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By Arshiyah Baba
At dawn, somewhere in a forest that has never heard a human voice, a tree has just fallen.
No one was there to witness it. There were no cameras to record this instant, and therefore there was no mind to interpret this event as “destruction” or “loss” because the tree had simply collapsed, as its body started dissolving into soil, feeding fungi, insects, and many invisible networks beneath the earth. Life continues, indifferent to observation or any witnesses.
Now remove not just the witness, but the entire possibility of one.
The last human has just died.
The world still does not register the difference. Rivers keep running, light moves across mountains and rivers as it always does, forests continue their slow exchanges of gases, as their roots are threading deeper into the soil, while the leaves turn toward a sun that rises just in time. And somewhere amid this, a new flower is just born.
Nothing in this moment suggests absence. Nothing indicates that something essential has been lost. And yet, it is difficult to resist the question: if no one is left to see it, to name it, to feel it does any of it have any value And does it matter
We have built an entire civilization on the assumption that “value” begins with us.
We are used to measuring value through human eyes. Things matter because they are seen, used, felt, or in some way understood by human minds. A landscape is called “beautiful” when it moves us; a forest is considered “important” when it stores carbon; a species becomes “worth saving” when its loss threatens our future. If you strip away this human observer, this framework collapses.
Without us, there are no words like beautiful, useful, or even valuable. From this perspective, nature appears almost incomplete without us, giving birth to the anthropocentric worldview: the belief that humans are the central or most significant entities in the universe.
So the question remains: Is nature, in itself, empty of worth
Yet ecology tells a very different story.
Long before humans arrived, life was already engaged in a vast, dynamic interplay of survival and transformation, with ecosystems maintaining delicate balances through intricate relationships of predation, symbiosis, and nutrient cycling. Ecosystems are not passive stage sets; instead, they are active, self-organizing systems.
A tree does not need admiration to photosynthesize. A coral reef does not require appreciation to sustain biodiversity. These processes unfold with a kind of autonomy that seems to suggest significance beyond human interpretation.
This autonomy becomes even harder to dismiss when seen across time. What exists now is not instant, but rather the result of millions of years of gradual change, of small variations preserved and carried forward through survival. However, no organism intends this process, and no system stands apart to reflect on it. Yet over time, it gives rise to forms of life that grow increasingly complex and increasingly entangled with one another.
Each species is not merely alive; it is the present expression of a long, continuous history. Its disappearance, then, is not just a change in what exists now. It is the ending of something that took millions of years to take shape.
This is where environmental ethics introduces the idea of intrinsic value: the claim that nature possesses worth independent of its usefulness to humans.
But the idea is a little unsettling, because if value is not assigned by humans, where does it come from? Can value exist without a valuer?
Many philosophers argue that “value” cannot be assigned unless it comes from the consciousness of a human, implying that value is a human construct. Therefore, terms like “good,” “beautiful,” or “important” dissolve into neutrality. They insist that value is inseparable from conscious judgment. A forest, then, would not be “valuable” without humans; it would simply be a configuration of matter and energy.
This argument is often challenged by the thought that if living systems strive, adapt, and sustain themselves, does that not suggest a kind of inherent worth? Consequently, when a species engages in struggle for survival, does this not constitute a valuation of its own continued existence?
This inquiry leads us to the concept of biodiversity, wherein scientists predict that the loss of species undermines ecosystems, thereby diminishing their capacity to adapt to alterations. From a strictly anthropocentric standpoint, this is significant due to its impact on food systems, climate stability, and human health.
However, from a more expansive ecological viewpoint, each species represents a distinct manifestation of life’s evolutionary trajectory, shaped over millennia. Its extinction is not merely a detriment to humanity, but a loss of intrinsic value.
Is it unreasonable, then, to say that such a loss matters
Perhaps the problem is not consciousness or environmental ethics, but rather linguistics.
The difficulty lies in our language, where words like “value” and “meaning” are deeply human-centric, tied to human emotion and judgment. Nature does not label any event as good or bad; it operates through processes. Fires destroy forests, yet also renew them. Predators kill, yet maintain balance. What we call “harm” or “loss” may, in ecological terms, be part of a larger continuity.
Philosophers like Arne Naess, the founder of deep ecology, argue that humans are not separate from nature but part of it. If this is true, then recognizing nature’s value is not imposing meaning onto it, but instead rediscovering a relationship we humans are embedded in. In this view, nature’s worth does not depend on human presence; rather, our ability to perceive that worth depends on our willingness to look beyond ourselves.
So we return to the fallen tree.
In one sense, it does not “matter” without humans, because there is no one to call it meaningful.
In another sense, it matters profoundly, because it nourishes life, sustains ecosystems, and participates in the ongoing bio-evolution of the Earth. The tree’s significance exists, even if it is unobserved.
The question shifts from whether nature has value without humans to whether humans are capable of recognizing value that does not revolve around them.
And regardless of the answer, either way, the forest at dawn does not wait for our conclusion. It simply continues.
Emerging Kashmiri author Arizoo Riyaz has made her literary debut with the release of her Urdu short story collection titled “Nafas-e-Qalam.” The book introduces a fresh voice in contemporary Urdu fiction and reflects the author’s distinctive storytelling style.
Written in a bold and thought-provoking tone, Nafas-e-Qalam draws inspiration from the fearless literary tradition associated with writers such as Saadat Hasan Manto and Ismat Chughtai. Through its stories, the collection explores complex social realities, encouraging readers to reflect on issues related to society, power, and human relationships.
Blending satire with introspection, the stories attempt to mirror society by highlighting its contradictions, hypocrisies, and unspoken tensions. The narrative style aims to provoke thought while presenting the emotional and moral dilemmas individuals often face within social structures.
Speaking about the book, Arizoo Riyaz said the collection is meant to amplify voices that are often judged or ignored. She described Nafas-e-Qalam as “a mirror of society written in society’s own language.”
Originally from Anantnag, Kashmir, Arizoo Riyaz is an alumna of Aligarh Muslim University. Her writing frequently engages with themes of identity, morality, gender expectations, and the subtle emotional struggles that exist beneath social conventions.
Nafas-e-Qalam marks Riyaz’s first published work and adds a new perspective to the evolving landscape of contemporary Urdu literature.
Srinagar: Muhammad Salman, a graduate of the National Institute of Technology NIT Srinagar, has founded Koshur Scientist KS, an emerging AI driven education platform aimed at transforming how students learn, think, and prepare for the future.
Koshur Scientist is designed as a learning community that moves beyond traditional exam oriented education by promoting curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and holistic development among students.
The initiative, which has been functioning as a community driven project for more than three years, has recently entered its early operational phase as a structured startup. During this time, KS has brought together a growing network of students, mentors, and educators committed to innovation in education.
Through its Holistic Development Programme, Koshur Scientist focuses on strengthening academic foundations while encouraging intellectual growth, creativity, and emotional wellbeing. The platform aims to help shape future innovators, scientists, philosophers, artists, educationists, economists, and leaders rather than limiting students to a few traditionally celebrated professions.
So far, the initiative has produced more than 300 free online educational videos, reaching thousands of learners. It has also collaborated with mentors and professionals from institutions such as IIT, IISER, NIT Srinagar, SKUAST, the Central University of Kashmir, and Government Medical Colleges.
