SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2016 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU daily Excelsior Kashmir rebellion Celebrate Established 1965 Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra Then and Now Indian girl power ! Amit Kushari (IAS Retd) urban Kashmiris, were dream- nities and not God of only world. No body wants to ing about azaadi and mostly Muslims). Allah is the God of employ or rent out an accommo- Shahnaz Husain Paddar sapphire hen the first Kashmir they were 90% sure that azaadi Pandits also and when they were dation to a Muslim. After rebellion broke out in 016 is the year of Indian Girl Power! Girls have made India ndoubtedly, industries sector in the State has was round the corner. In May running away with tears in their Osama Bin Laden was caught W1990/91 the situation 1991, when the winter secretari- eyes, Allah must have been red handed in Pakistan, the USA proud at Rio, bringing home Olympic medals, along with the lagged far behind in making a valuable con- was very, very grim at that time at at Jammu was shifting to extremely annoyed with the and the entire Western world is 2assurance that our girls can match up to the world’s best. Sak- tribution towards the economic development also and J&K had to remain Srinagar for the summer, many Muslims and He must have now hesitant to speak up for shi won the bronze in wrestling, a so-called male domain. Sindhu U under President's rule for six of the State. This area has been a victim of negli- Kashmiri employees withdrew withheld the order granting Muslims. It is an additional mis- bagged the silver medal in a hard fought match with a historic per- years at a stretch. Curfews con- all their provident fund because independence. fortune for the Kashmiris. If formance, while gymnast Dipa Karmakar got 4th position in death- gence, slackness and apathy. It is only now that tinued for one or two weeks and they were almost sure that in the This year the Kashmiri they had been Christians or Jews defying feats. It is ironical that the unwanted girl child, who is authorities have begun to rivet attention on this sec- street battles went on, some- coming winter they would not uprising seems to be even more they could have got more sym- still subjected to atrocities, has brought glory and pride to India. tor in the hope that it will contribute stoutly to the times with rockets and grenades have to come back to Jammu grave. The Mirwaiz of Kashmir, pathy from the world. In the It also proves that a country like India, with such a large popula- also, in addition to AK 47 guns. economic health of the State. which was likely to remain in Maulvi Umer Farooq, has 1990s there was no tion, must be having enormous untapped talent. The Kashmiri homes are usually Islamophobia in the whole The need of the hour is upliftment of women in rural areas and We have the J&K Minerals Ltd. a public under- well stocked with food because There is total lawlessness in the rural world and Pakistan was quite a education of the girl child. We also have to deal with gender bias taking which has been granted permission for of prolonged harsh winters and darling child of the USA, which and patriarchal mindsets. Also, the quality of life needs to improve so they could manage their often irked India. Today the exploration and exploitation of mineral wealth of the kitchen even if curfew contin- areas now, in contrast with 1990 State. So far no minerals that would strongly con- West is firmly with India . Only ued for ten or twelve days. Early when lawlessness was confined to China is Pakistan's friend but tribute to the economic health of the State have morning some vegetable ven- they are also doubtful friends. been explored and exploited. This may take time dors would secretly arrive to do China had recently banned some brisk business and some mainly urban areas. In the rural because it is not that easy to identify which mineral Muslims from observing fast meat and chicken shops would areas only a few police stations are during Ramzan because that is deposited where. Nevertheless, some minerals also open for an hour or so. The affected work efficiency in have been identified to be extant at certain places Masjid Committees in the properly functional now a days. offices and factories. in the State. In district Kishtwar, we have sapphire mohallas also arranged for In this gloomy situation the cheap rice, dal and wheat. So the mines in Paddar area. It is a distant place not easi- Army guards the police stations. only silver lining is that the Kashmiris were not totally present Central Government has ly accessible. stranded. Now the curfew is India. Many who had bought appealed to the United Nations, slowly started understanding the continuing for almost two More than three years ago in 2013, it was decid- Indira Vikas Patras in Jammu European Union, Pope Francis, realities of Kashmir after being months. The people have also post offices sold them off at Dalai Lama, The Organisation in power for two and a half ed to invite intentional tenders for the exploration started feeling the pinch now. cheap prices to Jammuites of Islamic countries to intervene years. They must have realised and exploitation of sapphire mines in Paddar. From Not so much for running the because they presumed they actively against the so called some fallacies and fault lines in kitchen but for children's educa- the tentative reports of the J&K Minerals Ltd. the would have no access to Jammu ruthless oppression of the some of