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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Leaders hail Kheer Bhawani mela gathering, seek Pandits' return to Valley
A large number of Hindu devotees, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, converged at Tulmulla to take part in prayers and celebrations during the annual fair at the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in central Kashmir's Ganderbal on Tuesday. Owing to the fear perception after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the footfall of people was less than the past few years. Leaders from different parties hailed the gathering and also called for return of Pandits to the Valley. Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, who participated in the prayers, said this was the biggest gathering in Kashmir at any place since the Pahalgam attack on April 22. As many as 26 people, including 25 tourists, were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam in south Kashmir in April, triggering the flight of thousands of tourists out of the Valley. Sinha said the preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra were also complete. 'Amarnath yatra preparations have been completed from security perspectives as well. I request the devotees to come (in good numbers),' he said. Surrounded by Chinar trees, the Kheer Bhawani temple houses Hindu Goddess Ragnya Devi at Tulmulla village, about 27 km from Srinagar, and welcomes the biggest Hindu festival to be celebrated in the Kashmir Valley second only to the Amarnath yatra. A devotee from Srinagar, Ayush said the mela was affected owing to the threat perception after the Pahalgam attack. 'This time the number of participants are one-third of what used to come,' he said. Last year, the officials had said that 30,000 pilgrims visited while in 2023, 33,000 pilgrims had participated in the mela. The atmosphere was also reflective of the communal harmony owing to the presence of a number of local Muslims in and outside the Hindu shrine. Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah visited the shrine. 'We will continue to live in this brotherhood. We met our brothers and sisters and spread a message of happiness,' Farooq Abdullah said. 'Pandits' presence at the Mela Kheer Bhawani in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack is a befitting reply to perpetrators,' Farooq said. Mehbooba Mufti advocated for the return of Kashmir Pandits, urging for the start of political process with Pandits playing their role. 'J&K is incomplete without them,' she said. BJP general secretary Ashok Kaul said, 'It felt good seeing many people here. After the Pahalgam attack, there was a pause and people coming here filled that gap,' he said. J&K Congress chief Tariq Karra also visited the shrine and said that the people coming for the mela was a perfect answer to Pahalgam attackers. Karra said return of Kashmiri Pandits can't happen by just cosmetic measures. 'We need to politically empower them. We want their seats to be reserved for contesting the assembly elections,' he said. Local Kashmiri Muslims took care of the Kheer Bhawani shrine after the exodus of a majority of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley during the first wave of militancy in early 1990s. The temple has attracted more devotees since 2008, as the militancy waned.
India.com
28-05-2025
- India.com
RFID Tags, 360 Degree Surveillance And Round-The-Clock Forces – Inside Amarnath Yatra's New Safety Net
Following the recent terror attack at Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to begin from July 3, has become a focal point for security agencies across the Valley. Ensuring a peaceful and incident-free pilgrimage has become the top priority for both the government and security forces in the region. Preparations are in full swing at the two primary base camps – Baltal in Sonamarg and Nunwan at Pahalgam in Anantnag. Unlike previous years when devotees stayed in temporary tents, this year, permanent structures are being constructed to provide improved lodging and comfort. These facilities are being completed at a rapid pace and work is continuing day and night to welcome thousands of pilgrims. Officials anticipate a significant turnout this year, which they believe could mark a turning point for the revival of tourism in the Union Territory. The administration is optimistic that the yatra will not only reaffirm the region's spiritual importance but also restore confidence in Kashmir's safety and hospitality. 'The Yatra is beginning, and we are hopeful of meeting Bhole Nath. A lot of people will come. Once they return, they will tell others that Kashmir is peaceful and beautiful,' said Dr. Farooq Abdullah, president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC). All government departments have been coordinating closely to ensure smooth execution of the pilgrimage. Key areas of focus include security arrangements, traffic regulation, accommodation, sanitation, fire safety and yatra registration facilities. To further bolster security, authorities have enhanced surveillance along the highways leading to the base camps in Anantnag and Ganderbal districts. In a major technological leap, the Jammu and Kashmir government is also setting up a digital Hi-Tech Command Control Centre to oversee real-time surveillance and regulation of the Yatra. 'Our constant effort is to ensure that the Yatra proceeds peacefully, and that pilgrims are able to complete their journey and return safely. That has always been our goal, and it will remain so,' said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The Hi-Tech Command Control Centre will house around 60 personnel drawn from 20 different government departments, including the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the CRPF, the NDRF, the SDRF, Health, PHE, PDD, Telecom and others. These teams will work round-the-clock to respond swiftly to any situation that may arise. The route from both base camps to the holy cave will be monitored using dozens of high-definition PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras offering 360-degree views. In addition, several static cameras will be strategically placed at critical locations to enhance security coverage. In anticipation of natural calamities or emergencies, quick response teams from the J&K Police, the NDRF, the SDRF, the BSF and the CRPF will be stationed at important locations along the route. Their presence is meant to ensure immediate assistance to pilgrims in the event of any untoward incident. All registered pilgrims will be provided with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags, allowing authorities to track their movement in real-time and ensure their safety throughout the journey.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Watch: IMD alerts for South India, Modi's mega roadshow, Russia seizes Ukraine villages & more