As part of its structured learning programs, KS has recently launched three flagship learning cohorts Wath, Gaash, and Jhelum batches designed for students of Classes 8, 9, and 10. These batches mark the beginning of long-term academic and mentorship programs aimed at nurturing talent from an early stage.
Looking ahead, the organization is developing an AI powered Learning Management System LMS intended to deliver personalized learning experiences. The long-term vision is to build a technological education infrastructure that can transform learning not only in Kashmir but across the world.
Apart from digital learning, Koshur Scientist is also working with schools through its School Induction Programme SIP. The program aims to introduce innovation, future skills, and career awareness within schools and expand opportunities for students.
Salman, who has qualified several competitive examinations including NEET, JEE, SKUAST UET, and CUCET, was also a state topper in the Central University of Kashmir Admission Test CUKAT.
Despite receiving career opportunities including job offers from international companies and PhD opportunities from universities such as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Northeastern University, he chose to focus on building an initiative dedicated to improving the education ecosystem.
Believing that Kashmir holds immense intellectual potential, Salman says education must move beyond exam-centric coaching culture and encourage curiosity, creativity, and innovation.
He believes that in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancement, education can empower young minds to become creators and innovators capable of shaping the future.
Rukhsana Akhter Wani had the honour of addressing the 21st Convocation of the University of Kashmir, graced by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Sh. C.P. Radhakrishnan Ji. The ceremony was not merely an academic milestone but a powerful reflection of the aspirations, hard work, and determination of our youth. Standing before such bright minds reaffirmed her belief that the future of our nation is in capable and visionary hands.
This convocation symbolizes the confidence of young students in modern education and their commitment to shaping a better tomorrow. Universities must evolve beyond being institutions that simply preserve knowledge. They must become vibrant centers of innovation, human development, leadership, and social transformation. Education should not only inform minds but also inspire action and responsibility toward society.
Her mantra is clear: Industry and Intellect must grow together. Strong collaboration between universities, industries, and research and development institutions is essential to build a Viksit Bharat. When academic research aligns with industry needs, it fosters entrepreneurship, technological advancement, and sustainable economic growth. Such partnerships create opportunities for students to transform ideas into impactful solutions that benefit society at large.
Education is the most powerful instrument of change. It transforms individual lives, uplifts families, and strengthens communities. When embraced by youth with dedication and vision, it has the power to reshape the destiny of an entire nation. Through her message, Rukhsana Akhter Wani emphasized that empowering young minds through quality education and meaningful collaboration is the key to building a progressive, innovative, and self-reliant India.
Switch Electric, a rising clean technology startup from Kashmir, is steadily emerging as a symbol of locally built innovation with real-world impact. Founded by young engineers from the University of Kashmir, the startup is transforming everyday mobility through affordable electric solutions designed specifically for the region’s unique challenges.
The journey began when Founder and CTO Mr. Aqid Farooq Shah experimented with a DIY electric conversion kit on his personal bicycle. What initially started as curiosity quickly turned into public validation. As he rode through local streets, people stopped him to inquire about its cost, performance, and availability. That spontaneous interest revealed a clear and underserved demand for affordable electric mobility in Kashmir. Recognizing this opportunity, the team formalized their efforts and built Switch Electric with a focused mission to make electric mobility accessible to everyday Kashmiris.
Instead of targeting premium buyers, Switch Electric focused on necessity riders milkmen, daily wage workers, students, shopkeepers, and farmers who already rely on bicycles for their livelihood. Rather than promoting expensive electric bicycles priced between ₹25,000 and ₹50,000, the startup introduced an affordable electric conversion kit starting at approximately ₹11,000. This practical solution enables users to upgrade their existing bicycles into electric cycles at a fraction of the cost, making sustainable mobility financially viable.
Each conversion system includes a 250W high-torque motor, throttle and pedal assist system (PAS), electronic cut-off brakes, an integrated controller, an in-house manufactured lithium-ion battery pack, and headlight and horn integration. Depending on configuration, the range varies between 20 and 60 kilometers, with customized builds extending up to 100 kilometers. All battery packs are assembled locally and equipped with advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS) to ensure safety and durability. A one-year warranty further strengthens customer trust.
Kashmir’s terrain and harsh winters demand resilient engineering. Switch Electric designs its systems with sealed motors, secure battery housing, and weather-resistant electronics capable of withstanding cold temperatures and moisture. Higher power configurations are available for hilly routes and load-bearing applications. The company has already delivered more than 20 functional systems, with new adopters steadily joining. Early users report fuel savings, reduced physical strain, and improved daily productivity benefits that directly enhance earning capacity.
While expanding its e-cycle conversions, the team identified a broader opportunity in the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries across the region. With support from NewGen IEDC under the TIDE 2.0 framework at the University of Kashmir, the startup established Kashmir’s first dedicated lithium-ion battery manufacturing unit.
This strategic step reduced dependency on external suppliers, ensured complete quality control, lowered costs, and enabled expansion into battery solutions beyond electric cycles. Today, Switch Electric manufactures lithium-ion battery packs for e-load carts, electric scooters, solar storage systems, drones, and industrial applications.
The startup also received support from the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), strengthening its operational capabilities under the Government of Jammu & Kashmir’s entrepreneurship initiatives. Its achievements were formally recognized when the team was felicitated by Omar Abdullah a milestone that highlighted the growing impact of youth-driven clean-tech innovation in the region.
With a strong foundation in Srinagar and the wider Kashmir region, Switch Electric aims to scale nationally in the coming years. The founders believe that if a product can perform reliably in Kashmir’s demanding environment, expanding across India becomes a natural progression.
Switch Electric stands today not just as an electric mobility startup, but as a powerful example of local innovation shaping Kashmir’s electric future.
Dr. Prince Ahmad Ganai, a theoretical physicist associated with the National Institute of Technology Srinagar, has developed an independent digital presence through his YouTube channel, which is gaining attention as a resource for advanced studies in theoretical and nuclear physics. Through this platform, he shares academic lectures and scientific explanations aimed at students, researchers, and scholars engaged in higher-level physics learning.
His YouTube channel functions as a digital academic space where complex topics related to theoretical physics, particle physics, and nuclear structure are explained in detail. Through structured video lectures and research-based discussions, the channel reflects Dr. Ganai’s long-standing academic engagement and contributes to scientific discourse beyond traditional classroom settings.
The content shared on the channel includes discussions on advanced theoretical models, nuclear interactions, and fundamental concepts that are generally introduced at postgraduate or research levels. While the subject matter is academically rigorous, the lectures are delivered in a systematic and accessible manner, allowing serious learners to engage deeply with the material. Over time, the channel has developed into a growing digital archive of academic instruction and research-oriented thought.
In addition to core theoretical topics, Dr. Ganai uses the platform to explain complex physics concepts in a step-by-step format, making them easier to understand for students preparing for higher studies. The channel provides learners with access to expert-level explanations that may otherwise be limited to formal university environments or specialized academic settings.
Academic observers note that digital platforms such as YouTube are increasingly playing an important role in modern education. By sharing research-focused academic content online, scholars are able to extend the reach of higher education while maintaining intellectual depth and academic credibility. Dr. Ganai’s channel demonstrates how individual academic efforts can complement institutional teaching and research.
