“Safeguarding the soul of Kashmir: Karnah’s Prized Forests

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” Safeguarding the soul of Kashmir: Karnah’s Prized Forests”
Suman lone
In the northernmost region of India lies a mesmerizing land of unparalleled beauty – Kashmir. Adorned with snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, and pristine lakes, this heavenly abode has earned the title of “Paradise on Earth.” Among the gems of Kashmir is a quaint and picturesque district called Karnah, where nature flourishes in all its splendor, thanks to the relentless efforts of the forest officials who diligently protect its green treasure.
Karnah, nestled near the Line of Control (LOC), holds a prominent place in the heart of Jammu and Kashmir. Covering an expansive forest area of 20,230 square kilometers, approximately 19.95% of the region’s total geographical expanse, this district is a haven for biodiversity. The significance of these forests extends far beyond their enchanting appearance; they play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, safeguarding against floods and natural calamities, and providing solace to those seeking refuge from the bustle of modern life.
In an era where people increasingly embrace organic and natural alternatives for a healthy lifestyle, the therapeutic value of nature cannot be overstated. The verdant forests of Karnah offer respite from the demands of a hectic life, providing a sanctuary for rejuvenation and mental peace. Imagine a vacation in a resort surrounded by this emerald treasure, where the melodies of chirping birds serenade your soul, and the gentle rustling of leaves soothes your spirit. Truly, nature has a way of healing our weary minds and souls.
Kashmir’s beauty is unparalleled, and Karnah stands as a testament to its magnificence. The district boasts a diverse array of trees, each adding to its allure. The forest officials of Karnah work tirelessly to preserve this breathtaking landscape and safeguard its rich biodiversity. Among these dedicated officials, Shamus ul Haq deserves special mention. His unwavering commitment to conservation has earned him recognition from the Forest Department of Jammu and Kashmir, a well-deserved acknowledgment of his exceptional contributions.
Living in a border area, Karnah faces its unique set of challenges. Crossfire and skirmishes in the region can brutally damage the precious forests. However, the forest officials remain undeterred and continue to protect this green treasure with unwavering vigilance. Their efforts are not limited to mere monitoring; they actively engage in afforestation programs to replenish any lost greenery and promote sustainable practices.
The forest officials’ relentless dedication to safeguarding the green treasure of Karnah is a testament to their love for nature and the desire to pass on this gift to future generations. They understand that nature’s bounty is not only a source of scenic beauty but also a lifeline for the entire ecosystem and a repository of our cultural heritage.
As we admire the beauty of Karnah’s forests, let us also realize the immense responsibility that falls upon each of us. It is not just the duty of the forest officials but also of every individual to protect and preserve the natural world. Together, we can ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to witness the same enchanting landscapes that captivate our hearts today.
In the words of the famous Columnist of our Kashmir Mr. Aubaid Akhoon  “Nature’s symphony is played in the pristine forests of Karnah, where every tree stands as a testament to resilience and grace. Let us be the guardians of this green treasure, for it is not just a part of our land; it is the very soul of Kashmir.”
As we celebrate the efforts of the forest officials, let us also pledge to join hands in their noble cause. Together, we can create a harmonious symphony of nature’s beauty that resonates for eternity in the heart of Karnah and beyond.
The Writer is a student of Amar singh College and can be reached at

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Screen Time Hurting Children, Cover story 4 September 2023