their cherished ideolo- tion which is suffering tremen- Paddar sapphire is of high quality in colour and post offices the coming year. Kashmiris by the Indian state. gies. They must have realised by in terms of basic health care and fitness. Special attention should dously. Health problems are also The Maamu (mother's brother) He alleged that Indian soldiers now that Article 370 can never be given to extra-curricular activities for girls and women in rural transparency. It can easily compete and excel sap- rising. Although the hospitals of a friend of mine was chair- had fired pellet guns on be abolished ( rather it may have areas. An exercise and diet regime would help both mental and phires found elsewhere in the world. But the J&K are functional and some medi- man of a militant organisation Kashmiris at point blank range to be strengthened ten times) physical health. Every mother should be empowered with educa- cine shops in the vicinity of big Minerals have no idea about the quantum of sap- called Jamiat ul Mujahideen. He 1.2million times, as per their and that Kashmiri pandits can tion and financial independence, so that she can educate her girl hospitals are open, most of the phire available in the extant mines. For this purpose told me that his Maamu had dis- own admission. Seventy never be sent back to the fiery child and inculcate the values of good health, nutritious diet and local medicine shops remain closed to him that by March Kashmiris have been killed and and also for proper exploitation, assistance from closed. cauldron of Kashmir unless the education. Good health and top level fitness are necessary for 1992 Pakistan had assured com- hundreds have been maimed for dispute is sorted out permanent- excelling in world sports events, like the Olympics. This is exact- international bidders was thought to be the right There is total lawlessness in plete independence of Kashmir life. the rural areas now, in contrast ly. Let us now hope and pray ly what I had emphasized, when I lectured on woman empower- way and tenders were floated. Three years and half by active intervention and " by The international communi- that the Centre initiates a mean- ment at MIT, USA. with 1990 when lawlessness April 1992, Inshallah, Kashmir ty has remained a mute spectator have passed and still the floating of international was confined to mainly urban ingful dialogue with the Indeed, the woman must realize her own potential and strength tender has not reached logical conclusion. We would be a free nation". When so far. It is not difficult to under- Hurriyat Conference, lawyers, as an equal member of society. The family has to fight for change. areas. In the rural areas only a that did not happen they were stand the reason for this silence. understand that the process of finalising the inter- few police stations are properly professors and all intelligentsia Father and mother must value the girl child and give her equal very disappointed. Some asked Both India and Pakistan are of Kashmir. The elected MLAs opportunities. Changes cannot come from outside and by force. It national bids is a very complex matter but in the functional now a days. Army me,"Do you think Allah is nuclear weapon countries now guards the police stations. and MPs of Kashmir as well as has to come from within the society and within the family. case of Paddar sapphires the matter has got stuck annoyed with us and has refused and so nobody would like to the Kashmiri IAS, IPS officers A woman was created to blossom and bloom, in the colours Hundreds and thousands of peo- our independence?" I used to tell meddle in their affairs. After the up in the labyrinth of official routine. Additionally, the ple , including women and chil- should actively help the Home and fragrance of her choice. The way an unwatered plant becomes them that Kashmiri Pundits are terror attacks of 9/11 in USA Minister of India to achieve a parched and dies, so does the personality of a woman, who is strug- lackadaisical attitude of the functionaries of the J&K dren, old and young, roam your own Kashmiri brothers. and subsequently in London, around the streets chanting break through. I wish Delhi had gling to break through the shackles of social conditioning, to Minerals Ltd. is also contributing to inordinate and While fighting for independence Brussels, Madrid, Istanbul, taken this initiative of dialogue achieve recognition as a separate individual, with a distinct iden- "aazaadi, aazaadi". It seems as if you should have kept them by Dhaka, Mumbai, and after the indefinite delay in the exploration and exploitation the entire Kashmiri population two months earlier. tity. The change will be complete when society recognizes that it your side. Rather you drove activities of the ISIS in Syria, (The author is former Financial cannot benefit from preventing the emergence of the pearl from process. has now become "azaadi ke them away being instigated by Iraq and a few other countries, diwaney" and not only the urban Commissioner J&K the oyster. Then we will also see the emergence of more Sakshis, People of the area of Kishtwar think that even the Pakistan. According to the the whole world is mortally Feedback to the author at Sindhus and Dipas! people as in 1990. In those days Quran, Allah is "Rab ul scared of Muslims. There is a lot PDP-BJP Coalition Government does not evince also Kashmiris, specially the 09748635185 or [email protected]) [email protected] any interest in the development of the backward aalameen" (God of all commu- of