The Kashmir Pulse

You are born out of me. Why do you want to kill me? I am your mother, sister, wife, daughter. Why you are not safeguarding me? I want to dress up as I like to. Why it is bothering you?

I too want to go on an evening walk. Why I need to be home-bound? Dude! I do have to attend my patient during night duty. Why are you not allowing me to save the life?

I am so decently dressed, what makes you harm me? I have left my home to serve you. Why are you not understanding this? I am gone now but you might be the next target. Why are you silent……???

SRINAGAR — With parliamentary elections for the Srinagar segment scheduled on Monday, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Jammu and Kashmir Pandurang K. Pole on Friday said that they have designated 18 polling booths in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency as “Pink Polling Stations” for women, entirely managed by the females.

According to the news agency KNO, CEO J&K, said that in order to encourage female voters to cast their votes, they have established some “Pink Polling Stations,” where the entire management will be females.

He said that these specially curated polling stations will be manned exclusively by women, from polling party, polling party agents to security personnel.

He said the move is aimed at ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for female voters. He added that apart from the pink polling stations initiative, they have made other practical measures to facilitate women's participation with each polling station dedicated to a female helper — an Asha or Anganwadi worker, to assist female voters throughout the electoral process.

Additionally, separate queues and other facilities will be provided to cater specifically to the needs of female voters at all polling stations, he said.

He said that this initiative underscores the commitment of electoral authorities to foster an inclusive and equitable democratic process. By prioritizing the needs and concerns of female voters, the "Pink Polling Booths" seeks to elevate their voices and ensure their active participation in shaping the future of their constituency.

Pole, while speaking about the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), said that any violations reported were promptly addressed through written communication to the concerned candidates and political parties, with stress on the importance of compliance with MCC guidelines to ensure a fair and orderly electoral process.

“Barring a few instances of minor MCC violations, no such major violation has come up that could have resulted in a problem. And if there was anything, we conveyed in writing both to political parties and the candidates,” he said.

Regarding voter turnout percentage, CEO J&K, while refraining from making any predictions, urged people to participate in the electoral process on the upcoming polling dates in Jammu and Kashmir.

The dance between watches and jewellery on a woman's wrist is a mesmerising spectacle. Done right, it elevates an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary, adding layers of personality and reflecting your unique style.

Accessorising is an art form, and when it comes to the wrists, watches for women and jewellery reign supreme. They add a touch of personality, elevate an outfit, and tell the world a little bit about your style. But mastering the art of mixing and matching these two elements can feel like navigating a minefield. Well, this blog will help you create effortless and stylish jewellery combinations with watches for women.

Balancing Act

The first step is achieving balance. Consider the size, weight, and style of both watches for women and jewellery. A chunky, statement watch might overpower delicate bracelets, while a minimalist watch might get lost alongside heavy bangles. Here's the lowdown:

• Statement Watch, Supporting Cast: Watches for women with a bold design, like a chunky chronograph or one adorned with sparkling crystals, deserve the spotlight. Opt for delicate jewellery like thin chains, simple earrings, or a single statement ring to avoid overwhelming the eye.
• Minimalist Watch, Unleash Your Inner Maximalist: Sleek, understated watches for women are the perfect canvas for bolder jewellery choices. Experiment with layered bracelets, chunky rings, or statement necklaces. Remember, the key is to maintain a sense of cohesion within the chosen theme.
• Sporty Vibes, Keep it Cool and Coordinated: Channel your inner athlete with a sporty watch and complement it with sleek bangles or a minimalist necklace. Think stainless steel bangles, silicone bracelets, or a delicate pendant necklace.

Metallic Matchmaking: A Symphony of Tones

Metals play a crucial role in creating a cohesive look. Here are some balanced pairings to get you started:

• The Timeless Duo: Silver and gold, a classic combination that transcends trends. However, for a seamless look, ensure the tones are similar. For example, pair a rose gold watch with warm silver jewellery or a cool silver watch with white gold accents.
• A Touch of Warmth: Rose gold exudes elegance and warmth, beautifully complementing both silver and gold jewellery. Create a romantic look by pairing a rose gold watch with pearl earrings or bracelets. Feeling bold? Go for a rose gold watch with chunky silver bangles for a touch of edge.
• Edgy Allure: Embrace your inner rockstar with black or gunmetal watches for women. These darker tones add a statement, especially when paired with silver or gold accents. Experiment with a black watch and a chunky gold chain bracelet or a gunmetal watch with delicate silver earrings.

