Constitution Day, Editorial 27 November 2023 Issue

Constitution Day
Constitution is the soul of Indian democracy. Constitution Day (IAST: Samvidhāna Divasa), also known as “National Law Day” , is celebrated in India on 26 November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. On 26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted to the Constitution of India, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950.
As a matter of fact, The Government of India declared 26 November as Constitution Day on 19 November 2015 by a gazette notification. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi made the declaration on 11 October 2015 while laying the foundation stone of the B. R. Ambedkar’s Statue of Equality memorial in Mumbai.[2] The year of 2021 was the 131st birth anniversary of Ambedkar, who had chaired the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly and played a pivotal role in the drafting of the constitution. Previously this day was celebrated as Law Day. 26 November was chosen to spread the importance of the constitution and to spread thoughts and ideas of Ambedkar. PM Modi Speech On National Law Day 2021, 26 November, and also The President , Vice President and Lok Sabha Speaker also addressed the program.
It has rich background.
Since 2015 was the 125th birth anniversary year of B. R. Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956), who is known as the father of the Indian constitution, the government decided in May 2015 to celebrate this year “in a big way”. A special committee chaired by Prime Minister of India was announced for year-long celebrations. Various programmes will be held by various ministries and departments throughout the year to spread thoughts and ideas of Ambedkar. As part of the celebrations while laying foundation stone for an Ambedkar memorial at the Indu Mills compounds in Mumbai in October 2015, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced that 26 November will be celebrated as “Constitution Day”. In November 2015, the government officially announced celebration of the day.
We all need to respect and follow our great constitution to be a proud democracy always.

Diwali Significance, editorial 13 November 2023

Diwali significance
This is the eve and aura of festival of colours known as commonly Diwali.
The festive time of “Deepavali”, The Festival of Lights marks new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness. Also popular as Deepawali or Diwali the ‘Festival of Lights’ coincides with harvest and new year celebrations. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means a row of lights. [Deep = light and avali = a row]. It is one of the most prominent festival in India and South-East Asia, celebrated with great warmth, joy, and shining grandeur, like Christmas is celebrated in many parts of the world.
The festival falls on the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu lunar month Kartika, that happens between mid-October to mid-November.
The festival of Diwali symbolises the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and right over wrong. It is an occasion of high spiritual value as it signifies the opening of our own true light which sparkles within us and sharing this glow with others as well.
Observed by more than a billion people across faiths, this five-day festival of lights brings prayer, feasts, fireworks and, for some, a new year. Diwali is India’s most important festival of the year—a time to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil. This year, Diwali was celebrated on November 12. During the festival time, homes and streets are adorned with colourful lamps and candles, while families come together to exchange gifts, sweets, and warm wishes.
The humanity hopes Diwali ushers peace and prosperity in entire world.

National Cancer Awareness Day , Editorial 6 November 2023

National Cancer Awareness Day
Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer often has the ability to spread throughout your body.
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the world. But survival rates are improving for many types of cancer, thanks to improvements in cancer screening, treatment and prevention.
National Cancer Awareness Day is observed on the 7th of November in India every year since 2014 to create public awareness about early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer.
On this day, various healthcare organisations , government agencies, and non-profit groups collaborate to organise awareness campaigns, seminars, and screenings to mark National Cancer Awareness Day and work towards reducing the burden of cancer nationwide.
According to the reports by the World Health Organization, Cancer is still a leading contributor to mortality rates in the country. In India, as many as 1.1 million new cancer cases are reported every single year, highlighting the severe burden the disease has on the nation’s healthcare system and population. A large proportion of these cancer cases are detected when the disease has already reached an advanced stage, greatly compromising the prospects of successful treatment and survival.
It is painful facet that We can’t ignore the fact that the financial burden associated with cancer can force patients and households into acute misery, destitution, and even insolvency. Therefore, cancer drugs must be affordable so that whenever required the treatment can be provided to the patients at the earliest in the early stages when the cancer is curable. Cancer drug availability and affordability will give impetus to treatment outcomes that will bring down the cost of treatment.
One hopes we are able to eradicate cancer in India and world.

Women in Skies, Editorial 23 october 2023

Women in Skies

Flying in skies especially aeroplanes is becoming a great career for girls.
Girls in Kashmir like other parts of the country are perfectly catching up to give flight to their wings.  The profession of pilots wherein women managing aircrafts is becoming a lucrative career option for girls in India. Going for same would give Kashmiri girls much needed name ,fame and financial strength .
It is much delight fact that at 15%, India has most number of female pilots in the world.
In 1989, Nivedita Bhasin became the youngest commercial airline captain in the world. The Indian Air Force began recruiting women pilots for helicopters and transport aircraft back in the 1990s.
As per the latest data, 15% of the pilots in the country are women. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), this is three times the global average of 5%. However, there is no special programme to encourage pilot training for women, SC, and ST communities.
The data and statistics are speaking proud volumes in this regard.
total of 244 pilots have been recruited in 2021 as per the data received from various Indian scheduled airlines. And, estimates suggest that India may require 1,000 pilots per annum over the next five years.
Further, the data mentioned that there are approximately 10,000 pilots including 67 foreign nationals working with various domestic airlines in India, DGCA added.
Last year, the International Society of Women Airline Pilots also released gender equality in the airline industry in 2021. The report noted that at 12.4% (in 2021) India ranked top in gender equality at the flight deck, followed by Ireland (9.9%), South Africa (9.8%), Australia (7.5%), Canada (7%), Germany (6.9%), USA (5.5%), UK (4.7%), New Zealand (4.5%), Scandinavia (3.8%), Qatar (2.4%), Japan (1.3%) and Singapore (1%), respectively.
Kashmir too has now girls which are making valley and country proud throughout the world.
Women in Kashmir and other parts of the

