Srinagar, Oct 11: A man was seriously injured after being attacked by a bear in Kaharpora, Kokernag area of district Anantnag, officials said on Saturday.

They identified the injured as Mohammad Sultan Wani, son of Mohammad Akram Wani, resident of Kaharpora Kokernag. The incident occurred while he was working in his apple orchard.

Following the attack, locals rushed him to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kokernag for initial treatment, from where he was referred to GMC Anantnag for further medical care.

Meanwhile, the Wildlife Control Room Achabal has reached the spot and launched efforts to trap the animal.

Authorities have also issued an advisory urging local residents to remain cautious and take necessary precautions while visiting their orchards or nearby forest areas. (KNC)

Srinagar, Oct 11: The Muthida Majlis Ulema (MMU) led by Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam on Saturday appealed to hotel and restaurant owners across Kashmir to stop buying, selling, or serving slaughtered chickens and meat products imported from outside Jammu and Kashmir, urging them instead to procure such items locally.

The appeal came during a meeting of the Muthida Majlis Ulema held in Srinagar under the chairmanship of Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, where senior clerics and scholars discussed concerns over the quality and source of slaughtered poultry being supplied to the Valley.

Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said the decision was taken after receiving several complaints and inputs suggesting that much of the slaughtered chicken arriving from outside the Union Territory did not meet halal standards.

“Hoteliers have been appealed to stop buying, supplying, and selling slaughtered chickens to customers. Restaurant owners and those associated with the hospitality sector are advised to stop procuring slaughtered chickens from outside sources and instead purchase poultry locally,” the Grand Mufti said.

He further emphasised that it was the collective responsibility of the community to ensure that only halal meat and poultry are consumed and served in the Valley. “Stop buying haram meat and procure meat and chicken locally. This is both a religious and ethical responsibility,” he said.

The meeting also urged local authorities to monitor the poultry and meat supply chains to ensure adherence to Islamic dietary laws and to support local producers engaged in the halal food sector.[KNT]

Srinagar, Oct 11: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday inaugurated the Kashmir Literature Festival at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, calling literature the “soul of a nation” and writers the “engineers of human consciousness.”

Addressing a large gathering of writers, poets, scholars, students, and thinkers from across the country and abroad, LG Sinha said that literature has the power to awaken minds and guide societies toward wisdom and harmony.

“Engineers build the structures of progress, but writers build the structures of thought. Through their words, they awaken society’s mind, inspire imagination, and guide generations toward wisdom and harmony,” he said.

Quoting ancient Indian texts, the LG said that India’s civilizational ethos has always placed great value on knowledge and scholarship. “A scholar gets respect in the country and all over the world,” he said as per KNS, referring to Vedic verses that celebrate learning and friendship with scholars.

Drawing a personal connection, Sinha said though he studied engineering and not literature, he found a strong link between the two. “When I worked on mathematical and scientific designs, I aimed to create solutions that could accelerate social development. Similarly, a writer creates structures of words that stimulate social consciousness and inspire progress,” he noted.

The LG further said that writers and thinkers are like gardeners who choose words as carefully as flowers, shaping the emotional and intellectual landscape of a nation. He stressed that literature provides society with imagination, empathy, and moral clarity values essential for nation-building.

Recalling his own literary influences, Sinha mentioned British author Mabel Collins and her 1885 work Light on the Path, which he said deeply inspired him. Quoting from the book, he said, “Kill out the desire for personal gain, but work with selfless dedication and love for your work.” He described the message as a timeless call for humility and service.

The Lieutenant Governor also narrated a parable about an emperor advised by a wise writer to remember the phrase “This too shall pass,” underscoring the importance of equanimity in both joy and sorrow.

“Whether in happiness or in pain, this message reminds us of life’s balance and the enduring power of words,” Sinha said.

The event, held at SKICC’s main auditorium overlooking the Dal Lake, was attended by prominent literary figures, cultural personalities, and students. The two-day festival aims to celebrate Kashmir’s centuries-old literary and philosophical traditions while promoting dialogue between regional, national, and global voices.

The festival features book launches, poetry readings, interactive sessions, and discussions on themes including “Kashmir: The Cradle of Civilization” and “Literature as a Force for Unity.”

The LG commended the organizers for bringing together distinguished minds and said such festivals reaffirm Kashmir’s identity as a land of wisdom, culture, and creativity.

“Literature reflects the heartbeat of a nation. It is through the words of writers that civilizations evolve, heal, and find their purpose,” he said.(KNS)

Srinagar, Oct 11: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to hold a high-level meeting in Srinagar tomorrow to finalize its nominees for three Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir. Senior party leaders from both the Union Territory and New Delhi are expected to participate in the deliberations, which will be followed by a press conference where the official candidates are likely to be announced.

Party insiders said that the meeting will be chaired by top BJP functionaries and will focus on candidate selection, internal coordination, and election strategy. The names currently under consideration include Jammu and Kashmir BJP former president Ravinder Raina, former Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh, present J&K president Sat Sharma, and former minister Choudhary Sham Lal.

Insiders said that the final decision will reflect a balance between experience, regional representation, and the party’s long-term organizational goals in Jammu and Kashmir. “The leadership is keen to field candidates who can represent the Union Territory effectively in the Upper House and strengthen the party’s political presence in the region,” a senior BJP member said.

BJP officials have indicated that the party’s central leadership has already held detailed consultations on the matter, and tomorrow’s meeting will serve as the final step before an official announcement is made. [KNT]