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JAMMU, NOVEMBER 3: The Department of Horticulture Jammu and Kashmir today announced its active participation in the upcoming Jhiri Mela 2025, a revered cultural and spiritual fair held annually in honour of farmer saint Baba Jittoo.

This yearly event will be held from November 4 to November 12 at Jhiri village and is expected to draw thousands of devotees and visitors from across the region.

The Horticulture Department will set up a dedicated exhibition stall to highlight the rich diversity of horticultural produce from Jammu and Kashmir. The stall will feature fresh fruits from local orchards and farms; demonstrations on high-density plantation techniques and expert guidance on government schemes and subsidies.

Speaking about the initiative, the Director of Horticulture, Jammu said, “Jhiri Mela is not only a spiritual gathering but also a platform to connect with our farming community. Through this exhibition, we aim to educate and empower growers with modern horticultural practices and promote horticulture-entrepreneurship.

The department has invited the public, especially farmers and agriculture-enthusiasts to visit the stall and interact with horticulture experts, extension officers and progressive growers.


NAGROTA, NOVEMBER 03 — Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the upcoming by-elections to the Nagrota Assembly Constituency, Ms. Devyani Rana, today met the grieving family of Shubham Manhas, a daily wager with the Power Development Department (PDD), who tragically lost his life while performing his duty.

 

Ms Rana met the grieving family, other mourners and people from the area at the National Highway where they were staging protests over the incident, seeking accountability for negligence.

 

She also joined the mourners at the cremation ground where the mortal remains of the deceased were consigned to flames amid mantras.

 

 At his residence, Ms Devyani Rana expressed her profound sorrow over the tragic death, offered condolences and expressed solidaritry. She said the loss of Shri Manhas is a huge tragedy for the family and no words can truly ease their pain.

 

She prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss.

 

 Interacting with the mourners, Ms. Devyani Rana expressed deep concern over the growing occurrences of such tragic mishaps involving power department field staff. She said that these repeated incidents point to serious gaps in safety protocols and must be examined at the highest level to evolve a robust and foolproof system that ensures the protection of workers performing high-risk duties.

 

 Ms. Rana emphasized that the safety of maintenance and technical staff cannot be compromised under any circumstances, and called for immediate corrective and preventive measures to minimize such accidents in the future. She reiterated that those working tirelessly to maintain essential services deserve a safe and secure work environment, equipped with proper gear, training, and supervision.

 

 

She further urged the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to this unfortunate incident, to determine accountability and prevent recurrence. Ms. Rana also sought immediate and adequate compensation for the bereaved family, along with all possible institutional support to help them rebuild their lives in this hour of immense loss.


KUPWARA, NOVEMBER 03: The Department of Fisheries Kupwara has undertaken a significant initiative by stocking Brown Trout fingerlings in the upper reaches of Mawar, Dringyari, and Kalaroose streams, which have been officially declared as trout streams under the J&K Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2018.

The genetically improved eyed ova of Brown Trout were imported from Denmark under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampadha Yojana (PMMSY) 2024–25 and were reared to fingerling size at the departmental hatchery in Kulgam before being released into the natural streams.

This milestone initiative aims to replenish and enrich natural trout habitats, ensuring the sustenance of fish biodiversity and promoting sport fishing in the region. 

Pertinently, Brown Trout, a globally renowned sport fish, attracts anglers from across the world. Kashmir, known as the “Angler’s Paradise,” continues to host thousands of fishing enthusiasts every year.

In Kupwara, several anglers have already started visiting these streams to enjoy trout fishing in the pristine waters. Apart from recreation, trout angling contributes significantly to eco-tourism promotion and environmental conservation, while also encouraging responsible interaction with nature.

The Department of Fisheries has reiterated its commitment to strengthen sustainable fisheries management and promote angling-based tourism in the district.

Calls for effective, transparent utilisation of public funds

JAMMU, NOVEMBER 03: Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo today chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat here to review the performance and functioning of School Education department across Jammu division.

