INDIA
Kashmir faces extreme heatwave, air coolers sell like hot cakes
Kashmir is grappling with record temperatures, driving demand for affordable air coolers. Climate change, urbanization, and environmental degradation threaten the region’s economy, water resources, and agriculture
POLITICS
Pahalgam terror attack leaves Kashmiris in a bind, loans to repay and a tourist season blown away
Those who took loans or sold personal assets like jewellery and land to invest in the industry now face dire uncertainty. Hoteliers, Shikara riders, and vendors, once symbols of economic stability, may grapple with dwindling visitors and mounting debts as the violence shatters the narrative of normalcy promoted by the government
INDIA
Back-to-back dry winters threaten Kashmir’s apple harvest
It's climate change, not a hostile global trade environment, which represents the gravest threat to Indian agro-products. Consecutive dry winters in Kashmir have severely impacted high-density apple orchards, threatening the region’s economy. Water scarcity, due to declining rainfall and snow, risks an economic crisis for apple growers dependent on reliable irrigation
POLITICS
Half-a-CM: Trials and tribulations of Omar Abdullah
Omar Abdullah’s tenure as Jammu & Kashmir’s CM has seen limited progress, with key issues like statehood restoration, liquor bans, and reservation policies unresolved. His leadership is increasingly questioned amid growing frustration over the region’s diminished autonomy
POLITICS
J&K’s Omar Abdullah finds his hands are tied
Legal changes in J&K have empowered the Lieutenant Governor at the expense of the elected Chief Minister. The power hierarchy is at odds with public accountability as the elected government is the one which has to deal with people’s expectations. It puts the National Conference government in a tight spot
INDIA
What is plaguing Kashmir’s saffron industry?
Kashmir's saffron industry is struggling with reduced production, shrinking land, and increasing porcupine infestations. Despite government initiatives, traditional farming challenges, climate change, and rodent damage threaten the livelihoods of thousands, casting a grim future for the region's prized ‘red gold.’
INDIA
Climate change poses severe threat to Kashmir’s cash crops
Kashmir's saffron and apple industries are severely impacted by climate change, with rainfall deficits and rising temperatures affecting crop yields and quality. The loss in the region is estimated in billions of rupees
POLITICS
What's behind worrying surge in terror attacks in Kashmir: 'Attempt by Pak deep state to ...'
Nine people—including seven non-local labourers, an Army soldier, and a doctor—were killed in three separate terror attacks in Kashmir in October, signalling a resurgence of violence.
INDIA
Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi: Meet the face behind NC’s success in J&K elections
According to political analysts, the NC’s strong sentimental vote base in the Assembly elections largely centred around Mehdi’s consistent stance on Article 370
INDIA
Why J&K rejected jailed candidates, ex-militants and separatists: 'We couldn't win because ...'
In a three-phase assembly election in J&K, five former militants, four jailed separatist leaders, and ten candidates from the banned Jamaat-e-Islami faced humiliating defeats.
INDIA
7 big takeaways from J&K assembly election results
The alliance between the J&K National Conference and Congress is poised to form the government, with Omar Abdullah taking on the role of Chief Minister for the first time in the Union Territory.
INDIA
From Engineer Rashid to 'Freedom Chacha': Ex-militants, separatists go maintream in Jammu and Kashmir
Five former militants, four jailed separatist leaders, and ten candidates from the banned Jamaat-e-Islami outfit contested the three-phase J&K elections.
POLITICS
Why banned Jamaat-e-Islami made a comeback in J&K elections after 37 years
INDIA
Srinagar sees lowest voter turnout: 4 possible factors behind disengagement
Residents of Srinagar, J&K’s summer capital, opted to maintain the status quo by staying away from the polling booths.
ASSEMBLY-ELECTION
J&K government formation may come down to post-poll jockeying
Jammu is where BJP formidable while Congress-NC alliance has a more even geographic footprint. Independents are the wild card in this election, which may not throw up a clear winner on counting day
INDIA
J&K assembly election is turning out to be a battle of proxies
Kashmir Valley is enthusiastic about the election. The political landscape has changed hugely since 2019, with the advent of many independent candidates, including former separatists. It’s catalysed speculation on whether many aspirants are fronts
TRENDS
Gautam Gambhir, Chris Gayle, Suresh Raina among legendary cricketers set to swing the bat in Kashmir Valley
Legends League Cricket 2024: Live cricket returns to Kashmir after 40 years, with players like Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Dinesh Karthik, Shikhar Dhawan and former international stars like Australian opener Aaron Finch, and New Zealand’s Ross Taylor.
TRENDS
Top 5 offbeat places to visit in Kashmir to cool off, miles away from heat and humidity
Must-visit Kashmir valleys: Most tourists headed to the J&K Valley end up visiting the popular spots like Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Dal Lake and Mughal Gardens. Yet, there are unseen gems that are way cooler, with pristine rivers, mountains and forests to explore. Here, we list five
INDIA
Tourist deluge sparks homestay boom in Kashmir, boosting rural tourism and employment
The homestay industry in J&K has seen massive growth with more than 1,485 homestays registered across J&K, offering more than 13,000 rooms for tourists.
LIFESTYLE
Marriages Made In Heaven: Why Kashmir can become the next big, fat wedding destination
Apart from the weather, Kashmir’s ample natural beauty — its blooming meadows, dense forests, crystal-clear lakes, and snow-capped mountains — has made it a popular wedding destination.
INDIA
Padma Shri a shot in the arm for the dying craft, says Kashmir’s award-winning woodcarving craftsman
Calling for government support, Ghulam Nabi Dar said there is a need to open woodcarving training centres to revive and sustain this traditional craft.
TRENDS
Kashmir architects resurrect 4 heritage techniques using local materials that are just right for the climate
Kashmiri building traditions: From Hammams with heated floors to wood wall-panelling and Khatamband ceilings made with local walnut wood laid in exquisite geometrical patterns, 4 techniques that are making a strong comeback - and with good reason.
INDIA
Snow and slowdown: Winter tourism, adventure sports in J&K hit
Tourist spots, especially those hosting winter-sport activities, are seeing trip cancellations and bookings. In fact, one snowboarding instructor told Moneycontrol that this winter season, he has not been able to work on a single day
TRENDS
75th Republic Day: Teen Rabab player, winner of PM Bal Puraskar, says he wants to revive Kashmiri folk music
Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar 2024: Kashmir’s youngest Rabab maestro, 13-year-old Ishfaq Hamid, who received the award on January 22, 2024, says he wants to revive traditional music.
