Banihal, Jul 8: The seventh batch of 9,837 pilgrims undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Wednesday under tight security arrangements, officials said. Light rainfall across Ramban district and adjoining areas till midnight brought much-needed respite from the prevailing heat, making the weather pleasant for pilgrims and residents alike. The improved weather conditions also contributed to a comfortable journey for the Yatra convoy along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. According to the Zonal Police Control Room, Jammu, the convoy was divided into two routes, with 4,480 pilgrims proceeding towards the Baltal axis and 5,357 pilgrims via the traditional Pahalgam axis. The Baltal convoy, carrying 4,480 pilgrims in 173 vehicles, departed at 4:20 a.m., while the Pahalgam convoy, comprising 5,357 pilgrims in 188 vehicles, left at 4:54 a.m. A total of 361 vehicles, including 200 buses, 58 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), and 103 light motor vehicles (LMVs), were deployed for the day's pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims were 6,684 men, 2,730 women, 21 children, 320 sadhus, 80 sadhvis, and two transgender devotees. The Yatra convoy is passing through Ramban district under elaborate security and traffic management arrangements. Authorities have put in place comprehensive measures to ensure the safe and smooth movement of pilgrims to the twin base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam.

Srinagar, Jul 6: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, said that Amarnath Yatra was a religious pilgrimage, and the people of Kashmir have always respected the religious sentiments of all communities. Talking to media persons while inaugurating an educational consultancy initiative at Lal Chowk, he said Kashmir has a long tradition of hospitality and mehmaan-nawazi, and pilgrims who come here for their faith should be treated with respect and care. Mirwaiz said it is the responsibility of the administration to ensure the safety and proper facilities for the yatris, while also making sure that the daily life of local people is not unnecessarily disrupted and that the fragile environment of Kashmir is protected. He said such religious occasions should not be politicised, and should remain about faith, peace, mutual respect and harmony among communities. He expressed hope that the Yatra passes peacefully and safely. Regarding government’s ban on books, Mirwaiz said that in a democratic society bans do not work, whether they are bans on books, ideas or organisations. He said Kashmir has a 5000 year old rich and layered history .  Mirwaiz said Kashmiris are proud of their civilisational legacy, from the Buddhist period to Shaivism and Hindu traditions, and then the Islamic period, which shaped Kashmir’s spiritual, social and cultural identity. He said that after 1947, Jammu and Kashmir also became a political issue, and this too is part of its modern history. “You cannot erase history or selectively project only that part of history which suits a particular narrative,” Mirwaiz said. He added that societies grow through openness, discussion and engagement, not by suppressing books or silencing perspectives. And facts remain facts . On India-Pakistan relations, Mirwaiz said that since the age of 16, after the martyrdom of his father Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq, he has invested his life in the pursuit of peace, dialogue and resolution of Kashmir issue and that is the politics he pursues. He said that he supported dialogue even at a time when those advocating talks were accused of treason. “We did not back down. My uncle shaheed Molvi Mushtaq was killed, Islamia school was burnt down , my house was attacked, but I did not give up on my principle even then that dialogue is the only way forward,” he said. Mirwaiz said that as a new world order is shaping up, it is clear that war is no solution. He welcomed the efforts of civil society voices from India, Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir who are pushing for peace and engagement between the two countries. He said the legacy of dialogue during the tenures of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr. Manmohan Singh needs to be revived and taken forward. He stressed that meaningful dialogue is imperative between Delhi and Islamabad, and equally between Delhi and Srinagar, for peace, dignity and a just resolution.

Srinagar, Jul 6: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Monday said that the progress of women was indispensable for the progress of society He said that a developed Jammu and Kashmir can only be achieved when women are empowered, economically independent and actively participate in leadership and decision-making. Addressing the felicitation ceremony of Fellows (Gender Equity Advocates) in Srinagar, LG Sinha called the initiative a "historic and revolutionary moment" for women empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir. He said women have always played a decisive role in protecting the social fabric of the Kashmir region and it has a rich legacy of women who shaped society through wisdom, spirituality and social reform. The LG said he dreams of a Jammu and Kashmir where women lead schools, industries, literature, entrepreneurship, governance and public policymaking. "I imagine a Jammu and Kashmir where every girl grows up believing that her dreams are valuable, her voice matters and there are no limits to her future," he said. He expressed confidence that after 2029, women would have much greater political representation, noting that the country has created an enabling atmosphere for increased participation of women in electoral politics. "Over the past few years several initiatives have been launched to ensure financial independence of women in Jammu and Kashmir, including programmes such as Hausla, Mumkin, Rise Together, Umeed, DGP Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi and other entrepreneurship schemes" he said. Referring to academic achievements, Sinha said girls are consistently outperforming boys, with nearly 70 to 75 per cent of university gold medals being secured by female students. He also called upon the youth and men to actively support women's leadership, saying the responsibility of empowering women cannot rest on women alone.

