Pregnancy and childbirth bring with them a range of transformative changes for a woman that are physiological, psychological, and emotional all at once. From the time of conception to carrying a life in her womb for months, the journey alters not just her body, but also reshapes and readjusts her emotional and mental wiring to this profound new life event.Added to this deeply personal transition is the societal pressure to constantly prove oneself as a “good mother.” Often, even those closest to her find their attention shifting entirely to the newborn, while the new mother, navigating this huge life transition, finds herself caught in a whirlwind of identity transition, emotional upheaval, physical exhaustion, and persistent sleep deprivation.Yet, amid the chaos and uncertainty, many mothers also describe discovering a new sense of resilience, emotional depth, and connection with their child. But layered over this experience is an unbroken cognitive load of constant planning, feeding schedules, doctor visits, sleep cycles, routines, and worry. Over time, this sustained mental effort gives shape to what is commonly referred to as “mommy brain or mom brain.”

What is “Mommy Brain”?

“Mommy brain” is a commonly used term to describe the forgetfulness, mental fog, and reduced concentration many women report during pregnancy and after childbirth.It often shows up in small, everyday moments in misplacing things, forgetting words mid-sentence, difficulty focusing, or feeling mentally scattered while trying to manage multiple tasks at once. For many women, it is less about a loss of ability and more about a constant sense of divided attention.

The science behind “mommy brain”

A longitudinal brain-imaging study published in Nature Neuroscience tracked women from pre-conception through pregnancy and up to two years postpartum. The research found an average 4% reduction in gray matter volume across several brain regions, along with increased structural integrity in white matter connections. These changes were linked with hormonal fluctuations, particularly rising estrogen and progesterone, as well as sleep disruption and the cognitive demands of pregnancy and early caregiving.The study, part of the broader Maternal Brain Project, is considered significant because it followed participants longitudinally rather than relying on before-and-after snapshots. Researchers observed that while gray matter volume partially rebounds after childbirth, it does not always return fully to pre-pregnancy levels, suggesting both temporary and longer-term brain adaptations.Scientists involved in the research describe these changes not as decline, but as neural “recalibration.” Brain regions involved in memory, attention, and decision-making appear to reorganise during pregnancy, while areas linked to empathy, vigilance, and responsiveness to infant cues become more finely tuned. A similar pattern of brain reorganisation has been observed during adolescence, when the brain undergoes structural refinement as it matures from childhood to adulthood.

Inside the lived experiences of new mothers

To understand how this experience translates into everyday life, TOI reached out to several new mothers. Their names have been kept anonymous, as requested, to protect their privacy.One mother describes how pregnancy and delivery bring constant physical changes that make daily activities difficult. The body, she says, feels in a state of continuous adjustment, and even routine work starts to feel heavier than before.

Postpartum life adds another layer. Lack of sleep, slow recovery, constant tiredness, and new responsibility come together to create a quiet build-up of mental stress in everyday life.At the same time, support makes a difference. A young mother shares that having a supportive family and an understanding partner helps her find small pockets of rest, which feel especially important during this phase.Another mother, in her postpartum phase, describes the emotional shift she experienced after childbirth. She recalls feeling overwhelmed in the early weeks, with sudden mood changes and a sense of emotional instability that took time to understand and accept.She also speaks about the physical and cognitive changes that accompanied this phase, including nausea, mood swings, and forgetfulness. “It’s a phase that changes women completely from start to end,” she says, reflecting on how disorienting the transition felt initially.With time, she says, the journey slowly settled as she grew into motherhood, describing her child as becoming the centre of her world.Another mother talks about the quieter, everyday version of “mommy brain”, forgetfulness, scattered focus, and mental overload that becomes part of daily functioning.“I’ve noticed that my memory and focus aren’t as sharp as they used to be before becoming a mom. I forget small things more often, like why I walked into a room, or what I was about to say mid-conversation,” she says.

She explains it not as a loss of ability, but as divided attention. “In daily life, it feels like my brain always has 10 tabs open. Even when I’m doing one task, there’s a constant background thinking about my baby, feeding, sleep, health, routine. So it’s not exactly that I’ve become less capable, but more like my attention is constantly divided.”Sleep loss, she adds, is one of the biggest triggers, making even simple days feel mentally heavier. She also points to the invisible mental load of motherhood, saying that even when physical help is available, the responsibility of planning, remembering, and anticipating often remains with her.

Over time, she says, it has not disappeared, but it has become easier to navigate. What has helped most, she adds, is learning to slow down, accept imperfection, and speak about what she feels instead of carrying it alone.

What the experts say

To understand whether “mommy brain” is only a perception or a measurable change, TOI spoke to counselling psychologist Ms. Reshmithaa Nair, Sparsh Hospital, Bengaluru, who says it is a widely recognised experience among new mothers, though not a formal clinical diagnosis.“Mommy brain is real as an experience, but it is not considered a formal clinical diagnosis. Most women report forgetfulness, poor attention, and mental fog during pregnancy and postpartum,” she says, adding that research shows mixed findings, with some studies noting mild measurable changes in memory and executive function.

She explains that the most affected areas include memory, attention, working memory, and executive functioning, the mental skills involved in planning, multitasking, and decision-making, largely influenced by hormonal shifts, sleep disruption, and caregiving demands.Importantly, she stresses that this does not indicate a loss of intelligence. Instead, it is a temporary shift in cognitive efficiency and prioritisation as the brain adapts to pregnancy and early motherhood. Neuroimaging studies, she adds, point to brain remodelling rather than decline.Most women see gradual improvement within a few months postpartum, depending on sleep, stress levels, and support. She recommends basic interventions such as rest protection, reducing multitasking, and medical checks if fatigue persists.Adding the psychological perspective, Dr. Radhika Goyal, psychologist and founder of Healthy Nudge, says the experience is shaped by multiple overlapping factors rather than a single cause.“‘Mommy brain’ is very real, and clinically we see it as a combination of biological, psychological, and lifestyle changes happening simultaneously after childbirth. It is rarely caused by one factor alone,” she says.

She highlights sleep deprivation as one of the strongest contributors. Repeated night waking, she explains, directly affects attention, memory, and decision-making. Alongside this, the emotional and cognitive load of caregiving keeps the brain in a constant state of alertness.“The brain remains in a state of hypervigilance. New mothers are constantly monitoring feeding schedules, safety, health concerns, routines, and emotional bonding with the baby,” she adds.Dr. Goyal also points to identity transition as a key psychological shift. Beyond caregiving, mothers are adjusting to an entirely new sense of self.“A woman is not only caring for a baby; she is psychologically adapting to an entirely new role and lifestyle. This transition can create emotional overwhelm, self-doubt, and mental exhaustion,” she explains.Hormonal changes, she adds, further affect mood regulation, stress tolerance, and cognitive clarity, which contributes to feelings of mental fog and emotional overstimulation.Dr. Goyal also emphasises that validation is one of the most powerful forms of support during the postpartum period. She notes that many new mothers are often told that exhaustion and overwhelm are simply “part of motherhood,” which can leave them feeling unseen or emotionally unsupported.

