Introduction to KashmirForum.org Blog

I launched the website and the Blog after having spoken to government officials, political analysts and security experts specializing in South Asian affairs from three continents. The feedback was uniformly consistent. The bottom line is that when Kashmiris are suffering and the world has its own set of priorities, we need to find ways to help each other. We must be realistic, go beyond polemics and demagoguery, and propose innovative ideas that will bring peace, justice and prosperity in all of Jammu and Kashmir.

The author had two reasons to create this blog. First, it was to address the question that was being asked repeatedly, especially, by journalists and other observers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, inquiring whether the Kashmiri society was concerned about social, cultural and environmental challenges in the valley given that only political upheaval and violence were reported or highlighted by media.

Second, the author has covered the entire spectrum of societal issues and challenges facing Kashmiri people over an 8-year period with the exception of politics given that politics gets all the exposure at the expense of REAL CHALLENGES that will likely result in irreversible degradation in the quality of life and the standard of living for future generations of Kashmiris to come.

The author stopped adding additional material to the Blog once it was felt that most, if not all, concerns, challenges and issues facing the Kashmiri society are cataloged in the Blog. There are over 1900 entries in the Blog and most commentaries include short biographical sketches of authors to bring readers close to the essence of Kashmir. Unfortunately, the 8-year assessment also indicates that neither Kashmiri civil society, nor intellectuals or political leadership have any inclination or enthusiasm in pursuing issues that do not coincide with their vested political agendas. What it means for the future of Kashmiri children and their children is unfathomable. But the evidence is all laid out.

This Blog is a reality check on Kashmir. It is a historical record of how Kashmir lost its way.

Vijay Sazawal, Ph.D.
www.kashmirforum.org

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Kashmiri Writers Conference

Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages holds a symposium

Kashmiri Writers Conference adopts five point resolutions

Rajouri: A five point resolution was passed during concluding day proceedings of two day State Level Kashmiri Writers Conference organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages held here at Dak Banglow Rajouri.

The Kashmiri writers fraternity unanimously adopted the resolutions which includes , Opening of Kashmiri Department with a Chair in the memory of Eminent Poet Rasa Javeedani at University of Jammu, Creation of posts of Lecturers for Kashmiri language in Higher Secondary schools and Degree Colleges of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar and other Kashmiri speaking districts of Jammu region, Introduction of Kashmiri Language in Kashmiri speaking areas of Jammu region at School level and providing due share of "time slot" to Kashmiri language on electronic media including Radio Kashmir Jammu, AIR Poonch and Badherwah, DDK Jammu as per the population ratio.

More than 200 Kashmiri Writers , Scholars, Poets and Intellectual who participated in the event passed these resolutions with one voice. The resolutions were mooted by eminent Kashmiri Writer Prof. Marghoob Banhali, former Head of Kashmiri department, Kashmir University.

Zaffar Iqbal Khan in his address said that Academy is going to hold a two day Dogri Conference in the coming month at Jammu and Pahari and Gojri State level Conference will be held in February month of next year. He urged the writer community of the state to come forward and help the Academy in its endvour.

The second day proceedings of the conference were started with paper reading session. Prominent Writer and former head of Urdu department of Kashmir University Prof. Zaman Azourda presided over the session while Bashir Badherwahi and Manshoor Banhali readout their papers on various aspects of Kashmiri Literature.Those who participated in the discussiuon includes, Farooq Nazki, Aziz Hajni, G RHasrat Gadda,Shahnaz Rashid, Brij Halli, Payaree Hatash and others

Earlier on Saturday, 2-day Kashmiri writers conference began here today. Gyan-Peeth awardee and noted scholar of Kashmiri, Prof. Rehman Rahi presided over the inaugural session.

Addressing on the occasion, Prof. Rahi expressed optimism about the future of Kashmiri language, saying the new generation is increasingly feeling the importance and role of the language in the preservation of culture and identity of Kashmiri people. This feeling, he said has helped to produce committed young poets, literatures and artists who promise bright future in the times to come.

Prof. Rahi said that the language pioneered by great saints like Lal Ded and Sheikh-ul-Allam by their original thought and wisdom is bound to flourish in all ages and times. He said the contemporary writers are also contributing in promotion and evolution of the language. He said no language could be effective alternative in communicating feelings or propagating ideals and values to Kashmiri people other than their mother tongue.

He praised the Academy for promoting Kashmir language by organizing periodic literary programmes across the state.

In his welcome Address, Secretary Academy of Art, Culture and languages, Mr. Zafar Iqbal Manhas dwelt on the importance of organizing Kashmiri conference in Rajouri district. He said the language is highly rich in humanistic philosophy and values that need to be promoted in the interest of states composite culture, social and literary development.

Zafer called for launching a literary movement to convenience the young to be well versed in their mother tongue, which he listed as a big challenge. He said a proper system needs to be put in place for the purpose. He said creative contemporary writers in the language like Prof. Rahi would surely guide in language promotion measures.

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