Srinagar, July 04: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday designated 23 operatives linked to banned outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), The Resistance Front (TRF) and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) as individual terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). In a series of notifications, MHA said the designated individuals were involved in terror attacks, recruitment, infiltration, terror financing, arms smuggling and providing logistical support for terrorism in India. According to the notifications, 11 of the 23 designated individuals are originally from Jammu and Kashmir, while the remaining are Pakistani nationals. The Ministry said seven of the J&K natives are currently based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), while four are residing in Pakistan. The seven J&K natives based in PoK have been identified as Masood Ilyas Kashmiri (Rawalkot), Mufti Muhammad Asghar Khan (Abbaspur), Hafiz Abdul Shakoor (Kotli), Abdullah Jehadi (Kundalshahi, Neelum), Ghulam Fareed (Bading, Bimber), Bilal Ahmad Mir of Sopore (Muzaffarabad) and Abid Qayoom Lone of Baramulla (PoK). The four J&K natives currently residing in Pakistan are Haroon Rashid Ganai of Anantnag, Nazir Ahmed Gujjar of Doda, Owais Farooz Mir of Pulwama and Mohammed Shaheed Faisal, originally from Bengaluru with an Indian address, who is now based in Rawalpindi. The MHA said 10 of the newly designated individuals are affiliated with JeM, while 13 are linked to LeT, with some also associated with TRF or JuD. According to the Ministry, the designated operatives were involved in recruiting and training terrorists, facilitating infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir, planning terror attacks, supplying arms and ammunition through drones and cross-border networks, raising funds, managing logistics and operating terror camps. The government also linked several JeM operatives to the 2016 Nagrota Army camp attack and the 2022 Sunjwan attack on security forces. Among the senior Pakistan-based operatives designated under the UAPA are Abdul Rauf, Hafiz Khalid Waleed, Maulana Saifullah Khalid, Mohammad Yaqoob, Molana Yousaf Taibi, Qari Yaqub Sheikh, Rana Iftikhar, Waseem Noor Jat, Ashfaq Ahmad, Maulana Imdad Ullah Makki and Mohammad Mussadiq. In a separate notification, the MHA alleged that Mohammed Shaheed Faisal has links with LeT, JeM, Al-Qaeda and ISIS modules. It accused him of recruiting youth through social media, arranging weapons training in Pakistan, raising funds, training operatives in encrypted communications and fake identities, and facilitating the delivery of arms and ammunition. The Centre said it exercised its powers under Section 35 of the UAPA after concluding that the 23 individuals were involved in terrorism. With the latest additions, the number of designated individual terrorists under the Fourth Schedule of the UAPA has risen to 80. (KNO)

Srinagar, Jun 23: The Cabinet on Tuesday cleared its response to the queries raised by the Union Government regarding the Cabinet’s proposal on reservation, sources disclosed. Sources said that the Cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, discussed the draft reply prepared by the Social Welfare Department, in consultation with Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, to queries raised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the Cabinet proposal for reservation. “The Cabinet gave its go-ahead to the response,” they said. According to sources, the reply addresses the query on the justification for a three percent reduction in the Reserved Backward Area (RBA) category and a seven percent reduction in the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category. The reply, sources added, justified the cut in RBA on the grounds that Ladakh is no longer part of Jammu & Kashmir and its areas were earlier covered under reservation in the RBA category. It has also been reliably learnt that the government justified the RBA cut by noting that several areas entitled under it are already covered under other categories of reservation. Sources further said that the government justified the cut in EWS on the grounds that their population in Jammu & Kashmir is smaller compared to other states. On December 4, 2025, the UT Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had approved the reservation report prepared by a three-member Cabinet sub-committee led by Minister Sakina Itoo. The Cabinet proposal was forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor for approval, who then sent it to the Ministry of Home Affairs for prior reference. The MHA returned the proposal, raising certain queries on it. (KNO)

