Insecurity in wake of frequent rape cases

The frequent incidents of rape reported in the state, besides bringing ignominy, have become an issue of debate among the general public as well as different social organisations. Now, people say the state seems to have acquired a metropolitan culture where such incidents happen regularly. While residents are looking forward to development, such incidents have started bringing a bad name to the society. Also, parents have started fearing leaving their children, particularly girls, outdoors for long, but since children have to move out for studies and other purposes, they are left with no choice but to appeal to the state government to tighten the security set up. Many protests and appeals have been held so far, but how will the government act is left to be seen. (Vikram Sharma)

Ramzan rush in mosques

With the holy month of Ramzan going on, the shrines and mosques in the city are abuzz during prayer time. Many people struggle to make a place as thousands of people rush to pray at the holy places. On Fridays, hundreds of vehicles are parked outside the shrines and the police face a tough time managing the rush. The mosques also witness a huge rush for Tarawih prayers, the late night prayers specific to the month of Ramzan. For the Iftar time too, the mosques are full of people. (Rifat Mohiudin)

Giving a new look

Several restaurants and cafes remain shut during the month of Ramzan as people mostly refrain from eating out during the daytime. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see eateries undergoing renovation or painting work during the fasting month. Few other shops too go for painting or other works in early Ramzan so that they get a fresh look ahead of Eid, when shoppers throng the marketplaces. People are often seen getting walls or windows of their houses painted ahead of the festive occasion. (M Aamir Khan)

Star campaigners!

BJP high command had directed the party state unit to depute some leaders to help units of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, where elections were held in the last phase. Leaders from the state were sent to neighbouring Gurdaspur Lok Sabha constituency of Punjab and some parliamentary constituencies of Himachal Pradesh. Job of these leaders was to assist local units in creating committees for booths or take care of behind-the-curtain assignments. But a majority of party leaders visiting Punjab and Himachal Pradesh issued press releases in Jammu to claim that they were deputed in the neighbouring states as star campaigners. They claimed that they were also popular in neighburing states so they were called for campaigning. (Dinesh Manhotra)

Vedic hymns in Kashmir

At a time when daily bloodshed and violence is the image of Kashmir for outsiders, an effort is being made to revive the legacy of great Saint Adi Shankaracharya, who visited Kashmir in the 9th century to spread the message of peace and brotherhood. Few days ago, a special programme was organised at ancient Shankracharya temple in Srinagar, overlooking the Dal lake, to mark the visit of the great saint to the Valley about 2,000 years ago. An annual feature for the last few years, it is once again making people of the country aware about the ancient links between India and Kashmir valley. (Sumit Hakhoo).