Instead of minimising their experience, she says families should acknowledge that postpartum recovery is physically and psychologically demanding.She adds that practical support is just as important. Mothers are often not only exhausted from childcare but also from carrying the invisible mental load of planning, remembering, anticipating, and organising everything around the baby and household. Partners, she says, can help meaningfully by taking initiative rather than waiting for instructions.She warns against comparisons such as “other mothers manage it” or “this is what women have always done,” noting that such statements often increase shame rather than resilience.“A supported mother is not a weak mother,” she emphasises, adding that psychological support during postpartum recovery directly benefits both maternal mental health and infant wellbeing.

When it may be more than mental exhaustion

While mild forgetfulness and fatigue are common after childbirth, Dr. Goyal cautions that concern arises when symptoms become persistent and begin to affect daily functioning.She explains that postpartum depression and anxiety often present as deeper emotional distress rather than temporary cognitive fatigue.Families should look out for signs such as:

“One of the most overlooked signs is when the mother stops expressing her needs and begins functioning only in survival mode,” she says. “Families often mistake this for strength, when clinically it may indicate emotional shutdown or burnout.”She stresses that early intervention is crucial, adding that postpartum mental health conditions are treatable when identified with empathy rather than judgment. Families must seek professional counselling or medical help when these signs persist.

Why this conversation matters

A mother carries her child not only in her womb but in her heart and mind forever. Long before those little feet learn to walk, they are guarded by an instinct that never switches off. Before tiny fingers learn to grasp food without letting it slip, a mother is already feeding, already anticipating, already giving, and even before the child has a language for the world, a mother already hears him. She goes through pain and tears, blood and fear, to bring a new life into this world, and she never stops caring, her heart intrinsically intertwined with the joy she has brought into being.And yet, this new chapter of life also reshapes the mind in ways that are rarely seen but deeply felt. What is often called “mommy brain” lives in this space where attention is divided, memory feels scattered, and thought is constantly anchored to another life. It is not absence, but an ongoing state of holding, planning, remembering, and caring all at once.But even this experience must be understood with compassion and not expectation or dismissal. Every new mother must be held enough so she can let go of the unseen burden of following the footsteps of an “ideal” mother. She should not be taught to trade her health completely for the sake of being a good mother or to carry shame for needing support or going through mental fog. Alongside the newborn, she too finds herself in a completely altered mind and life and deserves to feel supported, seen, and understood.On Mother’s Day, perhaps the truest celebration lies here, not in perfection or the glorification of a woman as a being who never gets exhausted, but in recognition and honour of everything that continues silently, the cognitive load, the emotional labour, and the recalibration of self that motherhood brings, along with a deeper understanding of what she goes through as a human being, and in supporting and validating her experience.

(Also read: Who is Anu Sharma? The internet is curious to know about the Indian techie who left Google and joined Palantir)

Speaking to HT.com, Rijul explained how years of failures and perseverance shaped his journey to Google.

Originally from Rohtak, Haryana, Rijul has lived in Delhi since childhood and now works as a Digital Transformation Consultant at Google Hyderabad. His work involves automating processes and building AI solutions using large language models for Google’s long line of customers.

Rijul completed his schooling from Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, did B.Tech in Information Technology from University School of Information, Communication and Technology under GGSIPU and later completed his Master’s in Data Science from University of California, Irvine.

“I took two coachings, bought new books, hired a private home tutor, read hundreds of books, solved mocks. Whatever I could find and study, I did it,” he told HT.com.

On the day of the exam, Rijul said he carried around 20 books in the car because he still did not feel confident. When the results came the disappointment was immense.

He said, “The entire House was very silent and disappointed. Not about me, but about the result. It felt like a year had been wasted.”

The emotional impact was enormous. Rijul said there is a “very specific kind of embarrassment” associated with not clearing the JEE in India, especially when relatives start comparing students with others.

“That was the first time my confidence was shattered,” he said.

However, he eventually realized that the entrance exam at 18 does not define the next 40 years of one’s career. “Ultimately, not doing JEE was probably the best thing that could have happened. It forced me to learn quickly that flexibility matters more than credentials,” he said.

“That’s what inspired me to pursue it seriously in graduate school,” he said.

(Also read: ‘His smile meant everything’: Bengaluru Google techie takes Nanaji to office premises. viral video)

Getting into UC Irvine became his goal, but that came after repeated attempts. Rijul took the GRE four times. He crossed the mark of 303 in the first attempt, 305 in the second, 307 in the third and finally achieved a score of 308 in the fourth attempt.

By then, he had stopped telling people that he was taking the exam again.

He said, “I was tired of the pity, tired of the ‘Maybe this isn’t for you’ looks, tired of being the guy who kept trying.”

Rijul said that his inspiration came from not wanting another test to decide his story. He also found strength in a line from Rocky Balboa: “Life is not about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit while moving forward.”

When UC Irvine finally got approval, he said the score was no longer a real win.

“The truth is I didn’t quit,” he said.

He remembered receiving the email when he was in India for his mother’s birthday.

He said, “My heart sank. Everyone was passed out, everyone was celebrating. I just sat in my room and felt like a failure.”

The email warned them they needed to make improvements or face further action. Rijul said the pressure was immense as he had already left his job at EY and had no backup plan.

He also claimed that he faced racism during his stay in America. “A woman at the bus stop yelled at me to go back to my country, you don’t belong here. I actually filed a complaint with the UC Irvine department about that,” he said.

To recover academically, Rijul started attending doubt classes, extra sessions, watching lectures, reading blogs and asking for help, admitting that it was difficult for him.

He said, “I hate asking for help. I always want to do things myself.”

By the second quarter, he brought his GPA up slightly above the required mark, and eventually graduated with a 3.3 GPA.

“I started two months before everyone else. I was optimizing my resume, getting referrals, being active on LinkedIn. Why couldn’t I get an internship?” He remembered.

He said he applied for hundreds of roles, reached out for referrals and went through the interview stages, but in the end nothing worked out. He finally got the internship in the last week of May, just before the internship started in June.

