Vol: 5 | No.: 01 | APRIL 30, 2012 Lab newspaper of Media Education Research Centre for private circulation only 16th century Mughal Wall tumbles to encroachments Page 3 PANOS conducts workshop at MERC Page 4 MERC goes green Page 5 Need to ‘Be a good storyteller to be a good lmmaker’ keep eye on Page 8 NGOs: Kirmani Page 5 MERCTIMES 2 MERC pays rich tributes to Aasiya Jeelani ! QAYOOM MADNI edia Education Research Center M(MERC), Kash- mir University organized a programme on April 20 in the memory of Aasiya Jeelani on her 8th death anniversary. Aasiya was a pass out of 1998-99 batch of MERC. She was killed in a mine blast at Chandigam, Lo- lab in 2004 while she was travelling along with a team of a human rights group, J&K Coalition of Civil Society to monitor the elections. On the occasion, the speakers paid trib- utes to her. In his ad- dress, Head, MERC, Prof S Mufeed Ahmad said, “Aasiya is a role model for us. One could see her contribution idea and attempt in this regard.” particularly for the betterment of widows Aasiya’s junior at MERC, Sadiq Ali and half-widows. She decided to work for recalled the fateful day when she was a noble and left a lasting impression on killed. Ali was travelling in the same us. Her death was a huge loss for all of Sumo vehicle which was hit by a us.” Perhaps death was land mine. Speaking on the occasion, senior fac- “It was raining heavily. We had to go uty, Nasir Mirza said it was his privilege the best cure. Her to monitor election in far-flung Lolab to be Aasiya’s teacher and play a role in arms were broken area in Kupwara. Aasiya was not sup- shaping her career. and lips twisted. posed to be with us, but she made it at the “Aasiya was a different girl-her seri- last moment. We reached the place and ousness, thoughtfulness and concern for She is fortunate that I went out from the vehicle. I was just others was unique. On that fateful day people remember nearby when I heard a big explosion. Ev- I was also invited to be part of the CCS erything was black. There were screams. team, but destiny did not allow me to her, but unfortunate Our vehicle was hit. I rushed towards the board the bus. Asiya was an exception; for widows and vehicle. Our driver Ghulam Nabi’s body she had the courage to venture out where half-widows that was torn in pieces. Aasiya was injured nobody dared to enter,” Mirza said. and lying unconscious.” “She opted for hardcore journalism. they lost the bird who Our other member Khuram Parvez She gave voice to most vulnerable sec- was singing their was also hit. It took 20-25 minutes to get tion of the society,” he added. mournful songs ambulance and another 25 minutes to Arshid Mushtaq, one of her class- reach the nearby hospital. We were told mates, recalled his days with Aasiya to shift the injured to Srinagar. Asiya while they were studying at the univer- was in my lap. She was remembering her sity. mom.” “University pass outs are lucky in “Perhaps death was the best cure. the sense they cherish the memories of Chinar trees in Naseem Bagh to discuss Her arms were broken and lips twisted. their student life, but our batch is not so issues and learn from experiences of each She is fortunate that people remember lucky for whenever we recall our days at other. Aasiya wanted to portray the real her, but unfortunate for widows and MERC, the picture of Aasiya brings tears condition of the women who don’t open half-widows that they lost the bird who to our eyes,” h said. up with the male journalists. ‘Voices Un- was singing their mournful songs,” Ali “We used to sit under the shade of heard’ the magazine she edited was her added. 3 MERCTIMES 16th century Mughal Wall left at the mercy of encroachers ‘Indifferent government, people to blame’ ! Souzeina Mushtaq encroachers and stone excavators. The au- Kathi Darwaza seems to have been the prin- thorities have not only failed to remove the cipal entrance with inscriptions – lore has it rinagar has been the seat of power for encroachments but many new constructions – so as to welcome the emperor. many dynasties in the past including have been allowed around Kalai. Although the major portion has been en- SMughals. The historic monuments of “Even the graveyard has not been spared. croached upon, the stretch between these the city stand testimony to its past glory, but While the number of illegal encroachments three main gates of the historic wall is worst their present condition also convey the apa- continues to go up, authorities act as mute hit. Besides the two sides of the mighty wall, thy of the modern day governments and