Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is showing steady improvement in her health and is likely to be discharged from hospital within the next one to two days, doctors said on Friday.

The 79-year-old leader was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday night around 10:22 pm after developing a fever.

According to hospital chairman Ajay Swaroop, Gandhi is “much better,” with clear signs of recovery and is currently comfortable.

“She is walking around and has taken her breakfast. Overall, her progress is smooth, and we expect she will be fit for discharge within a day or two,” he said.

Doctors attending to her said she is being treated for a systemic infection and is responding well to antibiotics.

She remains under the close supervision of a team of senior doctors, who continue to monitor her condition. Sources indicated that she may be kept under observation for a short period as a precaution, although her condition is stable and not considered serious.

The festival of Ram Navami was celebrated on Thursday with deep religious fervour, enthusiasm, and in a serene and peaceful atmosphere across Kishtwar district.

Ram Navami, observed on the ninth day (Navami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Chaitra, marks the birth of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Thousands of devotees thronged the historic Gauri Shankar Temple at Sarkoot, from where a grand religious procession (Jhanki) commenced and proceeded towards Ram Mandir Kishtwar.

Local temples across the district also witnessed a large influx of devotees, who offered prayers for peace, progress, and prosperity of the district and the Union Territory.

Elaborate arrangements, including security and essential services, were put in place by the civil and police administration to ensure smooth, safe, and orderly celebrations across the district, including at subdivision and tehsil levels.

Local MLA Shagun Parihar, Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, and SSP Naresh Singh joined devotees at the Gauri Shankar Temple, where the main celebrations were held. They also accompanied the procession and supervised security and overall arrangements.

Among others present were ADC Pawan Kotwal and Dy SP Headquarters Dr. Ishan Gupta, along with other officers from the civil and police administration.

The dignitaries extended greetings on the occasion and prayed for peace, tranquility, integrity, communal harmony, and brotherhood in the district and across the Union Territory.

They also urged the public to uphold values of unity and harmony, calling upon all sections of society to work collectively for sustained peace in the region.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today appealed to the public to refrain from panic buying and avoid crowding petrol pumps, assuring that there is no shortage of fuel, LPG, or essential commodities.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Jammu Marathon Expo, he expressed concern over long queues at fuel stations driven by rumours. He cautioned that such unnecessary panic could create artificial shortages where none exist.

“I earnestly request people to stop camping outside petrol pumps. If this situation continues, I may be forced to shut all petrol pumps for a few days until this cycle of rumours stops,” he warned.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the government has conducted a thorough review and confirmed adequate availability of petrol, diesel, LPG cylinders, and other essential supplies. He added that no directives have been issued to limit consumption.

Addressing the broader situation, Omar said he will participate in an online meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow at 6:30 PM. The meeting will include Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories and will focus on developments in West Asia, particularly tensions involving Iran and neighbouring regions, and measures to ensure uninterrupted supply chains.

He also expressed concern over misinformation spreading on social media, noting that rumours often gain more traction than official statements.

“It is regrettable that when the Government speaks, no one listens, but everyone believes rumours,” he said.

On Pakistan’s potential role as a mediator in the West Asia conflict, Omar said any effort that contributes to peace should be welcomed.

“If Pakistan helps in ending the war through dialogue, there should be no objection. What matters most is restoring stability in the region,” he added.

Reiterating his assurance, the Chief Minister said there is currently no shortage of petroleum products across the country and urged citizens to act responsibly.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday condemned the “unjust and illegal war imposed on Iran” and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his influence to end the war in the interest of humanity.Maps

Abdullah made the statement in the Legislative Assembly as the Leader of the House after several National Conference members pressed for a brief statement, despite opposition from the BJP MLAs who said the Iran crisis is an international issue and does not fall in the domain of this House.

“On behalf of myself and my colleagues, I strongly condemn this unjust and illegal war imposed on Iran. I express my deepest condolences over the loss of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his associates and all those who have lost their lives in this conflict,” the chief minister said.

“I also make a sincere appeal to our prime minister to use all available diplomatic channels and relationships to help end this war at the earliest. This will benefit not just us, but humanity as a whole,” Abdullah said. (Agencies)