MP Jugal Kishore put in a fix

As the countdown for the Lok Sabha election has started, the panic-stricken BJP has assigned duties to its senior leaders to attend programmes at various places. Lok Sabha member Jugal Kishore was directed by the party to address two ‘Navrattan sammelans’ simultaneously at two places. The distance between the two places, where functions were held, is more than 10 km but despite that the MP was asked to be present in both events. Dinesh Manhotra

It’s harissa time

Come winter, it’s time for different food delicacies to fight the harsh and chilling weather. In Kashmir,  the most common additions to the dining table are fish, rajmash and dried vegetables. ‘Harissa’, once the special breakfast food in the upper class homes in Srinagar city, has gradually entered most of the households during winter. It has already graduated from the select harissa shops in downtown localities to roadside hotels in main markets. However, this special delicacy has also entered the fast food market. A number of food outlets serve harissa with Kashmiri salt tea and tandoori roti as special dishes to their customers. Ehsan Fazili 

Boon or bane?

When it snows, selfies of people enjoying the white cover go viral. Videos and photographs of tourists enjoying the snowfall also spread fast. However, for the common man, snow also brings a lot of miseries. Keeping oneself warm during erratic power supply remains a challenge. Though snow initially brings down a temperature a bit, once accumulated, it can cause a severe dip in the mercury leading to frozen water supply lines. Walking on the slippery roads poses a threat, especially to the children and elderly, besides the owners of two-wheelers. It is no secret in Kashmir that a common man usually prays that the winter months should pass quickly. M Aamir Khan 

Pandit pandal at Kumbh

Millions of people, including Kashmiri Pandits from the state, are expected to take part in the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj this year. The occasion will give an opportunity to them to know about the cultural and religious heritage. For the first time in decades, Pandits will set up an information counter at Kumbh to give people a peep into their life and traditions. The ‘Kashmir Darshan Pandal’ will be put up by the Sampoorn Kashmir Sangathan. Sumit Hakhoo

JMC in sleep mode?

Since the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) was formed and the mayor was elected, no major development works have been started in the city. Lanes and bylanes are still awaiting attention of councillors. Sanitation continues to be a major problem. Amir Karim Tantray

Bonfire for warm-up

With biting cold in the Jammu region, youth have adopted a new way to warm themselves up before doing exercise. The youth, most of whom are trying to join paramilitary forces, light bonfires to warm themselves. As these youth participate in regular recruitment drives organised by security forces, they have to maintain their fitness level. Many youth can be seen exercising and running so that they can easily qualify the tests. — Vikram Sharma