Shree Machail Mata Yatra 2025 Begins with Over 4,900 Pilgrims; Administration Ensures Smooth Journey and Facilities

Machail Mata Yatra 2025

The revered Shree Machail Mata Yatra 2025, which officially commenced on July 25, 2025, touched nearly 5 thousand mark with 4,944 pilgrims (3861 males, 776 females and 307 children) performing Darshan at the Holy Shree Chandi Mata Mandir at Village Machail in Paddar Valley.

This annual Yatra is one of the most significant pilgrimages in the Jammu Division as its popularity has soared in past years, with about 3 lakh pilgrims visiting last year alone.

Pilgrims along with the holy mace (Chhari) procession will proceed from Jammu on August 17 towards Darbar following traditional path and transits. The Yatra shall conclude on 5 September.
The weather at Machail Bhawan remains clear, ensuring a smooth experience for the devotees.

The Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar in collaboration with the district administration Kishtwar, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and local administration, is diligently working to ensure comprehensive arrangements for the Yatris this year.

Langars by devotees near Bhawan Machail and en-route are offering meals to the pilgrims. Additionally, lodging facilities have been made available at the Yatri Bhawan Gulabgarh, Sapphire Guest House, luxury mushroom tents, along with various tent accommodations and Yatri Sarai near Chandi Mata Bhawan, Machail for the comfort of the devotees.

With the footfall expected to exceed 5 lakh this year, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma has appealed Yatris to follow guidelines/SoPs and Yatra timings religiously.
The Departure Timing from Kishtwar to Gulabgarh is 05:00 AM to 05:00 PM, Gulabgarh to Machail – 04:30 AM to 04:30 PM and Arrival Timing Machail to Gulabgarh – 04:30 AM to 04:30 PM, Gulabgarh to Kishtwar- 05:00 AM to 05:00 PM.

To ensure a safe and pleasant journey for the pilgrims, the administration has upgraded the road connectivity and made adequate arrangements of water supply, sanitation, security and online registration through the website.

The addition of a road up to Chashoti on the Gulabgarh to Machail axis has significantly reduced the trekking distance, now taking approximately 3-4 hours. Furthermore, the road from Chishoti to Hamori is clear, with the only pending work being the construction of a bridge at Chishoti, which is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed soon.

New bridges and repairs to existing infrastructure aim to provide a safe and hassle-free experience for Yatris amid challenging geography.

The pilgrims can visit the official Machail Yatra website at www.shrimachailmatayatra.com for online registration and get updated information regarding the Yatra, including, routes and other facilities.

This resource is designed to help pilgrims stay informed and address any queries they may have. Yatris are advised to carry their Aadhar cards and review the guidelines on the website.

The administration remains committed to ensuring a seamless and spiritually fulfilling experience for all devotees participating in the Shree Machail Yatra this year.

J&K Govt Makes White Aprons, Name Plates Mandatory for All Healthcare Staff in Govt Hospitals

MBBS abroad

The Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department has issued fresh directions making it mandatory for all doctors and paramedical staff to wear proper white aprons and clearly legible name plates during duty hours in government healthcare institutions across the Union Territory.

The directive, issued through a circular by the Civil Secretariat, cites non-compliance with existing norms regarding uniforms and identification by staff in various institutions.

The department observed that the lack of adherence was causing inconvenience to patients in identifying healthcare professionals.

“All doctors, including those engaged under NHM and Ayush, as well as paramedical staff, are hereby directed to wear proper white aprons and display name plates showing their full name and designation at all times while on duty,” the circular reads.

Heads of institutions, medical superintendents, and chief medical officers have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with these directions in their respective facilities.The move aims to improve accountability, professionalism, and patient satisfaction in government healthcare services.

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Indian Railways Launches 4 Special Trains from Jabalpur to Katra for Amarnath Yatra 2025

Amarnath Yatra

  In a significant move to ease travel for pilgrims during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra 2025, the Indian Railways has announced the operation of four special trains between Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh and Shri Mata VaishnoDevi Katra in Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Public Relations Officer Northern Railways, HimanshuShekhar Upadhyay said that the decision to operate these special trains is aimed at ensuring hassle-free travel for Amarnath Yatrapilgrims. The Railways is fully committed to supporting the movement of yatris and providing them with safe, comfortable, and reliable services during the holy season, he said.

CPRO said that these trains are aimed at clearing the extra rush of passengers heading towards the holy cave shrine of Amarnathas well as the revered Vaishno Devi temple.

