'Have Seen It, Will Change

MEDIADECEMBER TIMES 2014

‘HAVE SEEN IT,

MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE WILL CHANGE IT’ UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR

LAB JOURNAL ISS No. 0975/6647 | Vol: 24 | No 1 MEDIA TIMES | DECEMBER 2014 MEDIA TIMES DECEMBER 2014

Feedback and suggestions from the Patron: readers are welcome Prof Khrsheed Andrabi he Media Times is a lab © MERC 2014 Vice-Chancellor journal of Media Education Printed and Publisher by: Chief Editor: Research Center, University HoD MERC Faruq Masudi of Kashmir. Its main for and on behalf of T University of Kashmir. Editor: purpose is to provide a platform Further information Muslim Jan to the students and scholars to hone their writing abilities and Write to: Sub-Editor: Student Editor: Graphic/Layout: to chisel their journalistic skills. Editor, Danish Nabi Yusra, Junaid, Irfan, Nayeem, Aga Shahi, Media Education Research Centre, The journal builds necessary University of Kashmir, Uzair, Sibtain, Nisar, Marouf, Rahil. conﬁdence in them to take on Srinagar-190006 Arshie, Ishan, Sumaiya. the future responsibilities as e-mail: [email protected], conscious media practitioners in [email protected] the society.

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

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M | E | S | S | A | G | E

he mass media has over the years contributed significantly in bringing about social change and transformation, to make us in the process dependent on salvaging information Tas diverse as politics, education, science, religion, agriculture, charities, aviation, etc.

Accordingly intellectual exercises aimed at publication of magazines, journals and other off shoots help the budding writers develop a habit of professional writing and an opportunity to express their ideas for the benefit of the society at large.

The publication of magazine Media Times and fortnightly newspaper MERC Times by Media Education Research Centre of our University is right tread in this direction.

I appreciate this effort of the editorial team and hope that the students make full use of the opportunity to bring out their best to the fore.

Prof. Khurshid I. Andrabi

MEDIA TIMES 3 DECEMBER 2014

The Chief Editor’s Desk

nother issue of Media Times. Yet another.And yet another. And I will never be tired of one more issue of it. Because Aone more is not far too many. It is not just the content, different writing styles, varied topics and myriad themes of these features, stories, reviews , articles; but an over all, ever encompassing gush of adrenaline that rushes through every word of this magazine.

Damn it. It is so exhilarating, so exciting. It is a joy. You become addicted to it. Page after page, as a Chief Editor.

It is always an honor to be part of this groovy bunch of kids. Who teach me more than I have taught them ever.

Faruq Masudi

4 MEDIA TIMES DECEMBER 2014 EDITOR’S DESK JOURNALISTS AS SAVIOURS

famous journalist Henry Luce once said : “I became a journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world.” AEverywhere in the world, journalists are taught to be always ready for crisis situation, be it breaking out of wars, conflicts, or the occurrence of natural calamities. Journalists are usually first news dispensers in an emergent crisis, particularly when it involves their own communities or cities. Journalists are supposed to be among the most credible people out there, and have important stories to convey. The stories that push people to do something for those who need help. It is during the catastrophes, such as floods and earthquakes, that journalists need to be more than just reporters of news and events. They become the repository of information and are also required to dispense not just news, but be part of relief and rescue efforts for trapped people. The recent floods in Kashmir showcased journalists as saviors and rescuers. Many journalists jettisoned their observer status and jumped in to help the suffering victims of the disastrous floods which hit the valley in the first week of September. Journalists reacted to the emergency in the most fitting manner, rescuing victims and taking them to safer places; they went beyond their line of duty. Instead of preferring to do only stories, they helped in rescuing people and bringing relief material to the flood-affected population from their own sources.The journalists covering the flood showed compassion by offering water, rides and rescue, but their most enduring service was to expose the suffering of citizens trapped in harmfull shelters. They became a ray of hope for the distressed and devastated people. The breakdown of communication rendered journalists dysfunctional for a while, but it didn’t stop them from utilising their human skills to help in rescuing people and creating information centres, which were most needed at that point of time. Particularly, when the administration had paralyzed itself into inaction, it became paramount for journalists to carry out rescue operations and to create helplines on their own. Kashmir floods were a fertile ground for stories and news events for journalists, but journalists showed sensitivity in not becoming zealous-seekers of news. On the contrary, they concentrated all their energies on focusing on the grave situation i.e. to save people’s lives. As rightly said by a great journalist Henry Anatole Grunwald, “journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak.” The journalists of Kashmir spoke it, and spoke it well. Of course, Media is always in debate over dichotomy on whether to become crisis managers or crisis escalators during a disaster. The journalists in Kashmir have shown that journalists can also be saviours without borders or bias. The ability to empathize with pain and suffering, and the desire to prevent it, does not conflict with the professional standards. Those impulses make a better journalist, more attuned to the stories. Journalists are tasked with telling, if they change an outcome through responsible and necessary intervention, no one can deter them. As part of the training of budding journalists at Media Education Research Centre, it remains our focus to teach not just the necessary skills required for news writing and reporting, but to turn every student of journalism into a sensitive person capable of saving lives. The continuous effort on part of the department is to develop this aspect of journalism. To inculcate in them, the spirit of human agency so that they have an ethical framework to guide them when they work in the field. Yet, in the case of covering a catastrophe or hardship, they are taught and reminded that they are primarily journalists trying to cover a story. That is their principal role in the world, and if they perform it well, it is an absolutely unique service: helping the world understand something as it happens.

Muslim Jan

MEDIA TIMES 5 DECEMBER 2014

Sibtain Hyder

Media tries to persuade us to believe that our natural skin colour is not good enough. DARK IS NEW FAIR

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BEING DARK IN COMPLEXION DOESN’T MEAN I AM A LESSER HUMAN.

axmi Chandra, a dentist based commercial outcome. For a successful in Jammu, recalls how her commercial outcome, filmmakers or classmates in college used to advertisers will make a media product ridicule her because of her that is targeted to a certain audience. dark complexion. One could blame filmmakers or L“They never allowed me to sit next advertisers for their stance, but it’s all to them. Being dark in complexion society’s fault. The questions are, Can doesn’t mean I am a lesser human. I society be changed? And what role am perplexed, People still continue to should the Media play? Media has stress on this myth that white people become a money-making machine; We are superior,” she said. can’t get away from the fact. “My relatives barraged me with I believe the only way to change words of contempt. My uncle even views is to take education to the bought me a fairness cream and grassroots level. The government must persuaded me to use it every day. For utilise media to project a healthier a woman, looking fair is a must in this viewpoint. Since the society we live in country,” she added. doesn’t have direction or motivation Subash, a 25-year old pass-out for the good, the short-term prognosis from National Institute of Technology will be poor. Srinagar, has a similar deplorable You cannot promote something experience to share. without comparing it with its inferior, The questions he faced from his like they do in advertisements. They fellows like “don’t you take bath? Look promote a certain brand of fairness at your skin, you pollute cream by comparing a this college’,” he recollected. dark-skinned person Media strengthens People suffer with an energetic white the stereotypes. It plays a from low self- skinned one. significant role in shaping appreciation. People suffer from our outlook. And it is dead Colour bias low self-appreciation. on target. In promoting a is still lodged Colour bias is still lodged brand or in highlighting in the society. in the society. It not social causes, objectivity is It not only only involves home or crucial. But on the contrary involves home family, but educational we see adverts and films or family, but institutes and promoting discrimination educational workplaces too. It has on the basis of skin colour. institutes and affected our relations. Media tries to persuade workplaces too. Discrimination lives us to believe that our in those who have natural skin colour is not continuously stressed on good enough. Low caste this concept. Education workers or beggars shown in films are plays an important role in bridging the mostly dark-skinned. Advertisements gap. of fairness products openly express In the corporate world of today, that dark is ugly. A report by market every value, every great human virtue researcher A C Nielsen stated that in is trashed. Evil phenomenon like racial 2010 India’s fairness cream market was discrimination are being promoted worth $432m and was growing rapidly as common brains already stand at the rate of 18 percent a year. So far brainwashed to anti-human tendencies this year, people have consumed 100 by today’s corporate culture. tons of skin whitening products, which Media, parenting, friend circles or lack are endorsed by the celebrities. of conscience, whatever be the reason, We have to examine culture in dark is not ugly. What is ugly is the fact general. Fairness has always been that consciously or sub-consciously our considered superior. The films, society is contributing to this hurtful advertisements are made for a social evil. ©

MEDIA TIMES 7 MEDIA TIMES DECEMBER 2014

THE HOLY RELIC WAS FIRST ENSHRINED IN KHANQUAHI-NAQASHBANDIA AT KHWAJA BAZAAR IN OLD SRINAGAR.

REVERED HOME OF THE RELIC Muslims in huge numbers. On the other religious occasions, women offer prayers in the garden of the shrine while men pray at the other end. The shrine houses the Moi-e-Muqqadas, the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It is displayed only on special occasions such as Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) and Shab-I-Meraj every year. Hazratbal shrine of Kashmir, dates back to 17th century. The subedar of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, Sadiq Khan, constructed Ishrat Mahal and a garden at the site of the Shrine in 1623. However, when Shah Jahan visited the place in 1634, he ordered conversion of the palace into prayer house. History has it that Hazrat SyedAbdullah (RA), a trustee of holy shrine of Madina possessed three holy relic. He undertook a journey to India and reached Bejapur in 1636 during the reign of Shah Jahan.After his death, his son Syed Hamid became the custodian of the holy relic. Khwaja Noor– u-Din Ashawari, a noted kashmiri trader, met him and developed deep respect for azratbal is the revered Muslim him. shrine of Kashmir. The name While leaving for home, he requested of the shrine comes from the Syed Hamid for one of the relics. Initially, Arabic word ‘Hazrat’, meaning he refused, but late gave the relic to holy or majestic, and kashmiri word ‘bal’, KhawajaAshawari for taking it to Kashmir. Ubaid Jeelani Hmeaning place. It is seen as a symbol of love The latter chose the sacred hair which was and respect for the Prophet Muhammad given to him. On reaching Lahore, Khawaja The Hazratbal shrine houses (SAW). Ashawari was arrested by Aurangzeb the Moi-e- Hazratbal is situated on the western and the sacred relic was enshrined in the Muqqadas, the banks of picturesque Dal Lake. Facing Dargah atAjmer Sharief. Later,Aurangzeb holy relic of Prophet the beautiful Nishat Bagh, the shrine arranged the passage of the caravan Muhammad offers panoramic view of the lake and the carrying the holy relic with full honor and (SAW), which is mountains afar. it reached Srinagar in 1700 BC. displayed only on The shrine is adorable. People coming The holy relic was first enshrined in special occasions. from far off places rest beneath the Chinars. Khanquahi-Naqashbandia at Khwaja They come with their families, sit in the Bazaar in old Srinagar. From there, it was gardens, and enjoy the cool breeze coming shifted to Baghi Saif Khan and housed in from the Dal Lake. They relish the flavour the bungalow of Sadiq Khan, a descendant of the local snacks. of Mughals. Since then, it came to be The Friday prayers offered here attract known as Aasari Sharief Hazratbal. ©

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LABELING ISLAM AS TERRORIST OR PEACE ABHORRING RELI- GION IS THE OUTCOME OF MISPLACED ASSUMPTIONS. BOLLYWOOD TERRORISM ovies are an effective way Bollywood started depicting Muslims as for propaganda. Using indolent and futile nabobs, who squandered stereotyped images, cinema their money on prostitutes. Mere Hazoor, can communicate strong Pakeezah, Umrao Jaan were some of the political messages to its audiences and movie based on the theme. In ‘80s and Mexacerbate existing conflicts. ‘90s, Muslims were shown in movies, India leads the world in sale of movie such as Ghulam-I-Mustafa and Angaar, tickets, and its of the interest the public of as underworld Dons. Subsequently, the the world’s second most populated country trend of presenting Muslims as terrorists or takes in movies. Bollywood competes with extremists reached its pinnacle after 2001. Hollywood for viewership and cultural Due to the 9/11 attack, the political impact at the global level. And its success scenario in the entire world changed. in doing so can be judged from its demand Muslims in general became direct or in Pakistan despite differences between the indirect victims of the wrath of the West. In two neighbouring states. India, the incident of 26/11 only added fuel In the initial years of independence, the to the fire. It influenced Bollywood too. Indian film industry had many Muslim Since then, most Bollywood movies producers, directors, writers, and actors. have projected a negative image of Back then, Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahel, Muslims, This change posed a question Anarkali, Mughal-e-Azam, Mere Mehboob, mark on Bollywood’s position as an Bahu Begum and Chaudwien ka Chand industry for entertainment. Bollywood were the kind of movies produced in India. has made no effort to highlight the The movies rightly showed Muslims as extremist elements in the Hindu rulers and showcased their resplendent community in India in order to past. establish that extremist tendencies aren’t However, over the decades the prejudice dependent on religion. Labeling Islam as against Muslims in the film world has terrorist or peace abhorring religion is the become more pronounced. The portrayal outcome of misplaced assumptions that of Muslims has changed from that of are unbecoming of the country proud of philanthropists to terrorists. In 1970s, the its cultural diversity and secularism. ©

Omer Malik The prejudice against Muslims in the film world has become more pronounced.

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ALL SHOULD CREATE A MORAL WATCHDOG FOR OURSELVES. DON’T BE A STEPHEN n this world of cut-throat competition, manages to manipulate the process and how far would you go to clasp on to slip in his fiction in the form of facts in any that position where you are viewed as generic article, which does not have a source the benchmark for others? Would you material and is purely checked on the basis pursue your conscience or let your praise- of the reporter’s notes and description of the Iloving instincts take over your decisiveness? event. Quite masterfully, Stephen heightens Or would you choose to be an entertainer his aplomb and starts overdoing his fiction- at the cost of risking your Professional fact-farce reports and is eventually exposed Integrity? by an online magazine, Forbes Digital, The questions like these stroll through after an article, titled Hack Heaven, is your imagination when you watch the movie scrutinized and found fake. Twenty-seven ‘Shattered Glass’. This ironic ‘true story’ of the 41 reports by Stephen are adjudged tells the tale of concoction and fabrication as fabricated, making the readers question that marred the career of an otherwise the credibility of the entire magazine. What talented writer, Stephen Glass. A 24-year follows is a formal apology letter from The old dynamic reporter working for the New Republic team to its readers accepting prestigious in-flight magazine of Air Force the tale of myth, lies and fabrication that One, The New Republic (TNR), Stephen has Stephen had managed to write as facts. made a name for himself as an entertainer ‘Shattered Glass’ is a must-watch movie who does stories that his colleagues wish for every professional, not only a journalist. they could do. These striking stories are It portrays the significance of sensibility new, entertaining and at times resembling and common sense over creativity and fiction. However, as Stephen describes the treachery. Not only does it tell us a tale of emphatic fact-check and review process emphatic rise and equally fast decline of a during the TNR three-day torture test, Journalist’s career, it manages to describe the no one doubts their credibility. Stephen essentialities of the profession. The fact that assumption, over confidence and amateurism should not overtake your conscience, honesty and professional integrity, has been beautifully showcased in this movie. Some of the nonverbal intricacies like showing the lead actor barefooted in the office signifies how immobile and theoretical his professional life was. The repeated dialogue “are you mad at me?” tells us how Nisar Dharma sceptical and aware Stephen was about the fallacies in his Cunningness work. And last but not the may lead us to a least, the conscious attempt life of failure and to show a credible care for shame. every colleague thereby gaining their trust tells us how planned Stephen was in his efforts of turning fiction into facts.As a journalist, everyone experiences that 

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delicate moment in his profession where journalism. Yet his disgraced past hung he has to make a sensible decision of on to him as he was denied a license to acknowledging what is morally and practice law by the California Supreme professionally right and shunning what Court. Pointing out in its ruling that could possibly be a tempting short-lived “Glass’s journalistic dishonesty was success. But what follows can be a disaster not a single lapse of judgment, but as happened with Stephen. We all should involved significant deceit sustained create a moral watchdog for ourselves by unremittingly for many years.” Glass strengthening our credibility and thus was left disorganised and ashamed. not allowing our thoughts take over our That tells us that the consequences of thinking. our cunningness may lead us into a life In reality, Stephen Glass studied Law of failure and shame. So, beware and be after his infamous exit from the world of aware! ©

BACKWARD EDUCATION

ONLY FIVE OF THE 69 MOBILE SCHOOLS STARTED IN THE PIR PANJAL MOUNTAIN RANGE HAVE BEEN FUNCTIONING.

ducation remains a dream for the nomadic Bakerwals of Jammu and Kashmir as the successive government have failed in making the mobile schools operational. EAn ethnic group basically from the high altitudes of Chenab valley, Bakerwals wander from place to place with their cattle for livelihood. Studying in regular schools is thus an impossibility for their children who are constantly engaged in rearing the cattle. In 1970, the then state government opened mobile schools for the community at Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Poonch, Budgam, Kargil, and Rajouri. In ‘90s, these mobile schools were shut down Mir Sheema due to turmoil and it took the state administration years to make In 1970, the then them functional again. state government However, a survey conducted by the President the J&K Residents opened mobile of Backward Forum, Zakir Malik Bhalessi, has revealed that only schools for the five of the 69 mobile schools started in the Pir Panjal mountain bakerwals, but range have been functioning. the initiative is Ghulam Mohammad Gorse hails from Doomi Gaathi, a village proving to be a in Poonch. Gorse migrates from Poonch to Kashmir with in April damp squib and stays here till the harvest season is over. “The education of my children has been marred by the government’s unfulfilled promise of mobile schools. No mobile school is functioning at the place where I am staying. Mobile schools exist on papers only,’’ he says. 

