JAMMU: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, inaugurated a plantation drive in Hiranagar the other day.
The event, held in collaboration with the Forest Department, witnessed wide participation from students, youth volunteers, environmentalists, government officials and locals.
MLA Hiranagar and several prominent local dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said that the environmental health of Jammu and Kashmir, especially areas like Hiranagar with a delicate ecological balance, requires continuous and committed efforts from all stakeholders. He emphasized that large-scale afforestation and community involvement are key towards safeguarding the region against deforestation, soil erosion, water scarcity and climate change.
“Forests are not merely natural assets; they are lifelines that sustain biodiversity, conserve water and purify the air. In the face of climate change and increasing environmental threats, it is our moral duty to plant more trees and protect what nature has blessed us with,” said the Minister.
The Minister also reiterated his government’s commitment to green initiatives, noting that various departments under his charge, particularly Youth Services & Sports, will be directed to actively promote the environmental awareness and eco-friendly practices among the youth. He stressed the need to inculcate the values of environmental stewardship through school and college-level programs, including nature camps, eco-clubs and green volunteering activities.
Satish Sharma appreciated the efforts of the Forest Department and local administration for organizing the plantation campaign and called for such drives to be made a seasonal movement rather than a one-time activity.
MLA Hiranagar, while addressing the gathering, assured full cooperation in mobilising the local resources for long-term ecological restoration.
Several community leaders also shared their views and pledged to support future plantation efforts in the area.
SDM Hirangar, RTO Kathua, District Youth Services Sports Officer and senior officers of forest department and other allied departments were also present.
Jammu: A former Block Development Council (BDC) chairman was arrested with 10 grams of heroin in Rajouri district, a police official said on Sunday.
Vikas Kumar Sharma, a resident of Thill Hakima village of Nowshera sector, was travelling in his private car from Lamberi to Bagnoti when he was intercepted by a police party Saturday evening, the official said.
Upon noticing the police presence, he attempted to flee but was apprehended by the personnel and his search led to the recovery of the narcotic substance, he said.
A case has been registered at Nowshera police station under relevant sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the official said.
The accused has a history of involvement in criminal cases as three FIRs were registered against him between 2006 and 2020, police said.
Sharma was first elected as sarpanch in November 2018 and resigned from the post after winning BDC elections in September 2019. He remained as BDC chairman for eight months from September 2019 before being removed from the position through a no-confidence motion in April 2020, the official said.
He said police have started an investigation to trace the source of the contraband and identify any possible links to a broader drug trafficking network. (PTI)
KULGAM: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, inaugurated the Shaheed Wali Mohammad Itoo Memorial Cricket Tournament at DH Pora here today.
Speaking on the occasion, Sakeena Itoo paid heartfelt homage to Shaheed Wali Mohammad Itoo, highlighting his lifelong commitment to public service, community welfare and youth empowerment.
“This tournament is more than just a sporting event, it is a tribute to the values Shaheed Wali Mohammad Itoo stood for,” she remarked.
The Minister said that this tournament will serve as a platform for nurturing young talent and fostering community spirit. She added that Government is committed to provide the youth constructive opportunities and space to showcase their sporting skills.
The opening ceremony witnessed an enthusiastic turnout from the local youth, sports enthusiasts and community leaders.
SHOPIAN: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today visited several areas in Shopian district and listened to people’s grievances.
MLA Zainapora, Showket Hussain Ganie along with officers accompanied the Minister during his visit to places like Burihalan, Hirpora.
The people raised several issues while seeking the Minister’s intervention in the speedy redress of the same.The MLA, on the occasion, projected several grievances and demands pertaining to the welfare and development of the people of his constituency. He raised the issue of macadamisation of roads, upgradation of rural health infrastructure, better sanitation facilities and increasing supply time of water among other things
A delegation of people demanded implementation of the Forest Rights Act guaranteed under the constitution and demanded fair review and scrutiny of their rejected claims to forest rights.
Another delegation from Hirpora complained about the shortage of portable water in their area and sought the intervention of the Minister to address their concern immediately.
Likewise, another delegation raised the issue of better drainage facilities and complained that the roads get choked in the rainy season, giving a tough time to the commuters.
