Kashmir Business Voice

It is with great pleasure that we present to you the first issue of “Kashmir Business Voice.” This magazine aims to serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas and information regarding the business world in Kashmir and beyond. Through interviews with prominent business leaders and working professionals, we hope to provide valuable insights into the workings of various industries and the people behind them.

In addition to our interviews, we also feature news and information related to business-specific happenings and events. We understand that business is not just about numbers and figures, and therefore, we have included details on social issues and sports as well.

Our mission is to bring together the voices of Kashmir’s business community and facilitate the sharing of innovative

and forward-thinking ideas. We hope that “Kashmir Business Voice ” will become a trusted source of information and inspiration for our readers.

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T: +91 194 356 1696 E: info@kashmir business voice.com

M: +91 705 100 1138 www.kashmirbusinessvoice.com

Rouf Majid

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to your feedback. Editor

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Learning to live with Autism

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Listen to your Heart

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Market Round-up

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Technologies that have Changed the Game of Cricket

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Cricket in Kashmir

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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Ask the Law

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Events Calender

Chief Patron: Najeeb Ahmad

Editor: Rouf Majid

Media Manager: Faizan Qazi

Marketing Manager: Rohit Kumar

Photography: Khushba Bashir

Contributors: Najm-uz-Zaman, Dr. Imtiyaz, Dr. Rizwan, Arsalan, Naveera

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use.

Making Hospitality Home Like

Rose Petal Hotel is fast emerging as one of the most iconic luxury hotel brands available to travelers today in Kashmir. Founded in 2017, the name quickly became a force to reckon with in the hospitality industry.

Najeeb Ahmad, a founding team member, today acts as CEO. Kashmir Business Voice spoke to Najeeb Ahmad about the evolution of the luxury guest experience and how his hotel is attempting to surpass its loftiest expectations.

Tell us about your journey as a hotel entrepreneur. Any key learnings that you would like to share?

I take pride in being part of Rose Petal Hotel’s success story –a property that captures the essence of Srinagar. It has been a fantastic journey, with ups and downs and lots of challenges, but many great times as well. I have been blessed with fabulous partners who believed in my vision for the hotel and, most importantly, an amazing team that works tirelessly to make a difference every day. I am very grateful for what we have achieved so far, but even more excited about the future and all the great things we aim to do. I am in love with the hospitality business, a bug I caught a little later in life. I started my career as a businessman dealing in exquisite Kashmiri arts and handicrafts. Being intrigued with culture and people from my earlier years, my foray into the hospitality sector was a natural progression for me. Working in hospitality has taught me skills I could not have learnt anywhere else. It taught me about prioritization, swift problemsolving, crystal-clear communication, humility, and how to keep smiling on face despite having a rough day.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the Kashmir’s hospitality market?

I am very hopeful. The way J&K handled the pandemic is truly impressive, and the government has been instrumental in how fast the hospitality industry is getting back on its feet. According to the available data, 22,59,569 tourists visited the Kashmir Valley last year, in 2022. These include 22,40,616 domestic tourists and 18,953 foreign tourists. These numbers are huge and record-breaking for the UT. Jammu and Kashmir is among the 10 states and union territories where the service sector’s (mostly tourism) contribution to state gross domestic product (SGDP) is more than 58 per cent. I am sure that we will only see improvement and further flourishing in the hospitality industry. I also believe that the experience we had with the pandemic

Najeeb Ahmad

To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.

CEO, Rose Petal Hotel

has made us even stronger in our hospitality. We have adapted and found ways to protect our guests from the pandemic while delivering the same quality of service they would expect from us.

The hospitality industry in here is very competitive – what do you think sets you apart from the rest?

At Rose Petal Hotel, we offer families, long-stay guests, and business travelers a contemporary home with all the perks of staying in a hotel. Our facilities are perfect to meet any business or personal need that will not just satisfy but “wow” our guests. Besides, our commitment to deliver operational excellence, our prioritization of customer satisfaction, the upholding of our commitment to corporate responsibility, green environmental practices, and an ethos of care set us apart from the rest.

How has your hotel performed since its launch?

After less than six years of operations, we have been able to establish ourselves as one of the major players in the hospitality industry in Kashmir. We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to our arrival in the market and the trust given to us in such a short period. Post-pandemic, our occupancy levels have reached and exceeded those of well-established hotels, and the feedback we’ve received from our guests is heart-warming. This motivates us even more.

What are some of the changes or the shifts that you have seen in guest expectations since your launch?

Guests want what they want, but they want it now, and so much of that is tied to technology. People want a great experience on the website. They want easy bookings and an easy way to find out

about the neighborhood while they are in the hotel. They don’t want to wait in line to check in or ask the concierge a question. People want all this in a very easy, simple, and connected way.

What are the biggest challenges you are facing to improve the guest experience today?

I think there are so many that it’s hard to say which the biggest issue is. I will give you two for your consideration: Competitors are constantly upping their game, and there are ever-rising customer expectations as a result of that. For example, the breakfast is always being improved, the room design is always being refreshed, and high-speed internet access is given with higher bandwidth. Customer expectations have evolved to include mobile, and people want to use our entertainment as well as have

it on their devices. That’s driven a change in marketing as well. Nowadays, we have to have a presence not just on TV but also on YouTube, Facebook, and other social media channels. We have to worry about searches on Google and TripAdvisor. The technology and how the competition has reacted have evolved customer expectations, which have caused us to do things differently. I think, in general, the biggest issue would be the ever-rising customer expectations, driven by technology.

What are your targets and expectations for the year 2023?

We are committed to a year where we continue to deliver operational excellence, prioritise customer satisfaction and uphold our commitment to corporate responsibility, green environmental

practices and to our ethos of care. Our business goals for the year 2023 include driving stakeholder value across the board, identifying new market segments, increasing market share, and continuing to grow brand loyalty across India and beyond. At the core of our hotel's growth target and marketing push is an attempt to evolve our product to match guests’ evolving expectations and not get left behind.

What other novelties should we be expecting for the rest of the year?

Our focus this year will be on nurturing our employees and making sure we do everything possible to find new ways to attract and retain talent and strengthen the appeal of the hospitality industry. While this is not necessarily visible on the outside, I am confident that both guests and business partners will feel the difference.

What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?

I believe in breaking ground with new ideas, spearheading new concepts, and originating new proposals and this is a fact that “if you want to make an impression, you have to differentiate yourself from others”. It takes hard and smart work to be successful in any industry and along with that, be kind and be the better version of yourself than you were yesterday. There should be consistent efforts genuinely put across and look after the people that you work with. These are the keys to success in any of the industries you work in.

Hello Fresh!

Entrepreneur Rayees Ahmad, is the dynamic and thoughtful founder and CEO of Tiffin Aaw. He along with his wife Nida Rehman, started the company on a mission to make healthy food more accessible to families and working professionals living in the valley. Their dedication to building a company around high-quality, healthy food without compromising taste, has led this Srinagar-based, homegrown brand, to go attain new heights in a short span of time.

There is a lot of buzz in Kashmir about the name ‘Tiffin Aaw’. Can you provide an introduction to Tiffin Aaw? It sounds more like food delivery service providers like Zomato, Swiggy or famous Mumbai Dabbawalas? What’s the differentiator here?

First of all, I am really glad if our local Kashmiri company ‘Tiffin Aaw’ reminds someone of world-renowned brands that you mentioned. The truth of the matter is that Zomato, Swiggy or Dabbawalas are only a food delivery service providers. They pick-up food from restaurants of your choice and deliver it to you and That’s it!

On the other hand, at ‘Tiffin Aaw’, we cook the food you order ourselves in our home-kitchen and deliver it to you too, right at your door step, but that’s not all. Our USP is the natural and organic hand-picked spices that we use in our cooked meals. This means our customers get to avoid preservatives, artificial food dyes and fake sweeteners that are often added to food at restaurants. In short, ‘Tiffin Aaw’ is more than just eating healthier, it’s about exercising your freedom to choose what you put in your body.

How did you come up with the idea of launching such kind of a business in Kashmir?

I started the business in 2019, with the intention of providing healthy and home-cooked meals, right at the consumers' doorsteps. The idea to run such a kind of business came to me after I received a call from a friend who was in desperate need of food. On February 5, 2023, we celebrated three successful years of our operations.

What are the number of tiffins you home-cook and deliver every day?