Material Magic: A Symphony of Textures

Matching materials can elevate your look to new heights. Here are some inspiring ideas:

• Pearls of Wisdom: Embrace a sophisticated look by matching your watch face to your jewellery. A mother-of-pearl watch face pairs beautifully with pearl earrings or a pearl bracelet, creating a sense of unity and elegance.
• Earthy Tones: Channel the beauty of nature by pairing watches for women with a brown leather strap with wooden bead bracelets or a tortoise shell bangle. This combination exudes warmth and a connection to the natural world.

Bonus Tips for Effortless Chic

• Dress it Up or Down: The occasion sets the stage for your wrist game. Formal events call for classic pairings, like a delicate watch with pearl accents. For casual outings, have fun with colourful watches for women and stacked bracelets.
• The Art of Flow: Ensure your watch and jewellery complement your outfit. Statement watches for women and chunky bangles can add a bold touch to a maxi dress, while a minimalist watch with delicate earrings keeps your pantsuit professional.
• Less is More: A curated selection is key. A single statement ring paired with a minimalist watch can make a powerful statement, while too much jewellery might overwhelm the look.

The Art of You: Your Wrist, Your Story

Fashion is all about expressing yourself, so have fun with it! Feel free to experiment, break the rules, and discover what makes you feel confident and stylish. With these tips as your guide, you can turn watches for women and jewellery into a signature look that reflects your unique personality.

For a truly pulled-together look, incorporate other accessories like scarves or belts that echo the colours or textures present in your watch and jewellery. If you are looking for that perfect watch consider exploring watches for women from Fastrack's diverse collection, designed to empower women with a variety of styles. With a little creativity, you can extend infinite possibilities for effortless style.

SRINAGAR — A 40-year-old woman was critically injured after falling from a three-storey house in the southern region of Kashmir's Shopian district on Wednesday evening.

An official quoted by a local news agency said that a woman in her forties, identified as Maqsooda Jan, wife of Ghulam Nabi Ganai from Chitragam Kalan, suffered critical injuries after falling from a three-storey house.

She was promptly shifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors referred her to GMC Anantnag for advanced treatment.

Meanwhile, as per the family sources, the condition of the woman is said to be stable.

The dance between watches and jewellery on a woman's wrist is a mesmerising spectacle. Done right, it elevates an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary, adding layers of personality and reflecting your unique style.

Accessorising is an art form, and when it comes to the wrists, watches for women and jewellery reign supreme. They add a touch of personality, elevate an outfit, and tell the world a little bit about your style. But mastering the art of mixing and matching these two elements can feel like navigating a minefield. Well, this blog will help you create effortless and stylish jewellery combinations with watches for women.

Balancing Act

The first step is achieving balance. Consider the size, weight, and style of both watches for women and jewellery. A chunky, statement watch might overpower delicate bracelets, while a minimalist watch might get lost alongside heavy bangles. Here's the lowdown:

• Statement Watch, Supporting Cast: Watches for women with a bold design, like a chunky chronograph or one adorned with sparkling crystals, deserve the spotlight. Opt for delicate jewellery like thin chains, simple earrings, or a single statement ring to avoid overwhelming the eye.
• Minimalist Watch, Unleash Your Inner Maximalist: Sleek, understated watches for women are the perfect canvas for bolder jewellery choices. Experiment with layered bracelets, chunky rings, or statement necklaces. Remember, the key is to maintain a sense of cohesion within the chosen theme.
• Sporty Vibes, Keep it Cool and Coordinated: Channel your inner athlete with a sporty watch and complement it with sleek bangles or a minimalist necklace. Think stainless steel bangles, silicone bracelets, or a delicate pendant necklace.

Metallic Matchmaking: A Symphony of Tones

Metals play a crucial role in creating a cohesive look. Here are some balanced pairings to get you started:

• The Timeless Duo: Silver and gold, a classic combination that transcends trends. However, for a seamless look, ensure the tones are similar. For example, pair a rose gold watch with warm silver jewellery or a cool silver watch with white gold accents.
• A Touch of Warmth: Rose gold exudes elegance and warmth, beautifully complementing both silver and gold jewellery. Create a romantic look by pairing a rose gold watch with pearl earrings or bracelets. Feeling bold? Go for a rose gold watch with chunky silver bangles for a touch of edge.
• Edgy Allure: Embrace your inner rockstar with black or gunmetal watches for women. These darker tones add a statement, especially when paired with silver or gold accents. Experiment with a black watch and a chunky gold chain bracelet or a gunmetal watch with delicate silver earrings.