The meeting was attended by Secretary School Education department, Ram Niwas Sharma; Project Director Samagra Shiksha, Bhawani Rakwal; Director School Education Jammu, Naseem Javid Chowdhary; Chief Education Officers of all districts of Jammu and other concerned officers of School Education department.

During the meeting, the Minister assessed the progress of various centrally sponsored schemes, infrastructure development projects, academic reforms, and digital learning initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education across government schools.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized on the efficient and transparent utilisation of public funds to strengthen the education ecosystem. She stressed that every rupee allocated for education sector must be spent judiciously and with measurable outcomes.

She directed officers to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects, particularly those related to school infrastructure, ICT labs, teacher training, and learning enhancement programmes. She asked them to address bottlenecks on priority and submit regular progress reports to the department.

The Minister called for the adoption of transparent monitoring mechanisms and periodic audits to prevent fund lapses and ensure that benefits reach the grassroots level. She further instructed officers to strengthen community participation through School Management committees and promote accountability at every administrative tier.

Highlighting the government’s focus on inclusive and equitable education, the Minister also underscored the importance of bridging learning gaps, enhancing the teaching-learning process, and improving student learning outcomes, particularly in rural and far-flung areas.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment to transforming the education sector, the Minister assured that the government would continue to support initiatives that empower teachers, modernize classrooms, and create a robust learning environment for all students.

“Education is the foundation of any progressive society. Transparent utilisation of funds and effective monitoring of schemes will ensure schools becoming centres of excellence,” the Minister stated.

While reviewing other aspects of the department, the Minister strictly instructed the CEOs that school children shouldn’t be sent to Government functions, particularly during peak academic and examination session, without prior approval and permission of respective Directors.

The Education Minister further asked the CEOs to take reviews in their respective districts from the Assembly Constituency level and prepare all data accordingly so that the MLAs are provided timely information. She also asked them to take MLAs on board while initiating any new developmental projects in their respective districts.



JAMMU, NOVEMBER 03: On the first day of opening of the Darbar Move at Civil Secretariat here, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma today conducted comprehensive inspection of all the offices functioning under his Ministry.

The Minister, accompanied by senior officers of the concerned departments, visited various sections and reviewed the working of the administrative units including the offices of FCS&CA, IT, Transport, and Youth Services & Sports. He took stock of the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of official business in the Secretariat and assessed the readiness of staff and infrastructure following the shift to the winter capital.

During the inspection, Satish Sharma interacted with officers and employees, enquired about their requirements, and instructed them to maintain the highest standards of discipline, punctuality, and efficiency. He emphasized on the importance of citizen-centric approach in governance, stating that our focus must always remain on prompt service delivery, accountability, and transparency in every aspect of administration.

He further directed the departmental heads to ensure effective coordination between field offices and the Secretariat so that public grievances are addressed in a time-bound manner.

The Minister also reviewed key ongoing initiatives under each department, particularly digital service expansion under the IT Department, consumer protection measures under FCS&CA, road safety awareness campaigns under the Transport Department, and sports development programs being implemented across Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to responsive and efficient administration, Satish Sharma said that the reopening of the Secretariat marks the beginning of another productive session of governance aimed at accelerating the pace of public welfare and infrastructure development. He called upon all officers to rededicate themselves to the mission of good governance and ensure that every government initiative reaches the grassroots level effectively.

The Minister expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made in various offices and assured that all necessary support will be extended to further strengthen departmental functioning.


Urges candidates to remain informed

SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 03. Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has notified revised date-sheet for Class 10th Annual/ Regular, 2025 (Oct-Nov session) for the remaining subjects.

The revision of date- sheet got necessitated due to Assembly Bye- polls in Budgam and Nagrota Assembly Segments scheduled on November 11.

As per the revised date- sheet, the Vocational Subjects have now been scheduled on November 6, followed by Science on November 13.

The examination for Urdu/ Hindi subjects has been scheduled on November 17 while Computer Science will now be held on November 19.

The English subject has been re-scheduled on November 20 and Home Science on November 23.