These Amarnath Yatra Special trains will pass through several key cities and junctions including Katni, Damoh, Saugor, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra Cantt, Mathura, Alwar, Rohtak, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Jammu Tawi, and finally terminate at ShriMata Vaishno Devi Katra.

According to officials, two special trains will depart from Jabalpur on August 4 and August 11 (Mondays), while the return services from Katra are scheduled for August 5 and August 12 (Tuesdays).

The special trains Train No. 01707 and Train No. 01708—will connect key stations across multiple states including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. Major halts include Katni, Saugor, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra Cantt, Mathura, Alwar, Rohtak, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Jammu Tawi, and finally Katra.

Officials said that this initiative is part of the broader effort to promote religious tourism and support the spiritual journey of thousands of devotees participating in the annual yatra. The trains will be equipped with basic amenities to ensure a comfortable and safe journey for passengers.

Officials have urged travelers to book their tickets well in advance through authorized railway platforms and stay informed about schedules and updates through official channels.

Over 3.52 lakh devotees have undertaken the ongoing AmarnathYatra till Friday, as another batch of pilgrims departed for the Kashmir Valley on Friday, officials said.

On Thursday, ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was taken to the historic Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar for the customary puja, performed on the occasion of ‘HaryaliAmavasya’ (Shravan Amavasya) by a group of sadhus led by Mahant Deependra Giri. This ritual is a part of the age-old tradition associated with the annual pilgrimage.

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Mehbooba Mufti Demands Time-Bound Probe into Tribal Youth’s Killing in Alleged Police Encounter in Jammu

mehboba mufti

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti on Friday demanded a time-bound probe into the killing of a youth in alleged police firing in Jammu.

“Mohammad Parvez a tribal youth was killed by the police at Surat Chak, Police Station in Satwari yesterday. He’s now been labelled as a drug dealer but even that may be the case we still live in a democratic country where justice is served through rule of law as opposed to khap panchayats or kangaroo courts,” Mehbooba wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“Sincerely hope the DG takes cognisance of this shocking incident by ordering a time bound impartial probe. We must not descend or condone a culture of extra judicial encounters because that’s precisely what alienates people,” she added.

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J&K Dy CM Surinder Choudhry Warns Silence Not Weakness, Vows Transparency in Governance and Electoral Rolls

Surinder kumar

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhry on Friday said that the current administration is reviewing several sensitive files from past governments and warned that their silence should not be seen as a sign of weakness.

“We are going through files for the past 8–9 months. If anything wrong has happened, we will bring it before the people. Our silence is not our weakness it’s an attempt to maintain relations with Delhi. But if needed, we will speak up with facts,” Choudhry said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, especially in electoral matters. “We’ve always believed in transparency. If any mistakes happened in the voter lists, they will be addressed. Elections are won by people, not by lists,” he added.

Choudhry also called on the media in Jammu and Kashmir to play a positive role.

“You show both our flaws and our good work. We have a sweet relationship with you, and we will keep feeding you sweets but you must also honour our trust,” he said.

In a sharp political attack, Choudhry questioned BJP’s 11-year rule in J&K. “Did militancy stop? Did corruption end? If so, why did Pulwama and other incidents happen even after Article 370 and 35A were abrogated?”

According to KNS, Dy CM said that the Article 370 was granted during Maharaja Hari Singh’s time, not by political leaders. “Restrictions were imposed to protect our lands and jobs from outsiders. Even Maharaja Karan Singh said this,” Choudhry noted.

He said, “If someone asks us for our life with love, we will give it. But don’t challenge our silence if we start speaking, we’ll tell everything, page by page.(KNS)

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FIR Registered Against Anantnag Man for Crore-Scale Fraud Over Fake High-Density Apple Plant Scheme

Fake High-Density Apple

The Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir) today registered FIR against an individual namely Shahid Rehman Bhat S/o Ab. Rehman Bhat R/o Tulbagh Shangus, District Anantnag accused of defrauding numerous innocent people under the false promise of providing High Density Apple Plants.

As per the press release issued to Rising Kashmir the CBK said that ,”The Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir) registers FIR against an individual namely Shahid Rehman Bhat S/o Ab. Rehman Bhat R/o Tulbagh Shangus, District Anantnag accused of defrauding numerous innocent people under the false promise of providing High Density Apple Plants.”

