Author: ValleyObserver

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JAMMU

Lieutenant Governor attends Kavi Sammelan organised by Power Grid at Jammu

LG highlights the role of literature in nation-building; urges the poets to create stronger national identity and social cohesion through their expression

Poets and writers must strengthen the unity, counter secessionist attempts to divide and radicalise youth in Kashmir valley: LG

We should also focus on promoting regional literature to fully capitalize on its potential for social harmony and national strength: LG Sinha

JAMMU, NOVEMBER 28: “Poets and writers must strengthen the unity, counter secessionist attempts to divide and radicalise youth in Kashmir valley,” the Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha said on Friday. He was speaking at the ‘Kavi Sammelan’ organised by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the role of literature in nation-building. He urged the poets to create stronger national identity and social cohesion through their expression.
“We should also focus on promoting regional literature to fully capitalize on its potential for social harmony and national strength,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He emphasised that, for a self-reliant and developed India, both art and artificial intelligence, Science and Sanskar are crucial. He said literature, music, and poetry strengthen democratic values and provide society much needed cultural and spiritual nourishment.
“Poetry serves not just as a foundation of social consciousness, but also as a pinnacle of society’s resolve. Poetry acts as a bridge between dreams and its actualization. Poetry is also a catalyst for individual growth and inspires social transformation,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor spoke on the key initiatives taken by the UT administration, under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to revive the ancient literary tradition and cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The last five years have been decisive for the Union Territory of J&K. We have diligently strived to provide a safe and culturally-rich environment for the new generation,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The enthralling poem recital by eminent poet Dr Kumar Vishwas remained the main highlights of the literary evening.
The program also featured captivating poetry from the renowned poets: Shri Sudeep Bhola, Shri Ramesh Muskan, Ms. Padmini Sharma, and Shri Kushal Kushlendra.
Shri Tarun Bajaj, Executive Director, Northern Region Transmission System-II, Power Grid; Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; Shri SK Chowan, Chief General Manager (Projects), Power Grid; Shri Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Dr Devansh Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Jammu, senior officials, prominent citizens, literary personalities and youth in large number were present.

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BUSINESS

Twin glory for Kashmir, 2 master craftsmen win National Award

Manzoor A. Khan & Khawaja Nazir Ali honoured in carpet weaving, sozni embroidery; 2 others get special mention

Awards ceremony at New Delhi on Dec 9

SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 27: Adding yet another badge of honour on its already coveted robe, 02 master craftsmen have brought glory to Kashmir by winning the prestigious National Award in the handicrafts category, recently announced by the Union Ministry of Textiles.
Manzoor Ahmad Khan, from Rainawari and Khawaja Nazir Ali, from Alamgiri Bazar, Srinagar, shall be conferred with the National Award by the Hon’ble President of India for excellence in the field of hand-knotted carpet weaving and sozni embroidery at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on December 09, next month.
In a press release issued here today, a spokesman of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, thanked the Ministry of Textiles for bestowing the honour and congratulated the two master craftsmen for bringing laurels to Kashmir Handicrafts, which are famous for its intricate designs and vibrant colours all over the world. “We are elated on their recognition for their immense contribution in taking crafts like sozni and carpet weaving to the next level,” he added.
Quoting Field Officer, in the office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Sheikh Rafiq, the spokesman stated that the awards come with a citation and a cash prize of ₹2.00 lakh cheque. “Apart from the winners, two more craftsmen, Mashkoora Hameed from Budgam in sozni embroidery and Mir Arshad Hussain from Srinagar, in papier mache, have won special mention and have been invited to the function at Vigyan Bhawan,” he added.
Manzoor Ahmad Khan, a renowned weaver of hand-knotted carpet, was recently conferred first prize in UT Awards for the year 2024, at SKICC on Tuesday. “He also participated in the first edition of Know Your Artisan at Jhelum Riverfront and will also be actively engaged in Guru-Shishya Hastashilp Prashikshan Programme for Kupwara by Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, Srinagar,” he added.
Khawaja Nazir Ali has also distinguished himself in the field of sozni embroidery in recognition of which he has been honoured with the prestigious National Award.
Director Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, Mussarat Islam, also showered praise on the awardees and added that this recognition will provide traction to the famed handicrafts and handlooms of Kashmir and help in targeting newer niche markets, especially in South East Asia.
The Department shall shortly organize a function to felicitate the awardees and also those who have special mention by the office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles.

