Supreme Court Observation on NEET

Posted on by Editor
Supreme Court observations on NEET
The competitive exams atmosphere credibility in the country has been marred by allegations of fraud practices, that has hurt students aspirations. In a series of welcome developments,
The Supreme Court on Thursday, 18 July, 2024 ordered the National Testing Agency (NTA) to publish the results of all candidates who took the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test undergraduate exam (NEET-UG) for the year 2024 on July 20 by noon.
In this regard,
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud however said that the marks should be published without revealing the identity of the candidates.
Earlier, the Bench also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra had underscored that the fact that the sanctity of the exam was compromised was “beyond question”. It however, maintained that the decision to cancel the exam in its entirety would be last resort as it affected lives of 23 lac.
One hopes all the efforts would be done to restore the faith of the millions of students of our country in the all important career shaping competitive exams.
As a matter of fact, Union government submitted to the Supreme Court that the score cards of 1,563 candidates who were given compensatory marks in the common undergraduate medical entrance examination, NEET-UG 2024, held on May 5, will be cancelled. Another test will be held for them, likely on June 23. Results would be out by June 30 and the counselling for seats can begin by July 6. These candidates will be informed of the actual score, without the grace marks, and they can choose to take another test. If they opt not to sit for the re-test, their scores, without the grace marks will be the final score.

Eminent Religious Scholar Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi interview

Posted on by Editor
Eminent Religious scholar Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi interview
  1. Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi Almoosavi is the Successor and the Elder Son of Aga Syed Mohammad Fazlullah. A very famous Islamic Scholar who’s popular among the youth completed his basic education in Kashmir. A Science Graduate from Kashmir University pursued Islamic Studies in Iran, and returned to Kashmir after 8 years with a purpose and a mission to reach the grassroots of community, addressing the problems faced by youth and setting a stage for lifting the downtrodden.

    Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi has a clear vision and Intellect. He’s currently the President of Anjuman e Sharie Shiayan, Shariatabad Budgam, a lecturer at Aga Syed Yousuf Memorial Educational Institute, Shiganpora, besides leading Prayers at Imambara Bemina.

In an exclusive interview he talks to Farzana Mumtaz and Rameez Makhdoomi.
What is the holistic vision of battle of Karbala and month of Muharram?
The holistic vision of Month of Muharram and battle of Karbala is that we have to always rise against injustice and tyranny. The path of Justice is enshrined in universal laws and things by the Almighty and we need to strive to unfurl justice.
What about some sections going for fast on 9th and 10th Muharram?
The sunni Muslims are having two opinions in this regard, one section believes in going for fast on these days while as other doesn’t go. When the fast has already been made mandatory in the holy month of Ramadan there is no scope for fast in other months. Plus it has been held that Bani Ummayad observed the fast in what they called celebration of victory of Yazidi forces.
In Shia school of thought there is no scope for fast in these days. Although on day of Ashura we drink almost just water but no fast .
How do you see the trend of making wishes and happiness by some sections of Muslims on eve of start of Islamic New year ?
This trend of wishing people on eve of Muharram as Islamic new year has no base or reason in the Islamic history.  There is lot of hypocrisy among few scholars who issue edicts on wishing when Christain new year begun while remain mum on eve of Muharram.
The second Caliph had carried forward the tradition of keeping Islamic new year from Muharram without any celebration and when there are numerous instances in favour of Mourning of Martyrs of Karbala then how can one make celebration is beyond logic and rationale .
What lessons can we draw in our lives from the battle of Karbala?
We need to bear in mind that from battle of Karbala we learn that we as humans have to identify first the path of truth and justice and then strive for achieving same. The battle of Karbala was fought for the sake of humanity and human values and to enrich same.
How do you see rising drug addiction and other crimes?
The basic things are that we only see a drug addict affected youth or a crime doing person but not the reasons that lead to such things. The religious scholars have responsibility to rise above secterain hate and work for betterment of society. We can learn lessons from Karbala that Imam Hussain (AS) can’t be an Imam of unhealthy society but a epitome of morality and positive deeds.
Do you belive on ground sunni shia relationships are strong in Kashmir?
Yes absolutely the bonds of harmony are strong. With the advent of Social media the message of Imam Hussain (AS) and Karbala is reaching far and wide. Karbala,  Imam Hussain ( AS,) is not just treasure of Shias but entire humanity.

