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Kashmir Has More Medical Shops Than All North India Combined

2012-01-22T13:48:00.000-08:00

Arshad examines the new State Drug Policy. Arshad's article is followed by an editorial in the Kashmir Images

(Syed Arshad Hussain Kashani, 38, was born and brought up in Srinagar. After finishing schooling, he did my bachelors in Science from the Amar Singh College, Srinagar. He completed his Masters degree from Kashmir University in Bio-Chemistry in 1996. He worked outside of Kashmir for a short period and then returned to the valley where he is self-employed. Arshad is an independent commentator who writes occasional articles. He loves playing cricket since his childhood, and has keen interest in history, taking great interest in developments around the world.)

The State Drug Policy

The much awaited and debated Drug Policy is drafted and finally approved by the brilliant brains of our society - The Cabinet of Law Makers. The policy was primarily aimed to take
care of the society especially in terms of providing a quality health care. As
per reports in the local media, the main change in the existing status is that
the doctors will have to prescribe the generic names of the drugs and not any
particular brand of the said drug. This the experts found only way to ensure
that quality product is delivered to the customer.This is gross innocence and is
bound to prove counterproductive keeping in consideration the main objective of
the drug policy. This change is going to create a legal mess in the state.
J&K is selling the drugs mainly manufactured and marketed in India under
Indian rules and regulations. As such there is nothing like a Drug monopoly but
instead thousands of the brands of the same product compete in the market that
is mainly defined by the prescription of a doctor.

What this policy will do is that the competition of these products will be
settled at the chemist counter and will be mainly determined by the profit
margins the man in question will enjoy. That is where one feels sick of the idea
we are going to get trapped in. Another tragedy is in the making as certain
molecules are very much resembling but entirely different in character that can
prove detrimental keeping into consideration the rush hour sale of drugs from
the market e.g. the S-Amlodipine and Amlodipine, S-Omperezole and Omperezole,
Cetrizine and Levo-Cetrizine, L-Lysine etc.

This is a fact that a lot of
doctors get obliged by the companies for prescribing their brands and now it
will be a chemist. The drug dispensation level in our state is not a shade of
the same in the markets our cabinet is influenced by to do the same for us. Now
it will be the turn of a chemist to bargain for and sell the brand of his
choice. The question is how this change will ensure a quality drug sale - I
doubt, rather fail to understand the logic behind this move. Instead the risk
factor is quite high given the number of brands of the same molecule that will
be competing only on the margin factor in the market. Since money is involved in
this trade, the only criteria now will be to swell the chemist margin and it is
going to be a mess.

A generic brand is sold to the chemist with approximately
500% margin that is what has been ignored by the policy makers. Given the number
of brands of the same molecule in the market it will be next to impossible to
trace and track the product that patient has consumed as patient has only
generic name with him and the product sold by a chemist has no hold to be
probed. By prescribing a brand there was a proof what patient has consumed by
valid doctor prescription. It will be very difficult now to single out the
problematic brand out of the crowd.

This is going to be a legal mess in the
state soon as high profitability at chemist level may take away the quality from
the product. Agreed doctors are obliged by Pharma-companies for prescribing
their products/brands. However in turn doctors also get periodic medical
bulletins, sponsorship for/on medical updates, conferences and so on. Different
molecules are launched long after a particular doctor is out of a medical
college and the study material, drug trials etc are made available to doctors by
these Pharma-companies only and in return they need business. With this new law
this practice will be a closed chapter and society as a whole is going to
suffer.

The men behind the Drug policy know better what they are up to;
however they need to know an important factor i.e. going by generic names is
possible in the places where there is monopoly of the molecules and no choice is
left at the chemist counter. Let them consult the proper experts again before
putting it to practice.

Prudent Decision

(Editorial in the Kashmir Images)

The cabinet decision to adopt the State Drug Policy is a welcome step that at last saw the approval from those who have been trumpeting it for decades but could not join heads to give it the final shape. Better late than never may be true but in the context of drug policy, it proved disastrous as its absence consumed thousands of lives. Our state remained the main consumer of the drug and medicines manufacturing companies for the last many decades.

Billions of rupees would just go in purchase of the medicines and in return the benefits were proportionally quite low or at times adverse, to say the least. This is all because Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Valley became a dumping ground for the companies that churned out spurious drugs and made Kashmiris to use them through their tentacles in the form of compliant doctors and the collaborator distributors. While as the general health level elsewhere showed positive trend, the same took a receding curve in the Valley. This is because of the spurious and sub standard drugs and medicines that are easily available and that too in abundance in our markets.

There are more medical shops in the Valley than in entire north India put together. Government on its part remained a mute spectator leaving the masses to fend for themselves in the ocean of spurious drugs. More paradoxical part of this mafia type system is the involvement of doctors in promoting spurious drugs in the Valley thus playing havoc with the health of the people for no fault of theirs. On one hand people are victim of a disease or mishap and on the other those who are supposed to play messiah, turn out to be the cheaters by resorting to drugs that are in no way helpful to the recuperation of the patient but just fattened the pockets of such conscience- less doctors. For decades people have been raising the issue, sometimes vociferously, but the rulers paid no heed because it is thought that many politicians have been part of the mafia and they reaped the ‘benefits’ by delaying the introduction of the drug policy.

If some conscientious doctors are to be believed, more than sixty percent drugs currently in the medical shops is of spurious quality and has the potential to aggravate the disease or ailment that they will be prescribed for. If such is the scenario in the Valley, then how government can afford to close its eyes from such grave issue? Now that the State Drug Policy has got the cabinet approval, the real test has to be seen in the field. An estimated five thousand medical shops are running in the valley alone which are without licenses. Besides, there is an army of quacks found in every nook and corner of the Valley who have been playing with the lives of people for decades. They need to be weeded out without delay.

There has to be strict vigilance on the drugs prescribed by doctors and any doctor found relying on or deliberately prescribing spurious drugs must be punished severely and his certificate declared null and void. Now that enforcing agencies have a weapon in the form of State drug Policy with them, they must use it for the benefit of the people of the state as healthy nations do wonders in every field. Besides, Kashmiris will be ridden of the unnecessary burden on their purses for having to take extra drugs and time in recuperation.

Improving Health Care

2012-01-22T13:27:00.000-08:00

Farooq assesses challenges in medical care in Kashmir

(Dr. Farooq Ahmad Jan, 43, was born in Srinagar, Kashmir. He was schooled at the New Era Public School, Raj Bagh, and attended the Gandhi Memorial College (GMC), Srinagar. He completed his medical degree (M.B.B.S.) from from the University of Kashmir. Dr. Jan completed the 3-year M.D. program in Hospital Administration Under SKIMS Deemed University. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Hospital Administration and Deputy Medical Superintendent of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar. He is a member of the Indian Academy of Hospital Administration, and has published a book on Hospital Care, and numerous technical papers. Dr. Jan has received third best JIMSA article award for year 2010 for the paper titled “Status of Quality Assurances Practices in teaching Hospitals of Kashmir Division," and has participated in various national and international conferences.)

Health Care: Few Interventions Needed

The Health Care indicators of Jammu and Kashmir are improving but there is much more which needs to be done. Although government is providing health care at nominal registration fee but most of the financing of health care is “Out-of-Pocket”. This form of financing is considered worst form of financing health care. A single episode of ill health consumes a sizeable share of poor household resources leading to financial crisis.

In a study at SKIMS we saw that average “Out-of-Pocket” expenses on cancer care are more than average annual income of family and monetary loss due to inability to go for one’s job is 15.2% of the average annual income of family. More than quarter (27.3%) of families had to sell property or borrow money to meet costs of cancer care. Only 9.09% of patients could get this cost of care reimbursed through reimbursement for government employees, assistance in the form of Chief Minister’s relief fund, exemption by health authorities and insurance. Uninsured adults with chronic conditions are more likely than their counterparts to have unmet medical care needs because of the cost which could contribute to adverse health outcomes.

Health care expenditures have been constantly on the rise. Providing access to all the citizens has long been a corner stone of modern health financing systems in many countries. To ensure that individuals have access to health services one of the functions of health system financing is pooling of resources. Pooling is traditionally known as insurance function. Its main purpose is to share the financial risk associated with health interventions for which the need is uncertain. When people pay out-of-pocket, no pooling occurs. Most of the developed countries have done away with this form of health care financing but out-of-pocket expenses account for more than four-fifths of total health care spending in India. The emerging trend towards nuclear families is exposing people to severe economic and social constraints. The traditional mechanisms of social security and adjustment at times of crisis are fast disappearing.

The transformation has resulted in the creation of several problems for individuals and groups particularly the aged and retired populations. These reasons have led to an increased sense of insecurity among the public and prompt us for the necessity of some sort of health insurance over the years. Many low and middle income countries are considering health insurance for adoption into their social and economic environment or striving to sustain and improve already existing insurance schemes. First small informal voluntary insurance schemes may serve as learning models, but in order to achieve universal coverage government action is needed to formalise these schemes and to introduce principle of compulsion. Once compulsory health insurance exists for some people, incremental expansion of coverage to other social groups may be feasible to achieve universal coverage.

Many efforts have been made in India to start such insurance schemes both at governmental level and by private sector, but private for profit insurers only recently allowed by Government may target better off sections of the society when such schemes are needed more by low and middle income countries. Government can contribute towards the annual premium, so as to ensure the affordability of the scheme to families living below poverty line.

Numerous studies have reported on the ineffectiveness of Indian government health departments in executing their administrative and regulatory roles. Administrators display considerable leniency in implementing guidelines, often preferring persuasion over enforcement. Frequently doctors collide with superiors to circumvent policies while maintaining the outward appearance of compliance. In spite of often possessing perspectives and convictions that differ from sanctioned guidelines, practitioners are not able to effectively communicate these ideas and get them introduced into mainstream policy discourse. Studies have shown that stronger regulations and provisions for accountability in Indian health systems need to be balanced by measures to develop intellectual capital and include voices of frontline practitioners in public health discourse.

In addition to public sector, private sector provides a good percentage of health care especially out patient services. The private sector is largely unregulated and encompasses from small nursing homes to local shopkeepers (Informal Private Providers). These informal private providers (IPP) who practice allopathic medicine but have not been formally trained in it are a significant part of the private sector. Drug vendors are often the first providers of care for many common illnesses such as diarrhoea, fever and cough. Engaging them is a feasible way to ensure that appropriate drug regimes or illness advice reaches the broadest audience possible.

For these entrepreneurs, however training alone may not create the desired effect. Additional strategies such as increased regulatory oversight, establishment of referral system to qualified providers and investigation into balancing the profit motives of most informal private providers with the desired health goals of the public is required.

Corruption Breeds Corruption

2012-01-22T12:59:00.000-08:00

Soubiya gives a detailed account of how Kashmir lost its way and is now caught deep in the corruption quagmire

(Ms. Soubiya Yousuf, 23, was born in Srinagar. She did her schooling from Salfia Muslim Institute, Parray-pora, Srinagar. After that she went to Iqbal Memorial Institute, Bemina, for 11th and 12th class. She did her B.A. from Govt. College for Women, M. A. Road, Srinagar. She has also done Advanced Diploma in Computer Applications. Currently she is doing Masters in Sociology from University of Kashmir. She loves reading books.)

Why Only The Rules Changed And The Scenario Remained As It Was?

Big government conservatives are spending trillions and wasting billions. Republicans are no longer the party of fiscal conservancy, but the party of runaway spending and corruption - Sherrod Brown

The menace of corruption is deep-rooted and has consumed the vital organs of the society. It is very harmful and detrimental for all aspects of society – social, spiritual, political, economical, educational and moral. It corrodes a society’s beauty, values, strength and resources. Though the term ‘corruption’ has wide connotations but generally it is described as misusing one’s office for a private gain or unofficial end. The Oxford Dictionary defines corruption as a dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery.

The main reason of corruption could be mismanagement and disorganization. There is a weak control on various departments and their working. This leads to lack of coordination and control among departments and levels of organization. This uncontrolled and unsupervised administration gives rise to corruption on large scale.

As far as our own J&K State is concerned it figures among the most alarmingly corrupt states of India according to a global organization “Transparency International”. Not a single field or department is free from corruption. Even the State Finance Commission headed by Dr. Mehmoodur Rehman which was constituted by the state government, reportedly warned that corruption has become all pervasive and omnipresent in the State with conventional laws hardly proving effective to curb the menace. The said Commission has termed certain offices as “citadels of corruption and festering sores”. The said report has noticed that laws to deal with rampant graft and blatant embezzlement of public money are failing short of the need and the existing apparatus to deal with corruption has not touched the subject beyond the fringes.

According to a survey Police department tops the corruption chart. The powers enjoyed by the police are so wide that they can accuse, arrest and harass even an honest person. Electricity, education, water supply and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme fell under the other corrupt services. In fact, the menace of corruption has even crept into such institutions which were considered to be sanctimonious such as educational institutions, hospitals etc. In the hospitals corruption is associated with non-availability of medicines, spurious medicines, getting admission, consultation with doctors and availing diagnostic services. Doctors prescribe unnecessary medicines and various diagnostic investigations for commissions. There have been cases of diversion of medical supplies from government hospitals and clinics as well as supply and distribution of medicines of inferior quality.

Furthermore, retention of retired officials also encourages corruption by depriving the deserving youth their rights of employment. Due to lack of employment the youth are willing to pay huge amount for jobs. Many employers take undue advantage of this situation. They take bribe and give appointment letters. The appointed employee then uses all means (legal & illegal) to recover his lost money as early as possible. Hence corruption breeds corruption. In Kashmir paying bribes and influence peddling to get jobs done in public offices is a routine activity.

Corruption is also evident from the activities of other sections of society like contractors and builders are constructing sub-standard roads, bridges and houses. Students are engaged in mass copying. Traders are engaged in overcharging, adulteration and under weighing.

The menace of corruption is not restricted to the J&K State but it is prevalent even in most advanced countries. Even in India in recent past big politicians have been charge-sheeted and even put behind the bars.

In J&K various Laws/Acts were enacted from time to time for eradication of corruption. Prior to 1947 during the Maharaja’s Rule in J&K an Act titled “J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006” was in force. Pursuant to the provisions of the said Act territorial police was authorized to take cognizance of offences of corruption as and when complaints were received by them. After proper investigation into such complaints the reports thereof were placed before the Judicial Courts. Those cases which were prima facie “proved” were put to trial after framing charge-sheet and then the guilty were awarded criminal conviction.

After that in early 1960’s, without repealing the aforementioned Act of Samvat 2006, a new legislation was enforced under the name “The J&K Govt. Servants Prevention of Corruption (Commission) Act, 1962”. Pursuant to the provisions of the said Act of 1962, two Commissions (Non-Gazetted) and J&K Anti-Corruption (Gazetted), were constituted with a view to eradicate menace of corruption. Besides, a separate Police Organization called “Anti-Corruption Organization” was established. The complaints received by the commission, whether anonymous or otherwise, were properly scrutinized by the Commission and if found necessary were referred to the Anti-Corruption Organization for thorough investigation under laid down provisions of the Act. Pertinently, it was not mandatory for the Commission to agree with the final report of investigation of the Anti-Corruption Organization. Even in “Not-Proved” cases the alleged accused officials were being charge-sheeted where the Commission would have been of the view that the investigating agency has not fairly concluded the case. After finalizing the inquiry by the Commission the recommendations were submitted to the Govt. for further necessary action. The “Non-Gazetted Commission” was headed by one man of the rank of “Session Judge” and “Gazetted Commission” by a “High Court Judge” as its Chairman with members of the rank of Session Judge. In cases where both Gazetted and Non-Gazetted Govt. Servants were involved, cognizance was taken by the Gazetted Commission. In the year 1974 both the Commissions were amalgamated as one Commission.

At present the cases of corruption are being dealt with under the provisions of “J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Samvat, 2006”. The cases that are investigated by Vigilance organization are being placed before the Special Judge after obtaining proper sanction for prosecution from the Govt.

In the meantime Govt. has also enacted new law “The J&K Public Men and Public Servants Declaration of Assets and Other Provisions Act, 1983 (Act No.: 5 of 1983)” making it mandatory for the ministers, Govt. officials etc. to declare their assets.

It could be concluded that any law enforced for prevention of corruption is not defective, but the implementers should be sincere and honest in their duties. Enacting new Legislations/Laws is not the remedy for eradicating the corruption, but the implementation of the laws which are already prevalent need to be strictly implemented in letter and spirit with sincerity/honesty. There should be no political, administrative or any other influence in the functioning of the law implementing agency. The most essential and effective apparatus for eradication of the menace of corruption is introspection by each individual and authority.

The Unsatisfactory Status of the SMC and the SDA

2012-01-22T12:52:00.000-08:00

Junaid comments on dysfunctional local councils like the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA)

(Mr. Junaid Azim Mattu, 26, was born in Srinagar. He partly completed his schooling at the Burn Hall School, Srinagar, and partly at the Bishop Cotton School, Shimla. He attended college in America and graduated with a degree in Business and Finance from the Eli Broad School of Business at Michigan State University. He is a consulting financial analyst and telecom-IT entrepreneur based in Srinagar. A seeded national varsity debater throughout his school and college career (his grandfather - Khwaja Ghulam Ahmed Ashai - was one of the founding fathers of the Muslim/National Conference), Mr. Mattu also played under-19 cricket at national level for J&K. He is a founder of the World Kashmiri Students Association (WKSA), a global youth association for Kashmiris based in Srinagar, Kashmir, working on social, economic and political issues through constructive and informed activism. WKSA, as of today has 1,700+ registered members in Kashmir. He is also a nominated alumnus of the Global Young Leaders Conference. In his leisure time, Junaid likes to engage in reading, gardening, watching movies and listening to music. He recently became the District President Srinagar of the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Conference, headed by Mr. Sajad Lone.)

SMC & SDA’s Obstructionist, Political Role in Srinagar

Municipalities and Town Councils are meant to usher cities into eras of planned development and infrastructural growth. That thumb rule, however, changes when it comes to Srinagar. In Srinagar, the Municipality and Development Authority has over the years taken over the role of obstructionism, of stunting development in the name of baseless and flawed rules that are imposed at will and flouted at will, depending on the political dynamics of each case.
If, for a moment, we are to believe in the supremacy of SMC and SDA regulations, those spelled out in the Master Plan and those written in moth-eaten books elsewhere, should we not wonder why Srinagar has turned into a congested, ill-planned and dysfunctional city? The issues faced by Srinagar, one of the fastest growing cities in the world as revealed in a recent report, are traceable to both a collective political failure when it comes to Urban Development as well as a prolonged system of corruption and obstructionism in SMC and SDA. It appears that both departments, under the shadow of the government of the day, have shut their eyes and presumed that Srinagar has stopped growing and with a cessation of its growth, its infrastructural needs have stopped growing too. Fountains and seasonally painted pavements seem to be the priorities in a city that is under-served when it comes to both commercial and residential spaces. In imposing its obstructionist power, both departments have thrown Srinagar into the clutches of a new-age License Raj. Both departments have disincentivized obedience to both law and logic.
A significant part of the old-city is morphing into a large slum with narrow, congested roads and a hotchpotch blend of old and new, residential and commercial construction. As pontificators who have in their minds stigmatized progress, sit in their living rooms and lament about the state of this city in this context, they fail to account for two things – 1) The realities and needs of a growing city and 2) The failure of successive NC and PDP governments in charting out a policy that provides for commercial zones in the city.

Agreed that Kashmir is a beautiful tourist destination but are we to delude ourselves to believe that tourists can be so enamoured by Kashmir’s beauty that they can come and live under open skies? Our Tourism department might go to the seventh sky to hold road-shows to attract tourists to Kashmir but our Urban Development department, our Municipality and Development Authority have ensured that it’s easier to re-enact World War II than making a new hotel in Srinagar. We have already started witnessing an acute shortage of hotel rooms in Srinagar during months that witness a heavy inflow of tourists. Existing hoteliers cannot dare to dream of adding to their existing infrastructure due to a punitive, obstructionist atmosphere that has become the face of this government’s urban policy. The rule of the day is to make young entrepreneurs run from pillar to post and post to pillar for years as they jump over numerous insurmountable no-objection-certificates. Why have we penalized development in a city that is in such a dire need to usher itself into prosperity? Do common Kashmiris who don’t belong to NC and PDP or are not affiliated to these twin parties bereft of their constitutional right to grow and aspire for a modern, metropolitan city?

Service-sector across India is providing this generation with hundreds and thousands of jobs – be it shopping malls, office aspaces and hotels. With jobs in the government sector in our State having long dried up, the need for private sector to grow in terms of providing more jobs becomes absolutely essential. But how will Private Sector provide jobs to Kashmiris when SMC and SDA have ensured that private sector in Srinagar cannot muster the courage to add new infrastructure or make improvements to our existing, dilapidated infrastructure. By-passes across India, including Jammu, are zoned as commercial zones with the exception of Srinagar. We need to wonder if this is because of a deliberate unstated policy that aims at pushing Kashmir into Stone Age?

We can go on macadamizing Gupkar road and giving NC and PDP the political right to ration on dreams of prosperity, of making obstructionism a part of official State policy. Or, we can hold not only our government, our twin mainstream parties but also our bureaucrats accountable for starving Kashmiris for growth and development. We need to ask questions. We deserve answers. Why has Jammu been allowed the liberty to grow into a city while Srinagar has been suffocated into a slum? Is this the reconciliatory hope Srinagarites deserve after having reeled under political and social turmoil for close to a decade and a half? Our estate, hospitality and protocol departments can go on spending crores after crores on ministerial residences as this city starves for basic infrastructure because as it has become apparent, we are all children of a lesser God. Our CM can grandstand about snapping electricity to the CM house while all representatives and bureaucrats sun-bath in the warmth of Jammu.

Our State government has convinced itself that it can play the role of Private Sector by making shopping malls and shaadi-halls rather than focussing on what are the integral responsibilities of any responsible, efficient government. SDA can make ugly, ramshackled shopping complexes in Srinagar but a private enterprise will not be allowed to make a modern, beautiful shopping mall right next to that ugly, dilapidated SDA shopping structure. Look at Sangarmal Mall! Had a private enterprise made a shopping mall where Sangarmal exists today it would have been functioning as a fully-occupied, booming shopping mall today! But alas, our government wants to monopolize development and in that process, ruin all possible opportunities of growth.

Unfortunately it is the tax-payers that contribute to the salaries of government employees including SMC and SDA departments – but what could have been a constructive means for growth has become a collective drain for the tax-payers money. Could someone please tell the quixotic SMC Chairman that Municipalities are not all about obstructionism and demolitions! What about a non-existent waste management system, a defunct and chaotic garbage collection system? What about our stinking lanes and overflowing drains?

Let us allow this city to grow – not chaotic, unplanned growth but well-planned and visionary infrastructural growth. Let us chart out a new future for Srinagar – one of modern buildings, wide roads, sparkling hotels and booming shopping malls. Let us stand up to obstructionism and tell the power that be that we have a right to dream too!

State in Doldrums

2012-01-22T12:43:00.000-08:00

Iqbal conducts an assessment of how the state government has performed

(Dr. Javid Iqbal, 65, was born in Srinagar. He attended the D.A.V. School, Srinagar, and graduated in Medicine from the Government Medical College (GMC). His professional service in medicine includes work in the Middle East for three decades. During his days at the GMC, he captained the cricket team. Dr. Iqbal is the Vice Principal, Controller and the head of department - Operation Theater Technology at Tahira Khanam's Paramedical Sciences Institute, Lawaypora, Srinagar. He enjoys writing and staying close to his children in far away lands.)

State in Disarray

Admitted that a concerned Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah preferred to stay put in freezing cold of Srinagar as the snowfall put the administration out of gear, instead of taking the plea of his job entitling him to be in Jammu secretariat, the concern could be read as self-satisfactory as well as generally gratifying.

Granted CM, young in years as well as in spirit, is a well meaning gentleman, with a pronounced preference for doing the right thing at the right time, at the right place. Accepted that more often than not, CM voices public concern, as he did when Altaf Ahmad in Uri died of bullets fired by Central Industrial Police Force, when as per numerous accounts firing was unwarranted.We may concede all that vis-à-vis the chief minister, who has been elected by popular vote. On his own admission, the vote was purely for running an administration; in no way did it imply a survey of opinion on the future of what in its short form is called the ‘K’ issue. Still, CM comments frequently on ‘K’ issue. His critics say, it is because of his propensity to be one-upping on separatists, or to take the wind out of their sails. Whatever it might imply, he is within his rights to say, what he says loudly.

Having conceded CM’s right, he, however, remains open to question on whether whatever the steps he takes are result oriented or not. That is the litmus test of performance. On that the CM’s record is not laudatory at all. However even on result oriented assessment, CM may get a partial let-off, as it is extremely difficult to get through the web of bureaucratic hurdles. The sclerosed arteries of administrative circulation are so hardened, as to make its health highly suspect. Nothing ever seems to move it, be it Omar Abdullah or anyone else. Having served for three decades in Middle East, where regimes are dictatorial, anyone from our parts with similar experience would swear that things move faster and much more meaningfully than the democratic system, we subscribe to and swear by. However this may not be taken as a plea for supporting dictatorship, with its obvious flaws and squeezing of political space for dissent.

JK state’s health is suspect, it rates high in negative sense…on corruption, on administrative in-aptness, with its summer capital---Srinagar rated the fourth filthiest city. This is in spite of nature having endowed the Valley with attractive water bodies, and with majestic hills surrounding it. The Valley has a salubrious climate. All that the Valley is decorated with in natural scheme of things stands nullified by an administrative system bent upon reversing what the nature has provided. In the process of reversal, the administrative anarchy in the state has left nothing undone! A liberal dose of political favours has provided the support base for the anarchy. What is true of the Valley holds well beyond it. In Chenab Basin, in Pir Panchal range, in the plains of Jammu, beyond Zojila, on heights where vegetation is un-sustainable and life sustenance challenging, the story of administrative anarchy repeats many times over.

JK State is unable to get its act together; nothing demonstrated it better than the recent snowfall that threw the administration out of gear. Life in the Valley was back to where it stood a century or two back, in spite of the technological advancement having made it easier in much of planet earth. In spite of the fact that we stand quite high in educational advancement, whether our textbooks strengthen the moral fibre within is highly suspect. There are some lessons we have readily learnt, squeezing the 14 feet alleys and side alleys to 10 feet, by advancing our lawns by a foot or two on either side. Inside our cosy homes, we can proudly claim to have the best of tapestries, wooden panelling, and wall-to-wall carpets covered by woollen or silken rugs. Our kitchens, pantries, crockery and cutlery are indeed a state of art exhibition, custom made, so as to say. Yet a snowfall over a few hours or a day is enough to throw life out of gear, as personal comfort, the comfort of the family remains the concern. The societal care stays much outside the realm of our scheme of things, as well as the concept of a community life.

Our politicians, bureaucrats---many if not all, our police force, the administrative system, or what we in our propensity of being political liberals call politico-bureaucratic nexus remain part of us—first cousins, second cousins, close or distant relatives, friends or acquaintances. Before blaming the system, we need to go on a self-assessment exercise. We need to accept that it is collective failure---failure to get acquainted with what life is all about…its subtleties, the finer aspects, the spiritual upbringing and the moralistic tuning. We may cite just one example, if only to illustrate the point, and also dwell in what hurts us most---the power cuts in spite of having the potential to generate 20,000 MW, the lower estimate being 16,000 MW from our water sources.

