For Private Circulation Only Net-journal of 'Project Zaan’ ÒççiççMç p\agPraagaash aS Dedicated to Our Heritage, Our Language and Our Culture Wishing all our readers A Very Happy New Year 2021

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Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 Vol 6 : No. 1~ January 2021 02 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

In this issue Editorial - M.K.Raina l Cover - Mount Fuji, Japan - Painting by Shiban K. Nagri 01 At the outset, let me wish you l Editorial - M.K.Raina 02 l JççKç lçe ÞçáKç 03 all a Very Happy New Year 2021. l Cartoon - Sad but True : Sujood Sailani 04 I hope the new year brings us l Poets & Poetesses : Dr. Arif Maghribi peace and prosperity and gives - Khazir Maghribi : My Father As I Know Him 05 l kçÀçJ³ç : çÆKç]pçej cç]iççÆjyççÇ (Nastaliq & Devanagari) 08 us relief from the dreaded l Classics : Ashok Razdan : Lala Vakh & Bhagvat Gita 10 COVID-19. Let us all pray for it. l kçÀçJ³ç : mçávççÇlçç jÌvçç hçBçÆ[lç : iç]pçuç 15 Koshur Saman-bal, a l Short Story : Shafi Ahmad : Naga Bal 16 l ©yççF& : cççÇj içáuççcç jmçÓuç vçç]pçkçÀçÇ 19 literary platform and a joint l Media : Sunil Fotedar : Social Media ..... 20 venture of Project Zaan l kçÀçJ³ç : Dç³çÓyç mçç@çÆyçj : cçô kçw³çç Dççíj mçvçávç sácç 25 (Mumbai) and KashmirAsItIs (Singapore) is l Short Story : Mushtaque B Barq : The Burden 27 l vç]pçcç : cçánccço MçHçÀçÇ Dç̳³çç]pç 30 doing good work by promoting and popularising l kçÀçJ³ç : hççÇ.Svç.Mçço : hçlççn 31 Kashmiri language, our mother-tongue by l Koshur in Me : Kamal Hak : Satydeev Pooja 32 organising various contests for our children. l kçÀçJ³ç : çÆ$çuççíkçÀçÇ vççLç Oçj `kçáÀvovç' : ÐçálçáLçcç çÆouççmçç 33 Recent contest to sing a Kashmiri-Vowels l Community Affairs : Jyotsna Fotedar & Ash Raina - Global Kashmiri Pandit Business Foundation 34 specific Rhyme ‘Råni Gåyí Màlyún’ has been a l kçÀçJ³ç : jlçvç uççuç pççÌnj : ]kçÀjvçe Hçw³çáj 37 great success. While Shivani Dhar of KAII is l Dr. Surinder Tikoo honoured 38 doing a fantastic job and deserves all kudos for l ‘Heroes of Chemistry Award’ for Dr. Anil Koul 39 l kçÀçJ³ç : DçuççÇ MçÌoç : iç]pçuç 40 spending her time and energy on bringing our l World Affairs : Er. M.K.Dhar :çÆJçéç çEnoçÇ çÆoJçmç 41 children closer to our language, let us also thank l Poem : Anjaneya Koul : Girl Child 44 Kashmir Harvard, Srinagar, an educational l From the Pages of Ancient History : M.K.Parimoo - Kapteshwar 45 institution of repute for collaborating with Koshur l nç@çÆjmççLç : oçÇvçç vççLç vçççÆocç 47 Saman-bal by roping in its students and their l kçÀnçvççÇ : hçJçvç pçuççuççÇ : ojyççj cçÓJç 48 parents to sing the rhyme for promotion of the l From Here & There : Robin Chowdhury : - Memory of a Meeting .... 50 Kashmiri language. Mr. Tariq Ahmad Baktoo, l My Medical Journey : Dr. K.L.Chowdhury Chairman, Kashmir Harvard and Mr. Mushtaque - Medical Sleauthing 51 A Barq, English author and Columnist who is l SkçÀ hçãMvç : çÆkçÀMçvççÇ hçBçÆ[lçç 56 l Poetry : Ali Shaida : Ghazal 57 alsoass ociated with the Kashmir Harvard l Envirnment & Life : Prof. B.L.Kaul : Ecologist’s ..... 58 deserve a special mention. They have been l Flavour of Spice : Marryam H Reshii instrumental in bringing Koshur Saman-bal to - The Clash of Kashmiri Ladies 61 l Kashmir Report : Kaleem Bashir 64 the Valley. l kçÀçJ³ç : cç.kçÀ.jÌvçç : hçvçávç hççvç mJçjvç sámç (Nastaliq) 72 Let us hope Kashmiri language is revived l Koshur Saman-bal 73 l Your Own Page - Omkar Safaya & Pushpa Koshal 76 through our common efforts and every Kashmiri l Letters to the Editor 78 works for it. [[

Inspiration : Late Shri J.N.Kachroo ~ Guide & Consulting Editor : Shri T.N.Dhar ‘Kundan’ ~ Editor : M.K.Raina Coordinating Associates ~ Kashmir Valley : Kaleem Bashir ~ Jammu : Er. M.K.Dhar ~ New Delhi : Rajinder Premi ~ Overseas : Dr. Zarka Batul Editorial Office : 104-B, Galaxy, Agarwal Township, Kaul’s Heritage City, Babhola, Vasai Road (W), Dist. Palghar 401 202, Maharashtra, India. E-Mail : [email protected] ~ Cell : +91-9422473459 ~ Website : kpamumbai.org/praagaash/ ~ mkraina.com/category/praagaash/ Layout & DTP : Ashwin Raina ProjectProject Zaan is Zaan the Literaryis supported Initiative by Kashmiri of Kashmiri Pandits’ Pandits’ Association, Association, Mumbai. Mumbai.

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 02 03 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

JççKç - uçuç Ðço ÞçáKç - MçíKç vçÓj-Go-oçÇvç JçuççÇ

Hçjçvç Hçjçvç ]p³çJç lççuç Hç@ÀçÆpçcç kçw³çç kç@À³ç&çÆ]pç cçjvçmç cç@³ç&vçev³çvç JçkçÀçvçvç ]®çô ³çái³çd ¬çÀ³ç lç@çÆpçcç vçe ]pççbn~ iççÌJç kçÀcçvç pççvçvç sçbiçej kç@ÀçÆjLç~ mçácçjvç çÆHçÀjçvç v³ççôþ lçe Dççôbiçepç iç@çÆpçcç Hççív³çd ]pçvç ]®ç@çÆcçLç içJç vçJ³çvç yççvçvç cçvçe®ç oe³ç cçççÆuç ]®ç@çÆpçcç vçe ]pççbn~~ iç@³ç Jçç@v³çd ]pçvç Jççvçvç HçÀçuçJç çÆoLç~~

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 03 04 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

Cartoon by Sujood Sailani

Sad but true

Reproduced from the Käshír Asan Trày - Ed.1995, Published by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 04 05 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

Poets & Poetesses - Dr A rif Maghribi Khazir Maghribi - My Father As I Know Him

My father is well known for his officer. My father was pioneering work in poetry, literature, not initially sent to education and fight against social evils school but to a tailor's and nepotism. November 30, 1999, was shop. One day he the day when he left this world after a brief was seen in this shop illness at home. Up to his death he was as by authorities who agile as ever and making people smile. wanted to promote Many people do not know that my education and my father’s real name was Ghulam Mohi-Ud- grandfather was Din Khan. As a young child he visited a asked to send him to hakeem sahib for severe school, to which he reluctantly respiratory infection. Along obliged. This shows how with other advices, he was sincere were the authorities in given the ill advice of using a promoting education. hookah to get the sputum out. My father learned After years of use, he gave it some skills at the tailor's shop up in his late fifties with his and would sometimes sew his sheer will power. Anyway, the own clothes, to our hakeem sahib misheard his astonishment, at home. name and wrote Khizer When we asked him why he Muhammed. When decades did so, he would talk about the later he began writing dignity of labor. humorous poetry in Kashmiri After receiving a scholarship language, other poets gave for his school education, he him his pen name, Khazir passed Class 10 Maghribi. examinations with merit from Lahore There were many dimensions to University. He would say that among my father. I hope I will be able to cover all. Muslims he secured the second-highest Born in a humble family at Chotta Bazar, marks, and that only a girl secured more Srinagar in late thirties, his siblings rose to marks than him. But he would always say high positions, like his elder brother that passing examinations was not Shehzore Kashmiri or Muhammed Shafi important; hard work and a relaxed mind Khan, known as a great administrative would always get better results in life.

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 05 06 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

After his schooling and graduation held in a simple way. Actually, my father in Geography, Persian and Urdu, my had rented a car with a loyal Sikh driver father was struggling to get a job. He who was told to be ready to go back if there would always make us burst with laughter were any signs of rituals or feast-like when we asked about his job search. He arrangements. Thankfully, all was done would say that he ran so many kilometers simply and as per the real traditions of and climbed so many mountains to get a Islam. But I do remember my relatives job as a forester or as a policeman, but showing displeasure even after decades each time he was denied the job because of the marriage. he did not pay 5 rupees as bribe. Yes, 5 We lived in Balgarden/Nursingharh rupees. Finally after much struggle he got since my birth. This locality consisted of the job of a teacher, where he made his people of all faiths and religions, Kashmiri mark with his unique style of teaching. Pundits, Muslims, Sikhs and many from My father wrote many books on outside state. We used to visit each other Geography, History, Maths and English. on Eid, Herath, Diwali, all our joys and He also opened a publishing house by the sorrows were together. In our colony it was name of Ali Mohammed and Sons. His unconditional love for each other. books sold like hot cakes, and till 1990 There were reforms in education which remained a big source for all students, started from 2010 nationwide, one of especially those facing Class 10 exams in which was that no student will be declared J&K. He would tell us that when he writes as failed till Class 8. My father initiated this a book on Mathematics for a student of way back in the late seventies in a 10th grade, he thinks like a student of 10th Batamaloo school, where on the result day grade. His fight against nepotism and it would be said, “Awli Peth Eethmis Taam corruption led to his frequent transfers, the Sarey Pass (From Class 1 to 8, all are most famous being the ones to Rajouri declared passed)”. Whenever he was and Poonch. He accepted them with questioned about this, he would say, grace and during his stay there, learned “Show me even one student of mine who is the Pahari language. not doing well in life. My pupils include The life story of my father is doctors, engineers, researchers, incomplete without my mother. He always bureaucrats, businessmen.” told us how they fought the battles of life After getting married, my father was together and remained steadfast during briefly transferred to one end of Kashmir various testing times. My mother also and my mother to the other end. One day, started her career as a teacher and is from much to the blushing of my parents, I the Khan family of Gojwara. Much to the discovered their love letters sent by mail or discomfort of society which believes in hand. One letter reads: “How I wish I rituals and customs, their marriage was become a singing bird and tell about my

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 06 07 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 love”. We had preserved all these love of J&K whom youngsters or new letters and books till the 2014 floods razed intellectuals do not know. I assure you, the our house to ground and nothing could be list of such unsung literary heroes is long. retrieved. Talking about the books my father [The writer is the youngest son of Khazir has written, a famous one is “Baaghi Maghribi and can be mailed at Arooz”. It is the first book published of its [email protected] kind which talks about writing poetry and correct usage of grammar in Kashmiri poetry. It was published way back in 1970 and sold at Ghulam Ahmed book sellers, Some lines from Khazir Maghribi’s Zaina Kadal, and Kapoor brothers at Lal famour humorous poem ‘yuhus os Chowk. His other books which became vandah ti zyaaday pahan’ famous include Moti-Maala for children, and Gulshan-i-Khizer. My father was known for his (If anybody has this full poem, kindly humorous poetry. When asked the reason mail it to Praagaash) for it, he said, “In Kashmiri poetry except for Laddi-Shah, we do not have humour. It opç&e njçjlç cçvHçÀçÇ $çáJççn is mostly sad, or bitter. So I thought of including humour to make people laugh as Dçæ®çÓ Dçæ®çÓ ]pçáJççn, lçe vçíª vçíª ]pçáJççn well as to motivate them to do well instead of lamenting for the past.” My father kçÀçôj nç içhç Mçhççn çÆlç ]p³çço³ç hçnçvç regularly featured in radio and TV shows including Natiya Mushayras (poetic tribute ³çánámç Dççímç Jçboçn çÆlç ]p³çço³ç hçnçvç to Prophet Muhammed – peace be upon him). Most people do not know that my father has written a series of books on Sir Muhammad Iqbal – the series is known as 'Gufto-Shineed'. I end with the hope that the J&K Cultural academy will be interested in further publication and circulation of his books. Some of them are already in libraries but now with internet and digital formats we need to move in that direction as well, not only with books of my father ]]] but also of other poets and literary figures