In Kashmir healthy eating has become mainstream, with most consumers expecting foods and beverages that meet increasingly nuanced attributes of health and wellness, ethics, and sustainability. 2023 is turning out to be an important year for Tiffin Aaw. We have witnessed more than 40% increase in our deliveries so far this year, and are currently producing and delivering more than 200 tiffins per day.

Share with us some of your best-selling dishes?

Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Tabak Maaz, Butter Chicken, Hund te Maaz, Muj te Gaad, Mutton Paya and Nadru Palak are some of our best-sellers, all cooked with fresh, all-natural ingredients. We also take pride in being able to offer customized meals for patients or people with different needs, based on their diet plan.

Tiffin Aaw is more than just eating healthier, it’s about exercising your freedom to choose what you put in your body.

What is the current strength of your staff?

Initially, it was just three of us – my mother, wife, and me. We were a small team, so we all pitched in and did what we needed to do. Now, we are a team of more than 15 employees. My wife and Waza (Kashmiri Professional cook) head the kitchen and take care of the cooking part. Others wear many hats, sometimes helping in making deliveries, answering phone calls and then helping in housekeeping activities.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face today?

Our biggest challenge at the moment is rising inflation. Local food prices have surged since early 2021 in response to increasing energy prices, pandemic-induced supply-chain constraints, and production costs. We are, of course, hoping things will settle down, but as entrepreneurs, we will continue to adapt and do the best we can despite the circumstances.

As we go into an expansion mode, our other biggest challenge is to find new employees who are committed to the mission of ‘Tiffin Aaw’, and will be able to really live the values that have been created by the culture at the company. Though, in Kashmir, it is easy to find someone skilled, smart, talented and has a good resume, but is hard to find people who take ownership of their role and bring energy and passion to it above all else. Without that, especially in a startup environment, other skills mean little.

Rayees Ahmad CEO, Tiffin Aaw

The Evolution of Payments

India, which is driving the global digital economy, clocked about 72 billion digital payment transactions in 2022– the highest in the world. This is a sharp increase from the corresponding figure of 44 billion in 2021, according to data collation portal Statista. On an average, India has been registering 280 million digital transactions a day.

While Companies like Paytm and Google Pay pioneered digital payments in India, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), an instant real-time payment system introduced by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has been a game changer.

Modes of Digital Payments

Unified Payments Interface (UPI): is a system that powers multiple bank accounts using a single mobile application, merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments under one hood. It also caters to “Peer to Peer” (P2P) collect requests which can be scheduled and paid as per requirement and convenience.

Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM): is a mobile app for easy and quick payments using Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Users can make instant bank-to-bank payments and pay and collect money using their Mobile number, Bank a/c and IFSC code, Aadhaar number, or Virtual Payment Address (VPA).

BHIM has the facility to scan & pay through QR codes. User can check their transaction history and can also raise a complaint for declined transactions.

BHIM is available in 20 regional languages (English, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marwari, Haryanvi, Bhojpuri, Urdu, Konkani, Manipuri, Mizo, Khasi, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese) for better user experience.

Users can also make transactions from their feature phone as well by dialling *99#.

UPI 123PAY: is an instant payment system for feature phone users who want to use Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment service in a safe and secure manner. Feature phone users can undertake a host of transactions based on four technology alternatives. They include calling an IVR (interactive voice response) number, app functionality in feature phones, missed call-based approach and proximity sound-based payments.

UPI Lite: offers a wallet in BHIM-UPI app for an amount of up to Rs2,000 on a smart phone, eliminating the need for the user to first obtain electronic authorisation from his/her bank while making the payment, offering the user better experience in terms of improved speed and transaction success rate.

Debit Cards (including RuPay Debit Cards): Debit Cards, one of the many payment modes, are issued by banks that allow individuals to purchase items at physical stores through Point of Sale (POS) devices or e-commerce marketplaces. RuPay Debit Cards, developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) were launched by the Government of India to allow individuals to make payments digitally. To get a RuPay debit card, you can reach out to your bank and ask them to issue you one.

Immediate Payment Services (IMPS): Immediate Payment Services (IMPS) is a real-time, interbank, electronic fund transfer service capable of processing person to person (P2P), person to account (P2A) and person to merchant (P2M) transactions. Individuals can make payments 24x7 using their mobile number, Aadhaar number, bank account and IFSC code. Users can access IMPS through multiple channels, such as mobile, internet, ATM and SMS.

Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS): Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) is a bank led model which allows online interoperable, financial inclusion transaction at Point of sale (MicroATM), through the Business correspondent of any bank using Aadhaar authentication. The inputs required for a customer to do a transaction include Bank Name, Aadhaar Number, Fingerprint captured during enrolment.

Banking Services Offered by AePS:

• Cash Deposit

• Cash Withdrawal

• Balance Enquiry

• Mini Statement

• Aadhaar to Aadhaar Fund Transfer

• Authentication

• BHIM Aadhaar Pay

BHIM Aadhaar Pay enables Merchants to receive digital payments from customers, over the counter through Aadhaar Authentication. It allows for any Merchant associated with any acquiring bank live on BHIM Aadhaar Pay, to accept payment from customer of any bank by authenticating customer’s biometrics.

To be able to affect the same, merchant should have an Android mobile with BHIM Aadhaar app and a certified biometric scanner attached with mobile phone/Kiosk/Tablet on USB Port or

Micro-ATM/POS, mPOS. Both the Customer and the Merchant should have their Aadhaar linked to their Bank Account.

Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS): is a one-stop platform that provides an interoperable and easily accessible recurring and bill payment service to consumers via multiple channels like Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, Mobile Apps, UPI, etc. Users are able to make bill payments across various categories including electricity, gas, water bills, telecom, DTH, etc.

National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) FASTag: provides an easy and convenient digital payment mechanism for toll payments. This is an interoperable solution available to individuals nationwide. With the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, the FASTag device allows for making toll payments directly while the individual's vehicle is in motion.

e-RUPI: is a person and purpose specific, contactless and cashless digital payment solution. It can be issued as a prepaid QR code or SMS based electronic voucher, which can be used by the Government/Private organizations for delivery of a specific subsidy or welfare benefit to targeted citizens. The beneficiaries are able to redeem e-RUPI voucher without a card, digital payments app or internet banking access, at the merchants accepting e-RUPI, simply by showing SMS or QR code. This contactless e-RUPI is easy, safe, and secure, as it keeps the details of beneficiaries completely confidential. The entire transaction process through this voucher is relatively faster and, at the same time, reliable, as the required amount is already stored in the voucher.

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) / *99#: is a USSD based digital payment and banking service. Customers can avail this service by dialing *99#, a “Common number across all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)” on their mobile phone and transact through an interactive menu displayed on the mobile screen. *99# service is currently offered by almost all leading banks & all GSM service providers and can be accessed in 13 different languages including Hindi & English. Key services offered under *99# service include:

• Interbank account to account fund transfer

• Balance enquiry

• Mini statement besides host of other services

Tips to make Safe and Secure Digital Transactions

Use unique passwords: This might seem basic and simple advice, but it is fundamental to ensure that your digital transaction ecosystem is safe and secure. Use upper and lower case letters, special characters, and numbers to make a unique password and remember to store it privately.

Turn on Two-Factor Authentication: Turn on two-factor authentication to prevent payment frauds or any unauthorised access to your accounts. Even if you have shared your account details with somebody, SMS-based two-factor authentication becomes helpful, as it is only received on your mobile number. Therefore, two-factor authentication is a must to keep your digital transaction safe and secure.

Change your password frequently: The first advice to set a unique password is must to have, whereas changing your unique password frequently complements and strengthens your digital accounts and transactions. Also, be sure to use a different password for your various digital accounts and safeguard your digital transactions.

Use private networks: Ensure that all of your transactions are made over a private network only. A public Wi-Fi network can be susceptible to fraudulent activities and phishing attacks. Transactions made on public networks or devices might put you at a higher risk of data theft.

Keep track of your financials: Most users do not go through their financials regularly. In addition, we tend not to keep track and cross-check digital payments and transfers. View and read messages that you receive after each transaction, keep a record of any inconsistent balance deductions and immediately inform the bank or payment platform you are using.

Only use trusted apps: It is important to use trusted apps when the availability of digital payment platforms is diverse. See the reviews of the app related to functionality, usability, and security. In addition, also enable notifications and security features to strengthen your digital transactions.

Share minimal personal information: Personal details shouldn’t be shared with an unknown party or anyone who claims to work at a particular institution. Make sure to also share only the absolute minimum information and verify the second party if further information is asked.

