Srinagar, Jul 31: Senior politician Bilal Gani Lone has expressed concern over the developments unfolding in Pakistan- administered Kashmir. 
 
In a statement, Lone said the situation in the other Kashmir is “deeply troubling”, and urged the Pakistani authorities to address the grievances of the people with empathy and compassion instead of resorting to repressive measures.
 
 “The authorities there must engage in dialogue to address the people’s  concerns. The people there deserve to be treated with dignity and have the freedom to be heard,” he said in a statement. (KNS)

Environmentalist and social activist Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo was conferred with the Khatija Begum Award 2026 by the J&K Rural Development Society (JKRDS) in recognition of his contribution towards environmental conservation, sustainable development, community welfare and promoting collective action for the protection of natural resources.

Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Wangnoo dedicated the award first and foremost to the memory of his mother. “Ma, this honour is yours. Your love, prayers and values continue to guide every step of my journey.” He also dedicated the honour to all those who deeply miss their mothers, saying that the values and memories left behind by mothers remain an enduring source of strength and inspiration.

Wangnoo expressed heartfelt gratitude to the J&K Rural Development Society for recognising his efforts, stating that such honours are not merely awards but reminders of the greater responsibility to continue serving society and protecting the environment.

He shared the recognition with the entire NLCO team, his well-wishers, supporters, friends and the administration for standing alongside various environmental and humanitarian initiatives. 

“This award belongs to every hand and every heart that believes in serving humanity and protecting Mother Nature. Recognition strengthens our resolve to work harder, together and with humility,” he said. Reiterating his commitment to community-driven action, Wangnoo concluded with the message: “Together, Ekk Aur Naik Bankay — for humanity and Mother Nature.”

The Ahad Zargar Memorial Research Foundation in collaboration with the Kashmiri Sufi Gulookar Forum, on Thursday organised a musical concert at Tagore Hall to commemorate the legacy of renowned Kashmiri poet Nema Seb.

Chairman Ahad Zargar Memorial Research Foundation Khurshid Zargar said the event witnessed the participation of a large gathering of intellectuals, writers, poets and members of the general public, who assembled to pay homage to the celebrated literary figure.

During the programme, noted singers from across Kashmir presented musical performances based on Nema Seb’s poetry, paying rich tributes to the poet through soulful renditions. The event highlighted the importance of preserving Kashmir’s literary and cultural heritage while celebrating the timeless contribution of Nema Seb to Kashmiri literature.

Srinagar, Jul 30: The Centre has initiated key steps towards providing all-weather road connectivity to the border regions of Tangdhar and Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir, with consultancy work awarded for the proposed Sadhna Tunnel and bids invited for preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a tunnel at Razdan Pass.

The information was shared by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in a written reply to a question of Member of Parliament Chowdry Muhammad Ramzan in the Rajya Sabha.

Responding to a query on all-weather tunnels for seasonally isolated border regions such as Gurez, Tangdhar, and Marwah-Warwan, the minister said consultancy services for preparation of the DPR for the proposed Sadhna Tunnel on the Kupwara-Tangdhar section of National Highway-701 had already been awarded as part of the government’s initiative to ensure all-weather connectivity to the Tangdhar region.

For Gurez, the Centre said a tender had been invited for consultancy services to prepare the DPR for the proposed Razdan Pass tunnel, which is expected to improve year-round access to the remote valley that remains cut off for several months during winter due to heavy snowfall.

However, the ministry clarified that Gurez and Marwah-Warwan are not located on national highways, and that the ministry’s direct responsibility was confined to National Highway infrastructure.

To maintain connectivity during winter, the government said proactive snow clearance operations are undertaken on National Highways as well as on roads entrusted to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to keep them open and traffic-worthy as far as possible.

On healthcare and emergency services for these isolated regions, the ministry said the Centre, through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, was supporting the Union Territory under various schemes, while noting that the provision of healthcare remains primarily the responsibility of the Jammu and Kashmir government.

Under the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), the Centre has sanctioned Block Public Health Units at Dawer (Gurez), Tangdhar, and Teetwal, along with a Primary Health Centre at Sheikhpora and a New Type Primary Health Centre at Bhagote.

The ministry said that during periods of complete road closure, the J&K government provides free helicopter and air evacuation services for critically ill patients from Gurez requiring treatment at tertiary healthcare institutions outside the valley.

These evacuations are coordinated through the district administration in collaboration with the Health Department.