“Again, a sigh of relief that hey, I got over it too,” he said.

He claimed that he received little support from his teammates and his manager. In one instance, he said he reached out to a superior for help, but the matter escalated to his manager.

“My manager said you figure it out yourself, stop messaging people above your pay grade,” Rijul said.

They said these experiences shaped their expectations from future workplaces: respect, supportive coworkers, autonomy, and a blame-free culture.

During that period, his biggest support came from his girlfriend, now fiancee and soon-to-be wife Khushi and his parents.

He said, “The way Khushi supported me, listening to me every day and night about why it wasn’t happening for me, what I was doing wrong and always responding, ‘I’m here, don’t worry’, it really gave me peace.”

He said his parents also kept reminding him that he had overcome difficult times before and could do so again.

“I started counting every second. Why didn’t he send it yet? Did he change his mind? Then boom, I got an email saying congratulations, here’s your offer letter. Welcome to Google,” he said.

The first person he called was Khushi.

He said, “She started crying and I had tears in my eyes. Then her mother started crying too. It was basically the crying disease, everyone got it that day.”

(Also read: Bengaluru techie gets job at Google after over 20 rejections; They say it’s a race, not a fate)

She then called her mother and sister, who also cried emotionally. His father, who was in a meeting, reacted more calmly at first but later called him back to congratulate him.

“I miss my dog. I lost him last year. He would have loved the new office,” Rijul said.

He said, “I always supported myself that it will happen. I was determined that no matter what happens, I am not going to give up, because I know what will happen if I give up. Let’s see what happens when I don’t give up.”

He said every setback ultimately redirects him. After failing in JEE, he was taken to IP University. A difficult job experience pushed him abroad. Academic probation motivated him to work harder. Internship struggles taught him the value of perseverance. A negative workplace experience pushed him to Google.

He said, “Everything was on time. Right time, right place, right person. I now believe that everything happened to me when it was supposed to happen.”

For students and young professionals struggling with rejection, self-doubt or career uncertainty, Rijul’s message is simple: keep moving forward.

“Everything works out in the end, and if it doesn’t it’s not the end, my friend,” he said.

‘आप शायद केवल तनावग्रस्त हैं।’ ल्यूपस से पीड़ित कई महिलाओं के लिए, कहानी अक्सर यहीं से शुरू होती है। एक युवा महिला थकान, जोड़ों में दर्द, बाल झड़ने, बुखार या लगातार शरीर में दर्द की शिकायत लेकर क्लिनिक में आती है।जवाबों के बजाय, उसे बताया गया कि वह अत्यधिक काम कर रही है, चिंतित है, नींद से वंचित है, हार्मोनल है या बस काम, परिवार और दैनिक जीवन के बीच संतुलन बनाकर थक गई है।कुछ को एनीमिया के लिए आयरन की खुराक लेने की सलाह दी जाती है, दूसरों को अवसाद, थायरॉयड विकार, वायरल संक्रमण या पुरानी थकान के लिए इलाज किया जाता है। लेकिन लक्षण दूर नहीं होते.डॉक्टरों को अंततः वास्तविक कारण की पहचान करने में महीनों और कभी-कभी वर्षों लग सकते हैं: ल्यूपस, एक पुरानी ऑटोइम्यून बीमारी जिसमें शरीर की प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली गलती से अपने स्वयं के स्वस्थ ऊतकों और अंगों पर हमला करती है। जब तक कई महिलाओं को निदान मिलता है, तब तक बीमारी पहले से ही गुर्दे, जोड़ों, त्वचा, हृदय, फेफड़े या यहां तक ​​कि मस्तिष्क को भी प्रभावित कर रही होती है।इस विश्व ल्यूपस दिवस पर, आइए अपना ध्यान उस स्थिति की ओर आकर्षित करें जिसे अक्सर ‘अदृश्य बीमारी’ के रूप में वर्णित किया जाता है क्योंकि इसका प्रभाव हमेशा दिखाई नहीं देता है, लेकिन जीवन को गहराई से बदल देता है।

ल्यूपस के साथ सबसे बड़ी चुनौतियों में से एक यह है कि इसके शुरुआती संकेत अस्पष्ट और अप्रत्याशित होते हैं। थकान, जोड़ों का दर्द, बुखार, बालों का झड़ना, चकत्ते और याददाश्त संबंधी समस्याएं कई कारणों से हो सकती हैं, जिससे जल्दी पता लगाना मुश्किल हो जाता है।हालाँकि, संख्याएँ एक आश्चर्यजनक पैटर्न प्रकट करती हैं। कॉर्नेल मेडिकल यूनिवर्सिटी के शोध के अनुसार, ल्यूपस के 10 में से लगभग 9 मरीज महिलाएं हैं, जिनमें से अधिकांश का निदान 15 से 44 वर्ष की आयु के बीच होता है।शोधकर्ताओं का मानना ​​है कि हार्मोन, आनुवांशिकी, प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली में अंतर और पर्यावरणीय कारक मिलकर महिलाओं को इस बीमारी के प्रति अधिक संवेदनशील बनाते हैं।क्रायोविवा लाइफ साइंसेज की मेडिकल प्रवक्ता डॉ. गीतिका जस्सल का कहना है कि ल्यूपस सिर्फ त्वचा या जोड़ों को प्रभावित करने वाली स्थिति से कहीं अधिक है और जागरूकता शुरुआती निदान में सबसे बड़ी कमी में से एक है।“ल्यूपस पुरुषों की तुलना में महिलाओं को अधिक प्रभावित करता है, विशेष रूप से प्रजनन वर्षों के दौरान। सीडीसी (रोग नियंत्रण और रोकथाम केंद्र) के अनुसार ल्यूपस से पीड़ित 10 में से लगभग 9 महिलाएं हैं, और 15-44 वर्ष की आयु वाली महिलाओं को सबसे अधिक खतरा है। यह मजबूत लिंग अंतर महिलाओं के स्वास्थ्य में हार्मोन, प्रतिरक्षा, आनुवंशिकी और सूजन के बीच जटिल बातचीत को उजागर करता है। ल्यूपस सिर्फ एक त्वचा या संयुक्त रोग नहीं है; यह एक क्रोनिक ऑटोइम्यून विकार है जो कई अंगों को प्रभावित कर सकता है। यही कारण है कि शीघ्र जागरूकता, समय पर निदान और दीर्घकालिक निगरानी बेहद महत्वपूर्ण है, ”उसने कहा।

ल्यूपस ने समझाया: जब प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली शरीर के विरुद्ध हो जाती है

