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The current study was conducted to investigate the variety of Odonata in Kashmir from November 2020 to November 2022. The study revealed the existence of 24 species, which includes 18 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) under eight genera & two families and six species of Zygoptera (damselflies) in five genera & three families. New records of four species Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770), O. internum McLachlan, 1894, Aeshna petalura Martin, 1906, and Anax guttatus (Burmeister, 1839) from the region are provided herewith. Libellulidae (12 spp.) followed by Aeshnidae (six spp.) were recorded as two dominant families. This study provides some important baseline information on the odonates of Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ascendance of the Dogra dynasty on the political horizon of the newly founded Princely state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846, under the tutelage of British East India Company, saw the climax of the feudal atrocity in the state and more particularly in the Valley of Kashmir. The British intervention guided by her own colonial compulsions, beginning at the end of the nineteenth century, only generated a fractured modernity; where on the one hand modern communications, bureaucratized administration, modern education and health services and modern industry were introduced in the state, but on the other hand in the absence of a state with a progressive outlook, the forces of modernity only worsened the conditions of the people. The paradox thus necessitated a democratic movement of the newly emerged middle class [a product of 'reformative' project in itself] to negotiate between the modernity and the feudal/colonial political setup. This paper is an attempt to understand the nature of colonial modernity project in Jammu and Kashmir which began at the end of nineteenth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Macrocentrus Curtis, 1833 is extensively dispersed with 238 species known worldwide. Including this new species, eight species of Macrocentrus are known from India. This genus is characterized by following characters: Antenna often about as long as or somewhat longer than the body (but sometimes distinctly shorter), with 24-61 segments, apical segment with distinct spine or without a spine. In the present study a new braconid, Macrocentrus hayati sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Jammu and Kashmir (UT), India. Specimens were collected from the grass (Cynodon) and weeds near the vegetables like brinjal, potatoes and beans through net sweeping. The collected material was transferred to glass vials containing 70% ethyl alcohol and brought to the laboratory for further studies. The study will help to boost the knowledge of Braconid parasitoids (living weapon) which play a key role in controlling the harmful pests, ultimately resulting in the increase of the yield of crops and other economic commodities like food grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight various anomalies associated with undescended testis and to determine how much work up is necessary for this condition. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the department of Pediatric Surgery SKIMS Srinagar, Kashmir. All patients between 0-14 years of age who attended out patient department (OPD) from January 2002 to December 2003 with maldescent of testes were included in the study. Detailed relevant history and physical examination findings were recorded in all the cases. Baseline investigations were performed along with ultrasonography of the abdomen. In relevant cases other investigations like intravenous urography, micturating cystourethrography, CT scan and laparoscopy were performed as and when indicated. Results: A total of 250 cases of undescended testis were registered during this period. Maximum number of cases were in the age group of 5-10 years. In 130 (52%) cases the right testis was undescended while 75 (30%) had left sided undescended testis and 45 (18%) had bilateral undescended testis. Maldescended testis comprised 11% of the admissions. The majority of cases were having gestational age of 37 weeks or more. The associated anomalies picked up on investigations included duplication of upper urinary tract (3.2%), hydronephrosis and polycystic kidney (0.8% each), horseshoe kidney, ectopic kidney, crossed renal ectopia (0.4% each) Posterior urethral valves, Prune belly syndrome (0.4%) and spina bifida (0.4%). On detailed clinical examination of genitalia several abnormalities were picked which included hydrocele, hypospadias, hernia, chordee, micropenis and ambiguous genitalia. Conclusion: We recommend ultrasonography to be done in all cases of undescended testis in addition to a thorough history and physical examination. Intravenous pyelography, micturating cystourethrogram, CT scan and other investigations should be performed selectively based on history, physical examination or ultrasound findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]