Srinagar, Sep 5: University of Kashmir on Friday announced that all examinations scheduled for September 6, 2025, have been postponed in view of the recent inclement weather.
An official notification issued by the Controller of Examinations, said the step has been taken to ensure safety of students.
It added that fresh dates for the conduct of postponed papers shall be notified separately. (KNC)
Jammu, Sep 5: Days after floodwaters swallowed their homes and fields, the villagers of Pargwal walk barefoot through sludge and rubble, searching not just for belongings but for pieces of memory in the mud-filled farmlands that stretch to the International Border.
On Tuesday last, the Chenab river burst into their hamlet with a roar, breaking walls, carrying away animals and household items, and leaving behind a suffocating carpet of mud. The villagers were scattered across the fields, searching for whatever the river had not claimed.
Pargwal village, near Akhnoor, one of 27 border hamlets, is situated between the border with Pakistan and the mighty Chenab river.
For two days, floodwaters stood up to the first storey of houses, drowning shops, granaries and livestock.
Over 3,000 people were evacuated by rescue teams, but the damage remains everywhere. Broken walls lean dangerously, doors creak in mud, and fields — once green with paddy — now lie under thick layers of silt.
Subash Chander bent over in the muddy waters, his hands trembling, as he pulled out their only surviving old almirah half a kilometre from his house with the help of his brothers.
It was a wedding gift, still locked, holding inside not just cash and jewellery but the weight of memory. “I thought I would never see it again. It is a piece of memory for us,” he whispered, brushing mud off its corners.
Chander recalled the fearful moment when the flood struck and said, “We had a narrow escape as the water gushed into our house suddenly. We rushed to save children and elders first. A wall was damaged on the back side due to the impact of water.
“It was all happening in front of our eyes. We could not save anything except our lives. Now, when we see our houses ruined, we cannot even eat,” he added.
The villagers feel hapless about their fate as most of the houses suffered damage and are unsafe for living.
With tears rolling down the cheeks of 62-year-old Puran Chand, he stood amid the rubble of his destroyed home.
“We have lost everything. Our house is damaged. We are a family of nine. Where do we live now? I am 62 years old. I have seen this much water for the first time in my life”, he said.
The family, which mostly has daily-wage labourers, had built their home only five years ago after saving every penny.
The floodwaters had inundated houses up to the first storey for almost 48 hours, damaging most of them as well as shops and other structures.
It has not only hit their housing needs but also their economy, which is mostly dependent on agriculture and is now suffering huge damage.
For Sharda Devi, the floodwaters rose up to her neck as she struggled to pull her family out. “It was like a wall of water hitting us. We lost everything, even our animals,” she said, adding that in 15 years of marriage, she had never witnessed such a calamity.
“Even our paddy fields are buried under a thick sheet of mud,” she said.
Villagers said that they have not witnessed such intensity of floods in the area, as was witnessed in 1984 and 1992 when the village was severely battered by the Chenab waters, causing large-scale damage.
They said that the Chenab, which was flowing much above the evacuation alarm, inundated the entire village within minutes.
“The flow of water was very fast. It washed away whatever material, big or small, was lying in our houses and deposited it in vast chunks of land and agricultural areas. The connecting road was washed away, and the village got cut from the rest of the district,” teacher Omarkar Singh said.
Children, too, have not been spared. Pooja Devi said her children lost all their school books to the floods. “They keep asking for books, but we have nothing left to give. Once schools reopen after a week-long closure due to floods, no children, I feel, will have books as they are lost to floods,” she said quietly.
Nearby, Karma Devi stood over her refrigerator, dragged out from a heap of sludge a hundred metres away. The flood had torn through her home, bringing down a wall and washing away all that lay inside. “It is heavy,” she said, “but lighter than the emptiness of my house.” “This is not just about homes,” said Rattan Singh, a farmer staring at his ruined land. “It is about our survival. Agriculture is our only economy. Now it is buried.” For Pargwal, the floodwaters may have receded, but the struggle has only begun. Every almirah pulled from the mud, every utensil recovered, is not just an object saved — it is a piece of memory, a piece of dignity, wrested back from the river. (AGENCIES)
Srinagar, Sep 5: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday directed reinforcing of vulnerable spots, evacuation of people from inundated villages, and round-the-clock monitoring in view of the flood situation in the valley.
Chairing a meeting here on the post-flood scenario, the chief minister also directed for swift restoration of essential services, including power, water supply and road connectivity in the flood-hit areas.
“Chief Minister chaired a meeting today morning on the post-flood scenario and directed reinforcement of vulnerable spots, evacuation of people from inundated villages, round-the-clock monitoring through control rooms, and frequent visits to affected areas & timely advisories urging residents to stay alert, avoid panic & cooperate with administration,” the CM’s office said on X.
