Srinagar, Sep 23: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday paid tribute to erstwhile Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh on his 130th birth anniversary.

The L-G said on his X, “Tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh Ji on his Janm-Jayanti. A statesman of excellence & harbinger of change, he introduced landmark reforms to ensure welfare of common man. His legacy of inclusive governance, progressive vision & contributions to motherland continues to inspire us.”

After the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K into two union territories, the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh was declared a public holiday.

After 1947, Dr Karan Singh, son of Maharaja Hari Singh, became the regent and the head of state of J&K, called ‘Sadr-e-Riyasat’.

In 1964, Dr Karan Singh became the first Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

Dogra Maharajas ruled J&K after Maharaja Gulab Singh signed the treaty of Amritsar with the British in 1846. Maharaja Gulab Singh was the first Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and the founder of the Dogra dynasty.

Originally a commander of the Sikh Empire, he sided with the British in the First Anglo-Sikh War and briefly became prime minister of the Sikh Empire in 1846.

In the same year, he signed the Treaty of Amritsar with the British, establishing the state of Jammu and Kashmir under the suzerainty of the British Raj; this treaty formalised the transfer of all lands that were ceded by the Sikhs to the British in the Treaty of Lahore.

Maharaja Gulab Singh was succeeded by Maharaja Ranbir Singh, followed by Maharaja Pratap Singh and then the last Dogra Maharaja, Hari Singh.

In 1923, following his uncle’s death, Hari Singh became the new Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.

After India’s Independence in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to India to get the support of Indian troops against an invasion by tribal armed men from Pakistan.

Hari Singh remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by the Indian government.

After spending his final days in Mumbai, he died on April 26, 1961.

Paying tributes to his grandfather, Vikramaditya Singh, a former Member of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Council, wrote on X, “Congratulations and heartfelt best wishes to all residents of Jammu-Kashmir on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji! Respectful homage to my grandfather Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu & Kashmir on 130th birth anniversary!”

Srinagar, Sep 22: Residents of Sathu Payeen (Jogi Lane) in Barbar Shah area, here have expressed serious concern over the growing accumulation of garbage, junk and construction debris in their locality.

They also accused the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) of negligence.

Members of the Mohalla Committee said that the unattended waste has created an unhygienic environment, blocked movement on roads and spread a foul smell, disrupting the daily lives of residents.

“We have been living with this garbage for weeks. The stench is unbearable, and it has become difficult for children and elderly residents to even step out of their homes,” said Mohammad Ashraf, a local resident.

Another resident, Mohammed Zahid, added, “The debris is not just an eyesore but a serious health hazard. We fear the outbreak of diseases if the waste is not removed soon.”

The Committee further cautioned that the situation is worsening with each passing day, turning the area into a makeshift dumping ground. According to them, the debris not only poses a major health risk but also endangers children and elderly residents living nearby.

“Our repeated requests to the SMC have gone unheard. Immediate action is necessary to clear the garbage and restore hygiene in the locality,” said a member of the Mohalla Committee, urging municipal authorities to arrange for immediate removal and proper disposal of the waste to prevent further hazards and restore cleanliness in the area—(KNO)

Shopian, Sep 23: A road accident in south Kashmir’s Shopian district claimed the life of a man from Rajouri when his vehicle collided with a wall near the old Fruit Mandi in Arhama on Tuesday.

Police officials confirmed that the accident involved a Tata Mobile bearing registration number JK18A-9281. The driver, identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Khatana, a resident of Rajouri, sustained critical injuries when the vehicle lost control and struck a roadside wall. Despite immediate efforts by locals to rush him to a nearby medical facility, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Witnesses at the scene said that the crash occurred suddenly and the impact was severe enough to completely damage the front portion of the vehicle.

Locals said they tried to pull the driver out of the mangled vehicle but his condition suggested he had suffered grievous head and chest injuries.

Police have taken cognizance of the incident and registered a case to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to the collision. Preliminary reports indicate that rash driving and possible loss of control on a sharp turn may have been the cause, though an investigation is underway. [KNT]

Srinagar, Sep 22: Prominent personalities including activists, traders, retired officers, doctors, and academicians formally joined the BJP at Church Lane, Srinagar. The joining program was held in the presence of J&K BJP General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul.

J&K BJP General Secretary Anwar Khan, Secretary Mudasir Wani, Media Co-Incharge & Joining Program Incharge Adv. Sajid Yousuf Shah, Social Media Incharge Sajad Raina, Co-IT Incharge Sartaj Majeed, along with District Presidents and other senior leaders were present.

Among the prominent new entrants were Principal GDC Kulgam (Retd.) Aijaz Ahmad, Municipal Councillor Pulwama & Political Activist Aijaz Dhobi, Bashir Ahmad (Former Sarpanch), Ex-District Secretary PDP Shiraz Bhat, Ghulam Nabi (Sub Inspector Retd.), trader associations, businesspersons, and several others. Hundreds of their enthusiastic supporters also embraced the BJP during the joining program.

While welcoming the new entrants, BJP General Secretary (Org) Ashok Koul said, “BJP is committed to empowering every section of society in Jammu and Kashmir. The joining of such prominent personalities reflects the trust people have in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and in the BJP’s vision for a peaceful and developed Kashmir.”BJP State General Secretary Anwar Khan and Adv. Sajid Yousuf Shah, BJP State Media Co-Incharge and Program Incharge laid stress that the new joinings were a result of central leaderships role, it said.