Kashmir’s ‘Paddy Bowl’ Shrinks as Fields Disappear Under Concrete, Orchards
Declining paddy acreage in Budgam, Pulwama and Kulgam raises food security concerns as experts warn of rising dependence on imported rice Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: Kashmir’s vast stretches of paddy fields—once the defining feature of the Valley’s rural landscape—are steadily shrinking, raising alarm among farmers, experts and policymakers about the future of rice cultivation and […]
Kashmir’s First Hydropower Plant Mohra Set for Revival After Decades
Historic power project in Uri that once illuminated Srinagar may soon return to life MLA Sajad Shafi calls it a step towards energy security and heritage revival Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: More than a century after it first lit up homes and institutions in the Valley, the historic Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project in Uri of […]
Eid shopping gathers pace as Kashmir markets lure buyers with bumper discounts
Garment, footwear and bakery traders roll out festive sales; shoppers throng markets as Eid fervour returns across Valley Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: Markets across Kashmir have begun buzzing with activity as traders roll out bumper discounts and festive sales, drawing shoppers in large numbers ahead of Eid. After witnessing a relatively slow start to the […]
Juma’atul Vida: About 80,000 offer prayers at Hazratbal, say officials
Srinagar: Juma’atul Vida, the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan, was observed across Jammu and Kashmir as thousands of devotees thronged mosques and shrines for congregational prayers. The largest gathering for Juma’atul Vida prayers took place at Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake. Officials said an estimated 80,000 people offered […]
Fuel panic spreads: Queues at pumps, LPG outlets while govt denies shortage
New Delhi: People queued up at petrol stations and domestic LPG outlets amid panic buying across the country over a perceived paucity of fuel, even as the government told Parliament on Thursday that there was no shortage of petrol, diesel and kerosene due to the West Asia crisis and it was not the time for […]
Centre proposes changes in Drug Rules
New rules to align blood product testing with global standards New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has proposed to amend the Drugs Rules, 1945, to align regulatory requirements for testing blood products with internationally accepted pharmacopoeial standards and remove testing requirements not warranted under global best practices. It has issued a draft gazette notification, […]
Government Plans Major Push for Border Tourism in Kashmir
Officials say initiative will showcase unexplored landscapes, culture, and history while boosting local livelihoods Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: In a move aimed at diversifying Kashmir’s tourism landscape and bringing remote areas into the mainstream travel map, the government is actively exploring ways to promote border tourism across several scenic locations close to the Line of […]
When Tulips Bloom, Their Hands Speak
From winter’s silence to spring’s colours, gardeners quietly craft Kashmir’s grand tulip spectacle Tulip garden likely to open after March 20 Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: As Kashmir slowly emerges from the grip of winter, the first signs of spring are quietly taking shape on the terraced slopes of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in […]
Parched Valley: Is Kashmir Heading Towards Water Crisis?
Jhelum flows at historic lows amid alarming rainfall deficit and scant snow Concerns rising over drinking water and irrigation in the Valley Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: Kashmir may be staring at the possibility of a looming water crisis as the Valley’s lifeline—the River Jhelum—continues to flow at historically low levels following a prolonged dry spell, […]
Over 140 flights cancelled at four airports amid Middle East conflict
Mumbai: More than 140 international flights were cancelled at Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata airports on Friday as the Middle East crisis continued to impact flight operations. Airlines have partially started operations, and some of them are operating limited services to and from some destinations in the Middle East. Officials said at least 142 flights […]