Dr Manmohan Singh
(1932-2024)
Dr Manmohan Singh, who served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away at the age of 91. Known for his quiet dignity, economic acumen, and commitment to peace, Singh’s legacy is deeply intertwined with his contributions to Kashmir. His tenure witnessed significant efforts to address the region’s complex issues, both internally and with Pakistan.
Dr Singh’s approach to Kashmir was marked by a consistent pursuit of peace and development, which he described as essential for ending the cycle of violence. His engagements, including offering an unconditional dialogue with stakeholders and launching the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan, aimed to restore dignity and self-respect to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. His focus on infrastructure, connectivity, and economic development included initiatives like the historic Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and the opening of trade routes, which symbolised a hopeful step towards greater cooperation between India and Pakistan.
Despite facing significant challenges, including heightened militancy and political unrest, Dr Singh remained steadfast in his belief that peace was the only path forward. His vision, articulated through initiatives like the round-table conferences, sought to build a new, peaceful Kashmir within India’s democratic and secular framework. His unwavering efforts for dialogue with Pakistan, even in the face of setbacks, were guided by his desire to make borders irrelevant and to foster mutual trust.
His aspirations, including a comprehensive peace agreement with Pakistan, were never fully realised. Most of his initiatives, barring the PMDP, died while he was alive. However, Dr Singh’s legacy as a leader who worked tirelessly for peace, dignity, and development in Kashmir will be remembered for years to come.
Jammu Kashmir has 815 vacant engineering positions in the power department, including five Chief Engineers, 17 Superintending Engineers, 58 Executive Engineers, 136 Assistant Executive Engineers, 163 Assistant Engineers, and 436 Junior Engineers.
DELHI
Ayaan Sajad, a 12-year-old singing prodigy from Anantnag, was awarded the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu on December 26, 2024, for his exceptional contributions to the field of art and culture. Ayaan gained widespread recognition for his soulful rendition of the Kashmiri song BeDard Dadi Chane, which became a viral sensation, blending traditional Kashmiri music with modern influences. His music has resonated with audiences, especially the youth, and has sparked a resurgence of interest in Kashmiri culture. Despite limited formal training, Ayaan’s natural talent and dedication have made him a cultural icon. Alongside Ayaan, Risheek Kumar, 17, from Samba was also honoured for his groundbreaking work in cyber security. Known for his pioneering work in cyber security, Risheek founded Jammu and Kashmir’s first cyber security company, Hackers Pathshala, which has trained over 5,000 children and 100 police personnel. His innovative Prarthana app, which has garnered national attention, was even praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Since 2022, Kashmir has recorded 36 deaths, 261 injuries, and more than 10,303 wildlife-related incidents.
BUDGAM
Senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board, and J&K Pollution Control Committee visited Sail and Kangripora villages in Budgam to assess the damage caused by illegal riverbed mining in the Sukhnag River. The assessment was prompted by a petition filed by Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), alleging large-scale excavation by NKC Projects Pvt Ltd without environmental clearance. Locals reported significant environmental damage, including dried agricultural fields, contaminated water, and dust pollution. The visiting team assured the community that a report would be submitted to the NGT before its next hearing on January 14, 2025.
In Kashmir, 2,000 NDPS cases led to 3,200 arrests, Rs 40 crore in assets seized, and 8,000 kanals of illicit crops destroyed in an anti-narcotics drive.
SHIMLA
Twenty-two Kashmiri shawl sellers in Himachal Pradesh have filed a police complaint alleging harassment and pressure to leave the state, amid tensions with local shopkeepers. The sellers, who have been selling woollen goods in the region for over 30 years, claim they are being barred from selling their products, with some being evicted from their rented homes. The harassment is believed to stem from a business rivalry with local traders. Although no physical assaults have been reported, the sellers have faced intimidation, including threats from right-wing groups. This follows a separate incident in November, when a woman member of the Block Development Committee in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, forced a Kashmiri hawker to chant Jai Shri Ram, sparking widespread outrage.
Union Health Ministry data shows Jammu and Kashmir reported 51,577 cancer cases between 2019 and 2022 and 35,623 related deaths from 2018 to 2022.
