World Computer Literacy Day

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World Computer Literacy Day
Computer Literacy: A Key to Unlocking Opportunities in the Digital Age has ushered nothing short of digital revolution in world and made it a global village in true sense.
In today’s technology-driven world, computer literacy is an essential skill that can open doors to numerous opportunities. To promote digital literacy, especially among underprivileged communities, NIIT, an Indian computer company, established World Computer Literacy Day in 2001. This day is observed annually on December 2.
The primary objective of World Computer Literacy Day is to “drive digital literacy in underserved communities worldwide.” This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by enhancing technological skills, particularly among children and women in India.
Computer literacy offers numerous benefits, including:
– *Employment opportunities*: In today’s digital workplace, computer proficiency is a prerequisite for most jobs. Acquiring computer skills can significantly enhance job prospects and career advancement.
– *Effective communication*:
Computer literacy enables individuals to communicate efficiently through email, social media, and other online platforms.
– *Access to information*: Computers provide access to a vast array of information, including news, educational resources, and more.
In Jammu and Kashmir, there is a need to further promote computer literacy among the masses. By doing so, we can empower individuals to participate fully in the digital economy and improve their overall quality of life.
World Computer Literacy Day serves as a reminder of the importance of digital literacy in today’s world. By promoting computer education and skills, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Persons With Disabilities Crave for Better Future- Cover story 2 December 2024

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Persons with Disabilities crave for better future
News Kashmir Analysis
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a UN day that is celebrated every year on 3 December.
The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
This year’s theme, “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future,” underscores the importance of empowering individuals with disabilities to take the lead in shaping their own destinies and contributing to society.
Persons with Disabilities in Jammu and Kashmir too are facing multiple problems.
Although,
In a heartning development for persons with Disabilities in our country India , The Centre has issued recently  comprehensive guidelines to streamline reservation and identification of posts for persons with at least 40 percent disabilities, mandating periodic identification of such posts and formation of committees to assess them.
The guidelines also state that if a post is deemed suitable for them, all subsequent promotional posts will also be reserved for persons with disabilities.
As a matter of fact, Lacs of disable population in Jammu and Kashmir face huge number of multiple worrying problems. The lack of quality public transport makes disability people quite vulnerable,  and coupled with lack of infrastructure in important institutions like ramps adds to their miseries. The Schools catering to needs of the children of disability children in Jammu and Kashmir are very few. The job creation for disability humans in Jammu and Kashmir is also low.
We need to have an inclusive mindset, inclusive education, employement. Equality and equity both hand in hand for this place to be a better one. For disability facing children the availiability of the Early intervention centres, good developmental care, paediatric care and having rehabilitation centres. The infrastructure is not upto the mark.
We in Jammu and Kashmir,  and rest parts of the country should take pledge to have friendly infrastructure for the people facing Disabilities and provide them all possible assistance.

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Audit Diwas 2024 marked in Jammu and Kashmir

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Mega Audit Diwas 2024 Celebration at SKICC Srinagar by Principal Accountant General Jammu and Kashmir
News Kashmir Desk
On November 21, 2024
In a significant development ,the Jammu and Kashmir Principal Accountant General held in culmination of its Audit Week 2024 celebration a mega cultural programme and felicitations of Marathon winners , Rangoli winners and Media felicitations.
Blood donors the employees of PAG Jammu and Kashmir were also praised .
The programme saw great cultural programmes performed by the Employees of Principal Accountant General Jammu and Kashmir.
Pertinent to mention prominent singer Ishfaq Kawa lit up the atmosphere with vibrant musical performances.
The programmes performed by Principal Accountant General Jammu and Kashmir Employees garnered wide praise.
Principal Accountant General JPN Singh presided over function and  Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Nilofar Khan was present as Chief Guest.
15 Journalists were also felicitated on the occasion,  including the artists.
On the occasion, Principal Accountant General Jammu and Kashmir Shri JPN Singh vowed to carry on the awareness of different dimensions of audit.
Editor in Chief News Kashmir Farzana Mumtaz bagged Guest of Honour Award for her contributions towards Audit Journalism.
Rameez Makhdoomi bagged best Audit Journalist award. Waiqul Haq,  Editor Jehlum Mail was felicitated as Guest of Honour for his contributions.
Editor in Chief Kashmir Media Watch Ajaz Ahmad War , Bilal Bashir Bhat Editor in Chief Daily Srinagar Jang bagged award for their  contributions to accounting, audit  world writing and coverage  ,while as
Peerzadah Masrat, Editor Buzzbytes and eminent Urdu Journalist Khursheed Qureshi were also felicitated on the occasion for their contributions.