Srinagar, June 23: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Government of India, today organised the Seva Se Samriddhi: Regional Workshop on Panchayat-led Service Delivery at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The workshop was inaugurated by Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, in the presence of Javid Ahmad Dar, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of Jammu and Kashmir; Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj; and other senior officials. Organised in collaboration with the Common Services Centre Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC-SPV), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the workshop brought together Panchayat elected representatives, functionaries, Village Level Entrepreneurs, and senior officials from seven States, namely Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the gathering, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, said that Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have emerged as powerful instruments of grassroots development, citizen-centric governance and inclusive growth. He highlighted the strengthening of PRIs in Jammu & Kashmir through effective devolution of Funds, Functions and Functionaries, participatory planning and greater empowerment of elected representatives. Emphasising the transformative role of technology in governance, Sinha said Jammu & Kashmir has made remarkable progress in digital service delivery under the administration’s “People First” approach. He noted that online public services have expanded from a few dozen in 2020 to over 1,100 services, while more than 98 per cent of Panchayats are now digitally connected, enhancing transparency, accountability, efficiency and last-mile service delivery. Sinha said good governance is reflected in the effective delivery of services and responsiveness of institutions to citizens’ aspirations. He highlighted initiatives such as Back to Village and Block Diwas, which have strengthened public participation, improved grievance redressal and ensured that development priorities emerge from the grassroots. He stressed the need for governance systems to continuously evolve and deepen trust between citizens and institutions. Describing service delivery as the cornerstone of good governance, he appreciated the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and DARPG for introducing a dedicated Gram Panchayat category under the National Awards for e-Governance from 2025. He also lauded the Ministry for securing four National Awards for e-Governance this year for Panchayati Raj initiatives, reflecting the growing role of technology-enabled governance at the grassroots. LG Sinha urged States stressed greater participation of citizens, particularly women, in local governance and advocated the establishment of Village Innovation Labs to promote locally driven solutions for community development and improved public service delivery. Addressing the workshop, Javid Ahmad Dar, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, thanked the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for organising the event in Jammu & Kashmir. He highlighted the role of technology in strengthening Panchayat-led governance and service delivery, reiterated the Government’s commitment to empowering local self-government institutions, and expressed confidence that the workshop would promote the exchange of best practices and advance the vision of Viksit Bharat. Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, said that Panchayati Raj Institutions have emerged as digitally empowered centres of grassroots governance, with nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats managing planning, implementation, financial management and audits through the eGramSwaraj platform. He noted that over ₹3 lakh crore has been processed through the integration of eGramSwaraj and PFMS. Highlighting the Ministry’s AI-powered platform SabhaSaar, he said the application generates Gram Sabha proceedings in 23 Indian languages and has been adopted by around 1.5 lakh Panchayats. He added that Panchayati Raj initiatives secured three Gold and one Silver Award under the National Awards for e-Governance 2026, underscoring the growing role of technology in promoting transparent, accountable and citizen-centric governance. Importance of inter-State learning, innovation and collaboration in strengthening Panchayat-led service delivery and grassroots democracy was underscored during the workshop. Ongoing efforts to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions through improved infrastructure, technology-enabled governance and knowledge-sharing, and expressed confidence that the workshop would help advance citizen-centric service delivery at the grassroots level was highlighted. During the programme, top-performing Gram Panchayats and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to service delivery and digital governance at the grassroots level. Pandithpora Gram Panchayat, Kupwara District, Jammu and Kashmir, and Hudikeri Gram Panchayat, Kodagu District, Karnataka, were felicitated as top-performing Gram Panchayats in service delivery. Outstanding Village Level Entrepreneurs from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand were also honoured for their sustained contribution to last-mile digital service delivery.

