MEDIA TIMES

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म त U N IR IV M ER H SITY OF KAS MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE UNIVERSITY OF

JOURNALISS No.0975/6647 Vol: 27 No 1 MEDIA TIMES  DECEMBER 2017 MEDIA TIMES DECEMBER 2017

06 | Wular Lake: A Heritage Lost 90 | Football In Kashmir–Marching Wajahat Shabir Ahead Silently 08 | Bhand Pather: A Lost Heritage Waseem Ahmad Munawar Hussain 92 | Replicating Emotions 10 | Trip To Ladakh Yawar Shafi Ali Mohammad 94 | Representation Of Aniconism 12 | Spirituality And Material Comforts In Islamic Art Syed Humaira Mujeeb Ul Feroz 14 | Carbon Imprint And Ladakh 95 | Crossing High Hurdles For A Free Zakir Hussain Run On The Rugby Field 16 | Untapped Sajida Yousuf Hayat Manan 97 | Silent Lips And Their Unsaid Words 18 | A Forgotten Legacy “Tilven Waan” Shaheen Shafique Useeba Bashir 98| Coaching Centres: The New Age 20 | Kashmir’s Famed Heritage In Scammers Floating Water Pirzada Shakir Nausheen Naseer 100 | Regressive Dogma And Stereotypes 22 | Trash Turns Treasure Still Plaguing Common Values Imran Ali Buth Bint Ul Huda 23 | Conservation Of Environment 101 | Bus Conductor Defies His Ego To Be In J&K Known As Dr Bhatt Madhiya Nabi Ayadullah Dar 25 | Aliens In Its Owned City 103 | Kwff: Reviving Film Culture Iqra Akhoon In Valley 26 | Book Stores In Kashmir Idrees Bukhtiyar Arif Nazir 105 | Natural Climates In J&K; Causes And 28 | Wetland Turns Into Wasteland CONTENTS Mitigation Adil Amin Shahjhan Mughal 30 | More Than Just A Place To Pray 107 | Innovation And Sculpturing Mu’azzam Bhat 57 | Budshah Tomb: A Loosing Heritage 74 | Walnuts:the Glory Of Kashmir Shaheena Raheem Firdous Azad Rahil Hussain 108 | Lonesome Libraries 34 | Burzahom Forsaken 58 | The Unfathomed Valley 76 | The Dying Art Sheikh Adnan Ikhlaq ul Rehman Kaiser Majeed 110 | Saving Our Food Culture 36 | Doodhpathri: The Meadow Of Faith Aaqib Hyder 60 | Paradise In Peril 78 | Educating SpeciallyAbled Chidren Peer Furqan Aneesa Khan Junaid Manzoor 112 | The Buffet: Kashmir Towards 38 | A Review Of ‘The Ministry Of Utmost A Challenge 62 | Chari Sharief : A Picture Of Sluggish Saba Khan Mcdonalized Society Happiness By ’ Development B.M Hussain Faila Khan Farooz Ahmad 80 | The Upcoming Face Of Kashmiri 114 | Malls Prove Lucrative 40 | 'Dead Anchar’ 63 | Kashmir In Fiction: A Literature Historiography Muneem Farooq Ubeer Naqushbandi On The Rise Sadia Mir 116 | Old Age And Societal Apathy 42 | Dying The Yarn Tradition On Muhammad Nadeem 82 | Smart Phones-Not So Smart Anymore Hassina Khan The Brink Of Extinction Naveed Wani 118 | The Process Of Traditional 65 | Frames Speak Louder Than Words 83 | Syncretic Symbol Mehvish Mumtaz Syed Shehriyar Dry Cleaning In Kashmir 43 | Travelling In Terror Pardeep Singh Auqib Salam Shahzad Ashiq 67 | Human Capital Flight: Reduced To Zero 85 | Cluster Universities: A Way Forward 119 | Bullying “The Scars Remain Forever” 44 | Bumped Fine Arts Rashid Manzoor Danish Pathan Shabaz Qutub Hirra Azmat 68 | “Schooling Gujjar Community” 86 | Meet Emerging Thang Ta Sensation 121 | Kashmir And Its Beautiful Culture 45 | Repora:village Of Grapes Shabir Ahmad Irfan Tramboo Syed Mohammad Burhan Showkat wani 70 | The Floating Verdure 87 | The Golden Years Of Budshah 123 | Survival Of The Fittest 47 | Farmers Fear And Climate Change Qazi Tanzeela Shah Tawqeer Athar Shah Raja Asim 72 | Namda Machine: An Innovation 88 | The Other Side Of Hijab 124 | The “Metro” Of Kashmir 49 | Empowering Eve Peer Viqar Saba Gul Syed Bilal Tahir Bhat 126 | Crowning Glory: Yunder In Kashmir 50 | Scars Of Sexual Harrasment Qulsoom Musaib Mehraj 3 | Message from VC 4 | From HoD’s Desk 5 | From Editor’s Desk 127 | The Saga Of Verbal Racism 52 | The Exposition Of Language Syed Jesarat Nazima Rashid 129 | Broken Stick 54 | Reading: A Must Abid Rashid Hikmatyar 32 ARMLESS | Cover story ALLROUNDER 130 | Calligraphy In Kashmir 56 | Social Media Breathing Its Last Imran Naikoo Saher Iqbal Mudasir Majeed

Feedback and Patron: he Media Times is a suggestions from the lab journal of Media readers are welcome Prof Khrsheed Andrabi Education Research © MERC 2017 Vice-Chancellor Center, University of Printed and Publisher by: Chief Editor: TKashmir. Its main purpose HoD MERC Faruq Masudi is to provide a platform to for and on behalf of University of Kashmir. Editor: the students and scholars to Muslim Jan hone their writing abilities Further information and to chisel their journalistic Write to: Graphics/Layout: skills. The journal builds Editor, Aga Shahi Media Education Research Centre, necessary confidence in them to take on the future University of Kashmir, Student Editors: -190006 responsibilities as conscious Wajahat Shabir, Munawar Hussain, Adil Amin. e-mail: media practitioners in the [email protected], [email protected] society.

All the contributions are the students/scholars of Mass Communication and Journalism at MERC KU. Opinions, views, reports & essays in this issue do not necessarily represent the views of the faculty of MERC. The author are solely responsible for the facts stated including the source of the information and references. The Editor or the centre is not responsible for any kind of plagiarism.

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MESSAGE

t gives me immense pleasure to learn the Media Education and Research Centre is publishing forthcoming issue of the Imagazine “Media Times 2017”. Modern day societies are undergoing fast and enormous changes and it is important that one keeps himself abreast with latest news, issues and trends taking place around him

The departmental magazine, as such, serves as a medium to communicate to the outside world about different activities being undertaken at the institutional level. It is just about the right time for MERC to celebrate and share its trail of success stories, which are evident in National and International media already. I am hopeful that the present issue of Media Times does reflect the same.

Prof. Khurshid I. Andrabi

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CHIEF EDITOR'S MESSAGE

Once a a family, family, Alwaysalways aa familyfamily

Faruq MasudiMasudi Chief EditorEditor

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EDITOR’S DESK Journalism at Crossroad

niversally, journalism stands for the advocacy of basic human values. These values, interestingly, are similar everywhere, thus the journalism in the east and the journalism in the west should be doing one and the same thing: advocacy. Worldwide, journalism has largely advocated for peace and conflict resolution. While doing so, it has, at times been successful, and at times it had to face Uthe brunt. The point here is that the journalism has got a vital role to play, given the change of guard that has taken place in the United States of America (USA), it has become pivotal for the journalists to maintain that image, where they always remain neutral, present different sides of the issue, and allow the masses to shape up their opinion. Post change of guard in the USA might also stir some behavioural changes in media in the USA, and those changes are simply going to reflect every where in the world. The change can be: journalist abandoning the path of advocacy, and in other words, journalism that always has stood for the advocacy of human values, may start treading a different path. This path may not encourage moderation. This path may not allow the journalist to stay neutral. This path may not allow the scribe to just present different sides of the story. This path may be a path that will encourage the journalists to take sides. Taking sides, and that too when it comes to a journalist taking sides, it surely is a catastrophe—catastrophe for the society and catastrophe for the very basic founding elements of journalism. Taking sides leads to the formation of propaganda machinery. It actually becomes the backbone of the machinery that spreads falsehood and misinformation. Thus, this propaganda is widely used to achieve different gains: political, economical and strategic. Power centres across the world, are trying to have ‘full’ or ‘some’ power over those who are having deep and penetrative eyes on certain things (journalists in this case). Directly or indirectly, these powers want to have control over them, which is alarming. This is dangerous for the free and independent press, as this indicates that the press that once was independent is disseminating the information that suits a particular power centre, and that helps in achieving any political or economic goal. Thus, again, as mentioned, the propaganda machinery comes into the existence. At this crucial, and decisive juncture the responsibilities is on the shoulders of the institutions that are producing a good number of journalists every year. The need of an hour is to inculcate the basic journalistic values in those who are willing to contribute to this field. They are to be taught: how not to compromise on the basic values, and how it is important to stand on the side of the truth. The institutions are duty bound to infuse a sense of deeper understanding and quest to know more among the aspiring scribes, because if the truth is to be brought into the limelight—that’s what the prevailing times are demanding—there has to be a deeper understanding and analytical bent of mind. There is a need that such institutions should make it clear that the outgoing scribes should not become a part of propaganda machinery, the machinery that kills the basic motive of journalism, and shrouds the noble profession with a cloth that turns it into something that’s murky. Let there be undeniable hard facts. Let no sides be taken; let lies and fabrications find no place in the world of journalism.

Muslim Jan

MEDIA TIMES 5 DECEMBER 2017

WULAR IS A HOME TO LARGEST FISH COMMUNITY AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN ADJACENT AREAS, WHOSE LIVELIHOOD IS ENTIRELY DEPENDED ON FISH AND WATER CHESTNUT CATCHING. WULAR LAKE: A HERITAGE LOST

rom the serpentine road along the beneficialness, successive governments rugged mountains overlooking have invariably taken it for granted, north Kashmir’s Bandipora leaving it vulnerable to the potential town, a cursory glance beneath extinction in the coming years. Fappears a beautiful meadow amid patches Over the years it has shrunk drastically of water to every passerby. An illusion from 217.8 square kilometers in 1911 soon vanishes once the sight gets closer. to a mere 50 square kilometers. And in The rampant growth of willows and wild the dry spell it further shrinks. Despite Wajahat Shabir grass is what Asia’s largest fresh water lake, the initiatives, in part of Government Wular looks like now. like ‘Wular development project’ with With every passing Lake which has been recognized of the assistance from Centre government, day we are losing international importance under the chances of its restoration are bleak. Wular, which is our banner of Ramsar site in 1990, and of Apart from encroachment, thousands heritage. national importance as well in 1986 is of willow trees have become threat for the a source of livelihood for a large human lake. “This lake used to give us meaning population living along its fringes. The of life. It is over now,” says Ghulam Qadir sprawling area of the lake is a boon for Reshi, a 70 year old fisherman who has the growth of coniferous forests, alpine grown on the serene waters of this fresh meadows and orchards. Despite its water lake.→

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With deep wrinkles visible on the of earnings.” face of old man when he spreads his Jahangir Ahmed who claims to net to catch fishes, he is not sure what earn his livelihood by selling water lies in store for him. “Gone are the chestnut is angry and says that Water days when we used to catch big fishes. chestnut; Nadru (Lotus stem) is Now we don’t manage to catch any vanishing from Wular. single of them for weeks together.’’ “For us it is a sign of worry as Reminiscing his childhood days, this lake used to generate Nadru in Reshi says his father used to fetch a large quantity. Instead of Nadru and huge catch from the waters of lake. water chestnut we find plastic waste “In the past few decades, we have floating. Jhelum bring filth and waste witnessed drastic degradation of of entire Valley into this lake.’’ Wular. Earlier in my childhood the He raises his hand and moves it lake contained tonnes of fish. Now slowly from left to right and says, look there is only plastic and filth,” he says there used to be obscure water but in a remorseful voice. now it has turned to wet field which From past many years the greed shows no sign of growing Nadru of human has increased. The willow which is famous among masses. He and wicker cultivation over the lake’s said that fertilizers used in the fields swamps is rampant, which is choking aided with sewage from surrounding lake’s inlet channels. “It has not areas have led to eutrophication only damaged flora and fauna of the which causes a dense growth of plant lake, but experts who have worked life in the lake. on Wular believe that Kashmir’s He claims that over the last few hydrological cycle has been hugely decades, this eutrophication has impacted,’’ says Mushtaq Ahmed lead to decrease in fish quantity and who lives close to lake. Nadru in Wular. Mushtaq while puffing a cigarette While, Jahangir prepares for a jerk seems worried. “With every passing with his hands on the net, motion day we are losing Wular, which is goes off the net. “To my misfortune, our heritage. I am witness to the slow catch left. I should wait for some death of this lake which is also habitat more time,” mumbles Jahangir. of many species of birds and fishes.’’ He goes along and says dragon Wular is a home to largest fish net is adding salt to the wounds. community and there are many It is awful acts done by many local people living in adjacent areas, whose people to catch a fish in one go. Many livelihood is entirely depended on people try this approach during the fish and water chestnut catching. breeding season of fish’s which is “It is not only the job of our detrimental to fish population which government, but it is also our is quite unacceptable. They should responsibility to cooperate to make understand for any short cut they are Wular beautiful, attractive and to putting fish at the line of the danger, make source of livelihood to those but also creating hurdle in the way of families who are associated with it many fish catchers that are practicing from many decades,’’ says Ahmad. in old tradition. President Fisher Association Wular, Hydrologists believe that Ghulam Hassan claims that Wular that seepage capacity of Wular used to provide livelihood to one lakh has decreased, so it could not people from fisher community. accommodate surplus discharge of “The condition is deteriorating water in it that inundated summer day by day. In the past fishes from capital. The impact which was seen Wular used to supply across the during 2014 September floods, when Valley and people in huge numbers city was flooded with water. from adjacent areas used to catch The Bombay Natural History fish and earn their livelihood. The Society (BNHS) reports suggest that encroachment and government’s Wular Lake which was once spread apathy has forced many among our across 20,200 hectares, now remains community to look for other means restricted to a mere 2,400 hectares.

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FOUR GENERATIONS: MY FATHER, MYSELF, MY OFFSPRING, AND THEIR PROGENY. WE ALL HAVE RELIGIOUSLY AND PASSIONATELY BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ART FORM, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THE TRUE MEANING OF BHAND PATHER TO POSTERITY.

BHAND PATHER: A LOST HERITAGE

olk theatre is a composite art Kalhan, author of Rajtarangni mentions and since time immemorial it in his book that Kashmir had the rich has been widely used to deliver tradition of arts-music, painting, dance the critical messages with a spice and drama. The book stands witness to Fof entertainment. This kind of an art phenomenal development in fine arts can be regarded as ‘edu-tainment’ in from 8th to 15th century. The fine arts modern nomenclature of fine arts, where received a great impetus during the rule of both education and entertainment are Sultan Zainul-Abideen. With the gradual served synchronously to the audience. evolution the folk theatre in Kashmir It is a fusion of different elements from received its own indigenous name and it music, dance, pantomime, versification, was popularly called as Bhand Pather. The epic and ballad recitation, graphic and Bhand Pather, secular in its outlook, has plastic arts, and festival peasantry. Folk satirically questioned the contemporary theatre has its roots in the native culture sociological, political and economic and is embedded in local identity and issues. The Pather is considered as an epic social values. The art, besides being a drama which is a vivid manifestation of prototype of mass entertainment provides issues a society is troubling with. a platform to involve the indigenous Given the conflictful situation and population in inter-group, interpersonal political turmoil in Kashmir, the art has and intra-personal communication, seen many ups and downs in its course. The which ultimately strengthens the thread Bhand Pather industry was hardly hit first of societal relationships and helps the with the accession of Kashmir to and society to take better decisions. then the infamous uprising of 1989. Now, India is a diversified country and a home the artistic performance was either to be to thousands of cultures. Every traditional relished on Independence day or Republic society has its own distinctive ways to day of India. Such was the impassivity inform and educate the masses, various towards this form of art that people stopped styles of folk theatre cater to different to be a part of it and they gradually enrolled audiences, though the theory behind themselves in other professions. every folk media is same- to educate Gh. Mohi-u-Din Aijaz, president of people about different social, political and National Bhand Theatre is a resident of Munawar Hussain economic issues. Wathora. Since 1965 he has been tirelessly When SITE (Satellite Instructional working to bring this art form in par The Pather is considered Television experiment) was launched in with the modern ways of information as an epic drama which India, in 1975, strategists were advised communication tactics. Mr. Aijaz, also a is a vivid manifestation to disseminate the informational content former wireless communication officer of issues a society is in the folk medium, as more than half in J&K police department has made troubling with. of Indian population was illiterate and significant contributions to the Bhand to enhance their knowledge about the Pather. imperative issues, the folk medium was “Four generations: my father, myself, the most desired tool. my offspring, and their progeny. We all In Kashmir, the importance of Folk have religiously and passionately been theatre can be traced back to 8th century. associated with this art form, and we →

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will continue to take the true meaning of adventure.” Bhand Pather to posterity, say Aijaz.” Unhurt by the fake threats, the doom National Bhand theatre is the lone folk didn’t stop chasing Mr. Aijaz. On 14 theatre organization in valley which has January, 2000, a foreign Lashkar militant been approved by Cultural academy, hounded by Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Sangeet Natak Academy, Ministry of army found his way to the house of Bhand Culture-Govt. Of India, and North Zone Pather artist. Subsequently, the entirely Culture Center (NZCC). The Cultural new built house was razed to the ground Ministry has given a salary grant to the by the armed forces. The incident came as organization. fatal blow to Aijaz. National Bhand Theatre has won over 25 Now, seventeen years from the incident, awards including Ustad Bismillah Khan Aijaz and his Four sons are constantly Yuva Purskar and an award from National working to pour a new life in the Bhand School of Drama for best Angrez Pather Pather industry. In their dwelling place (Satirical drama on British colonialists) of in Wathora, the family has dedicated the year. Currently around 37 people are a an entire room for the National Bhand part of his organization. Theatre organization. They call it ‘Theatre The founder of this organization has office’ and it is equipped with modern seen many harsh and trying times as a advanced gadgets. Bhand Pather artist. Mr. Aijaz recollects, “We have brought our own lighting “In February, 1998, a fake militant system, digital cameras, multimedia outfit threatened us to shut the practice projectors, video cameras. The facilities of performing at national holidays. help us to carry the different task of Perturbed by the threat, we stopped to organization effectively. The National be a part of it. The person went on and Bhand theatre has its own website where asked for money. Fortunately, as I was in information about every new event is the police department we were able to showcased, says Director National Bhand bust the man and get back to the artistic Pather, Shah-e-Jahan.”

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IN EARLIER DAYS, THE ARKS AND SHERBATS WERE IN HUGE DEMAND

TRIP TO LADAKH

adakh, wedged between, Tibet Srinagar-Leh national highway which is a and Pakistan, is part of India’s vital link between Ladakh and Kashmir most northerly province and is valley. Driving Zojilla is scary. one of highest inhabited region On reaching Zojilla at around 2pm, Lon the earth. Its boundary extends from we stayed there for a while, and prepared Kunlun mountain range to the main great some tea. It was such an adventurous . moment to have a tea party at an elevation Ladakh’s stunning landscapes and of 3,528mts. Ali Mohammad hospitality of people left an indelible mark One my friend shouted from top of his on me when I first visited this heavenly lungs. A sweet smell of roses place back in 2014. ‘’Duniyaka sab se oonchi party mai apka wafts out from the shop So, I decided to go for another trip this suvagath hai ‘’ attracting the olfactory year. Seven friends responded and we (Welcome to world’s highest party) senses of every embarked upon a packed week long road His loud voice was only thing that was passer-by. trip on 15th June 2017. breaking the silence of night. We keep As we drove on, the lush green slopes cracking jokes and start talking endlessly of Srinagar gave way to huge barren till dawn broke. At around 6:30 am we mountains .We reached Zojila an headed towards Kargil. elevation of 3,528 meters, the second On the way, we visited Kargil War highest mountain pass after Fotlu pass on Memorial, also known as Vijay Path, a →

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Indus and . After taking some halts to capture the moments, we reached Lamayuru, a small village which is some 100 kilometers before Leh. Moonlike landscapes carved into greater Himalayas are its claim to fame, and the reason it is called moon land. Finally at around 7:00 pm came this beautiful town surrounded by huge hills and mountains with ice caps on them, yes! We had just landed at Leh! It was a wow moment for all of us. We stayed in a guest house first to take some rest, and then visited some of the famous monasteries there which includes Thksey Monastery, etc. Our next goal was Pangong Lake which is about 160 kilometers away from Leh city. We started marching towards Pangong at around 11 pm. After visiting glaciers and mountains makes it almost impossible to cross road at certain places. The scary nature of road punctured our spirits and we never thought we will reach Pangong. A big board displaying ‘’NEVER GIVE UP’’ rejuvenated our hearts and we start believing that we won’t give up until we reach Pangong. Finally, after passing Changla pass (the second highest motor able road in the world) and braving the toughest road conditions we reached Pangong Lake at around 6:00 pm. It is a heaven on earth! Crystal clear blue war memorial built by Indian army located water, rugged trans-Himalayan mountains in Dras. in the background makes a stunning As we were about to reach Kargil, we panoramic view. saw the magnificent mountains greeting Well we saw moon rise between the us. It was an unforgettable moment for me. hills with its mirror image on the water. It We came down from our cars and in one was just beyond explanations. We sat on voice shouted. “Ladakh here we come” the floor of the lake and started listening Logic and reason demanded that we to each other’s stories. Amir Ali Sheikh’s should rest, but our incorrigible curiosity story was special one. The serene, bright kept nagging us to explore Kargil on broad blue water, rocky lake shore and my friends day light. with me will remain etched in the memory We visited various famous places in forever. Kargil and enjoyed our day to fullest. There were camps arranged just beside Finally at around 6:00 pm we convinced the lake and we stayed there for night. ourselves that exploring can wait, but a Next afternoon we left Pangong and lazy nap can’t, so, we booked a hotel and on the way back stayed for a night, first at stayed there for the night. Leh and then at Kargil, finally we reached Next morning at 11:00 am, we headed home on 23 June 2017. straight away to Leh. Leh is approximately By any standard and from any 210 kms away from Kargil, takes a drive of perspective, the Srinagar- Leh journey around 5 to 6 hours .The journey between has epic written all over it. The road that Kargil to Leh was special one. The winding opens up only few months will test you, mountain roads are accompanied by shock you, scare you and will leave you the meandering streams of Drass, Suru, spell bound. 

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THE REIGN OF MACHINES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF HEART,THE FEELING OF KINDNESS AND CONSIDERATION IS CRUSHED BY DEVICES SPIRITUALITY AND MATERIAL COMFORTS

as man lost his nerve and poise and peace? Is it an individual phenomenon or a collective disturbance? Have we lost Htouch with nature and its various aspects? Are our material achievements through industry and technology responsible for it ? “Human beings in recent times are more out of tune with their own selves, with each other and with nature than ever before. They are susceptible to psychological ailments like neuroses, depression, psychoses, bi-polar disorder and others, and gradually this has made psychologists and social scientists realize the importance of spirituality.” says Dr Arif a renowned psychiatrist of the valley. Man has evolved and his evolution from caves to skyscrapers has been a journey of triumph. Man has been a creator,a discoverer,an inventor, a nurturer. Man creates artifacts, paintings, pottery, etc., for beautifying his world. He uses science and technology for his benefit in the form of discovery of life saving medicine, airplanes, space exploration and creation of various forms of energy so that his potentialities, God given are given rise to jealousy, and envy leading realized and thus developed further and to aggression and violence in the present used for creating a better human society day world. Horrors surround him more for further evolutionary journey in the and more and everyday one or the other medium of space and time. Knowledge kind of labyrinth using technology and explosion and the means and devices material advancement is weakening his for its mind blowing wonders are known will, his heart, his conscience and soul. Syed Humaira even to kids sitting before television sets Unpredictable weapons are threatening Kashmir’s mystic poetry and computers. Distances are almost non the very existence of man on the face and the songs woven existent now and electronics in the hands of the earth together with the edifice of round and round it of man open up more and more areas of civilization for which the sweat and blood can be utilized for the discovery, exploration and invention. has been used and wondrous achievements purpose as Rumi, reborn So much progress of man kind given, of mind and soul have been applied. It is is applied. the individual is losing hold on himself, on one hand the threat to existence and and the society is squeezing him more on the other hand an invitation to man and more to reduce him to the level of a to rethink, reorganize and to enlighten reptile if we use the term imaginatively to his soul-a lure to spirituality. The sense of give an idea of the predicament of man. being one with the whole universe is most His unbridled love for material gains has important need of the time →

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Industrialization is the root cause around them. of man’s spiritual degradation as it has, Besides money in the western societies together with its positive implications, we have had great souls, even in the east made life materialistic, promoting to help us in striking a balance between consumerism to the skies . Dr Iqbal as one matter and spirit. Gandhi unlike Nehru of the greatest philosophers of the time wanted to uplift millions of downtrodden has denounced industrialization which to castes whom he called harijans. He him is responsible for weakening the soul devoted his life to simplicity and merged of man. His line: with common men to lift India through “Hy Dil Kay Liyay Mout Machinon ki the village because he found the spirit Huqumat of India in hard work, industry, labor and self dependence. He was not against India’s material advancement but having seen the devastation of world wars in which millions of people were killed and a great wealth was destroyed, he wanted to strike a balance between the machine and the man, of course not losing site that everything that is created on the earth is created for the spiritual advancement of man essentially. Like him Tagore and Raja Ram Mohan Roy wanted commonality by waging a war against superstitions and narrow and sectarian approach towards religion and spirituality. Radakrishnan as the philosopher of India promoted the live tradition of India and Indian values of course welding science and its advancement with it to make it a great colourful design. This tradition based message of our leaders needs to be understood and used to fight narrow mindedness, religiosity and fundamentalism that has been threatening the balance and poise at the international scene. Locally, Hinduvata and its poisonous ramifications need to be checked through spiritual awakening and a new bhakti Ehsaas e Marawat Ko Kuchal Daitay needs to be launched throughout India. Hain Aalaat” Kashmir’s mystic poetry and the songs (The reign of machines is responsible woven round and round it can be utilized for the destruction of heart,the feeling of for the purpose as Rumi, reborn is applied. kindness and consideration is crushed by In the west, Rumi, the sufi mystic devices) is the most popular poet. West after is a sweeping remark but a very wide reaching the pinnacle of progress through perspective in which we can see the tussle industrialization has not been able to between the matter and the soul. In the achieve the sense of contentment and joy, west even D.H Lawrence produces the therefore its people are returning back same horrible tale in the fiction of Lady to the ancient practices of enrichment Chatterley’s lover. One can see in the of one’s inner self. If there is anything fiction the whole story of promiscuous sex that can heal our wounded souls, solve and the fall of man to the state of animality. the problems of social injustice, war, One can see how the rattle of the machine economic disparities, it is our connection and its various mechanizations are with the universe and with our own selves. bulldozing morals debasing life of man We need to return to our original source and transforming him to lifeless bone so as be composed and experience natural and muscle and all what lies between and bliss.

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HISTORY TRACES THE EVIDENCES OF ARYANS CROSSING OVER FROM THE HIMALAYAN RANGE AND SETTLING IN THIS DISTRICT. CARBON IMPRINT AND LADAKH

adakh is known as the Land local residents and brought Ladakh in of High passes and is famous the tourist map of India. However, there around the globe for its unique is a downside of it, the Himalayan region topography and beautiful being the most fragile terrain is now Lpicturesque. Over the past decade, under threat of environmental pollution Ladakh has evolved into one of the most and degradation. Ladakh is in the hit list popular travel destinations for tourists of severe environmental pollution now. across world, attracting thousands of Ladakh witnesses high peak of tourists travelers, bikers, trekkers from different from June to September, attracting walks of life and diverse age groups. The people for religious tourism, wildlife and picturesque landscape of Ladakh and its adventure tourism especially. After the Zakir Hussain high motor able passes have opened a box release of blockbuster film 3-idiot Ladakh of adventures for many, converting it into has become the centre point of attraction It was built in the an achievable bucket list item for many for the Indian tourists that has helped a 19 century on a in their youth. Until a decade or two; lot in increasing the revenue and some beautiful hillock in Ladakh has been living harmoniously irresponsible tourism too. As per Tourism Thanna Mandi. with nature. During those days, the department last year in 2016 around people’s lifestyle was in consonance with 3 lack tourists visited Ladakh which the environment. Although the tourism boosted tourism but also boosted plastics activities helped a lot in elevating the and non-biodegradable wastes which socio-economic status of the region by is an alarming threat to environment.” creating opportunities to work for the This onslaught of high tourism is →

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slaying both the city and Ladakhi villages, constructed rendering the modern because while city explodes with a huge technology with modern toilets, which demand on its resources, the rural areas directly or indirectly impacts the natural implode with youths migrating to city, resources and the habitat too. Local leaving behind ageing parents to tend people complained many times against to their farms,” said Sonam Wangchuk, the tourists who scatter rubbish, poly Rolex award winner and founder of bags and other non-biodegradable wastes Students’ Educational and Cultural near water bodies and tourist spots that Movement of Ladakh SECMOL.”People harm the delicate environment, but no from the country and around the globe proper action has seen taking against come to Ladakh by chasing film stories, such people. and turn into villains in the process, by The United Nations has named 2017 harming the Mother Nature” he added. as the year of sustainable tourism to Ladakh is also known as cold desert create greener and cleaner environment. because of wide barren lands and scarcity However, the concept seems untouched of water. The people of Ladakh are as far as Ladakh tourism is concerned highly dependent on spring water for as the pollution level is increasing their domestic use. Earlier people were with each passing year damaging the so eco-friendly that everything used to delicate habitat.There are several travel get recycled and the consumption and organizations and NGOs which are usage of water was in consonance with working to promote sustainable tourism the natural resources. Dry Toilets are very in Ladakh, but Government interference known concept in Ladakh which needs is not seen that much. Thus the need zero water and where the human wastes of the hour is to look for some bigger can be recycled into organic manure and better initiatives and government for agricultural purposes, this not only regulations are very important to ensure saves water but also saves environment. conservation of Ladakhi environment As per the Tourism department in the and ecology. Moreover, a simple change past decade with the increasing demand in habit of a tourist who visits Ladakh of tourism industry around 600-plus can go a long way in saving this beautiful hotels and 300 plus guest houses were region.

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THE PRESENCE OF THE HABBA KHATOON PEAK INCREASES THE ROMANTICISM OF THIS SMALL PLACE, CUT OFF FROM ANY KIND OF TECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTION. UNTAPPED GUREZ

hree Day Gurez festival was attraction. The traditional Shina dance of organized by the Ministry of the people were showcased. This gave Tourism to promote tourism in a boost to the local talents and gave the the Gurez valley. The fiesta was world a chance to see the potential of the Tinitiated from 5th-8th August at Dadar people of Gurez. Different departments town of the valley. of the government also set up stalls with Gurez, a small scenic rural community their respective items. on the banks of river “Kishan Ganga” The festival attracted a large number lies at about 2400 meters above sea level of people from various parts of the surrounded by snow-capped mountains valley. Local people from nearby towns having a population of 38000 approx. were seen in large numbers. It was The Habba Khatoon peak, adorning hinted by the officials that if Gurez gets the beautiful town is considered as the more tourists, it will generate much main attraction of the place. more economy in the valley. The circle → The connection of the place with Habba Khatoon, a sixteenth century poetess who sang about love and loss after her husband’s capture and presumed death, seems the most organic association with a town whose beauty knows no bound. The presence of the Habba Khatoon peak increases the romanticism of this small place, cut off from any kind of technological intervention. The tourism was meant to promote more than this romanticism. It wanted to attract all sorts of tourists. Apart from people trying to get away from busy city lives and craving for time amidst nature with no network, this valley has a lot to offer in terms of adventure. The Minister of State for Tourism, PriyaSethi said in the inaugural speech of the festival that there are many exciting and unknown places in Gurez which will give the adventure lovers a thrilling experience. Many paths can be used for trekking. Hayat Manan Apart from trekking, there are high potential for adventures like water Gurez, until recently rafting, camping, mountain biking. was almost a secluded A group or trekkers, rafters and the zone due to the and Kashmir Mountain Biking closeness to Pakistan. Association were present as well to promote their activities along with exploring the place. The festival witnessed great performances from many known and local artists. Irfan and Bilal were the main

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of cash will also start to flow, increasing the higher geographic position has an the earnings of the locals. People here advantage over Indian bases and makes earn their livelihood mostly by the the people vulnerable. cultivation of potatoes and the cumin But this heavy army presence and the seeds. constant threat of Pakistan’s shelling However, one question that was raised hampers the main intention behind again and again was the question of army. Gurez festival i.e. the promotion of Being situated so close to the Line of tourism. Army should become more Control, the Gorai people witness a heavy flexible if they want more tourists and presence of the army. Almost seventy adventure enthusiast to visit the place, thousand army personnel are stationed was the sentiment depicted time and there amidst around thirty-five thousand again in the festival. locals. The presence of army bases in the The beauty of the place is enough to mountains of Gurez makes it difficult attract many tourists and coupled with the for trekkers to trek or explore any area adventure sports will give many a reason to peacefully or spontaneously. keep this place in their must visit checklist. Gurez, until recently was almost a However, one might fear that heavy footfall secluded zone due to the closeness to of the tucked away gem might take away Pakistan. The region, separated from the the mystery and romanticism associated Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan by with the place. A balanced approach is the comes under heavy needed which will benefit both the locals firing and shelling. Pakistan, occupying and the wanderers.

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THE TRADITIONAL MILL IS MADE OF WOOD THAT IS RUN BY USING A BULL TO EXTRACT OIL FROM MUSTARD SEEDS. A FORGOTTEN LEGACY “TILVEN WAAN”

aji Ghulam Mahommad Teli, new technology in food and processing an old man, in his seventies sector and diminishing scope for the proudly owns and runs a traditional technology, they all switched traditional oil mill (called the profession. HTilvan Waan in local parlance) in the Ghulam Mohammad stood tall and firm area of north Kashmir’s district. to continue the family legacy since last 60 It is the only of its kind probably operating years with zeal and vigorlike his ancestors. in the valley in today’s times. This old man wakes up in wee hours The mill remains a major landmark of morning to start his routine work of in the area of Tilven Mohalla, where extracting oil; it takes him minimum three once every family was associated with to four hours to get 4 litersof mustard oil, this profession but with the invention of which he latter carries on his shoulders →

Useeba Bashir

As the deficiency of raw material is rising, it may force me to shut the business very soon.

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to different nearby villages to sell at a With the arrival of many oil brands price of Rs 100 per litre. in the market, the demand for extracted “When I was a child, I used to mustered oil has dropped sharply; but accompany my father to nearby villages Mohammad retains all his customers. to sell mustard oil and now I am carrying He didn’t lose any of his customers and his profession forward,” Ghulam delivers the oil to them every month. Mohammad said. Over the six decades “Now-a-days people prefer market oil of its existence, the mill saw no change but there was a time when people would but Mohammad constructed a new wait in long queues outside my home house near to the mill but left the family to get fresh oil, but still I have some business untouched. permanent customers who are buying Many a times, his family members the oil from us since decades” says insisted him to give up this profession Mohammad. like his other relatives and neighbors. The traditional mill is made of wood Mohammad, however, seems quite that is run by using a bull to extract oil satisfied and convinced in carrying on from mustard seeds. The animal moves the legacy. around a wooden scooped circular pit in “I didn’t talk to my family members the center. As the animal moves in the for a month because they were saying I circular ambit, it exerts lateral pressure, should stop this work and demolish my thereby crushing the seeds in the pit traditional mill, but I didn’t giveup. I am to extract oil. The bull that is used for grateful to Almighty for providing me extracting oil is not used for any other with this art. I am content with whatever work. profit I get from it,” he added. “From the time when I was a child, our family has been purchasing oil from him. Now I am a married man, fathering three children and we are still doing the same. The oil is very good in quality as compared to the ones available in market. It has a unique taste, flavor and color,” Rafiq Ahmad a resident of Kreeri said. He made a good property out of this work and went to Mecca to perform annual Islamic pilgrimage besides marrying off his six children who are now all well settled. Unfortunately, the seeds required for extraction of organic oil are gradually diminishing. With lesser people cultivating it, Mohammad is facing difficulties in finding the crop in his vicinity. Owing to non-availability of crop, Mohammad is pondering over to wind up the mill. “I am not getting the seeds anymore since very less people are cultivating mustard oil crops in their fields. As the deficiency of raw material is rising, it may force me to shut the business very soon,” he urges. “The oil extracted by this traditional method is considered to be pure and good for health and quality of which cannot be matched with market oil. It can be used for massaging and softening the skin as it helps to eradicate the dryness in skin,” Dr. Inayat, a dermatologist commented.