The examination will conclude on November 27 on which Painting/ Art and Drawing subjects are scheduled. In between, subjects with very small number of candidates like Music on November 25 and Additional/ Optional subjects including Kashmiri/ Dogri/ Bhoti/ Punjabi/ Arabic/ Urdu/ Hindi/ Persian/ Sanskrit will be held on November 24 while Social Science will be conducted on November 26.

The J&K BOSE has urged students to prepare for the examination as per the revised date-sheet.

The BOSE has exhorted Chief Education Officers, Heads of Institutions and invigilation staff to strictly adhere to revised date- sheet and ensure that candidates are informed about the new dates by all means of communication.


BUDGAM, NOVEMBER 3: Under the directions of the District Election Officer (DEO) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, the District Administration today organised a series of voter awareness activities under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.

The initiative was spearheaded by the District Nodal Officer SVEEP (Chief Education Officer Budgam) with the aim to enhance voter turnout in polling stations identified with lower participation rates in the Ompora area.

The programme witnessed the presence of the General Observer, Bhor Singh Yadav; Police Observer, Nachiketa Jha, and Expenditure Observer Ravinder Kumar, appointed by ECI for upcoming bye-elections to 27-AC Budgam who along with Chief Education Officer Budgam, Rifat Irfan Qadri, observed the proceedings and appreciated the enthusiasm of the participants.

As part of the campaign, a range of engaging activities were conducted including Nukkad Natak (street plays), rallies, distribution of voter awareness pamphlets, and display of informative hoardings. These activities were designed to sensitize and motivate the local populace, especially first-time voters, about the importance of active participation in the democratic process.

A large number of students, teachers, and local residents took part in the awareness rally, which commenced from Ibni Sina Paramedical College, passed through various streets of Ompora, and culminated at Eid Gah Ompora. The vibrant and energetic participation of the community reflected a collective commitment towards ensuring greater electoral participation in the forthcoming bye-elections to 27–Assembly Constituency Budgam.

The district administration Budgam reiterated its commitment to continue such awareness programmes across different areas of the district to promote informed, ethical, and inclusive voting.


BANDIPORA, NOVEMBER 03: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, today chaired a meeting of the District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) to review and approve cases under Mission YUVA at the Mini Secretariat, Bandipora.

During the meeting, 106 cases were presented, out of which 82 were approved by the Committee after detailed scrutiny. The rest of the cases were ordered to be reconsidered and referred back to the concerned departments for detailed feasibility reports before resubmission. 

The Deputy Commissioner directed that DLIC meetings shall be held every Monday to ensure regular monitoring and timely disposal of cases. The meeting also reviewed the overall progress of Mission YUVA in the district, including cases forwarded to banks, sanctioned, disbursed, and rejected, to evaluate the implementation status.

On the occasion, the DC emphasized the need for an in-depth analysis to identify areas with fewer or no applications and areas with maximum participation. She directed the Cluster Head J&K Bank to submit branch-wise data and the Employment Officer was directed to furnish village-wise details to ensure uniform growth and coverage across all blocks and branches. 

Nodal Officer JKEDI was instructed to explore sectors and sub-sectors showing higher participation so that targeted interventions can be made to achieve block and branch saturation.

During the meeting, the DC further directed officers to verify every case in detail, ensuring transparency and accountability. She underscored that Mission YUVA should not be limited to trading activities and stressed the need to sensitize and guide youth toward diverse entrepreneurial fields. 

The Pollution Control Officer was directed to monitor cases where environmental violations are likely, ensuring compliance with statutory norms. She further reiterated the directions of the Chief Secretary, stating that rehabilitated youth and terror victims should be actively engaged under Mission YUVA to provide them with sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Among others, the meeting was attended by General Manager DIC Bandipora; District Social Welfare Officer; District Nodal Officer JKEDI; Lead Bank Manager; Cluster Head J&K Bank Bandipora; District Officer PCB and other concerned officers.



Srinagar November 02, 2025: ( ) -- The 22nd Senior National Soft Tennis Championship 2025 was inaugurated here on Sunday with an impressive opening ceremony at the Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex.