ल्यूपस एक पुरानी ऑटोइम्यून बीमारी है, लेकिन इसे सरलता से समझने के लिए, सबसे पहले यह समझने में मदद मिलती है कि “ऑटोइम्यून” का क्या अर्थ है। आम तौर पर, प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली शरीर की रक्षा शक्ति की तरह काम करती है, वायरस और बैक्टीरिया जैसे हानिकारक आक्रमणकारियों की पहचान करती है और उन पर हमला करती है। हालाँकि, ल्यूपस में, यह रक्षा प्रणाली भ्रमित हो जाती है और शरीर की अपनी स्वस्थ कोशिकाओं और ऊतकों को लक्षित करना शुरू कर देती है।शरीर की रक्षा करने के बजाय, प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली उस पर भीतर से हमला करना शुरू कर देती है। यह सूजन को ट्रिगर कर सकता है, एक ऐसी प्रक्रिया जहां शरीर सूज जाता है, चिड़चिड़ा हो जाता है और क्षतिग्रस्त हो जाता है क्योंकि प्रतिरक्षा कोशिकाएं गलती से स्वस्थ अंगों पर हमला कर देती हैं। समय के साथ, यह चल रही सूजन शरीर के विभिन्न हिस्सों को प्रभावित कर सकती है और उनके कार्य करने के तरीके को बाधित कर सकती है।जो बात ल्यूपस को कई अन्य ऑटोइम्यून बीमारियों से अलग बनाती है, वह यह है कि यह प्रकृति में प्रणालीगत है। जबकि कुछ ऑटोइम्यून स्थितियां मुख्य रूप से जोड़ों या थायरॉयड ग्रंथि जैसे एक क्षेत्र को लक्षित करती हैं। ल्यूपस एक ही समय में कई अंगों को प्रभावित कर सकता है। त्वचा, जोड़, गुर्दे, हृदय, फेफड़े, रक्त वाहिकाएं और यहां तक ​​कि मस्तिष्क भी इसमें शामिल हो सकते हैं, यही कारण है कि लक्षण पहले बिखरे हुए और असंबंधित महसूस हो सकते हैं।सेलुलर स्तर पर, ल्यूपस एंटीन्यूक्लियर एंटीबॉडीज (एएनए) से जुड़ा होता है, प्रोटीन जो गलती से कोशिकाओं के केंद्रक को लक्षित करते हैं। ये एंटीबॉडीज़ प्रतिरक्षा परिसरों का निर्माण कर सकते हैं जो ऊतकों में बस जाते हैं और आगे सूजन और क्षति को ट्रिगर करते हैं।इस व्यापक प्रभाव के कारण, ल्यूपस एक भी पूर्वानुमानित पैटर्न का पालन नहीं करता है। यह प्रत्येक रोगी में अलग-अलग दिख सकता है, यही एक कारण है कि इसे जल्दी पहचानना इतना कठिन होता है और अक्सर अन्य स्थितियों के साथ भ्रमित हो जाता है।

ल्यूपस पुरुषों की तुलना में महिलाओं को अधिक प्रभावित क्यों करता है?

ल्यूपस एक मजबूत लिंग पूर्वाग्रह दिखाता है, जिसमें अधिकांश मामले महिलाएं होती हैं। शोधकर्ताओं का मानना ​​है कि यह हार्मोनल, आनुवंशिक और पर्यावरणीय कारकों के संयोजन के कारण है।

ए) एस्ट्रोजन कनेक्शन

महिलाओं में एस्ट्रोजन का स्तर अधिक होता है, खासकर प्रजनन के वर्षों के दौरान, वही अवधि जब ल्यूपस का सबसे अधिक निदान होता है।मासिक धर्म, गर्भावस्था और रजोनिवृत्ति के दौरान हार्मोनल उतार-चढ़ाव प्रतिरक्षा गतिविधि को प्रभावित कर सकते हैं और अतिसंवेदनशील व्यक्तियों में भड़क सकते हैं।

बी) एक्स गुणसूत्र सिद्धांत

एक अन्य महत्वपूर्ण कारक आनुवंशिकी में निहित है। महिलाओं में दो X गुणसूत्र होते हैं, जबकि पुरुषों में एक X और एक Y गुणसूत्र होता है। कुछ प्रतिरक्षा-संबंधित जीन एक्स गुणसूत्र पर स्थित होते हैं और इन जीनों को कैसे विनियमित किया जाता है, इसमें भिन्नता से महिलाओं में प्रतिरक्षा संवेदनशीलता बढ़ सकती है।सरल शब्दों में, महिलाओं की प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली अधिक प्रतिक्रियाशील होती है। हालांकि यह संक्रमण के खिलाफ मजबूत सुरक्षा प्रदान कर सकता है, लेकिन यह प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली के शरीर के खिलाफ होने का खतरा भी बढ़ा सकता है।

ग) आनुवंशिकी और पर्यावरणीय कारक बीमारी को ट्रिगर कर सकते हैं

केवल आनुवंशिकी ही ल्यूपस का कारण नहीं बनती; यह संवेदनशीलता पैदा करता है. ऑटोइम्यून बीमारी का पारिवारिक इतिहास जोखिम बढ़ा सकता है, लेकिन ल्यूपस वाले अधिकांश लोगों का परिवार से कोई सीधा संबंध नहीं होता है।पर्यावरणीय कारक अक्सर ट्रिगर के रूप में कार्य करते हैं जो आनुवंशिक रूप से प्रवण व्यक्तियों में बीमारी को “सक्रिय” करते हैं। इनमें सूर्य के प्रकाश का जोखिम, वायरल संक्रमण, दीर्घकालिक तनाव, धूम्रपान, प्रदूषण और कुछ रासायनिक जोखिम शामिल हैं। एसोसिएटेड प्रेस के अनुसार, शोधकर्ता एपस्टीन-बार जैसे वायरस को भी संभावित योगदानकर्ता के रूप में इंगित करते हैं जो प्रतिरक्षा विनियमन को बाधित कर सकते हैं और कुछ मामलों में रोग प्रक्रियाओं को शुरू कर सकते हैं।

ऐसे लक्षण जिन्हें महिलाएं अक्सर तब तक नज़रअंदाज़ कर देती हैं जब तक कि ल्यूपस गंभीर न हो जाए

ल्यूपस अक्सर ऐसे लक्षणों से शुरू होता है जिन्हें खारिज करना आसान होता है।इनमें थकान शामिल है जो आराम करने पर भी ठीक नहीं होती, जोड़ों का दर्द, बुखार, बालों का झड़ना, मुंह के छाले, धूप के प्रति संवेदनशीलता, मस्तिष्क कोहरा और तितली के आकार के चेहरे पर चकत्ते।व्यक्तिगत रूप से, वे मामूली लग सकते हैं। साथ में, वे चल रही ऑटोइम्यून गतिविधि का संकेत दे सकते हैं।