Students and researchers who follow the channel describe it as a challenging yet valuable learning resource. Exposure to advanced theoretical discussions helps learners strengthen conceptual understanding and become familiar with the language, structure, and methodology of scientific research. The lectures also encourage analytical thinking, a key requirement for success in higher academic and research environments.
The channel’s presence is particularly relevant in the context of Jammu and Kashmir, where access to advanced research exposure and specialized academic guidance can be limited by infrastructure and resources. Dr. Ganai’s work shows how locally based academic expertise can connect with national and global learning communities through digital platforms.
Beyond individual learning, the YouTube channel contributes to broader scientific dialogue by presenting research-driven perspectives and referencing established theoretical frameworks. Such contributions help sustain informed academic discussion and promote a culture of research and inquiry among serious learners.
As higher education increasingly intersects with digital media, initiatives like Dr. Ganai’s YouTube channel underline the changing nature of academic engagement. Scholars are no longer restricted to classrooms, journals, or institutional boundaries alone; digital platforms now serve as important spaces for sharing knowledge, research insights, and scholarly perspectives.
Through continued academic dedication and consistent publication of research-oriented lectures, Dr. Prince Ahmad Ganai’s YouTube channel has emerged as a credible space for advanced physics studies. The initiative stands as an example of how independent academic efforts can meaningfully contribute to scientific learning and research culture in the digital age.
Saleeqa Tariq, at just 17 years of age, stands as an exceptional example of excellence, discipline, and all-round achievement. Hailing from Jammu & Kashmir, she has made a remarkable impact at national and international levels across sports, public speaking, literature, and global leadership platforms setting benchmarks far beyond her years.
She is a National Gold Medalist in Wushu and a two-time National Bronze Medalist in Wushu, reflecting years of rigorous training, resilience, and elite performance. Her sporting excellence extends further as National Gold Medalist in Pencak Silat and a two-time National Silver Medalist in Ice Stock, highlighting her rare versatility across both combat and winter sports. At the state level, Saleeqa is recognized as an all-time State Champion, maintaining consistent dominance through discipline and dedication.
Beyond athletics, Saleeqa has emerged as one of the most compelling young voices in the country. She secured First Position in the State Speaker’s Award, followed by First Position at the National Level, earning recognition for her clarity of thought, confidence, and powerful articulation. Her ability to influence through words reflects a deep sense of responsibility and leadership beyond her age.
In the field of literature, Saleeqa is the author of two books, one published and one currently under publication. Her published work, Veins of the Silent Storm, marks her as a promising young writer whose words reflect insight, purpose, and intellectual depth.
On the global stage, she has created history by becoming the first individual from Jammu & Kashmir to be selected for an international Model United Nations Conference, scheduled to be held in Istanbul, Turkey where she will represent her region and country in international dialogue and diplomacy.
Saleeqa Tariq’s journey is defined not only by achievements, but by intent. She embodies discipline with humility and ambition with purpose. Today, as she is honored, she stands as a powerful symbol of what focused determination and youthful vision can achieve.
Bilkish Siddiqui’s story is not one that begins with ease or privilege. It begins with loss. Losing her father at a very young age changed the direction of her life forever, leaving behind a silence that demanded strength far beyond her years.
In that difficult phase, her mother became her greatest pillar of support. Watching her mother carry the weight of the family with resilience and dignity shaped Bilkish’s understanding of life early on. Those moments taught her lessons no classroom ever could about responsibility, sacrifice, and the quiet power of perseverance. Life asked her to grow up sooner than she was ready, and she answered with courage.
Music was her first love. Singing was the dream closest to her heart, a passion that gave her comfort and identity. But circumstances demanded responsibility before passion. While her dream waited patiently, Bilkish stepped into the world of modeling at a young age not for glamour or recognition, but for survival. She began earning early, standing shoulder to shoulder with her mother to support the family, carrying responsibilities that shaped her maturity long before her time.
Those early struggles became the foundation of her strength. Every challenge refined her discipline, every sacrifice strengthened her resolve. She learned patience, self-reliance, and emotional endurance through lived experience rather than choice. These years transformed her into someone resilient, grounded, and focused.
Today, Bilkish balances a professional career alongside her journey in modeling, steadily building her place through consistency, dedication, and belief in herself. Her growth has been gradual and honest rooted in hard work rather than
Yet, dreams never truly fade.
Music, the passion she once set aside, has found its way back into her life. She is now returning to it with intention learning again, healing through sound, and reconnecting with the voice that once defined her. This time, she carries her dream with clarity and courage, shaped by everything life has taught her.
Bilkish Siddiqui is not just walking runways.
She is walking a path built on strength, responsibility, and hope.
Her journey is not one of overnight success, but of endurance and it is still being written.
By Arshiyah Baba
At dawn, somewhere in a forest that has never heard a human voice, a tree has just fallen.
No one was there to witness it. There were no cameras to record this instant, and therefore there was no mind to interpret this event as “destruction” or “loss” because the tree had simply collapsed, as its body started dissolving into soil, feeding fungi, insects, and many invisible networks beneath the earth. Life continues, indifferent to observation or any witnesses.
Now remove not just the witness, but the entire possibility of one.
The last human has just died.
The world still does not register the difference. Rivers keep running, light moves across mountains and rivers as it always does, forests continue their slow exchanges of gases, as their roots are threading deeper into the soil, while the leaves turn toward a sun that rises just in time. And somewhere amid this, a new flower is just born.
Nothing in this moment suggests absence. Nothing indicates that something essential has been lost. And yet, it is difficult to resist the question: if no one is left to see it, to name it, to feel it does any of it have any value And does it matter
We have built an entire civilization on the assumption that “value” begins with us.
We are used to measuring value through human eyes. Things matter because they are seen, used, felt, or in some way understood by human minds. A landscape is called “beautiful” when it moves us; a forest is considered “important” when it stores carbon; a species becomes “worth saving” when its loss threatens our future. If you strip away this human observer, this framework collapses.
Without us, there are no words like beautiful, useful, or even valuable. From this perspective, nature appears almost incomplete without us, giving birth to the anthropocentric worldview: the belief that humans are the central or most significant entities in the universe.
So the question remains: Is nature, in itself, empty of worth
Yet ecology tells a very different story.
Long before humans arrived, life was already engaged in a vast, dynamic interplay of survival and transformation, with ecosystems maintaining delicate balances through intricate relationships of predation, symbiosis, and nutrient cycling. Ecosystems are not passive stage sets; instead, they are active, self-organizing systems.
A tree does not need admiration to photosynthesize. A coral reef does not require appreciation to sustain biodiversity. These processes unfold with a kind of autonomy that seems to suggest significance beyond human interpretation.
This autonomy becomes even harder to dismiss when seen across time. What exists now is not instant, but rather the result of millions of years of gradual change, of small variations preserved and carried forward through survival. However, no organism intends this process, and no system stands apart to reflect on it. Yet over time, it gives rise to forms of life that grow increasingly complex and increasingly entangled with one another.
Each species is not merely alive; it is the present expression of a long, continuous history. Its disappearance, then, is not just a change in what exists now. It is the ending of something that took millions of years to take shape.
