Jammu, Feb 03: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said that Republic Day was not just a function seen by those present at Kartavya Path or watching television in India but it was broadcast worldwide wherein the world witnessed what Jammu and Kashmir has to offer.
The Chief Minister made these remarks during an interaction program organized for 127 NCC cadets from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh who participated in the 2025 Republic Day celebrations.
He highlighted the extraordinary feat of a Jammu and Kashmir girl cadet who commanded the all-women NCC contingent at the parade and said it was not a small achievement.
"The images of her leading the contingent resonated globally, showcasing Jammu and Kashmir s commitment to discipline and unity," Omar Abdullah said.
Omar Abdullah said the J&K girl did not just lead the 17 cadets from Jammu and Kashmir but commanded the entire national contingent of girls, marching proudly before not just our nation, but a global audience.
Republic Day isn t just seen by those present at Kartavya Path or watching television in India; it is broadcast worldwide. The world witnessed what Jammu and Kashmir has to offer," he said.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the academic pressures faced by today s youth and praised the cadets for their dedication to the NCC despite these challenges.
When I was in school, scoring 80% was considered a big deal. Today, some colleges have a 100% cut-off. But even with these academic demands, you have chosen to embrace the NCC s values of discipline, leadership and service. You have made the journey to Delhi to represent our region, proving that education is not confined to textbooks it is about life experiences that shape your character, he said.
He urged the cadets to cherish these opportunities, relations emphasizing their importance in shaping life values beyond the NCC. These friendships will be your support system in times of challenge, the people who will stand by you when life tests your strength. They represent the spirit and unity of our nation, reminding you that no matter where you are or what you face, you are part of a larger family a family that embodies Unity in Diversity, he concluded.
Encouraging the cadets to be role models in their communities, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged them to take a stand against drug abuse and play their best role in combatting this menace. I urge you to channel your NCC spirit into safeguarding our youth from the scourge of drugs. As role models, your influence is profound. If you see a peer faltering, extend a hand. Share your stories of discipline and show them a path of purpose and guide them, he said, aligning the message with the Prime Minister s vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
He praised the achievements of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, emphasizing their remarkable representation during the Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
The event was attended by Minister for Youth Services & Sports Satish Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Director General of NCC Directorate Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh, Major General Anupinder Bevli, along with other senior army officers and dignitaries.
Addressing the cadets, CM Omar Abdullah commended their dedication and spirit they brought to the national stage. Your presence on Kartavya Path symbolized not just personal dedication but also the vibrant spirit of our region. This year, 127 cadets from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh alongside military cadets, support staff and trainers represented us with immense pride, he said.
The Chief Minister also lauded the cadets for their cultural performance, which won third prize among teams from across the country.
This achievement speaks volumes about your hard work and unity. Your cultural presentation infused with the rich traditions of our land captured the hearts of many and brought honor to J&K, he added.
Reflecting on his personal experiences during his school days as NCC cadet, the Chief Minister said that the triumph of NCC cadets takes him back to his school days.
"While I never had the privilege of marching on Rajpath (Kartavya Path), my time as head boy and NCC cadet taught me invaluable lessons in leadership and discipline. The crisp commands, the camaraderie and the spirit of teamwork have stayed with me throughout my life," he said.
He underscored the transformative role of the NCC in shaping young minds. The NCC is more than a program; it is a crucible that forges character. In today s world, where young people face immense pressures academic, social, and personal your commitment to the NCC s values of service and discipline is truly commendable, he said.
Chief Minister called on the cadets to carry forward the pride and values of the NCC in their everyday lives. Lead with empathy, stand firm in your values, and remember: the greatest service to our nation lies in lifting others. Together, let us build a future where Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and all of India shine as beacons of hope and unity, he said.
'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.
Baramulla, Jan 9: Deputy Commissioner Baramulla on Thursday said that the situation caused by the landslides on Ur-Baramulla was temporary and would be resolved once the excavation process of the road is completed. The statement comes amid the concerns over recurring landslides on the Uri–Baramulla road due to ongoing road widening project being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Talking to Kashmir Square, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa said that such issues are common during the construction of hill roads and should not be viewed as an unusual development. “There is no major issue. Whenever a hill road is constructed or widened, such problems are recurrent,” he said. He further said that the slopes usually take time to stabilise after excavation. "The excavation process affects the natural stability of the hillside and it generally takes one to two years for slopes to fully stabilise," he said. Minga Sherpa said several slope stabilisation measures are already in place to minimise risks. “Grouting has been done and protective walling has also been constructed at several points,” DC Baramulla told Kashmir Square. He further said that around 200 metres of excavation work is still pending on the stretch and the remaining cutting work is expected to be completed within a month. “Once the excavation is finished, the BRO and concerned agencies will carry out full-fledged slope stabilisation measures. After that, such incidents will not occur again,” he said. Over the past few weeks, the Uri–Baramulla road, a vital link connecting the border town of Uri with Baramulla district witnessed intermittent traffic disruptions due to landslides triggered by excavation work, raising safety concerns among commuters. The Baramulla–Uri National Highway remained closed on Thursday after another landslide struck the stretch - the third such incident reported in the last 20 days, causing severe inconvenience to commuters. A fresh landslide hit the highway on Thursday afternoon, forcing authorities to immediately halt traffic movement on the route as a precautionary measure. It was the third such incident in just 20 days on the Baramulla–Uri National Highway, following two earlier slides that also triggered full traffic halts and diversions through alternate routes. Only emergency vehicles were allowed to pass, while all routine traffic was stopped to avoid any untoward incident. An official said the road clearance operations were launched soon after the incident, with personnel and machinery mobilised to remove debris and stabilise the affected area. "The highway was made motorable again from the evening hours," he said. The closure of the main Baramulla–Uri National Highway compelled authorities to divert vehicles through the dilapidated Khadniyar–Gantamulla road.