हालाँकि, इन लक्षणों को अक्सर तनाव, जलन, थायराइड की समस्या, हार्मोनल असंतुलन या वायरल संक्रमण समझ लिया जाता है।डॉ. गीतिका जस्सल के अनुसार, सबसे बड़ी चुनौतियों में से एक यह है कि ल्यूपस के लक्षण अक्सर सामान्य स्वास्थ्य शिकायतों से मिलते जुलते हैं।“ल्यूपस के शुरुआती लक्षणों को अक्सर थकान, तनाव, विटामिन की कमी, वायरल संक्रमण, एलर्जी या सामान्य शरीर दर्द जैसी सामान्य स्थितियों के लिए गलत माना जाता है। कई महिलाओं को लगातार थकान, दर्द या जोड़ों में सूजन, अस्पष्ट बुखार, बालों का झड़ना, मुंह में छाले, त्वचा पर चकत्ते और प्रकाश के प्रति संवेदनशीलता का अनुभव हो सकता है। ल्यूपस के साथ एक चुनौती यह है कि ये लक्षण रुक-रुक कर प्रकट हो सकते हैं और तीव्रता में भिन्न हो सकते हैं, जिससे निदान में देरी हो सकती है, ”उसने कहा।

ल्यूपस को ‘अदृश्य बीमारी’ क्यों कहा जाता है?

ल्यूपस को अक्सर एक अदृश्य बीमारी कहा जाता है क्योंकि गंभीर आंतरिक लक्षणों का अनुभव करते हुए भी रोगी स्वस्थ दिख सकते हैं।दीर्घकालिक थकान, उतार-चढ़ाव वाला दर्द और मस्तिष्क का कोहरा दैनिक जीवन को कठिन बना सकता है, भले ही कोई दृश्यमान लक्षण मौजूद न हों।लक्षण अक्सर आते-जाते रहते हैं, जिससे दूसरों के लिए और कभी-कभी स्वयं रोगियों के लिए भी स्थिति को समझना कठिन हो जाता है।यह अदृश्यता अक्सर कार्यस्थलों और सामाजिक परिवेश में गलतफहमी पैदा करती है, जो भावनात्मक तनाव और अलगाव में योगदान करती है।डॉ. गीतिका जस्सल के अनुसार, ल्यूपस को अक्सर गलत समझा जाता है क्योंकि कई लक्षण दूसरों के लिए अदृश्य रहते हैं।“ल्यूपस को अक्सर एक अदृश्य बीमारी के रूप में संदर्भित किया जाता है क्योंकि इसके कई लक्षण हमेशा बाहर से दिखाई नहीं देते हैं। ल्यूपस से पीड़ित महिला गंभीर थकान, पुराने दर्द, मस्तिष्क कोहरे, सूजन, भड़कना, या यहां तक ​​कि आंतरिक अंग की भागीदारी से चुपचाप संघर्ष करते हुए बाहरी रूप से स्वस्थ दिखाई दे सकती है। इससे कभी-कभी घर पर, कार्यस्थल पर और समाज के भीतर गलतफहमी पैदा हो सकती है, क्योंकि अन्य लोग बीमारी के शारीरिक और भावनात्मक बोझ को पूरी तरह से नहीं पहचान सकते हैं, ”उसने कहा।

क्यों रंगीन महिलाओं को अधिक ल्यूपस बोझ का सामना करना पड़ता है?

ल्यूपस सभी महिलाओं को समान रूप से प्रभावित नहीं करता है। न्यूयॉर्क यूनिवर्सिटी के शोध के अनुसार, यह लगातार दिखाया गया है कि रंगीन महिलाओं, विशेष रूप से काले, हिस्पैनिक, एशियाई और स्वदेशी महिलाओं को बीमारी विकसित होने का अधिक खतरा होता है, अक्सर कम उम्र में और अधिक गंभीर परिणामों के साथ।अध्ययनों से संकेत मिलता है कि श्वेत महिलाओं की तुलना में अश्वेत महिलाओं में ल्यूपस विकसित होने की संभावना तीन गुना अधिक होती है। इसी तरह के पैटर्न हिस्पैनिक और एशियाई महिलाओं में देखे जाते हैं, जिनमें लक्षणों की शुरुआत से पहले अनुभव होने की अधिक संभावना होती है। इस असमानता के पीछे कारण जटिल और परस्पर जुड़े हुए हैं। आनुवंशिकी संवेदनशीलता बढ़ाने में भूमिका निभा सकती है, लेकिन वे अकेले कार्य नहीं करते हैं। स्वास्थ्य देखभाल पहुंच में अंतर, विलंबित निदान, सामाजिक आर्थिक बाधाएं और पर्यावरणीय तनावों के असमान जोखिम, ये सभी इस बात में योगदान करते हैं कि बीमारी का अनुभव और प्रबंधन कैसे किया जाता है।

जब ल्यूपस खतरनाक हो जाता है: यह अंगों को नुकसान पहुंचा सकता है

बाहरी लक्षण हल्के दिखाई देने पर भी ल्यूपस चुपचाप आंतरिक अंगों को प्रभावित कर सकता है।

ल्यूपस का निदान करना इतना कठिन क्यों है?