Material Magic: A Symphony of Textures

Matching materials can elevate your look to new heights. Here are some inspiring ideas:

• Pearls of Wisdom: Embrace a sophisticated look by matching your watch face to your jewellery. A mother-of-pearl watch face pairs beautifully with pearl earrings or a pearl bracelet, creating a sense of unity and elegance.
• Earthy Tones: Channel the beauty of nature by pairing watches for women with a brown leather strap with wooden bead bracelets or a tortoise shell bangle. This combination exudes warmth and a connection to the natural world.

Bonus Tips for Effortless Chic

• Dress it Up or Down: The occasion sets the stage for your wrist game. Formal events call for classic pairings, like a delicate watch with pearl accents. For casual outings, have fun with colourful watches for women and stacked bracelets.
• The Art of Flow: Ensure your watch and jewellery complement your outfit. Statement watches for women and chunky bangles can add a bold touch to a maxi dress, while a minimalist watch with delicate earrings keeps your pantsuit professional.
• Less is More: A curated selection is key. A single statement ring paired with a minimalist watch can make a powerful statement, while too much jewellery might overwhelm the look.

The Art of You: Your Wrist, Your Story

Fashion is all about expressing yourself, so have fun with it! Feel free to experiment, break the rules, and discover what makes you feel confident and stylish. With these tips as your guide, you can turn watches for women and jewellery into a signature look that reflects your unique personality.

For a truly pulled-together look, incorporate other accessories like scarves or belts that echo the colours or textures present in your watch and jewellery. If you are looking for that perfect watch consider exploring watches for women from Fastrack's diverse collection, designed to empower women with a variety of styles. With a little creativity, you can extend infinite possibilities for effortless style.

PULWAMA — Shugufta Akhter, a 25-year-old resident of Sangerwani Pulwama, has emerged as a beacon of women's empowerment in her community through her pioneering efforts in beekeeping. After completing her higher secondary education, Shugufta embarked on a journey to revitalize the organic honey industry in the region.

With determination as her guiding force and the support of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) under the Umeed scheme, Shugufta not only breathed new life into the honey-making business but also encouraged and mentored other women to participate, leading them towards success.

"I am grateful to the government and NRLM for providing opportunities for self-sufficiency," Shugufta expressed, reflecting on her journey since joining NRLM in 2021.

Shugufta Akhter's venture has not only enabled her to support her family but has also positioned her as a mentor within the beekeeping community. Emphasizing the convenience of fulfilling customer orders via phone requests, she underscores the significance of providing pure, unadulterated honey to meet the surging demand.

Beyond catering to local needs, Shugufta has expanded her reach by parcelling honey to other states of India, further amplifying her impact on the honey industry.

Through her dedication and entrepreneurial spirit, Shugufta Akhter continues to inspire and uplift her community, setting a remarkable example of empowerment and economic sustainability.

SRINAGAR — In a major initiative to promote gender inclusiveness in tourism activities, the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir has decided to register more female tourist guides and impart professional training to them to upscale their skills.

In the first instance, a batch of 100 females would be chosen who shall be imparted professional training in guiding after registering them with the Department.

According to Director, Tourism Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob, the idea is to further improve gender parity in the tourism sector and instil a sense of confidence among the female tourists who roughly constitute around fifty per cent of the tourist footfall to Kashmir Valley. This, he said, would further improve and professionalise the service delivery system in the tourism sector in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Tourism Kashmir celebrated National Tourism Day today across various tourist destinations of Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Yousmarg etc with the intent to highlight nature conservation and sustainable Tourism.

SRINAGAR — In 2023, the Parliament passed key bills to grant political reservation to different groups in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory.

Details available with the news agency KNO reveal that three J&K-specific laws were passed by the Parliament during the winter session to grant reservations to different groups in the Union Territory.

In a significant move, the Parliament passed The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2023 to reserve three seats for Kashmiri migrants and refugees from 'Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK)'.

While the Union Government claimed that the bill is aimed at preserving the political rights of these communities as well as for their overall social and economic development, the political groups in Kashmir questioned the method of nominations, saying it can be used to subvert public mandate in the UT. The bill empowers the Lieutenant Governor of the UT to nominate these MLAs.

Another key bill — The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill 2023 — was also passed by the Parliament to reserve 33 per cent of seats in J&K Assembly for womenfolk. The bill was passed given the fact that “The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill 2023 does not apply to the Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir UT.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill provides reservation for womenfolk in Parliament and State assemblies. The Bill wouldn’t come into effect at least before 2029 as it would require a delimitation exercise, which can be taken after the census report is published.

