Kashmir freezes at sub-zero temp

Srinagar: Cold wave tightened its grip further in Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region as minimum temperatures in most places dipped several degrees below the freezing point.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, over two degrees down from the previous night's minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, a MeT department official said here.

The minimum temperature in Pahalgam, in south Kashmir, went over four degrees down from the previous night's minus 7.7 degrees Celsius to settle at minus 12.4 degrees Celsius last night.

The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg registered a low of minus 9.8 degrees Celsius, as against the previous night's minus 11.6 degrees Celsius.

The official said the minimum temperature in Qazigund- the gateway town to Kashmir valley - decreased by over four degrees to settle at minus 8.0 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 3.8 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Kokernag, in south, recorded a low of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius, down by over four degrees from minus 6.3 degrees Celsius the previous night, he said. The minimum in Kupwara, in north Kashmir, settled at minus 2.8 degrees Celsius compared to the previous night's minus 0.8 degree Celsius. Leh, in Ladakh region, recorded a low of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius against the previous night's minus 14.7 degrees Celsius.

The mercury in Kargil settled at a low of minus 16.1 degrees Celsius, over three degrees down from minus 13.0 degrees Celsius the previous night. The MeT department has said the weather would remain mainly dry over the next few days and there would be a further dip in the mercury making the conditions in the valley colder.

I do not endorse marriage: Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut, who is waiting for the release of her next film, 'Queen', says that for a change she plays a simple girl in the Vikas Bahl film.

“I play a simple girl, Rani, who is not very confident. Though I play a behenji, Vikas did not want me to wear a salwar kameez in the beginning and then turn to wearing mini dresses. Rani is the same from the beginning to the end but a few incidents change her from within,” says Kangana.

“In real life, I am simple but very confident. I broke the rules of society and moved out of my house and travelled alone to Mumbai to make a career. However, in the initial stages I was slightly confused and didn’t know what exactly I was looking for and how to go about it.

“I did make some mistakes, but now everything has been sorted.”

Kangana, who does not want to join the current wave surrounding the Aam Aadmi Party, says that she tries to do whatever she can to bring about change in her own way. “If I get a chance to serve my country and bring about changes, I will surely put in my sincere efforts. But at my own personal level I always make it a point to close running taps and switch off fans and lights that are not being used. Also, I don’t like to unnecessarily waste money on laundry. I use my towel for almost 15 days. Extravagance is not permitted in my household.”

On a personal front she says, “I have been open about my affairs and my personal life because I do not like falsehoods. I do not like to hide things as I feel that truth prevails. I do not know why people like to cover up.”

Coming to marriage, the actor reiterates her earlier views about the institution. “I do not endorse this commitment at the moment. I feel two people can enjoy each other’s companionship without being married. I do not see a reason to get it endorsed by any government document… taking the charge of anybody’s soul and also take on their surname. I have seen people having so many issues after getting married and walking away from the commitment. I feel I can be trustworthy while being in a relationship and it doesn’t need to be legalised. To build up one’s trust we need not tie this nuptial knot.

Maybe I will change my mind later but that’s what I feel now.”

“Also if in a relationship someone cheats on me I won’t tolerate it. I am not promoting live-in relationships though,” she adds.