Supreme court orders removal of Stray Dogs, Cover story 10 November,2025

Supreme court orders removal of stray Dogs
News Kashmir Analysis
Stray Dogs Menace is a serious challenge in entire country. The special cause of concern has been dog bites ,which cause serious injuries and deaths too. The stray dogs have become a serious civics  challenge in country too. The animal rights activist have also been quite vocal while advocating rights of stray dogs.
In a landmark decision Supreme court made key observation recently.court was hearing a suo moto case, which was initiated on July 28 over a report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.
According to Livelaw, Having regard to the “alarming rise of dog-bite incidents”, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered that every educational institution, hospital, public sports complexes, bus stand and depots, railway stations, etc must be fenced properly to prevent the entry of stray dogs.
It will be the responsibility of the concerned local self-government institutions to pick up stray dogs from such institutions/areas, and shift them to designated dog shelters after vaccination and sterilisation in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules. The Court further ordered that stray dogs picked up from these areas must not be released to the same spot from which they were picked up. “Permitting the same would frustrate the very purpose of liberating such institutions from the presence of stray dogs,” the Court observed.
In this regard , bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria passed the order in the suo motu Stray Dogs matter. The Court directed that the local bodies must carry out periodic inspections to ensure that no stray dog habitat exists in such premises.
After the order was pronounced, Senior Advocates Anand Grover, Karuna Nundy etc, urged the bench to consider their submissions before signing the order. Nundy said that if dogs are removed, new dogs will occupy the same spot. The bench however refused to entertain the submissions.
The Court took note of various reports regarding dog-bite incidents across the country. Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal also submitted a report.
Stray dog bites have been also major cause of concern in Jammu and Kashmir as it has lead to precious loss of lives and horrible injuries .
This is undoubtedly a landmark order which would ensure that stray dogs menace is tackled and humans live in harmony.

Women Shining in Corporate world, 10 November 2025 editorial.

Women shining in Corporate World
Corporate world is backbone of present day world economy.
Women are playing a formidable role  in the present world economy. Hire or promote a woman to join your board of directors now to reap better results. According to a research, even one woman on the board of directors in a firm can lead to stronger corporate governance practices than those with no women. Moreover, companies with at least three women in board of directors rank even higher, depending on specific industry sectors, the study said. The findings are an eye opener over the burning facts that women are equal partners in economical boom of any society or country.
“The findings suggest the presence of women on a board encourages a greater focus on board practices and behaviours related to good governance, even when they are a lone voice,”said business professor Judith Zaichkowsky from Simon Fraser University in Canada said nearly a decade back.
 The study found significant improvement in scores with one women, especially in traditionally male-dominated industries such as energy and mining. All this proves that women presence in corporate is slated to increase.
In our country too and region also the women are shining in corporate world and making a mark. The corporate world is taking a great direction under the leadership of women.
The presence of women on the board could be a signal that a company cares more about good corporate governance, the expert analysis from time to time has revealed. Women role in corporate world is now redefining the corporate sector and this needs to be done in such a way that women shine in all positions .

How to Love Your Spouse Unconditionally, opinion 10 November,2025

A Love Without Preconditions!. 

How to Love Your Spouse Unconditionally:


By Dr. Fiaz Maqbool Fazili 

Love in marriage, much like life itself, is never static. It breathes, evolves, and sometimes bleeds under the weight of unmet expectations and human flaws. The idea of loving someone unconditionally—especially a spouse—is often glorified in poetry, religion, and philosophy, yet rarely practiced in the daily grind of shared existence. Unconditional love is not a sentimental phrase or a romantic illusion; it is a deliberate, disciplined act of the heart. It means giving your partner what they need the most, when they deserve it the least, at great personal cost to yourself.

