K H Snippets: J&K This Week

Srinagar: Below is the timeline of weeklong key public events and engagements of top public functionaries held within and outside J&K this week:-
1. Railways Minister Vaishnaw Shares Vande Bharat Express Video For Katra-Srinagar Rail Route: Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, shared a 49-second video on his X account showcasing the Vande Bharat Express train designed for the upcoming Katra-Srinagar rail route. The video highlights the train’s special features tailored to withstand Jammu and Kashmir’s challenging winter conditions. Railway officials emphasized that this version of the Vande Bharat Express includes additional amenities to ensure seamless operations in extreme weather. The new route will offer improved connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.
2. HM Amit Shah Calls for Urgent Action Against Drug Trafficking: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his address at a regional conference on “Drug Trafficking and National Security,” stressed the need for a united approach between the Centre and States to tackle the growing menace of drug trafficking. With 7% of India’s population battling drug addiction, Shah warned that delaying action could devastate future generations. He called for an uncompromising fight against narcotics, warning that no nation could remain secure if its youth were entangled in addiction.
3. LG Sinha Pays Tribute to Former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his death anniversary. In a post on X, LG Sinha lauded Shastri’s values of dignity, simplicity, and integrity. He acknowledged Shastri’s transformative reforms and his contributions to the welfare and progress of the nation, adding that his ideals continue to inspire efforts toward a prosperous and self-reliant India.
4. PM Modi Advocates Politics With A Mission, Not Ambition: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his debut podcast ‘People By WTF’ hosted by Nikhil Kamath, emphasized that individuals should enter politics not out of personal ambition but with a mission. He highlighted that winning the hearts of the people was the most crucial task of a politician and that good people should be driven by mission, not ambition. Reflecting on India’s freedom movement, PM Modi shared that leaders’ commitment to society was rooted in love for the nation.
5. CM Omar Launches J&K RTI Online Portal: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched the Jammu & Kashmir Right to Information (RTI) Online Portal at the Civil Secretariat. This initiative is aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in governance. The portal will make it easier for citizens to access government information under the RTI Act, offering a faster, more transparent, and cost-efficient process. CM Abdullah congratulated the officers involved and emphasized the portal’s potential to transform the RTI application process.
6. BSF IG Ashok Yadav Reviews Winter Preparedness Along LoC: Inspector General of BSF Kashmir Frontier, Ashok Yadav, visited the forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district to review the winter preparedness of the troops. Yadav commended the operational readiness of the BSF personnel and praised their unwavering commitment to national security. The review included discussions on strengthening the anti-infiltration grid and coordinating closely with the Army to ensure the safety of upcoming elections.
7. J&K Invites Distinguished Guests For Republic Day 2025: Seven distinguished individuals from Jammu have been invited as special guests for the Republic Day Parade 2025 at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. Recognized for their exceptional contributions, invitees include Nisha Sharma, a water warrior from Udhampur, and Dharam Paul, an artisan from Kathua. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to others, and the recognition highlights the importance of their work in their respective fields.
8. J&K MBBS, BDS Interns Demand Higher Stipends: MBBS and BDS interns in Jammu and Kashmir continue to receive a meager stipend of Rs 12,500 per month, despite a committee’s recommendations for a reasonable increase. The committee, formed in 2023, had proposed an enhancement of stipends for interns. Interns have voiced their frustration, urging the authorities to implement the committee’s recommendations to better support their financial well-being and the growing cost of living.
9. Republic Day Security Tightened In Jammu City: Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, security has been significantly ramped up across Jammu City. With Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha set to be the chief guest at the MA Stadium event on January 26, authorities have taken stringent measures to ensure the safety of the high-profile function. Additional checkpoints, vehicle checks, and increased security personnel have been deployed across the city, especially at entry and exit points.
10. Tourism Boom Spurs Youth Entrepreneurship In Tangmarg, Gulmarg: The surge in tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, post-2019, has led to a boom in youth entrepreneurship, particularly in Tangmarg and Gulmarg. Young locals, like Sajad Ahmad from Kalantra, have capitalized on the tourism influx by launching their own businesses. Sajad’s snow bike venture in Gulmarg has received overwhelming support from tourists, inspiring other young entrepreneurs to explore similar ventures in the hospitality sector.
11. Rare Migratory Bird Sighting in Kashmir: Red-Tailed Wheatear: A rare migratory bird, the red-tailed wheatear, has been spotted for the first time in Kashmir, marking an exciting discovery for birdwatchers and conservationists. The bird was sighted on December 22, 2024, in the Zabarwan Hills by three birdwatchers from the “Birds of Kashmir” club. Known for its distinctive reddish rump and black tail, the red-tailed wheatear is native to mountainous regions of southwest and central Asia. The discovery highlights Kashmir’s rich avian diversity and its significance as a migratory bird habitat.