peo- spectators. People illegally resort to construc- its top too has also been encroached. ple alike. Kalai- strong wall– in the foothills of tion of houses around Kalai, thus ensuring its It is seen that over 700 meters of the ram- Koh-e-Maran is a case in point. slow but steady deterioration,” says a local part have developed massive cracks. And According to historic accounts, Kalai was resident, M Ashraf. experts fear that if immediate restoration built by Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-din Mu- The local residents say that over the measures are not taken, the portion would hammad Akbar during 16th century. years, particularly since 1970s when the then collapse. “After taking over Kashmir, Akbar government rehabilitated a particular com- “The major issue of the Kalai is its dam- started construction of the aged part. Due to the wall around the then city negligence of authori- Naagar Nagar in the heels ties, non-maintenance of Koh-e-Maran. Although and lack of care the wall it was not completed there has suffered extensive and then but his son Noor- damage. It is quite tragic Ud-Din Jahangir completed that encroachments were it later,” says noted poet allowed to deface the and social activist, Zareef historic wall,” says con- Ahmad Zareef. venor INTACH, Muham- “Kalai is the identifi- mad Saleem Beg. cation of an empire and “We at INTACH are defines the rich past that trying to restore the parts people have forgotten to which are clear of en- care for.” croachments. We can re- A study has revealed store some of its damaged that of the 4.75 Kilometre parts and portions which long Kalai, an estimated 800 are substantially restor- meters are missing while able but government now some 700 meters are badly too needs to wake up for damaged. The structure is the restoration of Kalai,” in disarray despite the fact he says. that it was declared a ‘pro- Eminent historian tected monument’ in 2010. munity near Kalai, residential dwellings Prof Fida Hasnain says blaming government “Unfortunately, this heritage site was ig- popped up close to the rampart. for everything is unfair as people are as much nored and no attention was paid towards its Scores of houses and other structures responsible for the preservation of the histor- preservation for around 22 years. Some of its have come up in the proximity of the Kalai so ic sites. portion was dismantled by people,” the poet much so that the Mughal rampart is serving “People are not aware of the importance says. as the forth wall of many hutments, they re- of this heritage. It is the prima-facie duty of As per the Archaeological Survey of In- vealed. every person to maintain the glory of the dia (ASI) norms, 100 meters of area around “It was Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah heritage sites. We cannot directly blame the a monument has to be kept free of any struc- himself who rehabilitated us, otherwise we government for everything,” he says. ture. The Union Government is planning to had nowhere to go,” says a local resident, Mu- Although state’s tourism department has double the radius of the restricted area. But hammad Akbar Sheikh. come up with a plan on the development of for Srinagar, encroachments are so close to “Nobody paid attention towards the Ka- Naagar Nagar, the area within the neglected the Kalai that people residing “illegally” en- lai. Since we had no option, and compelled by historic wall, experts believe that conserva- joy with their backs resting on the Mughal the circumstances, we started building our tion work cannot be started unless the en- Wall. sheds around it,” says another resident, Gh- croachments are removed. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultur- ulam Nabi. However, restoration work is in progress al Heritage (INTACH) has also come up with “Kalai (Faseel-e-Akbari) took 23 years to at various spots which have not been en- a survey of the Kalai. The organization terms get completed, between 1597 and 1620,” says croached so far. the condition of Mughal Wall as “deplorable”. Zareef. “Preservation of Kalai should be every- The rampart, which was believed to be 28 Mughal Wall has three gates – Kathi Dar- one’s concern, both at individual level as well feet high and 13 feet wide, stands exposed to waza, Sangeen Darwaza and Bachi Darwaza. as at collective level,” says Zareef. MERCTIMES 4 MERC We are trying to break the barriers of education which is confined to the four walls of a goes green class room. Plant trees on Jhelum Banks ! Qayoom Madani riers of education confined to the four walls practical knowledge”.