Set a password for your saved details on the phone: It is always better and safe to keep your details in a private note and avoid saving them on your phone. If you need to save it on your phone make sure to protect it with a password. You never know who will be using your phone in your absence or intentionally stealing sensitive information.

Use biometric authentication: Biometric authentication helps you make payments more conveniently. Biometric authentication is specific to a person hence it will be handy if you unfortunately lose your ATM card or phone.

PCI DSS Complaint vendors: Cyber security certified vendors are secure than their counterparts in terms of data theft and any fraudulent activities. You need to make sure that the vendor is PCI DSS-compliant or owns the highest level of security certification. This ensures digital transactions are given the highest priority. Always be sure to check the security measures a vendor or any digital platform has implemented to make any kind of digital transactions safe and secure.

The Bottom Line

The world has always entered into agreements where one party pays another. The idea of trade and contracts will never go away, but the form in which payment is made has and will change over time. Today, instead of trading for cash, there are many different ways to make payments that rely on the Internet, technology, or digital platforms.

Address Comfort Stylishly

Munir Langoo and Zulfikar Langoo are the founders and Directors of Langoo Traders, the leading Sanitary Ware, Electric, Hardware, Kitchenware, Pipes and fittings, Cement and other building materials trading company in the Kashmir region. In 1995, they started a small trading firm, opening their first showroom in Lal Chowk, Srinagar. Both brothers, with their confidence and business savvy acumen, have chartered a path that has transformed the company from a small trading firm into the huge sanitaryware and building materials establishment.

Excerpts from the interview:

Could you describe your entrepreneur path?

Munir: After completing our graduation in mid-1990’s, both my brother and I wanted to start our own business but we both were blank and had no prior experience or knowledge of what we wanted to do. Seeing the construction boom in Kashmir at that point of time, it became our aim to try our luck in sanitaryware retail business. However, the biggest struggle was raising capital for the venture which we eventually managed to raise.

Zulfikar: Everyone has to start somewhere, and many of the most successful entrepreneurs come from very humble beginnings. We have the same story to tell. We believed that to think big, we need not start big. Small but consistent steps towards our goals will eventually lead to bigger success, which we always dreamed of achieving. It surely did for us.

Who are the other unsung heroes behind your success?

Munir: Every individual at the Langoo Traders has served as a pillar and has helped us in our success. The blessings of our parents and support of our families have been immense.

Ahmad

Founder & Managing Director

When the customer gets their needs met, the company is easy to do business with, and the customer enjoys the experience, the customer is likely to be loyal. Not only loyal, but they are likely to share their experience with a friend, colleague or family member.

Name some of the brands you are associated with at present?

Zulfikar: We want to stand tall among the crowd by bringing building materials and sanitary ware products at affordable prices without compromising quality. Our innovative ideas, elegant and unique design, endless search for quality product made our dream come true. Operating with three showrooms in the heart of Srinagar, well equipped warehouses large enough to store and stock ample quantity and variety of products along with our transport fleet for prompt and timely delivery of goods to customers and dealers governed by our sophisticated corporate office, enable us to achieve our goal.

Munir: Our brands such as , Somany, Essel, Prince, KAFF, Formul, Vectus, Pilsa, Jindal, Nerolac, Asian Paints, Essco by Jaquar, KAFF, Racold, Toyo, Eden, New, DRP, Zoloto, Comfort, Moon, Classic, White House, Metro, Livpure, Pedilite, Spark and so on reflect our high standards.

Munir

Founder & Managing Director

To stay ahead of the developments happening in the bathroom and kitchen fittings industry, every employee at Langoo Traders is encouraged to participate in training sessions of new tools and technologies.

What are the key factors driving your business sector in Kashmir market?

Zulfikar: Kashmir’s growing young workforce with their steady income and an investment mindset, is set to play a significant role in the real estate market, in the coming years. In addition, rapid urbanization, rise in nuclear family households, increase in disposable income of the middle-class population will also contribute to the growth of the market in total. This is good news for our business sector.

How would you summarize your performance in the past couple of years?

Munir: Even though the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the whole world, was brought under control in 2022, the effects of the pandemic on economies and our lives were felt throughout the past couple of years. However, we were able to operate our business successfully during the period, thanks to the investments we had made in our products, business partners, distribution channels, and marketing efforts before the pandemic.

Zulfikar: As far as the future is concerned, the world is passing through a conjuncture characterized by very low predictability. We believe that the world economy will surely experience some volatility in terms of adapting to the new normal and a rebalancing will happen in the next few years. We view our diverse product portfolio, carefully designed strategy, management competencies and assets as the most valuable guarantee and instrument in overcoming these challenges.

What are the trends in the industry?

Munir: Consumers are shifting their focus from visiting showrooms and learning about the products to online research. As many as 50 per cent of the consumers do their research online and then purchase it. People are looking for energy-efficient and featurerich products. The younger generation is well-informed and they know what they want. Consumers do not mind paying extra to buy better quality products. Consumer finance and credit card trends are growing faster, wherein consumers don’t mind paying EMI for better quality products.

Zulfikar Ahmad

Get Kids to Listen, But… How?

Why won’t they listen? We hear this lament a lot. In fact, part of the problem are the parents themselves.

In the unresponsiveness of children, the first thing you need to do is figure out WHY child is NOT listening. Many a times lack of response is a SYMPTOM, not the actual problem.

If the issue is not addressed at its roots, a simple case of “not listening” may blossom into bigger behavioural issues, such as tantrums, defiance and backtalk.

Children of all ages have an instinctive need for when they don’t find opportunities to exert their power in positive ways choosing what clothes to wear, which friends to meet, picking what game to play, etc. – they may exert their power in negative ways.

How do we try to address the issue?

1. Get on even Level

Proximity is key– Put down the mobile, leaveTV, home or office work ensure that you are not talking down to your child or shouting orders from the other room– you are speaking.

When you lower yourself down and look your child in the eye, you not only verify she/he sees and hears you, but you strengthen communication as well. Eye contact is essential.

2. Forget Don’t and Don’t

Don’t run in the corridor, Don’t leave books over the floor, Don’t play with your food, Don’t laugh too much, Don’t touch your brother.

“Don’t” and “No” are negative commands, and, as such, kids want answers to two questions:

a) What do parents NOT want me to do?

b) What do they WANT me to do instead?

That’s confusing and contradictory. For example, if you say “Don’t touch your brother,” a child has to stop the current behaviour and determine the appropriate alternative behaviour– If I can’t touch him, does that mean I can’t hug him? Can we play together?

Can I help him tie his shoes if mom asks?

Better would be to tell your child what to DO.

Instead of “Don’t touch your brother,” try “Your brother doesn’t want to be touched right now. Instead of “Don’t leave your books over the floor,” try “Please put your books in the bag or on the table.”

3. YES Say YES

What is our normal, spontaneous reaction to the numerous requests we get from our children every day? “No,” Our common responses are:

“Not possible” No, not today.” “No, I don’t have time for that.” “Not now.” “Can’t be done.”

When “no” is a constant go-to answer of parents, it’s no wonder children stop listening to their requests! Look for reasons to say yes more often. Your “yes” answers will begin to surprise and delight your child and have them paying more attention when you ask for something!

Instead of “No, we can’t go to the park,” try “A wonderful idea! Should we go Saturday after school or Sunday morning?”

Instead of “No, you can’t have ice cream” try “Would you like to have it today after school or tomorrow evening?” Although you are asserting yourself yet accepting the request.

There will still be situations that require a hard “no,” by offering more “yeses” you’ll increase the chances your child will respond to them positively.

4. Shorten your Speech

Parents, and especially moms, tend to turn a ten-second answer into a five-minute sermon!

When trying to get your kid’s attention, be as concise as possible and they won’t even have time to tune you out.

5.

Thank You in Advance Encourages

Parents pre-emptive “Thank you for hanging up your clothes after school” or “Thank you for cleaning the table” will encourage your kids toward good behaviour much more than, “I better not see your clothes on the bed again!”

Letting children know, in advance, that you trust them to do the right thing will open communication lines and increase the likelihood that the task will get completed.

Syed Humayun Qaisar

When your children desire to talk to you and share their problems with you, stop everything and listen to them. There is nothing more important than that.

Broadcaster Media Trainer & Counsellor

6. Ensure Understanding

A simple way to ensure your child has heard you and that she/he understands is to ask her/him to repeat back what you said. In the medical field, studies have shown that 40-70% of the information doctors relay to patients is either forgotten completely or misunderstood (and keep in mind, these are adults, not just children).