Rains lash Kerala, Karnataka, IMD issues Red Alert for several locations in Mumbai In Mumbai weather turned pleasant on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) morning as light rain lashed parts of the city, and according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a generally cloudy sky with heavy rain is expected to continue. On Monday, Mumbai witnessed heavy rain, marking the onset of the monsoon. South Mumbai recorded extremely heavy rainfall, with over 250 mm in just 13 hours ending at 11 am on Monday, officials said. Meanwhile, heavy downpours continued to wreak havoc in Kerala and Karnataka on Monday, severely disrupting normal life and forcing people to shift to relief camps and safer locations in many places. According to the Kerala Chief Minister's Office, the intense monsoon has claimed four lives in the State so far. A red alert for coastal Karnataka will remain in force for the next five days, the IMD said. Seven of family found dead in car in Haryana's Panchkula Six members of a family, three of them children, were found dead inside a car in Haryana's Panchkula, while one more died on his way to a hospital, police said on Tuesday (May 27, 2025), suspecting a suicide pact. The car was spotted late last night by a passerby, who even exchanged a few words with the family member who died last. Police identified one of the deceased as Praveen Mittal, 41, the others as his wife, the couple's three minor children, two of them girls, both twins, and his parents. Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police Himadree Kaushik said, 'Prima facie, it appears to be a matter of suicide. However, further investigations are on.' She said six of them were taken to a private hospital, while one was taken to the civil hospital. 'All seven died' she added. The cause of death at this time appears to be poisoning, she said. PM Modi holds roadshow in Gandhinagar After his road shows in Vadodara, Bhuj and Ahmedabad on Monday (May 26), Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a mega roadshow in Gandhinagar on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) morning, with crowds gathered to greet him. He made statements regarding cross border terrorism. Let's listen in. 'Atmosphere of fear reduced in Kashmir': Farooq Abdullah plays golf in Pahalgam with friends Farooq Abdullah urged tourists to visit Kashmir, highlighting reduced fear and natural beauty, while calling for travel advisories to be lifted National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) asserted that the atmosphere of fear in Kashmir has significantly reduced and urged the tourists to visit the valley again to enjoy its beauty. The former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir also urged the External Affairs Ministry to make efforts to get the negative travel advisories, issued by some countries, revoked against visiting J-K. Tourism in Kashmir has been hit after the April 22nd Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. Russia seizes Ukrainian border villages as its massive bombing campaign slows Russian forces have taken four border villages in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, a local official said on Tuesday (May 27, 2025), days after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had issued an order to establish a buffer zone along the border. Between Friday and Sunday, Russia launched around 900 drones at Ukraine, officials said, amid a spate of large-scale bombardments. On Sunday night, Russia launched its biggest drone attack of the 3-year war against Ukraine, firing 355 drones. From Monday to Tuesday, Russia fired 60 drones at Ukraine, the Ukrainian air force said Tuesday. Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed its air defenses had downed 99 Ukrainian drones overnight over seven Russian regions.
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Business Standard
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Kashmir's atmosphere of fear has reduced to large extent: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday asserted that the atmosphere of fear in Kashmir has significantly reduced and urged the tourists to visit the valley again to enjoy its beauty. The former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir also urged the External Affairs Ministry to make efforts for getting revoked the negative travel advisories issued by some countries against visiting J-K. Tourism in Kashmir has been hit after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. "What happened here (Pahalgam attack) was very sad, it should not have happened. People were coming here happily. People were busy with their work, they were not asking for government jobs. The situation was such in Pahalgam that there were no rooms available here," Abdullah told PTI Videos here. The NC chief visited the tourist resort and played golf at the Pahalgam Golf Course along with some friends. He said while the attack created an atmosphere of fear, the government has taken some steps to improve the security situation in the valley. "There was an atmosphere for fear, but I feel now the atmosphere of fear has reduced to a large extent. You can see how many people are coming to Pahlagam. I was in Gulmarg, there were 400-500 tourists," he observed. "Thank God, the fear is now leaving. The government has also taken some steps to make the security system stronger. I think the people should come," he added. The former Union minister appealed to the Centre to make efforts to withdraw travel advisories issued by several countries against visiting J-K. "I also request the Central government, the Foreign Minister, that the time has come to remove the block placed by foreign countries on visiting India. Peace has come to both the countries and we are hopeful that peace will continue in the future as well. They should also be given permission to come here as they also want to see this place. Many of them are golfers and I hope they will come," he said, in an apparent reference to Pakistan. Abdullah said many people play golf and the game has now got a place in Khelo India games as well. "It is played in Olympics, Common Wealth games and Asian Games, so, now there is a need to have it everywhere. I think our people should come here in large numbers, play this sport so that India gets medals in these games," he said. Praising Kashmir's natural beauty, he said, "Look at this weather and beauty, I have travelled