March 2023

Srinagar, Mar 31 : The month of fast along with blessings bring health benefits for people, experts said.

Doctors said that fasting helps in weight loss, improves blood sugar control and decreases inflammation.

Dr Fayaz Ahmad Bhat Assistant Professor Department of General Medicine at SKIMS Soura told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that fasting gives discipline and patience besides decreasing chances of developing diabetes and other metabolic syndrome disorders.

He said there remains less chances of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver and other diseases in people who fast as compared to people who don’t.

Recent studies suggest that fasting lowers chances of neurological diseases and cancer, he said, adding that it has been also found that people who eat less have good memory besides good overall neurological status and their lifespan is more as compared to those who eat more.

“Fasting helps in regeneration of stem cells that helps in making of any tissue or organ in the body besides that mental stability and it can help you in getting rid of dementia,” he said.

“Stem cells play an important role in regeneration because they can develop into many different cell types in the body and renew themselves millions of times,” he said.

He said that fasting promotes blood sugar control by reducing insulin resistance, promotes better health by fighting inflammation, may enhance heart health by improving blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, may boost brain function and prevent neurodegenerative disorders and aids weight loss by limiting calorie intake and boosting metabolism.

Dr Fayaz said that fasting helps in cancer prevention and increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy besides fasting helps in the detoxification process of body and reboots the immune system of individuals.

Noted doctor S M Qadri told KNO that studies suggest that fasting helps in reduction of weight mainly among men besides that it helps in reduction of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, sometimes called “bad” cholesterol that increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Dr Owais from GMC Anantnag said that fasting has several health benefits as it helps in decreasing chronic inflammations that may be involved in the development of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis.

It also helps in weight loss by limiting calorie intake and boosting metabolism and may also help in better brain functioning, he said.

He said that fasting increases growth hormone secretion, which is vital for growth, metabolism, weight loss, and muscle strength—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 31 : A close to 10,000 people from Jammu and Kashmir will perform the sacred pilgrimage of Haj as the draw of lots were held Friday, officials said Friday.

They said that 1320 people, above 70-years of age and 132 women who had applied without mahram, will also perform the Haj 2023.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Haj Executive Officer, Abdul Salam Mir said that a total of 14271 applications had been received for Hajj-2023.

“For the first time, women without Mahram have been allowed to go for the pilgrimage. 132 female applicants without mahram have been selected this year. 1320 people who are above 70 years of age have also been selected under Reserved Category,” Mir said. He said that 14,000 applications were received for Haj 2023 from the people of J&K. Earlier, Saudi government had barred the intending pilgrims above 70 years age in view of the Covid pandemic in year 2020 and 2021. However, the Saudi government recently announced that pilgrims above 70 years of age will be given priority and for the first time the Saudi government also allowed female pilgrims without mahram to perform the holy pilgrimage of Haj.

“The draw of lots through random digital selection was held on Friday after 3:00 pm,” he said. “The list of successful Intending Haj Pilgrims shall be published next day (Saturday) besides uploading the same on the official website of J&K Haj Committee www.jkshc.org,” said an official communique from the Haj house J&K.

This year, there will be 25 embankment points for the pilgrims across J&K. The J&K House has been helpful to many pilgrims in getting their passport verification one at the earliest. Haj house officials will facilitate the pilgrims from J&K by all means. Pertinently, in February this year, the Saudi government announced to bar children below 12 years of for performing the Haj 2023. Haj Committee of India (HCoI) in its official communique had stated that Saudi Government has decided to disallow the children below 12 years of age in a bid to ensure their safety. This year, HCoI after holding deliberations with the Saudi government, had made Haj application forms available online free of cost. The HCoI had also announced that this year Haj will be cheaper by Rs 80,000 and each pilgrim will have to pay Rs 3.70 to Rs 3.80 lakh for performing the Haj pilgrimage—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 3 : A 20-year-old youth died after two motorcycles collide on Boulevard road in Nishat area of Srinagar on Friday, officials said.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that two bikes collided on Boulevard road, resulting in critical injuries two bikers.

He said soon after the incident, both the injured were rushed to SKIMS Soura, where one of them was declared dead on arrival.

The official identified the deceased as Momin Bhat of Hyderpora, while injured as identified as Jibran Ahmad Bhat of Hyderpora—(KNO)

A son has allegedly killed his mother in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, police station sopore headed by SHO Khalid Fayaz arrested the accused within hours of crime, reports said.

Reports reaching Asian News Hub (ANH) said that a man allegedly kills her mother in Dangepora area of Sopore.

They said that after the incident, Sopore police station registered the case and arrested the accused within hours.

Meanwhile the body of lady has been shifted to Sub-district hospital sopore for medico-legal formalities.
More details awaited..

Kupwara, Mar 29 : Throat-slit body of a 9-year-old girl was found in Zab village of Khurhama area in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district this evening, reports and officials said.

