Mild earthquake tremors were felt across the Kashmir valley on Saturday afternoon.
As per initial reports, the earthquake was felt across various parts of the Valley with a magnitude of 5.2 and its epicenter in Pakistan.
The earthquake happened around 8:34 A.M on Saturday.
No major damage was reported anywhere, as per the reports received by The Kashmiriyat.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Azadi Times staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and her husband Prince Harry have made their first official public appearance together amid divorce and split rumours.
The California-based royals shared a video with a major announcement ahead of Meghan Markle’s 42nd birthday.
They posted the video on their Archewell foundation website with a sweet message.
Meghan and Harry announced, “The Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund today announced an inaugural cohort of 26 inspiring young people and organizations, selected for their groundbreaking approach to changing the future of technology.
“These innovators and campaigners have been awarded a total of $2 million to support their efforts to build a more inclusive, equitable, and accountable online world.”
The announcement further reads: “The cohort will work on a range of innovative projects, including responsible use of artificial intelligence; improving education access; leveraging platforms to address social and environmental challenges; and promoting the safety and well-being of online communities.”
According to Meghan and Harry’s friend and royal expert Omid Scobie, the special video was recorded at the couple’s Montecito, California, home last month.
In the video, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sit together as they congratulate a number of the fund’s inaugural beneficiaries.
Zuljanah is a symbol of love, loyalty, and sacrifice in the history of Islam. It is a horse that stood by Imam Hussein (AS) during the battle of Karbala and demonstrated its devotion until the end. Zuljanah is not just a horse, but a symbol of the profound emotions and values that the Shia Muslims uphold to this day.
During the battle of Karbala, Zuljanah carried the banner and sword of Imam Hussein (AS) towards the tents and informed Bibi Zainab of Imam’s martyrdom. Bibi Zainab then went towards the site of the massacre where she witnessed the beheading of her brother Abbas.
After the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), Zuljanah himself also passed away in an extremely wounded state. The women of the Ahlulbayt faced many hardships after the Imam’s martyrdom, which people continue to mourn to this day.
Zuljanah demonstrated its love and loyalty towards Imam Hussein (AS) and stood by him until his last breath, despite being severely injured. It also killed many soldiers of the Yazidi army during the events of Karbala. Zuljanah means “possessing wings or feathers,” and its name is a testament to its loyalty and devotion.
Shia Muslims hold great love and respect for Zuljanah and take care of it during the month of Muharram. On the tenth of Muharram, which marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), Shia Muslims hold mourning processions and Zuljanah is also present with them in remembrance.
During the procession, Zuljanah is adorned and included in the procession, and arrows are tied to its body in remembrance of the battle of Karbala, the great sacrifice of the Imam, and Zuljanah’s loyalty, which is presented as a tribute.
Zuljanah is not just a symbol of the battle of Karbala, but also a reminder of the values that Imam Hussein (AS) represented and fought for. It reminds us of the importance of love, loyalty, and sacrifice in our lives.
Zuljanah is a symbol of the Shia Muslim’s commitment to remembering and honoring the sacrifices of the Ahlulbayt. It is a reminder of the great sacrifices made by the companions of Imam Hussein (AS) and their unwavering devotion to the cause of justice and truth.
In conclusion, Zuljanah is not just a horse, but a symbol of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. It is a reminder of the profound emotions and values that the Shia Muslims hold dear. It reminds us of the importance of remembering and honoring the sacrifices made by the companions of Imam Hussein (AS). Zuljanah is a symbol of the Shia Muslim’s unwavering commitment to justice and truth, and a testament to their devotion to the Ahlulbayt.
Rawalakot, August 3, 2023 – Thousands of people took to the streets in Azad Kashmir on Saturday to protest against the recent price hikes of flour and electricity, Kashmir Issue, as well as other issues.
The protests were held in several cities across the region, including Mirpur, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Dadyal.
In Rawalakot, the protest was called by the traders’ association in response to the government’s decision to increase the price of flour by Rs. 5 per kilogram and the arbitrary tax on electricity bills.