Figures relate that National Hydroelectric Power Corporation [NHPC] a government of India [GOI] subsidiary has grown from a 1975 initial investment base of 2000 million to an approximate investment base of over Rs 3,87,180 million with an authorised share capital of Rs 1,50,000 Million. From 2000 million to 3, 87,180 million works out to an enhancement of 193.5 times in its capital outlay. The huge gain has made it a ‘Mini-Ratna’ [analogous to Emperor Akbar’s Nav-Ratans] No grudges, except that out of its 5295 MW capacity of power generation, J&K state contributes approximately one third…1680 MW, and it is widely felt the state gets peanuts in return!

NHPC did what it thought serves its interest, what about our collective inertia? The government might have been on exhibition drive of its in-aptitude, what about the civil society? Was its slumber so deep, that it allowed happening, what eventually did happen? And then our bureaucracy, a societal arm paid for safeguarding socio-economic interests. For 15 years, it forgot to make proper financial transactions with NHPC. Thus we have 1984 agreement, which entitled Jammu and Kashmir State to 47 percent power from Salal project including 35 percent energy at Busbar rates (generation cost) and 12 percent royalty. Instead it continued to get only 23 percent on these rates; the losses have grown up to Rs 2340 crores.

A leading Srinagar daily reported the loss quoting sources privy to it, in its 4th January dispatch. News agency KNS also carried the news. Could all this be explained, unless we admit collective inertia? Instead we take the easier way out, blame the government, raise a few slogans, go on hartals now and then, stage a protest demonstration, pelt a few stones, and the get into a state of selective amnesia! We may still fuel an argument that whatever we may do, NHPC has no right to fiddle with our resources…leave the water resources, what about our water bodies? The state of water bodies may leave us with hardly an option, but to hang our heads in shame. We are the worst sufferers of our own cruelty…the cruelty of spirit!

The society at large remains obsessed with ‘K’ issue resolution. That may remain a priority; times have shown that we need resolution of the conflict within our societal order. The conflict within is one-upmanship in proportions rarely seen outside the Valley. Ours is a society in disarray. Whileas the planet is getting into post modernistic gear; it remains questionable whether we could call ourselves modern, as implied in its definition. Questionable, as merely a day of snowfall takes us back to medieval times. It calls for some serious introspection, the question remains are we up to it? Your guess could be as good as mine!

Toxic Milk Sold in the Valley

2012-01-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

Kashmir Observer investigates the latest shameful scandal in the State, followed by an editorial in the Greater Kashmir

83% Milk Consumed In JK Contaminated

Nazir Ganaie (Kashmir Observer)

Srinagar: In a shocking revelation, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India has claimed that 83 per cent of milk produced and consumed in Jammu and Kashmir is contaminated with components like salt, detergents and several other harmful substances being found in it. The milk not only has weak nutritious value but has several other side effects for human health as well.

According to a study conducted by the FSSAI, experts fear the consumption of contaminated milk by the gullible people across the state could lead to gastroenteritis, food poisoning, endocrinology and several other chronic diseases. They said the onus for this lied on the government which had given a free hand to the companies for adulteration.

The study revealed that hazardous substances like detergent, starch, soda, glucose and other synthetic substances were being mixed with milk which becomes harmful for human consumption.

In its first-ever country-wide survey on milk adulteration conducted in 2011, the FSSAI found that of the total 1,791 samples tested throughout the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, at least over 68 per cent i.e. 1,226 samples were either diluted with water or mixed with harmful detergents.

The situation is worse in the states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Jharkhand, Orrisa, West Bengal and Mizoram where all the samples collected were found to be contaminated or not conforming to the prescribed standards.

For instance, in Manipur, 96 per cent samples did not conform up to standards, in Meghalaya it was 96 per cent, followed by Tripura with 92 per cent, Gujarat 89 per cent, Sikkim 89 per cent, Uttrakhand 88 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 88 per cent, Nagaland 86 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir 83 per cent and Punjab 81 per cent.

In Rajasthan, the FSSAI study revealed, the level of contamination was 76 per cent followed by Delhi 70 per cent, Haryana 70 per cent, Arunachal Pradesh 68 per cent, Maharashtra 65 per cent, Himachal 59 per cent and Chandigarh 48 per cent.

In urban India, nearly 70 per cent of samples were found to be contaminated, compared with 31 per cent of samples in rural areas. Only two states - Goa and Pondicherry - sold unadulterated milk, while all 250 samples from four eastern states were found to be contaminated with detergents.

The snap shot survey was conducted with a view to identifying the common adulterants in milk in rural and urban areas in different states besides finding out the non-conforming samples in loose and packed forms throughout the country.

Reagents like salt and glucose are added to alter the thickness and viscosity. Adding starch prevents curdling of milk. Salt and detergents are added to adjust the lactometer reading to add thickness to the milk.

The survey has proved how authorities concerned had failed to check this blatant violation of the standards for milk in various states which is otherwise meant for strengthening bones, cardiovascular improvements and oral health.

The survey said that addition of water reduced the nutritional value of the milk. The contaminated water and detergents pose health risk indicating lack of hygiene and sanitation in milk handling. Immediate effect of drinking milk adulterated with urea, caustic soda and formalin is gastroenteritis but the long-term effects are far more serious.

“This is a crime; government should react on this issue immediately and take strict action against the companies indulging in adulteration. It is something which kills people slowly. The contaminated milk, which contains substances like detergents, caustic soda, and unsafe water give rise to incidence of various diseases in the valley. We have seen an increasing number of patients complain of food poisoning, gastric troubles and some other serious problems. It can even cause cancer,” the director, SK Institute of Medical Sciences, and noted Gastroenterologist, Dr Showkat Ahmad Zargar, told Kashmir Observer.

“People consuming adulterated food and contaminated milk develop some bizarre syndromes. When these substances go beyond concentration, people complain of disorders of gastrointestinal tract, including esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and biliary system. This is very harmful for pregnant women and can even affect the growth of the new born and children. It can give a new trend of diseases in our state,” Dr Zargar added.

Talking to Kashmir Observer, heath officer, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Dr Rubeena, said they had been examining certain samples of milk in which they had even banned the sale of milk produced by certain companies.

“During inspection and sampling, we found that some of the milk companies used caustic soda, unsafe water and synthetic substances, which can cause serious health problems,” Dr Rubeena said.

“Being a concerned health official dealing with all these things, I have given the report to the higher authorities and my role ended there. Now it is for the food commissioner and other authorities to take action against them,” said the health officer, when asked why the SMC had not taken any action against the companies found marketing adulterated milk.

“Daily Taaza milk supplied mostly to the army was banned recently. We moved very fast in the regard. Besides there are some unsafe and misbranded products as per the Act, they should get a clear cut ban,” Dr Rubeena said.

She said the sale of adulterated milk would be completely eradicated only with a joint effort of common people and the authorities. “We are introducing a new technology in the state shortly which will help the households to check the milk at their doorstep and also help the civic body to conduct more sampling in the market,” Dr Rubeena said.

Even after NGOs and other organizations in various Indian states have started raising eyebrows on the concerned agencies, the state government here seems to be ignorant about the contaminated milk being marketed with impunity, which is taking a heavy toll on the entire society without any discrimination.

“I don’t know about any survey and adulteration in milk products, I am hearing it from you,” Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister and senior National conference leader, Ali Muhammad Sagar, told Kashmir Observer.

Asked, what would be the immediate reaction from the government with regard to the companies involved in adulteration, Sagar said “Please give me a day, I will enquire into it and come to you with full details.”

Kashmir’s Poisonous White Revolution-JK’s Food Safety Agencies “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” For Years

Nazir Ganaie (Kashmir Observer)

Srinagar: Clueless that the constitutional morning cuppa in Kashmir is actually a delivery mechanism for disease, the state’s food safety agencies on Thursday switched into the Hum Dekhen Gey mode on reports of almost the entire milk supply in Jammu and Kashmir being contaminated.

While the deputy drug controller here has, according to his own admission to the Kashmir Observer today, been “conducting sampling of dairy products from time to time” but appears to have not even the faintest inkling of their safety and standards, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has found that 83 per cent of the milk consumed in Jammu and Kashmir is laced with hazardous contaminants.

The (FSSAI) has found that virtually every cup of tea grown-ups here have been taking for years, and every ounce of milk infants have been brought up on, is actually a deadly cocktail of detergents, soda, (even caustic soda), starch, and other unspecified synthetic substances, but all that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has been able to do is ban one dairy producer, and remain understandably silent on the nature of its “violation of standards and norms.”

No one bothers to explain why possible “violations” by others – dairy companies, doorstep delivery boys, neighbourhood gojris – have been ruled out. The FSSAI findings, actually an indictment of the state’s food and drug safety agencies, have been confirmed in their deadly impact by no less an authority than the director of the SKIMS, Dr. Shaukat Ahmad Zargar, a gastroenterologist of international repute, and many of his colleagues, who have long been assailed by heavy incidence of serious health disorders traceable also to serious food contamination.

While the Drug Control Authority, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, and even the most powerful of ministers, have done a virtual-double take on the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) report, people in the dairy business point fingers, and trade associations demand action, both washing hands off an issue amounting to the slow poisoning of the valley.

It has taken an all-India survey to confirm what every housewife in Kashmir has always feared, but the state government’s food safety institutions appear to have been the classic “hear no evil, see no evil” lumps of lard capable only of knee-jerk reactions even on massive sale of sub-standard and spurious pharmaceuticals.

Food Adulteration: ‘Higher-Ups Sleep On Field Reports’

Nazir Ganaie (Kashmir Observer)

Srinagar: After the shocking revelations by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India that 83 per cent of milk produced and consumed in Jammu and Kashmir was contaminated with components like salt, detergents, caustic soda and several other harmful substances, the Drugs and Food Control Organization, Kashmir, Friday asserted 30 per cent of food items in the Valley were “highly adulterated,” while Kashmir alone consumed 75 per cent of contaminated milk.

“Kashmir consumes 30 per cent of adulterated food items - spices, biscuit, edible oil, salt, and many other eatables, which is shocking. Besides, the Valley people alone consume 75 per cent contaminated milk being produced by local companies,” public analyst/ designated officer, Drugs and Food Control Organization, Hamidullah Dar, alleged while talking to Kashmir Observer.

He said the food safety officers had been working in different districts and sub districts to check the menace of contamination and they had been collecting samples of milk from time to time, for which they had already sent reports to higher authorities to take action against the companies involved in adulteration.

“We collected samples from every corner of the valley and during their testing we found that out of eight samples, six were adulterated with starch, detergent and some synthetic substances,” Dar said, adding “In many other food and edible items, our experts found that turmeric and chili powder, sounp, sweets, ghee, pickles, oils, salt had been adulterated with toxic colors, starch with other harmful substances”.

He said his team had done the sampling and prepared the report before FSSI. Asked why he did not take action against the companies involved in contamination, Dar said, “As a concerned officer, my job is to frame the report and highlight the areas and companies involved in contamination and my work remains restricted to laboratory only, rest is the job of higher authorities.”

Reliable sources in the Drugs & Food Control Organization said contaminated products were a source of income for various law enforcement officials and other unscrupulous elements.

“Contamination is possible only when concerned administration officials adopt a non-serious approach towards the companies involved in the crime. Although lower rung officials do their job like sampling, testing and reporting their findings to the food commissioner and other authorities who, on their part more often than not prefer to look the other way. The chief minister should order appropriate action in the matter,” said a well placed official, wishing anonymity.

Refuting claims of the commissioner, Food Safety, that food inspectors had been asked to collect samples, sources revealed their earlier reports had been ignored.

“On August 5, 2011, we started sampling in different areas and all the food inspectors worked very hard, and then we found most of the products, milk as well as other eatables contaminated. We sent the report to the commissioner sahib, what happened to that, please ask him,” said the official.

Pertinently, Kashmir Valley alone produces 11.32 lakh tonnes of milk annually.

“If Omar Abdullah is serious in improving the health sector, he should not let people die. He should immediately check the menace of adulteration to bring down the incidence of diseases. But, they are busy in their own world,” said a senior citizen, Muhammad Abdullah of Budgam.

When contacted, Commissioner, Food Safety, Jammu and Kashmir, Satish Gupta, said he was looking into the report and would take action very soon. Then, he dropped the phone. When this reporter made attempts to ascertain his response to reports of drug inspectors about contamination of milk and other edible items already lying with him, the commissioner finally answered the call for a few seconds and said. “Right now there is no light here, we will talk tomorrow about this”.

Meanwhile, the director, Animal Husbandry, Kashmir, Dr Farooq Ahmad Kaloo, said, “I think majority of our milk producers in the state don’t even know about the harmful chemicals added to milk elsewhere in the country. Our milk producers, I mean the dairy farmers, are innocent. Their intelligence and knowledge is limited to water and water chestnut flour adulteration whereas outside they use urea, soaps, vegetable fat and even formalin. But this too has to be stopped immediately,” he said.

“Whatever milk we import, I do not hold a brief for that. My unit is not allowed to test the tankers of milk coming daily to Kashmir, which is another issue,” Dr Kaloo said.

Talking to Kashmir Observer, deputy commissioner, Srinagar, Baseer Ahmad Khan, said that they will soon take action against the companies involved in adulteration.

“On the priority basis, I had ordered constitution of three committees comprising experts from Health and Drug departments, SMC and others to monitor the markets and check the level of adulteration. We will not spare anybody found guilty in adulterating food items or milk,” he said, adding the officials had done video sampling of certain companies as well and once the report came these companies were going to have tough time.

Milk Scam: ‘Politicians Trying To Stall Action’

Nazir Ganaie (Kashmir Observer)

Srinagar: In a shocking revelation, the civic authorities here have accused politicians of attempting to prevent them from initiating punitive action against those allegedly found involved in adulteration of milk in the valley.

“For taking bold steps at the administrative level, one will have to go through a virtual hell at the hands of unscrupulous elements who would not hesitate in pressurizing an upright official against taking any action under law,” health officer of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Dr Rubeena, told Kashmir Observer.

Sources in the premier civic body in the state’s summer capital said the health officer was subjected to lot of harassment by certain politicians after she initiated legal action against a milk producer allegedly for violating food safety laws.

According to reports, the health officer, accompanied by a team of food safety officers and a police party from Pantha Chowk police station, had sealed the milk processing unit of M/S Daily Need Processing and Milk Products, at the Industrial Area, Khonmoh, on the city outskirts, engaged in selling pouched milk under the brand name of “TAAZA Milk”.

During routine inspection on December 8, some milk samples were taken from the plant in presence of the SMC health officer and after laboratory tests, it was found that the samples were contaminated.

“The sample contained thick layers of fat with black particles visible to the naked eye,” public analyst-cum-designated officer, Drugs and Food Control Organization, Hamidullah Dar, who had examined the sample, told Kashmir Observer, alleging the milk was misbranded and unsafe for human consumption.

He said the sample was found containing 4.5 per cent of fat in violation of the provision of Food Safety Act. “The sample contains foreign fat, as the butyro-refractometer reading more than 44 at 40 degree Celsius. Besides the sample wasn’t found labeled. So according to the provisions of FSSA rules 2011, as the date of package and batch is not given, you can take immediate action against the persons involved,” said the public analyst.

“I would appreciate the role of the civic authorities. In face of pressures, she managed to get the owner of TAAZA Milk Products prosecuted under the Food Safety Act, 2011,” he said.

When contacted, the SMC health officer, Dr Rubeena, refused to disclose the name of the politician for obvious reasons, but alleged she had been subjected to mental torture for initiating legal action against the accused milk producer and getting the company’s license, under the name of M/S Daily Need Processing and Milk Products, cancelled and its Jammu-based owner prosecuted. A senior Congress minister from Jammu also played a role in the matter, sources told Kashmir Observer.

Sources said it was due to the efforts of the public analyst and SMC health officer that the TAAZA Agro Farms, who supplied bulk of its production to the army here, was prosecuted allegedly for marketing highly contaminated milk in the valley.

A senior official in the SMC, wishing anonymity, said that the health officer was pressurized by the political circles over her bold step to close down the TAAZA milk plant here.

Talking to Kashmir Observer, Dr Rubeena said she would never succumb to the pressures from the political circles.

“I got so many pressures. I was harassed in meetings and even threatened but I didn’t budge in my resolve to discharge my duty in the larger interest of public health,” she said.

“For every honest administrator, I guess, these things come and they will come until they remain honest. I then took leave for a couple of days to relieve myself from the mental trauma I had gone through after I took the decision to close down the TAAZA plant,” she said.

Sources in the Drugs and Food Control Organization, revealed that the “political pressures” were largely responsible for the food and milk adulteration having assumed the dimension of a menace.

Milk is Toxic (Editorial in the Greater Kashmir)

Disturbing reports about large scale milk adulteration in J&K have caused genuine concern among the consumers. Apart from the waste of their money, the contamination of the white product poses a direct health hazard to the common man who apparently has little means to check the menace. Although the degraded quality of the milk has somehow become an acceptable phenomenon in the society given the slipshod approach of the authorities supposed to keep a check on it, the revelations by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are simply shocking.

The study conducted by the FSSAI has found that 83 per cent milk produced and consumed in J&K is contaminated. Shockingly, the substances found to have been blended with the milk include detergent, starch, soda, glucose and other synthetic materials making the milk highly harmful for human consumption. Such substances, any medical practitioner would say, contain toxic values which in the long run could deleteriously affect the health of a consumer by exposing him or her to disease ranging from gastroenteritis problems to multiple organ failures.

The study should serve as an opener for the government, which till now has seemingly not been so proactive in taking a call on this issue. Any casual approach in this regard would be criminal. As of now different government agencies either seem to be not clear about their role in checking the food adulteration or there seems some overlapping of the roles between them, something that gives them a reason to evade responsibility. Such an ambiguity needs to be cleared by strictly implementing the Food Safety and Standards Act. Interestingly, the Act provides for a separate department of Food Safety and appointment of a commissioner, Food Safety, for the state, along with some designated officers for districts. The law empowers the designated officers to issue/cancel licenses of food business operators, prohibit the sale of any article of food not subscribing to prescribed standards, etc, something that could really help check the food adulteration. So what the government is waiting for?

Only in Kashmir

2012-01-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

Only in Kashmir, does one find stray dogs around a hospital outnumbering the hospital staff and patients

Patients Resent Lack of Facilities in City Hospitals

Mansoor ul Hassan

Srinagar: Patients admitted in various hospitals here had to face a tough time today due to non-availability of doctors and improper facilities.

Few inches of snowfall today affected the functioning of all the major hospitals including SMHS, Lal Ded and GB Panth here causing immense inconvenience to the patients and their attendants.

At SMHS hospital people staged protests this afternoon against the non-availability of ambulances. The protest erupted after a family from Shopian was allegedly denied ambulance to ferry body of a woman.

“My mother died this afternoon and I approached the medical superintendent of the hospital for providing me the ambulance to ferry her body to back home. But he refused to provide me the service saying that ambulance can’t be send to such a long distance,” Muhammad Amin, son of the deceased woman told Greater Kashmir.

Amin said he had to wait amidst snowfall with the body for three hours till his relatives reached there with a vehicle.

Meanwhile, attendants of patients in the hospitals alleged that the doctors were not present there during evening hours.

Source said in Valley’s lone maternity hospital Lal Ded, the shortage of paramedical staff and doctors had delayed discharge of 20 patients from the hospital.

Muhammad Latief of Islamabad alleged that his wife was supposed to be discharged few days ago. “I have been searching for the concerned doctor but couldn’t find him,” he said.

The attendants, who accompanied their children to GB Pant hospital, alleged that no doctor had visited wards during evening hours.

“After 12 noon, all doctors disappear from the wards. In case any complication occurs or our kids need consultation, we have to carry them to the casualty section,” alleged Mushtaq Ahmad of Pattan, who son is undergoing treatment in the hospital.

Chaos and confusion was witnessed in the corridors of GB Panth hospital as the attendants had occupied it complete in absence of a separate space.

Although, the attendants in most of the hospitals expressed satisfaction over the heating system and electricity supply but the inadequate water supply is giving tough time to them from last few days.

Istiyaq Hassan of Pattan alleged the wards received inadequate water supply causing problems to the patients. The unhygienic condition in bathrooms and wards has aggravated the patients problems. During on-the-spot assessment different wards and rooms of GB Panth, this reporter found huge cockroach population present in its wards.

“There is every chance that infants are at risk of infection or swallowing them by chance,” Haleema, an attendant from Pohru Nowgam said.

At SMHS hospital the situation was no different. A good number of rats could be seen moving in the wards. “Is this hospital for humans or animals?” Gowhar Muzaffar of Hawal questioned.

“If we count dogs and rats in and around hospital complex, they will outnumber human population,” he added.

When contacted the Medical Superintendents of SMHS and LD hospitals refused to comment on the issues. “We cannot talk on the issue as we are not at the helm of affairs,” they said.

Only Medical Superintendent of GB Pant hospital Dr Kaiser gave his version about the problems in the hospital.

“Absence of attendants shed is the biggest hurdle in the process of accommodating good number of attendants coming to the hospital. We have already sent a request to the higher ups for the construction of the attendant shed to relieve pressure from the hospital,” he said.

On the absence of doctors during evening hours he said: “In emergency wards, the doctors remain available round the clock. In cold wards the doctors make rounds twice a day. In case of emergency the attendants can immediately contact causality department.”

The Deepening Divide in Kashmir

2012-01-22T12:23:00.000-08:00

The gap between the rich and the poor is widening in Kashmir

Inequalities Highest in Kashmir’

Srinagar: Inequalities between the poor and the rich are highest in Jammu and Kashmir even after two decades of economic liberalisation, broadly implying that poor people are getting poorer and rich are getting richer, according to a recent analysis undertaken by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

The average household monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) at current prices was deflated by consumer price index to arrive at a realistic measure of change in real economic well being of people across regions and classes.

The ASSOCHAM study confirms that growth rate of both average per capita expenditure and resultant demand increased during 2004-05 and 2009-10. But while the average per capita consumption expenditure remained unchanged for the poorest, 20 per cent people, the average household income of the richest 20 per cent increased by 7.7 per cent.

This broadly led to increased inequalities. On an average, a rural household in the richest 20 per cent category spent more than 258 per cent of what a household of similar size falling in the poorest 20 per cent category spent in 2004-05. This difference further increased to 286 per cent in 2009-10.

“The resultant market size of richer MPCE classes too increased at a relatively faster pace,” said ASSOCHAM secretary general D S Rawat. “While the size of consumer markets expanded at a healthy rate of 7.9 per cent, economic inequality further widened over these five years.”

The calculated gini coefficients for states indicate that income inequalities increased in Jammu and Kashmir by 7.37 per cent, Madhya Pradesh including Chattisgarh 4.96 per cent and Bihar including Jharkhand by 4.9 per cent.

At the same time, gini coefficient values indicate falling inequalities in Orissa by 5.75 per cent, Maharashtra 3.85 per cent, Haryana 2.36 per cent and West Bengal.

Rajasthan, Karnataka, northeastern states and union territories too have seen some fall in the degree of income inequalities.

“Along with achieving higher economic growth, more efforts need to be made to make it more inclusive,” said Rawat adding reducing income inequalities is necessary for accelerating economic and human development. State governments must play a major role in developing social sectors and critical infrastructure.

J&K Has the Highest Illiteracy in Northern States

2012-01-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

The State with highest per capita enrollment is also the one with low ilitracy - proof that money (easy money) does not buy success

J&K Most Illiterate Among Northern States: Census Report

Early Times Report

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir is least literate among northern states including the newly carved out Uttarakhand, reveals the latest census report.

Though the state's literate population has been pegged at more than 68 percent of the total 1.25 crore persons - with a decadal growth of 13 percent - it is far behind other northern states like Himachal Pradesh (83.78 percent), Punjab (76.68 percent) Haryana (76.64 percent), Delhi (86.34 percent) and newly created Uttarakhand (79.63 percent). Jammu and Kashmir's literate population was recorded at 55.50 percent in 2001 census.

According to the census data, more people in JK are leaving farms and villages to settle in towns and cities. Around 30 percent of over 1.25 crore state population has been recorded to be living in urban JK, the report says.

The share of urban population in the state has gone up to 27.21 percent and the people living in rural areas constitute 72.79 percent of total populace. He said the urban population has shown steady growth of more than 6 percent in past three decades as figures in 1981 stood at 21.05 percent. Data says that the gap between the urban and the rural population is narrowing and the two may cut across each other in coming few decades.

These figures have been revealed by recent Census carried out by the Union Government. As per 2011 census, Jammu and Kashmir has over 72.45 lakh (78.26 percent) literate persons including 43.70 lakh males and 28.74 lakh females. More literate population (48.98 lakh) is living in rural JK compared to 23.47 lakh in urban areas of the state.

The ratio of rural to urban literacy rate is 64.97%: 78.19%. The winter capital tops in the literacy rate at 83.98 % followed by Samba at 81.08%, while Ramban and Bandipora districts have the lowest literacy rate in the State.

Fleecing Natives

2012-01-22T12:14:00.000-08:00

Fleecing Tourists was always a local mantra, but fleecing locals is new

Valley Boutiques Fleecing Customers

By Khurram Rasool (Kashmir Monitor)

Srinagar: Despite charging much higher rates than the usual tailors, the boutiques of the summer capital of the state have failed to live up to the expectations of the local women, who wish to get their clothes stitched according to the latest fashion.

Sheeba, who claims to have got her clothes stitched at almost every boutique in Lal Chowk area, says she and her young friends are not satisfied with their services. Calling the boutiques mere money minting machines, Sheeba says, “I am fed up with their hollow promises of providing perfect stitching and designing of dress material. Designing is secondary thing, these local boutiques cannot even make a properly stitched salwar kameez”.

“And their rates always keep on increasing with every single month”, she added.
While the erstwhile tailor shops are said to do all the stitching and designing works within the range of Rs 120-150, the same services costs anything around Rs 250-350 in these modern boutiques, with no extraordinary designing or stitching.

Like Sheeba, a lot of female customers are disappointed with the services provided by almost all such locally run boutiques. Aqsa, who got her dress stitched at a so-called ‘designer’ boutique at Poloview, was seen fuming with anger over the bad designing of her expensive engagement dress. She says, “It’s disgusting. Look what they have done to my clothes. They have spoilt my special salwar suit which my late grand mom had bought for the special day of my life.”

“They talk big but fail to deliver. Why can’t they make the stitching the clothes worthy of the money we pay them for their services”, questions Aqsa.

With myriad of such lady shops spread across the city alone, these boutiques are said to be silently bluffing the vulnerable female customers. Moreover, claiming of having professional degrees in fashion designing from distinguished fashion institutes of India, these boutiques according to sources actually hire non-local ‘chai-walas’ from outside the state and import them to the valley as ‘masterjis’.