Reports reached GNS said that panic gripped Zab village as the body of a minor girl (name withheld) was found under suspicious circumstances adjacent to her home. The gruesome incident has taken the area by shock as more and more have been pouring in at the site – when this report was being drafted.

Confirming the incident, a senior police officer told GNS that a police team is at the site to collect relevant details.

More details awaited. (GNS)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Mar 29 : A footbridge constructed two decades ago in Tarzoo village of north Kashmir’s Sopore has been severely damaged and poses a risk to commuters and pedestrians, even as the officials say the matter was “never” brought to their notice.

The residents of Tanki Mohalla of Tarzoo village told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the footbridge constructed by the Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department some twenty years ago connects the village with the rest of its peripheral areas.

“We brought the issue to the notice of the concerned authorities several times, but our pleas were not responded and nothing has been done to repair or reconstruct the footbridge,” Sarpanch, Nazir Ahmed, told KNO.

He termed it a “matter of serious concern”, saying the bridge poses threat to the lives of people and needs to be repaired at the earliest.

The residents urged the Lieutenant Governor-led administration and Deputy Commissioner Baramulla to look into the matter.

When contacted, Executive Engineer, I&FC Department, Sopore told KNO that the matter will be looked into and the necessary repairing process will be taken up. The official however said the matter was “never brought to our notice”—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 29: A head constable of Central Reserve Police Force died of a cardiac arrest in Srigufwara area of Bijbehara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said here on Wednesday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the CRPF personnel deployed at minority guard post at Mehand viage complained of chest pain and soon after he was rushed to PHC Srigufwara where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

He was identified as Suneel Surain son of Shiv lal Surain of Jharkhand.

The official said further proceedings in this regard have been taken up—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Mar 28 : An attendant was injured after scuffle with a security guard in sub0-district hospital Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that scuffle between a security guard and an attendant took place around 2 pm after a heated argument.

He said in the incident the attendant identified as Ishfaq Ahmed of Behrampora Sopore was injured.

Meanwhile, the attendant alleged that he was taken to guard room where at least 6 security men beat him mercilessly.

When contacted Block Medical Officer Sopore, Dr Zulfiqar Sofi told KNO that police have intervened into the matter and investigation is underway—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 28 : Jammu and Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam Tuesday said that Shab-e-Qadr will be observed on April 17 while as Eid moon will be sighted on April 20 and in case moon is sighted on April 20, people will have to offer Qaza fasting of a day.

Talking to reporters after marathon meeting of Ulema that include Moulana Rahmatullah Qasmi, Ghulam Rasool Hami and Prof Muhammad Tayib Kamili, Moulana Aga Syed Al Hassan Mousivi, Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, Moulana Fayaz Ahmed Rizivi, Masroor Abbas Ansari and others, the Grand Mufti as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said: “Shab-e-Qadr will be observed on April 17. Moon sighting will be done on April 20 and if moon is sighted, people will have to offer one day Qaza fasting after Eid.”

He said any decision regarding Eid will be made public after thorough consultation with Ulema. “MeT department will also be consulted before any announcement,” he said.

Pertinently, earlier, there was a controversy over fasting as Grand Mufti had stated that the people should fast from Friday while the majority of the people in Kashmir had started fasting from Thursday. Grand Mufti had stated he had received no witness about sighting of Ramadhan crescent on Wednesday night. Grand Mufti also demanded release of Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq, Moulana Abdur Rashid Dawodi and other Ulema who are serving detention in various jails—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Mar 27 : Illegal sand mining alongside River Jehlum in north Kashmir’s Sopore is going on unabated even as the authorities has miserably failed to act over the matter with the locals allege field and supervisory staff of the concerned department nexus with the dealers.

Locals while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that sand extraction violations are rampant even as due to the illegal mining they are now facing the threat of their orchards while adding that the excessive mining has already damaged the embankments along the Jhelum, they alleged.

They said that the illegal mining is not confined to the Chakrode Khan, Ningli areas but the same is going on in various places while the administration has so far failed in taking any concrete action aiming at halting the violations.

The residents also said that the illegal extraction of sand is going unabated and in broad daylight with the tacit support of officials who failed to take any concrete action so far. They alleged hand-in-the glove of the department with the maafia.

“We fail to understand why authorities are shying to curb this illegal trade in the area. He said the illegal extraction is mostly being carried out during early hours but for a couple of months it is going unabated during the broad daylight”, said Ali Muhammad, a local who owns orchards at Charode Khan.

They, however, appealed to the lieutenant governor led government to direct the district administration to rein the elements involved in the illegal extraction of sand and bring the involved to the task.

Meanwhile, official at Irrigation and Flood control department when contacted told KNO that they are time and again taking action against them. “We have lodged a number of FIR’s against the involved, besides, equipment was seized,” the official said.

“We have been continuously informing the Police department for necessary action, however, yet to see any concrete,” the official said.

He, however, added that the geology and mining department plays an important role in curbing the menace. “The royalty procedure too has been stopped as of now,” the official said—(KNO)