Vol: 4 | No.: 4 | May 30, 2010 Lab newspaper of Media Education Research Centre for private circulation only Shafqat : Helping special Happy days of tourism Tale of city’s favourite children with compassion 3 in Kashmir 4 Kulfi shop 7 Rouf Ahmad Dar adds, “If a weaver applies for a loan in Khadi Village Kashmir valley, which is known Industry he has to fulfi ll for its art and crafts, is home to hectic formalities.” the tradition of shawl weaving Ghulam Qadir Hajam, 50, and embroidery work. Kanihama, who has been associated with a small village on Srinagar- Kanihama Kani Shawl weaving from the Gulmarg highway is known for last 35 years says,” I would Kani Shawls, one of the popular not let my children to come shawl varieties. and dying art of in this profession as the art The original name of the is very diffi cult without much village, elders say, was “Gund economical rewards. Instead I Karhama” until it became famous would recommend them to do for its Kani Shawls and hence other job so that atleast our the name “Kanihama” (“Kani” Kani Shawl poverty is alleviated to some for Kani shawl and “Hama” for extent.’ village). It was through the efforts weaving The process of Kani Shawl weaving is complex and needs high degree of skill of 14th century saint Shah-i- and patience. One shawl may take six Hamdan (RA) that the art reached months to two years for completion. Kani Kanihama. Sultan Qutub-ud- shawl weaving is done in a well organised Din, who was the then ruler of and co-ordinated manner. Raw wool for Kashmir, patronized the trade Kani Shawls is procured from Ladakh. The till it reached its zenith. It is said wool is obtained from Pashmina Goat, that Napoleon in 1776 presented known locally as Lena Rama, mostly found a Kashmiri shawl to his Empress in Changthang area of Ladakh. The raw Josphine, which set a new trend in wool is cleaned and spun European fashion. into yarn on the traditional spinning wheel. The Kani shawls weaved at The yarn is then soaked in rice water and then dried so as to make it easy to Kanihama are of great quality and handle and increase its strength. The yarn exported to Europe and America. is ready to be loaded on the handloom so Apart from foreign buyers, people as to make the framework of the shawl of other states of India also like according to its size. After the framework these shawls as much as foreign comes the turn of needles without eyes people do. (locally called as “tojis”). The “tojis” Kani shawl weaving used to be are made from smooth and light wood the mainstay of village’s economy locally called “Kani” and hence the name apart from agriculture. The Kani “Kani Shawl.” The “tojis” (50 or more) are shawl weaving used to fetch the tapered at both the ends , wrapped with locals good profi t. However, the coloured yarn and fi xed on the one side of the handloom which is also the backside craft received a severe blow from of the shawl (kani shawl is weaved from vested interests who started to tag backside). Under the supervision of the the machine-made cheap shawls as instructor called “Tarn-guru” the weavers genuine handmade Kani shawls. knot the coloured yarn of the “tojis” with Besides, due to lack of the framework of the shawl made by yarn. patronage, the local shawl weavers The knots are made according to a set also abandoned the traditional ancestors are no longer interested in Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, 30, who design which is already written on paper art and looked up for alternative retaining and propagating this art. inherits this art from his father called “taleem-e-kakud” in a language avenues of employment. They are now switching over to other and manages fi ve handlooms says, which only the “taran-guru” can interpret. Ten year back there were professions as the art does not fetch “The state government also shows The process of weaving line by line is about 5000 handlooms operating the profi t as it used to do in the past. indifference towards this art and repeated again and again till the fi nal product (kani shawl) is not made which in Kanihama. The number has Moreover, the young generation is not providing any platform to may even take six now been reduced to just 1500. is not interested in taking over Kani showcase it.” months to two years to complete. The artisans who had Shawl weaving because of economic Lamenting on the pathetic inherited this art from their uncertainty associated with it. condition of the weavers, Mushtaq CAMPUS ROUNDUP MERCTIMES 2 Lal Chowk Beautification: Bane or Boon Arif Hussain Nadaf Lal chowk, the heart of Srinagar city, has a historical importance, both politically as well as commercially. This is perhaps the reason why the state government decided to embark on an ambitious “beautification project.” The