RisingKashmir

Srinagar, Jul 08: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired the 37th Union Territory Level Coordination Committee (UTLCC) meeting convened by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Jammu, and called for a comprehensive, coordinated, and technology-driven strategy to curb the growing menace of cyber-enabled financial frauds and other unregulated financial activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Emphasising the need for strengthening institutional capacities, the Chief Secretary urged regulatory bodies

Srinagar, Jul 08: In a major policy initiative aimed at further strengthening inclusive governance and ensuring that government welfare schemes reach the most deserving families, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Planning, Development & Monitoring Department to have first-hand appraisal of the proposed household-level enumeration of multidimensionally poor families across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by concerned Administrative Heads including ACS F

Srinagar, Jul 08: Bollywood actor Huma Qureshi on Wednesday promised to shoot a full-fledged film in Kashmir, saying the valleys breathtaking locations and the warmth of its people continue to draw filmmakers back. Qureshi made the announcement while interacting with moviegoers at INOX cinema in Srinagar during the promotional event for her recently released film Baby Do Die Do. Today our film has been released here, and now I promise that I will shoot a film in Kashmir as well, she told an enth

Srinagar, Jul 08: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, authorities and waste management experts are attempting to transform the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 into India's first zero-landfill pilgrimage by converting waste into resources and introducing innovative technologies ranging from water ATMs to biogas generation from mule dung. Speaking exclusively to Rising Kashmir, Dr Sameer Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Swaaha Resource Management Pvt Ltd, the startup entrusted with implementin

Srinagar, Jul 08: Jammu & Kashmir continues to remain at the top of the Union Territories in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U & PMAY-U 2.0), recording the highest number of houses sanctioned and the largest amount of Central assistance among all Union Territories. According tothe Annual Report 2025-26, released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in June 2026,on the physical and financial progress of PMAY-U and PMAYU 2.0, a total of 45,112 house

Anantnag, Jul 08: In a significant success demonstrating the effectiveness of advanced surveillance technology deployed for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Facial Recognition System (FRS) installed by Anantnag Police generated timely alerts about three suspicious individuals as they passed through the Sarbal area. Acting swiftly on the alerts, police personnel intercepted the individuals and verified their identities.During the verification process,all three were identified as Over Groun

Srinagar, Jul 08: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessedasignificant progress in its overall performance in the Union Ministry of Education's Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 for 2025-26, increasing its score by 47 points over the previous year and moving up one grade. However,the Union Territory, as perthe PGI for States/UTs Report for 2025-2026, released bythe Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India,continues to remainin the 'Akanshi-1' category, indic

Thathri (Doda), Jul 08: A day after a cloudburst triggered flash floods in Thathri town of Doda district, officials on Wednesday put the damage toll at 16 houses fully damaged, 25 houses and 41 shops inundated with mud and slush, and one school building damaged, even as men and machinery worked to clear debris and boulders from roads and drainage channels in the town. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Union Home Minister Amit Shah called him on Wednesday morning to enquire about the weathersitua

Shopian, Jul 08: A top commander of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was neutralised on Wednesday morning as a major anti-terror operation in the Chanapora area of south Kashmir's Shopian district entered its sixth consecutive day. Security forces, however, continued their search for a second terrorist believed to be hiding in the area. The slain terrorist has been identified by police as Zakir Ahmad Ganai, a resident of Matalhama village in neighbouring Kulgam district. According

Srinagar, Jul 08: In a major welfare initiative aimed at improving access to education for economically weaker sections, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has announced a complete waiver of school fees for students belonging to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families studying in Classes IX to XII in government schools across the Union Territory. The School Education Department issued Government Order No. 282-JK (Edu) of 2026 dated July 8, 2026, sanctioning the full fee waiver with immediate effect.

Srinagar, Jul 08: In a landmark move in Jammu and Kashmir's education sector, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday revived appointments to School Lecturer posts, handing over appointment letters to 117 newly selected lecturersthe first lecturer appointments in the Education Department in many yearswhile also fulfilling his Budget 2026 commitment by announcing a full fee waiver for school and college students belonging to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families. The decisions were announced dur

Srinagar, Jul 08: A visible surge in pilgrim movement across both the Pahalgam and Baltal axes is setting the tone for what is emerging as one of the most encouraging editions of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra in recent years. With thousands of devotees arriving at the holy cave shrine each day, the annual pilgrimage has gained remarkable momentum in its very first week, reflecting the enduring spiritual appeal of the Himalayan yatra and theconfidence of pilgrimsin the arrangements put in place this

