JAMMU, Apr 25: In a push to strengthen the development infrastructure, six strategically located border villages in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district have been brought under the Centre’s Vibrant Village Programme-II, aiming for full saturation of welfare schemes, officials said.
The villages – Bobiya, Kadyala, Gajnal, Karol Krishna, Rathua and Gujjar Chak – along the International Border were identified at a meeting chaired by Kathua Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma on Saturday, they said.
Stressing the need for impactful execution, Sharma directed the officials concerned to ensure timely implementation of the finalised plans with regular monitoring and close inter-department coordination.
Highlighting the importance of community participation, Sharma called for the active involvement of local stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the initiatives.
He also instructed the departments concerned to carry out field-level verification, identify the gaps and ensure last-mile delivery of all the flagship schemes.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, on Saturday held a ‘Block Diwas’ programme at Chowkihandan village along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector, which provided a platform to the local public to raise their grievances and developmental issues.
At the event, people from the adjoining panchayats raised a wide range of demands, including additional power distribution transformers and the smooth functioning of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) schemes.
They also called for the construction of school boundary walls and toilets, installation of hand pumps in schools, and the provision of smart TVs to improve educational facilities, the officials said.
The residents also highlighted the need for timely payment under the MGNREGA, clearance of pending material liabilities, and regular supply of LPG cylinders.
They also demanded an adequate supply of seeds to support agricultural activities in the region.
Among the other key demands were the upgradation of the high school in Langar to a higher secondary school, water tanker services, improved sanitation facilities in Nowshera, construction of bunkers, and strengthening Aanganwadi centres to enhance community welfare, the officials said.

BENGALURU, Apr 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today interacted with filmmakers in Bengaluru, showcasing Jammu & Kashmir’s scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage as an ideal destination for cinema.
A delegation of leading film producers and representatives of major production houses met the Chief Minister to explore opportunities for film production and collaboration.
The Chief Minister assured full support and a friendly, enabling environment for artists, reiterating the Government’s commitment to making filmmaking in Jammu & Kashmir easier and more accessible.
The interaction formed part of the Jammu & Kashmir Government’s focused outreach in South India, aimed at building stronger connections with key stakeholders in the region’s tourism and film industries. Recognising South India as a major hub of cinema, creativity, and outbound tourism, the initiative seeks to position J&K as a preferred destination for both filmmakers and travellers.
During the engagement, the Chief Minister highlighted J&K’s unparalleled natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, ranging from serene valleys and snow-clad mountains to vibrant traditions and local craftsmanship.
He also underlined recent policy measures introduced to facilitate film production in J&K, including streamlined permission processes, logistical support, and incentives for production houses.
Assuring full cooperation, the Chief Minister said that the Government is committed to providing a safe, supportive and enabling environment for artists and filmmakers. He added that continuous engagement with the film fraternity will help address their requirements and strengthen collaboration.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the role of cinema in boosting tourism, noting that films shot in Jammu & Kashmir can significantly enhance its visibility and inspire travel, thereby generating economic opportunities for local communities.
The interaction was also attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, Director Tourism Jammu Vikas Gupta, and other concerned officials.

SRINAGAR, Apr 25: The Chintan Shivir of the Ministers of Youth Affairs & Sports of States and Union Territories commenced in Srinagar today with focused deliberations on strengthening India’s sports ecosystem through coordinated action, systemic reforms, policy convergence, and grassroots execution
Addressing the inaugural session, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, set the tone for the deliberations by emphasising that India’s sporting ambitions will be realised through execution on the ground.
“Our 10-year roadmap to becoming a global sporting powerhouse must not remain on paper, it must come alive in every playground, every district, and every young dream.”— Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said.
The Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, also attended the Chintan Shivir and applauded the vision of making India a powerhouse of sports.
The Union Sports Minister called upon states to move from policy adoption to active implementation, stressing that real progress will be measured by outcomes visible across districts, training systems, and grassroots sporting ecosystems.
“Khelo Bharat Mission is not just a statistic, it is a reflection of the energy of our youth and the commitment of the nation,” he added.
Dr. Mandaviya called for bridging the long-standing disconnect between State Governments and Sports Federations, urging closer alignment to build a strong and unified talent pipeline.
Underscoring the importance of convergence, he highlighted that coordination with the education system is essential for early talent identification and that physical education teachers form the backbone of the grassroots sports ecosystem.
“If even one talented child is left behind due to lack of opportunity, it is not just a personal loss, it is a loss for the entire nation,” he added.
He further noted that sports serve as a transformative tool, particularly in regions such as Jammu & Kashmir and other challenging areas, contributing to social harmony and national integration.
Addressing systemic gaps, the Minister Dr. Mandaviya called for regular certification and upgradation of coaches, scientific training of athletes, and capacity building in sports administration.
Emphasising the importance of a seamless ecosystem, Dr. Mandaviya stated, “When infrastructure, talent identification, and trained manpower come together as one unbroken chain, Olympic podiums will follow,” highlighting the need to connect grassroots participation with elite performance through a structured pathway.
Dr Mandaviya also launched the YES-PE (Young Engagement in Sports & Physical Education ) programme by Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, for students between 9–12 standard for promoting sports participation, sportsmanship and leadership.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary (Sports), Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, who welcomed participants and highlighted the significance of the Shivir as a platform for collective reflection and action.
Outlining the importance of the Chintan Shivir, he said, “This gathering is not merely a conference, it is a collective moment of reflection, resolve, and renewed commitment.”
The Chintan Shivir saw thematic sessions focusing on medal strategy, policy coordination, clean and safe sport, and talent identification and development.
Over 15 State Sports Ministers, along with eminent sports personalities including Adille Sumariwalla, Abhinav Bindra, Pullela Gopichand and Gagan Narang, attended the Chintan Shivir and shared their ideas with the stakeholders, reflecting a collective commitment towards strengthening India’s sports ecosystem and advancing collaborative policy dialogue.
Sports Ministers from various states appreciated the initiative to build a consensus around an athlete- and player-centric approach. They emphasized that this model can be replicated across different regions of the country to strengthen and develop a robust sporting ecosystem in India.
The deliberations emphasised strengthening infrastructure, enhancing coaching systems, improving Centre–State convergence, ensuring ethical and safe sporting environments, and building a scientific, technology-driven talent pipeline integrated across schools, academies, and elite training centres.
These sessions also underscored the importance of structured pathways and institutional convergence to ensure continuity in athlete development, from identification to high-performance training.
Participants also highlighted the need for consistent monitoring, evaluation, and sharing of best practices across states to ensure that policy intent translates into measurable, on-ground impact.
The deliberations reaffirmed the importance of a unified and coordinated approach involving the Centre, States, and all stakeholders to build a robust, inclusive, and future-ready sporting ecosystem, aligned with India’s long-term vision of emerging as a global sporting powerhouse.

SRINAGAR, Apr 25: Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Saturday displayed lists of alleged drug peddlers and their photographs at police stations and posts to enhance public awareness and deter involvement in narcotics, officials said.
The lists have been placed at these locations under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan in the south Kashmir district, a police spokesperson said.
He said the galleries featuring photographs of such individuals have also been put up at police establishments.
The initiative aims to enhance public awareness, promote transparency and deter involvement in narcotics by signalling zero tolerance and strict legal action, the spokesperson said.
It also seeks to strengthen community vigilance and support ongoing efforts to dismantle drug networks, he added.