32-year-old Asiya Akbar from Nusoo Bandipora in Srinagar – a war widow – has become an epitome of success in the face of hardships. From being a helpless lady to being known as the uncrowned queen of mushroom rooftop cultivation, Asiya has come a long way. In 2015, Asiya’s world shattered when her husband, serving the Indian Army, was killed in military action. The young widow braved all odds for the sake of her two children and remarried in 2017 to Fayaz Ahmed Lone, an ex-serviceman. Life took a sharp turn when her second husband, Fayaz Ahmad Lone, lost his…

हित-वचन नहीं तूने मन मैत्री का मूल न पहचानना तो ले, मैं भी अब जाता हूं अंतिम संकल्प सुनाता हूं याचना नहीं, अब रण होगा जीवन-जय या कि मारण होगा –रामधारी दिनकर (You have disregarded the offer of friendship, so I pledge now a war unto victory or death) These lines asserted the might of the Indian military as commanders from the tri-services shared visuals of the Indian dominance over neighbouring Pakistan during the ongoing Operation Sindoor at a press conference held on May 12, 2025, at New Delhi. True to the words taken from Dinkar’s poem Rashmirathi, while the…

The dastardly act of violence committed in Kashmir’s “Mini Switzerland” Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam on April 22, 2025 took away 25 tourists and one civilian too soon. As Kashmir stands wrapped mourning the tragedy, its people are out on the roads seething with anger against attack on Kashmiriyat that has always stood for unity, peace and harmony. The Voices student reporter captures moments of seething anger, protests, peaceful candle marches and an insistent demand for peace in the area. From Ghantaghar Lal Chowk to Bandipora – the Kashmiris have come out expressing solidarity, demanding peace and stoppage of innocent killings. Kashmiris…

The fatal road accident of the Indian army in Bandipora in Jammu in the first week of January and the subsequent rescue operation ensued by villagers of Saderkot Payeen has yet again highlighted the close-knit relation of the Indian army with the people of the valley. Despite decades of unrest in Kashmir valley, the Indian security forces have remained closely connected with locals in varied spheres of their lives. From giving a shoulder to injured at hospitals to being a part of the local religious festivals, the Indian army remains a tightly knit component of life in the valley. Several…