ल्यूपस को व्यापक रूप से निदान के लिए सबसे चुनौतीपूर्ण ऑटोइम्यून बीमारियों में से एक के रूप में जाना जाता है, इसलिए नहीं कि यह दुर्लभ है, बल्कि इसलिए क्योंकि यह शायद ही कभी सीधे या पूर्वानुमानित रूप से प्रस्तुत होता है। ऐसा कोई एक परीक्षण नहीं है जो अपने आप ल्यूपस की पुष्टि कर सके, जो अक्सर निदान प्रक्रिया को लंबा और जटिल बना देता है।सबसे अधिक इस्तेमाल किए जाने वाले स्क्रीनिंग टूल में से एक ANA (एंटीन्यूक्लियर एंटीबॉडी) टेस्ट है। हालाँकि, केवल यह परीक्षण ही अंतिम नहीं है। एक सकारात्मक एएनए परिणाम ल्यूपस में देखा जा सकता है, लेकिन यह अन्य ऑटोइम्यून स्थितियों या यहां तक ​​​​कि स्वस्थ व्यक्तियों में भी दिखाई दे सकता है, जो भ्रम पैदा कर सकता है और प्रारंभिक मूल्यांकन में अनिश्चितता पैदा कर सकता है।एक और बड़ी चुनौती यह है कि ल्यूपस के लक्षण कई अन्य स्थितियों के साथ ओवरलैप होते हैं। थकान, जोड़ों का दर्द, बुखार, त्वचा पर चकत्ते और बालों का झड़ना सभी थायरॉयड विकारों, वायरल संक्रमण, क्रोनिक थकान सिंड्रोम या यहां तक ​​कि तनाव से संबंधित स्थितियों से जुड़े हो सकते हैं। परिणामस्वरूप, कई महिलाएं स्पष्ट निदान प्राप्त करने से पहले महीनों या वर्षों तक कई डॉक्टरों से परामर्श लेती हैं। कई मामलों में, ल्यूपस की पहचान अन्य संभावित स्थितियों को खारिज करने के बाद ही की जाती है, इस प्रक्रिया को “बहिष्करण द्वारा निदान” के रूप में जाना जाता है।इसकी जटिलता के कारण, रुमेटोलॉजिस्ट ल्यूपस की शीघ्र पहचान करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाते हैं। ऑटोइम्यून बीमारियों के बारे में उनकी विशेष समझ प्रतीत होने वाले असंबंधित लक्षणों को एक अंतर्निहित स्थिति में जोड़ने में मदद करती है, जो अक्सर सामान्य मूल्यांकन में छूट जाती है।

क्या बीमारी ठीक हो सकती है?

ल्यूपस एक आजीवन स्थिति है और वर्तमान में इसका कोई स्थायी इलाज नहीं है। हालाँकि, समय पर निदान, उचित उपचार और लगातार देखभाल के साथ, बीमारी को अक्सर प्रभावी ढंग से प्रबंधित किया जा सकता है।चिकित्सा उपचार ल्यूपस प्रबंधन की आधारशिला है। आमतौर पर इस्तेमाल किए जाने वाले चिकित्सा उपचारों में सूजन को नियंत्रित करने और अंग क्षति को रोकने के लिए हाइड्रोक्सीक्लोरोक्वीन, कॉर्टिकोस्टेरॉइड्स, इम्यूनोसप्रेसेन्ट्स और जैविक उपचार शामिल हैं।

दवा के साथ-साथ, जीवनशैली में समायोजन भी समान रूप से महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाता है। सूर्य की सुरक्षा महत्वपूर्ण है, क्योंकि पराबैंगनी विकिरण के संपर्क में आने से कई रोगियों में रोग भड़क सकता है। डॉक्टर भी संतुलित आहार, नियमित शारीरिक गतिविधि, पर्याप्त नींद और प्रभावी तनाव प्रबंधन सहित सूजन-रोधी आदतें अपनाने की सलाह देते हैं। ये उपाय समग्र रोग गतिविधि को कम करने और जीवन की गुणवत्ता में सुधार करने में मदद करते हैं।

तल – रेखा

ल्यूपस सिर्फ एक चिकित्सीय स्थिति नहीं है, यह एक गहरे, प्रणालीगत मुद्दे को भी दर्शाता है कि महिलाओं की स्वास्थ्य संबंधी चिंताओं को अक्सर कैसे समझा और संबोधित किया जाता है। थकान, दर्द और बार-बार होने वाली शिकायतें अक्सर तनाव या हार्मोन के कारण होती हैं, जिससे कई मामलों में निदान में देरी होती है।एक प्रमुख चिंता यह है कि कितनी बार महिलाओं के दर्द और आवर्ती लक्षणों को सामान्य या कम कर दिया जाता है, जिसके कारण कई मरीज़ सही निदान प्राप्त करने से पहले एक लंबी और निराशाजनक यात्रा का वर्णन करते हैं।जैसा कि कई चिकित्सक बताते हैं, ल्यूपस में परिणामों में सुधार न केवल उपचार को आगे बढ़ाने के बारे में है, बल्कि शुरू से ही महिलाओं की स्वास्थ्य संबंधी चिंताओं को स्वीकार करने के तरीके को बदलने के बारे में भी है।

New Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu C. Joseph Vijay He was one of the biggest stars of Tamil cinema, who dominated Kollywood for almost 30 years. After appearing as a child artiste in Vetri in 1984, he made his debut as a lead actor in his father SA Chandrasekhar’s Nalaya Theerpu in 1992. In a career spanning over three decades, he played lead roles in 68 films, and became the highest paid actor in Tamil cinema. His 69th movie Jan Naygan Yet to be released.

tamilnadu swearing in ceremony live updates

Mr Vijay, who has been elected from Perambur and Tiruchi EastEntering the assembly for the first time. In February 2024, he converted his fan association-cum-social service organization – Vijay Makkal Iyakkam – into a political party. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The 51-year-old actor-politician had discontinued his Bachelor of Science course at Loyola College, Chennai in 1992 to pursue a film career. Apart from acting, he serves as correspondent of Vijay Vidyashram and managing director and trustee of several trusts.

Nine ministers took oath along with him on Sunday (May 10, 2026). Who are these ministers?

N Anand

N. Anand, also known as ‘Bassi’ N. known as joyTamilaga Vetri is the general secretary of the Kazhagam and the second in command after party president C. Joseph Vijay. Before playing an important political role in TVK, he led Sri Vijay’s fan club and social service organization – Vijay Makkal Iyakkam.

Mr. Anand, who has been elected from T. Nagar Assembly constituency of Chennai, has the distinction of being elected to legislative bodies in two different States/Union Territories. He was first elected to the Puducherry Legislative Assembly in 2006 from Busi constituency, from where he earned his popular respect. He was selected as the candidate of Puducherry Munnatra Congress.

A native of Puducherry, the 62-year-old leader studied till class nine in the Union Territory before entering public life. Over the years, he emerged as Mr. Vijay’s closest aide, playing a key organizational role in candidate selection in TVK.

KA Sengottaiyan

KA Sengottaiyan, one of the senior most MLAs of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, is the chief coordinator of the high-level committee of the Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam. A 10-time MLA, Mr. Sengottaiyan was first elected to the Assembly from Sathyamangalam in 1977 as an AIADMK candidate.

Barring the 1996 and 2001 elections, the 78-year-old leader has consistently won from the Gobichettipalayam assembly constituency in Erode district since 1980. This is the first time he has been selected as a TVK candidate. A prominent AIADMK leader for decades, he worked closely with former Chief Minister J. Also served as campaign manager of Jayalalithaa and was part of her first cabinet between 1991 and 1996. In 2011, he briefly served again in Ms Jayalalitha’s cabinet before being dropped, and later in 2017 in Edappadi K. Became the Minister of School Education in the government led by Palaniswami.