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Mohammad Abdullah Jahraa hails schools is bad as they are paid less and from Brewnwar area of district Budgam. are asked to be on duty at high altitudes. Abdullah and his family left home in There is no arrangement for them to stay May, migrating to the greener pastures of in Dhokes,” says Sadiq. Dhokal some 3o Kilometers away from “The educational volunteers working their home. in mobile schools are supposed to work “My children have been to school since for six months a year, and for rest of the we left home,” says Abdullah. season they are not paid anything. Even “When the government opened mobile the salary paid is not released for years,’’ schools in these areas the last year, not even Sadiq adds. one of them was with proper facilities. The Abdul Hafeez is a student of 5th class school was functioning under the open who hails from Kalakote, a village in sky. The teachers had to teach in the shade Rajouri. He has come with his parents to of the trees. And the school had to be Kashmir along with their flock of sheep. closed in bad weather,’’ he says. Hafeez also left home in April and now The President of Mobile Teachers they are staying in a Dhoke at Pulwama. Forum, Mian Mohammad Sadiq, agrees “For last four months I am absent from that the scheme is a failure. Sadiq who school and my study is disturbed. There has been working as a mobile school is no mobile school here. How can I teacher for last seven years hasn’t seen continue my studies?” he asks. any step taken by the government for the Director school Education Kashmir improvement of these schools. Mir Tariq Ali avoided refused to talk “The condition of teachers in these about it.©

I EARN AROUND RS 3000 A DAY HERE. MY CUSTOMERS ARE MOSTLY THE LABORERS. A BIT OF BIHAR very Friday morning, Sonram Raju boards a sumo at Srinagar’s Batamaloo bus stand for Nasrulahpora village located some 16 km away in central Kashmir’s EBudgam district. A resident of Jalandhar city in north Indian state of Punjab, Raju has been coming to the village for last 10 years to sell secondhand clothes at ‘Bihari Market’ fair held every Thursday and Friday at Nayeem Rather the village. Being a non-local, Raju easily mingles into a small crowd of non-local The huge laborers who have begun to assemble in presence of non- the village. He spreads out a rug on the locals has given roadside, arranges the clothes that he has Nasrulahpora brought in a sack and sits down to begin village the name of ‘Chota Bihar’ the sale. "I earn around Rs 3000 a day here. My customers are mostly the laborers," he says. The dilapidated road in Nasrulahpora is flanked by makeshift stalls flooded with all kinds of items ranging from

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food articles to clothes and pirated CDs makeshift shops proved inadequate to meet of Bollywood movies. Most of the village’s the demands of the laborers, who began to population is dependent on agriculture, move to adjoining villages and towards the which gives fewer yields now and is not district headquarters in Budgam town. enough to sustain. "In order to curb the economic drain, But eager shoppers are pouring in we made a decision to hold a fair in the huge numbers, mostly non-local laborers village where all essential items should be generalized as ‘Biharis’ who work at made available," says FayazAhmed, who the adjoining brick kilns. They jump was among the first in the village to have from the roofs of the buses that come a shop. to Nasrulahpora or emerge from shared "The laborers are connected with the passengers taxis. Some arrive on donkey- laborers of other areas and they also visit driven carts too. But all kinds of vehicles the market occasionally," he says. are brought to a grinding halt due to The fame of the market spread like jammed roads in the village. The coal laden wildfire and the vendors started to come trucks honk madly. The noise is such that here from other districts to sell their you have to shout to make yourself heard. products. Some of them from Srinagar, The fair is held on every Thursday and Anantnag and Chadoora visit this market Friday from May to October but the rush regularly for earning a livelihood. is highest on Fridays. And it is the huge "I come here every Friday to sell clothes attendance of non-locals at the fair that has and shoes, like I do in Sunday Market at given the Nasrulahpora village the name of Lal Chowk," says Ghulam Mohammad, a ‘Chota Bihar’ in the area. resident of Srinagar who has been visiting Outside the stalls, the ‘Biharis’ are busy the ‘Bihari Market’ in Nasrulahpora for last in purchasing stock of essential items for five years. the week. In a stall managed by 22 years According to locals, around 30, 000 old Zareena, dark-skinned women clad laborers visit the market on Friday and in ragged saris are busy haggling and spend around Rs 35,00,000 on a market buying multicolored cheap bangles, nose day. Mubashir Ahmed Dar is a 12th pass studs and vermilion. Amidst the din, loud who was unemployed for a long time. shouts promising quality products at cheap Three years ago, he started a retail shop in rates emanate from somewhere in crude ‘Bihari Market’. Hindustani: ‘Company ka Ghata, Logon "On a market day, his sale is around ka Fayida’. Beneath a majestic Chinar, the Rs 40,000. The business is good here. The laborers have assembled around a non- laborers spend all the money they earn local barber, obediently waiting for their here. Thank Almighty, I earn enough to turn. At a butcher’s shop, long queues of feed my family now," he says. non-local laborers are waiting to get beef. With their agricultural land changing "They eat a lot of beef. I sell around into kilns, the villagers were unemployed 400 kg on the market day. The business for a long time and they found it hard to is going great," says MushtaqAhmed Dar earn their livelihood. The respite came who has been selling beef for last 14 years with the start of ‘Bihari Market’. in the village. The more people pour in, In the last 10 years, the economic the more congested the place becomes condition of the village has drastically and it becomes difficult to even walk. improved. It is visible in the recently built Innumerable heads move in tandem. This plush houses and ruins of old mud houses. place looks more of a village in Bihar. "This village was poor. We had no The history of ‘Bihari Market’ dates back avenues of employment but our lives have to the time when the lush green paddy drastically changed due to this market," fields of Budgam were buried under brick said Abdul Ahad Dar, the headman of kilns in late ‘90s. With the laborers from Nasrulahpora. north Indian states flooding the area, the Adil Mir, 17, studies in 10th class and villagers thought of making hey, and some runs an electronics shop in the market. of them set up small, makeshift shops in Adil earns Rs 4000 on the market day. the vicinity of kilns to sell essential items "I earn while I am still in school. I want to the laborers. to study and become an engineer. This As the number of brick kilns increased, market has allowed me to realize my dream the demand for goods increased too. The of studying," he says. 

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Mohammad Sabir, a laborer from Bareli Hamid, a local of Nasrulahpora. "They in north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has drink openly and have become so fearless come to buy a CD. He is a fan of Salman that we have started to fear them now. Khan. Sometimes I think that Article 370 does "I love Salman. I have come here to buy not apply to our village." CDs of his films," he says. In past, there have been many fights As the popularity of the market grew, between non-locals and locals with many ‘Biharis’ began to establish shops the villagers alleging that many youth in the village. They rented small patches were picked by army for ‘harassing’ the of land and constructed tin sheds from non-local laborers. On July 23, 2012, where they are now running the shops. Showket Ahmed was summoned to the Hari Kishore, who has a sweets shop in army camp in Dharmul where he was the village, came to Kashmir in 1999 from allegedly assaulted for being a “supporter Bihar for the first time. of militants”. "For a long time I had no job. I Two days prior to the incident, wandered here and there and then I heard Showket had scolded a labor for of this market and started to sell sweets for drinking alcohol in public. "The laborer a year. Eventually I got a place here to set went to the camp and told them that up my shop," he says. I threatened to kill him for drinking Not all the residents of the village are alcohol," says Showket. Later, on the happy with the presence of ‘Biharis’ in intervention of village elders, Showket their neighborhood. was released. Similarly six other youths "There are too many Biharis here. They claimed to have been summoned to the create problems and they pollute the camp in the recent past on charges of road with their gutka spits," says Abdul “harassing the Biharis”. ©

ADVENTURE SPORTS IS THE NEW ATTRACTION AMONG YOUTH. NOT SO ADVENTUROUS AFTER ALL ver the past three years of boom in tourist influx in Kashmir, adventure sports too have gained popularity. The history of adventure sports in the valley is short, but the sport is increasingly becoming an attraction for the sportsmen. O“Adventure sports is the new attraction among youth as it is challenging,” said an official at State Youth Services Irfan Mehraj and Sports Department. However, the promotion of adventure sport in the The beautiful valley is largely done by the State Tourism Department. mountains and The department pushes it as an extension of the tourism vast areas of industry in order to promote tourism in Kashmir. Kashmir offer Earlier, it was mountaineering, skiing and the water tremendous scope for sports sports like rafting, canoeing and swimming that formed the bulk of adventure sports in the valley. Now, other sports have entered the frame as well. Paragliding is one of them. Introduced in the valley September last year, a seven- day paragliding festival was held at Asthanmarg Dara on the outskirts of Srinagar. It received positive response

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from sport enthusiasts. Organised and at Gulmarg,” Muzamil Ahmad Dar, supervised by Jammu and Kashmir another physical education teacher Tourism Department, the festival was yet at State Youth Services and Sports another step towards promoting tourism department, said. in Kashmir. State Youth Services and Sports “Although paragliding is done in department conducts yearly skiing other parts of India, the beautiful courses for school going students. Other mountains and vast areas of Kashmir than skiing, it offers mountaineering offer tremendous scope for this and rock climbing courses as well. adventure sport,” Ghulam Ahmad “Mountaineering and rock-climbing Mir, Minister for Tourism, said on the has limited participation. Skiing occasion. receives the bulk of participation,” he “Paragliding is the newest entrant to said. the adventure sport scene in the valley, Rock climbing is held once in a year although it is mainly conducted for for school students in under-19 age tourism purposes,” said Shabir Shah, group. However, MuzamilAhmad Dar a physical education teacher at State thinks the sport is losing its charm in the Youth Services and Sports department. valley as there is limited participation. Skiing is the most popular adventure “When I started out, rock climbing sport followed in the valley. Every was my passion. Sadly the sport is winter, tourists and locals alike throng ignored today,” he said. the snowy meadows of Gulmarg to The annual skiing course conducted participate in skiing events. by the Youth Services department costs “Skiing is the most famous among around Rs 30 Lakh. It is a 45-day event all adventure sports in the valley as divided into three courses in which it is very popular owing to the snow students from all private 

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and government-run schools participate. teachers associated with Youth Services “We conduct skiing courses only for department argue that the promotion of school going children. Our job is to impart adventure sports in Kashmir only serves sports training at the grassroots level,” commercial interests, and that Kashmiri Shabir Shah, an official, said. students by and large do not benefit. They Several officials at State Youth Services argue that if adventure sports in explored and Sports department rue the fact that at grassroots level, it will help in creating there is no separate adventure sports wing career opportunities. in their department. “Today adventure sports are used “We had a post of Assistant Director for commercial purposes by tourism Skiing and Mountaineering. But this post department involving instructors from the was demolished six years ago for unknown outside. How do Kashmiri’s benefit from reasons,” Muzamil lamented. that?” asked Muzaffar. Presently, there is no adventure sports Adventure sport has tremendous wing in the department. The department potential in valley, argued Shabir Shah. conducts only a few adventure sports “Today’s youth are adventure lovers, so if courses in Skiing, Mountaineering, Rock proper training is imparted at school level it Climbing and Rafting. would create career opportunities as not all “But it is negligible. We can do much of them will think of becoming doctors and more if there is a separate adventure-sport engineers,” he said. wing in our department,” said Shabir. The skiing events conducted by the Other than Youth Services department, Youth Services department only serve there are other Skiing events which are the recreational purposes as there is no sponsored by J&K Tourism Department. competition at professional level to test the A yearly skiing event is held ability of students. by Indian Institute of Skiing “Since there are no skiing competitions and Mountaineering, where students can be groomed at sponsored by State professional level, it becomes an exercise of Tourism Department. It’s acquirement of certificates,” he added. an open event, inviting For Shabir Shah and Muzammil Dar, participation from all age the youth services department should groups. be authorized to conduct tournaments J&K State Sports Council, in adventure sports so that this form is a semi government body, also explored at the professional level. conducts an open skiing event. Lack of infrastructure and absence of a Kashmir University too has its own separate adventure sports wing at Youth skiing event. Services department are a few reasons that While the promotion of tourism adventure sports remains unexplored at the industry in Kashmir school level. forms the main “There are not enough trainers. They are reason behind brought from outside. How can there be “We can do promoting adventure homegrown trainers when adventure sports much more sports in the valley, is not imparted at the school level,” said if there is a there is no imparting Shabir Shah. seperate wing of adventure sports The advancement of adventure sport in for adventure training at the school valley will only happen if it’s imparted at sports in our and college level. school level. “If school going children are department” “Adventure sports trained for adventure sports, they can a have training shall be a future as adventurists and it will help our State Youth Services and imparted at the economy,” argued Shabir. Sports Department school level so that it The present scene of adventure sports in officials. will boost popularity valley is dominated by commercial interests. of the sport and also At one end Tourism department treats the help in boosting sport as a tool in promoting tourism in sports activity in Kashmir with negligible benefits to the local Kashmir,” said Shabir populace, at other end is Youth Services Shah. department, which lacks infrastructure and Physical education work force to train students for this sport.©

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THE ABSENCE OF HUTS TOO A PROBLEM FOR THE TOURISTS. TULIPS IN TRAUMA

n the banks of Dal lake in the the rain adds to its beauty,” Chandrakanta, Srinagar city is theAsia’s largest a tourist from Haryana, said. tulip garden, which received 24 The only inconveniences the tourists new varieties of tulips this year suffer are due to the lack of infrastructure and also suffered damage at the hands of at the garden. There is no tiled walkway, Othe weather. and the visitors are forced to walk on the This year, the weather wasn’t favourable muddy tracks. for the growth of Tulips. The heavy “There shall be a proper walkway so that snowfall in early spring and the unusual we could walk without any fear of falling heavy rainfall thereafter affected growth of over. It’s so inconvenient. The ticket cost Yusra Khan the flowers. me Rs 200, but I think it is not worth it. “This year there was too much snow This muddy track is blotting the beauty of The lack of which affected the blossom and now the the garden,” said a tourist, Tarun Saxena of infrastructure rain is affecting. Too much rain or too Lucknow. results in much dry weather affects the bloom. The The absence of huts too is seen as a economic loss temperature should remain 20 degrees problem by the tourists. April is the month to the people Celsius,” says one of the gardeners, Nissar of tulips and rains in Kashmir, but there is whose business is associated Ahmad. no arrangement of shelter. with the garden. The rains affected the tulips, but couldn’t “Infrastructure could have been affect the tourist rush. improved. There could have been a hut or “I came here for first time. We haven’t a shelter somewhere to save us from rain. visited Gulmarg, Pahalgam or Sonmarg It must be affecting the business as well,” yet. I and my family arrived only the last Kashmiri, visiting the garden, said. evening, and we wanted to explore the The lack of infrastructure results in garden first. We have heard a lot about this economic loss to the people whose business garden, but it really is very beautiful. And is associated with the garden.

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The only restaurant in the garden is Kashmiri tradition and culture is improperly placed. Its owner has paid on display everywhere in the garden. Rs 3.5 lakh for the space this year, but From the hawker selling Kehwa to the rain and the lack of infrastructure are photographers who makes tourists pose in becoming a threat to his business. Kashmiri costumes, everyone is doing his “I used to earn Rs 30,000 a day bit to showcase the culture and traditions previously, but I hardly earn Rs 5000-6000 of Kashmir a day now,” the owners said. “We have all the Kashmiri garments “Apart from the rain, the problem is both for men, women and children. We this mud. Tourists don’t come to have have jewellery too. Tourists, especially food due to the mud. We have requested Indians, love to be photographed in such the department to concrete paths, but costumes.” says Aabid Bhat, one of the they don’t pay any attention making us photographers. suffer,” he added. The garden of tulips is also famous by In front of the restaurant is a tent in the name ‘Siraj Bagh’. The garden was which tourists and visitors enjoy Kehwa basically an apple orchard, which was made with saffron.A cup of Kehwa served later turned into a nursery by floriculture with bagirkhani costs Rs 30. department where flowers used to be “Our business is affected by the rain. cultivated and exported to the countries We paid Rs 3,00,000 for this place for 28 across the globe. The garden has 122 days. Last year, we earned a good profit, varieties of tulips, having 1.5 million but this year the business is running in bulbs, and is spread over 15 hectares’ of loss,” the owner said. land.©

KARGIL HAS CHANGED VERILY IN THE PAST TWO DECADES WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LADAKH AUTONOMOUS HILL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN 2003.

KARGIL: ARYANS’ ABODE

beautiful landscape in the middle of Himalayas is Kargil—one of the two districts of Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Prior to 1949 ceasefire between India and APakistan, Ladakh was divided into Leh, Skardu, and Kargil tehsils. Earlier, Kargil was known as Purig, and its people were called Purgis. Ghulam Murtaza The name Kargil, derived from the local word gar-kil meaning “were to stay” for the Kargil has tremendous region is at an equal distance from Skardu, potential for Kashmir, and Leh, came into trend in 1800 tourism due to after the attack of general Zorawar Singh on the presence of Ladakh. picturesque spots Kargil is situated at an altitude of 9000 feet like Damsna, above sea level. Leh and Kargil together cover Panikhar, Zanskar, an area of 59,605 sq km from Zojila to Zanskar and Drass. on one side and from Batalik to Bodh Kharbu on the other. The majority populace of the district is settled on the banks of Suru river, which originates from the Penzila glacier of Zanskar.

