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JKAS aspirant abandons bureaucratic dream to embrace farming passion in Shopian

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar: In an inspiring tale of courage, self-belief, and rural entrepreneurship, a young woman from South Kashmir’s Shopian district has chosen to follow her heart instead of the conventional path to government service. Shazia Jan, a law graduate who once aspired to join the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS), has set up a thriving farm at her ancestral home in Mooolu Chitragam village.

Speaking exclusively KNT, Shazia Jan shared her journey from the confines of legal textbooks to the open fields of her village. A holder of B.A.LL.B and LLM degrees, Shazia had been preparing for the JKAS competitive exams but ultimately decided to pursue what she truly loved—farming.

“I always wanted to serve people, and for a long time, I thought I could only do that through administration. But during the COVID-19 lockdown, when everything came to a standstill, I returned to my roots and found meaning in the land I was born into,” Shazia said.

What began as a modest effort during the pandemic has now turned into a successful agricultural venture. Shazia has cultivated a diverse farm that includes multiple breeds of livestock, along with a rich variety of fruit trees and vegetables. Her farm is not only self-sustaining but also serves as a model for aspiring agri-preneurs in the region.

“I started with a few animals and some basic tools. Today, I rear multiple breeds of goats, cows, and poultry, alongside apple orchards, walnuts, and other fruits native to the region. It gives me immense satisfaction to be able to create something sustainable while staying close to my family and heritage,” she said.

Shazia’s story is particularly significant in a region where youth unemployment and migration are pressing issues. By choosing to remain in her village and investing in agriculture, she has not only defied social expectations but also set an example of self-reliance and empowerment.

Her transition from aspiring bureaucrat to a successful farmer is also emblematic of a broader movement of educated youth reconsidering career paths and opting for innovative models of rural enterprise. Many in her village now look up to her as a role model.

Shazia is optimistic about the future. She plans to expand her farm into a full-fledged agribusiness, incorporating organic farming techniques and community-based training programs for women interested in agriculture.

“Farming is not a fallback option. It is a dignified, fulfilling profession, especially when done with vision and purpose,” she said with a smile.

Her journey stands as a testament to how passion, resilience, and a connection to the land can rewrite the narrative of success in Kashmir. (KNT)

Several houses damaged amid heavy rainfall in Mendhar Poonch

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar: Several houses were damaged, partially or substantially, as heavy rain lashed Mendhar area of Poonch district last night, locals and officials said on Friday.

They said the most affected area remained Panchayat Sanjyot’s Ward No. 4 where at least six residential houses and a madrasa (educational institution) suffered damage. According to locals, rains led to land subsidence amid ongoing construction of four-way road through the area.

The damaged could have been substantially prevented had a protective wall been constructed by the authorities, they added.

Confirming the damage to some structures, officials told GNS that assessment will be carried out soon. “While there are reports about damage to some structures but exact damage is not known yet and would be known after assessment,” they added. (GNS)

Youth dies in scuffle with robber in Qazigund; Accused arrested

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar: A youth was killed in Qazigund area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, following a scuffle with a robber who had entered their residential house.

Official sources said that a robber, posing as a member of security forces, barged into the residence of Mohammad Yaseen Banday, a resident of Kishgund, Sangran, under the pretext of conducting searches.

Sensing something fishy, Zahid Ahmad Banday—son of the house owner— confronted the intruder and tried to apprehend him, ensuing a scuffle.

During the fight, Zahid was critically injured after being attacked by the robber with a sharp-edged weapon.

He was immediately rushed to Emergency Hospital Qazigund where he succumbed to his injuries.

Other family members managed to apprehend the robber and handed him over to Qazigund Police.

A toy pistol and a sharp knife were recovered from his possession. The robber, who sustained injuries during the scuffle, was shifted to GMC Anantnag for treatment.

A police officer told KNO that a thorough investigation has been launched into the incident. (KNO)

Amarnath Yatra resumes after brief suspension

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar: After remaining suspended for a day due to inclement weather and slippery track conditions, the Amarnath Yatra resumed on Friday morning on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, officials said.

They said hundreds of pilgrims were allowed to proceed towards the holy cave shrine, nestled in Himalayas, for darshan.

Pertinently, no pilgrim was allowed to move from either of the twin base camps towards the cave shrine on Thursday as a precautionary measure.

“Continuous rainfall had triggered landslides and rendered the trekking paths unsafe, prompting authorities to temporarily halt the pilgrimage.

Restoration work was immediately undertaken to repair the affected stretches and ensure the safety of pilgrims,” an official said, adding that rescue teams and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) worked tirelessly to make the tracks travel-worthy.

With improved weather conditions and clearance from the concerned agencies, the yatra resumed today from both the Nunwan (Pahalgam) and Baltal base camps this morning, the officials added.

According to official figures, over 2.56 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan of the naturally formed Ice Lingam at the holy cave shrine during the first 15 days of this year’s yatra.

