How Junk Foods lead to obesity and lifestyle diseases, opinion 13 October 2025

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How Junk Food Leads to Obesity and Lifestyle Diseases.

By Tyima Bilal, Medical Student
In today’s fast-paced world, where taste often triumphs over nutrition, junk food has quietly become one of the leading causes of obesity and lifestyle-related diseases. As a medical student, I’ve learned that the relationship between food and health goes far deeper than calories, it’s a complex biochemical interplay that determines how our body functions, stores energy, and fights disease. Unfortunately, junk food disrupts this balance at every level.
The Composition of Junk Food, A Hidden Chemical Trap
Junk foods are engineered to please the tongue but poison the body. They are high in refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium, while lacking essential nutrients, fiber, and proteins. These ingredients don’t just fill the stomach, they interfere with the body’s metabolic pathways. Refined sugars rapidly increase blood glucose levels, forcing the pancreas to release large amounts of insulin. Over time, this repeated stimulation leads to insulin resistance, a major cause of type-2 diabetes and obesity. Similarly, trans fats found in fried and processed foods raise LDL (bad cholesterol) and lower HDL (good cholesterol), increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Excess sodium contributes to hypertension, putting unnecessary strain on the heart and kidneys.
The Science Behind Weight Gain
Obesity isn’t just about eating more; it’s about what we eat and how our body processes it. Junk food disrupts the natural hunger-regulating hormones, leptin and ghrelin. Leptin signals fullness, while ghrelin stimulates appetite. The high sugar and fat content in junk food confuses these hormones, causing overeating even when the body doesn’t need energy.Moreover, these foods are low in dietary fiber, meaning they don’t promote satiety. The result is frequent snacking, excessive calorie intake, and fat accumulation, especially visceral fat, which surrounds vital organs and increases the risk of heart disease, fatty liver, and metabolic syndrome.
The Dopamine Trap, Food Addiction and Cravings
From a neurological perspective, junk food behaves like a mild addictive substance. The combination of sugar, fat, and salt triggers a release of dopamine in the brain’s reward centers, the same chemical released during addictive behaviors. Over time, the brain develops tolerance, requiring more junk food to achieve the same level of satisfaction.This explains why people often crave fast food even when they aren’t hungry. It’s not hunger; it’s neurochemical dependency. This cycle of craving and consumption leads to psychological stress, emotional eating, and long-term metabolic damage.
Metabolic Syndrome, The Silent Outcome
Chronic consumption of junk food contributes to a cluster of disorders known as Metabolic Syndrome, which includes:
Abdominal obesity
High blood pressure
Elevated fasting glucose
High triglyceride levels
Low HDL cholesterol
Metabolic syndrome greatly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and type-2 diabetes. What’s alarming is that it’s no longer limited to adults, even teenagers and children are showing signs of insulin resistance and fatty liver disease due to regular junk food intake.
Inflammation and Cellular Damage
The trans fats and processed sugars in junk food trigger chronic low-grade inflammation in the body. Inflammation damages the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels), promotes plaque buildup, and impairs tissue repair. Free radicals generated by these foods cause oxidative stress, which accelerates cellular aging and increases the risk of cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. As medical student , when we study pathology, it becomes evident how diet influences disease progression. What starts as mild obesity often advances to conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), atherosclerosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), all directly linked to poor dietary patterns.
Lifestyle Diseases, A Preventable Epidemic
The term lifestyle disease refers to illnesses that result from daily habits, and junk food lies at their core. Sedentary lifestyles, stress, and poor diet together form the “unholy trinity” of modern health problems. Instead of nutrients, our bodies receive toxins; instead of energy, we gain fatigue.Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and even some cancers are not mere coincidences, they are consequences of sustained neglect toward nutrition. Medical evidence clearly shows that reducing junk food intake and switching to whole, unprocessed meals can reverse many early-stage lifestyle diseases.
The Emotional and Social Aspect
Beyond the physical impact, there is an emotional dimension to this problem. In hospitals, I’ve seen patients struggle to come to terms with lifestyle-induced diseases. It’s heartbreaking to see someone in their thirties or forties being told they have chronic diabetes or heart disease, conditions that could have been prevented with mindful eating.Junk food not only harms individuals but burdens families, healthcare systems, and society. The temporary joy of taste becomes a long-term trade-off with pain, medication, and regret.
A Call for Awareness and Responsibility
As medical students and future healthcare professionals, it’s our responsibility to spread awareness that prevention is better than cure. We must advocate for balanced diets rich in natural, unprocessed foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Awareness campaigns, school programs, and community health talks can help young people understand how small food choices today shape their future health. Nutrition education should be a part of every medical and non-medical curriculum because healing begins not with medicine, but with prevention.
Conclusion, Health Begins on Our Plate
Our body is the only place we truly live in, yet we often treat it carelessly. Junk food may satisfy the tongue, but it starves the cells that keep us alive. Obesity and lifestyle diseases are not sudden outcomes; they are the cumulative result of everyday choices. As a medical student, I believe the greatest prescription is awareness. The simplest lifestyle change, saying no to junk and yes to wholesome food, can prevent years of suffering. Let us remember: Food can either be our strongest medicine or our slowest poison. The choice lies on our plate.