Life is Unfair, Government Makes it Worse

2012-01-15T17:41:00.000-08:00

Javed reports on the World Braille Day (4th January) and wonders if the "Right to Sight" will ever materialize in Kashmir, much less by 2020

(Mr. Javed Ahmad Tak, 37, was born in Bijbehara in the Anantnag district. He received his schooling from Government schools in Bijbehara, and his B.Sc. degree from the Government Degree College in Anantnag. Unfortunately, at the age of 21 he became a victim of a terrorist bullet which hit his spine and disabled him for the rest of his life. However, he overcome mental and physical odds to complete his Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Kashmir, and also completed certificate courses in Human Rights and Computers from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Although wheel-chair bound, Mr. Tak is recognized as a leader who has relentlessly and with extreme passion taken up the cause of disabled people in J&K, seeking full citizen rights guaranteed under the J&K Disability Act but never implemented in the past. He is a founder-member of numerous NGO's dealing with issues and sensitizing public about challenges faces by physically handicapped people in Kashmir. He has received numerous awards and citations for his selfless work and has attended numerous workshops on disability rights around the country.)

Can’t You See!

On 4th January hundreds of people gathered at the Press Enclave in Srinagar to protest for their rights – nothing unusual for a city that holds a history of protests except that carrying placards in their hands, this time, was the group of visually challenged people driven by an impetus to make the state government “watch” their plight.

It was in the year 1829 that the first ever Braille book was published after the name of its inventor Louis Braille who lost his eyesight at the age of 3. It was his gift to thousands of people around the world to feel the joy of reading despite being blind. Today, the Braille, Daisy Formats, audio software integrated with Information communication technology [ICT] has carved a less difficult road for the blind people to read and write. However, that road has been unable to reach the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir where on the occasion of International Day for the Rights, in spite of celebrating the day, the disabled community is carrying out protests for simple demands like introducing Braille in schools and making public places blind friendly by installing Braille sign boards.

As per Census 2001, out of the total 3,02,670 disabled persons in J&K, 2,08,713 face visual disability. The 2011 census report on disability is expected to be more alarming and astonishing. The ten years of hard work invested by WHO in the global initiative "Vision 2020: the Right to Sight" to achieve zero blindness up to the year 2020, seems to hold no good in J&K where there is an overall paucity of eye hospitals. The Situation is worst in the interiors where hospitals and primary health centres fail to serve the needs of the visually challenged by not offering standard ophthalmic check-ups. Lack of infrastructure at the district hospitals is a major drawback that doesn’t allow doctors to perform critical surgeries. Fear of heavy debts inhibits poor patients to consider private hospitals as an option for corrective medical care. They prefer to remain blind.

In a recent disability assessment camps organised by Department of Education under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan funding for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) component - out of around 8000 children with special needs in a district, more than 3000 were found to be suffering from visual impairments. With each day passing by, the situation of children with low vision problems is deteriorating and they have started getting themselves enlisted in the record of blind people.

Nazima, a student of Class 9 in the educational zone Anantnag, needs corneal transplantation to maintain her vision. Since there are no separate schools in the state where Braille education system exists, she is forced to struggle with the conventional black board education and is therefore losing her sight. Except for a few special schools where a handful of children with blindness seek education with the help of Braille slates, Jammu and Kashmir is among the few states which are yet to introduce Braille technique of education in the schools.

Education is one aspect of development the visually disabled are demanding; but more fundamental is the very basic right to live, live with dignity, which certainly isn’t true of the remote villages of the state. Aisha and Khadija (names changed) hail from a small hamlet in Anantnag and today after spending 30 years of their life in darkness, both are awaiting death. “No doctor advised our parents to rehabilitate us,” said Khadija. “I have developed diabetes sitting at home. We are not allowed to go out and always face discrimination by our family members and relatives. For them we are the blind people,” said Aisha who firmly believes that if provided, vocational training can make both of them self reliant.Seeing the situation of ‘Abhinanda Home’ located in the heart of the city – Solina, Srinagar, one can understand the plight of the disabled lot for whose service this home was created. It is the only school for deaf and mute students, now on the verge of closure. Various Ministers during their visit to the place announced grants for the school but did not bother to keep track of the situation thereafter. The school compound, already encroached by security forces, is full of trenches and not looked after. A few ruined buildings and untidy rooms house deaf and mute children accompanied by some normal children from poor families. The conversion of the special school into an inclusive school does not reflect the principle of inclusion in any manner; it is merely a means of collecting some revenue to pay the teachers there. A few rooms are occupied by some blind adults who were earlier trained in Braille, besides learning how to make chairs and chalks. With no means of earning a livelihood with such out of date skills, the blind people are only fed there as dependents without any future career planning. It would have been better if the Social Welfare or education department of the state would adopt the school and provide special education for deaf, mute and blind students there.

Despite the darkness, there are a few responsible groups which have taken on the onus of becoming the beacon of light for the visually challenged people. Yasmeena, 38, of Chee, Anantnag, is an artisan by profession responsible for feeding herself and her old-aged widow mother. Today with the help of Zaiba Appa Institute of Inclusive Education, Bijbehara, she along with others, government school drop-outs, are now pursuing their education with the help of Braille system and computer education with Jaws software facility.

A rally organised by the NGO Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline along with the Zaiba Appa Institute of Inclusive Education, was an initiative to raise unheard voices for a system where each and every individual is provided a platform to realise their potential and become independent on the basis of their special talent. “We do not need government sympathy but want protection of our rights in the society. No worry that we are deaf, dumb and blind: we can sustain our lives with dignity,” says one of the protestors, clearly reflecting the respect and place they seek within society.

It has been a week since the rally and the strong voices that created uproar in the region have started fading away. Next year the crowd will gather again, probably with an upsurge in the numbers of the visually challenged reflecting how much attention the care takers of the public have devoted to the disabled lot. Donations and sympathy won’t take away the blame. The promising answer would be to provide them with equal opportunities to explore their hidden qualities. This will not only empower them but will guarantee a clear vision much needed to create an unbiased society. (Charkha Features)

"Let There Be"

2012-01-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

Adfar and Soubiya have some words of caution for today's technology obsessed youth

(Mr. Syed Adfar Rashid Shah, 28, was born in Watlar, Ganderbal. He did his basic schooling at the Government High School in Watlar, and then went to the Government Higher Secondary School, Ganderbal, for 11th and 12th grades. He completed a diploma in computers through The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Ganderbal, followed by a diploma in the urdu language through the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language in India (NCPUL). Mr. Shah completed B.Ed in 2009, his Masters in sociology from the University of Kashmir, and enrolled in M.Phil at the Center of Central Asian Studies (CCAS), University of Kashmir when he accepted admission to the Ph.D. program in social sciences at the Jamia Millia Islamia Central University in New Delhi, where he is currently enrolled. He is interested in diaspora studies, and sociology of religion, change and development. He loves interactions with people of all religions and creeds, and enjoys writing.

Ms. Soubiya Yousuf, 22, was born and raised in Srinagar, and is currently doing her Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Kashmir.)

Kashmiri Youth - A Sociological Slimpse

Youth is typically regarded as an ascribed status or socially constructed label, rather than simply the biological condition or stage. As per United Nations criteria, youth has been categorized as people in the age group of 15-24 years and as per National Youth Policy 2003 of India they have been put in the age group of 13-35 years. Youth are characterized by freshness, vigor and spirit. Youth is the spring of life, an age of discovery and dreams.

It is the youth who make or mar a society. Youth has the capacity to awaken the consciousness of the nation and bring about desirable change in the existing system.

Kashmiri youth though bearing tremendous resilience and moral conscience, however have been wrongly exposed to the whims of modernity in the form of certain dysfunctional cultural and social encounters. The prolonged turmoil since decades has ravaged their individuality and liberty and has turned them into a confounded personality and put them to identity and personality crisis. If treated in sociological terms modernity in real sense hardly connotes the total annulment of one’s own traditions and societal-cultural ethos, which we as Kashmiri youth are taking wrongly and forgetting the principle of continuity and change. We ignore to acknowledge that no genuine modernization is possible through mere imitation as it is a process of expansion, elevation, revitalization of traditional values and cultural patterns. Modernity should be defined in relation to, and not in denial of, tradition. Kashmiri youth have been blindly following a culture of hollow imitation which has led to declining emphasis upon the spiritual and local cultural settings. Education is cool for them but selecting the right course becomes difficult. They often find themselves at the crossroads when it comes to make a career-choice. Although, the State Government is a high-wage place but that is too saturated to offer any gainful employment. Very earlier the government was needed to promote self-help, self-employment and vision for reaching the universalistic standards of educational pursuits but due to lack of efficient, sufficient and timely policy interventions by the state administration, the youth are caught between the devil and the deep sea, on one hand thinking to move ahead and while on the other dragging the burden of economic dependency on. As a matter of fact, the youth remains susceptible and become an easy victim to despair and despondency. They are provided false optimistic hopes which serve as a mere placebo and hence remain unsolved. This is entirely not their fault but partially because of the incompatibility between various institutions like education and economy, family and religion, kinship and competition, etc. Education for instance has not been able to fulfill or inculcate the collective behavior or morality; even it is not compatible with justice or egalitarianism, as unemployment problem faced by Kashmiri youth can be attributed to aspects like curriculum-dysfunction, relationship between disciplines taught and job market value, lack of efficient policies and ample empowerment of student community. Another aspect of the said intimations reflect in the form of silent/polite violence in higher education like suppression of students and research scholars in universities, the growing moral corruption in academia and suffering of youth in many aspects, violence on gender basis, sense of feeling insecure among girls and violence of all forms inflicted on Kashmiri youth. Hence they are caught in a sort of a created vicious circle which is actually responsible for their frustration and may be youth bulge. Nevertheless, we salute Kashmiri youth for bearing it all and moving ahead despite all these odds and obstacles, be that lack of right guidance or economic crisis, no ample family support, etc,.

Youth in today’s time are bound to suffer when the system has been eaten by the dragon of corruption at every nook and corner. The other aspect pertaining youth stereotyping is that there has always been a tussle between our tradition and modernity and the youth have often been misunderstood by the elders. The elders feel that the youth being immature and inexperienced usually indulge in thoughtless activities, which otherwise are not so but shaping up the growing inter-generational gap. The fact is not only with the voting age of 18 years, the youth have increasingly become politically important but the state’s high political culture since decades due to political instability, chaos and turbulence; youth are highly politically conscious and important as well due to vested interests in them from all corners. Realizing this, they (youths) more or less shape Kashmir politics etc.

In early 90s the youth joined the chaos because of their being vulnerable and energetic as well and with the introduction of gun-culture in the valley, youth and women suffered the worst. The dance of unaccountable deaths and destruction on a large scale continued and youth responded to it group wise. One which was send outside the state by parents to suffer, another which crossed LoC to suffer forever, another which left out of fear (Pandit youth),another which deviated to the extreme and carried out robberies, thefts, scared people, looted innocents, threatened government officials and thus marred the whole regulatory system and what not. Another is the section of youth who simply lived with the turbulence and watched things as they happened. So it can be argued that youth suffered to the worst in post 90’s. In short, some were guided and some unguided and the rest were misguided, shaping up Kashmir as the growing geography of anger and chaos. Besides conflict situation amidst growing unhappiness, frustration, mental trauma and above all economic crisis and acute dependence culminated into different nature of crimes and undesirability’s in the valley which had negative ramifications mostly for youth like drug abuse, torturing thefts, eve- teasing, smuggling, murdering and many other sorts of deviant behaviors.

With the arrival of cell phones in the valley in 2004, instead of taking due advantage from it, a negative trend took place out of our transitional character as most of youth turned Nomophobic and this mobile-mania has had lots of ramifications and social implications like fostered lavishness, loitering, excessive addiction to social networking, excessive and increased love affairs, misuse and immorality, etc. The sociology of Kashmiri youth reveals that they are anxious, politically disturbed and has been caught in identity and personality crisis and as a result try every damn thing to follow or fell prey to venomous ideologies and adapt to practices without judging and applying their reason. They have developed a strange busyness and undirectional priorities for themselves where by media has placed them on a new platform through advertising patterns, serials, unceasing reality and request shows, spread of new fashion channels, nude shows, etc, forcing them to exercise the experiences and be vulnerable to new situations like fantasy dressing, vagrancy, vulgarity and thereby defeating the actual goal of modernization, religiosity, reasonable life and rational sense.

Today when many of the youth are shouting for social reconstruction, morality, socio-economic development, crime free society, religious revivalism, etc, the fact cannot be ignored that in the maximum of the prevailing chaos baring political scenario, youth are to a greater extent themselves responsible for the mess. In the existing negative social order they face acute repression at every step, consequently the rest shun their responsibilities and even resort to live aim-less while believing in the empty slogan of “sab chalta hai”. It has to be acknowledged that the youth in itself are responsible for the social degradation, social pathology, inter-generational conflict, culture of perpetrating violence upon others and blind imitation of alien cultures not suitable to Kashmiri normative structure.

Apart from that, Youth are in dire need of sustainable and overall social development which could be met with many primordial elements like education, health, justice, economic security, self evaluation, discipline, spirituality & conformity of societal codes. The Department of Youth Affairs, Government of J&K is implementing a number of schemes for youth development. The Department caters to the personality development aspect of school children by encouraging them in various social activities at the State and National level. It covers a wide spectrum of activities like organizing Domestic & National level competitions in various games and sports for school children, conducting Physical Education activities like Mass Physical Display in various schools, promoting adventure sports, promoting talented school children in extracurricular activities like dance and drama, organizing Youth and Cultural Festivals across the State and outside, promoting Scouts and Guides activities, besides providing opportunities to school children for participation and excellence in various sports activities.

Tail piece:
The problem with Kashmiri youth is their indifferent attitude towards things, situation and politics. The new formula of “Let the things be” is proving fatal to state’s development. Lack of unity and spirit is another major problem. The valley youth have to realize their power, their role, their duties and their responsibility and stand up for their rights but simultaneously taking care of their duties before that. Also youth need to subject themselves to psycho-social maturity and instill in themselves the cognitive-intellectual skills and develop a complete self to get rid of all chaos, crisis and confusion. There is need of guidance by Experts/Educationists to provide them proper counseling in a conducive atmosphere to ensure a platform for a developed personality besides government’s functional and sustainable youth or student friendly policies.

Power Generation in J&K

2012-01-15T17:24:00.000-08:00

Ashraf conducts a due deligence on the power situation in the state

(Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, 68, was born in Srinagar. He received his early schooling from the Government Middle School, Nowhatta, Srinagar, and from M.P. High School, Baghi Dilawar Khan in Srinagar. Mr. Fazili completed his F.Sc. from the Sri Pratap College in Srinagar, and received his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Annamalai University with honours grade. He joined the J&K government service upon graduation and steadily rose up the ranks to the position of Chief Engineer at his retirement. He managed a number of important infrastructure projects during his government service, including the Model Town Chrar-i-Sharif, Lower Jhelum Hydro Electric Project, Solid Waste Disposal Scheme Srinagar City, Circular Road Project Srinagar City, etc. He has numerous publications to his credit, including Srinagar the Sun City, Our Ancestors and Saints of Kashmir, etc., which were presented in seminar and symposia. He writes for various journals and is presently working on the Jhelum Valley Civilization.)

POWER SCENARIO OF J&K STATE

Power Development Corporation:

Power Development in Jammu and Kashmir has a long and distinguished history. 9MW Mohra Hydro-electric Plant, among the first of its kind in the subcontinent, was developed as early as 1905. The estimated hydel potential is about 20,000 MW, out of which projects of about 16,200 MW capacity have already been identified. These projects are techno-economically viable, besides being eco-friendly and socially beneficial. In order to harness this potential in a sustained manner, the Government of J&K established the Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDCL) which has been incorporated as Private limited company on 16th February 1995. The Corporation was incorporated to takeover, execute, complete, operate and maintain all power stations and power projects of the State. The assets of all the power projects in the State, both existing and under implementation were transferred to the Corporation. The Corporation presently has 20 hydroelectric projects with installed capacity of 758.70MW located in various districts of Jammu & Kashmir including 450MW BHEP. The Corporation has Gas Turbines based on HSD with installed capacity of 175 MW at Pampore near Srinagar. In accordance with the State Hydel Policy, 2003 JKSPDC has allotted 10 small HEPs with a total capacity of 110.50 MWs under IPP phase-I. The State Government is presently reviewing existing State Hydel policy, 2003 for project implementation from 2-100MW to make it more investor friendly and thus attract investment and expertise from private players in the sector on a large scale. J & K State in one its achievements took lead in award of a mega hydro power scheme on tariff based competitive bidding process. J & K is the first State in India to award 690 MW Ratle HEP (mega hydro power project) on BOOT basis through a tariff based competitive bidding process. The corporation is also pursuing the development of geothermal project in Pugah valley of Leh, Ladakh.

Existing Projects:

Lower Jhelum 3 x 35 105
Upper Sindh-I 2x11.3 22.6
Ganderbal 2x3+2x4.5 15
Upper Sindh-II 3x35 105
Pahalgam 2 x 1.5 3
Karnah 2x1 2
Chenab Basin
Chenani-I 5x4.66 23.30
Chennai-II 2x1 2
Chenani-III 3x2.5 7.50
Bhaderwah 2 x 0.5 1
Baglihar 3x150 450
Ravi Basin
Sewa-III 3x3 9
Indus Basin
Iqbal 3x1.25 3.75
Hunder 2x0.20 0.40
Sumoor 2x0.05 0.10
Igo-Mercellong 2x1.50 3
Haftal 2x0.50 1
Marpachoo 3x0.25 0.75
Bazgo 2x0.15 0.30
Stakna 2x2 4
Total 758.70
CENTRAL SECTOR
Salal HEP 6x115 690
Uri -I 4x120 480
Dul-Hasti 3x130 390
Total 1560

Upcoming Projects:

Name of Power Project Capacity in MW

STATE SECTOR
Baglihar Stage-II 450
Pahalgam (3rd Unit) 1.50
Matchil 0.35
Baderwah (3rd Unit) 0.5
Sanjak 1.26
Total 453.61

CENTRAL SECTOR
Uri-II 240
Sewa-II 120
Nimo Bazgo 45
Chutak 44
Total 449

Projects being taken up for the development in State/Central Sector.

S.No. Name of the Project Name of the Basin Estimated Capacity ( MW)
1. Sawalkote I&II Chenab 1200
2. Baglihar-II Chenab 450
3. Parnai Jehlum 37.5
4. New Ganderbal Jehlum 93
5. Lower Kalnai Chenab 50
6. Kirthai-I Chenab 240
7. Kiru Chenab 600
8. Ratle Chenab 690
9. Kawar Chenab 520
10. Ujh Multipurpose Project Ravi 280
11. Pakul Dul (Central Sector) Chenab 1000
12. Bursar (Central Sector) Chenab 1020
13. Kishenganga (Central Sector) Jehlum 330

IPP Phase-I (Under Implementation)
S.No. Name of the Project District Capacity
1. Ratle Kishtwar 690.00
2. Athwathoo Bandipura 10.00
3. Tangmarg Baramulla 10.00
4. Aharbal Pulwama 22.50
5. Hirapora Pulwama 12.00
6. Brenwar Budgam 5.00
7. Kahmil Kupwara 4.00
8. Boniyar Baramulla 12.00
9. Mandi Poonch 12.50
10. Ranjala Dunadi Doda 15.00
11. Drung Kathua 5.00

NEW GANDERBAL HYDRO_ELECTRIC PROJECT
The existing Ganderbal power station is the last of the hydro stations at the tail end of Sindh river and was commissioned in 1955. The station is located at Ganderbal -20 km from Srinagar city on Srinagar-Leh highway. The installed capacity of the station is 15 MW. The station has served 56 years and outlived its normal life. The station had been giving trouble and units had been derated Thus PDC decided to take effective measures to improve the power generation at this power station. It was decided in 1990 to build a new station and utilize the existing derated units with some renovation for 6/7 years till the new ones are commissioned.

DEMAND OF POWER
The growth of power demand in the J&K State has increased tremendously specially in view of the demand on account of Lift Irrigation, Agro Industries, Extension of Rural development, Industrial Expansion, Telecommunications, Water conveniences etc. The total installed capacity in the State is about 758.70 MW plus stand by gas turbine capacity of 175 MW and the total requirement far exceeds it. The present power demand is estimated to be 1850 MW, hence there is a shortfall of about 1100 MW.

The population of Srinagar has increased since independence to about 12 Lakhs. Increase in generation of power to the existing system is microscopic as only a small percentage of the generated power by NHPC is shared with the State. (There has been much contoversy on the issue of taking back the projects from NHPC) This hopeless situation prevails is inspite of the connection of the valley to the northern grid and any import of power is to be bougght at a heavy price.. The miserable condition of the city of Srinagar and the rural areas is evident to the residents as well as to the visitors. The speedy completion of in-progress projects is the need of the hour, besides the proposed New Ganderbal project so close to the city of Srinagar, would go a long way to help the State.

SINDH RIVER BASIN
The river Sindh is one of the major tributaries of Jhelum, starting in the mountains of Sonamarg at Panchtarani. It has a fall of 2110 meters in a length of 87 Kms upto Ganderbal. The river has large power potential and efforts are under way to tap this renewable source of energy. The various projects which are existing and those which are planned are as under:

Existing Projects: (in order of ascendency)

a) Ganderbal Project: The old power station at Ganderbal was commissioned in the year 1955 and has an installed capacity of 15 MW, now derated to about 11 MW. This station utilises a head of 140 m.
b) Upper Sindh Hydel Project (Stage II)
This project utilizes the head of about 220 m between Sumbal and Kangan. The power house at Kangan has an installed capacity of 70 MW. There was also a provision for adding another unit of 35 MW in the second phase of the project.
c) Upper Sindh Hydel Project (Stage I)
This power station utilises the head of about 150 m between Kulan and Sumbal. The power house at Sumbal has an installed capacity of 22.6 MW This was commissioned in the year 1974.
Future Projects:
a) Shitkari Kulan H.E. Project ( Stage I) -head = 500m, Proposed Inst. Capacity= 84 MW.
b) Shitkari Kulan M.E. Project (Stage II) high dam,proposed inst. capacity= 165 M.
c) No proposals to utilise the drop of 950 m between Panchtarni and Nilgrar due to severe winter conditions and complex geological conditions.

Proposals:
PHE Department have under consideration a proposal to provide a free flow tunnel for augmenting the supply of rain water to Srinagar City water supply system for meeting growing demand. This scheme consists of diverting the water of Sindh river near Prang. It was considered that this tunnel for municipal water supply can be usefully utilised for conveying water for generation of power requirements also. A new diversion structure would also be necessary in view of the bad state in which the present structure is functioning. The existing power station will be abondoned only after the new station comes into operation which may take about 7/8 years after sanction and making availability of funds possible.

In addition the Kangan Power House has been planned to be operated as peaking station. The releases unless picked up and stored at Preng, will be wasted during peak hours. The bad state of rockfill weir at Prang plus losses along 14 km. length of canal are reasons for the less discharge supposed to be diverted from the tail race of the USHP at Kangan.

To meet the power, water supply and irrigation demands the water conductor system for a discharge of 49 cumecs has been designed. With the amount of water available for power generation and the balancing capacity, provision of an installation of about 60 MW consisting of 4 units of 15 MW have been found appropriate. A free flow/pressure tunnel of about 4.80 m diameter horse-shoe shape conducts water from the diversion weir to the forebay surge shaft from where penstocks take off.

The project is located on the outskirts of srinagar city. srinagar has registered a phenomenal growth of population from 2 lakhs in 1941 to 12 lakhs at present. added to this, the city attracts a large number of tourists, commuting population and this makes the population almost double in peak tourist season. Being close to the city, the transmission losses from the power station to the city are minimum as compared to those of the other power houses located in farther areas. The head race tunnel of 4.8 m diameter is 10.8 km long, from surge shaft one branch tunnel of 2m diameter takes off for feeding the water supply requirements which shall empty at Rangil reservoir.

The new power house site is proposed to be adjacent to the existing power house and the tail rasce channel passes through low lying area and open fields and the discharge falls into river Sindh, just before its start fanning out into the Anchar lake. The proposed alignment has got built up during the past few years due to pressure of urbanisation.

Office and residential complexes were proposed to be constructed on the open land at Nunar to be acquired for the purpose.

The construction of infrastructure facilities were taken up in the year 1994-95, when I was posted as Executive Engineer in the project and procurement of materials besides land acquistion proceedings were initiated besides tendering process for tunnel construction, but the work got stalled due to unfavourable circumstances created in the valley.

The Stage-I of the project was estimated to cost about Rs. 115 crores and the generation cost was worked out to 61 Paise/ KWH.

Now recently it has come in the media that Government has the intention of resuming the work on this vital Hydroelectric Project. Let us pray for early action on this behalf.

Another Industry in Ruins

2012-01-15T17:17:00.000-08:00

As if deforestation was not enough, growing competition due to imports from U.P. and China are slowly killing Kashmir's furniture industry

Kashmiri Furniture Industry Breaths Last

Srinagar: Once bedecking the hotel rooms and houses across the globe, Kashmiri furniture industry is facing a great threat as the competition from outsider furniture is mounting over it and giving a tough competition for its survival. This furniture industry which was once patronized by rulers in Kashmir is onslaught owing to the changing scenario across the world.It is also believed that only few people have remained continue with this business owing to the dark future they find in this industry.

"Our sons are showing least interest to run this industry as it is at the verge of extinction. We are not properly able to feed our family and majority people turned to other businesses," says, a local furniture worker, Lateef Bhat, "this industry has been totally ignored by the successive regimes for its promotion. It could generate thousands of job opportunities in the state if government takes steps for its development."

With increasing deforestation, the industry is also facing tremendous shortage of timber, thus paving way for sales of the imported furniture to the Kashmir Valley.

Sidiq Ahmad Shah, a local furniture worker shares how imported furniture gives tough competition to the local one. "Most of the timber for furniture is importing from Uttar Pradesh popularly known as the Sheesham wood. Sheesham brings its own workers and experts, thus giving a tough competition to the Kashmiris furniture industry for its survival," says Lone.

He further said that Sheesham furniture cuts the cost to '50 percent' as compared to Kashmiri furniture. 'A layman cannot differentiate between Sheesham and walnut at the first sight,' he added.

When asked about the growing popularity of Sheesham furniture in Kashmir, another local furniture owner Manzoor Ahmed told the Agence India Press that, "No furniture wood can match Kashmiri wood on the part of color, design and durability. But Kashmiri societies being the middle class prefer to buy the Sheesham as compared to the Kashmiri furniture."

Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, who used to run furniture industry Sarted to run the grocery shop, He claimed that Kashmiri furniture industry would not sustain for five more years.

Know Your Right

2012-01-11T14:09:00.000-08:00

Muzaffar conducts a short training on what to expect under the J&K Public Services Guarantee Act

(Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, 36, was born in Wathoora village in the Budgam district and matriculated from Tyndale Biscoe Memorial High School in 1993. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Dental Surgery from from the Karnatka University in 2000. He has a private dental practice in Chandoora and is a social activist dedicated to educating public on the Right To Information (RTI) legislation. He is the Convener of the J&K RTI Movement and associated with the Commonwealth Human Rights Intitiative (CHRI) office in New Delhi.)