In a land where simplicity and spiritual restraint have long been cherished values, the growing culture of lavish marriages in the Kashmir Valley raises uncomfortable questions. The wedding season today is marked less by the sanctity of nikah or the blessings of elders, and more by competition in display: endless wazwan courses, opulent dcor, firecracker shows, and multi-day celebrations that stretch family finances to the breaking point. This trend is not merely a matter of personal choice or a

Kashmir is often described as a paradise on earth. Yet, beneath this poetic praise lies a more sobering reality: the very heritage that gives the Valley its soul is under relentless strain. From crumbling wooden havelis in the old quarters of Srinagar to neglected shrines, temples, khanqahs, and caravanserais along our historic routes, the story of heritage conservation in Kashmir is one of indifference, short-termism, and a worrying disconnect between people and their past. Heritage in Kashmir

The gastrointestinal tract harbours numerous diseases with substantial clinical burden. The advent of cutting-edge medical technologies has ushered in a new era in gastroenterology, transforming the assessment of the gastrointestinal tract through improved diagnostic precision and timely therapeutic intervention in gastroenterology. Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, serving as the eyes and hands of gastroenterology, enables real-time assessment and targeted treatment of gastrointestinal pathologi

Not very long ago, speaking to a machine about one's deepest fears would have belonged to the realm of science fiction. Today, it has become an everyday reality. Millions of people across the world are typing messages into AI-powered chat bots, not merely to seek information, but to vent, reflect, grieve, celebrate small victories, or simply feel heard after a difficult day. Nobody listens to me. I don't know how to deal with my anxiety. I had a fight with my partner. What do I do now? These are

We like to tell ourselves that times have changed. We point to the girls in our families who top exams, the women who lead institutions, and the growing presence of female voices online. We share celebratory posts on womens days and applaud every success story that breaks through from Kashmir. Yet, beneath this thin layer of progress lies a harsher truth: gender inequality remains deeply woven into our homes, our institutions, and our collective mindset. It is not a distant concept discussed in

Never before has the world been so deeply connected. Every notification, every scroll and every click has woven humanity into a single digital network that never sleeps. I believe social media has become one of the most powerful forces shaping our thoughts. It does not merely influence what we buy or wear, but i t influences how we think, what we admire, what we consider success and even how we judge ourselves and others. The content we consume every day gradually shapes our opinions, values and

Srinagar, July 8: The Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held an organisational meeting of the Habba Kadal Zone at Naid Kadal, chaired by PDP Senior Leader and Habba Kadal Constituency Incharge Arif Laigroo. The meeting was organised by Zone President Tufail Ahmad Bhat. The meeting reviewed the partys organisational activities in the constituency and discussed various public issues affecting residents of Habba Kadal. Addressing party workers, Arif Laigroo directed ward presidents to

Ganderbal, July 8: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) Womens Wing on Wednesday held a one-day convention in Ganderbal, with party leaders calling for strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level and expanding public outreach ahead of forthcoming local body elections. The convention, held at Rampora, Ganderbal, was chaired by NC Womens Wing President and MLA Habba Kadal Shameema Firdous and attended by Provincial Womens Wing President Er. Sabiya Qadri. The meeting discussed

Srinagar, July 08: The Committee on Privileges of the J&K Legislative Assembly, chaired by Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi, on Wednesday examined two alleged breach of privilege cases and directed both the officers concerned to submit the supplementary written replies. The Committee considered a notice submitted by MLA Ali Mohammad Dar against the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Chadoora, Budgam and another notice submitted by MLA Mian Mehar Ali against then Assistant Commissioner Development, Gander

New Delhi, July, 08 : Er. Aijaz Hussain, State Executive Member, BJP and Co-In Charge, Minority Morcha, of Jammu & Kashmir, on Wednesday called on Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi. During the meeting, Er. Aijaz Hussain congratulated the Minister on the successful conduct of the Haj Pilgrimage 2026 and appreciated the Ministrys efforts in ensuring smooth, safe, and well-coordinated arrangements for pilgrims. The meeting included detailed deliberations on a wide range of issues concerning

Srinagar, July 7: District Congress Committee (DCC) Srinagar President Dr. Audil Farooq Mir on Tuesday claimed that the Congress Party was the first political force to consistently raise the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs Statehood, asserting that the issue was pursued as a constitutional commitment rather than a political slogan. Dr. Audil said Congress had raised the demand with clarity and conviction when several other parties were still undecided on the issue. He maintained tha

Thathri (Doda), July 08: Authorities on Wednesday said flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Thathri town of Doda district have damaged 16 houses, inundated 25 others and affected 41 shops, while restoration work is underway to clear debris and restore essential services. According to Tehsildar Thathri Satish Kumar Rana, the assessment revealed that 16 houses were damaged, while another 25 houses were filled with mud and slush. A school building also sustained damage in the flash floods. The

