Srinagar, Apr 8 : Seven-day long tulip festival being held here has given a boost to tourism in Kashmir.

One of the largest tulip flower garden in Srinagar, ''Siraj Bagh'' was opened for the tourists to enjoy the festival.

The tourism authorities in the state said they are using the festival to promote the state as a preferred destination.

Srinagar, Apr 8 : A major tragedy was averted last night, when the police recovered a powerful EID (Improvised Explosive Device) planted by militants in an open field near the railway track in Jammu and Kashmir''s Anantnag District.

Local police officials informed on Wednesday that the explosive device, weighing 25 kgs, was planted by militants at Bijbehara, 45 kilometres from Srinagar.

The police promptly defused the device before it could cause any harm.

The elections in Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency are to be held on April 30.

Srinagar, Apr 7 : Nano, the dream car manufactured by Tata Motors, reached Srinagar to an overwhelming response from residents.

Even though official booking for Tata''s Nano is yet to begin, more than 2000 residents have already expressed their eagerness to buy this car.

"As far excitement of people is concerned, it is really overwhelming. We were getting regular enquiries for last few months. Our phones are busy throughout the day with people asking when the car is coming and as to what are the features and what kind of a car it is," said Ghulam Nabi Baba, Manager, Tata Motors showroom.

Srinagar, Apr 6 : The Jammu and Kashmir Education Department has decided to introduce lessons on the history of the three regions-- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh --in the curriculum of schools till the secondary level.

Though, the final syllabus has not been approved, the Government plans to have a separate section on the State in the history books. A committee will be constituted to finalise the syllabi.

"The board of school education has been assigned the job to ensure that the history of Jammu and Kashmir be included in the curriculum. We teach our students Indian history, British history and world history, but they do not know much about their own history and culture, " said Shagufta Parveen, the director of education board of the state.

Srinagar, Apr 3: Preparations for the forthcoming parliamentary election for the Srinagar constituency in Jammu and Kashmir are in full swing.

Srinagar, Apr 1: Separatists in Kashmir have offered to help rebuild and renovate temples damaged during the near two decades militancy.

Yasin Malik, chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Muhammad, said that a committee could be formed for the purpose, stressing that it should be "apolitical".