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J&K Bank Wins ‘Best Innovation in Digital Lending’ at Indian PSU Achievers’ Awards 2025

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J&K Bank

In recognition of its digital excellence, J&K Bank has been honoured with the ‘Best Innovation in Digital Lending’ award at the 1st Indian PSU Achievers’ Awards 2025, held yesterday at the Main Convention Centre, SCOPE Complex in New Delhi.

Notably, Union Minister for MSME Jitan Ram Manjhi was Chief Guest at the prestigious award function, wherein the Bank’s General Manager & Divisional Head (Rest of India) Rajesh Gupta along with AGM Dorjey Angchuk received the honour at the hands of dignitaries.

While commenting upon the reception of the award, the Bank’s MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee thanked the organisers for the honour. He further said, “This award signifies our commitment to digital transformation and customer-centric innovation. We thank the organizers for recognizing our efforts in digital lending, which remains a key focus area for us as we enhance financial accessibility for our customers.”

He also emphasized the Bank’s commitment to seamless digital banking services, adding, “With customer expectations evolving rapidly, I believe, we will ensure best digital banking experiences for the people while we continue to innovate. And our commitment remains strong in delivering secure, swift, and user-friendly solutions for our customers across geographies.”

Meanwhile, the high-profile award-ceremony witnessed the participation of reputed public sector banks, financial institutions, and PSUs from across the country, underscoring the significance of the platform in recognizing excellence and innovation within the public sector.

The Indian PSU Achievers’ Awards 2025 marks a significant milestone, celebrating excellence in the public sector while recognizing innovative contributions from PSUs nationwide. And the Bank’s achievement in the digital lending category reflects its growing stature among the country’s premier financial institutions.

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Fire Erupts in Babdem, Srinagar; No Casualties Reported

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Fire Erupts in Bohlagpora

A fire broke out in Babdem area of Srinagar on Wednesday evening, prompting a quick response from the fire and emergency services department.

According to officials, the distress call was received at 7:34 PM, prompting a swift deployment of firefighting teams. The first team, led by Station Incharge Abdul Majeed Koka, arrived from the Babdem Fire Station within minutes, with reinforcements from the Gawkadal Fire Station joining soon after.

The fire had engulfed an aqua grass shop and an automotive repair workshop, raising concerns about the possible spread to nearby structures. However, firefighters managed to contain the blaze quickly, preventing further destruction.

Authorities confirmed that the fire has been brought under control and no casualties have been reported. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation is currently underway.

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Baramulla District Wins ₹3 Crore from NITI Aayog for Transformative Governance

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NITI Aayog

Baramulla district has been awarded Rs.3 crore by NITI Aayog in recognition of its outstanding progress in inclusive growth and transformative governance under the Aspirational District Programme (ADP).

This achievement reflects the district’s consistent efforts in improving key development indicators and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

Under the leadership of District Development Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, the district has made remarkable strides in financial inclusion, skill development, and digital empowerment. The administration’s focused approach towards implementing targeted interventions has significantly contributed to this success.

In the area of financial inclusion, Baramulla has witnessed increased registrations under PMJJBY and PMSBY insurance schemes through a series of targeted awareness campaigns. This has strengthened the financial security of the local population, especially marginalized communities.

Skill development has been another key focus area, with the district expanding training programs to empower women and persons with disabilities. These programs aim to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities and enhance economic independence.

To promote digital literacy, the District Administration has organized camps across the district, particularly in remote areas, to equip citizens with essential digital skills. This initiative has enabled greater access to government services and improved overall digital inclusion.

Regular on-ground monitoring and inspections have ensured the effective implementation of these initiatives, maximizing their impact and ensuring that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.

The Rs.3 crore award from NITI Aayog will serve as a major boost to the district’s development efforts. The funds will be strategically utilized to strengthen ongoing initiatives, introduce new projects, and address key developmental challenges, ensuring continued progress and inclusive growth in Baramulla.

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Sajad Lone Questions J&K Govt on Employee Terminations, Verification Procedures & EWS Certificates

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Sajad Lone

Slamming the existing verification procedures, Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Wednesday asked the J&K Government to clear its stance on the employees terminated during the central rule in Jammu & Kashmir.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly during grants of departments headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone, said the existing police verification procedure needs to be changed.

