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Jammu’s Medical Fraternity Issues Strong, Unified Condemnation of Delhi Blasts; Affirms Unwavering Support to National Investigative Agencies

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Jammu, Nov 21:

In a firm and unequivocal voice, the medical fraternity of Jammu — represented by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Jammu Branch, Doctors Association Jammu (DAJ), and the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Government Medical College Jammu — has condemned the recent terror attack in Delhi, terming it a direct strike at the nation’s collective conscience, public safety, and the very idea of humanity.

The associations have expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of innocent lives and extended heartfelt solidarity to the families devastated by the November 10 blast near the Red Fort. The statements, issued separately yet aligned in spirit, underscore a shared resolve: terrorism will not shake the moral foundation of the medical profession nor the unity of the nation.

The IMA Jammu Branch described the incident as “a cowardly and reprehensible act designed to destabilise peace and inflict suffering on the innocent.” Expressing deep concern over reports suggesting the possible involvement of individuals from the medical fraternity, the association noted that if such allegations are proven, it would amount to “a grave betrayal of the trust reposed in the white coat and an unforgivable departure from the ethics that bind the profession.”

Doctors Association Jammu echoed similar sentiments, calling the incident “a ruthless affront to the Hippocratic Oath and an indelible stigma on anyone who misuses medical knowledge for destructive ends.” The association demanded that the investigation be pursued with urgency and precision, ensuring that every perpetrator, planner, or facilitator is brought before the law without exception.

The Resident Doctors Association of GMC Jammu termed the act “inhuman, indefensible, and intended to disrupt national harmony.” The RDA expressed full faith in the security and investigative agencies, affirming that the medical community stands shoulder to shoulder with the nation during this period of grief and determination.

Across all statements, the undertone remained consistent and resolute:

there can be no leniency toward individuals who engage in, support, or abet acts of terror. Each association pledged complete cooperation with national agencies tasked with uncovering the truth, emphasising that accountability is essential not only for justice but also for restoring the sanctity of the profession.

The collective stance of Jammu’s medical bodies reflects a rare moment of unanimity — a clear declaration that terrorism, in any form and by any hand, is an assault on the principles of civilisation. At a time when the country mourns, Jammu’s doctors have reaffirmed their commitment to humanity, their duty to protect life, and their unwavering support to the institutions safeguarding national security.

IAF’s Tejas Fighter Jet Crashes During Dubai Air Show, Pilot Dies

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Nov 21: A fighter jet Tejas of the Indian Air Force crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show on Friday and the pilot died in the accident, the IAF said.

A Court of Inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident, the IAF said in a brief statement.

Visuals of the crash aired on various TV channels showed the jet dropping altitude and then crashing on the ground, engulfed in a ball of fire.

As smoke billowed out of the crash site, leaving the spectators shocked.

According to an international media report, the jet crashed in the afternoon local time while flying a demonstration flight at the prestigious air show.

“An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident.

“IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the IAF said in its statement posted on its X handle. (Agencies)

Nehru’s Writings Are Not Just History, They Are Record Of India’s Evolving Conscience: Rahul

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India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s writings are not just history, they are a record of India’s evolving conscience, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday, asserting that for anyone seeking to understand the nation’s democratic journey, his words remain a powerful compass.

Gandhi’s remarks came over the completion of the digitisation of ‘Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru’.

The ‘Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru’ is now online with an entire set of 100 volumes, containing some 35,000 documents and about 3,000 illustrations related to the country’s first prime minister, digitised and available free of cost for downloading.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also hailed the development.

“Facts are facts and will not disappear on account of your likes’ – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. In an era of deliberate distortion, disinformation and misinformation regarding Pandit Nehru and his colossal achievements for India, it is worthwhile to digitise his writings for truth and posterity,” Kharge said on X.

“I am happy that ‘The Nehru Archive’ is now live: nehruarchive.in. This is India’s first comprehensive, open-access digital archive of Jawaharlal Nehru’s writings — letters, speeches, notes & more, all interconnected and freely available for easy access,” he said

In a post on X, Gandhi said Nehru’s writings are not just history, they are a record of India’s evolving conscience.

