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New Delhi February 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bidding farewell to retiring members of the Rajya Sabha, became especially emotional while recalling his memories with Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, saying whoever replaces him will have difficulty living up to his work.

PM Modi recalled an incident when they both were Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir and some tourists from Gujarat were stuck in Kashmir due to a terror attack. (Image: Twitter/@narendramodi)

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He said, “I hope that country will benefit from him. I thank him for his service. Your opinion and your suggestion will always be welcomed.””The person who will replace Ghulam Nabi ji (as Leader of Opposition) will have difficulty matching his work because he was not only concerned about his party but also about the country and the House,” PM Modi said, speaking in the Rajya Sabha.
While recalling his conversation with Azad during a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi became visibly emotional. He said, “There was a militant attack on pilgrims from Gujarat in Jammu and Kashmir. Ghulam Nabi Azad called me at first. The phone was not for the information, his tears were not stopping. That time Pranab Mukherjee was the defence minister and requested for Indian Air Force jet for transporting the body.

He said that don’t worry, we will figure out something. But, Ghulam Nabi called me again. He was at the airport.”Modi also told the Rajya Sabha, about Azad’s lesser know passions outside of active politics. “I have known Ghulam Nabi Azad for years. We were Chief Ministers together. We had interacted even before I became CM, when Azad Sahab was very much in active politics. He has a passion not many know about – gardening.” “Posts come, high office comes, power comes and how to handle these, one must learn from Ghulam Nabi Azad Ji. I would consider him a true friend,” he said.As Azad retires this month, the Congress is already in talks to decide his replacement. Reports suggest that Anand Sharma and Mallikarjun Kharge are the top contenders for the role of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.(KNS)

Srinagar, Feb 9: Parts of Kashmir Valley are set to experience a fresh spell of rainfall and snowfall over the next 48 hours.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a feeble western disturbance—low-pressure systems that originate over the Mediterranean Sea and move eastwards while gathering moisture along the way—is set to affect the weather across Northern regions including Jammu andKashmir over the next two days.

Under its influence, isolated rainfall and/or snowfall is likely over Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Tuesday, February 9.

India Meteorological Department as per KNT stated that the intensity as well as the distribution of the precipitation during this upcoming spell is expected to be low, which is why no warnings or advisories have been issued by the IMD over these regions so far.

Between January 1 and February 8, the precipitation recorded by Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh collectively stands at 96.8 mm (18% below its long-term average for this period).(KNT)

Srinagar Feb 8 (KT): Sobia Altaf a Student of class 12 standard hailing from Nawakadal downtown Srinagar, She is just 19 years old and has started her Sport’s journey at the age of ten.

She is a National Athlete and 5 times state Gold Medalists in J&K, and has also won medals in Gymnastics too ,

She had also played through (SGFI) School Games Federation of India in Kargil for trials and she has been selected in National Level in MP indore. Besides all this, she is good in Handflips, Streching

While talking to Kashmir Today___ she said that ‘‘The thing that I love in sports is displine. Our brain dumps everything, once you are in the game.’’

During turmoil it was very difficult for me to go outside for classes , but i always make it a point not to miss my ‘‘Karate Classes’’ and “Gymnastics classes”.

She further said that there is no monitoring support from the State Sport Council for the players. However, she gives the credit to her coach,” Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Mir who is associated with the sport for the last 35 years.

She said I am equally proud of my father, who despite Odds and Societal Pressure provided all possible facilities and supported me always, Besides my father the whole family has being very supportive throughout my journey, It wouldn’t have been possible for her to win these awards without his guidance. ” Winning or losing” is a part of this sport, but giving moral support to a player pushes for success.

I want to be more bright in (Karate) field, as its my dream to become a future star of J&K , My family is superbly supporting me , i want to be the first female coach of J&K and the best player too , she added (KT)

AHMEDABAD: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday attacked the Modi government saying that instead of fixing nails and digging the highway in Delhi to stop the protesting farmers, it should have done the same things in Ladakh to prevent the Chinese aggression.