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Screen time hurting children
News Kashmir Analysis
We live in day and age when the technology has seen lot of Innovation and it has bore more fruits. Television was a big invention so was mobile phone and internet. Although,  The flip side of technology is there mainly due to not good use by humans. Kids and children spending too much time on screen is a major worry. This is eating the health and intelligence capacity of children. Parents also give in a wrong manner mobile phones to kids in order to escape from responsibility of care. All this is having negative impacts on our children and youth.
Expert pulse is worried.
Handing phone to your babies could delay their speech, problem-solving skills according to sane opinion.
In this regard,  the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on few days back said handing phone to your babies could lead to delay in their development.
“The more time babies spend on smartphones, the more likely they are to have developmental delay,” said DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
Dr Hassan said parents hand over phones to children to calm them. Also, it allows parents to get other tasks done like cooking, cleaning and washing.
“Letting your baby play with a phone may seem like a simple way to keep them occupied, but it could affect their development,” he said.
“According to a new study published on August 21 in the Journal of the American Medical Association Paediatrics, babies who spent more time on phones at age one year were more likely to have delays in speech and problem-solving skills,” said Dr Hassan.
“Researchers found that by age two years, babies who had spent up to 4 hours in front of the screen were 3 times more likely to have communication and problem-solving delays, while those who had spent 4 or more hours on screens were 4.78 times more likely to have underdeveloped communication skills, 1.74 times more likely to have subpar fine motor skills and two times more likely to have underdeveloped personal and social skills,” he said.
“By age four years, risk remained only in the communication and problem-solving areas.”
The DAK President said kids develop their language skills by interacting with others including parents and if they are just watching a screen they are not having an opportunity to practice talking.
“Babies need face to face interaction for social development. Looking at people’s faces is when our brain turns on to figure out how to interact with them,” he said
“Screens disrupt interactions and limit opportunities for kids to practice interactive problem-solving skills,” he added.
“Parents should spend time with their kids and delay introducing phones to infants and young children,” said Dr Nisar.
“World Health Organisation and American Academy of Paediatrics recommend that children under age 2 should not be exposed to screens at all and limit screen time to one hour per day for children aged 2-5 years,” he said.
The need of the hour is we cut screen time of our children.
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LPG Price Relief to Masses. Editorial 4 September, 2023

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LPG Price relief to masses
The domestic gas is lifeline for masses of India. At a time when Indian and global economy is still reeling from the negative impacts of pandemic Coronavirus years  the LPG prices matter  lot for masses.
move that will bring respite to households across the nation, the Government led by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, has announced a substantial reduction in the price of cooking gas. Effective 30.08.2023, the price of a 14.2 Kg LPG cylinder will be reduced by Rs 200 in all markets across the country. In Delhi for instance, the decision will bring down the cost of a 14.2 Kg cylinder from the existing Rs 1103 per cylinder to a more affordable Rs 903 per cylinder. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “This is a gift to crores of my sisters of the country on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Our Government will always do everything possible that improves people’s quality of life and benefits the poor and middle class.”
This reduction is in addition to the existing targeted subsidy of Rs 200 per cylinder to PMUY households, which will continue. For PMUY households therefore, the effective price in Delhi after this reduction will be Rs 703 per cylinder.
It may be noted that there are more than 31 Cr domestic LPG consumers in the country including 9.6 Cr PMUY beneficiary families and this reduction will help all LPG consumers in the country.
The cut in prices of LPG will give lot of relief to the common man. The Government of India deserves appreciation for being a very pro poor Government and keeping their interests in mind.