World Youth Skill Day

Posted on by Editor
World Youth Skill Day
Youth is the season of hope.  In this hope the real garment is provided by meaningful skills. Today’s world demands much more skills for youth to succeed. In Kashmir too to resolve unemployment youth would have to shift to skill development.
In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 15 as a World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. The day provides a unique opportunity for dialogue between young people, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, firms, employers, policymakers, etc. The Skill India Mission was also launched on this day, that is on July 15.
15 July is declared as World Youth Skills Day by adopting a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2014. The main aim of the day is to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today’s youth in terms of challenges  of unemployment and underemployment.
The day also highlights the important role of skilled youth in addressing current and future global challenges. It is known that Skill India is an initiative of the central government which was launched to empower the youth skill and make them more employable and more productive in their work environment.
Last year, The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2023 is ‘Skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future’. It highlights the essential role that teachers, trainers and other educators play in providing skills for youth to transition to the labour market and to actively engage in their communities and societies.
Youth unemployment is increasing which is the most significant problem facing today’s economies and societies in the world for developed and developing countries alike. According to the latest Global Trends for Youth 2020: technology and the future of jobs, since 2017, there has been an upward trend in the number of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
One hopes our youth in Kashmir gain stronger skills.

Curbing Power Theft, Cover Story 8 July 2024

Posted on by Editor
Curbing Power Theft
News Kashmir Analysis
Power theft had been a major cause of concern in Jammu and Kashmir.  It has been robbing much of the revenue of the region and keeping the power department in huge losses.
The non payment of electricity bills was another major concern which is being solved.
But , since few years concrete steps are being taken to curb power theft which is bearing the fruits.
The figures and statistics are now atleast promising.
KPDCL has added  13,179 connections in 3 months, carries out 55K inspections to curb losses
11,450 consumers also disconnected for non-payment of dues
No tariff hike, only calibrated rationalisation of load as per consumption as per the department.
In this regard, recently it was stated that the  Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has added 13,719 fresh connections to its domestic consumer base of 9.81 lakh, adding load of 7.5 MW in the system.
To curb power theft and bring down losses, as many as 55,321 inspection drives were carried out by Kashmir DISCOM from April to June this year.
In a statement issued here t a KPDCL spokesperson stated that vigorous enforcement drives are being undertaken on a daily basis at Subdivisional level to crackdown on incidents of power pilferage, primarily by hooking and bypassing of meters in urban areas and exceeding of sanctioned load in rural areas. “Strict directions have been given to SDOs to recover dues for energy unauthorizedly consumed, raise Writ of Demand and present their cases for imposition of penalty before the Designated Courts,” he explained, adding those found using electricity unauthorizedly shall be dealt with an iron hand.
Giving details, the spokesman said 1949 new connections were added in Kulgam, 1630 in Budgam, 1269 in Sopore, 982 in Anantnag, 935 in Tangmarg, 843 in Ganderbal, 812 in Shopian, 747 in Awantipora and 611 in Bijbehara Electric Division.
Apart from above, KDPCL has also intensified action against tampering of smart meters with several FIRs registered in concerned Police Stations. “Nearly 600 applications have been filed for registration of FIRs for smart meter tampering and other thefts like hooking,” he added.
Expressing concern over unauthorised use of electricity by consumers, the KPDCL spokesman said that even in peak summer months, reports of damage to distribution transformers are being received from some parts of Kashmir Valley. “KPDCL advises its consumers to avoid using crude heating gadgets like heaters and boilers, which have been banned by the Government,” he added.
The spokesman further stated that KPDCL has disconnected 11,450 consumers for non-payment of pending dues during the first quarter of the current financial year. This includes 8,655 domestic, 2,697 commercial, 94 hoteliers and 34 industrial units. “Outstanding arrears amounting to Rs.43.26 crore have also been recovered from the consumers,” he added.
Urging the consumers to ignore rumours on tariff hike, the spokesperson once again reiterated that KPDCL has not hiked electricity tariff in both metered and non-metered areas. He, however, stated that calibrated rationalization of load as per actual consumption in unmetered areas is being carried out by all Electric Subdivisions, following Supply Code regulations. “Consumers can opt for metered billing, if they find flat-rated charges disproportionate to their consumption,” the spokesman advised.
The people on ground also hope that burning issue of often curtailment in power would be resolved as it is hitting hard people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Muharram’s Inspiring Stories: A Treasure Trove from My Childhood  By Javeed Ali