To combat this misunderstanding, doctors have begun using the teach-back method which calls on patients to “teach back” to the doctor what treatment instructions they were just given. This method has been shown to drastically increase information retention from patients.

The same tool can be used effectively with children. Once you’ve made eye contact, shortened your speech, and clearly explained what you need your child to do, calmly ask your child to informally repeat back what they’ve just heard.

By ensuring everyone is on the same page, you will see an instant improvement in communication and cooperation in your home.

7. Observation not Reaction

If you see a task that’s been left undone, don’t start big reprimand, just make an OBSERVATION : “I see books/bag on the floor,” or you can ask, “What is your plan for cleaning your wardrobe / room this week”.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Please remember that “not listening” should always be a wakeup call for parents. While it might seem like defiance on their part, it is more often a way to get our attention or push their self-esteem. Kids and adults alike have a need to be seen and heard. When this need isn’t met, kids will stop listening to us. Get your kids to LISTEN without comparing siblings, nagging, reminding, sermonising, or yelling and you’ll start feeling relief within days.

Strategy “What is your plan for?” avoids order and obedience power struggles. It’s empowering because it’s assumptive on your part that they have a plan, and gives your child an opportunity to save face and quickly come up with a plan in the moment, if they didn’t already have one!

This will encourage child to think of and share a plan. This gives you the chance to put a positive parenting empowerment spin on the whole conversation. “That’s lovely! You take good care of your things”.

SHEENE-PIPPEN SERIES

A series of 3 books about the biodiversity, tradition and local culture of Kashmir and is appropriate for 3 to 8 year-olds as a text book

• Samavar and other Rhymes & Stories

• Chinar Trees and other Rhymes & Folktales

• Shikara and other Rhymes & Folktales

The shrill call of the Sheene-Pippen (Streaked Laughing Thrush) beckons young learners through the series. The delightful illustrations alongside the rhymes and stories contextualize Kashmir, acquainting children with long-forgotten folk tales of the region.

BOOK DEPOT Budshah Chowk, Lal Chowk, Srinagar ALI MOHAMMAD AND SONS Budshah Hotel, Lal Chowk, Srinagar

Everything I dough, I dough it for you

Kais Suhail is a budding entrepreneur and the owner of The French Talk bakery. He has lived in Delhi and Dubai for his entire life and found love of baking when he was just a child. Kashmir Business Voice catches up with him to find out more about his foray into French Pastry and desserts business, and the challenges he has faced so far.

Why did you decide to be an entrepreneur and foray into the bakery business?

I grew up in a family with a business background. Most of my family, in India and abroad, are in the handicrafts and restaurant businesses. Following my father’s footsteps, I also wanted to follow my passion and work on my own terms and be in control of my time.

Since childhood, I had a passion for baking, and at that time we lived in Delhi. I often watched my mother baking tasty pancakes and often wondered how she kneads the dough, how the ingredients behave, and the processes behind it.

When I graduated from school, and it was time to decide what I want to be in life, the decision came by itself – I decided to go to a culinary college and become a certified Chef. It was in college that I realized that desserts can be an excellent medium to show my creative side, I could create and create drawings and compositions, but only on a plate. This is how “The French Talk” bakery was born.

Baking as a career is very different to baking as a hobby. Business plans are needed and it’s not all plain sailing.

Tell us more about your bakery and its French connection? French pastry and desserts are a tradition that goes back hundreds of years and many of the long-standing products have cemented their place world over as staple delicacies. Due to dearth of good authentic French bakeries in Kashmir, we established “The French Talk” in Srinagar last year in 2022 for consumers – local and international tourists – who are keen to enjoy the delights of French pastries and desserts without impacting their health goals that have taken a forefront in recent years.

The name French talk in the very literal sense means communicating the authentic French language through our lovely delicacies.

Kais Suhail Founder, The French Talk

How has been the response from the market so far?

The response from our target audience has been very overwhelming in the most positive way! I can vouch for the fact that we have created our own niche.

What are the challenges that you have faced since inception?

The ingredients that we use for making our products are of the best quality and imported directly from France and Belgium. Sometimes, receiving them on time is a challenge but our team is now more proficient in demand forecasting and ironing out the blemishes, if any, that may arise in the supply chain from time to time.

Initially, getting high footfall at our outlet was also a challenge as our prices are premium, but gradually as customers started trying our desserts, they really liked it and understood that higher quality desserts have a better taste.

What are the emerging trends shaping the new future of bakery businesses in Srinagar?

Currently, two trends are forcing businesses in the food industry to reposition themselves. Earlier people used to like food because it tasted good. Nowadays, consumers are worried about what they eat, and transparency is required along the whole value chain. Consumers now go for brands that guarantee healthy ingredients. This has worked in our favour because at The French Talk, we have always put an emphasis on using only the best raw materials. The second trend shaping our future is digitalization. We see today’s millennials using food delivery services in a big way. Watching them interact with this technology teaches us about how our future consumers will think and act.

Any advice for the generation of your age?

Do not be afraid to try and make your ideas come to life and into something that everyone can enjoy and benefit from. For those who are thinking to open their bakery in Kashmir I would advise to try and use premium ingredients, invest in good staff, good machinery, maintain hygiene and innovate as much as possible!

How did you go about marketing your bakery?

Since our entire business depends on customers knowing about what we do, and creating a loyal customer base with people coming back for every order they have, we have to be really proactive about our marketing techniques. This is one thing that we really cannot clack off on.

We have to make sure that our target audience stays engaged with us and interested in the products that we create. We stay active on social media platforms and post high-quality pictures of the things that we make and sell, we have fun promotions that get people excited to buy more of our products, and we do special desserts for every holiday, so people have somewhere to go for their party needs.

Learning to live with Autism

Shafaqat Gillani lives in Srinagar, J&K and serves as the founder of the Learning Edge, Early Intervention Centre for Autism and other special needs. She is the also the vice chairperson of “Autism Welfare Trust”, established in Srinagar in the year 2019. She is an Autism Light, as she has dedicated over 10 years of her life to cause of autism support and has a trademark for connecting the dots to make a true difference in the lives of children/adult with autism, at her two facilities.

Tell us about the start of your Learning Edge Centre in Srinagar? Finding support and helping individuals and families affected by disabilities became my passion and purpose due to personal reasons. Having a child with special needs keeps a parent busy with doctors’ appointments, hospital stays, therapies, counselling sessions and research. I gathered a library of information pertaining to autism. Some people started referring families to me for counselling after their child was diagnosed with autism. A simple trip to the grocery store, a nearby restaurant, or a ball game is never simple for families affected by autism. This is when I realised there was a great need for a professional organization in Kashmir to help families navigate the maze of autism. With this in mind, I established the Learning Edge Centre for Autism & Early Intervention in Srinagar in March 2019.

What is autism?

Autism is a developmental disorder that presents before the age of 3 years. It’s characterized by impairment in several core

There needs to be adequate awareness of autism disorder. The reason for individuals to be well informed is because family members of autistic children undergo great financial and mental burden and the more uninformed they are, the greater the risk of misdiagnosis, thus making their child more difficult and resistant to therapy.

The community should get educated about autism and other related disorders so that they know how to behave and help towards a productive society where everyone is respected for their neurodiversity. Don’t turn your back; single out, judge or bully ASD kids and their parents. Reach out into the world of autism and interact with ASD kids on their terms in a way that they understand. Create environments (at schools, hotels, parks and malls) that are autism friendly.

The mothers loved and supported their children even when their reactions were close to denial, they were courageous. They spent very less time in grieving. Instead, many of them were more focused on coping than grieving. Some took a hands-on approach, left their work, and became housewives just to give their child the best they could afford. The mothers stressed acceptance, emphasized the need for awareness in our society, which would lead to more availability of resources in Kashmir, the major point of issue that most of them experienced.

Mrs. Shafaqat Gillani Founder, Learning Edge Centre and Autism Welfare Trust

domains, which include social deficits, communication difficulties, narrow restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours. In addition to that, other associated symptoms frequently coexist like inattention and motor hyperactivity, impulsivity and aggression, mood instability, EEG abnormalities or seizure related problems, and cognitive difficulties. Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It means your brain works in a different way from other people.

How common is this disorder?