This is where environmental ethics introduces the idea of intrinsic value: the claim that nature possesses worth independent of its usefulness to humans.
But the idea is a little unsettling, because if value is not assigned by humans, where does it come from? Can value exist without a valuer?
Many philosophers argue that “value” cannot be assigned unless it comes from the consciousness of a human, implying that value is a human construct. Therefore, terms like “good,” “beautiful,” or “important” dissolve into neutrality. They insist that value is inseparable from conscious judgment. A forest, then, would not be “valuable” without humans; it would simply be a configuration of matter and energy.
This argument is often challenged by the thought that if living systems strive, adapt, and sustain themselves, does that not suggest a kind of inherent worth? Consequently, when a species engages in struggle for survival, does this not constitute a valuation of its own continued existence?
This inquiry leads us to the concept of biodiversity, wherein scientists predict that the loss of species undermines ecosystems, thereby diminishing their capacity to adapt to alterations. From a strictly anthropocentric standpoint, this is significant due to its impact on food systems, climate stability, and human health.
However, from a more expansive ecological viewpoint, each species represents a distinct manifestation of life’s evolutionary trajectory, shaped over millennia. Its extinction is not merely a detriment to humanity, but a loss of intrinsic value.
Is it unreasonable, then, to say that such a loss matters
Perhaps the problem is not consciousness or environmental ethics, but rather linguistics.
The difficulty lies in our language, where words like “value” and “meaning” are deeply human-centric, tied to human emotion and judgment. Nature does not label any event as good or bad; it operates through processes. Fires destroy forests, yet also renew them. Predators kill, yet maintain balance. What we call “harm” or “loss” may, in ecological terms, be part of a larger continuity.
Philosophers like Arne Naess, the founder of deep ecology, argue that humans are not separate from nature but part of it. If this is true, then recognizing nature’s value is not imposing meaning onto it, but instead rediscovering a relationship we humans are embedded in. In this view, nature’s worth does not depend on human presence; rather, our ability to perceive that worth depends on our willingness to look beyond ourselves.
So we return to the fallen tree.
In one sense, it does not “matter” without humans, because there is no one to call it meaningful.
In another sense, it matters profoundly, because it nourishes life, sustains ecosystems, and participates in the ongoing bio-evolution of the Earth. The tree’s significance exists, even if it is unobserved.
The question shifts from whether nature has value without humans to whether humans are capable of recognizing value that does not revolve around them.
And regardless of the answer, either way, the forest at dawn does not wait for our conclusion. It simply continues.
Emerging Kashmiri author Arizoo Riyaz has made her literary debut with the release of her Urdu short story collection titled “Nafas-e-Qalam.” The book introduces a fresh voice in contemporary Urdu fiction and reflects the author’s distinctive storytelling style.
Written in a bold and thought-provoking tone, Nafas-e-Qalam draws inspiration from the fearless literary tradition associated with writers such as Saadat Hasan Manto and Ismat Chughtai. Through its stories, the collection explores complex social realities, encouraging readers to reflect on issues related to society, power, and human relationships.
Blending satire with introspection, the stories attempt to mirror society by highlighting its contradictions, hypocrisies, and unspoken tensions. The narrative style aims to provoke thought while presenting the emotional and moral dilemmas individuals often face within social structures.
Speaking about the book, Arizoo Riyaz said the collection is meant to amplify voices that are often judged or ignored. She described Nafas-e-Qalam as “a mirror of society written in society’s own language.”
Originally from Anantnag, Kashmir, Arizoo Riyaz is an alumna of Aligarh Muslim University. Her writing frequently engages with themes of identity, morality, gender expectations, and the subtle emotional struggles that exist beneath social conventions.
Nafas-e-Qalam marks Riyaz’s first published work and adds a new perspective to the evolving landscape of contemporary Urdu literature.
Srinagar: Muhammad Salman, a graduate of the National Institute of Technology NIT Srinagar, has founded Koshur Scientist KS, an emerging AI driven education platform aimed at transforming how students learn, think, and prepare for the future.
Koshur Scientist is designed as a learning community that moves beyond traditional exam oriented education by promoting curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and holistic development among students.
The initiative, which has been functioning as a community driven project for more than three years, has recently entered its early operational phase as a structured startup. During this time, KS has brought together a growing network of students, mentors, and educators committed to innovation in education.
Through its Holistic Development Programme, Koshur Scientist focuses on strengthening academic foundations while encouraging intellectual growth, creativity, and emotional wellbeing. The platform aims to help shape future innovators, scientists, philosophers, artists, educationists, economists, and leaders rather than limiting students to a few traditionally celebrated professions.
So far, the initiative has produced more than 300 free online educational videos, reaching thousands of learners. It has also collaborated with mentors and professionals from institutions such as IIT, IISER, NIT Srinagar, SKUAST, the Central University of Kashmir, and Government Medical Colleges.
As part of its structured learning programs, KS has recently launched three flagship learning cohorts Wath, Gaash, and Jhelum batches designed for students of Classes 8, 9, and 10. These batches mark the beginning of long-term academic and mentorship programs aimed at nurturing talent from an early stage.
Looking ahead, the organization is developing an AI powered Learning Management System LMS intended to deliver personalized learning experiences. The long-term vision is to build a technological education infrastructure that can transform learning not only in Kashmir but across the world.
Apart from digital learning, Koshur Scientist is also working with schools through its School Induction Programme SIP. The program aims to introduce innovation, future skills, and career awareness within schools and expand opportunities for students.
Salman, who has qualified several competitive examinations including NEET, JEE, SKUAST UET, and CUCET, was also a state topper in the Central University of Kashmir Admission Test CUKAT.
Despite receiving career opportunities including job offers from international companies and PhD opportunities from universities such as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Northeastern University, he chose to focus on building an initiative dedicated to improving the education ecosystem.
Believing that Kashmir holds immense intellectual potential, Salman says education must move beyond exam-centric coaching culture and encourage curiosity, creativity, and innovation.
He believes that in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancement, education can empower young minds to become creators and innovators capable of shaping the future.
Rukhsana Akhter Wani had the honour of addressing the 21st Convocation of the University of Kashmir, graced by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Sh. C.P. Radhakrishnan Ji. The ceremony was not merely an academic milestone but a powerful reflection of the aspirations, hard work, and determination of our youth. Standing before such bright minds reaffirmed her belief that the future of our nation is in capable and visionary hands.
This convocation symbolizes the confidence of young students in modern education and their commitment to shaping a better tomorrow. Universities must evolve beyond being institutions that simply preserve knowledge. They must become vibrant centers of innovation, human development, leadership, and social transformation. Education should not only inform minds but also inspire action and responsibility toward society.
Her mantra is clear: Industry and Intellect must grow together. Strong collaboration between universities, industries, and research and development institutions is essential to build a Viksit Bharat. When academic research aligns with industry needs, it fosters entrepreneurship, technological advancement, and sustainable economic growth. Such partnerships create opportunities for students to transform ideas into impactful solutions that benefit society at large.
