Srinagar, Dec 31:  Revellers ushered in the New Year in Kashmir with special programmes at the famous tourist spots across the valley.

Tourists and locals made a beeline to the tourist destinations of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg to ring in 2026.

According to officials, tourists from across the country visited these destinations to enjoy the recent snowfall and these destinations witnessed a heavy rush of visitors.

The celebrations were also held near the historic Clock Tower at the Lal Chowk City centre.

Most of the hotels at these destinations were sold out.

The tourists expressed happiness over the weather and the celebrations.

“We have been here for three days. We had come to celebrate the New Year. We felt good and the snowfall has been a blessing,” said a tourist from Haryana.

Another tourist described the experience as amazing.

“The celebrations were great, the atmosphere was very peaceful and amazing. We did not face any problems. This is the best location, it is better than Manali,” he said.

Multi-tier security arrangements had been made at various tourist destinations for the New Year celebrations.

Security forces intensified checking and surveillance across the valley.

Additional checkpoints were set up and increased patrolling, area domination operations and surprise inspections were conducted throughout the vital roadways in the valley to avert any untoward incident, the officials said.

Srinagar, Dec 31: A quiet demographic storm is brewing in J&K.

As the youth population shrinks and the elderly population swells, while the plummeting fertility rates do further snipping of the families, the specter of dementia is casting a longer shadow than ever before.

J&K faces India’s highest dementia prevalence at 11.04 percent, which means one in every nine among those over 60 years of age has dementia.

Lakhs and lakhs of people will need special assistance from families and the system.

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

A forgetful parent, who till recently was at the steering wheel of the household, needs assistance for traversing the house.

At times, they need introduction and reintroduction to family members, and forget where they kept their medicines, glasses, or keys.

Neighbours describe them as having a lost demeanor, “not their real self”.

They are restricted by their families from moving out without being escorted.

Life suddenly takes a sharp turn for everyone in the house. This is a form of dementia.

Dementia is a broad term for conditions that affect memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to carry out everyday activities.

It is most common in older adults, mostly considered a normal part of aging.

However, it is not.

People with dementia can have difficulty remembering recent events, solving problems, communicating clearly, or recognising familiar people and places.

The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, although there are other types as well.

There is no cure for dementia currently.

Treatments, support, and healthy lifestyle habits can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

It can also alleviate the burden for families having a member with dementia.

DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS FUELING SURGE

The elevated rates of dementia have been confirmed by the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) released at the beginning of 2025.

It signals a public health emergency.

J&K’s elderly population is increasing.

As per Census 2011, J&K’s 0-14 year age group population was approximately 27 percent of the total, which dropped to 20.6 percent as per SRS 2019.

The low total fertility rate (TFR), the lowest in India (1.4), means the young population is set to shrink.

Late marriages further decrease the number of children per family.

And the longer life span in J&K, among the highest in India, will further increase the elderly population.

High incidence of diabetes and hypertension further heightens dementia onset.

Experts warn that without urgent interventions, J&K could face an unprecedented healthcare crisis.

Families currently grapple with caring for aging parents and grandparents with fewer helping hands.

It will worsen with a smaller number of young ones in families, and more aged ones.

HIGHER THAN NATIONAL, GLOBAL NORMS?

J&K’s 11 percent plus dementia rate exceeds other states – Punjab 5.19 percent, Haryana 5.78 percent, and Kerala 10.6 percent.

The situation that prevailed over J&K over the past few decades and the socio-economic scenario could also be affecting it.

However, there are no solid, citable causes of the higher prevalence, nor are these readily available in medical literature from J&K.

LIMITED INFRASTRUCTURE TO ADDRESS BURDEN

Kashmir lacks a dementia care setup.

The awareness of dementia is rudimentary.

A 2025 CME at GMC Srinagar was perhaps among the first awareness events.

No screening or specialised care clinics have been set up.

The caregiver family members are often on their own, with no support, taking a toll on their livelihoods and physical and mental health.

Young caregivers juggle jobs and dual dependencies.