The championship, organized by the J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council, features participation from players and coaches representing more than 25 states and union territories.

Advocate Saif-ud-Din Bhat, MLA Khansahib, attended the ceremony as the chief guest, while Raju Parmar, former Member of Parliament and Advisor to the Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India (ASTFI), was the guest of honour.

The event commenced with a March Past by the participating teams and a performance by the J&K Police Band, followed by a cultural programme showcasing the rich heritage of Jammu & Kashmir.

In his address, Bhat commended the J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association for hosting the prestigious national event in a professional manner and urged the players to uphold the true spirit of sportsmanship.

Guest of Honour Raju Parmar expressed gratitude to the association and the J&K Sports Council for their commitment to promoting soft tennis.

Other dignitaries present included Shakuntala J. Khodadhra, Secretary General, ASTFI; Raja Ghulam Nabi Wani, Chairman, J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association; and Shakir Ashraf, General Secretary of the association.

During the ceremony, mementoes were presented to the medal winners and participants of the recent 9th Asian Soft Tennis Championship for their outstanding performances.

Narinder Pal Singh, Joint Secretary, ASTFI, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating the efforts of all officials and volunteers. 

Jammu: The Jammu & Kashmir State Level Contest of “Kahin Gum Na Ho Jayein – Season 8” culminated in a vibrant and memorable finale at Jammu Club, Jammu, on November 2, 2025.


The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation from talented home chefs, food enthusiasts, and professionals across the Union Territory.

Sakeena Begum was declared the Jammu & Kashmir State Winner, followed by Kanta Smailpuri as the 1st Runner-Up, and Gunkirat Kour securing the position of 2nd Runner-Up. Consolation Prizes were awarded to Arjun Sharma and Siya Sharma for their commendable performances.


Special recognitions went to Pooja Suri for Best Presentation, Madhvi Abrol for Best Attire, Nausheen for Best Drink, and Preety Sharma along with Atul Kumar for Best Dessert (Upcoming Chefs). A special mention was also made for Neeru Gulati under the Senior Citizen Participation category.


Organized by Let’s Give Back, a registered NGO, in association with Studio KAVA and Jammu Club, this unique national cookery contest aims to revive and promote traditional Indian recipes while spotlighting the country’s diverse culinary heritage.  

The initiative was founded by the late Babeetta Saxena in 2016 and continues to thrive under the guidance of Co-Founder Retd. Col. Atul Saxena, following her passing on May 16, 2021.

This season’s theme, “My State, My Plate,” highlighted the importance of preserving regional culinary traditions.

The contest is supported by Padma Shri Awardee Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and Bollywood actress Ms. Suchitra Pillai, both of whom continue to champion the spirit of this initiative.

The event was graced by Gaurav Gupta, Honorary Secretary of Jammu Club, who attended as the Chief Guest and distributed prizes to the winners.

He lauded the participants for their creativity and congratulated the organizers for providing a national platform that blends culinary talent with a spirit of social contribution.

The competition is being held across 20 states, including Delhi/NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir.

The top three winners from J&K will represent the Union Territory in the Grand Finale to be held in NCR, January 2026, where a total prize pool of ₹1,50,000 awaits the national winners.

The event was graced by distinguished chefs and dignitaries from the hospitality sector. Special thanks to Jammu Club for hosting the event, to Studio KAVA for its creative collaboration, and to the esteemed jury panel — Chef Vinod Saini, Chef Kaushal, Chef Dr. Sanjay, and Dr. Hemla Aggarwal — for their expert evaluation.

The successful execution of the J&K State Round was led by State Coordinator Ms. Kalpana Vinay, under the guidance of Co-Founder Retd. Col. Atul Saxena. Sincere appreciation was also extended to Ms. Reena Mukherjee, Chief Coordinator of the National Event, for her leadership. Gratitude was expressed to gifting partners, media partner Jammu Media, and all supporters for their valuable contribution.

The event reaffirmed the mission of “Kahin Gum Na Ho Jayein – Season 8” — to celebrate talent, preserve India’s culinary diversity, and promote the joy of giving back to society.