Srinagar, Oct 15: Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Prof T G Sitharam, on Wednesday said India is on course to emerge as a global superpower by 2047, powered by innovation, skill development, and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The seminar on ‘AI and The Future of Man-Machine Collaboration’ organised by Aryans Group of Colleges, Chandigarh, was presided over by Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges, Anshu Kataria.

Prof Sitharam emphasised that “AI for All – empowering minds, transforming lives” must be the guiding principle for the future.

“The power of intelligence should not be confined to machines or a few minds, but shared with every human being to unlock a smarter, fairer, and more inclusive world,” he said. “Nations that will truly lead are those that teach their citizens to think freely, learn continuously, and act ethically.”

Highlighting AICTE’s initiatives such as AI for All, Faculty Development in AI and Data Sciences, and the Smart India Hackathon, Prof Sitharam noted that these programs have proven how large-scale capability building can be achieved with both speed and inclusivity.

Speaking on the occasion, Kataria said, “We are proud to host visionary leaders like Prof Sitharam, whose outlook on an AI-driven India resonates deeply with our mission to prepare students for the future of technology and innovation. At Aryans, we believe education must evolve with time – blending AI, ethics, and creativity to shape responsible global citizens.”

Sopore, Oct 15: Amid ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by the farming community due to recent adverse weather conditions, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, J&K, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Wednesday said that the government has completed the assessment of crop losses suffered by farmers across Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking during his visit to the SKUAST-Kashmir, Wadura Campus, Sopore, the Minister expressed concern over the hardships faced by the farmers due to untimely rains, hailstorms, and fluctuating temperatures that damaged standing crops, fruits, and vegetables in several parts of the Valley. “We have already framed the assessment for losses of the affected farmers, and the details have been submitted to the concerned authorities,” the Minister said, adding that the Union Territory government is in constant touch with the Central Government. He expressed hope that a special relief package will soon be announced to provide timely financial support and compensation to the affected farming families.

He mentioned that the administration is working on crop insurance schemes, improved irrigation systems, and weather-resilient farming techniques to minimise the impact of future natural calamities.

During his visit, the Minister also interacted with scientists, students, and progressive farmers, encouraging them to adopt innovative farming methods and technology-driven solutions. He emphasized that institutions like SKUAST-Kashmir play a crucial role in developing climate-smart agricultural practices and in training the next generation of agri-professionals.

An official statement added: “The Minister laid the foundation stones of several important facilities including the Medical Centre, Speed Breeding Lab, and Gene Bank. He also inaugurated the Exhibition, HVC Sports Wee.” He also inaugurated a series of landmark initiatives aimed at bolstering scientific research, student welfare, and innovation-driven farming practices. Marking the formal commencement of the Rabi season, the Minister ceremoniously initiated the sowing of Rabi crops including Brown Sarson, Oats, and Kala Zeera.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice Chancellor, in his remarks, highlighted SKUAST-K’s commitment to translational research and academic excellence, underscoring the University’s vision to bridge the gap between laboratory research and field-level impact.

Baramulla, Oct 15: Shafeeqa, a resident of Malpora in Baramulla, has been suffering from severe pain radiating from her back to her chest due to a gallbladder issue. Doctors at the Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla have advised her to undergo gallbladder surgery.

Despite her worsening condition, Shafeeqa has been waiting for over two months with no surgery date in sight, as the hospital struggles with an overwhelming backlog of patients.

“I have been running from pillar to post to get my gallbladder surgery done,” she said.

“The doctors told me my turn will come after four months. My husband is a poor labourer, and we cannot afford private treatment.”

Her husband expressed anguish over the long wait and repeated hospital visits.

“Whenever she experiences pain, I rush her to GMC Baramulla. Managing transport and medicines has become very difficult. The long delay has worsened her suffering,” he said.

Shafeeqa’s ordeal mirrors the plight of hundreds of patients across Kashmir facing delayed surgeries at government hospitals. At GMC Baramulla, waiting lists for general surgeries now extend up to June 2026, leaving many patients in distress.

The crisis began after March 15, when the government halted surgeries under the Ayushman Bharat Golden Card scheme in private hospitals. The order reserved four key procedures — appendectomy, cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery), hemorrhoidectomy, and fissure-in-ano — exclusively for government hospitals.

Since then, private hospitals have stopped offering free surgeries under the scheme, forcing thousands of patients to depend solely on government facilities. The resulting surge in patient numbers has stretched waiting lists to several months, severely affecting those in urgent need.

Economically weaker patients like Shafeeqa are among the worst affected, facing worsening medical complications as affordable, cashless treatment options shrink.