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

Friday, May 22, 2009

Blame Salt for Cutting Lives Short

In Kashmir salt from one region evokes special sentiments, but even that salt is every bit a problem as the rest

30 per cent people in Kashmir suffer from hypertension, experts blame high salt intake

Srinagar: According to an expert survey, thirty per cent of the people are suffering from hypertension and turmoil is not the only factor. Infact, they blame high salt intake more for high blood pressure et el.

“At present 25 to 30 per cent people in the valley are suffering from hypertension as the salt consumption has risen to 12 grams a day. The salt intake has to be brought down to almost half, so that the number of people suffering from hypertension may be brought down to a lower level,” said Dr Nisar Ahmad during a day-long function organized at Tral in Pulwama district.

The function was organized to educate the people about the ill effects of hypertension on the World Hypertension Day organized by Ikhlas Welfare Society Kashmir at Khangund Tral.

The participating experts urged the people to reduce salt intake by half which would save approximately 2.5 million people a year who otherwise die of strokes, heart attacks and chronic kidney diseases worldwide.

The experts informed that the World Health Organization (WHO) and several countries around the world currently recommend reducing salt intake to six grams a day which is equivalent to one teaspoon.

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