Kashmir calling: Why Omar Abdullah went cycling, cable-car riding
It's an unenviable task. As scared tourists stay away, summer hotel bookings are mostly cancelled, and large-scale layoffs in the hospitality sector are spreading misery. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has clearly deemed the situation grim enough to lead a full counter-charge, but he is seeking to do it with a touch of sunshine.On May 27, he chose to hold a cabinet meeting right there on ground zero: Pahalgam. In the evening, he went on a cycle ride through its streets with sons Zahir and Zamir. Next day, cabinet in tow, the CM visited ski-resort Gulmarg, then took a cable car ride before the cameras. After Eid on June 7, the government will organise a Walkathon around Dal Lake in Srinagar and a water sports event on the lake.advertisement
A record 3.5 million tourists visited J&K in 2024; the sector adds 7 per cent to its GDP. Enthused locals, who invested in hotels and homestays, are unable to repay loans. The J&K government has petitioned the Centre to help these stakeholders.Home minister Amit Shah, too,visited J&K on May 29-31. Agenda: to secure the Amarnath yatra that begins on July 3. A 50,000-strong detail will guard the routes to the cave, via Pahalgam and Ganderbal. There's zero tolerance for error.Subscribe to India Today MagazineMust Watch
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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
J&K govt takes over historic Nedou's Hotel in Gulmarg
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has taken possession of the 137-year-old Nedou's Hotel, owned by a relative of chief minister Omar Abdullah, in Gulmarg after it was served an eviction notice for occupying 98 kanals and 11 marlas of government land without a valid lease since 1985. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has taken possession of the 137-year-old Nedou's Hotel, owned by a relative of chief minister Omar Abdullah, in Gulmarg after it was served an eviction notice for occupying 98 kanals and 11 marlas of government land without a valid lease since 1985. (File photo) The iconic hotel, Kashmir's oldest since it was established in 1888 by European entrepreneur Michael Adam Nedou as a retreat for colonial officers and visiting dignitaries, was sealed and taken over by the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) on Monday. The hotel's original lease for two kanals and 13 marlas had expired in 1985, while it was occupying land measuring 98 kanals and 11 marlas illegally. The proprietor, Omar K Nedou, is the maternal cousin of National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah, the father of chief minister Omar Abdullah. The action was carried out under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988, in compliance with orders issued by both the Supreme Court and the high court. The Jammu and Kashmir government had rejected the hotel's request for a renewal of lease in 2015 owing to illegal occupation of over 90 kanals, followed by the dismissal of the special leave petition by the Supreme Court and the high court of Jammu and Kashmir's order on September 6, 2018. The assistant director of tourism, acting as the designated estate officer, oversaw the eviction and transfer of the premises to the GDA in the presence of the local magistrate and police. 'The premises had been vacated by the occupants at the time of execution and the possession was duly taken over as per the law,' the official informed the GDA. On August 2, the GDA's chief executive officer had instructed the tourism department to carry out the eviction within 24 hours. 'It has been found necessary to take possession of the said property in light of legal directions and examination of records,' the letter said. Michael Adam Nedou's son Harry Nedou had married a tribal Gujjar woman from Gulmarg and their daughter Akbar Jahan later married National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, the grandfather of Omar Abdullah. The hotel was in the news in March when a fashion show was held on its premises during the holy month of Ramzan. The CM had distanced himself from the event as opposition parties and religious leaders slammed it for being 'obscene and inappropriate'. Omar Abdullah said it was a private event and his government had no role in organising it.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
SSMB 29: Priyanka Chopra Shares Glimpse Of Malti Marie Enjoying ‘Hyderabad Mornings'
Last Updated: The actress recently arrived in Hyderabad with her daughter Malti Marie for SS Rajamouli's yet-to-be-titled SSMB 29 Priyanka Chopra is currently in Hyderabad for the shoot of her next film, SSMB 29, with Mahesh Babu. Well, she's making the most of her time in the city with daughter Malti Marie Jonas. The actress took to social media to share a heartwarming glimpse of little Malti enjoying serene 'Hyderabad mornings'. Taking to her Instagram stories, Priyanka Chopra shared a photo of Malti Marie sitting in the balcony and enjoying the view. The actress captioned it as 'Hyderabad Mornings'. She recently arrived in Hyderabad with her daughter Malti Marie for SS Rajamouli's yet-to-be-titled SSMB 29, co-starring Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. On Monday, Priyanka Chopra took to her Instagram Stories to share a sweet moment with her daughter, Malti Marie. In the first picture, the Heads Of State actress is seen lovingly holding Malti's tiny hand. She captioned the photo 'Mama and Malti" accompanied by a heart-eyes emoji. The photo appeared to have been taken inside a car during their journey from the Hyderabad airport. In the next slide, Malti is seen gazing out the car window, seemingly taking in the view. 'Hyderabad, we made it!" Priyanka wrote, marking their arrival in the city. A few weeks ago, it was reported that Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Babu and the team of SSMB 29 will head to South Africa for the shoot. A source told India Today, 'August is when the cameras start rolling again. Mahesh has been undergoing extensive physical training, and Priyanka's dates have been locked in after long coordination. This schedule is going to be intense and crucial for the story arc." As per the report, East Africa has been finalized as a key location for the film's core narrative. 'It offers the rugged landscapes and untouched terrain that align with Rajamouli's vision for a high-stakes, adventurous plot. The shoot will begin in August in South Africa, followed by schedules in Europe. The team will also head to Tanzania for a recce," said the source. Director SS Rajamouli has been keeping the details of SSMB29 under wraps. However, for now, it is known that the film is expected to be an action-adventure drama in the vein of Indiana Jones, a genre Rajamouli's father and veteran writer Vijayendra Prasad has also confirmed in several interviews. First Published: August 05, 2025, 11:38 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Amarnath yatra: ‘Chhari Mubarak' begins journey to cave shrine
The final leg of the Amarnath yatra began on Monday with Mahant Deependra Giri taking out the 'Chhari Mubarak', sacred mace of Lord Shiva, from its abode at Dashnami Akhara Temple for its journey to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas. The procession reached Shiv Mandir Bijbehara, Anantnag in south Kashmir and is expected to reach Chandanwari in Pahalgam on August 6 and then further up till it reaches the cave shrine. (File) The religious procession will reach the shrine on August 9 when the yatra is officially scheduled to end coinciding with Hindu religious occasion of Shravan Purnima. 'The journey begins from the Shri Amareshwar Temple located in Dashnami Akhara. During the night of Dashmi and Ekadashi, the journey will continue towards Pahalgam,' Giri said. The procession reached Shiv Mandir Bijbehara, Anantnag in south Kashmir and is expected to reach Chandanwari in Pahalgam on August 6 and then further up till it reaches the cave shrine. Every year hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees from across the country visit the Amarnath cave shrine situated at a height of 3,880 metre in the Himalayas passing through treacherous mountain routes, glaciers and ice fed streams. Pahalgam is one of the two main base camps of the Amarnath yatra. More than 4.10 lakh yatris paid obeisance at the cave shrine this year so far. But the weather has been a challenge owing to continuous heavy rains leading to suspension of yatra on and off in the past over a week. Last year, around 5,12,000 pilgrims had performed the yatra, the highest in over a highest-ever number of pilgrims to visit the shrine was in 2011 and 2012 at 6.35 lakh and 6.22 lakh, respectively.