The Minister assured the delegations that the government is abreast with the problems faced by people and has taken a slew of measures to address those on priority.
The Minister also took stock of the grievances pertaining to the departments under his control. He assured that the government would ensure outcome-based disposal of the issues raised by the people. He also assured that the issues pertaining to other departments will be forwarded to the concerned for timely action.
SRINAGAR: Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, commended the remarkable achievement of Engineers of Jal Shakti Department for prompt restoration of a major breach in the Awantipora Canal at Village Waghama, bringing relief to the distressed farmers.
The breach, measuring around 40 meters in length and 20 meters deep, had occurred on the night of June 16-17, 2025, disrupting irrigation supplies to nearly 2,000 hectares of paddy land in Anantnag and Pulwama districts.
Following a visit from MLA Bijbehara, who assessed the situation and called for urgent action, the Jal Shakti Department sprang into action. A high-level meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra, was convened to discuss restoration options.
The experts worked tirelessly to explore solutions, and the department mobilised resources, deploying heavy earth-moving machinery to create a 130-meter canal detour and undertake temporary restoration works. The restoration work was completed within a record four days, ensuring resumption of irrigation supplies to the affected areas.
The Minister lauded the Additional Chief Secretary who supervised and led Department’s Engineers who worked day and night to restore the canal, reiterating the department’s dedication towards supporting the farming community.
The farmers and public representatives have hailed this achievement, acknowledging the department’s commitment towards ensuring adequate and assured irrigation supplies.
The restoration has brought relief to hundreds of farmers, enabling them to continue agricultural activities without major disruptions during the critical paddy transplantation season.
KUPWARA: Mission Director, Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) Dr Shubhra Sharma today visited Ramahal, Batergam, Trehgam and Dragmula blocks of district Kupwara and conducted a comprehensive review of works executed by JKRLM.
During the visit, the MD also interacted with the Cadre and Self Help Groups (SHGs) of JKRLM and gathered first hand appraisal from them about the implementation of various schemes of JKRLM. She also examined several initiatives set up in the district, evaluating their effectiveness and identifying opportunities for further enhancement.
She toured the agriculture-based livelihood and dairy units at Batergam and Deedikoot (block Kupwara), engaging with women farmers and entrepreneurs. She also visited the Hallow brick unit, inaugurated a restaurant set up by Self-Help Group members associated with the Mission at Ramhall, and explored the Tarathpora Hitech poly house, AMC and Boutique in the same block.
The MD also inaugurated Integrated Farming Cluster (IFC) Nutnussa project in Drugmulla, marking another milestone and symbolizing the district’s focus on agro-based industries and sustainable development.
Expressing her appreciation, the MD stated, “Kupwara is the best example of women empowerment, where local women are leading initiatives and transforming their communities. We are committed to supporting these efforts and fostering further growth.”
Furthermore, the MD directed officials to strengthen the upcoming marketing platform to facilitate better sales and visibility for local products and entrepreneurs, ensuring sustained economic progress. She further asked them to strengthen the digital transactions among the SHG members.
MD impressed upon the officials to prioritise group enterprises and CLF based enterprises in convergence with other line departments which will be run as business entities for the benefit of the women SHG members.
She impressed upon the officials that the NRLM programme can be successful only when it converges with other departments and directed the field staff to conduct awareness on convergence with other line departments.
Addressing the SHG members associated with JKRLM, the MD stressed upon the SHG members to avail the benefits envisaged under the Mission and strive for economic upliftment.
The Mission Director was accompanied by State Project Managers, District Program Manager (DPM) Block Program Managers (BPMs) and the Management Information System team (MIS) besides other officials.
Srinagar: In a vibrant display of inclusive education and community engagement, Islamia College of Science and Commerce kick-started a series of events under the banner “Community Day Celebrations”, held on June 5, 2025.
The initiative is a vital step towards fostering a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose among educational stakeholders.
The event, themed “Explore, Learn and Play,” was designed to promote creativity, innovation, and collaborative learning. It brought together students and staff from neighboring schools, offering a unique opportunity to interact with the college community, explore state-of-the-art facilities, and participate in diverse educational and recreational activities.