Apart from 33% reservation for womenfolk, J&K LG is also empowered to nominate two women as MLAs if he feels that they are not adequately represented in the House.

The Parliament also passed The Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill 2023 to rechristen “weak and underprivileged classes (social castes)" to "Other Backward Classes".

The amendment was made on recommendations of the Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBCC).

SRINAGAR — The Rajya Sabha made a significant move on Monday by passing The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2023, aiming to allocate 33 per cent of seats within the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for women.

According to the news agency KNS, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar permitted Ministry of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai to introduce the bill, which had already secured passage in the Lok Sabha the previous week.

The essence of The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2023 revolves around earmarking 33% of seats in both the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and the Puducherry Assembly for women, a pivotal step toward enhancing gender representation and inclusivity in legislative bodies.

Additionally, the Rajya Sabha also endorsed The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023. This amendment aims to introduce modifications to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, reflecting further changes within the region.

SRINAGAR — A bill to extend the provisions of the women's reservation law to Jammu and Kashmir was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

As per details available with the news agency KNS, the bills introduced by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai were the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill and the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha.

The bill seeks to enable greater representation and participation of women as public representatives in law-making processes in the legislative assemblies of Jammu and Kashmir.

Officially known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, the women's reservation law seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The law will take some time before being implemented as the next census and the subsequent delimitation exercise -- redrawing of Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies -- will ascertain the particular seats being earmarked for women.

The quota for women in the Lok Sabha and assemblies will continue for 15 years and Parliament can later extend the benefit period.

SRINAGAR — The Women's Reservation Bill, which seeks to provide one-third of the reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, was taken up in the Rajya Sabha for its approval on Thursday.

After the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with 454 votes in favour and 2 votes against, the Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill in the Upper House.

Meghwal said this bill will promote women's empowerment in the country. He said this is also an important step towards making India a developed nation in the Amrit Kaal. “33 per cent reservation for women belonging to SCs and STs will also be provided within the existing quota and for this census and delimitation are essential,” he said.

The Women’s Reservation Bill, also called Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, will pass in Rajya Sabha unanimously, BJP leader J P Nadda expressed confidence.

“Women always had an important role in Indian culture. The Bharatiya Janata Party does not want to take a political advantage but aims at empowering women. In the last nine years, the Narendra Modi government has made several decisions for the empowerment of women,” said Nadda.

Congress leader Ranjeet Ranjan, while supporting the Bill and questioning its delay in bringing it to the Parliament, said that women’s representation in Parliament should go up.

SRINAGAR — In a shocking revelation by the Centre, almost 10,000 women have gone missing from J&K from 2019 to 2021 with officials citing exorbitant use of social media as the main reason behind the missing cases.

In the Parliament, the Government of India revealed that around 10,000 women have gone missing in Jammu and Kashmir in three years from 2019.

In response to a question in Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra, as per the news agency KNO, informed the Parliament that 9,765 women have gone missing from their homes in Jammu and Kashmir between 2019 to 2021.

In these three years, there were 1148 cases of missing girls below the age of 18 and 8,617 women aged above 18 have gone missing.

While giving yearly data, the MoS Home said that 355 girls and 2,738 women went missing in the year 2019, followed by 350 girls and 2,701 women in 2020 and 443 girls and 3,178 women in the year 2021.

As per the data available, just around 3300 women had gone missing in J&K from 2016-2018 while the number has tripled in the next three years from 2019-2021. As per the data, 943 women went missing in J&K in the year 2016, 1,044 in 2017 and 1,335 in 2018.

Meanwhile, the Government of India said that they have taken a number of initiatives for the safety of women across the country.

“The Criminal Law (Amendment), Act 2013 was enacted for effective deterrence against sexual offences. Further, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 was enacted to prescribe even more stringent penal provisions including the death penalty for the rape of girls below the age of 12 years. The Act also inter-alia mandates completion of the investigation and filing of charge sheet in rape cases in two months and trials to be completed in two months,” MoS Home said in Rajya Sabha.

“Emergency Response Support System provides a pan-India, single internationally recognized number (112) based system for all emergencies, with the computer-aided dispatch of field resources to the location of distress and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched a cyber-crime reporting portal on 20th September, 2018 for citizens to report obscene content besides that MHA has launched the 'National Database on Sexual Offenders' (NDSO) on 20th September 2018 to facilitate investigation and tracking of sexual offenders across the country by law enforcement agencies,” he said.