“For anyone seeking to understand our nation’s democratic journey –“ its courage, its doubts, its dreams –“ his words remain a powerful compass,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

“I’m glad this legacy is now open, searchable, and free for all. It will keep getting expanded. Dive into the new archive,” Gandhi said and shared a link to the archive.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, a trustee of the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (JNMF) that carried out the exercise, on Thursday said its second phase would entail efforts to locate letters to Nehru.

Ramesh said the Gandhi-Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel-Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose-Nehru correspondence is fairly comprehensive, but that is not the case with certain other correspondences such as Winston Churchill-Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore-Nehru. He said incorporating that would be of the biggest value addition to the Nehru archive.

Ramesh called for the integration of archives of leading lights of the time such as Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, B R Ambedkar and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

“The Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund is happy to announce that the Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru is now fully available online, as promised on November 14, 2024. The website The Nehru Archive is available on nehruarchive.in. The entire set of 100 volumes have been digitized; they may be searched and freely downloaded: and they may be used with equal ease on the mobile as on the laptop,” a JNMF release said.

The facsimiles of the original print version are also available alongside the digital text, it said.

This online version would be of immense benefit to anybody who wishes to study any aspect of Indian history from the 1920s to the 1960s, the years when Nehru was a major leader of the movement for Independence and thereafter was prime minister of the country, the statement said.

“It contains some 35,000 documents and about 3,000 illustrations. From volume 44 onward, that is, from September 1958, his speeches in the original Hindi, and an English translation, are also available. The documents consist of his correspondence, speeches, interviews, administrative noting on files, diary entries, and even doodles,” the JNMF said.

Ramesh said the archives have been sourced from 77,000 pages and 35,000 artefacts which are documented and spread over 61 years. (Agencies)

Speaker Administers Oath To 2 Newly Elected MLAs In Jammu

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Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather on Friday administered the oath to two newly elected MLAs in Jammu.

The legislators include PDP’s Aga Muntazir Mehdi from Budgam and BJP’s Devyani Rana from Nagrota.

They won the recently held bypolls for the vacant seats in Jammu and Kashmir with Devyani Rana retaining the Nagrota seat for the BJP. She defeated National Panthers Party (JKNPP) candidate Harsh Dev Singh.

Aga Muntazir Mehdi of Peoples Democratic Party won the Budgam seat by defeating NC’s Agha Mehmood—(KNO)

Dr Jitendra Singh Lauds Indian Army’s First-Ever Mega Cataract Camp at Command Hospital

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today praised the Indian Army for organising a first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art 3-day Mega Cataract Camp at the Super Speciality Command Hospital, terming it a remarkable humanitarian initiative under Operation Drishti.

The Minister visited the Command Hospital to conduct a comprehensive review of medical services and facilities being provided to both defence personnel and civilians. The free eye camp, being held from 19th to 21st November 2025, is part of the Army’s large-scale outreach programme aimed at extending advanced ophthalmic care to the local population.

“Army serves in war and peace alike”

Applauding the Army’s multifaceted role, Dr Singh said that while its valour in wartime is unparalleled, its service to humanity in peacetime is equally commendable.

“The Armed Forces not only safeguard the nation but also extend critical healthcare and humanitarian services. Their dedication to serving humanity during peacetime, especially by providing advanced medical care to civilians and soldiers alike, reflects their core ethos of service and commitment,” he said.

Review of facilities and patient interaction

During his visit, Dr Singh toured the Department of Ophthalmology and reviewed the hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities, ongoing screening programmes and advanced surgical setup. He interacted with patients, including senior citizens and local residents undergoing treatment, applauding the dedication of the medical and support staff.

He also visited multiple wards, emphasising that empathy and humane care must complement modern medical technology.

Army’s humanitarian outreach appreciated

Dr Singh said that the Command Hospital’s free medical and eye-screening initiatives stand as a strong example of the Army’s commitment to nation-building. He noted that such programmes deepen public trust and showcase the Armed Forces’ wide-ranging contribution to society beyond national security duties.

