Mohsin Peerzada's

 Ramadan and My Childhood Nostalgia Peerzada Mohsin Shafi M.Tech Infrastructure Development & Management (Hon’s) Blogger, Member ASCE, Researcher-Planning & Contracts  Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting and spiritual renewal, is a time that unites the Muslim Ummah in devotion, gratitude, and communal harmony. As one of Islam’s five pillars, it transcends mere ritual—its blessings resonate through faith, science, and cherished memories. Modern research now echoes what believers have long embraced: fasting nurtures discipline, detoxifies the body, and sharpens the mind. Yet, beyond theology and science, Ramadan remains, for me, a tapestry of childhood wonder—a time when innocence and imagination turned ordinary moments into lifelong treasures. The First Stirrings of Devotion My journey with Ramadan began under the gentle guidance of my parents, relatives, and teachers, who sowed the seeds of faith in my heart early on. I remember the electrifying evening when the r...

     Ramban: A District in Name, But a Village in Functionality Peerzada Mohsin Shafi M.Tech Infrastructure Development & Management (Hon’s) Member ASCE, Researcher-Planning & Contracts Ramban, a district once largely unknown to me, has now become an integral part of my life. I vividly remember the days when I used to travel back home from my college, navigating the infamous NH-44. The journey was long and often arduous, but it was mostly the stretch between Banihal and Ramban that stood out as the most challenging. In 2015, the Qazigund-Banihal tunnel had not yet been opened to traffic, and the drive from Anantnag to Banihal was a test of patience. As I neared Ramban, my family would frequently call, asking where I had reached. Such was the fear of the road of Ramban. I still remember my mother uttering in Kashmiri "Whenn Chu Ramsoo te Panthal," meaning the tough terrain of Ramsoo and Panthal is still way. The road conditions during those days were nothing short...

        The Irony of Digital India in Kashmir               Online Forms & Offline Hurdles Peerzada Mohsin Shafi  M.Tech Infrastructure Development & Management (Hon's)  Member ASCE, Researcher, Contracts & Planning  Digital India, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, was envisioned as a transformative initiative aimed at creating a digitally empowered society and a knowledge-based economy. The program was built upon three fundamental pillars: Digital Infrastructure as a utility to every citizen, Governance and Services on Demand, and Digital Empowerment of Citizens. The overarching goal was to ensure internet connectivity in even the remotest areas, facilitate seamless access to government services, enable online transactions, and eliminate the need for physical submission of government documents. This vision promised a future where citizens could access all essential services at the cl...

  From Chai to Gifts: The Shifting Terminology of Corruption Peerzada Mohsin Shafi M.Tech Infrastructure Development and Management (Hon’s) Member ASCE, Researcher-- Contracts and Planning  Corruption, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary is “dishonest or illegal behaviour, especially by people in authority.” The term originates from the Latin word “corruptus” meaning “to bribe, destroy, or spoil.” Josiane Fahed-Sreih, in her book “Corruption: New Insights”, delves into the historical roots of this pervasive issue. It is as old as human civilization itself. From the first dynasty of ancient Egypt (3100–2600 B.C.), where judicial corruption was rampant, to ancient Greece, where the term “corruption” was associated with the loss of physical form, integrity, or moral virtue, this malady has plagued societies for millennia.   Fast forward to the present-day corruption remains deeply entrenched in every society. In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir hundreds of corru...

  From Gridlock to Glide: Proposed Flyover for Anantnag’s Traffic Woes Peerzada Mohsin Shafi M.Tech Infrastructure Development and Management Hon’s, Researcher, Member ASCE, Contracts and Planning Professional Anantnag, one of the oldest and most historically rich districts in the Kashmir Valley has been a pivotal part of the region’s heritage and development. Once encompassing the entirety of South Kashmir, the district was divided into Anantnag and Pulwama in 1979 followed by the creation of Kulgam and Shopian in 2007. Despite the restructuring, Anantnag remains a key district, strategically positioned as a link to the rest of the valley. It shares its boundaries with several important districts like Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda, Pulwama and Kulgam.  Anantnag is not just geographically significant, but also demographically crucial. As per the 2011 Census, the district has a population of approximately 10.79 lakh, spread across 387 inhabited and seven uninhabited villages. The dist...

  The 90-Hour Workweek Hype: What’s Being Suggested vs. What Construction Professionals Endure? Peerzada Mohsin Shafi M.Tech IDM (Hon's) Contracts & Planning In recent times, the topic of long working hours has been a subject of considerable debate in India. The latest headlines feature statements from high-profile figures like Infosys CEO and L&T Chairman. Infosys’s CEO earlier suggested that employees in the tech industry should work up to 70 hours a week, while the Chairman of L&T went a step further, proposing a 90-hour workweek. These comments have ignited a storm of criticism, with many arguing that such expectations are unreasonable and even exploitative. The Hype and Criticism The idea of a 90-hour workweek has sparked a great deal of controversy. Critics argue that it is an unrealistic and harmful demand, particularly in a country where labor laws are designed to protect workers from excessive working hours. In India, the Factories Act, the Shops and Establishm...