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Jammu | December 31 2025:

Dr. Tahir Rufayee, National Chairman, National Foundation For Journalism And Media (NFJM), has lauded the evolving and constructive role played by the media during the year 2025, describing it as a defining period for responsible journalism in India.

In his statement, Dr. Rufayee emphasized that 2025 witnessed a stronger commitment by journalists and media organizations toward truth, accountability, and public interest. Despite challenges such as misinformation, commercial pressures, and safety concerns, the media largely upheld democratic values by giving voice to the marginalized, highlighting governance issues, and ensuring transparency in public life.

“The media in 2025 has not merely reported events; it has shaped public discourse with maturity and responsibility. From exposing irregularities to amplifying developmental narratives, journalism has reaffirmed its role as the fourth pillar of democracy,” Dr. Rufayee said.

He particularly appreciated the role of regional and grassroots media for bringing local issues to national attention, and the growing use of digital platforms to engage citizens in informed debate. Dr. Rufayee also acknowledged the contribution of young journalists who embraced ethical reporting while adapting to new technologies and formats.

Calling for continued vigilance, Dr. Rufayee urged media professionals to remain independent, factual, and people-centric in the coming years. He reiterated NFJM’s commitment to protecting journalistic freedom, promoting ethical standards, and strengthening the professional capacity of journalists across the country.

“The strength of a democracy is reflected in the strength of its media. As we move forward, responsible journalism must continue to serve the nation with courage, integrity, and compassion,” he added.

Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th time at a grand ceremony held at Gandhi Maidan on Thursday.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered the oath of office and secrecy. Kumar took the oath on the Constitution of India, marking yet another milestone in his long political career.

The swearing-in ceremony witnessed the presence of top national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J.P. Nadda, and several senior leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Chief ministers from multiple NDA-ruled states also attended the event, underscoring the political significance of the ceremony.

PATNA, Nov 20: JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar on Thursday was sworn in as the chief minister of Bihar for a record 10th time at the Gandhi Maidan here.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered the oath of office and secrecy to him.

Kumar took the oath on the Constitution of India.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J P Nadda and several other top leaders of the NDA.

The event was also attended by chief ministers of several NDA ruled states. (Agencies)

When the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 results were declared, one name resonated across India — Shakti Dubey, the woman who turned five years of perseverance into one historic victory. Her story is not just about academic excellence but about unyielding faith, relentless hard work, and emotional endurance in the face of repeated setbacks.
Shakti’s UPSC journey began in 2018, when she first decided to dedicate herself fully to public service. Coming from a middle-class family, she balanced preparation with financial constraints and societal expectations.

Her first few attempts ended in disappointment — she didn’t even clear Mains twice. But instead of breaking down, she rebuilt her strategy. She focused on clarity of concept, consistent revision, and mental balance, understanding that the exam was as much a test of patience as it was of intellect.https://himalayanexpress.in/

In her fifth attempt, everything aligned. Her focused preparation, refined answer-writing skills, and unwavering belief in herself finally paid off — she secured All India Rank 1 in UPSC 2024.

In several interviews, Shakti emphasized that discipline is the backbone of success. “Consistency matters more than talent,” she says. “If you can stay calm during your failures and focused during your success, the exam will eventually reward you.”
“Don’t count your failures — count the lessons.”
Shakti’s story reminds us that the journey to UPSC is not defined by the number of attempts, but by the courage to try againhttps://himalayanexpress.in/

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, officials said.Jammu campus jobsKashmir tour packages

The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka and J&K Police chief Nalin Prabhat, CRPF DG GP Singh and BSF DG Daljit Singh Chawdhary, among other senior officers from the centre and the Union territory.

During the meeting, a review of the security situation in the Pir Panjal region and ongoing developmental projects in the UT was undertaken, the officials said.

The last such review meeting on J&K was chaired by Shah on September 1.

The home minister emphasised the zero tolerance policy against terrorism and instructed all security agencies to remain alert and operate in a coordinated manner to eliminate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the officials said.Jammu campus jobsKashmir tour packages

Post Pahalgam terror attack in April, there are continuous operations to dismantle the terror network in the UT while also ensuring that tourism returns to normal.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clarified on Wednesday its position regarding the National Conference (NC) government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The party emphasized that it never intended to join the NC government following the assembly elections held in Jammu and Kashmir last year.