Review of advanced medical technology

The Minister inspected cutting-edge medical equipment, including the 3-D microscope used for highly precise ophthalmic surgeries. Officials briefed him on how these technologies enhance surgical accuracy, diagnostics and overall patient outcomes.

“Modern technology forms the backbone of world-class healthcare. Facilities like this elevate the standard of care and give patients the confidence that they are receiving the most advanced and effective treatment available,” Dr Singh said.

Chief Secretary Reviews Major Highway & Road Projects Across J&K; Calls for Timely Land Handover, Clearances and Strict Adherence to Deadlines

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Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of major highway and road development projects underway across Jammu & Kashmir under Project Beacon, Project Sampark, NHAI, NHIDCL and the Public Works (R&B) Department.

The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, PWD; Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir; Secretary Transport; senior engineers of NHAI, Project Beacon, Project Sampark, and other officials. All Deputy Commissioners joined via video conference.

Project-wise Review

The Chief Secretary undertook a detailed project- and package-wise review of all major highways, seeking precise timelines and asking executing agencies to identify bottlenecks.

He stressed that extraction permissions for construction material must be strictly regulated and used only for authorised works.

Deputy Commissioners were directed to expedite compensation cases and ensure immediate land handover to executing agencies. He also instructed timely grant of forest clearances to avoid project delays.

Divisional Commissioners were told to engage regularly with implementing agencies to resolve issues quickly and maintain work momentum. Dulloo emphasised that while the administration will extend full support, agencies must strictly follow deadlines.

The PWD was asked to finalise new DPRs under formulation at the earliest, enabling early tendering and execution.

Major Corridors Reviewed

A comprehensive review was held on several flagship corridors, including:

  • Srinagar–Baramulla–Uri Road
  • Khanabal–Baltal Road
  • Peer ki Gali and Sadhna Tunnel alignments
  • Akhnoor–Poonch Road
  • NH-144A dredging permissions
  • Mangam–Doodhpathri–Shopian–Poonch Road
  • Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway
  • Kaluchak–Purmandal–Domel Road
  • Fourth Tawi Bridge, Jammu

Focus on NH-44 and Tunnel Projects

Special emphasis was laid on expediting work on NH-44, including:

  • Nashri–Chenani Road via Patnitop
  • Marog–Digdol Tunnel
  • Digdol–Khuni Nallah Tunnel
  • Makarkot–Sherbibi Tunnel
  • Black-topping of Banihal–Ramban stretch before December end

The Divisional Commissioner Jammu was instructed to closely monitor progress and submit regular reports.

Ring Roads & Metropolitan Projects

The meeting reviewed progress on the Jammu and Srinagar Ring Road projects, covering land issues, connectivity needs, and construction status.

Discussions were also held on the Jammu tunnel and improved connectivity for the Srinagar Ring Road, especially towards the Airport and from Sumbal to Wayil.

NHIDCL & NHAI DPRs Reviewed

Key NHIDCL projects reviewed included:

  • Jammu–Akhnoor Road
  • Bhagwati Chowk–Canal Head riding surface improvement
  • Chenani–Sudhmahadev Road
  • Goha–Khellani and Khellani–Khanabal stretches
  • Zojila Tunnel
  • Revised DPRs under finalisation

NHAI’s upcoming DPRs reviewed included:

  • New Fourth Tawi Bridge
  • Jammu Ring Road Phase-II
  • Six-laning of Chenani–Nashri Tunnel
  • Srinagar Ring Road Phase-III
  • Sumbal–Bandipora–Gurez Road
  • Service road on Srinagar–Qazigund Highway
  • Kathua–Basholi–Bani–Bafliaz–Doda Road, among others

R&B Sector Projects

Progress on major R&B projects was assessed, including:

  • Bypasses for Pulwama, Kulgam, and Shopian
  • Sanat Nagar Flyover
  • Tengpora Service Road
  • Bridges at Chanapora and Tengpora

New proposals included:

  • Parimpora–Shalteng Flyover
  • Old Padshahibagh Bridge
  • Lal Chowk–Parimpora Flyover
  • Several other critical connectivity works

Congress Targets PM Modi Over G20 Attendance, Questions Future Ties With Trump-Led US

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The Congress on Friday took a sharp dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his participation in the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, alleging that he is attending the meet “safely and securely” only because US President Donald Trump is boycotting the event.