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 07 08 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 08 09 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

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ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 09 10 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

Classics - Ashok Razdan Lala-Vakh and Bhagv at Gita

Laleshwari or commonly known as These later Vakhs Lalded was a 14th century famous have been attributed Kashmiri Pandit Shiviate saint respected by elements who have across religious lines. She spoke in Vakhs tried to appropriate (in verses) much like saint Kabir of Hindi her. heartland. Born in a Lalleshwari who was commonly Kashmiri Brahmin known as Lal-ded was born at family, was married at Pandrethan, a village in Kashmir in the the age of 12 into a year 1355 AD.The exact date of death is Brahmin family at unknown but it is believed she died in Pampore in Kashmir. Bijebehara when she was Her mother in law was in her seventies. Lal-ded very cruel and her is today celebrated as a husband was indifferent to literary giant who defined her problems, which the modern day Kashmiri resulted in her quest for language but for Kashmiri spirituality. In later years Pandits she is a spiritual she roamed from one master whose Vakhs place to another almost have been revered for naked, singing praises of 700 years. Lal-ded lived Lord Shiva.She was a in turbulent times when strong supporter of Hindu- thousands of local Muslim unity, she said in Kashmiris were one of her Vakhs : massacred and “Shiva abides in all that is, converted under the rule everywhere, of Shams-ud-din Mir, an invader who had then do not discriminate between, a Hindu come from present day Swat, in Pakistan. or a Mussalman, More than 250 Vakhs of Lal-ded are in if thou art wise, know thyself, that is true circulation in folk traditions and popular knowledge of the Lord” culture. Her Vakhs were written many Nunda Rishi a muslim Kashmiri sufi years after her death and it is also saint was greatly influenced by believed that some of the Vakhs in Lalleshwari. He has expressed his circulation are falsely attributed to her. reverence for her in these famous lines of

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 10 11 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 his : expressed by Sri Krishna in verse 16 to 20 “Just as you bestowed your grace on Lalla chapter 6 of the Bhagwad Gita which of Padmanpur, grant me the self-same reads as : boon, O God “ “Arjun, those who eat too much or eat too Some of her Vakhs are mysterious little, sleep too much or too little, do not and difficult to understand and others are attain success in Yog, simple and direct. However, analysis of But those who are temperate in eating and her Vakhs shows deep influence of recreation, balanced in work, and Srimad Bhagwad Gita. In one of her Vakhs regulated in sleep, can mitigate all she says : sorrows by practicing Yog, “Ah me! the Five, the ten, And the With thorough discipline, they learn to Eleventh, withdraw the mind from selfish cravings, scraped this pot and went away, and rivet it on the unsurpassable good of Had all together pulled on the rope, the self, Why should the Eleventh have lost the Such persons are said to be in Yog, and cow ?" are free from all yearning of the senses, The numbers in this Vakh and what In another of her Vakhs she says : they refer to can be understood in the light “In time past we were,In time future we of Verses 6 and 7 of chapter 13 of shall be, throughout the ages, we have Bhagwad Gita which reads : been, ”The five great elements, false ego, For ever the sun rises and sets, intelligence, the un-manifested, the ten For ever Siva creates, dissolves and senses, creates again." mind the eleventh, the five sense objects, Above Vakh is influenced by verse desire, hatred, happiness, distress,the 12 chapter 2 of Bhagwad Gita which reads aggregate, the life symptoms, as : and convictions-all these are considered, “Never was there a time when I did not in summary, to be the field of activities and exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in its interactions." the future shall any of us cease to be." In another of her Vakhs Lalded Lalded was exponent of Kriya yog says : and in verses 29-30 of chapter 4 of “By pandering to your appetites, you get Bhagwad Gita Kriya yog is briefly nowhere, described : By penance and fasting, you get conceit, “Still others offer as sacrifice the outgoing Be moderate in food and drink and live a breath in the incoming breath, while some moderate life, offer the incoming breath into the outgoing The gates of Heaven will surely be, thrown breath. open wide for you." Some arduously practice pranayam, and This Vakh echoes the sentiment restrain the incoming and outgoing

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 11 12 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 breaths, purely absorbed in the regulation spiritual master (Guru), inquire from him of the life-energy, submissively and render service unto him , Yet others curtail their food intake and render service unto him. offer the breath into the life-energy as The self-realized souls can impart sacrifice, knowledge unto you because they have All these knowers of sacrifice are cleansed seen the truth” of their impurities as a result of such “Having obtained real knowledge from a performances." self-realized soul, you will never fall again Laleshwari describes the process into such illusion, of Kriya yog more explicitly in one of her for by this knowledge you will see that all Vakhs : living beings are but part of the Supreme, “Oh Guru, you are as a god to me, or, in other words, that they are Mine" Tell me, you know the secret truth, Lalleshwari was illiterate but she Both Praana-s rise from 'Kandapura the was wise and full of wisdom and discussed ''place of the Bulb'', the navel region, everything in her verses, from life, yoga, Why is haah hot, why is huh cold ?" God, Dharma and Atman. In the following Another of her vakh where she Vakh, Lalded talks about anger, lust and speaks about Kriya yog : greed : “At the navel region is the Place of the Sun, “Slay the murderous demons,Lust, Anger Where Prakriti glows as hot as fire, and Greed, for aiming their arrows at you, From here hot breath rises to the throat, they will, surely shoot you dead, At the crown of the head is the Place of the Take care, feed them on self-restraint, Moon, and discrimination of the Self, From here cool nectar down the naaddis Thus starved these demons will become, flows, powerless and weak" Thus haah is hot, and huh is cold " and In her twenties, Lalleshwari “Who slays the highway robbers three, renounced her family life and became a Greed, Lust and Pride, disciple of Sidh Srikanth. In one of her And yet, in utter humility, serve his fellow- Vakhs she talks about importance of Guru: men, “He who has faith in Guru's word, He truly seeks out the Lord, disregarding And with true knowledge for the rein as worthless ashes all other things" guides aright the seed of mind, In the above verses Laleshwari was And holds his senses in control, deeply influenced by verses 21-22, “Tis he enjoys the peace of mind, chapter 16 of Bhagwad Gita which reads He will not die, nor be slain" as : In verse 34-35, chapter 4 of “There are three gates leading to this hell- Bhagwad Gita talks about Guru : lust, anger, and greed. Every sane man “Just try to learn the truth by approaching a should give these up, for they lead to the

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 12 13 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 degradation of the soul, those who are freed from the three gates to darkness endeavor for the welfare, of their soul, and thereby attain the supreme goal" In another of her Vakhs Lalded says: “Realization is rare indeed, Seek not afar, it is near, by you, First slay Desire, then still the mind, giving up vain imaginings, Then meditate on the Self within, And lo ! the void merges in the Void" The verses 20-22 of chapter 6 of the Bhagwad Gita reads : “When the mind disciplined, by the practice of meditation becomes steady, one becomes content in the Self by beholding Him, With (purified) intellect " “One feels infinite bliss, that is perceivable In Bhagwad Gita verse 3-4 chapter only through the intellect, 12, Lord says : And is beyond the reach of the senses, But those who fully worship the un- after realizing Brahman, manifested, that which lies beyond the One is never separated from absolute perception of the senses, the all- reality pervading, inconceivable, fixed, and “After Self-Realization, immovable-the impersonal conception of one does not regard any other gain, theAbsolute, superior to Self-Realization, Truth-by controlling the various senses Established in Self-Realization, and being equally disposed to everyone, One is not moved even by the greatest such persons, engaged in the welfare of calamity " all, at last achieve Me." Lalded was against Murti puja and So Gita is not against those who do she said in one of her verses : not believe in Murti puja, yet Bhagwad Gita “The idol is but stone, endorses the Murti puja in verse 2 of The temple is but stone, chapter 12 : From top to bottom all is stone, “He whose mind is fixed on My personal Whom will you worship, Oh stubborn* form, always engaged in worshiping, Pandit, Me with great and transcendental faith, is Let Praana and the mind unite " considered by Me to be most perfect."

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Lalded says in another of her Vakh: "Whatever work I did became worship of the Lord,Whatever word I uttered became a mantra ,Whatever this body of mine experienced,Became the Sadhana of Shiva,Illumining my path to Parmeshiva." Same sentiment is echoed in Bagawd Gita verse 27 of chapter 9, Lord Krishna says toArjuna: Lalded was against animal sacrifice in "oh son of Kunti , all that you do, all that temples and she said : you eat, all that you offer and give away , “It covers your shame, Saves you from as well as all austerities that you may cold, perform, should be done as offering to Me” Its food and drink, Mere water and grass, Lalvakh verses have been Who counseled you, O Brahmin, perceived as mysterious and To slaughter a living sheep, as a sacrifice metaphorical. The metaphorical nature of Unto a lifeless stone ?" her Vakhs can be understood if we In Bhagwad Gita chapter 9, verses interpret them in the light of the Bhagwad 26-27, Lord makes it clear that worship is Gita. This author is not aware of any other not about sacrifices but about devotion : study done on the influence of Shrimad “If one offers Me with love and devotion a Bhagwad Gita on Lalvakhs. Laleslwari leaf, a flower, fruit a water, I will accept it. " being a saint of Shaiva traditions and yet In another of her Vakhs she said : so much of influence of Gita on her Vakhs “My Guru whispered into my ear, is interesting because she belonged to a But one Guru shared, time when Abhinavagupta had created He asked me to seek myself' strong influence of Kashmir Shaivism Within myself, not without, through the length and breadth of The magic worked' Kashmir. In future studies this author will I became free and began dancing in attempt to explore influence of Shiva blissful state" Sutras and Upanishads on the poetry of Lord Krishna echoed same Lal-ded. There has been a tendency in the sentiment in verse 24, chapter 5 of research community to portray Lal-ded Bhagwad Gita : against the grain of Hindu scripture and “One whose happiness is within, who is philosophy. The author feels that primary active within, evidence in Lal-ded's own poetry does not Who rejoices within and is illumined support such a claim and she is rooted within, is actually the perfect mystic, he is firmly within Indic spiritual traditions. liberated in the supreme, and ultimately he Contact author at : attains the supreme “ [email protected]

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Short Story - Sh afi Ahmad Naga Bal

Kanval Ji, his spouse and children stopped them to arrived in Jammu late in the evening with a obey their emotions. suitcase and a few bags carrying the Before leaving, essentials like clothes, some papers, bank Akbar put some passbook, testimonials and the land money forcibly into records.Aday before, they left, they visited Kanval Ji's pocket as their neighbours, friends and a mark of love. acquaintances. Both sides expressed "Take care grief and even wept bitterly seeking each lest someone should other's forgiveness. Kanval Ji and his label you ……” Kanval Ji whispered in family were against the migration, but his ear. other members of the community "Don't panic, but keep me informed persuaded, even pressurised them to fall about your whereabouts so that we can in line. A few of the essentials were packed meet again.” RequestedAkbar. by them thinking they will return to their The Next day they were sent to a native place very soon. On reaching specific colony wherein, officials and NGO Jammu they decided to spend the night in volunteers handed them some utensils. the open, on a footpath, near the temple Life moved on despite hardships. where they were provided with some Simmering heat started to tell upon them eatables by the temple management. in tents. There was hardly any place for Having travelled the cumbersome journey extra curricular activities for the children on the meandering road during the and young people. The kerosene stove daytime, they felt exhausted and soon fell was an additional heat in the tent during asleep, but Kanval Ji could not sleep and the cooking. A long queue near the water kept stirring his body. Occasionally, he sat tanker in the morning and evening irritated lit a cigarette, trying to ward off evil Kanval Ji. Every other hardship was thoughts. He remembered his childhood acceptable to Kanval Ji but Naga Bal friend Akbar, who accompanied him to the would strike his memory and he, time and bus station. From their hanging faces it again, thought to kick the bucket far off, was evident their hearts were bleeding as run away and reach Naga Bal. they had never thought of parting ways in Naga Bal was a colossal clear such a manner. They would have cried water spring in his village. A specific space _ loudly but the presence of people around was reserved for the idols at the mouth of