Posted on by Editor
Muharram’s Inspiring Stories: A Treasure Trove from My Childhood
By Javeed Ali
In the quaint Zadibal area of Srinagar, I was born and raised in a vibrant Shia neighborhood, where the sacred month of Muharram was a time of profound reflection, sorrow, and communal unity. As a Shia child, my love for Imam Hussain (A.S.) was nurtured in my mother’s embrace. During this hallowed month, our home and neighborhood transformed into a space of poignant remembrance, filled with somber atmosphere, heartfelt stories, and vibrant processions that resonated with emotion and reverence.
As I sit here, reminiscing about my childhood, memories of Muharram flood my mind like a nostalgic breeze. The month of mourning left an indelible mark on my young heart, with its processions, elegies, and stories of courage and compassion. I vividly recall the Juloos, with men and women clad in black, their tears and chest-beating a testament to their love for Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his companions. The haunting chants of “Ya Hussain” still echo in my mind, evoking a sense of grief and solidarity.
Attending Majlis gatherings was another cherished experience, where speakers recounted the tragic events of Karbala, instilling in me values of courage, loyalty, and compassion. These moments of contemplation shaped my understanding of faith and spirituality, connecting me to my roots.
As a child, I eagerly collected contributions and helped erect Sabeels, serving mourners with water and food. Memorizing Nauhas and reciting them with zeal in our processions is still etched in my memory.
Today, as I reflect on those childhood memories, I realize the significance of Karbala as a way of life, reviving our spiritual values and belief system. The lessons learned during Muharram continue to inspire me to strive for goodness and justice, keeping the spirit of Imam Hussain (A.S.) alive in my heart.
Year after year, as I observe this sacred month, I am reminded of the enduring legacy of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and the lessons of Karbala that guide me on my spiritual path.
—The author is a freelance writer and can be reached at javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

Heatwaves in Kashmir

Posted on by Editor
Heatwaves in Kashmir
The global warming and climate change has been knocking do8ors in Kashmir too.
Heat Waves are a period of unusually high temperatures as compared to what is normally expected over a region. Therefore, the temperatures at which Heat waves are declared differ from place to place based on the temperature climatology (historical temperatures) of that region.
Heatwave conditions persisted in Kashmir on several days and on  Thursday , 4 July with Srinagar recording a maximum temperature of 35.7 degrees Celsius, six notches above normal and the highest in July in 25 years, officials said.
The city had recorded a high of 37 degrees Celsius in July 1999.
Srinagar was hotter than Delhi (31.7 degrees Celsius), Kolkata (31 degrees Celsius), Mumbai (32 degrees Celsius) and Bengaluru (28 degrees Celsius).
As a matter of fact, Valley of Kashmir has been experiencing rising temperatures and scorching heat over the past few weeks, leading to water shortage in many areas.
On their part, health department has issued advisories to deal with the heatwave conditions. The school education department has already announced a 10-day summer vacation for all schools in the Valley from July 8.
A report published few time
back by Moody’s, titled ‘India: Temperatures Beyond the Heatwave?’, documents that the mercury in reality exceeded the normal heatwave limit. The report suggests that mitigation of heat is the only viable solution.
It further points out that global temperatures are soaring to unprecedented levels as heatwaves are being declared in various countries.
During May alone, more than 200 people had died and some 20,000 had been hospitalised with heat stroke in India. On 1 June, 33 election officials died of heatstroke in the state of Uttar Pradesh,” the report underlines.
The need of the hour is that we in Kashmir take series of steps especially planting more trees to safeguard ourselves from the heatwave .

Water Scarcity, cover 8 July 2024 issue.

