Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said India’s civilisational strength lies in its centuries-old tradition of respecting all faiths and embracing diversity, asserting that coexistence has been a natural way of life in the country while many nations continue to grapple with challenges of social and religious harmony.
Addressing the ‘Rishiwar’ Inter-Faith Conference 2026 in Srinagar, Sinha said the principle of equal respect for all religions has been deeply embedded in India’s philosophical and cultural foundations for thousands of years.
“The idea of honouring all faiths equally has been woven into the fabric of India’s philosophy for millennia. While many nations today struggle with the challenge of coexistence, diversity has been our natural rhythm of life,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He noted that while several societies have developed mechanisms to preserve unity amid differences, India had embraced the ethos of coexistence long before, making it an integral part of its social and cultural identity.
The Lieutenant Governor said respect for diverse ideas, beliefs and traditions has always been a defining feature of Sanatan Dharma and that India has consistently upheld the principle of unity in diversity by extending respect to all faiths and spiritual traditions.
Referring to ancient Indian scriptures, Sinha said the Rigveda advocates harmony in thought, purpose and action, emphasizing the need for collective progress and shared aspirations.
“Scholars and researchers across the world agree that the spirit of equal regard for all religions finds its philosophical roots in the ancient traditions of our country. Through our Vedas, Upanishads, saints and seers, India has offered humanity a pathway towards peace and mutual understanding,” he said.
Calling for greater efforts to strengthen social cohesion, the Lieutenant Governor said every section of society must work together with a common commitment to the welfare of humanity.
“Every thread of society must be woven together. The ethos of equal respect for all religions is India’s most precious gift to the world and it must be nurtured continuously so that all communities can progress together in peace and prosperity,” he said.
The conference also provided a platform for the Lieutenant Governor to highlight ongoing social and nation-building initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to the VandeMataram initiative, Sinha described Jammu and Kashmir’s performance during its three phases as exceptional and said the response reflected the deep-rooted patriotic spirit of the people.
He also praised the widespread public participation in the NashaMukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan, saying the anti-drug campaign had evolved into a community-driven movement with support from all sections of society.
“The participation of people in the campaign has been organic and inspiring. Citizens, institutions and community leaders must continue to work together to transform it into a mass movement aimed at building a drug-free and healthier society,” he said.
The conference was attended by Justice Sanjay Dhar of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan, organiser Prof. Meena Sharma, besides saints, academics, senior officers from the judiciary, police and civil administration, students and members of the public.
The event focused on promoting inter-faith dialogue, mutual understanding and the values of coexistence, bringing together scholars, religious leaders and representatives from different walks of life.

Awareness programmes were organised at LurowAripal, Khrew and Newa Pulwama, where participants were sensitised about the adverse consequences of substance abuse and the importance of collective efforts in combating the menace of drugs. Various activities including awareness sessions, pledge ceremonies, signature campaigns and interactive discussions were conducted to encourage community participation and highlight the message of a drug-free society.

Meanwhile, Self Help Group (SHG) members organised awareness and counselling sessions along with a padyatra at Ichgoza to educate the local population about the ill effects of drug abuse and to strengthen grassroots-level participation under the campaign.

Meanwhile, the Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) Pulwama Wednesday  celebrated World Bicycle Day under the NashaMukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan and the nationwide Fit India Movement. The initiative aimed to promote cycling as a means of encouraging physical fitness, eco-friendly transportation and reducing carbon emissions.

The events were organised across various educational institutions and zonal headquarters of the district and witnessed enthusiastic participation from professional cyclists and students. The programmes highlighted the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle and contributing towards a physically fit nation.

The Zonal Physical Education Officers (ZPEOs) and Heads of Institutions flagged off cycling contingents from their respective schools during the morning hours. Pledge ceremonies were conducted prior to the events, wherein participants pledged towards building a healthy, drug-free and responsible society.

In addition to the cycling events, zonal-level competitions in various sports disciplines were also organised under the NashaMukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan. A large number of participants took part in these activities, showcasing their sporting talent and enthusiasm while promoting the values of discipline, teamwork and healthy living.

Officials said that  while cting on specific inputs  a police team along with revenue officials inspected the site and found cannabis plants growing on private land. The crop was destroyed on the spot in the presence of officials and independent witnesses, while further investigation has been initiated.

The department said 1,469 water supply schemes have been physically completed under JJM, of which 1,377 have already been made operational. Another 1,778 schemes are under execution, with over 900 projects achieving more than 75 per cent physical progress.

Refuting claims that around 400 approved schemes had not been taken up, the department said only six schemes are yet to commence due to site-specific issues and no expenditure has been incurred on them so far. It added that against a total project cost of ₹13,344 crore, an expenditure of ₹7,105 crore has already been incurred.

The department said progress under the mission is publicly available on the JJM-IMIS dashboard and urged media organisations to verify facts from official sources before publishing reports that may create confusion among the public. It reiterated the government’s commitment to providing safe tap water to every household in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr. Chowdhary expressed hope that the sacred festival would strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, harmony and mutual respect among people from all walks of life.

Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah extended warm greetings to people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

In his message, Dr. Farooq said, “As the Muslim Ummah comes together to observe Eid-ul-Azha, I extend my warm greetings to everyone on this blessed occasion. The day commemorates the unwavering faith and supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (PBUH) who was prepared to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail (AS), in obedience to the Almighty’s command. However, the Almighty spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and placed a ram in his stead, making this day a symbol of the greatest sacrifice and devotion in human history.”

