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United News of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Kashmir's cherry harvest begins amid market woes
Srinagar, May 26 (UNI) Kashmir's cherry orchards are bursting with ripe, juicy fruit as the harvest season gets underway, but many farmers are struggling with falling prices and weak demand despite what is expected to be a bumper crop. The cherry harvesting season in Kashmir typically begins in mid-May and continues until the first week of July. This year, growers are optimistic about production volume, hoping for better returns in the coming weeks. However, early signs from the market are far from encouraging. Many cherry growers are raising alarm over sluggish sales and plunging prices, which they say are threatening their earnings. Several cherry-rich areas on the outskirts of Srinagar including New Theed Harwan, Dara, Dhanihama, and Chatterhama produce cherries worth lakhs of rupees annually. Yet this season, orchardists say they are finding it difficult to even recover their basic input costs. 'We sold cherries last year for Rs 200 to Rs 250 per kg,' said Mohammad Umar, a grower from Srinagar's outskirts. 'This year, we are barely getting Rs 100 to Rs 120 — and that too only if we manage to find a buyer.' He explained that high operational costs, including transport, packaging, and labour, already consume much of their margins. 'Now, with the market at a standstill, it's a struggle to break even,' he added. According to Umar, the attack in Pahalgam on April 22 has also affected tourism, which has hit cherry sales. 'Most of our buyers in Kashmir were tourists. Now that they've stopped coming, who will buy our cherries?' he asked. Kashmir grows four main varieties of cherry: Awwal Number, Double, Mishri, and Makhmali. The softer varieties are sold locally, while the firmer ones, especially Mishri and Makhmali, are sold to major cities across India. The perishability of cherries remains a major challenge. In a first-of-its-kind initiative to support cherry transportation, the Jammu railway division is set to operate a dedicated parcel van carrying cherry boxes from Katra station to Bandra in Mumbai starting June 3. The van will ferry 20 tonnes of cherries three times a week, with the cargo expected to reach Mumbai within 30 hours. 'We have already paid over Rs 2 lakh in freight charges to the Railways,' said Bashir Ahmad Basheer, president of the New Kashmir Fruit Association, based at Fruit Mandi Parimpora — one of the Valley's key fruit trading hubs alongside Sopore Mandi. According to a horticulture department official, cherries are cultivated on approximately 2,800 hectares of land in Kashmir, with an annual turnover of Rs 130 to Rs 150 crore. The Union Territory produces around 12,000 to 14,000 metric tonnes of cherries each year, depending on winter and spring weather patterns. 'Cherry is the season's first major fruit. It brings early income to growers, helping them manage and maintain other crops,' the official said. 'But it's still too early to predict how the market will behave this year.' Cherries are cultivated across the Kashmir Valley, but the produce from Shopian in South Kashmir and Tangmarg in North Kashmir is particularly prized for its quality. Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President of Sopore Fruit Mandi — Asia's largest fruit trading centre — said they are expecting a strong harvest in the weeks to come. UNI MJR PRS
India.com
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Kareena Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor did not get along well with their 'brother', his career flopped even after giving many films, his name is…
Nepotism is seen a lot in Bollywood. Due to this, it becomes difficult for outsiders to survive in Bollywood. Most of the stars working in the film industry are related to each other. Still, you will be surprised to know that there is a special relationship between Bollywood's Bebo Kareena Kapoor Khan and Aftab Shivdasani. Kareena and Aftab were seen together in the film Kambakht Ishq . But very few people know what the relationship is between Aftab and Kareena. If you also do not know about this unknown relationship, let us tell you. Aftab's relation with the Kapoor family Kapoor sisters Karisma and Kareena Kapoor are granddaughters of showman Raj Kapoor and daughters of Randhir Kapoor. Randhir Kapoor's wife is Babita, whose surname was Shivdasani before marriage. Now she has become Babita Kapoor from Babita Shivdasani. Aftab is related to the yesteryear actress Babita. Aftab's father, Prem Shivdasani, was the nephew of actress Babita's father, Hari Shivdasani. Babita is Aftab's aunt. In this way, Aftab is the cousin of Karisma and Kareena. Babita and veteran actress Sadhna are sisters. Despite having such a big link with the Kapoor family, Aftab is seen in a different faction in Bollywood. Let us tell you that Aftab's aunt Sadhna and Babita, despite being sisters, did not talk to each other. There was a distance between the two families. According to some reports, this was due to personal reasons. Both were famous actresses of their time. Aftab Shivdasani's work front Aftab Shivdasani has been active in films since childhood and has appeared as a child star in many films. Aftab played the childhood role of Vijay Kumar Srivastava in Anil Kapoor's Mr. India and Amitabh Bachchan's film Shahenshah . Apart from this, he has appeared as a child star in Chalbaaz, Awwal Number, and Insaniyat. At the same time, Ram Gopal Varma gave him a chance as an actor in the film Mast. He got recognition in Bollywood with this film. His hit films include films like Masti (all three parts), Awara Pagal Deewana, and Hungama. Currently, Aftab is shooting his upcoming project, Masti 4 .
India.com
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor's cousin who never had good relationship with them, made superhit debut, then gave back-to-back flops, still has net worth of Rs…, his name is…
The Kapoor sisters, aka Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, are two of the most celebrated actresses in Bollywood. While Karisma, in her career tenure, has delivered several hits, Kareena is also not far behind. Both actresses are, till date, among the most loved actresses in the Bollywood industry. However, did you know that both Karisma and Kareena have a cousin with whom their equation doesn't really fit? Yes, while many may think it is Ranbir Kapoor, Armaan Jain, or Aadar Jain, let us tell you—it is none of them. The person we are talking about is someone who is from the industry but had to struggle despite having the Kapoor name. If you are wondering who this person is, then let us tell you—we are talking about an actor who has been in the industry for two decades and has done over 40 movies. Yes, we are talking about Aftab Shivdasani. How is Aftab Shivdasani related to Kareena Kapoor or Karisma Kapoor? Karisma and Kareena were born to Randhir Kapoor and Babita Kapoor. Aftab is related to yesteryear actress Babita. Aftab's father, Prem Shivdasani, was the nephew of actress Babita's father, Hari Shivdasani. Hence, Babita is Aftab's aunt. With this aspect, Aftab's relation to Kareena and Karisma is that of cousins. Did you know that Aftab's aunt Sadhana and Babita, despite being sisters, did not have good terms and did not talk to each other? Media reports claim it is because of personal matters. Despite coming from a Kapoor background, Aftab had to struggle for years in the industry. He made his debut with the film Mast alongside Urmila Matondkar. Over the years, he featured in various films. However, his major recognition came when he worked in Kasoor in 2001. Did you know that before Aftab's adult debut, he worked as a child artist? He played the childhood role of Vijay Kumar Srivastava in Anil Kapoor's Mr. India and Amitabh Bachchan's film Shahenshah. Apart from this, he appeared as a child star in ChaalBaaz, Awwal Number, and Insaniyat. Aftab was last seen in Kotigobba 3 and is now all set to feature in his next film Masti 4. The movie is currently under filming.