When I first heard those words more than three decades ago, they struck me as both profound and painfully demanding. At the time, I was a young husband, navigating the uncharted territory of marriage with all the impatience and ego of youth. Those words, however, became a quiet compass—guiding me through arguments, disappointments, and moments of emotional drought. They taught me that love without conditions is not about perfection or permanent harmony. It is about choosing your partner, every day, especially when they are hardest to love. In a world increasingly defined by transient connections and conditional agreements, the sanctity of marital love faces unprecedented challenges. This piece explores the profound, often difficult, yet ultimately transformative practice of loving a spouse without conditions—a journey not of perfection, but of persistent, grace-filled choice. It is a reflection drawn from decades of lived experience, offered not as a prescription, but as a testament to the enduring power of a love that chooses to see, accept, and cherish.

Marriage, by its very nature, tests the elasticity of love. It places two imperfect individuals under the same emotional roof and asks them to build a life together. There are seasons when everything feels effortless—when laughter fills the kitchen, when plans align, and when the smallest gestures feel enough. But there are also days when silence stretches longer than words, when fatigue replaces affection, and when both partners feel unseen or misunderstood. It is in those fragile spaces that unconditional love either takes root or withers.

To love your spouse unconditionally is not to ignore their flaws or excuse their mistakes. It is to accept their humanity and choose to see the whole person—the good, the difficult, and the growing. It means extending grace, not as an act of surrender, but as a conscious expression of strength. True love is not about fixing someone; it is about standing beside them as they evolve.

Society often measures love by reciprocity—the give-and-take that keeps relationships balanced. But unconditional love transcends that equation. It gives without keeping score. Yet, this does not mean self-erasure or tolerating emotional neglect. Loving without conditions does not mean living without boundaries. In fact, setting boundaries is often an act of love, both for yourself and for your spouse. When you continue to give endlessly without being emotionally nourished in return, you eventually drain your spirit. Love cannot thrive in an environment where only one heart beats for two.

The idea of unconditional love finds its most perfect expression in divine example. The scriptures remind us that love is patient, kind, and enduring—not because it is blind to faults, but because it chooses compassion over judgment. God’s love for humanity is not transactional; it is steadfast even in the face of betrayal and weakness. That sacred model of love is not meant to burden us with impossible ideals, but to remind us that love can indeed be both strong and forgiving at once.

Marriage offers the closest human opportunity to practice that divine kind of love. When we forgive, when we listen instead of reacting, when we show up in the midst of disappointment, we mirror something larger than ourselves. It is not a weakness to love deeply; it is a rare courage to do so when circumstances test your patience and pride.

In the daily rhythm of marriage, unconditional love often manifests in the smallest acts. Respecting your spouse’s opinions even when you disagree, listening with empathy, believing in their abilities, and encouraging them in moments of self-doubt—these gestures weave the quiet fabric of enduring love. When you speak about your partner with respect in front of others, when you make time for them despite the chaos of life, you are telling them that they matter, that they are seen. Love is not a grand declaration; it is in the consistency of everyday tenderness.

To love unconditionally is also to allow imperfection. Letting your spouse fail, make mistakes, or struggle without judgment is part of this sacred dance. Control may feel like security, but it often suffocates growth. When you step back and give them the space to fall and rise again, you are not losing power—you are nurturing partnership. You are saying, “I trust you to find your way, and I will still be here when you do.”

Encouragement, too, is a language of love. Be their loudest cheerleader, not their harshest critic. Celebrate their victories, however small, and acknowledge their efforts even when outcomes fall short. Gratitude has a quiet magic—it transforms ordinary moments into emotional connection. Saying “thank you” or “I love you” may sound simple, but those words have the power to remind your partner that they are cherished and valued.

Of course, none of this comes without struggle. Unconditional love demands humility, patience, and self-awareness. It asks us to confront our own egos, our need to control, and our fear of being vulnerable. It is far easier to love when love is reciprocated. But the real measure of love is how it behaves when tested—when it must stand alone, fueled only by commitment and faith.

I still remember a time when my marriage felt weighed down by silence and fatigue. I taped that quote—“Unconditional love is giving the other person what they need the most, when they deserve it the least, at great personal cost to yourself”—to my bathroom mirror. I read it every morning before stepping into the day. It reminded me that love is not an emotion to be felt, but a decision to be made. It reminded me that I was called to love my wife not because she was perfect, but because she was mine.