“MHA has launched an online analytic tool 'Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences' for Police on 19th February 2019 to facilitate them to monitor and track time-bound investigation in sexual assault cases in accordance with Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2018, in order to improve investigation. MHA has taken steps to strengthen DNA analysis units in Central and State Forensic Science Laboratories. This includes setting up of State-of-the-Art DNA Analysis Unit in Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh," he said.

He added, "MHA has also sanctioned setting-up and upgrading of DNA Analysis units in State Forensic Science Laboratories after gap analysis and demand assessment and MHA has notified guidelines for collection of forensic evidence in sexual assault cases and the standard composition in a sexual assault evidence collection kit. To facilitate adequate capacity in manpower, training and skill-building programs have been undertaken for Investigation Officers, Prosecution Officers and Medical Officers. Bureau of Police Research & Development has distributed 14,950 Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to States/UTs as orientation kits as part of training.”

“MHA has also approved two projects for setting up and strengthening of Women Help Desks in Police Stations and Anti-Human Trafficking Units in all districts of the country and the Ministry of Home Affairs have issued advisories from time to time with a view to helping the States/UTS to deal with crimes against women, which are available at www.mha.gov.in while the Ministry of Women & Child Development has set up 733 One Stop Centres in the country. These centres provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and in distress, under one roof and provide an integrated range of services including medical aid, legal aid, temporary shelter, police assistance, psycho-social counselling,” MoS said.

Meanwhile, some officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the exorbitant influence of social media leading to an elopement with strangers is the main cause for the rise in missing cases among the female population while few cases are also related to kidnapping and other issues.

They said that most of these women are brought back after cases are being registered and eloping with strangers whom they met on different social media apps is the main reason in most of the cases. “Women having weak family bonds are more prone to it besides that we must have a rethinking on the usage of social media,” they said.

SHOPIAN — A female cricketer from Kashmir is set to earn a place in the Women's Premier League (WPL) as she has been roped in by one of the franchises.

Jasia Akhtar, a right-handed cricketer from Braripora area of south Kashmir's Shopian district, has been roped in by Delhi Capitals at Rs 20 lakh.

While speaking to the news agency KNO, she said that she was interested in cricket since her childhood but the journey was not easy. “In order to pursue my dream, I had to shift to Punjab for around 6-8 years and play domestic cricket where everyone was impressed with my performance,” she said.

She said that her performances have taken her very close to the Indian camp several times and WPL is the platform where she is expected to impress selectors with her performance to get the international berth.

“Last year, I switched to Rajasthan and currently I am playing for them and have performed that I will likely continue in WPL,” she said, adding, “My parents who have already supported me are behind my success and I wish everyone had parents like me."

“I will try to perform well in the coming WPL and my aim is to play for India,” she said and added, "J&K has scanty sports infrastructure as compared to other states.”

According to her, people are not positive here but one needs to be consistent to follow one's dreams. “My request to everyone will be to think 10 times before making any comment about anyone. Girls interested in cricket must continue their practice and they too can achieve their goals,” Jasia said.

Currently, she plays for Rajasthan and was the second-highest run-getter in the senior women's T20 Trophy. A total of 409 players from 15 countries went under the hammer for the WPL auction.

WPL is a T20 cricket league organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). BCCI had received 1525 registrations out of which 246 native players and 163 overseas players were included in the auction list.

She alongside Sarla Devi from Jammu are two players from J&K to figure in the list of 409 cricketers who were auctioned for five franchises on Monday.

While maternity can be one of the most beautiful experiences in a woman's life, the associated health issues and treatments can put financial pressure on you. So, it's important to know how your health insurance plan can help you during this time.

Parenthood can be a blissful experience that many parents look forward to. However, rising healthcare expenses can put you under considerable financial stress in the form of prenatal and postnatal costs. Therefore, it's wise to plan your health insurance in advance and include maternity benefits to enjoy one of the best moments in life without any worry.

Does health insurance cover maternity benefits?

A health plan doesn’t cover maternity benefits by default. However, you can include maternity benefits in your standard health insurance plan by including some specific add-ons, as discussed in the next section.

What are the benefits offered under maternity cover?

A health insurance plan can offer a maternity add-on as a set of 2-3 different add-ons to be taken together. Following are the common maternity add-on covers you can include with your base health insurance policy.

