By: Waris Fayaz
Baramulla, Feb 05: The security forces on Wednesday claimed that they recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from a forest area in Anganpathri, Uri Sector of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Official informed that the recovery was made during a joint operation conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army.
The arms and ammunition were concealed inside a hollow pine tree and wrapped in a blanket, they said. The recovery includes AK-47 rifles 03, AK magazines 11, AK rounds 292, UBGL 01, UBGL grenades 09 and Hand grenades
Following the recovery, a case has been registered under FIR No. 07/2025 at Police Station Boniyar, Baramulla and further investigation is underway. (KNO)
Arms, ammo recovered
Books vs YouTube
By: Dr. Reyaz Ahmad
In today’s digital age, learning resources have expanded beyond traditional books to include interactive and visual platforms like YouTube. Both mediums offer unique advantages, catering to different learning styles and preferences. While books provide in-depth, structured knowledge, YouTube offers engaging, easily accessible content with expert explanations. But which is more effective? Let’s compare them based on depth of information, engagement, accessibility, retention, and expert-led learning.
1. Depth of Information
Books:
Books are often written by scholars, researchers, and professionals who provide well-researched, structured, and detailed information. They undergo rigorous editing and peer review, ensuring credibility and accuracy. Books are particularly valuable for subjects that require deep understanding, such as philosophy, history, and science. However, they demand strong reading comprehension and concentration.
YouTube:
YouTube offers vast content, but the depth of information varies. Some channels provide simplified overviews, while others, led by experts and institutions, offer in-depth discussions and detailed explanations. However, not all content is peer-reviewed, and misinformation can be a concern.
Winner: Books (for depth and credibility).
2. Engagement and Learning Experience
Books:
Reading is an active form of learning that requires focus and imagination. However, books can sometimes be dense and challenging to engage with, especially for visual and auditory learners.
YouTube:
YouTube videos use visuals, animations, and real-life examples to enhance engagement. Seeing an expert explain a concept visually makes learning more interactive and easier to grasp, especially for complex topics like physics, medicine, and coding. Unlike books, YouTube caters to all types of learners—visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic—making concepts more digestible.
Winner: YouTube (for engagement and accessibility).
3. Accessibility and Cost
Books:
Books can be expensive, especially academic textbooks. While libraries and digital platforms offer free or affordable options, access is still limited compared to YouTube. Additionally, reading requires dedicated time and effort.
YouTube:
YouTube is completely free and accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Learners can instantly access educational content on a wide range of topics, from university lectures to hands-on tutorials. This makes it a powerful tool for those who lack access to formal education or expensive study materials.
Winner: YouTube (for free and easy access).
4. Retention and Long-Term Learning
Books:
Reading books promotes deep cognitive processing, leading to better retention. Taking notes, highlighting key points, and re-reading sections reinforce learning. Books also encourage critical thinking and analytical skills.
YouTube:
YouTube videos provide quick insights but may encourage passive consumption. However, channels with interactive elements, quizzes, and real-world applications help improve retention. Studies suggest that watching an expert demonstrate a concept visually enhances understanding and memory better than reading alone.
Winner: Books (for long-term retention, but YouTube aids understanding).
5. Learning From Experts
Books:
Books written by industry experts, professors, and researchers offer reliable knowledge. However, they require readers to interpret complex ideas independently, which can be challenging without prior knowledge.
YouTube:
YouTube lets learners watch experts explain and demonstrate concepts visually, making complex subjects more accessible. Platforms like TED-Ed, Khan Academy, and MIT Open Courseware provide direct access to university-level education from top professionals, often in an engaging format.
Winner: YouTube (for expert-led, visual learning).
6.For scientific and engineering content, YouTube videos are often more effective than books, especially for beginners or those who struggle with abstract concepts. Here’s why:
1. Visual and Practical Demonstrations
• Many engineering and scientific concepts involve complex diagrams, formulas, and physical phenomena. Seeing these concepts in action (through animations, simulations, and real-life experiments) makes them easier to understand.
• For example, fluid mechanics or circuit analysis is much clearer when watching an experiment or simulation rather than just reading equations in a book.
2. Expert Explanations and Real-World Applications
• Watching professors, engineers, and scientists explain concepts step by step helps clarify difficult topics.
• YouTube channels like Verita Sium, Khan Academy, MIT Open Courseware, and Engineering Explained provide expert insights in a way that’s more digestible than a textbook.
3. Faster and More Engaging Learning
• Books require self-interpretation, which can be tough without prior knowledge.
