Srinagar, Feb 18: In a significant move to modernise safety protocols within the tourism sector, Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and the Jammu & Kashmir Police jointly inaugurated a two-week training programme on ‘Tech-Infused Tourism Policing’ in Srinagar.

The initiative aims to enhance the professional capacity of police personnel in managing tourist safety and crisis situations through advanced technological tools.

Welcoming the participants, Mahesh A Tripathi, Director, RRU J&K Campus, outlined the vision of the initiative and emphasized that the curriculum has been designed to address emerging security challenges in the tourism sector through technological integration.

He highlighted that RRU, an Institution of National Importance, provides specialised security training to personnel from across India and several countries.

The initiative aims to equip police personnel with the necessary skills to manage the unique security challenges of high-footfall areas.

The programme was inaugurated by Shah Umer, Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, who emphasised that tourism policing has become a critical component of internal security in the modern era.

During his inaugural address, Umer noted that the evolving security dynamics and the steady increase in tourist inflows necessitate a proactive shift in law enforcement strategies.

He asserted that police personnel must continuously upskill and adopt modern technologies to ensure better preparedness for future challenges.

The programme reflects the commitment of the Jammu and Kashmir Police to evolve operational practices in alignment with international standards of tourist safety.

The introductory session was led by Bilquees Dar, who provided a comprehensive overview of the curriculum.

The training is designed to cover essential themes, including tech-enabled policing tools, crisis response mechanisms, and the vital importance of inter-agency coordination.

Bilquees highlighted that these elements are particularly crucial for maintaining stability in sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir, where tourism serves as a backbone for the local economy.

The training will involve various modules focusing on the intersection of technology and field operations, ensuring that officers are not only reactive but also preventive in their approach to security.

As the region continues to see record-breaking tourist numbers, this initiative marks a pivotal step in ensuring that the safety of visitors remains a top priority for the administration.

During the keynote session, Bhawani Sinh Rathore, Director of the School of Internal Security and SMART Policing (SISSP) at Rashtriya Raksha University, provided a strategic outlook on the economic impact of the industry.

He noted that tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing global industries and a vital pillar of national revenue.

Highlighting Indiaís rising global stature, Rathore stated that India currently ranks among the top 15 tourism destinations worldwide, a position that necessitates the implementation of robust, world-class tourist safety mechanisms to sustain growth and international trust.

Further deliberations featured insights from Syed Sleet Shah, DySP Hqrs Srinagar, who highlighted critical operational issues such as the safety of female tourists, service regulation, and the prevention of overcharging.

The sessions also focused on “image management” for the police force, ensuring that security personnel act as facilitators for a positive tourist experience while maintaining rigorous safety standards.

This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment of Rashtriya Raksha University to provide specialised training that aligns with the evolving security needs of Indiaís most sensitive regions.

During the training programme’s inauguration, key recommendations were proposed to strengthen the tourism sector, including strengthening coordination with trade associations, regulating transport services, and deploying GPS-enabled systems; additionally, the proposals emphasised forming tourist crisis intervention teams, increasing the visibility of tourist police offices, and tasking Rashtriya Raksha University with developing a dedicated tourist assistance mobile application.

The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks from Mohammad Akmal Shah, Assistant Director of the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) J&K Campus, who expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries, organisers, participants, and supporting agencies for their contributions to the program’s successful commencement.

This programme represents a significant step in RRUís mission to provide high-level security education that translates into actionable public safety improvements.

By fostering collaboration between academic experts and field practitioners, the university continues to lead the way in national security and tourism stability.

Srinagar, Feb 18: Member of the Legislative Assembly Tanvir Sadiq on Wednesday accused the administration of discriminating against sections of the local media by selectively withholding government advertisements, and called for a transparent and uniform advertising policy.

Raising the issue in the Assembly, Tanvir Sadiq said several reputed newspapers and media channels in Jammu and Kashmir have allegedly been denied government advertisements for years, placing them under severe financial strain.

Describing government advertisements as “not charity,” he said they are institutional mechanisms meant to disseminate public information. “If they are distributed selectively, it creates an uneven playing field and raises serious concerns,” he told the House.

He said the issue was not merely about revenue but reflected deeper policy flaws affecting the media sector. “Official advertisements are a critical revenue stream for media organisations. Withholding them impacts operations and sustainability,” he said.

Calling the free press a pillar of democracy, Sadiq asserted that media houses should not be treated as adversaries. “Financially punishing media organisations, whether directly or indirectly, undermines public trust,” he added.

Seeking greater transparency, he demanded that the government disclose the criteria being followed for empanelment and allocation of advertisements. He also questioned the distribution of advertisements to what he described as obscure and lesser-known publications, naming several such outlets during his address, which drew laughter in the House.

Sadiq further urged the government to review the Media Policy 2020, alleging that it allows for arbitrary and unjustified distribution of advertisements.

In addition, he called for the introduction of a pension scheme for journalists, citing the lack of job security in the profession. “Media persons have no security of tenure. The government must consider including them in a pension scheme to safeguard their livelihoods,” he said.

Srinagar, Feb 18: The National Board of Examinations has accredited three DrNB Cardiology seats to the Department of Cardiology GMC Anantnag.

As per a press release, given that the GMC Anantnag has a bed strength of more than 500, these seats will be equivalent to DM in Cardiology.

Under the patronage of Principal and Dean Prof Dr Rukhsana Najeeb, leadership of Dr Syed Maqbool (HOD cardiology) and relentless hardwork and support of the faculty including Dr Shamim Iqbal, Dr Showkat Hussain Shah and Dr Shahood Kakroo, this is seen as a major feat.

“Since the department’s rapid expansion in early 2025, it has fundamentally changed the cardiac care landscape for the region: The department has performed over 3,000 procedures since its cath lab became operational in April 2025,” said the press release. Over 1,000 life-saving procedures have been conducted, including primary angioplasties and pacemaker implantations. Notably, the team achieved a record 15–20 minute door-to-balloon time for eight primary angioplasties in a single 12-hour window, it said.

Apart from dealing with emergencies, the facility routinely handles high-end interventions previously unavailable in the area, such as: Device Implantations: CRTP, CRTD, and technically demanding LBBA pacing. Complex Coronary Car include Rotablation, orbital atherectomy, IVL, left main, bifurcations, triple vessel disease, DCB angioplasty and CTO interventions.

Structural interventions like BMV, ASD & PDA, RSOV Device closure are a routine now. Peripheral interventions like subclavian, carotid and lower limb interventions are performed as and when required. By providing these services locally, the department has saved countless lives of patients from South Kashmir, Ramban, Banihal, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, Gool and other areas, who previously faced high mortality risks during the long transit to Srinagar, said the press release.

Head of Cardiology Dr Syed Maqbool thanked all the officials and staff who supported the department to make this breakthrough possible. He specially thanked MS MMABM Associated Hospital Dr Arshad Hassan, DNB Coordinator Dr Tajali Shora and his Team, faculty members of all other departments and desk officers for their much needed efforts and timely support This accreditation from the National Board of Examinations (NBEMS) solidifies GMC Anantnag’s status as a premier hub for both advanced cardiac treatment and specialist medical training and sets a benchmark for the peripheral medical colleges in the rest of the country.