Education is the most powerful instrument of change. It transforms individual lives, uplifts families, and strengthens communities. When embraced by youth with dedication and vision, it has the power to reshape the destiny of an entire nation. Through her message, Rukhsana Akhter Wani emphasized that empowering young minds through quality education and meaningful collaboration is the key to building a progressive, innovative, and self-reliant India.
Switch Electric, a rising clean technology startup from Kashmir, is steadily emerging as a symbol of locally built innovation with real-world impact. Founded by young engineers from the University of Kashmir, the startup is transforming everyday mobility through affordable electric solutions designed specifically for the region’s unique challenges.
The journey began when Founder and CTO Mr. Aqid Farooq Shah experimented with a DIY electric conversion kit on his personal bicycle. What initially started as curiosity quickly turned into public validation. As he rode through local streets, people stopped him to inquire about its cost, performance, and availability. That spontaneous interest revealed a clear and underserved demand for affordable electric mobility in Kashmir. Recognizing this opportunity, the team formalized their efforts and built Switch Electric with a focused mission to make electric mobility accessible to everyday Kashmiris.
Instead of targeting premium buyers, Switch Electric focused on necessity riders milkmen, daily wage workers, students, shopkeepers, and farmers who already rely on bicycles for their livelihood. Rather than promoting expensive electric bicycles priced between ₹25,000 and ₹50,000, the startup introduced an affordable electric conversion kit starting at approximately ₹11,000. This practical solution enables users to upgrade their existing bicycles into electric cycles at a fraction of the cost, making sustainable mobility financially viable.
Each conversion system includes a 250W high-torque motor, throttle and pedal assist system (PAS), electronic cut-off brakes, an integrated controller, an in-house manufactured lithium-ion battery pack, and headlight and horn integration. Depending on configuration, the range varies between 20 and 60 kilometers, with customized builds extending up to 100 kilometers. All battery packs are assembled locally and equipped with advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS) to ensure safety and durability. A one-year warranty further strengthens customer trust.
Kashmir’s terrain and harsh winters demand resilient engineering. Switch Electric designs its systems with sealed motors, secure battery housing, and weather-resistant electronics capable of withstanding cold temperatures and moisture. Higher power configurations are available for hilly routes and load-bearing applications. The company has already delivered more than 20 functional systems, with new adopters steadily joining. Early users report fuel savings, reduced physical strain, and improved daily productivity benefits that directly enhance earning capacity.
While expanding its e-cycle conversions, the team identified a broader opportunity in the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries across the region. With support from NewGen IEDC under the TIDE 2.0 framework at the University of Kashmir, the startup established Kashmir’s first dedicated lithium-ion battery manufacturing unit.
This strategic step reduced dependency on external suppliers, ensured complete quality control, lowered costs, and enabled expansion into battery solutions beyond electric cycles. Today, Switch Electric manufactures lithium-ion battery packs for e-load carts, electric scooters, solar storage systems, drones, and industrial applications.
The startup also received support from the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), strengthening its operational capabilities under the Government of Jammu & Kashmir’s entrepreneurship initiatives. Its achievements were formally recognized when the team was felicitated by Omar Abdullah a milestone that highlighted the growing impact of youth-driven clean-tech innovation in the region.
With a strong foundation in Srinagar and the wider Kashmir region, Switch Electric aims to scale nationally in the coming years. The founders believe that if a product can perform reliably in Kashmir’s demanding environment, expanding across India becomes a natural progression.
Switch Electric stands today not just as an electric mobility startup, but as a powerful example of local innovation shaping Kashmir’s electric future.
Dr. Prince Ahmad Ganai, a theoretical physicist associated with the National Institute of Technology Srinagar, has developed an independent digital presence through his YouTube channel, which is gaining attention as a resource for advanced studies in theoretical and nuclear physics. Through this platform, he shares academic lectures and scientific explanations aimed at students, researchers, and scholars engaged in higher-level physics learning.
His YouTube channel functions as a digital academic space where complex topics related to theoretical physics, particle physics, and nuclear structure are explained in detail. Through structured video lectures and research-based discussions, the channel reflects Dr. Ganai’s long-standing academic engagement and contributes to scientific discourse beyond traditional classroom settings.
The content shared on the channel includes discussions on advanced theoretical models, nuclear interactions, and fundamental concepts that are generally introduced at postgraduate or research levels. While the subject matter is academically rigorous, the lectures are delivered in a systematic and accessible manner, allowing serious learners to engage deeply with the material. Over time, the channel has developed into a growing digital archive of academic instruction and research-oriented thought.
In addition to core theoretical topics, Dr. Ganai uses the platform to explain complex physics concepts in a step-by-step format, making them easier to understand for students preparing for higher studies. The channel provides learners with access to expert-level explanations that may otherwise be limited to formal university environments or specialized academic settings.
Academic observers note that digital platforms such as YouTube are increasingly playing an important role in modern education. By sharing research-focused academic content online, scholars are able to extend the reach of higher education while maintaining intellectual depth and academic credibility. Dr. Ganai’s channel demonstrates how individual academic efforts can complement institutional teaching and research.
Students and researchers who follow the channel describe it as a challenging yet valuable learning resource. Exposure to advanced theoretical discussions helps learners strengthen conceptual understanding and become familiar with the language, structure, and methodology of scientific research. The lectures also encourage analytical thinking, a key requirement for success in higher academic and research environments.
The channel’s presence is particularly relevant in the context of Jammu and Kashmir, where access to advanced research exposure and specialized academic guidance can be limited by infrastructure and resources. Dr. Ganai’s work shows how locally based academic expertise can connect with national and global learning communities through digital platforms.
Beyond individual learning, the YouTube channel contributes to broader scientific dialogue by presenting research-driven perspectives and referencing established theoretical frameworks. Such contributions help sustain informed academic discussion and promote a culture of research and inquiry among serious learners.
As higher education increasingly intersects with digital media, initiatives like Dr. Ganai’s YouTube channel underline the changing nature of academic engagement. Scholars are no longer restricted to classrooms, journals, or institutional boundaries alone; digital platforms now serve as important spaces for sharing knowledge, research insights, and scholarly perspectives.
Through continued academic dedication and consistent publication of research-oriented lectures, Dr. Prince Ahmad Ganai’s YouTube channel has emerged as a credible space for advanced physics studies. The initiative stands as an example of how independent academic efforts can meaningfully contribute to scientific learning and research culture in the digital age.
Saleeqa Tariq, at just 17 years of age, stands as an exceptional example of excellence, discipline, and all-round achievement. Hailing from Jammu & Kashmir, she has made a remarkable impact at national and international levels across sports, public speaking, literature, and global leadership platforms setting benchmarks far beyond her years.
She is a National Gold Medalist in Wushu and a two-time National Bronze Medalist in Wushu, reflecting years of rigorous training, resilience, and elite performance. Her sporting excellence extends further as National Gold Medalist in Pencak Silat and a two-time National Silver Medalist in Ice Stock, highlighting her rare versatility across both combat and winter sports. At the state level, Saleeqa is recognized as an all-time State Champion, maintaining consistent dominance through discipline and dedication.
Beyond athletics, Saleeqa has emerged as one of the most compelling young voices in the country. She secured First Position in the State Speaker’s Award, followed by First Position at the National Level, earning recognition for her clarity of thought, confidence, and powerful articulation. Her ability to influence through words reflects a deep sense of responsibility and leadership beyond her age.