J&K PUBLIC SERVICES GUARANTEE ACT 2011

Corruption is eating into the vitals of the society and it is not only the biggest problem in Jammu & Kashmir but it is one of the serious global issues now. Getting public services is not an easy job in our State. Whether somebody wants a building permission, a ration card or to get a State Subject Certificate people have to pay bribes and have to wait for months together. Now after the enactment of J&K Public Services Guarantee Act 2011(J&K PSG Act 2011) on April 13th 2011 people may get some relief from paying bribes and also from unnecessary delays in Government offices.

It is a matter of right for the people of J&K now to get public services from the various Government offices within specified time. The preamble of this act clearly says that J&K Public Services Guarantee Act 2011 is an act to provide for the delivery of Public Services to the people of the state within the specified time limit. This act can only be useful to public if it is implemented in letter and spirit. It is not only the job of the Government to implement it but the best way to implement it is to make rigorous use of this act.

WHAT IS RIGHT TO PUBLIC SERVICE?
The public service can be defined as a service which common citizen is supposed to get from the Government. Let us take an example:
A resident of Jammu & Kashmir state has to have a Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) which is commonly called State Subject Certificate. Providing this certificate to the permanent resident of J&K state is the duty of the Revenue department officials and this can be called a public service. Similarly obtaining building permission, caste certificate, backward certificate, water connection etcetera can all be called public services and now people have the right to get these services within stipulated time and if these services are not provided to the applicants, the officials responsible can be penalized for the same. People won’t have to wait for months or years together to get a ration card , PRC or a building permission. The job has to be done within a specified time.

WHERE TO APPLY UNDER J&K PUBLIC SERVICES GUARANTEE ACT 2011 ?
As per section 4 sub section 2 of J&K PSG Act 2011 the Government may for different areas and different services designate officers who will be responsible for providing each of such service to the eligible persons. This means that there will be officers designated in various offices across nook and corner of the state who will be responsible to provide the public services to the people. For example in order to get Permanent Resident Certificate (State Subject Certificate) the Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) or the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of the concerned area have been designated as the Designated Officers (DO) and the person who wants to get a PRC (State Subject Certificate) must apply before him under PSG Act 2011 by writing a simple application and attaching the relevant documents with the application. Similarly for getting a ration card the eligible person must apply before concerned Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO) in rural areas and Assistant Director in urban areas of the Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution department (CAPD). Details regarding relevant documents and other designated officers will be elaborated in future. The designated officer (DO) is bound to provide the public service within specified time which varies from fifteen days to months for various service. The time period to receive various services will also be elaborated in future.

If the applicant does not gets the service within the stipulated time or the service provided is deficient in any manner he can file 1st appeal under section 6 sub section 1 of J&K PSG Act 2011 against the Designated Officer (DO) before the designated 1st Appellate Authority (1st AA) within 30 days of getting deficient service or expiry of the time to get the particular service. In case of PRC (State Subject Certificate) the concerned Deputy Commissioner of the area has been designated as 1st Appellate Authority and for getting a ration card the 1st Appellate Authority is the Deputy Director of CAPD. The 1st Appellate Authority has to dispose off the 1st appeal within a time of 45 days under section 6 sub section 2 of J&K PSG Act 2011.

Naseem Shafai's Genius

2012-01-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

Betab introduces the reader to a true Kashmiri intellectual

(Mr. Brij Nath Watal "Betab", 55, was born in Akingam, Anantnag district. He attended the Government High School in Achabal, and completed his pre-professional studies at the Amar Singh College, Srinagar. He received a Master's degree in Political Science from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi. He is presently employed as a broadcaster/journalist by the All India Radio (AIR), New Delhi. Mr. Betabhas published three poetry collections, and received a National Award for poetry. He has traveled to Central Asia, and attended many national and international seminars. He is a regular contributor to half a dozen magazines, and is the honorary editor of the Hindi edition of the "Koshur Samachar." Mr. Betab is a member of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) subcommitte on Kashmiri language. He isassociated with various Sahitya Academy projects, and served as its jury. In leisure time, he enjoys writing and reading poetry, oriental studies and Shaivism.)

Naseem Shafai--- the Feminist Crusader

Professor Naseem Shafai's Sahitya Akademy Award winning book 'Ne Tschai ne Aks' (neither shadow, nor reflection') is a Kashmiri poetry collection of 44 poems and 36 Ghazals, Published in 2007.
Priced at rupees three hundred, the 208 page volume opens with a small canto dedicated by the author to her journalist husband 'Zafarji', with gratitude for his 'adoring encouragement'.

The 'radically feminist' poetry has a few stanzas , as prelude to the foreword, that portray the poet's emotions, and outlook towards the life.This works as a preamble to Naseem's poetry, where feminism is discernible in her almost every poem.

The title of the book has been taken from the first poem, BE NE TSCHAI NE AKS'( I am neither a shadow nor a reflection).

This poem is apparently a beautiful piece of romance, woven with epical Warf and weft and the threads from the legends of iconic Kashmiri women. The message is feminist and universal.

I am not like you, neither a replica of your dream
You have your own subsistence, I have an existence of my own
If you hanker to know, you shall realize a new world
My endurance is different, and you shall comprehend that....

Decrying the " male domination and a woman's afflicted subordination', like Kate Millet, the political theorist, the 1952 born poetess argues that through the ages, the woman have been on the receiving end. But now the world "must not stand in her way".

After a long time, I have realized my identity
Comprehended that I have to have a vision
well, I have to fill my rim with sunshine
I am the mother Lalla and the Habba Khatoon
Now the world must not stop me.

In another poem MOZREYN,(the female laborer) she poses the question. "What is it that the common (working) women folk in our society achieves.? Why is her entire life spent just for a morsel of food and a shred to cover the body . Why has she to shed the tears and always be a prey to the sexual exploitation by the ever famished husband.?

My inner voice warned,
He is not in his usual today
The man-eater is hunting a prey
There, I, opened Shiva's third eye
Stared at him
Made him to fall from the grace
His entire existence burnt down
Reduced to ashes
He was no more…(He died)

The poem is a 'gender identity interface', that is the reflection of the ideological advancement of the feminist ethnologists. However for the poetess Naseem Shafai, it is not the Sex, but the Gender inequality that poses the challenge.

Oh, you too got on to this boat
You also strayed at last
Oh, you also got swayed slowly
By this word smith
Oh, you also followed
Your late mother
shall you also live by cursed destiny
by your virtue the world is wonderful
please realize now
see, the Adam will be worthless
without you'.(Adam's trap)

This type of poetry is an expression of a woman's inner passion for self esteem, and self admiration. This type of passion is termed as 'Sun Passion' by Kshemendra, the 10th century writer from Kashmir. This passion, says Kshemendra , 'can create illusions of pleasure.' It is perhaps due to this illusion that it has been alleged about Naseem Shafai that 'she does not seem to bother about the equality of man and woman'.

When we de-construct her poems, as critics like Terry Eagleton advocated , it becomes crystal clear that the poetess does bother for the man-woman equality. It is in fact this equality that she, in her poetry, is fighting for.

I would never look for you, but my heart sometimes induces me
Finding no reason, it maneuvers somehow
Those, who studded my every gaze with stars
Should be aware that I am dreaming?

Naseem may not be dreaming of 'equality of opportunity', but she certainly is fighting for 'equality of persons, that is common to cultural, religious and moral traditions'.

The poetess, who is a retired professor and a post graduate of Kashmiri language and literature, from the University of Kashmir, does not challenge the existence of 'A woman's partner', a lover. She is rather active about love and romance in life.

The doors are still engraved with longing for someone
The gaze hanging through the window is fixed at the path.
Read my heart, if you can read my face
Write the reply to quires, if you can rub.

It is however her 'desire' to be treated at par and with dignity. It is this dignity in family and society that the women's lib stands for and Naseem Shafai is its crusader for that in Kashmiri literature.

Enter deep into me and trace me for a moment
I am something beyond the body and the beauty
Descend from skies like Krishna and worship me
Oh Rama, become like me, I shall test out…….

Naseem Shafai propagates the existence of self in flesh and bones. 'The Self' that for a women is a matter of existence. Existence with quality and equality.

For Naseem it is the denial of this quality and equality for a woman that finds an emotional outburst in her poetry.

"She knew
How to look straight into others eyes,
She was, but, taught
In her early life
That those who cast their eyes down
Achieve heights,
She would laugh
And enjoy hilarity
Celebrate the childhood,
She was, but, taught
Right from her birth
That a giggle does not augur well,
She was handed over such a fear
That frightened, she would say
"It is the world of satanic influences
Beyond the threshold,
Outside the doorsill" {Fareeb (Deception)

Poetess Naseem Shafai, who gave new diction to feministic Kashmiri poetry, is a woman of substance who enjoys not only womanhood, but the life itself and wants others to enjoy, following perhaps Antony Hopkins who said, ' I love life because what more is there"?..

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MOTHERS LEARN KASHMIRI TO TEACH THEIR KIDS NOW

Naseem Shafaie has become the first Kashmiri woman to win the country’s highest literary honour, the Sahitya Akademi Award, in recognition of her contribution to the revival of Kashmir’s long tradition of poetesses. Shafaie talks to Sameer Arshad about giving life to dying literary traditions of her state

What does the Sahitya Akademi award mean to you?

I do not see it as a source of fame, but as recognition more than anything else. As kids, we look at our elders for appreciation and that pushes us to set higher standards for ourselves. Similarly, this award means that I have grown as a poetess and now I have a place of my own in the world of literature. It has been a long journey and I thank my teachers for encouraging me to write in Kashmiri when everybody else was writing in Urdu. My teachers told me to stick to Kashmiri and I think that has paid off. Moreover, it is Allah’s gift. I am very happy, but it’s also a source of great relief that my work has been finally recognized.

What is the nature of your poetry? The anthology that won you the award is about female emancipation and individuality? Is your poetry purely womenoriented or does it also reflect suffering caused by the turmoil in Kashmir?

My poetry addresses a wide range of issues from a woman’s perspective. My first collection of poems — Daerche Mutchrith (Open Window) is about a Kashmiri woman looking out of her window, a metaphor for her yearning to explore the outside world in the 1970s when the women began to take to higher education and their representation in government jobs began to increase.

My second award-winning book Nah Chaien Tshay Na Aks (Neither Your Shadow Nor Reflection) —released in 2007— is about women’s empowerment and individuality. In the title poem, I say that a woman is neither a man’s shadow nor his reflection; she has a position of her own and that she can do wonders on her own. But it is not irreverent towards men. It talks about men and women being different but equal. Men are neither more important, nor superior to women. They should at best complement each other. Meh Tog Nah Ranun (I Could Not Cook) is about how life changes for a woman after marriage and the struggles of adjustment. Another poem is about a father’s love for his daughter and his apprehension that she may not be treated that well after him.

And the pain and suffering?

How can anyone, who lived through the difficult times, be immune to it? It has had a tremendous impact on my poems. My poem Bakh (Wail) is about women and their insecurity in letting their kids go out in Kashmir of the 1990s. Its last stanza mate martaw yen chew wansi kam (do not die, you are too young to die) is about women mourning young sons who have died in last 20 years. Another poem deals with enforced disappearances. Du Wuth (Two Ways) is about Kashmir of my childhood and my lament that our future generations may not see the same Kashmir again.

You have been credited with reviving the tradition of poetesses in Kashmir. Whatisthestateof Kashmiriliterature at the moment?

The basis of Kashmiri literature is the poetry of famous poetesses like Lal Ded, the 14th century mystic poetess; Habba Khatoon of 16th century, and Arnimal of the 18th century. They were very strong women who challenged the norms of patriarchy. We have had a rich legacy of women poets but we had nothing on what they had written in their own handwriting. Their works were passed from one generation to another orally before they were written in the 20th century. It has been challenging, but now many women are coming forward. I was the only one to go to mushairas in the 1970s. Things are changing now.

You started your literary journey from a vibrant Kashmir University campus in the 1970s. Has the campus retained that vibrancy?

It was extremely vibrant when I started in the 1970s. We used to have weekly literary gatherings on Saturdays. There was a lot of critical thinking and appreciation. We were really groomed well. Besides, the local radio station has played a vital role in grooming poetesses like me. We had outstanding guides like Avtarchand Rehbar, Lassa Koul, who gave us proper guidance and taught us the nitty-gritty of poetry.

Is the Kashmiri language dying as many fear?

I am an optimist. The language has been introduced as a compulsory subject till Class VIII. It is optional after that. The best thing about it is that mothers, who are more comfortable with Urdu and English, have now begun to learn the language to teach their kids.

Speaking Kashmiri Language

2012-01-11T13:51:00.000-08:00

Iqbal pitches for the mother tongue

(Mr. Iqbal Ahmad, 49, was born in Parigam Chek, Kulgam. He is a graduate with Diploma in Numismatics, Archaeology and Heritage. He is an archaeologist, writer, and a cultural historian. He is employed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Government. Mr. Iqbal Ahmad has published 12 reference books on Kashmir archaeology and heritage.)

‘Koshur’- The Language of the Land

Beyond any doubt, ‘Kashmiri’ has been the primary language of people living in the valley of Kashmir. Its antiquity is being traced to the period of Kalhan Pandith, a famous historian who lived in the 11th century AD. A Scholastic analysis of Kalhan Pandith’s historical chronicle “Rajtarangni”, written in Sanskrit, reveals a number of Kashmiri terms incorporated in the text. Scholars have come across few such terms in this historic chronicle which later became a source book for most of the historical writings and other relevant explorations.

At one place Kalhan writes, Nav Sheen Chhu Pranis Sheenas Galan (It is the fresh snow that melts the old snow layers), a pure Kashmiri proverb, which is a clear indication of how the local dialect influenced Kalhana’s pen when he sat to write a historical chronicle. In fact this dialect has served as the main spoken language for its people though it was hardly used for any writing purposes.

Surprisingly, despite its popularity among the masses in the valley, ‘Kashmiri’ could never succeed to reach to any official position where it could have been used for any kind of official business which would usually be carried out either in Sanskrit or Persian. These two languages has dominated not only the official scenario but even the common mans writing traditions. The Kashmiri speaking people also neglected their own dialect and preferred to write in other scripts famous for writings during those ages.

There were only a few poets who used to compose lyrics in their own dialect. But this would remain an oral activity and would never be scripted in black and white. Historical researches and findings suggest that, during its initial periods, ‘Kashmiri’ served only as the spoken language of this land and nothing was written in this language. It was Sanskrit and Persian which somehow filled the vacuum leaving a literature of the land in foreign languages instead of its own one. That is probably why thousands of ancient manuscripts of Sanskrit and Persian are found in various olden book collections of this land while as one fails to spot even a single ancient Kashmiri manuscript.

Such findings motivated several scholars to believe that Kashmiri has been a spoken dialect rather than a written one. They also believe that it was the Persian script and language which served as the alternate for writings. The historical records also suggest that Persian has been the most popular official and written language of this land. Although today this language has almost disappeared from writing traditions of this land but it has had its golden period here when it dominated the writing and educational culture of Kashmir.

Persian, therefore, became a fundamentally essential language for people living here in the valley. They needed to know this language in order to know their past and the literary traditions that have existed here. People, it is said, developed a yearning for this language and till late 20th century, the language was being taught in formal and informal institutions. But this centuries old language promoted here by Sultans and their learned men stands neglected in Jammu and Kashmir now as it is now simply an optional subject in the University classes.

This language has a very long and interesting history of its own. Kashmir seems to have had cultural relations with Persia from ancient times. The Terra-Cotta tiles unearthed at Harwan, dating back to the fourth century AD, depict Sassassin characteristics. Besides, the Persian titles like Shah Nanoshahu adopted here by few Kushan princes are few earliest evidences of these ancient ties which existed between Kashmir and Persia.

These influences did not dominate, fully, the local culture and dialect. It was the Muslim rule did in the middle of the fourteenth century AD that left indelible influences on the local language and culture. The arrival of Sayyids and learned men from Persia and central not only brought various techniques and craftsmanship here but also left a deep influence on the literacy and cultural aspects here. This was the time when the two countries came closer for various types of trades and traditions. The royal patronage of Sharda and Sanskrit collapsed and it extended towards Persian script and language. The earlier writing mechanisms receded into the background, the students switched over to the study of Persian which became the language of the royal men and educated classes and even found its way into the villages.

As much as, the society of Kashmir reached a stage when education became synonymous with Persian learning’s. During the period of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidine, the language had a tremendous patronage. He established several translation bureaus where the earlier Sanskrit works got translated into Persian while as Persian also earned the honor of being practiced in courts as well. Chak Sultans left no stone unturned in patronizing Persian which is very much evident from the coins of that period.

The Shahmeri Sultans promoted Persian as well as Arabic learning’s while as Chaks devoted their full attention towards Persian. They were so eager to popularize Persian that the reverses of their maximum coins represented the Persian legends. This tradition of Chaks in Kashmir remained unchanged till Dogra rule. The status of Persian as official and court language was maintained by Mughals and Durrani rulers too. Durrani rulers adopted different Persian couplets in praise of their money market and displayed those on the obverses and reverses of their coins. This tradition became so deep in royal mints that when the Kingdom passed to Sikhs, they did not, at once, make any big change in the status of Persian language. No doubt they introduced Gurmukhi and Punjabi script and language but it had hardly any impact on Kashmir culture. They too did not disturb the judicial and official status of Persian. They continued to make Persian legends on their coins and so did the Dogras too. The Sikh coins minted in Srinagar had the following couplet on the observers:

Degu-Tegu-Fateh-u-Nustrat Bayed Rang Yaft Az Nanak Guru Govbid Singh

It was the court language of the Darbar of Kashmir too and was written and spoken even by local Pandits. Besides its literature, books on history, art, culture, philosophy, astronomy, astrology, geometry, and mathematics are written in this language. The Hindu religious books were also translated into it. Those manuscripts are preserved in various institutes of Kashmir.

The language lost it royal patronage in later years of Dogra rule when it was replaced by Urdu as the official language. But it was taught as a compulsory subject in school and colleges till late seventies of this century. Later on, it was neglected and was treated as an optional subject that too for University classes, while in schools it vanished altogether. Today neither government nor any private institutions are showing any interest in its promotion. The thousands of manuscripts written in this language are not taken due care of.

Truly, things have almost changed, the roman script and English language has superceded the Persian and even the Urdu language of this land. To revive the olden traditions seems to be a Herculean task. We can still preserve the olden Persian and Sanskrit manuscripts and books and translate them into simple Urdu and English. These manuscripts are the sources of excellent knowledge on astronomy, astrology, physics, medical science, mathematics, geometry, history , culture, and fiction. There are valuable researches, on the above mentioned subjects, carried out by learned Kashmiri scholars. Unfortunately, this treasure of knowledge cultivated by our own ancestors has always remained behind the access of present day experts. Steps are needed to be taken to explore this treasure for present day researches.

Sputtering Agrarian Economy

2012-01-11T13:48:00.000-08:00

Javid examines the The Comptroller and Auditor General of India's report which highlights gross negligence of State's agrarian economy. Not mentioned is the politician-mafia nexus pushing people away from agricultural land

(Dr. Javid Iqbal, 65, was born in Srinagar. He attended the D.A.V. School, Srinagar, and graduated in Medicine from the Government Medical College (GMC). His professional service in medicine includes work in the Middle East for three decades. During his days at the GMC, he captained the cricket team. Dr. Iqbal is the Vice Principal, Controller and the head of department - Operation Theater Technology at Tahira Khanam's Paramedical Sciences Institute, Lawaypora, Srinagar. He enjoys writing and staying close to his children in far away lands.)

Agro-Industrial Growth: A Viable Option!

Agro-industry could be a viable alternative of industrial growth in a state that is habitually pleading paucity of raw material for industrial growth. And in a state where widening urban-rural population ratio is posing problems to planners, as more and more people are moving to cities to improve economic prospects. The trend could be reversed by improving rural economy, and relieve urban planners of strains,
they get subjected to, as their plans get upset by ever increasing urban population.

The economy of the entire subcontinent has been and continues to have an agrarian base. J&K State is no exception. Rural economy constitutes a fundamental economic aspect, concerned as it remains with feeding the population, maintaining livestock, dairy farms and the orchids to provide the variety in foodstuff, as well as make the state self sufficient in foodstuff. Yet as the overall population grows, agricultural space shrinks. With the growth of cities, the urban areas intrude into villages surrounding the cities. And residential colonies eat-up agricultural land, in a situation where more and more agricultural space is needed to feed the growing population. This is indeed a planner’s dilemma!

As the rural population shifts to urban areas, ghettoes come up in city suburbs, creating problems for urban planners. Fortunately in the summer capital of J&K state, such ghettoes are not a common sight. Nevertheless in some of the new residential colonies in Srinagar, many rural dwellers are settling in the city, though the factors are not wholly related to lacunas in agrarian economy. Some belong to service class, while some have business interests. Nevertheless there is a growing tendency to move to urban areas, with dwindling interest in agriculture. This may be due to official apathy in maintaining and developing further, the agro-economy.

Apart from paddy crops and orchids, with which the state is quite well acquainted, there is ample scope of developing horticulture, providing incentives for growth of dairy products. Horticultural growth as well as enhancing the dairy products could have a home grown primary element.

However the agricultural entrepreneurs need to be provided the latest techniques in dairy farming and horticultural up-keep. It is earnestly prayed that government may provide the needed incentives! Agro-industrial growth is closely linked to irrigation facilities. Short of it, to expect rural economy to grow could be a pipedream, merely a wishful thinking. In elucidating the subject, Comptroller and Auditor General of India survey record, though a year or two old could nevertheless be a guide to the predominant trend.

As per reports, it made out that the schemes had been executed in an unplanned manner and were completed after inordinate delay running up to six years of their envisaged completion date. J&K’s rural population continues to be around 75%, even with rural-urban population proportion shift. This accounts for 3/4th’s of the population being totally dependent on agriculture. This should have had the planners thinking out the ways and means of maximum utilisation of available resources.

The figures doled out in the report makes a depressing reading. J&K, it is reported spent Rs 314.11 Cr out of Rs 379.52 Cr yet could complete only 99 schemes out of total 380 irrigation schemes during 2004-09. Out of the total availability of Rs 379.52 Cr, the Irrigation and Flood Control department utilised Rs 314.11 Cr (83 percent) during this period i.e., 2004-09, resulting in accumulation of unspent balance of Rs 52.68 Cr (March 2009). It is hoped and prayed that in the recent past, figures might have shown an upward trend, though the gap between what is planned and what is achieved continues to evoke concern in J&K State. The irrigation potential created was below the targeted level and utilisation of the potential created was below par in most of the cases. Records of Irrigation divisions were test-checked in auditing in recent years. The lacunas found were multiple and on different counts, the performance stands poorly judged, mostly on counts of improper utilisation of funds provided.

These figures reveal that while as the resources were available, the needed effort for maximum utilisation was missing. The department reportedly took up 268 schemes for execution during this period where as 112 schemes were already under execution (April 2004). Out of 380 schemes (Major: 20; Minor: 360), 316 schemes were due for completion during 2004-09 from which only 99 schemes (Major: 3; Minor: 96) were completed during the review period with a time overrun of 1-4 years:

However out of 316 schemes due for completion during the review period, only nine schemes were completed in time. Ninety schemes were completed with a time overrun of one to six years. The remaining was incomplete as of March 2009.

Various alibis have been cited by the officials-non-finalization of tenders, delay in release of funds, sinking of National Highway etc. A divisional breakup shows that out of 135 schemes test checked in the audit report, 117 schemes (Jammu: 110; Kashmir: 7) were slated for completion during the review period, out of which only 39 schemes (Jammu: 35; Kashmir: 4) estimated to cost Rs 14.97 Cr were completed at a cost of Rs 14.95 Cr with time overrun of 1-4 years. The balance 78 schemes (Jammu: 75; Kashmir: 3) had not been completed as of March 2009. The evident lacuna and the lack of planning it is reported has been projected in the report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Improper utilisation of funds could be attributed to malfunctioning, but late release of funds cannot be put at the door of those officials, who operate the system in the field. It is a lacuna in the secretarial work at the highest level. It has come to fore in the report that test-check revealed an average delays of about 12 to 379 days in release of funds by the state government to the chief engineers, while as for accelerating the pace of work, guidelines envisaged release of funds to the implementing agencies within 15 days from their receipt by the state government. Delayed release of funds not only resulted in non-utilisation of programme funds but also adversely affected the completion of targeted schemes.

As regards the utilisation of funds, state financial rules provide that expenditure should be incurred evenly throughout the year. On paper the rule makes sense, as it ensures proper spacing of work throughout the year. However test-check showed that expenditure incurred during the last quarter of the years 2004-09 ranged between 56 and 88 percent. Expenditure in March each year ranged between 37 and 79 percent. Financial rules provide that no work should be taken up for execution without technical and administrative approval. Audit scrutiny has revealed that schemes were taken up for execution without administrative approval and technical sanction. Contrary to financial rules, which envisage execution of works after ensuring reasonability of rates and economy by inviting tenders, it was seen that works were allotted on ‘approval bases’ without invitation of tenders.

The report is a long list of lacunas at various stages of working and should be an eyeopener. There is an urgent need for political scrutiny of administrative working. It is hoped and prayed that state government would address the shortfalls and provide remedial measures. Widening irrigation facilities would stimulate agro-economy and it may arrest the disturbing trends seen in urban/rural population ratio!

Jhelum Valley Civilization

2012-01-11T13:34:00.000-08:00

Ashraf's interpretation of Kashmir's ancient history

(Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, 68, was born in Srinagar. He received his early schooling from the Government Middle School, Nowhatta, Srinagar, and from M.P. High School, Baghi Dilawar Khan in Srinagar. Mr. Fazili completed his F.Sc. from the Sri Pratap College in Srinagar, and received his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Annamalai University with honours grade. He joined the J&K government service upon graduation and steadily rose up the ranks to the position of Chief Engineer at his retirement. He managed a number of important infrastructure projects during his government service, including the Model Town Chrar-i-Sharif, Lower Jhelum Hydro Electric Project, Solid Waste Disposal Scheme Srinagar City, Circular Road Project Srinagar City, etc. He has numerous publications to his credit, including Srinagar the Sun City, Our Ancestors and Saints of Kashmir, etc., which were presented in seminar and symposia. He writes for various journals and is presently working on the Jhelum Valley Civilization.)

JHELUM VALLEY CIVILIZATION

Geological evidence and ancient legend agree that the valley of Kashmir was once perhaps a hundred million years ago, one vast lake hundreds of feet deep. In prehistoric times, the basin of Kashmir contained a lake much larger than that of today. The sand stone rock at the western corner of the basin seems to have been rent by some cataclysm followed by attrition; and the lake was drained by the deepening of the Baramulla gorge, which was the slow process of erosion by water, and which must have taken hundreds of years to accomplish. The country could be inhabited only in summer by nomads due to prolonged extreme cold climate and they migrated southward in winter. In time, however, the climate became temperate, and Kashmir came to be the abode of a permanent and prosperous agricultural community. ( The earlier observation of a great prehistoric lake has been contested and abandoned by Mr. R.D.Oldham in 1903 after studying the Karewas which according to him are of fluviatile and not of lacustrine origin and that there was never at any time materially a larger lake than at the present day.)

