Author: Web Desk

Sajjad Bazaz Dr. Fayaz Shawl’s journey—from the lanes of Shamaswari in Fateh Kadal Srinagar to the catheterization laboratories of Washington, D.C.—is a modern‑day “rags‑to‑renown” story rooted in sacrifice, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to saving lives. He stands today not only as a world‑class interventional cardiologist and innovator, but also as a humble Kashmiri son whose hands have healed thousands and whose story continues to inspire countless young doctors across the globe. His story became a lesson in grit, vision, and service to humanity. A Childhood Shaped by Hardship and Hope Fayaz was the son of Mr. Mohammad Saleem, a…

Dr. Fayaz Shawl responded to TIMES LINK questionnaire. Here are the excerpts of his conversation with its Editor, recorded electronically from Washington, D.C. SAJJAD BAZAZ: Looking back at your journey from Kashmir to becoming a renowned cardiologist in the United States, what defining moments stand out the most? DR FAYAZ SHAWL: Several moments stand out. Losing my father to stomach cancer when I was just 13 was the turning point that redirected my life toward medicine. Arriving in England in 1974 with barely $50 in my pocket was a defining test of courage. Performing the first angioplasty in the entire…

The Assembly has undoubtedly reasserted its presence. It has revived debate, reopened political contestation, and brought governance back into the public domain. But it has also exposed its own constraints, most visibly in the inability to convert key legislative proposals into actionable outcomes. Dr. Umer Iqbal The silence has finally been broken. This year’s Assembly session begun only to sound like a legislature again. The echo of footsteps has given way to the rhythm of argument, the sharp interruptions, the rising tempers, the thud of desks, and the uneasy choreography of power and opposition reclaiming space in full public view.…

Elections are meaningful only if they serve the people. If intentions are honest, success is certain. People are the real power. Salman Sagar is someone everyone knows because of his work over many years. He has been a socio-political activist since a very young age. During a conversation with Times Link Editor Sajjad Bazaz, he talked about his life, his political journey, his ups and downs. It was a frank conversation, nothing hidden, because he is known for speaking openly. So it was a straight talk. Here are the excerpts of our session with him SAJJAD BAZAZ: How would you…

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” –  Carl Jung Anil Kumar Sharma Human behaviour is often explained through logic, reason, and conscious choice. We tend to believe that the decisions we make, the opinions we hold, and the reactions we express are products of thoughtful reflection. Yet a deeper look into the workings of the human mind reveals that much of what we think and do is quietly influenced by forces operating beneath our awareness, the unconscious mind. The conscious mind is the visible layer of our thinking. It…

His dramas are his reflections, his short stories are his observations and his poems are his sensibilities and in his Natiya Qalamhe has expressed his faith. Jazim Bazaz This is an inspiring story of a Srinagar man who started his career from a child artist in erstwhile Radio Kashmir Srinagar, stamped himself as an ace multi talented broadcaster through sheer performance in his field of profession and retired as Deputy Director-General in All India Radio. The man is none other than Bashir Arif, a popular figure among radio listeners. In his fraternity, he is known for his wisdom, intelligence and…

If you are moving money at the behest of some other person, you may be serving as a money mule. It is punishable under law. Sajjad Bazaz You must be knowing that a mule is one of the most commonly used working animals in the world. Mule is known for its docile nature and ability to endure difficult conditions. Before coming to the exact reason for discussing the nature of a mule, let it be clear that mule is not a donkey, but a hybrid between a horse and a donkey, especially the offspring of a male donkey and a…

Muhammad Younis Bhat (Zahid) The real strength of a nation does not lie merely in its roads, buildings, wealth, institutions, military power, or political systems. The true strength of every nation lies in its youth. Young people are the builders of the future, the carriers of ideas, the guardians of moral character, and the most powerful force of transformation in any society. If the youth of a nation are faithful, morally upright, intellectually aware, disciplined, courageous, purposeful, and connected to Allah, then that nation cannot remain weak, directionless, or humiliated for long. But if its youth become trapped in moral…

The Earth is not merely changing; it is hemorrhaging. For decades, the environmental discourse was framed around “preservation” and “conservation,” terms that suggest we are protecting a pristine museum. However, as our cover story this month illustrates, the reality has shifted from a slow decline to an acute crisis. We are witnessing a “bleeding environment,” where the lifeblood of our ecosystems, our water tables, our soil fertility, and our atmospheric balance is draining away under the pressure of unchecked ‘human progress.’ The metaphor of “bleeding” is a grim necessity. When a body bleeds, it signals a breach in the protective…

Dr Umer Iqbal For decades, Jammu & Kashmir has borne the brunt of terrorism that not only claimed thousands of innocent lives but also left deep scars on families that were torn apart, both emotionally and economically. Behind each statistic lies a human story, children who grew up without parents, households that sank into debt, and dreams that slowly faded into silence. Today, however, a historic policy shift is offering these families not just a livelihood, but dignity, recognition, and a chance at rebuilding life. In an unprecedented move, the Jammu & Kashmir administration, under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has…