Budgam, July 08: Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, on Wednesday convened a high-level meeting to review the progress of ongoing development works, their execution and the new initiatives proposed under the Special Area Sustainable Community-Centred Initiative (SASCI) at Yousmarg, Haijan, Nilnag, Nagbal and adjoining areas. The meeting also focused on resolving issues pertaining to the Forest Department that have been affecting the timely execution of various de

Srinagar, July 8: In a significant political development ahead of future electoral battles in J&K, former District Development Council chairperson and former J&K Haj Committee chairperson Safina Baig on Wednesday joined the National Conference, lending fresh momentum to the party's efforts to consolidate its support base in north Kashmir. Safina, wife of People's Democratic Party co-founder and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, was formally inducted into the party at the Nation

Srinagar, July 8: Bollywood actor Huma Qureshi on Wednesday promised to shoot a full-fledged film in Kashmir, saying the valleys breathtaking locations and the warmth of its people continue to draw filmmakers back. Qureshi made the announcement while interacting with moviegoers at INOX cinema in Srinagar during the promotional event for her recently released film Baby Do Die Do . Today our film has been released here, and now I promise that I will shoot a film in Kashmir as well, she told an ent

Srinagar, July 8: Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said that the appointment of new lecturers marks an important step towards strengthening the education sector in Jammu and Kashmir, while emphasizing that teachers carry the responsibility of shaping the future of society. Addressing a function where appointment orders were distributed to newly selected lecturers, the Minister congratulated the candidates and their families and thanked all officers, teachers, professors, Chief Educati

Srinagar, July 08: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has identified Govt. Medical College (GMC), Jammu among 70 medical colleges across India for failing to comply with mandatory CCTV surveillance and Network Video Recorder (NVR) integration norms, directing immediate compliance with its regulations. The NMC has directed all non-compliant medical colleges and institutions across the country to immediately install CCTV surveillance systems, connect their Network Video Recorders (NVRs) with th

Ganderbal, July 8: The District Administration Ganderbal has initiated action after alleged irregularities surfaced in the on-the-spot registration process for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims at the Manigam Transit Camp, leading to the suspension of four teachers and the launch of an official investigation. According to an order issued by the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Ganderbal, the action was taken following a communication from the Nodal Officer, Transit Camp Manigam (Assistant Commission

Ganderbal, July 8: Pilgrims undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra have lauded the Jammu and Kashmir Administration for ensuring what many described as the est facilities ever during this year's pilgrimage, praising the seamless arrangements, enhanced security, and efficient management along the Baltal route. Several devotees expressed satisfaction over the well-coordinated efforts of the administration, security forces, and civil departments, stating that the Yatra has been made safer,

Srinagar, July 8: Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department, J&K, Ram Niwas Sharma on Wednesday said that Jammu and Kashmir's education sector is undergoing a major transformation, marked by improved academic results, expansion of infrastructure, increased student enrollment and significant recruitment initiatives. Addressing a function held in the presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Sakina Itoo, Sharma highlighted key achievements of the School and Higher E

Ankara [Turkiye], July 8 : US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States may pursue the de-nuclearisation of Iran without any formal agreement while accusing Tehran of repeatedly violating commitments made during negotiations. Trump made the remarks during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, where he criticised the previous nuclear agreement with Iran, which was agreed upon during the Obama administration an

Srinagar, July 8: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Tuesday chaired a multi-disciplinary meeting to review traffic management measures and assess the progress of major road infrastructure projects aimed at improving traffic flow and urban mobility across Srinagar. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Vice Chairman Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, SSP Traffic Srina

Ramban , July 8 : The seventh day of the Amarnath Yatra-2026 witnessed a significant surge in pilgrim turnout, with nearly 10,000 devotees bound for the Baltal and Pahalgam routes departing from the Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp in Jammu. Pilgrims travelling via the Pahalgam route halted at the Chanderkote Langar for a brief refreshment break before resuming their journey towards the Holy Cave Shrine. Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure the comfort, safety and convenience of the devotees

Najaf [Iraq], July 8 : The funeral procession of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in US-Israeli joint strikes earlier this year, has reached the shrine of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali, in the Iraqi city of Najaf on Wednesday, as thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects during the fifth day of a six-day state funeral. According to Iran's state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the body of Khamenei was car

PayPal is often the first tool Indian freelancers and businesses reach for when an overseas client needs to pay them, mostly because it is familiar to everyone. Familiarity, though, is not the same as value. Once you account for PayPal's cross-border percentage, its fixed per-transaction fee, and the markup baked into its currency conversion, it quietly becomes one of the more expensive ways to bring foreign income into India. For anyone receiving payments regularly, the difference between PayPa