Over the years, that lesson has deepened. I have realized that unconditional love is not a single act, but a lifelong practice. It requires forgiveness that goes beyond apology, understanding that precedes explanation, and faith that transcends disappointment. It is the slow, steady choice to nurture a bond even when it feels easier to retreat.

When the dust of daily life settles, when careers shift and appearances fade, what remains is the quiet companionship built through decades of shared resilience. To love your spouse unconditionally is to see beauty in the ordinary, to hold space for each other’s humanity, and to continue reaching across the distance when words fail.

At the end of every long day, when I turn to the person who has walked beside me through storms and seasons, I am reminded of one truth: love that asks for nothing in return often gives back the most. It may not always look perfect, but it endures. It grows through grace. It redeems through time. And in that unspoken endurance lies the purest form of love—a love without conditions.

The Author is a medical doctor and social commentator who writes columns highlighting social wrongs and public concerns. He can be reached at drfiazfazili@gmail.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dr.Fiaz Maqbool Fazili  MBBS; MS(​SKIMS);FICS;​FICA​(USA)​ ​MAMS;DTQM; CQPH;FISQua;CTQM;(Q&A)
Director HealthServices HSCT JK;Chief Adviser Healthcare,policy,Plans and Projects
Newspaper and Social media Columnist, blogger Healthcare(cancer awareness & prevention) Improvement of   Healthcare-standards ,Safety; Moral Ethics in healthcare &  hospital. Senior ​Consultant Surgeon,Clinical auditor

Adviosr  Hospital & Healthcare Policy Planning; Patient safety &Quality care(QPS) Improvement.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Smooth Assembly Session, 3 November 2025 cover story

Smooth Assembly session
News Kashmir Analysis
The recent Assembly session in Jammu and Kashmir’s legislature has set a remarkable precedent, marking a significant milestone in the region’s history. The session, which concluded with the adjournment sine die by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, was notable for its smooth functioning and productive proceedings. Despite being a nine-day session, it witnessed minimal disruptions and showcased a commendable level of coordination between the opposition and the government.
The session saw the passage of several key bills, including five government bills, and discussions on two private members’ resolutions. The Assembly Secretariat received an impressive 732 questions, with 682 being admitted and 29 taken up for discussion. Additionally, 97 Zero Hour issues were raised, and 73 supplementaries were discussed by members.
While 14 bills were received, 33 pending bills from previous sessions remain on the agenda. Out of 41 private bills listed, eight were discussed, and one private member’s resolution was passed. The session also saw the submission of 67 calling attention notices, with ten being taken up for discussion.
This session’s success can be attributed to the constructive debates and minimal disruptions, demonstrating the Assembly’s commitment to meaningful deliberations. The cooperation between the opposition and the government has set a positive precedent, showcasing the effectiveness of the legislative process in Jammu and Kashmir.
The members of Assembly also praised the historic session. Minister for Health, Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo said that the Speaker was deserving of congratulations and thanked him for running the House in a non-partisan and objective manner to ensure a productive and fruitful session.
She thanked the opposition for playing its role effectively in holding the government accountable, adding that they deserve credit for their constructive participation.
She expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah for spending time in the House and responding to the Members’ queries.
Regarding the queries raised by MLAs about the replies, Minister said that all replies in the House were prepared after due consideration to ensure satisfactory responses.
MLA M.Y. Tarigami thanked all members and staff for making the session fruitful and productive, suggesting that future sessions be held for a longer duration to allow sufficient time for legislators to raise issues of public importance.
Without an iota of doubt it has been a historic positive Assembly session.

