FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 DAILY EXCELSIOR, daily Excelsior Established 1965 Will elections change ? Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra Harsha Kakar governance. tatives, BJP workers and securi- state receiving maximum central would be implications. Develop- make these groups powerful To ally misgivings within the ty personnelon leave hoping to funding.Political leaders, Pak- mental projects would never enough to counter the anti- rom the ramparts of the population he added, 'I think we enhance fear within the valley. istan's disinformation campaign change existing beliefs and anti- national voice. LG takes stock of Red Fort on 15th August, need patience. We have got the Overall, the valley is witness- and Imams have been warning India narrative would continue to The media in the valley, FPM Modi announced that institutional architecture in place ing a positive change. the public that the government flow. unlike the rest of the country, elections would be held in Kash- and we are moving ahead step by Security concerns have seeks to bring about demograph- If this narrative must change, apart from being homogeneous, mir once delimitation is com- H&ME sector step.' Subrahmanyam also said always dominated Kashmir pol- ic change, pushing its current then there are actions which must has for decades faced the wrath plete. Would elections integrate that 2,273 infrastructure projects icy. Hence, security forces, led population into minority. These be undertaken. Most important of terrorism and learnt to sur- ealth and Medical Education Department has its Kashmir deeper into the main- worth Rs 5,979 crores, which had by the army remain the most vis- fake inputs need to be countered amongst these is to create pro- vive. They remain under the stream? The reality remains that own special importance all the time and under all been pending for the last 5-10 ible element in the region. They When questioned on devel- India groups within the region, influence of politicians, who,for circumstances which hardly needs to be speci- unless the Government targets years were sanctioned and 506 act as the interface between the opments post abrogation of arti- which should rise as a challenge H the centre of gravity in the val- generations, have ruled the state fied. While we avail of the various facilities from avail- completed. He also described public and administration, which cle 370, residents would state to anti-national groups. The sec- like fiefdoms. Hence, their pro- ley, mindsets will not change, efforts to bring good governance on account of terrorism, rarely that nothing has changed on the ond is to influence local media to able Government hospitals, we as ordinary citizens, find and complete integration is not jection is biased. There are means that services and facilities provided were inadequate and development to the region as moves beyond their comfort ground.On the contrary, they project reality on ongoing devel- available to change media out- possible. 'work in progress.' The govern- region. This permits terrorists, would claim they are being dif- opmental projects and benefits and at times quite poor. The fault , however, lies some- Post the revocation of article look, within the gambit of ment announced creation of over ground sympathizers and ferentiated by the centre, the state accruing from amalgamating the democracy, and should be con- where else besides to some extent in individual hospital 370, Amit Shah stated at a rally, 10,000 jobs, recruitment for venom spitting Wahabi preach- been downgraded to a Union Ter- region with the union. The third 'To eradicate terrorism from J&K sidered. managements. We feel the biggest problem encoun- which has yet to commence, as ers, larger space. This needs to ritory and denied 4G network is to ensure governance at grass- Panchayats which were elect- tered by these hospitals is the inadequate staff strength and protect Kashmir, the Prime also opening 50 colleges. change. connectivity. root levels reclaims its space and Minister has taken a huge step by ed two years ago, need to be sup- commensurate with the rush of the OPD patients and The government has initiat- visibility within the local popu- ported. The fact that they are revoking Article 370.' He added, ed democracy at grassroots level lace, pushing terrorist sympa- those who were admitted for treatment of various ail- 'I would like to assure you the being targeted by terrorists by conducting panchayat elec- Panchayats which were elected two years ago, thizers, political party opera- implies that success at grassroot ments. Is there a mechanism in place to keep reviewing removal of (Articles) 370 and 35 tions and hopes to complete the tives, all of whom dominated the level democracy is irking terror- the scenario of problems faced by these hospitals so (A) has paved the way for Kash- need to be supported. The fact that they are process for the balance 12,600 vacuum and