Kashmir
For the love of farming
Nestled among the lush apple orchards of Gagran village in Shopian district in Kashmir, Ali Mohammad Mir’s two-story mud house is a site for a thriving vermicomposting unit. The seventy year old farmer defies conventional farming practices and embraces eco-friendly entrepreneurship.
The Srinagar haveli where ‘Rockstar’ was shot
Jalali House, a downtown Srinagar marvel, hosts political dignitaries from pre and post-independence India. This heritage gem also stars in Bollywood films, drawing tourists to the valley.
Sang tarash: Kashmir’s stone carvers face hard truth
Amid technological advancements and other challenges, Kashmir's traditional stone carvers, known as sang tarash, are striving to preserve their craft.
Seasonal schools in Kashmir
On this World Literacy Day on Sept 8 we feature a unique education initiative by the Department of Education, Jammu and Kashmir, that aims to educate the children of the nomadic Bakarwal community.
Watermelon brings prosperity to grape village in Kashmir
In Kashmir’s Batwina village, watermelon farming is more than a mere agricultural endeavour — it’s a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and empowerment, showcasing how innovation can redefine the course of livelihoods in unexpected ways.
Trekking through Kashmir’s great lakes
The Kashmir ‘great lakes’ trek is a stunning adventure in the Himalayas, starting from Sonamarg. The 5-6 day tour takes you through lakes, mountains, meadows and glaciers, making it a rewarding journey.
Crafting a traditional tandoor
In Kashmir’s Palhalan village, many families are involved in making the traditional tandoors (clay ovens), which are used for baking the local bread - T’chot. Making a tandoor is a traditional craft that has been passed down through generations in this village.
Kashmir’s purple revolution with lavender cultivation
Prized for its oil, lavender blooms are being farmed on parcels considered wastelands before and these have cast a spell of hope, a promise of prosperity entwined with fragrance.
How Kud has become Kashmir’s sweet-making powerhouse
Nestled at the foothills of Patnitop, Kud stands as a sweat stop for Jammu-Srinagar highway travellers. Sweet making here isn't just a job, but a cherished labour of love, sustaining families and community bonds.
Gypsum jam: Rampant mining troubles Kashmir villagers
Villagers in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir continue to suffer from health issues related to air and noise pollution even as complaints to officials against gypsum mining lie unattended.
My name is Shoaib & I am a trans woman
Harassed by family, Shoaib Khan, shut hurtful words out and focussed on breaking transgender stereotypes. After becoming a woman, she chose to retain her male name. Shoaib works at an IT company and hopes for society to become more inclusive.
Vermicompost: How earthworms helped this Kashmiri farmer succeed
This 70-year-old farmer in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir runs a successful vermicompost organic fertiliser unit from a mud house in his village.
How Kashmir’s Shiite Muslims commemorated 9th Muharram
In a solemn display of religious devotion, thousands of Shiite Muslim mourners gathered in the interiors of Dal Lake to observe the 9th day of Muharram. Embarking on wooden boats from Rainawari to Kaenkech, they commemorated Ashura, honouring the martyrdom of Prophet Hussain's grandson and faithful companions in Karbala, a tradition upheld with fervour for centuries in Kashmir.
Kashmir’s walnut wonders
In the Haft Yarbal area of Safakadal, located just 3.6 km from Srinagar's bustling Lal Chowk, a group of artisans breathe life into wood with their masterful hands. The magic of wood carving unfolds as delicate instruments shape intricate designs to create motifs on furniture and home decor pieces.
Women suffer as Kashmir garlic faces market blues
As the market for Kashmiri garlic records a slump for the fourth year in a row, growers have been pushed against the wall in the Valley’s villages.
Turning Kashmir’s potatoes into popular chips
Potato farmers in Kashmir’s Gurez valley hope for better economy and local employment opportunities for the youth after a corporate company’s interest in the Valley’s potatoes.
Rain washes away bumper cherry crop
With untimely rain and hailstorm almost wiping out the harvest this year, cherry farmers in Kashmir have been left struggling for money.
Kashmir’s cherry farmers battle nature’s fury
Despite the introduction of new varieties and advanced techniques, untimely rainfall has significantly impacted cherry growers in the Valley, affecting their crop after a harsh winter.
Mandala art and Kashmir’s shikara sorceress
Mahira Shah, a 21-year-old artist from Kashmir, has overcome several challenges to pursue her passion, finally winning laurels for creating ‘world's smallest mandala shikara’.
The wrung dhobi ghats of Kashmir
In the Old City of Srinagar, amidst numerous Dhobi Ghats on the Jhelum's banks, a few resilient ghats still bear the legacy of centuries. Meet Kashmir's dhobis who carry on their trade against societal odds.