The protesters gathered in Rawalakot and blocked all major roads leading to the city. They also chanted slogans demanding that the government make flour and electricity cheaper, as well as release political prisoners and grant Azad Kashmir independence.
The Bar Council of Poonch also supported the protest and no lawyers appeared in the courts on Saturday.
The protest was largely peaceful, but there were some minor clashes between the protesters and the police.
The protesters have vowed to continue their protest until the government meets their demands.
The protesters are demanding that the government address the rising cost of living, as well as other issues such as corruption and poor governance.
The protests in Azad Kashmir are also part of the Kashmir issue:
The people of Azad Kashmir have long been demanding that the government of Azad Kashmir take a more proactive role in the Kashmir issue. They are also demanding the release of Yasin Malik, a Kashmiri leader who has been imprisoned by the Indian government.
The government need to address the concerns of the protesters if it wants to maintain peace and stability in the region.
The central government has told the supreme court that any interference by the court to restore the pre-August 2019 position will be opposed to the public interest.
As per Hindustan Times, “Article 370, in its previous form, existed merely to temporarily manage the situation and ensure that a wider time frame is provided to complete this process of further integration and uniformity qua J&K. The transitory/temporary provisions under Article 370 were framed with limited purpose, having a limited life and were to be kept on the books till the constitutional parity with other units of the Union of India is decided to be achieved,” said the Centre.
The centre said that Article 370 was not an embodiment of any special status to J&K rather, only a “stop-gap arrangement” in order to achieve what had been completed for other states by 1950 itself.
“The complete integration and uniformity remained incomplete for the erstwhile State of J&K.. It was observed over the years that the existing regime under Article 370, and the exceptions/modifications carried out to other provisions of the Constitution of India by Presidential Orders were impeding, rather than enabling or facilitating, the full integration of the State of J&K with the rest of the country, which was neither in the national interest nor in the interest of the erstwhile State of J&K,” maintained the Centre, as per the report.
The centre said that the restoration of pre-2019 status will not only be against the national interest and the well-being of J&K, but will also lay the doors open for political, social, and economic uncertainties in the region, the Centre added in its submissions through the law officers.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Azadi Times staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Union Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), has completed the construction of 6,912 Km of roads in Jammu Kashmir over the past three years.
“In a fiscal year with 92,560 works completed in 2022-23 in comparison to 9,229 in 2018-19. Government of India’s unstinted support in accelerating the pace of development in Jammu & Kashmir has resulted in the transformation of the UT on all fronts,” he said in a written reply as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The Year wise number of projects completed he said are 2018-19 9,229, 2019-20 12,637, 2020-21 21,943, 2021-22 50,726, and 2022-23 92,560.
“Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), 6,912 Km road length stands constructed during the last three years,” he said, adding that 19,096 km of road has been black-topped during the last four years.
“Daily average rate of macadamization has increased from 8.57 Kms per day till 2019 to 15.75 Kms per day during 2023,” he said, adding that 302 bridges have been constructed during the last four years connecting the unconnected habitations.
“875 projects worth Rs. 3,639 Crore have been sanctioned under NABARD,” the Union Ministry said.
He said that the connectivity to valley has been subsequently improved by opening of 06 road tunnels on NH-44 including 8.45 Kms twin tube tunnel between Qazigund and Banihal thereby reducing average time from Jammu to Srinagar from 8-10 hours to 5-6 hours, thereby reducing logistic cost of goods and services to the valley.
“Under National Highway Development Programme, work on upgradation of 5 expressways, ring roads for Jammu and Srinagar cities, 10 major and 11 other tunnels, 33 flyovers, bypasses to 18 major towns is in progress.
He also said that the Government is fully committed to the overall development of the newly created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and has taken several initiatives in this regard. “On account of article 370 and other constitutional ambiguities, the people of this region were denied full rights enshrined in the Constitution of India and other benefits of various Central Laws that were being enjoyed by other citizens in the country,” he added.
