Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. DIU: Saliq bin Farooq of Macan Kumbak Ellahi Bagh Stadium, Srinagar, delivered a stellar performance by clinching the gold medal in the 65–70 kg weight category at the 2nd Edition of the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2026, held in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu from January 5 to January 11, 2026.
On his path to the top podium, Saliq showcased exceptional skill, composure, and tactical brilliance throughout the competition. He secured a convincing victory in the quarter-final against Sudarshan K of Tamil Nadu, followed by a strong showing in the semi-final against Sheikh Arbaaj of Chhattisgarh. In the final bout, Saliq clinched the gold medal after defeating Ashish Kumar Singh of Delhi, sealing a memorable triumph for Jammu & Kashmir.
The Khelo India Beach Games 2026, organised by the Union Territory Administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, are being conducted under the technical supervision of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the respective National Sports Federations. The second edition of the Games witnessed the participation of over 1,100 athletes competing across eight beach sports disciplines, making it one of the largest beach sporting events in the country.
Expressing his happiness after the victory, Saliq bin Farooq credited his coach and support system, stating, “I am extremely grateful to my coach, Coach Mohd Iqbal, whose constant guidance, motivation, and training have played a crucial role in my performance. This gold medal is a result of his dedication and belief in me.”
Sharing his experience at the national event, he added, “Competing at the Khelo India Beach Games was a wonderful experience. Pencak Silat is growing rapidly across India, and it is encouraging to see so many positive stories emerging from the sport.”
Saliq also acknowledged the sustained efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, particularly highlighting the role of Ms. Nuzhat Gull, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, in strengthening sports infrastructure and ensuring that opportunities reach youth at the grassroots level, enabling young athletes to excel on national platforms.
The Jammu & Kashmir contingent, supported and sponsored by the J&K Sports Council, delivered an outstanding overall performance at the Games, securing two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal across various disciplines. Adding to this historic achievement, the contingent was crowned Overall Men’s Champions in Pencak Silat, marking one of the finest performances by a northern state in coastal combat sports.
Congratulating the athletes, Shri Satish Sharma, Hon’ble Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Jammu & Kashmir, lauded the contingent for making the region proud. He stated that such achievements reflect the discipline, resilience, and positive energy of J&K’s youth, adding that sports play a vital role in promoting health, harmony, and peace across the Union Territory. The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to nurturing sporting talent and creating a supportive ecosystem for athletes to succeed at national and international levels.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir also hailed the stellar performance of the J&K contingent. In a tweet, he congratulated the athletes for their impressive medal tally and for emerging as Overall Men’s Champions in Pencak Silat, stating that these achievements are a testament to the growing strength of sports culture in Jammu & Kashmir.
The J&K Sports Council extended heartfelt congratulations to the medal winners, coaches, and support staff, noting that the results underline the effectiveness of focused training, institutional support, and sustained investment in sports development. The Council reiterated that athletes from Jammu & Kashmir are now competing with confidence and consistency against the country’s best.
Saliq bin Farooq’s gold medal victory in the 65–70 kg category stands as a significant milestone for Kashmir’s sporting fraternity and further highlights the steady rise of Pencak Silat as a competitive sport in India, reinforcing Jammu & Kashmir’s growing prominence on the national sports map.
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
I will always remember Dr. Priya Ranjan not only as the Chairman of JK Monitor, but as a mentor, guide and elder brother whose kindness shaped my life and work. Write a tribute at In Loving Memory · Dr. Priya Ranjan
When he appointed me Editor-in-Chief of JK Monitor (www.jkmonitor.org), he never made me feel like an employee. He treated me as a younger brother—with warmth, trust and respect. His guidance was generous, his encouragement sincere, and his door was always open whenever I needed help or advice. I will remain deeply grateful for the confidence he placed in me and for all that he taught me.
Dr. Ranjan was a rare and noble human being: kind-hearted, humble and always ready to help. He was also a visionary intellectual whose ideas reached beyond the immediate moment. He brought together deep knowledge, curiosity and a belief in using one’s abilities to make a meaningful difference.
The tributes from his students and colleagues speak of the same qualities I was fortunate to experience myself: a brilliant mind joined with a compassionate heart, and a mentor who made people feel valued. His influence lives on in the people he guided, the work he inspired and the many lives he touched.
For me, he will always be more than a respected chairman or a remarkable intellectual. He will be the elder brother who welcomed me, believed in me and guided me with affection. I will carry his lessons and his kindness with me always. May his soul rest in eternal peace. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered and never forgotten.
(Ajmer Alam Wani)
