Within this struggle, these families especially mother are also crafting a lesser-told story one of adaptation, support networks, and hard-won resilience. It usually begins with a glance. A stranger's stare a beat too long in a marketplace, a relative's carefully worded ques

ADV SUNIL SETHI The decision to increase electricity tariffs in Jammu & Kashmir at a time when ordinary families are already struggling with the rising cost of living is deeply disappointing. More importantly, it raises a fundamental question of political accountability: what happened to the promises made to the people before the Assembly elections? The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved an average tariff increase of 6.83 per cent, applicable from September 1, 2026. For metered

At around 1 pm, the alarm finally rings. Sunlight has already filled the room, but the mind still feels strangely heavy. The phone becomes the first companion of the day, not because there is anything urgent to see, but because it is easier than confronting the uncomfortable truth that half the day has already passed. Breakfast has quietly turned into lunch, and the feeling of starting fresh never really arrives. This has become an increasingly familiar routine for many teenagers. Sleeping at 3

Srinagar, Aug 29: The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), J&K, conducted food safety enforcement activities across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement, the officials said during the drive, 140 inspections were conducted and 55 food samples were lifted for testing of quality and safety parameters. The samples included Milk and Milk Products, Edible Oils and Spices, besides other food commodities. As part of the enforcement action, 17 Improvement Notices were issued to various Fo

Handwara, Aug 29: In a major healthcare outreach initiative, the Indian Army organised a free medical camp at Ananwan in Langate on Saturday, bringing doctors, medicines and basic healthcare services closer to residents of the remote area. The camp was organised under Operation Sadbhavana and witnessed participation of around 650 to 700 residents from Ananwan and adjoining villages. Children, women and elderly people were among those who attended the camp and availed free medical services. A tea

Budgam, Aug 29: Direct rail connectivity between Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region was restored on Saturday with the resumption of train services between Budgam and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. The Jammu Railway Division of Northern Railway has reintroduced Train Nos. 04688 and 04687 on the Budgam-Katra route from August 29, providing passengers with a direct rail link between the Valley and the popular pilgrimage destination. As per the revised schedule, Train No. 04688 will leave Budgam Rai

Srinagar, Aug 29: The Higher Education Department, J&K, has notified the commencement of Phase-II of Undergraduate admissions for the Academic Session 2026-27 in Government Degree Colleges of J&K. The admissions are open to candidates who have qualified the Biannual / Supplementary / Private Examination of Class 12th, Session 2026, the results of which have been declared by the Jammu & Kashmir Board of School Education and other recognised Boards. The admission process will be conducted through

Srinagar, Aug 29: MBBS interns in Jammu and Kashmir who have decided to suspend services from Aug 31 on Saturday protested against the government over the failure to enhance their monthly stipend, saying their demands have remained unaddressed for seven years. We have been suffering for the past seven years. No one is hearing us, as if we are not part of this society, said Ahmad Faraz Malik, an MBBS intern at SKIMS Medical College, Srinagar, during their protest at Pratap Park. The interns said

Srinagar, Aug 29: Alkhuddam Hajj and Umrah Services has resumed its operations after a gap of four years and announced plans to provide pilgrims with enhanced and personalised services. Addressing a news conference here, Sheikh Feroz Ahmad Sidiq, Managing Director, Alkhuddam Hajj and Umrah Services, said the company was once again ready to serve pilgrims and was committed to further improving its services. After four years, Alkhuddam Hajj and Umrah Services is again on track and ready to serve t

Srinagar, Aug 29: The Ministry of Minority Affairs has published the list of Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) found eligible for registration for Haj 2027, with 17 organisers from Jammu and Kashmir making it to the list. The ministry had invited online applications from firms intending to operate as Haj tour operators for Haj 2027 through Notice No. HAJ-15/2/2026-HAJ-MoMA (e-151636) dated July 3, 2026. The applications submitted through the HGO Portal were scrutinised and evaluated against the eligib

Srinagar, Aug 29: Road macadamization works have commenced in Gawkadal, Basant Bagh, Chadpora, Habba Kadal and Chinkral Mohalla at a cost of Rs 47 lakh, under the initiative of MLA Habba Kadal, Shameema Firdous. In a statement, Shameema said that the works are aimed at improving road conditions and providing better connectivity and safer passage to residents in the affected areas. MLA directed the concerned executing agencies to ensure timely completion of the works within the stipulated time fr

Srinagar, Aug 29: Apni Party leaders on Saturday welcomed Abdul Hameed Bhat, a prominent political activist from the Bagh-i-Mehtab area of Chanapora constituency, into the party fold. Bhat, who was earlier associated with the National Conference (NC), formally joined the Apni Party during an event held at the party headquarters in Srinagar. On the occasion, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and other senior party leaders warmly welcomed him into the party.

Srinagar, 29 Aug: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Saturday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of the wife of partys District Secretary Budgam, Khawaja Ghulam Ahmad Mir alias Naseem. In his condolence message, Dr Farooq expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and prayed for strength and fortitude to them to bear the irreparable loss. He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased eternal peace and the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous

Kupwara, Aug 29: AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said that the demand raised by AIP President and Lok Sabha Member Er. Rashid for a dedicated Green Corridor for fruit-laden trucks on NH-44 has received the attention of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. In a statement, Nabi said Er. Rashid had taken up the matter through Letter No. MPLS/Hqsgr/1431 dated 02.08.2026, seeking a dedicated Green Corridor at Qazigund, Banihal and vulnerable stretches of NH-44 to ensure u

Srinagar, Aug 29: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday accused successive governments, particularly the ruling National Conference (NC), of neglecting Srinagar and failing to deliver on promises made during the 2024 Assembly elections. He made the remarks while addressing an event at the Apni Party headquarters in Srinagar, organised to welcome new members into the party. Peoples Conference district president Srinagar Nighat Gul and former Nawaz Bazar corporator Inayat Hu

Srinagar, Aug 29: Minister for Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo, on saturday inaugurated the Department of Radiology, including CT Scan, along with the Division of Non-Invasive Cardiology and Medical Oncology at Imam Hussain Multispecialty Hospital, Hamdania Colony, Bemina, Srinagar. The newly operationalised services mark a significant step towards expanding access to specialised and affordable healthcare facilities for the people

Jammu, Aug 29: BJP Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson Rajni Sethi on Saturday questioned the National Conferences political ideology, asking the party to clarify its vision for Jammu and Kashmir and whether it stands firmly with the national interest. In a statement, Sethi said the NCs political history, including its 2000 Autonomy Resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly under then chief minister Farooq Abdullah, raised questions about its position on autonomy and the constit

Srinagar, Aug 29: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary and Khanyar MLA Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar on Saturday said attempts to weaken the party through propaganda and conspiracies would not succeed, asserting that its bond with the people remained strong. Addressing a meeting at the party headquarters at Nawa-e-Subha, Sagar said the National Conference was not merely a political party but a movement rooted in the struggles and sacrifices of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He sai

Srinagar, Aug 29 : A 60-year-old bus conductor died after falling from a moving bus when an auto-rickshaw hit the bus in Muniwar area of Srinagar, officials said. An official told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that the conductor was standing at the door of the bus when an auto-rickshaw suddenly hit it, causing him to lose his balance and fall outside. He sustained serious head injuries in the incident. He was shifted to SMHS Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, the of