During a press conference, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, asserted that the BJP was “content sitting in the opposition” and had no plans to ally with the National Conference.

“The BJP never offered to form a government with Omar Abdullah. If he claims so, he should show proof or stop misleading the people,” Sharma stated. He called on Abdullah to either present facts publicly or apologize to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, during recent remarks in Anantnag’s Achabal area, suggested that the NC could have partnered with the BJP in 2015, similar to the alliance with the PDP, but he declined, stating, “I am not ready to make that trade.”

Sharma reacted sharply, accusing Abdullah of political hypocrisy, saying, “You were the one knocking on BJP’s doors. When your recent offer was rejected, you started crying foul. This is the height of political shamelessness.”

Furthermore, he claimed that the Abdullah family has a history of spreading misinformation against the BJP and the Central Government while maintaining cordial relations with officials in Delhi.

Sharma highlighted Abdullah’s meetings with Union ministers, remarking, “He presents shawls, has tea, and dines with them in Delhi, but in Jammu and Kashmir, he says he won’t allow the BJP to form the government. This double-faced politics won’t work.”

The LoP criticized Abdullah’s use of anti-BJP rhetoric as a strategy to garner support ahead of the upcoming Budgam bypolls.

Addressing the ongoing discourse about statehood restoration, Sharma contended that the people of Jammu and Kashmir do not desire a return to a system that breeds unrest. “Do you want statehood for protests, killings, and shutdowns? People of J&K want peace, not politics of violence,” he remarked.

Sharma also rebutted Abdullah’s claims regarding lacking administrative powers, stating, “The Lieutenant Governor has approved 97 out of 97 files sent to him. Which power are you missing?”

He concluded by calling on Abdullah to “focus on governance instead of fooling people,” expressing gratitude towards the Central Government for releasing the 21st instalment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, which transferred ₹171 crore to 8.55 lakh farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.

India Achieves ₹1.2 Lakh Crore in Domestic Defence procurement by the end of the financial year 2024-25, marking a major stride toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday.

Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Singh highlighted that the government is prioritising indigenous production to strengthen India’s defence preparedness and technological independence in the face of evolving security threats.

“In 2021-22, our capital acquisition from domestic sources was around ₹74,000 crore. By the end of 2024-25, it has increased to approximately ₹1,20,000 crore,” Singh stated, adding, “This change is not just about data, but also about mindset.”

He said this growth proves that India Achieves ₹1.2 Lakh Crore in Domestic Defence through strong policy direction and the determination to build an independent and advanced defence ecosystem.

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Focus on Modern and Non-Contact Warfare

The Defence Minister underlined that the nature of warfare is evolving rapidly, with non-contact and technology-driven combat — including drones, anti-drone systems, and advanced air defence technologies — becoming critical for national security.

“The Government of India is fully aware of the changing nature of modern warfare. Today’s warfare has become completely technology-oriented. We saw a clear demonstration of this in Operation Sindoor,” Singh said.

He added that India Achieves ₹1.2 Lakh Crore inhttps://himalayanexpress.in/ Defence by aligning its military capabilities with future warfare requirements through indigenous innovation and technological integration.

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Boost to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in Defence

Singh credited the rise in domestic procurement to a series of policy reforms introduced under the Modi government, aimed at strengthening Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector.

“The highest priority is now being given to domestic sourcing in the procurement of military hardware,” he noted.

The minister said that India Achieves ₹1.2 Lakh Crore in Domestic Defence because of initiatives like the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy, positive indigenisation lists, and enhanced public-private collaboration in defence manufacturing.

These steps, Singh said, have not only reduced India’s dependence on imports but also opened new opportunities for the private and startup ecosystem to contribute to national defence.

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Vision 2047: A Developed and Self-Reliant India

Outlining his long-term vision for the defence sector, Rajnath Singh listed three key goals aligned with India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047:

1. Achieve a high degree of self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
2. Emerge as a global leader and exporter in defence manufacturing.
3. Drive innovation in cutting-edge and niche technologies shaping the future of warfare.

