SRINAGAR: In a momentous event held today at 4th Avenue, Rajbagh, Srinagar, Chief Organiser of the recently concluded International Kashmir Literature Festival 2025, Shri Yuvraj Srivastava, felicitated Dr. Khwaja Farooq Renzu Shah with the Kashmir Literature Festival 2025 Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to literature and cultural thought.

The prestigious festival, organized on October 11 and 12 at SKICC, Srinagar, brought together eminent writers, poets, and scholars from across India and abroad to celebrate the richness of Kashmir’s literary heritage.

During the festival, Dr. Renzu Shah was honored for his acclaimed works, “Sultana Kota Rani Reshi: Queen of Kashmir” and “Cashmere Bear’s Throne.” Both books have received widespread appreciation for their profound exploration of Kashmiri culture, mythology, and identity.

Scholars and speakers at the festival highlighted the depth and symbolism in Dr. Renzu Shah’s writings—particularly his exploration of memory, mythology, power, and the renaissance of Kashmiri identity. “Cashmere Bear’s Throne” was described as a powerful metaphor for oppression, drawing parallels between historical tyranny and contemporary struggles faced by marginalized communities in Kashmir.

Dr. Renzu Shah’s prose, rich with poetic imagery and layered allegory, blurs the boundaries between myth and reality, creating a timeless narrative of human resilience. His work evokes haunting images of a land where “rivers turn black and red with the ink of books and the blood of humans”—a vivid reflection of Kashmir’s enduring pain and indomitable spirit.

In an emotional address, Dr. Renzu Shah expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Shri Yuvraj Srivastava, Advocate Jehanzeb Allaqaband, General Panday, Mrs. Usha Panday, Ms. Arti Tickoo, Principal Zaki, and other distinguished guests for their unwavering support and encouragement.

He commended the Kashmir Literature Festival as a beacon of hope and dialogue—an event that reaffirms literature’s power to illuminate the past, inspire introspection, and build bridges of understanding for a more harmonious future.

Advocate Jehanzeb Allaqaband, a respected member of the organizing committee, also attended the felicitation ceremony, acknowledging the collective effort that made the festival a landmark event in Kashmir’s literary and cultural history.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

       LOOK_HERE.jpg Esteemed readers, for your convenience, we have categorized our news publishing into following 👇