Maternity benefit

It covers both the prenatal and postnatal expenses of the insured person. The coverage can include two deliveries across the policy tenure. Apart from the medical expenses for childbirth of the insured person, it can also cover lawful termination of pregnancy.

Newborn baby coverage

It covers certain medical expenses associated with the insured person’s newborn baby.

Vaccination costs

It is one of the most important health insurance add-ons that covers the vaccination costs incurred on the insured person’s newborn baby. It usually covers all the vaccination costs until the baby is two years old.

Factors to consider while purchasing maternity health plans

A health insurance policy with maternity benefits can help you save significant expenses. However, checking certain factors before making the final purchase is crucial.

Check premium

Maternity health plans can be available at a higher premium compared to regular health plans. So, check the premium amount beforehand to ensure that you have the right budget.

Know the waiting period

All maternity health plans come with a waiting period. It’s the period after purchasing the health policy during which the insurer will not accept any maternity claim. So, it’s vital to check the waiting period of a maternity health policy before buying one.

Network hospitals

Check the list of network hospitals where you can avail of the benefits of the maternity health plan. Your home should be at a drivable distance to the nearest network hospital empanelled by the insurer. Moreover, enquire about the availability of a cashless treatment facility in that hospital.

Extent of coverage

It’s important to understand the extent of coverage in detail. Are there any sub-limits? If yes, how much? Make sure the policy you buy covers the costs adequately, or else it will not be useful to you.

Inclusions and exclusions

A maternity health insurance policy has well-defined terms and conditions regarding what’s covered and what is not covered under the policy. Read the policy documents carefully to know the complete list of these inclusions and exclusions.

For example, ambulance charges, hospital room rent, medication, etc., are some expenses that are included in the policy. However, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic surgery, etc., are excluded from the coverage.

Buy the right health insurance policy with maternity cover

Once you've got the right health policy with suitable maternity health cover, you'll no longer worry about the expenses incurred during pre-natal and post-natal healthcare. And you can fully focus on how to welcome a new life. Happy parenthood!

PULWAMA — On a chilly day in December in the midst of Chilla-i-Kalan, a 40-day period of harsh winter in Kashmir, a couple is arguing in front of the Station House Officer (SHO) in the newly-established Women's Police Station in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. The duo is given a chance to put forth their arguments and then the SHO begins to counsel them.

The scene is an everyday affair now in the police station as the cases related to women are now dealt with by the women cops posted in the facility. Almost every day, women facing domestic abuse visit the police station with their complaints and seek redressal.

Parveena Akhter, who is posted as the SHO of the station, says that since the police station started its operation on November 15, 2022, more than 15 cases were registered. "We have so far registered 17 cases among which 14 cases stand resolved amicably as most of these cases were related to domestic abuse," the SHO told The Kashmir Pulse.

Pertinently, the police station was formally inaugurated by the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Dilbagh Singh on December 21.

Stating that cases of domestic violence are on the rise, the SHO added that women mostly come to report the abuse they suffer at the hands of their partners.

Asked if there was any fake case filed by any woman in the last 40 days of functioning of the station, the SHO candidly revealed that one fake case was filed by a lady but upon investigating the same, her charges were found to be baseless.

Concerning the follow-up of the 'resolved cases', the police officer said that when a case is resolved, which takes a maximum of three appearances of the complainant and the accused, a proper monitoring mechanism is in place there to keep a check on the accused. "Helpline numbers are shared with the victims so that they can receive timely help if the abuse against them doesn't stop," she added.

Ms. Parveena said that the police station should not be identified for a particular gender only but both women and men can approach the station if they have a genuine complaint. She went on to state, "If a male person has a complaint against a female person, he can also visit the police station. We try our best to resolve the cases amicably as dispute settlement is our prime domain at the moment."

PULWAMA — In order to aware the general public about legal aspects of the rights of women, crime against women, sexual assault, physical, mental harassment and female feticide, Pulwama Police organized an awareness seminar on 'Crimes Against Women' in collaboration with The Kashmir Pulse and NSS wing at Government Degree College Women’s Pulwama.

The event was presided over by Showkat Rafiq Wani, DySP Hqrs Pulwama. SHO Pulwama; Principal of the college, Dr Yasmeena Farooq; Advocate Manzoor-ul-Haq Wani; Chairperson of Ansaar-ul-Masakeen Kakapora, Aafiqa Ali were also present in the seminar.

