Opinion

Navreh first day of Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar

29/03/2025
By Satish Mahaldar Navreh, the Kashmiri Pandit New Year, is a festival that holds deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance. While it marks the beginning of the lunar year, its implications go beyond the mere passage of time. Rooted in ancient texts such as the Nilmat Purana and the Kashmir Mahatmya, Navreh is a celebration that resonates with themes of cosmic renewal, agricultural cycles, divine intervention, and spiritual reflection. This research aims to provide an i...

Regional security concerns and India’s strategic response

24/03/2025
Fatima Baloch and Dr K N Pandita Pakistan was established in 1947 through the partition of India by the British, rather than through a prolonged independence struggle marked by significant sacrifices against colonial rule. As a result, the country initially mishandled Balochistan, forcefully occupying it against the will of the Baloch people on March 27, 1948. Furthermore, Pakistan has struggled to function as a cohesive nation, comprising diverse ethnic groups such as Bengalis, Punjabis...

Forced displacement of Pandits from their homeland

22/03/2025
K N Pandita The forced displacement of the Pandit minority in Kashmir in 1989-90, is in the sequence of atrocities perpetrated against the Hindu minority ever since the advent of the Islamic faith and its propagators in Kashmir in the third decade of the 14th century. Islamic faith enjoins its followers to practise Allah's command of destroying atheism, polytheism, idolatry or grave worship. The Hindus of Kashmir followed their age-old philosophy of polytheism and practised id...

An Open Letter to CEO Hajj Committee Of India

21/03/2025
Respected Sir Hajj issues faced by Kashmiri women continue to be ignored year after year, and this time is no different. It is extremely disappointing that not a single female State Hajj Inspector (khadim) has been selected from Jammu & Kashmir, nor has any female trainer been appointed to guide Kashmiri women Hajis. This is a clear case of injustice and gender discrimination. Don’t Kashmiri women deserve to learn the basics of Hajj from a female trainer with whom they feel comfortabl...

14th March should be recognized as martyrs’ day in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir

13/03/2025
By Sanjay K. Tickoo The tragic history of the Kashmiri Pandits is a wound that has refused to heal, a deep scar on the conscience of the nation. Even decades after the cataclysmic events of 1990, justice remains elusive, and the voices of the exiled continue to echo in the void of political apathy. Among the many blood-stained pages of this history, one date stands out as the first cry of an impending genocide—14.03.1989. On this day, Smt. Prabhawati became the first recorded victim o...

US-China Trade War Intensifies

10/03/2025
Asad Mirza As if the tariff war against almost the whole world, leading among them China, Mexico, Canada, and India, hots up, it portrays the leading hero, Trump in this case, frothing at the mouth and cursing and cussing everyone, if he does not get what he wants, and shows a completely new and unacceptable face of the American democracy and diplomacy. Accusations and counter accusations are flying around but the optics are definitely working against Donald Trump. If only he ha...

Women of Jammu and Kashmir: Catalysts for Nation-Building

07/03/2025
Sindhiya Gupta On International Women’s Day, it is essential to recognize and empower the women of Jammu and Kashmir, whose resilience, talent, and determination can significantly contribute to nation-building. Despite facing historical challenges, women in the region continue to break barriers and emerge as leaders in various fields. Their participation in economic development, governance, social reforms, and technological advancements can be a driving force in shaping a progressive a...

Do not make Omar Abdullah Kejriwal

27/02/2025
K. B. Jandial It is more than four months since Omar Abdullah assumed office as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir. Following a highly charged election campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in September-October 2024, Omar secured a decisive mandate from the people, the only party to get seats in both regions. However, contrary to expectations from opposition leaders within the INDIA bloc, he did not adopt an aggressive stance akin to...

The Storyteller: The Conflict between Art and the Market

15/02/2025
By Kalpana Pandey Based on Satyajit Ray’s short story "Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro," Ananth Mahadevan’s film The Storyteller (2025) centers on the conflict between authentic labour and money. The film focuses on two very different characters: Tarini Bandyopadhyay (Paresh Rawal), an elderly Bengali storyteller with communist ideals, and Ratan Garodia (Adil Hussain), a wealthy Gujarati businessman who hasn’t been able to sleep for years as an insomniac. Their contrasting worlds show how...

Book Review on the collection of poems of Dr Chndra Kanta Kantroo

14/02/2025
By Dr K N Pandita Songs of Vitasta, I Sing, authored by Dr Chandra Kanta Kantroo, pp 130, hard bound, first edition 2025, ISBN 978-81- 9849 – 6-3, published by Intech Printers and Publishers, Karnal, Price INR 490- Chandra Kanta Kantroo, a versatile scholar of English literature, has rendered life-long service to teaching and research at the highest academic levels. Her book, not voluminous but exhaustive, remains a milestone in the path of transition from the classical model to co...

