Srinagar, Mar 14 : Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has said that the National Conference was ready to talk to separatists after the upcoming general elections.

"Either now or after the elections, the Chief Minister will open the negotiation channel with separatists so that new ideas will be floated for settlement of the state," Abdullah told reporters after the customary Friday prayers in Srinagar.

Srinagar, Mar 12 : For orphans and youth in Kashmir, a new ray of hope has emerged in the form of free computer education.

The Central Government''s ''Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan'' (SSA) scheme provides two IT courses free of cost to youths in Srinagar.

Srinagar/ Barmer, Mar. 11 : Taking a break from their tough duties, Border Security Force (BSF) stationed on the Indo-Pak border celebrated festival colours ''Holi'' on Tuesday.

At Gakhiral border observation post (BOP) in Jammu and Kashmir, the color riot brought the much-needed breather for the paramilitary personnel.

Thus the BOP echoed with laughter, songs and cheering as the personnel rent the air with ''Holi Re Holi'' greetings.

Srinagar, Mar. 11 : A grenade attack in Srinagar city injured a paramilitary trooper on Wednesday.

The grenade was reportedly hurled at a security picket by separatist guerrillas.

Srinagar, Mar 11 : If there be a paradise on the Earth, it is this, it is this, it is this... reads one of the verses coined by Firdaus, a poet in Mughal emperor Shahjahan''s court, which praises the Kashmir Valley for its incomparable beauty.

Kashmir''s beauty is particularly enhanced during the spring season.

The enchanting scenario is attributed to the thousands of almond trees that blossom and present a surreal blanket of white and pink in the majestic mountainous landscape.

Srinagar, Mar. 10 : As demand for herbal medicines from Jammu and Kashmir rises, herbal plants are receiving the attention of the Jammu and Kashmir authorities.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the Central Government to declare the Kashmir Valley `a medicinal plant growing zone' to boost the growth of herbal plantation.