Author: Yusara Askari

India’s Ram temple to boost tourism in Sita’s birthplace Janakpur
31Aug By Yusara AskariNo Comments

India’s Ram temple to boost tourism in Sita’s birthplace Janakpur

With the construction of Ram Mandir beginning in Ayodhya, Nepal’s tourism is expected to spike in Janakpur- the birthplace of Sita, which became a part of the Ramayana Circuit in 2018.Devotees, coming to Ayodhya, would have Janakpur as one of the spots in their pilgrimage- boosting the economy of the region by giving more employment opportunities to the people of Nepal."As Janakpur is already included in Ramayana Circuit, the temple construction will attract a greater number of tourists here. After visiting the temple at Ayodhya people would like to visit the house of Mata Janaki. This will boost the tourism sector of our place," said Sushil Karna, a social activist from Janakpur."It is a matter of pride for Hindus around the world as a Ram Temple is being built in Ayodhya, the birthplace
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Gilgit-Baltistan will grow if it physically integrates with Ladakh: Senge Sering
31Aug By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Gilgit-Baltistan will grow if it physically integrates with Ladakh: Senge Sering

The region under Pakistani occupation will grow significantly if it gets integrated with Union Territory of Ladakh, according to a political activist from Gilgit Baltistan, Senge H. Sering.“We firmly believe that we were the part of Jammu and Kashmir. In 1947, Maharaja (Hari Singh) was our legal heir, the whole region (of Jammu & Kashmir) belonged to him and he acceded to India following a legal path and it was not some kind of abrupt or arbitrary decision as it was all done as per the British law”, said Senge, director of the Washington-based Institute of Gilgit Baltistan Studies.“Till August 5 (2019), we were an integral part of Jammu & Kashmir but after the amendment was done in Article 370 and the state was bifurcated into two union territories, so, now we are the part of Ladak
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India must balance soft-power, hard-power to deal with China: GKPD
28Aug By Yusara AskariNo Comments

India must balance soft-power, hard-power to deal with China: GKPD

To deal with China’s expansionist policies, the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) has suggested that India should use a balanced combination of soft power and hard power.The virtual panel discussion titled — ‘Kashmir Today: Geopolitical, International and National Aspects’ — discussed the state of the exiled Kashmiri Hindu, Sikh and Tibetan Buddhist communities and the geopolitical dimensions of the human problem in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.Rajiv Malhotra, one of the panelists of the discussion and a renowned Indian-born American, urged India to balance the use of soft power by exercising hard-power, especially in the case of China.“India’s attempts to use soft-power must be balanced by the exercise of hard-power. This needs to be done especially in the case of China, whose record ov
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Construction of roads under development scheme in full swing in J&K’s Baramulla
26Aug By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Construction of roads under development scheme in full swing in J&K’s Baramulla

After a brief halt due to the coronavirus induced lockdown, construction of roads in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) is back on track.Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – launched by the Indian government to provide good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages across the nation – the government has approved up-gradation of the 5.25-kilometre road from NH1A 46th Delina to Singhpora in Baramulla at the cost of Rs 443.65 lakhs.Local residents were facing many problems due to the bad condition of this road. Many of them now feel that various developmental works have started and going on at a great pace after Jammu and Kashmir became a Union territory in 2019 after the government abrogated Article 370."We were waiting for the construction of the road in our area for
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How abrogation of Article 370 reduced stone-pelting in Kashmir
24Aug By Yusara AskariNo Comments

How abrogation of Article 370 reduced stone-pelting in Kashmir

After the abrogation of Article 370 last year and the bifurcation of the Jammu and Kashmir state into two Union Territories, peace has finally returned to the valley and life is getting back to as one normally knows it.Sitting peacefully and looking at the dark blue sky, Mohammed Yousuf says all the protests and stone-pelting incidents that we used to see every day no longer takes place after the nullification of Article 370 in August last year.The youth here has become prudent. The game that few people played with the youth of Kashmir has stopped. Today’s youth is focused on their studies.Stone pelting refers to assault by throwing stones, by a section of Kashmiri youth on security forces, deployed for crowd control. The deadly attacks had become a routine form of protest in the streets o
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Visitors flock to J&K’s Bangus Valley to beat COVID blues
23Aug By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Visitors flock to J&K’s Bangus Valley to beat COVID blues