He reaffirmed that India Achieves ₹1.2 Lakh Crore in Defence as part of a broader roadmap to make the nation both secure and globally competitive in military production.

“India’s growing focus on indigenous production will not only enhance national security but also make the country a major global defence exporter,” Singh concluded.https://himalayanexpress.in/

The cyber wing of Jammu and Kashmir police has uncovered an online fraud involving Rs 4.4 crore with the arrest of three accused from Gujarat’s Surat who had kept a Jammu-based businessman under digital arrest, police said on Tuesday.

The fraud came to light on September 2 when the businessman lodged a written complaint at the cyber police station here, alleging that he had been defrauded of huge amounts of money by cyber criminals impersonating as law enforcement officials, Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Joginder Singh said.

The SSP said the fraudsters falsely accused the complainant of being involved in money laundering using his Aadhaar and SIM credentials.

After keeping him under digital arrest, they deceitfully coerced the victim into transferring Rs 4,44,20,000 across multiple bank accounts through a series of transactions, Singh said.

The officer said an FIR under Section 66D of the Information Technology Act read with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered and a detailed investigation was launched.

During the investigation, the cyber police team traced the money trail, examined bank transactions, scrutinised mobile communications, and analysed digital footprints linked to the fraud, he said, adding the investigation revealed that the network involved in the fraud was primarily operating from Gujarat.

Based on credible intelligence, a special investigation team was deputed to Surat and in a well-coordinated operation, three accused — Chauhan Manish Arunbhai, Ansh Vithani and Kishorbhai Karamshibhai Diyoria –- were arrested, he said.

He said the arrested individuals were subsequently brought to Jammu for sustained interrogation to identify other co-conspirators, uncover additional evidence, and trace further financial links associated with the crime.

Terming the arrest of the accused as a “major breakthrough”, the SSP said the cyber police Jammu has so far frozen Rs 55,88,256.74 across various bank accounts linked to the accused

Efforts are actively underway to reverse and refund the defrauded amounts to the complainant, out of which Rs 6 lakh has already been credited back to the victim’s account, the officer said.

On Monday, the first chargesheet in the case was filed in the court against the arrested accused, he said.

A lawyer was killed today in a road mishap in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Police said that one Advocate died this morning when a car he was travelling in met with an accident and plunged into a deep gorge in the Malai area of Reasi.

The locals retrieved the body after the accident, they said.

“The car might have skidded off the road due to slippery road conditions but investigation is in progress,” said police. (Agencies)

The Bombay High Court has dismissed two lower court judges accused of corruption for misconduct and behaviour unbecoming of officials of the judiciary.

The decision to dismiss additional sessions judge Dhananjay Nikam and civil judge Irfan Shaikh was taken following an inquiry by a disciplinary committee.

While Nikam has been accused of bribery, Shaikh, who presided over cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, allegedly indulged in corruption and misappropriated narcotic substances seized during investigations.

A petition filed in the high court against Shaikh is still pending.

The high court ordered their dismissal on Friday.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had registered a case against Nikam, Satara district and sessions judge, for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 5 lakh to grant bail in a cheating case.

In January, he approached the high court seeking anticipatory bail, claiming that he was innocent and had been implicated in the case.

The high court denied him pre-arrest bail in March.

As per the complaint lodged by a woman, her father, a civilian defence employee, is in judicial custody for allegedly cheating someone under the pretext of offering a government job.

After a lower court denied his bail, the woman filed a fresh bail application in the Satara sessions court, and Nikam heard the plea.

The ACB has alleged that one Kishor Sambhaji Kharat from Mumbai and Anand Mohan Kharat from Satara demanded Rs 5 lakh from the woman at Nikam’s behest for a favourable order.

The probe agency claimed that the bribe demand was verified during their investigation between December 3 and 9, 2024, confirming that Nikam, in collusion with the Kharats, sought the bribe.

The ACB has booked Nikam, the Kharats, and an unidentified individual under the Prevention of Corruption Act. (Agencies)