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The area is known as Suru valley or Suru Aryans, which live in the Darchiks Karchay. Garkoon area. They have preserved Kargilis mostly are of Dard or Tibeteen their race for thousand years. Historians origin, belonging to Dards, Purgis and believe that they may have come from Baltis ethnicities. Dards came from Rome and some believe that they are the Gilgit and have settled in the Drass descendents ofAlexander the great. The region. Purgis are a mixed breed of the people follow Buddhism and speak a Dards, Mongolian, and Tibeteen origin. different language. And Baltis believe they have come from Kargil has a tremendous potential Baltistan. for tourism due to the presence of Purgis speak Purgi language, the picturesque spots like Damsna, Panikhar, inhabitants of Drass use shina language, Zanskar, and Drass. The region has and Baltis use the Balti language. various sculptures of Buddha that are Kargil witnesses a very scanty rainfall thousands of years old and are called and has less vegetation, but on the Chamba in the local language. outskirts of Suru basin the land is very Kargil has changed verily in the past fertile. Farmers sow two crops in a year. two decades with the establishment of Barley, wheat, millet, peas, and black Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development beans are regular in cultivation. Kargil is Council in 2003. The present generation famous for its apricots. The area is famous of Kargil wants to be in touch with the for its gem stones. global world and the government is taking Kargil has a distinction of being the steps to for socio-economic development habitat of a special ethnic race called of the region. ©

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WE ARE TRYING OUR LEVEL BEST TO PRESENT PROGRAMMES THAT WILL BENEFIT AND ENTERTAIN OUR LISTENERS. VADI KI AWAAZ

n the recent decades, Radio Kashmir the people. Srinagar has become the voice of “We are trying our level best to present Kashmir, touching the hearts of programmes that will benefit and entertain millions of Kashmir. our listeners from different walks of life,” “Radio Kashmir Srinagar has something Station Director at Radio Kashmir Srinagar Inew for its listeners every day. That is said. the reason we listen to Radio,” Ghulam “We have a responsibility towards our Mohammad Mir, an avid fan of Radio society. We are here not only to entertain Altaf Hussain Kashmir, said. people but we have to inform and educate Programmes like Payame Subh, Aaj them also,” she added. Radio Kashmir ki Surkhiyan, Zoon Dab, Hello Tuhenz It is perhaps for the efforts of broadcasters Srinagar has Farmaish, Dhadkan, Shehrbeen, and that radio has over the years evolved as a over the Hamsafar are winning the hearts of powerful medium for mass communication years evolved people. Shehrbeen has been highlighting in the Valley. Despite mushrooming of as a powerful medium in the the problems and issues confronting the television channels, it has retained its place Valley. common people. Aaj ke Surkhiyan is an in the society as an effective medium for important programme for the people living awareness about social issues. in far flung areas for it brings to them “Radio offers variety of programmes, headlines of the local newspapers, which ranging from entertainment to news. It they don’t usually have an easy access to. builds opinions, entertains us, and keeps Zoon Dab has been the most popular radio us updated,” said SuhailAhmad, a college feature that highlights problems faced by student. ©

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THIS TYPE OF WORK IS QUITE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SUPPORT PEOPLE LIKE ME. CRIPPLED BY FATE, ENDOWED BY WILL

ith sweat on his forehead city to sell the items to commuters. I sell and nose, he drives his about 10 posters a day,” he says. wheel chair on hot summer He doesn’t sell the same items throughout days amid heavy traffic the year, but keeps on changing the goods in Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of as per the market demand. WSrinagar. In a stammering voice, he almost “I keep on selling different varieties. In pleads people to buy his Islamic posters or the holy month there is a huge demand for dry fruits. Islamic posters and dry fruits for tourists,” For crippled Muhammad Iqbal,19, it he says. Sami Ullah is a daily routine—to leave home early in For Iqbal, the desire to be independent the mornings with a collection of Islamic has been the driving force. Crippled Iqbal, from Damhal posters and packets of dry fruits carried on “Normally we see most disabled persons Hanjipora the top of his wheel chair. give up because of their disabilities, and then village of south Iqbal, who is from Damhal Hanjipora they suffer problems like unemployment. Kashmiri’s village of south Kashmiri’s Kulgam district, Some even turn to begging,” Iqbal says. Kulgam district, stays with his father, a labourer, in a rented “But a person shall not get discouraged and helps his father room at Shalteng Srinagar. Since his father shall learn to live with dignity.” to earn livelihood finds it hard to earn a decent livelihood for Iqbal says sometimes he has to return for their family. his family, Iqbal decided to lend a helping home with empty hands after the day’s hard hand. work. Every day, he moves from Shalteng to Lal “This type of work is quite difficult for Chowk, selling the posters and dry fruits. people like me. The government here shall “Every day, I leave Shalteng at 9 am on have given subsidies for people like me to my wheel chair to tour various areas of the start their own business,” he says. ©

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ULTIMATELY, THE LEECHES DIE WHILE THE PATIENT IS SAVED.

RX LEECHES n the Friday market set up at a little poison. Ultimately, the leeches die while the distance from the Hazratbal shrine, patient is saved,” he says Mohammad. “The Ghulam Mohammad tends to people therapy has no side effects.” complaining of knee ache, back Leech therapy is one of the oldest problems, pimples, sinusitis, or blood treatments used for alleviation of pain. Ipressure.The septuagenarian leech therapist The species of leech used for medicinal appears incongruous in the thoroughfare purpose is called Hirudo medicinalis, packed with fruit sellers, bearded beggars, which live in clean water. These leeches wailing infants, and crumbling matriarchs. can suck 5-10 ml of blood, many times Sitting on a jute rug, surrounded by their body weight. ill people, Mohammad does not sport a Hirodu therapy, the use of medicinal stethoscope or surgical garb; there are no leech for medical purposes, was florescent lights generally present in the introduced by Ibn- e Sina. According clinics. to records, leech therapy was prevailing His only tools are a cloth pouch full of during the Egyptian pheronic dynasty leave and years of experience. His way of some 3500 years ago. dealing with the patients isn’t cosmetic. Greek and Roman physicians have made His method of assuaging pain is somewhat note of these invertebrates for remedial queer. properties. Leech therapy was in practice He places a leech on the knee of Manjeet in America during the 19th century when Kour. After applying water on her skin with physicians used it for a variety of illnesses. his forefinger, the old man picks up another However, the trend started declining with worm and places it just below the previous the introduction of modern medicinal one. There are four leeches sucking blood methods. from Manjeet’s leg at a time. Leech therapy has been in practice for Mohammad says that he inherited the centuries in Kashmir valley, and continues practise from his father. to be a source of succour for many “If a patient is suffering from some Kashmiri’s who still adhere to this age old poisonous disease, the leeches suck out the method of healing. ©

Yasir Gaffar

Leech therapy is one of the oldest treatments used for alleviation of pain.

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AN ENGINEER BY PROFESSION, 64-YEARS-OLD AUSSIE VAN DEN BARSELAAR IS A FOLLOWER OF KASHMIR SHIVISM.

‘DIFFERENT RELIGIONS, ONE THEME’ n the shade of centuries-old mighty meditation”. Chinar in the premises of Khir He visits Kashmir almost every year Bhawani temple at Ganderbal, George to be at Ishwar Ashram trust at Nishat, Van Den Barselaar is resting on a Srinagar. His wife too has visited the place. chair, surrounded by glowing earthen This year, he was specially invited to set-up Ilamps and the fragrance from incense sticks a bookstall at Khir Bhawani for books on and flowers. An engineer by profession, the life and teachings of Lakshmanjoo. 64-years-old Aussie is a follower of “History has it that many Kashmiri Kashmir Shivism. Muslims are actually third or fourth “Every spiritual life is a journey; mine generation Hindus. I feel very bad for the began in Kashmir in 1980,” he says. younger generations of Kashmir because Barselaar was 29 when he first visited they are losing touch with their traditions; the Kashmir, and fell in love with Kashmir departure of Kashmir pandits has disturbed Shivism. He studied it for a decade under the social setup completely,” he says. the guidance of Swami Lakshmanjoo. Khir Bhawani has been Kashmiri “I was born in a Methodist family that pandits’ vital connection to Kashmir. And Afshan Rashid was not rigid in practicing religion. In reduction in the number of visitors is the Kashmir I became associated with Shivism only change Barselaar has noticed at the Barselaar begin and helped Swamiji’s trust in publishing temple after 1990. his spiritual books and circulating them in America “Except the decline in the number of journey in and Australia,” he says while opening a devotees visiting the temple, there is no Kashmir in book to find a photograph of himself . change here. There is no change in the way “This is young me, when I was a student they (devotees) do their religious rituals 1980 of Shivism,” he says, wearing a smile on his here,” he says. wrinkled face. “India is going to the West,” he continues, Barselaar believes that all religions “and the West is coming to India. Despite have the same theme that “God is one”, their rich traditional and cultural values, but different approaches. And Kashmir Indians, unfortunately, tend to follow the Shivism, he insists, “is the best path for West. It is a cause of concern.” ©

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BE TRUTHFUL AND HAVE FAITH IN YOUR ABILITIES AND CAPABILITIES. BEING YOURSELF have a own role model for inspiration in depressing and hard times. But in this process of looking up for inspiration, we, more often than not, tend to lose our originality and individuality by following every act, good or bad, of our role models. We work very hard to be like someone else. We always conform to the society’s common sense without realising whether its impact on us will be positive or negative. It is often found that we are not our true selves in the company of others as we consciously or unconsciously wear the mask to project a certain kind of image in certain situations. We do it hoping that this will serve our interests without realising that we would have to live in a constant fear of being unmasked. It’s imperative that we should never lose our originality or individuality, which are a person’s biggest asset and strength in hard times. It’s important that one recognises the “There is but one cause of failure and that uniqueness about his personality. We is a man’s lack of faith in his true self,” humans have the tendency to compare William James ourselves with others, and it is not the The creator has created every soul with right thing to do. By comparing, we attach some unique talents and potentials. This high expectations with ourselves and uniqueness in terms of talent and potential sometimes when we fall short of those is something that makes this world expectations. The contempt for one’s own fascinating and diverse. The particular self starts to take roots. Every human talent and potential enables each one of has flaws as well as strengths, but what us to serve the mankind, and work for matters is how we deal and overcome the betterment of the society. The diversity weaknesses. makes us curious to know more about the It will be in the best interest of us all to people and the culture, and about how be truthful to ourselves and have faith in and why things work in a particular way. our abilities and capabilities. Many kinds It thus becomes possible for us to find a of flowers make a garden beautiful, and Anayat Sultan way to change them for better. the world is beautiful only due to the We live in a world where everyone is presence of different individuals in it. Everyone has dependent on others for one reason or You hold significance till your maintain to have a role the other. We cannot live in isolation for your individuality; once you lose it, you the reason that we, as humans, have needs are lost in the abyss of insignificance. model for and wants that cannot be satisfied without Once you know that you have already inspiration social bonds. Everyone in this world been given an independent, unique, and wants to be someone.And that someone timeless identity, you need never worry we may succeed in becoming defines the about making yourself like someone. measures of safety, security, or happiness “It’s safer to be that which we destroy we win in this life. than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy”, To become someone, everyone has to William Shakespeare. ©

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DAYAN CHAND, THE INDIAN HOCKEY LEGEND, REFUSED TO PLAY FOR GERMANY WHEN ADLOF HITLOR OFFERED HIM MONEY. GAMES: FIXED here was no concept of currency teams when offered more money. Football in ancient times. Man was which is called beautiful game and cricket living a life of wanderer. With which is known as gentleman’s game the passage of time, concept of have lost their real essence. Nowadays, private property came into being. Desire players are devoid of sportsmanship; Tfor property created competition. fame and money is their priority. Money From ancient to medieval period to so- has ruined the competitive spirit and called modern age, scene has drastically joy of participation in sports. Honor and changed. ‘Survival of the fittest’ theory respect means nothing to sportspersons. by Darwin shook the minds of humans. The ethics of sports have been jolted by Humans began to feel insecure in the excessive commercialisation. competitive nature of life. Now race for However, there are still some sports money in every walk of life. Human have lovers and sportspersons who try their become so money minded that they can go hard to keep it alive. Example was set by to any extent to make money. Dayan Chand, the great Indian hockey Money factor has also touched the arena legend, who refused to play for Germany of sports. Money has invaded the essence when German dictator Adlof Hitlor of sports. This does not mean that money offered him money and a high post in is curse; it is indeed important part of life army. Dhayen Chand knew the honour of and it plays good role in sports. But over playing for his nation. emphasis on money is rally a matter of Money also talks in sports in Kashmir. concern. According to Ghulam Nabi Baba, a well Sports reflects the endurance of life. know footballer of ‘60s and ‘70s, today’s Sports keep one fit and healthy, and players lack commitment and enthusiasm, Idrees Dar gives us relief in times of distress. Sports and “ no one in Kashmir is playing for state is about sprit and determination and as they play for money only”. Overemphasis teaches us how to tackle problems of life . The pleasure is in the joy of victory on money is a matter of Football, tennis, cricket or any other sport or in the striving for a win after a defeat. concern. should be kept within its framework of Sports is all about spirit of sportsmanship. originality. The doom of sports seems to be near if Now billion dollar sports leagues like the games are not saved from overflow of football leagues of Europe, glamorous money. Excess of everything is bad. Every baseball and basketball leagues of USA, sports lover should come up with a iron- IPL of India are growing at a very will to save sports from turning into a alarming speed. Players overnight switches commercial hotspot. ©

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THE ONLY HOPE OF SURVIVAL FOR THE ART IS THE ANNUAL SHOW ORGANISED EITHER BY RADIO KASHMIR OR THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT.

DIMINISHING ROLES OF BHAND PAETHER heir costumes are unusual artists are suffering. with flashy colours and well With eyes sunken deep and skin wrinkled ornamented to grab attention. around them, the professional bhand, They converse in a tone which Abdul Qayoom Bhagat ofAkingam area of sounds like a mixture of singing and talking. Anantnag district, from where the bhands TThe buzzing of the trumpet is somewhat a are believed to be have evolved says that the signature tune of their art. And when they art is no more beneficial financially. “The start entertaining they give the spectators a young generation cannot survive through lot to introspect through their satirical acts. this art as it has lost its value”, he says. These are the artists of Kashmiri folk theatre, The bhands now hardly walk through the the “bhands” of the “Bhand Paether”. villages to entertain and the marriages have The history of bhand paether dates back become such an affair where a traditional to 1800’s, when it was used to entertain the music and dance show is not required or king and to spread social messages. The does not fit the settings. army of entertainers would walk through The only meek hope of survival for the the villages and entertain people. They art of Bhand Paether is one show that they would be specially called over to marriage do annually with Radio Kashmir or the ceremonies to add to the celebrations. But tourism department. “We get to do one Ishan Fazili the past few decades haven’t been cordial show with Radio Kashmir in a year. Is this with the art of Bhand Paether. effort enough to save the dwindling art of The young Now, They hardly roam through villages Bhand Paether?” asksAbdul Qayom Bhagat. generation to entertain or to spread public messages. Bhagat and his other family members are cannot survive The marriages have become such an affair professionally “bhands”, the folk theatre through this art, where the people hardly need a traditional artists of Kashmir. Bhagat reminisces that which has lost its music and dance show.And as such the art he learnt this art of “public entertainment” value is dwindling and the artists are suffering. from his father, who himself had inherited The only hope for survival of the Bhand it from his ancestors. “Roaming through Paether is a single show that they do once in villages and performing in marriages” made a year with Radio Kashmir or the tourism Abdul Qayoom Bhagat earn enough for his department. This effort is too minimal to family. help save the art or to help the “bhands” When the art, which is a profession as financially. The art is set to doom and the well, fetches minimal wages, the artists are

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bound to abhandon it. The bhands blame “As this art is a media and can throw the “20 years of turmoil and the apathy at the effective social messages, the problem is hands of the government” for the lost sheen that our society is facing can be solved by of the art. “The government is not paying them”, suggests ZareefAhmed Zareef, an attention to the fate of this art”, says Ghulam eminent poet of the valley. Mohi-u-din Aijaz, a professional bhand The number of bhand theatres in the from Wathoora area of Budgam district. valley stands at 15 and the number of He suggests that training programmes can people they are engaging is 400. The stake prove to be a breather for the art of bhand holders of this art are toiling hard silently to paether which is dying a silent unnoticed make the numbers maintain their standard. death. As the art is on the verge of extinction, the Cultural experts opine that the Bhand bhands have pinned all their hopes to the Paether have the “potential of solving Divine for their art to survive through the current social issues” by creating awareness. times. ©

