Author: The Dispatch Staff

Kargil : Under the Banner of Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign, a Tiranga rally cum cleanliness drive was organised today in Sub division Drass. The rally was started from Khandyal Luma, Drass in which SDM Drass, both Hon’ble councillors of Drass, BDO Drass, Principal GDC Drass, faculty members and students of Government Degree College Drass, Higher Secondary School Drass, officals from different departments and locals participated. The rally passed through the main market with great enthusiasm and patriotic zeal and finally concluded at Tourist Reception Centre Drass. Later all the participants marched towards the picnic spot at Shaheen Bagh and Draupadi…

Leh,: Deputy Commissioner Leh, Romil Singh Donk (IAS), on Tuesday visited SNM Hospital to review its facilities and services. During the inspection, the DC toured various departments, assessing infrastructure, sanitation, and the availability of medical equipment. He interacted with both staff and patients to gather direct feedback on the quality of treatment and overall healthcare delivery. The visit was aimed at ensuring the hospital functions efficiently and addressing any issues raised by the hospital community. Singh urged the administration to uphold high standards of patient care and stressed the need for a clean, well-maintained, and well-equipped environment for patients and…

Srinagar:  Army on Wednesday foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. They said troops foiled the infiltration bid in Churunda area of Uri in Baramulla district of north Kashmir. An exchange of fire is going on and further details are awaited, the officials added.

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Tuesday condemned the vandalisation of a Sufi tomb in Uttar Pradesh, calling it a deliberate attempt to inflame communal passions and undermine the country’s secular foundations. Members of Hindu right-wing outfits created a ruckus at a mausoleum in Fatehpur district on Monday, claiming it to be a temple site where they had the right to pray. Police booked more than 150 people for damaging public property and disturbing the peace. “The desecration of any place of worship is unacceptable, but the targeting of a Sufi shrine, which represents India’s age-old tradition of syncretic…

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said the 445th Council Meeting of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) being held at Pahalgam was a true morale booster following the terror attack earlier this year. The chief minister interacted with the members of the ICAI during the 445th Council Meeting being held at the picturesque tourist destination of Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. One hundred thirty members of the ICAI, including their families, are attending the four-day meeting. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister expressed his gratitude to the ICAI for choosing Pahalgam as…

Srinagar:  Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday emphasised the critical need for self-sufficiency in agriculture and allied sectors, saying these areas are the backbone of the region’s economy and offer vast employment potentials. The chief minister made the remarks while presiding over an event at the Shalimar Convention Centre, where he handed over appointment letters to the newly-recruited veterinary assistant surgeons and horticulture development officers. Addressing the new appointees, Abdullah underscored the pivotal role of agriculture, noting its significant contributions to Jammu and Kashmir’s GDP. “No matter how much we grow in other sectors, there is no…

Jammu:  An SUV returning from the airport here after dropping Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was seized by the traffic police on Tuesday for having black tinted glasses, which is in violation of rules, an official said. The actor was in Jammu to inaugurate a showroom. Fans from the city and outside Jammu and Kashmir gathered in anticipation of the actor’s arrival to inaugurate Kalyan Jewellers’ showroom at Dogra Chowk here. Kumar, whose upcoming film “Jolly LLB 3” is scheduled to release on September 19, thanked the people of Jammu for their warm welcome. After the event, he was ferried to…

Jammu: Heavy rain lashed various districts of the Jammu region, triggering flash floods that damaged four structures and led to the closure of some inter-district roads, officials said on Tuesday. Authorities in Rajouri, Reasi and Poonch districts have ordered the closure of all schools in view of the adverse weather conditions. Significant rainfall was recorded between 8.30 am on Monday and 6.30 am on Tuesday, meteorological department officials said. Reasi recorded the highest rainfall at 284 mm, followed by 204 mm in Katra, 166 mm in Udhampur, 199 mm in Kathua, 102 mm in Samba and 96 mm in Jammu. The…

Srinagar:  The handicraft sector of Kashmir got a major boost on Tuesday as the Centre sanctioned a Craft Tourism Village en route to picturesque Doodhpathri in Budgam district at a cost of Rs 10 crore, an official said on Tuesday. The sanction is accompanied by the release of the first instalment of the central share of Rs 4.50 crore by the Union Ministry of Textiles under the flagship National Handicrafts Development Programme’s Infrastructure and Technology Support Scheme, the official spokesman said.. The project will be implemented by the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, and the funds shall be routed…

Srinagar:  Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said India exacted revenge for Pakistan’s brutality through Operation Mahadev and Operation Sindoor, and that the “terrorist country” will have to pay “a very heavy price” if it sheds the blood of Indian citizens. Sinha was speaking at ‘Pedal for Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ rally organised by the BSF here ahead of the 79th Independence Day. He felicitated 79 cyclists — 40 local youths and 39 BSF personnel — who participated in the rally. Earlier, the LG flagged off a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ from the Dal Lake here. He joined…

