Durdana Bhat

1 month ago | newhumanist.org.uk | Durdana Bhat |Kamran Yousuf

In the heart of Punjab, a region of India steeped in folk traditions, Noor Zora – a gender-fluid 61-year-old – is breathing new life into an ancient dance. Giddha, a celebration of femininity, is traditionally performed by women at weddings and festivals. Dancers dress in colourful salwar kameez, with flowing scarves and intricate embroidery, to perform the energetic dance, which incorporates clapping and singing.

Mar 3, 2024 | scmp.com | Kamran Yousuf |Durdana Bhat

Indian families beg for safe return of men tricked into fighting for Russia: ‘we’re worried sick’Aazad Yousuf Kumar, 31, grew up in poverty in the village of Poshwan in Indian Kashmir, so when he and his wife welcomed a baby boy three months ago, he vowed to break the cycle and provide a brighter future for his family.

Feb 13, 2024 | scmp.com | Durdana Bhat |Kamran Yousuf

India’s trade unions slam Israel’s ‘immoral and disastrous’ need for more Indian workers amid warIsrael’s ban on tens of thousands of Palestinians from employment within its borders has resulted in a labour crisis, after more than 100 days of the Israel-Gaza war, with a recruitment campaign to hire Indian workers proving to be contentious. Opposition from Indian trade unions has sparked a debate in India, with arguments of humanitarian concerns versus economic opportunities.

Jan 19, 2024 | scmp.com | Kamran Yousuf |Durdana Bhat

The unpredictability has left locals feeling uneasy. Like many areas in South Asia , Kashmir has been experiencing extreme weather patterns, with unprecedented summer heatwaves causing the glaciers that provide essential water to the region to melt rapidly. Din attributes the absence of snowfall to global warming and pollution. He also believes that, based on past weather patterns, there will be no snow in the coming years, meaning major losses to tourism.

Dec 4, 2023 | csmonitor.com | Durdana Bhat

In Keran, India, sounds of shelling have been replaced by camera shutters. Bunkers have been converted into homestays. And instead of appearing in headlines about military operations, the riverside village is being promoted as a “hidden gem” for adventurous travelers. Two years after India and Pakistan recommitted to a cease-fire along the countries’ de facto northern border, Keran and other frontier hamlets are shedding their war-torn image and playing happy hosts to outsiders.