Rajyasabha election Surprise results , Editorial 27 October 2025

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Rajyasabha Election Surprise results
Jammu and Kashmir Rajyasabha elections for 4 seats recently saw a surprise as against all odds BJP was able to win one seat . The ruling National Conference won three seats.
Even Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also sounded surprised after the results.
Taking on micro-blogging platform X, the CM Omar Abdullah wrote, “All of @JKNC_ votes remained intact across the four elections, as witnessed by our election agent who saw each polling slip. There was no cross voting from any of our MLAs so the questions arise – where did the 4 extra votes of the BJP come from? Who were the MLAs who deliberately invalidated their votes by marking a wrong preference number while voting? Do they have the guts to put their hands up and own up to helping the BJP after promising us their votes? What pressure or inducement helped them make this choice? Let’s see if any of the BJP’s secret team own up to selling their souls!”.
Pertinently out of four seats NC Managed to get three while as BJP one.
On Friday , 24 October ,2025 The election, held for the first time in over a decade since the abrogation of Article 370, began at 9 am at the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly complex in Srinagar and concluded at 4 pm. Counting of votes commenced at 5 pm, with results announced shortly.
The  NC’s victorious candidates are former ministers Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan and Sajad Hussain Kichloo, alongside party treasurer Gurwinder Singh Oberoi, alias Shammi Oberoi, a close aide to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, known for his administrative prowess.
For the fourth seat, the NC fielded its articulate spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, banking on its coalition strength. However, Dar lost to BJP’s J&K unit president Sat Paul Sharma, who secured 32 votes against the BJP’s expected 28, indicating at least four cross-votes from the NC-led alliance.
The results were thus surprising.

One Year of Omar Government, 20 October 2025 editorial

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One year of Omar Government
Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently completed first year of Government. The one year review of the Government as per ground pulse is mix bag.  On the positive side , Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Government took many steps.
The shifting of exam session was widely lauded. In 2024, the Council of Ministers Decision accorded the sanction to the restoration of the academic calendar from March-April to November-December for classes 1st to 9th.
The government had said that “For the session 2024-25, the restoration of the previous academic calendar (November-December session) shall be done with respect to classes 1st to 9th whose examinations shall be held during the months of November-December, 2024.”
It had further said that for the students of classes 10th to 12th, the restoration of the Academic Session (to November-December session) shall be done from the academic session 2025-26.
The political experts opine _
National Conference’s manifesto, “Dignity, Identity and Development,” had pledged to pursue the full implementation of the 2000 Autonomy Resolution, restore the pre-August 5, 2019 status under Articles 370 and 35A, and reclaim statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. It had also vowed to seek modifications to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, and repeal laws enacted after the revocation of special status that affect land and employment rights of locals.
So far, the government’s tangible actions on these fronts have been limited to two symbolic resolutions — one in the cabinet and another in the assembly   both urging the Centre to restore statehood and constitutional safeguards for the region.
Overall, the first year of Omar Abdullah Government offer mix bag outlook .

