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, February 14, 2010

Towering Expectations

Nadya shares her point of view


Of friendship

Nadya Anjum

“I miss those days when
We were together
Spending years in joys and
Till then, we never realized
The importance of each other…
Now I realize it,
of those days
I miss each and every moment”

School- the word when a child heard, he starts crying and laments: “I don’t want to go” but little he realizes the importance of schools and it is only when he grows up he gauge the significance. The six letter word “School’’ is the most suitable word where life is at its best. School remains a place where we learn, unlearn and prepare ourselves for the future. Really! What a fun it is to be a schoolian…no worries, no tensions.

Oh God! Why I have grown up sometimes I think. It is really painful to leave school where we have spend years together learning new lessons, gossiping, and joking. We irritated each other, commented on each other but still remained those old idiot friends. And it is the place where we make friends. In those days, a warm enduring and enthusiastic bond is forged among people whom we hardly know. In school we make friends not by choice but by instinct. Out of many we pick one, we never care for others. But we share a special bond, and care for him. The word ‘friend’ is a soothing word that acts as a balm when bruised. Friends provide a sense of belonging and support. A true friend follows everywhere, he never leaves you alone. He is with you and stands by you. Sometimes a thought struck me what makes this relationship special and astonishing. These are the people who are close to us than our relatives. Perhaps these relations are based on the values of love, affection, admiration and not on the material creed. They say love begets love so it would be unwise not to accept and reciprocate in the same manner.

A true friend always stands by and never let you down. He is the source of inspiration for you and always come to your rescue when you need it. He is the source of strength upon whom you rely. He holds you when your shoulders start dropping; he is the source of the courage to which you turn when the situation let you down.

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