Leh: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has invited online applications for various posts in Ladakh, including Lecturers in English and Mathematics under the School Education Department. https://youtu.be/OPA6lHgPGAo This marks the first phase of UPSC’s Ladakh recruitment drive, with more vacancies to follow. The application process began on August 9 and will close on August 28, 2025. Eligible candidates can apply through the official UPSC portal — https://upsconline.gov.in/ora/. Applicants are advised to read the official notification carefully and ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying. Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson, termed the recruitment a valuable opportunity…

Kargil: Team Stringmo, an energetic group of young girls from Kargil dedicated to art, education, sports, and social change, celebrated International Youth Day in collaboration with CRS Dras 90.4 FM. Zaibun Nissa, General Secretary, and Siddiqa Banoo, Joint Secretary of Team Stringmo, joined the radio station to share their inspiring journey and discuss initiatives aimed at empowering youth in the region. They spoke about the challenges faced by young women in remote areas and emphasized how teamwork, creativity, and determination help overcome these hurdles. Mohd Saleem, Station Manager of CRS Dras 90.4 FM, commended Team Stringmo for their dedication and…

Leh: In a landmark event aimed at strengthening science education and fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation among young learners, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, formally launched the Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM) Brochure for the academic year 2025–26 today at Raj Niwas, Leh. The launch ceremony was attended by key officials including Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh, Secretary of Education Bhanu Prapha, Director of School Education Tsering Paldan, Joint Director of School Education Ladakh Zakir Hussain, Chief Education Officer Leh, and State Coordinator Morup Tsewang. Their presence underscored the collective commitment of Ladakh’s administration and educational authorities towards…

Kargil: The Government Degree College Nobra wrapped up a vibrant week-long celebration of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign today, marking an enthusiastic culmination of activities aimed at fostering patriotism and awareness about the national flag among students and the local community. Throughout the week, students actively engaged in spreading awareness about the importance and symbolism of the Tiranga. On August 5, they interacted with locals, sensitizing them on the significance of the national flag. A key highlight was on August 8, when students gave a detailed demonstration of the formal procedures and protocols involved in the hoisting and folding of…

Leh: Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta stressed the importance of providing potable drinking water through fully functional household tap connections (FHTCs) to rural households. He highlighted the need for ensuring uninterrupted year-round water availability, community accountability, and timely payment of user charges for effective operation and maintenance under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Defaulters who delay payments will face penalties, he warned. Chairing a comprehensive review meeting at the LG Secretariat, the LG assessed progress in various departments including Public Health Engineering (PHE), Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC), Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Legal Metrology, School Education, Higher Education, and…

Leh: Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has called for inclusive education for monks studying at monastic institutions in Ladakh, urging that mainstream subjects be taught alongside religious texts to create a more diverse and holistic learning environment. During a meeting with representatives of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and Ladakh Gonpa Association at the LG Secretariat, the LG said adequate teachers must be appointed in gompa schools to ensure young monks receive quality education. He also emphasised imparting vocational skills to help monks become self-reliant. In a separate interaction, Kunzes Dolma, UNESCO GRO–Geothermal Training Program fellow, briefed the LG on training opportunities…

Kargil: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, today met a delegation from the Grade-II and Grade-III Teachers’ Forum, Sankoo, led by Haji Ali Bhotto. The delegation raised several concerns, including the relocation of the Zonal Education Office (ZEO) Sankoo from its current flood-prone site, filling vacant posts of Head Assistant and Senior Assistant to ensure smooth functioning, and setting up an IGNOU B.Ed. Examination Centre in Kargil for the benefit of local teachers and students. Dr. Akhoon informed the delegation that the process of shifting the ZEO Office has already been initiated, with communication…

Leh: The NSS Unit of EJM College and Red Ribbon Club, in collaboration with the J&K AIDS Control Society, observed International Youth Day under the IEC Intensified Campaign 2025 with a series of awareness and environmental activities. More than 100 volunteers, along with NSS programme officers, teaching faculty, and club members, took an environmental pledge on the college campus. The event was followed by a spirited walkathon within the campus and a cleanliness drive at Sindhu Ghat. The initiative aimed to inspire youth towards environmental responsibility, healthy lifestyles, and active community participation.

Leh:  In a united push to protect Ladakh’s environment and preserve the Indus River, large-scale cleanliness drives under the “Mission Indus” initiative were carried out today across Nyoma Sub Division, Leh, and Turtuk Block. In Nyoma, the “Singe Tsangspo Tsangde Lasgul” (Let’s Clean the Indus River) campaign, led by SDM Kacho Asgar, brought together government officials, councillors, BRO, Army personnel, Nambardars, and locals. Volunteers collected plastic and other waste along the riverbanks, market areas, and nearby villages, ensuring proper disposal at designated sites. At Leh’s Chief Horticulture Office, Agling, officers and staff cleaned the premises and surrounding areas, promoting workplace…

Leh: The Animal Husbandry Department, Leh, has completed a 15-day Animal Birth Control and Anti-Rabies camp in Kharu, sterilizing and vaccinating 574 stray dogs between July 28 and August 11. Supported by the Army, the campaign targeted both male and female dogs—340 males and 234 females—ensuring humane treatment throughout. The initiative marks a major collaborative effort to control the stray dog population, prevent rabies, and promote public health and animal welfare in Leh district.