Winter Fires

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Winter fires
News Kashmir Analysis
Kashmir is known for having one of the harshest winters in world. The winter starts from Mid November and peaks from Mid December and lasts till March end. Sometime winter effects lasts till end May.
As a matter of fact, the fire incidents spiral almost out of control in Kashmir come winters. The basic reason is the careless use of electronic Gadgets by the masses that leads to the fire incidents rising in winters.
Just few days back, At least eight structures were damaged after fire erupted on Tuesday afternoon in a locality of Abhi Gurpora Rainawari of central Kashmir’s Srinagar district.
Officials had stated  that fire broke out in a house and soon engulfed other structures in the vicinity in Rainawari.
Fire incidents in Kashmir over the past few years is a matter of serious concern. The scores of deaths and loss of crores of property is a matter of serious concern.
Last month Kishtwar saw havoc fires garnering worldwide headlines.
major fire broke out in Mulwarwan village of Kishtwar in Jammu Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon. According to police, 68 houses were damaged by the fire.
Locals in Mulwarwan village of Kishtwar sought help after the fire destroyed their houses.
As a matter of fact, Houseboat fires are also a matter of serious concern.
Recently five houseboats were gutted in tragic fires.
Three tourists whre killed and eight others had to be rescued after the fire that broke out at a Houseboat on Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar district on Saturday, 11 November 2023, police had said .
That time ,
According to officials, three tourists from Bangladesh namely Anindaya Kowshal, Das Gupta, and Mohammad Moinud, who were staying in houseboat Safeena lost their lives in the devastating fire, they added.
The statistics over the years are worrying. to the Fire and Emergency Services, there were 2,342 fire incidents in the year 2021, including 341 fires in the month of December 2021, in which property worth Rs. 70 crore was damaged.  As per official figures, across Kashmir Division, the Fire & Emergency Department received 2242 fire calls from January to December 2021, during which 75 people lost their lives.
Kashmir valley witnessed a rise of over 30 per cent in the total number of fire incidents recorded in the year 2022 against the year 2020.
One hopes that masses will take all the steps during ongoing winters to safeguard themselves from fires that hurts interests of one and all.

Forest Cosmetics Potential

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Forest cosmetics potential
Cosmetics is an important industry of globe and an important sector in our country.
As a matter of fact,
Jammu and Kashmir is jewel of country and having lush green forests which are home to diverse flora and fauna. The growing tendency of developing cosmetics from forest wealth can be a good news for forest communities in our region .
Globally, we know that  the demand for natural cosmetic and beauty products is good news for forest communities. Growth in natural cosmetics industries is at almost 10 per cent per year. This is providing forest communities with livelihood opportunities and also spurred interest in sustainability.
The expert pulse is if one  is  interested in natural cosmetic products, ones that support local communities and don’t deplete our natural resources, you aren’t alone! During the last decade or so the extent of natural ingredients used by the cosmetics industry has increased.
In  order to tap into this market to raise the income of rural, forest communities worldwide, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the Non-Timber Forest Products – Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP) network examined some of the different, forest-derived beauty products, which have been used since antiquity in traditional practices and trade in various Asian and Pacific countries.
Since there was no comprehensive publication on beauty products based on forest products, although scattered information does exist, FAO and the NTFP-EP also published Naturally Beautiful: Cosmetic and Beauty Products from Forests, to bring attention to the role forests play in supplying beauty products and show how these products can provide livelihood options for forest communities.
We hope same potential would be explored and tapped in Jammu and Kashmir.