Music Essence , 3 November 2025 editorial

Music essence
Music is the greatest form of art, possessing the profound ability to heal stress and soothe the soul. It plays a vital role in our lives, providing solace in sorrow and amplifying joy in happiness. India boasts a rich musical heritage, with every region cherishing its unique traditions. The valley of Kashmir, renowned for its Sufi music, exemplifies this cultural wealth. To preserve and promote this legacy, it’s essential to encourage our youth to explore various forms of music. By incorporating quality music education in schools, we can nurture the hidden talents within our children. This not only fosters creativity but also instills discipline and cultural appreciation. As a nation, India has produced legendary musicians who have inspired generations. Let’s prioritize music education, especially in regions like Kashmir, where it can be a powerful tool for emotional expression and healing. By doing so, we can ensure that the beauty of music continues to thrive and inspire future generations. Moreover, music can bridge gaps and unite people across diverse backgrounds, making it an integral part of humanity’s shared heritage. Let’s celebrate and promote our musical diversity.
The expert pulse also states that Music is important because it fosters emotional and cognitive development, enhances social connections, and serves as a powerful tool for cultural expression and therapy. It improves mood, reduces stress, and can boost cognitive functions like memory and coordination. Additionally, music brings people together and provides a unique way to communicate emotions, preserve cultural heritage, and create a sense of community.
Cognitive and emotional benefits are well known.
Music Improves cognitive function: Learning to play an instrument can enhance memory, attention, and spatial-temporal skills, and is linked to better academic performance.
Boosts emotional well-being: Music can evoke a wide range of emotions, help process feelings, reduce stress and anxiety. Music has great values .

India and the Taliban- Realpolitik or a Real Risk?,opinion 27 October

India and the Taliban: Realpolitik or a Real Risk?

By Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer

 

India’s recent engagement with the Taliban’s Foreign Minister — a UN-sanctioned individual — has stirred both curiosity and controversy in equal measure. For New Delhi, this outreach might seem like realpolitik — a pragmatic move dictated by shifting geopolitical currents in South and Central Asia. Yet for many observers, it raises a deeper, more uncomfortable question: Has India compromised its principles for the sake of strategic convenience?

The meeting, though perhaps inevitable in the new regional reality, has reopened a moral and diplomatic debate about how far India is willing to go to safeguard its interests — and at what cost.

A Breach of Trust?

For decades, Afghanistan and India shared a relationship built on trust, empathy, and shared history. India wasn’t just another regional player; it was a reliable partner, often referred to by Afghans as an elder brother — a nation that stood by them in times of conflict and instability. From building hospitals and roads to investing in education and governance, India’s development assistance made it a symbol of peace in a war-torn land.

Thus, this recent engagement with the Taliban — a regime that seized power through violence, suppresses women’s rights, and continues to shelter extremist elements — feels to many like a betrayal of that legacy. The people of Afghanistan, who have long admired India’s democratic values and secular ethos, now find themselves questioning whether the world’s largest democracy has begun to compromise with forces that embody everything it once opposed.

This meeting also appears to contradict India’s longstanding policy of zero tolerance for terrorism. How does a nation that refuses dialogue with terrorist organizations justify sitting across the table from a UN-sanctioned minister of a government still struggling for legitimacy?

 

It’s a fair question — one that cuts to the core of India’s foreign policy identity.

The Realpolitik Argument

Yet, from another angle, this engagement may not be betrayal but strategic necessity. The Taliban, whether the world likes it or not, currently represents the de facto government of Afghanistan. To ignore them would mean ceding influence in a region where China, Pakistan, Iran, and Russia are already manoeuvring aggressively for leverage.

Diplomacy, after all, is not about friendships; it’s about interests. India, guided by a “nation-first” principle, cannot afford to let ideology cloud its strategic vision. Engaging with the Taliban doesn’t mean endorsing their ideology — it means acknowledging political reality.

 

Moreover, this isn’t the first time India has spoken to adversaries. New Delhi has engaged Pakistan several times despite its long history of sponsoring terrorism. The difference here is that India is not recognizing the Taliban regime formally; it’s testing the waters, ensuring its interests — particularly in trade, connectivity, and counterterrorism — are not undermined by exclusion.

In the game of geopolitics, moral clarity often collides with strategic necessity. The Indian establishment knows that isolationism achieves little. A seat at the table, however uncomfortable, is often better than shouting from outside the room.

Who Really Gains?

Still, one must ask: Who benefits most from this meeting?

For the Taliban, this engagement is a diplomatic victory. It lends them a veneer of legitimacy they have been desperately seeking. Being received by one of the world’s major powers — especially one that has long championed democratic values — allows them to project an image of acceptance to the global community.