PET Power, 13 October 2025 Editorial

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Pet Power
In the times we live in the  mental stress and depression is very serious issue
The importance of companionship and emotional support  for mental health in form of Pets have emerged as great development, providing solace, comfort, and a sense of purpose to individuals struggling with depression. The bond between humans and animals is ancient, but its therapeutic potential is only now being fully recognized.
Kashmir is also seeing rise in pet adoption .
Experts pulse opines that Pets offer unconditional love, acceptance, and companionship, which can be particularly beneficial for those experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation. The simple act of petting a dog or cat can reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and promote relaxation. Moreover, caring for a pet instills a sense of responsibility and purpose, which can be a powerful antidote to the lethargy and hopelessness that often accompany depression.
Experts have also observed that benefits of pet ownership extend beyond emotional support. Studies have shown that pet owners tend to have improved mental health outcomes, including reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. The social connections facilitated by pets can also help individuals build relationships and networks, further enhancing their mental well-being.
As we witness  complexities of mental health, it is essential to recognize the therapeutic power of pets. Whether through animal-assisted therapy programs or simply sharing our lives with a beloved pet, the benefits of human-animal bonding are undeniable.
As we navigate  let us not forget the profound impact that pets can have on our mental health and well-being.

J&K Eliminating TB, cover story 27 October ,2025

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J&K Eliminating TB
News Kashmir Analysis
Tuberculosis is one of the dangerous disease that humanity has encountered. It has been a major health challenge in our region and Country as well.
But we are proud to know that India as country has by and large reduced Tuberculosis threat to great extent.
Recently, Secretary H&ME, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, informed that significant progress has been achieved in strengthening TB surveillance, infrastructure, and early diagnostic systems. He stated that J&K has achieved 100% notification of TB cases, with 11,499 cases reported, while 92% of the vulnerable population has been screened placing the Union Territory among the best-performing regions in the country.
Jammu and Kashmir
Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, recently chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and assess the measures undertaken by the Health & Medical Education Department to achieve the vision of a Tuberculosis-free Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Health & Medical Education (H&ME), Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah; Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary; Managing Director, JKMSCL; Principals of Government Medical Colleges (GMCs); Directors of Health Services, Jammu and Kashmir; HoD, Chest Medicine, GMC Srinagar; and senior faculty members from various medical institutions across the UT. Deputy Commissioners joined the deliberations through video conferencing.
reviewing the current scenario, the Chief Secretary stressed the need for early identification and comprehensive management of TB patients to ensure their complete recovery. He directed health professionals to undertake end-to-end monitoring of patients, encouraging them to personally adopt a few cases each, extend individualized medical support, and maintain regular contact with patients to track their progress.
Underscoring the importance of vigorous contact tracing, Dulloo called for strengthening the network of ASHA workers to facilitate home visits and ensure ‘at-home’ care and counselling, thereby improving adherence to treatment and recovery outcomes.
A year back ,we had learnt that Three districts in Kashmir—Budgam, Anantnag, and Pulwama—have already been declared TB-free, while Srinagar and Kupwara have achieved gold certification under the Sub-National Certification. J&K has also been recognized with a bronze medal for its efforts under the same programme.
TB which once was severe health challenge for the people of country is steadily becoming less threat due to great efforts of Central Government.
Jammu and Kashmir is taking rapid strides in becoming Tuberculosis free.

Darbar Move is Back, cover story 20 October 2025

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Darbar Move is Back
News Kashmir Analysis
Darbar Move has been restored once again.  In a historic development, the
Jammu and Kashmir government on 16 October, 2025, Thursday issued orders for the closure of the Darbar Move offices in the summer capital Srinagar on October 31, hours after chief minister Omar Abdullah announced restoration of the tradition.
 The lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha-led administration had scrapped the Darbar Move tradition in 2021.
While marking one year of his government in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar told reporters, “Today, I have personally signed the official file, and I hope that the order will be issued soon. We are restoring the old tradition of the Darbar Move.””We promised people that we would restore the Darbar Move. The Cabinet has taken a decision regarding its restoration and sent it to the Lieutenant Governor. The L-G has signed and returned the file,” he said earlier in the day.
 The practise of Darbar move has been unique to the Jammu and Kashmir region and had long heritage.
As a matter of fact,  Darbar move is  the  Dogra imperial tradition in which  huge official paraphernalia is  put on wheels to shift the seat of Jammu and Kashmir government to Srinagar during summers and to Jammu During winters.Yes, it is the Darbar move time now again.
In the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state , At least Forty one government departments also in the erstwhile State including those under the direct charge of the Chief Minister and forty five departments used to  move  to Srinagar in full and in camp respectively for Summer Season. In winter season the Darbar move moved to Jammu, the winter capital of the state.
It is worth mentioning here that the L-G lead admission in year 2021 had scrapped Darbar Move.
As a matter of fact, the Darbar Move tradition has rich history.
The tradition was started during the rule of Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1872.The tradition continued after 1952 as a bridge for administrative, linguistic and cultural interaction between the diverse regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
It’s going to be very much intresting to see how common people take revival of Darbar Move in both regions. Jammu and Kashmir regions overall would welcome the move as it means cultural exchange and much more regional interactions.

