Opinion

The Syrian Saga Unfolds

13/12/2024
Asad Mirza The dramatic toppling of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime at the hands of rebel forces this weekend could have far-reaching consequences for Syria, global and regional powers, and alliances. It also may prove to be a replay of earlier events in Iraq courtesy the western powers. Over the past fortnight, rebel forces led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) carried out a lightning-fast offensive across Syria, seizing key cities along the way. The faction...

Education employment accessibility & political rights key requirements for empowerment of disability Sector

03/12/2024
Javed Ahmad Tak Today is World Disability Day. The theme for this year’s World Disability Day is "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future." The theme defines & guarantees the role of Society and Government in a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also highlights the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes and in development of the Nations. The yearly observance of ...

Lebanon Ceasefire and the Future of Hezbollah

02/12/2024
Asad Mirza The ceasefir in Lebanon apart from giving respite to the beleaguered Lebanese, will also be a litmus test for the Hezbollah on whether it can continue to flourish as a political and militant outfit in Lebanon or not. It would not be wrong to say that the whole of the world and the Middle East and in particular Lebanon took a cautious sigh of relief as the fragile ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, was announced last week. The main concern however was whether thi...

A Guide to Cyber Security Awareness for Students

21/11/2024
Umesh Sharma Cyber Security awareness is critically important among students as they are frequent users of digital technologies, yet often lack the knowledge or experience to recognize the risks they face online. With increasing amounts of personal and academic data being stored and shared online, students are prime targets for cyber criminals who exploit vulnerabilities such as weak passwords, unsecured networks, and social engineering tactics like phishing. As students, understand...

Trump 2.0 and its impact on the Muslim World

11/11/2024
Asad Mirza Donald Trump’s re-entry in the White House is seen with a bated breath all over the world, especially the Muslim nations across the globe, as the world waits to see in which manner his current presidency will run. Will it be “America First” like the previous one or a rather tolerant one while dealing with the Muslim nations in particular. Donald Trump has reclaimed the US presidency after a four-year absence, becoming the 47th American president and signalling a return to...

Internally Displaced Kashmiri Pandits Submits Memorandum to National Human Rights Commission

28/10/2024
Internally Displaced Kashmiri Pandits Submits Memorandum to National Human Rights Commission at Sanjeevani Sharada Kendra, Anand Nagar, Jammu On 22 October 2024 Hindsight A community with more than five thousand years of recorded history needs to be dealt with socio-historical acumen especially when it had raised a kingdom whose boundaries touched upon the present State of Afghanistan to the west, Kirgizstan to the north, Tibet to the north-east and the banks of River Sutlej to the sou...

What should pregnant women pay special attention to on Diwali

23/10/2024
Dr. Chanchal Sharma The festival of Diwali is celebrated with great pomp in almost all parts of India. On this day, everyone lights diyas in their homes, makes rangoli and worships Lakshmi-Ganesh. People start cleaning work about 1 month before Diwali. Diwali is also called the festival of lights because on this day everyone's house is lit up. To ensure that your joy is not affected, on the occasion of Diwali, Asha Ayurveda Director and Fertility Specialist Dr. Chanchal Sharma has gi...

IAS officer Khursheed Ahmad Malik retired dies with a huge legacy behind

23/10/2024
By Javed Ahmad Tak Khurshid Ahmad Malik, an IAS officer Who died at the age of 77 had been facing spinal cord injury, hence was wheelchair user for 38 years. Khursheed Ahmad Malik - torch bearer of disability Sector was born in Malik family of Sarai Payeen Amirakadal Srinagar in 1948 and brought up by his parents Ghulam Hassan Malik & Hajira Begum. Biscoe Boy completed his higher secondary education from World famous Tyndale Biscoe Higher Secondary School lal chowk Sri...

Arab Nations May Change Stance on Iran

21/10/2024
Asad Mirza As the threat of a direct conflict between Israel and Iran grows, several Gulf countries are reportedly working actively to prevent potential Israeli attacks on Iran’s oil facilities. According to reports, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, are lobbying Washington to stop Israel from attacking Iran’s oil sites. They have also reportedly refused to allow Israel to fly over their airspace for any attack on Iran. The war in Palestine has surpassed the one-year mark. At one en...

People of Jammu and Kashmir observe October 22nd as Black Day

20/10/2024
By Farooq Ganderbali Every year on October 22, the people of Jammu and Kashmir observe Black Day in remembrance of the tribal invasion supported by the Pakistani Army in 1947. This day marks the beginning of a brutal attack that resulted in the massacre of hundreds and a reign of terror against the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, violating the region’s sovereignty. The October 22, 1947 attack on Jammu and Kashmir led to the killing of innocent people, the rape of women, and the destru...