“The case pertains to several complaints received by Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir), alleging therein that one Shahid Rehman Bhat S/o Ab. Rehman Bhat R/o Shangus, Nowgam, District Anantnag (Proprietor of M/s AR Trading Agri Services Pvt. Ltd) has cheated them on the pretext of providing High Density Apple Plants. The complainants further alleged that the accused after receiving huge amount of money neither provided them High Density Apple Plants nor returned the money, and after receiving the money he has gone into hiding. The perusal of the bank transaction statements submitted by the complainants reveal that the alleged accused has grabbed amount in crores from the innocent complainants/ farmers,”the statement added.

The criminal act on the part of the accused Shahid Rehman Bhat S/o Ab. Rehman Bhat R/o Tulbagh Shangus, District Anantnag (Proprietor of M/s AR Trading Agri Services Pvt. Ltd) prima facie discloses commission of offence punishable U/S 318 (4) BNS 2023. Cognizance is taken and case is accordingly registered at P/S Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir).

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FIR Filed After 16-Year-Old Girl Sania Bano Dies Post-Surgery at Doda Medical College, Family Alleges Medical Negligence

Dead body

Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered an FIR after a 16-year-old girl died post-surgery due to an alleged medical negligence at Doda Government Medical College.

The deceased was identified as Sania Bano, a resident of Bhalesha.

“A 16-year-old patient had undergone surgery in the morning. Her name was Sania Bano, a resident of Bhalesha. She was operated on for a hydrated cyst,” Doda Government Medical College, Medical Superintendent Tanveer Ahmed told ANI.
Ahmed said that the surgery was complicated as she had multiple cysts.

“After the surgery, while reviving the patient, she had to be intubated. She had gone into shock… The doctor said that either there was an analgesic reaction or multiple organ involvement. The patient was referred to SKIMS. She was declared dead there,” he said.

Ahmed said that the cause of death will be known after the postmortem report.

“The patient was brought back here, and her postmortem was conducted. The cause of death will be known when the report comes… I had a conversation with my doctor. He said that he started the surgery at 11.30… The patient went into shock at the time of recovery,” he said.

He said that the anaesthesia team intubated her to revive her.
“We have formed a team for this, and the case will also be investigated to find out the cause of death… An FIR has been lodged. The postmortem was done on the request of the police, and a magistrate’s inquiry was conducted. The Tehsildar sahab had also come; the postmortem was conducted in their presence,” he said. (ANI)

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Over 2,000 Technical Defects Reported in Indian Airlines Since 2021, Reveals Civil Aviation Ministry

Air India San Francisco

More than 2,000 technical defects have been reported in Indian commercial airlines since 2021, the Ministry of Civil Aviation revealed on Thursday. The information was shared in a written reply by Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, in response to questions raised by MPs during a parliamentary session.

According to the minister, a total of 183 technical defects have been reported in 2025 alone (till July 21) to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).


Breakdown of 2025 Technical Defects by Airline

  • Air India & Air India Express: 85 defects
  • IndiGo: 62 defects
  • Akasa Air: 28 defects
  • SpiceJet: 8 defects

These figures highlight a continued pattern of in-flight technical incidents, sparking fresh concerns over aviation safety and aircraft maintenance practices in India.


Year-Wise Reported Defects (2021–2025)

YearNumber of Technical Defects Reported
2021514
2022528
2023448
2024421
2025*183 (till July 21)

The data includes commercial airlines such as Alliance Air, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara (Tata Asia Airlines Ltd), Air India, Air India Express, and Akasa Air.


Passenger Complaints Also on the Rise

In addition to technical defects, the DGCA also received 3,925 passenger complaints as of July 14, 2025, further indicating operational and service-level concerns within India’s growing aviation sector.


DGCA’s Response and Global Standards

Following recent aviation incidents, the DGCA has ramped up its safety inspections and surveillance protocols. According to the Ministry, the regulator:

  • Has intensified checks of critical safety components
  • Continuously updates its surveillance methodology
  • Conducts risk assessments based on operator and fleet performance
  • Follows global best practices including those laid out by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Conclusion

India’s aviation sector continues to grow at a rapid pace, but the data highlights the pressing need for stricter maintenance protocols and more proactive oversight. With over 2,000 reported technical defects since 2021 and nearly 4,000 passenger complaints in 2025 alone, the spotlight is now firmly on DGCA’s regulatory effectiveness and airline accountability.

The Ministry’s statement reaffirms its commitment to aviation safety, but industry experts believe that preventive maintenance, transparency, and stricter enforcement will be key to regaining public confidence.