Srinagar, June 21: Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has decided to seek the opinion of its grassroots cadre on the expressed intention of Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid to step down from the Lok Sabha, citing his inability to effectively reach out to and serve the people who elected him with a massive mandate. In a statement, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said that the party's Committee on Political Affairs held detailed deliberations on the matter and resolved to initiate a broad-based consultation process involving party office-bearers and cadres across all 18 Assembly segments of the Baramulla parliamentary constituency. "After carefully examining all dimensions of the issue, the Committee on Political Affairs has decided that party functionaries at various levels will participate in a two-day consultative exercise to deliberate on whether Engineer Rashid should continue as Member of Parliament or relinquish the position," Inam said. He added that the party may, if required, conduct a secret ballot among its cadres to ensure that members can express their views freely and without any pressure. According to the spokesperson, party office-bearers at the panchayat and block levels will engage with the general public and various sections of society to gather feedback on the issue. Their final opinion will reflect the sentiments conveyed to them by the people during the consultation process. "The objective is to ensure that any decision regarding Engineer Rashid's future as MP is guided by the wishes and aspirations of the people who reposed their trust in him and the party," Inam said. He further stated that the outcome of the consultations and any subsequent voting process would be formally conveyed to Engineer Rashid, enabling him to take an informed decision on the matter. Inam reiterated AIP's commitment to internal democracy and public accountability, saying that the party believes major decisions must be shaped by the collective wisdom of its cadre and the people it represents.

Srinagar, June 21: Minister for education, Sakina Itoo Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing the former ruling party of patronising irregular appointments and being involved in multiple scams during its tenure. Reacting to PDP's allegations against the government over outsourcing of jobs, Itoo said the party (PDP) lacked the moral authority to question the recruitment process when it had itself presided over what she termed as widespread irregularities in appointments. "Those who committed thousands of scams in banks are now trying to teach us about procedures," Itoo said. She alleged that individuals with little or no educational qualifications were appointed to influential positions during previous PDP-led government. Claiming that merit was ignored in several appointments, the minister alleged that even under-qualified candidates were given jobs because of political connections. "People who did not qualify and those with inadequate educational backgrounds were appointed, while deserving candidates were ignored," she said. Itoo accused the PDP of misleading the youth and attempting to create confusion over the government's employment policies. She urged political parties not to "play with the future of Jammu and Kashmir's youth" and allow young people to pursue available employment opportunities. The minister further alleged that the PDP was attempting to divert public attention from its own record. "They have become accustomed to lying at every level to hide their mistakes and failures," she said. Referring to past financial irregularities, Itoo alleged that those involved in bank-related scams and the misuse of public funds were now criticising the present government. "Those who were involved in scandals worth crores of rupees are today trying to lecture us," she said. The PDP has recently raised concerns over the government's outsourcing policy and recruitment practices, alleging that regular employment opportunities are being undermined. The ruling party, however, has rejected the allegations, saying that recruitment and engagement processes are being carried out in accordance with established procedures.

Srinagar, June 20: Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified its multi-pronged operations across the Valley, targeting drug trafficking networks, illegal mining activities, and unlawful encroachments while simultaneously reviewing security preparedness for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and Kheer Bhawani Mela. As part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, police conducted extensive anti-narcotics operations in several districts, leading to the destruction of wild cannabis growth, arrest of a drug peddler, and removal of illegal encroachments allegedly linked to narcotics-related activities. In south Kashmir's Shopian district, police teams carried out a special anti-drug drive in Wachi and Hermain areas, where wild cannabis plants were found growing along roadsides, pathways, agricultural land boundaries, and unattended patches of land. The plants were uprooted and destroyed on the spot to prevent their misuse for narcotic purposes. In Ganderbal, police arrested an alleged drug peddler during a naka checking operation at Dar Mohallah Baba-Diryadin and recovered approximately 1.848 kilograms of a ganja-like substance from his possession. The accused, identified as Mohammad Qudus of Bihar's Madhepura district, was allegedly involved in supplying narcotic substances among local youth. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered and further investigations are underway to trace the larger drug network. Meanwhile, in Pulwama, police, in coordination with revenue authorities, demolished two illegal encroachments on state land in Qazigund and Kisrigam areas falling under Kakapora jurisdiction.  Officials said the action was part of a broader strategy to dismantle infrastructure allegedly supporting narcotics-related activities and curb the spread of drug trafficking. The anti-crime campaign also extended to environmental violations, with police launching separate operations against illegal mining. In Shopian, police seized seven JCB machines and four dumpers allegedly involved in unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals from the Turkwangam Nallah area.  An FIR has been registered at Police Station Zainapora and investigations have been initiated. Similarly, in Pulwama's Wasoora area, police seized a JCB machine and a dumper reportedly engaged in illegal sand extraction. A case has been registered at Police Station Litter under relevant provisions of law. Police officials said the sustained drive against illegal mining aims to safeguard natural resources and prevent environmental degradation, warning that strict legal action would continue against violators. Amid these enforcement measures, J&K Police also reviewed security arrangements ahead of the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026 and the annual **Kheer Bhawani Mela-2026. A comprehensive Advance Security Tasking (AST) exercise was conducted along the Ganderbal-Baltal route and the Kheer Bhawani axis. Senior police officers, along with personnel from allied security agencies, assessed vulnerable points, deployment plans, traffic regulation measures, crowd management strategies, emergency response mechanisms, and overall preparedness for the two major religious events. Officials inspected strategic locations en route to Baltal and the Kheer Bhawani shrine and reviewed logistical and security arrangements aimed at strengthening the multi-layered security grid. Directions were issued to field officers to maintain heightened vigilance and ensure seamless coordination among stakeholders to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims and devotees. J&K Police reiterated its commitment to combating drug abuse, protecting natural resources, and ensuring peaceful conduct of major religious events, while urging citizens to cooperate by reporting illegal cultivation, drug trafficking, substance abuse, and environmental violations.

