A devastating cloudburst once again struck Thathri, leaving behind a trail of destruction and raising uncomfortable questions about whether the disaster was entirely natural. While cloudbursts are inevitable in the Himalayas, years of unchecked dumping of construction debris into natural drainage channels may have intensified their impact. This article examines the science behind cloudbursts, the recurring devastation in Thathri, and why accountability, scientific planning, and environmental responsibility are essential to prevent future tragedies.

Kashmiri has survived centuries of conflict, displacement and political upheaval, but in Jammu and Kashmir's Chenab Valley, its greatest threat may now lie inside the home. This article explores how families are gradually replacing Kashmiri with Urdu and English, disconnecting younger generations from a rich literary heritage shaped by poets such as Rasa Javidani, Bashir Bhaderwahi and Janbaaz Kishtwari. It examines the cultural, social and policy failures driving the language's decline, while questioning whether one of the region's oldest linguistic traditions can still be preserved before it falls silent.

Sanitation workers are among the most essential yet least recognised contributors to public health. Their daily labour keeps streets clean, drains functional, and communities protected from disease, yet they often work in hazardous conditions with inadequate safety measures, delayed wages, and little public appreciation. As recurring sanitation workers’ strikes across Jammu and Kashmir have shown, a clean environment cannot be sustained by government agencies alone; it requires respect for sanitation workers, responsible waste disposal by citizens, and a shared commitment to the constitutional duty of protecting public health and the environment.

For decades, the developmental discourse of Jammu and Kashmir has remained trapped in a binary narrative centred on Srinagar and Jammu, overlooking the vast mountainous regions of the Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal, and peripheral hill districts. Despite contributing significantly through hydropower, agriculture, tourism potential, and natural resources, these regions continue to face chronic deficits in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and economic investment. This article examines the structural neglect of Jammu and Kashmir's peripheral highlands, explores the paradox of resource extraction without proportional local development, and argues for targeted policy interventions to ensure equitable growth, regional empowerment, and inclusive governance.

Nestled in the picturesque Marwah Valley of Kishtwar district, Tata Pani Marwah is a unique tourist destination known for its natural hot water springs, traditional wooden architecture, and serene surroundings. While the site attracts visitors seeking relaxation and nature-based experiences, challenges such as poor road connectivity, inadequate sanitation, and waste management issues continue to hinder its full tourism potential. With improved infrastructure and sustainable development, Tata Pani has the potential to emerge as one of Jammu and Kashmir’s leading eco-tourism destinations.

In the early hours of May 2026, forty Gujjar-Bakerwal tribal families in Sidhra, Jammu, watched their homes being reduced to rubble by bulldozers in a joint Forest-Revenue-Police operation. With no prior notice, no hearing, and no rehabilitation plan, the demolition has triggered serious allegations of violations of the Forest Rights Act and SC/ST Atrocities Act, exposing the deep fault lines in J&K’s governance and raising uncomfortable questions about selective enforcement and tribal rights in India.

In October 2024, voters in Doda sent Mehraj Din Malik — a local social worker and AAP's sole winning candidate in Jammu and Kashmir — to the assembly as proof that the ballot still meant something. Less than a year later, he was in Kathua jail, detained without trial under the Public Safety Act by an administration that even Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called "unelected." Seven months on, a High Court verdict stands reserved and unpronounced, and the people who chose democracy over cynicism are still waiting to find out whether their choice was worth making.

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