Before joining TVK in November 2025, Mr. Sengottaiyan had made efforts to re-unite the AIADMK, although the efforts did not succeed.

wonderful arjun

Aadhav Arjun, elected from Villivakkam Assembly constituency of Chennai, is entering the Assembly for the first time. A sports administrator and political consultant, he serves as the General Secretary (Election Campaign Management) of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam.

Before joining TVK in January 2025, the 43-year-old leader had played a key role as a political advisor to the DMK. He later joined the Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi led by Thol. Thirumavalavan and became the Deputy General Secretary of the party. While in VCK, he had raised the demand for power sharing, which had created a controversy and he was suspended from the party. He then parted ways to join Sri Vijay.

Mr Arjun, son-in-law of lottery tycoon Santiago Martin, also runs political consultancy firm Voice of Commons. Apart from politics, he has been active in sports administration and currently serves as the President of the Basketball Federation of India and Tamil Nadu Basketball Association. He is also the General Secretary of Tamil Nadu Olympic Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Madras Christian College.

KG Arunraj

KG Arunraj, a vocal leader of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, is from Salem and has been elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from Tiruchengode constituency. Dr. Arunraj, a former Indian Revenue Service officer, currently serves as the General Secretary (Policy and Publicity) of TVK.

The 46-year-old leader has an MBBS degree from Madras Medical College. Before joining the Indian Revenue Service and serving in various capacities in the Income Tax Department, Dr. Arunraj worked as a doctor in a primary health center in Dharmapuri district.

CTR Nirmalkumar

CTR Nirmalkumar, elected from Thirupparankundram Assembly constituency in Madurai, is the joint general secretary of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam and one of the key spokespersons of the party. He is entering the assembly for the first time.

Before joining TVK in January 2025, 44-year-old Gad served as the state president of the information technology and social media wing of Tamil Nadu BJP till March 2023. He later joined the AIADMK, where he served as the joint secretary of the information technology and social media wing of the party.

Hailing from Usilampatti in Madurai district, Mr. Nirmalkumar’s educational background spans engineering, law and social sciences. He has a bachelor’s degree in engineering, LLB. degree, and master’s degrees in criminology and police administration.

A. Rajmohan

A., elected from Egmore (SC) assembly constituency of Chennai. Rajmohan is entering the assembly for the first time. A popular YouTuber, he started his career in the digital sphere by lending his voice to social issues and gradually gained recognition through appearances on several YouTube and television channels as a show host.

The 39-year-old is widely known for his Tamil oratory skills and public speaking. Hailing from Pallavaram, Mr. Rajmohan received higher education in management and journalism. He holds a Diploma in Business Management from IIT Madras and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Madurai Kamaraj University.

P. Venkataramanan

P. Venkataramanan, elected from Mylapore assembly constituency in Chennai, is the treasurer of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). He is one of the two candidates from the Brahmin community elected to the 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly.

A lawyer by profession, the 48-year-old leader has an educational background in commerce, business administration and law. He holds a Master of Commerce degree from Annamalai University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Periyar University and an LLM degree. Degree from Annamalai University.

tk prabhu

TK Prabhu, who comes from a politically connected family, has been elected from Karaikudi assembly constituency for the first time. A dentist by profession, Dr. Prabhu is also active on social media and has built a public profile through his outreach activities.

The 41-year-old leader, who hails from Devakottai, has several qualifications in dental science, including advanced degrees and fellowships from institutions abroad.

S. kirtan

One of the youngest MLAs in the 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly, 29-year-old S. Keertan has become a first-time MLA from Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district. Ms. Keerthana holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Madurai Kamaraj University and a master’s degree in Statistics from Pondicherry Central University. He is fluent in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English.

On the winter morning of January 9, 2026, a consignment of weapons dropped by drone from Pakistani Punjab was recovered from a forward area near the International Border (IB) in Ghagwal area of ​​Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The cache included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds and a grenade. A packet wrapped in yellow tape was found on a stream bank and was later opened with the help of a bomb disposal squad. The incident highlighted Samba’s continued sensitivity to cross-border drone activity and the increasing use of unmanned air routes for arms smuggling.

This pattern was not limited to any one incident. On March 10, security forces launched a fresh search operation after receiving information about movement of suspicious drones during the intervening night of March 9 and 10 in areas along the International Border in Samba district. Officials said the suspected drone came from Pakistan, prompting a coordinated operation by the police and Border Security Force (BSF) to check the possible airstrike carrying weapons or narcotics. Overall, these recurring incidents underline the evolving nature of cross-border tactics, with drones emerging as a preferred mechanism to maintain terrorist logistics, narcotics smuggling and arms supply networks without the need for direct physical infiltration across the border.

Samba District directly borders Shakargarh Tehsil in Narowal District of Pakistan and parts of Sialkot District in Punjab Province, including the Zafarwal, Chak Amru and Pasrur belts, which have historically been included in anti-infiltration assessments. The area is part of the strategically sensitive “Shakargarh Bulge”, a stretch of Pakistani territory between the Ravi and Chenab rivers that has remained militarily important since the 1965 and 1971 wars. The geography on both sides of the international border is marked by dense vegetation, river courses, farming belts and seasonal streams, making monitoring extremely challenging. On the Indian side, villages like Supwal remain particularly vulnerable as infiltrators who manage to cross the border can quickly reach National Highway 1A and move deeper into the interior.

It was through this wide infiltration zone that, on the morning of 14 May 2002, three heavily armed terrorists infiltrated from Pakistan. After targeting a civilian bus, the attackers entered the Indian Army’s family residential quarters inside the Kaluchak military camp, killing 31 people, including soldiers, women and children. As an eyewitness to the attack and its aftermath, I remember that when the bodies of the terrorists were searched, pink-coloured cinema tickets from the nearby Pakistani city of Sialkot, which is internationally known for its sporting goods industry, were reportedly found in their pockets. The description stayed with me because it provided a chilling reminder of the immediacy and closeness of the cross-border infiltration route.

It becomes important to remember these facts after a year Operation SindoorThe larger strategic reality remains unchanged: India and Pakistan are far from any meaningful dialogue process, while the infrastructure of cross-border terrorism exists. At a time when Pakistani diplomacy has gained steam as it has tried to mediate talks between Iran and America, the ground reality has come to the fore. Dropping of weapons through drones, presence of launch pads across the Line of Control (LOC) and infiltration attempts remain permanent features of the conflict scenario. This is compounded by the fact that on January 13, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said that at least six terrorist camps were active across the Line of Control and two across the International Border, and estimated that 100–150 terrorists were present in these facilities. he repeated this Operation Sindoor The campaign against cross border terrorism will continue.