He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to the ‘mann ki baat’ of the farmers, a reference to the PM’s monthly radio address by the same name.

“Had you fixed nails in Ladakh, then the Chinese forces would not have entered India. You did not fix nails in Ladakh, where 18 Indian Army personnel were killed. If you had 56-inch chest, you should have taught China a lesson,” he said while addressing a rally here.

“Modiji does not utter the name of China even once. He would name everybody and everything, but he won’t the name of China,” he said.

Owaisi alleged that the three farm laws were against the Indian Constitution because agriculture was a state subject and the Centre had no right to make laws on a state subject.

He said that the farmers opposing the laws are branded as Khalistanis, Adivasi-Dalits become Naxals, and Muslims Jihadis.

“Where is the country headed? How much hatred will you spread? I am asking you a question standing on your sarzameen (home turf). Why did Chinese forces enter India in 2020? Because China knows that people of India are not united, they are accusing each other using Love jihad, corona jihad. The government is spreading hatred instead of uniting people,” he alleged.

The Hyderabad MP attacked the government over the rising fuel prices, and said, “A poor person’s vehicle does not run on air or Modi’s love, but on petrol and diesel.”

He also called the coronavirus-induced lockdown as unconstitutional and said that it caused 10 crore job losses in the informal sector.

“In Gujarat, people are being threatened in the name of GST; Hindus and Muslims are not allowed to sell property to each other without the intervention of collector inthe name of Disturbed Areas Act, and the state has a high number of stunted anaemic children and women…segregation index is the highest in Ahmedabad,” he said.

“Modi made riverfront in Ahmedabad to show it to the world, but did not ensure proper drinking water facilities in Muslim and Dalit localities, proper flyover that causdes traffic jam,” he said.

Owaisi also attacked the Congress saying that had the opposition party been good, it would have defeated the BJP.

The Congress remained mum when the government shut down schools, did not raise voice demanding drinking water and proper drainage facilities for the people, he alleged.

“You lack sense, planning, intellectual USP. You want to counter Hindutva with Hindutva, Hindu nationalism with Hindu nationalism. The AIMIM will counter Hindutva with the Constitution framed by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Hindu nationalism will be countered with Indian nationalism,” he said.

Owaisi’s party has fielded 21 candidates for the civic polls in Ahmedabad. (PTI)

Gulmarg 07 February: A mega cultural extravaganza marked by presence of Bollywood stars was witnessed among the snow claded mountains of Gulmarg.

Srinagar, Feb 7 : Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today criticised the authorties for slapping FIR against a person for demanding body of his son.

According to KNS correspondent, Mehbooba in a tweet said, ” After losing his son in an alleged fake encounter, Athar Mushtaq’s father has been slapped with an FIR for demanding his dead body. His crime was to stage a peaceful protest. The inhabitants of Naya Kashmir can’t even question a callous admin & have been reduced to living corpses.”

Srinagar, Feb 06: As the high speed internet was restored on late Friday night after 18 month in Jammu and Kashmir, it may pose challenges for the security forces to deal with cyber security.

Talking exclusively with news agency KNS, senior superintendent of police, Cyber crime Kashmir Tahir Ashraf while welcoming the restoration of 4G internet in J&K said that it will also pose challenges for them.

He said that the restoration high speed internet in J&K will come up with its own set of challenges, however, they are ready to deal with any challenge.

“With high speed internet the online traffic will increase and will pose more challenges for cyber security. But we are ready to deal with any challenge as we have been dealing during 2G internet speed,” he said.

He also appealed to all the social media users in Jammu and Kashmir to upload and share content online only after proper verification.

“People must desist from sharing content online without verifying its authenticity. And if anybody is found sharing any content without authenticity he will be dealt with strictly under law,” he said.

Tahir said that after restoration of high speed internet across J&K, people should not misuse it.

