VOLLEY FROM THE VALLEY
THE WEEK India|October 20, 2024
The Abdullahs return to power after 16 years, but Omar will have to walk the tightrope
TARIQ BHAT
VOLLEY FROM THE VALLEY

AS THE MORNING light filtered through the windows of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah’s residence on Srinagar’s Gupkar Road on October 8, his son Omar Abdullah was already awake, anxiously awaiting the results of the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in a decade. Omar debated whether to go for a run, recalling how his last election day (the Lok Sabha polls) run had ended in a loss. “I thought if I ran and lost again, I would never run again,” he mused. “But I went for a run to break the jinx, and I still won, so I will keep running whenever I have to.”

By 2 pm, it was clear that the National Conference was heading for a sweeping victory in Kashmir, while the BJP maintained its stronghold in Jammu. Jubilant National Conference supporters took to the streets, waving red party flags with the iconic white plough and chanting slogans.

At the Abdullah residence, the gates swung open, and a flood of supporters and reporters entered. As Farooq and Omar stepped out of their home at the foot of the Shankaracharya mountain, they were met with a jubilant crowd. Farooq, visibly moved, thanked his supporters, declaring the victory “a new chapter for Jammu and Kashmir”.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 20, 2024 من THE WEEK India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 20, 2024 من THE WEEK India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE WEEK INDIA مشاهدة الكل
Why Trump covets Greenland
THE WEEK India

Why Trump covets Greenland

There’s no denying it. Donald Trump is a prince among real estate developers, known for his pushy, winner-takes-all approach.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 26, 2025
Bomb man who kept his mouth shut
THE WEEK India

Bomb man who kept his mouth shut

The best thing about Rajagopala Chidambaram, who passed away recently, was that he “could keep his mouth shut”, as his mentor Raja Ramanna wrote in his memoir, Years of Pilgrimage. No wonder, he tested six atom bombs with no CIA, ISI or satellite spy eyes getting any wiser beforehand.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 26, 2025
Extreme to mainstream
THE WEEK India

Extreme to mainstream

With the recent surrender of six Naxals, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declares Karnataka almost “Naxal-free”. The BJP is questioning his “closeness” to the far left

time-read
6 mins  |
January 26, 2025
SUMMITS, SURVIVAL AND SERVICE
THE WEEK India

SUMMITS, SURVIVAL AND SERVICE

Mountaineering expeditions play a crucial role in mountain warfare training

time-read
4 mins  |
January 26, 2025
EYES ON THE ICE
THE WEEK India

EYES ON THE ICE

THE INDIAN ARMY TRAINS ITS MOUNTAIN WARRIORS AT THE MACHOI GLACIER WHERE THEY LEARN ICE AND SNOW CRAFT IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES. THE HIGH ALTITUDE WARFARE SCHOOL IN GULMARG PREPARES THEM FOR WARS THAT ARE DRIVEN BY TECHNOLOGY AND INTELLIGENCE. ON SNOW-COVERED BATTLEFIELDS LIKE THE HIMALAYAS, THE ARMY WANTS ITS JUNIOR LEADERSHIP TO BECOME DECISION-MAKERS AT THE TACTICAL LEVEL

time-read
10+ mins  |
January 26, 2025
Time to dream big
THE WEEK India

Time to dream big

Every year, January 12 is celebrated as National Youth Day—as homage to the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, honouring his enduring teachings and visionary ideas.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 26, 2025
Climbing the power ladder
THE WEEK India

Climbing the power ladder

In his latest book, T.V. Paul explores India's search for its day in the sun as a global power

time-read
2 mins  |
January 26, 2025
Howdy, rowdies
THE WEEK India

Howdy, rowdies

The world is already exhausted, and Donald Trump has not even begun his second term.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 26, 2025
The going gets rough
THE WEEK India

The going gets rough

It’s been a very macho fortnight

time-read
2 mins  |
January 26, 2025
Eastward Ho!
THE WEEK India

Eastward Ho!

Odisha, which hosted this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, is emerging as a focal point for India's Act East Policy, given the turmoil in the northeast

time-read
3 mins  |
January 26, 2025