Islamophobia in the whole area of Kishtwar. Exploration and exploitation of Paddar sapphire mines would have salutary impact on the economy of the region and would also pro- A path breaking study of politics, society and culture in PoK vide employment to many youth in the region. Ravinder Kaul Darel, and Tangir etc. were part of the "Baltistan is experiencing an artificial Mangla Dam and its adverse impact on (c) to ask the Government of Pakistan Amusingly, till date the Request For Proposal (RFP) territories of Jammu and Kashmir State social osmosis. While poverty and the population of Mirpur. This area was to vacate the occupied areas, so that Pakistan occupied Kashmir is till 1947. Whereas the Kashmir Taliban threats are causing Shia exodus also part of the Jammu and Kashmir until the final settlement, these areas has not been formulated for circulation among the ours", when Prime Minister Government exercised direct authority from their ancestral homes, an increas- State at the time of signing of accession, are administered in accordance with shortlisted parties for the purpose of obtaining final "Narendra Modi asserted at a meet- over Gilgit, Bunji and Astor, which ing number of Pakistanis are acquiring which imparts the legal authority to the international law on disputed terri- ing of all major political parties in New bid to facilitate selection of joint venture partner. were part of Gilgit Wazarat till 1947, land in Baltistan and claiming their India over the entire State of Jammu and tories and entities; and (d) to ensure Delhi on August 12 and followed it up Skardu, Rondu, Shigar, Tolti, Khaplu, stake as its citizens. The influx of Kashmir and not only for the areas cur- that the democratic, progressive and Apart from the sapphire mines in Paddar, we with his Independence Day speech from etc. were part of a Tehsil in the Ladakh Pakistanis started after 1974, when the rently under India". secular forces of `Azad' Kashmir and would like to say that J&K Minerals needs to expand the ramparts of Red Fort, he gave a clear district. However, the chiefships of regime of former Prime Minister Z.A. Paul Beersmans, President, Belgian Gilgit-Baltistan are supported by the indication of the direction that his Hunza, Nagar and Governorships of Bhutto abrogated State Subject Rule." Association for Solidarity with Jammu civil society and democratic forces of as well as intensify its activities of exploring other Government intends to take in dealing minerals in different parts of the State. In that sense Punial, Yasin, Chilas, Kuh-Ghizar, Praveen Swami, currently Editor, and Kashmir, in the chapter titled India and Jammu and Kashmir". with the direct involvement of Pakistan Ishkoman and the tribal territories of Strategic Affairs of The Indian Express 'Political and Democratic Process in In the chapter 'Sectarian Conflict in it is a virgin state because it has remained unex- in providing men and material and fund- Darel, Tangir, Thor, Kandia, Jalkot, newspaper, also provides details of the Gilgit-Baltistan' informs the readers, "It Gilgit-Baltistan', Alok Bansal, Senior ing terrorism and separatism in Kashmir plored. The Government should shun apathy Shatian, Harban, etc. were feudatories resentment of local Shias in Gilgit- is interesting to note that on the Indian Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare through State and Non State actors. of the Kashmir Durbar, which received Baltistan against the anti-Shia policies of side of the LoC, politicians and sepa- Studies, New Delhi reveals "It is wide- towards this sector and make adequate allocations While his extending of moral support to tribute from them but were allowed Pakistan in the chapter 'Demography and ratist leaders have the right to travel to ly believed in Pakistan that a Shia air- in the annual budget so that the task of exploring the people of Baluchistan in their strug- internal autonomy in their local admin- Discontent'. Quoting from various all parts of Jammu and Kashmir State. man from Gilgit, wanting to take gle against the tyrannical Pakistani more mineral sites can be undertaken. In particular istration". sources, he writes, "Shia resentment Despite a large concentration of securi- revenge for the May 1988 carnage, was search for coal, gas and copper should be intensi- regime has been welcomed as a long "When the British left the sub-conti- against the creeping demographic shock- ty forces, separatist leaders have used overdue and sound tactical position, it is responsible for the air crash that killed fied. It should be among the plan of mineral explo- nent in August 1947, the area of the and the injection of Sunni-fundamental- this right to travel to Ladakh and General Zia. After 1988, sectarian riots the territory of Pak occupied Kashmir Gilgit Agency reverted back to ist tendencies-took the form, in 1988, of Jammu to conduct political activities. rations to invite expert companies from abroad to and Gilgit-Baltistan, where India's legal, have become a regular feature in Gilgit- Maharaja's control. Maharaja Hari demands for an autonomous Shia On the Pakistani side of the LoC, how- Baltistan. The pattern shows that when- investigate existence of various metals and minerals legitimate and strategic interests lie. Singh appointed Brigadier Ghansara province, to be called Karakoram State. ever, where apparently 'azad' people Aptly time-lined to the present sce- ever people demanded their constitu- in the mountains and plains of the State. In short the Singh as the new Wazir-i-Wazarat