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.
Jammu, Jan 11: Security forces picked up movement of suspected drones in several forward areas along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, officials said. All the flying objects came from the Pakistan side, and returned after hovering over Indian territory for few minutes, they said. According to officials, security forces have launched a search operation on the ground after noticing the suspected drone activity in the forward areas. Army troops guarding the Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri, fired from medium and light machine guns on observing drone movement over Gania-Kalsian village around 6.35 pm, they said. Another drone was noticed at Khabbar village in Teryath in Rajouri district at 6.35 pm. The flying object, with blinking light, came from the direction of Dharmsal village in Kalakote and moved further towards Bharakh, officials said. A drone-like object with blinking light was also seen hovering for several minutes over Chak Babral village in Ramgarh sector of Samba around 7.15 pm, they said. Another drone-like object was seen moving from the direction of Tain towards Topa in Mankote sector, located along the LoC, in Poonch district at 6.25 pm. On Friday night, security forces recovered an arms consignment, allegedly dropped by a drone that originated in Pakistan, in Paloora village of Ghagwal near the IB in Samba district. The recovery included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds and a grenade, they added. (PTI)
'I have complete faith in our Youth’s potential, their resolve to shape a developed India' Jammu, Jan 7: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Wednesday, virtually, flagged off a 53-member Youth Contingent from UT of Jammu Kashmir for New Delhi to participate in the 29th National Youth Festival-Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue-2026. To commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on 12th January, the National Youth Festival (NYF) dedicated to youth empowerment and unity for the youth is organised annually. In the year 2025, the National Youth Festival was restructured as Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue to align with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The contingent selected for the Viksit Bharat Challenge Track and Cultural/Innovation Track will represent J&K at the prestigious national event at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 10th to 12th January 2026. Interacting with the participating youth through virtual mode, the Lieutenant Governor extended his best wishes for the prestigious event. He congratulated the participants for emerging from local competitions to reach the national stage, noting that their journey reflects the immense potential inherent in the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. “Youth is not a matter about age. It is the mindset. It is about courage, curiosity, and the power to bring about change. I have complete faith in our Youth’s potential and their resolve to shape a developed India,” the Lieutenant Governor said. Invoking Swami Vivekananda’s iconic clarion call, “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached,” the Lieutenant Governor urged the youth to make their dreams the sole purpose of their lives and to consider every challenge on the way as a lesson in discipline and patience. He emphasized that true leadership is defined not by personal achievements, but by the ability to create opportunities for others. “Your greatest responsibility is towards society and the nation. True progress is about creating opportunities for others to move forward. Develop future capabilities, focus on character building and embrace lifelong learning. Be bold, be fearless, think beyond boundaries. Your courage, discipline, clarity, and determination, combined with the experience will be your guide in this journey toward Viksit Bharat,” the Lieutenant Governor told the Youth. Commissioner Secretary to Government Youth Services and Sports Yasha Mudgal, Director General Youth Services and Sports Anuradha Gupta, senior officials, participating youth and officials accompanying the Contingent were present.
To decide on 5-marla plots for flood-hit families, Rs 118 cr infusion for cooperative banksKS News DeskJammu, Dec 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is scheduled to chair a Cabinet meeting on Monday and take key policy decisions.The decisions include approval of a land-allotment policy for families affected by recent floods and financial support for cooperative banks, official sources said.Sources said that the Cabinet meeting will be held at the Civil Secretariat at 10:30 am under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and will be attended by other ministers and senior officers.One of the major agenda items is the approval of a policy to allot five marlas of land to people whose houses were damaged due to flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides during the monsoon season this year.Sources said the policy has been finalised after detailed consultations and follows the Chief Ministers earlier announcement assuring relief to families whose homes were severely damaged during the monsoon calamities, particularly on August 14 and 26, when large-scale damage to houses, crops and infrastructure was reported across Jammu and Kashmir.Another significant item on the agenda is the proposed infusion of Rs 118 crore into the Jammu Central Cooperative Bank and Anantnag Central Cooperative Bank to help revive their financial health.Both banks have been facing operational and financial challenges, and the government considers them vital for the cooperative sector in the region.The Cabinet is also expected to deliberate on enhancement of the pay level of Village Level Workers (VLWs) of the Rural Development Department, an issue that has been under consideration for some time.Additionally, around 20 posts of District Panchayat Officers (DPOs) are proposed to be re-designated as Block Development Officers (BDOs) to strengthen administrative functioning at the grassroots level.Sources added that the Cabinet may also discuss financial matters, including central funding and related issues, though the next UT Budget for 202627 is likely to be presented in March next year.It is noteworthy that all decisions taken by the Cabinet will be subject to approval by the Lieutenant Governor. (KNC)