Eris emerges as Covid variant

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Eris emerges as Covid Variant
Mir Sabeen Gulrez
After the decline of the COVID -19 threat , there were many new variants that emerged,although the severity of the disease always remained low. While as a new COVID  Variant strain EG.5 – which got more popularly known as Eris has been identified in many countries like in US,Japan,South Korea,China and also Australia, Singapore, UK, France, Portugal and Spain.
When it comes to experts they say there is no need to panic as the new Strain is not more severe than what we have witnessed in the past and doesn’t pose any significant threat
While if we talk about  WHO they have designated EG.5 as a variant of interest which means it will be monitored for mutations. While as if we talk about it the  Eris spreads fast, and  has immune escaping properties, but the  symptoms which  largely remain mild and similar to the previous Omicron strains. Even Experts say that EG.5 may  become a dominant strain in some countries in the coming weeks.
While talking to News Kashmir Magazine Dr Nissar Ul Hassan Doctors Association Kashmir said that,”There is no evidence to suggest that the new variant causes more severe illness,”
Dr Hassan said the EG.5, dubbed as Eris is a sub-variant of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. It is rapidly spreading across the UK and US and has also been reported in China, Europe and Japan.
“The new variant was first detected in India in May 2023 and the fact that there has been no significant increase in the incidence of the new strain since its detection 3 months ago shows that it is not something to be bothered about,” he further added.
Eris, precisely XBB.1.9.2, is a subvariant of the Omicron variant and also Eris shares many of the same symptoms as other COVID-19 variants.
These symptoms are:
1.Fever. 2.Cough. 3.Shortness of breath
4.Fatigue, 5.Muscle or body aches,
6.Sore throat, 7.Congestion and 8. Running nose, 9.Headache, 10. Malaise,11. Loss of smell, 12.diarrhoea, 13.abdominal pain.
And if we talk about Malaise, “Malaise is a general feeling of being unwell. It can be described as feeling tired, weak, or run-down”.
Journalist Mir Sabeen Gulrez through Dr Nissar Ul Hassan President Doctors Association Kashmir  – On – Record answered like this,
Dr Hassan said that,”the new variant is basically a sub-lineage of omicron which most of us have gone through and our population has enough immunity against omicron and its sub-variants.
“With high vaccination rates and natural immunity, the possibility of a new wave in our population due to the variant is unlikely,” he said.
Dr Nisar said new variants will keep coming as frequent changes in the genomic structure are part of the natural course of the virus.
“We are going to see the new variant Eris for sometime before it is replaced by yet another variant. That is the nature of the virus,” he said.
While stating further that,” The DAK President said ,“The World Health Organisation (WHO) has added the new variant EG.5 to the list of monitored variants and classified it as a variant of interest and not a variant of concern as it does not pose a threat to public health,” he stated further.

Honouring The Honorable: The Mighty Pens Awards. 

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Honouring The Honorable: The Mighty Pens Awards.
Awards are not mere mementoes of wood and iron. They have deeper symbolic significance and they act as the great source of motivation to the individuals who strive to achieve the higher goals in life . One such most prestigious awards is “The Mighty Pens Awards” by Writers Voice, one of the leading literary organizations of India. This year it was the fifth annual awards which found the best fifteen eminent individuals from the different categories. Talking to Vishal kumar, the Director of The Writers Voice Group, it was revealed that the idea behind this Annual Award is to bring forth those individuals who have been rendering their contributions to literature, Art, Culture, Music, Media, holistic health and mental well-being with their best of the abilities. Secretary Mighty Pens Awards, Rupali Kumar informed the media persons that they had received more than 500 nominations in various categories such as  Fiction, Non- Fiction, Poetry ( General), Micro Poetry, Art, Culture, Book that Matters, Sublime Literary Wit, Literary Criticism, The Best Energy Therapist, Refined Language and Diction, Social Crusader, Super Stylistics Award and so on. Taking about a few Awardees, the organizers informed that  Alokparna Das made it in the non fiction catagory. Jayanthi Sankar (fiction), Arbind kumar Chaudhary ( culture), Karen Claire( Sublime Literary Wit), Shruti Sachdeva ( Best Energy Therapist),Srikar Chitta( Best Child Author) Nigama RV ( Super Stylistics), Vandana Kumar( poetry),
Kanwar Dinesh Singh ( Micro Poetry/ Ghazal) Sayani Mukherjee( Diction) Pradipita Mukherjee, ( literary criticism) Eshwarmurthy Pillai ( Social Crusader),  Balesh Jindal ( Book That matters) Tarab Khan( Art), Meera Bhansali ( Best Anchor) Ravi Prakash Tiwari( Innovation in Literature). Speaking to Media persons, one of the awardees, Shruti Savhdeva shared that it is the one of those awards which always reminds her that she has a greater responsibility towards the society. She also thanked the organizers for recognizing her work and bringing it at the international platform. Ravi Prakarsh Tiwari, one of the another winners, who has been awarded in the catagory of Innovation in Literature also expressed his inner contentment on receiving this prestigious honor. The process of sending E- certificate and mementoes has been initiated by the organizers. The team Authors Paradise Literary Consultancy that had the responsibility  of all social media promotion successfully rendered their unstinting support to make this mega Award event possible. The final slogan that motivates the organizers is that quality works should not remain confined to the close corridors only. The chief organizing body also congratulated all the awardees on their social media platforms and special gratitude was conveyed to Jayanthi Sankar, a Singapore based author who happened to obtain The Mighty Pens Awards in the Fiction Catagory.

