Dr Irfan Peerzada
In the concept of One Health, the health of each component such as humans, livestock and environment are equally important. But to describe the concept, it is better to start with human health. It is the complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
It encompasses the dynamic interactions between biological, psychological, and environmental factors that influence an individual s overall functioning and quality of life. Human health can be defined broadly in three dimensions such as physical health, mental health and social health. These can be further defined as follows.
Physical health: The optimal functioning of the body s systems, including the absence of illness or injury and the ability to perform daily activities effectively.
Mental health: Emotional, psychological, and cognitive well-being, enabling individuals to cope with stress, maintain relationships, and make decisions.
Social health: The ability to interact positively with others and engage in meaningful societal roles and relationships.
A holistic approach to human health recognizes its interconnectedness with animal health, ecosystem integrity, and societal well-being, as emphasized in frameworks like the One Health concept. This approach underscores the importance of promoting sustainable practices, equitable healthcare access, and global collaboration to achieve optimal health outcomes for all.
Human health is influenced by various determinants such as lifestyle, socio-economic conditions, and environmental factors besides genetics. All first three, i.e. lifestyle, socio-economic conditions, and environmental factors which a human face on a daily basis is primarily affected by their income and its certainty. Indian farming is characterized by a very meager monthly income of less than 10,000 due to small and fragmented landholdings and inefficiency in resource utilization.
Over 85% of farmers are classified as small and marginal, owning less than 2 hectares of land. The average size of operational holdings has declined from 2.28 hectares in 1970-71 to 1.08 hectares in 2015-16, reflecting increased fragmentation due to population growth and inheritance practices which makes the farm income generated insufficient to cover the rising costs of inputs, healthcare, and education.
Farming forms the backbone of human survival, supporting food security, livelihoods, and economic development while profoundly impacting environmental and animal health. Within the One Health framework, farming occupies a central stage as it bridges the interconnected domains of human, animal, and environmental health.
Sustainable agricultural practices not only nourish growing populations but also safeguard ecosystems and mitigate risks of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and biodiversity loss. As the world s population soars, farming must evolve to balance productivity with sustainability, ensuring long-term resilience and harmony across health systems.
India, with its agrarian heritage and diverse farming practices, stands as a crucial player in advancing the One Health agenda. The nation is home to approximately 17% of the global population and contributes significantly to global food production, particularly in staples like rice, wheat, and pulses.
However, the challenges of climate change, over-reliance on chemical fertilizers, water scarcity, and deforestation have underscored the urgent need for transformative agricultural policies. Indian farming has the unique potential to integrate traditional wisdom with modern innovations, such as organic farming, agroforestry, and climate-smart techniques, to address these challenges holistically.
Moreover, India s livestock sector plays a dual role in supporting rural economies and global protein supplies but must contend with zoonotic disease risks and greenhouse gas emissions.
Through a proactive One Health approach, Indian farming can serve as a model for sustainable development. By promoting biodiversity conservation, reducing overuse of antibiotics, and adopting eco-friendly practices, the agricultural sector can mitigate the risk of pests and diseases while enhancing ecosystem resilience.
As a global leader in policy innovation and grassroots mobilization, India has the opportunity to influence sustainable farming systems worldwide, aligning human and planetary health for a more secure and prosperous future.
Origins and evolution of One Health
The concept of One Health dates back to the 1970s when Robert Schneider and his team conducted groundbreaking studies on cancer incidence in companion animals to draw parallels with human cancer risks. These investigations laid the foundation for a broader understanding of the interconnectedness between human and animal health.
In 1978, Calvin Schwabe s seminal book, Cattle, Priests, and Medicine, articulated this interconnectedness and introduced the term 'One Medicine,' which would later evolve into 'One Health.'
The concept gained further prominence in 2007 when the American Medical Association formally endorsed a One Health resolution, underscoring its relevance in modern healthcare and public health strategies. However, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a pivotal moment for One Health. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the urgent need to adopt this framework to address the multifaceted interactions between humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems. The pandemic highlighted how disruptions in one domain can have cascading effects, emphasizing the importance of holistic approaches to global health.