influenced local ist masterminds. Local gover- that remedial action could be taken in time? Are these mir's development.' It appeared vacant posts, once the COVID being targeted by terrorists implies that success minds, into the background. nance had been almost invisible hospitals, especially at district levels, having specialist the twin reasons for changing the situation improves. The invest- Pro-India groups can be cre- in the state throughout high lev- Doctors to attend to serious cases of surgeries and status of Kashmir were improv- ment summit has been pushed to at grassroot level democracy is irking terrorist ated by involving the mass of els of terrorism. This needs to ing the security environment and next financial year. The Power army, police and CAPF veterans change. The more visible the treatment? This assumes more importance looking to ushering in development. masterminds. Local governance had been the all-round disturbances created by the COVID-19 Ministry announced that 33 sub- spread across the valley. They governance, the lesser is the Speaking to the media last stations and 745 new distribution almost invisible in the state throughout high have witnessed the anguish of space available to terrorist sym- pandemic, in tackling which undoubtedly the medical week, J and K Chief Secretary, terminals have been built in the terrorism, seen development pathizers who influence local staff at all levels, has contributed a lot even at person- BVR Subrahmanyam criticising past year. More projects are in levels of terrorism. This needs to change. The across the country and under- narratives. al risks. Are inoperative and defective machines, equip- earlier governments', mentioned progress. more visible the governance, the lesser is the stand the importance of national Close interaction between ment and other accessories being repaired or replaced that J&K was a 'broken state' The security situation has unity and integration. Member- local administration, positive without any 'proper system' in time so that the patients did not suffer. What arrange- improved in every respect. Ter- space available to terrorist sympathizers who ship should be voluntary, sup- media and pro-India groups where frauds were committed by rorism is down, infiltration has ported by the state and these would together target the centre ment was there in vogue to take stock of, replenish, leaders of mainstream parties influence local narratives. of gravity of the region, public improve and add to the existing infrastructure in these reduced, stone pelting, a sign of organized based on regions. and separatist organisations. He public anger against the centre, Others who have understood opinion, change mindset and hospitals? Last but not the least, is a grievances added that 'not a single soul had has witnessed a drop, local The public hasover time, The reality why the Kash- Pakistani and anti-national agen- enhance integration. It would redressing system , at least in city and district hospitals, cried' over the detention of polit- recruitment is low, and informa- been convinced that the region is miri's remains dissatisfied is cies game to keep the valley project the right belief that the nation desires Kashmir's devel- available and operating and who conducted the period- ical and separatist leaders and tion of terrorist presence is flow- disputed,and they are entitled to because the Government has under terrorism and deny devel- opment,is working towards it ic audit of complaints received and disposed of the that the 'common man is not ing, leading to clean operations an independent state, an issue effectively not addressed the opment, should join. These bothered about article 370, what and can only succeed with coop- same in a time bound manner. with little collateral damage. which no one has bothered to centre of gravity in Kashmir, should be empowered to be the eration from the local public.This they expect is jobs, growth and Success of security forces has contest. Rumours are abounding which is 'public opinion.' Nor has voice of the public in interacting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha took an initiative development.' Local political will change Kashmir not elec- within a few days of his taking over in arranging a pushed terrorists onto the defen- that on account of religious eth- it aimed to create a counter to with local governance and secu- tions nor completion of develop- parties denounced his statement sive. They are compelled to nicity the region has never been those ranting an anti-India narra- rity agencies. The army, which is review of the department in a meeting which was however, none contested his ment projects. change tactics and seek soft tar- accorded priority in develop- tive in the region. Unless it the current face, should recede The author is Major General (Retd) attended by the concerned authorities. Perhaps, having claims on corruption and mis- gets, including elected represen- ment