“I was shocked to find questions in the verification form such as, ‘Where have you gone in the last five years?’ and others like, ‘Who is your father-in-law?’ and ‘Who is your mother-in-law?’ I believe that change in these procedures lies within the powers of the Chief Minister and he should do the same,” he said.

Lone also asked the government to spell out its stand on terminated employees.

“The employees were terminated during their (BJP) rule without giving them an opportunity to be heard. Would you (Govt) review their termination? Do you (Govt) have a roadmap to reinstate them or afford them an opportunity to be heard to allow them to defend themselves,” he said.

Lone also expressed concern over the low number of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates being issued in Kashmir and asked that Revenue authorities should be asked to explain the reason for rejecting them.

“Our per capita income and economic indicators are the same but 27000 certificates have been issued in Jammu and only 2700 in Kashmir. The tehsildars should be asked to explain the reasons for rejecting EWS certificates here when our all indicators are the same and we are part of the same state,” he asked.

He also asked the government to address concerns of students studying in Falah-e-Aam schools.

“The students studying in FAT schools are not allowed to sit in examinations. I appeal to the Education Minister and CM to intervene in the matter,” he said—(KNO)

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Press Club of Kashmir Welcomes New Media Policy to Curb Unprofessional Journalism

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press and media

The president and patron of the Press Club of Kashmir, Mohammad Saleem Pandit, welcomed the statement from the UT government led by Shri Omar Abdullah regarding the operation of the registered press club in Kashmir. This was addressed during the legislative assembly session in Jammu on Tuesday, specifically in response to MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman’s cut motion.

Mr. Saleem Pandit expressed appreciation for the acknowledgement from the Omar Abdullah-led government that the registration of the Press Club of Kashmir is active in the region, effectively replacing the previous Kashmir Press Club, which had its registration suspended due to unfavourable CID verification.

In light of this recognition, Mr. Saleem urged the UT government to allocate appropriate space for the press club, facilitating its smooth operation.He emphasized that this provision would help journalists in the valley create a collaborative environment to discuss current affairs and foster better familiarity among each other.

Moreover, Mr. Saleem Pandit praised the introduction of a new media policy for Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at discouraging unprofessional and unqualified individuals from entering the media field, particularly on social media platforms. He also welcomed the initiative to develop a scheme for distributing government advertisements to newspapers in accordance with the Government of India’s DAVP policy, which aims to streamline advertisement distribution to both local and national publications.(KNS) 

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Suspected IED Detected on Bandipora-Srinagar Road, Traffic Halted

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5-Year-Old Girl

A suspected object likely an IED has been detected by security forces on Bandipora-Srinagar Road near Sunset point on Wednesday morning.

The Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS), as per an official, has been pressed into service as more details about the nature of discovery remain awaited.Meanwhile, traffic on the road has been halted.

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NASA Crew-9 Astronauts Return After Nine Months, Greeted by Dolphins

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NASA Crew-9

NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, and Butch Wilmore, along with Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, safely returned to Earth on Wednesday after spending more than nine months in space. Their journey ended with a successful splashdown of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida.

The four astronauts, who had been aboard the International Space Station (ISS), breathed earthly air for the first time in months after SpaceX’s recovery ship, Megan, lifted their capsule out of the water. In an unusual yet heartwarming sight, a group of dolphins was seen swimming around the spacecraft moments after its splashdown, as if welcoming the astronauts back home.

Extended Mission Due to Boeing Starliner Issues

NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov had been in space since September 2024. However, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams originally embarked on their mission in June 2024 with the expectation of returning within a week. Their stay was significantly extended due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which delayed their return for several months.

The unexpected extension made their mission one of the longest for astronauts using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. The crew remained in space, continuing research and maintenance work on the ISS while NASA and Boeing worked on resolving the Starliner’s problems.

Post-Landing Procedures and Safety Measures

After splashdown, the Crew Dragon spacecraft underwent a fresh water rinse to remove salt, which can be highly corrosive to its metallic structures. SpaceX officials explained that this process helps minimize potential damage before the spacecraft is transported back for analysis and refurbishment.

Following standard procedures for astronauts returning from long-duration space missions, all four Crew-9 members were carefully removed from the capsule on stretchers. SpaceX follows this protocol to ensure their bodies readjust properly to Earth’s gravity after an extended period in microgravity.

