Shrinking Waterbodies in J&K

Posted on by Editor

 

Shrinking waterbodies in J&K
News Kashmir Analysis
Rivers are life. They are the basic resources for existence of life on this planet by providing critical drinking water .
No life is possible without rivers. Rivers are the backbone of human civilization! They provide us with freshwater which is helpful for various purposes such as cleaning, washing, drinking etc. Without rivers, life will just come to halt. Rivers just keep on flowing without any stop.
In our country India too rivers have utmost importance. The rivers in India play an important role in the lives of its people. They provide potable water, cheap transportation, electricity, and the livelihood for many people nationwide. This easily explains why nearly all the major cities of India are located by the banks of rivers.
Jammu and Kashmir has many lakes, rivers, and glaciers. Significant rivers that flow through Jammu & Kashmir from the Himalayas are Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi.These river basins are located at a higher elevation facilitating huge hydro power potential. Major lakes include Manasbal Lake, Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Nageen Lake. There are around 1230 water bodies in Jammu & Kashmir.
Shrinking rivers on account of encroachments, pollution and increasing construction along with climate changes are a global concern including in Jammu and Kashmir.
As climate change threatens the world and parts of world  suffer from one of the worst bouts of drought, a new study shows that not just rivers, but lakes are also shrinking fast. More than half of the world’s large lakes and reservoirs have shrunk since the early 1990s as alarm bells ring across.
Nearly 2 billion people, who live in a drying lake basin, are directly affected and many regions have faced shortages in recent years.
Shrinking water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir especially in Kashmir is a matter of concern. Many lakes have shrunk due to human greed along with rivers .
The dry weather is complicating matters as rivers are at all time low level.Out of the forty days of hard winter locally called Chillai Kalan, 27 have already passed without snow, compelling experts, environmentalists, and officials to ring alarm bells.
No snowfall means ominous sign for waterbodies in Kashmir.
only Gulmarg but Pahalgam, Srinagar and other areas in the valley too have not yet received snowfall this winter. Only areas in the extreme higher reaches recorded minimum snowfall so far.
Wetlands too are shrinking . As experts term them referred to as nature’s kidneys, have shrunk in size in the last five decades and are on the brink of extinction.
Dal Lake has suffered a similar fate in response to land cover change. Researchers in Srinagar found that land conversion to urban development in the basin had worsened the lake’s water quality and contributed to its reduced size. They found that between 1980 and 2018 the lake’s open water shrunk in area by 25 percent.
The water level in the Jhelum River has hit the lowest due to a prolonged dry spell in Kashmir, officials said here on Sunday.
“River Jhelum was flowing at -0.75 feet at Sangam (Anantnag district) and -0.86 feet at Asham (Bandipora district) on Sunday, 14 January, 2024 morning. This is the lowest water level in the river,” the officials said.
It had dropped to this level at Sangam in November 2017, they said.
The shrinking of waterbodies in Jammu and Kashmir is a serious matter of concern for which both masses and government needs to find solutions.