Environmental health: Safeguarding our planet
Environmental health forms the bedrock of the One Health paradigm, encompassing terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that are increasingly imperiled by human activities such as urbanization, industrialization, and climate change. These stressors disrupt ecosystem services, including air and water purification, soil fertility, and biodiversity, all of which are essential for sustaining life.
Key models and challenges
To assess and manage ecosystem health, scientists utilize frameworks like the Vigor Organization Resilience (VOR) model. This model evaluates an ecosystem s productivity, biodiversity, and resilience, providing valuable insights into its ability to withstand and recover from disturbances.
However, significant gaps remain in quantifying the direct impacts of human activities on ecosystems, complicating efforts to devise effective conservation strategies.
Climate change and biodiversity loss
Climate change and biodiversity loss stand as two of the most urgent global challenges. Rising temperatures, deforestation, and habitat destruction not only endanger countless species but also heighten the risk of zoonotic diseases diseases transmitted from animals to humans. Biodiversity plays a vital role in combating climate change by sequestering carbon and nitrogen, thereby helping to mitigate global warming.
However, the rapid rate of deforestation, particularly in countries like India, which saw a significant increase between 1990 and 2020, highlights the pressing need for sustainable policy measures to protect natural habitats and preserve biodiversity.
Livestock health: A pillar of rural economies
Livestock health is integral to economic stability, food security, and the livelihoods of millions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Livestock accounts for approximately 33% of global protein intake, with demand increasing rapidly. However, the livestock sector also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change and threatening the very systems it supports.
Zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance
Approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases, including avian influenza, brucellosis, and tuberculosis, originate in animals. These zoonotic diseases underscore the profound interconnections between human and animal health. Additionally, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming have accelerated the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). If unchecked, AMR could lead to a global health crisis, with an estimated 10 million deaths annually by 2050.
Human health: A historical and cultural perspective
The harmony between humans and nature has been a cornerstone of traditional health philosophies worldwide. Indian farming communities, for instance, have long emphasized the balance between humans, animals, and the environment, aligning with ancient practices that advocate holistic well-being.
From Hippocrates promotion of healthy diets and exercise to the principles of Ayurveda, these traditions resonate with the One Health ethos.
However, the modern era has witnessed a growing disconnect between humans and their environment. Urbanization, deforestation, and unsustainable consumption patterns have disrupted this balance, leading to adverse health outcomes for both humans and ecosystems. Addressing these challenges necessitates coordinated, multisectoral efforts that integrate traditional wisdom with modern science.
Interlinkages and the path forward
Indian farming lies at the heart of the One Health concept, exemplifying the intricate interlinkages between human health, animal health, and the environment.
The author is working in Agriculture department, district Bandipora
'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). “About a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,” he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.“If we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,” he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeeb’s research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. “In this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,” he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. “It is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,” he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,” he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. “My parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,” he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. “Just as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.” “Young people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,” he further added.
Srinagar, Jan 8: The University of Kashmir (KU) has made the biometric attendance mandatory for the students of its affiliated colleges from Academic session 2026-27. The development comes in wake of the complaints about the thin attendance of the students in various private B.Ed colleges affiliated with the Kashmir University. A circular in this regard has been issued by the Assistant Registrar Dean Colleges Development Council (DCDC) of the University. "All the Chairpersons and Principals of private affiliated colleges of the University of Kashmir are hereby informed that biometric attendance for all the enrolled students and staff has been made mandatory from the year 2026-27," the KU circular reads. The Principals of all the affiliated colleges have been directed to install biometric attendance machines in their respective institutions on or before the commencement of the Academic year 2026-27 under intimation to the Dean College Development Council of the University. "The college shall also ensure proper upkeep, maintenance, and systematic preservation of all biometric attendance records for future reference and verification," it reads. The Colleges have been directed to comply with this directive "without fail." The move comes in wake of the inspections conducted last year by the DCDC of KU in various B.Ed colleges where most of the students were found absent. An official said that there were complaints about the poor attendance of the students in B.Ed colleges. "The students do not attend their B.Ed classes regularly which defeats the purpose of the course," the official said. Earlier, DCDC of KU earlier barred the B.Ed students to appear in teh semester exams for falling short of attendance. The decision was taken in wake of the surprise inspection conducted by Dean College Development Council (DCDC) in various B.Ed colleges of Kashmir in June-July month of 2025 and several students were found absent from the classes. Following this, the students were directed to attend supplementary classes to complete the recommended attendance for appearing in their exams. Also, the exam of these students was deferred by few months.