Gaza Ceasefire: The Real Winner-Biden or Trump?

20/01/2025
Asad Mirza The Gaza ceasefire deal came as a win for Donald Trump, even before he started his next stint as the 47th American President. Though, both the outgoing and the incoming presidents - Biden and Trump claimed it as their victory, yet in real terms the deal fructified due to Trump’s adamant and no-nonsense attitude in dealing with Netanyahu. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office was the last to confirm on early Friday morning (17 January 2025) that a deal has been agreed...

Kashmiri Pashmina: Following the trail of Kashmir's soft gold

18/01/2025
By Farooq Ganderbali Kashmir, a land renowned for its beauty and cultural heritage, has long been associated with a material that has captured the world’s imagination – pashmina. Often referred to as "soft gold," pashmina wool is a symbol of luxury, refinement, and the rich craftsmanship of Kashmir. While the history of pashmina can be traced back to ancient times, it was during the 15th century, under the reign of Zain Ul Abadin, that the industry truly began to thrive, and its fame sp...

India Courts Taliban 2.0

13/01/2025
Asad Mirza The pragmatic Indian move to court Taliban 2.0 has sent ripples in the region, particularly in Pakistan, their common foe. This bold Indian move will definitely serve well to safeguard its regional security concerns besides helping boost its aim to emerge as a regional leader. Last week saw an unusual diplomatic development led by India, when India’s top-ranking diplomatic officer, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a meeting with the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanist...

Development & Rehabilitation of refugees

11/01/2025
By Satish Mahaldar Since the turbulent years following India’s partition in 1947, the question of how to treat refugees has been a defining aspect of the country’s national and political identity. The interplay between refugees and the Indian state has evolved over the decades, influenced by shifting national policies, geopolitical considerations, and internal social dynamics. From the first refugee groups arriving post-Partition to more recent developments involving laws such as the ...

The Strategic Z-Morh Tunnel: A symbol of development and resilience in Jammu & Kashmir

11/01/2025
By Farooq Ganderbali The long-awaited opening of the Z-Morh tunnel in Kashmir, scheduled for January 13, 2025, is more than just a significant infrastructural development; it carries deep political and symbolic weight. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of the tunnel next week is not only aimed at enhancing connectivity in the region but also serves as a clear message to those who seek to disrupt progress and peace in Jammu & Kashmir. The strategic tunnel, which will provide ...

Freedom of Expression Browbeaten

06/01/2025
Asad Mirza The recent seemingly eccentric and uncalled for comments by X’s owner Elon Musk against global leaders and governments, has once again brought the issue of setting the limits for Freedom of Expression, as per the democratic and decency norms of the society, not as dictated by an individual. As if the new American President-elect, Donald Trump was not enough to handle for the world, now the world also has the tech czar Elon Musk, to deal with. Musk, who seems to have been...

World Braille Day on 4th January 2025

03/01/2025
Javed Ahmad Tak As per United Nations (Resolution A/RES/73/161), 4th day of January, is designated as World Braille Day in order to promote understanding of the importance of Braille as a medium of Education & communication for persons with cent percent visual disabilities and severe reading difficulties. Thus Braille gives realisation of human rights for those who are partially sighted or completely blind thus devoid of Educational activities. The UN General Assembly proclaime...

Adieu, Hate Filled 2024

31/12/2024
Asad Mirza An impartial review of the year 2024, makes it clear that Hate has become an essential component of the ruling party’s campaign to vilify and malign the religious minorities in the country. Further, it also made it obvious that they are not apologetic about constructing a false hateful narrative for selfish gains and spreading a parochial mindset. Like previous years, even 2024 was no different for the country’s minorities, particularly the religious minorities like C...

Afghanistan-Pakistan Bonhomie Ends

30/12/2024
Asad Mirza As per an adage, “You reap, what you sow”. This has been proven right in the context of recent escalation of violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan. For decades, Pakistan nurtured the Taliban for strategic reasons. So, what are the reasons behind this increased tension between two neighbours, threatening tenuous peace in the region. The once honky-dory relationship between Pakistani military and its protégé, the Taliban in Afghanistan has gone sour. After Taliban’s retur...

Yashpal- A Revolutionary and a Writer

22/12/2024
By Kalpana Pandey Famous Hindi story, Novel and non-Fiction writer Yashpal was born on 3 December 1903 in Ferozepur (Punjab). His ancestors were from Bhumpal village in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. Grandfather Garduram did business in various places and was a resident of Tikkar Bhariya and Kharwariya in Bhoranj tehsil. Father Hiralal was a shopkeeper and tehsil clerk. He had moved to Hamirpur from Chandpur village in Arki state under Mahasu district. His mother was teaching at an orp...