• YouTube’s interactive and engaging format (animations, whiteboard sessions, real-world examples) helps retain information better than reading static text.
4. Accessibility and Cost
• YouTube is free, while many engineering textbooks are expensive.
• Videos are easily available, whereas books may require purchasing or library access
Final Verdict: Which Is More Effective?
The effectiveness of books vs. YouTube depends on the learner’s needs:
For deep knowledge and long-term retention: Books are superior.
For visual, expert-led, and free learning: YouTube is more effective.
Best Approach? Use Both!
• Read books for in-depth knowledge and retention.
• Watch YouTube to reinforce learning through expert demonstrations and visual explanations.
By combining both, learners can achieve a well-rounded, effective educational experience!
The writer is a Faculty of Mathematics,
Department of General Education SUC, Sharjah, UAE
Advancing Language, Reading
By: Priyanka Saurabh
The recent Annual Status of Education Report 2024 states that Grade III pupils have improved their reading skills (24% to 34%) and subtraction skills (29% to 41%). Young readers like Shragtika Ghosh are examples of how the adoption of vibrant and relevant workbooks has improved literacy outcomes in Odisha. Primary school teacher Ravi Sharma teaches mathematics through songs. As they learn numbers, they chant, “Ek-do thaila lo, teen-char chalo bazaar.” Shragtika Ghosh, a Class II student, can now read Odia books with confidence. Colorful and relevant workbooks enhance core literacy.
The Ministry of Education launched the Nipun Bharat Programme 2021, a national initiative for proficiency in reading with comprehension and arithmetic to ensure that every child in the country acquires basic literacy and arithmetic comprehension by the end of Grade 3 by 2026-2027. The Nipun Bharat Mission has been launched under the aegis of the centrally sponsored Samagra Shiksha Yojana; it will focus on providing access and retaining students in the basic years of schooling, building teacher capacity, tracking each child’s progress towards learning outcomes, and developing high-quality and diverse student and teacher resources/learning materials. The recent Annual Status of Education Report provides a ray of hope by revealing significant improvement in basic learning outcomes, especially in Grade III. This development is partly due to the Government of India’s concerted efforts to improve educational quality, in which the Nipun Bharat Mission is playing a key role.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 established the framework for promoting foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN). It emphasized early childhood education as a critical component of holistic educational development. Nipun Bharat Mission: A Game Changer The National Initiative for Reading, Comprehension, and Numeracy (NIPUNA) Bharat, launched in 2021, is a mission of the Ministry of Education. Nipun Bharat aims to improve the reading, writing, and arithmetic skills of children aged 3 to 9 years. The components of Nipun Bharat are Improve your oral language listening comprehension, vocabulary, and conversational abilities. Learn to read written words by learning the relationship between symbols and sounds. Learn basic numeracy to use simple math ideas to solve everyday situations. Plans for Nipun Bharat implementation are made by the state and union territory administrations.
To understand learning levels, the National Council of Educational Research and Training carries out basic learning research. Nipun Bharat’s features include interesting curriculum and teaching-learning resources that cost Rs 500 per child. It gives each teacher Rs 150 for resource material and Rs 5,000 for courses aimed at enhancing their capacity. It gives states Rs 10 to Rs 20 lakh for student assessment and between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 1 crore for state and district-level project management units. According to stories of the impact of the Nipun Bharat Abhiyan, teachers use songs to make mathematics more interesting. For example, the recent Annual Status of Education Report 2024 states that Grade III pupils have improved their reading skills (24% to 34%) and subtraction skills (29% to 41%).
Young readers like Shragtika Ghosh are examples of how the adoption of vibrant and relevant workbooks has improved literacy outcomes in Odisha. Mathematics is taught through songs by primary school teacher Ravi Sharma. As they learn numbers, they chant the slogan, “Ek-do thaala lo, teen-char chalo bazaar.” Shragtika Ghosh, a second grader, can now read Odia books with confidence. Colorful and relevant workbooks enhance core literacy. Nipun is essential, but it has some difficulties. After initial academic progress, many children struggle in later classes. Marginalized children often enter school lacking basic competencies. Nipun Bharat took four years to deliver results. Its impact will be greater if it is extended to 2030. It is important to invest in early childhood education (ECE) and provide learning support to classes III-V.