During the programme, DySP Hqrs Pulwama delivered an elaborate lecture on the topic of sexual harassment at workplaces, domestic violence, human trafficking etc. He said that women have been victims of humiliation, exploitation and torture by men on different counts and rapes and brutal murders have been so common nowadays.

Mr Showkat Rafiq Wani made the girl participants (students) aware of the provisions of the law for the protection of women. He advised them to come forward with their grievances instead of becoming victims of bad characters. He assured them that police is committed to the protection of the general public, particularly women folk.

Lectures were also delivered by other police and civil officers in which participants were made aware of the rights of women in society. The participants were asked to encourage the victims to report in their respective jurisdictions.

Detailed awareness about laws and provisions relating to the abuse of women, foeticide and infanticide was also imparted to the participants. In addition, it was brought to their notice that Pulwama Police has recently set up a Women’s Cell in Pulwama that can be approached for any kind of assistance. The participants were assured that the identity of the victim would be kept confidential.

Besides, the participants were also made aware of the JKeCOP application launched by J&K Police to get emergency services including lodging an FIR at the click of a button. They were requested to download the application from the Google Play Store for almost all police-related issues like lodging complaints (FIR), viewing an FIR, giving information, reporting traffic violations, seeking emergency help, etc.

NEW DELHI — The gaming sector in India is expanding quickly and is quickly overtaking other global sectors. The industry's worth was $1.02 billion in 2020, and it is anticipated that it would reach at least $2 billion by 2023. By 2026, according to market analysts, it might reach $4.88 billion.

The incorporation of women participants is among the most fascinating aspects of the gaming industry's rapid growth. Even though there is some truth to the assumption that males are highly dominant in the gaming business, the growing involvement of women in the sector is promising.

With the expansion in mobile phones in the country, including Kashmir, has been widely attributed to the expansion of the gaming business. Nowadays, in India, cell phones are widely available and reasonably priced, making it simple for everyone, not just die-hard gamers to play games. This is one of the major reasons for not only e-gaming, but also i-gaming to increase their market in India with a never-ending online casino list up their sleeves.

The current findings found that women comprised well over 43% of Indian smartphone gaming. The study demonstrates that women of all ages like playing video games. This is encouraging since it shows that there are no longer any barriers to chances for women based on their age, location, or relationship status.

Women are propelling the expansion of the gaming business in a number of different ways in addition to the fact that they are avid players. This was emphasized during the Indian Gaming Conference the previous year, when industry analysts predicted that female participation had risen in the sector and would undoubtedly continue to expand.

Women are filling positions as gamers, business owners, programmers, marketers, and numerous other positions to support the industry's expansion. The vast diversity along with participation are currently at the center of the gaming industry worldwide. Gamers are making it easier for women to participate in the gaming world and to put and advance their abilities.

There are already a handful of female game designers working at well-known organizations, although there is certainly a long path ahead. To combat prejudices and ensure that women feel that they are included and acknowledged, several foreign and Indian gaming companies are creating video games that are women-centric. They are working on games with storylines that solely focus on women.

Women are actually given an opportunity to demonstrate their discoveries and carry out suggestions that might enhance the gaming business as a whole, rather than merely being engaged as inactive employees. In fact, apart from this, women have showcased their skills in many other areas of work in the industry like HR, marketing, communication and customer services. What really impresses the most is their involvement in innovations and further developments.

For instance, a lot of companies provide video games made just for women. Those games contain live casino variants with both male and female operators. In reality, it appears that they are currently incorporating a lot of female dealers in the live casino industry. Women are also currently getting involved in the gaming industry as instructors, passing on their expertise and game-specific tactics to other gamers. These are done via specific instructions on websites or movies on websites like Twitch or Youtube.

A significant number of them additionally broadcast live games on multiple media channels. Nowadays, women can be found in practically every aspect of the industry. It's wonderful to see how often new female gamers enter the field. By showcasing their unique abilities along with passion, they are treated with respect in every aspect of the market, by working as programmers, consumer support agents, or players. And it's anticipated that many more women will participate as the sector keeps growing.

BANDIPORA — Two civil engineers Benit-ul-Islam and her friend Shabnum Masood hailing from north Kashmir have been awarded by Punjab university for propsoing an alternate method to construct roads out of bio-medical waste.

The girls are currently working on a project for National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC). They said the idea will not only make our roads economical, but it will also prove as a safest mechanism of biomedical waste disposal.

According to their research, the use of biomedical wastes in road construction is one of the best and finest steps for road construction in snow-bound areas as every year crores of rupees are being spent on road development and is damaged during winters owing to snow.