It is estimated that worldwide about one in 100 children has autism. This estimate represents an average figure, and reported prevalence varies substantially across studies. Some well-controlled studies have, however, reported figures that are substantially higher. The prevalence of autism in many low- and middle-income countries is unknown.

How do you treat autism spectrum disorders?

No cure exists for autism spectrum disorder, and there is no onesize-fits-all treatment. The goal of treatment is to maximize your child’s ability to function by reducing autism spectrum disorder symptoms and supporting development and learning. There are a few different treatment approaches. There are behavioural approaches, educational approaches, and medication approaches. There is some evidence that the earlier you pick up the problem and start to intervene with behavioural, educational, speech, sensory and occupational therapy, the better the long-term developmental trajectory.

Are there any specific activities that are particularly helpful for children with autism?

The first thing we do for children with autism is to find out what they need from us in order to have more success. If the environment is too confusing, too cluttered, too much information, we address changing the environment first. We use picture schedules, choice cards, and task analysis. Activities that involve clear choices, taking turns, and using visual materials are all helpful in working with children with autism.

What do you think needs to be done to increase the support and sponsorship for your organization?

Our Autism Center is constantly in need of funds to support the high demand for our services, which far outnumber our current resources. We are funded exclusively through small private donations and the nominal fee we charge for our services. We request the J&K administration to encourage and incentivize civil society and business houses through an additional tax deduction to increase their financial aid and voluntary contributions to organizations like ours.

We appreciate any size gift or outright donation to support our mission. Your donations of developmental toys and gadgets, stationery items, child safety items and literature, clothes, medical cover, child sponsorship commitments or zakat fund can make it possible for us to offer high quality and vital services for autistic children. For example, if we receive a donation of iPads/tablets to the centre, we can teach the child in the school/house in an integrated way so he/she can take the iPad and bring it back.

Anything else you would like to add...

In Kashmir, we see that majority of the autistic children belong to economically weaker sections of the society. Meeting the complex needs of their autistic child puts such families under a

great deal of stress – emotional, financial and physical. It hurts to see many autistic children living on the streets, abandoned by relatives after the death of their parents. These seldom get any rehabilitation therapy because of the costs involved and lack of such specialized facilities and trained rehabilitation professionals in the valley.

Our universities need to design programmes and certifications for professionals who are responsible for the support and services provided to autistic individuals. The goal of these programmes should be to provide a well-rounded, multidisciplinary training programme and specialized credential to supplement professionals’ existing knowledge, and ensure they are up to date on best practices, research, and incorporate updated knowledge into professional practice. We request the government to look into the matter and take appropriate steps to fill in the void.

Untold Facts on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• It is diagnosed four times more frequently in boys than in girls.

• Autism is the third most common developmental disability.

• Approximately 40% of children with autism do not talk.

• This condition varies from person to person, and no two autistic people are the same.

• Autism is also one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders.

• If you have a child with autism, you must stay mentally strong and brave enough to face the hurdles and work on improving the quality of life for your child.

Your valuable contribution can give a child the gift of your support all year long. No matter how much you choose to give, know that your donation to the Autism Welfare Trust has an impact. Your contribution allows you to become part of the solution for a child with autism.

Pay using Paytm or Google PayApp

8082937754

Name of Account: Autism Welfare Trust

Name of the Bank: J&K Bank Ltd.

Account Number: 0185010100011118

IFSC Code: JAKA0SATHOO

MICR: 190051069

Listen to your Heart

Cardiothoracic and vascular surgery is a superspeciality branch of surgery that deals with the surgery of chest including heart, esophagus, lungs etc as well as the major blood vessels of the body. Cardiac or heart surgery is often considered as the pinnacle surgical branch and needs the surgeon to work with precision and accuracy.

Cardiovascular diseases commonly encountered in Kashmir include heart attacks, rheumatic heart disease, including valvular disease, congenital heart diseases, arrhythmias, coronary artery diseases, myxomatous heart tumour, aortic aneurysm, vascular thrombosis, peripheral vascular disease etc.

Signs/symptoms: Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases can vary over a wide range, with some commonly seen symptoms including recurrent or sudden chest pain, pressure, tightness, or a squeezing sensation in chest or arms that may spread to the neck, jaw or back. Similarly, nausea, heartburn or abdominal pain, shortness of breath, very fast or slow heartbeat, or palpitations, sweating, lightheadedness or sudden dizziness, fatigue, swollen limbs, weakness or numb legs or arms, may be the other symptoms related to cardiovascular ailments.

We commonly see people having upper abdominal discomfort, breathlessness or mild chest ache. Sometimes, these could be ominous signs in a patient with underlyind cardiovascular issues.

Misconceptions: Cardiac surgery has come a long way after its advent in the 1950s. The invention of cardiopulmonary bypass machine revolutionized this surgical branch. Major advances have been made in this field and procedures performed have become safer as the time has passed. The myth that a patient who goes under the knife for heart surgery is doomed, is rather ludicrous.

Mental tension, frustration, insecurity, aimlessness are among the most damaging stressors. Psychosomatic studies have shown how often they cause migraine headache, peptic ulcers, heart attacks, hypertension, mental disease, suicide, or just hopelessness and unhappiness.

Surgeries for defective heart valves, heart vessel blocks, common congenital disorders, like hole in heart, blue baby syndrome, myxomatous heart tumours etc., are commonly performed nowadays with good results. Complications are reduced further in experienced hands. Patients and their attendants are apprised by the surgeon well before the surgery is taken up, in order to alleviate all the doubts they have about the procedure.

Benefits: Cardiac surgery, though demanding, can be quite rewarding for patients. Most of the symptoms that patients have tend to improve after surgery, while some symptoms completely disappear. The quality of life can improve, with patients returning to near normal lifestyle, if not normal after the procedure.

Patients, once planned for surgery, usually undergo detailed investigations, including baseline blood investigations, as well as heart specific investigations, like ecgs, echocardiography, angiography, cardiac MRI. Once surgery has been completed, patients are kept in Cardiac ICU for 48 to 72 hours for necessary cardiac support and monitoring. Patients are usually mobilised on the second day and subsequently shifted to wards or high dependency areas, where from they are discharged to their homes with necessary medications and advice.

Dr. Haroon Naqshi

Department of Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgery, SKIMS

The cost of procedures in the state is usually well below the amount that the patients have to shell out outside the state, where the costs can jump twice, thrice or even more when compared. With various schemes like Ayushman, the burden on the pocket of patient is considerably reduced.

Recent heart attacks in Kashmir: A number of factors can put one at risk for a heart attack. Some factors you can’t change, such as age and family history. Other factors, called modifiable risk factors, are ones which can be altered. Risk factors that you can’t change include age over 65 and if you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, or diabetes, you’re at a higher risk. Similarly, males are at an increased risk than females.

Modifiable risk factors include smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise, diet and alcohol consumption, stress, etc.

Kashmir valley has witnessed a rise in the number of deaths caused due to heart attacks while also recording a worrying jump in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Heart attacks are usually seen 5th and 6th decades of life, however, now they are increasingly seen in younger population across Kashmir. Majority of these patients are smokers. Drug abuse is another important risk factor seen especially in the younger population. Recent COVID epidemic is again a factor that could well have a role in the increased cardiac events. Winters, with reduced activity levels, always sees a jump in the presentation of these patients. Therefore, it is always advisable to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid ill habits like smoking, drugs, alcohol. Besides, incase of any symptoms, one must get a check up done by an expert. Avoiding stress, regular exercise and getting adequate sleep encompasses a healthy lifestyle.

At SKIMS hospital, we recently recieved a male patient aged around 55 years who was diagnosed as a case of myxomatous heart tumour arising in one of the heart chambers.

The patient was admitted and subjected to a battery of investigations, including angiography which incidently revealed a block in one of the main vessels supplying the heart. The patient was counselled and, after taking proper consent, patient was subjected to surgery whereby his heart tumour was excised and necessary repair was done.

Simultaneously, the blocked vessel was bypassed and the procedure was completed uneventfully. Patient stayed in the ICU for 3 days and another week in the ward before being discharged.

He has been following up on OPD basis and is back to his duties and office work after 5 weeks of surgery.

Right atrial myxoma

Market Round-up

World’s largest igloo cafe is now open in Gulmarg,

An igloo cafe, claimed to be the world’s largest, has come up at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir, and has become a centre of attraction for tourists.

With a height of 37.5 feet and a diameter of 44.5 feet, Syed Wasim Shah, the creator of the igloo and owner of Kolahoi Ski Resort Gulmarg, claimed it was the world’s largest cafe of its kind.

