Srinagar, Feb 26: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said peace is crucial to development, asserting that places in the Union territory that were once synonymous with conflict, are now beacons of harmony.

“Development requires the oxygen of peace. My government’s primary objective is to provide you with a transparent, democratic, and stable environment,” the chief minister said, addressing the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir here.

Referring to Pahlagam attack, Abdullah said while the tourism sector in the Union territory is beginning to realise its true potential, it cannot rely solely on the natural beauty of resorts like Gulmarg or Pahalgam.

“We are pioneering border tourism, villages like Keran, Gurez and Teetwal — once synonymous with conflict, are now symbols of connection. We are working with the Union government to develop nine new destinations to ensure that the benefits of tourism reach the last mile,” he said.

Abdullah also urged people to protect the environment. “Our glaciers are receding, our winters are changing. That is why we are investing in sustainable infrastructure, whether it is the use of artificial snow technology to save our ski season in Gulmarg, or the promotion of eco-tents over concrete hotels,” he said.

The chief minister emphasised that tourism of tomorrow should not destroy the nature of today. “I call upon the environmental science graduates here, help us create a green standard for Kashmiri hospitality,” he said.

Abdullah said his government is committed to three tenets — meritocracy, sustainability, and digital sovereignty. “Through reforms in the recruitment process, we want to ensure that recommendation is replaced by qualification, whether you have a son of a shikarawala, or the daughter of a minister, your merit must be your only currency,” he added.

He said while the government is working to restore the full dignity and status of Jammu and Kashmir, the achievement is hollow without an empowered and educated citizenry.

Noting that woman were awarded majority of the degrees at the convocation ceremony, Abdullah said our daughters were our most powerful asset against poverty and instability.

“Out of almost 60,000 degrees or medals being awarded today, over 60 per cent are being earned by our daughters. This is the most powerful weapon we have against poverty and instability. We have moved from women’s welfare to women-led development,” he said.

Addressing the women graduates, Abdullah told them they were not just the future of their families, but the architects of society. “When a woman is educated, an entire generation is uplifted. I want to see you in our civil services, leading our biotech labs, and representing us on the global stage. Your brilliance is the gold medal Jammu and Kashmir wears today,” he said.

He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are defined by their resilience. “For too long, our economy was viewed through a narrow lens. We were ‘just tourism’ or ‘just agriculture’. But in 2026, we are becoming a hub for innovation and participatory governance. We have faced the trauma of 2025, and the economic setbacks that followed. But, like seeds that must endure the darkness of the soil to become a tree, our resilience has defined us,” he added.

Calling upon science and IT graduates of the university to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the land, the chief minister said they need to work on apps for real-time pest detection in orchards, and blockchain technology for traceability so that even buyers from New York may know that the saffron they purchase is truly from Pampore.

“This is the saffron and silicon vision. We are turning Jammu and Kashmir into a data-friendly zone, with our naturally cool climate, we are the ideal destination for green data centres. We want our youth to be job providers and not just job seekers,” he said.

Abdullah said the government is working on restructuring the industrial policy to incentivise knowledge-based industries.

“We are working to ensure that a biotech graduate from this university doesn’t have to look to Pune or to Hyderabad to find a lab. We want those labs here in the shadows of the Zabarwan range. We are investing in common facilitation centres where your ideas can become the prototypes without the burden of massive initial debt,” he added.

The chief minister also said mental health of the youth must not go ignored. “Our society has walked a path of immense stress and trauma. To the graduates of psychology and social work, your degree is a healing touch. My government is expanding district level counselling through mission youth, but we need you to destigmatise the conversation.” he added.

Srinagar, Feb 26: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Thursday said the nation needs to let go of its colonial mindset to emerge as a global leader in innovations.

Radhakrishnan was addressing the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir here.

“As a graduating student, I urge you all to focus on Swadeshi innovation and solutions that are rooted in Indian knowledge, resources, and needs. We need not be worried; we need not be inferior. We are to throw out our colonial mindset first,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country more vibrant and more supportive than ever before, he said.