by Delhi. This, despite the addresses these twopillars, there into the background. This would got some feedback about the problems or issues con- [email protected] fronting the hospitals and the resultant inconvenience faced by the OPD and indoor patients, he directed the concerned authorities to make adequate medical facili- Corona fear and power of positivity ties available at these hospitals. However, with it emerge basic issues which have either been addressed Dr A S Bhatia debris were scattered across Nullabor and east- ration of immune system there by exposing the more positive than young people. In my person- in halves and pieces or in an unplanned way and that ern goldfields. The fear psychosis was high at that person to more fulminant outcome of the infec- al view the older have seen many ups and down he worst impact of Corona pandemic is time. These two were among many social and tion. So, instead of compulsive checking about in their life and have more tendencies to laugh is about not filling up vacancies of the posts of not the number of fatalities it has caused Doctors, specialist Doctors and para medical staff. This political disturbances I had seen as a growing pandemic on internet and watching TV Talk their way back to life. Tall over the world, but the most important child , and the impact is still there in my subcon- shows about corona scare, people should listen to Many studies, during past decade all over the is one of the biggest obstacles in providing satisfacto- is the havoc caused by the corona fear psychosis scious mind. As I grew older, I witnessed many positive news. There are hundreds of patients world have shown that a positive attitude can ry and prompt medical attention to the patients followed on the mental health of the inhabitants of this world crisis, including emergence of militancy in above ninety years of age who have recovered improve your immune system and may help you only by inadequate space and equipments like dialysis planet. Never ever in my life during past about Punjab, the genocide of in Delhi in 1984 from the disease, only because of their positive live longer. This has led to the emergence of a machine , X-Ray , CT Scan machines etc getting at fifty years, I have witnessed such type of fear psy- and surge of terrorism in Kashmir, , mass exo- attitude. A 95 years old War - Veteran, William new science called, "Psychoneuroimmunology" chosis among people. I was a child of about five times abruptly inoperative without immediate repairs dus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir in 1990s. Kelly of world war II and who was also an wit- which shows how our thoughts and feelings (Psy- years, when the Indo -Pak war of 1971 was fought Now once again in 2020, the corona pandemic ness to the Great Depression of1930, has fought che) influences our brain and nervous system and replacements . The system of maintaining proper in the chilling month of December 1971, which inventories both of the medical equipments and medi- has succeeded in creating the fear psychosis successfully with Corona virus. Kelly attributed which modulates the body's disease fighting lasted for thirteen days and it shook the subcon- among people across the Globe. The worst impact his recovery to his family that was the biggest capacity. In sacred Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna cines as asked for by the Lieutenant Governor and his tinent. The fear of war faced during my early of the corona fear is a that it has torn the very support in his fight against the infamous virus. said, "Whatever happened, happened for the insistence on strengthening of the monitoring system is childhood still haunts my memories. The social fabrics of Human relations. People are not Then there is another 100 years old man from Good. Whatever is happening, is happening for a welcome step . Updating of such an information on announcements of "Black Outs" from All India allowing the funeral to take place in the area of Wuhan who celebrated centenary and conquered the the Good. Whatever will happen, will also official website regularly should also be done through Radio,( Aakashwani- the voice from the sky), a person died of corona. Doctors are being trolled, the corona virus in the same year. Another Ital- happen for the Good." If we let negative thoughts other modes of conveying the same to the visiting which all our family members used to listen in haunted and evicted from their houses. Children lian woman Italicca- Grandone, 102 years old sur- take our mind we will feel unhappy, insecure, the backdrop of the breathless deadly silence of patients as most of the people do not access or have are not accepting the dead bodies of their parents. vived the corona virus after being admitted in the depressed and miserable. Instead as preached by midnight. My mother used to paste darkpaper on I was ashamed to read a news whereby a Mother hospital. Surprisingly, she had also suffered from, Lord