As they move on to more complex ideas, many children still struggle with basic education. Lack of early preparation creates additional barriers for marginalized communities. As the four-year journey of Nipun Bharat shows, systemic change requires sustained efforts. To have a more profound and lasting impact, Nipun Bharat 2.0 is being extended to 2030. Expand to grades III-V to bridge the knowledge gap between higher-order and basic skills, improve preschool instruction, and prioritize early childhood education to increase student readiness for primary school. The results demonstrate that progress is possible with the right resources and policies. The goal of expanding Nipun Bharat is to transform lives, not just increase numbers. India has a chance to guarantee high-quality education for all children and set a worldwide standard in basic education by committing immediately to Nipun Bharat 2.0.
The Nipun Bharat program has resulted in a remarkable improvement in the language, writing, learning, and reading skills of each child. It aims to teach National Initiative Proficiency in Comprehension and Numeracy to Class 3 primary school children.
—The writer is a Research Scholar in
Political Science,
Poet, freelance journalist, and columnist
Rejuvenating environment
In the recent past, Jammu and Kashmir has been nothing short of a reflection of a remarkable recovery in ecology, with a massive rise in the forest cover.
The most recent data confirms that the region is a prominent site for the green-belt to affirm the alteration of its ecological narrative.
This success is not simply a dry number; it is a statement of the joint efforts of the government, local communities, and environmental organizations that have been exerting themselves to restore and preserve the natural heritage of this ecologically sensitive area.
The rise of forest cover is an auspicious sign at the time when the world deals with the overwhelming effects of climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
Jammu and Kashmir one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world promotes sustainable living through this green recovery. The roots of this achievement are multifaceted.
Many of these intervention programs have been done by the local administration who have closely collaborated with the central government.
Some of them include afforestation and reforestation programs under the Green India Mission and the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
These programs have not only compelled to the scheme of planting trees but have also focused on instructing people to play a valuable role such as, identifying the best practice of preserving our deep woods.
The main characters of the green revolution emergence are simply ordinary local people. Their work in planting trees, preserving nature making areas, and just use of the land sustainable is their great contribution to reaching the goal.
From kids planting trees to farmers growing crops with trees, the people of J&K prove that everyone shares the job of fixing the environment.
The growth in forest area gives us reason to cheer, but it also points out the tough tasks ahead. A changing climate more cities, and new building projects still threaten the area’s delicate nature.
The recent boom in tourism helps the economy, but it raises worries about trash control and damage to animal homes.
To keep this good trend going, we need to find the right mix between growth and protecting nature.
The policymakers and the concerned authorities must make green practices a top concern, enforce tougher rules against illegal tree cutting and land grabs, and put money into clean energy sources.
Also, J&K’s success in growing forests should push other states and countries facing similar nature problems to take action.
Javed Dar champions eco-friendly development in J&K
‘Need to balance progress with environ sustainability’
KATHUA: Minister for Agricultural Production and Rural Development Department, Javed Ahmad Dar, Wednesday underscored the challenges posed by rapid development and commercialisation while emphasising the critical need for environmental conservation and water management.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the “Watershed Yatra” at GDC Hira Nagar here, an initiative by the Department of Rural Development, Government of India, the Minister highlighted the growing environmental concerns due to urbanisation and industrial expansion.
The campaign was flagged off at the national level by Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Dar, who is also Minister for Cooperative and Election departments, emphasised that the development should be accomplished only in consonance with the ecological balance. He urged upon the people to become part of the Yatra for their contribution towards protection of our environment against more degradation.
He stressed the urgency of preserving natural resources, particularly water bodies and forest cover, to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure sustainable growth.
“We are moving towards modernization and commercialization, but it is our responsibility to balance progress with environmental sustainability. Conservation of water and afforestation must be our top priorities,” said the Minister.
He stressed the need for sustainable practices. “We are facing many challenges, but it is our duty to address them. We must plant more trees, conserve water and ensure our environment remains sustainable. Our department has several schemes, such as AmritSarovar, to improve water reservoirs and promote environmental health,” he added.
The Minister also said that the watershed yatra is a significant step towards a better future. He urged upon the students and local communities to actively participate in environmental conservation. “It is not just the duty of the department but also of every individual to preserve water bodies and maintain the environment. We are suffering from global warming, and it is our collective responsibility to address it,” he said.
On the occasion, the Minister also flagged off the “Watershed Yatra Van” from Hiranagar. The van will traverse 2,400 km across Jammu and Kashmir, reaching over 5 lakh residents through interactive workshops, community activities, and awareness drives.
The campaign, running until March 1, 2025, will conclude in Jammu, showcasing advanced techniques in watershed conservation, soil health enhancement, and rainwater harvesting.