According to Shah he first saw this concept in Switzerland a few years back, where they have such hotels that come equipped with all modern facilities. He added that since Gulmarg sees a lot of snow, he thought why not start this concept here.

Shah stated that they created the cafe in two steps with a staircase. Around 40 people can eat there at a time. He also informed them that it took 64 days to complete it.

According to him the thickness of this igloo cafe is around 5 ft, and they are hopeful that it will stand there till March 15, after which they will close it for public.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved a project worth Rs146 crore to promote niche crops as unique heritage of the Union Territory, which will be implemented in the next five years.

“The project aims at diversifying and expanding the area of niche crops over an area of 11,100 hectare, thus ensuring livelihood security for 1,11,000 targeted beneficiaries with a revenue realisation of Rs2,238 crore,” Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department (APD), informed. He said the initiative will focus on increasing production, improving livelihoods and enhancing

In a major achievement for Kashmiri entrepreneurs, Srinagar-based logistics courier startup ‘FastBeetle’ has become the first company from Kashmir to feature in Shark Tank India, a major business reality TV series, and success-

fully secure funding of Rs90 lakh, raising hopes that the three year old company was going to expand operations to other parts of the country.

“FastBeetle” is owned managed by two friends Sheikh Samiullah and Abid Rashid

market accessibility. “This will be achieved through establishment of nurseries and seed villages, infrastructure development, and collaboration with various partners and stakeholders,” he added.

J&K is home to a diverse range of niche crops, including saffron, kalazeera, kashmiri lal mirch, peanut, anardhana, bhaderwah rajmash, hill garlic, mushkbudhji (aromatic rice), red rice and shallot (pran). These crops are grown on 32,000 hectares, with a total annual production of 24,000 metric tonnes, making a substantial contribution of Rs945 crore to the Union Territory’s GDP.

which was initiated in October 2019 from the backstreets of Srinagar’s old city. The company works to connect the needs and requirements of both the producers as well as consumers with the acquisition in an economically effective undertaking.

The company provides inbound and outbound full-stack logistics services across 19,000 pin codes throughout India and overseas and works with over 800+ micro-entrepreneurs and SMEs, of which 60 per cent are run by women, helping drive entrepreneurship in the region and providing critical services in areas not serviced by larger companies.

In 2021, FastBeetle has become the first Kashmiri startup to raise US$100,000 in a pre-Series A funding round led by a clutch of angel investors including Sandeep Patel from Nepra, entrepreneurship evangelist Saurabh Mittal, Vikram Sanghvi, Rohit Qamra, and a few non-resident Kashmiris.

J&K

J&K govt. approves Rs146 crore project for promotion of niche crops

Kashmiri start-up FastBeetle clinches big deal on Shark Tank India

J&K first in country to issue QR-based labels for crafts

J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha recently launched QR code-based labels of 13 GI and non-GI registered crafts recently, terming the move as a landmark in preserving and promoting priceless artistic and cultural heritage of the Union Territory.

A GI (geographical indication) tag is officially assigned to certain products or crafts that are linked to a particular region to authenticate the origin and quality of such products or innovations.

The products for which the QR code-based labels were launched included Kashmir pashmina, Kashmir sozni, kani shawl, paper machie, khatamband, Kashmir walnut wood carving (GI-registered crafts), and namdah, crewel, chain-stitch, silverware, filigree, copperware and willow wicker (non-GI crafts).

Congratulating the artisan community, handicraft department and other stakeholders, the Lt Governor said the QR code labels will help to authenticate the origin and quality of the crafts, improve the quality assurance in both national and international markets and benefit craftsmen, traders and exporters.

Highlighting the need to make necessary interventions for brand positioning, Sinha said GI tag, QR code-based label and

J&K launches Rs879 cr Food Processing Project

The J&K government has launched an ambitious project targetted to revolutionise the food processing sector and transform the lives of farmers in the UT. The “UT Level Food Processing Programme for Develop-

packaging would make the handicraft sector more productive, financially attractive and contribute to the growth of the handicraft industry and earnings of artisans.

ment of Clusters for Specific Products of J&K” is a Rs879.75 crore initiative that aims to maximise farmer income and minimise post-harvest losses, an official statement said recently.

“This comprehensive project has been designed to increase the competitiveness of seven identified products across categories in terms of cost, quality, branding, and sustainability within five years. The government is investing in value addition, logistics, marketing and branding of various agricultural, horticultural and livestock products to achieve this goal,” it said.

The project will focus on developing 17 districts in J&K with establishment of processing and marketing infrastructure, providing growth and development opportunities to stakeholders, and facilitating suitable economies of scale in production and post-harvest activities.

The government has allocated a budget of Rs879.75 crore for the project including a grant-in-aid of Rs293.25 crore (33.33 per cent) and a debtequity of Rs586.50 crore to be raised by entrepreneurs.

The project shall create 7030 direct jobs and lead to establishment of 34 enterprises with expected revenue generation to the tune of Rs1,436.04 crore every year.

Kashmir Traders seek extension of J&K Bank’s OTS scheme

Kashmir Traders Alliance (KTA) has asked J&K Bank to extend the timeframe of OTS2022 Scheme, lengthening the repayment time and making it applicable to all business loans, regardless of their size.

Ejaz Shahdhar, KTA President, in a statement said it was encouraging to note that J&K Bank had for the first time introduced a consistent and nondiscriminatory programme to settle NPA accounts.

However, it was regretted that the affected businesses could not benefit from the scheme due to various reasons

including inability to secure the required resources within the allotted time frame.

Shahdhar said that the businesses in Kashmir were victims of events beyond their control, they should not be considered willful defaulters and their accounts were classified as NPAs.

He claimed that the account holders’ poor asset quality was mostly driven by frequent business interruptions, which burdened companies with idle setup expenses, which had a negative impact on their viability and stressed their accounts, leading to resulting in NPA.

High-speed 5G services now available in Jammu & Kashmir

Airtel and Reliance Jio have recently launched 5G services in Jammu & Kashmir. This cutting-edge technology represents a major opportunity for young entrepreneurs to create new products and services, thus making the region an attractive destination for investment. The introduction of 5G networks has the potential to revolutionise the tourism industry by offering virtual tours, on-site experiences via apps, and highdefinition content for tourist sites. The immense potential of 5G technology calls for all departments to strategise and ensure optimal utilization of this technology on every front, which can ultimately help in boosting the economy of J&K.

Kindling the vegetable revolution: J&K goes the hi-tech way

A major change is brewing in the Vegetable sector of Jammu and Kashmir through precision farming intervention which will double the gross output of vegetables from Rs3,982.50 crores to Rs8,021.25 crores per year.

“The intervention which shall be carried out over the next five years by the Agriculture Production Department (APD), shall involve a project cost of Rs420 crores,” said, Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), APD.

Discovery of lithium in J&K to help India’s EV push

Presently, demand for vegetables in J&K is met by both domestic vegetable production to the tune of 19,91.25 thousand metric tons worth Rs3,982.50 crores and imports of another 318.26 metric thousand tons valued at Rs636.52 crores annually. The project undertakes intensifying vegetable cultivation through design, manufacturing and establishment of new and improved region-specific-tech structures with automation.

Under the project, 1100 Hi-Tech protected structures over an area of 55 hectares will be established to produce 59.40 thousand metric tons of high-value & exotic vegetables valued at Rs409 crores. To overcome dearth or non-availability of high-quality planting material, low cost protected structures in the form of 3,584 polyhouses over another 55 hectares will be established complementing vegetable nursery production to capitalizing the early vegetable growing season and enhancing cropping intensity.

The project shall create around 4,700 enterprises and provide gainful year-round employment for 47,250 persons.

JK Bank’s Q3 net profit up 79% to Rs311.59 crore

Jammu and Kashmir Bank on Monday said its December quarter net profit rose 79 per cent to Rs311.59 crore.

The net profit rose to Rs 311.59 crore as against Rs173.95 crore registered for the same period last fiscal, a bank spokesperson said during its December quarter results announcement.

The bank was well on its trajectory to meet annual profitability targets, the spokesperson added.

“The bank’s profit for nine months is up 85 per cent to Rs721.05 crore from

The government has announced the discovery of estimated 5.9 million tonne reserves of lithium in J&K, a rare element crucial for manufacturing electric vehicles. Lithium is a key component in rechargeable batteries that power numerous gadgets like smartphones and laptops, as well as electric cars. Experts say that the discovery could aid India’s push to increase the number of private electric cars by 30% by 2030, as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions to tackle global warming.