Global Handwashing day ,cover 13 October 2025

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Global Handwashing Day
Handwashing is quite necessary for good health. We can’t envisage good health without seeing through a proper handwashing practices.
The Global Handwashing day as an important day is marked every year on 15 October. The Global Handwashing day 2025 is to be marked on Wednesday, 15 October .
We in Kashmir need to strengthen the handwashing habits at every level be it after or before taking bathroom or using washroom .
Global Handwashing Day has rich history as it was established by the Global Handwashing Partnership and is celebrated annually on October 15. It provides an opportunity to test, and replicate several ways to boost people to wash their hands with soap at critical times.
can’t ignore that several germs that can make people sick are spread through hands when we don’t wash them with soap and clean, running water. Therefore, handwashing is very important especially at key times like after using the bathroom, at the time of preparing food, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
Expert pulse is Dirty hands can transfer germs to your eyes, nose, and mouth, and can contaminate food, leading to sickness. Washing your hands with soap and water removes these germs, breaks the chain of infection, and helps prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
In region like ours we need to provide soaps and sanitizers everywhere.
According to eminent knowledge source wikipedia –
Global Handwashing Day (GHD) is an international hand washing promotion campaign to motivate and mobilize people around the world to improve their hand washing habits. Washing hands at critical points both during the day and washing with soap are important. In 2008, Global Handwashing Day was celebrated for the first time[citation needed. This day aims to make people around the world aware of the importance of washing their hands with soap in order to prevent diseases and infections[citation needed. To commemorate this day, over 120 million children in 70 countries were encouraged to practice handwashing with soap. Since then, the movement has built momentum, garnering support from various stakeholders such as governments, schools, NGOs, and private firms.
On the other hand of the spectrum, stated objectives of Global Handwashing Day are to:
Foster and support a general culture of handwashing with soap in all societies
Shine a spotlight on the state of handwashing in each country
Raise awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap.
We too in Kashmir should promote the handwashing practices with utmost attention.

Silence falls on a Young Life: How a lost Sound Processor stilled Numaan’s world

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Silence falls on a Young Life: How a lost Sound Processor stilled Numaan’s world

 

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Mohammad Hanief

Father’s Diary

 

In the serene beauty of Harwan Garden, where the laughter of children usually mingles with the rustle of trees, a sudden silence descended for ten-year-old Mohammad Numaan. A Class 3rd student at Legends School of Education, Sadrebal, Numaan lost the sound processor of his cochlear implant during a family outing — an incident that, in an instant, stripped him of the voices, music, and everyday sounds that had once filled his world. What for others might seem like a misplaced gadget has, for him, become a profound loss, affecting not just his hearing but his education, friendships, and daily life.

 

For most people, sound is a constant backdrop — the call of a parent, the greetings of friends, the clatter of a busy street. For Numaan, born with profound hearing loss, these sounds became part of his life only through the marvel of modern medicine. His cochlear implant — a combination of an internal surgical component and an external sound processor — serves as his bridge to the world of sound.

 

The internal implant rests securely beneath his skin, but the sound processor, worn externally, is the lifeline that captures noises, processes them, and transmits them to the internal component. Without it, there is only silence. On that afternoon in Harwan Garden, as he ran and played among the flowers and pathways, this vital link somehow came loose and vanished.

 

From that moment, the lively soundscape that accompanied his life was gone. Where there had been birdsong, children’s laughter, and the voices of his family, there was now stillness. Communication shifted instantly to a world of lip-reading, gestures, and guesswork. Even at home, where surroundings are familiar, the absence of sound can feel isolating and disorienting.

 

The loss has hit his education particularly hard. In a primary school classroom, learning is built on listening — following the teacher’s explanations, joining discussions, and responding to spoken instructions. Without his sound processor, Numaan cannot participate fully in oral lessons. Teachers at Legends School of Education have stepped in to adapt, using written instructions, visual aids, and extra one-on-one time. But the natural rhythm of interactive learning is interrupted.