Meanwhile, the 16th batch of 7,908 Amarnath Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Friday morning amid tight security arrangements.

Officials said the pilgrims departed in a convoy of 261 vehicles, heading towards the twin base camps.

The batch comprised 5,957 males, 1,613 females, 26 children, 290 sadhus, and 22 sadhvis.

The convoy included 170 buses, 22 medium motor vehicles (MMVs) and 69 light motor vehicles (LMVs). (KNO)

SPO Killed after falling from a Bus in Rajouri

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar: A Special Police Officer of Jammu and Kashmir Police was killed after he fell from a bus at Dheri Ralyote in Rajouri district on Thursday.

Officials told GNS that an SPO who was commuting in a private bus bearing registration number JK02DE-1671 fell from the bus at Dheri Ralyote.

He was immediately shifted to PHC Manjakote for treatment; however, doctors declared him brought dead. He has been identified as Mohd Razaq, son of Raj Mohd, a resident of Bindi Jamola, Rajouri.

Meanwhile, police have registered a case in this regard and investigation has been taken up. (GNS)

People demand uniform test rates in private labs

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar: With rising concerns over erratic pricing and inconsistent diagnostic results, people across Jammu and Kashmir are demanding that the government implement a uniform rate list for tests conducted at private laboratories.

Speaking to KNO patients as well as attendants said they feel exploited by the current unregulated system, where prices for the same medical test can vary widely—even on the same day.

“Last week, I had to get a test done. One lab charged me Rs 700 while another quoted Rs 1200 for the same test,” said Zareefa Bano, a patient from Anantnag. “How is that fair? There’s no transparency, and it feels like we are being taken advantage of.”

Adding to the frustration, patients also flagged a growing distrust in diagnostic accuracy. “Two labs gave me completely different blood sugar readings on the same day. One said I was diabetic; the other said I was perfectly fine,” said Riyaz Ahmad, a resident of Baramulla. “Which one do I believe? These discrepancies can have serious consequences for our health.”

Patients also raised suspicions over doctors recommending specific labs. “When doctors insist on sending us to particular private labs, we start to wonder if it’s really about our health or something else,” remarked Javaid Lone from Srinagar.

Amid mounting public outrage, Rouf Rangraze, President of the Kashmir Private Diagnostic Centres Association J&K, acknowledged the issue. “We have met Health Minister Sakina Itoo and other senior officials multiple times to demand a uniform rate list. Unfortunately, despite promises, there has been no concrete action yet,” he said.

Rangraze said that such a rate list is essential to bring accountability. “If there’s a government-notified rate structure, any lab that overcharges can be penalised. Without it, there is no legal framework to control pricing, and unethical practices continue unchecked,” he explained.

He added that although the government had announced intentions to issue standard test rates, the delay in implementation is causing further public distress. “The longer the government waits, the more the common people suffer,” Rangraze warned.

Patients and diagnostic centre representatives alike now await decisive action from the authorities. The demand is simple yet urgent: transparency, regulation, and fairness in medical testing services that directly impact lives.

President Kashmir Private Diagnostic Centres Association J&K urged the Union Territory administration to notify a rate list for all medical investigations to keep a check on overcharging and profiteering. (KNO)

Shri Amarnathji Yatra suspended from Pahalgam and Baltal Due to continuous heavy rainfall

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar: Shri Amarnathji Yatra has been suspended for 17.07.2025 from both Pahalgam and Baltal base camps.

Heavy continuous rains over last two days have necessitated restoration work to be carried out on tracks along both the routes. Border Roads Organization has made heavy deployment of its men and machinery on the tracks to complete the work before Yatra can be released from the two base camps on 18.07.2025.

“Due to the continuous rains over last couple of days, urgent repair and maintenance works are required to be carried out on the tracks. Therefore, it has been decided that no movement shall be allowed towards the Holy Cave from the two base camps today.

However, yatris who stayed at Panjtarni camp during the preceding night are being allowed to proceed down to Baltal under adequate deployment of BRO and Mountain Rescue Teams. The Yatra shall resume in all likelihood tomorrow, depending upon the weather conditions during the course of the day”, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said.

So far, over 2.47 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine during the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025.

Lady doctor assaulted after patient’s death at GMC Jammu

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar: In a deeply disturbing incident, a female doctor at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu was physically assaulted by the attendants of a patient following his death in the hospital’s emergency ward.

The patient, identified as Rajinder Kumar, had been suffering from a massive brain haemorrhage and was referred to GMC Jammu from PGI with a poor prognosis.

An official of GMC Jammu told KNO that the patient was admitted to GMC Jammu five days ago, after being sent back from PGI with advice for basic medical and nursing care.

“Despite the patient’s terminal condition, doctors at GMC provided the best possible treatment. However, the patient succumbed to respiratory arrest on July 16,” he said.

In the aftermath of his death, the attendants turned violent, targeting the on-duty staff, including a lady doctor, who was kicked and beaten, the official said.