“After constitutional changes, all Central laws have been applied in UT of J&K, 205 state laws were repealed and 130 state laws have been modified and applied. First time in the history of the Jammu and Kashmir, duly elected 3-tier Panchayati Raj System has been established in the Union territory. Both the Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies have been empowered by transfer of Funds, Functions and Functionaries as prescribed under the 73rd and 74th Amendment of the Constitution. The UT of Jammu and Kashmir has focused on transparency in financial management by introducing a host of reforms and initiatives in recent years which resulted in an increase in the completion of projects,” he added—(KNO)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Azadi Times staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had put a precondition before Prime Minister Narendra Modi for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015, seeking an assurance that Article 370 of the Constitution will not be removed by the Centre, party president Mehbooba Mufti claimed on Monday.
Addressing a gathering on the 24th foundation day of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) here, Mufti said her father Sayeed was not power hungry and wanted to deliver Jammu and Kashmir from its problems and troubles.
“When Mufti sahib had 28 seats (in the 2014 Assembly polls), he met Modi and gave his list of conditions for government formation. He took the assurance from the BJP government (at the Centre) that (Article) 370 will not be touched. He tied their hands. He was not after power, otherwise he would not take three months to form the (coalition) government (in Jammu and Kashmir),” she said.
Mufti alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backtracked from its commitments and accused it of trying to pressure on the people of Jammu and Kashmir into subjugation.
“The BJP wants us to throw in the towel. We will not do it…. If all of us — Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Gujjars, Paharis — stand united, we will make the BJP give up,” she said.
Mufti, the only woman to become the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said her father had the courage to stand for people.
“Despite having only 16 MLAs (in the 2002 Assembly polls, Mufti sahib told the Congress (which had 20 seats) that he would form the government only if talks were held with Pakistan and separatists,” she said.
Mufti said her father did not believe in misleading people and firmly believed that Jammu and Kashmir’s future was with India.
“Despite being the (Pradesh) Congress president, he accepted the decision taken by Indira Gandhi in 1975 to bring back Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah into the mainstream,” she said.
Mufti said during her father’s first term as chief minister, significant progress was made on both the reconciliation and development fronts in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Advani-Hurriyat talks were held, the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was re-opened and development work got a fillip,” she said.
Mufti asked the BJP what did it achieve by doing away with the special constitutional provisions regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
“What have you achieved in Kashmir? Jawaharlal Nehru came to Lal Chowk and unfurled the national flag with thousands of Kashmiris present. Today, you hoist the tricolour and there is no Kashmiri there, only security people,” she said.
Mufti alleged that the BJP is trying to convert the entire country into Manipur and appealed to the opposition parties to stay united in order to counter these attempts.
“Manipur is just a trailer, the film is yet to start. The BJP wants to turn the entire country into Manipur. My appeal to the opposition is to stay united if they want to save India. Do not get into number games,” she said.
More than 160 people have lost their lives in Manipur in ethnic clashes that have been going on for almost three months.
Mufti hit out at the government for making a provision for nominating Kashmiri migrants to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, instead of reserving seats for the community.
“You have kept a provision for nominating Kashmiri Pandits. If you have the courage, you should reserve the seats and we will vote for them just like we have done in the past. Constituencies with a Muslim population have elected Pyare Lal Handoo, M L Fotedar, Manohar Koul, D P Dhar etc.
“I also want to ask, why no reservation for Sikhs? Because you cannot do Hindu-Muslim (politics) if you give reservations to Sikhs,” she said.
The PDP chief said her party is not the problem, but solution to the issue.
“We are not the problem. We are the solution. We want a solution to emerge within the democratic set up,” she said.
Mufti asked the party cadre to prepare for the panchayat and other local bodies’ elections that are due later in the year.
“The BDC and panchayat elections are due. Take these spaces so that you can serve people,” she said. (Agencies)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Azadi Times staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
(Representational Image)
Jammu Kashmir Police has instructed all vehicle owners to remove the tinted films from the car glasses failing which action will be initiated against the violators.