Zaheer Jan A one man army for children with special needs in J&K.

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Zaheer Jan A one man army for children with special needs in J&K.
Rameez Makhdoomi.
Special needs or disabled children feel most let down in our society due to unfavorable circumstances for them in all the spheres of life.
There are more than 1.2 lakh disabled children in J&K of which 83,567 are school-going others don’t attend schools because most of the private schools didn’t provide them admissions.
Kashmir-based Child & Disability Rights Activist, parent Advocate and Paediatric occupational Therapist  Zaheer Jan is like a one man army campaigning advocacy  for the right to decent inclusive education of the children with special needs. He is fighting against all odds to get these children their due in private schools. He is also trying his level best to get these children to get their due in elite schools who often show hegemony and reluctant approach while admitting these students.
Zaheer Jan laments the fact that After abrogation of Article 370, all central laws are applicable to J&K and as per RPWD Act 2016 all private schools or Govt schools should allow children with special need in mainstream.
Zaheer Jan has emerged as an icon for the persons with special needs he believes as a Rehab professionals this is our duty to help parents to provide them their  basic rights and to aware them of their rights.
He founded the organization Save the Destitute Foundation and I am its Chairman.  The aims and objectives of the organization are working for Child and disability rights , Capacity building and  Advocacy for persons with disabilities,  inclusive education,  disasters and health issues.  We have different areas of burning concern to work in our organization . When we saw an organization there was no awareness in Kashmir related to inclusive education,  Early intervention, job policy for PWDs and we organised many conferences and workshops to create awareness on same and till date we organised 6 conference and 2000 stakeholders attended our conferences.The role played by Zaheer Jan in uplifting the people with special needs is commendable. He said his organization provide 8000 Heath care kits among Asha workers, Health care workers and other NGO volunteers in all district in kashmir.
He started an online petition in change.org related to inclusive education for cwsn and 1809 people, parents across India signed his petition and after that Directorate of school education Kashmir as well as jammu issued circular not to denial of admission to children with special needs. He said these orders only on papers on grounds nothing happens schools still deny admissions to cwsn and doesn’t implement RPWD Act 2016 and Director school orders. His appreciable role in getting people with special needs is a morale boosting example for the society in these tough times.

Glory to Kashmir Bat, cover story 28 August, 2023

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Glory to Kashmir Bat
News Kashmir Analysis
Cricket is a prominent Global Sport. Cricket is among the famous sports of the world . Bat and ball along with wickets are important components of game of Cricket. Bat is among the essential and most significant part of Game of Cricket.
As a matter of fact , Cricket bats are an essential piece of equipment used by every batter. They are used to hit the cricket ball and provide comfort and control to each player. Batsman cherish quality cricket bats.
It is a matter of pride for entire country that bats made in Kashmir valley are shining throughout the world.
Pertinently, bats made of the fine and great  Kashmir willow will make an official appearance at the 50-over Cricket World Cup scheduled to be held in October this year  in India.
The statistics related to bat industry in Kashmir are worth appreciable.
According to the figures available with the Department of Industries and Commerce, Kashmir, 400 cricket bat-manufacturing units are functional in Kashmir Valley on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, welcoming visitors with willow-clefts piled up on both sides of the road. Of these, 220 units are operational in Anantnag district and 180 in Pulwama district.
It is a good omen the century-old cricket bat industry of Kashmir Valley has become the biggest competitor for the famous English willow cricket bats. The number of cricket-playing nations picking up bats from Kashmir Valley has risen tremendously.
Government is also giving every effort to lift the bat industry of Kashmir. While the government is also in the process to give a unique identification to Kashmir willow bats and the process for giving it a GI tag is going on.
In a matter of great glory and pride for Kashmir it is learnt that 17 international cricketers are  to use Kashmir willow bats during ODI World Cup in India.
Cricketers from Kashmir are happy over use of Kashmiri bat at international events.
Mohammad Ayoub Bhat, an avid cricketer states : ” The use of cricket bats from Kashmir valley will be morale booster not just for bat industry of the Kashmir but also cricketers of Kashmir. Many noted global superstars of Cricket are using bats of Kashmir which is a very heartening thing to note. The use of Kashmir made bats is a proud moment for one and all as Kashmir has emerged as bat making hub of India .The bats made in Kashmir are of diverse quality and available in different price ranges. “
With the growing popularity of cricket throughout the world ,the bats of Kashmir are going to be pride of our great country India .
One hopes with full attention  the bat Industry of Kashmir will shine throughout the world.u