The old name Satisaras was replaced by Ka-samira that may be taken to mean (land) from which water (Ka) has been drained off by wind (Samira). According to another interpretation, Kashmir is a Prakrit compound with its components: kas, meaning a channel and mir, meaning a mountain. Kas-mir could thus mean a rock trough. In its configuration, Kashmir is a deep trough (84 X 20 to 25 miles) with rocky walls.

The other theory - that Kashmir, or Kashir as named by its inhabitants, was so called on account of the settlement of a race of men called Kash, who were a Semitic tribe and founded what are now called the cities of Kash, Kashan, and Kashghar- has yet to be properly investigated. The fact is that the name Kashmir is ancient and has been used throughout its known history of an unbroken chain of documents for more than 23 centuries, while the name is undoubtedly far more ancient.The inhabitants pronounce it as Kashir, which is the direct derivative of Kashmir with the loss of 'm'. In Kashir or Koshur-the inhabitants of Kashir and the language of Kashir, 'u' replaces 'I'

The recent finds at Pandrethan, Takht-i-Sulaiman, Vendrahom, Rangyil, Naran Nag, Arhom and Burzahom in Kashmir establish the existence of Stone Age.

The wide prevalence of Naga-worship before and even after the Buddhist period indicates that the first settlers in the Kashmir Valley must have been the people, known as aborigines, who had spread over the whole of India before the advent of Aryans. Nothing is known as to the stage of civilization these early inhabitants had attained when they entered Kashmir.

Next have come the Aryans, the Jews, and the Sayids from Iran, Bukhara and other parts of Central Asia besides the Arabs. Thus the present population of Kashmir is an admixture of aborigines with slight Jewish, large Aryan and some other foreign elements.

The fertile river valleys of the Nile in Egypt, Tigris and Euphrates in Iraq, Indus in Pakistan, Ganges and Yamuna in India and yellow river in China, besides other rivers including River Jhelum in Kashmir were able to support very large populations and it was here that great urban civilizations of the ancient world emerged and thrived. Although cities developed independently in several regions they shared certain characteristics.

The Japanese are reported to have expressed high regards for Kashmir as it is the first land-mass to emerge after the floods of Prophet Noah ( called as Manu ) receded. In fact Kashmir has one of the earliest civilizations which thrived after Noah's flood and river Jhelum has survived till date as a relic of the past history with age old monuments situated on its banks clustered with buildings of Srinagar Township.

The parent stream of the river Jhelum has its source in a noble spring (Verinag) of deep blue water at the bottom of a spur in the Pir Panjal, just below the Jawahar Tunnel connecting the main highway, wherefrom the beautiful octagonal spring is seen like an emerald set in green pines. An important source of river Jhelum is the lake Sheshnag at the head of Liddar tributary. The river Jhelum is a tributary river par excellence. It is joined by Veshav, Rambiara, Romshi, Sukhnag, Dudganga, Tel-bal Nalla flowing into the Dal Lake and thence via Tsunti Khul and also through Brari Numbal besides the Sind through Anchar Lake (now turned swamp). The Dal Lake forms the flood lung of the Jhelum, taking in reverse flows from Jhelum when it floods. The flood spill channel was constructed in the year 1904 to relieve the river of the strain while it passes through the city of Srinagar. The spill channel takes one third of the total flow of the river. The Jhelum flows in loops over river plains apparently quite leveled and gentle slopes. Anantnag is 94 meters higher than Srinagar and Sopore is 34 meters lower than Srinagar. The Jhelum drains off the whole valley of Kashmir catering the whole catchment area and is the most westerly of the five rivers of Punjab.

The Wular is the largest fresh water lake in India, 16 Kms. long and 10 Kms wide. The river Jhelum enters it from the Southeast and leaves it to the west near Sopore, which is a typical delta formed by the silt. Small streams like Habuja, Anrah, Erin, Pohru, and Madhumati at Bandipur flow into the lake. The river Jhelum becomes shallow and sand banks appear in the river bed obstructing navigation. It is only in spring (May-July) that rainfall causes the snow to melt at higher elevations on the surrounding mountains and cause floods. The river Jhelum has been described as both a blessing and as a curse in floods.

Beyond Baramgul at Baramulla where the river is hardly 30 meters wide and 3 meters deep flowing between steep mountains, the Jhelum enters a narrow gorge through which it flows a distance of 128 kms. till it reaches Muzaffarabad (Domel) to join the river Kishen Ganga, which drains the northern rim of the Kashmir basin in Telal, Gurez and Sharda. At Uri the river changes its course and flows in through mountain ranges towards Muzaffarabad (1543 meters) with a fall of 1: 160.

The river Jhelum called the 'Vyeth' in Kashmiri, 'Vetasta' in Sanskrit,'Hydapas' in Greek and 'Bidapas' of Ptolemy, forms the main arterial system to the valley with its affluent canals and lakes. The basis of the name Jhelum is apparently of Muslim origin as Abu Raihan al Biruni calls it JAILAM, perhaps derived from 'Jihl' implying slowness on the analogy of Kahil or Al Hadi for the Pacific. Cirivara sanskritizes the name into Jaylami.

The river Jhelum is a trough formed between the Great Himalayan range and the Pir Panjal range. Oval in shape, the diameter of the valley runs parallel to the general direction of the two ranges of about 230 Kms. The alluvium, with which the valley is filled, has a depth of 6000 ft. which according to geologists gave shape to a unique geometric character in the form of lacustrine and fluvatile karewas bordering the margins of the mountains surrounding the valley.
History is witness to the fact that much of the internal commerce depended on the Jhelum. If Egypt be the gift of Nile, it is truer that Kashmir is gift of Jhelum. There is no other instance of a valley of the dimensions of the Kashmir and at an altitude of over 5000 ft. above the sea level, having a broad river intersecting it for such a long distance. Before the construction of motor able road between Srinagar and Khanabal and also between Srinagar and Baramulla (Jhelum Valley Road), it was the Jhelum which was the great highway of passenger and goods traffic up and down the valley.

Srinagar since the dawn of history has remained the capital city of the Kashmir Valley and its growth through different periods of Kashmir history has been very interesting. This Venice of the East owed its importance to its compactness and its large population, its organized public opinion and the superior culture of its inhabitants. 'Its alliance or opposition almost always proved a decisive factor in determining the fortunes of war'. Besides, Srinagar's artisans made the city an emporia of trade. Thus it's central, commercial, political and cultural importance explains why the attempts made from time to time to remove the seat of government to some other place proved abortive.

During the Muslim rule (1320-1819) in Kashmir the ancient name of the capital fell into disuse. The city of Srinagar was termed 'Kashmir', the same as country. Accordingly with the exception of Mirza Haidar, Abul Fazl, and Jahangir, almost all Mughal chroniclers call it either 'Kashmir' or 'Shahr-i-Kashmir'. Bernnier and Desideri who visited Kashmir during the Mughal rule also use the name 'Kashmir' and not Srinagar for the capital. For several centuries Srinagar was thus known until the advent of the Sikhs in 1819 who restored the old Hindu name, by which it is at present called.

Most of the towns like Anantnag, Bijbehara, Awantipur, Pulwama, Pampur, Srinagar, Safapore, Bandipur, Sopor, Varmul, Bonyar and Uri etc. have thrived on the banks of river Jhelum and lake fronts. The Srinagar City has grown over the past 23 centuries at an average elevation of 1586 meters above M.S.L. on either banks of river Jhelum of Kashmir valley, so vast and so level that the people living here have forgotten that they live in Himalayas. Making a sharp loop the Jhelum (200 ft. wide) swirls through the heart of Srinagar City. The City has cradled along Jhelum over a length of about 20 Kms. and an average depth of 5 Kms. each on either side. The City has distinctly a twin city character.

Old city is huddled brick to brick and roof to roof in most parts. It has practically no parks and play fields. Mini grave yards in some huddled parts serve as lung spaces. It is a city of narrow lanes 4 to 6 ft.wide. About the old city of Srinagar, Col. Torren wrote in his travels about 130 years back that ' The houses huddled themselves close together and at last form a street-narrow, dirty and strong warm light, on the dark, foul foot way and through it you see the sluggish stream glittering in the sun light and covered with boats of all sizes, and on the left bank you see reproduced a facsimile of the right bank, the same houses and the same land places, the same people in the crowded dwellings of the capital city of Srinagar'.

'What Col. Torren had seen more than a century before, we find such characteristics and form of the city still existing in old parts of the city, for their has been no effort by the State Govt. in the direction of the conservative surgery, road widening and slum clearance. The Circular Road Project under Urban Renewal Programme seems to have been left half way in many parts of the core area.

The chronological development of Srinagar City has been as under:

250 B.C.: Srinagri the city of Sri, an appellation of goddess Lakshmi founded by King Asoka at the site of present village of Pandrethan on the right bank of river Jhelum, about two and a half kilometer from the Takht-i-Sulaiman hill. Pandrethan derives its name from the Sanskrit word 'Puranadhisthana' literally, the old capital.

6th century A.D.: A new city was founded by Paravarsen II near Kohi Maran hill. This was called Paravarapora and extended only along the right bank of the river Jhelum. It was the old name of Srinagari which triumphed over the new city of Paravarpura.

The later Hindu rulers are reported to have transferred the capital from one place to another. Laltaditya founded Parihaspura, Jaipida laid out the city of Jayapura, Avantivarman founded the city of Avantipura. Samkarapura, Kaniskapura, Juskapura and Hushkapura were some other ancient capitals of Kashmir. But all these later capitals lost their importance and decayed as is seen by their ruins. It was the capital of Parversen alone which has survived various attempts to change it.

1028-63 A.D.: King Ananta transferred the royal palace to the left bank of River Jhelum.

1344-56 A.D.: Sultan Alauddin founded Alauddinpora at Srinagar which at present comprises the locality situated between Jamia Masjid and Alikadal. He made Jayapidpora as his capital and built Cri Rinchanpora, an edifice named Bughagira, which is now a mohalla near Ali Kadal in Srinagar.

1356-74 A.D.: Sultan Shihabuddin selected the Hari Parbat for his capital. He extended the borders of GREATER KASHMIR to Phakli, Kabul, Badhakhshan, Ghazni, Ghor, Kandhar and Heart on the west and Gilgit and Dardistan on the North and Jammu, Kishtwar, Swad, Peshawur, Multan, Lahore, whole of Punjab and defeated the army of Feroz Shah Thghaluq on the banks of Satluj near Delhi, when Hazrat Amir Kabir Mir Sayid Ali Hamdani intervened and a truce was entered into between the two kings, fixing Sirhind as the border of GREATER KASHMIR on the South.

1374-89 A.D.: Sultan Qutbuddin laid the foundation of Qutbuddinpora, on which two mohallas of Srinagar namely Langarhatta and Pir Haji Mohammad now stand.

1389-1413 A.D.: Sultan Sikandar built a mosque known as Khankahi Mualla on the right bank of river Jhelum. He also built Jamia Mosque.

1420-70 A.D.: Sultan Zainul Aabidin (Budshah) built Zainakadal, founded Nav Shahar near Srinagar, the Mar Canal-main artery of communication between the Srinagar city and the villages near the Dal Lake.Budshah built the Khanqah of Sayid Mohammad Madni near Navshehr-the new capital built by him, besides two artificial isles of Rupa-Lank and Sona-Lank to beautify the city. He is reported to have introduced the new industries like that of shawl, carpet, silk, papier machie, wood-carving, namdha and ghabba. These industries made Srinagar famous emporium of trade. In addition he introduced stone- polishing, stone-cutting, glass-blowing, widow-cutting, gold and silver leaf making, book-binding and above all paper manufacture in Kagazgari mohalla at Naushehar. These industries were found only in Samarqand and Bukhara at the time.

1470-72 A.D.: Sultan Haidar Shah transferred his seat of government from Naushehar to Nowhatta.

1472-84 A.D.: Sultan Hasan Shah shifted the capital to Naushehar again.

1540-50 A.D.: Mirza Haidar Dughlat found the city of Srinagar thickly populated. In his time there were lofty buildings constructed of freshly cut pine. According to him most of these buildings were five storied, each story containing apartments, halls, galleries and towers. The streets were paved with stone. There were shops of retail dealers, grocers, drapers etc. There were no large bazaars, for the wholesale business was done by the traders in their own houses or factories. During his regime there was lot of musicians. And he is praised for introducing the hot-baths, latticed windows and the apparatus of drying paddy, locally known as 'narahlul'.

1555-86 A.D.: Chak rulers marked by internal feuds.

1586-1753A.D.: Mughals ruled Kashmir. During the early period of this rule Srinagar became the headquarters of the army occupation, constantly engaged in war. The political history during the Moghul rule is centered round the Hari Parbhat fort, Takht-i-Sulaiman hill, Nowhatta, Naushahar and the area in the vicinity of Jamia Mosque. The events that occurred in these parts of the city during Akbar's reign were very decisive for Kashmir. Akbar first entered Kashmir on 5th June 1589. During the second visit to the city on 7th October 1592, the great Moghul enjoyed the saffron blossom at Pampore and celebrated the festival of Diwali. On this occasion the boats on the Jhelum, the banks of the river and the roofs of the houses in Srinagar were illuminated at the Emperor's command. Akbar's third visit to Kashmir on 6th June 1597 was accompanied with the famine, which forced the mothers of children to put them on sale in public places in the city. The emperor is said to have ordered a strongly bastioned stone wall to be built around the slope of the Hari Parbhat hillock in the city. The township within this fort wall was named as 'Nagar Nagar'

1606-1628 A.D.; Jehangir became so enamored of the vale of Kashmir as to make it 'the place of his favorite abode, and he often declared that he would rather be deprived of every province of his mighty empire than loose Kachemire'. His visits to the valley brought an era of splendor and prosperity to Srinagar. It is said that in his time there were 800 gardens in the vicinity of Dal Lake 'and the owners, the nobles of the court, were certain to follow the example of their master in making full use of the facilities that Kashmir so readily offers for pleasure- seeking and enjoyment.

1664-65 A.D.: Aurangzeb's governor Islam Khan rebuilt Ali Masjid at Idgah, a 16th century dilapidated structure, and lined its extensive compound with chinar trees.

1665-68 A.D.: Saif Khan laid out the garden of Saifabad on the banks of the Dal Lake.

1669-72 A.D.: Saif Khan spanned the Safa Kadal Bridge over the Jhelum in Srinagar in 1670.

1698-1701 A.D.: Fazil Khan raised the embankment (bund) at Haft Chinar near Hazuri Bagh in the city to save it from recurrent floods of the Doodhganga River. The bund was lined with chinar trees to strengthen it.

1669A.D. The Holy relic (Moi Mubarak) of the Prophet Mohammad (PBH) brought to the city by a rich Kashmiri merchant Noor-ud-Din Ishbari. The relic was later on kept at Hazratbal mosque (Baghi Sadiq abad), which is known as Second Madina (Madinat-ul-Thani) , because of its supreme religious importance in Kashmir.

Under the Mughals Srinagar was a splendid city by the standards of the time. Father Xavier, Abul Fazl, Fransisco Pelsaert, Jahangir, Bernier and Desideri have all described the city as it existed during the Mughal period. Abul Fazl found the capital of Kashmir a very fascinating city. He remarks, 'Srinagar is a great city and has long been peopled. The river Behat (Jhelum) flows through it. Most of the houses are of wood and some raise up to five storeys. On the roofs they plant tulips and other flowers, and in the spring these rival flower gardens'. Jahangir described the practice of planting tulip flowers on the roofs of buildings as a peculiarity of the people of Kashmir. Francisco Pelsaert, written in Emperor Jahangir's time, says,' the city is very extensive and contains many mosques. The houses are built of pine wood, the interstices being filled with clay, and their style is by no means contemptible; they look elegant, and fit for citizens rather than peasants, and they are ventilated with handsome and artistic open-work, instead of windows or glass. They have flat roofs entirely covered with earth, on which the inhabitants often grow onions, or which are covered with grass, so that during the rains the green roofs and groves make the city most beautiful on a distant view.

Francois Bernier, the famous French physician and traveler, visited Srinagar during Aurangzeb's reign. He calls the valley of Kashmir the paradise of the Indies. There were only two bridges on river Jhelum. Describing the houses in the city, he remarks that although most part is of wood, the houses were well built and consisted of two or three storeys. Wood was preferred by the people of the city because of its cheapness and the facility with which it was brought from the mountains by means of so many small rivers. Most of the houses in the city had also their gardens, and not a few had a canal. On which the owner kept 'a pleasure boat, thus communicating with the lake'.

Father Ippolito Desideri and Manoel Freyre arrived in Srinagar on 13th November, 1714. The later in a letter from Agra dated 26th April,1717, dwells on the same points that Desideri had noted-the populous character of Srinagar, its lakes surrounded by pleasant gardens and crowded with boats for pleasure and commerce and the lilies growing on the roofs of the houses. Desideri makes mention of the small and large boats. The later must have been the 'doonga', the precursor of the modern houseboat. Indeed, Desideri seeing Srinagar at the end of Mughal rule, found it at its best.

1713-1819A.D: Afghans ruled the valley. Some of the Afghan Governors did much for the beautification of Kashmir's capital. Amir Khan Jawansher (1770-76) reconstructed the Sona Lank in the Dal Lake and raised a seven storied mansion upon it. He rebuilt the Amira Kadal Bridge, which had been washed away by inundation in 1772. He also laid out Amirabad garden with beautiful pavilions in the Mughal gardens. But the most beautiful building built by Jawansher was the fort of Sherghari which is now in ruins.

Another Afghan governor Ata Mohammad Khan Barkazai (1806-13) constructed the massive fort on the top of the Hari Parbhat hillock.

George Forster who arrived in Srinagar on 7th May, 1783 during the Afghan rule, like Bernier, calls it Kashmir. Srinagar had evidently grown since Bernier's visit, as Forster says that the city extends about 3 miles on each side of the Jhelum. While Bernier had noted only two bridges spanning the river in the city. Forster observed that there were 4 or 5 bridges. But the traveler describes the streets of Srinagar as filthy which shows the deterioration had set in under the later Mughals and Aghans.

1819-1846 A.D.: Sikh rule-with the assumption of political power by the Sikhs in Kashmir in

1819, the old Hindu name of the capital of Kashmir was restored. Moorcraft, Hugel, Vigne and Schonberg who visited the valley during the Sikh rule have left their impressions in their works. It seems that the general lot of the city population did not improve under the Sikh regime. According to Moorcraft, 'the general condition of the city of Srinagar is that of the confused mass of ill favored buildings forming a complicated labyrinth of narrow and dirty lanes, scarcely broad enough for a single cart to pass, badly paved, and having a small gutter in the centre full of filth, banked up on each side by a border of mire. The houses are generally two to three storey's high, built of unburnt bricks and timber, the former serving for little else than to fill up the interstices of the latter, they are not plastered, are badly constructed and are mostly in a neglected and ruinous condition, with broken doors, or no door at all, with shattered lattices, windows stopped up with boards, paper or rags, walls out of the perpendicular and pitched roofs threatening to fall-The houses of the better classes are commonly detached, and surrounded by a wall and garden, the latter of which often communicate with a canal and the whole presents a striking picture of wretchedness and decay.

Moorcraft also describes the several canals in the city which were crossed at various places by stone and wooden bridges. But their general condition during the Sikh rule was that of decay and they were choked with filth.

1846-90 A.D.: In the early part of the Dogra rule, Srinagar presented a very sad picture. There was deterioration in the physical appearance of the city. The streets were full of filth. There were only a few public buildings in Srinagar, the principal of them were the 'Barahdari', Palace, fort, gun factory, dispensary, school and the mint; and also some ancient mosques and temples and cemeteries. The narrow streets were dirty and choked with the traffic of pack animals, horses, pariah dogs, donkeys, cows and pedestrians. In the rainy season the streets were extremely muddy owing to the absence of any drainage system. Both the drainage and the water supply had been grossly neglected.

Srinagar even lacked ordinary sanitary arrangements. The majority of the inhabitants used the public streets or the lanes or the courtyards of their own houses as latrines. This had been going on from time immemorial, wrote General de Bourbel who submitted a report on the epidemic of 1888. As a result of the accumulation of the filth, soil had become contaminated. Private houses with a few exceptions had no privy, and even those few were seldom cleared. Dr. Mitra, the able and energetic Chief Medical Officer of Kashmir, in a pamphlet on Medical and Surgical practice in Kashmir, tells the same story regarding want of sanitary arrangements in Srinagar. Human ordure is scattered-all over the town from the roads and houses on the river bank, drains carrying the slush, filth and sewage empty in to the river, on which the washer men wash unclean clothes; the dyers wash their dyes and the butcher entrails of animals.

The city of Srinagar started with certain initial advantages. In the first place, the Jhelum provided a regular highway as well as means of water supply. Besides the city was so well situated that it became since ancient times the natural capital of Kashmir, the emporium of trade and the seat of culture and industry. But unfortunately, as the population grew, the defects of the city became apparent. Firstly Srinagar was subject to floods owing its low lying position. Secondly the river which was the main means of transport became by its pollution from the drains of the houses on its banks a great source of danger to public health. Thirdly as the population grew, the city limits expanded. The expansion took place without any systematic town planning. This resulted in to irregular narrow streets, ill-ventilated and ill-planned houses, congestion and defective drainage.

The result of all this was that the health and sanitation conditions in the city became unsatisfactory. Not only did the river Jhelum carry filth & drainage, but also the canals inside the city were mostly silted up. Other insanitary evils that existed in Srinagar were overcrowded burial grounds, unclean slaughter houses, slimy tanks etc. It may also be noted that thousands of pariah dogs, starving donkeys and cows lived on this filth.

Such was Srinagar about a century ago. The constant presence in the city of cholera and other infectious diseases was therefore scarcely to be wondered at. Lawrence wrote that 'the centre and nursery of cholera in Kashmir' was 'the foul and the squalid capital, Srinagar'

Apart from cholera, earthquakes, floods, fires, and famines were the recurrent visitors to the city.

The history of urban improvement in Srinagar dates back to 1886, when the first Municipality Act was passed. As a result of later extensions, Srinagar expanded rapidly. By 1941 the city extended over an area of about 4 miles in length and about 2 miles in width. The increase in the area of the city, its growth as a centre of economic, political, administrative and religious activities and the increase in the number of its inhabitants are all independent. The urbanization on a massive scale continues to take place with migration of rural population without any check. The whole of Kashmir rotated round the city of Srinagar. There had been a continuous and ever- increasing rural response to the urban challenge. The city acted as a catalyst for socio-cultural change. The presence of colleges, schools, hospitals and hotels in Srinagar meant a new kind of existence for the rural immigrants. There was also a reverse migration to the mofussil of professionals, teachers, lawyers and Govt. servants. The outcome of this reciprocal pull between the city and the country, modernization of Kashmir, was well under way at the turn of the 20th century.

Kashmir, having been wrested from the Afghans by the Sikhs in 1819, was attached to the Punjab until the British occupation of Lahore in 1846, when it was handed over to the British Govt. in lieu of indemnity. Instead of retaining Kashmir, the British assigned it by the treaty of Amritsar dated March 16, 1846 to Gulab Singh, the ruler of Jammu, in consideration of the valuable services he had rendered to the British during the Anglo-Sikh war.

Maharaja Gulab Singh and his successor Ranbir Singh regarded Kashmir as their personal property. They banished every thought of reform and reconstruction from their mind. They showed little or no interest in the social uplift of their subjects. But with the accession of Maharaja Partap Singh in 1885 occurred a big change. His reign saw the establishment of British Residency in Srinagar. The new Maharaja like his predecessor, resisted this encroachment on his power, but ultimately yielded to the British.

During 1885-1910, the Residency with its charming garden was occupied by a succession of British residents, whose period was marked by striking industrial developments and some of these proved an asset to the State and the people in general.

The transition from the medieval to the modern age is the keynote of Srinagar's history in the last decade of the 19th century. It ushered in those forces and movements in the political, religious, literary and economic life which have produced the Srinagar of today. In the history of this transition, again the improved transport in the country, as conceived by the Residents, had an important role.

The Jhelum Valley cart -road was constructed in the mountainous terrain from Domel to Baramulla and was a feat of engineering by the State Engineer, Mr. Alkinson through Spedding and Co. contractors. The road connected Srinagar with the rail-head at Rawalpindi and was completed in Sept. 1890 during the rule of Maharaja Partap Singh. The Jhelum Valley road ran 196 miles. One could travel in one day from Srinagar to Rawalpindi by car and in about 4 days by tonga. It was most commonly used by the travelers and was judged as one of the finest mountain roads in the world. The volume of trade also passed by this road in bullock carts and ekkas.

The construction of Jhelum Valley road had a tremendous impact on various aspects of life in Kashmir. The isolation of the city got diminished; visit of travelers and missionaries became faster and more frequent. The reforms in the administration with change of life- style of the inhabitants, new houses, metalled roads, masonry bridges, solid embankments and electric lights with the establishment of Public Works, Postal Telegraph, Forest and Financial Departments contributed a great deal to the social and material uplift of the people. The tourist Industry received a great boost as a result of the new communication system improving the economy of the concerned masses, besides generating employment opportunities.

Lawrence paints the following picture of Kashmir at the end of 19th Century:

One of the points which at once strikes a visitor to Kashmir is the absence of roads fit for wheeled carriage. In the flat country around the Wular Lake, low trollies resting on wheels roughly fashioned from the round trunks of trees are used for carrying the crops, but at the time when I write, there is no other wheeled carriage in Kashmir. There are roads along which ponies and bullocks can pass in fair weather, but roads as understood in other countries do not exist. The main roads at present connect Srinagar with Islamabad, Verinag, and Jammu via the Banihal Pass (9200 ft.) with Shupiyon, Bhimber, and Gujrat in Punjab via the Pir Panjal pass (11400 ft.) with Ganderbal at the mouth of the Sind valley, and Ladakh via the Zojila pass (11,300 ft.)with Bandipora And Gilgit via the Rajdiangan (11,700 ft.) and Burzil (13,500 ft.) or Kamri (13,101 ft.) passes and with Baramulla, whence a cart road runs down the Jhelum valley to the Punjab. In fair weather these roads, so for as the valley is concerned, are easy for the traveler, but heavy rains and snow render these difficult; and the frail bridges over the side streams are often carried away by the floods. There are no real difficulties in road-making in the valley, and when the cart- road now being constructed from Baramulla to Srinagar is completed, it is hoped that other cart- roads will be made. They will prove of the greatest benefit not only to the villagers, but also to the people of Srinagar, who will be no longer at the mercy of the boatmen, so clever in adulterating grain when it reaches the barges.

Thus Srinagar has survived as the capital for its beauty, strategic importance and intrinsic value. It is gifted with great natural advantages. The river Jhelum which winds its way through the thickly populated city, has served as the main artery of communication from times immemorial. The principal bazaars of the city are built along the river which has provided at all seasons the most convenient route for trade and traffic both up and down the valley. The Jhelum Valley road running parallel to the alignment of the Jhelum added to its charm. Thus economically Srinagar is a distributing centre for incoming merchandise from the different parts of the Valley.

Besides Srinagar is the point which commands trade routes to India and Central Asia. Also the Dal and Anchar lakes which flank Srinagar with their numerous agricultural products fulfill the needs of the city population. The lakes and the rivers make Srinagar invulnerable. In addition Srinagar is centrally situated, being equi-distant from the two chief commercial towns of the valley, Anantnag and Varmul. Srinagar is almost equi-distant from Jammu, Rawalpindi, Leh and Gilgit.