JAMMU KASHMIR
Indian Railways is set to introduce five sleeper AC trains connecting Delhi to Kashmir, with services expected to commence in January 2025. These trains will pass through the Himalayas, providing essential connectivity after nearly three decades since the Rs 40000 crore project’s inception. The trains will be equipped with heating facilities to handle the snow-covered regions along the route. While no Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be launched from Delhi, a Vande Bharat train with chair seating will run between Katra and Baramulla. The trains’ design includes measures to prevent snow accumulation, and security checks will be enhanced due to safety concerns in Jammu and Kashmir. The approval for these services depends on the inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), with the Katra-Reasi stretch still under review. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which began in 1994, aims to connect Kashmir with the rest of India and has faced multiple delays due to geological challenges. Despite setbacks, significant milestones have been achieved, including the completion of the Chenab Bridge, the world’s tallest railway bridge. Once fully operational, the line will facilitate travel from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. In addition, a cargo-loaded trial run was conducted on the Katra-Reasi stretch, marking a significant step toward the project’s completion. The CRS inspection scheduled for early January will determine the final approval, with the inauguration anticipated soon after.
JAMMU
Simran Singh, a popular freelance radio jockey and Instagram influencer from Jammu and Kashmir, was found dead in her Gurugram apartment on December 25, 2024. The 25-year-old, known as Jammu Ki Dhadkan to her followers, allegedly died by suicide, with her body discovered hanging in her rented room in Sector 47. No suicide note was found. Simran, who had nearly 7 lakh Instagram followers, had recently posted a reel on December 13. She had been living with friends in Gurugram for several months and had worked as an RJ at Radio Mirchi before becoming a freelancer. Her family noted she had been struggling with personal issues but did not blame anyone for her death. Condolences were offered by Jammu Kashmir political leaders, including Omar Abdullah, who praised her contribution to the region’s cultural fabric. Simran was also known for her love of adventure sports and travel, sharing her experiences on social media, including a trip to Thailand and skydiving in Dubai. The investigation into her death is ongoing.
KATRA
Protests erupted in Katra town as a 72-hour shutdown began against the proposed ropeway project from Tarakote Marg to Sanjhi Chhat, last week. Led by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, the shutdown, supported by local stakeholders, including pony owners, shopkeepers, and transport operators, left the town eerily quiet, with all businesses closed. The protest turned violent when police clashed with demonstrators, detaining several, including Samiti leaders Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand. The protesters argue that the ropeway project, worth Rs 250 crore, threatens local livelihoods. Former ministers and political leaders criticised the administration’s use of force and called for dialogue. The shutdown caused severe inconvenience to pilgrims, with closed eateries and transport services, leaving them stranded and frustrated.
SRINAGAR
The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has overturned the life sentence of Kamal Jeet Singh, convicted in 2016 for the 2002 murder and sexual assault of two minor girls. The case involved circumstantial evidence, including a confession by Singh and forensic findings linking him to the crime scene, but lacked direct eyewitness testimony. The High Court noted significant gaps in the evidence, questioning the reliability of Singh’s confession, which may have been coerced. Besides, forensic evidence and witness testimonies were found insufficient to conclusively link Singh to the crime. The court asserted the need for substantial evidence to exclude reasonable doubt, leading to the conclusion that Singh’s conviction was not supported by the requisite proof.
JAMMU KASHMIR
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is set to introduce aspirational, high-end toilets across Jammu and Kashmir, including urban and tourist areas. These modern facilities will feature solar power backups, touchless flushing, separate rooms for men and women, fans, lights, hand-wash, and drying stations, ensuring accessibility for the elderly, children, and the differently-abled. The toilets will be built at prime locations in Jammu, Srinagar, and other tourist spots, with a total of 375 seats planned. Construction will begin in January 2025, with a six-month completion target, and maintenance will be outsourced to ensure hygiene and cleanliness.
SRINAGAR
This Christmas, papier mache artisans in Srinagar have created over 50,000 dodo figures, which are being exported to markets in Europe and Mauritius. The extinct bird, which vanished in 1681, has been brought back to life in vibrant, colourful papier mache, adorned with floral and forest prints symbolising the loss of its natural habitat. The dodo, once a flightless bird native to Mauritius, has become a popular export from Kashmir, with over 3,000 figures produced for this season alone. The craft, which has been practised in Kashmir for over 600 years, continues to keep the memory of the dodo alive.
DELHI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Amitava Chatterjee as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, effective December 30, 2024, for a three-year term. Chatterjee, currently with the State Bank of India, will receive a fixed annual pay of Rs 1.40 crore. If he is unable to assume the role on the specified date, the bank must propose an interim arrangement, subject to RBI approval. Chatterjee brings over 33 years of banking experience, having held key positions in SBI, including Deputy Managing Director and CEO of SBI Capital Markets.