Electricity Concerns, Editorial 30 october 2023

Electricity Concerns
Electricity is an essential part of modern life and important to the  economy. People use electricity for lighting, heating, cooling, and refrigeration and for operating appliances, computers, electronics, machinery, and public transportation systems.
Electricity is among the inventions that has transformed life of human towards betterment.
In the valley of Kashmir due to varied reasons the power or electricity availability is a problem especially in the harsh winters.  This hits life of people hard . From students to housekeepers all are hit by lack of electricity supply.
As the winter season is about to arrive , Kashmir finds itself amid an escalating power crisis.
As a matter of fact,
The Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has issued a power curtailment schedule few time back  yet the Valley of Kashmir  continues to grapple with  prolonged power outages, significantly impacting the lives of its residents and businesses.
The need of the hour is that people also use the electricity in a judicious manner so that electricity supply improves. The authorities should also look to see the ways of improving electricity scenario.
One is hopeful that in coming times electricity would improve in Kashmir.

International Day for Eradication of Poverty, Editorial 16 october 2023

International Day For Eradication of Poverty
Poverty is mother of misfortunes and crimes. Poverty is an ugly phenomenon stabbing the heart of humanity .
we know that poverty has many faces, it changes from place to place. For some poverty is hunger, lack of shelter, being sick or not having enough money, etc. Basically, poverty is a state or condition in which a person lacks financial resources and not able to fulfill basic needs.
Poverty-stricken people and families live without a home, clean water, healthy food, and medical attention. Therefore, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty highlights the problems faced by poverty-stricken people or families and works towards eradicating poverty globally in all its forms.
As a  matter of fact, The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to 17 October, 1987. Over a hundred thousand people gathered on that day at the Trocadero in Paris. In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed at the Trocadero in Paris to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence, and hunger. It was decided that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. Since then, people come forward of all backgrounds and gathered on 17 October here to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with the poor.
On 22 December, 1992, a resolution 47/196 was adopted by the General Assembly and declared 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
The 2020 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted in 2015 by the UN which is also known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). It expands the scope worldwide to eradicate poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
We all need to take steps to eradicate the worst monster of poverty throughout the world.

International Day of Non-Violence, Editorial 2 october 2023

International Day of Non Violence
Peace is must for survival of humanity.War has since ages destroyed humanity and its fabric. Violence is a hydra headed monster . Progress,  prosperity and human values can be enriched only in peaceful times. Violence destroys everything.
The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. The General Assembly, in a resolution adopted on 5 June 2007, established the commemoration, the International Day as an occasion to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness. The resolution reaffirms the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.
As a matter of fact,
Gandhi was one of the world’s greatest and most influential leaders in the last century and there’s plenty we can learn from him. Here are two of his most beloved quotes. “There are many causes I would die for. There is not a single cause I would kill for.” “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”
This day is recognised to educate people about the importance of peaceful coexistence and conflict prevention. The day was founded with a strong aim to create a non-violent and harmonious world. International Day of Peace provides a platform for people and communities to show their contribution towards developing a peaceful world for all.
On this day, Schools can encourage their students to take pledges by holding special assemblies or events on International Peace Day. They can also incorporate peace education into the curriculum and provide opportunities for students to get involved in peacebuilding activities.
We need to spread love and humanity throughout world.

Hindi Diwas, Editorial 18 September 2023 issue

Hindi Diwas

Hindi Diwas or Hindi Day is celebrated in India to commemorate the date 14 September 1949 on which a compromise was reached—during the drafting of the Constitution of India—on the languages that were to have official status in the Republic of India.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah has extended his best wishes to the countrymen on the occasion of Hindi Diwas. In his message, the Home Minister said that India has been a country of diverse languages. Hindi unites the diversity of languages in the world’s largest democracy. He said that Hindi has been a democratic language. It has honoured different Indian languages and dialects as well as many global languages and adopted their vocabularies, sentences and grammar rules.

Union Home Minister said that the Hindi language played an unprecedented role in uniting the country during the difficult days of independence movement. It instilled a feeling of unity in a country divided into many languages and dialects. Hindi, as a language of communication, played an important role in carrying forward the freedom struggle from East to West and North to South in the country. Shri Shah said that the movements for achieving ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Swabhasha’ were going on simultaneously in the country. Considering the important role of Hindi in the freedom movement and after independence, the architects of the Constitution had accepted Hindi as the official language on 14 September 1949.
We need to bear in mind that Hindi serves as a bridge between different cultures, enabling communication and understanding between speakers of Hindi and other languages such as Urdu. This linguistic connection is particularly significant in the Indian subcontinent, where Hindi and Urdu share many similarities.

World Suicide Prevention Day, Editorial 11 September, 2023

World Suicide Prevention Day

Suicide is a major public health problem with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. It is estimated that there are currently more than 700 000 suicides per year worldwide, and we know that each suicide profoundly affects many more people.

 

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). The 10th of September each year focuses attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, government, and the public, giving a singular message that suicide can be prevented.
“Creating Hope Through Action” is the triennial theme for the World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021-2023. This theme serves as a powerful call to action and reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and that through our actions we can encourage hope and strengthen prevention.

By creating hope through action, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them. It also suggests that our actions, no matter how big or small, may may provide hope to those who are struggling.

Lastly, it serves as a reminder that suicide prevention is a public health priority and urgent action is required to make sure suicide mortality rates are reduced. WHO will continue to work with its partners to support countries to take concrete measures in this direction.
In Kashmir too Suicide rate has climbed much causing concerns and efforts should be given to counsel those feeling tremendous depression.
We need to bear in mind that we can all play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide whether as a member of society, as a child, as a parent, as a friend, as a colleague or as a person with lived experience.

LPG Price Relief to Masses. Editorial 4 September, 2023

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.