Srinagar, Jan 8: The Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has pulled up the officers vested with the powers of Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) as their additional assignment, for indulging in administrative works, beyond their domain. As per the order issued by the Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani, the officers having additional DDO powers, have been reprimanded for going beyond their role of duties. "It has come to the notice of the DSEK that many officers of the department vested with DDOs powers are affecting transfers and doing administrative works having no authority to do so," the order reads. As per the order, all these DDOs holding charge in additional capacity have been asked to utilise the powers for the purpose of drawing and disbursing salary and other financial matters within the limits of the authority. "The officers shall not exercise any administrative powers particularly with respect to the transfer of staff," it reads. The DSEK has warned of disciplinary action in case of violation of the order by any officers. "Any deviation from the instant order shall be viewed seriously and invite disciplinary action," it reads.
KS News Desk Srinagar, Jan 7: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that growing depression and frustration among youth is pushing them towards taking the wrong steps. She said this while referring to the recent Red Fort blast incident. Mehbooba Mufti while speaking at a function marking the 10th death anniversary of her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Mehbooba said the younger generation is grappling with uncertainty and lack of opportunities, which is having serious social consequences. Overcome with emotion during her address, Mehbooba Mufti broke down while remembering her father, describing him as a statesman who believed in peace, courage and people-centric politics. “On the 10th death anniversary of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Sahab, we honour a leader whose legacy of reconciliation, courage and commitment to the people continues to inspire us,” she said. She reiterated the need to address the concerns of youth and restore hope, stating that only meaningful engagement and inclusive politics can prevent alienation. (KNC)
Bhat Hilal AhmadA policy framework backed by transparent Matrix only can withstand judicial interventions while maintaining social harmony.G D sharma report should be released for public scrutiny.True interpretation of rule of prudence be made.A revisit of Rule 17 is must for ensuring appropriate seat balance.Rationalisation of reservations is directly proportional to meritocracy and ensuring a just society.Jammu and Kashmir with a young demographic profile has one of the highest proportions of general category population in the country estimated arround 60 to 70 percent but lowest open merit quota which roughly stands between 30 to 40 percent.States across the country with comparatively lesser general category population continue to maintain 50 percent reservation for open merit share.A shift from policy decisions and demographic legal principles has resulted in a structural framework which significantly differs from the national norms.It is when courts across India have always emphasised that reservation policies must rest on contemporary quantifiable evidence.Though government maintains that the present reservation framework follows Reservation Act 2004 and its rules according to 2005 that should be read with new notification SO-176 of March 2024.But lot of reservations and concerns have emerged about the proportionality , transparancy and opportunity of merit where certain newly introduced reservations are found drawing benifit patterns on the basis of regions and geography.In its verdict on November 16 ( 1992 ) Supreme Court in Indra Sawhney verses union of India case held that reservations should not ordinary exceed beyond 50 percent except in the exceptional and extraordinary circumstances.However in 2022 in Janhit Abhiyan case court while upholding the ten percent reservation for economically weaker sections observed that fifty percent ceiling is not a compulsory limit but a rule of prudence.Taking a flexible and wider interpretation of this directive parliament in February 2024 ammended 2005 reservation rules and reservation percentages were altered by introducing EWS at 10 percent and increasing it to 20 percent for ST , 28 percent for OBC while RBA saw reductions.This was largely based on publicly available socio economic survey and not on an updated sensus or data.Consequently LG administration announced new quotas like Paharis , paddari , koli , Gadda brahmin and other casts.Social welfare department quickly followed by distributing new proportions which led to decrease of open merit quota.As per new policy 61% seats of government jobs and professional admissions are