The future of Kashmir valley in general and that of Srinagar City in particular is directly linked and wedded with the condition and beautification of River Jhelum. In fact the project report on Inland Water Transport on River Jhelum from Pampore to Chattabal prepared by the Srinagar Development Authority at a cost of Rs. 25 Lakhs. In the year 1999 is gathering dust on the shelves of LAWWDA. The project is reported to be financially viable, technically feasible and would give a boost to the beatification and also to the improvement of tourism and thereby a flip to the economy of the valley. The programme has a potential for extension of the water transport to Khanabal in the South and to Varmul in the North, besides covering the Dal Lake and Wullar Lake as well.

Due to the water transport being the only means of transportation, the boat industry of Kashmir was of great importance. The industry has been very old in Kashmir and we learn from Ain-e-Akbari that boats were the centre around which all commerce revolved. The Hanjis or the Boatmen were about 24000 in number about a hundred years back. The present numbers are expected to be much higher. Their vocation used to bring them in to contact with all classes of population. There used to be many kinds of boats all flat bottomed excluding boats owned by private persons and used for private purposes, there were about 2417 boats employed in trade and passenger traffic in 1890's. Of these 1066 were of larger size.

The greater portion of the grains and wood imported in to Srinagar by the river was brought in large barges not unlike canal barges and these were towed or polled upstream and dropped down with the current. The boats were called Bahats, Dunga, Shikara, Demb Nao, Tsatwar, Parinda and Larinda according to their size, composition and usage.

Lawrence had predicted that evil days are in store for the boatmen of Kashmir. Forest conservation will make it difficult to obtain the long planks of cedar of which the boats used to be made and the deodar punt pole, so precious to the bargeman, will be a thing of the past.

The House boat has been a later innovation as there was no ban on the occupation of the water as against that of the land for non state subjects, an Englishman Mr. M.T. Kennard is said to have built the first house boat in Srinagar about 1888 which ultimately gave birth to hundreds of house boats for tourists as we see today.

The Land Across Zojila

2012-01-05T11:52:00.000-08:00

Javed addresses some of the hardships faced by people living in Kargil

(Mr. Javed Naqi, 29, was born in Kargil, Ladakh. He did his schooling from Suru Valley Public School, Kargil. Javed earned a B.Sc. in General Science and a M.Sc. in Zoology (Parasitology) from University of Kashmir, Srinagar. He also holds a M.Phil. degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His research interests include international health, international politics, governance, human rights and human security. He is currently working as Assistant Professor in Higher Education and is based in Srinagar. He has numerous academic and journalistic publications to his credit. Javed has also been associated with organizations such as Amnesty International, International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal, Salaam Balak Trust and India Social Forum. He is the co-facilitator, ambassador and founding member of the Asia Pacific Youth Network, and has attended in representative role at international meetings like the International Criminal Court State Assembly of Parties, Netherlands; Asia Pacific Youth Leadership Meet, Hong Kong; ICJB Annual Strategy Meet etc. In 2010 Javed took the initiative to mobilise the youths of Ladakh region on a common platform to voice for the concerns of the people of Ladakh. This initiative saw more than 1000 youths joining the network called Zojila Watch and actively participated in taking online and offline actions. Javed is also the co-founder of the India Action Network in 2009 - a youth led network that develops leadership skills in young people to take action on issues they are passionate about and provides environmental, social and human rights campaigners with tools and support to build up a sustainable campaign.)

KARGIL: The Forgotten Land

Kargil, a district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, was carved out from Ladakh district in 1979. This was a forgotten land in the Himalayan plateau. It was only during the Kargil War that the region shot into prominence. Prior to the war, the district was not even known to the rest of the country and the world at large. Although Kargil received much attention as a battlefield, the problems and issues of the local population remain unnoticed under the daze of Kargil victory.

Kargil with an area of 14000 sq km is remote, inaccessible and high altitude area in the western Himalayas. The climatic condition of the region is harsh with extreme cold, dryness, high radiation, low humidity, low oxygen, desert landscape and limited water sources. These exert deleterious effects on the inhabitants like low fertility, high mortality, retardation of mental growth and development and alteration in physiology.

Drass, a small town in the west of Kargil, is known to be the second coldest inhabited place, with the temperature dipping down below -45 °C. The district is home to a population of few lakhs and they carry out their day to day life under these severe environmental stresses. The baltis, purigpas, dards and brokpas form the different ethnic groups of the population. The Muslims are the majority whereas the Buddhists form the second largest population. The main occupation of the population is cultivation, horticulture, animal husbandry and into government services, trade and commerce. The district is less developed and ranks at the bottom in infrastructural facilities and overall socio-economic development. This adds to the hardship of the local population and hence the survival is on the mercy of nature.

POOR CONNECTIVITY
Gone are the days when Kargil used to be an important trade centre in the Pan-Asian trade network. With the closure of silk route and creation of India and Pakistan, the region has become totally isolated from rest of the world. Mohammad Ashraf, former Director General, J&K Tourism, points out, ‘this border area was never really cut off even during most brutal winter’. He adds, ‘Kargil-Skardu has been an all weather route of great importance, which further connects with Gilgit and thence to Central Asia’. It is only after the emergence of borders that the area got totally blocked during winter. Thus, the people of Kargil are virtually imprisoned in a frozen prison. The only link which connects Kargil to the outer world is the Zojila pass, which becomes inaccessible at least for six months in winters due to heavy snowfall and hence begins a period of isolation for the people of Kargil. This isolation results in great losses in terms of education, health, rural infrastructure development and most importantly sustainability. It badly impacts the young people’s education and growth. Tourism, crucial to its economy, is dependent on the Srinagar-Leh highway.

There exists a huge potential for winter sports and winter tourism, but tourism gets badly affected due to the six-month inaccessibility. During summers, the people and the government become more involved in stocking basic amenities for the winters. Thus, energy and time are invested into it and other major development issues in different sectors get ignored. The people of the region have little choice but to consume stocked stale food items. Under such situation year after year human life in this part of the world is always at stake. For years, the people of Kargil have been demanding the opening of the Kargil-Skardu road and construction of a tunnel through the Zojila pass but so far there hasn’t been any significant development on both the demands.

The state of air connectivity is not in a good shape and still Kargil doesn’t exist on the air map of the country. The only airport in Kargil is yet to be used for commercial flights. It requires upgradation which has been pending for a long time. Due to the hilly terrain, the runway needs to be extended by 3,000 feet for normal commercial flights. The current length is merely 6,000 feet, inadequate for flight service in hilly areas.

ENERGY DEPENDENCE
Life in Kargil is completely dependent on energy sources like fuel wood to survive the winters. Due to desert landscape and negligible forest cover, the locals are wholly dependent on Kashmir valley and across for fuelwood to sustain life during the freezing winters. The same holds true for petroleum products and other essential commodities. One can imagine the state of living conditions under shortage of these basic requirements. There are no alternative energy sources to address the crises situation.

The issue of energy is of paramount importance for this region. With energy being crucial to human survival, long-term plans need to be developed to tide over the crisis-like situation that crop up year after year.

LACK OF EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Unemployment is a social issue of serious concern in the present times, both at national as well as state level. In the past few years the problem of unemployment in Kargil has increased at an alarming rate. Lack of entrepreneurship skills of the local youth adds to the problem of unemployment as there is no such institution in the district. The entrepreneurship development initiatives can be used as a tool to provide opportunities to the unemployed. Thus to cope up with the unemployment crisis in the district, there is a greater need to establish entrepreneurship development platform so as to infuse entrepreneurship spirit in youth.

LACK OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES
Kargil bestowed with different geology has huge mineral resources and precious rocks. The region also homes many important medicinal plants and economically important bio diversity. There is no research activity and institution in operation to explore these reserves. It is imperative to establish research facilities to undertake studies to explore the hidden reserves for the economic upliftment of the region. Such facilities will also provide prospects of employment for the local skilled and unskilled youths.

NO ACCESS TO EXTERNAL MARKET
The district produces world’s best apricot and indigenous fruit varieties. There is no access to external markets for these fruit crops. This adds to the economic backwardness of the district as compared to the other districts of the state. In view of this state of affairs, it is highly essential to create avenues to market the indigenous fruits in national and international markets so that the socio-economic conditions of the district are improved. It will not only play a significant role in improving the state of the local economy but also help in providing livelihood sources to a large number of educated youth.

INADEQUATE ELECTRICITY
The state of electricity in far flung villages is very poor with mere 3-4 hrs of supply in a day. The villagers have to resort to use of mostly kerosene lamps to meet their extra energy demand. This results in high recurring expenses as well as adverse affects on health. There is great potential of hydro power in the region due to good presence of springs and fast flowing glacier rivers. This can provide efficient electricity for lighting and micro-enterprises. This can have positive impact in terms of social, economic and environmental aspects which in turn can improve the living conditions of the region as a whole. The students in the villages will be able to contribute more time to studies. It’ll replace the harmful kerosene lamps that emit harmful fumes.

POOR MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
Today without adequate communication means the socio-economic and educational development is impossible. It has been augmented by the technological advancement in communication and the advent of internet was a landmark. Living and day to day operation is not possible without internet. In this age of internet, the region lacks proper basic communication means. Internet is out of question, the state of mobile and telephone services are miserable. The absence of private service providers makes the situation the worst. BSNL is the only one which is in operation and out of service most of the time. The low transmitting power radio station tunes for few hours in the evening and the DD station still waits for upgradation since its inception. As a result the rich cultural heritage of region remains obscure in the eyes of the outer world. The issue of communication needs a greater focus and radical improvement.

POOR HEALTH FACILITIES
The district lacks the up-to-date medical facilities and health specialists. Most of the time, the locals have to travel to the valley and other states for health tests and major operations. There is an acute shortage of proper health infrastructure in villages. The people remain hapless in case of health emergency during the winter when the region is cut off from the rest of the country. Under these circumstances the survival of the local always remains at threat.

POOR QUALITY EDUCATION AND ILLITERACY
Youth are the agents of change. They can help bring change if only they are provided with quality education and mentor guidance. The youths of the region have great potential to be the change-makers but unfortunately they lack the platform to groom and perform. There are no career and educational counselling centres in the district to mentor the local youths. The quantity of institutes established in the sector of education has increased but there is no accountability shown on the quality. This results in increased school dropouts, migration of students to other states and illiteracy. It is high time to bring paradigm shift in the education sector to save the future.

INADEQUATE REPRESENTATION IN POLICY AND DECISION MAKING
One of the prime factors of socio-economic backwardness of the region is lack of local representation in any decision making platform in the state as well as at centre. The people of Kargil are always ignored on this front and hence they don’t have any say in policy and decision making.

POOR TOURISM AND SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE
Kargil has a huge potential for winter sports and winter tourism. Unfortunately both these sectors are in shambles due to sheer negligence. The district lacks proper and adequate infrastructure to accommodate the visitors. We don’t see any efforts to promote and publicize Kargil tourism through print and electronic media. Kargilites are great winter sports lovers and players from the region have played and represented India at international level. Due to favourable conditions the region can host international events but it falls back on promotion and upgradation of winter sports at par with international standards. The state of affair is dismal to the extent that more recently skating players in Kargil had to contribute money to prepare an ice skating ring in Kargil town at the bank of Suru river.

The list of issues and concerns of the population is long and cannot be scribbled down on few pieces of paper. These issues need response on war footing to support the sustainability of the people in this frozen land.

The socio-economic development of the region demands for radical development strategy, a strategy built on new technologies taking into consideration the natural constraints and available resources of the region. Efforts should be made to replicate successful model of development from those parts of the world with similar conditions.

Where Corruption is a Way of Life

2012-01-05T11:42:00.000-08:00

Shafi addresses some critical issues pertaining to the State Vigilance Commission (SVC)

(Mr. Shafi A. Athar, 54, was born in Khrew and completed his high school education at the Government High School in Khrew. He graduated from the Sri Pratap College Srinagar, and received a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). He was formerly the editor of the Urdu News Magazine, "Takbeer", and a columnist for the Greater Kashmir. He currently writes for the Rising Kashmir daily newspaper. He enjoys developing scripts for radio and TV programs.)

The Roots of Corruption

Corruption is not an isolated issue in our state. It is a way of life and it cannot be identified with a particular class of people. It has its roots in history. And an in depth analysis reveals that we the people are involved in scams, bigger or smaller, with of course a minuscule minority untouched by the menace.

Why should we restrict the meaning of corruption to draining of money from the state exchequer only? After all there have been areas where money was minted through other sources also. We cannot point our fingers on a particular section of people or officials for all ills in the society when people at large have contributed to the menace in the same proportion.

Refer to the recent period of autocratic rule. If we saw moral corruption by allowing and taxing the prostitution on one hand, we also saw corrupt officers who were given the task of realizing money and the agricultural produce from the hapless farmers. And to escape the wrath of such people like Tehsildar, Kotwal and the Zaildar people have paid through their blood and sweat. With the advent of so called democratic rule people could hardly save their skin from the men in power.

Mehjoor, the Poet of the Nation, was compelled by the events to write the sarcastic poem Azadi.

Steps are afoot to tackle the menace in a more effective way .If the grand old man of Indian civil society Anna Hazare is fighting his way on national level the state craft in J&K is proposing its own methods. The composition of state vigilance commission is on the cards and the process has begun. A process in the right direction. What could be the shape of things to come is to be seen and how effective the commission would be in the future to tackle the menace of corruption can’t be gauged at this moment. But some important issues crop up which have been experienced in the past and which need to be kept in mind while composition of such a commission.

Presently, the state vigilance organization is an all-police affair where key posts are held by the police officers with some support staff from engineering and legal departments. The main controversy regarding the functioning of the organization is that it has taken some steps in tackling the menace of corruption which have had very little impact on the society. The organization has failed on many counts than it has succeeded.

Since the organization is mainly police oriented it has taken very less steps to catch hold of police officers and a minuscule number of police officials both senior and junior level have been caught in net of the SVO.

The organization was mired in the controversy few years back when the then finance minister Tariq Qarra publicly accused the organization of targeting officers of one particular region and community. Notwithstanding the fact that the organization was accused of bias there have been many takers in the valley for such treatment. Officers from the valley have subtly raised the issue and accused the organization of arresting them on such issues while their counterparts from the Jammu region were subjected to the departmental enquiries only to dilute the complaints.

Going through the past practice of keeping the State Vigilance Commission in the hands of bureaucrats, serving or retired, may end up the formation of the commission as another toothless tiger which bites few unimportant and can’t hold the bigger fish within its claws. The bureaucrat manifested organization may again find its hand tied when it comes to the issues involving the officers or the public figures with whom they may have some kind of acquaintance. Having worked with same set of people over many years, against whom they may be required to investigate, can make them weaker.

The composition of the commission needs to be well thought over and not a grazing land for officers wielding influence in the corridors of power. The commission may preferably have a group of people manning the affairs who comprise of people from all walks of life including civil society. Corruption as such can’t be dealt with by a small group of people but societal level endeavour is required for the same.

The Return

2012-01-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

Adfar reminisces regarding the return of Kashmir's indigenous people - Pandits on the International Migrants Day

The Political Sociology of Pandit Return

(Mr. Syed Adfar Rashid Shah, 28, was born in Watlar, Ganderbal. He did his basic schooling at the Government High School in Watlar, and then went to the Government Higher Secondary School, Ganderbal, for 11th and 12th grades. He completed a diploma in computers through The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Ganderbal, followed by a diploma in the urdu language through the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language in India (NCPUL). Mr. Shah completed B.Ed in 2009, his Masters in sociology from the University of Kashmir, and enrolled in M.Phil at the Center of Central Asian Studies (CCAS), University of Kashmir when he accepted admission to the Ph.D. program in social sciences at the Jamia Millia Islamia Central University in New Delhi, where he is currently enrolled. He is interested in diaspora studies, and sociology of religion, change and
development. He loves interactions with people of all religions and creeds, and enjoys writing.)

Every year since 2000, December 18 is observed as International Migrants Day around the world. The aim of this day is the dissemination of information on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants through the sharing of experiences and the design of actions to ensure their protection. On 4th of December 2000, the General Assembly, took into account the increasing number of migrants in the world and proclaimed 18th of December as International Migrants Day. On that day, in 1990, the Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Migration has transformed the world (e.g. the prehistoric and historic settlements of Australia and America). Modern populations have opened a window into the historical patterns of migrations. India as a nation has seen a high migration rate in recent years. Over 98 million people migrated from one place to another in 1990s, the highest for any decade since independence according to the 2001 census details. The number of migrants during 1991-2001 increased by about 22% over the previous decade an increase since 1951. Different types of migration include daily human commuting, seasonal human migration mainly related to agriculture, permanent migration, international migration, local migration, rural to urban migration (which is more common in developing countries as industrialization is on the rise) and urban to rural migration as well (which is more common in developed countries due to higher cost of urban living).

Causes of migrations have modified over hundreds of years. Some cases are constant while some of them do not carry the same importance as years ago (for example: in 18th and 19th centuries labor migration did not have the same character like today). In general we can divide factors causing migrations into two groups of factors: Push and Pull factors, which are economic, political, cultural, and environmentally based. On the macro level, the causes of migration can be distilled into two main categories: security dimension of migration (natural disasters, conflicts, threats to individual safety, poor political prospects) and economic dimension of migration (poor economic situation, poor situation of national market, etc). Estimates based on industry sectors mainly employing migrants suggest that there are around 100 million circular migrants in India. Caste, social networks and historical precedents play a powerful role in shaping patterns of migration. Illegal immigration is a serious political problem in India, with widely differing estimates of the number of such migrants. In places this has led to outbreaks of xenophobic violence. Migrant groups, organizations, and communities from around the world need to be supported by highlighting the concerns of migrants worldwide. The International Migrants Day is seen firstly as an opportunity to recognize the contributions made by millions of migrants to the economies of their host and home countries, and secondly to promote respect for their basic human rights. But this process of migration has also some negative aspects like the issue of illegal migration and forced infiltration. The Issue of illegal immigration is nothing new for the Indian government. With increase in population and lack of job opportunities, this matter has now reached its zenith point. Besides, immigration harbors causes for more unlawful activities. The large-scale influx of Bangladeshis and several others into Assam and from other points of the country has been continuing from the pre-independence times. This unprecedented migration gave rise to a historic movement, the Assam Agitation (sometimes referred to as the Assam Movement) between 1979 and 1985 to force the government to identify and expel the illegal migrants. Similarly natives in many states face problems by illegal migrants and our Kashmir is not the exception. Tibetans and other non-native ethnic and racial communities though claiming ancestral links and legitimate residence, for instance, the Tibetan community settled in Kashmir since decades is and Kashmiri origin and hence demanding permanent domicile but still the actual facts lie in black in white. The large-scale immigration and also out-migration has led to an acute unemployment problems, adjusmental issues and dysfunctional demographic engineering, besides having a disastrous effect on the environment with the denudation of forests and killing of endangered wildlife as well. The plight of Kashmiri Pandit exodus is worthy of mention here.

On Pandit Migration and Return:

Kashmiri Pandits (Hindu’s of Kashmir) who till recent past shared a pluralistic ethos developed a different outlook after migration. There prevail myriad schools of thought regarding their causes and forces of exodus. Most of the Kashmiri youth argue that Pandits being the vulnerable minority by then fell prey to hate-mongers and various unknown agencies that exploited them and later indoctrinated them for petty political gains. While many of the Pandits hold Kashmiri Muslims responsible, others feel separatists or militants responsible. However, Kashmiri Muslims argue that it was by then a chaotic situation and who did what was hardly apparent.

On one hand, Pandits blame their Muslim neighbors for not saving them and on the other, the majority of the Muslims argue that, who would have dared to stand against guns and bullets. Also it is pertinent to say that by then only Pandits were not killed but everybody faced the brunt of turbulence. Many of the Kashmiri Muslims treat the then government responsible especially the Governor of the State of the time. The Governor was accused of creating misunderstandings among the Kashmiri Pandits of having a threat to their lives at the hands of the majority community.

Despite government’s welfare and Pandit’s return rehabilitative schemes, Pandits have hardly shown any interest to return, probably because of certain social factors like their adjustment outside the state, their inter-marriages with other groups, the education and their new job orientations and of their kids as well. Talking of their new generation who hardly are now aware of Kashmiri culture as many of them are born out of Kashmiri father’s and non-Kashmiri mothers or vice versa hardly feel about Kashmir in terms of their absolute return. However, it is true that the community of Pandits, who actually faced the pain of forced migration, still crave for Kashmir. For younger Pandit generation Kashmir can be the choicest and dearest summer and winter vacation destination. Rather it has remained a picnic spot not just exclusively for the Pandits but for all those who had migrated long before, either due to conflict situation since 90’s or due to other reasons. But new settings of life style, new job orientations, relationships, security issues, unceasing social and political tensions in Kashmir, future prospects and education of their children stop them from returning to the state. Probably such social factors are now a big hindrance in their return. It can also be a reason that certain agencies for their vested political interests are playing politics with the sentiments of the Pandits and create unforeseen fear/panic in their minds. They have not returned despite being welcomed by the separatist leadership and lot many efforts by the centre and the state government itself. This fact cannot be ignored that even at present a good number of non-Muslims including non-state subject Hindus are living in the valley without any fear or threat to their lives. Even some Kashmiri Pandits who were offered jobs by the state government in the valley, after joining, preferred to live in Muslim houses as tenants instead of putting up in government housing colonies established exclusively for them.

There are certain instances where Kashmiri Muslims have even performed last rites of those Kashmiri Pandits who died in Kashmir during all these years. Besides, the holy shrines/temples of Pandits were also taken care of by the Kashmiri Muslim community. The glaring example of communal attitude of Kashmiri Muslims can be also observed through their living in harmony with non-Muslim community of Sikhs who have not migrated from the valley, despite their population being less than Kashmiri Pandits.

It remains to be seen whether Pandits will ever return to their mother land or it is just government’s lack of foreseeing vision by luring Pandits by settlements and job offers who have already mentally settled outside forever. But in the first place we should be adamant that if the Pandits want to return and assimilate themselves, they shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it would be an offend to discriminate against such persons. In the given circumstances one can safely conclude that common people have suffered at large during the turmoil whether it is the Kashmiri Pandits or Muslims or other communities. Hence, it is the duty of all the stake holders to look in their grievances with a sincere heart cutting across their ideological, religious, regional and political differences.

Tail Piece:

Fear cannot be without reason,so we need to see even after invitations by all sections of Kashmiri Society along with the Centre,why Pandits seem reluctant to return.it is not that they donot love their motherland but still they feel alienated and unless and untill their alienation especially within the political framework is not addressed,they will not return probably.aalso it cannot be argued at all that their reverse migration is not possible now because of their settlement outside.The plight of Kashmiri migrants, the historical wrong that has been committed against them needs to be addressed properly.

The forced displacement of about two and a half lakh Kashmiri Hindus from the Valley has caused a number of psychological and behavioral problems in them. Majority of them felt as if they had been thrown away by a strong volcano, a storm of immense magnitude into a state of wilderness and their roots almost cut off.The plight of Kashmiri Pandits has been so far foolishly compensated by economic packages and jobs only,forgetting that actual political scenario and their sense of insecurity needs to be adressed and they need to be given their rights in full and truely empowered without making much ado and politicising their return for petty political gains.Government has to understand that their migration or exodus has not taken place due to any economic reasons and hence government of India should not hope possible return in economic packages only. Therefore some hard decision will have to be taken,involving pandit leaders with due respect and heratfully listening to their woes. Government of India must set return of migrants to Kashmir Valley as priority for the welfare of all be that Kashmiri pandits,sikhs or muslims.

It is also worth mentioning that Pandits want to return to their mother land despite their adjusment outside and we cannot at all infer that reverse migration of pandits is not possible because Pandits have not forgot their roots which lie in their Motherland.Delay in their return is causing more and more damage to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as a whole as every muslim believes that pandit are the part and parcel of our society and without them Kashmiriyat and Kashmir's pluralistic ethos is incomplete.Also their contribution towards their motherland(Mouj Kasheer)cannot be ignored. it is therefore high time to think in terms of their safe,secure and respectful return.

Lal Ded Heritage Center

2012-01-05T11:25:00.000-08:00

Another feather in the cap of Saleem

(Mr. Mohammad Saleem Beg, 60, was born and raised in Srinagar. He was educated at the S.P. College and the Gandhi Memorial College, receiving his Bachelor's degree from the latter. He was awarded a EEC fellowship in 1998 which allowed him to attend study courses at Universities of Luven, Belgium, and Trinity College, Dublin. Mr. Beg entered the State government service in 1975 and retired in 2006 as the Director General of Tourism. In the 31 years of public service (which included two deputation assignments in New Delhi), Mr. Beg promoted local arts and crafts, and raised public awareness of Kashmir's rich heritage and architecture. He was a leading figure in getting Srinagar listed as one of the 100 most threatened heritage cities by the World Monument Fund in 2008. Mr. Beg has traveled extensively and has attended numerous conferences, including the 1997 UN Special Session on Environment in New York, and the 1997 Kyoto Convention on Climate Change in Japan. His articles and essays have been published in various publications. Since retirement, he has remained active as the Convener of the J&K Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage - INTACH.)

Tourism Department, INTACH Join Hands To Restore Historic Lal Ded Memorial School

Arif Wani (Greater Kashmir)

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has started work on an ambitious project aimed at restoring a century old building in Srinagar to showcase rich heritage and lifestyle of this historic city.

Officials said the museum-cum-heritage centre is coming up in the erstwhile building of Lal Ded Memorial School at Ganpatyar in Habba Kadal area here. Built with classical Western European architecture, the century old building is said to be constructed during the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh in the late 19th century. The building had served as the office of the Srinagar Municipality before it was converted into a school by a renowned poet Pandit Deena Nath Nadim in 1947.

Named after the famous Kashmiri poetess, Lal Ded, the building was partially demolished in 2008 to pave way for construction of a shopping complex by a private person, officials said. However, after a legal battle, the state government through its Tourism Department finally succeeded to acquire it.

“We have started restoration of the building. After completion, it will emerge as one of the landmarks of the City and serve as a repository of our rich heritage and lifestyle,” Director Tourism (Kashmir) Farooq Ahmad Shah told Greater Kashmir.

Elaborating, Shah said the building named Lal Ded Memorial Heritage Centre, will house a photo and object gallery depicting different historical facets of Srinagar and a craft bazaar.

“We will also construct a Hamam to give the tourists first hand experience about how people live in winters here,” Shah said.

The Heritage Building will be the part of river Jhelum cruise for tourists, which will pass through many areas of the Old City. “Our aim is to give feel of the City to tourists. Under one roof, the tourists will get comprehensive information about history, culture, heritage and lifestyles of the City. Besides it will depict life of famed poetess Lal Ded,” Shah added.

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) which has prepared the restoration plan for the building, has declared it ‘Grade one historical property’.

Convener of INTACH (Kashmir Chapter) Muhammad Saleem Beg said the architectural features of this colonial structure include its intricate wood work, papier machie ceiling, ornate doors and windows.

