28/04/2025
K B Jandial
The past 35 years’ Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has experienced a series of horrifying terrorist attacks—targeting every section of the population including Kashmiri Pandits, local Muslims, journalists, civil servants, JKP personnel, security forces, political figures, and pilgrims. However, the 22/4 terrorist strike at Baisaran, Pahalgam marked a chilling departure from past gory incidents. This attack was not just exceptionally brutal but bore a d...
21/04/2025
Asad Mirza
Last week, a Supreme Court bench’s observation on the use of Urdu, has once again opened a pandora’s box, on the treatment meted out to Urdu – a language of connoisseurs, but which has been appended to the Muslim community. As in the past, this time too, nothing worthwhile would come out of this development, as Urdu has been relegated to its current status by the Urdu lovers only.
A Supreme Court bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice K Vinod Chandran while hea...
11/04/2025
Tawheed Sheikh
It is painful beyond words to witness the ongoing suffering of women in our society.A deep and widespread pain surrounds many as they carry heavy burdens in their hearts,often without sharing, often without anyone noticing.Their pain is silent, their struggles invisible, yet the weight is crushing.
Yesterday,we were shaken by a heartbreaking incident in Ganderbal : a woman,overwhelmed and broken jumped into a water canal with her son and daughter.Fortunately,all th...
07/04/2025
Asad Mirza
Opponents of US President Donald Trump and his adviser, billionaire Elon Musk, staged rallies across the United States, over the weekend, to protest against the administration’s actions to overhaul the government and expand presidential authority. Reportedly, more than 1,200 “Hands Off” rallies were held on Aorul 5, with organisers anticipating the largest single-day mobilisation opposing the administration’s recent initiatives.
Tens of thousands of anti-Trump demonstra...
29/03/2025
By Satish Mahaldar
Navreh, the Kashmiri Pandit New Year, is a festival that holds deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance. While it marks the beginning of the lunar year, its implications go beyond the mere passage of time. Rooted in ancient texts such as the Nilmat Purana and the Kashmir Mahatmya, Navreh is a celebration that resonates with themes of cosmic renewal, agricultural cycles, divine intervention, and spiritual reflection. This research aims to provide an i...
24/03/2025
Fatima Baloch and Dr K N Pandita
Pakistan was established in 1947 through the partition of India by the British, rather than through a prolonged independence struggle marked by significant sacrifices against colonial rule. As a result, the country initially mishandled Balochistan, forcefully occupying it against the will of the Baloch people on March 27, 1948. Furthermore, Pakistan has struggled to function as a cohesive nation, comprising diverse ethnic groups such as Bengalis, Punjabis...
13/03/2025
By Sanjay K. Tickoo
The tragic history of the Kashmiri Pandits is a wound that has refused to heal, a deep scar on the conscience of the nation. Even decades after the cataclysmic events of 1990, justice remains elusive, and the voices of the exiled continue to echo in the void of political apathy. Among the many blood-stained pages of this history, one date stands out as the first cry of an impending genocide—14.03.1989. On this day, Smt. Prabhawati became the first recorded victim o...
10/03/2025
Asad Mirza
As if the tariff war against almost the whole world, leading among them China, Mexico, Canada, and India, hots up, it portrays the leading hero, Trump in this case, frothing at the mouth and cursing and cussing everyone, if he does not get what he wants, and shows a completely new and unacceptable face of the American democracy and diplomacy.
Accusations and counter accusations are flying around but the optics are definitely working against Donald Trump. If only he ha...
07/03/2025
Sindhiya Gupta
On International Women’s Day, it is essential to recognize and empower the women of Jammu and Kashmir, whose resilience, talent, and determination can significantly contribute to nation-building. Despite facing historical challenges, women in the region continue to break barriers and emerge as leaders in various fields. Their participation in economic development, governance, social reforms, and technological advancements can be a driving force in shaping a progressive a...
14/02/2025
By Dr K N Pandita
Songs of Vitasta, I Sing, authored by Dr Chandra Kanta Kantroo, pp 130, hard bound, first edition 2025, ISBN 978-81- 9849 – 6-3, published by Intech Printers and Publishers, Karnal, Price INR 490-
Chandra Kanta Kantroo, a versatile scholar of English literature, has rendered life-long service to teaching and research at the highest academic levels. Her book, not voluminous but exhaustive, remains a milestone in the path of transition from the classical model to co...
18/01/2025
By Farooq Ganderbali
Kashmir, a land renowned for its beauty and cultural heritage, has long been associated with a material that has captured the world’s imagination – pashmina. Often referred to as "soft gold," pashmina wool is a symbol of luxury, refinement, and the rich craftsmanship of Kashmir. While the history of pashmina can be traced back to ancient times, it was during the 15th century, under the reign of Zain Ul Abadin, that the industry truly began to thrive, and its fame sp...
06/01/2025
Asad Mirza
The recent seemingly eccentric and uncalled for comments by X’s owner Elon Musk against global leaders and governments, has once again brought the issue of setting the limits for Freedom of Expression, as per the democratic and decency norms of the society, not as dictated by an individual.
As if the new American President-elect, Donald Trump was not enough to handle for the world, now the world also has the tech czar Elon Musk, to deal with.
Musk, who seems to have been...
30/12/2024
Asad Mirza
As per an adage, “You reap, what you sow”. This has been proven right in the context of recent escalation of violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan. For decades, Pakistan nurtured the Taliban for strategic reasons. So, what are the reasons behind this increased tension between two neighbours, threatening tenuous peace in the region.
The once honky-dory relationship between Pakistani military and its protégé, the Taliban in Afghanistan has gone sour. After Taliban’s retur...
16/12/2024
Asad Mirza
The fall of Assad-regime has given birth to antagonisms amongst its earlier allies like Iran, Turkey, and Russia. On the other hand, the leverage gained by Israel, ostensibly on American support, does not augur well for the region.
The striking developments in Syria over the past 13 days leading to the rapid fall of the Assad regime have transfixed the world. Thousands are already trying to make their way back to Syria after years in exile. It turns out the answer to the...