It's the responsibility of every individual to find some alternative ways to boost our economy, so "we have found some alternative ways for road construction."

"Since childhood, we had seen the roads of Kashmir. This thing always stuck in our minds whenever we used to travel together on roads of Kashmir and one day as civil engineering graduates, we decided to come up with the solution. After doing a lot of research and analysis, our solution ultimately came up that biomedical waste can be used in road construction of Kashmir to make our roads economical," they said.

The research comprises of 10 paper publications and it was awarded as the best project at various conferences.

Recently, a conference sponsered by AICTE, Web of Science declared this innovative idea as the best idea of innovation.

The two engineering girls were awarded as the Youngest Researchers of India by AICTE. Benit-ul-Islam got an award of Skillful Engineer and Best Project Management award at the conference, with a membership ID from AICTE, because of her excellent experience on the practical field of Civil Engineering.

Apart from the research area, she has experience of working on various projects like NHPC and NBCC.

NEW DELHI — In a significant order, the Supreme Court on Thursday expanded the scope of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act to include "unmarried woman" and allowed a woman to abort her 24-weeks pregnancy arising out of a consensual relationship.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant, and AS Bopanna directed the AIIMS director to set up a medical board of two doctors to examine the woman by Friday under the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act. It asked the board to determine whether the pregnancy if terminated could risk the life of the woman or not.

"We request the AIIMS director to constitute a medical board in terms of provisions of section 3(2)(d) MTP Act by tomorrow (Friday). In the event, the medical board concludes that the foetus can be aborted without any danger to the life of the petitioner (woman), the AIIMS shall carry out the abortion in terms of the petition…", the bench said.

The top court sought the report of the medical board within one week of the procedure and said that the order of the Delhi High Court stands modified to the above extent.

The bench said that provisions of the MTP Act amended in 2021 include the word "partner" instead of "husband" in the explanation to section 3, which shows the intent of Parliament that it was not to confine the situations arising only out of matrimonial relationships.

It said that the use of the word "partner" ascribes to an intention of the Parliament to cover "unmarried woman" under the Act which is in consonance with the constitution.

It added that the Delhi High Court had taken an unduly restricted view by not allowing the woman to undergo medical termination of pregnancy at 23 weeks arising out of a consensual relationship on the ground that she was "unmarried".

The bench sought the assistance of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati on the interpretation of the provisions of the Act and observed that allowing the petitioner woman to suffer an unwanted pregnancy will be contrary to the object and spirit of the legislation.

It said that the petitioner should not be denied the benefit of the law merely on the ground that she is an unmarried woman.

The bench noted that she is the eldest of five siblings and her parents are agriculturists. It said that the woman has submitted that she is qualified in Bachelor of Arts and without an adequate source of livelihood, it would be difficult for her to raise and nurture the child.

The top court said that the woman who was in a consensual relationship in the month of June had come to know about her pregnancy and during the examination, it was found that she was 22 weeks pregnant and she decided to terminate the pregnancy.

The high court had denied the permission to abort, saying that it virtually amounts to killing the foetus.

In an order issued on July 16, a Delhi HC bench refused to grant permission to the woman to abort the 23-week foetus, saying it is not permitted under the abortion law after 20 weeks for pregnancy arising out of a consensual relationship.

The high court, however, sought the Centre's response on the woman's contention that the exclusion of unmarried women from being allowed to undergo medical termination of pregnancy up to 24 weeks, was discriminatory.

The petitioner, a 25-year-old woman, had told the court that her partner, with whom she was in a consensual relationship, had refused to marry her. She had stressed that giving birth outside the wedlock would cause her psychological agony as well as social stigma and she was not mentally prepared to be a mother.

The high court, while dealing with the plea, had said the court cannot go beyond the statute while exercising its power under Article 226 of the Constitution.

"The petitioner, who is an unmarried woman and whose pregnancy arises out of a consensual relationship, is clearly not covered by any of the clauses under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules, 2003," the high court noted in its order dated July 15.

"As of today, Rule 3B of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules, 2003 (which excludes unmarried women) stands, and this court, while exercising its power under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, 1950, cannot go beyond the statute," it had said.

Before passing the order, the high court had suggested that the petitioner can be kept "somewhere safe" until she delivers the child who can subsequently be given up for adoption.

"We will ensure that the girl is kept somewhere safe and she can deliver and go. There is a big queue for adoption," the court had said.

After the lawyer turned down the court's suggestion, it said that it would pass an order on the petition.