The celebrations were graced by the Hon’ble Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the constituency, Jenab Tanvir Sadiq, who attended as the Chief Guest. Marking his first official visit to the college in this capacity, Mr. Sadiq inaugurated the event by enthusiastically participating in a friendly tug-of-war match, symbolizing unity and collaboration.
During his visit, Sadiq toured student-run exhibitions and interacted with participants who showcased their innovative projects in fields such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, data analytics, and coding. He also explored displays highlighting entrepreneurial management skills, artistic expression, literary talent, culinary creativity, and a dedicated e-gaming zone. The MLA commended the students for their creativity, confidence, and the quality of their work.
The event served as a bridge between school and higher education, enabling school students to gain hands-on experience with advanced laboratories, digital libraries, innovation hubs, and museums. This exposure was aimed at helping young learners envision Islamia College as a future academic home, breaking down institutional barriers and fostering aspiration.
“Community Day is more than a celebration; it’s an investment in inclusive, holistic education that prepares our students to be socially aware, emotionally intelligent, and academically inspired,” a college spokesperson said.
By opening its doors to the wider educational community, Islamia College set a precedent for how institutions can play a pivotal role in nurturing future-ready learners. The college administration confirmed its intent to carry this initiative forward, establishing it as a regular feature in its academic calendar.
Kashmir is not just a valley cradled by sky-kissing mountains or traversed by glistening Naags (springs) and rivers. It is not merely the apple, the saffron, or the rustling chinar leaves that define it. It is more than that — it is the name of one of the world’s oldest living cultures. A land rich in heritage, wisdom, and timeless beauty.
Kashmir is synonymous with hospitality.It represents a deep sense of belonging — the essence of kinship and connection. It conveys emotional bonds, familiarity, and a profound sense of “own-ness.”Kashmir is the name of deep emotions, a land of care, love, and affection.Here, even strangeness feels like a stranger. Wherever you go, you are embraced by a sense of belonging.Even the trees and stones seem to whisper, “You are one of our own.”
As a famous urdu poet Chakbast Brij Narayan once beautifully wrote:
“Zarra zarra hai mere Kashmir ka mehmaan-nawaaz,
raston ke pathron ne de diya paani mujhe .”
(Every speck of my Kashmir is guest gracious, even the roadside stones have offered me water)
Kashmir has always been beautiful in a holistic way, and I pray it remains so forever. But I would never claim that it hasn’t changed. It has, and it has changed a lot. Change is the symbol of life. That which does not change is lifeless. And the dead tell no tales. But Kashmir is alive and, ah , it has many tales to tell, for those who are willing to listen.
One such tale is rooted in the fading tradition of Kraaw– a legacy of healing, connection, and resilience that echoes through time.This tradition belonged exclusively to daughters, the married ones, and would arrive with the ripening of the bean plants. While most festivals in Kashmir are celebrated communally, Kraaw stood apart. It was quiet and personal, observed within individual families on different occasions.It was intimate, emotional and deeply rooted in love.
A few days before the designated day of Kraaw, a trusted close relative , often father, brother or uncle, would visit the daughter at her in-laws home. With humility and respect, he would appeal to the elders there, preferably the father-in-law, requesting that she be allowed to return to her maternal home for the celebration. Children were always welcomed with open arms at their nanihaal (maternal grandparents’ home). The arrival of the son-in-law, however, was rare, and symbolic. Inviting him was a quiet yet powerful gesture. It was a kind of litmus test: a sign that he was treating their daughter with love, dignity, and care.
This ritual was more than a formality. It was a symbolic bridge between two homes, one she was born into and the other she now belonged to. The children born in the new home were always received with wide arms and joyous hearts in their nanihaal, the home of their maternal grandparents. For them, it was a season of laughter, freedom, and unconditional affection.
Daughters, meanwhile, would wait with anxious eyes and hopeful hearts, gazing endlessly at the path, longing for a messenger from home. The chirping of a bulbul at the window was the most cherished sound — more soothing than the trickling of droplets down leaves into a still pond, or the murmur of a brook kissing the roots of trees as it flowed. Chirping of bulbul was deemed a sign of comming guest.
