By Chasfeeda Shah June 6, 2025, will go down as a historic milestone in India’s modern development story—etched into the rails that now connect the heart of Kashmir to the rest of the nation. With the formal inauguration of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), Prime Minister Narendra Modi did more than flag off a train; […]
Editorial
Baisaran to Bahawalpur
Baisaran to Bahawalpur
Traffic Troubles
In the past seven years, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a significant transformation in its transportation landscape. The number of registered vehicles in the Union Territory has nearly doubled, rising from 14.88 lakh in 2017 to 27.29 lakh by December 2024. This surge, fueled by improved road infrastructure, booming commercial activities, and increasing public demand […]
A Budget of Big Promises
By Chasfeeda Shah The first full-fledged budget of Jammu and Kashmir post-Article 370 has landed with both thunder and tremors. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, wearing both the fiscal and political mantle, presented a ₹1.12 lakh crore roadmap he calls “progressive” and “people-centric.” But the echo in the Assembly—and on the streets—says otherwise: is this a […]
Kashmir’s Peaks in Peril
By Chasfeeda Shah The breathtaking landscapes of Kashmir, long admired for their snow-capped peaks and serene valleys, are under serious environmental threat. The surge in adventure tourism has brought with it an unintended consequence—rising pollution that now endangers the region’s delicate ecosystem. If left unchecked, this trend could have dire consequences for Kashmir’s climate, water […]
J&K’s Railway Revolution
By Chasfeeda Shah Kashmir is on the brink of a transformative shift in its connectivity, as the Jammu-Srinagar train is set to begin operations on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) after January 20. This monumental development signifies not only the end of long-standing transportation challenges but also the promise of greater integration with the rest […]
Suicide Wave Sweeps Kashmir
By Chasfeeda Shah The recent surge in suicides across the Kashmir Valley, particularly those involving individuals leaping into rivers like the Jhelum, is a chilling reminder of a broader mental health crisis that has gripped the region. A distressing viral video of a woman jumping into the Jhelum highlights the severity of this issue, with […]
Safety Starts with Awareness
By Chasfeeda Shah Kashmir, known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, has seen a troubling rise in road accidents in recent years. These tragic incidents are not only claiming lives but also causing lasting trauma to families and communities. The responsibility for curbing this growing problem lies not just with the authorities […]
Unsafe Food
In a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in our global food systems, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently revealed alarming statistics: unsafe food leads to 600 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths each year. This crisis, compounded by factors such as climate change, population growth, and globalization, calls for immediate and coordinated […]
Vote of Hope
In the picturesque districts of Pulwama and Shopian in south Kashmir, where generations have witnessed political upheavals and shifting allegiances, the voices of elderly voters are resonating with a familiar and pressing urgency. Their concerns, far removed from the lofty rhetoric that often dominates election campaigns, reflect the core issues plaguing the region—unemployment, inflation, and […]