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 16 17 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 the spring. The water gushing out at the your feet.” His wife would say while spot was cleaner and nobody would be tending to the blisters on his foot soles.” allowed to walk in with slippers on. The “The pain in my soles is too little, worshipers and the people of other but remembering and remaining far off communities revered the place. This spot from Naga Bal kills me daily.” He would was popularly called asBhagwan (God) reply with sighs. and all restrained themselves to go near Around a mile from the camp runs a the spot wearing boots or sandals. The rivulet and to fetch water from there would idols would be sprinkled with water and inflict pain on his soles. The pain of showered with flower petals in the morning separation from his friend was a setback by the devotees. The remaining part of the for him, the memories of his friend would spring was used for bathing and washing bore emotional wounds in his entire body. of utensils or clothes. The periphery of the In the memory of his friend, Akbar spring was enclosed by a stone wall and a safeguarded the idols. He would combat long stone slab was reserved for people with the people who tried to disrespect who would like to offerSalah . Naga Bal, as them. such, was a symbol of common culture “ and religious tolerance. The children If you don't respect their religious would jump into the spring and enjoy places, how can ours be taken care of” bathing. For Akbar and Kanval Ji it was a He made himself a self appointed routine to reach early, indulge in gossip for guardian of the place to stay loyal with the some time and then plunge into the spring friend and his religion. He would say, “I am for taking bath. Nag Bal was a prototype of a friend and a friend is a one who stays communal harmony, universal loyal both to his ideology and region” brotherhood and fellow feeling. A podium After some time Kanval Ji, his where Shank and Azan had dissolved all family and other members of the physical barriers. It was a raised part of the community were shifted to a five storey globe where 'form' and 'formless' had its building where luxury was a next door devotees taking down the serenity of the neighbour. But for Kanval Ji Naga Bal was stream deep into the very existence to an echo vibrating in his ear drums like unfold the wrinkles of heart. Kanval Ji and Zunar around his belly, which Akbar had Akbar were the guardian of peace to many a time used as a string of a Rabab safeguard the moral aspirations of two whenever Kanval ji and Akbar used take a communities. bath and giggle each other to enjoy each Post migration, the two friends other's company. separated and the living conditions Life moved on till the children changed. Kanval Ji had to rely on a limited attained nubile age and they tried to live supply of water, may be to contented with their life with own convenience. Life in a bucket or so. college hostels and rented “ Let me put some ointment on accommodations provided them the

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 17 18 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 opportunity to live separately. For them involved in gossip and then a plunge into new ways of economic opportunities and the spring. livelihood provided newer pastures. With “I came here with a hope but they bigger companies offering jobs the have put us in a big jail. Fortified colony, economic contours widened, but there gun toting security, no Akbar and no was little time for enjoyment and to Nagabal.....I am a bird in a cage. I won't develop human relations due to additional reside here.” Kanval Ji often whispered. work load. They used showers and Naga One day, he left early in the Bal faded away from their memories. With morning without informing anyone and their own families around, they rarely reached Naga Bal. He sat on the banks of visited their own parents. As time passed the spring. Following his daily routine troubles plan to follow him badly. His Akbar reached and he kept his eyes fixed childhood friend Akbar got separated from on the revered area lest someone should him and so was Naga Bal. He faced the walk with slippers on. brunt of severe climatic conditions, but he Sitting at some distance from each succeeded in providing good education other, they kept on whispering which no for his children who were moving far away one heard or understood. They from him. Losing affiliation with her occasionally gazed towards the sky as if children had a severe impact on her seeking answers to intricate questions. mother's life and finally she gave up her ghost. He continued to live in the “Kanval Jia.” Akbar shouted, his government colony, but social life received voice was feeble . a dent. He developed a habit talking to He did not receive any response, himself, but his whispers were neither but at intervals he kept on calling the name audible nor understandable. He was of his friend. reduced to a mere skeleton. “Ho...” Kanval Ji responded as if he Akbar's life was not less tragic. First woke up from deep slumber. his son was devoured by violence and Kanval Ji and he continued for after bidding farewell to his daughter on some time as a reverberation. Somehow her marriage, his life remained unstable. the silent spark of emotions was stoked. His sickness took a heavy toll on his Abruptly, both got up, ran towards each mental health when he lost his son. He other, had a tight embrace and, with would scold the people approaching idols clothes on, jumped into Naga Bal!! The with slippers on. splashes broke the silence so their With the directives reading 'Pandits screams. must return', Kanval Ji was the first to ]]] board the bus. He yearned to meet Akbar About theAuthor : and to have a bath in Naga Bal. He ShafiAhmad (ShafiAAthar) is a prominent imagined and pictured Akbar and himself novelist, columnist and a short story writer.

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His two novels :The Half Widow (English - translated into Punjabi also) and Shadows Beyond the Ghost Town (English) were much applauded. He is co- translator with Mushtaq Barq for The Eternal Insight of Kashmir. Apart from these novels, the author has in his credit Lo Aaj Hum Bhi Sahib-e-Kitab Ho Gayay (Urdu) and many short stories, both in Kashmiri and English (a few of them translated into Bengali). The author was awarded Republic Day Award 2011 by Distt. Administration Kulgam. He was awarded in 2018 by Strategy and Tactics Executives for his regular Urdu Column in Kashmir Uzma. The author was also awarded Ghulam Mohamad Dar Memorial Award 2019 by HF Foundation for his literary contribution. The author is a core group member of Jammu and Kashmir Fiction Writer's Guild.

Author can be contacted at [email protected] [[

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Media - Sunil Fotedar Social Media for our Community Blessing or a Curse ?

Background : name a few. The Ever since the advent of internet, internet started sometime in early to mid-1990s when it mushrooming from became available to individuals in large that point onwards to numbers especially to those of us residing other countries such in the Western countries, several as India. After this, technological advances have taken place the first few years in over the years. What was available to a early part of this few people is a worldwide phenomenon century saw that is now used not only for personal emergence of social communication or discussion between media such as Facebookand Twitter various individuals but has become a that allowed individuals to connect with vehicle for e-commerce where a majority each other, even with those that they had of commercial enterprises depend on the not seen for 30, 40 or even 50 years. revenue generated through its platform. This all started with one having Curse : personal e-mail ids and access to various Internet is no doubt one of the biggest bulletin boards, designed for any topic or achievements in the history of humankind, region, where one could read and post other than landing a man on the moon in messages freely. Here in the US, we also 1969. It is an extremely powerful tool that started a private e-mail group for our can be used to bring about positive community members, where we would changes to our lives. But it is a double- share details and discuss various issues edged sword that can cut both ways, as its on a regular basis. On one occasion when power can also be misused wittingly or out one member was attacked personally, we of ignorance. As far as our community is set a few guidelines for posting messages concerned, we are indebted to our so that members are not offended. This ancestors for inculcating value of was a huge learning curve back then. education that has been our ticket to Soon afterwards, we had domain-based freedom from dark ages of tyranny, e-mail ids provided by hotmail.com, and discrimination and persecution at the later by yahoo.com and gmail.com to hands of our adversaries in Kashmir.

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However, just because we are an been thrown in jail for what they wrote on educated community, it does not make all Facebook. Long before the advent of fake of us net-savvy. Getting on internet and news and Russians being accused of writing on several forums from our homes sowing seeds of discord between various may give us some comfort, but this is false ethnic groups in the 2016 US presidential sense of security in this age of dark web. elections in order to discourage citizens There are hackers and cyber-criminals out from voting for a particular candidate, and there watching for every single wrong in favor of the sitting president, our move we make, using such techniques as adversaries have used fake Kashmiri social engineering, phishing and Pandit-sounding names on various implanting malware on our computers, discussion forums to initiate ugly debates and one false step can potentially result in and divide our unsuspecting community in us losing life savings if we are not careful. several groups. As administrator of one Then there are netiquettes (proper popular Facebook group, we have kicked etiquettes on using internet) that one must out several fake identities from our group learn and adopt. I request members over last several years. getting on to the internet first time around to familiarize themselves with netiquettes Blessing : as there are many resources available on If we are careful with using the internet as it internet. One should not just assume that was intended to be, everything about it is he knows everything. Because of our not all that gloomy. In fact, such platforms exodus from our homeland Kashmir, our as Facebook and Twitter provide us with community is scattered all over the world. immense opportunities to do good to our We have truly become a global community in many ways. Instead of community, and as such we must make wasting time and bandwidth in engaging ourselves familiar with local laws and with such endless debates as inter-caste customs. Some countries enjoy more marriage, unity in our community, whether freedoms to express oneself than others. we should be called Pandits or Hindus or What we write on any social media Brahmins (several times discussed in the platform can land us in trouble, legally or past on several forums without any end otherwise, depending on the place we live result, no matter how significant these at. topics can be to any individual), or using In one particular instance, a our enormous resources at our disposal professional from our community in India for building 'hawans and bhawans' even lost his job because of what he wrote though it may be important for some, we against our adversaries on Facebook. should think of ways to bring about positive People in several countries like India have impact to our community, especially to

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those among us who are still in dire need. young kids and professionals to pursue Our community has no dearth of ideas but our greatest asset, i.e. education. These expressing our idea on any forum programs have been running flawless for expecting someone else to take up on our the past 25 years and counting. India- idea and run with it is not ever going to based organizations should parallel the happen. If we have something positive to efforts of KOA in terms of raising funds contribute, we should own it up, express from well-to-do KPs in India for our idea on a forum, engage in dialog with educational needs of those children that other members and convince them that are not covered by KOA. It is not only KPs your idea is worth pursuing. outside India that should be expected to Social media can be used as a help, but as they say, charity begins at platform not to only address several home. challenges our community faces but · One more thing that needs our initiate several working groups that tackle immediate action – with a lot of medical these from various angles. Most of us cases like kidney, liver and heart failures, have now well-settled professionally, but as well as life-threatening road accidents, there are some of us who have fallen it has become extremely difficult to raise through the cracks and need our money in large sums through appeals, immediate help. I have identified the primarily because of donor fatigue, and following areas: that too donations are collected on a short · We have such problems as notice. Having some form of medical educational needs, as well as living insurance in Western countries, with rising conditions that need to be addressed. We medical costs is an absolute necessity, have several organizations in India and without which we would be doomed Western countries doing their part but the financially should there be a medical fact that we still have some unfortunate emergency. Though we have brethren who are still in need to meet their organizations doing their utmost to cover educational expenses tells us that more is for the medical expenses of those in need, required. I am associated with Kashmiri but why leave it to chance and address it at Overseas Association (KOA), which is a the last minute? We have brought up the charitable organization based in the US. A idea of making everyone in our community few individuals in our community soon buy universal healthcare insurance that after our exodus from Kashmir had the can be bought for peanuts, and those who vision to identify certain problem areas cannot afford to buy premiums for their and dedicated themselves to addressing medical insurance can be supported those issues, not by using words but by financially by us. action, such as financially supporting · We need working groups of brilliant

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 22 23 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 minds to address such institutions as the history. UN to get our community declared as ethnic cleansed that led to our exodus About theAuthor : from our homes and hearths of 5 centuries Sunil Fotedar has been interacting with in the early 1990s, as well as build strong several India-based KP associations and cases with witnesses to try all those with community activists in Jammu, Delhi, our blood on their hands with crimes Mumbai, and Kolkata over the last two against humanity in the court of law, if not decades and more. He has created a Supreme Court of India, then ICC at variety of community websites for various Hague. organizations such as Kashmiri Overseas It is a given fact that we do not Association (KOA) and Panun Kashmir possess enough votes to help any political (PK) – the first Kashmiri Pandit to create party in India. While delivering press briefs what has been referred to as Virtual may be important, but it is not sufficient Sharda Peeth – an online Repository of a any more only to prove that we exist. It is Kashmiri Pandit's culture, heritage, high time we choose deeds over words. religious practices, language, music, What better way of communicating and history and political literature. addressing our issues and coming up with To recognize for his previous collective solution in an expeditious community efforts, Sunil was presented manner than social media that provides us with the following awards: access to ourbiradhari anywhere in the · KOA Plaque for Internet Activities world at a moment's notice! If we are (1997), first of its kind given to any careful in using social media, I see it as a volunteer, blessing and God-sent for our community · Special Zaan Award by the at large. Kashmiri PanditAssociation, Mumbai · Featured as an Indomitable Disclaimer : Personalityin The Sharada Tarangini , Vol. I am not being critical here, as my 1, No. 3, March/April-June 2004 issue, the suggestions seem to have ruffled many Official Newsletter of Kashmiri Sewak feathers in the past within certain quarters Samaj, Faridabad but requesting everyone to look at these · Maa Sharika Samaan (2015) by suggestions with an open mind. We all Kashmiri Sewak Samaj, Faridabad love our community in our own unique · Advancement of Hindu Human ways and hope and pray that every Rights (June 24, 2019) by Hindu American member prospers. We are in it all together. Foundation (HAF) May our community achieve the heights of · All Time Award of an Outstanding glory never seen before in our entire KOAVolunteer (July, 2020) by KOA

