Jammu, Feb 16: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday emphasized that uplifting marginalized communities like Gujjar-Bakerwal was not an act of favour but a fundamental duty of his government.
The Chief Minister said that despite the limitations in ministerial appointments after last year s elections, he ensured representation for the Gujjar community by appointing Javed Ahmed Rana as a minister in his cabinet.
Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, who also addressed the event, was in attendance. Minister Satish Sharma, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Patron Chief GDCT Abdul Hamid Choudhary and Chairman GDCT Arshid Ali Choudhary also spoke at the event.
After the election, we had to think about the cabinet ministers. However, there was very little scope. I requested Javed Rana to join the cabinet. Not only would he serve Jammu and Kashmir, but he will also be responsible for representing the community, being your voice, and addressing all your issues, the Chief Minister stated at a felicitation ceremony held by Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust in his honor following his election as Chief Minister of J&K.
Omar Abdullah further stated that by inducting Javed Rana into the cabinet, he aimed to ensure that the Gujjar community s concerns were heard and addressed within the government.
On the demand for a Tribal University, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that with the dedication of the trust and its people, this vision would become a reality soon.
You should prepare a project. You should prepare a plan. I will sit with your trust when your plan is ready we will definitely do our part, he assured.
Reflecting on his previous visit to Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT) as Chief Minister, he acknowledged the changes over time some positive, some challenging.
After a long time, I have again had the opportunity to attend a function of Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust. If my recollection is correct, perhaps when I came here for the last time, I was a Chief Minister. A lot has changed since then he said.
Paying tribute to Dr. Masood A. Choudhary, the visionary founder of GDCT, the Chief Minister praised his legacy and contributions.
But unfortunately, the person who planted this seed, whose dream was Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, who laid its foundation, is no longer with us. If I begin my speech without remembering Dr. Masood A. Choudhary, it would be an injustice, he remarked.
The Chief Minister also expressed his emotional connection to the trust, recalling the close relationship his grandmother, Madr-e-Meharban, had with it.
I want this trust to grow stronger. My grandmother had a deep bond with it. Though she is no longer with us, her name is etched here. You have honored her memory by dedicating a library in her name. I consider it my responsibility to ensure that wherever possible, the government supports this trust in fulfilling its mission, he said.
Assuring continued government support, Omar Abdullah pledged: I assure you that on my behalf, on behalf of all ministers, advisor, and the government wherever you need assistance, you will always find us standing with you.
Later, Chief Minister also visited the library block established by GDCT for research on the Gujjar-Bakkerwal community.
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmirâs 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). âAbout a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,â 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.âIf we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,â he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeebâs research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. âIn this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,â he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. âIt is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,â 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,â 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. âMy parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,â he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. âJust as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.â âYoung people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,â he further added.
Srinagar, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will declare the result of class 10th and 12th examination on January 14 of, 2026 (Wednesday), minister for education Sakina Itoo said on Monday. Minister for education Sakina Itoo said the government has decided to declare the result of both the classes-10th and 12th on the same day. "We understand that students have been waiting for the results. So we decided that result of both the classes will be declared on Wednesday (January 16 of 2926)," Sakina Itoo said. She said the meeting of the Result Declaration Committee (RDC) will be convened by the Secretary JKBOE along with the members-Director School Education (DSE) Kashmir and Jammu division besides the joint secretaries as well. "We will give the administrative approval to the result instead of getting approved by the chairman," she said. The announcement comes amid the delay in appointment of chairman JKBOSE as the position is lying vacant for the last one year. "After declaration of the results, we will also appoint the permanent chairman for JKBOSE as well," education minister said. An official from JKBOSE said the class 1oth result will be declared on Wednesday morning followed by the declaration of result of class 12th students in late afternoon on the same day. As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year. Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively. Approximately, 81622 students â 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 studentsâ56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.
'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.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. âHundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,â said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the facultyâs demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. âWe are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,â he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. âThe irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,â he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for âequal work, equal payâ gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. âPromises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,â he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. âThis issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,â he said.
Calls for strong academic ecosystem Srinagar, March 6: President of the Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK), Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam Friday extended his heartfelt congratulations to the 17 candidates from J&K and Ladakh who successfully cleared the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination. He termed the achievement as a moment of immense pride for the region and a powerful inspiration for the youth. He said that success of these candidates reflect the immense talent, determination, and intellectual potential present among the students of the region. Nazrul Islam Baba emphasised that educational institutions must work collectively to create a robust academic ecosystem that encourages students to aspire for and excel in national-level competitive examinations like the IAS. He stressed that schools should nurture curiosity, discipline, analytical thinking, and leadership qualities from the early stages of education. âSuch remarkable achievements demonstrate that our youth possess the capability to compete at the highest national platforms," he said. He said a supportive academic environment, mentorship, and access to quality resources need to be kept available so that more students from J&K and Ladakh can prepare for and succeed in prestigious examinations. PSAJK President further highlighted the need to develop benchmark institutions and academic support systems in the region that can guide and mentor students aspiring for civil services and other competitive examinations. "Creating a culture of excellence and competition within educational institutions will help channelize the talent of the youth towards nation-building roles," he said. He urged educators, parents, and policymakers to work in synergy to foster an environment where students feel motivated to pursue ambitious goals and contribute meaningfully to society. âEvery success story from our region becomes a beacon of hope for thousands of young minds. These achievers have shown that with perseverance, dedication, and proper guidance, no dream is beyond reach. Their journey should inspire our students to believe in their abilities and strive for excellence,â he added. PSAJK expressed hope that this achievement will ignite a new wave of aspiration among students across schools in J&K and Ladakh, motivating them to prepare for the countryâs most competitive examinations and play a vital role in shaping the future of the nation.
