Anantnag, Jan 26: Father of Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Syed Fakhrudin Hamid, passed away on Monday. He was 65.

Family sources told GNS that Syed Abdul Hamid Shah, a resident of Imam Sahab in Shopian district, was taken to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag after suffering a cardiac arrest this afternoon. “Despite medical efforts, he could not be revived and passed away at GMC Anantnag,” they said.

News of his demise was received with deep sorrow across administrative and public circles. Several senior officials, colleagues, and members of the public expressed their condolences and extended sympathies to the bereaved family, remembering him as a respected elder of the area.

Kupwara, Jan 26: A 30-year-old army soldier died due to a suspected heart attack in Tangdhar area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday.

Official sources told news agency Kashmir News Corner (KNC) that an army soldier, identified as Jitu Behra (30), died after suffering a suspected heart attack.

They said the soldier collapsed following the suspected cardiac arrest, after which his body was airlifted to Srinagar by an Army helicopter for further necessary medico-legal and administrative formalities.

Further proceedings are underway.

Srinagar, Jan 26: Jammu and Kashmir has honoured 56 individuals for distinguished service across public life, social reform, arts, sports, and national service during the Republic Day celebrations. The list of awardees reflected a wide spectrum of contributions, ranging from acts of bravery in the face of terrorism to sustained work in social development and cultural revival.

Among those recognised was Arhan Bagati, 26, the youngest recipient this year, whose work spans public policy, the Paralympic movement, cinema, and grassroots development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bagati is widely known for his role in Indian para-sports, having served as India’s first and the world’s youngest Deputy Chef de Mission for the Indian contingent at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. He assumed the position at the age of 22, marking a first for India and drawing international attention for his leadership within the Paralympic ecosystem. Associated with the Paralympic Committee of India since 2014, he has worked as an Awareness and Impact Ambassador and contributed to athlete-support initiatives, including digital platforms designed to assist Indian para-athletes during major international competitions.

Beyond sports administration, Bagati has been closely involved in initiatives aimed at reshaping Kashmir’s socio-economic and cultural narrative. A Kashmiri Pandit by background, he is the founder of KYARI (Kashmir’s Yumberzal Applied Research Institute), a research-driven organisation working on education, sanitation, sustainable mobility, tourism, women’s economic empowerment, and youth welfare in the region.

Under KYARI, Kashmir hosted its first literary festival in over three decades, an event inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor and attended by policymakers, writers, economists, and cultural figures from across the country.

Bagati has also played a visible role in efforts to revive film production in the Valley. He was a co-producer of the 2025 Hindi-language action thriller Ground Zero, starring Emraan Hashmi, and later served as an associate producer on the war film 120 Bahadur. His work facilitated the return of large-scale Hindi film productions to Kashmir after decades, involving extensive on-ground coordination with local stakeholders and security agencies. Industry observers have noted these projects as important confidence-building measures for positioning Kashmir as a viable and secure destination for creative and cultural industries.

Academically, Bagati has pursued an international education with a focus on governance and public leadership. He is an alumnus of Pomona College in the United States and has studied at the University of Cambridge. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, with a stated focus on public policy challenges and institutional development in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2026, he is also leading the India Trek, an academic and cultural exchange programme involving students from leading global universities, including Harvard and MIT. The initiative brings international students to different parts of India, with a significant focus on Jammu and Kashmir, to engage directly with the region’s history, culture, and contemporary realities.

Bagati’s writing and public engagement have appeared across national media platforms, where he frequently addresses issues related to national security, public policy, and Kashmir’s evolving socio-political landscape. His work has previously been recognised through national honours such as the Hindustan Times “30 Under 30 – Social Impact Leader” and the ET Indo Global Leaders Award for Excellence in Social Impact.

Officials said this year’s Republic Day honours sought to recognise sustained, long-term contributions rather than isolated achievements. Bagati’s inclusion, they noted, reflects the growing emphasis on youth-led leadership and multi-sectoral engagement in shaping Jammu and Kashmir’s future.

Srinagar, Jan 26: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that the Republic Day should not be limited to parades and speeches, but should also ensure the upholding of the Constitution of the country.

“Republic Day must be more than parades and speeches. 15 August 1947 gave us freedom from colonial rule, but 26 January 1950 gave us the constitutional right to live that freedom with dignity guaranteeing freedom of speech and religion, and above all the power to vote,” Mufti said in a post on X.

She added that the Constitution created strong institutions, but some of these institutions are being used to undermine the very idea of India.

The former chief minister attended the Republic Day function at Bakshi Stadium.

Srinagar, Jan 26: Republic Day was celebrated with traditional zeal and fervour across Kashmir on Monday amid stringent security arrangements, as the main function in the valley was held at Bakshi stadium here.

A three-tier security layer was thrown around the stadium as all entry points leading to the venue were heavily guarded by police and paramilitary personnel, officials said.

An additional security force was deployed in and around a one-kilometre radius of the stadium, with only persons invited for the function allowed to enter inside the premises.

The security arrangements for Republic Day this year were reminiscent of the period before the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. However, mobile phone and internet services remained functional even inside the venue of the function.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary presided over the function at the stadium, while his cabinet colleagues Sakina Ittoo and Javed Dar unfurled the national flag at official functions in Anantnag and Baramulla, respectively.

Braving the chilly weather conditions, contingents of police, CRPF, NCC and schoolchildren took part in the march-past, presenting a salute to Choudhary.

After the parade, artistes from various parts of Jammu and Kashmir performed at the event.

The stadium, with an estimated capacity of 20,000, was almost full, mostly with government employees attending the event.

The national flag was hoisted at all government offices, including the office of the Kashmir divisional commissioner.

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and several ruling National Conference MLAs from Srinagar attended the Republic Day function at Bakshi Stadium.