The Geological Survey of India found the lithium reserves in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, India’s Ministry of Mines said. In 2021, much smaller deposits of lithium were found in the southern state of Karnataka.

Earlier, the government had said that it was looking to improve its supply of rare metals needed to boost new technologies and was looking for sources in India and abroad. Currently, India is importdependent for many minerals like lithium, nickel and cobalt.

Rs389.36 crore clocked during nine months of the last fiscal,” he said.

Its Net Interest Income (NII) increased 27 per cent to Rs1,257.38 crore for the October-December quarter as compared to Rs993.30 crore reported previous year. It posted a growth of 19 per cent Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) for nine months to Rs3,495.73 crore.

The bank’s operating profit grew 65 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs544.11 crore during the quarter under review.

Preparations in full swing for G20 meeting in Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir administration is making “advance arrangements” as Srinagar city is likely to host one of the G20 events in May this year.

According to divisional commissioner Kashmir Pandurang Kundbarao Pole, the administration was sprucing up the city for the major event as it will go a long way in boosting tourism in Kashmir, while at the same time clearing the misgivings about the situation in the valley. “All major roads and areas are being repaired. We are currently going through winter months, there are some difficulties but we will be ready by the time the event is held,” he said. Development works are going on in full swing in Srinagar city with a focus on completing the drainage and road projects. Men and machinery have been put to work to remove the dust and mud that accumulates by the roadside during the winter and is usually removed in late April every year.

“The G20 includes almost 70 per cent of the world population as well as economically. Following the presidency of Indonesia last year, India assumed the G20 presidency for 2023 from December 1, 2022. India will host more than 200 meetings at over 50+ locations across the country throughout 2023.

JKTPO organises export awareness, capacity building workshop

Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) recently organized an export awareness workshop in association with Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Export Credit

Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd (ECGC), Department of Posts, Government of India, and State Bank of India (SBI) in Jammu.

The workshop aimed to boost and support exports from UT of J&K and with focus on developing each district as

export hub under District as Export Hub/ ODOP initiatives. Niche products of Districts such as basmati, Fresh fruits, saffron, Pashmina , Basholi Paintings, Carpets, Paper machie , etc are prioritized in each district for further hard and soft interventions required at the ground level.

The workshop included detailed sessions on Benefits of exports, process of getting IEC code, awareness regarding India Business Portal and India Trade portal, credit linkages for exports and credit risk insurance facilities, e-commerce platforms, Logistics and potential of products of region in international market.

The participants were given the detailed presentations of all the major aspects related to exports, checklist for documents required to get IEC Code, market linkages including e-commerce linkages and benefits. Many queries were resolved on the spot and various participants intended to get registered with DGFT.

1,455 new industrial units start operations in J&K post 2019

Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing biggest industrial revolution in the history of UT as private investment proposals worth Rs66,000 crore have been received within a period of around one year as well as 1,455 industrial units have also started their operations. These

remarkable developments have opened up doors of immense possibilities for the new generation as promised by Lieutenant Governors Administration, J&K administration said in a statement.

“The existing industrial landscape is being transformed into a futuristic,

profitable and sustainable ecosystem, leading to livelihood generation, better education, skill development and better quality of life. From job creation to entrepreneurship, Government is going to make J&K a model of Industry 4.0, the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” official spokesman said.

“New Industrial Development Scheme, with an outlay of Rs28,400 crore, has been approved by the Government of India for encouraging investment in manufacturing and service sectors in J&K, which has started helping in stepping up economic development in Jammu & Kashmir,” he added.

Technologies that have Changed the Game of Cricket

There is absolutely no doubt that over the years, technology has become an integral part of the game. In cricket’s rich history of more than 140 years, technology has grown with every passing year and decade.

Technology has seamlessly merged into the game of cricket. From managing competition and database of cricketers around the world, technology has influenced cricket coaching to viewership of the game. If we divide technological changes in two segments, we can claim that the 20th century belonged to broadcasting or commentary advancement and the 21st century to coaching techniques and analytical advancements. Technologies that changed cricket over the years

Play Life like a Cricket match. Don’t try to hit hard in every situation, Just keep rotating, moving, and then look for that one Delivery and hit it as hard as you can.

Here are some technologies which are supposed to hit the floor by 2030

• Retractable roof to continue the game of cricket in challenging weather conditions.

• Compression garments, a piece of clothing that provides support to people who have to stand for a long duration or have poor circulation.

• No-ball sensor to avoid no-ball calls that result in adding an extra run to the scoreboard.

• Inertia sensor, an instrument that senses the change in the spatial position of any body

part like wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints to determine the elbow extension and catch the illegal action of the bowler.

• Practice equipment to provide a live match experience to young players while practicing.

As said a million times, there is no end to technology and innovations. They will come with each passing day and most of them will come to stay and won’t be restricted to a single field or sector.

1. Fergie’s wagon wheel

3. Snickometer -ultraedge (1990)

5. Third Umpire (1992)

7. HawkEye – Ball Tracking System (2001)

9. Hotspot Edge Detector (2006)

13. Ball Spin RPM (2013)

11. Decision Review System (2008)

4. Stump Mic & Camera (1990)

6. Speed gun (1999)

8. Spidercam (2004)

10. Pitch vision (2007)

14. Cricket Bat Sensor (2018)

12. Led Stumps bails/smart bails (2012)

2. The bowling machine (1985)

15. Flying camera/Drone (2019)

There is no denying the connection between cricket and Kashmir. Cricket is a sport that is deeply intertwined with the culture and history of Kashmir. The sport has been practised in Kashmir for more than a century and has become an important element of the region’s cultural character. Many individuals associate playing cricket with happy childhood memories or thinking back on the sport’s glory days.

If we go back in time, playing cricket first appeared in J&K during the reign of Maharaja Hari Singh. Cricket enthusiasts then founded local clubs in major cities of J&K. Some colleges, such as SP College, Amar Singh College, GGM Science College, and SPMR College of Commerce, established cricket teams that grew to become the state’s top teams over time. J&K Cricket Association was registered with the Registrar of Societies in 1957, and had its constitution recorded with the society.

Street cricket in J&K has gained popularity even though there were insufficient facilities and sports fields, which compelled youngsters to play cricket on the streets. Almost every significant cricketing talent who has represented and triumphed in cricket began playing the game on the streets, before moving on to play it at official cricket grounds. Now, Kashmir has a well-developed cricket culture, with multiple clubs and teams, as well as specific cricket grounds with facilities. Many outstanding cricket players are from the region, and many of them have gone on to represent their state and even the country at the national level. The Indian Premier League (IPL) 50th match was played between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH). The fourth ball of the final over was bowled by a star player from Jammu and Kashmir Umran Malik, and history was made. Malik bowled the third-fastest ball in IPL history at 157 kph, making it the fastest ball of the season (until Lockie Ferguson hit 157.3 kph in Sunday’s IPL final).

Cricket, whether through fan passion or player talent, serves as a symbol of resilience and optimism for the people of Kashmir, and it will likely continue to do so for many years to come.

Access to the right information is crucial in helping local cricketers reach their full potential and take their game to the next level. Kashmir Champions recognises this and has created an online platform to promote and showcase the skills of local cricketers. Kashmir Champions is a leading online Kashmir related cricket information resource on Facebook and Instagram platforms which seek to promote our local highly talented cricketers among Clubs, Tournament organizers, Team owners, Fans, and audience in J&K and abroad. Thanks to initiatives like Kashmir Champions, the future looks bright for cricket in J&K. Follow Kashmir Champions at: www.facebook.com/kashmirchampions

www.instagram.com/kashmirchampions

Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Threat or a Blessing

In recent years, artificial intelligence has woven itself into our daily lives in ways we may not even be aware of. It has become so pervasive that many remain unaware of both its impact and our reliance upon it. From morning to night, going about our everyday routines, AI technology drives much of what we do. When we wake, many of us reach for our mobile phone or laptop to start our day. Doing so has become automatic, and integral to how we function in terms of our decision-making, planning and information-seeking.

AI is integrated in our personal and professional online lives today, which raises the question, what exactly is it? Artificial Intelligence aka AI is the ability of a machine to mimic humanlike behaviour such as learning, processing, and adapting. An AI powered machine processes the provided data to predict outputs for new values. AI systems can adapt their behaviour to a certain degree by processing their previous results and actions automatically. The term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ was coined in 1956, by John McCarthy. But since then, AI has become a powerful tool and resource today due to the massive volumes of data, advanced computing technology and algorithms to process such data.