PM Modi, LG Manoj Sinha leading vibrant J&K, cover story 1 January 2024

Posted on by Editor
PM Modi, LG Manoj Sinha leading Vibrant J&K
News Kashmir Exclusive
Jammu and Kashmir after many decades of turmoil and terror since last few years is witnessing a progressive era. The abrogation of article 370 has destroyed the selfish and antinational politics played by separatists, dynasty politicians along with terrorist forces.
The visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Jammu and Kashmir dynamic Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has changed face of Jammu and Kashmir towards peace and prosperity.
Record investments have come and many projects of development have been undertaken since abrogstion of article 370.
Domestic and foreign tourism has made big come back in past few years, after long years of upheaval.
Few months back Srinagar hosted the biggest event of its history in form of G20 Tourism summit.
Srinagar hosted the G20 meeting (the third tourism working group meeting of the G20 member countries) and post that, the number of foreign tourist arrivals in J-K has gone up by 350 per cent from the last year,” the LG said.
As a matter of fact, last year J-K witnessed a record 1.88 crore tourist arrivals, but this year, 1.70 crore tourists have already visited J-K till September this year.
The biggest dream of Kashmir that will take development and connectivity horizons to new levels in form of train will be practical reality in 2024.
The railway link of Kashmir will connect to the rest of the country in 2024 and for that all the arrangements are being done.
Tere are optimistic  reports that the government is planning to introduce Vande Bharat Metro train service between Jammu and Srinagar. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed plans for a Vande Bharat Express train maintenance facility in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Once the rail network is completed, the Vande Bharat Metro will be launched.
In almost three years since the Jammu and Kashmir government announced a new industrial policy in January 2021, the Union Territory has received proposals worth Rs 84,544 crore in as many as 42 industrial sectors.
Jsmmu and Kashmir is very fast turning into an investment hub as people are keen to establish their business units here in the UT .
The public transport of Jammu and Kashmir has been revolutionized.
As the summer capital has been facing tough problem due to shortage of public transport, hi-tech e-buses have brought some respite to the passengers on various routes.
Officials said e-buses are equipped with the latest technology that will ensure hassle-free public transport service for the Srinagarites.
On the other hand just few days back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a lively interaction with 250 students from Jammu and Kashmir, part of the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme, held in the national capital. Expressing admiration for the students’ enthusiasm, the Prime Minister emphasised their pivotal role in India’s journey towards development.
The interaction unfolded at Modi’s residence, where nearly 250 underprivileged students from various districts of Jammu and Kashmir, participating in the “Watan Ko Jano-Youth Exchange” initiative, engaged in a freewheeling and informal conversation with the Prime Minister. As part of the Central government’s programme, these students are touring Jaipur, Ajmer, and New Delhi.
The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has been working round the clock to ensure that the UT of Jammu and Kashmir becomes a role model of progress and also the most efficient and effective Governance is ensured to masses.
Undoubtedly,  in the year 2024 Jammu and Kashmir is making right noise and likely to take historic steps towards progress .
The magical leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is making it sure that crown of Country Jammu and Kashmir makes all round progress.

Emphatic BJP Win , Cover story 11 December 2023

Posted on by Editor
  • Emphatic BJP Win
    News Kashmir Analysis

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has once again been triumphant in the elections .It swept the Hindi Heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan while as main opposition Party Congress could just win the Southern State of Telangana.
As a matter of fact , ruling
BJP swept the elections in Madhya Pradesh despite being in power since 2003, except for a 15-month period after 2018.
Pertinent to mention, BJP retained power in Madhya Pradesh by winning 166 seats in the 230-member Assembly, relegating the Congress to a distant second with just 66 seats, down from the 114 the grand old party had got in the 2018 edition.
In yet another stunning and surprising victory, The BJP won the Chhattisgarh Election 2023 as the party crossed the half-way mark on Sunday. The BJP won 54 seats , while the Congress won 35 seats. Many had predicted Congress win as opposed to BJP in Chattisgarh but BJP ousted Congress in emphatic manner.
BJP swept the polls, with 46.27 vote share, to regain power in Chhattisgarh on Sunday. The Congress’s vote share was around 42 per cent.
The BJP secured an impressive victory in Rajasthan, winning 115 seats, as the ‘revolving door trend’ continued in the state where an incumbent party has not been voted back to power in the last 30 years. The Congress finished second with 69 seats. Eight independents won, while the Bharat Adivasi Party emerged victorious in three seats, two for the Bahujan Samaj Party, and one each for the Rashtriya Lok Dal and the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party.
On the otherhand, Congress won 64 assembly seats in Telangana and ended the nearly 10-year-old rule of the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government.
Congress state unit chief Revanth Reddy and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met the governor in the evening to stake claim to form the government in the state.

The BRS, which has 101 members in the outgoing Assembly, got 39 seats, while the BJP secured eight seats. The AIMIM won seven seats and CPI one.
The pulse on ground zero is that BJP has secured emphatic win in most of the states and it’s road to power in 2024 elections has been made much easier.
These results are also the testimony of the great leadership qualities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lead Government and its popularity in masses.