to various places across the world, but I have not seen such beauty anywhere. I hope the people who watch your channel come here in large numbers, see this beauty and make the country stronger. We should not be afraid, if we are afraid, then we are dead". On the annual Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin on July 3, Abdullah said the pilgrimage is very important for us. "It has been going on for many years. I hope more and pilgrims will come here to have a glimpse of Shankar Bhagvan, Bhole Nath comfortably, and then tell people back home how beautiful this place is," he said. To a question about J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah holding a meeting of his council of ministers, as well as a meeting with tourism stakeholders at Pahalgam later in the day, the NC president said it is important and will send out a message that there is peace. "One the people will get to know that the whole cabinet is here and there is peace. They will also meet the stakeholders. That will also have an impact because the people here, whether it is the ponywalla, palki wallah, hotelliers, taxiwallah, are bearing the most brunt "These people have taken loans, some have taken it for renovation of houses and hotels, cabs, for horses. I hope that more and more people from our country come here and we show them that we have exhibited hospitality in the past and we will do that in future as well," he said. Asked about reports of differences in the party especially with its Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Abdullah said attempts were always made to break his party but the leadership was not worried. "This is not something new for us. It has been happening. They will continue their attempts. They did it in my time, in my father's time. It is not new for us, we are not worried. Why should we be worried? "We are here to resolve the problems of the people and we will do that Insha Allah (God willing). You see how much change will come to this state in five years," he said.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Atmosphere of fear reduced in Kashmir': Farooq Abdullah plays golf in Pahalgam with friends
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) asserted that the atmosphere of fear in Kashmir has significantly reduced and urged the tourists to visit the valley again to enjoy its beauty. The former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir also urged the External Affairs Ministry to make efforts for getting revoked the negative travel advisories issued by some countries against visiting J-K. Tourism in Kashmir has been hit after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. "What happened here [Pahalgam attack] was very sad, it should not have happened. People were coming here happily. People were busy with their work, they were not asking for government jobs. The situation was such in Pahalgam that there were no rooms available here," Dr. Abdullah told PTI Videos. The NC Chief visited the tourist resort and played golf at the Pahalgam Golf Course along with some friends. He said, 'While the attack created an atmosphere of fear, the government has taken some steps to improve the security situation in the valley'. "There was an atmosphere for fear, but I feel now the atmosphere of fear has reduced to a large extent. You can see how many people are coming to Pahlagam. I was in Gulmarg, there were 400-500 tourists," he observed. "Thank God, the fear is now leaving. The government has also taken some steps to make the security system stronger. I think the people should come," he added. The former Union minister appealed to the Centre to make efforts to withdraw travel advisories issued by several countries against visiting J-K. "I also request the Central government, the Foreign Minister, that the time has come to remove the block placed by foreign countries on visiting India. Peace has come to both the countries and we are hopeful that peace will continue in the future as well. They should also be given permission to come here as they also want to see this place. Many of them are golfers and I hope they will come," he said, in an apparent reference to Pakistan. Dr. Abdullah said 'many people play golf and the game has now got a place in Khelo India games as well'. "It is played in Olympics, Common Wealth games and Asian Games, so, now there is a need to have it everywhere. I think our people should come here in large numbers, play this sport so that India gets medals in these games," he said. Praising Kashmir's natural beauty, he said, "Look at this weather and beauty, I have travelled to various places across the world, but I have not seen such beauty anywhere. I hope the people who watch your channel come here in large numbers, see this beauty and make the country stronger. We should not be afraid, if we are afraid, then we are dead". 'Amarnath Yatra is very important to us' On the annual Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin on July 3, Dr. Abdullah said 'the pilgrimage is very important for us'. "It has been going on for many years. I hope more and pilgrims will come here to have a glimpse of Shankar Bhagvan, Bhole Nath comfortably, and then tell people back home how beautiful this place is," he said. To a question about J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah holding a meeting of his council of ministers, as well as a meeting with tourism stakeholders at Pahalgam later in the day, the NC President said 'it is important and will send out a message that there is peace'. 'One the people will get to know that the whole cabinet is here, and there is peace. They will also meet the stakeholders. That will also have an impact because the people here, whether it is the ponywalla, palki wallah, hoteliers, taxiwallah, are bearing the most brunt'. 'These people have taken loans, some have taken it for renovation of houses and hotels, cabs, for horses. I hope that more and more people from our country come here and we show them that we have exhibited hospitality in the past and we will do that in future as well,' he said. Asked about reports of differences in the party especially with its Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Mr. Abdullah said 'attempts were always made to break his party but the leadership was not worried'. 'This is not something new for us. It has been happening. They will continue their attempts. They did it in my time, in my father's time. It is not new for us, we are not worried. Why should we be worried?' "We are here to resolve the problems of the people and we will do that Insha Allah [God willing]. You see how much change will come to this state in five years," he said.