Jammu and Kashmir’s Bangus valley has become the favourite getaway for people who have been feeling down being under lockdown for months due to surging coronavirus cases in the country.Surrounded by Shamsbery ranges and Leepa valley, Bangus valley is a unique ecological combination comprising a mountain biome, which includes grassland biome with flora at lower altitudes and coniferous forests."Since the lockdown, this place has seen a rush in visitors. People don't want to be in the city because the number of COVID-19 cases is rising and it is far away from nature. Here, the air is fresh and cool, the water is sweet and we are free of the Coronavirus," Hafiz Manzoor, a frequent traveller to Bangus Valley said.The valley, often known as the hidden paradise amongst locals, lies at an altitud
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Article 370 abrogation is brightest light of hope for PoK, Gilgit Baltistan: Activist
22Aug By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Article 370 abrogation is brightest light of hope for PoK, Gilgit Baltistan: Activist

The revocation of Article 370 offered the brightest light of hope for people in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan ever since the occupation of their land by the Pakistani military in 1947, said Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza, a political activist hailing from POK region.“It has broken the chain of violence which started on October 22, 1947 and continued right up to 2019. Cross border infiltration, violence against Kashmiri Pandits, target killings, drug smuggling under the guise of independence movement all came to an abrupt halt on August 5, 2019 with the abrogation of Article 370,” activist Mirza said.He believes that there is a significant decline in violence across the Valley, no protests on July 13 which was falsely hailed as a Kashmir Martyrs Day, the pending bloodshed that P
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Post Article 370 abrogation, violence has reduced in Kashmir: Kashmiri activist
22Aug By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Post Article 370 abrogation, violence has reduced in Kashmir: Kashmiri activist

Violence in Kashmir has considerably reduced in the Valley ever since the Indian government scrapped Article 370 which had given special status to Jammu and Kashmir, said Kashmiri activist Javaid Trali.Trali was speaking at a webinar organized under the University Dialogues series hosted by Democracy News Live with a panel of international experts on Asian security."We look forward to some positive movement to the situation here," he said, adding that the Indian government must now start the political process.Satoru Nagao, Fellow Hudson Institute, said restoring peace in Kashmir (like India's Northeast) is an important issue because it is only then the infrastructure can improve and “a country like Japan can help”.The webinar was held to mark the situation emerging in the past one year fol
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Engineering testing lab ensures quality machinery for farmers in J&K
22Aug By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Engineering testing lab ensures quality machinery for farmers in J&K

In order to boost agricultural production in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the Indian Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has set up an agriculture engineering testing lab for the testing of agriculture machinery at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) at Shalimar in Kashmir.“The Ministry of Agriculture inaugurated the centre last year. Here we check whatever machinery and equipment in the state or are being used in the neighbouring states, to see if they comply with specifications. We certify the machines regarding these norms,” said Prof. Nazir Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST.“Earlier, whatever machines used to come, they used to be provided to the farmers and its durability used to be less. With this testing centre, we are testing the q
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Whatever you’re following, follow it by heart: Kashmiri youth who cracked UPSC 2019
22Aug By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Whatever you’re following, follow it by heart: Kashmiri youth who cracked UPSC 2019

One of the 16 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) who qualified for India’s most prestigious civil services has encouraged the youth in Kashmir to follow their heart to attain success in whichever field they choose.Aftab Rasool, who cracked the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Exam 2019 with 412-rank, is a former policeman's son who hails from Trehgam in Kupwara."My parents supported me throughout. For me, it is all about my parents, who were praying for my success day in and out. Their prayers have yielded results today. For me, cracking civil services was a dream come true. My message to Kashmiri youth is whatever you are following, follow it by heart. Work hard and be dedicated," Rasool said.Rasool also urged the "talented" youth in the Valley to explore their talent."I wo
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