Poor Menstrual hygiene is matter of concern

Posted on by Editor
Poor Menstrual Hygiene is matter of serious concern

By Rameez Makhdoomi
Menstruation is part and parcel of every women’s life .
By definition, Menstruation is also known by the terms menses, menstrual period, menstrual cycle or period. Menstrual blood — which is partly blood and partly tissue from the inside of your uterus — flows from your uterus through your cervix and out of your body through your vagina. Menstruation is driven by hormones.
Good menstrual health and hygiene practices can prevent infections, reduce odors, and help you stay comfortable during your period. Wash your hands before and after using the restroom and before using a menstrual product.
On the other hand, Poor menstrual hygiene, however, can pose serious health risks, like reproductive and urinary tract infections which can result in future infertility and birth complications. Neglecting to wash hands after changing menstrual products can spread infections, such as hepatitis B and thrush.
Unfortunately,  Jammu and Kashmir is among the regions with poor menstrual hygiene.
As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), nearly 60 per cent of women in Jammu and Kashmir still use cloth for menstrual protection during periods. The survery (2019-2021) also reveals that merely 50.5 per cent of women aged between 15-24 use  sanitary napkins. The per centage has swelled from 48.8 per cent in NFHS-4 (2015-2016).
According to official data, the lowest percentage of women using sanitary napkins apart from Jammu and Kashmir are from Uttar Pradesh with 69.4 per cent, Assam with 69.1 per cent, Meghalaya with 65 per cent, and Madhya Pradesh with 61 per cent. Andaman and Nicobar Islands has the lowest rate of women preferring cloth, with 8.2 per cent, while Tamil Nadu with 12.7 per cent is at the second place.
Good menstrual health and hygiene practices can prevent infections, reduce odors, and help you stay comfortable during your period. Wash your hands before and after using the restroom and before using a menstrual product.
While talking to this Journalist,  Dr Priyanka Sharma, Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fortis Mohali, observed that menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is not well acknowledged in our country. Still many women and girls are unaware of the basic hygiene practices to be followed during their menstruation like adequate washing of the genitals, use of good absorbent sanitary pads , appropriate clothes and toilet facilities and adequate measures of disposable.
She further adds;
“
Poor menstrual hygiene may lead to problems such as itching or rashes in the perineal region, bad odour, and also major complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and toxic shock syndrome. These problems can also further lead to reproductive issues like infertility and pregnancy related complications.
 Knowledge regarding the physiological processes associated with menstruation has a pivotal role in determining sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Most girls don’t know their bodies are changing when they start menstruating, that menstruation is a biological process, or what they can do to regulate it.
 A 2014 report by an NGO, Dasra, said over 23 million girls drop out of school every year due to a lack of adequate MHM facilities, including sanitary napkins and proper knowledge of menstruation.
Menstrual health is not a ‘women’s subject’but it involves the complete society. Comprehensive and meaningful education on menstrual processes, supportive environments, encouraging participation, and honest conversations can help adolescent boys and men, better understand MHH.
Women should be empowered by providing essential services for menstrual management and disposal which is scientifically sound, accessible, and at cost that the community and country can afford. “
Undoubtedly, menstrual hygiene should be taken seriously.