When the blessed day finally arrived, fresh bean pods were plucked from the kitchen garden. Cleaned and cut into segments, they were lovingly cooked with home-raised desi chicken — a special meal prepared for the evening feast. At dusk, the daughter would arrive with her children, her pockets brimming with toffees, sweets, desserts and peanuts. No sooner had she stepped into her maternal home than she would be swarmed by nieces and nephews — not so much for her return, but for the treats she brought.
The night that followed was long and full of warmth. The family gathered around the guest daughters, and conversations flowed across topics both light and serious. Amid laughter and memories, mothers and aunts would gently remind them to preserve goodwill in their in-laws’ homes — to endure challenges with patience and grace.
Kraaw was never about pomp or spectacle.It was a quiet celebration of enduring bonds of a daughter’s place that never faded, no matter where life took her. A celebration of roots, return, and the love that waits — silently, steadfastly — for the ones who carry its legacy forward. Unlike festivals celebrated with noise and fanfare, Kraaw was intimate and gentle,observed quietly in homes. Yet, its impact was deeply emotional and lasting. Though married, the daughter was never seen as someone who had completely “left” her family. Her place in her parental home remains unshaken, her identity was not thought to bes erased, but only expanded. Kraaw reminded us of a heritage that values relationships, patience, and grace, acting as a cultural compass in uncertain times.
But it is deeply disheartening to realise that this tradition has fast disappeared from our homes and hearts, especially here in the southern part of the valley. What was once a quiet ritual of love, connection, and care has now faded into memory for many. Yet traditions like Kraaw were never just customs. They were threads in our social fabric, knitting families together, preserving emotions, culture, and community.They reminded us who we are, where we come from, and what truly matters. It is never too late to remember.Never too late to rebuild and never too late to revive.
Let us pledge to revive dying traditions, to breathe life into our heritage before it fades beyond reach. Let Kraaw live again, not just in memory, but in practice. Let’s do it now.
(The writer is a teacher by profession and can be reached at [email protected])
In the last decade, India’s sacred geography has not merely been visited—it has been rediscovered. The mountains are no longer just landscapes; they are living sanctuaries. From the snow-draped shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath to the meditative calm of Bodh Gaya and the golden stillness of Sarnath, India’s spiritual soul has stirred—one pilgrim at a time. Tourism in this era wasn’t crafted through brochures but through bhakti, memory, and the civilisational impulse to reconnect.
Between 2014 and 2024, this spiritual awakening reshaped the country’s cultural map. Kedarnath, once a symbol of tragedy, rose like a phoenix—welcoming over 16 lakh pilgrims in 2024, up from barely 40,000 a decade earlier. Ujjain, rejuvenated as a city worthy of Mahakal, drew 7.32 crore visitors in 2024. Kashi, reborn in light and sanctity, saw 11 crore people walk its sacred lanes. Bodh Gaya and Sarnath quietly echoed across continents, drawing over 30 lakh seekers in 2023.
And then came a moment that transcended statistics—the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya in January 2024. It wasn’t an inauguration; it was a restoration of the civilisational heartbeat. In just six months, over 11 crore devotees arrived—not just to witness, but to belong. Equally monumental was the Mahakumbh 2025, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, with over 65 crore pilgrims at the confluence of faith and transcendence. Together, Ayodhya and Prayagraj became twin lighthouses of Bharat’s spiritual renaissance.
This wasn’t tourism—it was homecoming. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, this return was given shape, infrastructure, and soul. No longer a checklist-driven industry, tourism became a national mission to rediscover the sacred self. PM Modi’s visionary mantra— “Wed in India, Visit India, Invest in India”—recoded tourism into a cultural calling.
From the beginning, the Modi government saw tourism as a force for national revival. Through Swadesh Darshan and its upgrade Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Ministry of Tourism developed 110 projects under thematic circuits like Ramayana, Buddhist, Coastal, and Tribal. The original scheme launched in 2014–15 sanctioned 76 projects worth ₹5,287.90 crore. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 added 52 projects with ₹2,106.44 crore to develop sustainable destinations.
Under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) sub-scheme, 36 projects were sanctioned at ₹623.13 crore, while the SASCI scheme greenlit 40 projects worth ₹3,295.76 crore to enhance state-led tourism infrastructure.