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THIS YEAR HAS BEEN THE WORST FOR BUSINESS AND IT’S BEEN MOSTLY DUE TO THE BAD NATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF KASHMIR KASHMIR’S FAMED HERITAGE IN FLOATING WATER

n the western shores of Dal Lake lies a sinking, decrepit houseboat, wobbling to stay adrift on Othe Dal Lake. Built around 1941, the Clermont is a quintessential English houseboat reminiscent of Kashmir’s glorious past. Clermont Houseboats, afleet of five houseboats strung along the north-western shores of the Dal, lie quietly besides an old Mughal garden, encompassed by 16thcentury walls built by Emperor Akbar. The clientele list at the Clermont includes prominent personalities like Dilip Kumar, actress Joan Fountain, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, critically acclaimed filmmaker Ross Kaufman, famed photo-journalist James Natchetway and American Senator and 2008 Presidential candidate John McCain, who visited Kashmir in 2010. “He stayed here for a day and was very happy. He really wanted the tourism industry to reclaim its old splendor,” says Ghulam Nabi Butt, owner of Clermont Houseboat. But those were the times when tourism was at its zenith in the valley. The old, sinking houseboat has been a mute spectator of more than a decade of turbulence. In the 90s when trouble started brewing in the valley, journalists Nausheen Naseer from all over the world stayed at the Clermont and reported on the conflict. We can neither “Our business was not really slack during demolish nor renovate the 90s because we still had national it, the wood has and international journalists staying its own life. here, covering stories on Kashmir. But business lately, says Manzoor. “This year things began to improve from 2005,” has been the worst for business and it’s says Manzoor Ahmed Butt, co-owner of been mostly due to the bad national Clermont Houseboats. media coverage of Kashmir,” he says. The 2014 floods and the volatile The lush land near the houseboats situation in the valley have affected is sprawled across three acres and→

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surrounded by lotus and rose gardens on from all parts of the world praising either side; the fleet of houseboats hovers the tranquility and hospitality of the at the edge as the water of the Dal glides Clermont. Elizabeth Bumiller in the slowly along. Shikaras lie idly between Washington Post describes Butt as “the the houseboats, waiting for the day’s best-known houseboat owner with the sightseers. most luxurious fleet,” while another The reception room, a small cabin, article from 1966 includes the Clermont boasts the celebrity grandeur of the in the “Hotels You Won’t Want to Leave” Clermont. The walls display signed Hall of Fame. photographs of celebrities who have The history of the Clermont dates back stayed at the Clermont; grinning faces to 1941 when an English businessman of Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy R. Foster from Clermont Hall, Norfolk of India, George Harrison, ABC news was given the land on lease by Maharaja anchor Peter Jennings, Barkha Dutt and ’s government to build a houseboat. Foster, besotted by the beauty of Kashmir, erected 4 more houseboats, 2 of which were used for hunting birds in the river Jhelum. But in 1947 when British fled India, Foster decided to gift the land to Butt’s father, G.M. Butt, a handicrafts merchant, whose friendship he greatly valued. Butt gladly relented and built four more for a total of eighthouseboats. With the passage of time, only four of these survived while the other four, embittered by lack of maintenance were gobbled down by the lake. The décor of the surviving houseboats is impeccable with cedar panelled rooms, intricate crewel curtains, carpeted floors, chintz furniture and glass chandeliers glinting above rosewood dining tables. The front porch of the houseboats serves as an idyllic haven with a breathtaking view of the Himalayas and the twinkling reflections of the Chinars mirrored in the Dal. Food consists of mouth- watering traditional dishes and is served by people who have worked at the Clermont all their life. However, the houseboat under the Chinar, one of the four left, is half- submerged in water with shattered windows and doors, wrecked bottom and a missing roof. “We can neither demolish nor renovate it, the wood has its own life,” sighs Manzoor, referring to the High Court order that bans any repairs or renovations of houseboats. “The decision has badly affected the upkeep of all the houseboats, and made actor and writer Michael Palin stare back it harder to keep the boats in good happily from the walls. Writer Shobha condition. We can’t afford to lose them De is one of the most recent people to as they are part of our history,” he says. have visited this idyllic haven. Meanwhile, the houseboat clings Another wall at the far end of the feebly to the edge of the lake, biding its room is devoted to newspaper clippings time.

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TRASH TURNS TREASURE he valley of Kashmir is bestowed the first phase starts with immersing it into with beauty, not only of having a tub containing water and keeps it there infinite natural bounties but also for few days. After the paper absorbs water gifted with some exceptional we grind the slackened paper normally in a Tskills. Handicrafts of Kashmir are famous stone-mortar with wooden-pestle”. Shabir throughout the world, whether we talk of Ahmad – a Sakht-kar describes his work. Pashmina shawls, carpets of varied designs, The other materials like straw of rice or Papier-mâché products, all attain a plant and copper sulfate are then mixed with special fame. A handmade product involves grinded paper to make a pulp easy to apply multi-layer processes to accomplish, and all on a mold. There is also a practice to mix the processes are quite fascinating to observe. minced paper with rice water to facilitate When we look at a final Papier-mâché coagulation. The pulp is applied on molds product, we can’t imagine how many stages made of clay, wood or brass as per the desired it crossed to reach the market. How many shapes. crafting hands it went through to get in After completing the layering of pulp final shape. However it is interesting to over the mold, it is left for few days to dry observe the initial process how papier-mâché up. “Normally, we put them on the roof in products are made; from discarded or trash summer to quickly dry” said Shabir Ahmad. Imran Ali Buth paper how decorative artifacts are produced. The mold is extracted from the product to Before reaching the hands of the Naqash keep hallow and light-weight; using a saw There are possibilities (painter), artifacts are molded, shaped, and and then rejoined using organic glue. It is to create abundance smoothened, for that exquisite stroke of then polished with gemstones; the next stage of opportunities if the brush, which has down the centuries of work usually done by other craftsmen to crafts like Paper- remained the epitome of Kashmiri craft. But smoothen the products for painting. “The Mache are taught the most alluring part is, using the discarded surface is polished till all irregularities and to youngsters, It paper adeptly to make decorative artifacts, edges become smooth” Shabir Ahmad added. would not only cater unemployment but inspiring to bring soul in dead things, reuse There is wide range of objects made in also preserve our them to recreate their essence in completely papier-mâché craft. “Since I came to this field, cultural heritage different and delightful style. I made a number of objects depending on Sakht-kar is a Kashmiri term which defines the taste of customers. It includes Samovars, the work of an artist, who makes products flower vases, boxes of varied shapes and sizes, from the paper pulp, and works hard to gather balls and bells, pen holders and so on” Said and stockpile the discarded paper “After Shabir Ahmad while showing his work. paying minimal charges per kilogram, we Finally, the object reaches to the painter, accumulate the discarded paper in quantity; locally called as Naqash, to get decorated →

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with multiple designs like floral designs, With the increasing bleak job market embossed designs of various birds, animals in the state, the youth could ponder upon etc. “Using a trace paper, we sketch out the other available sources and opportunities design on it and then pierce it with a needle to whereas, the government needs to create make minute holes, exactly as per the design such apparatus, to counsel the unemployed outline is drawn. Charcoal powder or simply youth, provide them accessible tools and white-powder, depending on the surface resources to find other means of job. “There color, put in a cotton cloth is then rubbed are possibilities to create abundance of on the trace paper after positioning it on the opportunities if crafts like Paper-Mache are object.” Fida Hussain, a Naqash, explains. taught to youngsters, It would not only cater After getting the design outline on the unemployment but also preserve our cultural object, the Naqash brings life to the object heritage” said Shabir Ahmad. and makes it fascination to human eye. Many “These crafts should be inserted in school- of the Master-Craftsmen do away with the curriculum to make the students familiar at use of tracing paper. For them the surface their early stage of life. Like sports, they can of the object is the canvas. The art object is adopt it as co-curricular activities and choose varnished finally to give it a glossy look, and the one with own inclination” said, Fida then placed in a tidy place to save it from dust Hussain. He added that one of our kids gets .after dried up; the product is dispatched to excited whenever he holds a brush. He draws the market. with enthusiasm, keenly ask me questions Preservation of handicrafts; an alternative how to prepare different colors and where to to tackle unemployment use them.

THE WISE AND JUDICIOUS USE OF THESE RESOURCES REMAINS A QUESTION MARK FOR POLICY-MAKERS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND POLITICIANS CONSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENT IN J&K he State of Jammu and Kashmir wisely utilized, these resources can uplift is bestowed of having abundance the State economy and provide livelihood of natural resources. Because of to many unemployed people of the valley. its natural beauty, the valley is But, unfortunately these approaches are Toften called ‘the paradise on earth’. But due missing. The wise and judicious use of to increase in population and demand for these resources remains a question mark natural resources, the threat to environment for policy-makers, environmentalists and is increasing. politicians as apparently they hardly care The state is considered rich in mineral for the welfare of the state. Madhiya Nabi resources like arsenic, borax, coal etc. If HOD Earth Sciences Department,→ The present situation of water bodies in the state is disruptive. Due to lacking waste management, the water bodies like Dal, Wullar, Manasbal are degrading.

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Kashmir University Shakeel Romshoo, said my nose with a mask or handkerchief to that different sections of the society are stand near the place but I am helpless. It differently responsible for the degradation of surely affects the efficacy of my work,” said our environment. a traffic police official working around the “Indeed there is a direct interface between garbage dumping site at Tengpora area of environment and people. People itself are Srinagar. not a homogeneous entity. It involves both “The innovative waste management at government level and individual level. system is essentially required in which Different people have different roles,” he said. waste should be collected and decomposed These regions are under constant by advanced scientific methods. It is a threat due to natural factors like volcanic challenging task to create such apparatus eruptions, glaciations, drought and man- here” said a Srinagar Municipal Corporation made pollutants like pollution, habitat (SMC) official. fragmentation, poaching. The causal factors which are responsible “Policy making responsibility lies within for creating imbalance are not taken care of the hands of the government but let me tell yet, however already proposed. For example, you clearly that our government has failed in Rehabilitation of Dal dwellers - people who making a very robust policy for preservation are living on the banks of Dal Lake. Since the of our resources. Be it forests, garbage past fifteen years, the government seemingly management, water bodies. But if you look failed to implement its proposed decision. If at the society, we have equally failed because the policy had been matured, the scenario of our selfish nature,” Romshoo said. would have been different. The present situation of water bodies in “If the government is not in a position the state is disruptive. Due to lacking waste to take decisive steps in order to conserve management, the water bodies like Dal, these natural assets, they should not expect Wullar, Manasbal are degrading. Reports that fruits will come on their own,” said indicated that the Wullar, Manasbal and Dr. Sami ullah Bhat, an assistant professor Anchar Lake are already under threat. at department of Environment Science, “Wullar, the largest fresh water lake in Asia, Kashmir University. has shrunk from 190 square kilometers to 72 Speaking about the biodiversity of the square kilometers. The Hokersar wetland, J&K State, he said that we have not faced any situated 16 kilometers north of Srinagar, has major disaster in Kashmir. “The moment shrunk from its original area of 13.75 square we will face it, we may start thinking. When kilometers to 4.5 square kilometers. The it comes to biodiversity, we talk of animals 240 km , with the catchment like hangul, deer but there is other side of area of thousands of kilometers, is also diversity for which there is no concern. In quickly becoming polluted. The dredging Indian constitution in 1991, plants were put of Jhelum has been initiated to restore its in the wildlife but due lack of awareness. Glory, but expected results have not been Unless or until we won’t change the mindset achieved yet. Dumping of garbage on the of people, we will hardly see any change,” the banks of water Bodies is also responsible for professor said. their deterioration,” said a senior official of Talking about the responsibilities, he LAWDA department. added that there are laws 48 (A) and 51 “The vital need is to create awareness A (g) stating that responsibility towards among masses about caring environment and the conservation of environment lies in simultaneously conveying the repercussions the hands of both government and people or ramifications about degradation of respectively. environment. There is lot to be done in order “There should be a balance between to create awareness among our people before duty and right and awareness at both it is too late,” Romshoo added. formal and informal level but it cannot be Another leading issue which causes a achieved in one year or two. Look at English serious threat to the environment is improper people; it took them years and decades. Our solid waste management. civilization is not sensitive towards it. There Roadside garbage dumping not only is huge cultural difference in the domestic portrays a dull image but its stinking odor people and foreigners. No doubt, there is irritates people to walk along. some sort of concern shown by people, “I am not able to perform my duty properly student community, environmentalists in such a stinky atmosphere. I have to cover towards environment,” he said.

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JAFFER’S TRYST WITH PERFUME STARTS DECADES BACK, WHEN HE HAD DECIDED TO RUN AWAY FROM HIS HOME IN HIS TWENTIES. ALIENS IN ITS OWNED CITY

A train of thoughts…. answers. In a marathon chat, he said, “It his is how we treat our language? is our identity. Language feeds us. It is our We might be the only creatures strength.” He was quick to add what set a on the face of this earth who pall of gloom. demean and disrespect their “We are witnessing the steep fall of Tmother tongue. Not fair. Meanwhile, have Kashmiri Language. Agreed. Mother is a look and laugh out loud. not ready to talk to her child in Kashmiri. “I don’t want ki mujhay kabhi dabb lagay.” A teacher feels shy to talk in our own “Mein subah Hushaar hi Nahi howi.” language.” This is who we are. This is how “Mujhay gar k oopar say laana hai.” we grow. This is a strange nation. A weird “Mujhay toos aaya.” variety of human species is Koshur. This is gross. This is murder. This is I was again taken a back when an elderly rape. This is utterly shameful. This is shopkeeper responded to my query in unacceptable. Unlike Kashmiri, no other Urdu. “Talhez yi copy ditov” (Kindly give language on this planet has been abused me this notebook. and humiliated by their own people. It is “Konsi waali.” He replied. on the brink of collapse. It will die soon- a I left with a train of thoughts in my silent death. mind. What if I had asked in English or It will vanish in the thin air. Excuse me any other language? What prompted him for my pessimism but it is steadily limping to reply in a lingo other than my mother on the trajectory of history. tongue? Have we stooped so low? Then I A teen group was engaged in tittle- calmed myself. tattle in a local mini-bus when the “He might be used to it now. May be aforementioned non-sense meaningless not.” I thought. sentences hit my eardrum. Many widened Without playing the blame game, I Iqra Akhoon their lips to spread silly smiles. But I was believe educational institutions have a awe-struck. I could not believe my ears. key role to play at this critical juncture. To City folks have It pained me inside. I wanted to know safeguard the language, It is important to different priorities more about the girl but I don’t know what converse, discuss, debate in our mother while the men of stopped me. tongue. It will surely have its impact. mountains are busy in Instead, I buzzed Dr. Aziz Hajini- Family and parents must make a rulebook their own life. secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Academy toilet their kids-the budding blooms, of Art Culture and Languages (JKAACL). imbibe the nitty-gritty of the language. Dr. Hajini is a seasoned literary figure. I That is unfortunately not happening as of tossed a volley of questions to him about now. A very dangerous trend is emerging. this murder. An illiterate eighty something granny fails Dr. Sahib was very candid in his to respond to a Kid’s→

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query. She remorsefully utters something It has flying to some alien land. We are very awkward. “Beta, pathar khaaw.” She shamefully busy trading tongues. Exporting wanted her grandchild to sit down and eat our own and importing the other. his meals. But……. On a parting note, I hope we will make We have buried our own culture. We are some untiring efforts at individual level to performing its last rites now. Our language preserve the language which is which dear is evaporating from here with a rapid pace. to us, very close to our heart and soul.

UNLIKE CITY RESIDENTS, WHO TAKE MUCH INTEREST IN KNOWING WHAT’S ON IN THE POLITICAL ARENA OF THE STATE, THIS POPULATION PREFERS TO STAY BUSY WITH THE DAILY MONOTONOUS ACTIVITIES. BOOK STORES IN KASHMIR nisa, a student in a bookstore said, “the army descended upon is looking for some good reads. Kashmir to quell a massive armed She couldn’t read much because rebellion against Indian rule. They entered of the shutdowns but she has not just the land but also the lives of its Aalready heard a lot about books from people, fracturing their idea of home and Arif Nazir Shahnaz Bashir and Abdul Ghani Butt. puncturing their days and nights with “These books have reflected the situation curfews. The book brings together the City folks have of Kashmir and that is why people from all stories of some of the people probing the different priorities places are reading it,” she said. quandaries of their precarious existence.” while the men of The book stores of Kashmir have witnessed Shahnaz Bashir the author of Scattered mountains are busy in a rush after months long shutdown for good souls, he said “the inbox and phone calls their own life. books to read. One of them is Scattered makes me feel that Scattered Souls is being Souls by Shahnaz Bashir’s. It is his second received well in Kashmir and across the novel published by HarperCollins India. globe. Even if it wasn’t, it wouldn’t matter. The book of 13 short stories portrays the I will still write what I have to.” ordinary lives of people of Kashmir shaped Ihsan Malik, a lecturer at Central by conflict during 1990. Shahnaz Bashir University of Kashmir gave the more →

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insight look as he said, “the book as reference book for anybody who writes collection of poignant short stories. “The about Kashmir issue and women should book is very well written and adds a be a part of it.” substantial dimension to the tradition. Muslim Conference Chairman Professor The best part of the book is characterial Abdul Ghani Butt’s autobiography - interconnection between stories which Beyond Me got good response among makes the book engrossing.” autobiographies. It is a book of confessions Mohammad Imtiyaz, manager at made by Abdul Ghani Butt. The book of 15 Password Bookstore, has already sold 100 chapters is full of history, religion culture

copies of the book. “The book was released and tradition till 1986. recently and people are buying it like hot Faisul Yaseen, a journalist said, “in cakes. People like to read about conflict and his book, Bhat writes about various the book touches the life of a Kashmiri in a personalities of those times. He talks about conflict torn place,” Imtiyaz said, Another himself and the important events that book by Nayeema Mehjoor - “LOST IN changed everything. He talks in smileys TERROR” which was released by Penguin, and metaphors, write philosophically, is such a painful tale of a young, educated spiritually and for the intellect with the and career conscious women. Islamic and Persian influence quoting Nayeema Mehjoor said that the book Quran and Rumi.” is about the time of armed movements in Sheikh Shaheen, owner of Gulshan Kashmir. she further added, “I think this Books as she said, “The book was read by is the first book written about the women’s politicians, bureaucrats, separatist leaders perspective in Kashmir issues. I have tried and journalist also.” to picture a woman who goes through Other popular books were Zahid G turbulence, what she aspires for and what Mohammad’s book, Srinagar - The Aly should be done. With this book, I think of Resistance and Culture published by people have felt the pain that I have gone Gulshan Books. The other books that were through.” read in the valley were related to . The book was mostly reviewed by Sufi books like Seal of the Saints by Michel outsiders due to the recent unrest in Chodkiewicz and The Sultan of the Saints Kashmir but Nayeema expects reviews by Mohammad Riaz Qadri mostly sold. from people of Kashmir as well. Uzrat Some type of books are available online Nizam, a journalism student said, “the also, so readers have been buying the same book is must read. This should be a books from online stores as well.

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UNREGULATED URBANISATION ALONG THE WETLAND PERIPHERIES WHICH HAS FINALLY LEADED TO THE ENCROACHMENT OF THE WETLAND HAS SHRINKED IT TO A FEW SQUARE KILOMETRES. WETLAND TURNS INTO WASTELAND hushar sar, a lake converted Ironically, no one owes the wetland and into Wetland, at the verge of authorities are shifting the blames from one extinction. Everyday thousands department to another. of gallons of untreated sewage “If one goes by the name and the apparent Kis being dumped into the wetland which functioning of the department it should has turned the waters poisonous which has come under us but our domain has been lead to extinction of natural vegetation, fish restricted to Dal and Nigeen Lakes only. and other aquatic life besides engulfing the Khushal Sar is no man’s land”, an official at neighbourhood with a foul stink thereby LAWDA said. putting the neighbourhood inhabitants As per the survey conducted by the vulnerable to life threatening diseases. Kashmir University Earth Science Unregulated urbanisation along the department there has been nearly 40% wetland peripheries which has finally lead decrease in the size of this wet land. to the encroachment of the wetland has In 1965 it was spread over a sprawling 0.96 Shrinked it to a few square Kilometres. square Kilometres but now it has →

Adil Amin

In 1965 it was spread over a sprawling 0.96 square Kilometres but now it has been left to mere 0.6 square Kilometres

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been left to mere 0.6 square Kilometres which residential colonies, he said. is a worrying sign for the environmentalists He said that one can easily spot these owing to its importance in the biodiversity colonies at the peripheries of Khusar sar and climate change, “These wetlands trap around Zinemar and Sadipora. “Fidousiya the excess carbon dioxide and nitrogen from Colony is a one such example which was the atmosphere thereby directly reducing created after filling a vast area of Khushal chances of global warming. Degradation of sar. The mesmerising sight of tree lines and these wetlands has visible consequences as the outstretched waters have been blocked we receive less snowfall and normal cycle by the shining roof tops”. of seasons has changed to some extend”, Fayaz Ahamd Khan, Joint Commissioner Maqsood Ahmad, a Phd scholar at Kashmir Srinagar development authority, said University said. “Unfortunately it has been no man’s land Experts say that the turbidity of water has everyone is having gala time here. We have increased manifold which has affected the had several meeting with different stake vegetation and aquatic life. The Nadru(Lotus holder but none has come up with a feasible bea troot) which once used to be the pride plan to conserve it. It is ultimately our of the lake and a major source of livelihood collective loss. Lack of vision has led to its for the vegetable growers has vanished, “ degradation”. We used to extract it and sell it to earn our Every year, these wetlands attract lacks of livelihood but now nothing is there. Fish avian visitors which flock to Kashmir from has also gone. Not a single insect is here,” parts of Siberia and Central Asia. Nearly 68 Mohammad Husain Wani, a local said. species of water fowls are believed to swarm Seventy- year- old Ghulam Mohammad here. Dar recalls the time when he used to take his Among the dozen odd resting places for boat and row toward Eidgah and Alimasjid these winged-guests, Khushal sar – Nestled to offer prayers but laments that the entire in the – has assumed area has been filled up and converted into a paramount important. More six known plant species grow in these marshes, some of which serve as food for these birds while few other are believed to have deleterious effect on the local biology. “It used to ply host for these avian visitors and the entire area used to be abuzz with cacophony of sounds, breaking the routine silence in the early days of my youth but there is deafening silence and foul smell now”. Ghulam Mohammmd said. This wetland was the breeding ground to certain resident birds like Marsh harrier, Purple Swamap Hen, Moorhen, Resident Mallad duck and Common Red shank which has moved to other spaces due to lack of vegetation which served as food for them. Professor Shakil Romshoo, Head of the Department Earth Science while explaining the importance said that the it was one of the urban wetlands which are just like sponges that soak all the natural drainage and the fact that these wetlands were linked together they were excellent means to divert water during floods besides being helping in maintaining ecological and hydrological balance, “It is linked to Nigeen lake along with Gilsar lake via Nalamar cannal. So almost all the water bodies were linked together and in case of emergency or excess of water in the major water bodies they used to house the extra water” 

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A MOSQUE IS NOT ONLY A PLACE WHERE SOME PEOPLE GATHER TO PERFORM A COMMON FUNCTION AND NOTHING ELSE, INSTEAD, IT IS A SACRED POINT WHERE HERITAGE MEETS SPIRITUALITY MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO PRAY

nother busy day in The Masjid that is located on the banks is about to come to an end. As of river Jhelum right in between the flowing one strolls through Regal Chowk river and the flowing traffic of cars and towards Polo View, a candid pedestrians in the busy street of Lal Chowk. Athought of paying a leisure visit to the famed Mr. Riyaz Hussain, the chief contractor “Bund” comes to mind. And as one steps in charge of the construction of the mosque inside the Jhelum View Park after climbing says that once complete, the ceiling of the Mu’azzam Bhat the stairs near the famous Lala Sheikh mosque interior will boast of “Khatamband” Restaurant, eyes rest upon what is apparently which is widely considered as the most The valley of Kashmir an old sight but one that now presents a famous type of wooden ceiling in Kashmir. embodies uniqueness relatively fresh and engrossing view. The renovation work on the mosque, as when it comes to The renovation of Masjid Bilal is nearing per the contractor, started on the 28th of architectural styles completion and the renewed architecture May, 2016 but due to the disturbance last and values. of this 3,024 square feet mosque is nothing year, the work took way longer than usual, short of amazing. A main entrance, a though now the completion is in close sub-entrance and a side entrance on bi- sight. directional sides of the mosque confront The money for the renovation work and four minarets that stand on lofty columns of all additional construction was pooled in Deodar (cedar) wood. by the shop owners in and around the →

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area and collections were made by the “Khankah-i-muallah” or simply “Khanqah.” members of the Intizamiya Committee Khanqah is a shrine of Said ul Auliya Masjid Bilal which ultimately made it Mir Sayeed Ali Hamdani located on the possible to increase the capacity of the right bank of the river Jhelum between the mosque from an earlier number of 500 to Zaina kadal and Fateh Kadal bridges. It was double, i.e., 1000 people besides the Imam built in 1395 A.D and is one of the oldest in a single congregational prayer. mosques in the . The renewed architecture of the mosque Even a cursory depiction of the is one that immediately catches the eye architecture in Kashmir is more than and is of aesthetic significance. The valley enough to highlight the importance of of Kashmir embodies uniqueness when it its conservation. One major organization comes to architectural styles and values. The working in this regard is the Centre for roofs, for instance, take a pyramidal shape Heritage and Environment of Kashmir and facilitate the sliding down of snow CHEK’s Indian National Trust for Art and in the winter season and at the same time Cultural Heritage (INTACH). INTACH’s provide an attractive look to the building primary work is to deal with the unprotected that they are on top of. heritage of the state of Jammu and Kashmir When it comes to the construction of and a notable mention with regard to the mosques in Kashmir, generally there are concerned work would be that of the process two types of construction plans viz, (i) the of digitization that INTACH has carried out square plan; examples of which are The on a number of mosque structures which Shah-i-Hamadan and the Madani mosques facilitates inch by inch rebuilding of the and (ii) the group of squares plan, the most mosque in the event of any eventuality that notable example being the Jamia Masjid calls for one. situated at in the middle of the An instance in this regard would be Old City. the recommending of proper wiring of The architecture of a mosque is shaped loudspeakers and other electrical equipment most strongly by the regional traditions in mosques, using fire resistant paints and of the time and place where it was built. an immediate connection water point in the As a result, style, layout, and decoration immediate vicinity of the mosques so that can vary greatly. Nevertheless, because of damage is kept to the minimum in case of the common function of the mosque as a fire event. a place of congregational prayer, certain “A mosque is not only a place where architectural features appear in mosques all some people gather to perform a common over the world. function and nothing else, instead, it In the beginning when was is a sacred point where heritage meets spreading in West Asian countries, there spirituality. An earnest effort should be made was no specific artistic style of mosques. on our part to ensure that the authenticity Gradually over time the mosque design of this spirituality is not compromised.” Said attained specific structure as many INTACH’s Saleem beigh important parts were introduced and added The Jamia Masjid was built by Sultan such as Mehrab (concave recess), Mimber Sikandar Shah Kashmiri Shahmiri in 1394 (Plinth), Sahan (open place), Minar A.D under the order of Mir Mohammad (minaret) amongst Arches and Domes. Hamdani, son of Said-ul-Auliya Mir Sayeed Patthar masjid was built during the Ali Hamdani. It is constructed in Persian Mughal era by Empress Noor Jehan, wife of style and has similarities to Buddhist Emperor Jahangir. The mosque is situated Pagodas the mosque was designed to hold on the left bank of river Jhelum and it has 33,333 persons and has a total space area some distinct features that separate it from of 1, 40,000 square feet or 13,000 square the rest of the mosques in the Kashmir valley. meters. Unlike other mosques it does not have the The mosque has undergone major traditional pyramidal roof. Furthermore, renovations by various Sultans and Shahs the mosque has nine mehraabs (arches) over the course of several centuries. with the central one being larger than It also has a stone slab with Persian the others, and it is constructed with grey inscription in Nastaliq script. The center of limestone. the mosque is an open space with a large Another notable mention is the Mosque tank or Houz, a fountain in the Center of Shah-i-Hamadan better known as enhancing the beauty of the mosque. 

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ONE DAY, WHEN MY TEACHER TOLD MY FELLOW STUDENT IN HELPING ME OUT. HE RETORTED AND SAID “I AM NOT HIS SLAVE. ARMLESS ALLROUNDER

ne cannot imagine playing father sold everything to take care of cricket without arms. It is not medical expenses. possible to bowl wrong one or “I was in my second class at the time to grab the ball without arms. of accident”. Amir said with a sense of OIt seems to too difficult to play cricket remorse over the accident that changed without arms. his entire life. “That accident devastated But for the 26 year old, Amir Hussain not only my life but the whole family”. Lone from South Kashmir’s But, Amir did not let the accident to district nothing is impossible if you set come in his way for achievements, even your mind to it. though when he was made aware of his A tragic accident at his father’s “reality” again and again. There was sawmilling unit when he was just 8 years always one person who stood behind old changed Amir’s fate. Doctor had to Amir through thick and thins his amputate both of his arms as accident Grandmother took heavy toll on the family’s business Amir recalls that the school authorities of manufacturing cricket bats as Amir’s one day told his parents →

Saher Iqbal

A tragic accident at his father’s sawmilling unit when he was just 8 years old changed Amir’s fate.

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his family to get me enrolled in some reached home I recalled my incident and school for special abled children. But it every one broke down. Life is very cruel”, was my grandmother who supported me Amir said while crying. to attend the school” All these incidents never stopped in “My grandmother was always there achieving what Amir is right now. This for me. She used to say just listen and led him to consciousness of doing things observe what your teacher teaches. It will on his own, even, when it meant playing help in your growing up as a child,” Amir cricket. said while looking at his grandmother’s I loved watching cricket on television picture. like any other kid. Since we had no TV, I But it was not so easy to continue my used to watch cricket at my neighbors but studies, Amir continued. “One day, when one day told me to leave their house but my teacher told my fellow student in I peeked through the window hole and helping me out. He retorted and said “I watched full innings of that match. “I felt am not his slave”. Those words inspired as if they were telling me that cricket does of being self dependent. not belong to you. That was the moment After the incident, Amir said that he when I decided to learn cricket”, said went to near shop and bought a pen. Amir while a glimpse of smile was clearly “We were poor to afford stationery’s for visible on his face. my study”. I went to a cloth merchant It was quite difficult in the beginning to and asked him for a bolt cardboard practice cricket. Amir says “He had least around which the clothes are rolled to problem in understanding in batting as write upon. “I started writing on walls to he always idealized Sachin Tendulkar practice till I was able to master it”. as he eagerly used to wait for Sachin’s Amir after completing higherbatting whether it was live cricket match secondary while writing his answers or highlights”. sheets with his feet. He thought of doing My earliest cricket practice started graduation from Government Degree with my grandmother who used to bowl College in 2013. to me. “I wish she was alive today she While talking about his college would have been happy in seeing my experience, Amir said, “I used to wear representing my state at national level”, only track since it was easy to roll down Amir said. in case of natures call, but the college Now aged 26 Amir Hussain is the authorities told me they will allow him captain of Jammu and Kashmir state to continue his studies only he starts Para cricket team. Amir is able to bat, wearing pants. This is our education bowl and even catch out opponents using system”. his feet. While Amir did not get admission but Amir’s unusual technique for batting he started practicing of wearing pants involves holding the bat between his neck on his own. He said, “It took me a whole and shoulder. Amir bowls with his toes year to train myself to wear those pants. using a sweeping leg movement But, even then I did not go to college. But, Amir has represented J&K at national refusal of college authorities still haunts level in different tournaments in Delhi me”. and Lucknow and looks cricket as his Amir believes that he is capable of carrier but he feels that cricket is not doing any task be it swimming, shaving, going anywhere. it not providing enough eating, drinking, using laptop or using money for his future. phone. But behind all these activities lies He blames the government of neglecting a tragic story. them and providing any kind of support. One fine morning, the stitch of his “Nobody understands us. When I went pants snapped off while he was on his way to New Delhi and Lucknow, I found to school. Felling ashamed, he stood near sensitiveness and special attention towards the side of the road and called passerby to people like us but in Kashmir, there is lack help him out. of awareness. There is no association of “Nobody bothered in helping me out. I Para cricketers in JK. I hope government was on the road from morning till it was will look into the matter as there are many dark. I thought darkness will shield my people like me who need support from shame as I took another route. When I everywhere. 

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IT’S LIKE A WASTE-LAND FOR LOCALS SO THEY SOMEHOW UTILIZE IT EVEN BY ACCUMULATING COW-DUNG WASTE FROM DOMESTIC ANIMALS. BURZAHOM FORSAKEN

t a historical site which has (wuder) between the banks of the Dal also been famous world over, Lake and the Zabarwan hills. This site one would expect that it will was also nominated for inscription as be a highly preserved and a United Nations Educational Scientific Amaintained place, besides visitors would and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also be attracted towards the site in huge ‘World Heritage Site’ in 2014, though, numbers. But, unfortunately, it is not waiting for its approval. the case with an important historical After climbing the karewa to have site in Kashmir – Burzahom. a close look of sites depicting how pre- Through the pristine areas of Naseem historic settlements used to live, the Bagh- Shalimar road, as soon as one domestic animals grazing the grass Ikhlaq ul Rehman reaches near the Karewa in Burzahom inside designated territory of historical where once Neolithic civilization site is what catches one’s attention They (ASI) excavated existed and flourished, several heaps of more than the remnants of site that the site and took away with artifacts from cow-dung on the edges of karewas from documents the gradual change in the Burzuhama to Kolkata roadside downgrades the fame attached nature of dwelling spaces among early in the garb to study to the site. societies. them. But, they never “It’s like a waste-land for locals so they Two sign boards, erected by the bothered to take steps somehow utilize it even by accumulating Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in preservation and cow-dung waste from domestic animals. corresponding each other on the karewa maintenance of What unfortunate it is,that officials who warn the people that ‘they are inside the this world famous have been tasked the preservation of this 200 meters of regulated zone limit of the historical site. famous historical site don’t utter a word protected monument and constructions to stop locals from spoiling it,” Bashir are strictly prohibited except with prior Ahmad, a resident of Burzhom said. approval’. However, the 200 meters that 16 km from Northeast ASI is referring to is nowhere designated srinagar,Burzahom is the first Neolithic or marked with anything or anywhere site in Kashmir located on a ‘karewa’ near the site. The site is open to→

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everyone including dogs and domestic they never bothered to take steps in animals. preservation and maintenance of this Only good thing that has happened world famous historical site. Even they since years according to locals is that never returned artifacts to J&K. Since people were digging the edges of karewa the inception of our department, we and taking soil to home for purposes have been repeatedly seeking return of like filling holes of their house’ lawns, artifacts even chief minister late Mufti building new house etc, but that Mohammad Sayeed intervened but activity was stopped after government they hardly responded,” Zahid said. agencies and senior citizens of local He said that all other 25 departments areas intervened. returned back Valley after ‘Darbar During the course of excavation, Move’ to summer capital this year, but it was found that Neolithic homes at the Srinagar circle office of ASI was the Burzahom site were pits dug below only department which didn’t shift here ground level using stone tools. The but remained in Jammu. sides of the pits were plastered with Admitting that the monument mud. The pits were usually round or was not protected as it should have oval, and narrow at the top and wide been, Superintending Archaeologist, at the base. Holes discovered around ASI Srinagar circle, Vasant Kumar the pits were probably used to fix Swarnakar says that “it was due to wooden poles to give support to roofs absence of all-round fencing that made out of tree branches. Some of external elements manage to enter the the deeper pits had a few steps leading site premises”. down while the pit-dwellers people “Your concern of domestic animals would have stepped down into the grazing inside the site is genuine and shallower ones. we are building a fencing wall to cover Director State Archaeology and the entire regulated site for its better Museums Department, Mohammad preservation,” he said. Shafi Zahid told MERC Times that it is After the discovery and excavation the ASI who has “ruined” the historical of Burzahom, other Neolithic sites were site as they had the responsibility to also discovered at several places, such as look after the site but “desperately Begagund, Brah, Gofkral, Hariparigom, failed” to preserve it. Jayadevi-udar, Olichibag, Pampur, “They (ASI) excavated the site and took Panzogom, Sombur, Thajiwor and Waztal, away with artifacts from Burzuhama to all located on karewas mainly in the Kolkata in the garb to study them. But, south-east parts of the Kashmir valley. 