Many areas of Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing floods following incessant rains.
Rajouri, Sept 5: The Chief Education Officer Rajouri has directed all teaching and non-teaching staff of Government schools to resume duties from September 8, 2025.
As per a circular, staff has been directed to regular duties and ensure a school safety audit of buildings is conducted by September 9 through the concerned agency.
The detailed report of the audit, as per the circular, needs to be submitted to the Zonal Education Officer so that students can be called back to schools accordingly.
MUMBAI, Sept 5: The Mumbai police have issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra in connection with a Rs 60 crore cheating case, officials said on Friday.
The LOC was issued by the Economic Offences Wing of the city police as the couple makes frequent international trips, an official said.
A case was registered against the actor and her husband at Juhu police station on August 14 for allegedly duping a businessman of nearly Rs 60 crore in a loan-cum-investment deal, he said.
A Lookout Circular is a mechanism used to prevent a person from leaving the country or to track their movements, typically by issuing an alert to immigration and border control points. (AGENCIES)
Jammu, 04 September 2025:
Jammu and Kashmir BJP Spokesperson Gaurav Gupta said that the Modi Government has once again delivered on its promise of ‘Ease of Living’ by announcing the Next-Gen GST Reform, a landmark Diwali gift that will directly benefit households, farmers, students, and businesses across the nation. He said this reform is not just a tax adjustment but a people-first initiative designed to ease family budgets, reduce agricultural costs, make healthcare affordable, support education, and empower small entrepreneurs.
He expressed these views while addressing a press conference along with party spokesperson Balbir Ram Rattan and Media Incharge Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, at party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
Gupta explained that household essentials such as hair oil, shampoo, toothpaste, soap, tooth brushes, shaving cream, butter, ghee, cheese, namkeens, utensils, feeding bottles, clinical diapers, and sewing machines, will now attract only 5% GST. This will bring immediate relief to every family by reducing monthly household expenditure.
Highlighting the importance of rural prosperity, Gaurav Gupta said tractors, tyres, bio-pesticides, micro-nutrients, drip irrigation systems, and cultivation and harvesting machinery have all been reduced to just 5% GST. This bold move will cut down input costs and directly raise farmers’ incomes, strengthening the rural economy.
Gaurav Gupta further stated that the government has taken a giant step to make healthcare affordable. Health and life insurance premiums, earlier taxed at 18%, are now exempt from GST, while essential items like oxygen, diagnostic kits, corrective spectacles, and glucometer strips have been brought down to 5%. Similarly, education has been made completely tax-free with GST removed from notebooks, maps, charts, pencils, crayons, and erasers, ensuring that children’s learning is free from financial burden.
Gupta emphasized that the Modi Government had already provided massive relief to the middle class by exempting annual income up to ₹12 lakh from income tax. Now, with the Next-Gen GST Reform, the middle class enjoys a double benefit – savings through income tax relief and reduced costs on everyday essentials, electronics, and vehicles. Hybrid and CNG cars, motorcycles, and transport vehicles have been reduced from 28% to 18%, while air conditioners, televisions, projectors, and dishwashers have also been lowered to 18%. This will allow middle-class families to save more, live better, and improve their quality of life.
Gupta also highlighted that the reform is not limited to tax cuts but also simplifies compliance for businesses. With automatic GST registration in just three working days, faster refunds, and a simplified tax structure, small enterprises and MSMEs will be able to focus on growth and innovation instead of paperwork and procedural hurdles.
Concluding, BJP Spokesperson Gaurav Gupta said that the Next-Gen GST Reform reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. It ensures real savings in every household, greater prosperity for farmers, accessible healthcare, affordable education, and an enabling environment for businesses.
“This Diwali, while diyas will brighten homes, Modi Sarkar’s reforms will brighten lives. This is not just a policy announcement – this is Modi Ji’s guarantee,” he said.
AYODHYA (UP), Sept 5: Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay arrived in Ayodhya on Friday morning on a four-hour visit, during which he offered prayers at the Ram temple and other prominent shrines.
Tobgay landed at the Ayodhya airport around 9:30 am by a special Indian Air Force plane. He was given a red-carpet welcome by the district administration and was received by Uttar Pradesh Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, MLA Ved Prakash Gupta along with senior administrative and police officials.
From the airport, his convoy travelled through the Allahabad and Lucknow-Gorakhpur highways to reach the Ram temple. Strict security arrangements were in place with PAC, CRPF, SSF, Civil Police, ATS and STF personnel deployed across the city. Officials said both the Prime Minister’s Office and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office closely monitored the visit.
Tobgay had ‘darshan’ at the Ram Lalla temple, Hanumangarhi and other prominent temples in Ayodhya. A special lunch was also organised in his honour, officials added.
The Bhutanese prime minister is expected to depart for Delhi from Ayodhya around 1:30 pm.
