Srinagar, Aug 31: Eighteen-year-old Mohsin Ali had been earning accolades ever since he set the Dal Lake ablaze by clinching gold in the 1000 metre kayaking event at the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) held here recently.

On Sunday, Ali became a local hero after receiving a special mention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised the Srinagar boy for his achievement in the 125th edition of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

Organised from August 21 to 23 at the iconic Dal Lake, the KIWSF featured three sporting disciplines – rowing, canoeing, and kayaking – and three demonstration sports events – water skiing, shikara race, and dragon boat race – in which 28 states and eight union territories took part.

Ali now has his sights fixed on the ultimate goal – an Olympic gold.

The 18-year-old’s story is proof that greatness can be found anywhere, even on a single-paddled boat across a glinting lake.

“I was thrilled to speak to the prime minister. His words will work as an encouragement not only for me but for the youth in general, who want to represent the country at the highest stage,” Ali said.

In ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the PM singled out Jammu and Kashmir for two special achievements – holding the water sports event successfully, and the inaugural day-night cricket match in Pulwama.

Modi spoke to Ali and another sportsperson – Odisha’s canoeing champion, Rasmita Sahoo.

The KIWSF was a collaborative initiative of the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), which saw more than 800 participants from across the country, with female athletes almost matching their male counterparts.

While Madhya Pradesh bagged the most medals, Ali’s triumph triggered a renewed interest in water sports in the Union territory. Ali, whose father works as a labourer to support his family of seven, said he was motivated to take up kayaking after seeing shikaras (boats) on Dal Lake.

He attributed his achievement to his coach, Bilquis Mir, a prominent canoeist and kayaker from Srinagar, who became the first Indian woman to serve as a jury member at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

According to Mir, Ali’s triumph is a reflection of the talent present in Jammu and Kashmir.

She also said his victory at the KIWSF motivated new athletes, with 80 youths enrolling in the training programme at the end of the festival.

“It was a moment of pride for all of Jammu and Kashmir that a local boy won gold at the KIWSF. Ali’s performance will surely boost water sports in J-K, more so as he won in a field where most of his competitors had a lot of foreign exposure and access to state-of-the-art facilities,” Mir said.

Talking to Ali, the PM complimented his family and Mir on his success. After PM Modi said the youth of Jammu and Kashmir have so much potential, Ali said, “My dream is to win a medal in the Olympics.”

The PM replied, “Wow! Well done! Look, I got goosebumps just by hearing that from you. When the son of a labourer’s family dreams so big, it means the country is going to progress a lot.”

PM Modi concluded the four-minute conversation by saying, “Really enjoyed talking to you. Please convey my special thanks to your father, because he made your life by working as a labourer. On your father’s words, you worked hard for 10 years without taking any rest. I also congratulate your coach, who worked so hard to train you.”

On Srinagar successfully hosting the water sports event, PM Modi said, “What a special place to organise such a festival. The objective was to make water sports more popular in Jammu and Kashmir. More than 800 athletes from all over India took part in KIWSF. Women athletes were also not far behind… Their participation was almost at par with men.”

The PM also mentioned the Royal Premier League cricket tournament in Pulwama, in which 12 teams from Jammu and Kashmir are taking part.

“Thousands of enthusiasts, especially youth, are enjoying cricket at night in Pulwama. It is truly a sight to behold,” PM Modi said.

Royal Premier League organiser Irfan Ahmad thanked the prime minister for appreciating their efforts, and invited him to the last match of the tournament to be held in September.

Ahmad said the event aims to serve as a healthy outlet for the young people amid increasing unemployment and drug use in the area.

“I am really thankful to the prime minister for taking note of this event. The whole of Kashmir, especially Pulwama, is happy that he talked about it in ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

“The youth are depressed amid growing unemployment, which needs to be addressed. We organised the league to encourage the youth and keep them away from drugs,” Ahmad said, adding that he rented lights from Delhi to facilitate day-night cricket in Pulwama.

CM OMAR HOPES CORPORATE INDIA USES CSR FUNDS TO HELP DEVELOP SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE IN J&K

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday expressed hope that corporate India would play its part by using their CSR funds to help develop sports infrastructure in J&K.

CM Omar’s remarks came as he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the special mention of sportspersons from J&K in the 125th edition of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday.

“Thank you for highlighting the keen interest boys and girls of J&K have for all sports @narendramodi ji. The youth of J&K don’t lack talent or enthusiasm; unfortunately, they lack opportunity and exposure,” Abdullah said in a post on X, adding that the special mention by PM Modi would certainly add to the enthusiasm of the youth. “I hope corporate India will play its part by using their CSR funds to help develop sports infrastructure in J&K.”