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Sunil's association with KOA has based membership information; been since 1990-1991 when the Kashmiri organized art and talent competition for Pandits back in Kashmir were driven out youth; and signed up exactly 100 life of their homes due to turmoil. Sunil was members (out of 265 total at the time). He Houston chapter president for KOA in was instrumental in creating Standard 1991 and served twice as KOA National Operating Procedures (SOP) for the President in 2007-2008 and 2015-2016. organization; and soon to be launched As KOA webmaster in 1996-2001, he membership-based KOA website. He has developed and maintained web servers helped the 2017 KOA administration with for KOA, and contributed to the setting up Quickbooks to manage development of several community fora, finances, and with defining the process for and incorporated KPnet as KOA's official the entire lifecycle of KOA-sponsored communication platform to allow KOA education programs and developing members to communicate and discuss requirements for an online application for topics of mutual interest with each other. the same. He is currently Program Director for KOA's Sunil holds a B.E. degree in Sponsor a Child (SAC) program that Electrical Engineering from Regional supported about 372 KP children in 2018 Engineering College, Srinagar (India), an and 429 KP children in 2019 living at M.S. in Electrical and Computer several refugee camps in India, primarily Engineering from Rice University, Jammu area, for their K-12 education. Houston, and an M.S. in Applied During Sunil's first tenure as KOA Mathematics with emphasis on Probability president (2007-2008), KOA was and Statistics from University of Houston bestowed withSharda Samman by Panun at Clear Lake. He was a recipient of two Kashmir at the 3rd World Kashmiri gold-medals in Srinagar for standing first Conference (delivered in 2009). During in the 10th and 11th state board his second tenure as KOA president examinations. He has worked in several (2015-2016), Sunil created several industries – in space industry working as Facebook and Linkedin groups for US- contractor for NASA on Space Shuttle and based community to cater to the needs of Space Station programs, as well as an IT youth and entrepreneurs; published professional in Telecom, SSA, CMS, e- second edition ofPoozai Posh – a prayer commerce and banking. He is currently and hymn booklet, Festivals of Kashmiri working as a Reliability engineer for Oil Pandits written by Sh. Omanand Koul, and Gas industry in Houston. KOA Calendars for each year (distributed Vijyeshwar jantri), KOA Directory Sunil Fotedar’s full details are at comprising US-, Canada- and Europe- http://sunilfotedar.com

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 24 25 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

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ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 25 26 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 26 27 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

Short Story - Mushtaque B Barq The Burden

This was supposed to be the happiest The moon at day of their lives. Happiness, that is but an the side of the river orderly at the office of Time. Temporary had put on the and insignificant. Ajaz was waiting at Ghat choicest of its gown 4 near Nehru Park, a temporary island at to lure one and all. the end of Liquid Heart of the city to The two friends receive his friend. He had already packed before their his Tiffin, knowing that his friend was fond separation had left of dried brinjal cooked along with dried much of the things in tomato and gourds, making it a tasty trio. the dust to seize their They used to call itTruKeit , means three ideal territories. The boat that touched the dried vegetables cooked together. It was bay had slowed down the pace of time now almost after a decade, the reunion machine and the currents were friendly, as was fixed. Poor men have their own way to much as necessary to let the ferryman celebrate, no restaurant and hotel stay, relax. but wherever the day ends, their Out of the boat, a man in his late temporary home seems ready to occupy forties stepped down, almost tumbled, but them. Ajaz was conscious of the fact that a co-passenger's shoulder came in his friend would never come empty between to prevent the fall. His face had handed and the duo would eat and already been overlapped by the streaks of celebrate amidst learning about their the moon and one could hardly guess was progress. He was expecting that his friend it the romance whirling on his jaw line or a would indeed carry his Tiffin box full of goat kind of fatigue that had put the sign on the trotters, which he had not tasted from the sheen of his skin. day his friend had moved to a far off place The man at the Ghat recognized his where his father who was an employee of friend. He came forward and received him. home guard was transferred. Eating his Raised his Tiffin and laughed. favorite dish without his friend would “Guess what is in it”,Ajaz asked. simply mean disloyalty. Poor men live with The man lowered his neck, perhaps he their own conviction and constrictions. sensed what Ajaz had expected him to “Let that bastard come, I will peel carry. his skin off for being too casual”, Ajaz “Must beTrukeit ”, the man replied. muttered. “But where is your Tiffin box?” Well! Who can afford to be decent askedAjaz. when friends are around? “Oh ! Come on bastard, can you

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 27 28 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 think other than belly basket” his left hand over his head to enjoy the Ajaz was taken a back because his luxury of silk he was capped with. His friends could have never let him down, but attitude struck the cloud edges that were then he realised that he must not be in a already bathed in the ocean of moonlight. position to carry the favourite food for his “Well, Art can triumph Time”, Ajaz friend. He placed his hand on his shoulder. finally turned the pages of his memory to “Don't worry, now that we have met, reveal what the great Bard had described we can have buffalo trotters not to talk of in his sonnets. goat or lamb. The expression buckled the man's The duo under the silver canopy of mouth and the words just appeared ice the full moon appeared like two angels blocks hard to reach to the desired roaming in human labyrinthine. One was location. He drooped his head and was trying to pull the other out of the mess, and trying to get something out of his own junk the other moving too deeper into an yard to beat Ajiaz. His exhaustion was undefined abyss. apparent; Ajaz sensed it and he stopped. “Time has been merciful to you”, On the bank of Dal Lake the duo stayed for said the man. a moment and then the whiff of barbeques “I think Time spares none, but then brought a smile on their faces. one has to learn how to put a shield”, Ajaz Ajaz got up to invite his friend for responded. their old love, but the man pulled him close The moon up under the starry roof and with tearful eyes , sighed and of the heaven was chasing the friends like signaled, a wink and then a frown followed the fate. by another sigh. Ajaz was unable to “You talk of shield”, he asked. decipher the underlying message of his “Come on”, Ajaz tried to evade the gestures. issue. Ajaz smiled and announced, “ You He knew it already that no shield don't need to pay, I will do the payment.” has ever cosseted Time. The man cupped his face. His friend was not a kid in the “Listen Ajaz, don't waste your classroom who would take down anything money, you may require it for something, and everything dictated to him, but he wait”, the man shouted. knew how to dig deeper. Ajaz turned back, leaned at his He repeated, “What shield you friend. were taking about.” The man pulled him down and Ajaz knew he had to invent or recall placed his head on his thigh and stared at a powerful reference to prevaricate the the sky. He sighed, but Ajiaz was still subject. unaware of his plight. With head high, he corrected his The man had fixed his eyes at the posture, cleared his throat and just passed moon. “Ah! What a relief I have got after so

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many years of suffering”, he announced. “Suffering, what kind of suffering?” Editor’s Note Ajaz asked. Ajaz turned his face and found the Dal Lake was already draining through his Views expressed in the signed articles friend's eyes. are not necessarily those ofZaan or “No, no let me weep, don't stop Praagaash. me, your lap has warmth in it, let me enjoy We invite writers to write for it for some time”, the man requested. Praagaash. Write ups can be in “Come on let you open your Tiffin, I Kashmiri, Hindi, Urdu or English, want to tasteTrunkeit ”, the man asked. concerning Kashmir, Kashmiri Ajaz sensed something which he language and Kashmiri culture. Write was not able to decipher. ups on Science, Medical Science, “Are you alright, my friend, please tell me why are you weeping”, Ajaz asked. Health, Humour and topics of general “I will tell you, but take an oath you interest are also welcome. won't weep”, the man begged. Write-ups generating hatred, Then the man placed his head on demeaning anybody or any religion, or Ajaz's shoulder and amidst forlorn water with political overtones will not be of Dal Lake,Ajaz was already drenched. accepted for publication. “Can you marry Jamela”, the man We request writers in Kashmiri asked. (Nastaliq & Devanagari scripts), Hindi, “Who is she”,Aijaz asked. Urdu to send us their write-ups in a “The same girl she was raped last Microsoft WORD document or in a Cdr year”, the man responded. file. Also attach fonts wherever “W hy are you advocating for her?”, Aijaz necessary. asked. ‘Your Own Page’ is for you. “I am but a brother of that girl”, he Kindly don’t hesitate sending us your cupped his face. Ajaz passed a smile much against or your children’s achievements, in his will. text and photos for publication in The man sighed and the burdened Praagaash. We also invite you to send leaves on his limbs shattered all over and us rare photos of Kashmir or Kashmiri his light being touched the stars. life for wider publicity in Praagaash. Just then a boatman shouted at the shore and the man was carried to his [[ destination. Articles can be e-mailed to Contact author at : [email protected] [email protected]

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Koshur in Me - Kamal Hak Satydeev Pooja

Hey, talsa Yi gyav dabba di almari replaced with pure manz kadith (please fetch me a ghee ghee. carton from cupboard)". There, My wife issues a farman while however, is an preparing Poodis for Satydeev Pooja in intriguing difference. the evening. 5 chattang gyav has This usually happens whenever given way to 5 paw she does so. I have observed her ghee now. Also shakkar is always falls short. She usually measures no longer a preferred pansch paw oatt (five paw atta). sweetner. She now I was the eldest of a third uses crystal sugar. Of course chhatang is generation in our joint family. It meant an unimaginable measure. certain privileges and entitlements. It also It is another matter the Poodis then, involved a flip side. If anyone in the family though inferior in quality to the present needed something from the market, I had one's tasted much better. to run the errand. At Sandhya time my grandmother Like many families in Kashmir, we would leave early for Bod Mander to attend also had a tradition of doing Satydeev the daily Katha by indomitable Pandit Pooja on every Sankrat. And the Pitambar Shastri. Any third generation responsibilty of procuring the ingredients child around at that time accompanied her always fell on my shoulders. Thankfully, to the temple with Prepun in a wicker Sham Kaw's shop was just hundred yards basket. away. After the pooja grandmother I ran that errand so many times and distributed the Naveed to everyone after more than 55 years I still remember present in the temple and seeing the the list of ingredients that was required quickly emptying basket, the child then. accompanying wrung his/her hands in 5 paw- atta anxiety and disappointment. She would be 5 chhatang - gyav. Dalda deprived of extra pur back home. 5 chhatang- shakkar Khashkhas and Budda Alla - 2 anna each. My wife uses the same ingredients Contact author at : even now except Dalda has been [email protected]

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Community A ffairs - Jyotsna Fotedar & Ash Raina Global Kashmiri Pandit Busine ss Foundation

The genesis of Global Kashmiri Pandit launched virtually on 22 October 2020 by Business Foundation (GKPBF) is the its seven founding directors – DK Bakshi, vision its founders have for their fellow KP Ravinder Kachroo, Supriya Kaboo, entrepreneurs. The Foundation is a Jyotsna Fotedar, Vidya B Dhar, Vinod K unique platform that provides an Pandita and Ash Raina. The founding opportunity to emerging KP startups and members are based out of different parts small businesses to receive guidance and of globe, with a common passion for the support from a pool of profound experts cause of creating sustainable ecosystem and venture capitalists, and in turn for Kashmiri Pandit business community. provides such experts and investors with The launch, which was a historic step in massive human capital as well as a bolstering the KP business community, medium of strengthening the KP was commemorated by the presence of community. Global Kashmiri Pandit esteemed KP dignitaries, Mr. Moti Kaul, Business Foundation ('GKPBF') was Mr. Ashok Koul and Mr. Uday Challu. The