 

There are social challenges too. During breaks, children chatter, call each other to games, and share jokes. Many games depend on sound — clapping patterns, calling out in hide-and-seek, or reacting to a shouted instruction. Without hearing these cues, Numaan is at risk of missing out. His classmates, aware of the situation, are making efforts to include him through visual signals and gestures, but the spontaneity of play is harder to maintain.

 

For a child who has been hearing with assistance for years, sudden silence is not something the brain adjusts to easily. It can lead to moments of confusion, frustration, and sadness. For Numaan, the change has meant extra effort to keep up with lessons, more concentration to read lips, and an increased need for support from both teachers and family. These adjustments, while necessary, are physically and mentally tiring for a child.

 

The effects extend beyond the classroom and playground. At home, casual conversation now requires eye contact and slower, clearer speech. Everyday background noises — the clang of utensils, the hum of appliances, the call to dinner — no longer reach him. Safety awareness is also affected, as he cannot hear approaching vehicles, alarms, or other warning sounds.

 

Therapy sessions, which play a crucial role in the development of speech and listening skills for cochlear implant users, have also been disrupted. These sessions rely heavily on hearing exercises and auditory feedback, which are impossible without the processor. While therapists can still focus on visual and speech articulation exercises, the progress made through regular auditory practice is paused.

 

The loss of the processor also highlights the vulnerability of such assistive technology. It is a device no bigger than a small matchbox, yet it carries the weight of a child’s access to spoken language, learning, and social interaction. One accidental loss can bring life to a standstill in ways that those without hearing challenges may never imagine.

 

In response to the incident, teachers, classmates, and family members have rallied to ensure that Numaan does not feel left out. In class, peers sit beside him to help with written notes. Teachers adapt their methods to include more visual demonstrations. Friends on the playground use hand signals and facial expressions to invite him to join games. This collective support has softened the blow, showing that communication can transcend spoken words when necessary.

 

Even so, the days without sound have been a reminder of the central role hearing plays in a child’s sense of belonging and confidence. For Numaan, regaining his processor will mean more than just hearing again — it will be the return of his independence in learning, his ease in conversations, and his full participation in the joyful noise of childhood.

 

Until that moment arrives, the world remains quieter for him. But within that quiet, there is also resilience — the resilience of a young boy adjusting to challenges, of teachers and classmates adapting their communication, and of a family ensuring he stays connected to the life he loves. The incident at Harwan Garden may have stilled his world for now, but the bonds of understanding and support around him ensure that silence does not mean isolation.

 

In the end, Numaan’s story is not just about the loss of a device. It is about the fragile but profound link between technology and the human experience, about the ways in which sound shapes learning and relationships, and about the compassion that emerges when a community comes together to bridge the gap left by silence. For those who know him, the hope is simple and strong — that soon, the gentle click of a new sound processor will bring back the voices, laughter, and music that make his young life complete.

 

The author can be mailed at m.hanief@gmail.com

X/Twitter: @haniefmha

 

Buried Beneath the Garbage: Jammu & Kashmir’s Silent Waste Crisis. Opinion 4 August,2025

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Buried Beneath the Garbage: Jammu & Kashmir’s Silent Waste Crisis.

By Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer

First Prime Minister of India used to love water from cheshmashahi, we were the state where hydel power generation was expected to cater the nation and yet we can foresee the water crisis in coming years, just because we abused water bodies of our state. Jammu and Kashmir takes strides toward development and modernization, an ugly and largely ignored issue continues to fester beneath the surface—solid waste. Despite several pilot projects and government promises, the garbage heaps lining roads, clogging water channels, and poisoning the very soil of the region tell a starkly different story.

Pilot Projects or Policy Placebos?

Over the past few years, the administration, often in collaboration with private companies, has launched various pilot projects aimed at improving waste management in both urban and rural areas. These initiatives, on paper, appear promising—offering structured collection systems, waste segregation at source, and improved processing techniques. However, in practice, they have yielded limited results.

One of the glaring issues is the symbolic nature of these efforts. Projects are often launched with pomp and media coverage but fizzle out due to lack of follow-through, mismanagement, or insufficient scale. The question then arises: Are these projects sincere efforts to address the waste problem, or merely exercises in public relations and fund utilization?

A Disjointed Strategy in a Fragile Ecosystem

J&K’s topography, climate, and socio-political fabric present unique challenges. From the snowbound mountains of Kupwara to the plains of Jammu, waste disposal needs context-specific strategies. Yet, the government seems to be relying on one-size-fits-all policies that fail to consider regional diversity.