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IF TAPPED, BEAUTIFUL DOODHPATHRI HAS POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT TOURISTS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE, BESIDES IT CAN BE DEVELOPED AS MAJOR SPOT FOR RELIGIOUS TOURISM OWING TO ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. DOODHPATHRI: THE MEADOW OF FAITH

eautiful is an understatement ablution. He pricked the land with his stick .clean river ,water as white as and milk came out .he asked the milk that milk, huge meadows, sheep and you can be only used for drinking .hearing horses roaming freely and all of this milk at once changed its state to water Bthis surrounded by gigantic mountains Seeing the miracle, Sheikh Noor Din Wali –Doodhpathri is located at distance of 42 [RA] whispered Doodhpathri, which can kilometers from summer capital of Jammu be roughly translated to Valley of Milk. Aneesa Khan and Kashmir .it has been recognized as Over the course of time, it took the shape new tourist destination central Kashmir’s of river, named Shali Ganga it still exhibits The shrine in the district the same quality of clear crystal water. center of the place If tapped, beautiful Doodhpathri has The large area is dependent on the this remains epitome potential to attract tourists from across river for irrigation and drinking water of the religious the globe, besides it can be developed as facility, besides the aesthetic value of the civilization and faith. major spot for religious tourism owing to river increases the charm of this hill station its historical significance. and people throng the place , usually The origin of the name is not completely during summers to relive themselves from known. However it is said that the famous dryness of summer. saint of Kashmir Sheikh Noor Din Wali Ahmad Sheikh, a historian who [RA] was searching water for performing has researched on Doodhpathri →

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and life of Sheikh Noor Din Wali [RA] which are essential for their survival and said Sheikh Noor Din Wali [RA] stayed existence. They collect firewood from in Doodhpathri and spend long time which they prepare coal which is used in here meditating on God and performing Kangri a famous Kashmiri firepot. Nimaz. On August 14 everywhere people Also number of medicinal plants are assemble from neighboring parts to get found in the forests of Pathri which has acquainted with the teachings of Sheikh gained the attention of many researchers Noor Din Wali [RA].The shrine in the especially from the field of Ayurveda. center of the place remains epitome of Gurwan Sar is the main source of water and is known as Kazan means store of water. This Sar provides water to Shali Ganga and Doodh Ganga and these two rivers distribute this water to different areas, where people use it for irrigation and other purposes. Water coming from melting snow gets stored in this Gurwan Sar and then it continuously provides water to both the rivers all year. Parihas Maidan is the frontal part of DoodhPathri which is too beautiful and cowboys use to graze their flocks of cows and sheep. People said that there was a civilization which sustained in this area of Pthri and there was a separate king of that past civilization. This has been seen from the sources of Archeology and still many things of past can be seen which really exist. On moving from Parihas to Doodh Pathri center there is a famous Dubwan which is the place where people in the past use to wash clothes and now this place is used by Shepherds for washing cows and sheep. People mention that this place was used by past civilization Drycleaners for cloth washing. Doodh Pathri is still unexplored paradise, but the thing cannot be ignored that MLA Khan sahib Hakim Mohammad the religious civilization and faith. Yaseen has done a tremendous work Inside the forests of this beautiful for development of Doodhpathri and place, people believe that there is the with his will and efforts Government Grate on which Sheikh used to cook of Jammu and Kashmir got attention food and burn fire and is locally known towards this beautiful place. as Sheikh Daan. People often come to In year 2015 about 50000 non local visit this place with wishes and respect. and foreign tourists visited this place It is also believed that not only Sheikh but in 2016 due to strikes the number Noor Din Wali [RA] stayed and prayed reduced to large extent and about 20000 here but it has been home of other great non local and foreign tourists visited this saints who stayed and worshipped here. place. About lakhs of local people visit Coming back to beauty of this place. this place every year and majority visits Doodhpathri is known for its natural in June, July and August. dress up and meadows. It remains Local people also visit the place in covered by green carpet of grass in winter season as well to enjoy heavy summer and in winter white snow snowfall. Locals around this beautiful covers all. place request Government of Jammu and People living around this place often Kashmir to pay more attention towards use to collect minor forest products its development and management. 

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THE BOOK IS NOT IN ANY PARTICULAR CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER, THE STORY OF EACH CHARACTER IS TOLD BACKWARDS, AND IS WRITTEN AS IRONIC PROSE.

Book: The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness | Author: Arundhati Roy | Language: English | Genre: Fiction Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, Hamish Hamilton (Penguin Imprint) Pages: 449 ISBN: 9781524733155 Release date: 6th June 2017 A REVIEW OF ‘THE MINISTRY OF UTMOST HAPPINESS BY ARUNDHATI ROY’ About Author: The Ministry of Utmost Happiness is a story having two main strands. One follows Faila Khan rundhati Roy, full name Suzanna Anjum, a hijra, or transgender, struggling The book is Arundhati Roy (born November to make a life for herself in Delhi. The other overpopulated with 24, 1961, Shillong, Meghalaya, follows Tilo, a thorny and irresistible architect characters and one India), she is an Indian author, turned activist (who seems to be modeled on may or may not be Aactress, and political activist who was best Roy herself), and the three men who fall in able to keep up with known for the award-winning novel The God love with her. it, it may create a of Small Things (1997). There is a question Roy asks quite subtly in little chaos in After two decades, Roy has come with her the second chapter, "Is it possible for a mother readers head. new fiction book The Ministry of Utmost to be terrified of her own baby?" There is an Happiness, recently shortlisted for Man excerpt from the book that captures Jehanara booker prize, 2017 released in June. , Roy's Begum's (Anjum's mother) character, "In nonfiction book touches and tracks down Urdu, the only language she (Jahanara Begum, different aspects of human society. Anjum's mother) knew. All things, not just About book living things but all things—carpets, →

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graveyard; the second found at midnight, abandoned on a concrete sidewalk in the heart of Delhi. After a series of events, it talks of how Tillotama ends up in a graveyard with Anjum, how the story interconnects. The book talks about all the forbidden topics of present India, Indira Gandhi's assassination, Sikh Massacre in 1984, Kashmir Insurgency, The rise of Saffron brigade, Dalit politics, Gujarat riots 2002, Ayodhya etc. The book reaches the audience who usually avoids Roy's nonfiction, its right to mention that the political subjects she touches are not opinionated; it's the free flowing of a characters journey throughout these phases. That's precisely what Ministry attempts to do: take a view of violence, injustice, suffering over decades of India's history and turn it all into a breathing human story. It is a story of love. It is a story of longing. It is a story of hope. The book is overpopulated with characters and one may or may not be able to keep up with it, it may create a little chaos in readers head. The idea of the book runs as, everything personal is political and vice versa. The book is not in any particular chronological order, the story of each character is told backwards, and is written as ironic prose. The book though fiction is clothes, books, pens, musical close to reality and echoes helplessness of instruments—had a gender. Everything contemporary India. The characters are was either masculine or feminine, man or too broken by the world and are then fixed woman, everything except her baby. Yes of with small acts of love and hope. The story course she knew there was a word for those of conflicted characters is told with real like him—Hijra. Two words actually, Hijra emotions and sometimes with bitter laugh, and Kinnar. But two words do not make a thus adding tragic humor to the story like, language." "Young reporters, who spread across The character journeys from old Delhi the city like a rash, asking urgent, empty to riot-hit Gujrat and finally finds herself questions; they asked the poor what it was caught in the conflict torn valley of Kashmir. like to be poor, the hungry what it was like The introduction of a character to be hungry, the homeless what it was like called Musa Aka Commander Gulrez, a to be homeless." fundamentalist, a freedom fighter, the man The clear version of this fiction is to who only finds his place in romantic fiction represent the factual modern history. Roy's whose wife and daughter are recently shot fiction always touches the social boundaries dead. Musa's character is layered. be it in The God Of Small Things, where We encounter S. Tillotama, a dusky parallels are drawn between a Dalit and a Malayali beauty, all the men she meets fall high caste society or The ministry, where in love with her, and her character is written the narration touches the depth of diverse so interestingly and intricately. There are characters in different societies. Roy's eye instances where you think, is this Roy or for details and gift of storytelling is coherent Tilo? The resemblances are coincidental, and interesting. maybe. The love web exists between Tilo, The lines in the poem at the end of The Musa and Naga Hariharan (a left wing Ministry Of Utmost Happiness—How to journalist). The introduction of two Miss tell a shattered story? /By slowly becoming Jabeens: the first a child born in Srinagar everybody/No. By slowly becoming and buried in its overcrowded Martyrs everything—are a coda. 

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WE USED TO SEE TOURISTS COME IN HOUSE BOATS SPENDING NIGHTS TOGETHER HERE IN DURING SUMMERS. THE VIEW PRESENTED A SPLENDOR, ‘DEAD ANCHAR’ he nauseating smell and pack visitors used to take a boat ride from of dogs have pounced over the Dal Lake to the Khushal Sar –another carcass with eagles hovering water body which is also on the verge overhead at Anchar Soura. of extinction. “They used to enjoy. Not TUnknown of fact that site was once a only them. Even we used to go ecstatic, pristine water body; anybody can take not now anymore,” says Taploo while the place for a “dumping site”. This taking hard gushes from his hookah. is what has remained of Anchar lake “We used to see tourists come in house which once spanned over an area of boats spending nights together here in 19.4sq km, has now just got shrunken to during summers. The view presented a 6.8 sq km. splendor,” says Taploo pointing with his Nazir Ahmad Taploo is an right hand towards massive Mahadav octogenarian carpet weaver. Taking a mountain range that houses highest Ubeer Naqushbandi deep gushes from his hookah, he has peak of Kashmir:Harmukh and serene There were even aged all along with now “dead Anchar”. Tungalball hill in district. medicinal plants that used “There were times when tourists visited Environmentalists after assessing the to grow inside lake. this lake in large numbers. But now deteriorated condition of the lake had Those plants had cancer no one comes here,” says Taploo while declared it “dead” in 2010. treating properties. But now placing tobacco inside chelum of his Presently, Anchar falls under this lake is so toxic that hookah. the domain Srinagar Municipal it gives back cancer. Anchar formed an important place Corporation which in itself Nazir says is in the hydrology of Srinagar. The lake is “irony”. “Some restoration urban bodies connected with the Dal Lake through a department like UEED or LAWDA channel known by the name of Nallah should be given the task. But handling it Aamir Khan. entirely to SMC means that government Taploo says that it is on record that considers it a dust bin.” →

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With successive regimes falling to and wastage from lavish marriage restore pristine water body-Anchar parties are directly thrown into the lake. has just been reduced to a memory of It emanates unbearable stench,” says past. The encroachments are going on Taploo. at massive scale. Inside it marshlands Another factor that Nazir says have been created which Nazir says are as“final nail in Anchar’s coiffin” was made from its basin. And large swathes construction of Achan dumping of English willow and kani kul (used for site by government in late nineties. wicker work) are grown into the lake. The black toxic water(leech) that is “We are responsible for its ruination,” formed out of the decomposed waste says Taploo taking a rest from his at Anchan, Taploo says has also smoking. damaged the lake. In 2010 environmentalists had given Tributary from Sindh river enters reasons for lake’s death. They had said the Anchar from its northern side and concrete chambers used for baking brings a lot of siltation alongside. Due willow branches have been installed to lack of any opening in the lake, the close to its shores. Not only this they massive siltation has resulted into dry had mentioned that the fecal matter patches of land inside the lake. directly flows into the lake. Besides this “There were even medicinal plants the jungle of willows have turned whole that used to grow inside lake. Those peripheral area of lake into a thick forest plants had cancer treating properties. that prevents sunlight from touching the But now this lake is so toxic that it gives waters of Anchar proving detrimental back cancer,” says Nazir in a harsh while for its flora and fauna. shifting his hands from hookah towards Besides this two important kettle. developments Taploo says happened Barely two kilometers from lies close toAnchar that has proven Nallabal bridge at Nowhera-a place catastrophic for it. “It’s (Anchar’s) doom famous for dry cleaners particularly started the day SKIMS hospital was associated with world famous Pashmina built along its shore in 1977. We never shawls. The discharge of detergent on thought life savior for people would turn large scale on daily bases is also adding curse for Anchar”. to the Ancahr’s agony. All the biomedical waste flows into Heat of Anchar’s apathy is also felt by Anchar. Though, officials at SKIMS people living adjacent to it. The lake was hospital maintain that waste is treated once a bread earning place for them. They before being discharged into the water used to sell its fishes, nadru and other body. “We have a full fledged STP,” says varities that used to grow inside the lake. an official from SKIMS. Known for producing Pharri (smoked Certain steps like installation of two fish) – a local delicacy exclusively furnaces for burning solid waste were found in Anchar, its fishermen are now put up in 2008 but SKIMS insiders say switching to other jobs. that the measure proved inadequate With seepage capacity of Anchar owing to the huge stress on the hospital. almost reduced to nil. It is also seen “No doubt main problem for us is liquid as a reason by environmentalists for waste,” says a SKIMS insider wishing flooding of Srinagar city in 2014-the first not to be identified. ever urban floods in entire world. Taploo after taking some rest again Recalling his yesteryears Taploo says lays his hands on the hookah and places during these summer times, he used hot embers on the chillum to take a to spend his day in lake-swimming, gush. The sweat drops trickle down rowing a boat or just playing alongside from his forehead. He wipes it with the his friends on the shore. But he no more button less sleeve of his kurta. “There are can take this risk. Now yoy can itching no more fishes and nadrus(stem of lotus) from its waters. They have turned highly here in Anchar. Though you may find toxic.” some but that is all toxic. All you find in Taploo now shifts between sips of the lake is now plastic bottles, polythene nun chai and gushes from his hookah. bags and other garbage. Even amputated “It(Anchar) is a dead body bound to human body parts and animal carcass emanate smell,” gnaws Taploo. 

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I HAVE GROWN UP WATCHING COLORFUL AND EXUBERANT YARNS GIVING LIFE IN OUR COURTYARD DYING THE YARN TRADITION ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION

ourth generation “Rangar” is people working round-the-clock, the struggling to save the traditional house now wears an isolated look. After the art of dyeing the yarn from construction of shops around the house, onslaught of modernity and the dyeing unit now remains squeezed to a Findifference. few marlas only. Every morning, as the market around Mushtaq, who is working at the unit “Rangar” Masjid in Srinagar’s old city since he was 12, vividly recalls the fall from buzzes with activity, Mushtaq Ahmad grace. “As the family grew this business Posh, 68, resumes daily work at his dyeing proved insufficient to feed all,” said unit, where he puts life in the colorless Mushtaq. “Then everyone started looking yarn. for alternative source of income.” A fourth generation dyer, Mushtaq and The change started with the falling his family is keeping this tradition alive demand for manual dyeing of yarn for since last 150 years. Mushtaq still has handloom products. “It was hard to fresh memories of his grand-father, father, imagine this compound without colorful and uncles working at this dyeing unit. yarns hung all around,” said Mushtaq. “This entire locality was full of dyers with “I have grown up watching colorful colourful yarns hanging all around. The and exuberant yarns giving life in our streets were coloured with the dyeing water. courtyard. I could do nothing else, thus, I It was mesmerizing,” recalls Mushtaq. began helping my father when my uncles Rangar Masjid located in left this work. I was contended with area of Srinagar, got its name after the whatever we would earn,” he added. occupation of majority of inhabitants. Around same time Mushtaq’s uncle Mehvish Mumtaz “Rangar” means dyer in Kashmiri. developed severe lung ailments after This entire locality Adjacent to Rangar Masjid stands a inhaling fumes emanating from yarns was full of dyers with multi-storied, old crumbling structure, during dyeing. “He then left the job along colourful yarns hanging made of earthen bricks, mud and lot of with his two sons,” recalls Mushtaq. They all around. The streets timber, with traditional Kashmiri patterns are now government employees. were coloured with the hand carved over its surface. This is the “If a person is exposed to such fumes dyeing water. It was ancestral house of Mushtaq family which for a long time, he develops certain lung mesmerizing, presently houses the dyeing unit in its ailments including bronchitis,” Experts compound. said. “I love handmade Kashmiri “My two sons work with me in this unit,” embroidery works (Kadai), crochets, and said Mushtaq who is one of the last dyers of carpets,” said Mushtaq. These handicrafts yarn for Kashmir handicrafts. use colored staple yarn that Mushtaq’s Once a bustling unit with around twenty family makes for over a century →

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now. Also, they provide colorful staple visit,” recalls Mushtaq. yarn to artisans, handicraft manufacturers, The visitor suggested Mushtaq’s father and garment factories in mainland India. to contact his company for help. “They “We are the oldest and the most sought sent the color sample and the literature after dyers for artisan in valley,” said for fabric dyeing. Ever since, we have been Mushtaq insisting that it has never been using the same method of dyeing the about money. “I am in love with beautiful yarn,” said Mushtaq. flowery patterns and the embroidery work After weighing the coloring powder, of Kashmiri handicraft artisans,” he added. Mushtaq puts it in a large container of “Despite good educational background boiling water. The staple fibres are packed my sons work with me as they cannot into a vessel and then dye liquid is forced find a decent job,” said Mushtaq. “But through them. Although the dye solution once they get a job they will abandon this ispumped in large quantities, the dye may family business,” he added. not penetrate completely into the fibre and Mushtaq still uses ancient German some areas may be left without dyeing. dyeing technology for coloring the staple However, the blending and spinning yarn that his father had obtained some processes mix up the fibre in a way that seventy years back. “A German garment it results in an overall even colour. “This manufacturing Company’s worker once way the dye stuff penetrates the fibre to the passed by our unit while on a Kashmir core of the yarn,” said Mushtaq. 

MY PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE PEOPLE, PLACE AND THEIR HABITS WAS MUCH MORE THAN I COULD HAVE LEARNED FROM BOOKS. THE EXPERIENCE OF MY TRAVELLING WAS APPEALING TO SENSE AND SOOTHING TO SOUL. TRAVELLING IN TERROR

Shahzad Ashiq

The simple living of the people there, the unforgettable hospitality of rural people left lasting impressions on my mind. n the words of Francis Bacon, an nostalgic. The excitement started from English philosopher, “Travel, in the the moment my father announced that younger sort, is a part of education; the family was planning a trip. As the in the elder, a part of experience”. day to start the journey drew nearer, I IFirst ever trip out of town, years ago started thinking and talking about it to during summer holidays made me my friends and family. The wave of→

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excitement did not subside until I stepped to sense and soothing to soul. If you have out of the house for the journey. not been able to get an opportunity to My experiences during my trip to the travel around this globe you may, to some southern mountainous areas of Kashmir extent, consider yourself less fortunate. were totally different from what I had Travelling, whether for pleasure or had in the area where I lived. The wild business increases your knowledge about and withered beauty of the mountainous different cultures, languages, foods etc. areas was pleasing to one’s sight. The Frequent travelling to different areas greenery around was splendid and the helps you in making friends from around lake had made the whole area look even the globe. more splendid. The simple living of the The purpose of travelling can be people there, the unforgettable hospitality different for different people. While of rural people left lasting impressions on statesmen visit other countries on a my mind. goodwill mission; the businessmen For me it was a new experience for business, the poet and writers may altogether. The cultural differencetake a trip for collection of facts and between the two places was an eye- impressions for their writings and opener for me. Roasts, naans, kababs others may want to travel as tourists. and many other delicious dishes were Travelling is considered as a powerful good enough to satisfy my appetite. My tool for personal development. It builds personal observations about the people, confidence in you and teaches you to place and their habits was much more become a responsible person as you learn than I could have learned from books. The to take care of your belongings and look experience of my travelling was appealing after your companions during the trip. 

WE WERE PLANNING TO ORGANISE A THREE DAY SHOW TO PROMOTE ART AT THIS SITE. BUT BEFORE WE COULD SEND OUR INVITATIONS, WE RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE UNIVERSITY AUTHORITIES THAT THEY PLANNED TO DISMANTLE THE STRUCTURE.” BUMPED FINE ARTS chirpy group of boys and teachers were not supportive of this idea, girls are clicking selfies at but after our art installation hogged the a deserted piece of land limelight, their support started pouring circled by mighty Chinars in,” said Qazi Tabiah Muen, a second year at ANaseembagh in Kashmir University. A Fine Arts student. few are chit-chatting, reclining against the The students had contributed money to chopped pieces of a fallen Chinar. purchase the material for the art work. And Hirra Azmat The empty space might be a place of their 10 days of labour bore fruit, as the Students from other entertainment for the outsiders, but it space grabbed the eyeballs and garnered departments began serves as a grim reminder for the students appreciation from all sides. thronging the site, of the varsity’s Fine Arts Department: Students from other departments began giving way to music the last summer, they had toiled hard to thronging the site, giving way to music performances, give this place an artistic touch using performances, discussions, and poetry discussions, and paper-machie work, elements of flour, and recitations. poetry recitations. water on the fallen tree trunk; sketches Little did they know their happiness was and graffiti were drawn on the torched short-lived! building to make it reflect unconventional “We were planning to organise a three art. day show to promote art at this site. But “We worked as a group of 10 students before we could send our invitations, we from the department. Initially, our received a notice from the university →

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authorities that they planned to dismantle “If nothing else, they could have the structure,” added Tabiah. encouraged us. On the contrary, they The students had demandedlabeled this place as a hub of illegal preservation of the remnants on which activities, which was untrue.” their art was being showcased. Showkat Katjoo, faculty at the “We held a protest,” Tabiah said. “Our department, however, chose to differ. pleas fell on deaf ears. We knew this would “I have always been appreciative of their end up like this as it was a site-specific efforts and the amount of hard work they activity. If they were so concerned about put in this project,” he said. the art preservation, they would have given “Since it was a site-specific activity it us a separate place where would paint would have withered away one day or the freely.” other.” 

THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD OF BEST QUALITY IS TO HAVE BERRY SIZE OF 4-4.5GMS AND OUR GRAPES HAVE A SIZE OF 12.5GMS EXCEEDING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.” REPORA:VILLAGE OF GRAPES

Showkat Wani

A great advantage of Repora grapes is that it is ready when fresh grapes are not epora Village in Kashmir which according to some experts exceed available anywhere in is perhaps the only place international standards fixed for the fruit. the world except Italy. in the world where fresh A great advantage of Repora grapes is grapes are available. And, that it is ready when fresh grapes are not thisR Kashmiri Grape is no ordinary fruit. available anywhere in the world except Kashmir is well known for some of the Italy. “When Maharaja (Hari Singh) once best quality apple but not many are aware had (Fresh) Grapes in winter, he was of the grapes produced in Repora village, surprised.” says Gh Nabi, a resident of →

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Repora. Repora is a village in block Lar, kilogram rate of Sahabi is Rs 200 and district Ganderbal. for Hussaini it is rupees 100. “The local The south facing aspect of village demand is some much that it seldom makes it feasible for the cultivation reaches out side.” Majid told. of grapes besides being well irrigated The quality of Repora grapes is and open to maximum possible hours considered to be best in the world. of sunshine. Known for its grapes “The international standard of best the village has a mention in the first quality is to have berry size of 4-4.5gms volume of Tareek-E-Hassan, one of the and our grapes have a size of 12.5gms most reliable historical accounts about exceeding international standards.” Kashmir. says Tasaduq. The department has The villagers attribute the thriving of developed Kralbagh in adjacent village grapes in area to the blessings a saint, of Repora as the model vineyard, Mir Syed Shah Sadiq Qalander (RA) measuring 67 Kanals, for the purpose who they believe lived in the area. “It of administration. “We have put all is the blessing of Shah Sahab (RA).” the representative varieties there.” says says Ghulam Mohammad, resident Tasaduq. of Repora. The grapes of Repora got The model vineyard has its own attention when someone gifted it to system of training in place the ‘bower the Rai Bahadur Thakur Janak Singh- system’ for commercial exploitation in the military general of the Maharaja which a network on iron rods are built Impressed by the quality he inquired to make a vineyard. it takes around about the place where the grapes where nine lakh rupees for one kanal of produced. He purchased most of the vineyard. fertile area and introduced improved The department has put this system varieties of grapes. “We have heard only for 13 Kanals of land. Annually that the rulers used to make wine out this land is fetching more than Rs ten the grapes of Repora.” says Ab Majid, a lakhs annual profit. “In 2009 the bid resident of the village. went for 6.5 lakhs and when we checked Later Janak Singh built a bungalow how much the contractor earned, it there which now is also called as was around 18 lakhs.” says the officer Bunglibagh as a Remants of the incharge. The other systems are place building exist there.” prominent in head system, telephone system and commercial verities grown in the area Kniphion system. To help the village is the Hussaini-imported from Iran and in having vineyard in their home, the Shahabi imported from Hyderabad. department is giving 50%. subsidy in There also Kishmish, Anabeshai and managing the bower system. “Until Ruby verity. The department has now this point of time we have covered got Thomson seedless variety for raisin around 400 beneficiaries. To have this making. Lack of local technique in off their own is very difficult.” Tasaduq making raisins is hindering growth in told. The orchards are under staffed. the produce. “We lack entrepreneurship The approved staff is 28 people but the in this field.” says Tasaduk Mueen, present strength is only three including horticulture officer who the incharge of the incharge and two technicians. the orchards. “As in Ladakh they have “We don’t have a gardener here” says process of drying apricot at commercial Abdul Rashid, the technician. The stuff level, we don’t have that here” he said. inadequacy is marring the options of The locals have their own technique getting the best result. “We had stock of to preserve the fruit. They keep it in 4000, in which only 2400 was fit to breed earthen pots and cover them with mud. and my two member staff have managed This way the life of grapes is increased 2900.whatelse i can expect from them.” to six months. The Repora grapes says Tasaduq. “The stuff I have is not fetch a good price in the market. Per even fit for watch andward.” 

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IT IS CERTAINLY A MATTER OF CONCERN THAT SNOW AVALANCHES AND LANDSLIDES OCCUR TOO FREQUENTLY NOW. FARMERS FEAR AND CLIMATE CHANGE

armers in most of the rural areas changes in topography of land, farmers are of Kashmir are constantly worried the worst hit. about the weather conditions. The She has no idea why the weather is last four-five years were totally turning too erratic with each passing year. Fdifferent, said the farmers. Farida Akhtar, Every year it springs a surprise. Last year a farmer in Kashmir narrates her ordeal Kashmir had an exceptionally hot summer of climate change and how it affected her followed by an extremely cold winter and Raja Aasim crop cultivation. now a long spell of rains and windstorms. Every morning, 44 years old Farida For Kashmiris, it is the start of second Deteriorating weather wakes up, she peeps through her window, fortnight of June that marked the actual conditions in Kashmir may before casting a look at the clock to see beginning of summer this year. The be a consequence of if there is any probability of a sunny day charm of spring in April and May was climate change. ahead. The past four days of complete almost absent because of an extended sunshine have brought some relief to her, spell of erratic weather which also brought first time in the past two and a half months. devastating windstorms at regular Deteriorating weather conditions in intervals. Kashmir may be a consequence of climate In March 2012, a destructive windstorm, change. Apart from forcing permanent which lasted for four consecutive days, →

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wreaked havoc across Kashmir. The storm, sudden. Her concerns are much like those according to official estimates, killed five expressed by the people in picturesque people and injured another 35, apart from Ladakh where a flash flood in August 2010 causing damage to 9214 residential houses, left a trail of destruction behind. The flood 235 were completely destroyed. killed 233 people and rendered thousands Akhtar has never seen such a more homeless. windstorm in her life which would last The floods washed away crops, along for days together. Before the windstorm with huge chunks of cultivable land. of early spring, people in Kashmir had to According to official figures,1420 hectares repeatedly hear about snow avalanches and of land were affected by the floods and 51 landslides claiming lives and damaging percent of crops, which included barley infrastructure in the hilly areas because of and vegetables, were damaged. heavy snowing. I have never heard of a disaster of this More than 150 people got killed in kind in Ladakh’s history. Much before over two dozen incidents of huge snow the calamity struck, the people of that avalanches and landslides. There are mountainous region already wondered apprehensions that the damage can be about the curious changes in weather and worst, if such incidents occur in the areas temperature that were in sharp contrast which are covered with landmine, planted to the way they live. during the past two decades of armed There region is known as an arid region conflict in Kashmir valley. and it had small glaciers, through which It is certainly a matter of concern that they draw water from. But over the last snow avalanches and landslides occur too several years, many of these glaciers have frequently now. And it is too frightening receded which may inundate the region as they may even occur in areas covered in future. Some of the pasture land is with landmines. Most of border areas are also drying up in the region, because of covered with landmines, so the damage water scarcity. can be worse when a landmass filled Lamenting over the changing with landmines would slide down in a conditions is pointless. What we need habitation. to do instead, is to look for solutions, Farida has hardly any hope that the we have either adapt or become extinct. areas covered under landmines, can be According to her, people from poorer sanitized with urgency. Extreme weather regions of the world are suffering because events have surprised the people and they of the policies of the industrial world. are clueless. I have seen weather turning But she still finds it useless to indulge in rough, but not the way we are witnessing blame games. Though I a m sure that now. When it rains, it rains for days and we are paying for none of our faults, weeks together, and when the weather we have to think about adapting to the stays dry, it stretches far too long. changes, which are taking place due to For her, it is beyond comprehension why the actions of the developed world (in the weather should behave this way all of a producing greenhouse gases.) 

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WHEN THE CRISIS RETURNED TO HAUNT THE FAMILY, ATHROUT’S WOMEN SPECIFIC INITIATIVE, AL-NISA CAME TO HER RESCUE. EMPOWERING EVE

throut- The name itself speaks the “He could never stand on his feet again,” service it provides. It is a name of she said, regretting doctors being unsure of a helping hand. This organization his fate. Shattered emotionally, the finances has been doing something of family crippled with the cost of treatment. Acommendable to the larger cause. Off late, They exhausted all of their savings and lately, they started empowering the women folk. food became a luxury, sleeping hungry Initially, women are trained for cutting became routine. and tailoring. The idea is to get in touch with Before it could have serious ramifications, a good designer and link up with a good NGO Athrout sponsored their family of website to create a new brand. This Al- Nisa three and started helping them on monthly initiative is aimed to help girls from poor basis with groceries. background to earn respectfully and support “Continuing education in such extreme their families. conditions was not possible. We used to save 23-year-old Qurat-ul-Ain from modest every single penny for father’s treatment background had an urge to provide a better and it continued for almost nine years. The living to her parents. Being a bright student, disease was under control. But now his liver’s she had a wish to get a good job after condition has deteriorated again and he has completing her education. Nine years ago been put on medicines again,” says Qurat, before she could have joined class 11th,she who desires to study again. faced a tragedy as doctors diagnosed her When the crisis returned to haunt the father having damaged liver. family, Athrout’s women specific initiative, Caught in a quagmire of pursuing her own Al-Nisa came to her rescue. dreams or helping her father to survive, she Qurat joined the centre in Bul Bul Lanker left her studies and started taking care of her in March 2017. She believes that she will earn ailing father. for her father’s treatment and is hopeful →

Tahir Bhat

It was difficult to gain their trust and work here.

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someday she may start her studies again. stitching new suits fearing tailor may cost her Joining Al-Nisa was my mother’s decision more but she wanted to save that money for says Ruksana, 23. After Four months in us.” said Rukhsana. training, she is satisfied. 44 year old Suraya is Rukhsana colleague. Ruksana was just ten in 2004 when her She is a widow. “Tailoring is a noble profession father, a laborer in local band-saw, died. She and for uneducated women, who cannot get a doesn’t know the cause of his death. But that good job, it is a perfect job for them. It gives left the family of seven in shambles. us the opportunity to work from home.” The plight of her family compelled Bashir Ahmad Nadwi, chairman of Ruksana and her elder sister to learn the art Athrout says that the idea behind it was of needle work on table cloth when they were to facilitate the needy ones especially the barely in their teens. “We had to get this work orphans and widows. from our maternal house in Khag Budgam,” Athrout is planning to avail better options Ruksana said. for Al Nisa students. After female clothes, “Here in Srinagar, nobody knew our work these students will be trained to stitch male so it was difficult to gain their trust and work clothing as well. “And we are working on an here.” online shopping website where we’ll put the Ruksana joined Al-Nisa in March and a clothes girls on sale,” says Nadwi month later she could stitch the first suit. It Athrout has a proper verification took her three days to stitch it. procedure to ensure that only needy are “It was for my mother. That gave me facilitated. immense happiness when she touched and The centre currently runs from 2 pm to wore it. Those teary eyes I still remember 4:30 pm. But they intend to have a morning when she said she will ask me frequently to shift as well. The first batch will be given stitch suits for her. Otherwise, she avoided training from 6-12 months. 

INSTEAD OF HELPING HER, PEOPLE HURLED CHOICEST ABUSES AT HER, WHILE THE MAD MAN HELD HER FORCIBLY, TRYING TO PUSH HER IN THE JHELUM RIVER FROM THE BUDSHAH BRIDGE. SCARS OF SEXUAL HARRASMENT

oes someone have to touch you for it to be sexual harassment? Do sexually suggestive words count? If someone is staring at Dyour body, is it sexual harassment? Can a friend sexually harass you? What if it only happens once? Identifying sexual harassment can be Musaib Mehraj confusing. Sometimes we are unable to express exactly what we believe happened to Girl screamed and us. We may be unsure of why it happened or cried in agony but whether what happened was okay, especially what happened if the perpetrator is our friend or a complete next was heart stranger. We may not understand why we wrenching. feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. These are common questions and reactions that, unfortunately, don’t have easy answers. Although sexual harassment involves sexual behaviors, it’s actually not about sex. People who harass others are acting →

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in a way that communicates aggression, “It’s unfortunate that Police did nothing hostility, and a desire for control. They feel except the fact that the person had already powerful by making someone, who they see jumped into river previously on different as inferior, feel scared or uncomfortable. occasions. On the contrary they watched Sometimes they simply want attention. him dragging me,” said the girl Regardless of their motivation, perpetrators He then took her to a Cloth Shop and of sexual harassment need to be stopped. asked the shop owner to gift her a black Of late, a female journalism student of suit. Girl screamed and cried in agony but women’s college MA road was allegedly what happened next was heart wrenching. harassed by mentally unstable man, while The shopkeeper instead of taking a step and the police and people turned a blind eye. doing something, he said “Iss pe ye wala She is left traumatised by the whole incident kapda suit hoga mam kitne metre rakhun”. taking a deep toll on her and is yet to come Girl in disarray said, “How insane a human to terms with the inhumane treatment she can be, I can’t express what’s going through received at the hands of spectators. my mind. I am in a state of shock.” “Instead of helping her, people hurled The story doesn’t end here. Ironically choicest abuses at her, while the mad man the insane person drifted into the college, held her forcibly, trying to push her in the the college where parents are not even Jhelum River from the Budshah Bridge. The allowed. He entered the college by beating police present on the spot watched without the security guard as he tried to restrict him taking any steps to prevent harm to her. She from getting inside. He stayed in college was anxious crying and pleading the people for half an hour. He broke the umbrella around her to intervene and free her from the of security guard and thrashed him. The clutches of this person,” said an eye witness. security guard immediately informed Few young men passed by and one of KothiBagh Police Station. After a while them rebuked her by saying “Why do police came and arrested him. The girl ran you girls set affairs, and share you phone and went to her friends narrating them the numbers. Now die and go to hell?” whole story. Insane person is suspected to be 6 feet College Dean came into action after that 2 with fairer complexion also having a and started to blame the girl for having an defective eye. The girl was beaten to pulp affair with the accused in the past. Tears by the person when he grabbed her wrist were rolling down when she said, “How and dragged her from Jahangir Chowk to can a Dean being a woman herself utter Budshah Bridge. As girl started screaming, such provoking statements? I was in a police interrupted and the person tried to danger of being raped, killed but instead of jump in river along with the girl. Her fist was sympathizing a lady of such reputation is held by a man very firmly. He threatened the blaming me as if I am a culprit.” police and asked them not to intervene. I can expect such strange things as everything is possible in this cruel world,” she said in her painful voice. After that College authorities confirmed with security guard about the incident and wrapped things there. Surprisingly Principal of Women’s college Shaheen Altaf said that “I was in college for the whole day and I am unaware of this incident.” Police officials at Police station Kothi Bagh told Media Times, “We haven’t received any such complaints nor we have lodged any report.” The girl was emotionally shattered while narrating all this and she repeatedly tried to convey the fact that “It’s very unfortunate on the part of humanity that not even a single person came forward to my rescue. Instead of helping people just blame, rebuke rubbish words and nothing else. 