Posted on by Editor
Water Scarcity

News Kashmir Analysis
Water is life , it is just not an adage but a reality of our world.
Water is an essential source for the existence of life on the planet earth. It is widely used for various purposes such as drinking, washing, bathing, cleaning, cooking, irrigation, and other industrial and domestic uses.
Water is vital to our health. It plays a key role in many of our body’s functions, including bringing nutrients to cells, getting rid of wastes, protecting joints and organs, and maintaining body temperature. Water should almost always be your go-to beverage.
Despite being water rich  the valley of Kashmir different areas are witnessing water shortage.
The residents of several villages in “Kandi B” area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district few days back  protested against Jal Shakti Department for failing to provide them drinking water for the last several years.
“Kandi B”  comprises of eleven villages .
There are also reports of water shortage from Central, South and North Kashmir.
In South Kashmir district of Pulwama the villagers of Koil are facing a significant irrigation crisis as prolonged dry spell of this summer continues to impact the region.
Few time back , Residents of Mominabad area of Batamaloo have expressed concern over the drinking water shortage in the locality.
Be it uptown or downtown the water shortage is felt in many areas.
Few weeks back, Residents of Syed Hamidpora Nawab Bazar area of Downtown had complained of an acute shortage of drinking water supply for long time.
The expert opinion is that While the drinking water shortage occurs throughout the year at some places but it gets serious  and extended to more areas in summer. It has been observed that generally in  summer the people need more water for drinking purpose.
Melting glaciers in Kashmir is another serious cause of concern that will have adverse impact including on our water supply as melting  glaciers will also have long-term implications, like groundwater recharge and overall glacier recharge, thus agriculture too will take a bad hit.
The less rainfall has also been a consistent worry.
Experts have also opined  that El Nino and the absence of a strong western disturbance may be to blame for Kashmir’s prolonged dry weather.
The need of the hour is that masses of Kashmir also take steps like not encroaching and polluting water bodies so that the situation doesn’t get more worse for us. People of Kashmir also have to incalculate water Saving  habits in them.

Amarnath Yatra 2024 Starts

Posted on by Editor
Amarnath Yatra 2024 starts
News Kashmir Desk
Amarnath Yatra has started in the year 2024. It is a  revered annual pilgrimage for Hindus, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Located in the Himalayas at an altitude of about 3,888 metres in Kashmir, the yatra takes you to the sacred Amarnath Cave, where a naturally occurring ice stalagmite, believed to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva, is formed. From Pahalgam.
Unprecedented security measures, including electronic surveillance along the entire yatra route and access control arrangements, have been made for the annual Amarnath yatra that  started  on June 29.
Meanwhile, traffic authorities have issued an advisory for Amarnath yatra.
“In view of the forthcoming Shri Amar Nath Ji Yatra-2024, the administration has decided to impose certain restrictions on traffic plying on different routes. These restrictions will be in force between 28/06/2024 and 19/08/2024,” an official spokesman said.
52-day pilgrimage will commence from the twin tracks –the traditional 48 km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the 14 km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal — on June 29.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the preparations for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra at a high-level meeting in Pahalgam on Thursday.In a statement, issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Administration, Lt. Governor Sinha discussed the deployment of police and security personnel, doctors and nursing staff, duty officers, relief and rescue teams, and sanitation staff along the pilgrimage routes.”He emphasised the need for dedicated officers to oversee the effective functioning of the facilities provided by their respective departments,” the statement said.
Masses of Jammu and Kashmir are delighted over the Amarnath Yatra commencement.

Now in Beauty -wellness Traditional Skills to be Equipped with New-age Technologies

Posted on by Editor

 