reserved and only 39 are for open merit share.This clearly shows that open merit candidates are slowly pushed out of the system though government stands by its constitutional interpretation by saying that it goes well with constitutional guidelines and court rules.In just last two years 8.21 lack reservation certificates were issued in J & K in which 6.78 lakh ( 82% ) were issued in jammu and only 1.45 lakh certificates were issued in kashmir.For scheduled cast only more than 69000 certificates were issued in jammu while it remained only 474 for Kashmir which is just 0.64 percent.Accordingly for ST 5.25 lakh certificates were issued for jammu while it remained 76656 for Kashmir.Out of 21386 , 18963 EWS certificates were issued for jammu and only 2431 certificates were issued for kashmir division.Similarly for ALC jammu is ahead with 85% and it is for RBA only where kashmir is ahead with 31804 certificates while jammu has 15550 certificates.While looking at the shares in the second line bureaucracy JKAS , JKAS ( accounts ) and JKPS the numbers itself tell the story of last three years.In 2023 only 39 selections were made for open merit in JKAS as compared to 50 selections made for reserved categories like Sc , ST and Ews.In 2024 open merit selections were 50 while 43 selections were made for reserved categories.In 2025 , 24 selections were made for open merit while the numbers remained almost equal in all the three civil services.In JK Accounts service 29 , 27 and 15 selections were made from open merit in 2023 , 2024 and 2025 while it remained 26 , 25 and 09 for reserved categories in 2023 , 2024 and 2025 respectively.Though the numbers does not go against any legal quota but it questions fairness and representation.In March 2020 J&K government constituted GD Sharma comission to examine backwardness and rationalise reservations for different categories and the report is yet to come in the public domain.The current reservation structural framework stands at ten percent for EWS, ten percent for RBA , 8 percent for SC , 8 percent of OBC , 10 percent for ST-1 10 percent for ST-2 and 4 percent for ALC/IB which makes a mighty total of 60 percent for the reserved categories.The rest 40 percent are shared by general category and horizontal reservations.An element of the centre of the debate is Rule -17 which allows reserved categories to initially take open merit seats and letter shift back to their respective categories.When this happens the seat already occupied does not automatically return to the open merit pool thereby further reducing the share available to open category competition.Not only so the horizontal reservations which cover women , ex servicemen , sports , and persons with special abilities appear to be applied largely on open merit quota rather than proportionally across all categories.This again makes general category to bear the brunt of disproportionate share of adjustments which was otherwise expected to be distributed evenly.In December 2024 a cabinet sub committee was constituted to consult all stakeholders for reviewing and revisiting the existing policy to reshape a much acceptable reservation policy.The report was approved by the council of ministers in the cabinet and sent for its final approval to honourable LG.If sources are to be believed the cabinet has reportedly slashed reservation of EWS by 7 percent and RBA by 3 percent while managing a much needed ten percent quota for general category subjected to approval from the LG administration.If the same trend follows in filling the vacancies it will be very hard for the merit to survive and that will lead to an absolute brain drain.Moreover , the absence of an updated data and matrix question the basis of the changes and modification.The question is not about reservation but the way of its dis-proportionate distribution.G D sharma lead committee report should be made public for its scrutiny.It is high time to go for a data driven neutral and transparent re-examination which is based on updated statistics.Recalibration rather than an overhaul of the structural framework will do the job.Open merit share must reflect demographic proportion.Distribution of horizontal reservations should be made across all categories rather than concentrating them fully on general category.The much controversial Rule 17 should be revisited and probably done away with to ensure a proper seat balance.This will lead to a structural framework which will be purely based on fairness and transparency and grounded on the principles of proportionality and opportunity thus maintaining a fine balance between merit and constitutional limits.That will give rise to an equitable and a rationalised reservation system which will be effective and acceptable to all sections of the society.Bhat Hilal Ahmad ( Biotech ) is a writer who comes up with a comprehensive analysis on Educational, Social and Political developments.
