First Input

07/06/2026

20/03/2026

Sopore Woman Entrepreneur Tabia Firdous Inspires with Her Baking Venture

SOPORE, 19 March: In a region where opportunities for young women entrepreneurs are steadily growing, Tabia Firdous is emerging as a powerful symbol of determination and self reliance. At just 23, the Food Technology graduate has transformed her passion for baking into a successful homegrown brand T99 Bakes earning admiration across Sopore and beyond.

Starting from her home kitchen, Tabia turned a simple idea into a thriving small business that now caters to a wide range of customers especially during festive seasons like Eid. Her specialty products, including Eid delicacies and customized desserts, have gained popularity for their quality, presentation and affordability.

What makes Tabia’s journey remarkable is not just her business success but the message it carries. In a society where many young women hesitate to step into entrepreneurship, she has broken barriers and proven that talent combined with dedication can create meaningful opportunities.

“I always believed that if you have a skill and the courage to start, you can build something of your own,” Tabia says, reflecting on her journey.

Her venture has also contributed to promoting local entrepreneurship and inspiring other young women in Kashmir to explore self employment. Through social media and word of mouth, T99 Bakes has built a loyal customer base, turning Tabia into a known face among emerging entrepreneurs in the region.

As Kashmir witnesses a gradual shift towards startups and small businesses, stories like Tabia Firdous stand out as examples of resilience and empowerment. Her journey is not just about baking it is about building confidence, breaking stereotypes and creating a path for others to follow.

12/03/2026

LG Manoj Sinha attends closing ceremony of 2nd All India Police Kabaddi Cluster in Jammu. Felicitates sportspersons from State Police Forces & CAPFs and applauds discipline, & determination displayed by the participants.

12/02/2026

J&K Govt Razed 1,425 Structures Since Oct 2024; Rules Out Compensation for Evictees.

​Since October 2024, the Jammu and Kashmir government has demolished 1,425 structures across the Union Territory, including 1,194 residential and 231 commercial buildings. In a briefing to the Legislative Assembly, officials stated that the actions heavily concentrated in Srinagar with over 600 demolitions were carried out under public premises and anti-encroachment laws to remove unauthorized constructions. Despite the large-scale impact on local families, the government maintained that all due legal processes were followed and confirmed there is currently no proposal to provide compensation or alternative land to those affected.

10/02/2026

06/02/2026

05/02/2026

25/01/2026

Snowfall Disrupts Train Services on Baramulla–Banihal Section

Srinagar, Jan 25, KNT: Railway services on the Baramulla–Banihal section were affected on Sunday due to heavy snowfall, leading to short termination and cancellation of multiple passenger trains, officials said.

Train number 74626, scheduled to depart from Baramulla to Banihal at 07:00 hours, was short-terminated at Budgam in view of adverse weather conditions on the route. Similarly, train number 74614, also running from Baramulla to Banihal with a scheduled departure time of 07:10 hours, was short-terminated at Budgam.

In addition, train number 74615, operating from Banihal to Baramulla, was cancelled for the day due to heavy snowfall affecting track and operational safety on the section.

Officials said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure passenger safety amid continued snowfall and accumulation of snow along the railway track. Railway staff have been deployed to monitor the situation and undertake necessary clearance and safety checks.

Passengers have been advised to check the latest train status before commencing their journey and to remain patient as services will be normalized once weather conditions improve. [KNT]