Srinagar, Dec 21: The harshest 40-day winter phase of Kashmir, known as Chilla-e-Kalan, commenced on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, ushering in a significant shift in weather conditions across the Valley.

The beginning of Chilla-e-Kalan coincided with widespread rain and snowfall, effectively ending the prolonged dry spell that had triggered dense fog, smog, and poor air quality in several parts of Kashmir.

While higher reaches received fresh snowfall, the plains experienced intermittent rainfall, bringing visible improvement in atmospheric conditions.

Officials said, the fresh precipitation helped disperse accumulated pollutants, leading to better visibility and improved air quality, especially in urban centres that had been grappling with low AQI levels over the past week.

Weatherman has forecast more rain and snowfall over the next 48 hours, with moderate snowfall expected at higher altitudes and continued cold conditions across the region. Authorities have advised people to exercise caution while travelling, particularly in snow-bound and mountainous areas, as temperatures are expected to dip further during this period.

Chilla-e-Kalan, the coldest phase of Kashmir’s winter, lasts for 40 days and is followed by the relatively milder Chilla-e-Khurd and Chilla-e-Bachha phases.

Meanwhile, traffic authorities informed that vehicular movement on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) is continuing from both sides despite inclement weather. However, the Mughal Road, Sinthan Pass and Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumri (SSG) road remain closed due to snow accumulation. Commuters have been advised not to rely on rumours and to check official traffic updates through the Traffic Police social media handles and Traffic Control Units.

Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif Keng told JKNS that light snowfall is currently being reported in higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, with around 1 to 2 inches of fresh snow recorded at Gulmarg and Sonamarg, while Sadhna Top has received nearly 6 inches. The plains continue to witness light, intermittent rain.

He said weather activity is likely to intensify as the day progresses, with rain dominating the plains and a moderate spell of snowfall expected in higher reaches. “If moderate rainfall continues into late afternoon or evening, temperatures may fall enough to trigger snowfall at a few places even in the plains,” he added.

The fresh spell of precipitation has brought much-needed relief to the region, which had been witnessing unusually dry and polluted weather conditions at the onset of winter, he said. (JKNS)

Srinagar, Dec 20: A social media storm tried to scramble breakfast landing eggs in hot water until facts cooled the panic.

India’s food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), on Saturday said cancer claims around eggs had no scientific basis and urged people to ignore viral panic and keep eggs on their plates.

The FSSAI cleared eggs of all suspicions regarding their carcinogenicity, declaring them “scientifically unsupported”.

It said eggs remain a safe and essential part of a healthy diet. The official statement released today by the regulatory body advised people to dismiss alarmist rumours and continue incorporating eggs into their meals.

The controversy erupted earlier this month with social media posts and unverified videos alleging traces of antibiotic residues and metabolites, including nitrofuran, in eggs. The reports said, this could lead to cancer.

A prominent brand, Eggoz, was accused of using banned substances in its poultry birds that led to “dangerous residues in eggs”.

FSSAI’s response comes just over a week after the controversy and states that nitrofurans are strictly prohibited at all stages of production in poultry and eggs under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.

“These claims are misleading and lack any scientific basis,” FSSAI said. “Eggs sold in India comply with stringent safety standards, and there is no evidence from national or international health bodies linking moderate egg consumption to increased cancer risk.”

FSSAI’s Egg Safety Drive has been initiated to enhance testing protocols and ensure compliance with food standards.

This involves random sampling from farms, markets, and processing units across states.

In J&K, the Food Safety Department has also taken samples from various outlets and the supply chain and sent them for testing to labs.

The reports are yet to come.

The drive includes checks for banned antibiotics, pesticides, and other contaminants.

In addition, proper cooking of eggs through boiling, frying, or scrambling to at least 74 degrees Celsius eliminates any potential bacterial risks like Salmonella.

Back home, in Kashmir, experts swear by the nutritional value of eggs.

Dr Saima Hakim, a nutritionist, said, “People, children, the elderly, and everyone else must consume eggs as they are a great source of high-quality protein and other essential nutrients.”