Burnout without policy and social intervention is a reality that many live with.

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT

Experts believe J&K must adopt a proactive, multi-layered strategy focused on integration, decentralisation, and cultural sensitivity.

Dementia-specific screening, early diagnosis, and management must be integrated into the existing National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) and the National Mental Health Programme, while training human resources in healthcare facilities for meaningful evaluation and intervention.

The district-level geriatric and palliative care facilities need to be planned and executed.

Awareness campaigns must address stigma and cognitive impacts from decades of violence.

Local support groups, caregiver training programs, and helplines must be worked on by civil society.

Policy-wise, J&K needs to push for a state-specific dementia action plan.

A registry for monitoring cases and incentives for private-public partnerships in day-care could help in addressing the caregiver burden.

In addition, risk reduction through better management of hypertension, diabetes, and mental health could help in bringing the numbers down in the future.

Pahalgam, Dec 31: Pahalgam, the picturesque hill resort in south Kashmir, is witnessing a renewed buzz as tourists from across India return to its snow-draped valleys, riverbanks, and bustling markets, signalling a slow but steady revival of tourism after a subdued spring and summer.

Along the banks of the Lidder River, families posed for photographs, newlyweds lingered by the rushing water, and pony handlers once again called out to passersby – scenes that had largely vanished for months after an April attack at the nearby Baisaran meadow triggered widespread cancellations and left the resort unusually quiet.

For first-time visitors like Vaishnawi, 24, from Madhya Pradesh, the experience has been reassuring.

“This is our first visit to Pahalgam, and we are completely taken in by its beauty,” she said during a stroll through the main market with her family. “We were initially a little hesitant because of what happened earlier this year, but once we arrived, all our fears disappeared. People here are incredibly warm and caring.”

Vaishnawi said her family arrived three days ago and plans to visit Gulmarg and Sonamarg next.

“We feel very safe and comfortable,” she said. “It feels like home, just colder.” Nearby, a group of tourists from Bhopal chatted with pony handlers offering rides toward the surrounding meadows, a welcome sight for locals who depend on the short tourism season.

“The weather is beautiful, and the mountains are mesmerising,” said Shurbhi Shah, 30, who is visiting with her husband and children. Though her family is settled in Germany, Shah said Kashmir offered a unique experience.

“We went to Aru Valley to see the snow,” she said. “The snow-covered meadows and the river flowing through them felt heavenly.” She also praised Kashmir’s clean air and local cuisine.

“There’s no pollution like in other cities, and we really enjoyed the traditional Wazwan,” she said.

Tourists from Maharashtra, West Bengal, and South India have also begun arriving in increasing numbers.

Among them is newlywed Irfan Ahmad, 25, who is visiting Kashmir with his wife for the first time.

Sitting by the Lidder River near Pahalgam’s main market, Ahmad said the couple underestimated the cold.

“It’s still very hot back home, with temperatures hovering around 35. So, we weren’t prepared for this weather,” he said with a smile. “We had to buy woollens here, but seeing snow for the first time in Aru Valley and Chandanwari made it worth it.”

For local businesses, the return of tourists has brought cautious optimism. “After the April incident, bookings dropped sharply, and many hotels stood empty,” said hotelier Ibrahim Raina. “Now, with the New Year, we are seeing a gradual increase in arrivals. Our priority is to make guests feel safe and welcome.”

Pony handlers, restaurant owners, and shopkeepers say the revival, though slow, has lifted spirits.

“This place had gone silent,” said a pony handler as he adjusted his saddle. “Seeing tourists return has given us hope again.”

Sabzar Ahmad, who manages a local restaurant, said the town is looking ahead with confidence.

“We hope the New Year brings more visitors,” he said. “Pahalgam’s beauty speaks for itself, and we are ready to host guests once again.” Tourists were also seen enjoying a winter carnival organised by the Pahalgam Development Authority in collaboration with the Tourism Department. Local artists and artisans showcased Kashmir’s cultural heritage through traditional music, dance, handicrafts, and cuisine, attracting tourists.