Roots and Reflections - Exploring Ideas, Experiences and Wisdom

Early Life and Childhood days:- Zinda Kaul, a prominent literary figure in Kashmiri literature, is lovingly referred to as "Masterji" by both students and friends. He was born in August 1884 in Habbakadal, a neighborhood in Srinagar, with a Kashmiri Pandit background and a difficult childhood. His father, Lakshman Pandit, seemed indifferent to Kaul's schooling, so he self-educated out of sheer will. The struggles he faced as a young man deepened Kaul's commitment to self-education and expressing his thoughts through language and poetry. Kaul's first profession was a school teacher, where he earned the respect and admiration of his students, who fondly referred to him as "Masterji," a name that stayed with him throughout his life. Kaul's years of teaching were formative in developing his character and literary sensibility. He was remarkably connected to his students, and he had a rare insight into human nature and its sentiments through his relationsh...

                      (Photo courtesy: Internet) Kundan Lal Saigal - affectionately recognized for generations as K. L. Saigal - is, without question, an everlasting name in India’s film and music history. Acknowledged as the first superstar of the Hindi film industry, K. L. Saigal, by way of life, was nothing but a combination of devotion, toil, and timeless artistry. The Jammuities felt proud that this great personality belonged to the temple city of Jammu, steeped in spirituality and tradition. While destiny later transported him to Calcutta, now Kolkata for the Indian film industry, his roots remained indelibly planted in Jammu and Kashmir's cultural soil. Born on April 11, 1904, into a Punjabi household, Kundan Lal Saigal received a unique combination of discipline and dedication from his family. His father, Amar Chand Saigal, was a Tehsildar in the court of Maharaja Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir, a position of considerable...

In the history of Jammu and Kashmir’s intellectual and scientific progress, few names command the same respect and admiration as Professor Yog Raj Malhotra. A true son of the soil, he was born in Baramulla to Janaki and Rugh Nath Malhotra, the latter serving as a distinguished officer in the Provincial Forest Services during the reign of Maharaja Hari Singh and continuing his service after independence. From these humble yet intellectually rich beginnings, Professor Malhotra’s life became a story of brilliance, leadership, and unwavering dedication to education and research that transformed the academic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. His early education was spread across some of the finest institutions of the region. He began his schooling at Presentation Convent and Haddow Memorial School (now Tyndale Biscoe) in Srinagar, later studying at Government High School Muzaffarabad and CMS Anantnag. After matriculation, his academic journey led him to the Prince of Wales College, now known ...

We are living in a time of extraordinary change. Technological innovations, the rise of artificial intelligence, continuing digitalization, and the ongoing expansion of automation are closely transforming the nature of employment in nations around the world. Established forms of work that were once seen as reliably valuable are being vacated, leaving even the most capable members of society - postgraduates, PhD holders, and professionals—struggling for adequate employment. In our era, the wealth of nations is not merely determined by their availability of natural resources but rather by the extent to which they produce new ideas, foster innovation, and promote entrepreneurial activity. In this age, traditional markers of success, such as formal degrees and certifications, are giving way to creativity, critical thinking, and capacity for problem solving. These are the tools that allow an individual to deal with complexity, leverage new opportunities, and make valuable contributions to s...

                                             It is very disturbing and unfortunate that Kashmiri Pandits are going away from the cultural moorings. In today’s marriages, Yagnyopavit that is sacred thread ceremonies and other important ceremonies there are no Henzea wanvun or very less Hanzea wanvun as Younger KP ladies do not know the Hanzea wanvun or vachun and they also cannot pronounce the Wanvun properly and do not attach any importance to Hanzea wanvun under the influence of modernity. It is so sad that we and our women flock are distracting from their roots and serious and conscious efforts need to be made to connect the KP community with their cultural legacy, their rituals and customs. Our marriages and other ceremonies are becoming shallow and hallow without the Hanzea wanvun and to give freshness to the old rituals ,we need to focus on the Henzea wanvun. But alas!...