India walks on Moon, Editorial 28 August 2023

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India walks on Moon
In one of the most major moments of pride and joy for entire country since independence, India has become the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the moon. Before India, Russia, the United States of America and China have achieved this remarkable feat.
Chandrayaan-3 has landed on the Moon after “20 minutes of terror” and the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover – carrying six scientific payloads between them – have one lunar day, or 14 Earth days, to gather enough data to satisfy the curiosities of scientists across the world.
This deadline is critical because after a fortnight the solar-powered Pragyan rover – which made its mark on the Moon late last night with ISRO declaring ‘India takes a walk on the Moon’ – will slow down as this is the extent of the ‘sunlight cycle’ on the lunar surface.
As a matter of fact, September 12, 1959, Russia, then known as the USSR, became the first country to achieve a successful lunar landing. This was a hard-landed spacecraft but the country managed to soft-land seven years later in 1966.
In 1966, the US soft-landed on the moon a few months after Russia. The US already has 11 soft landings which is the most in the world. That’s not all, US is the only country in the world to land twelve people on the moon through six space missions.
In 2013, China became the third country to land on the moon.
The Rs 600 crore Chandrayaan-3 mission was launched on July 14 on board the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-3) rocket and took 41 days to reach its destination.
India’s successful moon mission is not just India’s alone…this success belongs to all off humanity, and it will help moon missions by other countries in the future,” PM Modi said. “We can all aspire for the moon and beyond.

Chandrayaan-3 feat. Cover story 21 August ,2023

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Chandrayaan Feat
News Kashmir Analysis
India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 is nearing its exciting climax. It is the closest to the moon before the tricky landing manoeuvre is attempted on August 23.
The Russian lunar probe Luna-25, too, is also closing in and will attempt a landing between August 21 and 23. Both Russia and India are targeting to land nearer the south pole of the moon.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) feels there is no such race. Both nations will have a new ‘meeting point’ on the moon.
Chandrayaan-3 was launched on July 14 from Sriharikota using the Launch Vehicle Mark-3. It reached the moon’s orbit on August 5, and has been orbiting it since then.
Few days back,  Chandryaan-3 was put in an orbit of 153 km by 163 km and all lunar-bound manoeuvres were completed. On August 17, the propulsion module and the lander Vikram will separate. The propulsion module will continue its journey in the same orbit.
ISRO Chairman has revealed that the critical part during the soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft would be the direction of the spacecraft. He said the velocity at the start of the landing process is almost 1.68 km per second, but this speed is horizontal to the surface of the moon. The Chandrayaan-3 here is tilted almost 90 degrees, it has to become vertical. “The ability to transfer the spacecraft from horizontal to vertical direction is the ‘trick we have to play’ here,” ISRO Chairman said.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said he is more than 100% confident that Chandrayaan-3 will make a safe landing on Moon. He said, “Most of the critical stages are over now…Now I think I’m quite confident, more than 100% it’s going to be a safe landing”.
Chandrayaan-3 success means India set to become fourth country to land on the moon.
ISRO has set three main objectives for the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which include:
Getting a lander to land safely and softly on the surface of the Moon.
Observing and demonstrating the rover’s loitering capabilities on the Moon.
In-site observation & conducting experiments on the materials available on the lunar surface to better understand composition of the Moon.
The satellite was launched aboard the LVM3-M4 rocket in the afternoon of 14 July 2023, at 2:35 pm IST to a EPO perigee of 170 km (106 mi). This will be followed by a series of orbit raising operations (using an on-board LAM and chemical thrusters) to place the satellite in the Trans-lunar injection orbit.
As a matter of fact, Following Chandrayaan-2, where a last-minute glitch in the landing guidance software led to the lander crashing after entering lunar orbit, another lunar mission was proposed.
The launch of Chandrayaan-3 took place on 14 July 2023, at 2:35 pm IST. The lander and rover are expected to land near the lunar south pole region on 23 August 2023.
With the complete success of this great mission India will stamp its authority as global superpower. We all are as Indians proud of our nation.