In the field of literature, Saleeqa is the author of two books, one published and one currently under publication. Her published work, Veins of the Silent Storm, marks her as a promising young writer whose words reflect insight, purpose, and intellectual depth.
On the global stage, she has created history by becoming the first individual from Jammu & Kashmir to be selected for an international Model United Nations Conference, scheduled to be held in Istanbul, Turkey where she will represent her region and country in international dialogue and diplomacy.
Saleeqa Tariq’s journey is defined not only by achievements, but by intent. She embodies discipline with humility and ambition with purpose. Today, as she is honored, she stands as a powerful symbol of what focused determination and youthful vision can achieve.
Bilkish Siddiqui’s story is not one that begins with ease or privilege. It begins with loss. Losing her father at a very young age changed the direction of her life forever, leaving behind a silence that demanded strength far beyond her years.
In that difficult phase, her mother became her greatest pillar of support. Watching her mother carry the weight of the family with resilience and dignity shaped Bilkish’s understanding of life early on. Those moments taught her lessons no classroom ever could about responsibility, sacrifice, and the quiet power of perseverance. Life asked her to grow up sooner than she was ready, and she answered with courage.
Music was her first love. Singing was the dream closest to her heart, a passion that gave her comfort and identity. But circumstances demanded responsibility before passion. While her dream waited patiently, Bilkish stepped into the world of modeling at a young age not for glamour or recognition, but for survival. She began earning early, standing shoulder to shoulder with her mother to support the family, carrying responsibilities that shaped her maturity long before her time.
Those early struggles became the foundation of her strength. Every challenge refined her discipline, every sacrifice strengthened her resolve. She learned patience, self-reliance, and emotional endurance through lived experience rather than choice. These years transformed her into someone resilient, grounded, and focused.
Today, Bilkish balances a professional career alongside her journey in modeling, steadily building her place through consistency, dedication, and belief in herself. Her growth has been gradual and honest rooted in hard work rather than
Yet, dreams never truly fade.
Music, the passion she once set aside, has found its way back into her life. She is now returning to it with intention learning again, healing through sound, and reconnecting with the voice that once defined her. This time, she carries her dream with clarity and courage, shaped by everything life has taught her.
Bilkish Siddiqui is not just walking runways.
She is walking a path built on strength, responsibility, and hope.
Her journey is not one of overnight success, but of endurance and it is still being written.
By Arshiyah Baba
At dawn, somewhere in a forest that has never heard a human voice, a tree has just fallen.
No one was there to witness it. There were no cameras to record this instant, and therefore there was no mind to interpret this event as “destruction” or “loss” because the tree had simply collapsed, as its body started dissolving into soil, feeding fungi, insects, and many invisible networks beneath the earth. Life continues, indifferent to observation or any witnesses.
Now remove not just the witness, but the entire possibility of one.
The last human has just died.
The world still does not register the difference. Rivers keep running, light moves across mountains and rivers as it always does, forests continue their slow exchanges of gases, as their roots are threading deeper into the soil, while the leaves turn toward a sun that rises just in time. And somewhere amid this, a new flower is just born.
Nothing in this moment suggests absence. Nothing indicates that something essential has been lost. And yet, it is difficult to resist the question: if no one is left to see it, to name it, to feel it does any of it have any value And does it matter
We have built an entire civilization on the assumption that “value” begins with us.
We are used to measuring value through human eyes. Things matter because they are seen, used, felt, or in some way understood by human minds. A landscape is called “beautiful” when it moves us; a forest is considered “important” when it stores carbon; a species becomes “worth saving” when its loss threatens our future. If you strip away this human observer, this framework collapses.
Without us, there are no words like beautiful, useful, or even valuable. From this perspective, nature appears almost incomplete without us, giving birth to the anthropocentric worldview: the belief that humans are the central or most significant entities in the universe.
So the question remains: Is nature, in itself, empty of worth
Yet ecology tells a very different story.
Long before humans arrived, life was already engaged in a vast, dynamic interplay of survival and transformation, with ecosystems maintaining delicate balances through intricate relationships of predation, symbiosis, and nutrient cycling. Ecosystems are not passive stage sets; instead, they are active, self-organizing systems.
A tree does not need admiration to photosynthesize. A coral reef does not require appreciation to sustain biodiversity. These processes unfold with a kind of autonomy that seems to suggest significance beyond human interpretation.
This autonomy becomes even harder to dismiss when seen across time. What exists now is not instant, but rather the result of millions of years of gradual change, of small variations preserved and carried forward through survival. However, no organism intends this process, and no system stands apart to reflect on it. Yet over time, it gives rise to forms of life that grow increasingly complex and increasingly entangled with one another.
Each species is not merely alive; it is the present expression of a long, continuous history. Its disappearance, then, is not just a change in what exists now. It is the ending of something that took millions of years to take shape.
This is where environmental ethics introduces the idea of intrinsic value: the claim that nature possesses worth independent of its usefulness to humans.
But the idea is a little unsettling, because if value is not assigned by humans, where does it come from? Can value exist without a valuer?
Many philosophers argue that “value” cannot be assigned unless it comes from the consciousness of a human, implying that value is a human construct. Therefore, terms like “good,” “beautiful,” or “important” dissolve into neutrality. They insist that value is inseparable from conscious judgment. A forest, then, would not be “valuable” without humans; it would simply be a configuration of matter and energy.
This argument is often challenged by the thought that if living systems strive, adapt, and sustain themselves, does that not suggest a kind of inherent worth? Consequently, when a species engages in struggle for survival, does this not constitute a valuation of its own continued existence?
This inquiry leads us to the concept of biodiversity, wherein scientists predict that the loss of species undermines ecosystems, thereby diminishing their capacity to adapt to alterations. From a strictly anthropocentric standpoint, this is significant due to its impact on food systems, climate stability, and human health.
However, from a more expansive ecological viewpoint, each species represents a distinct manifestation of life’s evolutionary trajectory, shaped over millennia. Its extinction is not merely a detriment to humanity, but a loss of intrinsic value.
Is it unreasonable, then, to say that such a loss matters
Perhaps the problem is not consciousness or environmental ethics, but rather linguistics.
The difficulty lies in our language, where words like “value” and “meaning” are deeply human-centric, tied to human emotion and judgment. Nature does not label any event as good or bad; it operates through processes. Fires destroy forests, yet also renew them. Predators kill, yet maintain balance. What we call “harm” or “loss” may, in ecological terms, be part of a larger continuity.
Philosophers like Arne Naess, the founder of deep ecology, argue that humans are not separate from nature but part of it. If this is true, then recognizing nature’s value is not imposing meaning onto it, but instead rediscovering a relationship we humans are embedded in. In this view, nature’s worth does not depend on human presence; rather, our ability to perceive that worth depends on our willingness to look beyond ourselves.
So we return to the fallen tree.
In one sense, it does not “matter” without humans, because there is no one to call it meaningful.
In another sense, it matters profoundly, because it nourishes life, sustains ecosystems, and participates in the ongoing bio-evolution of the Earth. The tree’s significance exists, even if it is unobserved.
The question shifts from whether nature has value without humans to whether humans are capable of recognizing value that does not revolve around them.