“Eid-ul-Azha also reminds us of our responsibility towards the poor and the underprivileged. We must strive to bring joy to the needy and alleviate the hardships faced by the less fortunate. The essence of the festival lies in compassion, generosity, empathy and care for fellow human beings. May this sacred occasion bring relief, peace and prosperity to the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, and help overcome the challenges and difficulties confronting the region,” he added.The Party’s rank and file has also extended warm greetings to people on the auspicious occasion.

The meeting was chaired by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kulgam,Viqar Ahmed Giri who interacted with members of the Traders Federation, market representatives, and other stakeholders.

Speaking on the occasion, the ADC highlighted the growing threat of substance abuse, particularly among the youth, and stressed the collective responsibility of all sections of society in combating the menace. He urged traders and shopkeepers to play a proactive role in spreading awareness and discouraging activities that may contribute to drug abuse.

The ADC emphasized that the success of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan depends on active public participation and coordinated efforts from all stakeholders. He called upon the trading community to extend full support to the administration in promoting awareness and fostering a healthy, drug-free environment across the district.

During the meeting, participants also shared their views and assured full cooperation with the District Administration in strengthening the anti-drug campaign at the grassroots level.

The programme concluded with a collective pledge to work together towards achieving a drug-free society.

Srinagar : The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Contractors Association on Thursday deferred its ongoing strike after 11 days of protest at the Chief Engineer Complex in Rajbagh, Srinagar, following assurances from MLA Salman Sagar regarding resolution of pending payment issues.

The association, led by Coordinator Nazir Ahmad Mir, had been protesting over pending payments exceeding ₹1,500 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission and Public Health Engineering (PHE) sector.

Contractors had alleged that payments for works executed since September 2024 were yet to be released, causing financial distress to contractors, labourers, suppliers and others associated with the projects.

During his visit to the Chief Engineer Complex in Rajbagh, MLA Salman Sagar assured the contractors that the issue has received attention at the party level and would be taken up with the Chief Minister at the earliest. “The concerns of the contractors are genuine and the matter will be taken up with the Chief Minister for an early resolution,” Salman Sagar said while interacting with the protesters.

Following the assurance, the association decided to defer the strike. Nazir Ahmad Mir thanked the MLA for visiting the protest venue and expressed gratitude to contractors across Jammu and Kashmir for maintaining unity and patience during the agitation.

Speaking on the occasion FDP Convener Dr. Haribhau R. Bhapkar emphasized the program’s alignment with the university’s mission to cultivate a well-rounded student personality, which includes academic excellence and intellectual sharpness. He highlighted the university’s commitment to fostering innovative thinking among faculty and students, contributing to the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Dr. Bhapkar also announced a notable collaborative achievement between CUKashmir and VIT Pune: the development and patenting of an AI-enabled Smart Oxymeter prototype aimed at saving lives in harsh winter conditions across regions like Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh, with plans for a pilot project involving 100 to 500 households. Prof. Parikshit N. Mahalle underscored the increasing relevance of AI in tackling contemporary societal issues and advocated for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers. He encouraged participants to leverage the FDP as a platform for inspiring innovation and transformative research among students and young scholars. Chief Guest Prof. Vinayak Joshi remarked on the essential role of mathematics as the foundation of science and AI, stressing the necessity of strong mathematical principles for developing ethical and reliable AI systems. He commended the collaborative efforts of CUKashmir and VIT Pune for effectively bridging theoretical knowledge with practical societal applications, aligning with the experiential learning goals of NEP-2020. The FDP featured 16 distinguished keynote speakers from various countries, including Romania, the USA, Denmark, and Dubai, as well as from multiple Indian cities. The program was coordinated by a team of faculty members from both institutions, including D. Namrata Wasatkar and Dr. Virendra Dhotre. The event received accolades from Vice Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, Dean Academic Affairs Prof. Shahid Rasool, Dean of the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences Prof. C. Naseema, and Director of VIT Pune Prof. Rajesh Jalnekar.

The closing ceremony was held at Marriage Hall Abi-Guzar near Masjid Ayesha in Lal Chowk under the Civic Action Programme 2025-26 being implemented under the aegis of IG CRPF Srinagar Sector.

Fifteen women completed the intensive tailoring course and were awarded completion certificates in the presence of senior CRPF officers, civil police officials and members of the local community.

In a move aimed at ensuring continuity of the initiative beyond the training period, the CRPF also donated three sewing machines to the community hall so that more women from the locality can receive training and undertake stitching work for income generation.

The event was attended by Commandant 132 Battalion CRPF, officers and jawans of the battalion, SP East Srinagar, SDPO Kothibagh, officials from Police Stations Kothibagh and Maisuma, media persons and local residents.

Officials said the programme was designed to equip women with practical vocational skills and encourage self-reliance at a time when unemployment and financial insecurity continue to affect many households.

They said the initiative reflects an effort to build stronger community ties while creating opportunities for women to support their families through sustainable means of livelihood.

Local residents welcomed the programme and described it as a meaningful intervention for women belonging to economically weaker sections, especially in densely populated downtown and city areas where access to structured vocational training remains limited.

The CRPF has been conducting several community-oriented programmes across Jammu and Kashmir under its Civic Action Programme, focusing on youth engagement, education, sports, healthcare and women empowerment initiatives.