WILL CAN HELP US ACHIEVE ANYTHING. A STRONG WILL ISN’T ONLY TO ACHIEVE FEATS, BUT IT ALSO DICTATES OUR BEHAVIOUR. WILL YOU, WILL YOU NOT? nderstanding is the greatest friend, asking for money. I turned away, power one can have to succeed but my friend gave him Rs 500. I asked in life. But every now and her the reason, and she responded with then each one of us has to rely the question, “Why did you turn away.” I upon feelings or will of heart rather than suddenly realised that I judged the man— Uon thoughts. Confronted by hardships, we that he shouldn’t be begging—in just two often forget about our surroundings and seconds, but my friend didn’t try to judge retreat to our heart to find ourselves, and him. She just followed her will. to know who we are. With the will of heart, With a willing heart, we can be less we can do anything we dream of. judgemental, more caring, more thoughtful, InAbraham Lincoln’s words, “Nothing in more loving, and more understanding. Let this world is impossible to a willing heart.” us be one of those people whom nothing And Andrew Carnegie said, “People who can stop from following their will. © are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents are.” When Alexander the great decided to conquer the world, he succeeded. Louis Braille was Rafia Rahim a blind educationist who devised the touch system of reading and writing for blind. With a willing Helen Keller was both blind and deaf, heart, we but became an educator for blind. Sudha can be less Chandran, the famous classical dancer, judgemental, danced her way into millions of hearts more caring, across the globe despite having lost her legs more thoughtful, more loving, in an accident before the start of her career. and more She did the impossible. Their success was understanding. result of their will, determination and confidence. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. Will can help us achieve anything.A strong will isn’t only to achieve feats, but it also dictates our behaviour. Once a man walked up to me and my

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THE PROBLEMS USUALLY ARISE WITH UNPLANNED EXPANSIONS IN ABSENCE OF GOVERNMENT’S CONTROL AND POLICIES. DISASTROUS EXPASION rinagar city is undergoing an government’s control and policies. In unplanned expansion with its Srinagar, the lower middle class has population dangerously occupying occupied land illegally and has built over the agricultural land. houses in contravention of the regulations. The city, which is spread over 294 square This has led to proliferation of illegal Skilometre and has a population of density settlements. of 8,523 persons per square kilometre, is The expansion of the city has strained the expanding. The people are moving from available infrastructure and urban services. the congested parts of the city to new, The encroachments into government’s land Nazir Gillo unplanned residential pockets in the in the peripheries is the latest phenomenon. The expansion peripheries, damaging the agricultural And it is contributing to the rapid horizontal of the city lands and natural beauty in the process. expansion of the city. has strained Unplanned and uncontrolled expansion The encroachments have taken water the available of cities usually leads to soil erosion, bodies such as Dal Lake and Anchar Lake infrastructure and urban services. concentration of low-income groups in to the verge of extinction. Our wetlands too ecologically sensitive areas, increase in are under threat of occupation. The land cost of infrastructure, and the misuse of mafia occupies the wetlands and converts fertile agricultural land for commercial or them into residential areas. residential purposes. The unplanned expansion is posing The problems usually arise with a major threat to the city. And it must be unplanned expansions in absence of stopped. ©

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WE WOULD USUALLY TALK ABOUT BOYS. WE DISCUSSED THE POSSIBLE REASONS BEHIND OUR IDENTITY. THROES OF THIRD GENDER n Kashmir Valley, the third gender friends. continues to battle for a place in the T h e y s t a r t e d m e e t i n g d a i l y , d i s c u s s i n g society. “why are we like this?’’, they said. Salman, who lives in Srinagar, was “We would usually talk about boys. We normal like his friends. But his physique discussed the possible reasons behind Ichanged after he reached the age of our identity,” they said. puberty. He who counted himself in Two months later, they met Salman. males had his gender redefined. And his The trio started working in a friends turned away from him. beauty parlor to earn livelihood Psychologically traumatized, Salam and to be independent. Soon, they isolated himself from his social circle. started matchmaking. Apart from Aushaq Malla Gowher, also from Srinagar, was raised matchmaking, they go to sing and dance as a girl till he turned 12 and his family at the weddings. In Kashmir, started behaving different towards him. Their friendship and independence members of the H e s t a r t e d s p e n d i n g t i m e a l o n e , t r y i n g t o finally gave them confidence to survive third gender find find his identity. in the society that continues to be place neither in their families nor Like the two of them, Saleem of indifferent towards them. in the society. Bandipora was trying to resolve the In Kashmir, members of the third confusion surrounding his identity. He gender find place neither in their lef t his home, and shif ted to downtown fa m i l i e s n o r i n t h e s o c i et y. B u t t h e s t ate Srinagar. Looking for company, Saleem government has made no efforts to help met Gowher, and the two of them became them. ©

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Professor Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi, a well known researcher in Biotechnology and former Dean Research University of Kashmir, has taken over as the Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University. In an exclusive interview with Media Times reporters Sumaiya and Moosa along with Editor MERC Muslim Jan, Prof Andrabi shares his experience and talks about his future plans for the University.

‘HAVE SEEN IT, WILL CHANGE IT’ Excerpts: from you. Sir, will you reciprocate the same to make their dreams come true? • MT: Sir, Tell us about the I am flattered to know something that journey of your academic career? I don’t know, whether that is absolutely I d i d m y m a s t e r s i n B i o c h e m i s t r y f r o m true or not (smiles). My mindset is that K U a n d wa s in c i d ent a ll y a to p p er a n d a we are accountable to students beyond gold medallist. I did my Ph.D from Post everything else. I would do whatever Graduate Institute of Medical Education it takes to make them comfortable for and Research, Chandigarh. I moved on to the betterment of their future, and it earn a Post-Doctoral fellowship at Tuft's remains a priority of my administration. Medical School, Boston and later at I have geared everybody up to respond to H a r v a r d M e d i c a l S c h o o l , U S A . I w o r k e d that, and I will try my level best to live up a s a L e a d S c i e n t i s t a t C l i n i c a l F o u n d a t i o n t o t h e i r e x p e c t a t i o n s . I t i s a p r o m i s e a n d Cleveland, USA. I returned to Kashmir a commitment. University, as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry before • MT: Research is an integral t a k i n g o v e r t o e s t a b l i s h B i o t e c h n o l o g y a t and vital par t of Universit y, How do you the university. rate KU on this account? When I joined this institution in • MT : The student community 1997, there was low visibility of research loves you and have lot of expectations here. Usually, around 4 pm, watch and

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ward people would drive us out of the teachers, are labourers. I always had a campus. We used to fight with them at belief that a formal suit doesn’t go with times, but they would just not listen to using chalk on a blackboard. I believe us. On top of that, another team would that it goes with the dress I wear and come and turn off the main electricity. it makes me feel more comfortable, D u r i n g w i n t e r s , t h e w a t e r p i p e s w o u l d b e moving around or sitting anywhere with a c t u a l l y l o c k e d s o t h a t o n e h a s n o a c c e s s s t u d e n t s , a n d b e i n g a v a i l a b l e t o t h e m a l l to the water. The authorities would think the time. Probably if you are wearing that using water pipes in winter would a tie and a suit, perhaps you would not burst the pipes. So without electricity, be able to do that. The bottom line for water and most importantly, without me is that unless you don’t mingle with time, one would not be able to c onduct y o u r s t u d e n t s e x a c t l y t h e w a y y o u m i n g l e any substantial and real research. We with your children, the feel–good factor somehow prevailed over them, and of learning won’t evolve. So, I always e v e n t u a l l y w e h a v e c o m e t o t h e s i t u a t i o n preferred the dress code that looks where many departments remain open more casual, in order to make students 24x7, even on holidays. There are no comfortable to communicate with their more hassles like before. We have grown teacher. up considerably, in terms of research as well as academics. • MT: Your viewpoint about work culture at KU. Are you going to • MT: Your body language and changes it? informal dress code is unique to your I am going to make it better. persona: Do you see yourself as an icon For instance, the work culture, the of students? student teacher relationship, and the I don’t necessarily think that way. I communication with students in the have my own rationale and reasons for d e p a r t m e n t o f B i o t e c h n o l o g y i s a g l a r i n g dressing up casually. My reasons are example of efficiency. If students can s i m p l e b e c a u s e w e a r e a c o m m u n i t y a t t h e communicate freely with their parents, service of students and when people are that’s how they should be with their a t t h e s e r v i c e o f s t u d e n t s t h e y n e c e s s a r i l y teachers. If they fail to communicate, don’t have to dress like a person who t h e r e w i l l a l w a y s b e p r o b l e m s . S o t h e g a p ‘appears’ to be an administrator or a has to be dramatically reduced. My plea public personality. We are teachers and and request to my colleagues is that we

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should communicate with our students as • MT: Can you share some of your much as we otherwise do. important plans with us? • MT: Would you like to see this I am not comfortable with policing University become more vibrant in terms ar oun d an d a s k in g p e o p l e to s t i c k to their of its contribution towards the society? jobs. We are in the process of devising a See, I have always held this view that we system in which people themselves are more have not grown up to the point where our conscious; let us make it more simple. If I v o i c e w o u l d b e r e s p e c t e d a s m u c h a s i s f r o m had my lecture uploaded on the internet for a university that has its academic credentials public evaluation, I would work harder, to well established. So I really do not prepare for the class. That is one of the ways n e c e s s a r i l y s u b s c r i b e t o t h e i d e a o f l e t t i n g we basically want to make ourselves more p o l i t i c s c o m e t o t h i s U n i v e r s i t y a s m u c h a s a c c o u n t a b l e . A n d i f a n y s t u d e n t m i s s e s t h e i t c o m e s t o t h e b e s t o f t h e u n i v e r s i t i e s l i k e lecture somehow, he can have access to the JNU. First we have to first come to the level archived lectures anytime. That is how the of their academic excellence and then only best universities and countries run their our voice will be heard everywhere and at show. It will take a while before we begin to any point as respectfully as is heard from see changes like that. the other universities. Our effort has to be for building this institution first, and • MT: What will be your priorities taking it to a point where we do not have at KU ? t o n e c e s s a r i l y s e e k p e r m i s s i o n f o r s p e a k i n g I really want to make it an institution about freedom of expression. Then, it of higher learning and a University of would be taken respectfully and would s u b s t a n c e. I w i l l c i t e a n ex a m p l e: o n e d ay be noted and would create an impact. We I had a visitor from JNU. He was staying are not grown up to that level at all. We i n t h e U n i v e r s i t y g u e s t h o u s e . H e c a m e t o have ignored the university’s stature and meet me and had to wait for me outside we are basically advocating for freedom the depar tment. It wa s aroun d 8.3 0 in the of expression, speech and other things at morning. He called me up and asked, “Is it the cost of university’s development and a h o l i d a y t o d a y ? ” I s a i d , “ N o , o u r u n i v e r s i t y growth: First priority has to be building a c t u a l l y s t a r t s a t 1 0 : 3 0 a m ” . H e w a s s h o c k e d this institution to a point where the other and remarked that it was pathetic. And this things come as bonus. is exactly what I do not want the university to be like. It has to remain open 24x7 for • MT: How would you like to learning and other activities. Mindset has see MERC Times and Media Time’s to be changed. This is not a school that publications grow in next five years? s t a r t s at 10 in t h e m or n in g a n d c l os es at 4 I have always aspired that in best in the evening. It is a challenging job: I may institutions you have your own radio or may not succeed, but the fact is that this stations, newspapers, and magazines. That would have to be done at the same point. i s w h a t U n i v e r s i t i e s a r e a l l a b o u t . W e d o n o t have to depend on the outside Media. If our • MT: Your message for students p a p e r g a i n s i n c i r c u l a t i o n , w e w i l l b e t o t a l l y and teachers? independent and we would perhaps make Students have to make teachers m u c h m o r e i m p a c t o n g o v e r n m e n t p o l i c i e s accountable, and vice-versa. They say a through this medium than otherwise. This good student makes a good teacher, and is what knowledge creation is all about. vice-versa. It is a bilateral transaction. It Why to depend on outside media? Why comes with good culture and effective not to strengthen our resources for creating communication between students and better newspapers? I will always help in teachers. But we lack it. We need to work making this newspapers more impactful so together for the betterment of our student that people prefer it over others. community so that we are able to give our best to the society at large. And to make this • MT: What are your strategic University one of the best institutions. So plans for next 10 to 20 years? that more and more students flock to this Yes, of course. We really have plans to u n i v e r s i t y. A n d t h a t i s o n l y p o s s i b l e w h e n improve and implement certain criteria for o u r a c a d e m i c e x c e l l e n c e i s a t p a r w i t h o t h e r being at par with other Universities. But I best Universities around the globe.© do not necessarily want to scare people with all that. Thank you…

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STRESS ARISES WHEN WE GENERALLY DO NOT BOTHER TO PAUSE AND THINK ABOUT OUR PRIORITIES. S FOR SUCCESS AND STRESS

erhaps life has always been surprising that recent sociological studies stressful, but the way of looking at have suggested an alarming rise in cases it has been changing consistently. of depression and other psychological In this day and date, one cannot problems. It is rather ironical that in trying escape the stress associated with the rat to avoid strain, we end up having a life full Prace for success. of imaginary insecurities. Waseem Nasir Stress arises because we generally do We seem to be consumed by the The solution not bother to pause and think what our desire for success. An impression has surely lies in priorities are. There is tendency to follow been created that one must succeed in devising your the trend whether or not it suits us. Getting whatever one is doing. The belief fact that own way to swayed and allowing our rational faculty to one learns from mistakes or that success success. take a back seat is actually a reflection of is something evaluated in the long run our personality. It appears that we have lost seems unknown to the present generation. the habit of respecting and relishing what Even the remedies to overcome stress are we have at any given moment.As a result, characteristics of the present generation. we can neither enjoy what we have nor The solution surely lies in devising your achieve what we crave for. It is not really own way to success. ©

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UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW, PALESTINIANS HAVE A RIGHT TO RESIST WITH NON-VIOLENT MEANS OR OTHERWISE.

HYPOCRISY AND GAZA srael's month long military forced to fish within three nautical miles offensive—dubbed "Operation along the shore. And 35 percent of the Protective Edge"—has claimed agricultural land in Gaza is out of bounds the lives of over 1,865 Palestinians, to Gazans due to the restrictions enforced largely civilians. The civilian death toll has through the use of live ammunition by Ibought Israel worldwide condemnation Israel’s military and naval forces. from politicians, the media, and the As a result of the blockade, 60 percent general public. of Gaza's business have closed down and a UK Prime Minister David Cameron further quarter has laid-off 80 per cent of called the loss of life in Gaza awful, but the staff. Unemployment stands at 43 per said, "We do have to remember, whenever cent, leaving 80 percent of the population we have had a ceasefire in the last few days, dependent on humanitarian aid. it has been a ceasefire that has been obeyed The only crossings through which and observed by the Israelis, but it has not people are permitted to travel to and from been observed by Hamas." Barak Obama the Gaza Strip are Erez (to Israel) and condemned Israel's shelling of a United Rafah (to Egypt). Israel allows passage Nations school, but called the rockets from through Erez only in what it calls the Gaza "barbaric." “exceptional humanitarian cases involving The general public gets upset on reading urgent medical cases.” Due to the political Adil Baghdadi in their Sunday morning papers about the situation in Egypt, travel through Rafah is Israel has children killed in Gaza. Yet they question also extremely difficult. enforced an air, Hamas for firing rockets when stopping it The United States by using its veto sea and land can bring an end to the killing. power as a permanent member of the blockade on What they don't understand is that UN Security Council works to ensure Gaza for the past Israel has been enforcing an air, sea and no lasting change can occur through the seven years land blockade on Gaza for the past seven United Nations. years, effectively sealing off the 25 mile long In the ceasefire agreements that ended strip of land to cage 1.8 million Gazans. hostilities in the two previous military It is a form of collective punishment offensives, provisions to ease off the being carried out in contravention of the blockade were reneged by Israel. The last international laws. time the Israeli government and Hamas Three thousand fishermen in Gaza are reached a ceasefire agreement following

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Operation Pillar of Cloud in 2012, a military use nuclear weapons by way of belligerent offensive that claimed the lives of around reprisal. By this standard, the people of 174 Palestinians and 6 Israelis, there was a Gaza surely have the right to use makeshift commitment to "open the crossings and projectiles to end an illegal, merciless seven- facilitate the movement of people and year-long Israeli blockade or to end Israel's transfer of goods" in and out of Gaza. A criminal bombardment of Gaza's civilian year after that offensive, the UN said the population." situation in the tiny coastal strip was worse International law prohibits an occupying than before the conflict, claiming it was fast power from using force to suppress the becoming "uninhabitable." struggle for self-determination, but it Israel has placed Gazans in what can does not prohibit the people struggling only be defined as an open air prison. It has for self-determination from using force. confiscated their tools for resistance, and Israel's relentless bombing of Gaza in an tarnished the hopes and dreams of entire attempt to root out a democratically elected generations. And when they react with government that is attempting to resist homemade projectiles, people ask why. decades of oppression. Under international law, Palestinians We often hear Israel and its allies describe have a right to resist with non-violent what is happening in Gaza as self-defense. means or otherwise. Numerous UN However, history shows that Israel was resolutions support this. The General carrying out operations long before Hamas Assembly resolution of November 1974 was born. And if Hamas did not exist, the "reaffirms the legitimacy of the peoples' Palestinian people would still not be free. struggle for liberation from colonial and While the negotiations are on to work out foreign domination and alien subjugation a lasting agreement for peace in the region, by all available means, including armed Palestine is demanding, "Israeli troop struggle." withdrawal from Gaza, end of the Gaza In the words of renowned author and siege, and opening of its border crossings." scholar Norman Finkelstein, "The United The Palestinian representatives are also States and Britain, among others, have demanding fishing rights up to 12 nautical staunchly defended the right of a state to miles and the release of prisoners. ©

HARI PARBAT IS THE ONLY FORT PRESENT IN THE VALLEY AND IT HAS A GREAT HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. REDISCOVERED FORT ATTRACTS TOURISTS

alking inside the stone-lined it is the only fort in Kashmir valley. Afghan environs of Hari Parbat governor Atta Mohammad Khan built it in Sheikh Uzair Fort gives an overwhelming 1808 during the reign of Shuja Shah Durrani The fort was sense of traversing through to serve as a central point from which the closed for public history. Giant stone walls lining the fort and entire city could be controlled. Wits large wooden doors give rise to feelings The fort was recently thrown open in late ‘80s due to rising political that the fort has been both protected and to public after it remained under the turbulence in the diminished by history. Dusty antechambers government forces. Valley. and corridors of the fort reveal an “Hari Parbat Fort is the only fort present architectural marvel that is in near ruins. in the valley and it has a great historical From the top of Hari Parbat hill, also known significance. The idea behind throwing it as Koh-e-Maran, in the heart of old Srinagar, open is to highlight the heritage of Kashmir,” the city appears a dotted tapestry of tiny said Saleem Beigh, Director of the Kashmir houses whose tin roofs shine in the sun. wing of Indian National Trust for Art and Also known by the name Durrani Fort, Cultural Heritage (INTACH). 