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BUSINESS

JKTPO successfully concludes IITF-2025, receives exceptional response

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Pavilion at the 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 concluded on a highly successful note, registering on-the-spot sales amounting approximately Rs. 13.50 crore and generating 6000+ business leads for the participating exhibitors.
These results underscore the strong market response to Jammu and Kashmir’s diverse product range, including world-renowned handicrafts, handlooms, agricultural and horticultural products, as well as the growing confidence of buyers and trade visitors in the quality, authenticity and competitiveness of products from the region.
Resounding the success of previous editions, this year’s Pavilion was strengthened with enhanced branding and extensive publicity of J&K’s unique, ODOP and GI-certified products, with promotional displays placed not only across the venue but also at prominent external locations, significantly amplifying the visibility and drawing an even larger and more diverse crowd throughout the fair. This heightened attention transformed the Pavilion into a vibrant hub of culture, creativity and commerce, consistently attracting the domestic and international visitors. The steady engagement facilitated meaningful business interactions for artisans, women entrepreneurs, startups, FPOs, SHGs and cooperative societies. The substantial sales turnover and sizeable pipeline of business leads generated are expected to convert into repeat orders, long-term buyer, seller relationships and expanded market access, ultimately contributing to income generation, employment creation, and inclusive economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
Senior officials lauded the coordinated efforts of participating departments, corporations and partner agencies in curating a vibrant and business-oriented showcase that effectively blended culture with commerce.
The Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) reaffirmed its commitment towards extending sustained handholding support to exhibitors for follow-up on leads, participation in future trade fairs and integration with broader export promotion and market linkage initiatives. This will further consolidate Jammu and Kashmir’s position as a reliable sourcing destination for high-quality products.
The strong sales and lead generation at the Jammu and Kashmir Pavilion have also validated the strategic approach of onboarding a diverse mix of exhibitors, including artisans, women-led enterprises, startup ventures, FPOs, SHGs and cooperative societies, who together presented a comprehensive basket of products to the buyers from across India and abroad. The encouraging response from the retail visitors, bulk buyers, e-commerce platforms and institutional purchasers is expected to translate into repeat orders, new market tie-ups and wider brand recall for Jammu and Kashmir’s authentic handicrafts, handlooms, agro and food products in the months ahead.
Looking ahead to IITF 2026, JKTPO plans to further scale up participation from Jammu and Kashmir by onboarding a larger and more diversified pool of exhibitors, deepening sectoral representation and introducing new product lines aligned with emerging market trends. Efforts will focus on enhanced buyer outreach, more structured B2B meetings, digital and e-commerce integration, and stronger branding of Jammu and Kashmir’s unique value propositions, ensuring that the Pavilion not only sustains but surpasses the current year’s performance while creating wider and more durable market opportunities for stakeholders from the Union Territory.

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JAMMU

Brig Pankaj Chib (retd) takes over as Director- Sainik Welfare Department & Secretary Rajya Sainik Board

SAMBA, NOVEMBER 27: Brig Pankaj Chib, SM, VSM (retd) has taken over as the new Director Sainik Welfare Department, J&K and Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board J&K today. A highly distinguished Army veteran, Brig Pankaj Chib, SM, VSM, Retd brings with him over 35 years of exemplary service to the nation.
A graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Brig Pankaj Chib, (Retd) has held numerous operational assignments during his career and has been honoured with the Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal for his outstanding contributions. His career profile includes the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), the Higher Command Course and programmes at LBSNAA and IIM Indore. He holds a Master’s in Defence & Strategic Studies and an M.Phil in Defence & Management Studies and has also trained foreign army personnel.
He is widely admired for advocating veterans’ welfare and has been contributing to the resolution of a long-standing welfare matter impacting more than 500 members of the armed forces community in J&K. His steady involvement in the issue reflects his commitment to fairness, transparency and the well-being of serving personnel, veterans and Veer Naris.
Colleagues note that his efforts have given renewed visibility and momentum to a case that had remained unresolved for years.