Deepfakes challenge, Cover story 27 November 2023

Posted on by Editor
Deepfakes challenge
News Kashmir Analysis
Artificial intelligence is now widely recognized as the future of world, but there are some serious challenges like Deepfakes.
Deepfakes (portmanteau of “deep learning” and “fake” are synthetic media that have been digitally manipulated to replace one person’s likeness convincingly with that of another. Deepfakes are the manipulation of facial appearance through deep generative methods.While the act of creating fake content is not new, deepfakes leverage powerful techniques from machine learning and artificial intelligence to manipulate or generate visual and audio content that can more easily deceive.The main machine learning methods used to create deepfakes are based on deep learning and involve training generative neural network architectures, such as autoencoders, or generative adversarial networks (GANs). In turn the field of image forensics develops techniques to detect manipulated images.
India is mulling regulation to tame the spread of deepfakes and other user harm that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can bring along, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said here few days back.After meeting representatives from large social media platforms and other stakeholders, the Minister said India will draft new rules to spot and limit the spread of deepfakes.
On the otherhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently  reiterated his concern about deepfakes, which create ultra-realistic visuals, and echoed the call for global regulations on artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the opening of a virtual summit of G20 nations, of which India holds the presidency, PM Modi said, “The world is worried about the negative effects of AI. India thinks that we have to work together on the global regulations for AI. Understanding how dangerous deepfake is for society and individuals, we need to work forward. We want AI should reach the people, it must be safe for society.”
We must understand dangers posed by deepfakes to society and individuals,” PM Modi said.
“India’s thinking is clear, we have to work together on global regulation of AI,” PM Modi told G20 leaders.
Expert pulse is worried the hands of cybercriminals, deepfakes become dangerous weapons that can disrupt and destroy businesses and governments. A fabricated video of a company’s top executive or a top politician can have serious repercussions on a company or a country’s reputation.
We as a nation need to take challenges of Deepfakes very seriously.
Over the years, we have witnessed many such instances of deepfake videos that went viral on social media. Most recently, actor Rashmika Mananna was a victim of a viral deepfake video, sparking serious concerns over the misuse of the technology which resulted in the Indian government drawing plans to tackle the menace.

Air Quality Concerns in Kashmir, cover story 13 November 2023

Posted on by Editor
Air quality concerns in Kashmir
News Kashmir Analysis
Clean air entails healthy body.
Breathing clean air can lessen the possibility of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer as well as chronic and acute respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Lower levels of air pollution are better for heart and respiratory health both long- and short-term.
As a matter of fact, An air quality index (AQI) is an indicator developed by government agencies to communicate to the public how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become.
According to a study, the air quality recorded for Srinagar city in the Kashmir valley, which is relatively surrounded by pollution-free environment, was found to start declining from the month of October.
This year, According to IQ Air, a real-time air quality information platform, the PM2.5 concentration in Srinagar’s air on January 9 was 28.2 µg/m³, which is 5.6 times over the World Health Organisation’s air quality values. The Air Quality Index was 83 at moderate level. On January 7, the PM 2.5 level reached an alarming 64.2 µg/m³ while the Air Quality Index in Srinagar touched 155 which is considered unhealthy. On an average, Kashmir has been witnessing moderate to high to moderate PM 2.5 and AQI levels with
onset of winter.
As a matter of fact, few time back
On world stroke day, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has  said exposure to air pollution increases the risk of stroke.
“Poor air quality heightens your chances of getting a stroke,” said DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
Dr Hassan said according to a new study published in Journal Neurology short exposure of just 5 days to air pollutants could increase a person’s risk of stroke.
Previous studies have established a link between long term exposure to air pollution and increased risk of stroke.
The expert pulse is On average person inhales around 14,000 litres of air every day. When the air we breathe is of poor quality it can affect our health.
Particulate matter (PM) is a collective term for solid and liquid particles suspended in the air and small enough to be inhaled. PM varies greatly in structure and chemical composition depending on where it comes from. PM comes from human activities and natural sources. It is often classified according to its size because size determines how PM interacts with the environment and human body.
One hopes air quality in Kashmir improves in coming times.