“All vehicle owners are instructed to immediately remove tinted films from all glasses, failing which vehicle will be seized & legal action will follow.
No film of any transparency is allowed at all as per Hon’ble Supreme Court judgment in Writ Petition (Civil) no 265 of 2011,” Srinagar Police tweeted.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Azadi Times staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Representational Image
Three new glacial lakes may be formed in Ladakh, a study conducted by geologists has revealed.
The study states that the depth of lakes may range from 34 to 84 metres and will be formed due to the accelerated melting of the Himalayan Parkachik Glacier
The study attributed the accelerated glacial retreat to ongoing climate warming, which also causes surface morphological or geological changes to glaciers. The study was conducted by the scientists of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, headed by Dr Manish Mehta.
Parkachik Glacier is one of the largest glaciers in the Suru River valley, which is a part of the Southern Zanskar Ranges, western Himalaya, in the union territory of Ladakh.
The findings of the study were published in the journal, ‘Annals of Glaciology’. The morphological and dynamic changes of the Parkachik Glacier in the Suru river, have been described by the scientists by procuring the data for the study from satellite imagery from year 1971 to 2021 and field surveys conducted between 2015 and 2021.
The study states that between the years 1971 to 1999 the average rate of retreat was approximately 2 meters per year and it went up to 12 meters per year between the years 1999 to 2021. It also revealed that between 2015 to 2021, the rate increased up to 20.5 meters, “Both the field and satellite-based observations indicate that the calving nature of the glacier margin and the development of a proglacial lake may have enhanced the retreat of the Parckachik Glacier,” a statement by Ministry of Science and Technology reads.
Keeping in view the results, the study mentions that the if the retreating continues three lakes can be formed.
Himalayan glaciers due to their vulnerability have been a subject of various studies like field-based investigations and remote sensing approach. “In contrast, understanding the ice thickness and distribution is foremost required for the Himalayan glaciers. However, existing approaches, like remote sensing, cannot directly estimate the glacier thickness. Based on ground penetrating radar, very few studies have been carried out on glacier thickness in the Indian Himalaya,” the statement further reads.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Azadi Times staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Nearly ten thousand women have gone missing from Jammu Kashmir since 2019, Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra told Rajya Sabha.
The Indian government has revealed that nearly 10,000 women have gone missing from Jammu Kashmir since 2019.
The figures, which were released by Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, show that there has been a significant increase in the number of missing women in the region in recent years.
In 2019, 355 women under the age of 18 have gone missing and 2738 women above the age of 18 are missing. In the following year, 350 and 2701 women have gone missing in the categories below and above 18 respectively. 3178 women have gone missing from Jammu Kashmir in the year 2021 who were a8 year old or above, while 443 women below 18 years old had gone missing.
The figures show that Jammu Kashmir is second on the UT list for missing women. Delhi tops the list, with 22, 919 girls below 18 years of age and 61, 050 below the age of 18 having gone missing between 2019 and 2021.
In Maharashtra, 56,498 cases of missing women who are above 18 of age were reported in 2021.
The government has said that various measures have been adopted for women related issues in Jammu Kashmir, which included assistance to investigating staff in arrests, searches and interrogation of women offenders and suspects.
In April 2016, four women Police Stations, one each in the Districts of Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri and Udhampur were also created, and 208 posts were sanctioned (52 for each Women Police Station-1 Inspr, 1 SI, 2 ASI,6 HCs, 34 Cts and 8 Followers).
The strength of women police in the state has increased manifold and some of women officers of the state have been directly recruited to the DySP rank through State civil services examination.
Police has also created helpline number for women in most district of Jammu Kashmir.
The government has said that it is committed to the safety and security of women in Jammu Kashmir and that all necessary measures are being taken to address the issue of missing women.
However, the figures released by the government have raised serious concerns about the safety of women in the region.
The high number of missing women suggests that there is a serious problem with human trafficking and forced marriage in Jammu Kashmir.
The government must take urgent action to address this issue and ensure the safety of all women in the region.
(This article originally appeared on Kashmiriyat.co.uk.)
