Srinagar, Sep 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan- Healthy Women, Empowered Families”, a national health campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The 16-day campaign will strengthen screening, maternal health services, lifestyle counselling, yoga and Ayush-based interventions for women, adolescent girls and children.

The event also witnessed the commencement of 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah which will be celebrated from 17th September to 16th October 2025, across the country.

In his address, the Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for dedicating the national health campaign to promote women’s health and well‑being.

He called upon all the stakeholders to work with Whole of Government Approach and make this campaign a huge success. “A healthy woman is the foundation of a happy and prosperous family, which in turn builds a strong nation. Today, the supreme position of women in public life is seen as key to ensuring peace and progress in the society. The “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan” is poised to turn a new chapter in women’s empowerment.

Prime Minister’s holistic approach to improving the lives and prioritising health of women has given new strength to Nari Shakti. Prime Minister’s vision, which places Nari Shakti at the forefront of development, has made women powerful agents of change,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor, in his address, highlighted India’s rapid economic development, under the guidance of Prime Minister.

India has overcome previous slow growth to become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, he said. The Lieutenant Governor said peace is essential for development, and peace can only be achieved by completely dismantling terror ecosystem.

“The people from all sections of society must realise that those who provide ideological and financial support for terrorism, create false narratives are dangerous to peace and development.
“Viksit Bharat” requires a “Viksit Jammu Kashmir”, which can only be achieved when economic benefits reach the poor and the common man, and not only to handful of persons. On this occasion, we must also introspect on these important issues,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor called for a widespread awareness campaign using various platforms to encourage public participation and leveraging Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Anganwadi centres for dissemination of detailed information on health camp schedules and services.The Lieutenant Governor inaugurated a health camp to mark the occasion. He also distributed medical aids and handed over sanction letters under Mission YUVA among beneficiaries

“Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan” is a landmark initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), aimed at strengthening healthcare services for women and children across India, with a focus on improving access, quality care, and awareness.

The Abhiyan is organising more than one lakh health camps, making this the largest ever health outreach for women and children in the country. These camps will be organised at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres, and other healthcare facilities and will actively promote nutrition, health awareness, and overall family well-being.

Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, Mandeep Kaur; Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare, Sarmad Hafeez; Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg; Deputy Commissioner, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Shobhna Gupta; Mission Director NHM J&K, Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary; Administrative Secretaries, senior officials, women and people from different walks of life were present at the UT level event in Srinagar.

Srinagar, Sep 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today visited JLNM Hospital Rainawari and distributed fruits to the patients as part of ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ to celebrate the 75th Birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to the media-persons on the sidelines of his visit, the Lieutenant Governor extended his heartfelt birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Selfless service fosters community bond and a sense of shared purpose. From 17th September to 2nd October, various Sewa Parv campaigns are being dedicated to women empowerment and health.

Prime Minister spent his life dedicated to nation’s service. Under his leadership, the past 11 years are seen as a milestone in India’s transformation and it has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy.

Prime Minister has ensured that benefits of economic growth reach the poor and marginalised section of society. 25 Crore people have been lifted out of poverty. India’s prestige in the world has greatly increased under his visionary leadership. We pray for his long and healthy life,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; SSP Srinagar, Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Akshay Labroo and other senior officials.

Srinagar, Sep 17: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir has arrested a notorious narcotic smuggler who had been evading arrest for more than three years in a narco-terror case, officials said on Wednesday.

In a statement, an official spokesperson said that “The State Investigation Agency on Tuesday arrested a key narcotic smuggler who was wanted in a Narco-Terror case namely Zafraan Khan S/o Shafi Ullah Khan R/o Mohra Dawran, Uri of District Baramulla who was evading arrest for the last 03 years & he was apprehended by a special SIA team from Kathua district. His arrest marks a severe blow to narco-terror module backed by Pakistani based terror handlers.”

He added that the module was involved in smuggling of narcotic substances through LOC Uri sector and subsequent transportation and sale in both the Kashmir valley and Jammu region. Sale proceeds of these narcotic substances were later channelised to sustain the waning terrorism in J&K.

The arrest pertains to a case registered under FIR No. 13/2022, U/S 8/21,29 NDPS act,13,17,18,38,40 of UA(P) Act which pertains to the recovery of 01 kg Heroine, 07 Kg Poppy Straw and 04 Kg Poppy seeds. The charge sheet in this case has already been filed against 05 members of this narco-terror module under UA(P)A and NDPS Act so far. This arrest would help SIA track forward & backward linkages in this case with a view to dismantle the narco terror modules operating in the valley, he said.

The spokesperson further said that over the past months, SIA Kashmir has intensified its crackdown against narco-terror networks across the Valley. Just last week, another notorious terror handler, Abdul Rashid Bhat, who had been absconding for more than two years, was arrested from Pulwama.

He added, “The results of these crackdowns highlight the unrelenting efforts of SIA Kashmir in their quest to dismantle the terror ecosystem.”

Ganderbal, Sep 17: The body of an 18-year-old boy, who had drowned in a power canal at Urpash in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, was recovered on Wednesday.

Officials while divulging the details to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), identified the deceased as Owais Ahmad Baniya, son of Zubair Ahmad Baniya, a resident of Urpash, Ganderbal.

Soon after receiving information, the SDRF Ganderbal launched a rescue operation to trace the boy.

Later, his body was retrieved from the canal, the officials said, adding that the body was taken to District Hospital Ganderbal for medico-legal formalities.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sept 17: The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar on Wednesday predicted generally fair weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir for the next several days, with only brief spells of light rainfall expected at scattered places. Officials said there is no major weather activity likely to affect the region until the end of September.

According to the forecast, Wednesday will remain largely clear, though some areas could experience a short spell of light rain. On September 18 and 19, light rain and thunder are expected at scattered places, with brief moderate showers possible during the late night of the 18th or early morning of the 19th. From September 20 to 23, conditions are predicted to be dry, offering a stable window for outdoor and agricultural activities.

On September 24, the weather department expects a brief spell of light rain or thunder at some places during the night, while September 25 and 26 are once again forecast to remain dry. “Overall, there is nothing significant expected till September 26,” the Met Centre statement said.

Authorities, however, issued an advisory cautioning people about the possibility of landslides and shooting stones at vulnerable places along hilly roads and highways, particularly in areas prone to slope instability. Travelers have been urged to remain alert while moving through mountainous terrain.

The advisory also addressed farmers, encouraging them to continue harvesting paddy and carrying out other farm operations during this relatively stable period. The dry spell expected from September 20 onward is seen as favourable for agricultural work. [KNT]