The Minister also planted a tree at GDC Hiranagar and e-inaugurated several initiatives under the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0).
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), Mohammad AijazAsad, emphasised that the Watershed Yatra is not just a government-led project but a community-driven mission. “This is not the government’s journey; it is your journey. It is a movement for the people, by the people. Every individual, every community must take ownership of water conservation,” he stated.
MLA KathuaDr. Bharat Bhushan, MLA Hiranagar Vijay Kumar Sharma, and MLA Billawar Satish Kumar Sharma were also present on the occasion.
Among others, Secretary in RDD & PR Department, Rachna Sharma, Director RDD Jammu Mumtaz Ali, Mission Director JKRLM, Shubhra Sharma, Director Panchayati Raj, J&K Sham Lal, Chief Executive Officer, IWMP, Rajnish Kumar, Chief Operating Officer, HIMAYAT, Rajneesh Gupta and others also attended the event.
Empowering women farmers will drive growth: Javed
KATHUA, FEBRUARY 5: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj departments, Javed Ahmad Dar, today conducted an extensive tour of Kathua district to oversee progressive farming activities under Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP).
The Minister emphasized that the hand holding of farmers particularly women farmers under HADP is driving progressive farming practices and ensuring sustainable growth in J&K.
During the tour, the Minister inspected the Krishna Millet Restaurant at Pathwal, a women-led initiative that promotes millet-based healthy cuisine. He appreciated the entrepreneurial spirit of the women involved, enjoyed the delicious millet dishes and encouraged others to take inspiration from such ventures to promote nutritional awareness and self-reliance.
The Minister also visited the Jandi Mushroom Village, where he closely monitored the integrated farming practices, including mushroom cultivation, vermi-composting and wheat crop management.
The Minister interacted with the local farmers and women entrepreneurs including Neelam Devi, who has successfully installed 2,000 mushroom bags and Rajni Devi, who has installed 1,000 mushroom bags and is actively managing a vermi-composting unit provided by the department under HADP.
The Jandi Panchayat has collectively installed over 10,000 mushroom bags, showcasing the region’s potential in mushroom cultivation.
During the interactions, the Minister emphasised the importance of handholding support for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women. He urged them to explore opportunities in exotic vegetable cultivation with the government providing necessary assistance through cluster-based polyhouse facilities, high-tech farming techniques and access to modern farm machinery. He also highlighted the significance of fodder cultivation to support livestock farming and improve rural livelihoods.
The Minister visited the Soil Testing Mini Lab and Kissan Khidmat Ghar (KKG) at Pathwal and took stock of their functioning.He stressed the need for massive awareness campaigns on soil health management, encouraging farmers to regularly test their soil for better crop yields and sustainable agricultural practices.
At the KKG center in Pathwal, the Minister interacted with the women entrepreneurs to understand their challenges and achievements.
Accompanying Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Kathua, Sanjeev Rai, briefed the Minister on various initiatives aimed at empowering women farmers through activities like pickle making, mushroom cultivation and honey bee farming.
The Minister praised the efforts of the agriculture department in promoting value-added agricultural practices and urged officials to identify more women entrepreneurs for initiatives like millet restaurants. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards women empowerment, rural self-reliance and sustainable agricultural growth through innovative schemes under HADP.
J&K Bank fraud cases drop 50% in 2023-24
By: Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Feb 05: Jammu and Kashmir Bank has made significant progress in combating fraud with a 50% reduction in the number of such cases in 2023-24 compared to the previous year.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman provided data on fraud cases across all banks, including Jammu and Kashmir Bank, in response to a question in the Lok Sabha.
The amount involved in these frauds also saw a dramatic decline, dropping to just 2.7% of the total amount from 2022-23. This improvement reflects the bank’s enhanced security measures and proactive risk mitigation efforts.
Despite efforts to strengthen security and compliance measures, the bank continues to grapple with varying levels of fraud, with some years seeing alarming spikes in the amounts involved.
The bank reported 13 fraud cases, involving a total of Rs 69.71 crore in 2019-20. In 2020-21, the fraud cases decreased to 10, but the amount involved surged by 42.3% to Rs 99.23 crore, marking the highest amount in this period.
In 2021-22, both the number of cases and the amount involved dropped, with 12 fraud cases and Rs 14.25 crore, representing an 85.6% decline in the amount compared to the previous year.
In 2022-23, the bank saw a sharp rise in fraud cases, recording 16 cases, the highest in five years, with the amount involved skyrocketing to Rs 298.75 crore, a staggering 1,996% increase from the previous year.