Rural areas suffer the worst. Villages lack basic waste collection systems, leaving residents to resort to open dumping and burning. These practices not only degrade the environment but also pose serious health risks due to the release of toxins into the air and groundwater.

Lack of Community Involvement: The Missing Link

Perhaps the most fundamental failure lies in the near-absence of community participation. Waste management isn’t just about trucks and bins—it’s about behaviour change. And that change can only come through consistent public engagement, education, and accountability.

In many areas, residents are either unaware of or indifferent to the concept of waste segregation. Plastic, kitchen waste, medical waste—all go into the same bag. The absence of awareness campaigns, school programs, or grassroots mobilization means that people continue with old habits, unaware of the environmental cost.

 

Other Indian cities like Indore and Ambikapur have demonstrated that successful waste management begins at the community level. In those cities, citizens segregate waste, local women’s groups manage composting, and the government provides incentives for compliance. The results have been astonishing—cleaner streets, better public health, and even revenue generation.

Local Governance Left Powerless

While the success of any such initiative depends heavily on local governing bodies like Municipal Committees and Panchayats, in J&K, these institutions are either sidelined or under-resourced. Officials often lack the training, funds, and equipment necessary to implement waste management plans effectively.

Empowering these grassroots bodies with decentralised systems—like community compost pits, local recycling units, and door-to-door collection—can prove far more effective than large, centralised systems that are costly and difficult to maintain in J&K’s terrain.

Policy Paralysis and Poor Enforcement

In 2016, the Government of India laid down clear Solid Waste Management Rules that mandate segregation at source, door-to-door collection, and scientific disposal. But like many laws in the country, their implementation in J&K remains half-hearted at best.

There is little to no monitoring of whether these rules are being followed. Penalties for non-compliance exist only on paper. The absence of digital tracking systems, field audits, or citizen feedback loops means that violators go unpunished and responsible citizens remain unrecognized.

Time to Look Beyond Borders

If J&K’s policymakers are serious about addressing the waste crisis, they must look at success stories from across India and the world. Cities like Panaji, Pune, and Mysuru have achieved significant improvements by introducing user charges, integrating informal waste pickers, and incentivizing bulk waste generators like hotels and institutions to manage their waste responsibly.

Globally, countries like Sweden and South Korea have nearly eliminated landfill use through aggressive recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives. While such models can’t be transplanted wholesale, their principles—community involvement, strict regulation, and technological innovation—can certainly inspire localized adaptations in J&K.

A Crisis That Demands Urgent Action

At a time when the region is trying to attract tourism, boost its economy, and offer better quality of life to its residents, the mismanagement of solid waste threatens to undo all progress. Mountains of garbage not only mar the natural beauty of Kashmir but also pollute its lakes, rivers, and forests—assets that are integral to its identity and survival.

 

The current approach—sporadic projects, passive citizens, and invisible enforcement—simply won’t work. What is needed is a comprehensive, multi-pronged policy that addresses the issue at all levels: policymaking, implementation, community participation, and technological innovation. If the government continues to ignore the problem, it won’t just be squandering taxpayer money—it will be burying the future of Jammu & Kashmir under layers of plastic, toxins, and decay.

Conclusion

Solid waste isn’t just an environmental problem; it’s a social and economic one too. The need for urgent, coordinated, and community-driven action is non-negotiable. It’s time to stop dumping the responsibility from one agency to another and take collective ownership. The future of J&K quite literally depends on it.

Financial literacy for women in Kashmir: The Power to Rise, opinion 18 August 2025.

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 Financial Literacy for Women in Kashmir: The Power to Rise