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IT HAD WORKED AS THE REPOSITORY OF CULTURAL AND SOCIAL HERITAGE NOT ONLY OF THE STATE BUT OF THE WHOLE COUNTRY. THE EXPOSITION OF URDU LANGUAGE

rdu is considered as one of the rule of Maharaja Ranbhir Singh (1885- the important languages 1925), Urdu for the first time in Indian spoken in the whole world and history, emerged as the official language of particularly in the Indian Sub Jammu And Kashmir state. Because of the Nazima Rashid UContinent. It is the a mixture of many sweetness and high attraction, Urdu came languages (Lashkari Zubaan), born in forward as an official language of State and Undoubtedly, Urdu is India. It is historically an established fact reached to its peak only in 20th century. one of the means of that after the decline of Persian Language, In the valley of Kashmir the incomparable communication in all it became an official language of India for paradise on Earth, it is an intelligible and the three divisions of a long period of time. It began to emerge familiar language, though not the mother Kashmir Valley as a developing language, during the reign tongue. Perhaps the Govt. of India,because of Maharaja Ghulab Singh (1846-56). of such affiliation and proximity of Chronologically, it is said to be the oldest Kashmiri populace with the language, language spoken in India after Sanskrit credible it for state’s official language, with and Persian. English having a place only by permission It was in the 19th century, during of legislature. However section 145 of →

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the Jammu & kashmir constitution declares constitution of India. “Urdu to be the official language of the state To maintain its glory, number of while providing continued use of English Govt. and Semi-Govt. Organization had language for all the official purposes”. rendered their service in the promotion of The status of Urdu as the official language Urdu language in Kashmir from Time to is strongly resented by many people in Time. Jammu&Kashmir. It’s seldom used in these “Way back in 1954 a policy was framed two historical region. While in Kashmir it with electronic media like Radio Kashmir is used by most people in everyday life. to broadcast 75% of Programmes in Urdu medium.Even today to boost up its usage in our lives, we broadcast most of our programmes in urdu language” said Javid Andrabi, Announcer at Radio Kashmir. Besides this, information Department and J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages played their part in its promotion.These agencies have contributed a lot in the promotion and development of Urdu in Kashmir “It is now considered as an important language as the diffusion of modernity and English Phobia prevails among the contemporary Kashmiri Society, but also due to the non-availability of employment avenues in government sectors” said Farhat jabeen a student of urdu department KU. Undoubtedly, Urdu is one of the means of communication in all the three divisions of Kashmir Valley i.e, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. So to intact the culture of unity in diversity of the valley and prevent it from linguistic discrimination and constitutional violation, it is necessary to focus on the crucial issue and make a frame work of policies in the govt. offices and educational institutions for the improvement and promotion of Urdu language. Both Govt. and civilians have to play their role in promoting the Urdu language in one or the other way. Obviously it is the time for all of us to procure our responsibility as a noble hospitable with By attaining the state patronage,despite the old relative guest (Urdu) in order to its relatively late development and bring back it towards its lost glory. resentment. It holds the largest collection ‘’Urdu is not merely a language in of works on religious literature and India, rather it is a fusion of cultural appeared as one of the premier languages sensibilities. Languages do not belong of poetry developed a rich tradition in to any borders, laws, governments or different varieties of poetic genres. Thus divisive forces. Post-partition politics it can be said without exaggeration that has certainly impacted acceptance of the past of Urdu was very rich. It had the language, as it has been identified worked as the repository of cultural and with a particular religion,’’ said Professor social heritage not only of the state but Bushra HOD Urdu department KU. of the whole country. It is ranked in the “Also, there is a perception that Urdu is a 3rd among the 33000 languages of the foreign language. Both these perceptions world and is the medium of conversation are erroneous as Urdu is spoken across about 60 countries in the world, the one the entire sub-continent by people of all among the 22 languages recognized by the religious communities” she added. 

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THE COMPANIONSHIP OF BOOKS IS SINCERE AND FAITHFUL. ANOTHER PLEASURE PROVIDED BY READING NOVELS OR POETRY IS THE PLEASURE OF ESCAPE. READING: A MUST

appy is the man who acquires reader, a gleam in the eyes of the reader of habit of reading when he a poem and furrow of seriousness on the is young. He has secured a forehead of a person reading a newspaper life-long source of pleasure, report. Waves of thinking and emotion Hinstruction and inspiration. So long as are generated by reading. So the pleasure he has his beloved books, he never needs is immediate and it continues to linger in to feel lonely. He always has a pleasant the mind. occupation of leisure moments, so that he “Reading lifts us from the harsh realities need never feel bored. He is the possessor of life into the world of imagination. The of wealth more precious than gold. magic touch of fancy transmutes grief into Ruskin calls books “kings’ treasures”- joy, failure into success, pain into pleasure treasuries filled, not with gold and silver and fear into hope,” Jibran, a book reader Hikmatyar and precious stones, but with riches much said. Even an unhappy man sheds his more valuable than these-knowledge, unhappiness and realities no longer press Pleasures of reading are noble thoughts and high ideals. Poor hard. many and they are not indeed is the man who does not read, and The blessings which the reading habit at all expensive. empty is his life. confers on its possessor are many provided Reading may be a compulsion for a we choose the right kind of books. Reading school going child, pastime for a retired gives the highest kind of pleasure. Some person, but a pleasure for many. You can books we read simply for pleasure and discover smile on the face of a novel- amusement—for example, good novels →

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and books of imagination must have their creatures live. place in everybody’s reading. “When we “Our daily life often becomes routine are tired, or brain is weary with serious and boring. To cut ourselves off from it for study, it is a healthy recreation a short time, we may read some romantic to lose ourselves in some novel which will take us to some fairy land,” absorbing story written he further added. One more pleasure is the by a master hand,” he pleasure of identification. When we are added. reading the adventures of some hero, we But to read get so much lost in the text that we become nothing but books of forgetful of our surroundings. fiction is like eating We happen to identify ourselves with nothing but cakes the hero. Reading also stimulates our and sweetmeats. As brain, and widens out outlook. A well-read we need plain and man cannot afford to be shallow, narrow- wholesome food for minded and fanatical in his outlook. the body, so we must Books are the most faithful of friends. have serious reading for Our friends may change, or die; but our the mind. And here we can books are always patiently waiting to choose according to our taste. talk to us. They are never cross, peevish, There are many noble books on or unwilling to converse, as our friends history, biography, philosophy, religion, sometimes are. No wonder a reader travel, and science which we ought to read, becomes a “book-lover.”Books can give and which will give us not only pleasure company when human beings cannot. but an education. We can develop a taste We can happily spend our lonely ours for serious reading, so that in the end it in the company of the author – tailored will give us more solid pleasure than even characters. A train journey may be novels and books of fiction. tiresome if we do not have a magazine or a Pleasures of reading are many and they newspaper by our side sleepless nights may are not at all expensive. It does not cost not be spent without mystery thriller. much to have them. If time hangs heavy on Reading gives us varied pleasure. A our hands, we may pick up a book of short sensuous poet may provide a rich feast stories. We shall find that we are lost in for our senses, another may satisfy our the story and we do not know how time is aesthetic sense and another may give passing. Reading light literature like novels intellectual edification. Reading gives and short stories brings us entertainment. spiritual, intellectual and even sensuous Reading often helps in removing our pleasure.  gloom and collecting cheerfulness. When we are deserted by our friends and kith and kin, we can have the company of books. The companionship of books is sincere and faithful. Another pleasure provided by reading novels or poetry is the pleasure of escape. A book like Gulliver’s travels will take its reader into a strange and unknown land where completely strange

When we are tired, or brain is weary with serious study, it is a healthy recreation to lose ourselves in some absorbing story written by a master hand

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WHAT IF WE TURN THESE INTO POWERFUL STORIES OF HUMAN CONNECTION, AMPLIFY THEIR VOICES THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND ENGAGE MORE PEOPLE IN CHANGING THE WORLD.

SOCIAL MEDIA TOOL FOR POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE

s the times progressed, social media has fundamentally changed so did the human urge to the relationship between information evolve and explore. Is this ,time and space. Information is now human pursuit, technology portable (you can carry information Ahas been the game changer. One such to anywhere in your pockets) and technological move that literally on participating (which means you can to the scene over the last decade too actively participate in what is being is this mobile phone. We exchange provided to you on social media. audio, video, images and all the possible The past few years have seen the combinations of communication that critical rise and mass adoption of social one can think. The mobile phone has media for social change. As global since become a basic life need that i conversation has escalated around would not be exaggerating if i call it using social networks to reach new part of our functional body! Since a audiences and spread philanthropic mobile phone typically connects people and charitable messages, questions still to people or a society to society and act remain about how to effectively use Imran Naikoo as a channel for communication, it has social media to achieve measured results consequently assumed centrality to the in communication strategy. In the past, The past few years point that a new phenomenon emerged media provided a filter(an authoritarian have seen the in the contemporary world, Social censorship). If something was on the critical rise and mass Media. Most of the people think that front page or the evening news, it was adoption of social social media is all about technology. considered important. If not, it wasn’t. media for social Well there is a little secret about it; Yet today , anyone can be a broadcaster change. ‘IT IS NOT’ ‘It is about relationships, whether it is a distraught mother, a connections and people. There are more crusading journalist. people on Facebook than there were on Think for a while, what if we turn this planet 200 years ago. these into powerful stories of human More than 1.2 billion people connection, amplify their voices through worldwide use social networks. The social media and engage →

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more people in changing the world.10.5 10 million members have mobilized to billion minutes are spent on social sign look online petitions resulting in networking sites every day. What if thousands of victories. human efforts could be channelized for Social media are a catalyst for the collective good. everyone’s rights .It’s where we are Every great question that has reminded that we’re all human and advanced the civilization has started all equal. It’s where people can find with ‘What If’...We have the illustration and fight for a cause, global and local, in front of us. We know how occupy popular or specialized ,even when there WALL STREET CAMPAIGN was are hundreds of miles between them. run on social media and how they There are a couple of questions that succeeded. We all know that what i want all of you to ponder over. These happened in Egypt in 2009 where a questions are : video showing how a man set himself How are you going to use social on fire was shared on YouTube. It was media? How are you going to build enough to mobilize millions of people community? How are you going to and it resulted in what later came out to create social good? be known as ‘The Arab Spring’. We have the technology, access to the The Red Cross raised $33 million resources we have everything which in text donations following the Haiti we need .This is the time for all of us to Earthquake Setting a record for largest stand up and promise to ourselves that amount ever raised in a text in a text -to we will make a difference, we will make give program. Change is a website where a change a positive social change. 

AFTER THE DEVASTATING FLOOD OF 2014, THE COURT YARD OF BUD SHAH’S MOTHER’S TOMB WAS ALSO AFFECTED FOLLOWING THE BREACH OF RIVER JEHLUM BANK. BUDSHAH TOMB: A LOOSING HERITAGE

Firdous Azad

The tomb, besides being a master piece of brick work reflects the love a son had for his mother. . mused! What would have been Devi, the only edifice of Kashmir that has the glory attractive edifices of a dome atop its roof. The edifice explicitly the old srinagar town during reflects Turku-Persian architecture. the bygone years, I entered The place is a blend of ancient and Athe tomb of bud shah’s mother: Meerana medieval architectures. The edifice had→

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been built on the plinth of some ancient aura of the tomb, a shriek disturbed me. The stone slabs. The compound wall is made up compound has been kept unguarded, and is of giant stone slabs.The tomb also affords a a favorite spot for many wayward teenagers, vantage point, where from one could easily who were seen indulging in gambling that get wind of what is happening on the banks affects its sembalan. of Jhelum. The area around the tomb is The place however narrated a different abuzz with hustle and bustle .the market tale to me. The dilapidated buildings, place around the tomb: Maharaja Gunj unabated encroachements though robs the is known for its gold smith shops, copper beauty of the tomb speaks of the apathetic utensil shops and other edible items. attitude of the government in preserving the Prof. IShaq,a reputed kashmiri historian rich cultural heritage. mentions this tomb in his book: The History After the devastating flood of 2014, The of Srinagar.. court yard of bud shah’s mother’s tomb was "The tomb, besides being a master piece also affected following the breach of river of brick work reflects the love a son had for jehlum bank. The deluge had wretched his mother. Bud shah, the illustrious king destruction in the court yard by eroding a of Kashmir had great admiration for his sizable portion of it. However, the restoration mother, thus after her death, he got a tomb work at many places along the banks of made on her grave." Jhelum was not expedited immediately. However the historians have reported The courtyard houses the epitaphs of that the tomb was plundered during sikh various Shahmiri sultans of Kashmir and rule who usurped the throne of Kashmir their courtesans. If restored to its pristine from time to time. glory the place could earn revenue for While I was struck by the spell binding government. 

THE LAND OF BEAUTIFUL MEADOWS, FLOWERS, GREEN PASTURES, CONIFEROUS FORESTS, GLACIERS AND SNOW COVERED MOUNTAINS HAS BEEN FACING COMPLETE NEGLECT THE UNFATHOMED VALLEY bout 75 kilometers from value. Not only this, Bangus is the main Srinagar, the summer capital of source of various streams and springs Jammu & Kashmir, in district in the Kashmir region. The Quaizinag is lies a vast treasure of considered one among them, a source of Anature’s beauty. Among the many one is various streams which flow through the Bangus valley. Standing at the altitude of adjoining areas including Qualamabad, 10,000 ft above sea gives one a mesmerizing Quaziabad and other areas. Other streams view of the valley. Enveloped within the which traverse through bangus valley are, Shamsbery ranges and Leepa valley, the Roshan kul, Tilvan Kul, and Doud kul. Bangus sees less footprint of tourists, The water of these streams form one of the Kaiser Majeed both local and outsiders. This is attributed waterheads of the Kamil river which, in to the volatile nature of de-facto Line of turn, joins the Lolal stream, thus forming Bangus has control separating India and Pakistan in the Pohru river. The valleys forests and remained largely Kashmir. The Bungus flora is one of the plains serve as the breeding, feeding and restricted and an best considered for cattle grazing in the protection grounds for many wild animal unfavorable tourist area. The pasture lands of the area species. The wild life includes about 50 SPOT. produce some of the finest grass in the species of birds. The animal species State. include the musk deer, black bear, brown One of the interesting facts of Bangus is bear, monkeys and red fox. A large number it has more than 100 meadows. The studies of resident and migratory birds can also be have suggested the grass from meadows found in the valley. The prominent resident has tremendous nutritional and medicinal birds include the bush quail, →

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black partridge jungle, and wild fow. should be made available by the government The valley of Bangus had been neglected at Bangus to promote the tourism. by government and no attention was given Government has now accorded top to it until 2010. However in the year 2013 priority to the development of the Bangus the Government of J&K announced a valley in order to turn it into a beautiful package of 6.99 crores to develop the tourist destination. It has been observed Bangus valley as a biosphere tourist that the movement of tourists towards destination and also to maintain its Bangus is comparatively very low than ecological balance and natural beauty. other tourist destinations in Kashmir According to Bangus Valley Authority mainly due to the non availability of there would be no construction within the adequate transport facilities.Transport 300 sq kms of the Bangus valley. is not readily available as the roads “Blessed with natural beauty, Bangus, are in poor condition. Bangus can be the land of beautiful meadows, flowers, approached via 3 routes - Chowkibal green pastures, coniferous forests, glaciers to Drangwari, to Wadder and snow covered mountains has been & the shortest way is Nowgam to facing complete neglect from almost past Reshwari. The need is to provide effective one decade from the successive regimes,” communication to Bangus so that valley the locals said. becomes an attractive point for people The residents alleged that Tourism and so that more and more people will start other government department agencies their journey towards the valley. It looks had been deliberately slow in carrying out heavenly beautiful under the cover of developmental projects in the area. snow. Due to lack of infrastructure and “Poor road connectivity and ill planning armed conflict is hampering the prospectus of Bangus,” Bangus has remained largely restricted they said. and an unfavorable tourist SPOT. However, The locals suggested that tents, pre- in recent years efforts have been made to fabricated huts and other accommodation bring the valley on the tourist map. 

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GULMARG’S ENVIRONMENT IS SLOWLY GETTING DEPLETED AND THAT THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF AUTHORITIES SHOULD BE ON PROPER WASTE MANAGEMENT SO THAT IT DOESN’T HARM THE ENVIRONMENT IN ANY WAY. PARADISE IN PERIL he Europeans played a big role with its fragile ecosystem. However, in introducing Kashmir, its the exponential growth in tourist natural beauty and adventure infrastructure has led to numerous prospects to the outside world. compromises with the environment. TPlaces like , which was originally The density of forest cover in and the summer resort of the British, have around Gulmarg is down considerably become the bedrock of modern tourism because of monstrous constructions and in Kashmir and a favorite destination of tampering with the existing landscape. international tourists. While Gulmarg “Sewage mismanagement, flow of traffic Junaid Manzoor has enjoyed a great tourism boom over and deforestation have all damaged the years, it has come at a huge cost to the Gulmarg in several ways. Locals and Huge traffic flow environment. tourists throw litter everywhere and has highly polluted From having just one established don’t use dustibins,” said Ghulam Qadir the serene and fresh commercial hotel in 1947, Gulmarg now Khan, Associate Executive of Gulmarg environs of Gulmarg. boasts full-fledged all season resorts and Development Authority. hotels with state of the art traditional and While establishing Gulmarg as adventure tourism facilities. The pioneers a resort, the British had given due of the tourist trade in Kashmir had consideration to least interference identified Kashmir only for adventure with the ecosystem. For instance, the and vacation tourism that would coexist construction material was restricted →

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to easily available local stone and wood in Gulmarg, but has also led to all and this construction regimen was sorts of wastes getting washed down strictly adhered to by authorities till the to catchment areas and ultimately to early eighties. But now it is free to all. waterways and water bodies down in the Earlier, under meticulously formulated plains. The mushrooming of concrete rules, waste management through civic jungles in Gulmarg since mid-eighties and health authorities was mandatory has changed the whole landscape of at Gulmarg. But at present even after Gulmarg. A place where earlier planners making required amendments these had recommended only single-storied rules are flouted blatantly with impunity. hutments in harmony with the existing “Waste management is an important landscape, concrete constructions have issue and we need to focus on a cleaner completely pockmarked the whole environment so that a popular destination picturesque scenery. like Gulmarg doesn’t lose its sheen,” said Huge traffic flow has highly Mushtaq Chala, owner of the famous polluted the serene and fresh environs Grand Mumtaz resorts in Gulmarg. of Gulmarg. The present efforts to “Our resort has a proper drainage encourage all sort of tourism activities system so that waste doesn’t get collected without giving due consideration to the at one place and there is no foul smell,” environment and the adverse impact of said Chaya. heavy footfall have proved detrimental Another hotelier, Abid Rasheed who in promoting quality eco-friendly high- owns the Kashmir Cottage Inn, agrees end tourism. that Gulmarg’s environment is slowly “we are in direct contact with the getting depleted and that the primary hoteliers and keep a regular check on their focus of authorities should be on proper waste management. We have prescribed waste management so that it doesn’t harm them a set of guidelines that they need to the environment in any way. “We keep follow strictly failing which an immediate, the hotel sanitized and also maage the strict action will be taken against them,” biodegradable and non-biodegradable said Khan. “We have also installed waste in the most efficient way,” he said. dustbins in and around Gulmarg and we Lack of solid waste management hope people will start using them instead and sewage treatment has polluted not of just scattering the litter everywhere,” he only the ground water and soil profile added. 

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CHARI SHARIEF HAS CENTRIC POSITION ACROSS KASHMIR BECAUSE OF PIOUS SUFI SAINT SHEIKH NOOR -UD-DIN NOORANI R.A POPULARLY KNOWN AS “ALAMDAR-I-KASHMIR” IS RESTING HERE SINCE THE LAST 600 YEARS.

CHARI SHARIEF : A PICTURE OF SLUGGISH DEVELOPMENT ashmir, the heaven on earth is in order to fulfill their wishes (covet). One of blessed with very elegant and disciples of Alamdar-i Kashmir R.A namely architecturally rich shrines and “Baba Nassar” is firmly believed to be an mosques. While counting them, ancestor of eminent poet Dr. Sir Mohammad Kthe shrine at Chari Sharief is not to be Iqbal, the poet of the East. forgotten. It is 30 kms away from Srinagar. In 1995 a catastrophe manifested in the The terrain is uneven and it is approximately form of conflagration when the whole town 1933 meters (6346 feet) above the sea level. of Charar-i-sharief got burnt down during As per the statistical figures from the Census the encounter between Indian troops and 2011, Charar i Sharief has a population of militants. it is estimated that 800 residential 15000. Where in males constitute 53% and houses, 500 shops and multitude of other females the rest. Chari Sharief has an average non-residential structures were gutted. The literacy rate of 59%, lower than the national town has since been rehabilitated by a grant of average of 59.5%, with male literacy of 58% 31 crores; 16 crores were announced by Union and female literacy of 38%. Not to forget to government and 15 crores were provided by mention that 12% of the population is under State Government. The town has remained 6 years of age. However, the town has shown at a centre stage because of the dignity of rapid increase in literacy rate. the shrine. In late eighties Chari Sharief was Chari sharief has centric position across having a tremendous religious and cultural Farooz Ahmad Kashmir because of pious Sufi Saint Sheikh significance. It was also declared model town Noor -Ud-din Noorani R.A popularly known by Jammu and Kashmir government. This The devotees tie their as “Alamdar-i-Kashmir” is resting here since was the only town in the valley which was to votive rags (threads) the last 600 years. There is always a tremendous be developed as a Model Town. on the grills and walls flow of devotees including people from all Chari Sharief is the largest town of the on the shrine in order hues. Especially, the Thursdays & Fridays, district Budgam. It is the Tehsil headquarter. to fulfill their wishes the shrine premises are thronged immensely Hoever there is a lack of office accommodation. (covet). by the pilgrims. Pilgrimage gives a chance to No clear bifurcation of area has been taken members of all communities to discuss their place till date. The town is surrounded by mutual matters, to get acquainted, bring good many villages and hamlets within a radius will and genuine amity among the members of few kilometers. It is not easily accessible of the faith. The devotees tie their votive rags due to the lack of road connectivity. This has (threads) on the grills and walls on the shrine caused inconvenience to thousands of →

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people living in the adjacent areas. about its implementation. This has mounted Central Government’s policy is to improve many problems related to the dwellers due road connectivity across the country. to the lack of coordination among these Industrial Training Institute (ITI) is lacking agencies. sophisticated equipment. Sub District “There is a huge record of misuse of funds, Hospital (SDH) is without sufficient medical mismanagement and irregular utilization and Para-medical staff, with improper of funds meant that the development of this maintenance of cleanness. This is highly town was by and large hampered, due to unhygienic and there is always a chance vested interests by the unscrupulous people, for infectious diseases. Higher Secondary “said Aziz Ahmad, a local resident. Institutes are without proper infrastructure Devotees feel discomfort during and has dearth of teaching staff. the prayers. Some even skip their Government authorities have always glued prayers during precipitation, when their eyes to address the problems pertaining the rain water start seeping inside to this land. Chari Sharief Development the temporary tin sheds outside the Project, R&B and Municipal Committee were shrine. The development which has established for the proper development of been under progress since a long time, the town and to reduce umpteen hardships is a ridiculous gesture in the concerned of inhabitants of the town. Government authorities. The work is also not being functionaries are not so much enthusiastic carried out whole heartedly. 

CONFLICT CREATES ART’, SOMEONE SAID. OVER THE PREVIOUS HUNDREDS OF YEARS, COUNTLESS WRITERS, POETS, RESEARCHERS, PRIESTS, ARTISTS, DEEPLY INFLUENCED BY THE ‘KASHMIR STRUGGLE’, HAVE WRITTEN COUNTLESS ACCOUNTS, KASHMIR IN FICTION: A LITERATURE ON THE RISE

Muhammad Nadeem

The youngsters understood the story behind violence but not many stories conceived in the womb of the conflict. uch has been written about of blogs written, at individual and Kashmir in prose and poem. institutional capacities. Hundreds of brochures have It is said that the last time Kashmir was been published, thousands free, was under the rule of Yusuf Shah Mof theories punched, tens of thousands Chak in the 1500s. Ever since, the →

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valley has been under an influence of alienation. countless cultures and inquisitions in the 4. Half Mother (2014) by Shahnaaz form of religious doctrines, and foreign Bashir invasions. A sorrowful journey of a Kashmiri ‘Conflict creates art’, someone said. Over mother looking for her lost son through the the previous hundreds of years, countless valleys. This well-written novel documents writers, poets, researchers, priests, artists, the tragedy which has befallen many deeply influenced by the ‘Kashmir families in Kashmir and about which not struggle’, have written countless accounts, much is known outside the region. The fictitious and non-fictitious, of the raging Half Mother is the story of Haleema – a spirit of its inhabitants. ‘halfmother’ today; tormented by not Some of the books written on Kashmir knowing whether Imran is dead or alive, by authors, indigenous and foreign, are: torn apart by her own lonely existence. While she battles for answers and seeks 1. Shalimar the Clown (2005) by out torture camps, jails and morgues for Salman Rushdie any signs of Imran, Kashmir burns in a Written in several different registers, war that will haunt it for years to come. Rushdie combines the wonder of fairy- Heart-wrenching, deeply troubling and tale with the grittiness of hard, political lyrical, The Half Mother marks the debut realism; at times, especially in the long of a bold new voice from Kashmir. The section recounting Max’s wartime story is extremely riveting, enthralling yet experiences, it reads as something close poignant in every aspect. to reheated journalism. Shalimar, the Clown is Rushdie’s most engaging book 5. Lost in Terror (2016) by Nayeema since Midnight’s Children. It is a lament. Mehjoor It is a revenge story. It is a love story. The Cast in the background of the uprising story portrays the paradise that once against the armed forces in Kashmir in was Kashmir, and how the politics of the late 1980s, Lost in Terror is the tale of a the sub-continent ripped apart the lives young, educated, career-conscious woman of those caught in the middle of the who finds herself sucked into a maelstrom battleground. of death and destruction. She also cherishes the dream of Azadi and plays strong to face 2. The Collaborator (2011) by Mirza the wrath of Indian soldiers. But when she Waheed finds her husband’s discreet links with The unnamed protagonist, with his gunmen obsessed with the dream of Azadi, flawed character, now courageous, now she becomes fragile and begins to lose her cowardly and yet, always human… a soul hold on her home, her relationships and who now has friends only in his memory is Azadi itself. a chilling figure to behold. The flashbacks When her dreams for a perfect family pull the reader into an abyss of nostalgia, and a thriving career are turned upside of longing, for how things used to be. The down and her life comes to a standstill due villages before the exodus, the valley before to the turmoil around her, fate offers her a its dead, Kashmir before the destruction– leap of faith—but will she take it? the images are vivid and make you want to find a way back into the blissful past. 6. The House That Spoke (2017) by Zooni Chopra 3. The Garden Of Solitude (2011) by Fourteen-year-old Zoon Razdan is Siddhartha Gigoo witty, intelligent and deeply perceptive. The Garden of Solitude is a poignant tale of She also has a deep connection with a Kashmiri Pandit family driven away from magic. She was born into it. The house the Valley in the wake of armed insurgency that she lives in is fantastical—life thrums and political turmoil. Sridar, a young Pandit through its wooden walls—and she can boy, is torn apart as he reluctantly leaves his talk to everything in it, from the armchair home situated in the beautiful Valley along and the fireplace to the books, pipes and with his family. The family, like the other portraits! But Zoon doesn’t know that her Pandits, settles in Jammu, where an entire beloved house once contained a terrible generation of Pandits spends the rest of their force of darkness that was accidentally let lives suffering from a sense of loneliness and out by one of its previous →

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owners. And when the darkness the parents for she conforms to the normal in returns, more powerful and malevolent every possible way. She is schooled but soon than ever, it is up to her to take her rightful Zerafa’s influence begins to tell. In order to place as the Guardian of the house, and save their normal child, the parents take a subsequently, Kashmir. hard decision to separate the two; one of them is sent to a boarding school. While Zerafa’s 7. Zerafa – A Modern Fairy Tale (2017) talent is unleashed with time, Zunaira by Tooba Rasheed unable to come to terms with the separation Story of Zerafa, the first born to Omar and withdraws into a shell. She rebels against her Zareefa is a special child whose specialty keeps studies only to be mistaken by her mother her from normal schooling. Zerafa manifests as being pampered. The mother-daughter her ability not through the use of words but relationship soon turns sour. The story delves colors, avant-garde. The coming of Zunaira, deep into a child’s psyche to unveil parenting their second child, alleviates the suffering of mistakes. 

THE REAL DOCUMENTATION OF EVENTS IS DONE THROUGH PICTURES. BUT IT ALWAYS COMES WITH A COST.

Syed Shehriyar I advocate a strong reason FRAMES SPEAK behind it. Everybody with a Smartphone and a digital camera is a LOUDER THAN WORDS photographer now. isuals speak volumes. How true? key job is to show what is happening on the Who else can know it better ground zero. So far so good. than a person having a firsthand Kashmir has turned to be a battleground account of snap grabbing? for photographers. Photos always VPhotos are my future. Photos make me cry. fascinated me. What the soldiers of the A frame is what I am concerned about. My “fourth estate of democracy” were doing →

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always interested me. Somehow, I wanted fun of our profession. Without having to join the tribe. It is here, that I decided been to any Journalism school, these to compile a rough Scrap book from the roadside photographers are demeaning newspaper cuttings I didn’t missed a our profession. single day of the pictures that appeared on In this e-world, stories are locked in the newspapers and stated cutting them photographs. Susan Sontag who writes for papers. about photography aesthetics talks about A picture of a young Palestinian boy the present scenario with photography she pelting a stone towards an Israeli tank and writes ‘Switching from bullets to film’ she a picture of a Kashmiri boy hoisting an explains when we are afraid we shoot but Islamic flag on Lal chowk’s Clock Tower when nostalgic we take pictures. With the are the two snaps which I like the most. passage of time, I developed a keen interest The real documentation of events is done to document the culture and daily lives of through pictures. But it always comes with my homeland. a cost. The plight of being a photographer Photography has emerged as one of is such in Kashmir that editors don’t the best mediums to tell moving stories, understand the value of pictures and take to document the humanitarian crisis, them for granted. They use pictures as to create art of deep meaning. World is fillers in the papers and this attitude of pumped with legendary photographers, taking pictures end’s up when a leading so is Kashmir. Now, the young boys and newspaper of Kashmir uses a picture of girls, both professional and amateur, a woman from area of Srinagar are passionate shutterbugs. I am happy injured by a tear smoke shell year ago to for the youngsters breaking barriers show a woman killed in Handwara town. and producing quality work. But Pictures have always been a witness to photojournalists in Kashmir work on a the happenings around the globe today. razor edge. They become the worst victims World reminds the wars and conflicts of violence. thought pictures, The famous picture by At times, I deliberately blur pictures but Nick ut of the Vietnam war where the the sharpness of the situation till remains naked children are running or the picture deep inside my mind. My camera always of the youngest victim of 2010 uprising was eager to shoot things which had struggle in Kashmir lying dead on a stretcher and pain in it. I could never shoot things still reminds about the plight of children that didn’t affect and feel me; pictures have during wars. always been a reflection of my thinking Moving from the usual picture making towards things. In Kashmir, It is always risky during protests in old city I went deep to be a photojournalist since we are being into the art of taking pictures of people reprimanded by various quarters. and understanding their ways of living, It is the most abused profession here. covering funerals of killed was something Senior photographers always dictate the new I was witnessing. terms at respective organizations. We Once the damaged non-functional are being humiliated and paid peanuts command dial of my camera functioned in the name of salary. It is said that just for seconds as a body of a killed militant dedication earns you bylines; it didn’t passed by in a funeral and then again went happen in my case since my passion was non-functional the camera took me to the touching the threshold. Working with places where no others could be, it gave me senior photographers is always a learning strength to be at places from where people experience. ran away. The journey moves on with Time and again, why I mention that everyday a new picture to take and with there is a bleak future for photographers. everyday new people to meet. Reading an I advocate a strong reason behind it. interview about a famous photographer on Everybody with a Smartphone and a a magazine narrates photography nothing digital camera is a photographer now. He/ but a tool to fight against social injustice she claims to be a photojournalist without the photographer believes when the tool knowing the difference between the two. is not useful he can move on with other I am not saying that they should not things whether it is a gun to satisfy his follow their passion but they should no own conscience, that’s what really camera way try to enter the domain and make and pictures do with me. 

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IT WAS LIKE A SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR ME, THE ONLY SOUND I WAS HEARING WAS SLOGANS, SOUND OF BULLETS AND SHELLS. HUMAN CAPITAL FLIGHT: REDUCED TO ZERO

he phrase ‘Human capital a huge loss to state economy. In addition flight’ has got its meaning well to this problems like unemployment, less defined by the present turmoil job opportunities are forcing the youth to that has engulfed Kashmir. move outside ofbthe state. TWikipedia defines Human capital flight Schools and colleges being most as the emigration of highly skilled or well susceptible to all kinds of disturbances educated individuals also referred to as in peace and tranquility, recently a huge Brain drain” flow of children from the valley took its Kashmir, A Himalayan state way to schools in Jammu and other places sandwiched between different ranges of in the country which is seen as a direct Himalayan Mountains has now found consequence of the prolonged unrest. itself inside a conundrum, a worst case Reputed schools like Burn hall, Mallinson scenario of enigma, owing its cause to Biscoe and other such institutions too the turbulence of stability in the region couldn’t resist it. Migration of students which got revived by the happenings of can’t be seen as a brain drain in real sense 2016 unrest. The aftermath of which is of term, but indirectly it leads to the brain Rashid Manzoor still going on leaving many sects of society drain because those students who basically from students to entrepreneurs, labors to moved outside state to pursue education Migration of daily wages, businessmen to employees are deciding to settle down there. entrepreneurs and equally affected. Saniya Bashir (15), from district startups is a huge loss The 5 month long unrest of 2016 and , was enrolled to a private school to state economy. the latter part of that agitation, which in her locality. 2016 was an irreparable part still has not cooled down in the 2nd part of her life because most of the time she of 2017 left no stone unturned to make a found herself inside four walls of her room. large section of Kashmiri’s feel that valley ‘It was like a solitary confinement for is no more a safe place to continue with. me, the only sound I was hearing was Migration of entrepreneurs and startups is slogans, sound of bullets and shells, →

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stones and sounds coming from school every day, I can get my favorite speakers of mosques, hues and cries of chocolate 7 ice cream whenever I want, people, said Saniya I am no more afraid of flying stones, She was supposed to be in the school pellets and stray bullets, I wish there most of the time, inside lab’s and libraries. was something like a ‘rewind’ option All of them seemed to be a missed past for for this world and everything goes back her. Now her parents got her admission in to the day when this tragedy struck a reputed school in Jammu, she is waking Kashmir, I wish no other child faces this up to a new dawn. Gone are the days when calamity.”said Sanyia . she used to woke up in the middle of night Talent retention, negligence towards because of the nocturnal raids of security human capital, and inability to draw a forces, gone are the days when she was boundary between conflict and education afraid of going to a nearby shop for an ice are the challenges that our state is cream. Gone are the days when meeting grappling with. We don’t have enough friends was a breath taking trip for her. productive work areas to harness their Gone are the days of disappointment, intellectual to technical talent. Apart from dissatisfaction, hopelessness.. She has this, internet provided Kashmir youth started her life from a new page, she has great and easy access to globe. The world got new friends and acquaintances but is there with open welcome, inviting them the only thing she has lost is her homely for education and jobs. Globalization and childhood, something which no place on greater global movement is also taking earth can compensate. a greater number of our human capital “I am happy because I can go to away. 

THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PROMISES RIGHT TO EDUCATION TO EVERY CHILD BUT THIS RIGHT IS OPENLY VIOLATED WHILE IMPLEMENTING THE MOBILE SEASONAL SCHOOL SCHEME WHICH IS THE PART OF THE CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEME SERVA SHIKSHA ABHIYAAN (SSA). “SCHOOLING GUJJAR COMMUNITY” he Jammu and Kashmir government has approved 100 mobile schools for the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities Tof the state to enable the children of the migratory population receive proper education. Known to everyone, education enriches ones way of living and is the SHABIR AHMAD need of an hour. Educating someone means to educate a generation. Children In addition to this nowadays have full access to education each mobile school is either through books or gadgets but there provided with tents is other part of the story as well; there are and stationary from many children who are left far behind, government. children who dream but have no way to achieve or fulfil their dreams. They are unfortunate ones who are left high and dry at their homes. Mobile school system is a system through which education can reach →

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nook and corner, it can reach to far flung is openly violated while implementing the areas where people especially children can mobile seasonal school scheme which is get education without walking 10-15 km the part of the centrally sponsored scheme from their respective places.The mobile Serva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA). It is the school scheme for Gujjars and Bakerwals need of the hour to revisit this scheme in was started by the Shiekh Mohammad order to provide quality education to these Abdullah during his tenure as Chief children belonging to nomadic tribes. Minister but received set back after the “This is something that needs to be eruption of militancy. addressed, or else we will have another Mobile school system was started in generation with no prospects. The initiative 2007 as an initiative to upgrade the level of making mobile schools is wonderful of literacy rate among children in far flung but all we need to do is that it needs proper areas. Children who are under the concern attention and implementation,” parents of this system are nomadic children. alleged. Gujjars and Bakerwals, the illiteracy rate “This start up of mobile schools helps among them is high, around 75-80%. The scores of nomadic children and can help mobile schools in Kashmir region has many more if taken care off.Main motive more cons then pros. of these mobile schools is to provide “The scheme has been a failure, teachers basic education, ensure constructive hardly turnout” said a parent. engagement and hostile development of The government through the respective these children. Not only children from the Zonal education office take services of local nomadic communities but children from educated youth, the education volunteers. neighbouring villages are also attending These volunteer (teachers) are provided these schools,” an official said. a monthly stipend of rupees 4000. In Globally education has been improved addition to this each mobile school is very much, teaching methods have been provided with tents and stationary from changed, making it more susceptible government. The teachers are deputed to to student learning and meeting the various places where there is sufficient educational, physical and emotional needs nomadic /migratory population. Children of students; but in Kashmir all schools in are enrolled on spot and the school starts general and mobile schools in particular their academic session from May till are devoid of these changes which makes October. These schools provide education it tough for children to compete with the up to primary level only. rest of the students. The mobile seasonal schools are So there is the need of special supposed to provide mid day meals to the attention towards mobile school’s to enrolled students but for some unknown bestow them the quality education and reasons the majority of the mobile schools ensure their smooth functioning. Lot (90 % +) do not provide these meals thus has been promised in this regard by the raising the question on the credibility of government but very little being put to the school education department. practice so far. The tents are provided but since years “In the locality, where I reside there are they have never been replaced. The at least 20+ children of these communities tents are totally damaged and filthy. but they hardly attend any such school The children are compelled to sit under due to their non availability of these open sky while taking lessons, and that’s schools. Tears trickle down from my eyes only because tents are covered in dirt. whenever I witness that these unfortunate During rainfall schools don’t function. children wonder door to door to collect Parents complain lack of blackboards and milk for their family on the advice of their stationary in schools. parents, this site is almost unbearable and “The teachers are engaged for over a when ever such things happen it leads to period of 6 months and from last many tears,” saher, a student said. years they have been demanding job “This sorry condition will continue to security, which they are denied and no hamper the development of our country allowances are paid to them. But we are in general and our state in particular taking it in consideration,” an official said. which prompts us to take an immediate The government of India promises right action so as to bring our state on the track to education to every child but this right of progress and prosperity,” she added. 