Fruit price rise in Kashmir, 23 october 2023 cover story

Posted on by Editor
Fruit Price Rise in Kashmir
News Kashmir Analysis
Fruits are a very vital  part of diet. They are essential segment of diet important for good health. The expert pulse is that Fruits are a good source of vitamins and minerals, recognized for their role in preventing vitamin C and vitamin A deficiencies. People who incorporate fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy eating pattern have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.
In Kashmir valley the people in many parts are unable to take quality fruits due to their price hikes . The all important fruits are priced at very high rates beyond the reach of common man.
We take a detailed look at the overwll market scenario.  Kiwi contains abundant amounts of Vitamin C, which stimulates the body’s immune response. In fact, the kiwifruit contains roughly 230% of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin C.
In  Kashmir at most of the fruit shops the quality Kiwis are priced at rs 50 rupees one piece, which is very taxing for a common man.
Banana is among widely 0 popular fruits of world and highly popular in Kashmir too. In Kashmir a single piece of Banana now cost rs 10 which amounts to rs 120 a dozen quite expensive from previous times. We need to bear in mind Bananas contain a number of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B6: A medium banana gives you about a quarter of the vitamin B6 you should get each day. It helps with metabolism. And it plays an important role in brain development during pregnancy and infancy, as well as immune system health.
Watermelon is one of the widely used fruit in Kashmir especially in the fasting month of Ramadan. As a matter of fact, Watermelon is rich in an amino acid called citrulline that may help move blood through your body and can lower your blood pressure. Your heart also enjoys the perks of all the lycopene watermelon contains. Studies show that it may lower your risk of heart attacks.
This time the current price of watermelon is ranging from rs 60 to rs 70 in Kashmir per kg and single ball of watermelon  costs from  rs 350 to 400.
Although due to bulk production often Apple is available at cheaper Price.
Syed Irfan Hashmi, a consumer observed that fruits esential part of every diet. He  states :”  Due to varied reasons the prices of all most all the important fruits in Kashmir are on higher side. The hope is that with improvement of transportation and logistics the fruit prices in Kashmir would in future times come down. Throughout the world climate Change is also hamppering   fruit production and it needs to be looked into. Fruit at affordable price is must.”
The hope is fruit prices in Kashmir would be affordable in coming  times.

Respecting elders, cover story 6 November 2023

Posted on by Editor
Respecting Elders

News Kashmir Analysis
Elders are integral part of every society. Respecting elders should be cornerstone of every society. Unfortunately enough, in Kashmir valley with passing time the respect for elders has been dwindling as a result the society is facing multiple issues.  The need of the hour is to enforce the respect of elders .
The Valley of Kashmir is known for its rich ethos  cultural values and strong moral heritage since centuries. The respect towards elders especially parents has been the founding cornerstones of our moral values in Kashmir.  Thus taking care of parents in old age by children , like they took care of their children in young age is a logical outcome of these longstanding moral traditions.
However since sometime the idea of establishing multiple old age homes is creeping in Kashmir.
retirement home – sometimes called an old people’s home or old age home, although old people’s home can also refer to a nursing home – is a multi-residence housing facility intended for the elderly. Typically, each person or couple in the home has an apartment-style room or suite of rooms. This trend suggests we are towards a moral dilemma in our society.
Expert pulse has been that
The respecting elders means you cannot ignore or cut their voices. Whenever they are speaking to someone or discussing anything, don’t interrupt.
They have rich heritage of experience. Maybe you are having more knowledge about that particular topic, but let them speak first and listen then put your points when they complete it.
The accumulated wealth of insight gained over the years makes the elders in our home and life a source of solace, tranquility, and stability. Our parents, grandparents, and other older relatives help us understand the evolution of ideas across time and bring greater depth and perspective to our thoughts.
and kids have almost surrendered on this issue. It has been found that settling abroad is usually one way traffic; you rarely return to attend your moral obligations and this trend is increasing.
On the otherhand the brain drain of youth in search of jobs is also hurting the society of Kashmir.
The voices of sanity on ground state  that if this phenomenon remains unchecked and more youngesters began to abandon their homes, the need for setting up old age homes may become a reality.
All this will also hurt the overall talent pool of the Kashmir valley .
The reality of hour demands we reinforce respect towards elders and move in right direction.