She said eggs are an affordable source of protein, and a single medium egg provides approximately 6.4 gm of complete protein.

It contains all nine essential amino acids needed for muscle repair, immune function, and growth.

Dr Saima said eggs are also rich in vitamins such as B12 for nerve health, D for bone strength, and A for vision.

“Eggs also contain minerals like selenium, phosphorus, and iron,” she said. “Rare nutrients like choline, which supports brain development and liver function, and lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that protect eye health, are also found in eggs.”

Srinagar, Dec 20: In a latest development, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has made the six-month bridge course mandatory for the primary school teachers with B.Ed degrees.

The six-month crash course has been made mandatory for those teachers appointed between June 28, 2018 and August 11, 2023.

As per the official documents, the crash course has been made mandatory for the teachers in the wake of the Supreme Court order issued on April 8 of 2024.

In the wake of the SC directions, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) issued a notification stating that it has designed the six-month Certificate Course (Bridge) in Primary Teacher Education, which has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Government of India vide its letter issued on April 7 of this year

The course has been designed with the conditions that the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) may apply for recognition to conduct the course on ODL mode from NCTE.

“This course will only be meant for those primary teachers who have been appointed with B.Ed. degree in accordance with NCTE’s notification dated 28.06.2018 and who were in-service before the date of the Supreme Court’s judgment issued on November 8 of 2023,” it reads.

It reads that an appropriate mechanism will be evolved by NCTE and NIOS to ensure that any candidate who is not covered under the ambit of the judgment shall not avail of the Course.

“Orders of the competent authority in this department will be obtained in this regard. The participant teachers shall complete the course within one year of the commencement of the course of NIOS,” the official communication reads.

It reads that qualifying the Bridge Course will be strictly meant for teachers to protect their existing employment.

“This Bridge Course will not be valid for these teachers seeking subsequent employment as primary teachers,” it reads.

Following this, an official communication has been sent by the Joint Director State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) (Jammu division) to the Director School Education Jammu (DSEJ) with the request for dissemination of the instructions regarding the mandatory six-month certificate (Bridge) course for Primary Teachers and to forward the list of the eligible teachers.

“All in-service teachers appointed between June 28 of 2018 and August 11 of 2023, and presently teaching at the Primary Level with B.Ed. qualification, are required to undergo the Six-Month Certificate Course through NIOS under the NCTE norms as per the SC judgment,” it reads.

“Kindly forward the communication to all Chief Education Officers, ZEOs, and Heads of Institutions under your administrative control in the Jammu Division, ensuring that all eligible teachers register for the mandatory course at the link provided by NIOS,” it reads.

The Joint Director SCERT, who is also the State Nodal Officer for NIOS course, has also sought a consolidated list of all such eligible in-teachers

Following this, the DSEJ has forwarded a communication to all the CEOs of the Jammu division with the direction to furnish the list of all eligible teachers for the mandatory six-month certificate (Bridge) course for primary teachers with B.Ed. qualification.

However, the move has evoked a mixed response from the teaching community, who say that the recruitment in the School Education Department (SED) was not school-based but the candidates are recruited as General Line Teachers (GLTs) without any proper categorisation.

“In States outside Jammu and Kashmir, the process of recruitment is school-based as the teachers are recruited for primary schools, and higher level of schools,” a government school teacher told Greater Kashmir.

The teachers said the Mandatory six months certificate course raises questions on the validity and relevance of the B.Ed degree acquired by the teachers.

“Our teachers do not remain posted in primary schools permanently. The department has sought the list of teachers presently posted in primary schools but next year the same teachers can be transferred to middle schools or high schools,” the teachers said.

Meanwhile, an official at SCERT said that all the teachers were B.Ed qualified and certified them as trained teachers.

“The SCERT has received a representation from B.Ed qualified teachers, which will be discussed with the regional director NIOS in Jammu, and further action will be taken accordingly,” the official told Greater Kashmir.