Natural language processing aka NLP which is implemented in voice assistants, chatbots. Computer Vision or CV has a great potential and is used in facial recognition technology. AI is being utilized in the healthcare industry to identify tumors and other diseases while even providing healthcare workers with a proper detailed analysis of the possible treatment. ChatGPT reflects the most recent advancement of AI. It is a chatbot based on a deep learning algorithm designed to process cumulated and unstructured data.

Unfortunately, there are some potential issues when it comes to using AI. Unemployment is a serious problem that has risen due to AI replacing jobs that that are currently done by humans. Additionally, AI may be biased or make decisions that are not in humans’ best interests. For example, an AI system may favor a specific gender or a race in a search result for example because of the data it might be trained on.

Overall, AI comes with its own benefits and downsides. It is our responsibility to use it for learning and creating. As said by Stephen Hawking, “AI is likely to be either the best or worst thing to happen to humanity”.

Fateen Ajaz Naqash Grade 11B1 GEMS Millennium School, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Ask the Law

Q: If someone intentionally breakes or damages my phone, can I do anything legally?

SAM: You can file a police complaint! If someone breaks your phone. As per section 43(d) of the Information Technology act, if someone breaks your computer, laptop, and phone, in that situation they are bound to pay you adequate compensation and if they do not, you can file a police complaint against the person.

Q: What should I do if someone parks their car in front of my house?

SAM: File a complaint before the local police station immediately under the ground of Wrongful restraint, under Section 339 of the Indian Penal Code. Leaving a vehicle at rest on any public place in such a way as to cause or likely to cause danger, obstruction or undue inconvenience to other road users is an offence under the MV act. If the police is unable settle the matter, file an injunction suit coupled with easement of necessity before civil court. An easement of necessity means an easement without which the property cannot be used at all. Mere convenience is not the test of an easement of necessity. It can be claimed only when there is absolute necessity for it, i.e. when the property cannot be used at all without the easement and not merely where it is necessary for its reasonable or more convenient enjoyment. A person cannot acquire a right of way as an easement of necessity, if he has any other means of access to his land however more inconvenient it may be than be passing over his neighbours. Furthermore, under Section 35 of the Indian Easements Act, 1882 the person can obtain permanent injunction restraining anyone from obstructing his right of passage. Please do remember that the place in front of a gate is a public place and the action is not highly serious and illegal. But parking regularly comes under the nuisance.

Q: Does traffic police have the right to snatch my vehicle key?

SAM: According to Indian Motor Vehicle Act 1932, only a traffic police personnel of the rank of an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) can fine you for violating traffic rules. The ASIs, sub-inspectors, and inspectors have the authority to fine you on the spot, and traffic constables are only present for their assistance. But they don’t have the authority to remove keys from your vehicle. Also, a traffic cop cannot deflate the tires of your vehicle.

Q: Is it compulsory to carry carry hard copies of driving licence, registration certificate and insurance documents?

SAM: You no longer need to carry the physical copy of your driving licence, registration certificate, permits, PUC and insurance documents of your vehicle, if you have the digital copies in the MParivahan or digilocker app on your smartphone. The amended Motor Vehicle Rules were notified to facilitate digital verification of documents and aim to curb corruption on roads. However, keeping a photograph of the documents in one’s mobile phone won’t be enough, as the details need to be downloaded from

Single man cannot adopt a girl child, where as, single woman can adopt child of any gender

Principal Solicitor at M/s Sajad Mir & Associates Dy Advocate General Ex, Jammu & Kashmir

a server. M-Parivahan app is a better option considering that one can download all documents related to licence and vehicle registration. According to the rules, if details provided by the driver or vehicle owner are validated through electronic means by the police and transport department officials, no physical document should be demanded for inspection, even in cases of offence, which necessitates seizure of any document.

Q: I am unable to repay my personal loan to the bank, can I be thrown in jail?

SAM: For people searching for ‘what happens if a personal loan is not paid’, apprehension of arrest is normal. But there is a legal fact which people are not usually aware of. If you receive a legal notice for non-payment of loan, it does not mean that non-payment of loan will directly take you to jail/ prison. It should be noted that non-payment of any kind of loans to banks is a matter of civil laws in India. Criminal proceedings cannot be initiated, unless factors like cheating, forgery of documents, etc. is involved. Also, if payment of loan is done through cheques and the same gets bounced, cheque bounce case under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 may be invoked. The punishment for non payment of personal loan can be imprisonment in worst cases, since the banks get nothing by sending the defaulter to jail. Their interest lies in the payment of loan. The bank may start with settlement, arbitration, or even a civil suit. In the worst outcome of a civil suit, there can be imprisonment.

Q: My father had clearly mentioned in will and registered that Son A has no claim in any other property other than the one already given to him. Now the Son A is claiming to get a share in another property which is under mother’s name and, after her death should go to Son B and Son C (this may not be in will). Can the Son A legally claim a share in the second property (both father and mother are deceased now). Can Son B and C sell the property without Son A signature?

SAM: If the mother was exclusive owner of the property, or she got her share after the will of father and she died intestate, then the property would devolve by surviviorship.

Q: My landlord is not taking rent from me for some years now. I’m not sure if he is doing that deliberately. No rent has been paid since he is not coming to collect it. I don’t want to lose my rented place. Please advise.

SAM: You may send rent through money order and if he does not accept, you may deposit rent in court.

Sajad Ahmad Mir

02 - 04 MARCH 2023

Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), Mumbai

Backed by a successful legacy of over two decades, Media Expo is undoubtedly the most trusted business platform that brings together leading global brands and creative professionals to converge and discover pathbreaking future technologies in indoor and outdoor advertising & signage solutions. The March edition of Media Expo at Mumbai will mark the golden jubilee edition and the completion of 20 glorious years of the industry’s favourite show. The grand edition will showcase the robust legacy of Media Expo setting the tone for the applications of the future.

02 - 05 MARCH 2023

India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, NCR

The Indian furniture industry is gradually transforming into a more organized and competitive sector. The entry of global brands in the sector, emergence of large retail players, online D2C sales and the resultant consolidation, are trends that highlight this transformation. DELHI

11 - 12 MARCH 2023

BJW Marritt Hotel, Aerocity, New Delhi

Bridal Asia brings to you a meticulously curated collection of bespoke bridal fashion, jewelry and accessories. It will be showcasing a variety of bridal fashion and jewelry trends and a mindboggling range of bridal accessories required by a bride from the Asian Subcontinent. Whether you’re the bride, the bridesmaid, or simply a serial wedding attendee, Bridal Asia offers you a roster of handpicked fashion, jewelry, and accessories all under one roof. Bridal Asia aims to showcase bespoke bridal apparel and jewelry from all over the Asian subcontinent and transform a trousseau from a routine wedding requirement to an exhilarating experience.

WOOD aims to drive the Indian furniture manufacturing and woodworking industry and establish India as one of the top manufacturing destinations in the region. At exhibition the stakeholders from the woodworking and furniture manufacturing industry will get an opportunity to meet numerous national and international decisionmakers, acquire new customers and discuss key issues including digitalization, sustainability, skilling, supply chain management as also discover new trends, technologies and materials.

11 - 12 MARCH 2023

Pragrati Maidan, New Delhi

27 - 29 MARCH 2023

Pragrati Maidan, New Delhi

Gamethon Expo is aimed at creating an excellent platform for all stakeholders in the Indian and international gaming market to showcase new trends and technologies in the gaming sector. The show is also intend to bring together the entire eco-system from India and overseas to take Indian Gaming Industry to the next level and explore business opportunities in India.

Mobile India Expo is a buyer-seller event that focuses on Mobile Devices, Accessories & Lifestyle Gadgets. It offers a unique opportunity for brand owners, manufacturers, OEMs /ODMs, importers, and exporters to meet corporate buyers, distributors wholesalers’,stockists, department stores, retailers, and end users. This allows participants to display cutting-edge technology and build a strong brand. India is currently the world’s second largest market for mobile phones. The segment that will almost certainly piggyback off this smartphone boom is Mobile Accessories. Owing to substantial growth in the adoption of smartphones and tablets, India’s mobile phone accessories market is estimated to have crossed in excess of US$2 billion in 2021.