NEP 2020 a learner Centered Policy, cover story 30 october 2023

Posted on by Editor
NEP 2020  a learner Centered Policy
News Kashmir Analysis
Education is the cornerstone of civilization.
No society can progress without education.
In a bright development for education system of country,
The National Education Policy of India 2020 (NEP 2020), which was started by the Union Cabinet of India on 29 July 2020, outlines the vision of new education system of India.[1] The new policy replaces the previous National Policy on Education, 1986.[a] The policy is a comprehensive framework for elementary education to higher as well as vocational training in both rural and urban India.
It is heartening to note that The policy aims to transform India’s education system by 2030.
NEP also aims to make the education in India learner or student centered.
Globally it has been found that Learner-centered teaching encourages students to reflect on what they are learning and how they are learning it. It is teaching that encourages collaboration, acknowledging the classroom (be it virtual or real) as a community where everyone shares the learning agenda.
Some months back , in order to celebrate the successful completion of three years of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central University of Kashmir (CUK)  organised a press conference in Srinagar. The press conference was addressed by the Vice-Chancellor (VC) CUK Prof. A. Ravinder Nath.
Addressing the media, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath said, “NEP-2020 is basically focussing on catering to the learner interest and nurturing the learner abilities in developing economies, building societies and fostering leadership, which can convert the human potential into national empowerment”.
The programme was conducted as part of Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam, a nationwide celebration regarding the completion of NEP-2020.
Flanked by the Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shahid Rasool, Convener NEP-2020 Implementation Committee, Prof. Syed Zahoor Geelani, and Deans of various schools of the varsity, Prof. Nath presented an overview of various steps and measures initiated by CUK and said that no stone is being left unturned to ensure proper and timely implementation of NEP in letter and spirit. He said that all efforts are being made to equip the students with skills relevant for the market and the opportunity for both vertical and horizontal mobility across the nation and abroad. CU Kashmir intends to offer holistic education through multidisciplinary approaches, while focusing on skill development, innovation and enterprise, he added.
NEP focuses on : To provide equitable access to quality education to all students irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds, gender, or physical abilities.
One hopes that NEP 2020 is full implemented in Jammu and Kashmir,  and in heartening developments we are seeing academic authorities fully implementating the NEP 2020.
It is  a welcome development above all that NEP is a learner centered approach.

Mental Health Key to Progress, cover story 16 october 2023

Posted on by Editor

Mental Health key to progress
News Kashmir Analysis
Mental health is foundation of stronger nations. We in the Country have seen several steps taken to improve Mental health, but still many challenges remain. In Valley of Kashmir the Jewel of crown of India we have seen Mental health of people overall not presenting much good picture. We as a country need to recognise the importance of Mental health and make our country mentally strong .
In a series of positive developments, recently,The Union Health Minister launched the logo of Tele-MANAS and inaugurated the new facilities in National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore namely Platinum Jubilee Auditorium and Academic facility, New Administrative Office complex at NIMHANS, Centre for Brain and Mind.

The Union Health Minister stated that “Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres have facilitated the integration of mental health services with primary health services as priority services for mental health, neurological disorders and substance use disorders. District level activities are organized by a dedicated district mental health intervention team stationed in the district hospital. Additionally, OPD, counselling, care and medical support for mental health issues are provided at Community Health Center and Primary Health Center level. They are being provided through 1.6 lakh AB-HWCs situated across the country. Mental health also features under the Prime Minister-Jan Arogya Yojana.”

Dr. Mandaviya further added “To improve coverage and access to mental health care, district level activities have been supported under the National Mental Health Program in 743 districts across all 36 States/UTs.” He highlighted that at the tertiary level, there are a total of 47 government mental health hospitals in the country, including three central mental health institutions at Bengaluru, Ranchi and Tejaspur. Many other central and state government hospitals have psychiatry departments. In addition, psychiatry departments have been established in the newly established All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Still the expert pulse is India’s mental health crisis is alarming. According to data, approximately 10.6 per cent of India’s population lives with mental health conditions. Shockingly, between 76 per cent and 85 per cent of those in need of mental health care do not receive any services or support.
In the entire country, To ensure the delivery of high-quality mental healthcare, it is crucial to provide comprehensive and specialized training to mental health professionals.
One hopes with continued efforts mental health would vastly improve in India .