Zia-ul Haq responded to Shia mobilisa- live, politicians and political activists tional rights, sectarian riots were engi- nario, an excellent book that gives (Governor) of Gilgit, who assumed tion with military force. Pakistan's for- have no right to travel to Gilgit- necessary boost to mineral wealth of the State extensive coverage to almost all aspects neered to divide them. There were charge on 31 July 1947. On 1 August mer President, General Pervez Baltistan areas. A few years back, the media reports that officials themselves needs to be given. of life, culture and politics in PoK and 1947 illuminations in the entire Jammu Musharraf in 1988 (as Brigadier) led a Prime Minister of 'Azad' Kashmir Gilgit-Baltistan is now available in the were encouraging riots to prolong and Kashmir State celebrated the ruthless campaign against Shia dissent expressed his desire to visit Gilgit- Islamabad's unconstitutional rule". public domain. Titled 'The Other resumption of the civil and military with the assistance of Islamist militia Baltistan. He was told categorically by Billawar-Bani road Kashmir - Society, Culture and Politics This well researched and meticu- administration of Gilgit. However, groups led by a then-obscure Saudi jiha- the Federal Ministry of Kashmir and lously edited book, liberally illustrated hirty-six years have passed by when the in the Karakoram Himalayas' has been Major W.A.Brown, the British di named Osama bin Laden." Northern Areas Affairs (KANA) that with photographs and maps, is a timely published by the Institute for Defence Commander of Gilgit Scouts, organised The economic exploitation of PoK he cannot go there, that he was Prime Government had made a commitment that 65 Studies & Analyses, New Delhi and and significant addition to the scarce kilometers long Bani - Billawar road would be and led a revolt of the Gilgit Scouts and and Gilgit-Baltistan at the hands of Minister of 'Azad' Kashmir and that T Edited by Prof. K.Warikoo, Professor of arrested Brigadier Ghansara Pakistan Government has also been dis- Gilgit-Baltistan does not fall under his literature focused on PoK. Prof. K. completed in all respects. The situation is that after Central Asian Studies, School of Singh.....On 4 November 1947, Brown cussed threadbare in some of the chap- jurisdiction. In addition, the separatist Warikoo, who has authored/edited 20 36 years of having floated the project, only 11 kilo- International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Pakistani flag at Gilgit and ters of the book. Shabir Choudhry, leaders from the Indian side, while vis- books including 'Himalayan Frontiers University, New Delhi. meters of this road is motor-able in all respects with handed over the area to Pakistan, which Director, Institute of Kashmir Affairs, iting the Pakistani side, were not of India', 'Xinjiang: China's Northwest The invaluable relevance of the appointed its own Political Agent". London, in the chapter titled allowed to visit the Northern Areas". Frontier' and 'Religion and Security in black-toping. The rest of the road is either still not book can be gauged from the chapter Senge H. Sering, a cultural activist 'Hydropower Exploitation in Gilgit- In the chapter 'Role of Political South and Central Asia' (all published by constructed or not blacktopped. It is a joke with the titled 'The Making of a Frontier' from Baltistan, who currently is Baltistan and Pakistani Administered Parties in Pakistan Administered Routledge from UK and USA), has done people to have stretched this important project for authored by Prof. Warikoo in which, President, Institute for Gilgit-Baltistan Kashmir', highlights the relentless Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan', Shaukat yeoman's service to the nation by pro- after quoting from numerous authentic such a long time with good deal of allocation made Studies, Washington, while giving exploitation of hydropower resources of Kashmiri, Chairman, United Kashmir viding the theoretical edifice on which sources and documents, he concludes, details of the massacre of local Shia the region by Pakistan, without any or People's National Party, writes any future strategy to reclaim the PoK for the project. The stretches of this road are some- "The historical evidence and contempo- population by the Taliban and other very little benefit accruing to the people emphatically, "In our view, the and Gilgit-Baltistan by India will rest. rary records....show that Skardu, Gilgit, times given differential treatment and handed over Punjabi and Pashtun Sunnis, notes in of this area. He concludes, "After the Republic of India has a constitutional For full text see : Hunza, Nagar, Chilas, Astor, Gupis, the chapter 'Political Dynamics of Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, responsibility: (a) to unify the whole http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/edit/ either to one department or to the other. At least a Kuh-Ghizar, Punial, Ishkoman, Yasin, population of 50,000 depends on this vital connec- Culture and Identity in Baltistan' that, India remained quiet on the issue of the state; (b) to push back all infiltrators; [email protected] tivity. They hailed the project when it was initially announced as it would cut short their journey mas- sively. Nobody had imagined that the elected repre- 70 years of Independence sentatives of the region would become paper tigers Sir, and would not be able to exert influence on the This refers to the editorial'70 years of Independence'(DE, August17,2016).There