Srinagar, Aug 31: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in extreme weather events in Jammu and Kashmir and the broader Himalayan region, which have caused severe damage to both human lives and property.

In a statement issued here, Abdullah called for urgent, proactive measures to address the growing climate unpredictability, stressing the need for sustainable development strategies that ensure the protection of life and livelihood in the region.

“The increase in weather vagaries, ranging from flash floods, landslides and prolonged dry spells to erratic rainfall patterns, has become a pressing concern for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said.

He added that these unpredictable weather events are not only threatening the region’s ecological balance but also impacting local population, their agricultural livelihoods, infrastructure and most tragically, human lives.

Pointing out that the broader Himalayan belt is particularly vulnerable to climate change, the former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir said sustainable development must become the cornerstone of future planning, where the immediate need for economic growth does not come at the cost of safety of the environment or people.

“Development should no longer be seen as just economic growth. It should encompass environmental protection, ecological conservation and social equity,” he said.

“We need to re-evaluate our development models and ensure they are in harmony with nature, not at odds with it,” he added.

He also called for collaboration between various stakeholders, including the government, civil society and experts, to collectively work towards mitigating climate risks and ensuring a resilient future for Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar, Aug 31: Authorities in Srinagar have sounded a weather alert after the meteorological department predicted heavy showers and strong winds likely to hit several parts of the district till September 1.

The district administration advised people, especially those living in Fakir Gujri, Khonmoh and adjoining hilly areas, to avoid venturing close to slopes and water bodies.

Shikara wallas and tourists have been told to suspend rides in Dal and Nigeen lakes, while sand miners along the Jhelum have also been directed to halt work temporarily.

Officials said the advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure to prevent untoward incidents during the spell of bad weather. Emergency helpline numbers have also been made public for people in case of need. (KNC)

Baramulla, Aug 31: Police in Tangmarg have booked three individuals, including a woman advocate and her husband, for allegedly planting a fake IED at the house of her estranged ex-husband in Mahayan Ferozpora, in a bid to falsely implicate him in a terror-related case.

In a statement, Police spokesperson said on 31st July 2025, PS Tangmarg received an input regarding an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in house of Manzoor Ahmed Khan, son of Mohammad Ayoub Khan, resident of Mahayan Ferozpora, allegedly concealed within the premises of his residential house.

Acting swiftly, Tangmarg Police, in collaboration with security agencies, launched a cordon and search operation (CASO). During the search, a suspicious package was found near the main gate of the house. A bomb disposal squad was immediately summoned and upon inspection, the package was found to contain a plastic box designed to resemble an IED. It was later confirmed to be a fake IED posing no explosive threat, it reads.

Accordingly, FIR nr 56/2025 u/s 329(3), 324(6), 248 BNS was registered at PS Tangmarg and investigation was initiated, it reads.

During the investigation, Sajad Ahmed Ganie son of Mohammad Qasim Ganie resident of Nowgam Sumbal was identified as the prime suspect who had planted the fake IED. The accused had gone absconding but was later apprehended by Tangmarg Police. Upon interrogation, he confessed that he had planted the fake IED at the behest of Adv Rahila Qadri, wife of Adv Rayees Ahmed Bhat resident of Pandithpora Tangmarg.

It was revealed that Adv Rahila Qadri, estranged ex-wife of Manzoor Ahmed Khan, in connivance with her present husband Adv Rayees Ahmed Bhat son of Bashir Ahmed Bhat residnt of Pandithpora Tangmarg, conspired to falsely implicate her ex-husband in a fake explosives case, it reads.

Statement reads that the Investigation has further established that due to a long-standing matrimonial feud, Adv Rahila Qadri harbored deep grudges against her ex-husband and orchestrated this conspiracy to frame him. The accused Sajad Ganie also deliberately provided false information to police after planting the fake IED, in an attempt to implicate the house owner in a fabricated recovery case.

In pursuance of relevant sections of law, notices have been served to all three accused persons and the case will be taken to its logical conclusion before the competent court of law, it reads.

Baramulla Police reiterates its commitment to ensuring that no person is falsely implicated, reads the statement. (KNC)

Kupwara, Aug 31: Strong winds accompanied by heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in parts of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday evening, damaging several structures.

Reports confirmed that the rooftop of Shakeel Ahmad’s house at Wadder Batergam was blown away by the windstorm. Fortunately, no loss of life or injury was reported in the incident.

In another case, a residential-cum-commercial building belonging to Sajad Ahmad, and a shop owned by Ab Rashid Mir, both residents of Gulgam, sustained damage after a walnut tree was uprooted by strong winds and fell on the structures. (KNC)