Mohsin Peerzada's

  The Paradox of J&K’s newly established Medical Colleges   “While Jammu and Kashmir celebrates increased seats of MBBS in newly established medical colleges, which are district hospitals turned into medical colleges, the facilities remain unchanged. Without proper infrastructure and faculty, expanding intake risks producing underprepared doctors and overburdened hospitals.” Peerzada Mohsin Shafi The recent announcement by the National Medical Commission to increase the intake capacity of medical colleges across the country has sparked widespread excitement. In Jammu and Kashmir, social media overflowed with congratulatory messages as many newer medical colleges set up after 2019, received an increase of MBBS seats. While the older institutions with established infrastructure truly deserve this expansion, the same cannot be said for the newly established colleges that were district hospitals converted into medical colleges. The increase in seats for these new college...

On International Day of Rural Women Reading Heart Lamp Through a Kashmiri Lens “On the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women, Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq offers a powerful reflection on the unseen struggles of women in rural and traditional societies. Though set in Karnataka, its themes of gender injustice, hypocrisy and societal expectations echo deeply within the context of Kashmir, urging us to confront these shared struggles and advocate for meaningful change.”                                                      Peerzada Mohsin Shafi   O n October 15 th   each year, the International Day of Rural Women is celebrated globally, offering a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the unique challenges faced by women, particularly in rural communities. This day serves as an ideal moment to deepen our understa...

  Stanford’s 2 Percent List Understanding the Hype and Reality   “The so-called “Stanford top 2% scientists” list often reported in Kashmir is widely misunderstood as an official award or endorsement from Stanford University. In reality, it's a citation-based database created by researchers affiliated with Stanford, reflecting research visibility not quality or innovation. Peerzada Mohsin Shafi E very few months social media in Kashmir lights up with the same kind of headline that a professor or researcher from the Valley has been named among the top two percent scientists in the world by Stanford University. Pictures certificates and congratulations follow. Universities issue press notes and newspapers carry the story as if Stanford University itself has selected and honoured the individual. To the common reader it sounds like an international award or a formal endorsement from one of the world’s top universities. Yet the truth is much simpler and ...