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The State’s Archives department and “We have been here for a year. This was the Archaeological Survey of India haves a jungle here. We have removed the tall declared the Fort a protected monument. grasses and are in process of making a It was closed for public in late ‘80s due to garden,” a young laborer said. rising political turbulence in the Valley. The The Fort had two secret goaphs (caves)— fort was first occupied by army and now a one at the eastern end and the other on the contingent of paramilitary Central Reserve west. The eastern pathway lay near Kathi Police Force has made barracks and also a Darwaza, one of the four gates of the Nagar temple inside one of the lawns of the Fort. Nagar Kalai. This pathway was known as “At one point in history, the Fort was very peer-goaphe (cave of peers). An entire important for controlling Srinagar. But this neighborhood is named after it. has changed now, as new areas of control “People used to visit this goaph (cave) have sprung up,” Beigh said. in large numbers till it was blasted in 1965. “The Fort served as the biggest bunker for There is no goaph today,” Zareef said. theAfghan rulers; they surveyed the entire The western secret pathway to the city from the four towers to keep watch on fort lies near the botanical garden of the people,” said ZareefAhmad Zareef, a known Islamia College. Zareef said it is in need of social activist said. renovation. “It was by erecting this towering fort “TheAfghans built the secret pathways in overlooking Shahr-e-Khaas (old city) that order to escape in case a military emergency. Afghans stamped their authority,” he added. The western pathway can be renovated,” he The Fort spreads over 80 kanals of land. said. Inside, there are four talaabs (ponds), a On the southern side of the Hari Parbat hamam (bath place), a Masjid, and towers hill, just below the imposing Fort, is the at four corners. “The fort is an architectural shrine of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA), marvel and at that time could hold 750 also known as Makhdoom Sahib, Mehboob- soldiers,” Zareef said. ul Alam, or Sultan ul Arifeen. The Fort also The years of neglect have taken toll on nestles the 1649 stone mosque of Akhund the beauty of this architectural marvel. The Mullah Shah. On the western slope of the ponds are without water and covered with hill lies the Sharika temple. slime. In early 2007, a civil society 

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group named Valley Citizens Council, don’t limit themselves to Mughal Gardens. of which Zareef is the chairman, had That’s why Hari Parbat Fort was thrown approached the government to reopen the open as a tourist destination,” said Talat Fort. The fort was opened for only a brief Parvez, Director of Kashmir’s tourism period. department. It was finally thrown open to public in “Shahr-e-Khaas needs to be focused the last week of June this year, and so far the upon and Hari Parbat fort lies at the centre fort has witnessed inflow of both tourists of its development. Government of India has as well as locals. “The place has remained sanctioned Rs 38 crore for the Nagar Nagar closed for long. Now that it is open, people are project. The project includes conservation enthusiastic to visit the place,” said a tourist of the Hari Parbat fort and conservation department official. of monuments at Manasbal and Naranag. “Since Srinagar is the hub of tourism After finishing the conservation work, we activity, we are encouraging that tourists threw the fort open to public,” he said. ©

HERE ALL WE RECEIVE IS A CUP OF TEA AND AN OMELET AFTER DONATING BLOOD. TEACHING BY BLOOD ajad Hussain, a teacher by he says. profession, is different from the rest Sajad says the volunteers in his group of his class. He has donated blood make efforts to ensure fair usage of blood. more than 100 times since 1987. “ S o m e t i m e s w e r e c e i v e c a l l f o r b l o o d a t “Allah has perhaps chosen me to give m i d n i g h t , a n d w e n e v e r s a y n o . M y s u p p o r t Slife to others by donating blood,” he h a s b e e n m y f a m i l y , w h i c h e n c o u r a g e s m e believes. to continue the good work,” he says. In 1996, he formed a group by the name “This year, my children accompanied Imam Sajad Group of Blood Donors at me to the blood donation camp that our Magam in central Kashmir’s Budgam group organised at Kashmir University,” district. Since then, the group has been he adds. organising blood donation camps across S a j a d b e l i e v e s t h e s o c i e t y s h o u l d r e s p e c t the Valley. blood donors. “Our organisation works without the “In other states, blood donors even support of any political organisation. receive gold medals, but here all we receive Ours is a voluntary group working on is a cup of tea and an omelet after donating humanitarian grounds, and we welcome blood,” he says, appealing people to come anyone who wants to work for humanity,” forward in service of humanity. ©

Nelofar Jan The group has been organising blood donation camps across the Valley since 1996

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IT IS PAINFUL AND UNFORTUNATE TO SEE A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TURNED INTO A GRAZING LAND. STILL HERITAGE arai of Aliabad is in a dilapidated restore it. state, crying for attention, “Disturbance and remote location conservation and restoration. have resulted in less attention being paid Ever since paramilitary forces left towards the development of the Sarai. the Sarai, no developmental works was Funds have been provided for other Sarais, Staken up in order to protect it. People b u t f o r t h i s o n e n o s p e c i fi c f u n d s h a v e b en from different walks of life want to see it allocated as yet,” said Gowher Ahmad preserved like other heritage places of the Khan, Conservation Assistant at ASI. valley. Nomadic shepherds and stray cattle Historians believe that the Sarai has stay in the Sarai. Many visitors don’t find been constructed by the Shahjehan’s the grazing of animals appropriate at such Governor of Kashmir, Ali Mardan Khan an important place. hundreds of years ago. Aliabad Sarai “It is very painful and unfortunate served as an important stopover for the to see such a beautiful place turned Mughal journeys into the valley where into a gra zing land,” said Arif Sultan, the caravans took rest before proceeding a visitor. further. Officials of Indian National Trust The Mughal Sarai is in dilapidated for Art and Cultural Heritage said, state due to lack of proper preservation “Our proposal was not to preserve the by Archaeological Survery of India (ASI). Sarai as it is already an ASI protected It can be developed as a heritage tourist monument. Our policy was to make Shiekh Umer place. the government aware about the Sarai’s “These places are of historical condition and to make a 2.5 (km ) Aliabad Sarai significance. This architecture and P e d e s t r i a n t r a c k , b u t d u e t o i n s u f fi c i e n t is a protected ambience gives the visitor a feel of the funds the project failed.” monument, but it doesn’t look Mughal Era. So the protection must be “In our Proposal we have mentioned the like one. done,” said Jalal-u-din, a tourist. i m p o r t a n c e o f M u g h a l r o a d , a n d s u g g e s t e d Though Aliabad Sarai is an ASI ways to promote heritage tourism on p r o t e c t e d m o n u m e n t , i t d o e s n ' t l o o k l i k e route to explore the unexplored cultural one. Nothing was done to renovate or and natural sites,’’ they said. ©

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TIME, IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING BAD, DO IT NOW BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE HOPING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW. DASHED HOPES AND RUINED LIVES re you dead or silent? I are living in tents on roads, am confused. In the heart like refugees. of the city your heart Y o u r s i l e n c e r e v e a l s t h a t y o u a r e doesn’t beat. Fixed on top guilty of killing of 111 people in of a tower, you look at every one, but 2008. You left children orphaned, Ano one does the same to you. Baikaar and wives windowed. (worthless) is the name they have Time, you are indeed held given you. responsible for all this. And why On the tower, which state you are shouldn’t you be. You are the one in? Please disclose. you gave mothers hope that one At school, I was taught, rather day their disappeared sons will be made to realise, the value of time. home. Keeping the photograph of “Time is free, but it’s priceless. their beloveds close to their hearts, Yo u c a n' t o w n i t , b u t y o u c a n u s e i t . they pinned their hopes on you, You can't keep it, but you can spend l o n g i n g f o r t h e d a y w h e n t h e i r s o n s it. Once you have lost it, you can would replace the photographs in n e v e r g e t i t b a c k , ” - H a r v e y M a c k l e y their arms. had said. But you trampled their feelings But your stagnation has made me by giving them a shock that their to say, “Time is free. You can own it, disappeared sons are dead—in you can keep it. It will never be lost unmarked graves. a n d i f i t wo ul d, yo u c a n g et i t ba c k .” How can you play such a hide T h e o l d e r p e o p l e a t h o m e a l w a y s and seek with them. Where would told me your realization bring a father fin d his s on in Baramulla , on track those who have gone Bandipora or Kupwara. When my astray, but on the tower you have father misses his father, he goes to reciprocated the meaning yourself. his grave and talks at length. But For you are dead. why have you snatched this freedom They desperately want to see you from others. work. At home you work, and you Do you know these miserable function on my wrist too. So, why fathers and mothers accuse and are you quite on this tower amidst abuse you for everything you have the crowd. been doing to them. But at same Oh! I understand. Are you time they are aware of your dynamic ashamed of the fact that time and qualities. You are a healer of their Shafaq Shah again, time has hurt the people of wounds. You will make everything K a s hmir? O r ha s the s ituat i on that normal. Time heals everything. At school, I K a s h m i r f a c e d p i e r c e d y o u r h e a r t ? S o d o n ’ t d a s h t h e h o p e s o f p e o p l e . was made I think you are upset about the I f y o u w a n t t o d o s o m e t h i n g b a d , d o to realise the recent floods, which exacerbated the to it now for people are fancying a value of time. c o n d i t i o n o f t h e p e o p l e o f K a s h m i r. better tomorrow. © The volte face taken by time has riled the people. Their nights have become nightmarish, for they are left with nothing. The floods has drowned their dwellings. They

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KASHMIRIS DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT WOMEN HAVE SURPASSED MEN IN EVERY FIELD.

PROFILING LAL’S GENDER ur society is yet to treat woman he won’t be able to do something, he is at par with men. Woman are rebuked by saying “che kya zanaan cha stereotyped when men are free kha? (Are you a woman?)” Women are to do whatever they want. made to believe that they are not free as Gender stereotypes and sexism are men, and that they have to respect the Othe evils that defaced and discoloured restrictions imposed on them. o u r s o c i e t y. T h e p r o b l e m o f s e x i s m i s n o t Being a part of the society, all this Tasir Khan limited to a particular religious, caste or seemed normal to me until I gradually community, but the evil finds its place realised the hollowness of such arguments The people everywhere. And women in Kashmir have a n d u n d e r s t o o d t h e a b s e n c e o f l o g i c a n d praise Habba to bear the brunt of these stereotypes. reason in them. Many people believe that Khatoon or T h e p e o p l e p r a i s e H a b b a K h a t o o n o r L a l stereotyping woman is a trait of older Lal Ded, yet Ded, but at the same time consider women generations; young generation is above it. consider women feeble minded. feebleminded. There are people who But that is not the case. believe that heaven is under the mother’s We Kashmiris don’t understand that f e e t , y e t t h e y c o n s i d e r w o m e n w o r t h l e s s . women have surpassed men in every field. We all see women being disrespected only Kashmiri girls have proved their metal because of their gender. in all walks of life. But the attitude of I n k a s h m i r i s o c i e t y w e a k n e s s i s u s u a l l y disrespecting women continues to destroy associated with women. If a man says our society. ©

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MY DREAMS ARE SHATTERED. MY LIFE HAS BECOME HELL. ABUSING INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE aneefa (name changed) is neighbours couldn’t listen to my cries,” she bruised, abused, and beaten says. “My dreams are shattered. My life has up regularly by her husband. become hell. I have done a big mistake by After returning from work, he marrying this cruel man.” beats her up with his belt and abuses her Haneefa has been living with her Hand her parents. She sobs and cries, but parents, but she is ready to return home nobody comes to her rescue. for the “better future” of her three children Aaqib Makhdoomi In her thirties, Haneefa looks older than including two daughters. The Commission her age with pale eyes and rounded face. “I can’t be a burden on my parents. I have for womens, “In the early years of my marriage, he to make compromise for the better future receives 1700– was humble and respectful towards me. of my children. It is only woman who has 1800 domestic But due to loss in business, he changed to sacrifice. This is what she is meant for,” violence cases abruptly,” Haneefa says and breaks down. she says with moist eyes. every year. Haneefa is a graduate in Arts. She was Haneefa is returning home after her in- working as daily wager in Public Health laws and husband gave a written assurance Engineering (PHE) department, but left that they will behave properly. the job on her in-laws’ request. They also “I am very much optimistic that things abuse her, sometimes helping their son in will get better. He has apologised to me and beating her. I have accepted his apology. I too don’t have “They raise volume of Television so that much choice anyway. I am doing this

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for my children,” she says. the SHO, everyday 18-20 complaints of In a similar case, Farheeda (name domestic violence are registered at the changed) doesn’t have peace of mind since police station. her marriage three years ago. Her husband, “We receive complaints of domestic a government officer by profession, didn’t violence in large numbers. In 2013, more allow her to work, sparking the arguments than 500 complaints were registered and that led to physical abuse. it is shocking for all of us,” Sugandha “He wanted to make me his housemaid. Mahajan, SHO women’s police station, says. When I protested, I faced abuse and was In this violence, many women have lost thrashed. Like him, I too have some dreams their lives. In March, a woman was poisoned which I want to fulfill,” she says. “Don’t I by her in-laws. Her parents blamed her in- have a right to fulfill my dreams?” laws for death; the case is still going on. A leading sociologist of Kashmir In 2012, a young woman, Shazia, died Professor BashirAhmad Dabla says there allegedly due to prolonged domestic has been rise in domestic violence in the violence from her husband and in-laws. Valley. The number of deaths has increased due “There have been drastic rise in the cases the domestic violence in last few years. of domestic violence in Kashmir Valley. It In 2013, a woman from Budgam died is a matter of concern for all of us,” he says. after being allegedly set ablaze by her Professor Dabla has conducted a study in-laws. The same month, a 30-year old 'Violence against Women in Kashmir' woman, mother of three children, from involving 200 married and unmarried Pampore died after she was allegedly women from the Valley and found that 40 poisoned by her in-laws. percent of the respondents were victims “Sometimes we receive complaints of of emotional and psychological abuse. extreme torture and even death of the According to the study, 63 percent of victim. We are trying our best to help these respondents felt discriminated against victims,” Mahajan says. by their families, especially when it Chairperson of the State’s Women came to pursuing education and finding Commission, Shamima Firdous, agrees employment. that the domestic violence against women Surprisingly, as per the study “30 percent is on rise. of the victims choose to suffer in silence “The number is very huge because in without taking recourse to any action”. many cases the women are reluctant to According to Dabla, “the rise in the lodge complaint against husband or in women’s employment goes side-by -side in laws,” she says. rising levels of domestic violence”. The Commission, she says, receives “Many women don’t report the cases of 1700–1800 domestic violence cases every their domestic violence to anybody, even year, and “majority cases come from the to their parents. These women, at the end, Kashmir Valley”. become habitual of the environment, which “Valley is witnessing huge rise in leads them to depression and later, in some domestic violence due to nuisance in the cases, they go for suicides as well,” Dabla society. Dowry, girl child are common says. reasons behind domestic violence,” Dr Aneesa Shafi, who heads the Shamima says. Department of Sociology in the Kashmir The protection of women from University, believes that the dynamic role Domestic ViolenceAct 2005 was brought of women has given rise to the cases of into force by the Government of India on domestic violence against them. October 26, 2006. In Kashmir, domestic “In past women were not educated. As violence Act was re-enacted on July 12, women are getting engaged in different jobs 2011. in both government and private sector, she “Society has to change its mindset seeks to play an equal role with men and it towards the women folk. Social evil of is resulting in violence against them,” she dowry and ‘casteism’ have engulfed the says. “They shall come forward and speak society. Violence against women will stop about the sufferings they go through.” once we get rid of the evils,” says Professor More than 200 cases of domestic violence Hameeda Nayeem, who is a social worker have been registered so far at the women’s and heads the Department of English in the police station Rambagh. According to University of Kashmir. ©

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IF PEOPLE CAN’T BE GOOD TO THEIR DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW, WHY DO THEY ALLOW THEIR SONS TO MARRY.

