The programme witnessed the participation of around 30 farmers and aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices and creating awareness about the conservation of natural resources for safeguarding Mother Earth.

Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Plant Protection Officer, AbirShankhari, demonstrated various tools and techniques of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and highlighted the importance of the safe and judicious use of pesticides. He also sensitized farmers about the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) Mobile Application and its role in pest monitoring and management.

Scientific Assistant, Kawal Nain Singh, delivered an informative lecture on the significance of 100 percent seed treatment and the conservation of natural enemies in crop ecosyste He also demonstrated the use of neem oil, pesticide label claims, QR code verification, pheromone traps and yellow sticky traps as effective components of eco-friendly pest management.

Meanwhile, Junior Agriculture Extension Officer (JAEO), Kakapora, Ashiq Hussain, apprised the participants about the precautions to be observed while spraying pesticides and elaborated on the adverse effects of indiscriminate pesticide use on human health and the environment.

The participating farmers appreciated the initiative and actively interacted with experts on various aspects of integrated pest management and sustainable farming practices.

In a statement issued here on Saturday Police said that a team from Police Post Nagbal intercepted a suspect at Dar Mohallah Baba-Diryadin. During search, police recovered Bhung Patri (ganja-like substance) from his possession. The accused was identified as Md Qudus S/O Md Sabir R/O Bihari Gunj in Bihar’s Madhepura district.

In its statement Police said preliminary investigation revealed the accused was actively involved in supplying narcotic substances among local youth, adding therein that a case under FIR No. 106/2026 under the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Ganderbal and further investigation is underway.

The RTA scrutinised various applications for grant of route permits, after detailed deliberations with stakeholders, approving nine Mini Bus permits, four four-wheeler Auto permits and one Taxi Cab under the All J&K Contract Carriage category.

Five applications, of three Mini Bus and two four-wheeler Auto route permit cases, were deferred for consideration at the next meeting.

Among those present were Member Secretary (RTO Kathua) Surinder Paul Sharma, DySP Headquarters Ravinder Singh and other officers concerned.

The main district-level function will be held at Sports Stadium Doda, with simultaneous celebrations planned across all tehsils, blocks, educational institutions and Amrit Sarovars to ensure widespread public participation.

The Deputy Commissioner called for seamless inter-departmental coordination and directed all departments to finalise security, sanitation, drinking water, medical teams, transport and publicity arrangements well in advance. The Chair also instructed the Education and Forest departments to organise a plantation drive on school premises during the event and assigned the AYUSH Department to deploy yoga experts at all designated venues.

Among those present were Additional District Development Commissioner Doda, Additional Deputy Commissioner Doda Anil Kumar Thakur, Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah Sunil Kumar Bhutyal, Assistant Superintendent of Police Headquarters Mohammad Aslam, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Ashraf Pervez, Assistant Commissioner Development Din Mohammad Afaqi and Chief Planning Officer Manesh Kumar Manhas, alongside other senior sectoral officers concerned.

Leading this movement are Oman and Bahrain, whose growing investment in athlete development, training programmes and international participation reflects the sport’s expanding appeal far beyond its country of origin.

Officials and delegates attending the championship believe that Yogasana is entering a new phase of global growth, driven by increasing awareness about physical fitness, mental well-being and preventive healthcare.

The enthusiasm witnessed at the world championship, they say, is evidence that Yogasana is steadily establishing itself as a serious sporting discipline with an increasingly international character.

Deputy Competition Manager from Bahrain, Yousuf Jarrah Al Dosari, said countries around the world are making significant efforts to promote and strengthen Yogasana as a competitive sport. According to him, the growing participation in international competitions demonstrates the commitment of athletes, coaches and national federations towards advancing the discipline.

“The level of participation we are seeing today is a reflection of the dedication and hard work being undertaken by athletes and sporting organisations worldwide,” Al Dosari said. “More countries are investing in training programmes, coaching development and grassroots outreach. This is helping Yogasana reach new audiences and inspiring more young people to take up the sport.”

He noted that international federations and national bodies are working closely to improve technical standards, create structured pathways for athletes and organise competitions that provide valuable exposure to emerging talent. Such efforts, he said, are laying the foundation for sustained growth in the years ahead.

Al Dosari attributed much of Yogasana’s growing popularity to changing global attitudes towards health and wellness. As societies increasingly focus on preventive healthcare, stress management and active lifestyles, yoga has found relevance among people of all age groups.

“People are becoming more conscious about preventive healthcare, mental wellness and physical fitness. Yoga fits naturally into that conversation,” he said. “We have organised workshops, demonstrations and training sessions to introduce Yogasana to new audiences, and the response has been very encouraging.”

According to him, exposure to world-class events such as the World Yogasana Championships plays a crucial role in accelerating the development of athletes and coaches. Competing alongside some of the best practitioners in the world enables participants to learn new techniques, understand international standards and elevate their overall performance.

“International competitions motivate athletes to take their training more seriously. When they compete against top performers from different countries, they gain confidence, experience and a better understanding of what is required to succeed at the highest level,” he added.

The optimism surrounding the sport’s future is strongly shared by Oman, one of the standout performers at the championship. The country secured an impressive 21 medals, marking one of the most successful campaigns by a Gulf nation at the event.

Salha Hakeem, President of Yoga Oman, described the achievement as a landmark moment for the country’s Yogasana journey.

“We are extremely proud of this achievement. Winning 21 medals at the first-ever Yogasana World Championships is a historic milestone for Oman and reflects the dedication, discipline and hard work of our athletes, coaches and the entire Yoga Oman team,” she said.

For Oman, the medal haul is the culmination of years of systematic efforts aimed at nurturing talent, strengthening coaching standards and encouraging wider participation in yoga-related activities. Officials believe the success will inspire a new generation of athletes and further accelerate the sport’s growth across the country.

Beyond the medals, Oman’s performance has demonstrated the increasing competitiveness of Gulf nations in international Yogasana events. It has also highlighted how investments in sports development and wellness initiatives are beginning to yield tangible results on the global stage.

Dr. Jaydeep Arya, General Secretary of World Yogasana and Yogasana Bharat, said the discipline had evolved into a competitive sport distinct from traditional yoga, with an emphasis on athletic performance, endurance, flexibility and fitness.

“Yoga is a journey towards self-realisation and spiritual growth, while yogasana is a competitive sport. Fitness, endurance and flexibility form the foundation of yogasana. Athletes compete on technical parameters, much like in any other sport,” Arya said.

The remarks come amid growing efforts by Indian organisations to establish yogasana as a globally recognised sporting discipline.

Arya said the first World Yogasana Championship had helped clarify the distinction between yoga as a holistic practice and yogasana as a competitive event, a differentiation that organisers believe is essential for securing international sporting recognition.

“yogasana has already gained traction within the Commonwealth Games movement and is steadily progressing towards broader acceptance by international sporting bodies”, he said.

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.