Prime Minister Modi embarked on a three-day visit to South Africa to attend the G20 Summit and the IBSA Summit scheduled between November 21 and 23.

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, also questioned how India–US relations would shape up in the coming year, noting that the next G20 Summit will take place in the United States.

Ramesh said that by the time the next Summit is held in America, “presumably India’s trade (or)deal with the US will be done”.

“But if in the past seven months President Trump has claimed 61 times that he halted Operation Sindoor, imagine how many more times he will repeat those claims in the next twelve months,” he remarked.

He further alleged that PM Modi skipped the India–ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur recently to avoid coming face-to-face with President Trump.

Calling it “extraordinary”, Ramesh criticised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for opposing South Africa’s G20 themes of solidarity, equality, and sustainability on grounds that they amount to “anti-Americanism”.

Ramesh also pointed out that G20 presidencies rotate annually — India handed over the presidency to Brazil in November 2024, and South Africa is now set to hand it over to the US, which is not attending the Johannesburg meeting.

He added: “Will huglomacy with ‘my good friend’ revive, will there just be handshakes, or will Mr. Modi not go at all — time alone will tell.”

PM Modi’s Stand

In his departure statement, PM Modi said he would present India’s views in line with the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the vision of One Earth, One Family, One Future.

He noted that the Johannesburg Summit is “particularly special” as it is being held in Africa, and said he would also meet several world leaders on the margins of the event.

Modi will additionally participate in the 6th IBSA Summit during his visit.

The G20 this year is themed “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” According to the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi is expected to speak in all three sessions of the Summit.

The G20 represents more than 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.

ED Conducts Mega Raids Across Jharkhand, West Bengal in Coal Mafia Money-Laundering Probe

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday launched a large-scale search operation across Jharkhand and West Bengal as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation into alleged coal mafia activities in the two neighbouring states, officials said.

More than 40 locations were raided beginning at around 6 am, with nearly 100 officers and staff of the federal agency deployed. Central security forces accompanied the ED teams to ensure security during the operation.

According to officials, the search teams covered residences, offices, toll collection booths, and check posts, acting under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

During the raids, the ED seized cash and gold jewellery from several premises.

Jharkhand Raids

In Jharkhand, the agency searched around 18 locations linked to individuals and entities allegedly associated with coal theft and smuggling.

According to sources, premises connected to Anil Goyal, Sanjay Udhyog, L. B. Singh, and Amar Mandal were among those covered.

Officials said the scale of the alleged coal pilferage is “significant,” involving losses amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees to the government.

West Bengal Raids

In West Bengal, the ED conducted searches at about 24 locations, including districts such as Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah, and Kolkata.

Among those whose premises were searched are Narendra Kharka, Yudhistar Ghosh, Krishna Murari Kayal, Chinmayi Mondal, and Rajkoshore Yadav, officials said.

The raids focus on alleged illegal coal mining, transportation, and storage operations, which the agency suspects are part of a wider money laundering network.

J&K Govt Orders Deployment Of District Mineral Officers

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JAMMU, Nov 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the deployment of 5 District Mineral Officers.

Narco-Terror Module Busted In J-K’s Kupwara; Father-Son Duo Held

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Security forces have busted a narco-terror module in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district by arresting a father-son duo, officials said on Thursday.

Acting on specific information regarding the presence of a commercial quantity of contraband and illegal arms and ammunition, a case was registered under various sections of the NDPS Act, UA(P) Act, and Arms Act, a senior police officer said.

Two “hybrid terrorists” — Abdul Lateef, 53, and his son, Shahnawaz Khan, 23, residents of Puthwari in Nowgam area of Handwara, were arrested during the joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The official said the duo was actively involved in running a narco-terror network in the area.

Recoveries effected so far include a pistol with seven rounds, and heroin-like contraband weighing approximately 890 grams, the officer said.