Now in Beauty -wellness Traditional Skills to be Equipped with New-age Technologies:
Vijay GarG
By strategically nurturing this sector, India can leverage its demographic advantage to create a robust workforce ready to excel both domestically and globally
Let us not get too carried away with everything we do. It’s important to regularly reflect on our strategies and thoroughly evaluate the results. An unbiased assessment makes things much simpler for us. In the realm of skill development, taking action, maintaining consistency, and adhering to a routine are crucial. Leveraging the demographic advantage requires serious planning rather than being just a game. It involves building capacity, creating infrastructure, and grooming manpower to impart skills to our young population, making them capable of finding employment both domestically and internationally.
The India Skills Report indicates a 52.8% increase in employability for women and 47.2% for men. Women have surpassed men in terms of employability, particularly in areas such as nursing, beauty and wellness, and other soft skills, which have shown the highest employability rates among women in the post-COVID era.
The beauty and wellness sector not only holds vast potential for women but also for men in both domestic and global markets. The sector’s unprecedented growth has resulted in a significant demand for semi-skilled and skilled professionals in the country.
Currently, the beauty and wellness sector employs approximately 12.3 million people, with 66% of them being women and a considerable portion not only from lower socio-economic backgrounds but a lot of aspirants urging from decent educated families. It is projected that by 2027, the Indian Beauty and Wellness sector will offer employment opportunities to around 20.3 million people.
Interestingly, about 44% of the workforce in the beauty and wellness sector possess educational qualifications equivalent to or less than secondary education with limited access to technical training. There are opportunities for greater adoption of vocational education, particularly in segments such as salon services, beauty, fitness, nutrition, and yoga, which are showing increased acceptance of vocational education. Furthermore, the growing demand for services like nutrition consulting, fitness coaching, and nutraceuticals has resulted in new and diverse career opportunities that can be pursued by young individuals, who require skill enhancement and vocational education in Beauty and Wellness.
The Beauty and Wellness industry in the country is experiencing exponential growth, at a pace twice as fast as the markets in the United States and Europe. Heightened consumer awareness and aspirations regarding the industry have led to increased spending on beauty and wellness products and services. According to the Indian Beauty & Hygiene Association (IBHA), per capita spending on beauty and personal care has risen from around Rs 450 per annum in 2017 to Rs 684 in 2022 and Rs 772 in 2025.
While the global beauty and wellness sector grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.60% between 2018 and 2023, the Indian sector experienced an even higher growth rate of 18.40% during the same period, driven by a growing affluent and middle-class population and increased organized retail presence in the country. The sector is expected to reach around Rs 2,77,000 crores by 2025, showcasing a 23% growth from Rs 92,000 crores in 2018.
Promote Female Entrepreneurship:
It is essential to promote female entrepreneurship in India, as the current level is very low, with hardly one in every five entrepreneurs being female. The beauty and wellness sector presents unmatched opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship for women. Therefore, there is an urgent need to actively foster entrepreneurship and self-employment for females in this sector through specially designed entrepreneurship education, training initiatives, and fiscal support, enabling them to elevate their businesses.
To support female entrepreneurs, it is imperative to create a special fund in collaboration with the NSDC, industries, and angel investors for developing innovative start-up activities in the sector. Additionally, the establishment of regional incubation centres is crucial to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit of promising women in the sector.
Under this initiative, young female entrepreneurs in the beauty and wellness industry must be equipped with new and improved business management skills to successfully run their enterprises. This focused effort should enable female entrepreneurs to develop concrete business ideas, create a bankable and investable business plan, and formulate a robust business growth strategy.
Traditional Skills to be Equipped with New-age Technologies:
The beauty and wellness sector is experiencing digital disruption as technology-led startups and 5G network access in rural areas become more prevalent. As a result, traditional skills in this sector need to be updated with expertise in new-age technologies such as app setup, virtual try-on services, and data analytics. In addition, providing better customer engagement offerings will be essential.
Furthermore, Artificial intelligence (AI) is also making significant strides in the beauty and wellness industry. AI applications are rapidly changing the sector with innovations like augmented reality. For instance, skin consult AI has been developed to analyze skin ageing, detect major signs of ageing, and provide personalized skincare recommendations. This technology combines thousands of images with dermatological expertise spanning 15-20 years.
Personalized Services:  Personalized services have become increasingly vital due to shifts in customer preferences, lifestyles, body types, and even genetics. The one-size-fits-all approach is outdated, with customers now seeking unique and tailored experiences.
The demand for on-demand-at-home services has surged, particularly among busy professionals. This has underscored the necessity for transferable skills among workers in the sector. Furthermore, new ideas and processes are galvanizing young students to pursue technical and technological careers, aiming to shape a better future.
Vijay GarG is Retired Principal Educational columnist malout

Importance of Statistics, 1 July,2024 Editorial

Posted on by Editor
Importance of Statistics
Statistics is an important field because it helps us understand the general trends and patterns in a given data set. Statistics can be used for analysing data and drawing conclusions from it. It can also be used for making predictions about future events and behaviors.
People who do statistics are referred to as statisticians. They’re particularly concerned with determining how to draw reliable conclusions about large groups and general events from the behavior and other observable characteristics of small samples. These small samples represent a portion of the large group or a limited number of instances of a general phenomenon.
Recently, we marked national Statistics Day.
National Statistics Day is celebrated on June 29 every year to recognize the contributions of PC Mahanalobis. It is not be confused with World Statistics Day, which is a UN-designated day and is celebrated on October 20 every five years .
The significance of Statistics Day is to create public awareness in the young generation about the role and importance of statistics in strategizing, economic planning and policy formulation. The occasion is celebrated as a reminder to learn from the achievements of Professor Mahalanobis in the field of Statistics.
Statistics are not just numbers and facts. You know, things like 4 out of 5 dentists prefer a specific toothpaste. Instead, it’s an array of knowledge and procedures that allow you to learn from data reliably. Statistics allow you to evaluate claims based on quantitative evidence and help you differentiate between reasonable and dubious conclusions.
The need of the hour is that students in Jammu and Kashmir too give due importance to the field of Statistics and keenly study same.