Krishna, we must feed our mind with posi- means to have required information from the website. the windowpanes of our one room accommoda- We have been, through these columns, stressing was not allowed inside the house by her son and "Spanish Flu" at a very young age in 1918, thus tive thoughts. Our mind is under our control, so tion at Bakshi Nagar. The picture of my father, an daughter in law, suspecting her to carry corona becoming one of the very few patients through- be a master of your mind. upon the need to take into account the needs of the peo- engineer by profession digging deep pits (called virus. The poor hapless women spent the whole out the world to have survived the two pandemics Its better to be aware of the latest, but the ple in respect of healthcare in rural areas and that, Morcha, then) in the lawn of house and literally night in front of the door of his home, she must of the recent history. The list of such people is unnecessary fear may disturb your psyche which Doctors must serve such areas at least once in the dragging me and my elder brother to that deep pit have constructed with great dreams along with endless, but the most common characteristic may lead to deterioration of your immune sys- career for a minimum period of three years and not on hearing the thundering sounds of fighter her late husband. All these unfortunate events among all these people is their desire to live and tem. Be very intelligent in safeguarding yourself 'manage' to remain attached to city hospitals while in planes in the sky, that fear still sends a shivering revealed the extent to which the fear of corona their positive attitude towards life. None of them and your family by following the guidelines wave down my spine. fact shown in official records as posted in rural areas. pandemic has percolated into the psyche of the was witnessing scary TV talk shows, none was issued by government agencies, wear masks, The next fear I witnessed was the fear of "SKY people. searching internet to get the latest about sign and keep social distancing and be optimistic, as Mirza The Lt. Governor has addressed this issue by directing LAB" in July 1979. The NASA's first space sta- arranging of additional incentives to them while post- As a result of this fear psychosis most of the symptoms and most important the fear psychosis Ghalib said; tion which had become defunct after completing tech savvy people have driven to look for exces- component was absent. According to Dr Ishany Bure Waqt Zara Adab se ed in rural areas. It is heartening to observe , at the its mission was falling towards the Blue Planet. sive information about corona symptoms on the Raj, a psychologist at MLN hospital New Delhi, Pesh Aa, Kyonkee Waqt same time, that an undeclared moratorium on recruit- It was widely rumoured to fall over India These internet which has led to the emergence of new "Anxiety, at times is good because it pushes us to Nahin Lagata Waqt ment and filling up of vacancies of Doctors, nurses and rumors created panic all over India. People used disease, now labeled by many psychiatrist all over deal with potential emergency but, at the same Badalane Mein. to walk in streets with their heads tilted towards other health workers appears to have been lifted. He the world has "Cyberchondria," which is present- time, too much anxiety is overwhelming and can (The author is Vice President Indian Academy of Biomedical sky and their eyes scanning the sky deep to find directed for recruitment of Cardiologists, Radiologists ed as high blood pressure, stress, anxiety, cause more problems than the objective fear." Sciences, India and Professor and Head Department of out the falling space station. The sky lab crashed and other specialists in district hospitals . We welcome headaches and insomnia. And the bitter truth is One thing which I have noticed personally in Biochemistry, Government Medical College Jammu.) across western Australia's south east coast, the such a much required decisions taken to tide over the all these stress factors ultimately lead to deterio- this pandemic is that older people are seen to be [email protected] prevailing situation in most of the hospitals . Only with implementation of these directives , especially the ones Travesty of glorious Independence which are target oriented , into actual actions could the system of patients' care be ensured in a better way to a larger extent. The other problem faced by the critical patients is about the difficulties faced by them in respect Countdown to Platinum Jubilee of dialysis facilities not available at all hospitals especial- ly at district levels. It is again a welcome step for decid- Col J P Singh tive of both the contrasting ror and flames. In Northern India homeless in Calcutta within 72 was adamant. Thus, India tion of Article 370). (vii) Inter- ing and instructions given about all district hospitals to events, happening simultaneous- the brunt of the partition was hours. This violence