‘WOMEN DESERVE AN HONORABLE LIFE’

ameesa was married to Naseer has an extramarital affair with a girl, and Ahmad of Pulwama in south that he wants to marry her. It has forced Kashmir about six years ago. For Rameesa to move court against her husband. about two years of the marriage, “It (the affair) is perhaps the reason their life went on smoothly in which the behind all the torture I faced,” she said, Rcouple also had a daughter. questioning the society, which, she thinks, However, things changed after that. is discriminating against women. Rameesa’s in-laws, who had been kind and “If people can’t be good to their caring thus far, turned hostile, making her daughters-in-law, why do they allow their life miserable. sons to marry? Why do they even let their “Unlike before, they began to demand own daughters get married?” she asked. dowry. I wasn’t allowed proper rest and diet “I am a woman and mother of a daughter. even if was ill,” she said. I know exactly how it feels when a girl is Yet, Rameesa was committed to live with caught among inhumane in-laws,” she said. the condition, but her in-laws, she said, Incidents of domestic violence have been had other plans. They were hell bent upon apparently on rise in Kashmir Valley. But the throwing her out, and they succeeded. victims don’t usually speak about it owing to At present, Rameesa is living with her the dominance of males in the society. parents; her daughter is her only motivation In a recent study, prominent sociologist to live. Prof B A Dabla concluded that around “I would prefer death over separation 31percent of his 200 respondents were from my daughter,” she said. “I have “physically harassed”, which includes struggled hard for my daughter’s better life. beating by husbands and in-laws. No one can even imagine what I have gone Reportedly, more than 200 cases of through.” domestic violence have been filed in 2014 Recently, she found out that her husband so far. ©

Mohmad Yonus More than 200 cases of domestic violence were reported in 2014 in Jammu and Kashmir

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A DRASTIC DECLINE IN SEX RATIO HAS BEEN NOTICED IN THE BASIC AGE GROUP OF 0–6 YEARS. ABORT FOETICIDE

emale foeticide and violence against aborted. women are two faces of the same As per the 2011 census, Jammu and c o i n . T h e S t a t e o f J a m m u & K a s h m i r , Kashmir has 79 female children per 1000 w h i c h wa s h a i l e d by U NI CEF i n i t s males; a drastic decline in sex ratio has 1994–1996 study as a place where no female b e e n n o t i c e d i n t h e b a s i c a g e g r o u p o f 0 – 6 Gazanfar Afroze Ffoeticide took place, has suddenly become years. In each unit of 2000 children, there Despite summits, indifferent to the fairer sex. were 941 females and 1059 males in 2001. conferences The bias against the girl child may The ratio has fallen to 862 females to 1138 and events take generations to vanish, but there are males as per 2011 census. female foeticide p e o p l e w h o v a l u e g i r l s a n d w a n t t o h a v e This is a matter of serious concern. Steps continues in the daughters. A woman shapes the destiny are required to reverse the trend. state. of a civilisation. Today such is the irony As Minister of Health & Family Welfare of fate that the God’s beautiful creation Sham Lal Sharma says, “We all shall take i s l a b e l e d a s a b u r d e n . D e s p i t e s u m m i t s , a pledge to save girl child and raise our c o n f e r e n c e s a n d e v e n t s h e l d f o r t h e c a u s e voice over the crimes against women to by top most leaders, it is unfortunate contribute for a healthy and prosperous that the gender titled procreator is being society.” ©

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WE HAVE TO BE THE BEST AND TAKE THE CONSTRAINTS AS CHALLENGES.

PARENTING CORRUPTION eople are different, with different realize that it cannot be done. Thus, we values and perspectives. Apart become the captives of either others or of from the anatomy, humans have our own selves. one more thing in common-the We are so engrossed in this complex desire for more. It is this urge that keeps world that we fail to understand the most Pone unsatisfied all the time. We ignore what simple and easiest things. We have to be the we already have and focus on all that we best and take the constraints as challenges. may not have. This leads to ingratitude and Our children learn by seeing what we do, unhappiness. Even when someone tries to especially the erroneous stuff. When we change the so-called corrupt system, he is watch filth on television and think that made to face the negativity and is exposed they don’t understand, that’s when we spoil to criticism up to a level where he starts them. We leave them with the cartoons and believing that nothing can be changed, be they start loving and admiring them. BEN it the society or his own self. 10 becomes their super hero and Dad is just An idea or a thought, kept within for a like anATM machine that gets no deposits Marouf Gazi long time, becomes captive of our mind. but there is always a surety of withdrawals. We are Our mind starts to overlook it and it, like Why in the world do we expect them to programming a prisoner, starts to write on the walls of even listen to us when they grow up? We tender minds our mind. So, even when we get rid of the do their home work, let them sleep for long of children thought, the walls remind us about it. May hours, lie to them and think that they won’t and destroying be our minds are purposely being played or don’t understand! their sensitive with so that we focus on the things that We are programming their tender minds conscience. don’t really matter and the master minds and destroying their sensitive conscience. get their way out. And the worst part is that we love to Like a chained baby elephant determined discuss it all the time. We know where to break free, we, in the beginning of we are wrong. We point out the actual our lives, are committed to bring about and exact issues, but unfortunately that changes in our society. but we gradually discussion ends at the note “that’s how

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life is, we cannot help it” or “Azik shuyr cha That head clerk you see, who just asked maanaan (kids don’t listen).” you for a bribe, wasn’t always old. He was Our children are not supposed to somebody’s child and that man is what they stand in a queue, why? Because, they are made out of him. too special and they belong to us? Don’t The things we ignore right in the we offer bribe to the peon of their school beginning are the ones that need most of our to help them out? Aren’t we the people attention. We all have ‘good’ within us. Evil, who show them the short-cuts, the less envy, jealousy, hatred and dissatisfaction are hectic path? Don’t we provide them with the outcomes of the way we are nurtured. everything that they need, sometimes, Intentionally or unintentionally, we tend even before they ask for it? How will to spoil our loved ones in the name of love. they ever learn to be thankful, learn to May be we need to revisit the definition of appreciate? Don’t we offer them candies love that is carved on the walls of our minds. after they do something for us? No doubt, Nobody is born corrupt. If at our own we do that to appreciate them but in levels, we work hard and bring about the actuality we stop them from growing up as change in ourselves, even if it’s within some individuals. They learn to ‘expect’ and that boundaries, the world would be a better is what they end up doing all their lives. place. ©

THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEMSELVES DOWN ARE ONLY REINFORCING A POOR SELF IMAGE THEY MAY BE CARRYING. MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA

Khalid Bashir Cut out the weeds of negativism as soon as possible.

o you know how much damage bring you down only if you are above them. you do to your self esteem by Being unconfident is part and parcel of putting yourself down? Always life. Many teens have fine tuned the art of D remember people will try to putting themselves down. Some may not 46 MEDIA TIMES MEDIA TIMES DECEMBER 2014

be even aware of what they are doing. own star deserves to shine: It is one Others easily find their faults and then thing to be modest, but it is quite broadcast them to anyone who will another to deny yourself credit that is listen. But who wants to be surrounded due. by the negative tones? Stop blaming yourself. If I say Hi to The people who put themselves friend Salman and he responds with down are only reinforcing a poor self a grouchy shrug, shall I immediately image they may be carrying. They will chastise myself? Of course I won’t. end up feeling worse about themselves Instead of taking the situation personally and their life. So it is time to be more and cutting myself down, I would positive and self confident. assume that Salman is just having a bad Begin by understanding yourself. day. Remember you are not responsible The point is to learn to recognise the for other people’s behavior. You are in self deprecating behaviour, so that you charge of your own moods and actions. can take steps towards building yourself So don’t be so quick to take the blame up instead of tearing yourself down. and dump yourself if someone around Stop refusing to accept compliments. you is upset, unless you can honestly Stop talking yourself down. Stop think of something you specifically did spotlighting others when your own star to cause it. deserves to shine.Stop blaming. Stop Don’t stop putting in your 101 the habit of not giving it your all. Stop percent effort. You need to give your validating your opinion through others. best shot and stop assuming that you Many people often find it difficult to will never make it anyway. Or maybe accept compliments. We must accept you just try, but you just don’t try your the compliments with sincerity and use best. Keep it in mind that everyone has them for our positive reinforcement. failed at something. But it takes guts and Let’s accept compliment with gratitude. gumption to try even if you try and fail. Saying thanks doesn’t let you sound Remember, if you don’t go after conceited. If someone gives you a what you want, you will never have it. sincere compliment, they are offering And that way, you won’t waste time you their honest opinion. They are wondering about what could have telling you, “This is how I see you and I happened if you gave your best shot. like this about you.” Stop validating your opinion through So if you scoff it off or turn it into a joke, others. Needing other’s approval is an you are actually insulting yourself by way easy trap to fall in. of insulting their viewpoint. Of course There are steps you can take to feel you are worthy of the nice comments good about yourself, to develop positive people make about you. But by refusing traits. Police yourself, always accept to accept compliments you are refusing to compliments with a sincere, simple see yourself in a positive way. thanks, list your plus points, hang out Another sure symptom of cutting with positive pals, smile for it really is yourself down is swallowing a mega a cure to all. dose of negative self talk, which Cut out the weeds of negativism includes joke about yourself. Problem is as soon as possible. Monitor your whether you are talking only to yourself thoughts. Have motivational thoughts. or voicing your low self image to others, Think of something pleasant; something the message that comes across is quite you want to happen to yourself. Be clear and quite damaging: That you are intentional. Don’t waste time in making not good, or that you are worthless. friends with people who can bring you There is nothing wrong with you, but it down. The right friends can trigger the is your attitude that is wrong. right motivational thoughts for you. Studies show that if you insult People can have negative impact on yourself often you will actually start to you. believe these negative messages about Zap the negative thoughts early. I yourself. So, once you realise how remember seeing a few weeds in my unique and special you are, you won’t backyard , two years back. I neglected feel the need to put yourself down. them. Now they are trees that I need to Stop spotlighting others when you pay someone to uproot them. ©

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PROGENY OF POVERTY AND IGNORANCE hild labour deprives children of made to work without food, and at very their childhood, their potential, low wages for long hours. It resembles and their dignity. It is harmful slavery. There have been cases of physical, to their physical and mental sexual or emotional abuse of the underage development. In its most extreme forms, domestic helps. Cchild labour involves children being Another form of child labour is enslaved, separated from their families, bonded child labour, which is common exposed to hazardous work, and left on in low caste groups such as Dalits. the streets to fend for themselves in big The child is employed against the cities . debt his family may owe to, say, a rich What particular form of work can be landlord. It is a hidden phenomenon called as child labour? It depends on the usually found in the informal sectors, age of the child, the type and hours of but it is a form of slavery. Children work, and the conditions under which the are often found working in fields or child is working. assisting their families in brick kilns. Child labour is a complex issue. The Bonded labourers in India are mostly Junaid Rafiq main reason behind it is poverty. Children immigrants. Bonded child labourers are In Jammu born in poor families are forced to work not at very high risk of being physically and Kashmir, only for their own survival but also for the and sexually abused and sometimes the census of survival of their families. It, compels parents this negligence leads to their death 2001 counted to make their children work as labourers in . They are often psychologically and 1,75,000 child agricultural farms, factories, brick kilns, or mentally disturbed. labourers. as domestic servants. India is home to the largest number There is a growing phenomenon of of under-14 child labourers in the world using children as domestic workers in while the sub -Saharan Africa has the urban areas. The conditions under which highest percentage of children who work the children are made to work are as child labourers . The number of child unregulated and the children are often labourers in India increased from 11.28

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million in 1991 to 12.59 million in 2001. The state government has vowed A major concern is that the actual to make Jammu and Kashmir a “child number of child labourers goes un- labour free state” by way of prosecuting detected. Laws that are meant to protect those found employing children below children from hazardous labour are 14-years of age. ineffective. “Whosoever is found employing In Jammu and Kashmir, the census of the children in hazardous occupations 2001 counted 1,75,000 child labourers.A and processes is liable for prosecution study, titled Child Labour in Jammu and under the Child Labour (Prohibition & Kashmir– Social , Economical and Ethical Regulation)Act , 1986,” a notice issued by dimension, conducted in 2011 by Professor the Labour Department , J&K , reads. Fayaz Ahmad Neika,Associate Professor The Act prescribes fine of up to Rs of Management at Central University 20,000 or imprisonment up to one year Kashmir, showed the number of child or both to the employer. The Government labourers in Kashmir alone is 2.5 lakh. It has listed 57 hazardous processes and also revealed that the youngsters in the age 13 occupations in which child labour has group of 6-12 years are the worst hit. been completely banned in the state. ©

IF SOMEONE OFFERS ME A JOB OUTSIDE THE STATE, I REFUSE TO TAKE IT BECAUSE I FEAR THAT I MIGHT BE CHEATED AGAIN. UDAAN AND HIMAYAT

Shahid Andrabi The schemes are proving to be a damp squib, forcing the youths to quit the jobs and return home. daan and Himayat schemes government of India in response to the launched in Jammu and 2010 mass agitation in the valley with the Kashmir by New Delhi to aim to train and employ the jobless youths tackle unemployment are in the private companies outside the state. proving to be least helpful to the youths. In 2012, the implementation of the scheme UUdaan was announced by the began by sending the youths who sought

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to avail benefits promised under the scheme as a regular candidate,” he said. for training. Till date, not more than 1000 But it is proving to be a damp squib, candidates got jobs under the scheme, forcing the youths to quit the jobs and which had assured employment to at return home. least 8000 youths in first five years of its Hilal Ahmad Malik, 23, of Budgam implementation. in central Kashmir was in the first batch For the implementation of this centrally selected for training and placement. A sponsored scheme the state government year later, Malik, a commerce graduate, has appointed a nodal officer called as got a job in Tata Consultancy Services ‘’Project Director Udaan’’ as well. Media with a monthly salary of Rs12000. But the Times tried to contact the said official but conditions “compelled” him to quit after all in vain. three months. Another programme, Himayat, was “I was posted in Bangalore. I had to launched by the Rural Development work for nine or ten hours a day, and I ministry of the state in 2011 to provide wasn’t comfortable with the conditions job-oriented courses to the youth. In at the workplace. I wasn’t allowed to have five years of its implementation, around holidays during the first year of the job, 1,00,000 unemployed youths were to get and my salary was too meager to survive training and subsequently placed within in Bangalore especially when I had to pay five years. for accommodation and food,” he said. The records, however, reveal that since 2011 only 25,189 candidates were trained and of them only 19,812 were got jobs. At present, not more than 5000 candidates are undergoing training. Sameer Ahmad, 24, fromAnantnag was trained and employed under the programme. “If someone offers me a job outside the state, I refuse to take it because I fear that I might be cheated Back in the Valley, Malik was unable to again,” he said. resume studies, which he had quit for the “In 2012, we were taken to Srinagar job. for two month training programme. We “Since I was promised a good job under were assured handsome jobs outside the Udaan, I didn’t opt for higher studies state with Rs 14000 salary and seven after graduation. But I eventually ended hours daily work. But after placement, I up losing a year. I had to wait till the next was forced to work nine hours a day and academic year to join University,” he said. my salary was only Rs 6000. Unable to Irshad Ahmad Hajam, 24, of Shopian sustain, I quit the job after two months,” in south Kashmir was provided three he said. months training and subsequently placed Sameer said seven of his friends also in an outsourcing company in Kolkatta. left the job sfor the same reason. “My salary was just Rs 14000 a month, KaiserAhmad Shah, anArts graduate and the working hours in the company from south Kashmir, termed Himayat as were long. It ultimately coerced me to “complete failure”. leave the job,” he said. “During training, He said: “I was trained for three I was told that I will be placed in an months in Srinagar under Himayat in grade-A company with handsome salary. 2012 and after that I was offered a job But the reality was different.” outside valley. I was offered a salary of Rs Irshad is now doing B Ed through 7000 a month and the working schedule distance education programme. was tough to bear. It forced me and my 12 “Had I not lost those six months, I friends to quit the job only after 15 days.” would have been studying in University The officials refused to comment.©

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CRIMES ARE BEING COMMITED IN NEW AND DIFFERENT WAYS WITH INSPIRATION FROM VIDEO GAMES.