For Afghanistan’s neighbors like Pakistan and China, India’s move might come as both surprise and concern. New Delhi, by reopening communication lines, signals that it refuses to be cut out of regional equations. It’s a way of saying: India is still here, and still matters.

For India, however, the gains are less immediate. Yes, the meeting may open avenues for intelligence sharing, trade routes, or humanitarian assistance. It could help ensure that Afghan soil isn’t used for anti-India terror activities. But these are still ifs and maybes.

 

The real test will be whether such outreach translates into tangible outcomes — or whether it ends up as another well-intentioned diplomatic gesture that history quietly shelves away.

Principle vs. Pragmatism

 

At the heart of this issue lies a timeless dilemma: Should foreign policy be guided by moral conviction or national interest?   India’s engagement with the Taliban isn’t about endorsement; it’s about influence. Yet, in trying to secure that influence, there’s a risk of eroding the very moral high ground that has defined India’s global image for decades. The line between engagement and legitimization is perilously thin — and one misstep could blur it beyond repair.

 

Still, one must also acknowledge that the geopolitical landscape has changed. The world is not divided into heroes and villains anymore. Power dynamics are fluid, alliances are temporary, and every country is recalibrating its approach to survive in a multipolar world.

 

India, therefore, must walk this tightrope — balancing ideals with interests, compassion with caution.

The Final Word

 

So, is India’s meeting with the Taliban a betrayal or a masterstroke? Perhaps it’s a bit of both.

It’s betrayal if seen through the lens of sentiment — of friendship, loyalty, and shared values with the Afghan people.

It’s strategy if viewed through the prism of national interest and regional survival.

 

The truth, as always, lies somewhere in between.

India’s challenge now is not just to engage with the Taliban but to ensure that such engagement does not compromise its principles or global reputation. The world is watching — and so are the Afghan people, who once looked to India not just for power, but for hope.

  1. In diplomacy, as in life, sometimes the hardest part isn’t meeting your enemy — it’s not losing yourself in the process.

Respect for Parents , opinion 20 October 2025

Respect for Parents — Especially in Old Age
Modern Times — Busy Lives, Forgotten Bonds,Values ignored
By Dr. Fiaz Maqbool Fazili

In every religion, culture, and civilization, reverence for parents stands as one of the most sacred moral duties. It forms the foundation of humanity and defines the moral health of a society. Yet Islam raises this obligation from the realm of social ethics to that of divine worship. The Qur’an makes this relationship inseparable from the faith itself: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents.” This verse places obedience to parents immediately after obedience to Allah. It is not merely advice; it is a command — a reflection of divine will. To honor one’s parents, therefore, is not an act of courtesy but an act of worship.

The Season of Their Fragility-In childhood, our parents are our shield — they protect, nurture, and provide. But as they grow old, the shield weakens, the hands that once guided begin to tremble, and the voices that once instructed now seek reassurance. This is the stage when duty reverses — the child becomes the guardian. Yet, in today’s world of busyness and distraction, many fail to recognize this sacred moment. The Qur’an beautifully instructs: “If one or both of them reach old age while with you, do not even say ‘uff’ to them, nor rebuke them, but speak to them with gentleness and honor.”The Arabic expression “uff” may seem small, but it represents every sigh of annoyance, every gesture of irritation, and every trace of disrespect. Islam, in its unmatched depth of compassion, forbids even the faintest sign of impatience toward one’s parents.

When Parents Weep, Heaven Watches-The tears of a parent, especially when caused by the harshness of a child, do not go unnoticed by the heavens. The Prophet Muhammad saw said:
The father is the middle gate of Paradise; lose it if you wish, or preserve it.” In another Hadith, he warned: “The pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of the father, and His displeasure lies in the father’s displeasure.” What greater testimony could there be to the sacredness of parental love? To please one’s parents is to please Allah Himself; to hurt them is to risk divine wrath. A parent’s pain echoes in eternity, and their silent prayers — or their silent grief — can shape a child’s destiny.

