The Kashmir Pulse

ANANTNAG — ASHA workers on Saturday staged a protest at the Sports Stadium in Anantnag under the banner of the Trade Union Coordination Committee (TUCC), demanding fulfilment of their long-pending demands, including an increase in their monthly remuneration.

The protesting workers raised slogans in support of their demands and said they perform various grassroots-level responsibilities in the public healthcare system but continue to face financial difficulties due to what they described as inadequate remuneration.

The protest was led by ASHA Workers’ President Shaheena Akhtar and Trade Union General Secretary Muzfar Ahmad Ganai, according to the news agency KNO.

Addressing the gathering, speakers said ASHA workers serve as an important link between the health department and local communities, particularly in rural and remote areas.

They said the workers remain engaged in activities related to maternal and child health, immunisation, nutrition, health awareness and other public health initiatives.

The protesters demanded that the government enhance their monthly remuneration and ensure that their compensation reflects the responsibilities entrusted to them.

“ASHA workers are performing essential duties at the grassroots level and often work in difficult circumstances. Their remuneration should reflect the nature and extent of their responsibilities,” the speakers said.

The protesters urged the government to take up their long-pending issues on priority and take concrete measures to improve their financial and working conditions.

They also sought parity with ASHA workers in other states, saying the government should examine remuneration provided elsewhere and take appropriate measures to improve compensation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Several protesters said that despite being part of the frontline workforce of the public health system, ASHA workers continue to face financial uncertainty.

“We are working in villages and remote areas and remain available for different health-related activities. We want the government to recognise our contribution and address our genuine demands,” the protesters said.

TUCC leaders warned that failure to address the demands would compel them to intensify their agitation.

They nevertheless said the workers would continue to pursue their demands through democratic and constitutional means and urged the government to initiate dialogue with their representatives.

The protesting workers also appealed to the administration and concerned authorities to intervene and consider their demands at the earliest.

JAMMU — Leaders of the INDIA bloc met in Jammu on Saturday to discuss the opposition alliance’s proposed course of action over its concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission of India and its demands concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The leaders later held a joint press conference and announced a “Save Democracy” Yatra on October 7, 2026.

The march, as per the leadership, will begin from Dogra Chowk and culminate at Dr Ambedkar Chowk, with alliance leaders saying the programme is aimed at raising issues related to democracy, constitutional values and public concerns.

Earlier, the meeting was chaired by senior Congress leader and former minister Raman Bhalla, with participants of constituent parties of the INDIA bloc in Jammu and Kashmir—including the Congress, National Conference, PDP, and Panthers Party—discussing the alliance’s further programme and mobilisation on electoral issues.

The INDIA bloc has alleged what it describes as “institutional capture” of the Election Commission and has called for the removal, prosecution and arrest of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. These are demands being raised by the opposition alliance as part of its broader campaign on electoral transparency and accountability.

The meeting and the consequent announcement of the Yatra come amid a series of political programmes and protests by Congress and other opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir over issues concerning the electoral process.

The J&K Congress held protests in the Jammu region on October 2, with Bhalla calling for transparency in the electoral process and raising concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission.

At the national level, INDIA bloc leaders had also met in New Delhi on September 30 to finalise a joint course of action on issues concerning the Election Commission and to press for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

The J&K meeting discussed the alliance’s proposed further course of action and mobilisation as part of its campaign on electoral and democratic issues.

The matter remains part of an ongoing political debate, with opposition parties raising concerns about the functioning of the poll panel and the Election Commission maintaining that its decisions and administrative directions have legal sanction.

You have booked the flights, sorted the hotel and maybe even planned a few restaurant stops. But one question tends to get left for the last minute: how much medical cover do you actually need?

Pick too little and a hospital stay abroad could eat into your savings. Pick too much and you pay for protection you may never use. The answer is not the same for every traveller. A lot of it depends on where you are headed.

Why Does the Destination Matter So Much?

Healthcare costs vary wildly from one country to another. A doctor's visit in Thailand is a very different bill from the same visit in the United States. Even a simple emergency room trip in some countries can run into thousands of dollars before treatment begins.

Then there is the way local systems work. Many private hospitals want the money before they treat you. Locals may get public benefits; you, as a tourist, usually won't. So your sum insured is really your cushion against that first big invoice. It should match what care costs where you are going, not what it costs back home in India.

High-Cost Destinations: The USA, Canada and Europe

If you are heading to the United States or Canada, take medical costs seriously. The US is known for expensive hospital stays, specialist visits and even routine tests. A fall on a hiking trail or a sudden infection can turn into a long and costly episode.

Because of this, travellers to North America are generally advised to pick a higher sum insured. If you are travelling with children or elderly parents, going for the top slab your insurer offers is not a bad idea.

Europe sits somewhere in the middle, though it still needs attention. For a Schengen visa, the embassies want proof of medical cover of at least 30,000 euros. Think of that as a starting line. Plenty of people buy more. Since visa rules do get revised, it helps to glance at the consulate's own page before you apply.

Asia and the Middle East

Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai. These usually cost less than the West, but "less" is relative. A night in a private hospital in a big city can still sting, and as a visitor you will probably end up in one, because that's where the quick admission and English-speaking doctors are.

A mid-range sum insured tends to be enough for a healthy adult on a short break. Planning to dive, trek or try water sports? Bump it up a little, and read what your policy says about adventure activities, because some plans simply leave them out.

Your Age and Trip Type Matter Too

Same city, different travellers, different needs. A student heading abroad for a year isn't in the same boat as someone on a long weekend. If you are a senior with something like diabetes or blood pressure issues, the chance of needing a doctor goes up, so a larger sum insured is usually wiser. Kids pick up bugs in new climates more often than you'd think, so families often like a bit of extra room.

Length of stay plays a part. Two weeks is short. Three months is a long time to be exposed to the what-ifs. Travelling for work? Ask HR first, since your company may already have a group cover and you'd rather not pay twice.

Looking at Plans Without Getting Lost

Good travel insurance lets you pick from different sum insured slabs, which is handy because you can fit the number to the country instead of taking whatever is on the default option. Some plans throw in evacuation or baggage loss as well.

Don't stop at the big number on the brochure. See whether claims are cashless or need reimbursement later. Read the exclusions. There may be a deductible too. That's the slice of any bill you pay yourself before the insurer chips in. Big number, endless exclusions? That can leave you worse off than a smaller plan with clear terms.

Visiting More Than One Country?

Go by the priciest stop. Say it's Singapore for a week, then three days in New York. New York decides it, because that is where a bad day would cost you the most.

Some international travel insurance plans are made for exactly this kind of trip. One policy, many borders. It's easier than juggling two covers, and there's no gap if you hop across a border halfway through.

Before You Pay

Do a quick check on whether your destination demands insurance for entry. Be upfront about your health history, even the boring bits. A claim can get rejected if something was left out, and nobody wants that argument from a hospital bed in another country. If a clause makes no sense, ask the insurer to put it in plain words.

Wrapping Up

There's no magic figure. Look at what care costs where you're going, think about who's coming along and how long you'll be gone. Then pick a limit that sits right with all of that. Your trip will feel lighter for it. Safe travels!