Mohammad NoumaanA parent always wants their child to rise, to do something great in life; something which can earn them a good reputation. There is a time in everyone's life that is Teenage, in the phase of life a child starts developing different habits and positive thoughts, teens go through many changes over this period.During this time a child longs for parental trust and support, but sadly this is where things go wrong, parents get lost in thoughts like "What if my child got involved in something bad" or "What if my child makes mistakes".And to stop the teen from exploring the evils of the society which are often tempting, because teenage is the time when curiosity among youth is at its peak. So to tackle this a parent has two options: first it can doubt the child unnecessarily, killing the young and ambitious mind, or most of the parents overthink about the child, listen to what opinions do their relatives have regarding their own child.Moreover, parents can talk to the child, show trust upon him/her or check what the child is actually involved in. Teenagers need trust, not suspicion; guidance, not restrictions. A little support can turn curiosity into creativity and doubt into confidence. Meanwhile, during teenage a teen starts to explore hobbies and passions, teens starts doing things which excite them, some get involved into bad company, bad habits or maybe the social evils, disrupting their life and reputation, but many others start to discover what truly excites them, some like playing cricket or any other sport, some take part in gaming, singing or something else.But over the changing times some children are drawn towards working online, or learning skills which they actually enjoy, like some of the new-generation teens like doing cinematography, some like doing photography at a very young age, some like doing freelancing, not to make money but to get exposure, to learn something new and more practical, some like creating content, not to get fame or money but to try something out of the box,but there is the problem. This is the point where most of the parents fail, suppose when their teen says "I am going to play cricket!" Parents often reply positively, when the teen says "I am playing a video game" the parent allows without any second though, but when a child asks for a phone to learn cinematography, parents hesitates and think "what if this phone derailed my child from his studies", but they really forget that what if this phone was the gateway to their child's passion, what if that's the child's actual path! When a teen says "I am working for a client online", instead of doubting or over thinking, parents can simply ask the child; "Son, can you show me what did you made for the client?" "Can you make a cinematic video of our kitchen?"By showing this simple interest a child gets deeply motivated, it shows the teen that their dreams really matter, which results in making them more ambitious and confident.A parent should always support a child, it should always listen to the child especially during the teenage years, and they should always try to understand what their child is aiming for. If you see a child in the society doing something wrong, don't imprint the same on your child. Instead educate them about the pros and cons of every path and keep guiding them with love, trust and clarity. Why stick to traditional career paths just because that s what has always been done? The world is changing and so should our thinking. Every child is built differently, if you give the same task to 10 different children you will get 10 different outcomes, because every child learns, understands, and acts in their own unique way.So a parent must let their child learn and understand things at their own pace. You cannot force a child to learn something that they don t like.Today's parents often give wings to their children to fly but they forget to give them an open sky! A child can be a cinematographer, a cricketer, an entrepreneur or whatever they are passionate about. We as a society must learn to accept and celebrate such talents. Have we ever thought for how long are we going to stick to the traditional way of choosing professions, like completing school, getting a degree, the degree which is often chosen by the parents and relatives instead of the actual child, the question arises, Why? Just because that is what we have always been doing, but does that make it right?Now the world is changing, the upcoming times are going to be more crucial and challenging then we can actually imagine! Parents want their child to do something extra-ordinary but do they let their children explore? Do they let their children do what they are truly passionate about? Why is it necessary to be a doctor, an engineer, a civil servant, or a teacher?A child can be a cinematographer, a cricketer, an entrepreneur or whatever the child is passionate about! And we as a society, need to accept, encourage and celebrate such talents, and this is what is actually going to take us forward.I believe every parent needs to read this article, my parents have always been supportive, they have always trusted me for whatever I did, which is exactly why you are reading this article today.The author is a student of Faiz-e-Aaam secondary school Bandipora