Minamarg (Zojila), June 9:  As engineers and workers celebrated a major breakthrough in the construction of the strategic Zojila Tunnel on Tuesday, one of the project's authority engineers revealed that he chose to remain at the site despite his family being in Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Yousuf Eshagpour Rahimabadi, a lead engineer with Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), said he has spent nearly five years overseeing critical engineering work on the ambitious all-weather tunnel project that will connect Kashmir with Ladakh throughout the year. "Of course I miss my home," Yousuf said. "My two children are in Iran. They were supposed to come to India, but because of the current situation they decided to stay there. They are standing with the people there, and I am standing here with this tunnel." The engineer, who joined the project since its inception, said nearly 80 per cent of the tunnel's physical work has been completed. He described the breakthrough as a major milestone achieved after more than 11.25 million man-hours of work without any casualty. The Zojila Tunnel, being constructed beneath one of the most challenging mountain ranges in the world, has confronted engineers with severe geological and climatic obstacles.  According to Yousuf, the young and fragile Himalayan geology, combined with poor rock conditions and significant water ingress, repeatedly slowed excavation and construction. "The geological condition is very poor and there is a lot of water. This naturally made the process slower than what was originally envisaged," he added. Despite temperatures plunging to minus 35 degrees Celsius in the Minamarg sector, workers continued operations around the clock in two shifts. "We worked day and night. Difficulty comes, but we are engineers and our job is to solve problems," he said. While the tunnel breakthrough marks a significant engineering achievement, substantial work remains before the project becomes operational. Yousuf said ventilation systems, drainage works and tunnel lining are among the key tasks yet to be completed. "It will take another two to two-and-a-half years to finish the remaining work,"  Meanwhile, MEIL executive Suchika Joshi, who has been associated with the project through years of construction said the breakthrough represents the culmination of relentless effort under extreme conditions. "If you ask me about challenges, every second was a challenge," Joshi said. She recalled working through harsh winters, heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures that often dropped below minus 30 degrees Celsius. The project, she said, demanded extraordinary commitment from engineers, designers, workers and management teams. "I don't think our engineers, directors and design teams slept properly when this project started. What you see today is the result of countless sleepless nights," she said. Joshi said difficult terrain, unpredictable weather and repeated machinery-related challenges forced teams to constantly adapt their plans and methods. "Sometimes there were things that nobody knew would emerge. Only time revealed those challenges, and the company had to respond to them," she said. She credited the project's progress to coordination between MEIL, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), consultants and government agencies. Beyond its engineering significance, Joshi said the tunnel is expected to transform connectivity to Ladakh, which remains cut off by heavy snowfall for several months every year. Once completed, it will provide year-round road access between Srinagar and Leh and significantly enhance military mobility in the strategically sensitive region bordering both China and Pakistan "This is not just a tunnel. "It is important for the country's security, for the Army and for the people of Ladakh who often remain disconnected during winter months," Joshi added. Although the breakthrough allows excavation from both ends to meet, the tunnel is not yet ready for public traffic. Officials said extensive finishing work, including concrete lining and installation of operational systems, must be completed before the tunnel can be opened. "We are trying to deliver it to the nation as soon as possible," Joshi said. She added that that progress would continue. "But it also depends on weather conditions in the high-altitude region.