GKPBF team with Hon. LG Shri Manoj Sinha

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Foundation strives to achieve: GKPBF team with Principal Secretary Mr. Nitishwar Kumar  Up-Skilling and Up-Scaling up MSME businesses;  Building investment worthy business models; and  Fundraising for the businesses on basis of equity model. GKPBF has its registered office in Sector 10, Noida (India),how to create a sustainable ecosystem for ever the foundation has a clear roadmap incubating start-ups, scaling up existing to establish key offices in various parts of enterprises, restructuring stressed globe in the coming years. The foundation businesses and create new business has a robust plan for next three years ventures to create global success stories starting with on-boarding of advisors, for Kashmiri Pandit business community mentors and investor panels. GKPBF is a and with a spirit of inclusivity of other team of internationally acclaimed business communities in the world. professionals and plan to have the best Objectives of the Foundation : advisory support system for the  To nurture entrepreneurship among businesses, in preparing detailed market Kashmiri Pandits & financial feasibility report and facilitate  To guide aspiring entrepreneurs and required due diligence. GKPBF will be existing businesses acting as facilitators throughout the  To create wealth and assets for Kashmiri journey from setting up of business venture in terms of developing business Pandit community by building successful strategies, talent acquisition and businesses establishing end-to-end operations. With  To generate jobs through successful its mentors, advisors and investors, businesses Roadmap GKPBF will help businesses to achieve  Empaneling a pool of Investors, Advisers the desired growth. Vision of the and Mentors Foundation The vision of our foundation is  Maintaining Online Database of KP

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Entrepreneurs Hon'ble LG regarding special business  Registration of Users (Aspiring, zones, monetary & financial packages for Existing) businesses, concessional loans for NRI  Webinar Series and KP investment (domestic and  Program Management international), which was duly  acknowledged by his Excellency, and that IT Infrastructure his office would revert with the necessary  KP Manufacturing Cluster in Jammu action in due time. GKPBF received best Academic Institute Campus in Kashmir wishes from the LG and his support in  Skill Development Centre in Kashmir ensuring its success, which will not only  Online Training Portal (Pre-recorded re-establish KP's as business professionals but also help with monetary LMS) and cultural connect with the roots of KP's  Contributing to the Smart City in Jammu Dev Bhoomi. The focused industry & Kashmir. segments are Manufacturing, Agro based GKPBF, represented by Mr. DK Commodity Trading, Travel & Tourism, Bakshi (Founder), Mr. Ravinder Kachroo Hospitality, Smart City, IT/ITeS, (CEO), Mr. B.B. Bhat (Coordinator J&K) Educational Institution, Entrepreneurship and Mr. Vinod K Pandita (Director), had a Development Incubation Centres, et al. historical meeting with the Hon'ble Lt. GKPBF followed it up with the 1st of Governor (LG) of J&K Union Territory, Sh. multiple virtual “Digital Business & Manoj Sinha. The delegates apprised him Investor Summit” and attended by GKPBF of the vision and purpose of the Board of Directors, 30 top businesses and Foundation, and how it aims to accelerate investors, and government represented the creation of wealth, employment and by the Principal Secretary and his team. economic opportunities in J&K and Upcoming Events of the Foundation various migrant camps, and facilitate GKPBF plans to hold the 2nd virtual business ventures for Kashmiri Pandits. “Digital Business & Investor Summit” The Foundation believes that this attended by GKPBF Board of Directors, development will function as a game businesses and investors and changer for the Union Territory, and for the government represented by the Principal Community's honorable return. Secretary. This meet is to be held in Further, through this meeting, the December, wherein our tentative pool of team identified business opportunities for investors and potential projects in the J&K startups, aspiring and existing Union Territory shall be discussed. The entrepreneurs among Kashmiri Pandit Summit aims to provide a common community in India and possible routes for platform to further out roadmap, strategy, Kashmiri Pandits living overseas to invest planning and implementation. in UT of J&K. The members spoke with the [[

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From the Pages of Ancient History - M .K.Parimoo Kapteshwar

According to some ancient historical ‘Tarikh-ul-Hind by records, Kapteshwar is a very old Dr. Edward pilgrimage centre of a higher sanctity and C.Sachau. was popularly called ‘Paap Shodan Sthal’ According to some i.e. sins cleaning centre. Kapteshwar is at of the Linguists and a distance of nine kilometers from historians, Anantnag and three kilometers from Kodeshwar is the Achhabal in the Kuthaer Pargana. Kuthaer Praakrat form of the or Kuther is actually an alternate name of word Kapteshwar. Kateshwar. In some historical books on According to a popular faith about Kashmir, Kapteshwar is one among very the sanctity of this pilgrimage centre of famous pilgrimage sites of Kashmir & Kapteshwar, is that a pilgrim who takes a stands next to Shaarda temple in dip in the Holy Spring of Kapteshwar, popularity. washes away all the sins and that is why it This historical fact is supported by has retained its age old name ‘Paap the historian Abu Rayham Baruni Shodhan Naag’ from ancient times. (Alberuni) 973-1025AD.Another historical According to Alberuni, "During the dark fact also supports the historicity of the site, half of the Vaishaakh month of the Hindu when the king Bhoja of Malwa had got Calendar, Lord Shiva manifests in the constructed a wall around the pilgrimage form of a wooden idol". This popular belief centre of Kapteshwar. Both the persons is supported by Nilamata Puraana as well under mention had been contemporaries as Har charitmaanas. A court historian of of Mehmood Ghaznavi. Kalhana Pandit the Mughal king Akbar, Abul Fazl writes in also makes a special mention of his book 'Ain-i-Akbari' , "A large stone wall Kapteshwar among other famous is surrounding Kuthaer which has a very pilgrimage centers of ancient Kashmir. deep spring inside it. When the depth of The importance of this ancient the water falls down to a minimum, a pilgrimage site of Kapteshwar is evident manifestation of Lord Shiva takes place in from the fact that Kuthaar has taken its the form of an idol of sandalwood." Abul name because of Kapteshwar. Alberuni Fazl's statement clearly shows that up to has mentioned the name Kodeshwar in his king Akbar's time, the Holy spring of book Alberuni's India, which is the english Kapteshwar must have been in its original translation of Alberuni's original text shape and size.

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It is also worth mention that king Bhoja of Holy spring of Kapteshwar are some Malwa (M.P.) had to assign the archaeological remains of two temples. construction of the stone wall around According to a legend, both the temples Kapteshwar Spring to a person called were got constructed by the king Bhoja. Padam Raj, who used to supply betel Attached to the temples were two leaves to the king of Kashmir named meditation rooms also. One temple must Ananta Deva, popularly known as King have been facing west and the other Ananta. Padam Raj being a businessman, temple must have Pagoda type roof. also used to send the water of Paap Shodhani Naag of Kapteshwar to the King The author can be contacted at Bhoja as the king had vowed to wash his [email protected] face daily with the water of Kapteshwar spring only. From such references, it is inferred [[ that during tenth and eleventh centuries (A.D.) Kashmir had its trade including the cultural trade with some other states of the country also. Due to the trade with some other countries, the architecture of Kashmir got thus influenced. An example of this cultural influence is found in the meditation rooms and prayer halls of various temples of Kashmir. According to an archeological survey during the eighties of the last century, some remains of the old stone wall and also some portions of the staircase of the ancient Kapteshwar Spring were found. The length of some of the parts of the stone wall were measuring 245 feet in length and two feet in thickness. According to an eyewitness water used to ooze from mountain side of the spring and to make a lake, a wall has been got erected on the western side so as to create a watery reservoir in the form of a small dam with a cross sectional diameter of sixty feet and it is deep also. On the eastern side of the Kashmir Embroidery

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ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 47 48 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 kçÀnçvççÇ - hçJçvç pçuççuççÇ ojyççj-cçÓJç जम्मू कश्मीर राज्यमै ""दरबार मूवअर्थात नागरिक सचिवालय का शीत ऋतु मै जम्मू और ग्रीष्मऋतु मै श्रीनगर स्थानांतरण डोगरा शासक महाराजा रनबीर सिंहके शासन काल से प्रारंभहुआ। सत्तर के दशक तक'' दरबार मूव कशमीरियों के लिए किसी मेले से कम नहीं होता था। कशमीरियों के लिए विशेषरूपसे बुजुर्गों के लिए जम्मू जाना विदेश यात्रा समान ही था। लोग जवाहर टनल तक पहुंचने का बेसब्री से इंतजार करते थे। बसों का टनल मै पहले प्रवेश करना और फिर टनल से बाहर आना बहुत आकर्षक द्रश्यहआु करता था। श्रीनगर के पर्यटक स्वागत केंद्रपर यात्रियों की गहमा- गहमी देखते ही बनती थी। वृद्ध महिलाएँ अपने परंपरागत कश्मीरी लिबास फैरन तरंगऔरपूच़ मै अपने बेटों के परिवार के साथ जम्मू जाने को बहुतउत्साहित दिखती थी। वह ज़माना रंग बिरंगी सूटकेसट्रालियों का नही बल्कि लोहे की चादरों से बने ट्रंकोका था। ट ्रंकोऔर बिस ्तर होल्डाल कोबस की छत पर चडाना पहला और बडा कठिन कार्य होता था। जहां बस रुकी वहां बस की छत पर रखे अपने समान का निरीक्षण करना भी ज़रूरी था। और हां उल्टी की गोलियां साथ रखनी आवश्यक हुआ करती थी। सरकारी बसें दोश ्रैणी मै चलती थी ऐ- कलास अथवा बी-- क्लास और यदि आप की गाडी बी कलास है तोउलटी आना लगभग निशचित माना जाता था। यात्रा के पहले पडाव काज़ीगुंडमै लिप्टन चाय पराठों और आमलेटके साथ नाश्ता करना और दोपहर बटोट मै राजमा-- चावल के साथ खाना खाना जीवन भर का अनुभव समझा जाता था। दोसौ चौरानव े किलोमीटर की यह यात्रा लगभग बारह गंटे मै पूरी होती थी यद्यपि राज्य मार्गमै कहीँ अवरुद्ध ना होता। शूबावती अपने छोटे पुत्रशुबन कृष्णके साथ पहली बार जम्मू जा रही थी।

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 48 49 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 शूबावती के पति का पिछले साल देहांतहुआ था।'' शुबजिग्रजम्मू कश्मीर राज्य परिवहन निगम की ऐ- कलास बस मै खिडकी वाली सीट पर बैठे राज्य मार्गके प्राकृतिक सोंदर्यकालुत्फ उठा रही थी। अचानक अपनी मां की आंखों से आंसू टपकते देखशुबन कृष्णने इसका कारण जाना तोश''ुबजिग्रने कहा काश आज तुम्हारे पिताजी'' टाठा जी ज़िंदा होते तोकितना ख ुशहोते परंतु उनके नसीब में नही था।'' शुबजिग्रकापेटकुछ ठीक नहीं था लेकिन बेट -े बहुॅ के कहने पर बटोट मै राजमा - चावल का स्वाद चखा। शुबन कृष्णजम्मू पहुंचे और अब शूबावती का उत्साह और बड गया।'' शुबजिग्रजोफैरन तरंगपूच़ मै रहती थी अब बहुॅ की साडी पहनने लगी और नित्यघरके निकट गली में ऐक छोटे से मंदिर मै माथा टेकने जाती। भाषा कभी शूबावती के लिए बाधा नही बनी और वह अपना काम चला लेती थी। शूबावती हलवाई से घर के लिए दूधभीलाने जाती थी।" घर मै मैज़बान आमुतके हैं थोडा मलाई ज़्याद त्रावान के ह"ैं हलवाई समझ जाता था कि माताजी और मलाई मांग रही है और वह खुशी- खुशी देता भी था। बहुॅ खुश माताजी दूधके साथ बहुत सारी मलाई लाती थी। ऐक बार'' शुबजिग्र घर का रास्ता भूल गयी। रोत -े रोते ऐक सब्जी वाले से बोली " शुबन कृष्णकीम़ेज आसान के है रावान के ह-"े रावान के है सब्जी वाले ने ''शुबजिग्रको पहचाना और उसे अपने घर तक छोड आया। ऐक बार बंदर'' शुबजिग्रके कमरे मै घुसा और उसका ऐक केला उठा ले गया।'' शुबजिग्रकोबहुतगुस्सा आया और मकान मालिक से बोला" रोशनदान किन पोंज़बच्चअच़ान के है म्येनकेलहेन निवान के है रोशनदानस शीश-" पोट लगावान के है बस इतना बोलना काफी था मकान मालिक समझ गया माताजी रोशनदान का टूटा शीशा बदलने कोकह रही ह ै।श''ुबजिग्रका अपने बेटे साथ जम्मू जाना मात्र ऐक उदाहरण था बीते ज़माने का। कहने का तात्पर्य यह था कि ज़माने ने कैसी करवट बदली और अब हमारी माताएं पूरा विश्वघूमती हैं और राजमा-''''- चावल कोपीछ े छोड पिज़्ज़ा मोमोस वगराै वगैरा अब उनके मुंहका स्वाद बन गया है। [[