Accused taken into custody: CMâs adviser says he attempted to kill Farooq Abdullah; Dy CM calls it âmajorâ security lapse Jammu, Mar 11: Panic broke out during a wedding function near Royal Park in the Greater Kailash area of Jammu on Wednesday after a man opened fire, officials said. The function was attended by National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and several political leaders. An official said that the man, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, was intoxicated when he opened the fire. He was soon overpowered by people present at the scene and handed over to the police. He said that no one has suffered injuries in the incident, while the man has been taken into custody with further probe into the incident underway. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministerâs Adviser Nasir Aslam Wani told reporters that the man attempted to kill Farooq Abdullah by opening fire from his revolver. "Almighty saved Farooq Sahab and no one was injured in the incident. The man has been taken into custody and it is too early to comment as to why he attempted to kill Farooq Sahab,â he said. He added that the police are investigating the matter, while Farooq Abdullah is unhurt and is in âgood spiritsâ. Meanwhile, talking to reporters outside the wedding venue, the Deputy Chief Minister termed it as a major security lapse, saying that no police personnel or security official was present there at the time of the incident. (KNO)
Jammu, Mar 8: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress protested against the LPG price hike here on Sunday, saying this "anti-poor" decision by the government will add to the financial burden on the common man. Led by PCC president Tariq Hamid Karra and working president Raman Bhalla, the protesters also criticised the Indo-US trade deal, alleging that it will adversely impact the country's economy, according to a party spokesperson. The protesters gathered in Model Town, Digiana, near here, raised slogans against the ruling BJP and criticised what they described as the government's "surrender" in the Indo-US trade negotiations. The price of domestic cooking gas LPG was hiked on Saturday by a steep Rs 60 per cylinder, the second increase in less than a year, as the spike in global energy rates following the West Asia crisis weighed on the world's third largest energy consumer. Non-subsidised LPG -- the one that common households use in kitchens -- will now cost Rs 913 per 14.2 kg cylinder in Delhi as against Rs 853 previously, according to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) website. The protesters said the continued rise in the prices of essential commodities, particularly cooking gas, has added to the financial burden on ordinary households. Addressing the protesters, Karra termed the LPG price hike "cruel". Many rural households still do not have access to piped gas supply and rely entirely on LPG cylinders. This will force them to plan their monthly budgets more carefully, he said. He demanded an immediate rollback of the price hike. The Congress leader described the Indo-US trade deal as a "major blow" to the country's economic interests. Instead of safeguarding the nation's economic and strategic priorities, the Centre "bowed to pressure" from the United States, he charged. He also expressed concern over the possible implications of the trade deal on India's agriculture and dairy sectors, and claimed that orchardists and dairy farmers in Jammu and Kashmir will be severely affected if safeguards are not put in place. "Our apple growers, walnut producers and small dairy farmers could face serious challenges if cheap imports enter the market without minimum support guarantees," Karra said. He demanded that the government present a white paper on the trade deal in Parliament. PCC working president Bhalla also strongly condemned the "unprecedented" hike in LPG prices and said poor and middle-class families will be badly affected by this decision of the Union government. He called for an LPG relief package for families belonging to the BPL (below poverty line) category, along with a special subsidy buffer for Jammu and Kashmir, citing the higher transportation and logistics costs in hilly regions. (PTI)
Jammu, Mar 8: Six spa and massage centres were closed here for violating regulatory norms and notices issued to their owners, officials said on Sunday. The action came after a comprehensive inspection drive ordered by District Magistrate Jammu, Rakesh Minhas, to regulate the functioning of such centres. During the day-long drive on Saturday, dedicated inspection teams under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioners Ansuya Jamwal and Vidhu Shekhar inspected a number of spa and massage centres across the district, some of which were found to be in violation of the directions stipulated under the order, the officials said. The establishments served notices are K Crystal Spa, Evergreen Thai Therapy Centre, Touch of Magic, The Bubble Spa, the Golden Thai Unisex Spa and Health Ayurveda Spa and Salon. The violations observed across the inspected establishments included, among others lack of mandatory undertaking, absence of display board and site plan; provision of cross-gender services; presence of door locks inside private cabins, non-production of identity cards by staff, unaccounted payment of employee salaries, non-maintenance of client registers and malfunctioning CCTV cameras, the officials said. They said notices have been issued to the defaulting establishments and further police and legal action shall be taken against the owners, managers and employees under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as applicable. The district magistrate said the administration maintains zero tolerance towards the misuse of commercial establishments for âunlawful and immoralâ purposes. All spa and massage centres operating within Jammu district are directed to ensure strict compliance with the regulatory framework, failing which they shall face immediate closure and prosecution under the relevant provisions of law, Minhas said.