Author: Web Desk

Practical Steps to Improve Blood Sugar and Prevent Progression By Dr. Fayaz Shawl, MD, FACP, FACC, FSCAI Clinical Professor of Medicine, George Washington University, Director, Interventional Cardiology, Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, USA, Founder, The Fayaz Shawl Philanthropic Foundation PART A Improving Glucose Control Through Food Choices and Post-Meal Activity The magnitude of diabetes in India Diabetes is one of the largest chronic-disease challenges of our time. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 830 million people worldwide were living with diabetes in 2022. [1] India has the second-largest number of adults with diabetes in the world, after China.…

In the geographical and socio-political matrix of Jammu & Kashmir, no single month carries a weight quite as defining, complex, or far-reaching as the month of October. To the casual observer, October in the Kashmir Valley is marked by the graceful arrival of autumn, a quiet season when nature cloaks the landscape in rich hues of amber and gold. Yet, beneath this serene natural beauty lies a month that has repeatedly functioned as a geopolitical crucible. It was during the volatile weeks of late October 1947 that the modern destiny of Jammu & Kashmir was irrevocably forged, transforming a sovereign…

Sajjad Bazaz A calendar is much more than just dates and days. There is a meaning hidden behind the name of every single month. While January signifies a fresh beginning, December marks the finishing point. Similarly all the months have their own significance. In fact, each month month has its own historical perspective that has shaped the way we live and celebrate today. From the ancient civilisations that first marked the passing of time to the modern traditions that have evolved over centuries, each month has its own story to tell. In other words, there are historical perspectives of each…

Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state before 1947. Its ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh did not want to merge with either India or Pakistan but wanted to have an independent status for his state. This sentiment was popular in Kashmir because they did not see themselves as Pakistanis or Indians but as Kashmiris above all. This issue of regional aspiration is known as Kashmiriyat. In October 1947, Pakistan sent tribal infiltrators from its side to capture Kashmir. Due to the crisis that erupted in Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh was bewildered. While the Government of India was keeping a…

Sajjad Bazaz The month of October reminds me of ugly situation that hit the Kashmir Valley on October 27, 1988. I was just a few months old in the field of my profession – Journalism. It was a routine pleasant day before a series of bomb blasts were reported from different locations in the valley. It included a powerful bomb blast, which rocked historic Lal Chowk, Srinagar and some shootout incidents were also reported from several locations in the city on the day. Actually, a breed of Kashmiri armed militants emerged on the scene, and took everybody by surprise. This…

Sajjad Bazaz Month of October is considered as a ‘fearful’ month in the context of stock markets and world over the investors exercise extreme caution in investment matters. During this month, which they call ‘ghost month’, they don’t get ‘lured’ to the boom in stock markets and remain extraordinarily defensive, particularly when it comes to trading shares and securities. In other words, the month of October has become folklore among those who follow the market closely, with a history of crashes known as the “October effect”. It often strikes fear among the breed of investors that a downturn is on…

Sajjad Bazaz The Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir in response to the Government of India’s call to join India or Pakistan, decided to postpone a decision on the problem of accession, and to have a Standstill Agreement with both India and Pakistan. An offer of a Standstill Agreement was made by the Maharaja in telegrams on identical terms to both India and Pakistan on 12 August 1947. However, the State signed a Standstill Agreement only with Pakistan, and no agreement was executed with the Government of India prior to the State’s accession to India on 26 October 1947. The postal…

Excerpts of the Session: On Public Controversy & Social Ethics Sajjad Bazaz: Some time back, you gave a controversial statement involving a girl, which went viral. You received significant backlash as well as appreciation for it. What was this statement actually about, and why were you compelled to make such a declaration? Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam Farooqi: Before reaching the main topic, I would like to share an illustrative story with you. It is said that at one time, a group of villagers came to a cleric and reported that a dead dog had fallen into their well, rendering the water foul…

Sajjad Bazaz The mid 20th century was a watershed period reckoned with the dawn of transformational scenarios in the subcontinent of South Asia, particularly around India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc. It was a time when the scientific world was driving humanity to a better future through various inventions, discoveries and technological advances, but the dark side of nuclear technology devastated Japan. From the advent of electricity to electromagnetic devices, aviation industry, medicine and industrial revolution some great people were born during this period who contributed immensely in making the world a better place than it was erstwhile. Amid this transformative scenario a…

Zahoor Zahid Among the Kashmiri films released this year was Tasrufdar, written, produced and directed by Kapil Mattoo, with the active support of our own Bollywood prodigy, Mir Sarwar. His contribution reflects a deep commitment to nurturing Kashmiri cinema and ensuring that our film industry continues to thrive. Without his dedicated support, a film like Tasrufdar might never have seen the light of day. Promoting Kashmiri cinema is not merely about making films; it is also about preserving our language, art and cultural identity. Kapil Mattoo on the other hand has passion for storytelling and his courage to bring his…