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From Here & There - Robin Ch owdhury Memory of a Meeting at Ishber (1964)

Mother and grandfather Tathya made a plan, Visiting Ishiber to see Swami Lakshmanjoo. The swami, a Sanskrit scholar and seeker, Held a masterclass on Kashmiri Saivism. This time mother was joining her Dad. A day before, she invited me too . “Receive Swami's blessing”, she said. “Tathya takes the Bus most weeks Tomorrow you drive us in the family car'. Out of crowded Srinagar city, Then he moved to the meditation room Along the bank of the beautiful Dal lake Tathya and other students joined him. A drive towards the Mughal Gardens, After a couple of hours Ishiber was reached in less than an hour. I drove us home to the city. The house and Ashram were quiet, A duty fulfilled to my mother A person in attendance, perhaps a caretaker. Accepting her invite without question, Swami will come out soon, he said. Rewarded with an experience. You can see him before his meditation. Over the years I have pondered A neatly-attired figure joined us, The significance of that meeting A unique aura of tranquillity, What did the blessing mean? And a gentle smile. Face your life, such as it is, He greeted us warmly Fulfil your destiny'. Tathya promptly introduced me So many years later, Please bless him, he simply asked. I still retain the memory The Swami looked straight into my eyes, Of that radiant face, With consciousness of a troubled soul. The light that shone in those eyes. He raised his hand above my head A gentle gesture, a mere instant in time, A blessing requiring no words. [[

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My Medical Journey - Dr. K.L.Chowdhury Medical Sleauthing Tracing the Source of an Epidemic of Virus Hepatitis W inter is not the usual season for streets when water is waterborne disease in the Indian plains. pumped in the pipes Sporadic cases occur round the year, once a day or less though. Epidemics of diarrhea, cholera, often, for about an hepatitis etc are common in summer and hour. More water rainy seasons. But when I took the monthly leaks from the breaks stock of patients in my clinic and counted and unions or from 33 cases of jaundice from viral hepatitis in the holes people January and another 39 in February of bore in the pipes to 1998, I knew something was wrong with the tap water at unauthorized sites, than water supply. Contaminated water or food flows into the buildings and houses. The supplies have been implicated in major water tanks in which people store water outbreaks of Viral Hepatitis especially the are most often not fitted with the ball valve consumption of faecally contaminated to stop the water once they fill up, further drinking water. compounding the loss. It is painful to watch I wrote a letter to the editor of a daily water running on the streets and into the newspaper and expressed my drains in a criminal waste, when millions in apprehensions about a breaking epidemic our country have to trudge long distances of hepatitis and pointed my finger of for a bucket of this scarce resource. I call it suspicion at the Public Health Engineering the great water robbery. (PHE) department which provides water to Once pumping stops, a negative Jammu. pressure develops in the pipes and sucks Jammu, like many other towns in India, in the effluent from the streets, lanes, has the dubious distinction of the most drains, gutters and cesspools through the dangerous layout of water pipes that leaks, faulty joints and ill-fitting unions. The provide the precious fluid to nearly a million sucked material is a source of all types of mouths. In most of the neighborhoods, the bacteria, fungi, viruses and other toxic pipes run along or inside the drains and contaminants that thrive in the streets and gutters that line the lanes and streets, drains. Every time water is pumped again concealed in the muck that flows in them. in the pipes the previously sucked-in Most of the supply lines are leaking material is washed into the recipient's somewhere so you have a heartbreaking houses contaminated by this rich culture of scene of sheets of water running on the disease-producing vermin and toxic

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 51 52 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 waste. . illness was mild in most cases, and My letter to the newspaper made no recovery uneventful. Fortunately there impact. Patients of hepatitis continued to were few complications. pour in an unending stream. March Both Hepatitis A and E are mild brought a whopping number of 145 cases illnesses and mortality is much lower than and there was now no doubt that an Hepatitis B and C which are spread by a epidemic was on. I made detailed notes of different route and do not present as the patient age, sex, addresses, clinical epidemics except in institutions. Hepatitis picture, complications, liver function E is bad on pregnant patients in whom high derangements, progression, recovery and infant and maternal mortality has been sequealae. reported. However, there were only 4 The patients who came to me were pregnant women till the end of February mostly the Kashmiri refugees, and fortunately there was no mortality. I euphemistically called 'migrants'. They still believed the cases to be E rather than lived a cramped life as tenants and very A. few had their own dwellings. The patients I dashed another letter to the were mostly from New Plots, Sarwal, newspaper, breaking the news of a full- Rehari, and contiguous localities. There fledged epidemic, outlining the geographic were clusters in some areas and some contours, the density, and the severity. I families where many members had castigated the PHE for inaction since my contracted the virus. It was a picture of a last warning. Early in the morning of the local epidemic, confined to this small letter's publication, I received a distress sector. They were of all ages and both phone call from the Chief Engineer PHE. sexes. It had to be either Hepatitis A or E, He was sore that I had written the letter both water borne diseases. Since young and not spoken to him directly about it. I did adults aged 15-40 years were hit not know him personally, I replied, nor was maximum, it looked like Hepatitis E rather I expected to remind him of his job. His than A which is mostly an infection of department had ignored my warning. The children; but confirmation was necessary. cost of their negligence was colossal in Testing for viral studies and their terms of human suffering. If the first letter markers was not available in Jammu till was ignored, I was not sure they would not then. I could send samples to Delhi but the snub me for interfering in their cost was prohibitive. Asking indigent departmental work. A newspaper was, in 'migrant' patients to spend a few thousand my opinion, the best medium to inform rupees for the test would be cruel people, who were my main concern. In any especially when it was more of case, what steps was he going to take now epidemiological and academic interest that the epidemic was on? than of as a substantial tool in the The Chief Engineer was apologetic. treatment of an individual patient. The He said he would do everything to help and

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 52 53 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 wanted to know what could be done to halt reservoirs and their areas of distribution the epidemic. I replied that I suspected a after looking at the localities under the major contamination of one or more impact of the epidemic. reservoirs that supply water to the affected Determine the type of hepatitis - A or E. localities. We had to trace the source and The tests are costly and not available in that would entail a detailed inspection of Jammu. The patients cannot afford the the water reservoirs including a survey of tests so the department has to bear the the main feeder pipes, and the supply cost. lines to the affected areas. The sealing of Scavenge all the reservoirs under the all the leaks everywhere in the town was scanner. obligatory. But tracing the local epidemic Plug all leaks, rents and holes in the was urgent. distribution pipes, not only in the affected This was a tall order for a department localities but whole of Jammu. notorious for indiscipline, disobedience Intensify surveillance against water and a culture of strikes and shutdowns in poachers. its cadres. But there was no escape. The Inform public through posters, chief requested me to guide his staff in pamphlets and news papers in order to tracing the epidemic and decided to send create awareness about the epidemic. his deputy along with a team to discuss Outline the preventive measures with me about the steps to stem the tide. against the infection like personal hygiene A team of five PHE officials reported in and the consumption of boiled water for my residence same evening, headed by drinking till the epidemic has died down. the SE. When I asked them if they could Ensure supply of properly treated draw a rough sketch of the reservoirs water through leak-proof pipes. supplied water to the localities under our The team left with assurances to me scanner, they were not sure. When one of that they would plunge into action next them said he would come prepared with morning. They said they would send the sketch next day, I produced my own samples of blood from my patients by from my pocket. I was ready with a rough courier service for testing to be carried out sketch of the sources of water supply to in Delhi and the department would bear the the affected areas. This was provided to cost. They would prominently advertise in me earlier by a patient whom I phoned the paper on a regular basis till the soon after the CE rang off in the morning. I epidemic died down. knew he was a PHE official and he was The next week brought a stream of glad to supply me the information. The patients from the same areas. I waited for team members were shocked and the team to collect the samples from the shamed. However, I put them at ease and patients to be sent to Delhi but no one outlined my plan: reported. I sent the samples by courier Draw a detailed sketch of the service on my own hoping PHE would

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 53 54 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 reimburse later. The reports on viral increase was only in Jaundice and now we markers confirmed my suspicion that we knew it was the hepatitis E virus. There were dealing with hepatitis E. I had about had to be a single source of this virus from ten reports on patients from different areas somewhere, most likely a reservoir. I and there was no point pursuing with more phoned the SE again and insisted that he testing once all of them proved to be direct his team to look into the reservoirs Hepatitis E. that supplied the areas affected. Leaks in I sent two more letters in the paper with two feeder pipes of two localities could not all the instructions especially to the explain the large areas involved nor the residents of the areas affected. However, exclusive occurrence of only one water- there were no advertisements from the borne disease. They must go to the PHE and on my evening walks I did not reservoirs, inspect them, get samples for find any evidence that the leaks had been cultures and get them cleaned. plugged in our area which, however, was The SE reported back after a week and not affected. I asked some patients and said they had looked into all the reservoirs was informed that some workmen were supplying the localities and found nothing closing the leaks at places. worthwhile; in any case they had got the I phoned the SE and he said they were cleaned. on the job; they were plugging all the leaks The epidemic died down over the next in the area under scrutiny. He agreed that 6 weeks. It could not have been just the there were a few major leaks in some result of my instructions to the patients and feeder pipes that supplied the affected the letters in the news papers or the arrears, two of them were passing through sealing of leaking points. There had to be a filthy drains. They were going for a total major contamination from the source of overhaul. He hoped the epidemic would supply, I was sure of that. In any case it soon be contained. was a great relief to see the back of the But cases continued to pour in from virus. New Plots and Sarwal which had the My curiosity could not be satiated by maximum density of the cases. Even if all that report by the SE that they had found the leaks were plugged it would take 4-8 nothing. I knew there was a skeleton in the weeks for the epidemic to die down, that cupboard. And I waited for my chance to being the incubation period of the disease. find out. But there was a problem. If it were just Months later, another one of the PHE the leaks in the feeder pipes passing officials from the Team came to consult me through drains there should have been a for his mother. I complained that it was parallel increase in other waterborne heart-breaking to find the water flowing diseases in the affected places. But that over the streets whenever it was being was not so; there was no increase in supplied to our neighborhood, in spite of typhoid, dysentery, diarrhea etc. The the epidemic a few months earlier. It was

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 54 55 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 sad that PHE had failed to ensure a proper leak- free supply. He looked at me almost in reverence. nvçç mçÓbçÆ®çJç!! “Sir, you came as a messiah to the people and saved our department from a terrible disgrace. You were right in pointing Mçá³ç&vç kçÀLç sá jçn us to the reservoir, but we looked there last. That is why it took so long. We lost Kçç©vç? priorities and started randomly checking the leaking points rather than going according to the plan you laid out for us. lççô¿ç çÆsJçe çÆlçcçvç mçól³ç We found a dead monkey in the reservoir which you had marked for us on the very kçÀç@çÆMç³ç& hçç@þîç kçÀLç first day we came to your home as a team. The reservoir was stinking and the kçÀjçvç? monkey carcass rotten beyond recognition. How could the department acknowledge this gross negligence?" Mçá³ç&vç mçólççÇ ³ççílç kçw³çç? There is no doubt the monkey was infected with hepatitis E virus and possibly lççô¿ç çÆsJçe hçvçeçÆvç JççBçÆmç drowned itself while trying to drink water from there. Primates like dogs, monkeys nebÐçvç mçól³ç çÆlç kçÀç@çÆMç³ç& and rodents are known to harbor the virus. In fact, in a study conducted to examine whether Indian monkeys are infected with hçç@þîç kçÀLç kçÀjçvç~ hepatitis E virus (HEV), serum samples from wild rhesus and langur monkeys were screened for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. The positivity rates were 36.7% and 19.1% respectively which nvçç mçÓbçÆ®çJç! goes to show how widespread the disease is in monkeys. No doubt the present epidemic was a result of the monkey kçÀç@Mçej ]pçyççvç çÆkçÀLçe which had found its watery grave in the reservoir. hçç@þîç jçíçÆ]pç çÆ]pçboe?