Pertinently, high speed internet was restored in J&K on Friday late evening after 18 months after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. (KNS)

Srinagar, Feb 06: After remaining suspended for 18 months, the high speed mobile data services have been restored in Jammu and Kashmir, bringing respite to people affected by the ban, especially students, working professionals and business community.
The services were suspended on August 5, 2019 when the central government abrogated the special status of J&K and bifurcated the erstwhile State into two Union Territories. The 2G service on mobile phones was restored across J&K in January 2020.
The high speed mobile data services were restored in twin J&K districts including Ganderbal in Kashmir and Udhampur in Jammu division on a trial basis on August 16, 2020, as part of calibrated easing of restrictions.
However, the ban continued on the high-speed Internet in the rest of the Union Territory with the authorities citing misuse of the Internet by the “militants”.
An order issued by the Principal Secretary (Home) said that the pre-paid SIM card holder will be given access to internet connectivity only after verification as per norms applicable to postpaid connections.
Welcoming the decision, the traders termed the government announcement as a good step.
They said that they have suffered a lot due to the suspension of the services and fast internet services will help the traders, tourism sector and others as it will facilitate economic recovery and ease their work.
According to news agency KINS the students also expressed their happiness over the restoration of high speed mobile data services, saying they faced several hardships due to the suspension of high-speed internet and its restoration has come as a big relief to access online education, particularly in times of Covid.
Meanwhile the Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha has thanked the Prime Minister and Home Minister for restoring 4G services in the entire J&K, saying the move will fulfil the aspirations of the people, particularly the youth.
Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah while reacting to the announcement said it is better late than never.(KINS)

Srinagar Feb 06 : The lifting of ban on 4G internet has brought a relief to people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Post August 5, 2019, the internet was suspended till January 25, 2020. After resumption, the speed of the internet was restricted to 2G. It was badly affecting the business community, students, doctors, journalists, as they were not able to do their work due to low internet speed.
After 551 days, the government on Friday evening lifted a ban on 4G internet in J&K.
Principal Secretary of the Home Department J&K Shaleen Kabra announced lifting of ban on 4G internet and directed the Inspectors General of Kashmir and Jammu to “closely monitor the impact of lifting of restrictions”.
People also took to social media expressing happiness over restoration of 4G internet in J&K.
Arif Irshad, a 29-year-old youth of Srinagar, who is co-founder of an e-commerce website ‘Kashmir Origin’ where they sell products including handicrafts items, said their business was badly hit due to 2G internet.
“We were not able to open our website and properly check customers’ orders,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
As 4G internet has been restored, he said this has provided a much needed relief to them. “It will boost our business. Customers can now easily place their orders. We can make artisans go live or make video calls to show customers how various handicraft items are produced and promote their products,” he added.
The students have also heaved a sigh of relief and expressed happiness over the restoration of 4G mobile internet service as they can attend online classes with ease in the times of coronavirus.
Sumeria Jan, a student of a college in Srinagar, said their studies were getting badly hit due to low internet.
“With 4G internet, we can attend online classes. We can download material for our studies. We can attend Zoom classes,” she said.
Similarly, the step will provide relief to thousands of job aspirants who have to apply for jobs in and outside J&K.
Besides students, teachers were equally disappointed with the curbs on the high speed internet in J&K.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Junaid Azim Mattuu said the restoration of 4G internet in J&K was a welcome step and will ease out issues faced by students, the tourism industry and people at large
Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) said it is better late than never.
“4G Mubarak! For the first time since Aug 2019 all of J&K will have 4G mobile data. Better late than never,” Omar tweeted.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for “acceding to our request and restoring 4G services in the entire Jammu and Kashmir UT. The move will fulfil the aspirations of the people, especially the youth”. (KINS)

Srinagar, February 06: Suspected militants fired upon security forces in Nowgam area of Central Kashmir’s Srinagar district on Saturday.

Official sources told GNS that militants fired upon 29 Battalion of CRPF in Chanapora. In this incident one CRPF personnel recieved bullet wound in leg, subsequently shifted to hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile whole area has been cordoned off to nab the fleeing militants, they said.(GNS)