Stormy Jk Assembly Session

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Stormy JK Assembly Session
News Kashmir Analysis
The first session of historic Jammu and Kashmir Assembly 2024 was held in Srinagar from 4 November to 8 November, the 5 day session was no less than a political storm.
Noisy scenes, MLAs being Marshalled out, disturbances ,slogans all were witnessed during the session.
On First Day, Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha, in his address to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s first session on Monday (November 4, 2024), underscored the need for restoration of Statehood. On the other hand, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra’s move to bring a resolution, though against protocol, on revocation of Article 370 caused an uproar in the House.
While as THE Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Wednesday passed a resolution seeking a dialogue for “restoration of special status and constitutional guarantees” to the Union Territory and urging that “constitutional mechanisms” be worked out for the same. The resolution was passed by a voice vote, with all parties barring the BJP supporting it.
On Thursday 7 November,  2024 Chaotic scenes played out in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly early morning over the resolution seeking restoration of its special status under Article 370 of the Constitution. BJP MLAs clashed with the marshals after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather ordered that some of the protesting Opposition MLAs be removed from the House. A poster seeking restoration of Article 370 sparked another melee involving several MLAs, including J&K People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone.
The session was then adjourned.
It is worth mentioning here that Chaotic scenes were witnessed in J&K legislative assembly on the fifth and last working day with PDP, PC and AIP MLAs entering into a scuffle with BJP legislators.
Soon after the house convened friday morning, BJP legislators continued to make ruckus over the special status resolution passed by the assembly.
In his address, CM Omar Abdullah told the assembly that the words in the resolution were chosen carefully so that doors wouldn’t shut on them.
“We drafted this resolution carefully. What if we had brought a resolution that would have been rejected immediately? The PM and HM are now talking about our resolution. If it had no impact, they would have remained silent,”.
Also , Chief Minister Omar Abdullah opined After long time, I got opportunity to speak on L-G’s address; so much has changed, we lost a lot. He thanked LG Manoj Sinha for promising Statehood and hoped it would be fulfilled soon.
” I welcome investment in Jammu and Kashmir but we will not sell our crown Jewels,  observed Omar Abdullah.
The first session of historic Assembly was noisy, controversial and marred by bitterness which is hoped to be avoided in future.

World Kindness Day, 11 November 2024 edition editorial

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World Kindness Day
Kindness is the most important feature that is keeping this planet alive. It is pivotal  because it can have many positive effects on mental health and well-being, and can make the world a happier place.
 Kindness has positive impacts on the all important
Mental health as
Kindness can improve mood, increase self-esteem, and decrease stress. It can also help with loneliness, and improve relationships.
 Kindness also improves
Physical health
Kindness can lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and decrease the risk of illness.
All importantly,
 World Kindness Day is an international observance on 13 November. It was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of nations’ kindness NGOs. It is observed in many countries, including Canada, Australia, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. Singapore observed the day for the first time in 2009. Italy and India also observed the day. In the UK, it is fronted by David Jamilly, who co-founded Kindness Day UK with Louise Burfitt-Dons.
World Kindness Day is to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness for good which binds us. Kindness is a fundamental part of the human condition which bridges the divides of race, religion, politics, gender and location. Kindness Cards are also an ongoing activity which can either be passed on to recognize an act of kindness and or ask that an act of kindness be done. Approaches are being made to the United Nations by the peak global body, the World Kindness Movement, to have World Kindness Day officially recognized and its members unanimously sign a Declaration of Support for World Kindness.
We all need to take pledge on world kindness day 2024 to be more kind towards each other.

Digital Nikah: A Modern Twist on Tradition as Man Marries via Video Call

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Digital Nikah: A Modern Twist on Tradition as Man Marries via Video Call
Peerzada Masarat Shah
In a story that combines love, family obligations, and the impact of modern technology, an Indian man recently married over a video call after his employer denied him leave. Adnan Muhammad, currently based in Turkey, married his bride from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi through a “digital nikah” in a virtual ceremony that has gone viral.
The Unforeseen Circumstances
The decision to proceed with a virtual wedding wasn’t taken lightly. Adnan, who had been planning a traditional wedding back in India, found himself in a tough situation when his Turkish employer refused to grant him leave. Meanwhile, the bride’s ailing grandfather insisted that the wedding take place promptly, hoping to witness the ceremony despite his declining health.
A Marriage Across Screens
With no other options available, the families of both the bride and groom decided to go digital. Using video call technology, they connected across countries and coordinated a nikah that would otherwise have occurred in person. During the online ceremony, both Adnan and his bride affirmed their vows by repeating “qubool hai” (“I accept”) three times, in accordance with Islamic traditions. A qazi, or Islamic officiant, guided the couple and their families through the rituals, ensuring the sanctity of the marriage remained intact despite the virtual setup.
Technology Meets Tradition
In many ways, this wedding exemplifies how technology is reshaping our lives, even in deeply traditional matters like marriage. While remote weddings became common during the pandemic, Adnan’s story serves as a reminder that distance, work obligations, or unexpected situations don’t have to be barriers to fulfilling one’s commitments.
A Viral Moment
Social media quickly caught on to this unique wedding story, and it has since gone viral, sparking conversations about family, duty, and adaptability. Many have praised the families for their willingness to adapt, and the couple has become a symbol of love finding a way—even if that means celebrating the union virtually.
This “digital nikah” is yet another testament to how, with the right mindset, modern tools can keep love alive and allow for cherished traditions to endure.