By Tyima Bilal
When the first light of dawn touches the snow-capped peaks of Kashmir, women are already awake. They are already in motion.They carry baskets into saffron fields, their breaths visible in the crisp morning air. They weave Pashmina under the soft glow of a kangri. They tend to orchards, bake bread, sew garments, and run classrooms.They create beauty, value, and tradition, but too often, they do not control the money their work brings. Financial decisions, in many homes, are still left to men. And this silent exclusion holds back not just the women, but the entire community. They are the heartbeat of the valley, quiet, tireless, and strong. Yet too many times, their work ends with little more than the satisfaction of labour. The money they earn often slips from their hands before it can change their lives.
This is why financial literacy, the ability to understand, manage, and grow money,is not just helpful. In Kashmir, it is urgent. It is a tool of survival, a shield against uncertainty, and a ladder toward independence.
Breaking the Cycle of Dependency
Imagine a woman who spends months embroidering a shawl that will sell for thousands. When the payment comes, it is taken from her hands,sometimes with love, sometimes with authority, and she is left with little more than the pride of her craft. She is the maker of value, yet not the owner of it.A woman without financial knowledge may be left without savings, without a safety net, and without the ability to navigate the banking system. But when she knows how to manage money, she gains the courage to make choices for herself and her family.A financially literate woman in Kashmir is not just someone who can calculate profits from selling her handicrafts, she is someone who can plan for her children’s education, invest in her own business, and face life’s uncertainties with confidence.
 When Knowledge Becomes Freedom
Financial literacy is not simply about counting money,it is about claiming the right to decide. It is the power to say, “This is my earning, and I will use it to secure my child’s education, to invest in my dream, or to save for a day of uncertainty.” For a woman in Kashmir, understanding how to open a bank account, apply for a loan, or invest in a small business can mean the difference between dependence and dignity. It can mean the ability to leave an unsafe marriage. It can mean feeding her family when the orchards fail. It can mean standing tall when the world expects her to bow.Empowering a woman financially does not end with her. A financially literate mother teaches her children to be responsible with money. A financially independent sister inspires her siblings to dream bigger. A woman entrepreneur creates jobs, supports local economies, and breaks stereotypes.It’s not an exaggeration to say: when you educate a woman about finance, you uplift an entire community.
The barriers faced
When a woman is not financially stable, her life becomes a constant struggle between dignity and survival. Through her husband, she may face control, dependency, and sometimes even neglect, with no say in how money is spent. Through society, she bears judgment for her helplessness, as if poverty is her fault. And when a crisis strikes, when her child needs urgent medical care or her family needs shelter, the lack of even a small sum feels like a mountain she cannot climb. In those moments, financial independence is not a luxury, it is her lifeline.A woman without financial stability walks through life with invisible chains. Her dreams are paused by dependence on her husband’s will, her choices silenced by the weight of tradition. Society questions her worth, yet offers no hand when she stumbles. The simplest needs,a child’s hospital bill, repairs for her home, even a warm meal, become battles she cannot fight alone. These barriers are not just about money; they are about dignity, voice, and the power to stand without fear.
Government’s Role: Turning Promises into Pathways:
For Kashmiri women to break free from the cycle of financial dependency, government action must go beyond words on paper. It must be felt in their villages, in their markets, and in their bank accounts.
1. Financial Literacy Programs in Every District The government can set up women-focused financial literacy centers in rural and urban areas, where women learn about budgeting, savings, investments, and government schemes in simple, local languages.
2. Access to Credit & Microfinance: Many women with skills and dreams lack the capital to start. Low-interest loans, microfinance opportunities, and easy access to bank accounts can transform those dreams into businesses.
3. Skill Development & Employment Opportunities :Linking skill training programs directly with job placements or small-business grants ensures that learning translates into earning.
4. Health & Emergency Funds :Government-led women’s emergency funds can provide immediate financial aid for hospital bills, childbirth, or other urgent needs, a safety net that saves lives.
5. Digital Access & Banking Infrastructure:Expanding internet connectivity and digital banking services into remote villages ensures that women can manage finances without depending on others for travel or information.
The Call to Every Woman in Kashmir
Dear sisters, your dreams deserve more than waiting for someone else’s permission to come true. Financial independence is not just about money, it is about your voice, your choices, and your dignity. The moment you earn and manage your own income, you unlock the power to decide for yourself, to stand tall even when life shakes you, and to protect those you love without fear. No matter how small you start , a skill, a savings jar, a home-based venture, it is the first step towards a life where you are the author of your story. The world respects a woman who can stand on her own feet , be that woman.
To the women who rise before sunrise,
To the mothers who give without keeping,
To the dreamers waiting for the right time, The right time is now.
Financial literacy is not just about money,it is about dignity, safety, and power. It is the difference between hoping for security and building it yourself.
The valley has always been full of women who endure. Now, it must be full of women who decide. Because when a Kashmiri woman learns to manage her money, she does not just transform her life,she transforms the future of her family, her community, and her land.And in a place as breathtaking as Kashmir, women deserve to rise as high as its mountains and shine as brightly as its morning sun.
“When women earn, they don’t just make a living, they make a difference.”
 Penned by Tyima Bilal, for every woman who dreams of walking her own path.