Day: February 26, 2025

  • Thousands throng Poonch Shiv Khori Mandir on Maha Shivratari ; DC Vikas Kundal pays obeisance at Temple shrine.

    Thousands throng Poonch Shiv Khori Mandir on Maha Shivratari ; DC Vikas Kundal pays obeisance at Temple shrine.

    GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

    POONCH, FEB 26:-The local Shiv Khori Temple witnessed the influx of thousands of devotees on the eve of Mahashivratri.

    Men, women and children adorned in colorful attires filled the temple, taking part in special prayers held on the occasion.

    Visitors also enjoyed local cuisine at food stalls set up along the route to the temple shrine, enhancing the festive atmosphere of the day.

    Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal also paid obeisance at the temple shrine and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva.

    The Deputy Commissioner exchanged Maha Shivratri greetings with the pilgrims. He said that the auspicious occasion embodies the true spirit of India’s composite culture, fostering brotherhood and harmony among all communities.

    Earlier, the Management Committee of the temple extended a warm welcome to the Deputy Commissioner.

  • Poonch Players Excel in 8th J&K Soft Tennis Championship: Poonch athletes shine on the state stage, securing multiple medals

    Poonch Players Excel in 8th J&K Soft Tennis Championship: Poonch athletes shine on the state stage, securing multiple medals

    GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

    SRINAGAR FEB 26:-The 8th J&K Soft Tennis Championship was successfully held from February 22 to 24 at Bindu Stadium, Rajbagh, Srinagar, bringing together top players from across the region. The event saw participation from multiple districts of Jammu Division, along with ten districts from Kashmir Division, making it a highly competitive championship.

    Among the standout performers was the Poonch Soft Tennis team, which competed in Sub-Junior, Junior, and Senior categories. Led by Soft Tennis Coach Manzoor Ahmed ans Pervaiz Ahmed (REK Mentors All Soft Tennis Players distt poonch), the team showcased remarkable skills and determination. Their hard work bore fruit as six players from Poonch clinched prestigious medals, making their district proud and highlighting the growing talent in the region.

    This championship held special significance as it marked a milestone in the development of soft tennis in Jammu and Kashmir. Organized under the newly established Jammu & Kashmir Soft Tennis Association, the event represented the association’s first major initiative to promote and expand the sport across the region.

    The decision to host a state-level championship reflects the commitment of the new association in providing young athletes with a platform to compete at higher levels. The move has been widely appreciated by sports enthusiasts, who believe that such events will help unearth hidden talent and encourage more youngsters to take up soft tennis professionally.

    The latest success of the Poonch team is yet another example of the district’s strong sporting culture. Over the years, Poonch has produced several talented athletes across various sports, and the performance in this championship further cements its reputation as a breeding ground for young talent.

    Speaking on the achievement, overall supervisor Coach Manzoor Ahmed (REK)and Parvaiz Malik (REK) expressed pride in his team’s performance. He credited their success to rigorous training, dedication, and passion for the sport. He also emphasized the need for better infrastructure and training facilities to ensure that more young players from Poonch and other remote areas get opportunities to shine on bigger platforms.

    The outstanding performance of the Poonch players has been met with widespread appreciation from the local community. Families, friends, and sports lovers have extended their congratulations to the medal winners, hoping that this victory will serve as inspiration for aspiring young athletes.

    Local sports officials have also acknowledged the team’s success and assured continued support for sports development in the district. Many believe that with proper guidance and resources, Poonch players have the potential to compete at national and even international levels in soft tennis.

    With this victory, Poonch’s soft tennis players have set their sights on future competitions, aiming to achieve even greater milestones. The focus now shifts to upcoming state and national-level tournaments, where they will look to build on their recent success.

    As soft tennis gains popularity in Jammu and Kashmir, initiatives like this championship will play a vital role in nurturing young talent and promoting the sport in the region. The success of Poonch’s players in the 8th J&K Soft Tennis Championship is not just a moment of pride for the district but also a sign of a promising future for sports in Jammu & Kashmir.

  • Sigh of relief: Fresh wet spell reduces rainfall deficiency to 69% from last week’s 83% ; More rain, snow for two days to further reduce deficiency

    Sigh of relief: Fresh wet spell reduces rainfall deficiency to 69% from last week’s 83% ; More rain, snow for two days to further reduce deficiency

    GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

    SRINAGAR FEB 26(KNO):-The fresh spell of precipitation has brought down the rainfall deficiency by 14 per cent as the deficit rainfall has reduced from 83 per cent last week to 69 per cent till Wednesday.

    Major precipitation has been recorded at Kargil station in Ladakh as well as Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu division over the last one week. After zero rainfall in the first 50 days of this year, Kargil recorded 16.4 mm rainfall against the normal precipitation of 25 mm in the last 57 days of 2025.

    The precipitation deficit has reduced from above 70 per cent to 50 per cent in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu division, reveals data accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

    In the entire Jammu and Kashmir, the deficit rainfall has reduced to 69 per cent compared to 83 per cent last week. According to data, against the normal precipitation of 215.5mm, the region recorded a rainfall of 65.8 mm from January 01, 2025, to February 26, 225.

    However, other districts of Jammu and Kashmir despite witnessing a reduction in the precipitation deficiency continued to be categorised in the large deficiency list.

    The data reveals a deficiency of 60 to 84 per cent in other districts of Jammu and Kashmir including Srinagar, the summer capital of the Union Territory, having a deficiency of 74 per cent during the period.

    There is a forecast of more snow and rain for the next two days, which would likely reduce the rainfall deficit of this season. The weatherman has issued yellow and orange alerts for Jammu and Kashmir, predicting light to moderate rainfall till February 28.

    KNO reported that amid the declining trend in precipitation for the last three consecutive years, Kashmir Valley has recorded the worst-ever deficit rainfall in 2025 in the last eight years.

    Official data revealed that a deficiency of 70 per cent was recorded from December 2024 to February 2025—(KNO)

  • Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Embarks on Academic Expansion

    Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Embarks on Academic Expansion

    GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

    RAJOURI FEB 26:– Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) is undergoing a significant transformation, expanding its academic offerings and solidifying its position as a premier institution of higher education.

    Under the visionary leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Jawaid Iqbal, Dean Academic Affairs Prof. M J Warsi, and Registrar Mr. Abhishek Sharma, IAS,  university setting new benchmarks in academic excellence, research, and innovation.

    BGSBU has established new departments, including Sanskrit, History, Political Science and International Relations, Sociology, Linguistics, and Mechanical Engineering. The university has also introduced several postgraduate and undergraduate programs, catering to evolving academic and professional demands.

    The new undergraduate engineering programs include B.Tech in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Additionally, the university has launched M.Tech programs in Computer Science and Engineering, Power and Energy Systems, Electronics & Communication, and Water Resource Engineering.

    Prof. Jawaid Iqbal VC stated that “BGSBU is committed to academic excellence and holistic development. Our focus is on creating a knowledge-driven ecosystem that empowers students and faculty to contribute meaningfully to society.”

    Prof. Iqbal emphasized that the introduction of these programs reflects the essence of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS), promoting interdisciplinary teaching and research while contributing to societal growth.

    Prof. M J Warsi, Dean of Academic Affairs, added, “These academic initiatives will enhance career prospects and contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the region.”

    The university’s expansion is expected to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete at the Union Territory and National levels.