“My best wishes to you to share the next big innovation, the next way of sustainable development, the next chapter in India’s prize as a global leader,” the vice president added.

Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the prime minister gave a call for all the scientists of the country to develop a vaccine for the epidemic.

“How many of us believed in it? But we found the best vaccination, and it has worked very well for the entire humanity,” he added.

The vice president further said that the same vaccination has been researched and developed by the most well-developed Western economies, but all of them were running behind on how to patent it so that they can sell it for a very high price.

“Yes, a unit of vaccination can be sold for USD 7,500, but how can a poor man afford that?” he added.

He said Indian innovations are widely accepted by the Western world as well. “So the whole world is open for you now, it is your initiative, it is your interest. It is your enthusiasm, and your hard work is going to put you at the top of the world,” he added.

Radhakrishnan said recently the central government has approved the development and expansion of the Srinagar International Airport, at an estimated cost of over Rs 1600 crores.

“It was mentioned by our chief minister, Omar Abdullah, that tourism is to be expanded, but it has to be expanded without affecting the ecosystem of our great state,” he said.

The Chenab rail bridge across the river is a marvel, being the highest railway bridge, he added.

“There are many other infrastructure projects which send out a bigger message. These projects are more than engineering achievements. They are the instruments of social harmony. When places are connected, people are connected. And when people are connected, hearts are closely connected,” he said.

The vice president said these initiatives also create new opportunities for the youth, like the ones graduating today.

“PM special scholarship schemes for students of Jammu and Kashmir act as a great opportunity, aspiration, and national integration by enabling students to study in institutions across the country,” he said.

Urging students to stay away from drugs, Radhakrishnan said, “Your parents are depending on you that you will take care of them in their old age….They want you to be successful in your life.”

Every religion treats narcotics as the most sinful product, so keep away from drugs, he added.

“Advise your friends, family members, and whoever you are meeting, to stay away from drug use,” he said.

The vice president also advised the youth to be mindful of social media usage. “This has to be controlled. Social media will not help you to come out more successful in your life. Everything should have its own limits,” he said.

Radhakrishnan said he wanted to tell the students three lines: “Three lines I want to tell you. Mera Kashmir nahi, tumhara Kashmir nahi, Hamara Kashmir. That is what I want from all of you.”

Srinagar, Feb 26: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said border villages in the region are no longer symbols of conflict but have emerged as “symbols of connection,” as the government partners with the Centre to promote tourism in these areas.

Addressing the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir, CM Omar said his government is working to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a hub of innovation and knowledge-based industries, while ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.

Hailing the graduating students as the “spring of J&K in full bloom,” the Chief Minister underlined key challenges facing the region, including climate change, agricultural transformation and youth mental health.

“We are meeting at a pivotal moment,” Omar said, referring to the recently presented 2026–27 budget. Describing it as a “fiscal compass,” he said the budget reflects the government’s intent to build a modern, progressive and economically vibrant Jammu and Kashmir.

“For decades, we were defined by tourism alone or agriculture alone. The J&K of 2026 is evolving into a centre of innovation and participatory governance,” he said, acknowledging that the region has faced economic setbacks following the trauma of 2025.

“Our resilience has defined us,” Omar added. The Chief Minister said his government’s vision rests on three pillars—meritocracy, sustainability and digital sovereignty.

On tourism, Omar said the government is moving beyond traditional destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam by promoting border tourism. “Villages like Keran, Gurez and Teetwal, once synonymous with conflict, are now symbols of connection,” he said.

He added that the government, in collaboration with the Union Government, is developing nine new tourist destinations to ensure the benefits of tourism reach the last mile.

Stressing the need for balance, Omar said climate concerns remain central to policy planning. “Our glaciers are receding and our winters are changing. We must protect what we promote, which is why we are investing in sustainable infrastructure,” he said. —(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday urged graduates of the University of Kashmir (KU) to view education as a “powerful instrument of change” and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.