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BUSINESS

J&K Bank Board approves capital raise of Rs 1250 Cr to support future growth

SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 27: J&K Bank has announced that the Board-of-Directors, in a meeting held on 26th November 2025, has approved raising capital aggregating up to Rs 1250 Crore to strengthen the Bank’s balance sheet and support its future growth plans.
In a regulatory filing, the Bank said that the capital raise comprises Rs 750 Crore of Equity Share Capital through Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) in one or more tranches and Rs 500 Crore through issuance of Non-Convertible, Redeemable, Unsecured, BASEL III-compliant Tier 2 bonds in the nature of debentures on a private placement basis, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
Commenting on the Board’s decision, MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee said, “The approval to raise fresh capital underscores the Board’s confidence in the Bank’s trajectory and strengthens our ability to pursue calibrated growth. The infusion will further enhance our capital adequacy, support business expansion across key sectors, enhance our ability to absorb risk thereby reinforcing our long-term commitment to improved asset quality, profitability, and shareholder value.”
He further added, “The leadership remains focused on building a strong, resilient and future-ready Bank by strengthening its ability to grow sustainably while meeting future business and regulatory requirements.”

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CRIME

Police foil narcotics smuggling attempt in Anantnag; 24.5 Kgs of contraband substance recovered

Anantnag, November 26: In a significant action against drug menace, Police in Anantnag recovered a large quantity of contraband and foiled an attempt to smuggle narcotic substances in the jurisdiction of Police Station Pahalgam.
A police party from PS Pahalgam, deputed for census duty to village Awoora, was proceeding towards Awoora Nallah in a departmental TATA Sumo when they noticed a suspicious individual pushing an iron-made single-tyre handcart loaded with multiple sacks. On spotting the police vehicle, the unidentified male abandoned the cart and escaped into the adjoining forest area.
The police team immediately secured the abandoned cart and inspected the sacks. During the examination, the sacks were found to contain half-dried bhang leaves, weighing a total of 24.50 kilograms.
In this regard, a case vide FIR No. 76/2025 under relevant sections has been registered at Police Station Pahalgam and investigation was initiated. During the course of investigation, the accused was identified as Gulam Nabi Khatana son of Abdul Rashid resident of Nallah Awoora, who is currently absconding. Efforts are underway to apprehend the accused.
J&K Police remains committed to eliminating the drug menace from society and urges the public to cooperate by sharing any information related to narcotic activities.

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BUSINESS

Doda Artisans Shine at UT Level Awards 2024–25

Bring Pride to Bhaderwah’s Rich Craft Heritage

DODA, NOVEMBER 26: In a proud moment for the artisan community of District Doda, two talented women artisans from Bhaderwah— Ramna Devi and Aniza Mushtaq—have been honoured with prestigious UT Level Handicrafts Artisans Awards 2024–25.

Their achievements highlight the exceptional craftsmanship and cultural richness of the region.

Showcasing the traditional art of Kora Dabka, a unique and centuries-old craft indigenous to Bhaderwah, Ramna Devi bagged the 1st Prize, receiving a cash award of ₹50,000 along with a certificate of recognition. This marks a historic moment as Kora Dabka has been acknowledged for the first time at the UT level, bringing long-awaited recognition to this rare and intricate craft form.

Similarly, Aniza Mushtaq earned distinction by winning the 2nd Prize in Paper Machie Craft, receiving ₹30,000 and a certificate. Her creative excellence reflects the vibrant artistic talent nurtured in the Doda region, further strengthening the district’s reputation in the field of traditional handicrafts.

The Department of Handicrafts, Doda, extended heartfelt congratulations to both artisans, appreciating their dedication, skill and contribution to preserving the cultural legacy of Bhaderwah. Their achievements are expected to inspire many young artisans to pursue traditional crafts and uplift the local handicraft sector.

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SPORTS

Satish Sharma attends inaugurals of 42nd Junior National Tennikoit Championship

JAMMU, NOVEMBER 26: Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, IT, ARI and Trainings, Satish Sharma, today attended inaugurals of the 42nd Junior (Boys & Girls) National Tennikoit Championship which commenced today at Green Field, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.
The five-day national championship, organized under the aegis of the Tennikoit Federation of India and the J&K Tennikoit Association, in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council and the Department of Youth Services & Sports, has brought together nearly 550 players and officials from 23 States and Union Territories.
Satish Sharma interacted with the players and officials and applauded the high level of enthusiasm and participation. He said : “It is encouraging to see young athletes from across the nation gather in Jammu with such passion and sportsmanship. National championships like this reinforce unity, promote healthy competition, and contribute to the overall development of youth. The government remains committed to providing every support to nurture sports talent in Jammu & Kashmir.”
Senior representatives of the Tennikoit Federation of India, the J&K Tennikoit Association and the J&K Sports Council were also present and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements and the spirited environment at the venue.