And regardless of the answer, either way, the forest at dawn does not wait for our conclusion. It simply continues.
Emerging Kashmiri author Arizoo Riyaz has made her literary debut with the release of her Urdu short story collection titled “Nafas-e-Qalam.” The book introduces a fresh voice in contemporary Urdu fiction and reflects the author’s distinctive storytelling style.
Written in a bold and thought-provoking tone, Nafas-e-Qalam draws inspiration from the fearless literary tradition associated with writers such as Saadat Hasan Manto and Ismat Chughtai. Through its stories, the collection explores complex social realities, encouraging readers to reflect on issues related to society, power, and human relationships.
Blending satire with introspection, the stories attempt to mirror society by highlighting its contradictions, hypocrisies, and unspoken tensions. The narrative style aims to provoke thought while presenting the emotional and moral dilemmas individuals often face within social structures.
Speaking about the book, Arizoo Riyaz said the collection is meant to amplify voices that are often judged or ignored. She described Nafas-e-Qalam as “a mirror of society written in society’s own language.”
Originally from Anantnag, Kashmir, Arizoo Riyaz is an alumna of Aligarh Muslim University. Her writing frequently engages with themes of identity, morality, gender expectations, and the subtle emotional struggles that exist beneath social conventions.
Nafas-e-Qalam marks Riyaz’s first published work and adds a new perspective to the evolving landscape of contemporary Urdu literature.
Srinagar: Muhammad Salman, a graduate of the National Institute of Technology NIT Srinagar, has founded Koshur Scientist KS, an emerging AI driven education platform aimed at transforming how students learn, think, and prepare for the future.
Koshur Scientist is designed as a learning community that moves beyond traditional exam oriented education by promoting curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and holistic development among students.
The initiative, which has been functioning as a community driven project for more than three years, has recently entered its early operational phase as a structured startup. During this time, KS has brought together a growing network of students, mentors, and educators committed to innovation in education.
Through its Holistic Development Programme, Koshur Scientist focuses on strengthening academic foundations while encouraging intellectual growth, creativity, and emotional wellbeing. The platform aims to help shape future innovators, scientists, philosophers, artists, educationists, economists, and leaders rather than limiting students to a few traditionally celebrated professions.
So far, the initiative has produced more than 300 free online educational videos, reaching thousands of learners. It has also collaborated with mentors and professionals from institutions such as IIT, IISER, NIT Srinagar, SKUAST, the Central University of Kashmir, and Government Medical Colleges.
As part of its structured learning programs, KS has recently launched three flagship learning cohorts Wath, Gaash, and Jhelum batches designed for students of Classes 8, 9, and 10. These batches mark the beginning of long-term academic and mentorship programs aimed at nurturing talent from an early stage.
Looking ahead, the organization is developing an AI powered Learning Management System LMS intended to deliver personalized learning experiences. The long-term vision is to build a technological education infrastructure that can transform learning not only in Kashmir but across the world.
Apart from digital learning, Koshur Scientist is also working with schools through its School Induction Programme SIP. The program aims to introduce innovation, future skills, and career awareness within schools and expand opportunities for students.
Salman, who has qualified several competitive examinations including NEET, JEE, SKUAST UET, and CUCET, was also a state topper in the Central University of Kashmir Admission Test CUKAT.
Despite receiving career opportunities including job offers from international companies and PhD opportunities from universities such as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Northeastern University, he chose to focus on building an initiative dedicated to improving the education ecosystem.
Believing that Kashmir holds immense intellectual potential, Salman says education must move beyond exam-centric coaching culture and encourage curiosity, creativity, and innovation.
He believes that in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancement, education can empower young minds to become creators and innovators capable of shaping the future.
Rukhsana Akhter Wani had the honour of addressing the 21st Convocation of the University of Kashmir, graced by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Sh. C.P. Radhakrishnan Ji. The ceremony was not merely an academic milestone but a powerful reflection of the aspirations, hard work, and determination of our youth. Standing before such bright minds reaffirmed her belief that the future of our nation is in capable and visionary hands.
This convocation symbolizes the confidence of young students in modern education and their commitment to shaping a better tomorrow. Universities must evolve beyond being institutions that simply preserve knowledge. They must become vibrant centers of innovation, human development, leadership, and social transformation. Education should not only inform minds but also inspire action and responsibility toward society.
Her mantra is clear: Industry and Intellect must grow together. Strong collaboration between universities, industries, and research and development institutions is essential to build a Viksit Bharat. When academic research aligns with industry needs, it fosters entrepreneurship, technological advancement, and sustainable economic growth. Such partnerships create opportunities for students to transform ideas into impactful solutions that benefit society at large.
Education is the most powerful instrument of change. It transforms individual lives, uplifts families, and strengthens communities. When embraced by youth with dedication and vision, it has the power to reshape the destiny of an entire nation. Through her message, Rukhsana Akhter Wani emphasized that empowering young minds through quality education and meaningful collaboration is the key to building a progressive, innovative, and self-reliant India.
Switch Electric, a rising clean technology startup from Kashmir, is steadily emerging as a symbol of locally built innovation with real-world impact. Founded by young engineers from the University of Kashmir, the startup is transforming everyday mobility through affordable electric solutions designed specifically for the region’s unique challenges.
The journey began when Founder and CTO Mr. Aqid Farooq Shah experimented with a DIY electric conversion kit on his personal bicycle. What initially started as curiosity quickly turned into public validation. As he rode through local streets, people stopped him to inquire about its cost, performance, and availability. That spontaneous interest revealed a clear and underserved demand for affordable electric mobility in Kashmir. Recognizing this opportunity, the team formalized their efforts and built Switch Electric with a focused mission to make electric mobility accessible to everyday Kashmiris.
Instead of targeting premium buyers, Switch Electric focused on necessity riders milkmen, daily wage workers, students, shopkeepers, and farmers who already rely on bicycles for their livelihood. Rather than promoting expensive electric bicycles priced between ₹25,000 and ₹50,000, the startup introduced an affordable electric conversion kit starting at approximately ₹11,000. This practical solution enables users to upgrade their existing bicycles into electric cycles at a fraction of the cost, making sustainable mobility financially viable.
Each conversion system includes a 250W high-torque motor, throttle and pedal assist system (PAS), electronic cut-off brakes, an integrated controller, an in-house manufactured lithium-ion battery pack, and headlight and horn integration. Depending on configuration, the range varies between 20 and 60 kilometers, with customized builds extending up to 100 kilometers. All battery packs are assembled locally and equipped with advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS) to ensure safety and durability. A one-year warranty further strengthens customer trust.
Kashmir’s terrain and harsh winters demand resilient engineering. Switch Electric designs its systems with sealed motors, secure battery housing, and weather-resistant electronics capable of withstanding cold temperatures and moisture. Higher power configurations are available for hilly routes and load-bearing applications. The company has already delivered more than 20 functional systems, with new adopters steadily joining. Early users report fuel savings, reduced physical strain, and improved daily productivity benefits that directly enhance earning capacity.
While expanding its e-cycle conversions, the team identified a broader opportunity in the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries across the region. With support from NewGen IEDC under the TIDE 2.0 framework at the University of Kashmir, the startup established Kashmir’s first dedicated lithium-ion battery manufacturing unit.
