Author: Web Desk

Why the Zojila Tunnel Changes Everything For decades, the geography of northern India has dictated a harsh reality: when winter arrives, the earth shuts down. The treacherous Zojila Pass, sitting at a formidable altitude of 11,578 feet, has historically acted as a seasonal choke point. For nearly half the year, heavy snowfall, avalanches, and landslides have completely severed the link between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, leaving entire populations in isolation. The successful breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel marks a definitive shift in Himalayan connectivity, proving that even the most formidable mountains can be tamed by human ingenuity. The importance…

Sajjad Bazaz Comparing youngsters to cockroaches, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant pricked Indian youth across the continents to respond to the unusual comparison by launching Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). It raised the temperature in the youth population of the country as they hit back at the powers at the helm of affairs in the country responsible for their plight. Actually, it was on May 15, 2026, the Chief Justice of India while presiding over a Supreme Court bench, described unemployed young Indians as ‘like cockroaches’. He stated: ”There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don’t get any employment…

A statement of the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, is on the record where he said that the Kashmiri youth have the capability of not only leading the country but also the world. Remarkably, the Home Minister stated this during an interaction with Kashmiri youth and children in a programme organised by an NGO Sarhad at Pune on Saturday. Sarhad is a known organisation for its commendable social work for the last few decades in Kashmir. Such a statement from none other than the Home Minister is a huge morale booster to the youth of Kashmir. The encouragement of the…

This results in the erosion of public trust, distorts decision-making processes, and perpetuates social disorder breeding unrest in societies, communities and the region. Promoting a culture of integrity, strengthening institutions, enhancing transparency and accountability, and fostering ethical behaviour are essential components that translate into a high quality governance – be it political governance, corporate governance, socio-economic or bureaucratic governance. It requires collective will and efforts from individuals, communities, governments, and other stakeholders to handle these components in an honest and ethical manner. However, those having power or authority have a huge responsibility to create and promote a more transparent and…

Endowed with intellectual capital, resilience, and immense human potential, a substantial segment of the Jammu and Kashmir’s younger generation continues to grapple with systemic constraints, institutional inadequacies, and socio-economic uncertainties. Decades of political turbulence, policy inconsistencies, and developmental deficits have collectively produced a generation that finds itself in a landscape marked more by adversity than opportunity. For years, successive power structures, irrespective of political affiliations, have often viewed youth as instruments of political mobilisation rather than stakeholders in development. Their aspirations were seldom prioritised, their grievances frequently overlooked, and their energies inadequately channelised towards productive and nation-building endeavours. Consequently, a…

On paper, the theme of this year’s World Health Day—“Together for Health: Stand with Science”—sounds both timely and inspiring. It calls for unity, evidence-based action, and a collective commitment to improving global well-being. But on the ground, especially in regions like Kashmir, these ideal raises an uncomfortable question: Are we truly standing with science, or merely invoking it when convenient? Dr. Fiaz Maqbool Fazili A routine day in one of our major hospitals offers a telling glimpse. Overcrowded corridors, anxious families moving from one department to another, repeated investigations, unclear communication, and overburdened staff trying to manage more than the system was ever…

Ayub Javaid The political landscape of Pulwama is a fascinating study of transition, resilience, and transformation. From the foundational governance of veteran political giants to the aspirations of a new digital-age generation, this constituency has evolved through decades of regional turbulence, shifting loyalties, and renewed hope. At the heart of this sweeping historical narrative lies a legacy that stretches from the visionary, early development-focused era of the late KhawajaSonaullah Dar to the newly elected young leader, Waheed ur Rehman Parra, who now carries the massive weight of public expectation. To understand Pulwama’s present, one must trace its journey back to…

A Critical Analysis of the Supreme Court’s Landmark Judgment decided recently by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 18-05-2026 in a case titled as Syed Iftikhar Andrabi v/s National Investigation Agency, Jammu (2026 INSC 503) Advocate Syed Shabir Bukhari  “The history of liberty is the history of procedural safeguards.” Felix Frankfurter The Supreme Court of India, in its recent landmark judgment Syed Iftikhar Andrabi v. National Investigation Agency, Jammu (2026 INSC 503), has once again reaffirmed one of the most cherished principles of constitutional democracy: “Bail is the Rule, Jail is the Exception.” At a time when prolonged incarcerations, delayed trials, and stringent anti-terror legislations often overshadow the fundamental rights of individuals, the judgment serves…

Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer For some time now, a growing concern has been echoing in cities and villages across the country—the rising prices of petrol and diesel. This concern isn’t limited to motorists; it impacts every citizen who consumes everyday goods and services. When petrol becomes more expensive, the impact goes beyond just the petrol pump; it reaches transportation, food, construction materials, agricultural costs, and household budgets. Therefore, it’s not enough to consider the rise in petrol prices merely an economic phenomenon. It’s also a social, political, and policy issue, involving the government, the market, and citizens. In a developing…

The answer does not lie in cutting down trees indiscriminately, nor in ignoring the suffering of vulnerable citizens. The solution lies in evidence based environmental governance that protects human health while preserving ecological stability for future generations. Dr Muslim Ahmad Shah  (Indian Institute of Forest Management, Ministry Of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Govt. of India.)  [evsmuslim@gmail.com] Every year, as white cotton like fluff begins floating through the air from trees such as the Russian Olive and similar cotton producing species, public anxiety rises sharply. Streets, parks, rooftops and even homes become covered with drifting fibers, while many people complain of sneezing,…