sparked off became free at the stroke of mid- nally displaced persons also con- ast century as a whole was ly, be put on the table and com- borne by Punjab. Trains and Con- further religious riots causing night, on August 14, 1947. It was tinue to suffer and the plight of have dialysis facilities. The hospitals needed to vastly the bloodiest century of piled for the posterity. voys of corpses came from the more deaths and destruction. a unique and an onerous those living on the LoC needs no improve upon the cleanliness , hygienic and sanitiza- Lthe recorded history in Reports of proposed partition areas which became part of Pak- While this was happening, those moments in history of India. Pt. description. (viii) Partition tion conditions and enforce strictly the entire ambiance which both the World Wars were of the country into Hindu India istan. Sikhs retaliated by attack- who were to ensure their safety Nehru became the first Prime colours Kashmir politics. Kash- been kept quite neat and clean even if it amounted to fought killing hundreds of thou- and Muslim Pakistan sparked off ing trains and convoys carrying and security were making elo- Minister of free India. In an emo- mir imbroglio is the legacy of sands, also causing territorial strictly enforcing fuller cooperation from the visiting communal riots all over. Riots Muslim refugees. In one case a quent speeches in Delhi drawing tionally charged atmosphere, Pt partition. Youth of Kashmir need divisions and partitions altering patients and their attendants. first broke out in Calcutta a year train crossing over to Pakistan applauses from foreign rulers. Nehru said, "A moment comes, to be apprised of it. map of the world many times, all before the partition and within carried corpses with the writing while some rejoiced, far too which comes but rarely in histo- It is therfore necessary to col- events leading to violence and months the death toll rose to thou- on the engine 'Gift to Pakistan'. In many suffered and perished and ry, when we step out from the old lect public amnesia around great- -Taggar-Bani Road immence ethnic cleansing. sands. Muslims blamed Hindus another incident Muslim mobs those who lived, for them inde- to the new, when an age ends and est upheaval of sub-continental Unfortunate division of India and for starting the killings whereas attacked Sheikhupura and pendence was a doom and when the soul of a nation, long heritage to commemorate it dur- 10 kilometre long stretch of road passing unsavoury transfer of population Hindus blamed Muslims. The Gujranwala. Pakistan army and gloom. Luckily J&K was not suppressed, finds utterance. We ing the platinum jubilee celebra- through dense forests of Billawar and Bani has that accompanied the partition, fact is that both sides had their police took part in the attack. directly hit by communal riots end today a period of ill fortune tions in 2021 at the Red Fort. been left out as it is, by the agencies working are the epoch making and unfor- A pound of flesh. Both killed, tor- Women veils were taken off, they but the entry of thousands of and India discovers herself Even before the bloodshed of the on the road project of Billawar - Taggar - Bani. gettable events of the century. We tured, raped, looted and commit- were stripped and marched down beleaguered immigrants from again". havoc of partition had gone dry, Strangely enough the work on this road is going on for have been carrying this this bag- ted crimes aginst the other. crowded streets to be raped in the the West enraged the onlookers The unpleasent story of par- gage far too long. Thus let there Pakistan, driven by its ideology nearly three decades. The road, otherwise, is incom- Everyone felt that his neighbor's market place. Some gentle- thus giving rise to sporadic inci- titon has the following take of two nation theory, spilled be no other war, division or par- hand was at his throat. From Cal- women eluded their would be dences of violence. Therafter the aways:- (i) Simultaneous show plete and a population of nearly sixty thousand people tition in the 21st century. That, if more blood in the Valley by is subjected to undergo great difficulties. It is a strate- cutta, the riots spread to East, ravishers by killing themselves. attrocities engineered by Pak of compassion of 'hate and love', attacking Kashmir on 22 October happens, may be more painful North and West. In East Bengal To save their honor, women invaders on innocent Kashmiris 'kill and save' and 'pardon and gic road connected with Billawar sub-division provid- 1947. Tell tale marks of loot, than the last one. and Muslims killed killed own children and jumped was a also the dark secrets of the revenge' was distinct. (ii) ing direct link to Dhar Road leading to Northern When the nation is at the plunder, killings, rape and terror Hindus, in Bihar Hindus killed into the wells piling over each partition. Tremendous sense of belonging are still visible on the psyche of Command