“The main entry of the building was from the side of river ideal for a river side museum. The building’s façade was dominated by an impressive arcade of window openings surrounded by triangular and circular pediments and pilasters, reminiscent of the prevailing colonial influences of the 19th century. The overall building appearance showed deep traces of classical Western European architecture,” Beg said.

Beg said the building was one of the few remnants of the Western European Classical architecture in Srinagar.

“We have prepared restoration plan of the building. While design of the building will not imitate the original one, it will retain the proportions of the window openings and also profile of the building and roof,” he said.
He said some of the decorative features, like brick pilasters and decorative pediments of the main façade are also proposed to be retained and replicated. “The proposed building is a single storey structure with two main halls serving as display areas. The existing basement, will serve as an additional gallery space,” Beg said.

Noted Historian Fida Hasnain while welcoming restoration of the heritage building, stressed for preservation and protection of other such sites in the Valley. “Government should leave politics apart and on priority restore the heritage sites in Srinagar and in other areas of the Valley for our future generations,” Hasnain said.

Tourism is a Viable Career Option in Kashmir

2012-01-05T11:21:00.000-08:00

Rauf is interviewed by the Kashmir Images

(Mr. Rauf Tramboo, 53, was born and raised in Srinagar. He completed his school education at the Islamia High School located at Rajori Kadal, and his college degrees - B.Com. and LLB (Hons.) - from Islamia College of Science and Commerce located at Hawal. He is an Adventure Travel Consultant and an Adventure Tour Operator. Mr. Tramboo recently was re-elected as the President of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK). His personal interests are reading, photography ane environmental advocacy.)

‘Youth should come forward and adopt tourism as a career option’

Being an exceptional adventure sports player right from his childhood days, Rouf Tramboo, one of the leading tourism players of the valley, after pursuing a bachelors degree in Law from Kashmir University shunned the practice and formed Highland Journeys- one of the leading adventure sports companies of the valley.

Soon after tasting overnight success in it, Tramboo declined many government jobs and went on to form one of the foremost and successful tourism trade bodies, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) in 2007. In a tete-e-tete with Kashmir Images reporter, Mukhtar Ahmed, Tramboo talks at length about the tourism sector and the scope for unemployed youth in it.

KI: Being a law student, what inspired you to pursue career in tourism and adventure sports?
Tramboo: Right from my childhood, I was bowled over by tourism and adventure sports in the valley. Kashmir is so beautiful that its panoramic views used to motivate me always so that I could contribute for its sustenance. After completing my graduation in Commerce from Islamia College, Srinagar in 1976, I joined Kashmir University and completed my LLB in 1984 with flying colors. Despite getting three government jobs, I declined to accept them and went ahead with my childhood love (adventure sports).

Being an active cadet of National Cadet Corps (NCC) right from the school days, I got an opportunity to visit many Indian states and travelled as a professional guide with an Australian company to Himalayan region of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet upto 2005. After mastering it, I then started Highland Journeys in 1996 in Kashmir. Being its Chief Executive Officer, our company provides training in Trekking, Skiing, Mountaineering, Mountain Skiing, Rock Climbing, Rafting, and holds summer camps for the interested youth. Besides, we train students from Karnataka and Maharashtra also. I am also adventure tour and travel consultant of many reputed foreign based companies.

KI: How did TAAK come into being?
Tramboo: After the political situation improved in the Valley, the tourism inflow witnessed a sudden spurt here. It was here that a liking for contributing towards this sector grew in me. As a result, I formed the TAAK in 2007. With Almighty’s blessings, it is one of successful tourism trade bodies in Kashmir today. Since last five years, we are doing a commendable job in safeguarding the interests of many tourism bodies and promoting tourism in Kashmir by holding roads and trade shows at Mumbai, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Ahmadabad and Pune. An amalgamation of various tour and travel operators, TAAK is the only tourism organization with representation from all the districts in Kashmir. The annual turnover of TAAK as per the total membership is Rupees 10 crores and TAAK along with Highland Journeys provides employment to over 400 people in Kashmir.

KI: According to government figures, more than a million tourists’ visited the Valley in 2011. How do you see this positive development?
Tramboo: The credit for the boom and record tourist inflow in 2011 goes to the indefatigable efforts of government as the unprecedented rush was the reflection of all the handwork it (government) chipped in with. It is here that I would like to make special mention of Director Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah. He has been exceptional and leading from the front. Besides, tourism traders left no stone unturned in ensuring that tourism thrives here as it is the backbone of our economy. Now, we all hope that 2012 overshadows the tourist rush of previous year. Peace is the key and if it prevails, then 2012 might prove to be another good year for us.

KI: What is your take on the infrastructure here?
Tramboo: It is pathetic. We are losing a great deal of tourists owing to the dilapidated infrastructure at unexplored tourist destinations like Bangus, Yusmarg and Dodhpathri. Moreover, the existing infrastructure at many top notch tourist destinations is crying for attention. Besides, we still lack in many fields. We do get tourists from South East Asia and India, but a huge chunk of them are economy and budget class tourists. We need High-end tourists. To ensure their arrival, infrastructure has to be given a fillip and luxurious facilities have to be provided to cater to their needs. At the moment, at least 22 development authorities have been set up by government to upgrade and built state-of-the-art infrastructure at many destinations, but to be honest, the work is going on at snail’s pace. Apart from remaining peaceful, we have no hope that 2012 will be another good year for tourism in Kashmir as a huge chunk of tourists have been citing the pathetic infrastructure as the main reason behind their reluctance to visit such places.

KI: Separatists and some politics parties have been blaming AFSPA and DAA as the main hindrance for prevalence of peace in the valley. Being associated with tourism trade, what is your take on these laws?
Tramboo: I justify the separatist leadership’s comments. Ever since AFSPA and DAA have been imposed in Kashmir, We have lost a lion’s share of western tourists as their governments imposed travel advisories on them. Today, apart from South East Asain and Indian tourists, you will rarely see any western tourist here. AFSPA and DAA have cost Kashmir tourism dearly. We welcome how Germany acted on this issue, but we would like every European country to follow suit. But the problem plaguing this issue is that unless and until, AFSPA and DAA are not revoked, tourism will not thrive here. As tourism players, we have been pooling in all our resources to seriously consider lifting of these laws, but the final call lies with Central and State governments. As of now, we can only hope that these laws will be revoked very soon for the betterment of tourism and business sector in Kashmir.

KI: Any message for the youngsters?
Tramboo: There is a huge number of unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir. Owing to lack of major manufacturing units and companies, they can carve a good future as tourism has immense employment potential. Youngsters should come forward and avail the various schemes; government has kept available for them. Despite being a law student, I pursued my career in tourism and today have reached the zenith of my career. There are hiccups at initial levels in every business person’s life, but dedication and determination bring you laurels at the end of the day. A huge chunk of Kashmiris are involved with tourism sector in Kashmir, therefore, youngsters should come to the fore and pursue careers in it.

What a Shame

2012-01-05T11:14:00.000-08:00

Kashmir loses its cultural heritage to bollywood glitz

Bhand Pather, Wanwun, Nendi Ba’eth are now things of past

Mukhtar Ahmad (Kashmir Images)

Srinagar: Once a fad thing in the valley, the traditional folk songs have become a thing of the past as the arrival of outside cinematic glitz, Kashmiris shifted their likings to shake a leg to the tunes of latest chartbusters.

Recounts veteran singer Abdul Gaffar Kanihami, “Lol-gevun (love songs) popularized by Habba Khatoon was a rage during our times as youth expressed their love by singing couplets filled with conveyance of love and affection.”

Gaffar laments that the foray of Bollywood and western songs gave local music a run for its money. Gaffar said that with the high quality music beginning to play blaringly loud here, the folk songs received a huge set back as the listeners, particularly youngsters were swooned away by the charm of these songs.

Similarly, he says that ‘Rouf songs’ were very popular on festivals like ‘EID’ and other social functions. These songs were so enchanting that no girl or woman would miss to participate in it.

Renowned critic and poet, Mohammad Yousuf Taing recounted, “Kashmiri folk songs were the heart and soul of our culture. But as the Bollywood songs made their foray into our markets, Kashmiri particularly youth developed a keen interest in them.”

He recalled that when it was informed that the famous “Bhand” is coming to perform somewhere, people would rush to that place in crowds as no one chanced to miss seeing them cracking rib-tickling and belly-bursting jokes and his drum beating and playing of ‘Sarnai’.

“Despite being alive, folk songs and other traditional entertainment programs have hardly any takers today. Even though Kashmiris, particularly, youngsters have off late developed interest for Sufiana songs, but need of the hour is to popularize them in order to bring our folk songs back on their pedestal,” he suggested.

Taing informed that Sufiana music owes its introduction in Kashmir to Iran. This classical music form of Kashmir makes the use of Santoor, Sitar, Kashmiri Saz, Wasool or Tabla. “But over the years, Sufaina music is witnessing decline as despite having some potential singers, government’s lack of patronage to the veteran singers has discouraged both the Kashmiris and the performers of the Sufaina concerts.

Famous writer and poet, Zareef Ahmad Zareef credits both Kashmiri as well as Bollywood songs for the destruction.

“Earlier, Bhand Pather used to draw crowds. Marriages and other important functions were considered incomplete without such events. To blame Bollywood songs completely for distracting Kashmiris from their culture would be a misnomer as Bollywood songs were playing even during those times, when folk songs were the order of the day.

“Besides other distractions, we too have to share the responsibility as being parents we failed to inculcate our children about the significance of our culture. We encouraged them to speak in Urdu, dress up in non-traditional outfits and brought them in close sync with outside musical beats,” he adds.

Zareef informed that the history and tradition of music and dance in Kashmir valley goes back to thousands of years. “We have “Chakri” performed with the help of only Garaha, Sarangi and Rabab. It is one of the most popular forms of the traditional music of Kashmir. We also have “Hafiz Nagma,” which makes use of Santoor and where a female dancer, accompanied by a number of males with instruments used to perform. The dancer, known as Hafiza, moves her feet to the musical notes. But unfortunately, these traditional forms of entertainments were affected badly.

Mohammad Abdullah Tariballi, another veteran singer recollected the memories of rustic songs (Nendi Ba’eth) that village folks used to sing during weeding season. “I still remember that during weeding of paddy fields, men either individually or in groups used to sing in chorus. The effect of the songs was so embalming that hardly anyone noticed the passing of time,” Tariballi recounted, adding that ‘Sont Gevun’ (spring songs) was also a sensation as the coming of spring season was welcomed with it.

He lamented that Kashmiri culture has plummeted almost to its lowest ebb as gone are the days when boys, girls, men and women would assemble in hordes and take part in cultural functions. These were so austere that even a poor man would afford the instruments.

“Our lackadaisical approach and arrival of non-Kashmiri songs took away the sheen of folk songs here. Nowadays, it is rare that you see someone boasting or claiming to know anything about Kashmiri folk songs,” he rued.

Mohammad Yousuf Chaari, while commenting on the soul-soothing effect of Kashmiri folk songs said that Wanwun (wedding songs) were sung to make the marriage ceremony jostling and an irresistible occasion. He said that these wedding songs had a unique distinction as women would wait with baited breath and count the days left for their relatives or neighbors’ marriage ceremony.

“Now we see Bollywood videos and songs bedecking the arrival and departure of the groom,” said Chaari, adding “These marriage songs were a huge hit with both Pandits and Muslims.”

Similarly, he said ‘Band Jashin’ or ‘Bhand Pather’ used to enthrall people as performers would travel to many corners with people coming in hordes to witness the drum beating and the jokes cracked. “I still remember that when it was announced that ‘Bhands’ (performers) have arrived, we would scamper to see them perform,” he recalled.

"Go South, Young Man"

2012-01-05T11:08:00.000-08:00

Kashmiri youth look for greener pastures, but not without some degree of trepidation

1,000 Youths Get Jobs Outside Valley

Bashaarat Masood (Indian Express)

Srinagar For more than a thousand youth, this is a dream opportunity to showcase their talent in the corporate sector. But as they prepare to step outside the Valley to work in different parts of the country, there are apprehensions and concerns about their safety — even by J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

A year after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set up the Rangarajan Committee to roll out a job plan for Kashmir’s youth, 1,060 men and women, trained for various skills under project ‘Himayat’ (Support). The project is a training and placement programme for unemployed youth in the state initiated by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

Adeeba of Srinagar, who has been appointed as customer service representative in Chandigarh, said: “They (government) not only trained us but also provided us with a job. This is the beginning of a new life for us.”

At a function at Kashmir University where the appointments letters were distributed, the youth and their parents were ecstatic. But when a parent said he will send his son outside the Valley only on the assurance of the Chief Minister, he expresses the fears of numerous others.

Omar, too, expressed concern and made an appeal to the government and people of other states. “Please stop looking at Kashmiris with suspicion. Every Kashmiri is not a militant; every Kashmiri does not want destruction. Most of the Kashmiris want to live a peaceful life and aspire for a good future.”

Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh tried to allay the fears. “I think he (Omar Abdullah) has a point and we are looking into it,” Ramesh said on the sidelines of the function. “The whole idea is to bring the youth of Kashmir into the mainstream and break the stereotypes.”

Under ‘Himayat’, one lakh youth from poor families will be given training, over next three to five years, and then employed in private sector across the country.

The Unsaid Truth

2012-01-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

The Chief Minister comments on the lack of electric power in the valley. Power is purchased at great cost from the Northern Grid since Kashmiris mostly "steal the juice"

OMAR TWEETS…
Monday, 02 01 2012 09:38
* Extent of loss in metered areas is much higher than non-metered.
* Here's a facet of the power situation no one wants to acknowledge - power purchased Rs. 2330 crores; revenue realised is Rs. 722 crores.

Sun City

2011-12-31T15:13:00.000-08:00

Ashraf recalls the origins of the great ancient city named Srinagar

(Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, 68, was born in Srinagar. He received his early schooling from the Government Middle School, Nowhatta, Srinagar, and from M.P. High School, Baghi Dilawar Khan in Srinagar. Mr. Fazili completed his F.Sc. from the Sri Pratap College in Srinagar, and received his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Annamalai University with honours grade. He joined the J&K government service upon graduation and steadily rose up the ranks to the position of Chief Engineer at his retirement. He managed a number of important infrastructure projects during his government service, including the Model Town Chrar-i-Sharif, Lower Jhelum Hydro Electric Project, Solid Waste Disposal Scheme Srinagar City, Circular Road Project Srinagar City, etc. He has numerous publications to his credit, including Srinagar the Sun City, Our Ancestors and Saints of Kashmir, etc., which were presented in seminar and symposia. He writes for various journals and is presently working on the Jhelum Valley Civilization.)

EVOLUTION OF SRINAGAR THE SUNCITY (272 B.C to 2000 A.D.)

Sri stands for the Sun and Nagar for the city hence The Sun City.

272—231 B.C.——King Asoka founded Sri Nagra at Purana Dishtina (now Pandrethan)—old capital. A Sun temple having a pyramidal roof, stone carvings are the only remains of the original old capital.

631 A.D.—— King Parvarsena ii built his town close to Kohi Maran (hillock) which lies in the centre of the present city. He named it as Parverpora. Although safe from floods, the site had a limited area.

725—753 A.D.—King Lalitaditya burnt down Parverpora and built his capital Parihaspora about 20 Kms. away from the Srinagar city centre.

9th century A.D.—Suyya –the Minister engineer of King Awantivarman undertook the drainage of Kashmir valley, which was mostly submerged, thus vast lands for cultivation and also for the settlement were made available.

1128 A.D.—Zulchu Khan invaded Kashmir and burnt the city of Lalitaditya.

14th century.—King Rinchan Shah (Sultan Sadr-ud-Din) built his city at Budhgair on the right bank of river Jhelum. Central Asian architecture was introduced by the Muslim missionaries. The tomb of the first muslim missionary Bulbul Shah Sahib still exists aloft in Budhgair. ( A recently discovered manuscript records burial of Sayid Mohammad Baqir in 655 AH in Theun village near Wusan Kangan, who had come from Iran along with 1002 Sayids—a century earlier than Bulbul Shah.)

1342-54 A.D.—Sultan Ala-ud-Din extended Rinchan’s city along right bank of river Jhelum and built a new town Ala-ud-Din pora—now covering Khankahi Mualla and Malik Angan.

1429-70 A.D.—king Zainul Abidin built his capital 3 Kms. away from the city on north side and named it Nav-Shahr (new town) and opened a navigable channel (Nalla Mar) between Dal and Anchar Lake and also built the first bridge on river Jhelum called Zaina Kadal leading to the expansion of the city on the left bank as well.

15th. Century—Muslim rulers added 5 more bridges on river Jhelum.

1566-1752 A.D.—Mughals constructed mosques, gardens, a rampart/ fortification around central hillock of Kohi Maran, where King Akbar had built a township named Nagar nagari.

1752-1829—In Afghan rule Amir Mohammad Khan (1770-76) built a fort named Shergarhi on left bank of river Jhelum and a bridge on river Jhelum called Amira Kadal.

1810 A.D.—A dominant fort was built by Atta Mohammad Khan on the top of the hillock Kohi Maran.

1819-46 A.D.—In 1835 in Sikh rule Mahan Singh constructed gurdawara Chatti Padshahi. A navigable flood spill channel—Tsunti Khul constructed from Ram Munshi Bagh to Basant Bagh.

1846-1947 A.D.—Dogra rulers selected Shergarhi as their palace but later on shifted to Lake Front and used the Shergarhi as secretariat.

2nd half of 19th century—devastating floods, fires, famines and earthquakes struck the city but restoration was made simultaneously.

1890’s—Residency established, new schools, 1st intermediate college (S.P. College) and Central Library opened and piped water supply to city started.

1921-31—A silk factory and Govt. Woollen mill, Banihal Cart Road connecting Jammu and Rawalpindi constructed. Barbar Shah Bridge constructed, Gupkar road widened, Boulevard on Dal fringe connecting city with Mughal gardens, housing colonies came up at Wazir Bagh, Ram Munshi Bagh, Karan Nagar, Amar Singh Degree College, and S.M.H.S. Hospital got established.

1947—Dogra rule ended.

1947-1999—Srinagar city recorded a faster growth, but in a most haphazard manner. Small housing colonies of Jawahir nagar, Balgarden, Nursingh ghar, Sutra Shahi, Batamaloo, Chanapora, Bemina, Lal Bazar, Buchpora etc., Construction of Kashmir University, Regional Engineering College, Medical College, New Secretariat building, a good no. of educational institutions, hospitals,3 no. stadiums, fruit mandi, industrial estates, HMT, Bemina Woollen Mills, National Highway by-pass (17) Kms. got constructed.

1947-2000 A.D.—There was a sizable increase in other physical and social infrastructure but not commensurate with the population growth in the city.

Srinagar Municipality was established in Dogra rule in 1886. In 1960 it covered an area of 28 Sq. Kms. in2000 SMC consisted of 17 wards with 952 mohallas and/ or villages and covered an area of 177 sq. Kms.

The 1st Master Plan 1971-1991 was extended till 2000 and a new Master Plan for 2000-2021 was prepared by the SDA and approved by the Govt. for implementation. It was recommended that an Apex Agency headed by a Senior Officer be appointed for ensuring periodical review of the Master Plan, its implementation and achievements of targets, monitoring of urban growth and development, failing which this Master Plan will be another plan on the shelf. We have lost 10 golden years and zonal plans are yet to come up and future progeny will curse us for the haphazard growth of the expanded city.

Victims of a Changing Society

2011-12-20T15:00:00.000-08:00

Tahir shares stories of victims who have suffered twice over because of rapid changes in the society

(Mr. Mohammad Tahir, 26, was born in Pampore. He completed his B.A. (hons) in English Literature from the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and his Master's degree in International Peace and Conflict Studies from the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), standing first in the Class of 2010. He is currently employed by the Greater Kashmir as a feature writer, largely writing on social and cultural issues. Mr. Tahir received the Best Story award in 2007 from the Help Foundation organized by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation in the Tagore Hall. He enjoys writing poetry and small stories.)

LOSS OF CULTURE AND COMPETITIVE LIFE STYLE HAVE RUINED THE MENTAL CALM

Three years back closely witnessing an incident deeply shocked Zamrooda (name changed). It remains etched on her mind since then.

She was home, all alone; bed-ridden because of her aching neck. Suddenly heavy firing struck through summer evening. While her heart raced frenetically, she closed her eyes and prayed to God. For nearly an hour, exchange of fires between two militants who were holed up in an adjacent house and large contingent of army continued. The incident had a long lasting effect on Zamrooda. She started behaving in odd ways: getting angry frequently at slightest hint and feeling sleeplessness at night. This uneasiness with life took a heavy toll on her mind and ultimately, on one fine afternoon in October, after returning from a wedding, she consumed poison at home to kill herself. But she survived, because she was quickly rushed to SKIMS. Even now burden of a strained life is patently written on Zamrooda’s face; she does not easily smile and it has been a long time like that. She depends on tranquillizers to keep her easy.

Zamrooda’s case is not unique. The conflict of the last twenty years had a definite effect on the psychological health of Kashmir (and in certain cases saw people taking extreme steps), and a large part of Kashmiri society, gradually, become victim of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), exhibiting symptoms like: sleeping disorders, panic attacks, nightmares, flashbacks, and anger. However, suicide rate was not as high as it is today. According to a study, there is a dramatic 26-fold increase from 0.5 per 100,000 before the militancy to 13 per 100,000 now. Even though the worst phase of the conflict has receded, cases of suicide attempts are only going up owing its causes, apart from conflict-induced stress, to changing socio-economic and cultural factors.

One of the leading psychiatrists of the valley Dr. Arshad Hussain attributes the causes of rising suicides and other mental-health related problems to the break-down of the culture. “We are taking Modernization akin to Westernization and here lies the problem.” Dr. Hussain reasons, “We had joint family structures, there were neighborhoods, then there were villages and there was such a camaraderie and trust that stress had a buffer: you had a small stress at home there were twenty people who would come to help you. That was a huge social insurance”

“Yaarbal, Samanbal and Waan Peand - these were the places were people would find solutions to their daily problems.” Dr. Hussain, sporting a black sleeveless pullover and a matching cotton shirt speaks with a gentle smile, “When women would gather at Yaarbal (place of gathering at a river) to fetch water or wash clothes, they would talk about their problems with other women and relieve their stress.” He further recounts with a hint of nostalgia: “Similarly, men would escape late in the evening to Waan Peand (shop front) and take turns at hookahs with their friends and listen to community radio. This was a support system that was woven into our cultural ethos over time.”

Speaking in similar vein, eminent poet and social activist Zareef Ahmad Zareef recalls: “There was a robust cultural support system in the past, in every other mohalla there was a Maas (elderly woman) or two who acted as a counselor for women folk. A Maas would help in settling disputes between in-laws, facilitating reconciliation and dialogue between estranged parties.” Mr. Zareef Ahmad’s flowing Kashmiri verging on metaphorical rhyme evokes a strange sense of nostalgia, “These neighborhood Maases had compassionate appeal about them and they very well used their social credibility to broker peace and counsel and console any one who approached them.”

Between the psychiatrist and the poet, both of whom have keenly observed their community, there is a consensus about where lies the problem. This consensus based on experience and practice over time can be summarized like this: There is this fierce competition that people indulge in and get trapped. Castles of aspirations are built so high that when they fail to materialize it tumble down on their heads and frustrate them. They are burdened under the colossal mound of their own desires. They get desperate, because others acquired wealth and status, but they could not and it germinates poison in their minds and slowly gnaw at their patience and they take extreme steps like drugs, deliberate self harm and suicide. Another important factor that is responsible for growing tendency among people to take their lives is lack of faith in God.

To Dr. Hussain we don’t only have to rely on rational therapies and medicines that come from the West; rather we should revive our own cultural healing system. It was such a beautiful thing to watch, he fondly remembers, when a person would faint, the elder of the family or the mohalla would caringly touch the patient’s wrist, close the eyes and say few Quranic verses. And in an instant everything would be fine. All the people must come together and revisit our culture, he affirms.

“We cannot stop the flow of the time,” reasons Mr. Zareef Ahmad, “but we can preserve our cultural ideals and values”. Mr. Zareef Ahmad advocates carving ‘a middle path’ between old way of living and modernity. Dr. Arshad seconds him, calling for creating alternative spaces where people can meet, share their emotions and feel relieved.

Saving Lives or Killing Institutions?

2011-12-20T14:45:00.000-08:00

Zeenat does a "stress test" - checking the ability of major hospitals in the valley against a major fire, followed by the similar report on the state of ventilators in various valley hospitals

(Ms. Zeenat Zeeshan Fazil, 26, was born in Srinagar, Kashmir. She did her schooling from King George (Mumbai) and later Cambridge (New Delhi), and received her Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Kashmir in 2008. Presently, she is also pursuing her second Masters degree in Mass Communications through the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). In 1998, she began her career as a freelance journalist with leading national newspapers and simultaneously joined ‘Fazil Kashmiri Publications’ as Editor and Publisher, and is also an editor of the ‘Focus’. Ms. Fazil has written a book on Mass Media and Linguistics (2006), and ‘Falcons of Paradise'(2009), a reference book contains 100 Eminent Personalities of J&K starting from 14th century till date. After working for ‘Daily Etaalat’- a Srinagar based Newspaper in 2007-2008; she joined ‘Daily Kashmir Images’ as a Senior Correspondent by the end of 2008. She is also currently associated with ‘Charkha’, a foundation that highlights the developmental concerns of marginalized section of Kashmiri society particularly in rural areas and to draw out perspectives on women through their writings. Ms. Fazil is also associated with ‘Interchurch Peace Council Netherlands’ which is intensely involved in several conflict areas such as in Kashmir. In 2009, she joined the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA). She has received numerous awards for her meritorious contribution in the field of literature. Her interests are reading, writing, poetry, music, travel,and gender related topics.)

Learning Lessons From Kolkata Hospital Inferno

NOT SAFE : VALLEY HOSPITALS LACK FIRE FIGHTING MECHANISM.....

Srinagar: The tragedy at Advanced Medical Research Institute (AMRI), Kolkata, that left more than 90 people dead, most of them patients, has set alarm bells ringing all over the country, Jammu and Kashmir state being no exception.

Though the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah reacted swiftly asking Home Department to come up with a detailed audit of all the hospitals vis-à-vis fire fighting mechanism, fact of the matter is that almost all hospitals and nursing homes in Kashmir Valley (government run as well as private) are pathetically ill-equipped to meet any challenge.

However, state’s Health Minister, agreeing that there was no proper fire fighting mechanism in place in state’s hospitals, says the issue has been taken up on war-footing basis.

A study carried out by Kashmir Images revealed that almost all the hospitals and nursing homes in the Valley lack any preparedness to meet out any AMRI type tragedy.

SMHS Hospital

One of the old as well as busiest hospitals of the Valley, SMHS has no fire fighting mechanism in place.

Though the hospital has 4-5 emergency exits but when it comes to fire fighting mechanism, it doesn’t exist at all with no sprinklers or smoke detectors in place.

The Deputy Medical Superintendent of SMHS, Dr Shabir Ahmad while talking to Kashmir Images admitted that there was no proper fire fighting mechanism present in the hospital.