Additionally, teams closely monitored the spacecraft upon landing to check for any fuel leaks and ensure a safe recovery operation. Nearby boats assisted in stabilizing the capsule while astronauts were being evacuated.

White House Acknowledges the Return

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on the astronauts’ safe return, linking it to US President Donald Trump’s promise to ensure the safe homecoming of “forgotten” astronauts.

“President Trump promised to look out for the forgotten man and woman. At 5:57 PM ET tonight — promise made, promise kept!” she wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

A Mission to Remember

The return of NASA’s Crew-9 astronauts marks the successful completion of yet another historic space mission. From overcoming extended delays to being greeted by dolphins upon landing, their journey will be remembered as a testament to human endurance and technological advancements in space travel.

With the astronauts now back on solid ground, they will undergo medical evaluations and debriefings before reuniting with their families. The mission, despite its challenges, has contributed valuable research to ongoing space exploration efforts.

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J&K Government Drafting New Media Policy to Include Digital Platforms

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New Media Policy

The Jammu & Kashmir Government on Tuesday said that it is in the process of formulating a new media policy to encompass emerging platforms including social media platforms, news web portals and websites, for empanelment.

In its reply to cut motion of MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, the government disclosed that the department is in the process of formulating a new media policy to encompass emerging platforms including social media platforms, news web portals and websites, for empanelment.

“The formulation of new media policy aims to align with the evolving media landscape and adhere to the standards set by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), Government of India,” the government said.

The government also claimed that the Press Club in Srinagar was vacated due to a dispute among its members.

“In contrast, the Srinagar press club was operating from a building provided by the Estates Department in Press Enclave, Srinagar However, due to dispute among its members, the building has been vacated and is now temporarily occupied by Jammu & Kashmir Police,” the government said.

It further said that the registration of the Kashmir Press Club has been put in abeyance by the Department of Industries and Commerce for want of clearance from the Criminal Investigation Department

However, it added, one more club by the name of Press Club of Kashmir has been registered by the Department of Industries and Commerce—(KNO)

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Ladakh Students Visit J&K High Court Under SERU Program

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Ladakh Students

In a move to foster national integration and cultural exchange, 30 students and representatives of the Students Experience in Regional Understanding (SERU) program from Ladakh region visited Jammu Wing of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

The students were taken around various courts by Mayank Gupta, Joint Registrar Judicial, to expose the students to the actual working of Courts in the High Court.

Later, the students interacted with Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Tashi Rabstan, who also hails from Ladakh, and shared their experience of the tour including their visit to the High Court.

The initiative was aimed to provide students an opportunity to explore diverse cultures and educational avenues beyond their homeland.

The visiting delegation was comprised of 20 students from various parts of Ladakh including Nubra, Kargil, Leh, Lamayuru, Shang, Nyoma and Zanskar, who are currently on an exposure tour named “Rashtriya Ekatmata Yatra.” The program takes students beyond their native regions to interact with their counterparts across the country, promoting regional understanding and national unity. The students, many of whom were travelling outside Ladakh for the first time, expressed enthusiasm about their experiences in Delhi and other States. Their itinerary included visits to educational institutions, historical landmarks and cultural centers in Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu.

Ladakh holds immense strategic and cultural significance for India. Initiatives like SERU contribute towards strengthening national bonds and preparing young minds for a bright future. Exposure to different regions and academic institutions will help these students develop a broader perspective and enhance their aspirations.

The Chief Justice, during his interaction with the students, encouraged them to work hard and impressed upon them to explore opportunities in their region. He urged the students to take proactive steps in utilizing different schemes launched by the Government for their welfare. He also encouraged the youth to spread awareness about these programs within their communities so that more people could benefit.

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Official Facebook Page of Information & PR Budgam Hacked

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hacked

An official Facebook page of ‘Information & PR Budgam’ was hacked, Officials said on Tuesday.

As per the statement issued by Budgam Administration, “We regret to inform you that our official Facebook page, Information & PR Budgam has been compromised by hackers. The page is currently under the control of unauthorized individuals.”

“Any posts, messages, or updates made on the page are not from us and should be disregarded”, officials said.

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