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THE FLOATING MARKET OF SRINAGAR IS A PLACE WHERE KASHMIRIS LIVING WITHIN THE LAKE BUY THEIR DAILY FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SUPPLIES. THE LAKE IS FAMOUS FOR ITS HOUSEBOATS BUT THE FLOATING MARKETS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR LIFE TO FUNCTION WITHIN THE LAKE. THE FLOATING VERDURE

t the crack of dawn, around cucumbers, water chestnuts and lotus 50 boats gather at a point in stem (popularly called nadroo in the interior of Srinagar’s Dal Kashmiri), among many others. Lake, creating ripples in the Vendor Ashaq Hussain, who sells Aturquoise water. Within two hours, they nadroo, explains the dynamics of the Qazi Tanzeela will be gone — when the sky’s faint blue floating market. “The sellers here are all will give way to clear sunlight. The boats Dal dwellers. They also trade amongst The vegetable market is are loaded with vegetables, waiting to be themselves, apart from selling the items an important source of traded. The Dal Lake’s floating vegetable to shop owners coming from outside income for Dal dwellers market — which is a popular destination Dal. We do not use fertilizers in our for which tourism and on tourist itineraries and has been vegetables, and that’s why it’s fresh and farming are major functional for over 100 years now — tasty.” livelihoods. has become one of the most important The vegetable market is an important source of vegetables and the market source of income for Dal dwellers for functions every morning uninhibitedly. which tourism and farming are major The rich ecosystem of the Dal livelihoods. wetland produces numerous varieties of “Vegetable vendors from across the vegetables: tomatoes, brinjals, kohlrabi, city come here, buy stuff and then →

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they go and sell it. We mostly sell what Butter head. These nutrient dense leaves we cultivate,” says Abdul Rehman, a are crisp and slightly bitter and most vegetable vendor selling tomato and people use them to make raw salads. brinjals, as he rows his boat. Dark lettuces are rich in vitamins A,C Summer is a great time to green and K and eating them regularly will up your diet by eating more fresh or improve our eyesight ,bone health and cooked greens. This includes those most skin elasticity while helping our blood commonly seen in grocery stores like to clot normally combining these leaves with tomatoes, onions, carrots, and cucumbers to create a colorful healthy salad. “There has been some debate whether greens are more nutritious fresh or cooked. Both methods of preparing greens can be a healthy choice says Director, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Dr. AG Ahangar. “He reported that cooking breaks down the cell walls and releases some of the photo chemicals like carotids and folic acid that are present in the plant making and thus making more of them available to out body when consumed,” he added. Floating market is also an important source of supply of nutritious vegetables. Presently even vegetable supply to the old city is dependent on this market. As per vegetable vendors, the vegetable growers from the interior markets of the Dal Lake ferry their produce to the designated place from where it is traded. These vegetables are mostly sold at various spots on the banks of Dal Lake from Boulevard to Northern foreshore road. The floating market of Srinagar is a place where Kashmiris living within the lake buy their daily fruit and vegetable supplies. The Lake is famous for its Spanish, Collards and Mallos. The tops houseboats but the floating markets are of many root vegetables such as Beets, essential for life to function within the Turnips and Rutabagas can also be eaten Lake. Floating vegetable market is one as greens. Leaves from some plants such of the few such markets in the world. as Dandelions and Lambs quarters can Just as all aspects of life for people be eaten as well. living in the Dal Lake are centered Green leafy vegetables such as on water, so is shopping especially Amaranth, Drumstick leaves, Spanish, vegetable shopping. Hence this daily Fenugreek mostly cultivated in Dal floating market is of much importance. Lake are the most nutritious because This is a sort of wholesale market which they contain high amounts of Carotene, comprises of big and small shopkeepers Riboflavin, and Folic acid and are also a (floating boat shops). They buy great source of dietary fiber which helps vegetables from vegetable growers and to prevent constipation and reduce the then go off in their boats to houseboats rate of absorption of dietary cholesterol. and other small villages within the lake Vegetables that are grown in Dal Lake and sell vegetables to them. Apparently are nutritious and healthy. Dark green most of them are grown with and lettuces include Romaine, Arugula and around the Dal Lake. 

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A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THE TALENT THAT THEY HAVE.

NAMDA MACHINE: AN INNOVATION

he millennial innovation is that the machine will increase the making headlines across the productivity but they were doubtful world, invented by a young until one day the machine started to roll Kashmiri girl Zufa Iqbal from with the capability to produce at least 30 TLal Bazar, Srinagar. Namda rolling Namda carpets a day, in comparison to machine can be powered solely by a the manually crafted one carpet a day. person operating on hands-free mode. Namda rolling machine is self- Peer Viqar Zufa Iqbal (18), student of Presentation sustaining smart work boots using the Convent School Srinagar started suspension and different mechanics Reaching its goal, working on the project when she was just to massage and roll the wool to and Namda machine was 16 years old, silencing the critics after forth making it possible to electrically patented after Zufa her prototype was patented and she was boost the production from one Namda was award the IGNITE felicitated with the prestigious Dr APJ carpet a day to about 30 in just 12 hours, award in 2016. Abdul Kalam IGNITE award in 2016. cost-effective and retaining the highest “Initially the artisans were skeptical quality Namda carpets. and they said nothing is going to help Zufa believes that Kashmiris are not the dying Namda craft, they had simply less talented than Newton and Einstein, given up,” explains Zufa it is just the determination and right She tried to convince the artisans exposure to knowledge that will lead →

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to great innovations. avoiding the lengthy worrisome process Considering the cost of the end involved in the craft. Modernizing product, she suggests making the the traditional crafts does not go well machine out of plastic to make it cost- always but in case of Namda it is very effective for the Namda artisans. essential to meet the market demand The estimated cost per installation is and design requirements. about 1 lakh but if she is successful in The machine takes almost seven to implantation the plastic built the cost eight minutes to make a simple Namda. will be slashed to half. The washing and designing process “My prime objective was to do is also finished within 15-20 minutes. something for the artisans and the Zufa plans to refine her innovation and Namda craft which has been dying commercialize it as a cost- and time- the slow death, Namda has cultural efficient machine. significance and I dearly eflt for it. I The Recognition at National and wanted to restore it to its glory, after I International Levels saw the sullen faces of the artisans.” Reaching its goal, Namda machine What started as a mechanical was patented after Zufa was award the engineering design project at Kashmir University’s Gyaan cell has turned into a National project for restoration of the Namda craft. Namda rolling machine is still in the pilot stage. Zufa has sustained the machine manufacturing cost on her own without any financial help from the government. “When I first started to receive recognition and awards for my project, I was very happy but I wasn’t sure how to respond then. Now I feel it is not just about me but those numerous innovators who cannot succeed in their project unless the government plays an active role, I think it is timev for governmentfor to take steps and help the innovators of the state.” added Zufa At Gyaan cell, Zufa and her classmates were to pitch their ideas and she was suggested to make something that will help the local populace. “I wanted to IGNITE award in 2016. do something out of box but there I A class 12th stedent , Zufa Iqbal was was influenced that it is not about the one among 30 people shortlisted out of innovator but the innovation that does the 55,000 applicants from 458 districts public good” she explains. of the country. The award was presented By making the Namda rolling to her by President Pranab Mukherjee machine, the artisans could increase in New Delhi. the productivity ten folds easily thus “I received a call last year, that I have empowering the artisans and thereby been selected for the award it was a avoiding the death of this craft by proud moment, but for me more than restoring it past glory, Namda carpets the awards are my family, the people of were widely used in Kashmir because of Kashmir and my teachers who always its cultural and traditional significance. believed in me and gave me so much Low wages and absence of supporting love for the little I have been able to schemes has forced the artisans to quit achieve.” said Zufa the generations old craft. Zufa was among the 60 selected Zufa’s project became a Kickstarter candidates for the Japan tour, and she project to enable craftsmen to speed has been part of many projects and up the Namda carpet production and conferences across the country. 

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WALNUTS GROWN IN KASHMIR VALLEY ARE CONSIDERED TO BE OF SUPERIOR QUALITY THAN REST OF THE COUNTRY.

WALNUTS:THE GLORY OF KASHMIR illy regions are ideal for the walnut Pandey said .The WANGAI also called production.Northwestern for ensuring availability of high quality Himalaya including lateral bearing varieties of walnut from Jammu &Kashmir,Arunachal abroad like Chandler, Howard, lara, fernor HPradesh,Uttarakhand and Himachal and franquette to increase the quality of pradeshare few good examples. Jammu walnuts in the country. and Kashmir is considered to be the As far as export of walnut from j&k is main hub of walnut production in India. concerned it has touched 1.5 billion rupees Kashmirexamples valley is the leading per annum as of 2016. “ 116 crore rupees contributor to the export of walnut from have been collected as revenue from the India. export of walnuts” said Akhtar hussain, Walnuts grown in Kashmir valley are deputy director of horticulture, j&k considered to be of superior quality than .Kashmiri walnut is superior in quality and rest of the country. In other Himalayan thus in great demand in export markets states, walnut has not seen much growth. and as compared to foreign dry fruits , About 90% of the total walnut demand Kashmiri dry fruit is more in demand. It of the country is being met by Kashmir is sweeter, has more oil and is considered only.As per records,the total area under good for health”, said Haji bahadur khan, walnut is 30,800 hectares and the annual president dry fruit and walnut growers production is 36,000 metric tonnes in association, J&K . The horticulture the country.Walnut and Other Nut Fruit department has introduced high yielding Growers Association of India (WANGAI), varities of plants with gestation period of a newly formed body of walnut growers 4 to 6 years which was earlier 10 years. It in the country, has chalked out a strategy will improve the quality of nut and also to increase the production and launch will promote the concept of uniformity in efforts to bring high quality lateral bearing shape and texture. This has helped Farmers varieties from abroad. to take up the plantation on a larger scale The WANGAI also held a seminar , increasing production from 89000 metric in the month of july in Almora ,where it tonnes in 2013 to 2014, to 109,000 metric came out with 12-point recommendations tonnes in 2015 to 2016, around 30000 calling for establishing walnut centres people are associated with the walnut of excellence in states like Uttarakhand, trade in the state. . Himachal Pradesh and Arunchal Pradesh. Walnuts and walnut trees have As a part of strategy,a delegation of the tremendous value in Kashmir: religious WANGAI led by its president K C Pandey values; aesthetic values; and many others met Mehbooba Mufti,the chief minister of likewise.Walnut tree is considered sacred Rahil Hussain Jammu and Kashmir. for its wood and fruit. ‘Doon’ is the Kashmiri .”I have requested the honorable chief word for walnut which is an integral part Walnuts and minister to set up the two centres of of ‘Samgri’ (Pooja paraphernalia). Being walnut trees have excellence in the state that will help the seasonal fruit (Rituphalam) of Kashmir tremendous value in walnut- growers to get the better price as and available throughout the year, it is Kashmir. compared to other fruits”,Pandey said. offered to ‘Kalash’ as well as ‘Vatuk Nath’ “The productivity of walnut in our on the Herath (Shivratri) festival. ‘Kalash country is about 1.2 MT per hectare which Doon’ is highly revered and is distributed is very low as compared to other countries among the participating people on all like US, China, France and Mexico religious ceremonies. where it ranges from 3 to 5 MT per Ha,” Walnuts are also offered to rivers and →

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streams. On the occasion of Navreh, Sonth the world. It adds to the aesthetic value of and Tilashtami, each member of Kashmiri Kashmir artistically. Hindu families offers walnuts to rivers and The timber of walnut trees is considered streams early in the morning. Such is the there are several types of walnut wood significance of walnut in Kashmiri ethos which belong to family “Juglandaceae” . In that the small container for keeping Tilak is kashmir black walnuts and English walnuts known as ‘Katchal Doon’. Four types of tilak are found abundantly to yield either nuts (‘Tyok’ in Kashmiri) namely saffron (Kong or timber. Timber from black walnuts is Tyok), sandal (Chandan Tyok), vermillion more prominent and popular as it’s color (Seinder Tyok) and ash (Bhasm Tyok) are is more appealing. Furnishers made up kept in ‘Katchal Doon’ like the four units of this very timber are highly appreciated of a walnut shell. Apart from furniture through out the world. On the other hand making, its wood is used for making a small walnuts have higher protein and lower fat table (Bhadra Peeth) on which routine content, specially black walnuts. They have holy bath of ‘Thakur Saeb’ (Idols of Gods very high Omega free fatty acids, making and family deity) is conducted on every them beneficial to fight cardiac problems. morning.Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving Kashmir valley is proud of growing both the has gained popularity over the decades varieties of walnuts and for serving at the and centuries not only in India but all over Oasis of walnuts for the entire country . 

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KASHMIR IS LOSING THIS ART AND THERE IS HARDLY ANY WAY OR MEANS TO REVIVE THE LOST TRADITION, LIKE MANY OF OUR DYING TRADITIONS! THE DYING ART itting on an old wooden chair clay-made items is considered to be sacred outside his shop on the banks of to Pandits. “Using clay-made items is Dal Lake in Srinagar, Abdul Gani considered an act of sanctity since Earth Kumar haggles with his customer represents our deities like other elements Son the price of clay-made items on a daily of nature including fire and water” said basis. “I work hard to produce these items. Ashok Pawan, a Kashmiri Pandit. It is my right to earn some profit,” says With the migration of Pandits, the Kumar, who has been working as a potter potters of Kashmir lost a large customer since early 1960’s. base but not hope. They tried to bring “But if you will not give me some in innovations to the art like using concession, I would not buy it. I will buy a attractive colours and creating new Aaqib Hyder plastic box which costs half than the clay- designs. “Modernisation has brought made box,” an unconvinced customer manychanges. Items made in plastic, steel This art is shots replies Kumar. Out of the fear of and aluminium,are being made which our lost. I always think of losing a customer, Kumar sells the box earthen ware has to compete with. We try leaving it at a low cost. “This is not new to us. We to make new items to catch up with the face situations like this often, “Kumar told present trend. There are many people who MEDIA TIMES. prefer our clay pots over anything else” Before the migration of Pandits, umpteen said Kumar. number of earthen items were sold by the Tumbaknaer (earthen drum used in potters of Kashmir valley to them. Using marriages), foot scrubber, flower pots,→

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small pots and piggy banks are some of force my love for the craft on them?” says the items which are purchased by people Kumar with a disappointed face. “I am fed in Kashmir valley from potters ,even up of this. This art is lost. I always think of today. leaving it,” one of the potter commented But Kumar is unhappy with the system Jammu and Kashmir’s noted poet and and says that the state government has not social activist, Zareef Ahmad Zareef, done anything to protect their craft. “I met says Kashmiris were used to pottery several ministers in my life to discuss our items for ages, “Utensils made of clay grievances. Couple of years back, I met were commonly used in households.. But the then chief minister, nowadays, the has who did not pay any attention to me. He changed. The present generation is not told me to talk to his advisors.” ready to take up pottery as a profession. The meeting with CM’s advisors, Kumar Either they feel ashamed as potters or they says, crushed his hopes. He described the are insecure with the meager income the tale of his ignored art to them but it was art fetches and that is why this art is dying.” of no use. Nothing conclusive so far has Kashmir is losing this art and there happened, Kumar claims. is hardly any way or means to revive Kumar inherited the art of pottery from the lost tradition, like many of our his father when he left the government dying traditions! Even the state’s census job in the state’s irrigation department. department has no statistics of potters When Kumar felt that he could not earn a available with it. The data with the decent living, he decided not to engage his department is classified into two groups: children in his work. crushed workers and non-workers. “I can only tell “My father left some land which was you about the number of workers or non- insufficient to carry out this laborous workers. We don’t have any particular work. I could not save any money because statistics about the number of potters ‘I live hand to mouth’. Hence I could not in the state,” joint director of census extend it. That is why I asked my children department, CS Sapru, told MEDIA to pursue other professions. How can I TIMES. 

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IN DECEMBER 2015, ON WORLD DISABILITY DAY, IFRA WON THE SECOND PRICE IN THE DRAWING COMPETITION THAT WAS HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR.

EDUCATING SPECIALLY ABLED CHIDREN A CHALLENGE

s She looked up from the ice- that she had given birth to a deformed baby cream sticks with which she girl. Everyone was in a shock as her other was making penholder and, kids were born normal. Finally, it was her turning to the right, whispered husband who broke the news to her in the Asomething to her classmate in a room hospital. plastered with artwork put together by the Aamina was married to Riyaz in the Saba khan students. summer of 1995. Everything was going well She has suffered; Ifra Riyaz, a nine-year-old girl, with until her husband lost his business. To earn her eyes are filled green eyes, is a student of Chotay Taray a living he took a taxi on rent, but failed with dreams and no Foundation, a school for children with miserably in that as well. The education of one can take that disabilities. Ifra was born on September 23, their children also suffered immensely as away from her. She 2006, with locomotor disability(disability he had little money to spare for it. After is focused and has a of the bones and joint muscles that causes some time, the couple separated. Aamina goal. stiffness in limbs). She is the youngest girl moved in at her father’s house, along with child in her family. the kids. The responsibility of four girls on After giving birth to her child just like her shoulders broke her down. She was all any normal mother, Aamina wanted to hold alone; she had to go down the road with no her baby in her arms, but she didn’t find her one around to look after her girls except her. in the hospital room. No one told Aamina In 2013, Aamina got a job at the →

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nine-year-old would. She wants to grow up to be a doctor. “I want to go to the Spring Field School with my cousin Wafia and become a doctor who puts a needle in kids,” she said, giggling with her friend Seerat, who suffers from Down’s syndrome. They both have been friends for years now. While Ifra looks at her with big puzzled eyes, her art teacher says that she gets on well once she opens up. Ifra was denied admission in several schools. They all denied her the right for she was disabled. She did not ask for this, but she was destined to be born like this. Her parents were left with no choice but to seek the help of a NGO to let their child have some kind of education. Chotay Taray, foundation also said that they are only NGO in Kashmir who give aid to the disabled childern. Ifra has not been able to get a level playing field in academics due to her disability. She has suffered; her eyes are filled with dreams and no one can take that away from her. She is focused and has a goal. She likes reading, drawing, and is interested in computers. “I teach rhymes to my friends at home and here (CTF),” she said in a soft voice and gave a laugh. Despite her disability she has learned Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), and taught herself how to hold a pencil which paid her Rs 4500 per month. No using her hand. She can now write, draw doubt this was a meager amount but and build things. In December 2015, on enough to fulfill the needs of her family. World Disability Day, Ifra won the second “Ifra has grown up now, earlier she asked price in the drawing competition that was for things that I couldn’t provide, her but held at the University of Kashmir. It also then she understood that her mother has fetched her cash price of Rs 4000. She also no means to get her that stuff and now has won a prize in a drawing competition she doesn’t ask for anything,” said the held at Islamia College of Science and mother. Commerce, Hawal. With poor family conditions on rise, the Ifra got her disability certificate from education of Ifra was also a hard challenge Composite Regional Centre in 2013 and to face. A few years back when her parents from the Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar looked around to enroll their child for in 2015. Under this, she should be able formal education, they were turned away to avail the schemes and educational by many schools because no one wanted a scholarships provided by the Social child with a physical deformity. Welfare Department Kashmir. But since Her parents evidently were disturbed by no government or private academic the insensitivity of the school authorities to institute provides her admission, she can’t deny their child an admission. avail any merit scholarship. The foundation school lifted their spirits However, she got Rs 400 as a monthly when they agreed to take her in. “Ifra incentive from the social welfare should get a formal education rather than department which recently has been raised being here, she has no mental disability,” to Rs 1000. This meager amount does not says her art teacher Morifat Saba. suffice the needs of Ifra. She could barely But the callous treatment she has buy any good stuff with this amount. received at the hands of various schools Nonetheless, she continues to dream about hasn’t dented her resolve to dream as any a good life that awaits her. 

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BEYOND THE SCENIC BEAUTY AND THE WAR, THERE IS BEAUTY IN A CHILD’S SMILE AND I WANT TO PAINT THAT SMILE. THE UPCOMING FACE OF KASHMIRI HISTORIOGRAPHY “Beyond the scenic beauty and the war, representation of Kashmir, but in every there is beauty in a child’s smile and I painting she makes, you see a glimpse want to paint that smile. When people of a Kashmiri girl. Sadia Mir ask me to paint a picture of Kashmir, I “I write about the Dal and the nature would rather paint about the joy I feel that you can only find in Kashmir. To be very honest when I finally get home and eat some My paintings aren’t about the trauma, whenever I think of czoch-wor and noon chai. Why not?” bombs and blood. There is normalcy in something great, I says Anjum Khan. Kashmir as well that people don’t seem think of colours. Anjum, now lives in Dubai, but ever to see.” she says. since she left Kashmir, she finds herself The art of telling history writing and painting about evenings (historiography) has always been a spent under the Chinar trees and serious task for the historians, though looming mountains. Her paintings the recent era has seen a colossal may not seem as the stereotypical transition with various media of art →

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being used to expound the historical inspire her to paint, “To be very honest narratives. Movies, photography, oral- whenever I think of something great, I histories and paintings have been used think of colours. It may sound abstract as different ways to narrate the past. but my biggest inspiration are colours Kashmir may be a hotbed of violence themselves.” with endless struggle and strife but its Naturally, she, too, is drawn to the paradisiacal environs have inspired wonders of nature which, according some of the most remarkable works of to her, is every artist’s ultimate guide. art and poetry – and continue to do so “Most of my paintings are somehow even now. There are several other young connected to nature or people. When women in the Valley, who, entranced by I think of making something beautiful the abundance of natural beauty around and peaceful, my heart and mind both them and influenced by a rich, varied look towards nature. To me, people artistic heritage, have decided to draw make for the second best subject. Their on their creative energies to make their personal stories fire my imagination mark. and I bring them to life on my canvas,” Ever since she can remember, Maria she says. Shahmiri’s world has always been full What kind of reactions do her pieces of colour, light, happiness, compassion get? and love. At an age when girls like “Most regular people are unable playing with dolls she picked up the to understand the vision. But that’s pencil to draw the bright blue sky, the okay,” she says matter-of-factly, adding, golden sun, the pretty flowering buds “When people don’t understand my and the gushing silver waters of the art it doesn’t demotivate me. Rather, it River Jhelum. Shahmiri is all grown inspires me to work harder and present up today but her passion for painting something better. The critics give me nature and people is stronger than ever. another story to draw.” “I developed a keen interest in Like Altaf, Naqash, a student of painting when I was seven or eight pharmacy at the University of Kashmir, years old. Even as a small child I was expertly straddles the world of academia observant about the things that were and art. She has found her creative outlet happening around me and used to feel a in calligraphy, a specialised writing strong urge to illustrate my thoughts on technique. paper,” she shares. “I don’t know when I developed a The young woman hopes to start her fondness for calligraphy but I used own art institute one day and nurture to love doing my own fonts for my new talent. “I wish to open an art institute assignments in school. My friends used in Kashmir where internationally- to compliment me on this unique talent known artists can come and share and suggested that I put up pictures of their knowledge and techniques with my work on various social networking our students here. The right kind of websites. I started penning my own exposure and opportunities can make a poems in a special font and sharing huge difference,” says Shahmiri. it with everyone,” says the youngster, While Shahmiri has made a rewarding whose calligraphy pen is among her profession out of her passion there are most prized possessions. others like Saba Altaf and Amreen Unlike Shahmiri, Naqash is not Naqash, who are striking a perfect planning to take up calligraphy in a big balance between their education and way because “it’s a personal thing”. “I an abiding love for the arts. Arguably like sharing my work and I even write one of the youngest artists in Kashmir, when I receive requests but I don’t think Altaf’s paint brush allows her to express calligraphy is very popular in India. It’s herself beyond the limitations of her really difficult to get calligraphy paper business management studies. here. Often I do it on regular paper but I “Art is my hobby, my passion, have to be very careful because there are everything. I always loved drawing chances of blotting,” she says. and colouring as a child but I have Whether as a passion, hobby or started working on it seriously since profession, it looks like the Valley girls the past two years,” she says. Colours are serious about pursuing the arts. 

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WHY ARE THEY EVEN CALLED AS SMART PHONES? THERE’S NOTHING THAT’S SMART ABOUT THEM. THEY HAVE TAKEN AWAY MY SON FROM ME. SMART PHONES-NOT SO SMART ANYMORE

hough smartphones seem she as a caring mother visited every other ubiquitous in daily life, they are shrine in the neighborhood and elsewhere actually so new that researchers as a belief in safeguarding her child from are just beginning to understand all the ups and downs of the tragedy that Twhat the devices may do to the brain. life was. One can not define what a smart phone Naveed once fell ill and she left the house is? And if you still got this question, you at midnight to reach the nearby hospital. are living under a cave. These days it has After due consultations with the doctors, become the most essential instrument for she finally had to reconcile with herself communication. that she as a mother was over sensitive and With the advent of smart phones, mobile Naveed wasn’t as ill as she had thought of Naveed Wani phones have got a new meaning. They him to be. She didn’t blame herself of the are not only means of communication episode that had followed. Motherhood, but also the source of information and she thought was like this after all. With the advent of smart phones, mobile entertainment. Mobile phones’ advent may As soon as Naveed grew up, Yasmeen phones have got a be a blessing to the people but to her, it has was seen more excited, enthusiastic and new meaning. They proved out to be a murderer. even younger than before. The way she took are not only means Forty-year-old Yasmeen lives in the care of him was a clear sign that he was the of communication small village of South Kashmir, hails from breath to her soul. Yasmeen’s husband, but also the source of a middle class family and married off to a Nooruddin was a busy person who always information. business man when she was twenty. She was seen troubled with the math of his has a son named Naveed. Yasmeen was business and paid less heed to his family excited to have a child, like every mother is affairs. Yasmeen being a mother took a lot supposed to be and for years used to cover of interest in every family matter and her his face to shed away ill omens which she sole dream was to see her son a successful believed roamed around very often. As it is, man and an even better human being. →

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Naveed who studies in 10th clicking and swiping off the screen. standard is the class topper and a “He used to lay the utensils for soft-spoken child. His teachers adore the dinner and now he doesn’t even him and have high hopes from him. bother to dine with us” says Yasmeen Everything was going well with the with a worried look on her face. family and Yasmeen being a mother Yasmeen seems to have accepted the didn’t wish for anything more of any fact that the relationship between sort. Yasmeen had grown very fond of them has dwindled a bit. She seems her child and Naveed by himself was to have lost hope and solely considers attached to her mother until one day the mobile phone responsible for the he asked for a mobile phone. weakening of their relationship. “Why As it is, mothers eventually give are they even called as smart phones? up to the demands put forth by their There’s nothing that’s smart about children. Yasmeen did the same them. They have taken away my son too. Naveed got a smart phone and from me and I curse the day I got one entered into the deep realms of the for my son” she says, regretfully. virtual world. As time passed, Naveed She still hasn’t given up though and got more and more engaged with yearns for the day she will get her son his smart phone. Yasmeen felt and back and have a family dinner with realized that the bond between the him sitting by her side. “I believe the two had started to weaken and her manufacturers are only worried about motherhood had started to fade away. their profits and not the futures of The perils of a smart phone and the the ones using them. We as humans consequences there in were now clear do have our responsibilities but the to her. Naveed hardly attended the makers of these smart phones share the family dinners, as he was involved in greater part of it,” says Yasmeena. 

GURUDUWARA CHATTISPADSHAHI’S LOCATION IN THE MIDST OF MUSLIM LOCALITY SPEAKS OF KASHMIR’S CENTURIES’ OLD SYNCRETIC CULTURE SYNCRETIC SYMBOL

Pardeep Singh During 2014 floods syncretic culture was again on display when hundreds of affected families in Srinagar mostly Muslims took refuge at this religious place.

n a scorching Sunday marked by the kids with hopscotch morning in downtown rectangles, some packs of old men Srinagar, the cobblestone chattering and some young boys sat Osteps came up, colour- hunched over a tattered carom → MEDIA TIMES 83 MEDIA TIMES DECEMBER 2017

board. In the midst of eventful city, as Chattispadshahi GurudwaraRainawari,” pilgrims dressed with fine new clothing, says Deepak and adds that this place assumes most of them wearing colourful turbans more significance since Mata’s who was in with distinct tints are moving towards her old age, his vision was restored by the historical Sikh Pilgrimage site, Gurudwara Guru at the same spot. Chattispadshahi. Another Sikh scholar Dr. Gopal Singh Like other Sikh families, Rabinder Kaur says that place has veneration for Sikhs, since family is also entering their holy site. Every Mata was cremated by Guru Sahib himself Sunday she along with her family travels from here at this very spot in Rainawari. Rangreth area located in Srinagar outskirts When people living around Hari Prabat to this revered place located at Rainawari in complained of severe water scarcity to the order to pay obeisance. sixth Guru, says Singh, he ordered to dig Gurudwara Chattispadshahi (literary a well which still exists in the premises of sixth King or Guru) situated is situated at Gurudawara. the centrally located foothill Hari Prabat As part of a ritual, every person who pays in Srinagar, adjacent to historical Khati a visit to the Guruduwara drinks and sprays Darwaza. water on him from the well. Sitting around the sanctum in the main The well assumes significance, says Singh hall of Gurudwara, she spends a couple of as it is believed that Guru Sahab had himself hours in devotion. dug some spades of mud for the well. Kaur says, it is not only about religious There is also an octogenarian Baldev obligation, but also about a sense of Singh, a sixty two-year-old native of Punjab spirituality. “It is a kind of spiritual dosage gave up his promising medical career to serve for me and my family for the rest of week,” at Srinagar’s Chattipadshahi Gurudwara. she says. From 1985 he is into sewa (serving people). Guruduwara Chattispadshahi’s location “Till late 1980s, there was only a dilapidated in the midst of Muslim locality speaks of structure,” recalls Harban Singh,” recalls Kashmir’s centuries’ old syncretic culture- Baldev and says that it was during the time where people from all faiths have been living when a voluntary group called Karsewaks- in communal harmony. Chattipadshahi is a who initiated renovation of Guruduwaras living testimony to this fact. The shrine has across valley headed by Harban Singh been here from 15th century. that Chattisinghpadshahi Guruduwara at “It is believed that Guru Nanak Ji, the first Rainawarai was also renovated. Sikh Guru visited Hari Prabat in 15 century. Besides a considerable presence of During his course of stay, he spread the devotees on Sundays, four major functions message of peace and communal harmony. are celebrated here. Birthday of Guru His impact was such that few people there Hargobind Sahib is the major function subscribed to his teachings,” says a historian celebrated here. According to management, Daleep Singh Deepak. around 20,000 people throng the place. In 1600’s, it was after a century of Guru The Gurudwara has also served as a Nanak Ji’s visit that sixth Guru, Guru refugee camp for Sikhs who came from Hargobind Ji visited Kashmir. Pakistan in 1947. Families who migrated “When Guru Hargobind Sahib visited from other part of Kashmir camped in the Kashmir, he travelled to almost all parts Gurudwara compound for few weeks, says of Kashmir. It was in 1616,” continues historian Daleep. Deepak. The historian says that presence During 2014 floods syncretic culture was of Gurudwaras in Pulwama, Srinagar and again on display when hundreds of affected Baramulla on the pattern of Chattipadshahi families in Srinagar mostly Muslims took further strengthen this view. refuge at this religious place. Deepak says that there is another reason “That was the time when I witnessed Guruji visited Kashmir. “Mata BhaagBhari, how this place has been blessed. People devote of Guru Nanak Ji, in Kashmir was irrespective of faiths and diversity stayed longing for a glimpse of his successor, sixth here for weeks together. We do not know Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib,” says Deepak. how the eatables were reaching here. How It was due Mata’s devotion that Guru Sahib they were disturbed. Had it been some visited valley, he says. other place many would have been killed “On the call of Mata BhaagBhari, that Guru in the stampede,” said volunteer Baldev Sahib visited her house, which is now known Singh at the Chattipadshahi. 

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THIS IS A BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO DON’T WANT TO PURSUE OR ARE RELUCTANT TO GO OUTSIDE THE STATE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. CLUSTER UNIVERSITIES: A WAY FORWARD

he Union Ministry of Human to run series of additional and novel courses Resource Development has been in the existing city colleges, with one of the mulling over the creation of 35 colleges each in Srinagar and Jammu acting new cluster universities across the as the lead college. Tcountry by pooling resources of three to five The Cluster University in Srinagar will existing government and government-aided comprise of Amar Singh College, SP College, colleges under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Women’s College MA Road, GDC Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) programme. And and the College of Education, Srinagar. In the cluster University in J&K is one of the Srinagar, Amar Singh College will be the 35 projects. Lead College. The Cluster University, first of its kind in The process for building requisite Kashmir, was introduced by the Jammu and infrastructure has been set into motion in Kashmir Government in 2016. Two cluster the concerned colleges and the admission universities have been established in the process has already started for the current state, one each in Jammu and Srinagar. academic session.The Cluster University will The university is cluster of five premier offer post-graduate and diploma courses in colleges and strategically located in the social sciences, liberal arts, humanities, heart of city. It will run a series of additional engineering, science, teacher education, and advanced courses. languages, entrepreneurship development, The Vice-chancellor of the University management and other job-intensive himself said at many forums that “with the courses. Danish Pathan concept of Cluster University we don’t have “Introduction and development of Cluster to lose anything.” The infrastructure and the Universities in Srinagar and Jammu will not With the concept of faculty of these premier colleges are already only boost the existing higher education Cluster University we in existence; there is no harm in upgrading facilities in J&K, but help diversification of don’t have to lose them and putting it in the shape of a Cluster the academics with introduction of latest anything. University, he further added. job-intensive courses at the graduate and The two Cluster Universities have been post-graduate levels,’’ former education established in the state under ‘‘The Srinagar minister Nayeem Akther said. and Jammu Cluster Universities Act, 2016’’ The Cluster University of Srinagar shall and funded through centrally-sponsored be an independent University and shall Rashtriya Ucchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) conduct examinations and award →

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degrees following its own rules and regulations. research and to create outstanding conditions It shall have its own regulatory bodies with for young scholars at universities,” he further Hon’ble Chief Minster as Chancellor and shall elaborated. be headed by a Vice Chancellor. In state, the mushrooming growth of The five colleges of Srinagar will break away institutions in the shape of colleges and from Kashmir University. Other colleges will Universities has emerged in the recent past. If continue to be a part of Kashmir University. we snip a look at the past, 18 new colleges were The Islamia College, Srinagar is already established in 2005 and 18 in 2008 in the state working as independent college and will not to make higher education accessible to the be a part of Cluster University. remotest areas. The concept of Cluster Universities will On being asked about the Cluster provide an opportunity to students to join University of Srinagar Ali Mohd Pathan a higher education within the state instead of student of Kashmir University replied; “this is getting trapped in the hands of unrecognized a big opportunity for those students who don’t institutes outside, which becomes problematic want to pursue or are reluctant to go outside for them. The government is committed to the state for higher education.” making education a round-the-clock affair Innovative steps to higher education is the and starting evening classes, which will help need of the hour and the University Grants in expanding access to higher education by Commission (UGC) has come with new increasing the gross enrollment ratio. suggestions to cluster colleges in groups to Pertinently, the number of universities in share their resources for better prosperity of J&K state has reached to 11. Abrar Hussain, the students and teaching community. a newly graduated student said,“more the The University Grants Commission number of universities means more seats.” of India has repeatedly suggested that “The concept of cluster universities is higher education is not a luxury affair for expected to improve the quality of education academia as well as for the policy makers in universities and colleges and enhance and it has to be pursued earnestly with a capacity to become dynamic and demand lot of application oriented research and drive. It aims to promote cutting-edge development. 

