Srinagar, Sep 21: The remains of a shell that exploded in the Dal Lake during Operation Sindoor in May were found during a cleaning drive in the water body, officials said.

During the cleaning drive on Saturday, officials from the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) found the remains of the shell.

They said the remains were taken to the nearest police station where they have been kept for further examination and necessary action.

On the morning of May 10, a missile-like object landed deep inside Dal Lake — a major tourist attraction in Srinagar — after loud explosions rocked the city.

Smoke billowed from the surface of the lake when the object landed, officials had said. The debris was fished out by the security forces.

On the same day, another suspected object was recovered from Lasjan on the outskirts of the city. Multiple blasts were heard in Srinagar on May 10.

Operation Sindoor was India’s military response to Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives.

Srinagar, Sep 21: Terming lakes and rivers as the lifeline of people, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said it’s the collective responsibility of all to preserve the water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing Swachhta drive organized under Sewa Parv at SKICC on the bank of Dal Lake here, LG Sinha said, “The existence of the Dal Lake is important for us and the future generations.”

LG Sinha said that it is not only the duty of LCMA, SMC and other agencies but of every citizen to keep water resources clean.

Referring to the recent natural challenges faced by the Union Territory, LG Sinha said people have realized the true value of water resources. “We must learn to live in harmony with nature and restore our water bodies to their original form,” he said.

The Lt Governor informed that in the ongoing conservation efforts, nearly one-third of Dal Lake, covering 6.5 km, has been made weed-free and several projects completed. He credited the people of Kashmir, LCMA and other agencies for visible improvement in the lake’s condition.

He said all houseboats have been connected with the SWIC programme and a new Dal-Nigeen Eco Project is in the pipeline, which will give a boost to tourism.

LG Sinha appreciated the sanitation workers for their role and said both cities and villages are experiencing ease of living through such initiatives. “A garbage-free city and village should not just remain a dream. Every citizen must devote a few hours of service and pledge not to litter,” he said.

The Lt Governor also called upon officials and administrators to speed up the ongoing programmes. “True development is incomplete without environmental protection.

We must build awareness for future generations to preserve rivers and lakes as symbols of reverence and culture,” he added—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sep 21: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said the industrial ecosystem of the country should come forward and support the rapid industrialisation of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Big companies, corporate houses and MSMEs of the country must take a pledge that the industrial development of Jammu and Kashmir will be their personal responsibility,” he said while interacting with the industry leaders at the 4th CII Northern Regional Council Meeting here on Saturday.

Sinha said the country’s top industrial houses should invest in J-K, keeping in mind that it is their collective responsibility to ensure the complete integration and inclusive development of the Union territory.

The LG also emphasised the need for a focused approach to enhance productivity and export of MSMEs and foster an innovation economy.

He observed that the next generation reforms will greatly benefit MSMEs and handicrafts units and build a self-reliant India.

Sinha also highlighted the need for private investment in research and development, with special focus on defence, space, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

Srinagar, Sep 20: Amina, 63, from Srinagar downtown, often forgets where she kept her prayer beads.

Last year, she started mistaking the names of her grandchildren.

Her family thought it was the “normal aging” process until doctors diagnosed dementia.

Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a demographic shift and by 2031, an estimated 17 percent of J&K’s 1.48 crore residents, roughly 25 lakh people, will be over 60 years of age.

Amid the demographic shift and growing elderly population, health experts are calling for heightened public awareness about dementia.

They say this could offer individuals and families more time to plan for a better quality of life.

J&K’s present population is estimated to be around1.2 crore with the elderly (aged 60 and above) now comprising around 9.4 percent of the populace.

This figure is poised to rise sharply due to increasing life expectancy.

While in India, seniors are expected to comprise 20 percent of the population by 2050, this graph is particularly striking in J&K.

In J&K, women at age 60 have over 20 additional years of life expectancy.

This calls for a robust elder care system, the one that is still in its infancy.

One major concern is age-related conditions like dementia.

The number of people suffering from dementia is projected to double in India to reach 18 million cases by 2036.

In J&K, this major health concern, often termed “normal aging”, is also set to affect lakhs of people.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Assistant Professor Neurology, GMC Srinagar, Dr Sheikh Hilal Ahmad, said that the symptoms include forgetfulness, confusion, or difficulty with daily tasks.

“If a person who has been carrying out an activity normally, now finds difficulty in accomplishing that task, we need to evaluate him,” he said.

Dr Ahmad said dementia was not sudden and usually sets in slowly, often affecting people over the age of 60.

“Yet, it can also set in earlier,” he said. “It’s a health issue that thrives in silence.”

With the elderly population growing, health systems must prioritise education to break this cycle.

Professor of Psychiatry at GMC Srinagar, Dr Arshid Hussain, said ageing brings about a decline in many functions, and it is a biological reality.

“Most of this is still not in our control,” he said.

Dr Hussain said the total number of new cases of dementia each year worldwide is nearly 77 lakh, implying one new case every four seconds.

“Ask the families who have patients with dementia,” he said. “It is overwhelming for patients but it is no less a burden on families.”

Dr Hussain said dementia effects families physically, socially, economically, and psychologically.

Doctors believe that identifying dementia in early stages through cognitive assessments, family observations, or specialist referrals is possible.

They say this could help people retain greater autonomy.

Early diagnosis helps families with time to explore treatments.

There are medications that may slow progression, and many other therapies that are being evaluated to preserve independence.

In J&K, nearly seven in every 10 people live in rural areas.

Specialised healthcare access could mean hours, sometimes days of travel.

In such settings, early intervention is especially vital.

However, with a poor understanding of dementia among the population, this goal is far from being achieved.

As Amina struggles to remember the names of her grandchildren, her story mirrors that of countless other people.

Dementia may be silent, but awareness, early diagnosis can give these precious years meaning.

In Kashmir where memories define so much, every moment of clarity is worth protecting.