BOOM! BOOM! VIDEO GAMES utdoor games play a vital for building a town or helping others— role in physical and mental makes children show more empathy and development of a child. Playing h e l p f u l n e s s i n t h e i r d a i l y l i v e s . games with friends make However, it is also shown by studies children interactive, healthy, friendly, and that video games with violent content are Oactive in day-to-day life.A positive attitude linked to more aggressive behaviour in develops in them, and they learn how to teenagers. Children’s aggressive behaviour behave with family, friends, and elders. is partly linked to the amount of time they In the last decade, involvement of are allowed to play video games.A survey children in theft, drug addiction or even in 2009 showed that the age group of 8-18 murders has made parents more cautious. years devotes seven-and-half hours a day They bring them video games so that they to entertainment media. Less than half of spend more time inside their homes rather the kids surveyed said their parents have than playing outside and get exposed to rules about the shows and games they can bad company. watch or play. In USA 96 percent of teens play In these interactive video games, players video games and sales of these games are encouraged to identify with their are growing. The domestic video game favourite characters. In many popular industry in USA earns nearly $12 billion a games, players have to win fights or battles. Mjeeb-ul-Feroz year. This popular form of media has both Here players are virtually engaged in acts Playing video positive and negative effects on children. of violence. Playing video games may games may Modern video games encourage players increase aggressive behaviour because increase to become a part of the game’s script. They violent acts are continuously repeated aggressive require players to pay constant attention throughout the game. behaviour in to the game, and get involved to a deeper The Entertainment Software Ratings children level, physically as well as emotionally. Board (ESRB) is a self regulatory board One of the most widely known positive established in 1994 by the Interactive impact of the modern video games is that Digital Software Association (IDSA). they help children to improve their abilities. This board is created by major video According to a 2014 study, a “prosocial” game manufacturers after concerned a video game—that ‘rewards’ players groups applied pressure over the

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content of video games. All major game The modern video games make children companies submit their new products for more violent. More crimes had been done ratings to specially trained raters at ESRB. in new and different ways with inspiration The ESRB looks at a number of factors. from video games. And the parents in In particular, it considers the amount of Kashmir seem to be worried about it. violence, sex, controversial language and "My son forced me to buy a video game. substance abuse found in a game. Based I bought it, but with very mild content on its developed guidelines, the ESRB cassettes. These games are a matter of then gives an age recommendations concern and I don't want to take any risk and content descriptors to each game with my son's life," Bashir Ahmad Dar, a submitted . parent, said. ©

NOKIA DIDN’T GO FOR TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN ITS MANUFACTURED HANDSETS, EVENTUALLY FAILING TO COMPETE WITH NEW ENTRANTS IN THE INDUSTRY. PIONEER SUCCUMBS TO COMPETITION

okia as we all know was the Communications), the second-generation world's largest cell phone mobile technology that could carry data maker for more than a decade. as well as voice traffic. It developed Nordic The company was a leading Mobile Telephony, the world's first mobile innovator in both design and technology. telephony standard to allow international NIt was the world's largest cell phone vendor roaming. And it was just the start of between 1998 and 2012. Nokia’s success. In the years that followed, Nokia was founded by mining engineer Nokia enriched the cell phones industry Sarvat Nabi Fredrik Idestam in year 1871. Before with innovations. Nokia was by focusing solely on the fastest growing Downfall of Nokia no means the segment in telecommunication, Nokia was Nokia didn’t go for technological first company to a shapeless conglomerate manufacturing advancement in its manufactured manufacturer mobile multiple products like cables, paper handsets, eventually failing to compete phones, but it was products, tyres, rubber boots, consumer with new entrants in the industry. the first to do it with and industrial electronics, plastics, and Apple introduced I-phone in 2007. mass appeal. chemicals. Advent of the smart phone revolutionized Nokia was by no means the first company the concept of mobile communication. to release a commercially available mobile Nokia’s fans preferred its N95, but it was phone, but it was the first to do it with not a strong competitor to I-phone. mass appeal. Nokia was a key developer Nokia failed to recognize the increasing of GSM (Global System for Mobile importance of new softwares. Its

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Symbian was considered obsolete. Nokia A 2010 Bloomberg chart shows the value concentrated on resistive touch screens of Nokia dropping below BlackBerry, which while capacitive touch was being used by all was then known as Research In Motion other smart phones makers. Nokia wanted (RIM). As a result of the downfall, its share to be different, but it was heading the wrong price fell from $40 in 2007 to under $3 in way. 2012. Nokia was, after all, earning more than In September 2013, Microsoft announced 50 percent of all the profits in the mobile that it would acquire Nokia's mobile device phone industry in 2007, and most of it was business in a deal worth €3.79bn along with not coming from the smartphones. So, it another €1.65bn to license Nokia's portfolio took less interest in smartphones. of patents for 10 years. ©

FRUITS SUCHAS CHERRIESAND PEARSARE ALSO TRANSPORTED TO THE OUTSIDE STATES FROM THE MANDI. MANDI OF FRUITS AND FORTUNES ruit-laden trucks coming in or Keeping the importance of Mandi in leaving is a routine scene at Fruit mind, the J&K Bank has installed an ATM Mandi Parimpora, located at a at the entrance of the Fruit Mandi. It has distance of seven kilometres from come as a major relief to the traders who Lal Chowk. have to make transactions daily. It is also FThe Mandi, as it is commonly called, provided with a petrol pump that works was established in1982. Spread over 100 round the clock. kanals of land, it is provided with good The Mandi is a source of livelihood roads for the smooth flow of trucks. It has to skilled as well as unskilled workers. around 239 shops provided on rent to the Thousands of unskilled labourers earn their shopkeepers. livelihood by working on a daily basis. Each The traders in the Fruit Mandi are shop in the Mandi is run by a dealer who always busy in making deals. Scores has five or six people assisting him. Skilled of trucks loaded with tones of fruits people like mechanics earn by maintaining visit this Mandi from across India each the vehicles that reach here from far off day. The fruit growers across Kashmir places. come to this Mandi to sell their fruits The Fruit GrowersAssociation works for or to purchase the ones brought in from the benefit of the people associated with outside. the Mandi. It takes important decision on Besides Kashmiri apples, fruits such as issues related to sale or purchase of fruits. Cherries and Pears are also transported to Its office is located at the centre of the the outside states from the Mandi. Mandi. ©

Umar Shafi Scores of trucks loaded with tones of fruits visit this Mandi from across India each day.

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PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THE RICH, TREAT TAILORS LIKE THEIR SERVANTS.

‘ENGINEER’ DOOMED TO TAILOR CLOTHES pair of scissors, a needle, marker I had planned to converse in Kashmiri and a big sewing machine lie on language, thinking it would be awkward Sumaiya Yousuf a huge wooden table in Blue star, to talk in English to a tailor. But my notion A graduate in a famous tailor shop in Srinagar. proved to be wrong. science, Afzal I see some beautiful and colourful dresses “Sir, actually sir!” puzzled me tried to ended a being Aout in display. Fascinated by a turquoise introduce myself. But stopped. famous tailor in dress hanging on the wall besides me, I “Sit down dear.”Afzal, owner of the shop, srinagar. begin to touch it to feel the new stitched offered me a seat.And I took the seat beside design. I am so attracted by the design that him. I wish to have a dress made of similar cloth “Sir, I am a journalist, and would like to and design. have a word with you. Please cooperate,” I “What do you want madam?” a voice was finally able to introduce myself and the came from behind. purpose of my visit. 

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“Most welcome,” he said. his head even during conversations. “What would you like to know about? “What is your name?’ I asked. He didn’t Afzal asked. reply. “Talk to him in Kashmiri,” Afzal, “Sir,” I replied, “you speak English very perhaps sensing the awkwardness I felt, well, I mean without any flaw.” interrupted. “I am a graduate, my child,”Afzal replied “Me chhu naav Ishfaq (my name is with a smile. Ishfaq),” he replied in Kashmir. For a moment I disbelieved him, but the He paused then smiled timidly, and wayAfzal started to introduce himself and turned towards his boss Afzal. I didn’t ask continued to talk made me believe that the him more questions. Instead, I asked him man in pitch-black shirt and having blond to share whatever he wanted to. hair is a graduate in science. “I feel embarrassed whenever my His father died 20 years ago, forcing friends talk about studies because I am Afzal to forget his dream of becoming an an illiterate. My relatives look down upon engineer. And he decided to look after me as someone inferior,” he said, and kept his father’s tailoring business. The lone quite at once. bread earner for his four sisters, Afzal “He is right,” Afzal said, almost had to quit his studies after completing whispering. graduation. I turned my table towards Afzal again. “I was married at the age of 19 when I The fact that society considers tailoring was in still in college,” Afzal said. looking inferior does not bother Afzal at all. But towards one of his employees who was some of his customers do irk him with trying to fix a power extension board. their the rough behaviour. “I will do that myself,” Afzal said to the “People, especially the rich, treat us like employee. their servants. They come and talk usually “I can do small repairs,” he continued in a high tone and even fight with us his conversation with me. “This might be sometimes. ” He sighs. because I still have an urge to become an Afzal, father of two young boys, prevents engineer.” them from visiting his shop. He doesn’t While talking to Afzal, my eyes were, want them to follow his profession, which for some reasons, getting attracted to a doesn’t earn him respect from even his photograph on the wall. I thought it would sisters, sometimes. be of any Bollywood actor from ‘60s. The “It has affected my eyesight,” complained person in the photo had a hairstyle typical Afzal. of erstwhile Bollywood stars. “I have been looking after my sisters “You seem to be his fan,” I asked Afzal. since long, but even they…..,” he lets his “I am indeed. He is my hero,” he said, smile complete the sentence. tempting to me to ask the name of the As we were talking, Afzal’s phone kept actor. on the wooden desk rang. “Hello ma’am, “GM Bhat,” he answered. “My father. My han han aapka suit ready hai, aap lene real hero.” ayiye,’ (yes yes, your suit is ready ma’am, My eyes almost popped out in you can come and take it’).” excitement. “You know,” he turned to me again, Afzal’s father had a diploma in tailoring “nowadays married women, and not from Nepal. He died of asthma soon after teenagers, come to me and ask me to stitch the death of Afzal’s mother who suffered their clothes in a trendy way.” the same disease. Afzal expressed surprise. It was a “Blue Start was the shop where from my surprise for me as well. father had learned tailoring in Nepal. That Afzal said he sometimes advises 30 or is why he opened this shop by the same 40 years old women to prefer loose and name,” Afzal said with moist eyes. simple clothes to be comfortable. Afzal has no complaints with life. His “Once an elderly lady scolded me when profession enables him to fully support she saw full sleeves in her dress. She wanted his family. The only thing he misses are his half sleeves,” Afzal chuckled as did I. parents. “Now I will surely get all my suits Not to upset him further, I changed stitched from you only,” I said in an excited the topic. I started interacting with his tone. “Here is my card dear and it has my employee, a shy young man who didn’t lift father’s photo,” he replied. ©

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THE YOUNGER GENERATION IS SHOWING LESS INTEREST IN THE WORK.

CARVING THE STONES

itting on a stone stool surrounded The contractors working for the by gravel and unpolished stones, government also buy crafted stones from RiyazAhmad explains what goes on the workshops for use in valuable structures inside their small workshop, which like memorials. is one among the many at Athwajan near “The tourists from outside the state also SSrinagar. buy these products," Ahmad said. "We are a group of six people here in The stones for the workshops come from this workshop. We start our day at around the quarries of Ladhu village in Pampore 9 AM and work till 6 PM. Depending five kilometres away. The quarries are on one’s ability and efforts, a person can under supervision of Geology and Mining Zafar Aafaq produce four to six finished stone items in department. Athwajan a day, each worth Rs 400 to Rs 600,” he said. Athwajan is known across the valley is known The various types of stone products for its stone products. The people engaged across the produced by these hardworking artists in the workshops are the locals who have valley for include mortar, gate-pillar stones, meat inherited the skill from their forefathers. its stone pounding stones, cornerstones, pavement "Very less people from outsideAthwajan products. stones, gravestones , and stones for hamam. learn this skill," Arif Ahmad, who assists The polished products are sold either to his father at their workshop, said. “But the traders in different markets of the valley now the younger generation of this area is or to the customers directly. The products showing less interest in this work, which are usually put on display in the shops demands hard labour, dedication, interest, nearby. and patience." ©

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MARKET THAT FLOATS

ool morning breeze, cooing of here. “It is the cheapest vegetable market koels, soothing movement of in the whole city”, says Nazir Ahmad, who water waves and sweet fragrance sells vegetables to local green grocers after of lotus flowers. Welcome to the buying from the market. More than five floating vegetable market in the interiors of hundred boats throng the market daily to CDal Lake. sell and buy the vegetables. On an average The market operates on hundreds of each boat has a daily transaction of about vegetable laden boats which row to a one thousand rupees. “The annual turnover particular area of lake specified for the of the market amounts to about Rs 5 crore”, purpose. One can easily trace the rows of says a trader Mohammad Ashraf. lotus flowers surrounding the boats that The vegetables sold in the market are buzz around each other on water to carry cultivated in the floating gardens and island out their transactions. The market is the stretches of cultivable land on Dal waters. only of its kind. Called ‘Gudir’ in local Cucumber, bitter gourd, pumpkin and all parlance, the vegetable cultivators living seasonal vegetables grow in the lake and in and around Dal Lake row in their boats are sold in the market.A special vegetable to the market and sell their produce there. grown in the Dal waters is edible Lotus The market starts immediately after the root locally called “Nadru. The market dawn sets in for a period of two hours. is the main source of nadru in the valley. Water transport has been an important Thousands of cultivators and traders living Moosa Hayaat means of transportation in the valley from in and around the Dal Lake make their The annual earlier times. Local octogenarian, Wali living from the market. But nobody from turnover of the Mohammad said that when there was no the current generation of cultivators knows floating market road transport, people would row large when the market actually started. “I believe amounts to boats (locally called dongas) laden with it has been here for generations,” says Wali. about Rs 5 crore vegetables through river Jhelum to supply The vegetables from the market reach the markets of Anantnag, Baramulla and the main markets of the city for further other districts of the valley. distribution. The vegetable markets of However, presently local customers Baramulla,Anantnag, Sopore and Kulgam from Hazratbal and Nishat, row several get their share of vegetables from this miles to buy the fresh vegetables from market.©

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SPREAD OVER HUNDREDS OF ACRES, THE FRUIT MARKET OR FRUIT MANDI IS THE BUSINESS HUB FOR KASHMIRS APPLE INDUSTRY. BEARING FRUITS OF NEGLIGENCE et up 26 years ago to boost Kashmir’s generates livelihood for 15-20 lakh souls fruit industry, Sopore fruit market of the state. Rough estimates reveal that is fast emerging as one of the largest market records annual turnover of Rs 2000 business establishments in Kashmir. crore. The idea to have the market in Apple Fruit growers, however, allege that the Stown was conceived by Khawaja Ghulam market is devoid of basic facilities due to Mustafa, an activist working for the rights lack of interest shown by the successive of fruit growers in the Valley. He wanted to governments. end exploitation of Kashmiri growers at the “The government is totally indifferent hands of Delhi-based traders and agents. towards the market. We don’t have basic As on date, the market is Kashmir’s first facilities like water, roads and transport and Asia’s second largest depot for fruits. here,” said FayazAhmad Malik, president The market remains abuzz with activity Sopore fruit growers association. all day—the fruit growers and traders “I have approached all higher-ups from indulging in negotiations over rates, Governor N N Vohra to Chief Minister labourers loading and unloading the boxes Omar Abdullah, but they turned a deaf of apple, or the trucks finding way to enter ear to our pleas. Had this market been in or exit. any other state, it would have facilities of Muzamil Bashir Spread over hundreds of acres, the fruit international standards,” he said. market or fruit Mandi, as it is commonly Malik said the condition of the market The market called, is the business hub for Kashmir’s gives a wrong impression about Kashmir’s is devoid of apple industry. Top varieties of apple like fruit industry to people from the other basic facilities, Delicious, Maharaji and American are states. courtesy exported to other states from this Mandi. “The buyers who come from the other negligence of the successive The significance of the market can be states or countries from a bad impression governments. gauged from the fact that buyers from about the industry on seeing poor facilities Bangladesh or Nepal purchase fruits here,” he said. directly from here. Growers are up in arms over failure of the The market, according to the growers, government particularly the horticulture department in providing them shelters for auction of the fruits. “We have only 14 auction sheds, and these are too less to meet the demand. We have deposited the requisite fee for auction sheds with government, but the work is yet to start,” said Nazir Ahmed, a fruit grower. “This speaks volumes about the government’s negligence towards the fruit market. We are left with no alternative but to auction fruit on pavements,” he said, appealing the government to follow the development models adopted in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Experts argue that the fruit market can become important trading centre if cross- LOC trade moves beyond symbolism. “It can become what Rawalpindi was for Kashmir before 1947,” they said. ©

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HE WAS AWARDED SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARD FOR HIS COLLECTION OF POEMS AND GAZALS. REBEL OF HIS TIMES

rof Gulam Nabi Firaq is a He infused a new spirit into Kashmiri prominent name among the poetry. He is considered as one of the few scholars of Kashmiri language. important prose writers of the language. Prof Firaq is a high profile His unique style involving use of new verbs, academician, a legendary poet, and a adjectives, and adverbs together with his Ptrendsetter in the field of literary criticism remarkable flow and consistency in theme in Kashmiri language. makes him a different prose writer who can He has translated the works of Dr be placed among the avant-gardes of the Faustus and the famous comedy ‘The Cit genre. Becomes Gentleman’. He also translated Prof Firaq has written hundreds of critical into Kashmiri a number of poems of and literary essays on different topics and famous poets such as Mollier, Marlo, Keats, themes.Almost all of them have been printed Shakespeare, Byron, Shelley, Wordsworth, in different magazines and journals of the John Hollyway, Ghalib, and Iqbal. language. Some of them have been telecast Prof Firaq began to write in Kashmiri in from time to time whereas most of them have early 1950s and attained fame through his been broadcast on All India radio. Suhaib Mansur poems and Gazals. One of his noteworthy He has authored more than 12 books Prof Firaq works is the poem " matchar aav aabsharan, till date. He was awarded SahityaAkademi began to write beh tcharun yaar kot goom….” award for his collection of poems and in Kashmiri in His other famous works include "taem gazals published under the title "Sada te early 1950s doup nam", "Janavar", "BagasAndar", "wuf", Samandar". and attained "chuAdam aaz te tasraan, lolih heth shamo The J&K government has conferred upon fame through saher saqi", "mokh prun bar tsav subheay him Life Time Achievement award. Many his poems and subheay". radio and television stations, and cultural or Gazals. Unlike most of his contemporaries, Prof art institutions have produced programmes Firaq didn’t base his work on a certain on Prof Firaq and his works. philosophy. He introduced new themes. Prof Firaq has been unwell for the last “Mehboob sinz kabri peth", for instance, couple of years. But the ailment has not established a new trend in Kashmiri been an impediment to his writings as he language. continues to contribute poems and gazals. ©

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VIDHYA BALAN SEEMS TO HAVE MADE THE HABIT OF PLAYING UNCONVENTIONAL ROLES WITH GREAT MASTERY AND SKILL. BOBBY JASOOS: UNCONVENTIONAL STORY, HYDERABADI FLAVOUR irected by Samar Sheikh, Bobby finally gets an opportunity when a big case Jasoos is a superb detective comes her way courtesy a rich man, Kiran thriller. The movie has Vidhya Kumar. Balan playing Bilquis Ahmed To say that Vidhya is the film’s hero would aka Bobby Jasoos—30-years-old Muslim be belittling the fine heroine that she is. She Dgirl who is obsessed with her desire to be a seems to have made the habit of playing detective. She goes around taking pictures of unconventional roles with great mastery and the couples romancing at public places, and skill. sprints like an athlete when caught snooping Till the first half, the film engages audience on people. And she pesters detective with its unique Hyderabadi flavour and agencies for jobs. dollops of suspense. Post interval, it doesn’t Her one-point agenda for life is to solve sink outright, but has predictable twists. The cases as a private detective. She stands for biggest spoiler, however, is the clichéd feel- herself and the men in her life, father (played good climax quite on the expected lines. by Rajendra Gupta) and friend (played byAli If for nothing else, the film is certainly Fazal) lend credence to her story. And she watchable for Vidhya’s superb performance. ©

Muneer Ahmad If for nothing else, the film is certainly watchable for Vidhya’s superb performance.