THERE WAS LOT OF PRESSURE ON ME, BUT SPORTS PERSON HAVE TO FACE CHALLENGES AND COPE UP. MEET EMERGING THANG TA SENSATION akariya Yaseen, from Bemina evening session. His coach has taught him (Srinagar) has started playing how to be focused in game and committed Thang Ta in 2009 when he was with goals. “My coach and sports council in Class First. This 14 year old has important role in shaping up my skills Zboy has been awarded by ‘State award for and in making me disciplined sportsperson. the excellence’ in the field of Thang Ta. Sports Council always pampers players and IRFAN TRAMBOO Zakariya got inspired from his uncle who provides equipment and support whenever was football player. “I got inspired from they need” he said. If we are focusing on him and started my sports journey”, he Focusing on studies and practising studies, we should also said. Zakariya has played two international Thang Ta at the same time, was challenge focus on sports. matches in 2013 both held in Korea. He for Zakariya. To keep balance and hold on also won two gold and one silver medals sports and studies, Zakariya has scheduled in Federation cup and played numerous timetable to keep going things smoothly. nationals during initial stage. After School hours without any rest, his Zakariya, practices with his coach and practising sessions continue till late in the mentor in the Indoor Stadium during evening. “Self-study and my mother’s →

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help in studies, keeps me focused on our practice. I do not eat same as normal studies”, he said. While talking about person, you cannot eat everything if you are struggle, he recalls one incident that is still taking sports seriously. To be something in in his mind, “I remember I was playing your life, you have to make sacrifices” he federation cup, but at the same time my said. examinations were going on. Zakariya’s goal is to inspire others and There was lot of pressure on me, but sports be inspiration for others, who really want person have to face challenges and cope up. to do something great in their life. “If we During the federation cup I had kept with are focusing on studies, we should also me study material and immediately after focus on sports. We should not make our playing match, my routine was self-study”. priority studies only but sports also. If we The sportsperson has to take care of are giving lot of time to studies, we should fitness and Zakariya has kept himself fit also free our time for sports also. There from the beginning. “We have to take care are equal opportunities in both sports and of our diet, because diet is as important as studies” Zakariya said. 

ZAIN-UL-ABIDIN WAS KNOWN TO BE AN EXCEPTIONALLY PEACEFUL RULER, WAS DESERVINGLY CONFERRED THE SURNAME TITLE OF ‘BUDSHAH. THE GOLDEN YEARS OF BUDSHAH he golden Fifty years of the completely rooted out. He was brutish to paradise refers to the period of all types of crime and most of the known the Great King, Sultan Gayas Ud criminals were put behind the bars. Din or Zain Ul Abidin, popularly Realizing that the unemployment and Tknown as Bud Shah which means The Great poverty resulted in commission of crime, King. It is said that the sultan’s period was he took a number of steps so that suitable the most peaceful period in Kashmir. After employment was guaranteed to all eligible the demise of Sultan Sikandar, his heir, persons in different fields. Sultan Alisha became the ruler of Kashmir Due to long period of lawlessness and but after few years she left the kingdom and insecurity of life and property, the farmers his brother Shai Khan becomes the ruler of had left most of the land uncultivated. Kashmir in 1420 AD. Shahi Khan was tilled Zain-ul-Abidin’s first great reform was the as Sultan Gayas ud din. revision of land assessment. He reduced it to He did not take any money from the State a fourth of the total produce in some places Treasury for his personal use but lived on the and to a seventh in others. income from a copper mine in Aishmuqam. The farmers were further protected In his private life he wore a very simple dress from the harassment of revenue officials by and was a highly religious man, extending enacting a law which prohibited latter from equal respect to all religions of the world. accepting any gifts from them. He also Shah Tawqeer He venerated holy saints and fakirs and introduced a proper system for registration took instructions both from superior and of documents to prevent fraudulent Sultan abhorred all inferior hermits. He ruled from 50 years. transactions in property. He also enacted killing and bloodshed Zain-ul-Abidin was known to be a code of laws for his people, which were and would avoid capital an exceptionally peaceful ruler, was engraved on copper plates and displayed in punishment wherever deservingly conferred the surname title public places and halls of justice. possible. of ‘Budshah’. He was known for being Sultan abhorred all killing and bloodshed spiritually enlightened and highly reputed and would avoid capital punishment for the restructuring of the architecture of wherever possible. However, his leniency Kashmir. and mild temper did not encourage any The King severely dealt with all crime in the country because of his complete corrupt officials to ensure corruption was impartiality as a judge. →

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According to Kashmiri Historian and of the people. He distributed paddy from Sanskrit poet, Jonaraja, “Though the King his government stores free to the needy was kind-hearted yet for the sake of his people. Fortunately the following year’s people he would not forgive even his son or crop was a bumper one and the sufferings of minister or a friend if he were guilty. Mir the people were quickly relieved. However, Yahya, a great favourite of the King, while after the restoration of normal conditions, drunk, had killed his wife. Although he was the king punished all the black marketers very close to him, yet he was held guilty and and hoarders who had swindled the people executed.” during those hard times and the excess Sultan established one of the greatest money charged from them was returned. libraries in Kashmir at a huge cost which By a royal decree he cancelled all the debts remained in use even 100 years after his incurred by needy people in their hour of death when it was unfortunately destroyed. distress from unscrupulous money-lenders. The king helped students by providing Another teachers, books, houses, food, and money Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin died in 1470. His and he extended limits of learning in all death was a big loss to Kashmir and even branches.” up to this day the people take his name with Towards the end of his reign a very severe reverence and gratitude. No tribute The famine occurred in Kashmir. This was turbulent years of last half a century make caused by an early snowfall which destroyed one wonder how Kashmir ever produced the fully ripe paddy crop. Unfortunately the such an illustrious ruler whose reign shines succeeding winter was also very severe. in the annals of history. Kashmiri’s must be A large number of people died. The King pinning for the rise of such a ruler. Will it made all out efforts to alleviate the suffering happen again? 

ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF MODERATION, OF BALANCE BETWEEN EXTREMES. THE OTHER SIDE OF HIJAB he word Hijab is an Arabic word which means veil or barrier. Among Muslim women, covering head or wearing headscarves is Tthe most apparent form of hijab. However, in Islam Hijab has a deeper meaning which goes beyond covering head. It involves wearing clothing that is of loose fitting and cloaking womens body with exception of her face, hands and feet. Saba Gul "And tell the believing women to lower their eyes, and guard their modesty, and In Islam Hijab has a that they display not their ornaments deeper meaning which except what appears of them. And that goes beyond covering they draw their veils over their bosoms head. and display not their ornaments except to their husbands, their brothers ... And repent to Allah, all of you O believers, that you may succeed." Al-Qur'an 24:31 In the contemporary times a growing trend of donning Hijab could be →

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seen across the world. Kashmir has also harm if one donn’s a fashionable outfit witnessed this change from past few within the limits of religion. ‘’I started years. Back in the Nineties, situation was wearing headscarf during my university quite different as many Militant Outfits days and now it has become a part of my used to impose diktats forcing women life. I thank Allah as I cannot think of to abide by the Islamic dress code. In anything better than being a Muslim.” contrary to this the present scenario is Is Hijab for women and can men quite different as hijab is not donned dictate women to observe Hijab? with force or fear but on one’s own will. In Islam, men have an obligation to Why hijab? God and to women to observe hijab. "I really liked the purpose behind For some reason, a lot of men seem to the hijab -- a woman covering herself think they can simply force women to so that a man should know her for her observe hijab. Instead, the Quran and mind, not her body." That purpose can Prophet Muhammad are clear: in Islam, be traced back to the Quran, Islam's holy us men are not actually allowed to do text, which encourages women to dress that at all. The burden of modesty lies modestly, says Faegheh Shirazi, author with us. of "The Veil Unveiled." Unfortunately, hijab also has its Iqra, a student from Women’s College adverse effects: you get discriminated MA road says that, “I was fifteen years against, treated as though you are old when I started wearing hijab. I opted oppressed, illiterate and fundamentalist. for it on my own will.” I wear it for Allah and for my own Heena shafi working in a Social conscience, said Barirah a graduate Welfare Department says that, ‘’modest from Mata sundri college Delhi. clothing and hijab are precautions A survey carried out by the sociology to prevent social violation. Before I department of Kashmir university started covering, I thought of myself reveals that 70 percent of women have based on what others thought of me. opted for hijab on their own will and 28 But after wearing hijab my perception percent chose it after being persuaded has totally changed. Knowing that by family members and mere 2 percent Allah finds me beautiful makes me feel are compelled. beautiful ‘’. The study also reveals that 66 percent Dressed in turquoise long kurta of women who practice Hijab were and wearing a radiant silk headscarf employees working in government and Yasmeen teaching in a Government non-government sector while 31 percent High School believes that there is no were students. After interviewing as many as 93 percent of women it was found that they wear hijab for religious reasons while 3.75 percent of women said they have opted for it due to cultural reasons. Islam is a religion of moderation, of balance between extremes. Therefore, it does not expect women alone to uphold the society’s morality and uprightness. Islam asks men and women to mutually strive to create a healthy social environment where children may grow with positive, beautiful, constructive and practical values and concepts. Thus, men are equally required to be modest and to conduct themselves responsibly in every sphere of their lives. The concept of modesty and hijab in islam is holistic and encompasses both men and women.The ultimate goal is to maintain societal stability and to please Allah. 

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THE INCREASE IN NUMBER OF AFFILIATED CLUBS HAS BEEN AMAZING – FROM JUST 4 CLUBS IN 1964 TO OVER 500 AT PRESENT. FOOTBALL IN KASHMIR MARCHING AHEAD SILENTLY wing to the conflict between great part of contribution towards football India and Pakistan, with in Kashmir and have placed their name in Kashmir sandwiched between post 1960s era of Kashmir. them, most of the kids grow With the advent of 90s, we all saw the Oup with the rattling sound of guns and downfall of all sectors and football too bombs. Military and militants are the was its victim. We witnessed ‘Dawn of words and sight they grow up with. With new hope’ in 2008 when All India Santosh no options, they often end up getting Trophy tournament was held in Kashmir crushed between the two greedy powers. and with that ‘Revival or the beginning of Sports – however good you might be in contemporary football’ started in Kashmir. it; it is tough to make your mark in such a It was a proud moment for the people of conflict ridden place. the state when India’s oldest and reputed Sports have always been associated football club Mohun Baghan named → with the lives of the people of Kashmir. Whatever may be the circumstances – man made or natural, it is virtually impossible to withhold sports from the people of Kashmir. Even in hard times, they have embraced it and used it as a tool for reconciliation and community building. But nevertheless, Kashmir has witnessed some good, quality footballers though it didn’t live out as a feeder state like Hyderabad of the 50s, 60s or Manipur in recent times. But the passion for the sport never died down and Kashmir found its faces of football - Ishfaq Ahmed and Mehraj-ud din Wadoo and their surge up to the top has changed the face of the game forever in the stiff-torn state. Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA), formed in 1964, claims they have witnessed a great change in the youths’ attitude towards the game since the last 12 years. The increase in number of affiliated clubs has been Waseem Ahmad amazing – from just 4 clubs in 1964 to over 500 at present. Football is a low budget The romance and glamour associated game; my father doesn’t with this sport is known to all of us. Great have to spend much players from Kashmir like Late Farooq money on it. Ahamd Bhat popularly known as Pele of Kashmir, International footballers like Mohammad Yousuf Dar, Abdul Majeed Kakroo, Shafi Ahmad Nari etc are some glorious examples. These mighty football figures have a

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Ishfaq Ahmad from Kashmir as their despite all the problems, Kashmir has come captain. Hence he became first footballer a long way to stomp their foot as the new from the state to lead the national-club. hub of emerging footballers. Having said “Football is truly our traditional sport; I that, there is also no place for complacency. am very delightful to see it coming back,” The road ahead is tough and long. says 60 years old football lover while Kashmir got its first football stadium watching a match at the Srinagar Polo (TRC Stadium) of international standard Ground. People from every sphere of in Srinagar with an imported synthetic life enjoy this game whole heartedly and turf laid over the play field which was have lauded it time and again. The lively procured from Italy with an estimated atmospheres at the grounds attract nearly cost of about 4.50 Crores in 2014 and so every passer-by. far it has been very successful for Jammu Huzaif a 14-year-old aspiring footballer and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) while practicing in Eidgah, said, “Football as they successfully conducted various is a low budget game; my father doesn’t tournaments on this ground. have to spend much money on it. I just JKFA president, Zameer Ahmad Thakur need a pair of boots and a football. He got said that the TRC stadium was made to me that and I am here.” make Kashmir an all-weather Football state. The days of Mohammad Yousuf- the first “We were able to continue our football footballer from Kashmir to represent India activities in winters as well, otherwise in in 1977-1978 and the present generation is the past all football activities were shifted to quite different. Technology has advanced Jammu in winters. All this happened due to and so have the facilities and prospects. So, the availability of TRC ground,” he said. 

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“THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF SHRINE ONLY PROVED THAT KASHMIRI ARTISTS ARE STILL IN TOUCH WITH THEIR CRAFT REPLICATING EMOTIONS

n June 28, 2012, three days quite a challenging task given the sentiments after Dastigeer Sahab shrine in attached with the shrine.” Khaniyar went up in flames, A few months back, when one of the old leaving entire Kashmir fuming devotees, who also took care of the shrine Owith anger. Under strict curfew, the phone before it was gutted in fire, entered the at Intach’s Srinagar office began ringing reconstructed shrine, he couldn’t help but frenetically. In a no-nonsense tone, the man say, “They (Intach) have not done anything on the other end said, ‘’I am from CM’s at all. It (shrine) looks exactly the same!” office, Gear up and start loss assessment of In 2005, Intach, a Delhi based non-profit Yawar Shafi the shrine. We need a detailed proposal’’. organisation, was tasked to document An hour later Intac team was on their way around eight hundred historically important We told them to Dastgeer sahib shrine. “We were given structures across Kashmir. Dastageer how some of the special curfew passes,” recalls Hakeem Sahib Shrine was one among them. shrines with rich Sameer Hamdani, Project Coordinator “Documentation involved video-graphing heritage value can Intach. of heritage structures, images and minute be brought under “We had done intensive documentation details with regard to structure building,” UNESCO’s care. of the shrine in 2005-06,” said Sameer. said Sameer. This visuals documentation of motifs, For Intach, the project was important khatamband, art, wood work, papier- given the fact that most of the buildings mâché, designs etc. helped Intach retain in the list were made of wood, and were the originality. “The idea was to recreate the currently in dilapidated condition. “These old structure as it was,” said Sameer. “It was structures were highly prone to catching →

92 MEDIA TIMES MEDIA TIMES DECEMBER 2017 fire,” said Sameer. Their (Wakaf’s) idea was to have a shrine But what pinched Intach team was how with around sixty thousand capacity, huge this once beautiful structure was dying for open space, etc. However, during a meeting want of attention. “We not only documented with Wakaf members Omar Abdullah made the mosque but restored its previous glory.” it clear that Shrine will be built on old pattern. After Intach’s intense restoration work, Aali One senior Wakaf member told CM that Masjid was finally thrown open for prayers, his grandfather late built something unimaginable a few months Dargah Hazrabal using modern outlook, back. The next in line for documentation why not replicate the same? was Khanqah Shah-e-Hamdan, Jamia Omar told him that doesn’t Masjid Srinagar, Naqashband Sahib Shrine, look Kashmiri at all in terms of architecture, Makhdoom Sahib Shrine, Dastigeer Sahib “I don’t want to do the same with Dastegheer Shrine etc. Sahib Shrine.” Also, Zain-u-din Wali’s shrine in Finally when the work started in September Aishmuqam and Janbazz Sahib’s shrine in 2012, everybody was keeping his fingers Baramulla were documented by Intach. crossed; after all it was no ordinary building. “Once they saw results, tourism department Out of the estimated cost of Rs 16 crore, so showed interest in our documentation far Intach and JKPCC have spent Rs 9 crore. project,” said Sameer. The reconstruction was done using old As a “goodwill gesture” tourism department plinth as base. “All building material was bore transportation expenses of Intach used keeping in view the carrying capacity employees. “They gave us Rs 1 lakh,” said of that plinth,” said Sameer. “It was very Sameer. “It was too small but we didn’t challenging. There was no margin of error complain.” whatsoever”. The entire documentation process took The walls of the shrine had 13 inch two years to complete. “By 2007 we were thick wooden logs that gave the structure done with our entire list,” said Sameer. flexibility and strength. “We kept the A week before Dastegreer Sahib Shrine thickness of the walls same, only difference was gutted, Sameer and his team gave a was they were hollow now. There is power-point presentation regarding safety no wood,” said Sameer. This helped in of heritage buildings to then Parliamentary reducing the usage of wood by sixty per Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar. The cent compared to old structure. While presentation, which took place in the lawn reconstructing the shrine extra care was of Shah-e-Hamdan Shrine, was attended taken with regard to electrical fitting. by Wakaf men and custodians of important “Wires are laid in such a way that chances shrines. “We told them how some of the of short circuit are minimal,” said Sameer. shrines with rich heritage value can be Ask Sameer what was the most brought under UNESCO’s care,” said Sameer. challenging part of the reconstruction, During the presentation, it came to light and he quickly says: interior work. “If you that there are only three fire extinguishers remember old shrine had very intricate in Dastageer Sahib Shrine. Interestingly mix of Khatambandh, papier-mâché, wood no custodian knew how to operate an carving, calligraphy work etc.,” said Sameer. extinguisher in case of a fire. “We also “To replicate that was very tough.” highlighted how Dastageer Sahib’s electric This part was done using old photographs, wiring is in mess,” said Sameer. documents, videos etc. “We would compare Dastigeer-Shrine-new-building samples with old documents before going After the fire, when Intach shared its plan ahead,” recalls Sameer. for reconstruction, people raised objections. Besides, videos provided by Tariq Reason: Intach wanted to retain some of Bhat of Associate Media, proved vital in the walls that were not damaged and were understanding the motifs. absolutely safe. However, locals wanted “The successful completion of shrine only these walls to be destroyed and rebuilt from proved that Kashmiri artists are still in touch scratch because they were sprayed with with their craft,” feels Sameer. “All designs “dirty water” during fire-fighting. are from the old shrine.” Then there was lack of consensus viz-a-viz As of now work is stalled due to lack of what kind of structure should be built now: funds, but Sameer and his colleagues are not the one that was already there, or something worried, as most of the work is done already. modern. “Wakaf was interested in rebuilding “Challenging part is already over. Now just the Shrine on modern lines,” said Sameer. finishing touch is left.” 

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ANICONISM IS CENTRAL TO HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC ART AND ARCHITECTURE. REPRESENTATION OF ANICONISM IN ISLAMIC ART

slam is unique in that it is the world’s Taghut besides Allah]” [Quran, 16:36]. largest purely monotheistic religion Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, was wherein Muslims are told to believe inspired by Allah to smash the idols housed in and worship One God. The body in the kaaba. Ancient pilgrims would come Iof historical Islamic art strives to glorify from miles to visit the false deities harbored The Creator–“God” in English, “Allah” in there, not unlike the pilgrimages many art Arabic. The love and worship of One God enthusiasts might make to view a painting manifests itself in artworks, decorative or other art object: for example, the Mona and architectural elements, songs (known Lisa, today. Though modern visitors to the as “nasheeds” in Arabic) and the written Mona Lisa may not think she has any special word (as in the long Urdu poems called powers to heal their ailments or solve their ‘Hamd/Nazm’). The great majority of visual troubles (as ancient pilgrims to the kaaba Islamic Art and Architecture is devoid of would have thought of their “gods and idols”) the depiction of realistic human and animal they do find Leonardo Da Vinci’s small figures. But why is this? Why and how does portrait worthy to visit and would probably Islam promote aniconism? mourn her destruction if something were to According to Sheikh Mohamed bin Jamil happen to the small canvas painting. Zino in his book ‘Islamic Guidelines for The concept of abandoning false deities, Individual and Social Reform’, the main pagan gods, and the Christian trinity concern of Islam is to call mankind to the was further expounded upon by Prophet Mujeeb Ul Feroz worship of Allah alone discarding all other Muhammad, peace be upon him, after deities. That means anyone and anything receiving his first revelations from Allah in The great majority of ascribed as a partner to Allah – be it a saint, a 610 CE. The rules and restrictions for art- visual Islamic Art and dead pious man, idols, statues, or photos – is making come from the sayings of Prophet Architecture is devoid of the depiction of discarded. This call of Islamic monotheism Muhammad, peace be upon him, as we find realistic human and has been the religion in all senses of the word in the respected hadith collections of Al- animal figures. since the creation of man. Muslims believe Bukhari and Muslim, narrated from Abu that monotheism has been the message of Talhah, may Allah be pleased with him, we all the prophets of Allah at all times. Allah read that the Prophet, peace be upon him, says: “And verily we have sent among every said; “The angels do not enter a house in which Ummah [community, nation] a Messenger there is an image.” We are to understand from [proclaiming]: ‘‘worship Allah [alone] and the further explanations of his companions avoid Taghut’ [false deities, i.e. do not worship that Prophet Muhammad, peace be →

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upon him, meant the images of creatures artwork possible by developing algebra and that have souls. trigonometry. Most traditional mosques use So here artists are warned against painting, some element of tessellation in their design, drawing or sculpting people or animals that construction, or decoration. appear too life-like. The challenge for the Muslim artists employ the above Muslim artist for the last roughly 1400 years techniques, and others, to create their has thus been: how to create a symbolic geometric foundational grids and piece of art without representing animals or patterns. These fundamental methods, humans and without tempting the worship in addition to ornamental and functional of icons and partners to Allah by including calligraphy, enable Muslim artists to figures in our art? avoid figurative representations and Many artists practicing these principles employ sacred geometry to represent turn to geometric designs, architectural the Divine as they understand Him. In elements, calligraphy, and non-photorealistic this way they keep away from prohibited forms. Historical and contemporary Islamic actions and to prove their obedience to artists employ geometrical designs in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad, their work, for graphic effect, or for their peace and blessings of Allah be upon meditative qualities. him. Aniconism is central to historical In Islamic artworks we also see extensive and contemporary Islamic Art and use of tessellations which are repeating, and Architecture and will remain so as long sometimes interlocking geometric designs. as Muslims are educated about the core Muslim mathematicians made this type of precepts of their religion. 

A POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE COACH STARTED A NEW CHAPTER IN SOLIHA,S LIFE AND GAVE KASHMIR A STAR IN RUGBY. CROSSING HIGH HURDLES FOR A FREE RUN ON THE RUGBY FIELD oulding herself into a a Kashmiri girl, earning an Indian camp player of international isn’t mean achievement by any stretch of standard in a game that imagination. demands top notch fitness Early opposition at home for pursuing Mand skill level, soliha has become a shining a physical sport, the struggle to find the light in the Rugby circles of the valley. For like-minded girls to form a team, →

Sajida Yousuf

Most of the girls prefer cricket and football as their support. I choose rugby because it is different and suits me

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training under the shadow of terror and, too. Somehow coach was impressed,” says of course, the snide remarks of the sceptics soliha. A positive feedback from the coach have been some of the hurdles that soliha started a new chapter in soliha,s life and has crossed before she reached the capital to gave Kashmir a star in rugby. participate in an All-India event organised The passion and love for the game to pick probable for the national team. started to grow by the day and soliha was Soliha defied parent’s opposition putting selected by the coach for his team. With hard yards in practice to improve her the time, soliha honed her skills under skills in a game that is hardly followed by various coaches and put lot of hard-work to the Kashmiris. The nature of the game improve her fitness. It didn’t take her long demands high fitness levels and intense to make it to the state team. She captained practice for it is basically a physical contact her side in her maiden National level support. appearance. The strongly built frame of soliha fits Her consistent performances earned a well to the requirements of the support. call for an International Rugby Board (IRB) “Most of the girls prefer cricket and football level tournament but as the fate had it she as their support. I choose rugby because it had to pull out thanks to a leg injury. is different and suits me” says soliha who Soliha didn’t lose the hope, though. The regular in gyms. Kashmiri girl kept practising hard, and got From playing on Srinagar’s dodgy selected for a six-month preparatory camp fields that need to be mine-sweeped for 27-member Indian Women’s Rugby regularly to the smooth lawns and sporting team for five nation rugby tournament held environment of Delhi University, it was a in Pune. welcome change for the young rugger. Soliha,s call up to the training camp Soliha also inspired her younger sister coincided with her getting through AIEEE. Sajidah to take up the rugby. “With two But soliha didn’t compromised on rugby rugby-playing daughters, my mother is .The love for the game and opportunity to worried at times, since most if the time we rub shoulders with some quality players are travelling. But she has been our pillar forced her skip the counselling required of strength. She has always said that what a before an admission in engineering boy can do, a girl a girl can do better,” she colleges.” I preferred camp over engineering says. because I thought it was my best chance to Perhaps that explains her preference for make it big in the game,” says soliha. The what has been considered a men’s sport and Indian selectors impressed by her skill her sister’s boyish appearance. and fitness choose soliha for Indian team Soliha was just three when her father : a historic moment making her the only died after he was caught in cross firing girl from the valley to represent India in during February in 1995. “Me and my a global event. Soliha felt her selection for mother support each other . She calls me the Indian team came as a boost for rugby 10 times a day and I call back as much ,”she players – girls in specific – of Kashmir. says. The chance encounter with the sport Her first bout with the game was more of turned out to be a long association. Today an accident than by choice. Soliha bunked soliha is pursuing her M.tech from Delhi her classes in Green Valley School and and is certified level 1 coach and a Rugby made her way to the school playground development Officer (RDO) for the state. where a rugby coach had come to teach the Despite the tough job of spreading rugby in game to the kids. the valley by going into the different schools “At that time, I did not know about and colleges, soliha doesn’t grumble about rugby. Seeing other kids, I started playing the degree of difficulty.

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EVERYONE IS BUSY IN THEIR OWN LIVES, AND IN THIS DIGITAL ERA WE DON’T FIND TIME TO LISTEN TO THE QUIVERING LIPS OF THOSE WHO WANT THEIR MISERIES TO BE HEARD AT LEAST.

SILENT LIPS AND THEIR UNSAID WORDS

ave been listening it from my I could see her eyes, full of tears and her childhood that poverty is the face full of despair. Her old father (young worst kind of misery, which and smart once), lying on the death bed, leads an existing person to its her beautiful mother mentally disabled (A Hnear extinction. The statement was proven Mother who has lost her three sons, before true, when I met a woman namely Haleem, her eyes). A sister in her early 30’s is still approximately in her 40’s looking at me-- unmarried, because there is no source of --as if trying to question about something income to run the household chores, and serious and grave. She was a poor lady as to manage the marriage expenditure is evident from her torn grey Korab Pheran something like a dream coming true. embroidered with fine design which we It was all of a sudden when I got a call as Tille in Kashmiri. The Pheran chance to meet her nearby my area where was full of stains, but those stains were I reside, by foot, it would just take half an speaking something more, that could hour to reach their residence. Shaheen Shafique not be understood well, not even through A small verandah led me inside a small spoken words. Her head was covered room which was full of dark, because there .....wrinkles were because with Light Grey, Woollen Stole. Her hair was no light at that time. Finally, I put off of her wretched life, and was uncombed--- some white hair could my shoes, and stepped in. I couldn’t see not her age..... be easily seen in front---resting on her anything, except the Dark surrounding wrinkled forehead. Those wrinkles were every corner of this room. This room had because of her wretched life, and not her a door attached to it leading to the other age. She was putting on a torn slipper in room. This room was also filled with dark. her feet. I couldn’t see her feet, they were I turned on the flashlight of my mobile, covered with a pair of black socks. and saw an old man lying on the floor,→

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battling for his life. I wasn’t able to talk definitely help them by listening to them. to him, except for I asked him, Tohi When a rich is having feast in every meal kya chu naav? (What’s your name?) He of the day, a poor struggles within himself, in his inaudible voice replied, Ghulam how to manage a single meal! Mohammed Shawla. I was numb and If a single rich person would pay attention shattered for a while, I got goosebumps in to a single poor person, there would be no my body because of something wet touching poverty. This woman is surrounded by so my feet. When that unknown voice (known many well off neighbours, but do they care for now) replied with a worried tone, Yi chu about them? Or they just laugh at their sreh khasaan assi….( It’s something that poor condition? comes from the plinth of this room)..... I believe that things are destined, and you I was trying to get to some point. What meet certain people for some firm reason. to say, and how to say! I wasn’t able to do Nothing in this world happens “just”. anything except sighing. I wanted to leave As belonging to a middle class family, I the place as soon as possible. I wanted to still have a lot of options to go for. But what scream, I wanted to cry. I couldn’t see the about those who are not left with any, other appearance of those rooms, but could see than just surviving for the heck of it! that they were full of lessons to learn. I was trying hard to absorb, what I had I was beset by several thoughts. I began to seen. I could reach to a conclusion with a raise questions in my own mind, that does question------Every home isn’t an example poverty kills you, or makes you a living dead? of happiness--- there are people in our These questions are there which nobody likes society who sleep on the wet floor, keep to answer. Everyone is busy in their own looking for someone to listen to them lives, and in this digital era we don’t find patiently. They want to be heard and they time to listen to the quivering lips of those want to be taken care of. Now, who’s going who want their miseries to be heard at least. to take their care? Who’s going to listen to If we can’t help them by money, but we can their unsaid miseries? 

EDUCATING STUDENTS IS A NOBLE JOB AND SHOULD BE PRACTICED WITH UTMOST DEDICATION, SINCERITY AND MORALITY. COACHING CENTRES: THE NEW AGE SCAMMERS n the race to compete in grades & skills, unauthorized and charge fee as per their tuition centres have been positively sweet will,” said Hamid Khan, a worried appreciated by the parents and the father. “Owing to it, we as parents are students but in order to attract more compelled to pay exorbitant charges and that students, illegal and deceit means are being too without any accountability,” he added. Pirzada Shakir I adopted by faculty and heads of coaching “By making fake promising advertisements The trend of centres in Kashmir. and hoardings they just want to turn our attracting students The trend of attracting students to wards into business clients” said Rafiq to different coaching different coaching centres by trickery has Ahmed a resident of Parrypora, Srinagar centres by trickery been prevalent in Kashmir since a long time. Recently, a very stinky act of some has been prevalent in Sky touching fees and dues are charged by coaching centres operating from uptown Kashmir since a long these coaching centres, most of them not area of Srinagar’s Parraypora hamlet time. even registered. Last year, Government was exposed by a local tabloid and then issued an order for coaching centres making development stories were carried by various it mandatory for them to get registered but local dailies. Hoardings and full page most of them flouted the orders and continue advertisements were given by these coaching to function without a registration certificate. centres congratulating their NEET qualified “Most of the coaching centres are running students.→

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An advertisement given by a coaching featured in the list of qualifiers carried out by institute namely ‘HOPE CLASSES ‘with Hope Classes. However VIPS-T authorities the tagline “Gateway for medical and made their point that they were students engineering’, contained photographs of of their institute in 2016 and didn’t opt for 30 students who according to them have HOPE classes or any other institute in 2017 qualified NEET-2017 entrance examination Meanwhile while talking to Director for MBBS and another list of 30 students School Education, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Itoo who have qualified JEE-2017 entrance regarding the issue, he said, “We are examination for Engineering. making guidelines and rules regarding On examining the list, it was found that the fee structure of coaching centres and the image featured for one of the students in categorization of coaching centres in the the list named as Mohd Yaquob who as per valley so that parents and students are not them has qualified MBBS examination, was mislead and deceived.” of one of the victims of the December 2014 When the news about the fake pictures Peshawar Army school terror attack that carried by HOPE Classes was circulated, it consumed the lives of about 140 students received heavy criticism on social media. and shook the entire world. Another HOPE Classes, then came with corrigendum student, Irfan Ahmad featured in the list is and said that it was mistakenly done by the actually Shahveer Jafry, a Pakistani YouTube designer. To what extent it is true, God knows sensation. better. But as responsible citizens, they should Talking to Private School Association's not have taken to such a practice. Educating Chairman G N Var about the issue, he students is a noble job and should be practiced said, “It has obviously breached the trust of with utmost dedication, sincerity and morality. public. No coaching centre will be allowed to Talking about the responsibilities of malign the name of private coaching centres authorities, shouldn't they book such doers in the Valley.” “We have called a meeting under relevant sections of law for cheating where we will be taking strong action against parents, students and people? Yes they should, the coaching centres. If required, we might so that it becomes an example for everyone also close such coaching centres,” Var said. who takes to such condemnable practices. Another coaching centre running in Government also needs to categorize coaching Parraypora, named as VIPS-T ( Valley centres on the basis of their standard and Institute of professional studies) featured quality of education being given by them and images of three students, namely Shaheera, should frame fee structure accordingly so that Aarifa Mumtaz and Aasif Ahmad Malik, in parents and students are not exploited in any their congratulation note who were already manner. 

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PEOPLE HAVE BECOME MORE MATERIALISTIC, SELF CENTRIC, PSEUDO- RELIGIOUS AND PSEUDO-PERFECT AND THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR CAUSE FOR EXPENDITURE OF SOCIAL EVILS. REGRESSIVE DOGMA AND STEREOTYPES STILL PLAGUING COMMON VALUES

ocial evils in our valley have and now our weddings have become lavish become a serious concern in the and over exaggerated. Families spend lot present day world. It is gradually of money on meals, forget about other affecting the roots of our culture expenses. It is not only about demanding Sand in blocking its rapid growth on the the dowry; most of the time brides family global chart. People today are becoming willingly send expensive things worth more materialistic leaving behind the lacs with the bride for her in-laws family. facts and essence of society, culture, and Seldom do people care about the poor who religion. can’t afford such expensive weddings. The people in the valley are inundated Psychiatrist Dr Imtiyaz, Senior by multiple social evils leaving huge Consultant Department of Health population frustrated, perplexed, restless, Kashmir said that “the present political uncomfortable, and worrisome. The scenario has resulted in increase in BINT UL HUDA multi-dimensional social evils in the stress level among younger generation of form of dowry, suicides, molestation, and valley; this in turn has caused increase in The weddings in the extravagance in marriages, drug addiction neuropsychiatric ailments in youth”. valley were full of and moral degradation have plagued the “Other social evils have added fumes simplicity but the society. And the greatest of the tragedies to fire and according to a survey nearly scenario has changed. is that youth who have the responsibility 30 to 40 per cent of total population of taking forward society and legacy are are suffering from mental ailments” he getting distracted by various forms of further added. social evils. The National Crime Bureau Records of The weddings in the valley were full of India suggests that the rate of suicide in simplicity but the scenario has changed Jammu and Kashmir is much →

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said that “people have become more materialistic, self centric, pseudo- religious and pseudo-perfect and this has been a major cause for expenditure of social evils. Another alarming issue is eve teasing in our public transport which women often complains about. This is something which needs to be taken head on. In most cases, a woman agrees to abort her female fetus, when she succumbs to family pressures. Her life is made hell through the illogical demands of in-laws for a male child. Among the states, it is Jammu and Kashmir which is in the top list with unrestrained corruption. Corruption also leads to poverty, unemployment, and delay in works. It has become a socially accepted crime. Begging mafia is on an enormous peak in social set-up nowadays. It has posed a serious threat to the socio-economic, political and cultural diversity of the society. It is a menace of destitute and disgrace that is well-organized group controlled mafia. The innocence of people has somehow faded away due to which the anti-social incidents happen after every now and then. No religion or sect of any religion higher than many other states in India. has ever approved any evil. The staggering figures reveal that All the religions stress upon mankind Kashmir has a higher suicide rate at 2.1 to fight against evils. But unfortunately, percent than the Indian states of Uttar what we see presently is a sheer deviation Pradesh (1.7) and Bihar (0.7). from our religious scriptures. To combat And, the graph on the rise dangerously the menace of grave social evils listed blemishes our social and cultural above we, there is an urgent need to create integrity. If we analyze the above figures, a peaceful atmosphere where everyone it is easy to find out that the major reason lives in peace with one another. We have for increased suicide rates in Kashmir is to strike a strong chord of unity and in conflict conditions post-1989. harmony irrespective of creed, caste, color, Late Bashir Ahmad Dabla, Former and status to create an evil free society. Head of the Department of Sociology, We all young, elders irrespective of University of Kashmir, wrote in his caste, creed, and religion will have to book that 62 percent of the suicides in unite and protect the Kashmir’s unique the Valley involved women while men culture which is typically based on comprised 38 percent. The reason is very innocence and hospitability. Government obvious, due to the ongoing turmoil in authorities, civil-society and other bodies Kashmir; women have been the silent should put their efforts in place to end sufferers. this social evil. Alongside that, there are other reasons The eradication of social ills from the too that have added more salt to the society which was our social and religious wounds of our people. One of them is obligations has remained confined to growing unemployment in Kashmir. some NGOs and religious bodies while More than three lakh educated youth a common man is not paying heed have registered them in the employment towards it. It is the high time for everyone exchange. But, unofficial reports confirm in general and for the intellectuals, in that around 25 lakh youth who have the particular, to wake up to the occasion capability and skills are jobless. and change the face of the society and Jahangir Ali, perusing PhD Scholar contribute to its betterment. 