In 2023-24 (till December 2024): Fraud cases decreased to 8, with the amount involved dropping significantly to Rs. 8.10 crore, a 97.3% reduction compared to 2022-23. As of December 2024, only 2 fraud cases have been reported, involving Rs 0.69 crore.
The data reveals a volatile trend in fraud cases, with the amount involved peaking in 2022-23 at Rs 298.75 crore, the highest in the five-year period. (KNO)
Z-Morh tunnel boosts Sonmarg winter tourism
By: Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Feb 05: The newly inaugurated Z-Morh Tunnel in Ganderbal district is proving to be a game-changer for the Sonamarg tourist destination, boosting winter tourism in the region at a very large scale. Since its opening on January 13, more than 55,000 tourists have visited Sonamarg within just 16 days during the otherwise slow winter months.
The 6.5-kilometer-long tunnel, connecting Gagangir to Sonamarg, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has since facilitated seamless access to the picturesque valley, which was previously difficult to reach due to heavy snowfall and road closures. Official data reveals that among the 55,935 tourists who arrived post-inauguration, 1,114 were foreign visitors.
According to Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, CEO of the Sonamarg Development Authority, 33,990 tourists had visited Sonamarg in the first 10 days of January 2025. However, after the opening of the tunnel, the number surged significantly.
“Earlier, due to the lack of road connectivity, Sonamarg would witness a sharp decline in visitors during December, January, and February, leaving local businesses struggling. This year, however, the scenario has changed completely,” Bhat said.
The increase in tourism has revitalized the local economy, with hotels, restaurants, and shops witnessing a surge in activity. “This place, which usually remained silent during winters, is now bustling with visitors,” Bhat added.
He also noted that Sonamarg currently has about 1.5 feet of snow, making it an ideal location for winter sports. The authorities are in talks with the sports department to organize skiing, skating, ice hockey, and other winter activities to further promote tourism.
Local business owners are optimistic about the future. Irshad Ahmad Wani, a shopkeeper dealing in warm clothing, expressed his satisfaction with the increase in footfall. “The winter was harsh, but our pockets are full thanks to the rush of tourists. With spring and summer approaching, we expect even better business,” he said. (KNO)
Police solve burglary case, arrest 3
Srinagar, Feb 05: Srinagar Police have solved a burglary case by arresting three accused persons involved in the commission of crime, officials said today.
“On 02/02/2025, Police Station Nishat received information that during the intervening night of 1-2/02/2025, some unknown thief/thieves broke the donation box of Mosque/Shrine at Syed Rahman Chowk Nishat and took away some cash,” read a statement.
Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 07/2025 under relevant sections of law was registered at PS Nishat and investigation initiated.
During the course of investigation, officers investigating the case acted promptly by using intelligence input & technical evidence to arrest the accused persons. They have been identified as AamirRafiq son of Rafiq Ahmad sheikh @Dobhi resident of BuchwaraDalgate, MohdSufyanBage son of MohdRafiqBage resident of BageMohalla Uri Baramulla, A/P GulabMohallaDalgate and Danish Bashir Khan son of Late Bashir Ahmad Khan resident of BuchwaraDalgate, A/P Sumo Stand Khunmoh.
The vehicle (swift car) bearing registration number JK04A-5786 used in the commission of crime has also been seized.
Upon the disclosure of the accused persons, stolen cash has also recovered from their possession.
143 out of 161 SSCL projects completed
By: Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Feb 05: As the year 2025 enters its second month, officials from Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) on Wednesday said that 143 out of the total 161 projects under the Smart City initiative have been completed.
An official from SSCL informed that the initial budget was Rs 940 crore, and among the remaining 18 projects, work is currently underway. We are hopeful of achieving full completion by March 2025, he said.
Regarding infrastructure developments, the official said that one of the major ongoing projects is Riverfront Phase II, covering the stretch from Amira Kadal to Chattabal.
“The Shahr-e-Khaas development, divided into Sections A, B, and C, along with three other projects, has reached an 85% completion rate,” he said, adding that the underground ducting project along the right bank of the riverfront is progressing well, with about 75% of the work completed.
The completed projects, he said, include the redevelopment of Lal Chowk, upgrades to MA Road and Residency Road, Riverfront Phase 1, the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS), the SD Net, and the Srinagar data network (Intranet), among others. The upcoming milestone projects include improvements to Batmaloo, Mominabad Road, Dalgate-Gojwara Road and others.
The SSCL’s initiatives aim to transform the urban landscape while preserving the city’s unique cultural heritage, the official said. (KNO)