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THE ONLY DETAIL THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IS THE INTEREST OF RANI’S FATHER IN VIJAYALAXMI.

QUEEN OF VIEWERS’ HEARTS

ikas Bahl's ‘Queen’ is about a brief period of time, recollecting her days 24-year-old Punjabi girl, Rani of romance with Vijay. Deciding to take Mehra, played by Kangana control of her life, Rani, who has never Arshie Qureshi Ranaut. Living in Delhi’s stepped outside her house alone, proceed Queen is a Rajouri Garden, she is all set to marry on alone on her pre-booked honeymoon Vthe love of her life Vijay, Rajkumar Rao. trip to Paris and Amsterdam. The girl must-see film that leaves one Amid the ostentatious celebrations where who was accompanied by her adolescent with a big smile all Grannies, Chacha ji’s, Aunty ji’s have brother on her date with Vijay, sets on on face. gathered, the jittery bride is dumped by her the journey of self discovery amongst the UK-return fiancé, who considers himself people who barely understand her. How ahead of her. Rani breaks down while this journey turns out to be ameliorating he is perturbed at the thought that her and evolves the character shapes rest of the sniveling might create a scene in the café. movie. Consequently, she locks up herself for a Queen is a simple story that 

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banks wholly on one character–Rani. one scene, when Rani is drunk and The way she surfaces her emotions as travelling back to hotel in Paris with an ordinary Indian on his/her first visit Vijayalaxmi, regarding belching, she to a foreign land comes across as very says, “ Humarey wahan tou ladkiyaan heartfelt and genuine. The scene where bilkul nai karti. Mano , bilkul bhi the burglar attempts to steals her bag nahi (Women at our place don’t do and she yells “Mummy, mera bag” has it, not at all).” And at other instance, to be a rib tickler for sure. During her her friend calls her to tell her “Tum stay, comes across another Indian girl, Europe ghoom lo yaar, hum yahan Vijayalaxmi aka Vijay, played by Lisa potty dhote rahenge (You travel across Hydoon, who is a single mother and the Europe while we continue cleaning works in a hotel to support her son. potty here)”, depicting the dullness and Rani gets drunk, dances to desi beats weariness in lives of Indian women. and vents out her pain by speaking to The most beautiful part of the movie Vijayalaxmi. However, she soon moves is that despite a huge transformation, toAmsterdam where she takes lodging she undergoes from being a woman with three other men, one of whom who is left breathless on being rejected is from Japan and has just lost his by her fiancé to a woman who tosses family during an earthquake, another him out. Rani does not turn out to a black Frenchman, and a handsome become an overnight sensualist, and Spaniard. She connects well and hangs maintains her own style statement around with all three of them after simply by being herself. being reluctant early on to stay with The only detail that could have been them. Her conversations with the avoided is the interest of Rani’s father Spaniard reminds of the conversations in Vijayalaxmi. He spots her during of Shahshi and the Spaniard from his conversations with Rani on Skype ‘English Vinglish’, yet Bahl has been and in subsequent conversations is able to maintain the originality to a concerned more about her than his large extent. own daughter. At Amsterdam, she is kissed by an Kangana Raunaut’s performance as Italian cook and she bumps into Vijay Rani gives her way into the hearts of who now wants her back in his life and viewers and makes one desire a repeat tries hard in his pursuit. Contrary to show. Rajkumar brilliantly plays a the expected Bollywood melodrama, grating assertive man who loves to wherein the female counterpart make decisions for others, especially surrenders in the end the end no matter for the women in his life. However, his how impudent the male has been, Rani performance is slightly overshadowed turns down his proposal. by Kangana`s presence. Producer- The movie maintains a very clichéd Director Vikas Bahl gracefully image of Punjabis right from the explores a girl's identity. With its women rehearsing their steps to a uncomplicated dialogues and a popular dance number for a lavish number of funny one-liners, the movie wedding ceremony to Rani’s apparels grips its viewers. Cinematographers and braided hair and her Santa-Banta Siddharth Diwan and Boby Singh jokes. However, her looks contributes have done a brilliant job, especially in to the overall tone. Rani is a perfect the song sequences. The soundtracks example of a small town girl left alone composed by Amit Trivedi ranging in a big city. She had planned to see the from very upbeat ‘London Thumakda’ Eifel tower with her husband, but now to very casual ‘Kinare’ and the remixed that she is alone there, she is shown to ‘Hungama Hogaya’, are hummable be running away from it. The actress and compliment the storyline without effortlessly conveys anxiety, sadness disturbing the narrative. “oh Gujariya” and anguish, of somewhat scared, is a track you would love to play on unsophisticated, and conservative loop. Indian girl. For the freshness in narration and Apart from the amusing angle, dialogues, all in all Queen is a must-see the movie is a strong commentary film and leaves one with a big smile on on the patriarchal setup in India. In face. ©

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MORE THAN THE LANGUAGE, RESIDUE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR THE POLITICAL QUESTIONS IT ENGAGES WITH AND SEEKS TO FIND AN ANSWER TO. A NOVEL OF POSSIBILITIES

he first thing that strikes a reader on reading Nitasha Kaul’s novel, Residue, is the character of Leon Ali. He is a mystery unto himself, as the name, derived from the names of the TRussian revolutionary Leon Trotsky and a common Muslim nameAli, connotes. Leon Ali is a troubled man. The entire novel is a landscape of Leon’s troubled state. He is a Kashmiri Muslim with one thing: he is brought up during ‘90s by an irritable mother in Delhi amidst poverty and woe of another kind. The treatment he and his mother are meted with in Delhi, while searching for an apartment, is what strikes a chord with a native reader. Leon’s experience only renders him hopeless by making him a rank outsider wherever he goes. Residue is a novel laced with political vocabulary of the kind we didn’t see in Siddhartha Gigoo’s The Garden of Solitude. Unlike Gigoo, Nitasha Kaul succeeds in drawing characters that are shaped by the politics of their homeland, or who are trying to escape from it. Keya Raina is another interesting character whose sole purpose a novel of possibilities. Leon Ali and Keya in life is to collect “other people’s stories.” Raina are not people who simply exist; they Her zest is parallel with Leon’s escapism. are people who should exist in our society. That Leon and Keya should meet and set The searing search for knowledge of his about finding traces of Leon’s missing father father’s death is at one level mundane, but is predictable and unforthcoming. With Leon like so many Kashmiris is making an this meeting of the two characters, the aim effort to save his father from the onslaught of Junaid Nabi of the novel is brought in focus. In stark forgetfulness which apparatuses of injustice Residue is a political language, it would be imagining force upon people. Keya Raina, while novel laced with Kashmir as a space where the histories of helping Leon in his search, is in essence the political vocabulary the Muslim and Pandit communities meet novelist’s device for political comment in the of the kind we in a final embrace; the harmonious embrace manner of finding common trajectories of didn’t see in which was rent asunder by unfortunate truth seeking among Muslims and Pandits. Siddhartha Gigoo’s events. Leon and Keya are characters who Residue is a novel of abounding The Garden of through their troubled lives are trying to themes, of rising above prejudice and Solitude. arrive at a phenomenon which Salim Sinai finding commonness in characters even in Midnight’s Children aptly called ‘a new if experiences are different. Nitasha Kaul’s way of being’. prose is a bit exhaustive, but more than the How this is done and how far the novel language, Residue will be remembered for captures the politics of this effort is the the political questions it engages with and reason why people should read Residue. It’s seeks to find an answer to.©

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KOHLI EMERGED AS THE MOST CONSISTENT BATSMAN IN THE ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY IN JUNE 2013. VIRAT AMONG CRICKET’S GREATS can field anywhere in the park given his quick feet and safe hands. He can also roll his arm over with some occasional medium pace. While his test career might have had its ups and downs, his ODI graph is definitely an upward curve. He is already the fastest Indian to score 1000, 3000, and 4000 runs in ODIs and is also the fastest cricketer to score 10 ODI centuries. He was also the highest run scorer for India in ODI for three consecutive calendar years—2010-2011 and 2012 and won the ICC ODI cricketer of the year award in 2012. Kohli also emerged as one of the most consistent batsmen in the ICC Champions Trophy in June 2013 and finished fifth in the table of top run-scorers with 176 runs. When Australia toured India in October 2013, Kohli scored the fastest century for India by hitting a ton of just 52 deliveries. India ended up victorious with the second highest successful run chase in the history of the game. orn in Delhi to Prem and Saroj Kohli, No one can doubt the abilities of the prolific Virat Kohli shot into prominence as right-hander when it comes to the shorter the under-19 skipper who led India to versions of the game. In the 2014 World T20 in victory in the 2008 cricket World Cup Bangladesh, Kohli not only stunned everyone in Malaysia. It gained him instant recognition, with his variety of shots, but also ended up Bmaking him a teen sensation. Soon he made his being the leading run-getter in the tournament. ODI debut for India against Sri Lanka inAugust Kohli leads the Royal Challengers Bangalore 2008 as an opener. He played two important in the Indian Premiere League. He led his team knocks of 37 and 54 in the second and fourth to fifth position in the league table, convincing ODI, helping India win both the games and RCB to retain him for the 2014 IPL. eventually the series as well. His tremendous Kohli is as active off the field as he is in batting exploits gave India many tournament business on field. SportsPro rated him as the wins and the cricket world a batting sensation. second most marketable athlete in the world Irshad Khan A typical modern cricketer, Kohli plays his with endorsements of some prominent brands game aggressively, vents his emotions in open, like PepsiCo,Adidas, TVS Motors to his name. His test career yet retains the element of maturity that is integral Kohli has been dating Bollywood actress might have had part of every great player. Virat posses a sound Anushka Sharma for the past year or so with its ups and technique and perfect hand-eye coordination. strong possibilities of them tying the nuptial downs, but He is equally adept against pace and spin, and knot sooner or later. his ODI graph is definitely an never appears ungainly at the crease. With a With Kohli already establishing himself as upward curve. penchant for using his feet against the spinners, a middle-order batsman, he is the strongest he is known to be quite destructive when in the contender to take over as the captain of the mood. Kohli is well on the way to fulfill the high Indian cricket team after MS Dhoni. How the expectations placed on him. Delhi lad fares in the acid test will be worth One of the finest fielders in the game, Kohli seeing. ©

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MERC GROUP IN WISCOMP WORKSHOP ON PEACE JOURNALISM ‘Women in Security, Conflict Management of Science and Technology, Awantipora; and Peace (WISCOMP)’ is an initiative Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi; and Jamia by the ‘Foundation for Universal Millia Islamia. A total of 34 students Responsibility under his Holiness the Dalai including 10 from MERC attended the Lama’. The foundation was established workshop. The visiting students from with the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Kashmir flew to Delhi a day before as Dalai Lama in 1989. Under its Hum WISCOMP had already reserved guest Kadam program, WISCOMP conducted a rooms for them in IHC. workshop from Dec 28-30 2014. Titled as The three-day workshop included 13 ‘the Role of Media in Conflict and Peace: interactive sessions with various eminent Exploring Alternatives’, the workshop journalists, teachers, social activists, and brought together journalism students from film makers. various universities across J&K and Delhi. The day started at 9:30 AM with a Nisar Dharma & The venues were India Habitat Centre welcome address by Dr. Meenakshi Sibtain Hyder (IHC) and India International Centre (IIC- Gopinath, Honorary Director WISCOMP Annexe), Lodi Road New Delhi. and former Principal Lady Shri Ram The participating institutions included College New Delhi. It was followed by an Media Education Research Centre, ‘Ice Breaking and Introductions’ session University of Kashmir; Islamic University by Akanksha Joshi, a 

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cultural entrepreneur and an award blocks stop him or her from pursuing winning story-teller. As a pleasant peace journalism. surprise, she made the students do The penultimate session of the day saw various activities to break the monotony Achin Vanaik, an award winning social and get to know each other. She also activist and International Relations touched upon the art of digital story and Global Politics academician, telling by sharing her own experiences speak about the nexus between Peace, and showing a few of her short films. Conflict and Journalism. His session After the lunch, Nilova was engrossing as the entire audience Roychaudhury, a senior journalist and were all ears while he spoke about how Chief Editor of the Indian Review of to take a strong stand and be fearless Global Affairs (www.irgamag.com), while reporting truth. introduced the audience to Peace The day concluded as Nilova journalism. The session continued Roychaudhary discussed the art throughout the afternoon as Nilova of reporting conflict with focus on discussed her career and the challenges quelling the conflict than aggravating it. she faced while reporting the Delhi Riots The final day of the workshop of 1984. The ‘Kashmir Conflict’ was also started at a uniquely interesting note discussed during the course with views as Pamela Philipose, a Senior Fellow from both Delhi and Kashmir given with the Indian Council of Social equal measure. The episodic treatment Science Research, discussed the role of to conflict by media was analysed and oral histories and alternative stories in measures were suggested to ensure understanding conflict. She read a few proper contextualising of such issues oral history pieces from British India’s while reporting them. Dandi March and The Bhopal Gas The second day began with a panel Tragedy.The whole audience immersed discussion includingAhmad Ali Fayaz, into this unique way of expressing a senior journalist and television conflict that brought out human producer based in Srinagar and Rita suffering in a different form, something Manchanda, Director Research at that was neglected by the mainstream South Asia Forum for Human Rights. discourses. Students from Delhi and The topic of discussion was ‘state of the J&K shared their own stories about industry and ethical challenges’. conflict and natural disasters including The next session was very interactive the recent devastating floods. as Pervez Majeed, a journalist with The next session allowed the audience Sahara Times and alumni of MERC, to explore New Media while interacting shared copies of his unique stories that with Shuddhabrata Sengupta (a media he had reported throughout his career. practitioner, filmmaker and writer Subi Chaturvedi, an IIT-Delhi faculty with the Raqs Media Collective) and member and media researcher acted as Shibayan Raha (a non-direct action a moderator during the session. Majeed trainer, founder of Seven Sisters Project demonstrated the need of finding in North-East India). The invitees the right story and promoting peace shared their extensive experiences and journalism while building trust and explained how social media can be used credibility in a media organisation. as a powerful platform to practice peace As the buffet lunch concluded, the journalism. students got a lifetime opportunity to The concluding sessions included interact with Raj Chengappa, Editor- a series of brief presentations of small in-Chief of The Tribune Group of films made by the students during the Publications. He spoke about the entire workshop. The exercise was corporatization of media and the ethical named ‘Gupshup’ (a light chat) as the challenges a journalist faces while films focussed on the lives of common carrying out his or her responsibilities. people in Delhi. Chengappa responded to many The workshop concluded with a questions posed by the audience. He group photograph, feedback and suggested that a journalist should have closing comments from the WISCOMP integrity to ensure that none of the road team. ©

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2nd Prize

Winner 72 hour film competition organised by Funtoosh A DAY IN SRINAGAR MERC PRESENTS A BUDDING BIRD PRODUCTIONS PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY: SUMAIYA YOUSUF | CINEMATOGRAPHY: SUMAIYA YOUSUF EDITOR: IMRAN LATIEF PATHAN |PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE: MERC | STUDIO: MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE LABS

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Winner 72 hour film competition organised by Funtoosh

BRAE Short FilmAK