It is the season of plenty in Kashmir. Shimmering gold fields of paddy, ripe for harvest, interspersed with neat rows of saffron corms. Apple orchards laden with fruit, along the highway to Pulwama district, 50 km from Srinagar. A tapestry ringed by impassive grey Himalayan massifs and a sparkling blue sky with tufts of pristine white clouds floating by. It is not just Nature that is holding out hope and promise in the Valley. The wind of democratic and political change is currently sweeping across Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), where assembly polls are being held after a hiatus of 10 long years. The election for the 90 assembly seats43 in Jammu and 47 in Kashmir-is being held in three phases from September 18 to October 1. The results will be out on October 8, alongside those of Haryana.
In Tral, hometown of Burhan Wani, the separatist Hizbul Mujahideen chief who died young, bullets and blood will no longer determine the future, the ballot box and barnstorming politicians will. Wani's death in a firefight with security forces in 2016 had sparked off a fierce round of protests that left 90 civilians dead. Now, a much-mellowed Mehbooba Mufti, who had presided over that disturbing period as chief minister of the erstwhile state till the fall of her government in 2018, is holding a rally at Tral's main bus station that is crammed with white taxis honking for passengers. Mehbooba is president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had entered into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the 2014 assembly election, only to end in a bitter parting of ways four years later.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 30th September, 2024-Ausgabe von India Today.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 30th September, 2024-Ausgabe von India Today.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
ON RED ALERT
Throwing the rulebook out of its maroon windows is this unconventional home in Raipur
Moms on The Blog
From how to raise a child to ideas for styling your baby's room, these five mommy-bloggers are changing lives, one parent at a time
Poetry in Porcelain
A visual harmony that finds its roots in artisanship behind the braiding on horses’ bridles
EFFORTLESS CHARM
Simple and sophisticated, cricket commentator and journalist Harsha and Anita Bhogle's home in Mumbai is an extension of their personalities
THE BUYER'S GUIDE
Once upon a time to buy baby furniture, furnishings and accessories you had to plan a trip overseas. Now, with so many brands available in the country, parents are truly spoilt for choice.
Awash with Ideas
When it comes your children, don't just design a bath, create a fun-filled space, where they can blow bubbles, splash, learn, and grow, step by step
SPILLING SECRETS
Before designing your children's room, ensure you follow these five design principles for a happy and healthy child
iSpy
Product review
Looking for Bright Ideas
Right illumination can make or mar the look of any room, our expert panel decodes how to get it right
On a Wing and a Bicycle
Neha Tikam recently set the record for the fastest time by a female cyclist on the ManaliLeh highway