Shopian, Nov 24: In the quaint embrace of Boharihalan village, located along the historic Mughal Road in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, Danish Resorts opened its doors on Sunday to a different kind of gathering—one shaped not by ceremony alone, but by the gentle rise and fall of Kashmiri verses.

The conference hall, warmed by crisp autumn sunlight, echoed with the melodic lines of Loleh Bawath, the newly released poetic collection of Shopian’s veteran poet Abdul Kareem Paravana.
This latest work, Paravana’s fourth contribution to Kashmiri literature, was unveiled during a one-day literary conference organised by the Koshur Adabi Forum Shupyan.

The moment of release brought together an eminent panel: Assistant Commissioner Development Muzaffar Ahmad Sheikh; noted poets Mohammad Yaqoob Naseem Hashmi and Bashir Ahmad Parwana; Advocate Mushtaq Ahmad Gatoo; and Forum president Jan Nisar Ahmad. As they held the book aloft, its pages seemed to shimmer with the promise of poems waiting to breathe.

The book release was followed by a mahfil-e-mushaira, presided over by Hashmi. More than a dozen poets from the district stepped onto the stage, their compositions carrying threads of longing, devotion, loss and pain. With each recitation, the hall filled with applause.

During the programme, a dedicated segment on the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign turned the attention of the audience toward a grave and growing concern: drug abuse among the youth. Speaking with conviction, ACD Shopian Muzaffar Ahmad described the menace as a collective challenge requiring collective resolve. He underscored the importance of community engagement, stronger awareness campaigns, and coordinated initiatives by the administration, educational institutions and civil society.

Urging writers and poets to lend their voices to the cause, Jan Nisar called literature “a lantern that can chase away the shadows.”

He appealed for works that inspire responsibility, resilience and a drug-free future for young people.
As the event drew to a close, the hall returned to its stillness—but the verses made in their presence lingered like a soft afterglow over sleepy Boharihalan.

Srinagar, Nov 24: Amit Sharma assumed the charge as Director of Census Operations and Citizen Registration, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh in the Directorate of Census Operations (DCO) on Monday.

He assumed the charge in Srinagar on a deputation of the Government of India after getting relieved from Mizoram last week.

This was followed by an introductory meeting with the employees of the directorate in which all staff members including Joint Director Arun Kumar and Assistant Director Vijay Kumar, participated.

Sharma returned to serve J&K and Ladakh after making valuable contributions towards implementing administrative and e-Governance reforms, both in the UT of Ladakh and the state of Mizoram, over the last two to three years.

As Director of Census Operations, Sharma will get a rare opportunity to conduct the first-ever digital census in the nation, while using expertise in the IT domain gained over the years, in J&K and Ladakh.

During this introductory meeting, the employees of DCO J&K, Ladakh, shared their perspectives about ongoing pre-test of the Census related activities in both J&K and Ladakh wherein Sharma could assess their expertise-level in various domains like mapping, Census, CRS, SRS, DDU, statistics, finance, and administration so as to ensure their optimal utilisation in the upcoming actual census coming soon.

Amit Sharma said that the issue regarding filling up of vacancies in DCO J&K and Ladakh would be taken up on top priority with the Office of Registrar General of India, so that the Census in snow-bound areas of J&K and Ladakh can be conducted during October 2026 as per notification with the full strength of employees.

In the meeting with the employees, Sharma said that he has the highest expectations from the J&K and Ladakh Census team and believed that a landmark performance would be made while performing Census activities in J&K and Ladakh in 2026-27.

Shopian, Nov 24: An early and sharp dip in temperatures across south Kashmir’s Shopian and Pulwama districts has sent residents rushing to fire up Hamams, switch on heaters and stock up on winter delicacies, with the season’s chill arriving weeks ahead of schedule.

Independent weatherman Faizan Arif told Greater Kashmir that there has been a considerable dip in temperature.

Residents said the early onset of subzero temperatures has pushed families to begin winter preparations much sooner than usual. “We usually start using the hamam in late November, but the cold is much harsher this year,” said Abdul Rashid of Shopian. “With temperatures dipping to nearly minus four, it’s impossible to manage without heating.”

Shopkeepers across Shopian and Pulwama reported a sharp spike in sales of firewood, gas heaters and electric blankets. An electrical shop owner in Pulwama said two fresh consignments of heating appliances have already sold out. “People are preparing early this winter,” he said.

Winter delicacies in demand

Along with heaters, south Kashmir’s markets are also witnessing an early-season rush for traditional winter foods. Harissa, the slow-cooked meat delicacy that usually dominates winter mornings, is flying off shelves as residents turn to comfort food to beat the biting cold.

“People start craving Harissa as soon as temperatures dip, but this year they are buying it much earlier,” said Waseem Ahmad, a Harissa seller in Pulwama. “The cold set in quickly—and so did the rush at our shops.”

Health officials, meanwhile, have advised residents—particularly the elderly and children—to take precautions against the sudden temperature drop, warning that the sharp decline in mercury can increase the risk of respiratory illnesses.