Will Israel attack Iran?

14/10/2024
Asad Mirza Just a week before the first anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel, Israel was rattled by a barrage of missiles fired by Iran. This came in retaliation of the Israeli assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and a key ally of Tehran. Israel vowed to attack Iran brutally but even a fortnight after the Iranian attack, there are no signs of any Israeli retaliation. Meanwhile, the world wonders apprehensively, what is holding Israel fro...

Human Dimension and Greed Angle of the ME Conflict

07/10/2024
Asad Mirza The past one year has shown once again that the global community is least bothered by the human dimension, i.e. the loss of human lives of any military conflict. Further the greed to earn huge profits by arms industry is also overlooked, as it supports the economy of many of these countries. October 7, 2024 marks one year of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank. Meanwhile, during the last one year, many other nations like the regional power Ir...

If you eat dry fruits on an empty stomach every day,then you should know this

04/10/2024
Dr.Chanchal Sharma Often people feel that eating dry fruits is beneficial for their health, so eat it in whatever amount it is good for health. But the truth is that eating dry fruits in large quantities can have a negative effect on your stomach. When you hear the name of dry fruits, various types of nuts come to mind, including cashews, raisins, almonds, walnuts, raisins, makhana, pistachios, figs, etc. You will be surprised to know that these small fruits have many qualities in the...

The Crisis of Leadership in Kashmir:A Legacy of Broken Trust and Compromises

29/09/2024
The Crisis of Leadership in Kashmir: A Legacy of Broken Trust and Compromises Er. Shahzada Athar Ishaq Shah shahather98@gmail.com Kashmir, a region with a long and tumultuous history, has been shaped by leaders who have repeatedly compromised the aspirations of its people. The National Conference (NC) under Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed have both played major roles in this. These parties have let down the people of Kashmir...

PM Modi’s QUAD Outreach

23/09/2024
Asad Mirza The latest Quad Summit is largely seen as an effort by the US Joe Biden to leave a lasting legacy. Though PM Modi ticked all boxes, yet nothing substantial for India was gained at the summit, apart from the optics. PM Modi along with President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended the Quad Summit at President Biden’s hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, 100 miles north of capital, Washington DC, last weekend...

Tribute to Shri H.N. Jattu :A Prominent Kashmiri Pandit leader

22/09/2024
By Rajinder Premi Some are born with God given extra- ordinary abilities, creative acumen and talent who buy virtue of such sublime qualities give the world a new direction. These people look and behave as ordinary citizens but their intellect and sensibilities make them towering, to carve out a niche for themselves and make an everlasting impact, thus leaving behind a great legacy. Mr. H.N Jattu was one such legendary soul. Sri Jattu was a born Kashmiri pandit leader, who lived...

Climate Change to Affect the Poor More

16/09/2024
Asad Mirza International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) latest report reveals that half of the global population lacks social protection, exacerbating vulnerabilities amid the escalating climate crisis. Over 90% of individuals in climate-vulnerable countries are without any safety net, highlighting a critical gap in support for those most affected by environmental changes. The ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal social protection for climate action and a just tran...

Build Bridges Like Tunnel of Fraternity: Pope

09/09/2024
Asad Mirza Pope Francis arrived in Muslim-majority Indonesia on Tuesday, kicking off a four-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific, the longest and farthest of the 87-year-old’s papacy. The head of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics touched down in the capital, Jakarta, for a three-day visit devoted to inter-religious ties, Indonesia onwards, he travels to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore. In Jakarta, Pope visited the city’s famed Istiqlal Mosque, where he and Muslim lead...

Footprints of Hindutva in Kashmir

06/09/2024
Name of Book: Footprints of Hidutva in Kashmir by M Saleem Pandit M Saleem Pandit's "Footprints of Hindutva in Kashmir" is a compelling exploration of the ideological and political forces that have shaped the turbulent history of Kashmir, with a particular focus on the role of Hindutva in its integration into India. The book delves into the complex intersection of history, politics, and religious nationalism, providing readers with a detailed narrative on how the Rashtriya Swayamsevak ...

Increasing Fear of Islam

02/09/2024
Asad Mirza A recent statement by the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch has stirred a big debate in Sweden. She said that Muslims in Sweden must adapt to Swedish values or leave the country. Her statements have raised questions about cultural integration, religious freedom, and immigration policies, in Sweden and elsewhere. Busch's comments came after a celebration by Hamas supporters in Sweden. The event sparked discussions on how different cultures can coexist in Sweden. Mo...