Some five hundred years ago, there lived a young queen who became a symbol of bravery and honour - Rani Durgavati, born in 1524 CE in Kalinjar Fort which is now called Banda district of Uttar Pradesh. Her father was Salbahan, also known as Raja Keerat Rai, a Chandel Rajput ruler of Mahoba. She belonged to the prestigious Chandel dynasty, famed for building the Khajuraho and Kalinjar temples and resisting Muslim invasions during medieval times.  Revered as a wise and brave monarch throughout central India, she refused to handover her kingdom or her people. The story of Rani Durgavati is not merely history, as the tales of her valour and leadership continue to represent hope in the minds of people across the country on her 501st birth anniversary, notably for women in leadership positions in public life, business, science and service. Collectively, Rani Durgavati's courage, her leadership and her sacrifice are principles that connect the battlefields of the 16th century to the hopes ...

The sacred soil of India has been a melting pot of festivals, fairs and merry-making throughout the ages of its civilizational grandeur. Jammu and Kashmir, the crown of the nation, is no exception to this glorious cultural heritage. Amongst the many festivals in the Indian calendar, Karwa Chauth stands out as an elite display of matrimonial devotion and is mainly observed by married Hindu women in Northern and Western India, with unique rituals backstopped by austerity, abstinence, and unyielding belief in the observance for the longevity, prosperity and safety of their husbands. It is noteworthy to mention that couples (husbands and wives) observed strict fast on this sacred day of karwa chauth from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. The fast ends after the wife sees the moon through a sieve, and the husband helps her break it with water and sweets. The festival is dedicated to Lord Ganesha - the remover of obstacles and Mata Karwa - the figure beh...

There are several tourists destinations in Jammu division like Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar, Mansar, Surinsar, Katra, Badarwah etc. Apart from these tourist destinations, now a days Udhampur is emerging as the best tourist destination offering natural Scenic beauty, culture and heritage. Nestled in the peaceful surroundings of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir is the Dudu Valley, a place that harmonizes nature, spirituality, and adventure. With the Ramnagar–Basantgarh, Dudu–Latti, and Mantalai–Sudh Mahadev–Chenani axis, the site is a paradise ready for discovery. If you want to experience peace in nature, want to find the roots of your belief, or simply feel the excitement of a journey into the mountains, you will be able to experience Dudu Valley in a potent way where every corner of the road will present something new and certainly pure. The valley is steeped in spiritual meaning. It forms part of a sacred circuit consisting of ancient temples and shrines associated with the Naga...

We know that Artificial Intelligence has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. AI is everywhere by making our lives easy and better. Complex and tough situations in our day to day lives can be solved through AI. Now the need of the hour is to give some ethics to Artificial Intelligence to make it more smart and sharp. AI has quickly become one of the most significant elements in contemporary society - it is changing industries, influencing economies, and affecting life in almost every way. With this impact comes a huge responsibility to develop and deploy AI technologies in ways that reflect human values, protect individuals, and contribute to the collective good of society. The ethical issues regarding AI extend well beyond technical efficiency and legal compliance. At their essence, they deal with ensuring that technology remains aligned with humanity's best interests. AI ethics is a collection of moral principles and guidelines that support trust, limit harm, and maxi...

(Image Source: Internet) Tarak Mehta was one of the most distinguished Gujarati humorist, Play writer and author of the twentieth century who was famous for his writing skills with profound ability to draw humor out of ordinary happenings, while at the same time holding a mirror to society. He was born on 26, December 1929 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Tarak Mehta was part of a group of writers who saw literature (prose or poetry) as a tool for social change and as a pleasurable way to spend your reading time. It is important to note, though, that it was never scathing critique and vitriol that distinguished Tarak Mehta instead it was humor, satire, and wit used as a way to rouse readers out of their slumber to understand their own behavior as well as the flaws and eccentricities of their society. The content was not merely clean and family-friendly humor, but very subtle, sharp, and layered - all helping him to be one of the all-time favorites in Gujarati literature. From an early age, Mehta...