Srinagar, July 08 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that representatives of civil society have extended support to National Conference's proposed July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for statehood restoration, saying that all regional parties will also be invited. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar, per news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO), said around 170 representatives from different sections of society, including religious leaders, traders, educationists, re

Ankara , July 8 : US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the ceasefire agreement with Iran has effectively concluded for him, declaring that he no longer wishes to engage in diplomatic dealings with Tehran. Speaking to journalists at the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump categorically stated that the Peace process was over and he would not deal with Iran any longer To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum... They're led by sick people... I'll speak

Anantnag , July 8 : In a significant success demonstrating the effectiveness of advanced surveillance technology deployed for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Facial Recognition System (FRS) installed by Anantnag Police generated timely alerts regarding three suspicious individuals while they were passing through the Sarbal area. Acting swiftly on the alerts, police personnel intercepted and verified the identities of the individuals. During the verification process, all three were identi

Ganderbal, July 08 : The Chief Education Officer Ganderbal has placed four teachers under suspension with immediate effect over alleged dereliction of duties at Transit Camp Manigam. As per an order issued, the copy which lies with GNS states that the action was taken on the communication received from the Nodal Officer, Transit Camp Manigam, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Ganderbal, vide Letter No. TCM/SANJY/2026/173-77 dated 07-07-2026. The suspended teachers have been identified as Bilal Ahma

Srinagar, July 08 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to review the situation arising from heavy rainfall in the Union Territory, officials said. A top official told news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that Shah took stock of the weather-related situation and assured the Chief Minister of every possible assistance from the Centre to deal with any challenges caused by the rains. Heavy rains across several parts of Jammu and Kashm

Indonesia, July 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (local time) emplaned for Melbourne, Australia, after concluding the Indonesia leg of his three-nation visit from July 6-8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Australia on Wednesday. This is PM Modi's third visit to Australia, and he will be visiting Melbourne after a gap of 12 years. His last visit to Melbourne was in November 2014, and his last visit to Australia was in May 2023. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi and Pres

Srinagar, July 08 : Police on Wednesday arrested the driver of a vehicle that hit and injured three CRPF personnel deployed for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra near the Taingan Bypass in the Nowgam area of Srinagar, officials said. An official told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that the vehicle struck three personnel of D Company, 148 Battalion CRPF at the Taingan Bypass in Nowgam. The official said the driver involved in the incident was arrested shortly after the accident. The

Srinagar, July 8: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, with heavy rain, brief intense showers and thunderstorms likely at a few locations in the Jammu division. According to the weather department, scattered places across the Jammu and Kashmir are expected to receive light to moderate rain and thundershowers on July 9 and 10, while brief intense heavy showers may occur at a few locations. T

Shopian, July 08: A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, Zakir Ganie, has been killed in an ongoing anti-terror operation in Chanapora area of south Kashmirs Shopian district, while another terrorist is believed to be holed up, police said on Wednesday. A senior police officer told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that Zakir was trapped in the encounter for the last five days along with his accomplice. He has been neutralised and his body was recovered from a cowshed today along with a

Shopian, July 08 : A terrorist affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was killed during the ongoing anti-terror operation in the Shopian area of south Kashmir on Wednesday, police said. In a post on X, Jammu and Kashmir Police, as per the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO), said: You can run but you cant hide! One Lashkar terrorist neutralised by SOG Shopian in a joint operation with the Armys Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF. The anti-terror operation was launched four days ago following s

Srinagar, July 8: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 33/2021 under Sections 167, 417, 466 and 468 RPC before the Hon'ble Court of Sub-Judge/Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Kupwara, against Leyaket Ali Khan S/o Mehboobullah Khan then Patwari and presently Naib Tehsildar, a resident of Babapora Haihama, Kupwara. The case pertains to a complaint alleging manipulation of revenue records to transfer jointly owned ancestral land in Halqa

Florida, July 8 : The United States said that its forces carried out a new round of retaliatory strikes against Iran on Tuesday (local time), targeting more than 80 sites, after accusing Tehran of attacking commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian authorities said there had been no reports of civilian casualties from the strikes. According to the release of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were conducted on July 7 as an immediate response to Iran's latest at

Budgam, Jul 7: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan on Tuesday visited Kakanmaran Budgam and conducted a comprehensive review of the progress of the Transit Accommodation Project for PM Package/Migrant Employees of District Budgam. The project is aimed at providing modern residential accommodation for PM Package employees. The infrastructure comprises 12 residential blocks with a total of 192 flats, along with one community hall and one dormitory, besides other essential amenities.