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MY STORY CAN BE AN INSPIRATION FOR A NUMBER OF PEOPLE. I BELIEVE THERE IS NO POINT IN KEEPING IT SECRET WHEN IT CAN HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE,” BUS CONDUCTOR DEFIES HIS EGO TO BE KNOWN AS DR BHATT

“However, to pay for my education, I had to work part-time, as a bus conductor after college,” he said. He graduated from the Government Degree College Baramulla in 2007, and subsequently appeared for the entrance examination for the University of Kashmir. “I qualified and was happy, but I could not join the University because I didn’t have money to pay the admission fee. Finally, I opted for distance mode to be able to work and study simultaneously,” he said. As the days passed, the requirements grew and he was left out of options. He needed a ife – they say – is not a bed of roses. job desperately and finally got one. Bhat said Some are born with a silver spoons. he worked as a daily-wage employee at the Others don’t have immediate access Royal Spring Golf Club here until the then- to the spoon, but can afford what Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University, Dr Lthey need. For others, life is very difficult, Reyaz Punjabi, spotted him and promised a one wonders if they would overcome it. job. Lot of things are easy to say. You can talk “I was posted as a caretaker at the guest about your future and what you want to house in Kashmir University on contractual achieve in life – if you’re comfortable and basis and was promised a permanent job can eat what and when you want. But what after two years,” he said. can you say when your resources are that Bhat went on to complete his Post- limited that you struggle to survive? What graduation in Urdu. Then, he took admission can you say (or do) about the future when in part-time Ph. D in Magadh University in you’re not even certain of the present? The Bihar. story of Mohammad Lateef Bhat teaches us “I secured third rank among the six how to get away with hardships by never selected candidates in 2012. At least 1800 quitting. candidates had appeared in the entrance,” Mohammad Lateef Bhat, a resident of he said, adding that he had to both do his Turka Batpora, Baramulla, worked as a bus research and work in Kashmir University. conductor and a cook to fund his doctorate “I worked for 24 hours in the guest house, studies and to provide for his family. Ghulam as a result of which I was able to get leave to Mohammad Bhat, father of Lateef, worked do my research,” he said. hard to feed the family of nine people. He Professor Hussainul Haque, supervisor Ayadullah Dar owned two Kanals of land but that was never of Lateef, supported him greatly and used to enough to meet the needs of his family. encourage him during this course. My work never hurts Bhat quit his school for three years due to Bhat was finally awarded his Doctorate my ego. I hope that financial constraints, till his brother was old for his work on ‘Urdu Poetry in Jammu one day I will get the enough to work as a labourer and support Kashmir’ in 2016. position I deserve him to resume his studies. The National Council for Promoting Urdu After completing his school, he chose the Language, NCPUL, Ministry of HRD, has subject of his choice—literature. Right from recommended his work to be published for his schooling days, Bhat had an attraction the every Urdu literature library across the towards literature. He was specifically globe through ‘Bazme Sadaf International intrigued by urdu literature. Publishers’. →

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It is a big recognition of my work. I feel Your background doesn’t matter. Your proud, he says. country doesn’t matter. I strongly believe In May 2017, he was granted a permanent you will never succeed until you say and live job, but his designation remained the same, by the saying, “My country and background afourth class employee. Bhat is married now will never be an excuse for my failure.” You and has a daughter. The entire family depends should also know that everything starts from solely on him . the mind. The best way to nurture your great “My work never hurts my ego. I hope that dreams is to keep yourself updated, and be one day I will get the position I deserve,” he surrounded with positive people. said. “My story can be an inspiration for a “One should never be shy to do menial jobs. number of people. I believe there is no point Work is important. Financial problems are in keeping it secret when it can have a major never permanent and they should not become impact on the lives of hundreds or thousands a hindrance in achieving our goals.” of people,” Lateef adds. 

AROUND 20 FILMS IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES LIKE FEATURE FICTION FILMS, FEATURE LENGTH DOCUMENTARY FILMS, SHORT FICTION FILMS, SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILMS, SHORT ANIMATION FILMS AND EXPERIMENTAL FILMS WERE PART OF THE FESTIVAL. KWFF: REVIVING FILM CULTURE IN VALLEY

he unrivalled hopes and work for “We screened this film to make reviving the film culture in the people know about their lost culture,” Idrees Bukhtiyar valley is vibrant and operational. said Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan, the The second edition Kashmir festival director. Such festivals will TWorld Film Festival (KWFF) that began The five day festival was inaugurated provide an avenue to on 1st November and concluded on 5th by minister for Public Works Naeem local youth to tell their November 2017 witnessed a massive rush Akhtar at Tagore Hall, Srinagar. The stories at a larger level. of students, visitors and film lovers. minster while welcoming this initiative Organized by Actors Creative Theatre said that such festival will provide an (ACT), a non-profit organization based avenue to local youth to tell their stories in Srinagar, the festival screened the first at a larger level. black and white Kashmiri feature film “We have huge potential in Kashmir, ‘Manez Raat’ on its first day. but the only thing is that we don’t →

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have avenues. Such festivals provide On the concluding day of the festival, a platform for local youth to interact three films were screened for the audience with masters in the field and learn a lot,” that includes Kashmir Forever by Prabhat Akthar said. Mukherji, Reet by Pankaj Khajuria and However, only one film was screened Lzadol by Motup Chospa. The Deputy on the first day of the festival due to some Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Abid Rashid cultural activities that were scheduled to Shah was the chief guest on the occasion. be held at inauguration time. The films that won the awards in the On second day of the festival, two festival include Kerala Paradiso by Bijoy short films by the Convergent Journalism Lona, Bangaar Bazar by Muqeet Ul Amin pass-out students of Central University of while as Sanaa Irshad Matto’s The Lake Kashmir (CUK) were screened. Town won the best film award. The films include Kotar Baaz by M Director of film The Lake Town, Sanna Dawood and Ibrahim Moosa another one Irshad Mattoo said that there should be Saaz by Aseya Rahim and Haziq Qadri. theatres in the valley. “It is not bad to have While talking to Media Times, the cinemas as watching film on big screens directors of film Kotar Baaz said such film has a different feel,” she said. festival are best platforms to depict their Besides the festival, five-day workshop talent. on ‘Introduction to Cinema’ was also “We must welcome such initiatives being conducted in the first half of the taken by our own people to highlight our day for the students and film lovers by talent,” said M Dawood, the director of renowned personalities of the . the film. “Celebrities like Rajit Kap00r, Muzzamil Ibrahim Moosa, another director said: Ibrahim, Saeed Akthar Mirza, Govind “Such platforms are necessary to present Nilhani, Aruna Raje Patil, Anwar Jamal, the talent of those works who doesn’t get Imam Siddique and others interacted screened at big places. Such festival must with the students and shared with their go on” experiences of working in film industry,” Besides their films, the other films that said Khan who is also the Chairman of were screened on the day include Khawaja ACT. Sira by Anuradha Saupin, Bicycle Thieves Students of various colleges and by Vittorio De Mantuori, Dreaming universities have expressed gratitude over Tajmahal by Nirmal Chander and Kerala organizing such festivals and workshop. Paradiso by Bijoy Lona. “Such activities make us learn new On third day, Kashmir World Film things and help us to realize where we Festival gave a chance to the local stand,” said Ganai Taiba, a Journalism filmmakers to portray their talent. student from Government College “The films screened in the festival Baramulla. include Ancient Architecture by Mushtaq Saeed , an eminent A , The Lake Town by Sana Irshad filmmaker and one of the guests at the Matto, Children of Conflict by Majid festival says, “It is very important that Imtiyaz and Bangaar Bazaar by Muqeet Ul local stories should come out that need to Amin,” said Zubair Reshi, an organizer. be told to the world that what basically is Other than these films, an English film Kashmir” Citizen Kane by Orson Welles was also Around 20 films in different categories screened on the same day. like feature fiction films, feature length The fourth day of the festival was documentary films, short fiction films, specially kept for children of the different short documentary films, short animation schools of the valley. films and experimental films were part of “We screened films like Eid Mubarak by the festival. K A Abbas, Children of Heaven by Majid When asked about the aim of holding Majidi, Chhoo Lenge Akash by Virendra festival in the valley, Khan said: “I want to Saini and Jawaab Ayega by Ismat Chugtai restore the film culture in the valley and & Shahid Latif,” said Khan. want people to watch world class films “My aim of screening the films for the that are not available to us” children was to create a habit of watching “Their unbelievable love and support is films in them who otherwise remain glued prompting me to hold this festival again to their mobile phones,” he added. and again,” he concluded. 

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LANDSLIDES ARE HIGHLY DAMAGING GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS KILLING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE.

NATURAL CLIMATES IN J&K; CAUSES AND MITIGATION andslide involves horizontal and slope. phony movement of rocks, soils The Jammu and Kashmir, being or both of these mechanisms vis- one of the northwestern Himalayan a-vis vegetation and sometimes states, is prone to landslides along the Shahjhan Mughal Lhouses/buildings under the influence of major highways besides vulnerable to gravity. It is defined as the ‘’phenomenon earthquakes, floods and droughts. “Geologically, the whole of an earth mass from its underlying Jammu and Kashmir National of the Himalayan region stationary part of sloppy land by a Highway stretches across 296 kms is young in origin ranging definite plane and moves downwards from Jammu linking India with the from Precambrian to the and upwards by its own weight due to state of Jammu and Kashmir. This road recent Eocene period.” its natural steady situation being broken onwards from Kashmir has broader by some natural events and human ramifications connecting Kargil, Leh activities.’’ Simply, landslide is the mass and Ladakh regions of the State. There movement of soil/rock from any sloppy is no denying fact that the route from land or area. It is in fact, the perceptive Jammu to , is negotiable gravitational transfer of material down despite mountainous area. →

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However, from Udhampur to Jawahar on such lands does not yield good crops. Tunnel, the road becomes highly Owing to looming human population, hazardous during winters. During winter man has also misused an axe to eke season, landslides become frequent out his living when forest covert went occurrence due to heavy snowfall. diminishing year after year. Reckless Causes of landslides cutting of the trees along the National Some of the geological factors are the Highway has resulted in heavy landslides. kind of the soil, rain/snowfall, scarce Deforestation or cutting of trees is seen vegetative cover, widening of the roads of as a major reason for the landslides in National Highways, frequent movement various parts of the Kashmir valley as of the vehicles, are the major contributors well as those of , and in bringing about the landslides. Bhadu , etc. Geologically, the whole of the mining and quarrying as well as Himalayan region is young in origin making of roads, railways tracks, ranging from Precambrian to the recent buildings and dams, cause the Eocene period. Most of the area of Jammu Blasting: The blasting of the rocks and Kashmir Himalayas affected by the during loosening of rocks and serious landslides lies in the Lesser Himalayas, fissures in the hills which as a result which is influenced by deformation increase landslides. involving folding, faulting and over- Quarries and mines: Landslides thrusting-tectonic features characteristic occurring from 144 to 145 km of the of Orogenic origin. Geological sequence National Highway and from Batote of the area is if middle Pleistocene to to and are owing to recent Siwaliks with main boundary limestone and slate quarries. fault-Murees, Murees thrust, as well as “Landslides are highly damaging upper Paleozoic having Eocene group of geological hazards killing millions rocks of the Autochthonous zone, Panjal of people across the globe. Landslide thrust, Dogra slates and lower Paleozoic wearable spots should be identified along Salkhalas. the whole stretch in a scientific way so Muree formations along with Dogra as to design the required action plans slates in Batote to Banihal are prone to to mitigation to stop the occurrence of landslides. Landslides occurring from landslides”, said DR SARAH QAZI Inspire 144 to 145 km of the National Highway faculty, department of Earth science. are due to presence of crumpled slates on Control measures/ solutions the surface having no proper drainage “A stitch in time saves nine holds good and toe erosion. Rocks of Salkhala series for stopping the menace of landslides.’’ between Batote and Banihal are also There are a number of methods to check vulnerable to landslides. landslides; a few among them are as Extreme rainfall and heavy snowfall: follows: Extreme incessant rains at many places, * Cultivation on steep slopes beyond 15 sometimes showing no signs of receding, per cent should be totally banned strictly is another cause creating landslides. under certain law. During the winter season, rainfall * All the badly eroded areas along the accompanied with heavy snow further National Highway are required to be aggravates this situation. As for example, afforested on a large-scale. A forestation in the light of the continuous rains and will protect the slopes from soil erosion snowfall on 17th January, 2006 normal as the roots of the forest trees bind the soil life got badly affected. The Srinagar- in place. While afforesting fast growing, Jammu National Highway remained deep rooted, hardy plants/trees should closed for a number of days to occurrence be planted at a close spacing to cover of heavy landslides. the slopes in 3-4 years, Robinia, Kahu, Loss of vegetation cover: With the species of Acacia (wherever possible to increased human population, many of grow) and soil binding grass such as the people have converted most of the Ailanthus species should be grown. woodlands into arable land slopes. Such * Biotic pressure including that caused slopes are not even fit for cultivation as by nomads requires to be kept at bay. top soil of these sloppy lands had already * Construction of retaining walls lost through water erosion. Cultivation should be preferred. 

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SURVIVAL COMES FIRST, THE ARTIST INSIDE ME CAN WAIT FOR SOME TIME INNOVATION AND SCULPTURING t the time when traditional father Ghulam Rasool Reshi, warmly host ‘wooden spinning-wheels’ are the visitors. This elder in Reshi family apparently becoming a passé in was himself carving stones until a brain Kashmir, a stone carver from hemorrhage few years ago rendered him too ASrinagar’s Pantha Chowk has created buzz fragile to lift hammer in his hand. The health by carving-out a spinning-wheel out of stone. ailment has also affected his speaking ability, Nisar Reshi, 38, is the master sculptor whose he could barely talk and when he does, only brainchild is now drawing many people to broken Kashmiri words come out of his his archaic shop. mouth. Nisar is among many stone carvers in this “Stone carving is our ancestral trade area who survives on stone carving. This activity,” Ghulam Rasool Reshi says part of Srinagar houses nearly two thousand gingerly. “There are thousands of people families associated with the art of stone associated with this craft, but only some carving. Just behind the residential houses of them possessing the artistic skills to be here, scores of workers can be seen busy in called master craftsmen. My son is ‘master loading trucks with stones from the nearby craftsman’ who has surpassed not only me, hillocks. but his grandfather and great grandfather in In one of the dusty shops here, Nisar terms of artistic skills.” and his father are surrounded by many Creating ‘fascinating’ masterpieces out people. The crowd has assembled to have of stone is nothing new for the Reshi family, a glimpse of stony spinning-wheel. It was they have done it in past as well. The stone three months ago when Nisar got an idea to fish—from whose mouth water runs—placed carve something ‘unique’ out of the stone, at Chesmashahi, a tourist spot in Srinagar has though his romance with stones dates back been carved by Ghulam Mohammad alias to the time when he was a kid. He always Vouste Moma, one of the workers of Nisar’s Shaheena Raheem designs novel objects, and attractive figures father. Besides, the name of Allah carved on out of the stones. “I thought, let me try stone in another tourist spot, Badam wari Creating ‘fascinating’ to make something that would create an in old city is the ‘master piece’ by one of the masterpieces out of stone is instant attraction for people,” Nisar, a stone- workers of Nisar. nothing new for the Reshi carver, says that It took him merely twenty Besides a number of families, here in family, they have done it in days to create, what he claims, the first such Pantha chowk area, associated with this craft, past as well. spinning-wheel in Kashmir. there are many stone-carving artists within As soon as he displayed his ‘innovative the Srinagar’s old city also. They are making design’ of spinning-wheel made of stone, mostly gravestones and residential name- locals as well as tourists started making plates. In the largest cemetery of Srinagar rounds to his shop to have a look. The rush - Malkhah, a community called Aakhoons, is still visible in his shop, where his aged have been carving tombstones from →

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many centuries. Also, some craftsmen near This daily routine often leaves little time Safa Kadal area in old city are associated for me to do innovations in my work.” with this craft, but Pantha chowk area is His shop displays number of stone considered to be the epicenter and market items, from stone grinders to the polished of stone- carving. stones, but stony spinning-wheel remains “I found lack of creativity in the an apparent crowd puller. Three such contemporary work of artists here which spinning-wheels have been showcased is hampering the overall sustainability of there. One is miniature sized, second this craft” says Nisar. His creativity and one is large one, and last one is has been proficiency in the skill can be gauged from designed for art patrons. All of these carry the fact that he can make any figure out of three different price-tags. While, design the stone. “I recently made a cricket bat and based spinning-wheel can be availed at a ball,” claimed Nisar, elder sibling among Rs 70, 000/-, the large one has been slated the four sons of Reshi. While one of Nisar’s at Rs 50,000/-. The miniature one tops brothers was killed in a bomb blast during the cost at around Rs 90,000/- due to its early phase of militancy in Kashmir, the artistic intricacies. “So far, eight to ten other two brothers are practicing their pieces of these spinning-wheels have been ancestral craft. sold” said Reshi. Nisar might have an ability to produce In this locality of stone-carvers, the anything out of the stone, but artist like daily income ranges from Rs 300 to 400. him is apparently facing the wrath of Most of them are also chiseling and survival. He seldom pays attention to the preparing stones for the basement of artist residing in him. “Survival comes houses, roadside, and other structures to first, the artist inside me can wait for some generate more income. time,” he says. “This trade feeds my entire “I am not done yet,” says Nisar, when family, so primarily my motive remains to asked about his next stone design. “The generate sufficient income by sticking to artist inside me will always create novelty routine for running expenses of my family. on stones.” 

SPS IS STILL NOWHERE TO COMPLETE EVEN AS ITS COST HAS DOUBLED FROM ESTIMATED 17 CRORES LONESOME LIBRARIES

ibraries have always been at the there is either “too old or holds less relevance” heart of the communities they serve. in today’s tech-driven world. They are accessible and safe spaces, “Thousands of books come in the market providing access to huge resources every year and they hardly make a place in Lof information and knowledge. shelves of our library,” says Naila, who now But today, public libraries are at a turning borrows books from her friend. point. The way we access and consume One of the two female staffers at the information has changed dramatically in library, while admitting the less number of the 21st century, and this presents major people visiting the library, said’’ that people challenges and opportunities for public particularly students come here to borrow library systems across the world. books but they don’t find their desired ones Sheikh Adnan Naila Ashraf a 23-year old PG student and leave empty handed. from Srinagar has been paying frequent As per the library records, from last more Libraries have always visits to a public library in her locality, Soura, than four years only 2 to 3 persons have been at the heart of the to borrow books for reading. Hailing from a been visiting the library on daily basis and communities they serve. middle-class family, Naila finds it difficult on many occasions except two female staff to buy her desired books other than her members, no one has bothered to enter the academic ones that are highly expensive. premises of the library. The books and other resources, Naila The block library Soura is not the only says, she has been looking for, are no more one library struggling to emerge as a hub available at the library and whatever else is of intellectual thought but majority of the →

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libraries are in the same state of affairs Struggling to have its own accommodation, The one thing that was common in all the the City Centre library in is public libraries in Srinagar was the dearth of operating from the building owned by the library visitors and the visible official apathy Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) by Libraries department. An official of Libraries department, on the From housed in rented accommodation condition of anonymity told MERC times to dilapidated old-fashioned structures, that more than 70 per cent of government the libraries according to people have been libraries in Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing acute shortage of availability of operating in rented accommodations, as latest study material and above all the sheer “little is being done by the department to carelessness by the department of Libraries build the infrastructure”. & Research. The official data says that more than a Shezan Javeed, a vivid book lover from hundred out of 136 libraries existing in Nowhatta says the ambience and atmosphere various districts of the state are housed at most of the government libraries is in rented buildings. “Around 68 out of 79 “boring”, and is the main reason students libraries in Kashmir Valley are functioning discontinue visiting libraries. from rented buildings,” said the official. “Every time you pay a visit to some public library, you get disappointment in return He says that earlier department used to because you find the content and resources organize book exhibitions where different is no longer available in the library. Rather publishers would come with books from than wasting so much of time, one would varied sections. prefer to buy books from the market,” says “The aim of these exhibitions was to Shezan, who on several occasions visited her select news books that department could block library in Nawhatta. acquire and supply to every library. But, The seriousness of libraries department unfortunately, because of laziness of can be understood by the fact that even department officials that activity exists no after a 13year hiatus, SPS is still nowhere more,” said the official. to complete even as its cost has doubled Director department of Libraries and from estimated 17 crores in 2004 to around Information, Mukhtar-ul-Aziz, told MERC 34 crores in 2017. “It is was expected to be that annual exipenditure on each libarary completed in July 2017,” a construction has been increased to 12 lakh rupees and official said. the department is taking new initiatives to rejuvenate the public libraries in J&K. “From the last few years, we have undertaken several projects where rented libraries are being shifted to our own newly constructed buildings. The only reason our libraries are operating from renting buildings are non-availability of land and if anywhere we find it, the owner demands a hefty amount which becomes difficult for the department to pay,” he said. To attract more and more visitors, Aziz said that department is supplying a new comprehensive study material for competitive exams which has been compiled by IIT toppers. “From the feedback we are receiving from the people, especially youth, we are supplying the new study material as per their needs and demands. We have prepared special notes related to completive exams like KAS, IAS and other exams so that these libraries become a valuable asset for the society,” he said, adding, “we are also considering to provide internet facilities at all the libraries in near future. 

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KASHMIR OFFERS A RICH AND DIVERSE STREET FOOD MENU AND SOME OF THE HOT FAVOURITES ARE MONJE GUIL , MONJE GAADE, TELLE KARRE, BUSRAKH.... SAVING OUR FOOD CULTURE t is a matter of fact that language, to a number of things ranging from low clothing and food are some of the cash inflows to presence of American and main indicators of a culture of any Arabian type of street food. Although in region. Kashmiri food for rest of the recent times we have adopted the likes of Iglobe is mostly about Wazwan which is Pizzas and Shawarmas at a very fast pace surely an understatement and the other but unfortunately on a faster pace we have overlooked dimension of our food which disowned our local street food items. is dying a slow death is our Kashmiri In the process we will slog down our Street Food. The reasons for the downfall culture. If rest of the world has pierced in of Kashmiri street food can be attributed the markets of Kashmir and they →

Peer Furqan

..... our food which is dying a slow deth is our kashmiri street food

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are selling us Burgers, Pizzas and food shrunk around shrines and some Shawarmas why can’t we show the parts of old city. The new generations world that we too have a huge and identify more with Arabian and diverse street food menu that will American type of street food like make your taste buds go crazy the very shawarmas and Burgers than our first experience. heritage foods. Although there are few “Kashmir offers a rich and diverse items like Seekh Tuuj, Harisa which street food menu and some of the hot have withstood the test of time but a favourites are Monje Guil , Monje good number of other street foods have Gaade, Telle Karre, Busrakh, Paratha, lost its custom and charm. Makai waetch, Channe Chabeel, Although, the set of mind created Kashur Aanchar, Gaier, Masale, by huge advertising and promotions Harisa, Seekh Tujji and Kulfi. The list by foreign food companies do play an is surely not an exhaustive one and the important role in luring youngsters and number and type of street food items diverting the customer flow, however, available in Kashmir is quite large. In there are a number of essential factors good old days these items used to sell responsible for the eroding sales of our like hot cake in and around the city street food. Be it the shabby looking but in last decade, the emergence of shops, unhygienic preparations, poor fast food chains and coffee shops have presentation & packaging, no branding made the vendors of Kashmiri street and poor quality control, every minute value adding process plays an important role in creating a positive customer image. It’s not only about the product; it’s about the atmosphere, the experience and the physical evidence that compliments the product. “In old times people used to enjoy street food and relish its delicacy. Particularly, street foods like; Monje Guil, Monje Gaade, and Masal Tchout were the common scenes on streets, now, the introduction of unrefined junk foods have entirely replaced these foods in the streets, said Arif Nazir, student of Kashmir University. Fortunately, Kashmir is a tourist destination and we witness a large number of people (markets) from different parts of the world every year. All we need to do is to create a proper FOOD STREET, wherein the best of the preparations can be showcased and presented and all the street foods will be available under one roof. It can be positioned and marketed as a tourist food destination and can be a very profitable revenue & employment generating model. The important factors that need to be addressed before planning such a venture are: need to maintain proper hygiene, maintain quality standards, price control, presentable packaging. Creating such a street will not only save our culture but it will also generate employment and Kashmir will offer a menu which is beyond Wazwan. 

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WITH THE CHANGE IN TIME, PEOPLE NOW ARE ADAPTING THE CHANGES IN SERVING AGE-OLD PRACTICES OF WAZWAN INTO BUFFET - A KIND OF MCDONALIZED SERVICE THE BUFFET: KASHMIR TOWARDS MCDONALIZED SOCIETY

oon with the arrival of spring, stage is all set of wedding in Kashmir till the onset of next winter. But the way Wazwan is served in Kashmir, it is a Skind of unique experience when Saalar the invitees all sit together on a typical copper bowl called Traem, regardless of color and race, not only sends the message of love and affection across, but reflects the rich cultural heritage and hospitality Kashmir is known for. It is not only the top of the shelve mutton, spices, and rice but also the ultimate culinary skills of Waza the chef. Wazwan indeed is a proper fusion of all the ingredients, including traditional way of serving, makes it so grand, and without doubt one of the world’s tastiest affairs. All activities in the whole process from cooking to serving are a unique blend of traditional values and emotions associated with it. In Wazwan the food that is cooked overnight by the Vasta Waza— the Headchef, his team of Wazas—Junior Chefs, and helpers, additional dishes include cheese, mushrooms, spinach and, apricot and not to forget the serving of hot Pulao, made of special quality basmati rice, is also served to the guests and definitely a treat for many. Usually, Chutnies are at least six to eight in piece of mutton or Dani Phol, and small number, salad and curd that are served to pieces of lamb viscera cooked with thick the guests during the entire course of the gravy called Methi Maaz is presented on Wazwan. In addition to bottles of mineral a copper plate called Traem to a group water, cold drinks have also become a part of four where they share the meal. Then B.M Hussain of the Wazwan, and these are served in the Waza, wearing newly tailored white The buffet is new to willow wicker baskets, also containing clothes, brings in other dishes on eafter the us though, against our disposable glasses, napkins, tissue papers, other and serves them one after other to culture, but given the fast chewing-gum and washing soap. each Tream, and a response he gets many changing lifestyle, people Traditionally, the meal begins with a time “Wasta – Rass qatra” meaning the don’t have enough time washing of hands in a portable copper guests ask for gravy which is very tasty. to wait for hours for the washbasin called the Tash-te-Nari, After the guests are done with the entire sake of Wazwan. which is taken around by attendants who course, again Tash-te-Nari, does another happen to be relatives, neighbours and round, to help guests wash their hands. friends. Then Wazwan, with the initial However, with the change in time, course of carefully cooked rice with two people now are adapting the changes in large chicken, two deep-fried ribs or serving age-old practices of Wazwan into Tabak Maaz, two Kebabs, a large single buffet - a kind of Mcdonalized →

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service where the invitees or guests of time and with the changing nature of are supposed to eat or drink at their will, their jobs. and without any time limitation. This “The buffet is a welcome step indeed new practices however, is rapidly making that not only saves our time but have it deep inroads into our culture. People with ease without having any time frame. in posh areas are seen in organizing The guests can taste dishes of their own buffet marriages. “The buffet is new to choice as well”, said Gulzar Tramboo, a us though, against our culture, but given Govt employee. the fast changing lifestyle, people don’t We are heading towards the time where have enough time to wait for hours for the dimension of our unique hospitality and traditional way of serving the Wazwan will vanish and the Wazwan will be confined to the buffet platters that brings up the big question: is it the high time for the champions of heritage to wake up and analyze the consequences of so called buffet culture. The answer is big a no, as every society is subject to change with the forces of modernizations and Kashmir is not any exception. People particularly the youths tend to focus imbibe western values given the fact we live in a globalised world, “what is the harm in practicing the buffet, though alien to our culture- when already our much acclaimed social, cultural and religious heritage, both tangible and intangible values have lost their sheen and relevance, be it costumes, festivals, language, food etc,” said a visibly emotional B.Sc student at S.P College Srinagar. “Let’s realize the fact that there is a huge cultural difference when it comes to the culture of buffet, but if the new practices, nevertheless alien to our culture, offers alternative to ward off our social, as well as moral ills of our already beleaguered Kashmiri society, then there is no harm in adopting the buffet as a new practice, and it has a valid justification in our religion,” argues Moulana Mufti Bashir the sake of Wazwan. Besides a semblance Ahmad Basheer. of seriousness is created while serving Bottom line is: buffet culture is swiftly against the Hulla Ghulla in Trame getting social acceptability in our society, Wazwan,” said Nazir Ahmed Mir, resident but the problems associated with the buffet of Nigee, Hazratbal. as ‘status symbol’ what social scientists There is no denying the fact that have apprehended that new social classes charm of sharing the same Traem by terminology will emerge---one those four people is dying by the self serving serving age old Trami Wazwan will be buffets. “I appreciate the buffet culture looked down upon as serving ‘Gareeb as Trami has the potential to contribute Battee,’ and the second class which would animosity if one gets unequal share of embrace the buffet would be reffered to dishes,” alleges a young man at a wedding be serving ‘Khoj’e Battee,” is a serious venue. The emotional values and personal concern that needs to be looked into. touch associated with our hospitality Change is a must, but it should not come style is being replaced with professional at the cost of humanity, amid the mad race catering. However, ground reports suggest of constructing the buffet as sole indicator that people are seen skipping the much- of ‘social status,’ and the very essence of cherished Wazwan meal, given the paucity our culture heritage. 

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TOWN SQUARE HAS MORE THAN 20 SHOPS ALONG WITH THE OFFICE OF RELIANCE COMMUNICATION ON ITS TOP FLOOR.

MALLS PROVE LUCRATIVE

2009, Eight years ago, Sheikh Ghulam possible losses in the process. Today we Rasool , a businessman was not sure find dozens of complexes dotting the about the idea of investing money in length and breadth of Srinagar city. constructing a shopping complex. But Malls in Jammu and Kashmir give today his idea has given birth to a new a unique shopping experience with Muneem Farooq flourishing business. their offering of various traditional Reclining in a moving chair at his and modern goods. The malls are With the introduction four –storey Town –square complex, hugely spacious and were constructed of these malls, some Rasool says,’’ Those who have come up keeping in mind the preferences and educated youth with shopping malls were inspired by requirements of the modern shopping get settled and are the success of his initiative.’’ enthusiast. earning good. ‘’ It was a challenging decision and Most of these malls offer a I was not sure about the outcome combination of traditional and of the investment,’’ the 65-year old contemporary items in everything businessman said. ranging from garments, electronics, Amid the dilemma, Rasool decided to fashion accessories, artifacts, footwear go ahead with this idea expecting some and household items. →

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Constructed by noted businessmen The decision for Chaya was not tough ,several malls including Town square because he believes it as a single time ,Sara city centre ,HMD mall and Aksa investment with maximum profit. He mall have emerged as popular shopping is also of the view that this is a business destinations over the last five years with more potential which will provide .These malls are occupied by cafes job security to his future generations. ,hotels,offices,and franchises of various Malls have a unique feature of providing national and international brands. everything at one place which saves time, money and energy. Contractor turned business man and owner of Aksa Mall Arshid Shabnam has more than 50 shops and a hotel in his mall but his policy for providing hotel on rent is different. ‘’we provide hotel on contract basis for one year in order to provide chance for others. Those who want to review contracts are welcome after alternative years,’’, said shabnam . A recent survey conducted by Jammu and Kashmir government revealed that there are nearly one million educated Jobless youth in Kashmir valley and are forced to leave the valley in search for jobs. With the introduction of these malls, some educated youth get settled and are earning good. In last half decade more than 500 youth have been adjusted in these malls, Manager of Aksa mall Qaiser Banday said. “After finishing my Masters degree in Business management I went to Delhi to seek a job but came back within one year because of some domestic issue. After returning I got frustrated and was looking for job here and there but could not find it unless I saw an advertisement ,’’ says 31 year old Banday .Today Banday is earning enough to feed his family. Females are also working in the malls and are quite satisfied with the work and the salary they get. Town square has more than 20 “Earlier I was working in a private shops along with the office of Reliance school for 3000 rupees but since I joined communication on its top floor. It has this mall, my financial condition has been revealed that franchise owners have improved.’’ Said a female receptionist paid 40 lakh rupees to Ghulam Rasool for wishing not to be named. securing a shop in Town square complex. Javid Parsa, an entrepreneur is satisfied They also pay him rent every month. with his sales and is hopeful that the ‘’Before signing the contract with the money he has invested will be recovered owner, we were told not to reveal these soon .He runs a café which sees a huge details with anybody .it is secret between rush of customers. them and us (shopkeepers),’’ says one of Another franchise owner at Aksa Mall the franchise owners wishing anonymity. sells branded products of children. Noted hotelier Mushtaq chaya, who ‘’People coming from elite classes came up with Sara city centre says, ‘the usually visit malls and I am targeting mall concept does not belong to Kashmir, only them .I would not say sales are good still people embraced it here.’’ but they will grow definitely,’’ he said.

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.....A MAN WHO STILL REMEMBERS HIS DECEASED WIFE AND CHERISHES THE MEMORIES ASSOCIATED WITH HER BUT FEELS DEJECTED DUE TO THE APATHETIC BEHAVIOR OF HIS CHILDREN . OLD AGE AND SOCIETAL APATHY

itting in the corner looking Once an avid reader he is not even through the window pane, capable of holding a book. He is watching the little boys playing praying for his death. outside his home made him The same Old Man who used to Sjubilant. After many years he was preach the lessons of life was failing happy and smiling. This is about an at his own. Why is he regretting every Old Man who has lost his wife years moment of his life? Is he regretting ago but still feels her absence. In because he is missing his wife, or his these times where Love seems a very children have snubbed him or he is a farfetched idea, there is a man who perplexed Old Man. still remembers his deceased wife and There are so many questions still cherishes the memories associated longing for an answer. Old age is a with her but feels dejected due to the period of life where a person feels apathetic behavior of his children . jaded and apathetic. It is the most → Anwar Ahmed , 70 years old, with fragile demeanor, dark brown hair and prominent nose lives in the outskirts of Anantnag. Anwar Ahmed , an academician , now retired has lived a productive and happy life. His wife ,Aisha was a noble lady and a devoted partner. After 50 years of togetherness her death left him dejected. It was after her death, Anwar Ahmed realized his life is not worth living without her. Her existence made him vivacious but now she is gone and his lonliness is eating him up. He knew his children wouldn’t tolerate his anger, his mood swings and his lifestyle. It was she who used to tolerate his wrath and always welcomed it with a smile. She is gone but her memories didn’t let him to forget her. Old Man who is tired now, tired from the fabricated rituals of his Hassina khan society, tired from the unaffectionate behavior of his children and tired from ...... She is gone but holding his breath. He feels his life is her memories didn’t let nothing but a burden for his children him to forget her. and even for his own being. How it feels when your life partner leaves you alone with the people who do not want to be with you. Alone he passes his days and nights. Sleep is the only thing in his life which gives him some peace.

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fragile period where a person is caught What i could have expected from I the whirlpool of life and death. But an intelligent Old Man. He could not in Anwar’s case it is different. He is not respond. I could see tears in his eyes. scared of death. He is scared of solitude. He had always been a man at the centre His children have abandoned him. of things, a dedicated teacher and a Those children for whom he had caring father. Yet his children left him devoted his entire life. Unfortunate in the midst of nowhere. He is such a was he feeling after observing the wonderful storyteller. unaffectionate behavior from his A father who has built his home is children. He has been sitting in his room feeling homeless. Every parent wants for hours, nobody calls to have food. his/her children to look after him/her He cannot gather the courage to ask but our modern society have ceased to for food from his daughters-in-law. He accommodate parents. is controlling his appetite. In this age Are they selfish? Every other day where food is the most important aspect our newspapers carry news regarding for survival, he at this age is controlling parents being beaten up, abused even his hunger. forcefully thrown out of the house. Is This is the ‘modern’ society where this modern society we are aspiring for? there is no existence of parents . Those Old age accompanies health problems, parents who raise us, feed us, educate uneasiness, person tends to lose control us, and love us are no longer part of our over one’s body. This age requires more developed world. When I met this Old care more love and more respect but man, he lifted his face at me but didn’t we as a society have failed them. People utter a word. I sat next to him, he kept should realize that parents are a boon gazing at me with surprise. and we should care for. 