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EDUCATION

Lieutenant Governor Attends 3rd Aerosol Winter School on “Atmospheric Aerosol, Cloud & Climate Science” at Central University of Jammu

The biggest challenge before the scientific community is to accurately predict cloudbursts with precise and long-term forecasts. We must work together in developing new machine learning models, refining real-time data integration to provide timely and clear alerts to authorities and the public: LG Sinha

Lieutenant Governor urges scientists, Artificial Intelligence experts to join hands for a cleaner, greener, and healthier tomorrow

Let us dedicate ourselves to tackle climate challenges, advance clean energy, and strengthen the environmental resilience: LG Sinha

Our government remains committed to promote scientific collaboration, enhance quality research, and to support transformative projects in solar energy, water security, rural connectivity, and pollution abatement to secure a prosperous future for J&K UT: LG

JAMMU, NOVEMBER 26: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today attended the 3rd Aerosol Winter School on “Atmospheric Aerosol, Cloud & Climate Science” at Central University of Jammu.
In his keynote address, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted that the biggest challenge before the scientific community is to accurately predict cloudbursts with precise and long-term forecasts.
He emphasised that all the stakeholders must work together in developing new machine learning models, refining real-time data integration to provide timely and clear alerts to authorities and the public.
The Lieutenant Governor urged scientists and Artificial Intelligence experts to join hands for a cleaner, greener, and healthier tomorrow.
“Let us dedicate ourselves to tackle climate challenges, advance clean energy, and strengthen the environmental resilience,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed that the government, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, remains committed to promote scientific collaboration, enhance quality research, and to support transformative projects in solar energy, water security, rural connectivity, and pollution abatement to secure a prosperous future for UT of Jammu Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor, on the occasion, launched “Atmos Kids-the Gen Alpha Change-makers”, a joint initiative by Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre, Central University of Jammu and Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS), INSA.
‘Atmos Kids’ is an initiative to educate, orient and foster competence in school students to create an alert, aware and active community of alpha generation kids. These changemakers will be the future ambassadors connecting science to society by further spreading knowledge on the importance of atmosphere and the role of aerosol particles in modulating air quality, climate and ecosystem health.
The 3rd Aerosol Winter School was organized by the Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research (H2A2CR) Centre in collaboration with Department of Environmental Sciences, Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS), Indian National Science Academy (INSA), ETH Zürich Switzerland.
Prof. (Dr.) Sanjeev Jain, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Jammu (CUJ); Shri Vasu Yadav, Chairman, J&K Pollution Control Committee; Dr. Zamin Kanji, Group Leader ETH Zürich Switzerland, and Heads of Departments, faculty members and students were present.

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BUSINESS

With better back-rest, modern looms to facilitate carpet trainees

25 out of 50 carpet training centres covered in Phase 1 under CAPEX 2025-26

SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 26: Complimenting the Union Ministry of Textiles’ efforts towards revival of carpet industry, the Handicrafts and Handlooms Department, Kashmir, has procured 25 Modified Modern Steel Looms for its Carpet Weaving Training Centres in Phase 1, under CAPEX 2025-26.
This comes as a top up to the 100 additional carpet looms for beneficiary weavers, sanctioned by the Ministry of Textiles for the current financial year, under its ‘Wool Processing Scheme’ of the Central Wool Development Board.
Sharing details in a press statement issued here today, a spokesman of the Department stated that 25 training centres out of 50 shall be provided the modified looms, facilitating better hands-on training to the youth. “In Phase 2, the remaining 25 training centres will also be provided with the modified looms, with funding released by the Government,” he added.
The spokesman further stated that the new steel looms have been designed with suitable back-rest, powered with comfortable seating arrangement and leg space for the trainees, factoring in health concerns. “These efforts shall go a long way in reviving the famed hand-knotted carpet industry, which has already secured GI registration, based on the source of origin and the unique Taleem feature imbibed in the carpet weaving craft,” he added.

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