Modi as a Peace Negotiator

26/08/2024
Asad Mirza India took a significant diplomatic initiative led by PM Narendra Modi personally, when he offered New Delhi’s assistance at the highest level to help resolve the two-and-a-half years old on-going conflict between Russia and Ukraine, during his recent visit to Ukraine. Last week on Wednesday 21 August, 2024, PM Modi embarked on a significantly historic two-nation visit to Poland and Ukraine. The Prime Minister first landed in Poland, on August 21 and then he headed ...

Adopt these habits in pregnancy for normal delivery

22/08/2024
Dr. Chanchal Sharma The speed at which people's lives are changing in the modern race can sometimes be harmful. In such a situation, you can take care of your and your family's health by adopting home remedies. The best thing about them is that they do not have any side effects and if we talk about reports, ignoring some habits during pregnancy can lead to your delivery going from normal to cesarean. While earlier most pregnant women used to give birth to children through normal delive...

If you eat this, you will not need to diet to lose weight after pregnancy

13/08/2024
By Dr. Chanchal Sharma Every woman gains weight during pregnancy, but it is not possible for everyone to reduce the increased weight after delivery along with the responsibility of the child. Therefore, many women become very worried about their obesity after pregnancy. When a woman becomes a mother, along with responsibilities, there are many changes in her body, which also includes hormonal changes. In such a situation, losing weight becomes a challenge. For women who exercise regu...

UK Riots: Islamophobia and Misinformation main villains

12/08/2024
Asad Mirza The recent riots in the UK have made one thing clear that the far-right is on the increase in Europe and elsewhere too, including India. Further in its vilifying campaigns its in now-a-days heled by the rising social media, and the time has come to reign-in the social media’s negative use. Recent riots across several U.K. towns and cities following the killing of three children, Alice Aguiar (9), Bebe King (6) and Elsie Stancombe (7) and the injury of several others ...

Plans to Amend the Waqf Act

08/08/2024
Asad Mirza The government’s alleged plans to amend the Waqf Act 1995 has come under severe criticism both by the secular parties and Muslim organisations. But it also highlights the fact that the so-called Muslim leaders themselves are not ready to set their own house right. Taking advantage of reported irregularities in many state’s Waqf Boards, the government it seems has taken this step to show these leaders their place in the country’s politics, after giving them a tight slap on ...

Bank Frauds through Cyber Crimes

29/07/2024
By Er. P. L. Khushu Digitalization and its proactive approach like linking of credit / debit cards with one’s bank accounts thorough the mobile phones to ensure hassle free payments as per the financial policies of the government of the day, is now proving disastrous and suicidal for the public at large. Though it is widely being claime...

Vitamin D deficiency can become an obstacle in family planning

24/07/2024
Dr. Chanchal Sharma You all must be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of vitamin D. The most famous harmful effects of vitamin D deficiency on your body is weakening of bones. But you will be surprised to know that vitamin D deficiency can also shatter your dream of becoming a mother. Nowadays, the kind of lifestyle we are living, people are less exposed to direct sunlight. In such a situation, you are deprived of the natural source of vitamin D and there is a deficiency of vitam...

Demystifying Indian Madrasah and Deobandi Islam

13/07/2024
Book: Demystifying Indian Madrasah and Deobandi Islam Author: Asad Mirza Publisher: Vitasta Publications, N Delhi Pages: 280 ISBN: 978-81-19670-76-5 Price: INR 595 Deobandi thought in India has been influenced by the Indian ethos and culture, imbibing it with accepting diversity in plurality, and yet maintaining the pristine form of Islam. Thus, due to its Indian ethos, it has gone not in favour of extreme ideologies and syncretism. And the manner in which it has grown over the years ...

Democracy asks for a wakeful electorate

13/07/2024
K N Pandita India’s tryst with democracy tells us that democracy is likely to be abused rather than gainfully used when left to the voters who are maximally unaware of its pre-requisites. One significant discrepancy of democracy for a multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-cultural society like that of India is of elected members focusing on regional issues even at the cost of broad national interests. When the new parliament met for the first time after elections, it was primarily ...

Feminism, Machoism or Equalism

16/06/2024
By Mrinal Wokhloo It is believed that wife is Ardhangini i.e. half of man. Man is only half not complete until he marries. Wife is not Grihapatni but also Dharampatni. In the Ramayana the wife is said to be the very soul of her husband. Marriage is a sacred and cherished institution in a Kashmiri Pandit culture, and it is accompanied by a multitude of customs and rituals that vary across different regions of India. Saptapadi, also known as the "Rite of the Seven Steps" in Kashmir is a...