This strategic step reduced dependency on external suppliers, ensured complete quality control, lowered costs, and enabled expansion into battery solutions beyond electric cycles. Today, Switch Electric manufactures lithium-ion battery packs for e-load carts, electric scooters, solar storage systems, drones, and industrial applications.
The startup also received support from the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), strengthening its operational capabilities under the Government of Jammu & Kashmir’s entrepreneurship initiatives. Its achievements were formally recognized when the team was felicitated by Omar Abdullah a milestone that highlighted the growing impact of youth-driven clean-tech innovation in the region.
With a strong foundation in Srinagar and the wider Kashmir region, Switch Electric aims to scale nationally in the coming years. The founders believe that if a product can perform reliably in Kashmir’s demanding environment, expanding across India becomes a natural progression.
Switch Electric stands today not just as an electric mobility startup, but as a powerful example of local innovation shaping Kashmir’s electric future.
Dr. Prince Ahmad Ganai, a theoretical physicist associated with the National Institute of Technology Srinagar, has developed an independent digital presence through his YouTube channel, which is gaining attention as a resource for advanced studies in theoretical and nuclear physics. Through this platform, he shares academic lectures and scientific explanations aimed at students, researchers, and scholars engaged in higher-level physics learning.
His YouTube channel functions as a digital academic space where complex topics related to theoretical physics, particle physics, and nuclear structure are explained in detail. Through structured video lectures and research-based discussions, the channel reflects Dr. Ganai’s long-standing academic engagement and contributes to scientific discourse beyond traditional classroom settings.
The content shared on the channel includes discussions on advanced theoretical models, nuclear interactions, and fundamental concepts that are generally introduced at postgraduate or research levels. While the subject matter is academically rigorous, the lectures are delivered in a systematic and accessible manner, allowing serious learners to engage deeply with the material. Over time, the channel has developed into a growing digital archive of academic instruction and research-oriented thought.
In addition to core theoretical topics, Dr. Ganai uses the platform to explain complex physics concepts in a step-by-step format, making them easier to understand for students preparing for higher studies. The channel provides learners with access to expert-level explanations that may otherwise be limited to formal university environments or specialized academic settings.
Academic observers note that digital platforms such as YouTube are increasingly playing an important role in modern education. By sharing research-focused academic content online, scholars are able to extend the reach of higher education while maintaining intellectual depth and academic credibility. Dr. Ganai’s channel demonstrates how individual academic efforts can complement institutional teaching and research.
Students and researchers who follow the channel describe it as a challenging yet valuable learning resource. Exposure to advanced theoretical discussions helps learners strengthen conceptual understanding and become familiar with the language, structure, and methodology of scientific research. The lectures also encourage analytical thinking, a key requirement for success in higher academic and research environments.
The channel’s presence is particularly relevant in the context of Jammu and Kashmir, where access to advanced research exposure and specialized academic guidance can be limited by infrastructure and resources. Dr. Ganai’s work shows how locally based academic expertise can connect with national and global learning communities through digital platforms.
Beyond individual learning, the YouTube channel contributes to broader scientific dialogue by presenting research-driven perspectives and referencing established theoretical frameworks. Such contributions help sustain informed academic discussion and promote a culture of research and inquiry among serious learners.
As higher education increasingly intersects with digital media, initiatives like Dr. Ganai’s YouTube channel underline the changing nature of academic engagement. Scholars are no longer restricted to classrooms, journals, or institutional boundaries alone; digital platforms now serve as important spaces for sharing knowledge, research insights, and scholarly perspectives.
Through continued academic dedication and consistent publication of research-oriented lectures, Dr. Prince Ahmad Ganai’s YouTube channel has emerged as a credible space for advanced physics studies. The initiative stands as an example of how independent academic efforts can meaningfully contribute to scientific learning and research culture in the digital age.
Saleeqa Tariq, at just 17 years of age, stands as an exceptional example of excellence, discipline, and all-round achievement. Hailing from Jammu & Kashmir, she has made a remarkable impact at national and international levels across sports, public speaking, literature, and global leadership platforms setting benchmarks far beyond her years.
She is a National Gold Medalist in Wushu and a two-time National Bronze Medalist in Wushu, reflecting years of rigorous training, resilience, and elite performance. Her sporting excellence extends further as National Gold Medalist in Pencak Silat and a two-time National Silver Medalist in Ice Stock, highlighting her rare versatility across both combat and winter sports. At the state level, Saleeqa is recognized as an all-time State Champion, maintaining consistent dominance through discipline and dedication.
Beyond athletics, Saleeqa has emerged as one of the most compelling young voices in the country. She secured First Position in the State Speaker’s Award, followed by First Position at the National Level, earning recognition for her clarity of thought, confidence, and powerful articulation. Her ability to influence through words reflects a deep sense of responsibility and leadership beyond her age.
In the field of literature, Saleeqa is the author of two books, one published and one currently under publication. Her published work, Veins of the Silent Storm, marks her as a promising young writer whose words reflect insight, purpose, and intellectual depth.
On the global stage, she has created history by becoming the first individual from Jammu & Kashmir to be selected for an international Model United Nations Conference, scheduled to be held in Istanbul, Turkey where she will represent her region and country in international dialogue and diplomacy.
Saleeqa Tariq’s journey is defined not only by achievements, but by intent. She embodies discipline with humility and ambition with purpose. Today, as she is honored, she stands as a powerful symbol of what focused determination and youthful vision can achieve.
Bilkish Siddiqui’s story is not one that begins with ease or privilege. It begins with loss. Losing her father at a very young age changed the direction of her life forever, leaving behind a silence that demanded strength far beyond her years.
In that difficult phase, her mother became her greatest pillar of support. Watching her mother carry the weight of the family with resilience and dignity shaped Bilkish’s understanding of life early on. Those moments taught her lessons no classroom ever could about responsibility, sacrifice, and the quiet power of perseverance. Life asked her to grow up sooner than she was ready, and she answered with courage.
Music was her first love. Singing was the dream closest to her heart, a passion that gave her comfort and identity. But circumstances demanded responsibility before passion. While her dream waited patiently, Bilkish stepped into the world of modeling at a young age not for glamour or recognition, but for survival. She began earning early, standing shoulder to shoulder with her mother to support the family, carrying responsibilities that shaped her maturity long before her time.
Those early struggles became the foundation of her strength. Every challenge refined her discipline, every sacrifice strengthened her resolve. She learned patience, self-reliance, and emotional endurance through lived experience rather than choice. These years transformed her into someone resilient, grounded, and focused.
Today, Bilkish balances a professional career alongside her journey in modeling, steadily building her place through consistency, dedication, and belief in herself. Her growth has been gradual and honest rooted in hard work rather than
Yet, dreams never truly fade.
Music, the passion she once set aside, has found its way back into her life. She is now returning to it with intention learning again, healing through sound, and reconnecting with the voice that once defined her. This time, she carries her dream with clarity and courage, shaped by everything life has taught her.
Bilkish Siddiqui is not just walking runways.
She is walking a path built on strength, responsibility, and hope.
Her journey is not one of overnight success, but of endurance and it is still being written.
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