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DHOBIS ARE TRADITIONAL LAUNDRY WORKERS WHO WASH SHAWLS BY HAND AND DRY THEM IN THE SUN, A PROFESSION WHICH HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE IN KASHMIR FOR GENERATIONS. THE PROCESS OF TRADITIONAL DRY CLEANING IN KASHMIR

he slowly dying traditional art the steps of the banks adjacent to Aali of dry cleaning in Kashmir still Kadal, cleaning hundreds of clothes by the thrives beyond the confines day, ready to be sent into the markets for our of climates along the bustling consumption. Tbridges spread across the Srinagar city. The The raw cloth is first rinsed with hot water entire process functions very much like its which is stored in a cylindrical furnace. contemporary machine-based equivalents, This works very much like the Kashmiri being the predecessor and the bearer of the Samovar, with burning coal keeping the legacy. liquid hot throughout this entire ordeal. Dhobis are traditional laundry workers The cloth is then repeatedly rinsed in the who wash Shawls by hand and dry them waters of the flowing river from time to time. in the sun, a profession which has been in During this process, the fabric is folded, existence in Kashmir for generations. squeezed, and beaten on the ground with Auqib Salam They wash shawls and clothes on the a clean wet jute bag cushioning the impact, Whenever a shawl, a banks of the River Jhelum at many places cherishing the delicacy of the thread. dress, a Pheran etc, across Srinagar city. Whenever a shawl, Followed with another rinse with cold is sent for the dry a dress, a Pheran etc, is sent for the dry water, the clothes are then placed in huge cleaning, it ends up at cleaning, it ends up at one of the few places stone or plastic buckets, mixed with bleach one of the few places in Kashmir where dry cleaning is still an and detergent, and then stomped on with in Kashmir where dry art. The raw fabric that comes out of the feet for a good minutes long duration. cleaning is still an art. cloth-mills ends up a finished product, To make sure there are no stains left in and shining in our homes after a rigorous the otherwise perfect cloth, they are then washing, and ironing process. carefully and individually scrutinised for After wee hours of dawn, the men who stains that might be left. These are then still carry on this generations-long legacy brushed off with more detergent and warm of hand-based dry cleaning, march towards water. →

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Just like the modern washing machines no matter what because traditional means spin and remove the excess water in the has always been more effective than the cloth, these Dhobis have a manual-mechanic machinery ones”. cauldron which they spin, removing the Another dry cleaner, Farooq Ganai said, water out of the clothes through an outlet. “It feels pleasure to work on the footsteps of The clothes are then dried on the my father. He too was from this profession overhanging railings of the Safa Kadal and I am taking this field of traditional dry before being sent to the ironing house. cleaning forward”. This fabric is passed through a giant roller He further added that he is one of the oldest which is hot enough to remove the residual workers in this business. “I have been working water in the form of steam. here for the last 29 years. My family is happy From here, the clothes are then folded with my job so am I. I feel totally satisfied”. and sent into the markets, ready to be sold. There is very little to like about dry One of the dry cleaners Ashfaq Ahmad cleaning. when a garment has a ‘not for said, “We are very distressed because of machine wash!” label, it generally means it the emergence of modern day dry cleaning will be worn once and left at the back of the shops in the market. The impact on us is cupboard, but now dry cleaning is the option. huge but there are still some people who It is clear that people really understand come to us. We have our routine customers what the dry cleaning process actually who always prefer traditional dry cleaners involves. 

TWO PSYCHOLOGISTS HAS OPENED KASHMIR’S FIRST PSYCHOLOGY CENTRE NAMELY ‘BELIEVE’ AT RAMZANA HOSPITAL, SRINAGAR. BULLYING “THE SCARS REMAIN FOREVER”

Shahbaz Qutub hy we protect only children’s suffered in silence. Bullying is wrong it needs Bullying is wrong it body not their mind? Brain is to be stopped. needs to be stopped also a part of body, when you Bullying results in a vicious cycle. every third child in scream, yell or bully a child, According to statistics two third of bullying school is bullied Wyou are scarring a part of their body. That is victims become bullies themselves. Bullies physical abuse and shows its impact later. are six times likely to be in jail by age 24. Being bullied is not a childhood or teenage Study shows that ,every third child in right of passage. It is not something which school is bullied .31 incidents of bulliying toughens the recipient for his/her life ahead. are reported everyday in India .The daily it is not something that needs to get over or average, as recorded by the Department →

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of Education, could be higher since many 34, holding a degree in Psychological victims of bullying may be reluctant to report Medicine from Cardiff University, UK and the assaults.School authorities and parents Zoya Mir, 26, Gold Medalist in Clinical need training in responding to the problem, Psychology from Amity University provide including spotting victims who are scared to diagnostic and therapeutic services for social, complain. behavioral and emotional issues covering Social media has became another major all age groups but with special focus on platform of bullying from last few years. children. This centre’s concept is based on The increase in access to Internet had let the framework of digging into the solutions a huge increase in cyber bullying. Every to the problems peculiarly from the patient’s persons faces this kind of bullying in his perspective leading to an early and successful daily life on any platform of social media recovery, claims Zoya Mir. .cyber bullying includes: posting negative Talking about the conception of the comments on photos, posting abusive post ‘BELIEVE’, Hussain said, “I had a chance to on users wall, using pictures and videos interact with a lot of mothers when I enrolled to make fun of each other, using social my daughter in a pre-primary school. It just media to stalk and hacking an account. so happened that one of the mothers told me According to a survey by Ditchling The that she goes to Delhi for the treatment of her Liberia, 47%of young people who took the child at “Children First”, a psychology centre survey has received nasty profile comments where I did my training first.” and 62%has been sent nasty messages via When Hussain spoke to people working social media.Another survey National at ‘Children First’, a renowned centre known Bullying Survey states that, 91%of people for this kind of treatment, she was amazed to who reported bullying said that no action know that a lot of clients were coming from was taken that left them disbelieved and Kashmir and staying there for assessment, vulnerable .parents, teachers and school training and treatment. administrators need training particularly “That is when the idea came to me that I in dealing with bullying through social should bring the service here since it’s so media, which has driven students in other inconvenient to pick up your bags, settle countries to commit suicide. elsewhere for three to six months and pay According to statistics,children who bully heavy bills,” says Hussain. others in school are generally victims of However, new to Kashmir, Akriti – basically bullying at home. The environment at home a Delhite married here – wanted to team up tends to carry on to school and the child does with someone, who has similar experience, not know how to deal with the pent up anger. for opening such a centre. “That’s how I was Children have become very sensitive these put to Zoya (Mir), a clinical psychologist, who days. The survey also says that one in every was working on similar lines. We clicked in third child felt that they are always compared the first place and hence have been able to to others. One in every fourth child lied about launch this care centre,” she said. his/ her grades to parents. Child’s dishonesty What makes them stand out of the crowd is to the unintentional pressure that parents put the fact that they have obtained the International on them.Parents should refrain from getting Certificate of Practitioner in ‘Solution Focused involved in daily academics, they may aska Brief Therapy’ a course held at the psychology tutor to handle it. This would give time for centre, Children First in New Delhi. “It is a goal- the parent to focus on building a relationship oriented therapy introduced in the valley for the with the child. first time. This therapy focuses on solutions Some parents are also to be blamed. They rather than on problems encouraging those in teach their children to be on the top and treatment to look forward and use their own never bring complaints home, settle it then strengths to overcome difficulties rather than and there etc. Some children also go to karate targeting the issues,” said Mir. classes and they want to try out some kicks Together they are putting an effort to escape and punches. Some children are the offspring taboos attached to psychological treatment at of politicians or bullies. a place, where seeking counseling for mental With a mission to provide mental and illness is perceived as a predicament and hence emotional health counseling and treatment, avoided altogether. They aim at exterminating two psychologists has opened Kashmir’s this social stigma that amounts to be the main first psychology centre namely ‘BELIEVE’ at hindrance in help seeking therefore reducing Ramzan Hospital, Srinagar. Akriti Hussain, the likelihood of recuperation. 

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THE PEOPLE ARE VERY FOND OF CELEBRATING FESTIVALS AND IT CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT ELEMENT OF CULTURE OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR. KASHMIR AND ITS BEAUTIFUL CULTURE he Jammu and Kashmir culture and dance. It is a part of marriage celebration, is a thorough combination of which is observed at the time period followed customs and traditions. Apart after the departure of men of the groom`s from its demographical variations, residence along with the couple. Surma , a Tspecific cultural diversions of its elements Dogri dance , expresses the frustration of are what make the culture of Jammu and newly married bride whose groom has gone Kashmir remarkable. Music, dance, cuisine, in the war. lifestyle, festivals all theseonly highlight Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Academy the diversities prevalent in these provinces. of Art, Culture and Languages Aziz Hajini Unity is restored when a common thread of said we at JKAACL foster and coordinate cultural tradition binds them together thus activities in the spheres of letters and making it a part of Jammu and Kashmir as languages, visual and plastic arts, music, a whole. Culture of Jammu and Kashmir is dance and drama and of culture in the State therefore an interesting reflection of color, of Jammu and Kashmir and promote through zest, harmony and concord which makes them all the cultural unity of the State, and of Jammu and Kashmir to stand apart with the State with the other states of the country. its distinct features of age old tradition and He further said we promote interfaith Syed Mohammad Burhan deep ethnicity. Innovative dance forms unity and celebrate diversity of our state.He and melodious numbers composed are said that the Academy holds many programs The Jammu and Kashmir the treasures of performing art forms of on various occasions across regions to culture is a thorough this region. Rouf is a conventional dance promote our culture. combination of customs and performed by the women of the Kashmir The Jammu and Kashmir culture has a traditions. region. Rouf is performed mainly during plenteous tradition of folk music. Rabab Ramadan and Eids. The Dumhal is an is popular folk music of Kashmir. Musical illustrious dance form of Kashmir The men instruments include Nagara, Dukra and of the Wattal region are expert in performing Sitar. Hafiz Nagma is grounded on the it. A special theatrical art form has been classical musicof Kashmir- the Sofiyiana created intermingling both marriage song Kalam. The danseuse is called `Hafiza`. →

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The salient instrument employed in Hafiz importance and it marks the heralding of Nagma is called Santoor. It is the famous New Year . Lohri festival of Punjab is a time musical instrument of one hundred strings of welcoming spring in the region of Jammu beat with sticks. valley, celebrated at one day before Makar Songs of Habba Khatun too are composed Sankranti. In Jammu households it is observed depicting the sadness of the famous Kashmiri with rituals like `havans` and `yagnas`. As a princess of the same name. She was sad as she part of the festivals the boys move from door had been separated from her beloved husband to door requesting gifts from newly married Yousuf king. The uniqueness of Bakhan songs couples. `Chajja` dance is also presented on of the region is that it is hummed without the this occasion. aid of any musical instrument . These songs Cuisine is a salient element, which denotes are composed in the form of poems. The beat is the typical culture of Jammu and Kashmir . The unpredictable and is influenced by intonation traditional green tea with spices and almond in musical note. Hand movements of the known as Kawa, is consumed duringpoise musicians suggest various `note` fluctuations. winters of Kashmir. Rice constitutes the In Dogra Pahari area of Jammu valley staple food of Kashmir. Thanks to the Geetru is performed at the time of festivals like contribution of skilled cooks from Smarkhand, rural weddings and other social festivals . It a mouthwatering banquet called Wazwan mingles both dance and singing formats. Both has been popularized in Kashmir. It includes men and women take part in this performing thirty-six meal made from mutton and these art format, which continues for 24 hours. are really very tasty. All the Kashmiris love non- The people are very fond of celebrating vegetarian meals especially those prepared from festivals and it constitutes a significant element meat and lamb. However, polao is a common of culture of Jammu and Kashmir. The masked dish for Kashmiri veggies. These are namely dance festivals of Ladakh enthrall the tourists . meat balls and red gravy ( Rista), Minced lamb Not only the major Indian festivals are patties( Shami kabab), Lamb koftas ( Kashmiri celebrated in typical traditional fervency, few Gustaba), spicy lamb steaks( Pasande kabob). festivals of the locales are observed in high Also spices,curd and condiments are common esteem and also in style and joy. In Uttar ingredients ofKashmiri cuisine. Mustard oil is Behni area of Jammu valley, Chaitre Chaudash used as cookingmedium. The odour of costly is famous. kesar or saffron increases the craving of locales Celebrated in the month of March or for classy foods. However, different religious April, this festival is named following the communities of Kashmir maintained unique epitomology of Hindi language. where it style of cooking meal. Muslims desist asafetida signifies the fact that hither Devak River runs (hing) and curds and Kashmiri Pandits toward the northern part. Bahu Mela is a abstain from using onions and garlic in their significant festival observed at the premises of meals. Phirni is a sweet delicacy of Jammu and Kali temple in Jammu`s Bahu Fort . Generally Kashmir. it is celebrated twice a year in the month of LifestyleThe culture of Kashmir nicely either March /April or September /October.In incorporates within its domain the lifestyle of Purmandal city of Jammu valley, Purmandal the people of this region. Kashmir is a place of Mela is celebrated in the month of February beautiful mosques and the Hazratbal Mosque or March to signify the occasion of wedding is frequently visited by several pilgrims . To of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. Dressed add to it the spectacular celestial-like natural in colorful attires the people visit the places beauty of the region has drawn the tourists like Panjbhaktar Temple, Peer Khoh and to this region , Thus a tourism industry has the Ranbireshwar Temple.In Jhiri village expanded in leaps and bounds over the years of Jammu valley , Baba Jitu is an annual fair . Hotels of Jammu and Kashmir are noted for organized by the supporters in the honor of their first-class cordial reception. Most of these Baba Jitu , a rebel peasant who sacrificed his are in floating houseboats , providing a splendid life rather than to accept barbarities of the experience forthe tourists. The California local proprietors . group of Houseboats in Srinagar fall in this Apart from these festivals, the culture of category of spectacular hotels. Arts and crafts of Jammu and Kashmir incorporates all the Jammu Kashmir is very classy. Woven carpets, other important festivals of India. Typical silk carpets, rugs, woolen shawls, pottery and Sikh festival namely Baisakhi is celebrated kurtas are nicely embroidered . Well -decorated in the 13th day of April month. For the Sikh traditional boats are made of wooden and they communities of Kashmir it holds a special are called Shikaras. 

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FUSSPOTS IN THE ANIMAL AND PLANT KINGDOMS, THOSE THAT INSIST ON THEIR PERSONAL LITTLE ECOLOGICAL NICHES AND VERY PRIVATE LIFESTYLES ARE SURELY DOOMED — BECAUSE WERE RUNNING RAMPANT EVERYWHERE. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

arents of fussy, birds and beasties the health of our environment. we depen on and even plants, will do well to these special creatures” said DR.Mohammad insist that their progeny, not be Asif a professional biologist and a zoologist. picky about what they like to eat On the other hand Birds too, cant afford Por where they like to live. Fusspots in the to be fussy. Gulls and egrets which had a animal and plant kingdoms, those that insist reputation of being lovers of aquatic fare on their personal little ecological niches and now seem to prefer hanging about garbage very private lifestyles are surely doomed — dumps, scavenging from tins and are going because were running rampant everywhere. great guns. Out of the goodness of our hearts Those creatures that have taken a more free — actually, to get into the good books of approach to life and who eat everything thats the gods — we aid and abet by scattering put before them, and live anywhere, thrive. namkeen, dana, bread and rotis for them, As incase of flies and cockroaches, they’re changing their dietary mode. In upscale New global and as long as we produce guck and York and London, mighty peregrine falcons goo theyre pretty much immortal, even maintain penthouse eyries, from where they better off than us. By contrast, take the fig pick off the widespread blue rock doves (good Athar Shah wasp — a complete disaster-in-the making riddance!), used to the hustle and bustle of — for both itself and the great Ficus family the city beneath. In Delhi, black kites dodge We rely on birds and it is the of trees. Every species of fig tree has its the tangled spaghetti of electric cables and need of the our to protect own personalised species of fig wasp that dive into the mayhem of Daryaganj gullies them and take serious pollinates it (and there are around 1,000 to snack on road-kill or spilled popcorn. measures towards their species of figs). Your everyday all-purpose Crows, of course, will eat virtually anything, betterment bee or wasp wont do, nor will any other anywhere. cousin fig wasp. If Armageddon overtakes Its the same with mammals: Rats, mice the fig wasp that pollinates the great banyan and bandicoots will nibble everything from tree — eventually Armageddon will overtake hard disks and blue cheese to vital cables in the banyan too. “They are tge special jewel airplanes and thrive (except when the plane in the crown of mother natur, they reflect crashes). In the West, foxes and raccoons →

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party in the streets at night, raiding garbage they are around Delhi. Elephants too have bins. Bears pose a problem when they decide widened their range and now actively seek out to patronise McDonalds instead of making the good life, which includes gallons of country their own burgers. The exploding population liquor — and the destructive consequences of macaques in Delhi now expect to be served thereof. Cows and buffaloes, alas, often get it four-course meals three times a day (Fruit all wrong when they snack on plastic bags. “ — papaya, mango, bananas — rotis or rice, We rely on birds and it is the need of the our gram, pakoras, peanuts, almonds, bread, and, to protect them and take serious measures of course, jalebis). Get real — who eats bitter towards their betterment and safeguard for if leaves and raw shoots anymore? In , they adapt to this it can cause a serious change the leopards of the Borivali National Park have in the entire mechanism of the natures smooth developed a taste for dogs and even children, cycle and we are the first ones who will suffer” and are moving into the suburbs — as indeed said saqib aziz itoo an ecologist. 

THE RECREATION AND ATTRACTION WILL GET ENHANCED TO THE TRAIN SERVICE WHEN THE FORMULATED PLAN TO INTRODUCE VISTA DOME TRAINS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. THE “METRO” OF KASHMIR he alignment for the Kashmir the existing national fleet. Both passenger Railway presents one of the greatest and freight trains will use the new railway railway engineering challenges ever into and out of Kashmir. Passenger services faced, with the only contest coming will be provided by diesel multiple units. The Tfrom the China-Tibet rail route which crosses service will at first be provided on a 45km permanently frozen ground and climbs to section of the -Baramulla section, more than 5,000m above sea level. While the running initially between Rajwansher and temperatures of the Kashmir Railway area are Anwantipora. Freight services conveying not as severe as China, it does still experience grain and petroleum products will run in extreme winters with heavy snowfalls. between the ten to 12 passenger’s services that However, making the route even more are planned to operate daily. → complex is the requirement to pass through the Himalayan foothills. The route includes many bridges, viaducts and tunnels – the lower section of the railway crosses a total of 158 bridges and passes through 20 tunnels. Even though the line is being built through a mountainous region, a ruling gradient of 1% has been set to provide a safe, smooth and reliable journey. It is being built to the Indian standard gauge of 1,676mm gauge, laid on concrete sleepers with continuous welded rail Syed Bilal and with a minimum curve radius of 676m. Even though the line is Maximum line speed is 100km/h (60mph). being built through a The Kashmir line will connect with mountainous region, a the Indian Railways railhead at Jammu, ruling gradient of 1% has where a 60km access route has been built to been set to provide a Udhampur. The main sections of the route safe, smooth and reliable are between Udhampur and Qazigund – journey. 75% in tunnels and the responsibility of Konkan Railway Construction Corporation, however the work on Banihal to Udhampur is in progress – with the Qazigund-Baramulla section constructed by Indian Railways. Rolling stock for the new route will be from

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An eight-coach DEMU will run on the passes through continuing to face terrorist Qazigund-Baramulla section of line. The challenges. Due to proximity with the Line coaches were transported to the valley by of Control between Pakistan Administered using specially modified road trailers and Kashmir and Indian Administered Jammu each coach will carry 90 passengers. It will and Kashmir, these challenges aggravate run twice a day in both directions. The train Plans for close circuit cameras at all major has been fixed with a snow cutter system for bridges, tunnels and railway stations have clearing snow on the track. The temperature been made. Lighting is provided on all major in coaches can also be maintained at 20°C bridges and inside tunnels. Additionally, during winter. security arrangements to protect the As currently work is going on the section infrastructure are being discussed. between Jammu and Banihal, thus making The recreation and attraction will get this another separate leg of the journey. enhanced to the train service when the When complete, this will be a part of the formulated plan to introduce Vista dome greater Kashmir railway which will connect Trains will be implemented. Aiming to Jammu to Baramulla, or rather the plains to provide a delightful travelling experience the Valley. The journey promises a refreshing to the picturesque Kashmir Valley here, the ride through the Kashmir Valley, Weaving Railways on Thursday announced a Vista through the snowcapped peaks at a distance dome train which would also serve Kashmiri and the Chinar trees all around. The best part Wazwan cuisine to tourists. of taking this journey is during the winters “Tourists need to enjoy the beauty of the when the surroundings are filled with snow. Valley,” Union Railway Minister Suresh There is only the option of an unreserved Prabhu said. He said Kashmiri cuisine would DEMU train currently on this route. make it to the catering list of the railways. Three-aspect color light signaling is being “The chief minister and I have talked installed on the route to maintain train safety. about how to increase tourism by virtue of GSM-R equipment may be installed in the Railways. So, we will soon start a Vista dome future to improve the quality of the system. train because I do not think there is any There has also been mention of the Konkan other place in the whole world like Kashmir,” Railway Corporation's ACD (Anti-Collision he said. “We have placed an order with our Device) being supplied for equipment on the coach factories for the Vista dome train.” line. However, security for the line has been Vista dome trains have glass roofs and walls a major concern, with the regions the line so that tourists can take in the view. 

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WITH THE INCREASING MECHANIZATION OF THE SPINNING PROCESS AND LACK OF GOOD WAGES, THE SPINNERS ARE FAST DISAPPEARING FROM THE PRODUCTION SCENE.

CROWNING GLORY: YUNDER IN KASHMIR he spinning wheels and the before. power behind them were the On an average they spin 10 grams of symbols of ancient and poetic raw pashmina in a week. Out of these 10 simplicity of Kashmiri life. Hand grams, they make around 130 knots. For Tspinning and weaving was the basic, every single knot they make, they earn universal and elegant occupation of the one rupee, which means their earnings women especially. Economically one of are mostly Rs 130 per week. “The more the paying occupations, it kept more than threads you make, the more you earn,” 80% women bust at the wheel. says Rafiqa. “But each thread should Rafiqa, a 40 year old with slightly measure nine inches,” she says.“The furrowed forehead with her two daughters artisans are not getting enough wages, if sits in the kitchen of her single storey we work from morning to evening we earn house, for she finds that place comfortable rupees 100 a day, which is not sufficient to to sit in as she could look her kitchen chores support a family, Rafiqa said, “with the too along with spinning work which introduction of machine work, which is she does. Rafiqa lifts tufts of pashmina all over in market today has affected the from an earthen pot and simultaneously hand spinning work, which left a worse rotates her spinning wheel to produce effect on artisans, she further added. yarn. The thin yarn winds itself around The increasing mechanization of the two bobbins. In order to make it thick, she handicrafts process and lack of good combines the two threads on a wooden wages, the artisans are disappearing fast. hand reeler, then doubles and twists it by And the next generation too is less inclined Qulsoom placing the reeler on the spinning wheel. to take up spinning or weaving because “I learnt this from my mother, it requires “it pays so little”. As such, spinning The more threads you hard work and patience to complete,” work is on the brink of extinction today, make, the more Rafiqa said with a smile. Rafiqa has 11 owais Bhat, a trader from Batmaloo. He you earn,” year old son, for whom she is working as says, “Today fewer people are engaged in she wants him to be a doctor. Both the spinning and weaving, which was once daughters of Rafiqa are school dropouts, the main occupation in Kashmir, “The with no other bread earner in house traditional handicrafts of Kashmir that both the sisters have started spinning to used to feed the region’s economy and help her mother financially some 3 years provide livelihoods to thousands →

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of people are on a constant decline with the mother and sister, we are working hard to proliferation of machine-made products run our family, we all have a dream to see in the market.” Bhat further added. my brother as a doctor and for which we Over the past several years, the will work more hard so that our miseries pashmina handicrafts industry has and poverty will end”. She said. suffered a serious setback as fake and Shazia, another spinner said, “It’s machine-made products are finding their my fifth year in the business, it gives way into the market in bulk and are sold me happiness of being self reliant, even in the name of pashmina, leaving the though the wages are not enough but hardworking craftsmen high and dry.” being independent for me is somewhat said Ubaid sheikh, one among the affected extraordinary. As a result of sitting traders. hunched over her work for so many hours “It’s challenging to make the people a day, she suffers from a slipped disc and like us self-reliant as we belong to a low deteriorating vision. “I was once given socio-economic background, we are not glasses last year, but I never wore them as qualified or skilled but spinning helped I felt they interfered with my ability to get us in building up our economic stability up close as I work. “I have severe headache , said one among the daughters of Rafiqa. and backache after working throughout “our mother trained us and said us to be the day. But, well, one has to work to pay focused.” she added.“ Together with my for lifes expenses,” she added 

AFTER WORKING OUT A PLAN, THE ENGINEERS SAT DOWN AND GAVE THE BRIDGE A NEW LOOK. THE SAGA OF VERBAL RACISM

Syed Jesarat

Measuring 15.5 metre each, connects Dal Gate to posh Raj Bagh he German poet Christian places and God’s as well. Names via Radio Kashmir Morgenstern once said, “All are how we as people are identified. and Nawa-ie-Subh seagulls look as though their Usually we all have two names, the complex. name was Emma”. Although first and the last name. Our names TMorgenstern is known for his unsound are a story in itself, it may talk about contribution, but there was an element our country, religion, ancestors or our of truth in the above composition. occupations. We all have a “Name”, not just we It all starts from our family. The place human beings but things, animals, where we get the title of recognistaion. →

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People do not feel comfortable without bustle, they hardly care about things. naming a person, a thing, a situation What’s wrong is that they don’t think or event. It feels awkward for them rationally when it comes to name their keeping things & situations nameless. child. Parents in Kashmir usually give In traditional sections of society, the a name to their child without having baby is usually given a name with a any proper consideration of how it religious ceremony. Since naming will affect the psyche of their child in a baby is no ordinary matter, it is future. In some areas they often repeat carried out with care & consultations. naming there ward with the old titles In different religions, the ritual is used by the circles since ages. The same performed variously names which have a synonym of over Apart from the main name of the dozen of nicknames. person, another name is frequently Strangely but Kashmir is a very prefixed especially by close relatives interesting place to scrutinize when and members of the group of which he/ it comes to pronunciation of names. she is a part. Its called 'The Nickname” Like a simple girl who is named and is most vividly used almost beautifully 'Fatimah', a name believed everywhere. A substitute for your to be sacred by Muslims is called, no proper name. A name that distorts doubt out of love token, as "Phaaate- your identity attacks your sentiments aai". 'Rihanna', turns into "Ranii", or simply mocks you. But people don’t Fakhar an esteemed name that means take it seriously maybe it’s because they “Pride” turns into “Fakeero” ( A heedlessly believe what Shakespeare Beggar) thus distorting & maligning once said “What’s in the name”? the identity of a person. Coming to our land Kashmir, the The norm of calling people by saga of calling people by nicknames nicknames has become such a is an old age thing. A norm that has celebrated ritual that we don’t even remained unchanged and persistent consider it to be harmful in our society. from centuries. In our society people From our elders to our youngsters are either criticized by their nick names we are all obsessed by calling people or the names are mispronounced with Nicknames, hardly realizing which is not a very good impression how badly it can affect child’s self- for a child, the reason for this concern esteem negatively. Physiologists say is that people generally resent the that having a bad nickname can have mispronunciation of their name a strong mental effect on the children, because mispronunciation amounts to In a research conducted in 2015 at a distortion of their identity. Azerbaijan it was revealed that 40% of The sense of personal identity and the students suffer of mental trauma uniqueness that a name gives us is at the in their lives because of the nickname heart of why names interest us and why bullying at schools. they are important to us as individuals Child when enters in society, he/ and to our society as a whole. In spite of she is generally unaware by how many this importance though, most people names he would be known by. It is very know very little about the effects they difficult for him/her in a initial phase have on us and on our children in and it turns out to be psychological everyday life. In a very real sense, we effect for his later phase. They are consumers of names, and we have (children) remain in dilemma who a need and full right to know about they really are? Until they are sound psychological, magical, legal, religious enough. A child feels upset when he/ and ethnic aspects of our name. she is called differently say Nadur, But unfortunately, in contemporary Watul, Crow etc. This a kind of racism times some people don't spare a time that remains unnoticed and veiled like to come out from their hustle and the unmarked graves of Kashmir. 

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IT IS SURVIVING ON ‘BITS AND PIECES’. EXPERTS CITE SALARY AS THE MAIN REASON BEHIND ITS DECLINE. THEY BELIEVE PLAYERS GET PEANUTS AS COMPARED TO CRICKETERS. BROKEN STICK HAS HOCKEY LOST ITS SHEEN IN KASHMIR? ABID RASHID BABA ARGUES

he importance of our so called the afternoons. Everybody would rush National game can be gauged towards the ground, this crowd would from the fact that every year boost our morale and with the passage We celebrate our National of time almost everybody learned the TSports day on the birth Anniversary of nuances of the sport.” Major Dhyan Chand- India’s hockey is also called as ‘Nursery wizard on August 29. India produced of J&K Sports.’ Singhpora’s maximum her army of hockey stalwarts from a population is dominated by Sikh small dusky village in Jalandhar called community where residents have Sansarpur. This hamlet producedcontributed a lot to Hockey over the veterans of the game. Few decades years. The players from this village used back, Hockey was considered to be our to play with the hockey made up of pride. But has the charm gone is an wood, now the game has been reformed. uncomfortable question which many Jaswant Singh chipped in when asked refuse to answer. Ask the sports analysts, about the differences technology has they respond in affirmation. Its golden made. “Earlier there were more strict era is no more. It is surviving on ‘bits rules, now they have been amended to and pieces’. Experts cite salary as the make it more open to score more goals.’’ main reason behind its decline. They In 1976, they invited Indian hockey believe players get peanuts as compared icon Milikha Singh, popularly known as to cricketers. Flying Sikh who then stressed upon the Frenzy and passion for cricket club culture among the hockey lovers. replaced its ‘national prestige ’. What are But what lead to the disintegration of the reasons for its decline? Has its status clubs? I asked. gone from bad to worse? With volley “Non-seriousness towards the game.” of queries in my mind, I travelled to a Ajpal bluntly retorted. He explained hilly hamlet in in the further, “People would donate money northern part of Kashmir. Singhpora’s and other eatables during the festival Nom de Plume is Kashmir’s Sansarpur. of Singapore sports club, now do you To know its rosy past but dismal think people would do so. He posed a present, I tossed my first question to one question which perhaps has an answer of the hockey Icons who has represented in negation. Kashmir on International arena. Commenting on the declining Ajpal Singh, 80, is the oldest player status of hockey S.P.Singh cites the Abid Rashid who is ready to play even now. lackadaisical approach of State Sports “If my children allow me, I can play Council towards the game as the main Hockey was considered even now,” Ajpal says, “If not at defence, reason. “Tell me what they are doing for to be our pride. But has at least on forward level.”After a while he the upliftment of the game which was the charm gone is an turns nostalgic. “We have rich history once our national pride? Singh asks. uncomfortable question in hockey,” Ajpal, who is also coach, Singh says that earlier sportspersons which many refuse to organizer and former vice president SSC would be given job opportunities answer. [Singhpora Sports Club] recalls. Ajpal which is not the case now, ‘we tell our claims to have learnt the pros and cons children that we have got government of hockey during 1945-47. SSC is the jobs because of this game ,you should brainchild of Singh. also learn it but they get disinterested “After coming back from school, our because of government apathy towards playground would be jam packed in the sport’’. →

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These senior players with international with the hockey being played in Kashmir experience say that club culture has helped a nowadays. S.P.Singh reacted, How come? I lot to promote hockey in this region, Rainawari wonder! Is it being played anywhere? What Club, RTC Club, Khalsa Club played an is there to watch now? important role for the welfare of this sport, Recalling the good old days when every we would organize other events like martial college would have its own hockey team Arts, kabbadi, kho-kho , volleyball, song S.P.Singh says that children would make competition to attract the huge gatherings.” their seniors as ideals and would toil hard Jaswant Singh, 76, cites negligence of to make carrier out of this sport.” parents and media as another reason for its As it is getting dark outside, I try to wind decline. “Now everybody is engrossed in up the discussion with one million dollar the cut-throat competition and in turn we question. lose health we get nothing out of this made Can Kashmir hockey be revived? rat race.” He was quick to blame media for “Hopefully.” Says Baldev Singh, a winner not covering the sport properly. of 1986 All India Indira Gold cup who has Ok! Tell me why have you people nine nationals to his credit. He reasons, neglected this sport? Why don’t you profile “ Government must help us financially, hockey players who have done wonders in parents should encourage their wards, this sport? Why have you neglected those concerned department should provide jobs players of hockey who made state proud? to those players who have made a mark in Jaswant says that children don’t practice this sport, to create their own niche players now because parents don’t allow them.” should work hard and above all, Hockey He believes that it is a complete wastage Association which is in deep slumber of time; they are genuine in their approach somewhere should pull their socks and get because future is rather bleak! Jaswant ready for it revival. Otherwise it will die a stressed. When asked are you contended silent death.” 

AS ISLAM BEGAN TO SPREAD ACROSS THE VALLEY, THE CALLIGRAPHERS BEGAN TO ENJOY A HIGH DEGREE OF ROYAL PATRONAGE ESPECIALLY DURING THE REIGN THE SULTAN ZAIN-UL-ABIDIN(BUDSHAH). CALLIGRAPHY IN KASHMIR BREATHING ITS LAST

he advent of calligraphy in greatest of these kashmiri calligraphers. He kashmir is directly related to was a master of Nastaliq style whose genius arrival of Amir-e-kabir mir Sayed was deemed to be at par with the greatest Ali Hamdani(RA) in kashmirn. Persian masters. He was highly regarded TThe followers of Shah-e-Hamdan include and venerated by the Mughal Emperor Persian calligraphs as well and their art, soon Akbar and later by Jahangir as well. This Mudasir Majeed commenced to flourish in Kashmir. was the beauty of his art that he was given With the passage of time As Islam began to spread across the valley, a place among the famed Navratnas of ,after the end of mughal the calligraphers began to enjoy a high degree Akbar, who also bestowed on Mohammad reign over Kashmir of royal patronage especially during the Hussain kashmiri the title of Zarrin ,calligraphy ,like all reign the Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin(Budshah). Qalam. Even Abu Fazl addresses him as other arts and crafts of When Mughals established there suzerainty jadoo Raqam(magical calligrapher) in his Kashmir ,began to fade over Kashmir, the fame of kashmiri master mangnum opus Ain-i-Abari. A significant away calligraphists reached to corridors of number of works of this kashmiri stalwart imperial durbar,so that a number of kashmiri have disappeared over time and only their calligraphists were a permanent addition reference in other works can be found but to the circle of royal artisans patronized by there are still some master pieces available successive Mughal emperors. which he has contributed along with other Mohammad Hussain kashmiri was the artists, such as The Gulshan Album →

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which is kept at Tehran’s Golistan museum, it is on the verge of loosing it’s existence”. Masnavi-Molvai(national library Tehran), Attempts have been made to save this Gulistan of saadi Shirazi(royal Asiatic society fading heritage, but they have been half- London), Divan-e-Hassan Sajzi( khudabaksh hearted or ill conceived. As the J and K library Patna), besides dozens of works in academy of art, culture and languages did museum and libraries all over india. start a three years course of Calligraphy With the passage of time ,after the end of diploma but it did not make any difference. mughal reign over Kashmir ,calligraphy ,like Nadia ,for the rescue of calligraphy all other arts and crafts of Kashmir ,began suggested that “calligraph as an art has to be to fade away .In modern times it survived inoculated at an early stage ,means the target to some extent in the hands of commercial has to be children …attempts should be sign painters ,but the invasion of computer therefore made to integrate calligraphy in the generated billboards and advertising routine curricula wherein it is not proected publications dealt a final blow . as an additional burden.” But gradually few master calligraphers of Nadia also added that our private schools Kashmir are dying away in their forgetting already have dedicated art/painting/drawing existence and with them we are losing a part classes, similarly efforts must be made to of our heritage that is not only beautiful but introduce calligraphy as a part of this set-up aesthetically profound. and a similar framework can be wored out in Nadia,a Kashmiri calligrapher ,learned government schools as well .Instead of a rigid this glorious Art on YouTube and now she is course/diploma, flexible calligraphy capsules an active calligrapher of the valley”I learned of shorter duration ought to be formulated calligraphy with the help of YouTube and which could be taught at school level. started it with acrylic colours on my kitchen Promising students subsequently can avail tilies ….I learnta a very important technique the expert guidance of J and K Academy of of how to put the kalam down, stop with art, culture and languages out of their own some pressure and slowly bring it up,using volition and demand .And the rest of students just only the tip…It’s a traditional method who do not show specific aptitude towards ,there’s no other way of doing it…it gives me calligraphy may still benefit in terms of better a spiritual peace and freshness”said Nadia. handwriting and better appreciation of arts. Sameer,a postgraduate student from Even Kashmir University organized a few Kashmir University, while praising the Art day festival ‘Payam Ramadan 2017’, in which said “There is something spiritual in Islamic calligraphy was given major preference. calligraphy art because whenever Ido it,I feel Nadia further said that we owe it to our like I am communicating with Almighty future generations to pass on our culture Allah and this Art takes me to a different dower,who knows some of them may again peaceful world…it redefines our perceptions rise to become our next Zarin Qalam and about the world, but what saddens me is that Jaddo Raqam. 

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