The Sin That Weighs Heavily-The Prophet Muhammad saw included disobedience to parents among the gravest of sins:“The greatest sins are associating partners with Allah and disobedience to parents.” To disregard or disrespect one’s parents, therefore, is no small moral lapse — it is a spiritual disaster. The gravity of this sin lies not only in words or actions but also in indifference. The child who neglects an aging parent, who turns away when their voice calls, commits a silent form of cruelty.

The Power of Words-Language carries the weight of the heart. The Qur’an commands: “Speak to them words of kindness.” . Words can soothe or scar, build or break. Even a single sharp phrase can wound a parent more deeply than physical pain. True respect lies not in loud declarations of love, but in the tone of our everyday speech — in gentleness, patience, and gratitude. The Qur’an further instructs: “And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy.” This image of lowering one’s “wing” captures the very essence of humility — to bow in affection, to serve without ego, and to speak with tenderness.

Old Age — Their Test, Our Opportunity-Many views old parents as a burden, but in truth, they are a divine test of character. Their dependence is not a trial for them, but for us. The Prophet Muhammad saw said:“May his nose be rubbed in dust — the one who finds his parents in old age, one or both, and yet does not enter Paradise through them.” Their frailty is our chance for salvation. Serving them, feeding them, or simply sitting beside them can open the gates of Paradise.

Remembering Their Sacrifices-No matter how high a child climbs in life, he stands upon the shoulders of his parents’ sacrifices. The sleepless nights of a mother, the tireless labor of a father, the quiet prayers whispered in the dark — these are debts no currency can repay.The Qur’an reminds us:
We have enjoined upon man kindness to his parents. His mother carried him/her in hardship upon hardship.” Their love was never conditional. They stood by us when the world turned away. To forget them in their frailty is to forget our own roots.

Love Beyond Death-The bond between parent and child does not end with the grave. The Prophet Muhammad saw  said:“When a person dies, his deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” A prayer whispered for one’s deceased parents travels beyond the veil of mortality. It becomes a light in their graves and a source of continuing mercy. To pray for them is to keep their memory alive in the most sacred way.

A World of Distraction, A Generation of Forgetfulness-Today’s world, with its constant noise, ambition, and self-centred pace, has produced a tragic paradox — parents surrounded by family, yet utterly alone. The same homes they built brick by brick have become places of isolation. Screens glow brighter than smiles, and conversations have turned to messages.Our elders sit quietly, longing for the warmth of a child’s presence, not their presents. They do not seek money, luxury, or recognition — they seek attention, kindness, and companionship. When they speak, they do not wish to be corrected, only to be heard. Their stories, repeated a hundred times, are not forgetfulness but a longing to relive moments when life still had meaning.Neglecting parents in their old age is one of the gravest moral crises of our times. It reflects a society that has lost its sense of gratitude. A culture that forgets its elders has no right to expect mercy from its youth.

Paradise Beneath Their Feet-The Prophet Muhammad saw proclaimed: “Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers.” Beneath those tired, cracked feet lies a lifetime of love, sacrifice, and prayer. And beneath a father’s silent labour lies the shade that once sheltered our childhood. When a parent’s eyes well up because of a child’s indifference, those tears rise to the heavens, not the floor. They reach the Throne of the Most Merciful.

Let us, therefore, not wait for their absence to realize their worth. Love them in their presence. Sit beside them, listen, and serve them without condition. For whoever pleases his parents has pleased Allah — and whoever breaks their hearts has dimmed the light of his own destiny.

Dr. Fiaz Maqbool Fazili is a physician and columnist who writes on ethics, faith, and social concerns. He can be reached at drfiazfazili@gmail.com.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Dr.Fiaz Maqbool Fazili  MBBS; MS(SKIMS);FICS;FICA(USA) MAMS;DTQM; CQPH;FISQua;CTQM;(Q&A)

 Senior Consultant Surgeon (Surgical Gastroenterology; Onco-Surgery; Breast, ,GIT,Hernia; Diabetic foot ,Wound care  & Minimal access;&  Gen;Surgery problems);

 

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

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

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

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 .