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Director of Sericulture in Jammu & Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, highlighted the income potential of silkworm rearing during a three-day Skill Development Programme. Bhat emphasized the need for skill enhancement among silkworm rearers and encouraged awareness about modern sericulture techniques. The department aims to support youth and boost cocoon production through capacity-building initiatives.

In a groundbreaking move that harmonizes traditional linguistics with cutting-edge technology, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT-JK) has unveiled an innovative E-Dictionary for the Kashmiri language.

This digital marvel, introduced by SCERT-JK Director Prof. (Dr.) Parikshat Singh Manhas, represents a significant milestone in preserving and promoting Kashmir’s rich linguistic heritage while embracing the digital revolution in education.

The E-Dictionary, a collaborative effort between the Department of Education in Languages and the ECT & CS wing of SCERT-JK, bridges linguistic gaps by providing translations from Kashmiri to Urdu and English, complete with Roman transcripts. This multifaceted approach makes it an invaluable resource for students, educators, researchers, and language enthusiasts worldwide, breaking down language barriers and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Aligned with the National Curriculum Framework’s emphasis on leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education, the E-Dictionary exemplifies how technology can preserve cultural heritage while modernizing educational tools.

Shabir Hussain Shabir, the coordinator from the Department of Education in Languages, played a pivotal role in the dictionary’s development. He organized a workshop to collect Kashmiri words along with their Urdu and English meanings, ensuring rigorous review by the department’s faculty before sharing the content with the ECT & CS department.

Riyaz Ahmad Dar, Sr. Academic Officer of ECT & CS and the primary architect of the digital conversion, demonstrated the E-Dictionary’s user-friendly interface and functionality during the launch ceremony. The audience was captivated by the seamless translation of words, showcasing the potential of this digital tool to revolutionize language learning and cultural preservation in the region.

At the launch, Director SCERT-JK Prof. (Dr.) Parikshat Singh Manhas commended the collaborative effort, particularly praising Mr. Riyaz Ahmad Dar, Mr. Shabir Hussain Shabir, and the faculty members of both departments for their tireless work in editing, reviewing, and finalizing the E-Dictionary. Special recognition was given to DEL and ECT & CS faculty for their invaluable contributions in conceptualizing the E-Dictionary project.

The launch ceremony, held in the meeting hall of SCERT-JK’s Kashmir Division, underscored the project’s significance. Ham Raj Pakhroo, Joint Director SCERT-JK, virtually joined from Jammu, congratulating the team on their successful launch. The event drew a distinguished audience, including AU Heads I, II, III – Dr. Zahoor Ahmad and Mohammad Sultan Khan, DIET Principal Budgam Mr. Sanjeev Pandita, faculty from DIET Kulgam, and senior academic officers from Central and Divisional SCERT.

As the E-Dictionary becomes available on the Google Play Store, it promises to revolutionize language education and cultural preservation. This innovative tool not only facilitates language learning but also serves as a digital repository of Kashmir’s linguistic heritage, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

The launch of this E-Dictionary represents a significant step forward in SCERT-JK’s mission to integrate technology into education, making learning more engaging, accessible, and relevant in the digital age.

Amidst the ongoing protests in Bangladesh, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene and ensure the safety of thousands of Kashmiri students in Bangladesh.

“As protests and turmoil grip Bangladesh, I urge @DrSJaishankar to urgently intervene and ensure the safety of thousands of Kashmiri students in Bangladesh. Internet services being suspended has only added to the distress of their parents. Immediate steps must be taken to bring them back home,” Mufti posted on X.

On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs said “Indian nationals in Bangladesh are requested to follow the advisory issued by the High Commission of India in Dhaka. The High Commission and Assistant High Commissions remain available on helpline numbers for any assistance required by Indian nationals.”

Meanwhile, security heightened outside the Bangladesh High Commission as a precautionary measure, in anticipation of any protests outside the Commission amid the ongoing anti-quota protests in Bangladesh.

The protests have been driven by demands for reform of the country’s quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan.

On Thursday, protests intensified as students clashed with law enforcement in various locations across Dhaka. In Merul Badda, near Brac University, demonstrators blocked roads and engaged in violent confrontations with police, resulting in multiple injuries. By late morning, police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to significant traffic disruptions in the area, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Additionally, students obstructed the entrance to the Bashundhara Residential Area on Pragati Sarani and blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Jatrabari, severely affecting public transportation and causing widespread inconvenience. The Mirpur 10 roundabout and surrounding areas also experienced a heavy police presence, with many local markets and shops remaining closed.

The protests began in response to perceived police brutality and have evolved into a broader demand for justice for those injured or killed in previous demonstrations, as well as a call for a violence-free campus and rational reform of the quota system, as reported by Dhaka Tribune.

The Indian government continues to monitor the situation and advises all citizens in Bangladesh to adhere to the travel advisory and reach out to the High Commission or Assistant High Commissions if they need urgent assistance. (ANI)

Commissioner Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Mandeep Kaur on Thursday said that developmental work in Srinagar’s smart city project will continue.Kaur was talking to reporters during her visit of inspecting the quality of ongoing projects and identifying future needs in Srinagar city.

“We wanted to inspect all the works and see the quality. Through these tours, we will identify what the requirements for future projects are. Accordingly, our work will be inspected, and future planning will be done,” Kaur said.

Addressing the issue of delayed projects, Kaur noted that a four-month funding shortage had impacted the financial stability of contractors. However, she assured that funds have now been released, and they anticipate timely funds in the future to ensure the completion of projects on schedule.

“Due to this, the financial balance of our contractors has deteriorated. But now funds have been released. And we hope that we will get timely funds in the future so that this work will be completed on time,” she added.Kaur also mentioned specific allocations for road maximization and infrastructure development, with sufficient funds set aside pending budget approval.

“For that, we have earmarked separate funds for infrastructure development. As soon as the budget passes, we will get those funds and start the work,” she concluded.(KNS)

A massive fire broke out in a car repair workshop on Thursday in Srinagar in the afternoon, a fire official said.A total of five fire tenders reached the spot to control the fire, which had engulfed the whole workshop. The reason for the fire is still unknown, the official said.

“We still don’t know the cause of the fire… At 12:47, we got a call at the state control room about the fire,” said fire officer Md Ayoub.The operation is still going on to put down the fire completely and the reason for the fire outbreak will be known later.

“The operation is going on; we will later know how this happened. We have five fire tenders here with us to control the situation,” Ayoub said. (ANI)