Jammu: In a moment of immense pride for the medical community of Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has formally recognised the significant advancements made in the healthcare sector by the Department of Health and Medical Education. The recognition comes with the inclusion of the State Cancer Institute in the official government calendar, marking its growing importance in the region’s medical landscape.

The State Cancer Institute has emerged as a symbol of progress and commitment in the fight against cancer, offering advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities to patients from across Jammu and Kashmir and neighbouring areas. Over the past few years, the institute has witnessed steady infrastructural growth, adoption of modern medical technologies, and strengthening of specialised oncology services, significantly reducing the need for patients to seek treatment outside the Union Territory.

Medical professionals and healthcare administrators have welcomed the government’s acknowledgment, describing it as a morale booster for doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, and all those involved in strengthening public healthcare delivery. The recognition reflects the government’s focus on upgrading tertiary healthcare institutions and ensuring accessible, quality cancer care for the people.

Calling the State Cancer Institute the pride of Jammu and Kashmir, senior officials reiterated their resolve to further enhance its standards. “This recognition motivates us to work with greater dedication. Our collective effort will be to transform the State Cancer Institute into one of the finest centres for cancer care in the country,” an official statement noted.

The inclusion of the institute in the official calendar is being seen not merely as a symbolic gesture, but as a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to healthcare reforms and excellence in medical education and services. It also highlights the growing confidence in locally developed medical infrastructure, reinforcing hope for a healthier future for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday launched the e-Pathshala initiative of the School Education Department, emphasising that digital platforms are intended to supplement classroom teaching and help bridge learning gaps, not replace teachers.

The e-Pathshala channel will be available on DTH Channel 53, enabling home-based learning across the Union Territory. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated new hostel buildings and other development projects under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

Addressing the gathering, Abdullah said the initiative marks the beginning of a broader effort to expand digital learning resources, with a long-term vision of providing a dedicated channel for each class.

“This is just a small step. Our intention should be that every class has its own channel. Gradually, we will expand these channels, and there will be a separate channel for each class,” he said.

He clarified that the introduction of e-classrooms and digital channels should not be seen as an attempt to reduce the role of teachers.

“Whether connectivity exists or not, physical teachers cannot be replaced, and we have no intention of replacing them. The relationship between a teacher and a student cannot be substituted by any device or technology,” Abdullah said.

Highlighting the transformative role of good teachers, the Chief Minister shared a personal anecdote from his student days to underline how effective teaching can help even weak students excel.

“A good teacher can take even the weakest students to great heights,” he remarked.

Recalling his school days, Abdullah said he had little interest in science as a child and was expected to struggle in physics and chemistry. He credited teacher Sat Lal Razdan for changing that perception through dedicated guidance and discipline, adding that he scored his highest marks in science under Razdan’s mentorship.

Congratulating the education department and all stakeholders, Abdullah said the e-Pathshala initiative, if used effectively, has the potential to transform the lives of children across the Union Territory. He also called for regular feedback from students and teachers to ensure that the content remains relevant and beneficial.

The Chief Minister noted that 14 out of the 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir have been made education-literate, while the remaining districts—mostly remote areas—stand to benefit significantly from the new digital channel.

On the use of mobile phones and screens, Abdullah stressed that technology should be used constructively for education, learning and mental development, while cautioning against excessive screen time for gaming. He also emphasised the importance of cultivating reading habits among children, encouraging them to read books, magazines and newspapers in addition to textbooks.

 Light snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir and parts of the Jammu region has led to a significant drop in temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday.

Under the influence of a feeble western disturbance, light snowfall was recorded in several high-altitude areas, including Mughal Road, Sinthan Top, Pir Panjal hills of south Kashmir, and upper reaches of Ganderbal district. Several inches of snow have accumulated in some of these areas, while snowfall continued in parts of the Pir Panjal range late Tuesday evening.

An official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said there is a possibility of light snowfall over isolated higher reaches of north, south, and central Kashmir during the day. “After that, the weather is likely to remain dry but cloudy till January 20,” the official said, adding that temperatures are expected to fall further till January 10, followed by a rise of 1–2 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg, the famous ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, recorded the coldest night temperature in the region at minus 8.6 degrees Celsius. Srinagar registered a minimum temperature of minus 4 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than the previous night’s minus 3.6 degrees Celsius.

Other minimum temperatures recorded across the Valley included minus 6.8 degrees Celsius at Pahalgam, minus 3 degrees Celsius at Qazigund, minus 2 degrees Celsius at Kokernag, and minus 3.1 degrees Celsius at Kupwara.

Despite the cold nights, day temperatures remained above the freezing point. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, Qazigund 8.6 degrees, Pahalgam 5.6 degrees, Kupwara 11 degrees, Kokernag 5.8 degrees, and Gulmarg 1.6 degrees Celsius.

In the winter capital Jammu, night temperatures witnessed a sharp fall, with the minimum dropping to 5.2 degrees Celsius from 8.7 degrees Celsius recorded on Monday. The maximum temperature stood at 15.4 degrees Celsius, about 2.6 degrees below the normal for the day.

Katra recorded a minimum temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 17.6 degrees. Bhaderwah registered a low of minus 2.2 degrees and a high of 10.5 degrees Celsius, while Banihal recorded a minimum of 1.5 degrees and a maximum of 10.9 degrees Celsius. Batote registered temperatures between 1.7 and 10.4 degrees Celsius.

Other areas of the Jammu region also witnessed low night temperatures, with Rajouri recording 0 degrees Celsius, Poonch 2.3 degrees, Doda 3.1 degrees, Kishtwar 2.2 degrees, Ramban 2.7 degrees, and Udhampur 4.5 degrees Celsius.

Jammu and adjoining plains remained under fog conditions, though sunshine during the day improved visibility after 11 a.m. Flight operations at Jammu Airport improved compared to the previous day, with only four flights arriving late, while all scheduled flights operated. Train services also showed improvement due to moderate fog conditions in the northern region.

The Kashmir Valley is currently experiencing Chilla-e-Kalan, the 40-day harshest phase of winter marked by extreme cold and frequent snowfall. However, the plains of the Valley have yet to receive any snowfall so far this season.