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Kashmir Mother Donates Kidney to Save Son, Wins Hearts Across the Valley

Mother Donates Kidney

In a moving example of a mother’s unconditional love, a 40-year-old woman from Devar-Lolab in north Kashmir has donated her kidney to her 23-year-old son, giving him a new lease on life after years of suffering.

Tassaduq Hussain Khan, a resident of Kakadpari, Devar-Lolab, had been battling kidney disease for the last four years. According to a family member, he was born with a single kidney, which began to fail when he turned 19. His condition worsened, and he was eventually referred to SKIMS Soura in Srinagar for specialised treatment.

Doctors there confirmed that his only kidney had failed and that a transplant was the only option. However, the Khan family comes from a financially weak background and could not afford to arrange a donor from outside. Doctors advised them to check for a compatible donor within the family.

That is when Tassaduq’s mother, Zaitoon Begum, stepped forward. Without a second thought, she offered to donate her kidney to save her son.

In 2022, tests were carried out on all family members. Fortunately, Zaitoon was found to be a perfect match. The transplant surgery was conducted successfully at SKIMS Soura.

As the news of the transplant spread on social media, people from across Kashmir praised the mother’s sacrifice. Many called it the ultimate expression of love.

“Only a mother can do this. A living example of heaven under her feet,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).

Another user posted, “She gave him life twice. First by birth, and now with her kidney.”

Another user commented, “Zaitoon Begum has shown us all what true courage and love look like. Salute to this brave mother.”

The story has brought not just relief but also joy to the entire Kupwara, where neighbours and relatives have been visiting the family to congratulate them and wish Tassaduq a speedy recovery.

As per reports both the mother and son are stable and recovering well. “It is always inspiring to see such determination and love in difficult circumstances,” a doctor involved in the surgery told Rising Kashmir.

As the family now looks forward to a healthier future, Zaitoon’s selfless act has become a shining example of maternal love one that moved an entire community and inspired many across the Valley.

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Border Patrols Tighten as Rivers Swell Near Pakistan,Heavy Rains in Jammu & Kashmir Trigger Landslides

50 Terrorists

The Border Security Force (BSF) Water Wing is guarding the unfenced international border along Jammu’s swollen rivers, flowing towards Pakistan, amid rising water levels due to heavy rainfall.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Jammu’s forecast for today states that it will be “Generally cloudy sky with moderate rain”. The maximum temperature is stated to be 28°C, and the minimum temperature is 25 °C.

On Wednesday, heavy rainfall lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The water level in the Poonch river surged, prompting the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to deploy personnel to monitor the situation and prevent casualties.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Zakir of SDRF Poonch confirmed that they have been deployed in the region by the district administration and the state government in view of the rainfall situation.

Zakir said, “We have been deployed here by the district administration and the state government. The region is receiving heavy rainfall. We have advised everyone to stay away from the water bodies. We are taking all the necessary precautions to prevent any casualties. The water level has risen.”

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in the Kalakote division of the Rajouri district for three consecutive days has triggered landslides, damaging houses and leading to road blockades.

The Assistant Development Commissioner (ADC) of Kalakote, Tanveer Hussain Khan, reported that teams are working around the clock to address the situation. All schools, government and private, are closed for the second day due to heavy rainfall.

Rajouri district has experienced flash floods and landslides due to heavy rainfall. Authorities have responded by setting up control rooms for emergency assistance and advising residents to stay indoors and avoid travelling through landslide-prone areas.

“Today it is raining for the third consecutive day. People have suffered heavy losses. At least 25 houses have been damaged. We have evacuated people to safer locations. As it is a hilly area, people have suffered massive losses due to landslides. BRO is working to mitigate the damage to roads. We have created rehabilitation centres at Kalakote. Schools are closed for the second consecutive day,” ADC Kalakote said.

Earlier on July 21, a young student lost his life after a landslide in Poonch. Incharge Medical Superintendent of the district hospital said that one 5-year-old child was brought in dead, while the other 4 had minor injuries and were currently under observation. He said that a teacher was also injured but in stable condition.

Speaking to ANI, Medical Officer Dr Ishfaq Ahmad said, “In Bainch, an unfortunate incident occurred at school, resulting in injuries from a landslide. A total of five children were injured. One 5-year-old child was brought in dead, while the other 4 had minor injuries…

The injured children are stable, and their injuries are being monitored. The teacher was also injured, but is stable. All are under observation, and if any further treatment or referral is needed, we will handle it accordingly.” (ANI)

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