The Kashmiri who felt insulted by ‘Hattou’ in Lahore: The making of Kashyap Bandhu

18/12/2024
By Avtar Nehru The life and times of Pandit Kashyap Bandhu, a name synonymous with Kashmiri Pandit resilience and social reform, is also a reflection of a transformative era when Jammu & Kashmir was on the cusp of a major socio-political change in the first half of 20th century. The way the course of history in the erstwhile princely state was being cast for an unforeseen political future in sync with local aspirations and an ongoing influence from the upheaval and confluence of soci...

Assad downfall alters old regional alliances

16/12/2024
Asad Mirza The fall of Assad-regime has given birth to antagonisms amongst its earlier allies like Iran, Turkey, and Russia. On the other hand, the leverage gained by Israel, ostensibly on American support, does not augur well for the region. The striking developments in Syria over the past 13 days leading to the rapid fall of the Assad regime have transfixed the world. Thousands are already trying to make their way back to Syria after years in exile. It turns out the answer to the...

The Syrian Saga Unfolds

13/12/2024
Asad Mirza The dramatic toppling of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime at the hands of rebel forces this weekend could have far-reaching consequences for Syria, global and regional powers, and alliances. It also may prove to be a replay of earlier events in Iraq courtesy the western powers. Over the past fortnight, rebel forces led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) carried out a lightning-fast offensive across Syria, seizing key cities along the way. The faction...

Education employment accessibility & political rights key requirements for empowerment of disability Sector

03/12/2024
Javed Ahmad Tak Today is World Disability Day. The theme for this year’s World Disability Day is "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future." The theme defines & guarantees the role of Society and Government in a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also highlights the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes and in development of the Nations. The yearly observance of ...

Lebanon Ceasefire and the Future of Hezbollah

02/12/2024
Asad Mirza The ceasefir in Lebanon apart from giving respite to the beleaguered Lebanese, will also be a litmus test for the Hezbollah on whether it can continue to flourish as a political and militant outfit in Lebanon or not. It would not be wrong to say that the whole of the world and the Middle East and in particular Lebanon took a cautious sigh of relief as the fragile ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, was announced last week. The main concern however was whether thi...

A Guide to Cyber Security Awareness for Students

21/11/2024
Umesh Sharma Cyber Security awareness is critically important among students as they are frequent users of digital technologies, yet often lack the knowledge or experience to recognize the risks they face online. With increasing amounts of personal and academic data being stored and shared online, students are prime targets for cyber criminals who exploit vulnerabilities such as weak passwords, unsecured networks, and social engineering tactics like phishing. As students, understand...

Trump 2.0 and its impact on the Muslim World

11/11/2024
Asad Mirza Donald Trump’s re-entry in the White House is seen with a bated breath all over the world, especially the Muslim nations across the globe, as the world waits to see in which manner his current presidency will run. Will it be “America First” like the previous one or a rather tolerant one while dealing with the Muslim nations in particular. Donald Trump has reclaimed the US presidency after a four-year absence, becoming the 47th American president and signalling a return to...

Internally Displaced Kashmiri Pandits Submits Memorandum to National Human Rights Commission

28/10/2024
Internally Displaced Kashmiri Pandits Submits Memorandum to National Human Rights Commission at Sanjeevani Sharada Kendra, Anand Nagar, Jammu On 22 October 2024 Hindsight A community with more than five thousand years of recorded history needs to be dealt with socio-historical acumen especially when it had raised a kingdom whose boundaries touched upon the present State of Afghanistan to the west, Kirgizstan to the north, Tibet to the north-east and the banks of River Sutlej to the sou...

What should pregnant women pay special attention to on Diwali

23/10/2024
Dr. Chanchal Sharma The festival of Diwali is celebrated with great pomp in almost all parts of India. On this day, everyone lights diyas in their homes, makes rangoli and worships Lakshmi-Ganesh. People start cleaning work about 1 month before Diwali. Diwali is also called the festival of lights because on this day everyone's house is lit up. To ensure that your joy is not affected, on the occasion of Diwali, Asha Ayurveda Director and Fertility Specialist Dr. Chanchal Sharma has gi...

IAS officer Khursheed Ahmad Malik retired dies with a huge legacy behind

23/10/2024
By Javed Ahmad Tak Khurshid Ahmad Malik, an IAS officer Who died at the age of 77 had been facing spinal cord injury, hence was wheelchair user for 38 years. Khursheed Ahmad Malik - torch bearer of disability Sector was born in Malik family of Sarai Payeen Amirakadal Srinagar in 1948 and brought up by his parents Ghulam Hassan Malik & Hajira Begum. Biscoe Boy completed his higher secondary education from World famous Tyndale Biscoe Higher Secondary School lal chowk Sri...