officials claim that it will restore Lal Chowk’s past glory. However, many people question the development of the park at the city centre particularly when it was already facing traffic congestion. Lal Chowk has been witness to changing political scenario of Kashmir. Leaders like Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and Jawahar Lal Nehru addressed Kashmiris here. During the past 20 years of turmoil, this place has also witnessed bloodshed with explosions to gunbattles to violent processions. In February this year, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah announced a development package of two crore rupees for beautification of Lal Chowk. Surprisingly, the work began soon after. While some people appreciated the step others criticised it on various grounds. They believe the plan fell short of people’s expectations and on the contrary created problems for them. done first,” said Noor Muhammad, a Srinagar at Lal Chowk also oppose the “beautification” Lal chowk was already suffering from huge resident said. project. traffic rush. Now with the construction of a “The area here should be increased not A local shopkeeper, Ahmadullah said, “Lal fenced park within it has further increased the decreased like this in order to prevent traffic Chowk is prone to attacks and gunbattles so the problems. jams.Lal chowk has been lacking a parking tourists who would be coming to this park can “There was no need to construct the park place so there is a dire need to create a parking be easy victims.” here. Instead they (Government) should have place first. This is misappropriation of public However, the shopkeepers appreciated developed Pratap Park for public amusement. funds by state government,” he added. the reconstruction of the footpath by the Road widening and repairs should have been Meanwhile, majority of the shopkeepers authorities. Bad weather hits agriculture Farooz Ahmad Bhat problems. Some areas were also hit by “We plant hailstorm adding to the worries of Untimely and heavy rainfall in the paddy by 15th local orchard owners. last week of May has resulted in May but this The fruits are falling damage of Rabi crops. Pulwama, year we are late prematurely especially apples, rich in agriculture and horticulture by 12 -15 days,” pears and apricots. The trees have produce, has been one of the worst said Ghulam been attacked by various diseases hit districts with Mustard and oats Nabi Kouchey, and pests. being the main affected crops. another farmer. “Due to bad weather, the Oats is dried and stored for Moreover, foliage has been damaged. Various cattle in winter season. But this torrential rains diseases have attacked the fruits. time major crop was decomposed. lowered the The orchard owners should Same is the case with mustard, temperature spray prescribed chemicals,” said which received heavy rainfall from d a m a g i n g Ahrar, an officer of horticulture reaping till thrashing. Mustard paddy saplings department. was kept in ricks and when in some areas The milk production in the opened, it was found sprouted and while in district has also reduced due to low decomposed. other areas temperature. The cattle couldn’t “We enjoyed a good crop this the saplings be fed properly as they were kept year, but Allah had other ideas,” were ready to indoors. said Ghulam Mohi-ud-din, a local The areas which fall downstream be planted, but the land was not “We do not have mechanized farmer. undertake plantation first followed prepared. dairy farms and are dependent The plantation of paddy was by the upstream areas. This is “The Agriculture Department on traditional methods of rearing also delayed due to inclement done to prevent shortage of water. is monitoring the situation and cattle. This has led to decrease weather. In Pulwama, there is a However, with the bad weather this has informed people to protect the in milk production,” said difference of about 15 to 20 days year the entire district is going to saplings by applying fertilizers,” Assistant Veterinarian at Animal among different areas as far as plant paddy simultaneously leading said Agriculture Extension Officer, Husbandry Talangam, Pulwama, paddy plantation is concerned. to water shortage and related Pulwama, Zameer Ahmad Khan. Jalal-u-din. 3 MERCTIMES CAMPUS ROUNDUP Shafqat: Helping special children with compassion the school is off. The VMS management has already started construction of a boarding school at Bemina campus. The Society aims to bring Special Children from all parts of valley to the school for treatment. The children, enrolled in the school, are divided into three categories as per their intelligence quotient. “We keep the students into three groups - Mild, Moderate and Severe,” Says Abdul Rouf, a Speech Therapist at SHAFQAT.