Alongside this, the PRASHAD scheme revitalized 100 pilgrimage towns with upgraded amenities, lighting, and sanitation. These efforts helped India record over 250 crore domestic tourist visits in 2023—an all-time high.
In a landmark announcement, the 2024–25 Union Budget proposed developing 50 tourism destinations, adding them to the Infrastructure Harmonized Master List (IHML) to ease investment and financing.
The revival wasn’t limited to sacred spaces. The Statue of Unity, unveiled in 2018, became one of the nation’s most visited monuments, drawing over 50 lakh visitors in 2023. Around it flourished eco-tourism parks, tent cities, and tribal museums—transforming tribute into opportunity.
India’s civilisational confidence began reflecting in its diplomacy. Leaders from France, Japan, UAE, Australia, and South Korea were received not just in Delhi, but in Varanasi, Udaipur, Ayodhya, and Mahabalipuram. Soft power was no longer soft—it was immersive. River cruises, Deepotsavs, spiritual walks, and cultural showcases turned statecraft into soulcraft.
Meanwhile, Incredible India 2.0 rebranded the nation from a land of monuments to a land of transformation. Yoga in Rishikesh, Ayurveda in Kerala, tribal festivals in the Northeast, and craft trails in Kutch gave rise to vibrant niche tourism ecosystems. Marketing was now inseparable from memory.
The sector’s economic footprint grew equally impressive. Between April 2000 and December 2023, India attracted over US $18 billion in FDI in tourism. Major hospitality infrastructure projects saw US $9 billion in investment from 2014–22. In 2023 alone, India earned ₹2.31 lakh crore (US $28.7 billion) in foreign exchange, with 9.52 million foreign tourists, marking a 47.9% growth over the previous year. The sector generated 84.63 million jobs in 2023–24, up by 8.46 million from the previous year—emerging as a cornerstone of India’s development and employment.
Tourism evolved into a full-spectrum mission. The Adopt a Heritage scheme brought in corporate stewardship of key sites, while UDAN connected far-flung places like Shirdi, Ziro, and Minicoy by air. The National Digital Tourism Mission began unifying bookings, data, and itineraries into one integrated platform.
The Northeast—once neglected—emerged as a crown jewel. Thanks to the Act East policy and focused infrastructure, tourist arrivals in states like Arunachal, Sikkim, and Meghalaya doubled between 2014 and 2022. The Vibrant Villages Program transformed remote hamlets like Kibithu and Mana into destinations where patriotism meets nature and heritage.
The idea of tourism also became aspirational. “Wed in India” translated into incentives, campaigns, and infrastructure support across wedding hubs like Rajasthan and Goa. Meanwhile, medical and wellness tourism drew over 6 lakh foreign patients in 2022—positioning India among the world’s leading healing destinations.
India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 was a masterpiece of cultural diplomacy. Rather than being limited to Delhi, over 60 destinations—from Khajuraho to Kumarakom—hosted global events, each curated with local art, food, and heritage. The world wasn’t just negotiating with India—it was experiencing her.
But behind the numbers, the real transformation was spiritual. India stopped asking the world to see her monuments. She invited the world to feel her memory, heal in her silence, and celebrate her diversity.
In this new Bharat, tourism isn’t seasonal—it is civilizational. It is where darshan meets development, where pilgrimage meets progress, and where festivals meet infrastructure. Under Narendra Modi’s leadership, India didn’t just welcome the world—she embraced it.
As monks circle the Bodhi Tree, as pilgrims chant in Kedarnath’s crisp air, as brides marry beneath palatial domes, and as border villages host curious travelers, one truth echoes through every sacred path and silent corridor: India is not just a destination you visit—it is a country you return to, again and again, in search of something eternal.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is a Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India
New Delhi: In a major breakthrough in the Pahalgam terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who had carried out the horrendous attack that killed 26 innocent tourists and grievously injured 16 others.
The two men – Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam – have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit (LeT), a statemt issued by NIA said.
It said, Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack, as per NIA investigations. The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on the fateful afternoon, selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever.
NIA, which has arrested the duo under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, is further investigating the case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, registered after the attack that shook the world on 22nd April 2025.
Further investigations in the case are continuing.