Contact Dr at: [email protected]

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SkçÀ ÒçMvç çÆkçÀMçvççÇ hçbçÆ[lçç

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Poetry - Ali Shaida Ghazal

At night time an expedition (I) picked from the courtyard From the drought eyes (I) over spilled the courtyard

In measure (I) do bring rain drops by holding sunny spots Up to the dusk, I amass insanity from the courtyards

Fancy bangs and in fancy I peep through the window Perchance someone opened the doorway of the courtyard

Into the shadows like contour, the moonlight has turned Who through thy door passed from the alien courtyard?

What summer, what autumn, a deserted look allover As if no season affords a remedy to the courtyard

Thy, the wind gathered round the folios all As if to let me the old lessons read from the courtyard

At the window side of Laila, Shaida shall stretch his hem Who could the death of Najd but bear the curse of the courtyard? [[

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Environment & Life - Prof B.L.Kaul An Ecologist ’s Perspective on COVID-19

“The second man to die of COVID-19 in Spain was Antonio Vieria Montiero Chairman of Spain's largest bank “Santander”. He died alone in a hospital at the age of 73. After his death his daughter stated that they are a wealthy family and her father passed away alone, suffocating and looking for something free which is Air. His money stayed at home”-Sivaram Swamy .

These are revealing words of a had started coming up knowledgeable Swami. The wealthy man and black smoke was died gasping for a breath of air which emanating from mankind has badly polluted. It reminds me chimneys turning our of my own protected childhood in an skies dark. The unpolluted India of 1940's and early developing world was 1950's. As I grew up as an ecologist in blindly following the 1970's I realized that things were path chosen by the changing fast. The quality of air and water developed west. were deteriorating everywhere in the Human race was now world including India. We had started to following a self- destructive and suicidal pay a price for development. In the name course. There were words of caution of development there was rampant coming from the wise and lip services paid destruction of forests, grasslands, by the capitalists and the politicians to mountains and valleys. Roads and rectify the damage that had already been railways were being built, concrete jungle done to the environment. The western world especially the Americans had already initiated damaging the environment. Dr. Barry Commoner was an American Cell Biologist and a college professor. He was a leading ecologist among the founders of modern environmental movements. He published his book, “The Closing Circle”, in 1971 which coincided with the very beginning of Earth Day on April 22, 1970. In his book he

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 58 59 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 warned the Americans that a society The COVID-19 pandemic, also which does not follow the basic laws of called Corona Virus from Wuhan, China ecology and nature is courting disaster was detected in late December 2019 and and turmoil. has affected the human population of the The world now is in an whole world. environmental crisis because the way At the time of writing there were ecosphere is being used to produce 50.8 million confirmed cases worldwide: wealth is destructive of the ecosphere 33.1 million recovered cases and 1.26 itself. The capitalist system of production, million fatalities. In India there were 8.59 which the Chinese Communist Party and million confirmed cases and 126,621 many others have blindly copied from the fatalities. west is self-destructive and the human Ironically COVID-19 pandemic civilization is following a suicidal course. presents us with an incredible example of According to Dr. Barry Commoner how Dr. Commoners all Laws of Ecology “Capitalism is inherently anti-ecological.”. apply to this now- International health This line of thinking is being followed by scare. As is well known now Chinese wet most eco-socialists including Bernard markets are according to Chinese Sanders and Naomi Klein who also scientist Zhenzlog Si (as quoted on NPR) believe that the capitalism is anti- “the predominant food outlets for fresh ecological. India has had her own share of produce and meat in Chinese cities. There environmental activists notably Shivaram are hundreds of such markets in large Karanth, Sunder Lal Bahugna, Medha Chinese cities and a large variety of plants Patkar, Maneka Gandhi, Sumaira Abdulali and animal products are for sale, including and Sunita Narain. live animals kept in notoriously unhealthy The now-famous four Laws of spaces. Their excretions and illnesses are Ecology enunciated by Dr. Commoner are part of the overall market arena, which is as follows. visited by thousand of shoppers every day. 1. Everything is connected with everything Wet markets are an established and else. ingrained part of Chinese community and 2. Everything must go somewhere. culture, and thus it is no surprise that 3. Nature knows the Best. diseases are now jumping from animals to ·4. There is no such thing as a free lunch. humans and humans to humans.” This is The last law is a quote that he has how exactly the SARS (Severe Acute taken from nineteenth century Industrialist Respiratory Syndrome) appeared in 2002 and philanthropist John Ruskin. It means in China. It spread world wide within a few there is a cost to everything and whatever months although it was quickly contained. appears free will be in a package (like buy It should have served as a notice to one get one free). mankind that there is possibility that new

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 59 60 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 viral diseases are jumping from animals to successfully is a vaccine. Efforts all over humans. Surprisingly WHO did not take it the world are on and it is hoped that a seriously and the wet markets in China viable vaccine will be available in the first continued to function. quarter of the next year. Till then we have According to Dr. Zenzlog Si eating not to lower our guard and will have to wild animals is considered a symbol of continue wearing masks, washing hands wealth in China because they are rare and frequently and maintain social distance expensive. Wild animals are also strictly. Most importantly as the festival considered more natural and nutritious season is arriving, we must abstain from compared to farm meat. If anything, using fire crackers and explosives etc Chinese wet markets are the very which will further pollute the air. Our mega antithesis of Dr. Commoners laws of cities like Delhi are already heavily ecology. If “Nature knows best” then wild polluted. animals should be living wildly and not Air pollution from an ecologist's harvested en mass for consumption. perspective is seriously impeding to fight “Everything must go somewhere” equates the pandemic. According to Dr. Maria to the diseases, viruses, bacteria and Neira, WHO Director of Public Health high blood which are produced by animals in levels of air pollution result in premature captivity and being killed directly next to death of seven million people every year. people working and shopping. “Everything Air pollution increases susceptibility and is connected to everything else” sums up vulnerability to COVID-19 infections. this whole truly unfortunate and inhumane Exposure to air pollution of the people situation resulting in illnesses, sufferings, already suffering from chronic lung scares, death and destruction of diseases, lung cancer, cardio-vascular economies all over the world. diseases, kidney and liver diseases Although there is no treatment for increases their chances of getting infected COVID-19 yet most infected people are by COVID-19. There are lessons to be developing immunity and getting well learnt from our experiences and the whole thanks to the efforts of corona warriors world must unite to reduce pollution levels, which includes doctors, paramedics, follow laws of ecology and fight against nurses, ward boys, safai walas, police and diseases like COVID-19, SARS, MERS, para military forces. However, people who Bird flu and many other diseases unknown were already suffering from some till recently. We have to find ways and comorbidities are finding it difficult to fight means to stop viruses and bacteria from the infection effectively. Progress has jumping from wild life to humans. COVID- been made in managing the disease since 19 is an awful example how easy it is to go it was declared as a pandemic by WHO. off the rails when humans don't think and The only hope to fight COVID-19 act like mother nature. [[

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Flavour of Spice - M arryam H Resh ii The Clash of the Kashmiri Ladies

For the last three decades or so, Delhi known, perhaps has been exposed to the glories of because the Kashmiri food. Or, to be more specific, community is smaller. wazwan. It is a banquet conjured up However, as many of entirely of lamb and it is cooked by a them have settled community of caterers calledwazas . down all over the Usually eaten at weddings and other National Capital celebratory occasions, it consists of Region, dishes such gargantuan quantities of food – at least asmatsch, kaliya and seven courses. In the last two or three dum oluv are years, food aficionados in the city have beginning to get their started to hear of the other side of the place in the sun. story: the Kashmiri Pandit cuisine, lesser The most interesting aspect is that though there are Kashmiri Pandit caterers, it is the home-cooked food of the Matamaal community what has become popular of DLF City Court, late. So, it is a toss-up between the Gurugram restaurants and take-aways that are waza dominated and the Pandit-centric eateries and catering services all of which have ladies at their centre. Thus, when Matamaal opened a few years ago, everyone sat up and took notice, because Matamaal means grandma's house (mother's mother). And although Nalini Moti Sadhu is absurdly young and glamorous to be a grandmother, the customers that flock to her restaurant- cum-bakery-cum-provision store feel as if they're being pampered by their own grandma. Such a runaway hit was Matamaal that it has just undergone its third

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extension of their home. The thalis do very well here. In Kalkaji, Aanchal Pandita has named her home delivery serviceSafapore , after the small town on the banks of the superbly picturesque Manasbal Lake. Safapore is where her grandfather hailed from and though Aanchal has never actually seen the somnolent town, the very name had so much of a cachet for her that it has become her trade name. The expansion, taking over the neighbours' space as well. You might find Nalini putting out jars of pickles in the sun outside her front door, or arranging her lovely display cabinet with its brass tableware that is for sale, along with Kashmiri spices and other ingredients. The menu is small and the couple – Surender Sadhu has been co- opted into the business – run it like an

s m a l l menu that comprises of Tchok Wangun (aubergine soured with tamarind) and muttonkaliya in its trademark milk gravy, stained yellow with turmeric, and has to be ordered a day before: nothing is sitting around half-cooked, waiting to be finished àla minute. This is not only a hallmark of Safaporebut also of Matamaal . It is probably the hallmark of all the lovely ladies from Kashmir who wield the

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 62 63 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 ladle: home-cooked food is famously fresh, healthy and tasty. And that is what Rajni Jinsi brings to her hotel festivals: planned menus with a sprinkling of popular preparations, plus a few home- style dishes or foods eaten at festivals or fast-days. Her Khetchar with Lamb's Liver soured with tamarind or Modur Polao with Kabargah (sweet rice with fried ribs) are never seen outside private houses, but homesick members of the community Matamaal

Hotels has appointed a Corporate Kashmiri Chef, who is not only from the Pandit community, but who is also female. You can enjoy Chef Suman Kaul's trademarkApple Pakoras and Fish with Lotus Stem Gravy every Wednesday at lunch in ITC Maurya.

cannotget enough of Rajni's home- style cooking. At her festivals – held in several Delhi hotels and Kolkata and Bikaner resorts – she brings along her own brass utensils, many of them over 50 years old, to add verisimilitude to the food. Her food embodies the elemental flavours of Kashmir's ingredients, cooked with precision and with the unmistakable buzz Author can be contacted at : of asafoetida, the one defining spice of this [email protected] tiny community who chooses the background rather than the limelight. [[ It is a heartening sign that ITC

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Kashmir Report Kaleem Bashir

Kaleem Bashir

Kashmir Report

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Kashmir Report Kaleem Bashir

Kaleem Bashir

Kashmir Report

ÒççiççMç January 2021 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021 p\ag aS 65 66 Praagaash ÒççiççMç Òççípçíkçwì ]pççvç' kçÀçÇ vçíì-HççÆ$çkçÀç Jç<ç& 6 : DçbkçÀ 1 ~ pçvçJçjçÇ 2021

Kashmir Report Kaleem Bashir

Kaleem Bashir

Kashmir Report

kçÀç@çÆMççÆj mçól³çvç kçÀç@çÆMçj mçç@jçÇ, vçlçe Jçç@jçvçekçw³ç nç@jçvç kçÀçJç - DçcççÇvç kçÀççÆcçuç

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Kashmir Report Kaleem Bashir

Urdu Poetry Book‘MAQSAD-I-ZAAT’ released in a function of MarazAdbi Sangam atAnantnag. Kashmiri Poetry book "MAQSAD-I-ZAAT" the debut book by Sufi Poet of Warsi thought, Machi Manzoor was released in a glorious function of Maraz Adbi Sangam, held at Baagi Nowgam, Anantnag , Kashmir on 28th of November 2020. The book comprises of Kashmiri sufi poems. The impressive book release function was presided over by well known writer Dr. Mohammad Shafi Ayaz and the program was conducted by Dr. Shaida Hussain Shaida. The book was released by Riyaz Anznoo, President Maraz Adbi Sangam. A paper on the book was read by famous Kashmiri and Persian poet Aejaz Ahmad Laloo. He described the book a voice of inner soul of the poet and described it as devotional poetry. He threw detailed light on various aspects of poetry presented in the book. A Mushaira (Poetic recitation) was also conducted on this occasion in which various legendary poets of South Kashmir participated and recited

Kaleem Bashir their poems which soothed the audience magnonimously. The poets who recited their masterpieces of poetry were Dr. Mohammad Shafi Ayaz,

Kashmir Report Riyaz Anzanoo, Izhar Mubashir, Qamar Hameedullah, Nadir Hassan, Bashir Zayir, Abdul Ahad Wahid, Dr. Showkat Shifa, Manzoor Khalid, Mashroo Naseebabadi, Yousuf Jahangir, Prof. Nisar Nadeem, Parvaiz Gulshan, Raja Muzaffar, Sagar Qaiser, Manzoor Hashim,Haji Ramzan, Rasheed Sidiqi, Muntazir Yasir, Muzaffar Gazal, Muzaffar Dilber, Bashir Dilber, Machi Mamzoor, Nadim Shoqia and Dr. Shaida Hussain Shaida. In his presidential address Dr. Mohammad Shafi Ayaz said that the book is a valuable addition in Kashmiri sufi literature as it has a sufi aroma and expressed his hope that the author will continue to contribute towards Kashmiri literature in his own specialized way of expression and aroma. He expressed his pleasure that the senior as well as budding poets are writing the poetry of time which shows their sensitivety towards condition of the society and present scenario which is a healthy sign.