Headquarters in from Pathankot threshold of all times grand 'Plat- Muslims. In Punjab and NWFPs, other. None remained alive in At the conclusion of World to a village community and at the elderly Kashmiris. And for those side and the other from Basholi- Bani- Bahadarwah - inum Jubilee of Indian Indepen- Muslims and Hindus who had some villages after which Sikhs War II, British Labour Party same time fear of being killed by dence' celebration, a unique and who have redeemed their pledges Doda Defence road side. lived peacefully for centuries became Muslims' blood thirsty. came to power. Prime Minister the neighbor lurked in every for ever, lest we forget, let us ded- onerous moment, once in millen- became each-others prey. Hindus Pak soldiers, who were to Clement Attlee led Labour Party mind. (iii) Urge to persue Mus- Not only this, the new Bani and Jammu winter road nium event for India, the meories icate '75th Independence Day' to link via Billawar was going to save a distance of 53 fled towards East in the areas escort the refugees going to was largely sympathetic towards lims/Hindus not to migrate and at the martyrs such as Maqbool of freedom struggle and the par- dominated by Hindus whereas Lahore from Amritsar in trucks, Indian freedom. A Cabinet Mis- the same time there was greed to Sherwani and Brig Rajinder kms. Remotest areas of district very often titon which accompanied inde- Muslims fled to the West where looted and bayoneted them sion was sent to India in March grab their vacated properties also Singh as Remembrance Day.To remain neglected in the basic areas of road connectiv- pendence must be compiled as Muslims were in majority. They enroute. Pakistani magistrates 1946, which after a careful study lurked. (iv) Amongst the killers commemorate legacy of the par- ity and it is strange that two to three decades even are 'independence memorabilia' travelled on foot, on bullock- and police inspectors became of the Indian political scenario, there were saviour. (v) Those tition, the govt of J&K UTshould before the celebrations begins for carts, crammed in lorries, in the millionaire overnight. Muslim proposed the formation of an who survived, their struggle did not found sufficient enough to complete the Bani- create a 'Memoir of Partition' in next year's independence day to trains clinging to the sides and League, which had accepted interim Government. It was led not end. It took years for them to Taggar road . Who cares as with the completion of the enable posterity to know how Srinagar. It should portray diver- road, new vistas of tourism potential could successful- roofs. At crossroads & railway Cabinet Mission plan of transfer by Pt. Nehru. However, the Mus- find their bearings and settle led a 'Jan stations they met panicky swarms of power, withdrew and lim League didn't join the inter- down at one place. (vi) What is gent facets of the great upheaval ly open up like in Chew, Deri Galla, Khundar etc. Large Andolan' compelling mighty of humanity fleeing to safety in announced a general strike on 16 im Govt and pressed for the sep- exemplary is that many never that accompanied the creation of beautiful meadows with lush green Deodar trees dot British to quit India and how they the opposite direction. The riots August 1946, terming it as arate state of Pakistan. Lord complained about their miseries Pakistan alongwith the killings, these areas but because of no road connectivity they partitoned India as part of their became a rout. By the summer of 'Direct Action Day', to assert its Mountbatten, the Viceroy of and were thankful to their new loot, arson and rape perpetrated game plan to control strategic continue to remain unexplored and not developed as 1947 when the formation of new demand for a separate Muslim India, presented a plan for the nation for having given them by Pakistani invaders on the peo- Northwestern areas of the divid- nations was formally announced, State. The protest triggered mas- division of India into India and shelter despite indignities. ple of Kashmir to annex it mili- tourist destinations. There must surely be certain hand- ed India. But to my mind, the glo- tarily and the way state forces icaps and problems encountered somewhere in the around one Crore people were in sive riots in Calcutta. More than Pakistan, and the Indian leaders (Refugees of West Pakistan have ry of monumental independence flight. By the time partition mate- 4000 people lost their lives and had no choice but to accept the just been honourably settled in stalled their nefarious designs. construction of this vital road link which must be looked lies in everlasting painful story of rialised, India was up in arms, ter- more than 1 Lakh were left division because Muslim League J&K last year after the abroga- [email protected] into and addressed as sufficient time has already been partition. Hence historic perspec- spent on the said road project. (The views expressed by the authors are their personal)