Addressing the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir, the LG congratulated Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofar Khan, faculty members and students, describing the ceremony as a symbol of generational transformation and the people’s enduring faith in modern education.

Highlighting women’s achievements, LG Sinha said that out of 249 gold medals, 186 were awarded to female students, while 108 of 164 PhDs also went to women. “When given opportunity, encouragement and freedom, girls don’t just participate — they lead and set new standards of excellence,” he said.

The LG urged students to respect and carry forward Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage while remaining adaptable to rapid global change. Referring to Darwin’s principle of adaptability, he stressed the need to evolve with shifts in education, technology and society.

Emphasising the growing role of artificial intelligence, LG Sinha said technology should be used as a tool, not as a substitute for human intelligence. “AI can accelerate research, mentoring and problem-solving. Design your own degree — learning is a lifelong process,” he said.

He encouraged students to view failure as an essential part of learning, noting that setbacks often open new pathways and opportunities.

Stressing the importance of ethics and moral values, the LG called for the responsible use of AI, free from bias and guided by decisions that serve society.

LG Sinha also advocated breaking traditional academic silos, encouraging integration of disciplines such as engineering with humanities and biology with economics to develop holistic solutions to modern challenges. Curiosity, creativity and adaptability, he said, would define the leaders of the future—(KNO)

Shopian, Feb 26: Authorities on Wednesday ordered the reopening of the Mughal Road for vehicular traffic from Feb. 27, subject to weather and security conditions, according to an official order issued in south Kashmir.

The order, issued by the office of District Magistrate, Shopian, said vehicles will be allowed to move on the Mughal Road stretch of National Highway 701A from Shopian (Km 0.000) to Peer Ki Gali (Km 40.550).

The reopening will be strictly subject to fair weather, any unforeseen eventualities and traffic advisories issued by the police, the order said.

Authorities have directed road and security agencies to keep manpower and machinery in place to deal with possible landslides, avalanches and other disruptions to ensure smooth movement of traffic.

Senior Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian, ARTO Shopian and the Dy SP, traffic, Shopian have been instructed to deploy adequate personnel to enforce the order in letter and spirit.

New Delhi, Feb 26: The Communist Party of India, Marxist CPI (M) has opposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, saying the visit comes at a time when Israel continues to conduct strikes on Palestinians violating ceasefire on daily basis and killing scores of innocent people.

“The visit comes at a juncture when Israel has been waging a genocidal war in Gaza,” said the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), in a statement, issued today. “Israel has stepped up attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and a spurt in illegal settlements.”

“The Modi visit is thus a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and legitimises the murderous Netanyahu regime. The declared intent of the visit is also to deepen strategic, military and economic ties with a Zionist expansionist regime which seeks to dominate the region with the help of the United States. The visit is all the more inopportune because it is taking place at a time when the United States is preparing to attack Iran militarily at the instigation of Israel,” added the statement.

“Through this visit, the BJP government has once again laid bare its shameless commitment to the US-Israeli axis in West Asia.”

Srinagar, Feb 26: A massive fire erupted during pre-dawn hours at the HMT Industrial Area on the outskirts of Srinagar, completely gutting a cotton processing factory and triggering a large-scale firefighting operation.

Officials said the State Fire Control Room in Srinagar received an emergency call, following which fire tenders from Fire Station Mujgund were rushed to the spot. Upon arrival, firefighters found the cotton factory engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of smoke rising from the industrial premises.

Considering the intensity of the blaze and the highly combustible material stored inside the unit, additional reinforcements were mobilized from Fire Station JVC Veer. Water bowsers and foam tenders were also deployed from the Fire and Emergency Headquarters to strengthen the containment effort and prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining industrial establishments.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel were seen battling the flames amid challenging conditions as cotton stocks and machinery fueled the blaze. Authorities said due to coordinated efforts the fire was contained.

There were no immediate reports of casualties at the time of filing this report. The cause of the fire and the exact extent of property loss were yet to be ascertained. Officials said a detailed assessment would be conducted once the flames are fully brought under control. [KNT]