New York, Jan 23: A leader in the Indian medical community has expressed scepticism about the feasibility amid the reports of Indians in the US on temporary visas requesting early C-Sections to speed up the birth of babies to beat President Donald Trump s order restricting birthright citizenship.
Indian mothers with babies on the way were reported to be asking obstetricians to conduct C-Sections before February 19, the deadline for Trump s order ending automatic citizenship for anyone born in the US comes into force, limiting the right to only babies of citizens and Green Cardholders.
The executive order issued soon after Trump was sworn in is under legal challenges from several states that say it is unconstitutional.
Dr Avinash Gupta, the regional director of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) said that he had seen reports of some Indians approaching obstetricians to schedule C-Sections to beat the deadline but said he was sceptical.
He said there were ethical and legal issues in carrying out the procedure without medical necessity months or weeks ahead of the due date.
I don t think that any doctor would do that, he said.
He cautioned that while it may be permissible to move a C-Section already scheduled or if valid reasons arise by a week or so, there would be serious issues with doing it months or even weeks early for non-medical reasons.
"Babies born prematurely face many health problems, some of them very serious, and a doctor could be liable for medical malpractice," he said.
He said that the statute of limitations the time before which a case can be filed extends to the age of 18 for a child, and doctors may find themselves sued years later if there had been complications.
Although Republicans had claimed that the birthright order would apply to only those here illegally, the wording of the order, cleverly titled as Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship , restricts citizenship to only children of citizens or Green Cardholders.
This would exclude the children of hundreds of thousands of Indians on H1-B visas for professionals, L1 visas for intra-company transferees, and other visas including those for students and visiting academics.
That has set off a wave of panic causing some expectant Indian parents to explore early C-Sections, according to reports.
Trump s order, however, is being challenged by 22 states and two cities in federal courts.
The order runs counter to the legal interpretations of the Consitutions 14th Amendment that guarantees citizenship to all persons born in the US and further says, "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States .
However, it may take three to five years for the case to be finally resolved, according to the law firm of Reddy, Neumann, Brown which specialises in immigration matters.
The firm said that the babies may apply for dependent nonimmigrant status under their parent s visas and later pursue other avenues for permanent status or citizenship, like sponsorship by their parents when they become eligible for Green Cards.
'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.
Srinagar, Jan 11: Senior AIP leader and MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed on Sunday castigated Omar Abdullah led government regarding Estates Department’s proposal to construct residential flats on sericulture land at Rambagh, Srinagar. MLA Langate termed it a direct assault on a vital livelihood sector. "On one hand the government is investing substantial public funds for the revival and promotion of sericulture, while on the other hand the Estates Department is attempting to divert precious sericulture land along with vital infrastructure to construct luxury flats aimed at appeasing bureaucratic and political interests," MLA Langate said. He said such decisions undermine both policy intent and public trust. He said that sericulture land at Rambagh was a valuable public asset meant for productive, employment-generating purposes and should not be converted into concrete structures. “This land belongs to the people and to a sector that sustains livelihoods. Using it for luxury flats is unacceptable,” he said. He launched a scathing attack on the government and said the Estates Department was acting with political patronage to please politicians and bureaucrats. He said the department has completely failed to evolve a transparent and fair mechanism for allotment of government accommodation and instead resorts to land grabs under the garb of official housing. He warned that AIP will not allow any move that compromises sericulture infrastructure and public land. He urged the government to immediately scrap the proposal and stop sacrificing livelihoods and public assets for elite comfort, asserting that such governance reflects insensitivity and misplaced priorities.
No invitation, no information on party meet: MPs officeKS News Desk Ganderbal, Nov 27: On the day when the National Conference is holding its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Srinagar, its estranged Srinagar MP, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, is visiting Ganderbal to meet farmers.The MP is expected to interact with farmers today afternoon at Bunpora, Tulmulla, in the Ganderbal assembly segment, which is represented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.He is also expected to visit the family of a Kangan youth who died in the Red Fort blast in New Delhi.Ruhullah has been at odds with the National Conference over a gamut of issues including rationalization of reservation.The office of the MP said that he has neither been invited nor is he aware of any such meeting.The session is expected to discuss, among other matters, the partys defeat in the Budgam by-poll.The MP had stayed away from campaigning for the party in the Budgam assembly segment -a move many believe contributed to NCs loss there. (KNO)
Rallies support for Aga Syed Muntazir MehdiKS News Desk Budgam, Oct 26: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today launched a blistering attack on the National Conference (NC) leadership during a workers convention in Budgam, accusing them of betraying the very people who once trusted them with their votes.Addressing a massive gathering, Mehbooba Mufti extended her full support to Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, PDPs candidate from Budgam, calling him a sincere, grounded and people-centric leader who has stood by his community in times of crisis.Coming down heavily on the Omar Abdullah-led government, Mehbooba said NCs rule brought nothing but misery and repression for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.During Omar Abdullahs tenure, thousands of our young boys were jailed, and ordinary people were pushed to the wall. Those who claimed to be the voice of the people turned their backs the moment they tasted power, she said.Recalling Omar Abdullahs previous victory from Budgam, the PDP President accused him of abandoning the constituency and betraying public trust.Budgam gave him a historic mandate, but he repaid it with silence and indifference. The people who voted for him in hope were left disillusioned and unheard, she remarked.Mehbooba Mufti said Budgam, a politically significant district, had been used as a ladder by NC to climb to power but never prioritized when it came to governance or development.For years, Budgam has been treated like a political outpost by those who only remember it during elections. The time has come to choose leadership that truly belongs to the people, she asserted.She appealed to the people of Budgam to unite behind Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi and the PDPs vision of dignity, justice, and accountable leadership."PDP stands firm with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their fight for rights and dignity. Real change will come only when power returns to those who feel the pain of the people, she added.