Srinagar, June 6: A delegation of the PEMA Foundation called on the J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, at Lok Bhavan and discussed a range of issues concerning the welfare of artisans, promotion of Kashmir Pashmina, and strengthening of export opportunities for the sector. During the meeting, the delegation apprised the Lieutenant Governor about the Foundation's proposal to organize the Pashmina Artisan Awards 2026 during September/October this year. The Foundation informed that the upcoming edition of the awards is proposed to be dedicated exclusively to women artisans in recognition of their immense contribution to the Kashmir Pashmina industry. The delegation highlighted that women artisans constitute the backbone of the sector and play a crucial role in spinning, weaving, embroidery, and various allied activities that preserve and sustain this centuries-old heritage craft. The delegation conveyed its gratitude for the continued patronage extended by the Lieutenant Governor to the Pashmina Artisan Awards, which were successfully organized in 2023 and 2025 under his esteemed guidance and support. The awards have emerged as an important platform for recognizing excellence among artisans and encouraging younger generations to remain associated with the craft. The PEMA Foundation also submitted suggestions aimed at strengthening the global position of Kashmir Pashmina. The delegation requested the  Lieutenant Governor to advocate with the Government of India for granting handmade Kashmir Pashmina a special recognition as a "Luxury Product of India" under national export promotion initiatives. Such recognition, it was noted, would help position Kashmir Pashmina among the world's most prestigious luxury textile products and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for thousands of artisan families. The delegation further appreciated the Government's efforts in implementing the GI Pashmina Labelling Initiative, which has significantly strengthened the authenticity and credibility of genuine Kashmir Pashmina products in domestic and international markets. While acknowledging the considerable enhancement in testing and certification capacity achieved in recent years, the Foundation requested the establishment of a dedicated facilitation mechanism for verified exporters to ensure timely processing of export consignments without affecting the integrity of the certification process. The members of the delegation also expressed their appreciation for the transformative development initiatives undertaken across Jammu & Kashmir under the leadership of the Lieutenant Governor. As a responsible civil society organization, the PEMA Foundation particularly appreciated the administration's sustained and determined efforts to combat the menace of drug abuse, which has emerged as a major social challenge. The Foundation acknowledged the various awareness campaigns, enforcement measures, and rehabilitation initiatives being implemented to safeguard the future of the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. The Lieutenant Governor gave a patient hearing to the issues and suggestions presented by the delegation and assured continued support for initiatives aimed at artisan welfare, preservation of traditional crafts, and promotion of exports from Jammu & Kashmir. The PEMA Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to preserve the legacy of Kashmir Pashmina, enhance artisan livelihoods, and strengthen the global presence of this unique heritage craft.

Srinagar/Mumbai, June 5 : In a first-of-its-kind Bollywood venture dedicated to honoring the services and sacrifices of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the official promo of the upcoming film 'DGP Kashmir' was launched during a star-studded ceremony in Mumbai, the filmmakers said. The reality-based film is produced by Vijay Kumar under the banner of his production house, T3S Entertainment. The grand launch event was attended by a galaxy of prominent Bollywood personalities, artists, and film industry veterans, with renowned playback singer Sukhwinder Singh gracing the occasion as the chief guest. Directed by Imtiyaz Bhat, 'DGP Kashmir' features an impressive ensemble cast including Punit Issar, Hussain Khan, Shahid Lateef, Mir Sarwar, Sharib Hashmi, Ashmit Patel, Gavie Chahal, Daisy Shah, Pragya Nayan, Sara Khan, Paridhi Sharma, Rittika Sen, Anushka, Satya Thakur, Ebadat Bhat, Youal, and Sourdeep Kakad. Speaking at the launch, producer Vijay Kumar, owner of T3S Entertainment, shared that he was so deeply moved by the script that he agreed to back the project without any hesitation. "This film will not only highlight the exceptional professionalism of the Jammu and Kashmir Police but will also serve as a profound tribute to those brave jawans who laid down their lives for peace and stability," Kumar said. Director Imtiyaz Bhat emphasized that 'DGP Kashmir' is a unique narrative aimed at introducing the general public to the real-life struggles, challenges, and triumphs of the J&K police force. "We hope this film resonates deeply with the audience and plays a pivotal role in connecting the younger generation with the sacrifices made by our law enforcement heroes," Bhat said. The atmosphere turned emotional when Bhat recounted the production journey and the hurdles faced in bringing the project to fruition. The director became visibly emotional, drawing a silent and respectful response from the gathered audience. Industry insiders and attendees at the event highly praised the film's subject matter, describing it as a positive, unique, and timely cinematic initiative. 'DGP Kashmir' is slated for a theatrical release later this year.