J&K set to spread red carpet for International Film Festival this year

Jammu, Apr 23: In a significant initiative to promote cinema, culture, and tourism, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir has initiated plans to host a prestigious international film festival through the Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR).

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, which was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism; Commissioner Secretary, Information; Director, Information & Public Relations, and other senior officers.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the Information Department to begin preparations for this maiden film festival in the Union Territory. He emphasized the need for a professionally managed event of national stature, drawing parallels with the International Film Festival of India held in Goa.

To ensure seamless execution, it was decided that a dedicated committee will be constituted at the earliest to oversee all arrangements related to the festival. The committee will be responsible for planning, coordination, and overall supervision to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the event.

The Chief Secretary further instructed that a competent and experienced agency be identified and engaged for efficient management of the festival. He stressed the importance of exploring best practices by studying similar events organized across the country.

Underscoring the importance of adhering to timelines, he directed that the process be initiated promptly, with the issuance of the work order to the selected agency targeted before the end of May.

The Commissioner Secretary, Information, while addressing logistical and financial aspects, informed that the National Film Development Corporation of India has indicated reasonable financial requirements for organizing the event. She added that the Department has already undertaken the necessary groundwork and is well-prepared to ensure its success.

The proposed festival is envisaged to be held after the conclusion of the annual Amarnath Yatra, with final dates to be decided by the concerned department.

Highlighting the importance of inclusive development and tourism promotion, it was also decided that the festival will not be confined to Srinagar alone. Film screenings and related events will be organized across multiple scenic locations, including Bhaderwah, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Jammu, thereby boosting both emerging and established tourist destinations.

This initiative marks a major step towards positioning Jammu & Kashmir as a vibrant hub for film tourism and cultural engagement at the national level—(KNO)

Meity notifies online gaming rules; norms to come into effect on May 1

New Delhi, Apr 22: The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on Wednesday notified the much-awaited rules providing the procedural framework to operationalise the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, which will also facilitate the creation of an online gaming authority.

Most online games – if they are not real money games, which are already and explicitly banned under the provisions – will not mandatorily need to be registered or determined, IT Secretary S Krishnan said.

Oversight will be triggered only in certain circumstances.

Esports, however, will require mandatory registration as specified in the parent Act.

“…We wanted to, as far as possible, keep this entire thing as regulation-light as possible. Most games, which are not money games, should be able to operate with no obligation to necessarily either be determined or registered. So that entire process is optional,” he said.

“We are not obligating anybody to apply to determine whether it is an online money game, or online social game, or esports.”

That said, such ‘determination’ will be triggered in three situations.

The first trigger is where it is done suo moto by the authority, and the second is where it involves esports games.

“And third, the central government may notify any specific category of social games, which, as of now, we have not notified anything specifically,” Krishnan said.

The rules have also explicitly defined user safety features, Krishnan said.

The act itself bans online real money gaming, while promoting esports and online social gaming in India.

The ministry had invited feedback on these rules in October 2025 and received 2,500 inputs from stakeholders.–(PTI)

Mosques Lead Anti-Drug Crusade in Anantnag; Religious Call Amplifies Police Crackdown on Narcotics

Anantnag, Apr 22: In a powerful community-led push against the drug menace, mosques across Anantnag district echoed a strong call for a “war against drugs,” urging people to shun narcotics and help eradicate illegal cultivation.

During congregational gatherings and through loudspeaker announcements, Imams and mosque committees appealed to the general public to actively participate in the “war against drugs” and strictly refrain from engaging in or supporting any form of illegal crop cultivation, particularly narcotic substances such as cannabis and opium poppy.

The announcements emphasized the social, moral, and legal consequences of drug abuse and illicit cultivation, urging families and community members to remain vigilant and report any such activities to the authorities. The religious leaders also highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding the youth and preserving the social fabric of the district.

J&K Police have appreciated this proactive and responsible role played by the religious institutions, terming it as a strong example of police-public partnership. Such coordinated efforts are expected to significantly contribute towards the success of anti-drug campaigns and the eradication of illegal cultivation in the region. (JKNS)