CCTV footage has captured the gruesome attack, clearly showing the physical assault.

The incident triggered outrage among the medical community. The GMC Jammu administration, faculty, and resident doctors have strongly condemned the violence.

The official said that an FIR has been lodged at the concerned police station against the persons involved.

“The repeated instances of violence against doctors are unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with our medical staff and demand strict legal action against the culprits,” reads a statement from the GMC administration.

In response to the assault, junior doctors went on a strike, demanding safety and accountability.

To ensure uninterrupted patient care, Principal and Dean Dr. Ashutosh Gupta issued an order directing all clinical and paraclinical Heads of Departments to ensure the deployment of faculty members and consultants in the emergency ward until the junior doctors return to duty.

The medical fraternity across the region has also expressed serious concern over the increasing incidents of violence against healthcare workers and called for stronger security measures at hospitals. (KNO)

July emerges as deadliest month as JK witnesses unprecedented spike in road accidents

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar: Recent comprehensive studies on road safety in Jammu and Kashmir have raised alarms over the deteriorating traffic scenario in the Union Territory. With over 22.66 lakh registered vehicles on its roads and a steadily increasing number of road accidents and fatalities each year, the region is witnessing a disturbing trend that calls for immediate policy intervention and public awareness.

As per the details available with KNO, Jammu and Kashmir records nearly double the national average of road accident fatalities. Over speeding, reckless driving, inadequate road maintenance, and poor enforcement of traffic rules are among the chief causes of the mounting toll.

According to official data, a total of 4,899 fatalities and 40,065 injuries due to road accidents have been reported between 2019 and October 30, 2024 in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2023, the numbers further escalated to 6,298 accidents and 893 deaths, marking a consistent year-on-year rise. A large proportion of these incidents, nearly 40%, were concentrated in Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, and Kathua districts.

Researches conducted on the issue reveal a persistent pattern of fatalities, with July emerging as the deadliest month. The studies link this seasonal spike to melting snow, landslides, and rain-induced road erosion, especially in the hilly terrains of the region.

One of the most startling findings is the high incidence of accidents in rural areas, accounting for 69% of the total, as compared to 31% in urban areas. Moreover, commercial vehicles, especially heavy trucks, were found to be major contributors to fatal crashes. The absence of proper lane markings, pedestrian infrastructure, and safety medians further aggravates the situation.

Among the types of collisions, Hit & Run cases constituted 15% of all accidents, while overturning accounted for 8%, and head-on collisions made up 4%. Over-speeding and driver negligence were identified as the leading causes, followed by poor visibility and wrong-side driving.

The studies also found that roundabouts and T-junctions were hotspots for accidents, with roundabouts accounting for 42% of junction-related crashes. Additionally, most accidents involved vehicles aged between 5 to 10 years, suggesting potential issues with vehicle fitness and maintenance.

Several blackspots were identified, with Rajbagh emerging as the most dangerous, recording 75 accidents in just five years. National highways also witnessed a disproportionately high number of crashes, particularly in 2017, which was identified as the most accident-prone year on record.

The researchers recommend immediate remedial measures, including regular maintenance of roads, especially in hilly and landslide-prone zones, Improved road design, including better drainage, proper signage, and divided medians, Stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and speed limits, Public awareness campaigns targeting safe driving practices, and encouragement of public transport to reduce the overuse of personal vehicles.

“The infrastructure deficit and institutional neglect are costing lives and livelihoods. If timely interventions are not made, this could become a full-blown public health and economic crisis,” one of the reports warned. (KNO)

Govt orders to streamline skewed PTR in public schools

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar: In order to streamline the lopsided Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR), Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itooo has directed the Directors of School Education to rationalize the by the second week of July.

According to KNO, the education minister in review meeting said “The Directors of School Education of both the Jammu and Kashmir regions shall complete the process of rationalization before July-10 to do away with skewed PTR in urban and rural areas for judicious use of human resources and to overcome the deficiency of teaching staff in the schools and no Cluster Head shall transfer any staff at its own.”

“Chief Education Officers of both divisions were directed to complete the process of engagement of Subject Specific Teachers and CRCs through fresh appointment,” reads the minutes of the meeting.

About the floating of tenders for supplies, Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, J&K was directed to invite fresh tenders by following the proper and transparent procedure. “All procurement shall be done through open tendering henceforth and Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, J&K shall not sign any MoU in this regard with any agency.”

Likewise about the timely completion of civil works, Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, J&K and both the Directors were directed to monitor the progress of civil works for their timely completion keeping in view the working season in Kashmir division and hilly areas of Jammu division.

In the meeting concern was expressed for the meagre emoluments being paid to Mid-Day Meal cooks and non-payment of remuneration to the CPWs. “Both Directors and Director Finance were directed to formulate a viable proposal for enhancing the honorarium, emoluments for cooks and CPWs engaged before 2017.” (KNO)

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