BUDGAM
In 1830 A D, Budgam was a tehsil known as “Tehsil-e-Sri Partap Singh Pora” and formed part of Wazarat-e-Shumali in District Baramulla. It later...
A long way to go
If occupancy is a criterion, Kashmir train service can be called a success, but limited runs by one train through stations poorly connected with main towns is more of an inconvenience than a facility. Hamidullah Dar reports.
Kashmir train service has proved economic for commuters when local transport fares are surging, but lack of facilities and proper connectivity to stations makes the travel long and cumbersome.
To 1500 passengers who use this train daily from Islamabad station to Srinagar and back, the journey gets upsetting once they step out of the train.
A ten rupee ticket for 50-kilometres seems a trifle but add five rupees from Islamabad station to main town and six rupees from Nowgam to Srinagar, it equals the bus fare for the journey. The buses, at least drop commuters in the city.
A CBM Hijacked
Lured by waived custom duties, Delhi based traders are trying to infiltrate Cross LoC trade meant only for the two sides of Kashmir. Hamidullah Dar reports.
The cross LoC trade in Jammu & Kashmir is experiencing a ‘hijack’ by traders from Delhi. That is at least what traders from Kashmir were contesting, forcing the custodian officer of Trade Facilitation Centre at Salamabad in Uri to send back 33 vehicles to Chakoti TFC on May 6.
The barter trade initiated between the two parts of Kashmir last year exempts traded goods from customs duty. Experts say that these tax concessions are luring the Delhi based traders to exploit the opportunity while keeping the locals at bay.
Monumental occupation
From troopers to traders, monuments in Kashmir are encroached by one and all. HAROON MIRANI reports on the plight of heritage sites facing rapid...
Defeating The Cripple
While seeking permission from his parents for spending a night at his uncle’s house, Javed had little idea what destiny had in store. That...
Newsmakers
DISSOCIATED: Thupstan Chhewang, who heads Leh based Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF) – the new avatar of Ladakh Buddhist Association – has dissociated himself...
Interlacing mulberry silk
A breakthrough in carpet weaving technology in Kashmir is set to revive the ailing silk industry besides enabling Kashmir to trade in high end...
The Other Sheikh Abdullah
Naeem Akhtar
Around the time in 1905 Sher i Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was born in Srinagar,
Around the time in 1905 Sher i Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was born in Srinagar,
Providing order to chaos
Tarique A Bhat
Today, our schools (mostly, tuition shops) do everything but education. Despair is writ large on the face of our future generation, though in receipt of all directionless education regrettably losing its spirit of enquiry. We are on the edge of the abyss because of an irresponsible education system.
I ask, with this customary education, do we have a clear, firm and precise understanding of what Kashmiri society is to be in times to come? Are we bringing education to life? Are we really longing for meaning and fulfillment of our child’s life? We have lost the real purpose of education. And having a purpose is the difference between making a living and making a life. Obtaining 90 plus percent marks has become a syndrome, more than proving the capabilities of a child, is a status symbol for both the school authorities and the parents, who can flaunt their children’s report cards to put on show their own ‘superiority’.
Today, our schools (mostly, tuition shops) do everything but education. Despair is writ large on the face of our future generation, though in receipt of all directionless education regrettably losing its spirit of enquiry. We are on the edge of the abyss because of an irresponsible education system.
I ask, with this customary education, do we have a clear, firm and precise understanding of what Kashmiri society is to be in times to come? Are we bringing education to life? Are we really longing for meaning and fulfillment of our child’s life? We have lost the real purpose of education. And having a purpose is the difference between making a living and making a life. Obtaining 90 plus percent marks has become a syndrome, more than proving the capabilities of a child, is a status symbol for both the school authorities and the parents, who can flaunt their children’s report cards to put on show their own ‘superiority’.
Marriage of convenience
A number of Kashmiri men unable to stand in the local marriage market are getting poor Bengali brides, who find grooms without dowry a...
Turnout makes everyone happy
From over 1.65 million voters, when around 300 thousand came out and voted on Thursday, the polling pattern made both sides– the government and...
Omar’s Hari Niwas turndown
A house of his own was apparently the only factor for the chief minister to decide against making the Rs 500 cr spooky Hari...
Procurement bias hits Valley units
With the PDD procurement wing stationed permanently in Jammu, Valley based electric equipment units have faced hurdles. Now before the wing could be shifted...
Face of resistance
From an ordinary woman striving to trace her son picked up by troops, Parveena Ahanger turned into champion of civil rights for all such...
Newsmakers
SUSPENDED: The Election Commission has placed under suspension the services of Shahnawaz Bukhari, the returning officer of Hazrtabal by- election. The officer had upheld...