Mohsina(Jr KAS) Asistant Director Handicraft and Handloom Srinagar talks on diverse aspects of Handloom sector

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Mohsina(Jr KAS) Asistant Director Handicraft and Handloom Srinagar talks on diverse aspects of Handloom sector
National Handloom Day Special
Mir Sabeen Gulrez
9th National Handloom Day was celebrated by the Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom Kashmir  on 7th August -2023 at Kashmir Haat, Srinagar.
National Handloom Day is observed on August 7th every year to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement, which was launched on this day in 1905.
 The event was held under the Chairmanship of  Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce, Shri Vikramjeet Singh along with Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir,  Mr. Mehmood Ahmad Shah. The event was attended by Joint Director Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir,  Joint Registrar, Induscos Kashmir, Director IICT , Deputy Directors of Handicraft and Handloom Kashmir and other staff members of Handloom Department, various Artisans, Weavers, & members of Cooperative Societies also attended the event.During the event, weaver registration certificates along with Mudra Sanction letters were distributed among the weaver community.
Journalist Mir Sabeen Gulrez talked to  Mohsina(Jr KAS) Asistant Director Handicraft and Handloom Srinagar about diverse aspects of Handloom Industry.
Reporter : What was the theme of National Handloom Day 2023?
Mohsina : The theme for this year  was “Handlooms for Sustainable Fashion”.
Reporter : How do you see the current picture of the Handloom sector in J&K?
Mohsina : The handloom sector in Kashmir is showing humongous growth, due to ongoing efforts of the department. The department of handicraft and handloom kashmir is implementing a number of schemes to benefit the weaver community. Under the credit card and MUDRA scheme a 7% interest Subsidy loan is given to the weavers. Around 500 weavers are sponsored every year for the said loans from district Srinagar Uber MUDRA scheme and 600 credit card loans are sanctioned every year from district Srinagar.
Reporter : How far is GI tagging helpful to Handicrafts?
Mohsina : GI tagging has been a game changer for the entire weaver community, by giving due credit to the hard labour of weavers and recognising the time, hard work and money that goes into hand weaving. It helped in placing the hand knit work on the forefront over the machine made work.
Reporter : Has GI tagging helped Pashmina?
Mohsina : The Pashmina sector in particular has seen a bloom post GI tagging the pashmina weaving community has now got recognition and a face of their product. The international market of Kashmiri pashmina products have seen a bloom post GI tagging which has helped in marketing and publicity of our products. GI tagged pashmina shawls were displayed in the G20 summit which was highly appreciated.
Reporter :Your take on weak economic conditions of weavers in Jk?
Mohsina: The department is constantly working to improve the economic condition of the artisan community. A  stipend of rs 1500 per month is provided to each trainee at the training centres run by the department,  various schemes are being implemented to provided loans to the artisans, under karkhandar scheme a sum of rs 2.5 lakh is given to an award winning artisan to start a training course of his own which has played a huge role in reviving the languishing crafts of Kashmir. Co-operatives have been opened in different crafts wherein 1 lakh rs is given to establish the society.