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Kashmir Report Kaleem Bashir

Kaleem Bashir

Kashmir Report

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Kashmir Report Kaleem Bashir

Kaleem Bashir

Kashmir Report

Shakir Ahmad Naik is Research Scholar, Modern Indian Languages (Kashmiri Section), AMU, Aligarh.He can be reached at : [email protected]

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Kashmir Report Kaleem Bashir

Kaleem Bashir

Kashmir Report

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Kashmir Report Kaleem Bashir

Kaleem Bashir

Kashmir Report

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Kosam

Koshur Saman-bal

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Story Writing Contest was organised in the month of November 2020. Initially, the Contest was meant for Kashmiri children only but it was subsequently thrown open to all as not many Kashmiri children came forth. Finally 20 Children sent their stories. Following children won the Prizes:

First Prize : Mimma Rahman for her Story Ek Tare Ki Chah Second Prize : Aishani Vadi for her story The Ginger-bread Man Third Prize : Sanjita Upreti for her story Paid and Bachcha Third Prize : Ritu Upreti for her story Struggle for Existence Consolation Prize : Riddhi Raina (3 Years) for narrating her self- conceived story of Chanda Mama

Congratulations all.

Kosam Next Contest (already announced through social media) : Group Singing Kashmiri Rhyme ‘Råni Gåyí Màlyún’ written by M.K.Raina, by children with their parents and grand-parents.

This Rhyme contains all six peculiar Vowels specific to Kashmiri language. Koshur Saman-bal Rhyme is composed to let children master their Kashmiri pronunciation.

A prestigious educational institute of Srinagar‘Kashmir Harvard’ joined hands with theKoshur Saman-bal to promote and popularise Kashmiri language and encouraged their students to take part in the contest and sing the rhyme solo and with their parents. The result was astonishing. We received about 50 entries from small girls and boys of the School. Koshur Saman-bal is thankful to the management of the Kashmir Harvard for their ‘Cooperation for a Cause’.

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Last date for submission is 25th December and results will

Kosam be declared on 1st January 2021

Koshur Saman-bal

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Your Own Page

New Release

Reminiscence - My Ceraphic Willows by Omkar Safapori

It is a natural phenomenon when a person takes birth in a place which is called Motherland, loves & admires it unknowingly and if one loses it, becomes cognizant of this real fact. Birth place means to a person not merely land but its people, vibrant culture and overall an environment which is inherited in the initial period of life when a person is free from inhibitions of life. [Excerpt from the Preface] About the Author :

Omkar Safapuri (Omkar Nath Safapuri kaul/ONS Kaul) popularly known as Safapuri is fundamentally a precision engineering/ horological technocrat with an industrial managerial acumen switched over to knowledge management by choice in 2003 and continues to network knowledge resources to the desired seekers of knowledge by associating itself with DELNET a network resources sharing entity based in New Delhi, India, a major library net-work organization in south Asia, a non-profit institution bestowed with prestigious "IIPA- award for Excellence in Public service-2020". His objective is to help knowledge seekers especially in rural India where resources are scarce thus contributing to society in general in its own subtle & humble way. Widely travelled in India and abroad has studied life from different perspective and believes a person is born to contribute back to society at some point in the best possible way one can, in any form, with a productive and positive mindset, in a pursuit of sustainable happiness.

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Your Own Page Pushpa Koshal flaunting Kashmiri Pheran

Pushpa Koshal is a rare Kashmiri who proudly flaunts her Pheran in Mumbai. The moment Mumbai weather turns a bit cold, out comes her beautiful Pheran. Pushpa says, “The amount of compliments I get from the people who see me carrying my legacy, is so heartening. My Pheran has always been my pride.” Here Pushpa Is seen with her daughter Meeta. Pushpa recently recorded a small Kashmiri rhyme for Koshur Saman-bal in the traditional Pheran for promoting and popularising the Kashmiri language.

Pushpa Koshal started her career as Lecturer in English at Women’s College,Jammu which she did not hold for long. Herjourney has been from Shakespeare to Studios . She has been in the post-production industry for the last 26 years. After heading Studios like Crest, Rajtaru, Avitel, Shemaroo, After Studioand Film Lab, she now heads the Operations of Pixel Digital Studio, a leading post production Studio. Pushpa has been awarded umpteen times for her work in the post production industry.She has featured four times in the Praagaash in the year 2019 showcasing her achievements.

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Letters to Editor

Dear Sir, Capital of the Valley. As for as its location This has reference to is concerned, R.C.Kak, a noted the article ' Kashmir ki archaeologist of Kashmir, says in his book utpatti ka aakhyan'of 'Ancient Monuments of Kashmir’ (1933) our esteemed friend Dr. that the ruins of the Old Capital could be Agnishekhar, in the recognised in the level terraces , long lines Nov. 2020 issue of net of loose rubble walls and innumerable journal, Praagaash. mounds of stone debris, extracted at the After giving a modern village of Pandrethan, which comprehensive thickly dotted the mountain slopes from mythological account of the drainage of Pantschok to the Shankaracharya hill. the water of Satisar, exposing the Valley In Rajatarangini, it seems that of Kashmir including Hari Parbat, and the Asoka's Shrinagari and Puranadhisthana elimination of the demon Jalodbhava, the were used synonymously. Kalhana used writer says that Emperor Ashoka had the designation Puranadhishthana for built modern Srinagar at the foot of Hari Shrinagari for the first time in the reign of Parbat. I wish to point out that the referred King Shreshthasena (Pravarasena-I), city at Hari Parbat was built by King grandfather of Pravasena-II, many Pravarasena-II ( A.D. 415-475) and not by centuries after Asoka. He used it a second Emperor Asoka. Pravarasena-II called his time in the reign of King Partha (A.D. 905- Capital Pravarasenapur or simply as 923) to indicate that his minister, Pravarapur. Therafter, Pravarapur Meruvardhana, had built a Vishnu temple, continued to be the Capital of the kings of called Meruvardhanasvamin after his own Kashmir for many centuries. Poet Bilhana, name at that place. Cunningham who preceded Kalhana by !00 years recognised this temple in the small, well- praised Pravarapur to the hilt in his epic preserved structure that still exists at poem,Vikramankdevacaritam , a Pandrethan. historical epic poem based on the I wish to state that by coincidence, th biography of the 11 century Western my article “Shrines and Monuments of Hari Chalukya King Tribhuvanamalla of Parbat” also appears in the Nov. 2020 Kalyani (A.D.1078-1126). issue of the net journal of Praagaash. Emperor Asoka (B.C. 286- Therein, i have given in its last paragraph, B.C.231) had indeed built the first capital that Pravarasena-II had after due of the Valley called Shrinagari after he had diligence selected a location in the vicinity visited Kashmir. . In time, Shrinagari was of Hari Parbat and the shine of Sharika called Puranadhishthana or the Old (Chakreswari) for laying the foundation of

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Letters to Editor his new capital. He had inaugurated the Dear Mr. M K Raina, project by building a grand temple of Thanks for the Shiva, called Pravaresa at the chosen Praagaash, Dec. 2020 spot. In time, the temple and its Santum issue. Enjoyed reading Sanctorum gave way to the Baha-ud-din's it. Ziarath and finally to his Cemetery, which I was impressed still exists there. by the article by B. Your editorial was an opener for L.Razdan. It is seeking cooperation of both the Kashmiri commendable that the Hindu and Muslim writers to tone down descendants of Shri their religious vocabularies in their Krishna Joo Razdan are preserving and writings and adopt our Kashmiri disseminating the information about the vernacular speech for reconciliation. great Kashmiri poet. Keep it up Mr. Dr. P.L.Ganju Razdan. Vadodara Kamalji's article about our cuisine lll was very enjoyable . The pictures were Namaskar Mahra, mouthwatering. This is the first time I am Mr. M K Parimoo's information was reading or even being very interesting. I have visited Wular lake aware of your wonderful in 1960's and could not recall the island of e-magazine, Zaena Lank . Praagaash. Please Namrata ji gave a beautiful tour of allow me to the important shrines. It was good to revisit congratulate you on a our shared past. wonderfully balanced, Showkat Shifa's poem was very very interesting read touching. His felicitation was quite about Maej Kasheer. impressive. I am honoured that you have The best write-up in this issue was chosen me to be featured in it. I simply "Saman Bal" children's competition loved Namrata Wakhloo's write-up and results. Such events will encourage all the one about Kashmiri food! those trying hard to preserve our Kashmiri Thank you very much for involving language. You are at the head of this me in this wonderful initiative. God bless project implementation. More power to the you project. Marryam H Reshii Praagaash is fast assuming a New Delhi position of a powerful tool for preserving lll

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Letters to Editor our shared cultural heritage. To this end, a group of dedicated youth Ashok Dullu needs to be given proper training in Solar Baroda panel installation and its later lll maintenance. It is an idea; I thought can Namaskar Mahra, be shared with you. Pragaash edition is Prof. Rajnath Bhat looking very interesting. Varanasi Will go through. I see lll article on Kashmir Respected Raina Sahib, religious places and Aadab. I record my cuisines. I want to write sincere commendation an article on common here for the work you are Kashmiri vegetables if doing to promote you agree. Also I have a request . I need a Kashmiri language and full list of names of various samgri used for culture through various functions poojas aaratis etc. I want Praagaash and other to find their botanical names. Where can I notable activities. I must find these. Thanks. also thank you for Surender Tikoo releasing two special Pune supplements on two lll leading and renowned Scholars, Syed Dear Raina Sahib, Ghulam Rasool Gayoor Sahib in the Namaskar.It was a Month of October 2020 and Sarvanand pleasure receiving the Koul Premi Ji in the Month of November December issue of 2020. People in the literary circles, who I 'Praagaash' on 30th of met, have all praised your work and the November. I kind of homage paid to great scholars congratulate you for through the special issues. I am also your efficiency and thankful to you for having nominated me as dedication. Eng MK the Coordinating Associate of Praagaash Dhar's write-up on for Kashmir and for adding the separate 'Energy Conservation' Kashmir Report Section in the magazine. is quite informative. It occurred to me that On the eve of New year, my sincere if Solar panels could be fitted on the roofs greetings to you and all others associated of KP houses in Jammu and elsewhere, with Praagaash and its social media they will be able to save on electricity bills! groups. Let me pray to Allah for His

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Letters to Editor blessings upon you and your family. collect material on the renowned author’s In order to facilitate a living Scholar contribution to Kashmiri literature from of Kashmiri language, Mr. Ghulam Nabi some well known Writers and Poets. Atash Sahib, I would humbly suggest and Kindly give it a thought. request that a special feature may be Sincerely, carried in the prestigious magazine Kaleem Bashir Praagaash covering his life and works. His PraagaashAssociate for Kashmir contribution to Kashmiri language, art, Bijbehara / Pahalgam culture, literature and folklore has been immense. Atash Sahib has written about [Editor replies: Suggestion is apt and 43 books so far and is presently a member welcome. Kindly go ahead.] of the SahityaAcademy. If you agree, I can [[

Pahalgam Photo : Kaleem Bashir

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