Earlier in the day, Shahi, while waiting at the airport to welcome Tobgay, told reporters, “There is an arrangement for a grand welcome for him. India and Bhutan share very cordial relations for a long time. Leaders of both nations frequently visit each other, and we consider this as an important visit.” (PTI)
NEW DELHI, Sept 5: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday gave the National Teacher Awards to 45 teachers from across the country for their exemplary contribution to teaching and learning.
From novel methods of teaching, dedication to students’ growth to attempts to enhance learning achievements in difficult environments, the awardees were recognised at the annual award ceremony.
Ranging from innovative pedagogy to inspiring first-generation learners, the awardees played a key role in shaping young minds across India.
Among the awardees is M Devananda Kumar, Faculty of Telugu at Dr Lakireddy Hanimireddy Government Degree College, Mylavaram, Andhra Pradesh, who has received the award for his innovative teaching practices.
“His work includes creating thallapatra granthas (palm-leaf manuscripts), producing educational videos for LMS, and earning prestigious accolades for his contributions to education,” his citation read.
Similarly, Proshanto Kr Saha, Faculty of Psychology at Rajiv Gandhi Central University, Arunachal Pradesh, has been recognised for his expertise in forensic psychology and neuropsychology, with more than 14 years of academic service.
“He established a Neuropsychology Lab, developed intervention training modules, led major research projects, and extended psychological support to child abuse victims, reflecting his commitment to both academic excellence and social impact,” the citation said.
Ahead of the awards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the National Award-winning teachers. In a light-hearted remark, he said that while teachers usually give homework to students, he wanted to assign one to them—to lead campaigns promoting swadeshi products and strengthen the “Make in India” and “Vocal for Local” movements. (PTI)
Jammu, Thursday, September 4: Raman Bhalla, Working President Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and former Cabinet Minister, today undertook an extensive visit to the flood-affected areas of Jammu, where he interacted with residents and assessed the widespread damage caused by the recent floods. Expressing deep concern over the slow pace of relief and rehabilitation efforts, Bhalla issued a strong appeal to the administration to act swiftly and responsibly in addressing the crisis.
Bhalla was accompanied by Amrit Bali, Pawan Bhagat, Gurcharan Singh Happy, and Bitta during his visit to Bhour Kothey, Bhour Camp, and adjoining areas of the Floriculture Garden, including the cremation ground at Bhour Camp, where he directly observed the hardships faced by residents.
During his tour, Bhalla observed that even after more than ten days since the floods, malba (mud and debris) continues to choke the internal lanes and homes of several localities. “The situation remains grim. Residents are struggling to resume normal life as the debris has not been cleared. There is a glaring shortage of machinery and manpower. Authorities must immediately mobilize resources, even if it means diverting heavy machinery from the National Highway and seeking assistance from allied organizations,” Bhalla stated.
He further noted that the rising water levels in nallahs posed a continuing risk, demanding urgent preventive measures. Bhalla also highlighted the plight of families unable to perform last rites in their local cremation grounds as many have been rendered unusable due to flooding. “It is heartbreaking that people are being forced to move to distant villages for cremation. This reflects the government’s lack of preparedness in ensuring basic dignity for the affected families,” he said.
The Congress leader demanded immediate restoration of road connectivity, deployment of medical teams to low-lying flood-hit areas, and urgent sanitation drives. “Sanitation, hygiene, and public health are at severe risk. Without timely medical assistance, there is a looming threat of waterborne diseases,” he cautioned.
Bhalla also called for direct distribution of packed food, clothing, and other essentials. “These are not luxuries but basic necessities that people are being deprived of. The government must ensure that no family goes hungry or without support in such trying times,” he said.
Targeting the BJP-led government, Bhalla ridiculed Jammu’s “smart city” claims. “If this is a smart city, then what is a failed one? The floods have exposed hollow claims. Infrastructure has collapsed under pressure, leaving citizens to suffer,” he remarked.
Demanding urgent financial aid, Bhalla pressed for compensation not only to affected families but also to farmers whose agricultural lands have been devastated. “Agriculture is the backbone of our region. Farmers are among the worst sufferers in this tragedy and deserve fair and timely compensation,” he asserted.
Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit, Bhalla expressed disappointment that the flood-hit areas have not been declared a “national disaster zone.” He questioned the silence of the administration on this crucial matter, stressing that such recognition would pave the way for larger relief packages and institutional support.
“The government must rise above optics and deliver on its responsibilities. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are in pain. They need immediate relief, long-term rehabilitation, and above all, a government that is accountable to them,” Bhalla concluded.
JAMMU, Sep 04: Deputy Chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir Surinder Choudhary assigned additional charge of Chief Engineer Pir Panjal zone to Ashpk Kumar Khokhar.
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