is no doubt A poor show in Rio Compensation to firing that India, the land of so many faiths, languages, cultures, ideologies has recorded tremendous Government agencies to take the region out of Sir, backwardness. How sad that even after 70 years of progress in all the fields and emerged as one of the most powerful countries in the world and victims belied the apprehensions of those who doubted her capability and strength. Apart from three lady figurines as of Sakshi Independence, the helpless people from Lohai- We celebrated the 70th Independence Day with great enthusiasm.Big functions were organ- Malik, PV Sindhu , Dipa Karmakar's spectacular Sir, Malhar and Machhedi areas, which are also part of ised in the nook and corner of our country, national tricolour unfurled and glowing tributes paid show and a couple of good fights from other ath- This has reference to the news item 'Border firing vic- Bani constituency, could not have direct road com- to the freedom fighters who laid down their lives so that we may live and breathe in the Inde- letes, India's overall performance at Rio Olympics tims to get Rs 5 lakh compensation' DE Aug 25. munication with the Sub Divisional Headquarters at pendent India.Even after so many years of independence,we are grappling with the monsters of was really disappointing. There ought to be no The decision of the Central Government to provide Rs communalism, casteism, regionalism etc and we continue to have communal riots.Almost every- excuses for this. We are a nation of 1.3 billion and Bani. Although this area is closer to Billawar town 5 lakh as compensation to border firing victims is more day there are also reports of our girls and women being raped, gangraped and in some cases close to 60 percent of our population is below the than welcome. The enhanced ex-gratia will certainly bring yet people of this area have to cover over 165 kms killed.Child labour continues to be in force despite strict laws banning child labour.In many cas- age of 35. Yet we have not bagged more than 2 relief to these victims. The people living on borders have distance to reach Bani for any work at Bani es, our elderly people are not treated honourably and with reverence.The monster of corruption medals. This is a blot on the face of sports author- to suffer a lot due to firing from Pakistani forces. Headquarters. continues to raise its ugly head now . ities and the Sports Ministry. Whenever there is firing, these people get displaced The gap between haves and havenots has not narrowed down to the desired level.Perhaps our Also we saw how the Sports Minister there We understand that the Union Minister for and have to seek shelter at safe environs which entails lot freedom fighters had not visualised such a freedom where in the name of freedom of speech anti was busy in Photo ops with athletes inspite of get- of difficulties. Surface Transport has shown special interest in India slogans are shouted with full might. ting regular warnings from the organizing author- Besides, it has been observed that the injured after the road network in the hilly State of Jammu and Over the last 70 years,we may have made spectacular achievements and breakthroughs in sci- ities. We should take this debacle seriously. The receiving primary medical aid, are left to fend for them- Prime Minister talks about 'Make In India ' and Kashmir. One cannot understand why this vital link ence and technology and all other fields but these are the issues which continue to haunt us even selves by the Government. Later on, no one bothers about after 70 years of freedom. Freedom is not the end; it is a new beginning.The youth, who com- 'Skill India' , but he should first bring a change at their welfare. They have to manage medical aid on their has not been brought on priority list and included prise about 60 percent of India's population below 35 years of age have an important role to the central level in the administration of sports, own which comes at a heavy price. It has also been seen in the roads which the Union Ministry of Surface play.This huge human resource, if harnessed properly,can work wonders and catapult our coun- which will then trickle down hopefully. We must that they have to either borrow money or sell their cattle aim to improve our performance at the 2020 Tokyo Transport has identified for development. The sit- try to Himalayan heights of progress and rid our country of all these vices and replace 'Gunda- or land for treatment. Those who get disabled for ever are gardi by 'Gandhigiri, treat our women and eldery people with love and care, endeavour to end Olympics and start preparing for the gold medals the worst sufferers. uation demands Union and State Governments to child labour vow to end communalism, casteism etc.and live in an atmosphere'where mind is now. Seasoned sportspersons in the country must The Government is appreciated for being sensitive to mitigate the difficulty of a large number of villagers without fear' as Tagore envisaged.The youth have to act as catalysts of change to transform our be asked for the suggestions on ways to improve this issue, and enhancing the ex-gratia relief in the favour this sorry state of the sports infrastructure. in this far off region of Kathua District by getting nation into a powerful and economically super power. of the border firing victims. Yours etc... Yours etc.... Yours etc... the left over road constructed in a time bound Ankita Sharma, Ansh Chowdhari Hemraj manner. Udhampur. Delhi University. Channi Himmat