As in the past, any major terrorist attack is likely to rapidly escalate tensions between India and Pakistan. And Jammu and Kashmir remains the most unsafe. The geography of the region, its complex demography and the deeply embedded nature of insurgency make it unrealistic to assume that the threat can simply disappear.

Recent operations within the region further underline the persistence of the physical terrorist infrastructure. On 6 April, Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative Usman alias Khubaib was arrested in Srinagar district. A day later, Pakistani terrorist Abdullah along with four more Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives including Mohammad Naqib Bhat, Adil Rashid Bhat and Ghulam Mohammad Mir were captured. The operation, which began on March 3, involved coordinated searches at 19 locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Haryana with the cooperation of central agencies and police units from several states.

The current standoff with Pakistan does not mean strategic and tactical helplessness. While quantitative metrics and violence statistics are important in assessing the security landscape, they can sometimes obscure uncomfortable realities that are inadequately addressed. The Baisaran attack exposed such weaknesses. Located about 220 kilometers from the Line of Control, the site of the attack raised tough questions internationally as to how Pakistan-backed terrorists were able to strike so deep into the hinterland with such ease.

At another level, the incident also exposed the consequences of fragmented institutional coordination under the dual power structure of Jammu and Kashmir. The tourist facility was opened by the Tourism Department functioning under the elected Union Territory Administration, while security clearance and law-and-order responsibilities remained under the police and security apparatus reporting to the Lieutenant Governor. The apparent absence of seamless coordination between these parallel centers of power appeared to create serious gaps in security assessment and preparedness. As a result, civilians were exposed in an area where adequate protective deployments were absent despite the existing threat environment and extensive history of terrorist activity in the area.

Rather than confronting this emerging reality with candor, the political narrative in recent years has often leaned heavily on claims of “normalcy.” The claim that the abrogation of Article 370 has fundamentally changed the security situation risks creating dangerous complacency. It also undermines decades of painstaking institutional efforts by the armed forces and local police networks, which together shaped the counter-terrorism architecture in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the reality is far more complex. In Jammu and Kashmir, it is often difficult to clearly separate local initiatives from plans conceived and supported across the border. Insurgent operations often unfold through interactions between external direction and local facilitation, making nuanced intelligence indispensable.

The recent investigation of the Red Fort-related terror module, though in its implication linked to national and Pakistan-backed networks, has once again demonstrated the decisive importance of local intelligence gathering. In this case, the estranged girlfriend of one of the accused reportedly provided the initial clue that helped investigators move quickly and unearth the network.

The problem is not just one of rhetoric. Countering terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has always depended on local intelligence and trust-based partnerships with communities. In areas like the Pir Panjal region, cooperation between the local population and security forces once played a vital role in disrupting LeT networks and terrorist movement routes in the Kashmir Valley. For a period, these corridors were transformed from militant transit zones into spaces of flexibility. But trust is a perishable thing. Once weakened it becomes exceptionally difficult to rebuild. A more grounded and sustainable strategy must therefore return to fundamentals. Technology and militarized responses may contain dangers, but they cannot be a substitute for community trust, institutional sensitivity, and sustained local engagement.

The current governance structure in the Union Territory also presents its own complexities. With law and order directly under the administration of the Lieutenant Governor, concerns have repeatedly arisen that local input and institutional knowledge are not always adequately incorporated into policy making. The realities of Jammu and Kashmir are too layered and complex for a highly centralized approach. The institutional memory accumulated over decades by local stakeholders, police officers and field activists cannot be easily replicated through top-down administrative control.

A credible assessment of the situation requires acknowledging that terrorism remains an enduring challenge in Jammu and Kashmir rather than treating every decline in violence as evidence of a permanent solution. Meaningful analysis should be based on recent and emerging trends, not comparisons with the peak violence of the 1990s or 2000s.

Ultimately, the most authentic and strategically valuable counterterrorism strategies emerge not from official narratives alone, but from the lived experiences of people on the ground. Lasting peace cannot be built through rhetorical posturing or carefully managed optics. It requires humility, analytical rigor, and a willingness to hear difficult truths.

India’s long-term credibility domestically and internationally will depend not only on asserting the existence of cross-border terrorism but also on demonstrating a sophisticated, grounded and fact-based understanding of the realities of the region. In a politically and socially complex region like Jammu and Kashmir, security is not just about force projection; It is equally about trust, inclusion and institutional sensitivity.

At a time when the global war on terrorism has increasingly driven narrowly defined geopolitical and strategic interests, India faces the challenge of building a more durable and credible counter-terrorism framework while simultaneously presenting a persuasive case to the international community. This becomes particularly important at a time when Pakistan’s diplomatic relevance has seen a relative increase due to changes in regional equations, its geography adjacent to West Asia and renewed engagement by major powers driven by strategic and security compulsions. In such an environment, India’s case cannot rest solely on official claims or rhetoric. There is a need to demonstrate that the concerns emerging from Jammu and Kashmir are rooted in the realities experienced by local communities.

For this reason, local stakeholders should be placed front and center in both policy making and international outreach. Genuine local voices, including those directly affected by terrorism, extremism and cross-border violence, have legitimacy and authenticity that official state narratives alone often cannot. In this context, restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir assumes significance not only as a political commitment but as a critical national security imperative. A representative political structure with greater local accountability can improve institutional coordination, restore trust between communities, and ensure that realities on the ground are more effectively reflected in governance and security responses.

Statehood would also help blunt the argument, often fueled by separatist and Pakistani narratives, that Jammu and Kashmir is being administered directly by the BJP-led Center without adequate local political agency, thereby contributing to alienation and discontent. In a sensitive conflict zone like Jammu and Kashmir, it is difficult to maintain sustainable stability in the absence of meaningful political participation and responsive local institutions.

Ultimately, the most effective and deterrent counterterrorism strategy may come from the ground. Local partnerships, credible human intelligence networks and responsive political institutions are essential not only to detect and disrupt extremist ecosystems before they escalate into violence, but also to project credibility internationally. A counter-terrorism framework rooted in local realities sends the strongest possible signal globally that the fight against terrorism is not simply a state narrative, but is based on the experiences, aspirations and security concerns of those directly affected by it.

(The author has written two books on Jammu and Kashmir, including The Open Face of Extremism and Across the Line of Control).