The mountainous state of Jammu and Kashmir in northern India is known for its picturesque valleys, lush pastures and sparkling lakes. Among these, the semi-nomadic Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes move with their livestock of cows, goats and sheep, migrating to hilly meadows in the summer and descending to the plains in the harsh winter months.
The community makes its living by selling milk, but often surplus produce would become stale and have to be discarded. In order to avoid wastage, the farmers began making an indigenous cheese called kalari, also known as “maish krej” or “milk chapatti”.
Naturally ripened in the sun, kalari is usually made from full-fat cow or buffalo milk, courtesy of herds that feed on virgin mountain grass and untreated herbs.
“The kalari style of cheese-making is known as a stretched curd cheese process. Fresh curds are cooked in hot whey or water to create the stretchy texture and a product that has a longer shelf life,” explains Aditya Raghavan, a physicist-turned-cheese consultant from Bengaluru.
“There are plenty of stretched curd cheeses across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which vary in size, texture and taste, based on the type of milk used and other factors. Like kalari, many of these cheeses are rare pastoral products. The stretched cheese technique has survived thanks to word of mouth, and knowledge was most likely exchanged through centuries of trading by pastoral tribes across Central Asia.”
Kalari, which can range from mild and moist to sour and tangy, depending on its age, is a popular street food dish in Jammu and Kashmir. Sometimes fungus grows on the cheese, imparting it with a unique flavour. It is usually pan-fried on a tawa until golden brown, cooking in its own fat, and then served with chilli powder and chutney. Sometimes it is rolled into flatbread kulcha, and served with chopped vegetables, spices and walnut chutney.
“My husband’s grandmother used to make a special breakfast dish with kalari, adding just a little salt and minimum spices,” says Marryam H Reshii, a food critic and writer from Kashmir.
Thanks to its chewy, stringy texture, kalari is called the mozzarella of India by in-the-know consumers. Outside of Jammu and Kashmir, however, this is a rather small group.
Gouda, cheddar, mozzarella, feta. Indian supermarkets are primarily replete with cheeses from the West. Even until a few years ago, it was nearly impossible to find an indigenous cheese on shelves in most parts of the country. That looks set to change as cheesemongers and connoisseurs alike are striving to put the focus on kalari.
When Dutchman Chris Zandee visited Kashmir in 2006, and saw artisans from the local Gujjar and Bakarwal community making kalari, he became determined to make it sustainable and rewarding for the herders, who often lost out on their profit to middlemen.
In 2007, Zandee set up the Himalayan Cheese factory in a rustic cottage in a tiny but lush mountainous village of Pahalgam. The factory currently purchases its milk from up to 100 households dotted around different villages.
Factory manager Gulzar Ahmed tells The National: “We work with Gujjars and Kashmiri farmers, as well as seeking to empower local women. In summer, they make the cheese from cow milk, whereas in the winter, it’s a mix of cow and buffalo milk.
“We pack and freeze the kalari after making it, unlike shepherds who make it to utilise leftover milk and usually sun-dry it. It is then shipped across India to restaurants, hotels and cheese lovers.”
One such cheese enthusiast is Shubham Sharma, a Kashmiri engineer who wanted to introduce more people to the cheese from his home town, as well as encourage its use in more dishes. Alongside two of his childhood friends, Sharma launched a cafe called The Kalari Factory in 2020, in Udhampur, Jammu.
Although the cheese was available in roadside eateries, Sharma reckons no other restaurant or cafe ever offered kalari on its menu before them, even in its home state. “Kalari has become the generic name for cheese in our state. Every region has its unique offering that differs in process and taste. The Kalari cheese from my home town of Udhampur, is the oldest and most popular one.
“All it requires is a little salt, and it can be pan-fried and eaten just like that. We also use it in more than 50 dishes, including pizzas, burgers, momos, sandwiches and wraps.” The Kalari Factory turned out to be such a big hit that the trio opened their second outlet in Jammu city in 2021, and are planning to expand in the coming months.
Though retails shops are still wary of indigenous cheeses, five-star hotels and restaurants are providing a market for it. Many self-help groups in Jammu, too, help market the cheese under the brand name Himalayan Bliss.
Mansi Jasani, a cheesemonger from Mumbai and founder of the artisanal Cheese Collective says: “While kalari was traditionally only consumed in the area it was made in, it is now rising in popularity thanks to the bloggers and chefs making, using and selling it.
“Kalari is truly an Indian cheese, and I am glad it is getting inspiring the pride and love it deserves.”
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
More coverage from the Future Forum
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
DUBAI CARNIVAL RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Dubai Future, Harry Bentley (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner Dubai Love, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Equilateral, James Doyle, Charles Hills.
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
Winner Laser Show, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Glorious Journey, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
All Black 39-12 British & Irish Lions
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