Thar Havoc reflects Kashmir accidents tragedy, cover story 18 November, 2024 issue

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Thar Havoc reflects Kashmir accidents tragedy
News Kashmir Analysis
Mahindra Thar was first introduced in India in 2010. Named after the great Indian desert, the Thar gained popularity soon after its launch due to its dominating road presence.
But this famed vehicle became headline in the past week in Kashmir due to a road accident tragedy, probably due to high speed.
The place was Tengpora Srinagar and date was 14 November, 2024.
official said that the collision occurred in the afternoon, resulting in the on-the-spot deaths of two individuals and injuries to another.
The deceased have been identified as Hammad of Lal Bazar and Azeem of Sanat Nagar. The injured person has been identified as Mohammad Eissa Ganie of Nowshera.
Two others were injured. All of them were students .
Almost daily deaths of humans in tragic traffic accidents in Kashmir, and most of them being young reminds us of many undoing as society.
Reckless driving , minors driving ,license less driving , poor road quality have all coupled to give rise to these traffic disasters.
SSP Traffic Srinagar Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, while talking to News Kashmir observed that :” The onus lies on parents and society to get awared about following the right sense. How come parents are giving their vehicles to minors below age of 18 as it is crime. They should not give driving skills to the minors because once they do it children commit blunders.  This skill should be given at legal age. The youth should avoid rash driving. Society also needs to get awared about same especially following due rules and regulations. We as traffic department ate also accelerating our job and concerned by the recent tragic accident involving Thar resulting in unfortunate deaths of children. It is not humanely possible to check each and every vehicle in a city like Srinagar wherein lakhs of vehicles ply, all need to get awared and follow laws and regulations. “
As a matter of fact, in our country too road accident deaths are becoming matter of concern.
Over 1.7 lakh persons were killed in road accidents in 2023. That translates to an average of 474 lives lost every day or one death almost every three minutes, as per data shared by states with central govt. This is the highest number of people killed in a year since govt started collating road accident data at the national level to assess the extent of the problem and reasons behind crashes .
Jammu and Kashmir has a ugly and painful data related to accident deaths.
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a very worrying spurt  in road accidents in the first nine months of the year, with 4,457 accidents resulting in 621 deaths and 6,122 injuries across the Union Territory.
The recent Thar Havoc has brought to light rising number of road accident deaths in Kashmir.

Epilepsy Day, editorial 18 November 2024 issue

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Epilepsy Day
In India, The day is observed on November 17 to raise awareness about epilepsy. It is a chronic disorder of the brain which is characterized by recurrent ‘seizures’ or ‘fits’.
Or we can say that Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages. Around 50 million people across the world have epilepsy and so is one of the most common neurological diseases across the world.
In India, National Epilepsy Day is celebrated by the Epilepsy Foundation. On this day various seminars, debates, stage events, etc. are organized to educate people about epilepsy disease and its treatment methods. On this day, various hospitals also provide free treatment and organize consultation camps for such patients.
According to World Health Organization,  Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages.
Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally.
Nearly 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries.
It is estimated that up to 70% of people living with epilepsy could live seizure-free if properly diagnosed and treated.
The risk of premature death in people with epilepsy is up to three times higher than for the general population.
Now, Persistent prenatal distress is associated with a significantly increased risk for epilepsy in offspring, a new study showed.
Investigators emphasized that the risk was only slightly elevated, indicating that most infants born to mothers experiencing moderate stress will not develop epilepsy.
We need to take all measures and pledges to help the elipesy patients.n