“If (God forbid) something untoward happens, besides invaluable human lives we’ll get destroyed expensive equipments like CT scan machines, X Ray machines, Cath Lab’s equipments and all the machinery of OT’s (operation theaters),” he said.

The hospital administration had moved a proposal vis-à-vis fire fighting mechanism to the Principal Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar some two years back.

“However, we are yet to hear anything from that (GMC) end,” said Dr Shabir.

SKIMS, Soura

Though the this prestigious medical institute has fire fighting mechanism in place but the smoke-detection alarms, hooters and automatic water-sprinklers have outlived their utility. The hospital doctors
Incharge Fire and Security Officer SKIMS, Soura , J. B. Singh agrees that these instruments have become obsolete and says that these would be replaced soon.

“We have around 300 First Aid Fire Fighting Extinguishers of different types including Dry Chemical Powder, Soda Acid, CO2 gases filled in cylinders that have been installed at 48 different spots within the institute (both in wards and hostel buildings),” Singh told Kashmir Images, adding the institute has 122 people looking after both fire and security related issues and all fire escape doors are safe.
Singh revealed that mock drills are conducted once every three months to check whether the mechanism works or not.

“God forbid, if anything untoward happens and the fire is beyond the control of the existing apparatus, SKIMS has a High Magnitude Fire Station within its campus and a proper Disaster Management Program in place,” Singh said.

Psychiatric Diseases Hospital

The only hospital for mental health in the whole of Kashmir, Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital (GPDH) has no smoke detectors in the entire old hospital building, however, a few rooms of the new building ‘enjoy the luxury’, the survey revealed.

And Dr Mushtaq Margoob, Head of Psychiatry Department confirmed the findings saying though a few fire extinguishers are in place newly under construction building but as far as the old building is concerned, no such system exists et all.

He, however, argues that it is not the fire fighting mechanism that can avert any unforeseen tragedies but ‘active brain behind the set up.’

Quoting an incident of 1996, when fire broke out and entire GPDH was gutted down, Margoob said: “Those days we had no fire fighting mechanism available, but it was the active brain that saved not only our patients but none of them even received a minor scratch.”

JVC, Bemina

Jehlum Valley College (a branch of SKIMS), sources said, has not followed the National Building Code of India, 1980, issued by the Indian Standards Institution that serves as an excellent references to safety management for infrastructures at the time of construction and therefore no fire fighting mechanism exists there at all, the survey revealed.

When contacted, Medical Superintendent, JVC SKIMS, Dr Nasir Ahmed told Kashmir Images that the hospital lacks emergency exits, smoke detectors, fire alarms and water sprinkler.”

“The only mechanism available with us at the moment is some Fire extinguishers,” he said.

However, he added that the new building that was coming up soon, has everything in place as it follows the National Building Code.

G.B Pant Hospital

The sole Pediatric Hospital too presents a dismaying picture as for as fire fighting mechanism is concerned as except Fire Extinguishers, the hospital lacks all other related facilities.

Medical Superintendent of G B Pant, Dr Kaiser Ahmed told Kashmir Images that the hospital lacks the water pipes connected from units to wards; smoke detectors and fire alarms.

“The only thing we have at present to fight fire related incident are Fire Extinguishers,” he said.

District Hospitals

All the hospitals (District as well as Sub District) in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district lack any kind of fire fighting mechanism. The survey revealed that district hospital Baramulla and sub district hospitals in Uri, Sopore, Tangmarg and Pattan lack even the basic fire fighting mechanisms.

Similarly Mirza Mohammad Afzal Beigh hospital in Anantnag has no mechanism available to fight fire except seven fire extinguishers.

Pertinent to mention that the hospital suffered fire incidents in 2003 and 2010 causing huge losses, however, thankfully lives were saved.

Private Hospitals/Nursing Homes

Almost all private hospitals and nursing homes, established in the Valley, lack any sort of firefighting mechanism and some even are running without seeking no objection certificate (NOC) from Fire and Emergency Services, the survey revealed.

“The mechanism doesn’t exist at all. As far as fire extinguishers are concerned they exist only for namesake,” said an expert.

Though none of the people running these private hospitals and nursing homes wanted to comment on the issue, some experts opined that most of these institutions have not followed the building construction code.
“While planning the layout, care should be taken to design the buildings in a manner that there is sufficient open space around to minimize fire spread possibilities from or to neighboring structures. Also there should be enough space for movement and parking of fire fighting vehicles, ambulances, etc. However, in case of private hospitals and nursing homes, nothing of the sort is seen on the ground,” one of the experts said.

Health Minister says

Jammu and Kashmir’s Health Minister, Sham Lal Sharma agrees that no proper fire fighting mechanism existed in most of the government run and private hospitals.

“Yes I too am aware that no proper fire fighting mechanism exists in most of the government and private run hospital,” the Minister told Kashmir Images.

However, he assured that the mechanism would be place in all such institutions within days.

“The other day I had a meeting with Director Health Services and other concerned officers regarding the matter and we have issued advisory to all the hospitals asking them to immediately take preventive measures by installing proper mechanism,” he said, adding he himself will be monitoring the installation process.

Kashmir Hospitals Gasping For Ventilators

Nazir Ganaie (Kashmir Observer)

Srinagar: At a time when the chief minister, Omar Abdullah, and his ministerial colleagues tirelessly claim turning Jammu and Kashmir into a model state, a huge question mark hangs over the critically ailing healthcare services in Kashmir valley, with less than 40 ventilators available for a population of 7 million.

Even after spending billions of rupees on upgrading the state’s healthcare infrastructure, the state government has miserably failed to ensure the availability of the bare minimum life saving machines even at its key hospitals and both in the summer capital as well as in major towns across the valley.

Apart from the prestigious S K Institute of Medical Sciences on the outskirts of the city, half a dozen tertiary hospitals associated with the Government Medical College, believed to be the oldest in the state, are short of the essential ventilators and, more often than not, find themselves hard pressed for saving a patient battling for life.

The valley’s key tertiary care facility, the SKIMS, setup almost three decades ago in 1982 with an objective to spare the patients of expensive treatment outside the state by providing the state-of-the-art healthcare at home, does not have sufficient number of ventilators for the increasing number of critical patients.

“We have 13 ventilators, 12 in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and 1 in Isolation Room. All are functional. Primarily, ours is a tertiary care hospital and it has a heavy patient influx every day. I believe we should have more ventilators installed in a proper ICU,” medical superintendent, Dr Syed Amin Tabish, told Kashmir Observer, adding there should be matching and adequately equipped ICUs available.

"Even if we install 30 ventilators, it would not suffice," the doctor said, stressing that the machine needed additional supporting equipment to make it serve its purpose.

“In Kashmir, there is a great dearth of technical staff to man the ICUs and handle the ventilators. We don’t have enough anesthesiologist, ICU nursing staff, engineers and machines, which add up to a complete ICU. I think we need to focus on these aspects more than anything else to provide quality healthcare,” he said.

During its visit to the associated city hospitals, Kashmir Observer team found the situation quite appalling which puts a huge question mark over the government’s much hyped claims of improved healthcare.

The city’s premier Sri Maharajah Hari Singh Hospital has just nine ventilators installed in a five bedded ICU (Ward No 17). Of these, only one is functional while others, more often than not, remain non-functional for one reason or the other. Nearly 1,000 patients visit its OPD while 850 patients come to Emergency Department daily.

According to doctors, 20 to 30 and sometimes more patients are admitted in each department daily putting tremendous pressures on Ward 17. With long queues outside the ICU, the clamor for ventilators has been increasing over the years. Faced with shortage of ventilators, critical patients are often referred to the SKIMS.

The valley’s only maternity hospital, the Lalla Ded, has five ventilators, mostly donated by various philanthropic non-governmental organizations, for neonates. Of them, only three are working. No ventilators are available for adult females although there has been an upward trend in gynecology-related obstructions. The hospital has to refer such patients to SMHS for being put on ventilators.

Hospital sources said around 11,000 patients visited its OPD monthly and, hundreds of them being admitted. At times, patient admission doubles the intake capacity.

Reliable hospital sources said there was no “proper” ICU and the hospital had only a makeshift room meant for ICU with only a couple of ventilators available for neonates (child patients). “There are no genuine engineers available in the hospital for restoring these ventilators and the hospital authorities have to beg for getting the engineers and still they remain non-functional,” sources said.

“There has to be a separate budget for the ICUs which the Medical Council of India guidelines also prescribe. But the claims of our administrators make it a mockery and all the pressure builds on single ICU room No 17 of SMHS. They are playing with lives of the people for keeping the life saving machines out of order and not increasing their number,” official sources pleading anonymity told Kashmir Observer.

At the premier pediatric healthcare facility, the GB Pant Hospital, half a dozen ventilators are available mostly for neonates.” Save for an occasional snag, all of them remain functional,” HoD and medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr Kaisar Ahmad, told Kashmir Observer.

While the Bone and Joints Hospital has no ventilator, the Chest Diseases Hospital has five ventilators of which only four are functional. And, according to the paramedics, the ICU of the historic healthcare facility had degenerated into a “mockery.”

“It needs to have a highly technical staff, separate ICU nurses, technicians, doctors, anesthesiologists but unfortunately in recent interviews conducted by the Public Service Commission, all the anesthesiologist were dropped and instead MBBS candidates selected, leading to a brain drain with most anesthesiologists leaving for green pastures ,” said an Anesthesiologist on conditions of anonymity.

“Once we feel there is need to put the patient on the ventilators and the machine is not available, we immediately shift him to SMHS or any other associate hospital,” said a senior gynecologist at the LD, wishing anonymity.

“If a ventilator is not available even there, the patient has either to suffer and wait or has to die. This is a genuine need. There has to be sufficient availability of ventilators in the valley hospitals. There has to be specialized ICUs installed with all these machines and manned by required staff, then alone we can provide better patient care,” she said.

“When a huge amount of the budget can be spent on organizing seminars and conferences and furnishing and decorating administrative rooms, why can’t they afford an adequate number of life-saving ventilators,” doctors at the SMHS Hospital asked.

“Go and check the new administrative buildings, you will understand how much money has been spent on their cosmetics. Why can’t they install ventilators in all these hospitals and why can’t they create the required infrastructure for that. All eyes are on Ward 17 of SMHS, which too is in shambles,” they lamented.

The doctors said there was a glaring mismatch even between the hospital beds and ICU beds in most city hospitals, which creates problems for people. “For instance, if a hospital has 100 beds, it necessarily should have two fully equipped and adequately manned ICUs,” they said.

The paramedical staff is no less critical over the inadequacy of infrastructure. “Every day I come to the hospital, I see people struggling for the want of ventilators and I see them dying, when they can’t get it,” said a paramedic wishing anonymity.

“This is very true, sometimes some influential person gets the facility after a single phone call from some high-up, for which I think our hospital administration and government is responsible,” added a senior paramedic in Ward 17 at the SMHS.

Even as the Government Medical College authorities have issued a circular to the heads of all associated hospitals not to brief the press on any matter, the medical superintendent and acting principal, Dr Rafiq Ahmad, said that for installing ventilators, the hospitals needed highly trained technical staff besides other infrastructure.

“This isn’t the question of installing ventilators only, you need a specialized trained staff and it needs a better infrastructure, proper location where it will be installed. We have to develop the ground for installing ventilators. The ventilator does not cost more than Rs 10 lakh but then you have other requirements to match it,” Dr Ahmad said, admitting that the associated hospitals were facing an acute shortage of ventilators.

“Definitely, we have a dearth of ventilators in city hospitals but we have already taken up the issue with the authorities and may get them soon.” he said.

Interestingly, the director of Health Services, Dr Saleem, who controls all the district, sub district hospitals and Primary Health Centers and dispensaries across the valley, said he thought it was “mandatory” to install ventilators with proper ICUs in peripheral hospitals, which could cut down the patient influx to city hospitals. “We are discussing the matter with the government to install ventilators in our hospitals,” the director said.

When contacted, the minister for Heath and Medical Education, RS Chib, said, “We are going to increase the stock of ventilators, the emergency has increased and this has put pressures on already available ventilators.”
“We need to go for more ICUs; the concerned authorities have already informed us about the insufficient availability of ventilators,”.he told Kashmir Observer.

Asked why a large number of the existing ventilators in the associated hospitals were lying defunct, Chib said, “I will find out why these ventilators haven’t been restored so far. I will discuss with the GMC principal and also order an inquiry into it”.

“A new block of super specialty hospital is coming up and we will try to provide space for more ventilators,” Chib said, adding the government would soon approve more ventilators for the city hospitals.

The Widening Divide

2011-12-20T14:29:00.000-08:00

Nayeema feels political uncertainty leads to class distinctions where one set suffers and the other enjoys the privilege

(Ms. Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor, 53, was born in Srinagar, Kashmir. She completed her B.Sc, B.Ed, LL.B (Hons) and Diploma in Journalism, and Masters in Education and Urdu from the University of Kashmir. Ms. Mahjoor has also completed a Masters degree in government and politics of South Asian Governments from the University of London. She is presently the Desk Editor, BBC World service (Urdu) based in London (UK). Among various awards, she has been a recipient of the Best Journalist of the year 2005 by ECO India, Best women Journalist by American Biographer and Best Journalist for highlighting environmental issues by Peshawar Environmental organisation.)

Uncertainty Leads to Anarchy

Two types of generations crop out of turmoil and uncertainty. There are those who create confusion in order to grab every opportunity to earn as much as they can to safeguard their future (by fair and unfair means). They get support and services of the vested interest groups and make them powerful to rule the roost.

And, another crop belongs to those who become fragile to volatile situations and are incapable to handle their day to day life. So they prefer to take refuge in silence and become mute spectators of the moral and social degradation. Most of them turn into mental wrecks and hardly care about their fate or future. The end factor means the degeneration of the community and loss of trust among each other, so beyond any reformation.

If we look around us, can you not agree with me that the Valley has intentionally or unintentionally got split up into these two categories of people which have started to eat into the vitals of our society? Most of the ailing population is only witnessing the despair and destruction around whereas the other group of corrupt, opportunist and powerful is busy in looting, plundering and polluting what is left of the Valley.

Kashmir has more than eighty percent ailing population at the moment, courtesy of the armed movement (most of the initiators of the movement are now playing the Indian card) and the enormous number of security forces. No matter if people are mentally sick or physically dying with newly diagnosed diseases, one section of the society has grabbed a “golden chance” to manipulate the vulnerability of the sick by selling cheap and substandard drugs that are hardly used in any state of India. Do not blame just the Indian companies for this menace; locals are hand in glove with them and provide every opportunity to market their products in the Valley. Most of the patients are being treated as guinea pigs by the Indian and local pharmaceutical companies for their trials. Not to talk of laboratories and medical centres those are being established on great demand on every nook and cranny of the Valley. The big health centres of the Indian metropolises have set up their offices in most of the district Headquarters. Not a single soul seems to be against their business set-ups, but most are against the trading of cheap drugs and making money out of the vulnerability of the mentally sick people.

Political uncertainty, wherever it is, creates confusion and chaos in a volatile situation and becomes a big hurdle in the development and mental growth of that region. Kashmir is no exception to that but the unpredictable circumstances have left no chance for Kashmiris to look into their lives, society and community or to enjoy a moment of freedom since the two nations gained freedom at the time of partition of the Sub-continent. The Kashmiri minds and bodies have become hostage to the hostility and warmongering atmosphere of both countries. Consequently, Kashmiri society has become crippled and its youth is always a focus of political persecution, mental intimidation and physical torture. Every time there is hostility between two nations or strained relations or threats of invasion or Kargil infiltration, Kashmiri vulnerable youth become a target of institutional torture, physically and emotionally. Not to talk of thousands of women and children who have become half widows, destitute and orphans at every phase of the confrontation. The constant threat of persecution, torture and the scanning of the intelligence agencies has sickened the society to the extent that the Valley comprises only patients who can be encountered everywhere in hospitals, laboratories, health centre or homes. Instead of greetings, people now share knowledge of diseases, the experts and their treatment inside and outside the Valley.

According to a recent survey, more than eighty percent population in the Valley is reeling with mental ailments. Ironically, these ailments are hardly accepted as diseases by the remaining healthy population. In medical terminology the mental ailment can be as fatal as cancer or cardiac arrest though the concept is yet under-developed in the Valley due to which patients suffering from depression, schizophrenia etc are looked down and again, ironically, do not get proper treatment in psychiatric hospitals. Many organisations have commented or research based reports have been published regarding the alarming situation of mental ailments. Unfortunately local and central government have not yet realized its impact and serious repercussions on the health and mental development of the coming generations.

Regarding another category of people, they are clever, selfish and conniving and have learnt the art of looting, plundering or pillaging the most vulnerable section of the society. Political uncertainty has a tendency to develop an element of hoarding, grabbing and grafting in order to secure the future of those doing it but not to the extent as it has done in the Valley where cruelty has become institutionalized. It is only a tiny minority of the population who have no fear of God (though they are always found praying in the mosques) and they exploit the fragility of the vulnerable class. They run the vital power centres and if any conscientious soul raises their voice, he is branded as anti-national or anti-social and even blamed for working against the national interests.

Kashmir has now become an epitome of this terrible quagmire when it, once used to be a ray of hope for the whole sub-continent.

When people are put behind bars or charged with harsh laws for demanding their basic right of life or facilities, they either become sick or callous which only leads to anarchy. That is what we all are silently witnessing in the Valley.

Helping the Agrarian Sector

2011-12-20T14:16:00.000-08:00

Maroof calls for "equal rights" for those looking after the predominant agricultural economy of Kashmir, which incidentally has the highest job potential in Kashmir

(Dr. Muhammad Maroof Shah, 33, was born in Kunan, Bandipore. He has pursued a career in veterinary medicine and animal husbandry, completing Bachelors's degree in veterinary sciences (BVSc) at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (FVSc & AH), Shuhama campus of the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K), and MA English through the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). He is presently posted as a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS) at the Government Sheep Breeding Farm in Dachigam. Dr. Shah is the author of two books, and has lectured as a visiting fellow at the Jaipur University on Western Philosophy. In his leisure time he pursues studies in comparative religion, philosophy and literature.)

Let's have quality veterinary universities, one at Jammu and one at Srinagar

I wonder why there is much debate on almost non-issues and little serious debate on such serious issues as why there is no veterinary university. Veterinary university is more important for educating us in multiple ways and is better linked with vocation and employment of masses than academic university. I analyze briefly a few important points of comparison between academic university and veterinary university.

We are currently producing hundreds of postgraduates and thousands of graduates in physics and chemistry and teaching them at college and university level. This creates a few teachers who teach others these subjects in turn and the world goes on without significantly impacting on job creation or strengthening economy. We can’t produce Nobel Laureates nor do quality research in key areas like high energy physics or on cognitive science in our State in given conditions and be a knowledge based economy, at least for near future. We can’t even be great copyists of developed knowledge economies for decades for various reasons that I need not discuss. We are not the developed world and can’t go for heavy industrialization and modernization to achieve that status.

More achievable goal is developing an indigenous agricultural or more precisely livestock based economy and evolving educational structure suitable for it. For climatic and geopolitical reasons we are best advised to develop the resources we have, to develop those industries for which both raw materials and markets are locally available and to achieve at least self sufficiency in many important food items. Fully exploited potential of livestock sector will supply much of our fertilizers and gas for domestic cooking but also complement transport and other energy requirements. We need to be educated regarding poisoning and suicidal fallout of path of imported model of development that Truman in 1949 proposed (rather imposed) for the third world to serve imperialist agenda. We need to apply reverse gear on many important sectors including miseducation or undirected unplanned education to reverse the damage already done. Thank heavens that we have many key resources ensuring our dignified living for all and sundry. Falling into the trap of development, aid, loans and market orientation of economy is a disaster that has ruined many countries, African, Latin American and closer home.

We still don’t know what for do we teach many subjects in higher education when the educated students then become burden on themselves and the earth as they feel incapable of doing anything. Asking them to for entrepreneurship in private sector makes sense for even matriculates but why were years spent on mastering skill and knowledge which is not needed anywhere here. Do we intend them to leave the State and seek jobs in some MNCc, in national army or police force or insurance companies? Why educate in the first instance? The education they receive has little to do with character formation either. I find in stock assistants training class PhDS and PGS of a host of departments from Kashmir University. It means years of investment in learning those subjects shall go waste. Here job alienation is almost universal. Sons of the fathers who sermonize on Friday congregations are competing for posts for Bank clerks though it is their belief that it is unlawful to work for interest based institutions. We are every year adding to the already huge army of frustrated youth who have no employment opportunities. And we pay teachers to prepare such an army! It means our education system is tailored to producing neither character nor necessary skill for jobs available or could be created here. Students take admission for getting absorbed but the system can’t absorb even 10% of them. Our courts are overpopulated by clients or cases indicating diseased system. Drug addiction and violence It means we are breeding frustration and wasting public money. We can’t by the very logic of the system, produce very great or original minds in cloistered intellectual atmosphere. We must plan for future which shows unprecedented crisis of water resources and food insecurity. We have enough if we take heed and plan for our real needs.

Untapped mineral wealth suffices for earning enough foreign exchange. The big question that questions wisdom in the present educational system teaching conventional academic subjects at higher level is why we have produced few good physicist or chemists and hardly anyone who applies his knowledge or skill to create jobs or develop our industrial sector. (I grant few exceptions.) The same applies to teaching of biology. Regarding teaching (rather manufacturing graduates or postgraduates) of education, psychology, literature, economics etc. less said the better. One can be content with noting only one point. Most of these students fail to make any use of what they are being taught and society loses much more (by way of public financing of such educational institutions and wasting time and energy of most of students and teachers) than it gains by such huge investment in such education.

Humanities subjects are largely cut off from our traditional ethos and cultivated with imported conceptual background leading ultimately to crisis in values and disjunction between our needs and imposed educational agenda. The most brilliant go outside and strengthen the economy of those nations. We can’t be pioneers in IT or heavy industry or much of that for which our educational policy spends resources at college and university level. Thus our educational policy and university system is not tailored to local needs of society and economy. My point is education must be, at higher level, linked to local economy and job creation and we have so far largely failed to identify our real needs and create wealth through educated human resource. We have not appreciated importance of professional education and especially veterinary education for uplifting local economy. Denmark is largely a milk economy as New Zealand and Australia are livestock economies. We too can be a significant livestock economy as other options are limited. Even if we don’t export anything related to livestock products but only save all imports of the same we would have saved few thousand rupees for every family every month which could go to boost other sectors.

We need a major shift in economy to move towards some sort of self reliance. We need more investment in livestock sector by way of quality institutions for achieving good public health (leading to drastic decrease in need to invest in health sector), organicization of agriculture, drastically reduce imports (our major imports are in food – meat, milk products, leather, woolen garments, feed sector), create jobs (we need MBAs and entrepreneurship development with major focus on livestock industry – currently we are primarily serving MNCs through business schools and science centric higher education etc.) and livestock education.

Establishing a veterinary university is a serious human rights issue if we go to the depth of the logic that fashions conditions for rights discourse. Right to safe, hygienic food and right to livelihood are connected to these seemingly distantly related issues as providing quality infrastructure for developing conditions that guarantee achievement of these goals.

I wish there were more academic universities than we have (of course we need to redesign them as per our socio-economic needs and value systems) but I can’t imagine any excuse for not having established a veterinary university long back. The fact that we still need to debate its requirement and plead for it speaks volumes about our desensitized civil society and policy makers. Within our given resources we can increase milk production three fold and reduce meat imports to zero and develop an array of livestock byproduct and processing industries that can generate enough jobs for majority of unemployed youth and all this is impossible without a quality veterinary universities, one at Jammu and one at Srinagar.

Kashmir's Glorious Past

2011-12-20T14:10:00.000-08:00

Ashraf highlights the unique and independent history of the Kashmir region, relying on some old and some recent manuscripts

(Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, 68, was born in Srinagar. He received his early schooling from the Government Middle School, Nowhatta, Srinagar, and from M.P. High School, Baghi Dilawar Khan in Srinagar. Mr. Fazili completed his F.Sc. from the Sri Pratap College in Srinagar, and received his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Annamalai University with honours grade. He joined the J&K government service upon graduation and steadily rose up the ranks to the position of Chief Engineer at his retirement. He managed a number of important infrastructure projects during his government service, including the Model Town Chrar-i-Sharif, Lower Jhelum Hydro Electric Project, Solid Waste Disposal Scheme Srinagar City, Circular Road Project Srinagar City, etc. He has numerous publications to his credit, including Srinagar the Sun City, Our Ancestors and Saints of Kashmir, etc., which were presented in seminar and symposia. He writes for various journals and is presently working on the Jhelum Valley Civilization.)

A Unique Record of History

Ours is the only place in the world that has a recorded history of 5188 years before us as reliable books, which are credible and hence believable. In this direction a compilation of manuscripts by Munshi Muhammad Din Fouq in 1910 has been a great contribution.

An independent region

The valley of Kashmir has always been independent of the history of India from the begining of governance. Before advent of Muslim rule in Kashmir, the country was governed by Brahmans, non-Brahmans and Buddhists etc. Sir Mark Aurel Stein in his English translation of The Rajtarangini has recorded a detailed account of this period. However a brief sketch is being presented here.

The habitation

The available histories tell us that there was no population in Kashmir at first. On the other hand it was a lake surrounded by mountains and full of water called Satisar. The Sati lake was special and favorite resort of Mahadevji. The basis of nomenclature is also the name of Satiji, who enamoured of the lake stayed here for a very long time. From the signs found at some mountains it is proved that boats were used to enjoy the scenery of the lake. Holes were bored in to big boulders for tying the boats, which to this day are called boat-holders. Such a boat-holder is at a place near Shopian called Nobugnai. This place is sacred to Hindus. At many other places there are such holes which tell us that sometimes the boats might have reached the tops of these mountains. This could be possible only if this beautiful land was under water.

The legend and the nomenclature

The legend says that a cannibal giant Jaladhbhava lived in the lake who would come out and kill people in adjoining areas and torment them with loot and plunder. It is said that the cursed fellow had the blessings of the Brahma that, till he remained under water no one could kill him. Therefore he continued his tyranny in Satisar area. No enemy however big would be able to harm him. And then in Dwapur-Yug the grand-son of Brahma, Kashyapa Rishi, came to visit the temples of India and reached this place also. When he reached Lotir village near Rajouri (according to Khwaja Azam Dedamari- historian), he stayed at Koh Shir.The same mountain is named Hamar in Gulzar-i-Kashmir, where the people saw his grandeur and spiritual prowess, the oppressed people gathered near him and told him the blood-soaked story of the tyrannies of the giant. On this his sense of honor was aroused and he consoled them and sent them away. He himself went to Birhapur and resolved to end the tyranny of the tyrant. He sat at a safe place near the boat-holder. He engaged himself in worship for the elimination of Jaladbhav. It is said that after several years Lord Shiva felt compassion for him, his devotion and sincerity and asked Bishan and Brahma to punish Jaladbhava but arresting him was not an easy task. A bloody battle ensued for many years yet nothing could be achieved. The defence of Jaladhbhav was very strong and Bishan and Brahma could not succeed. He would hide in the lake at the time of trouble. In the end they decided to dry the Satisar before killing him. Bishan cut the piece of mountain that had fallen in to water and stopped the flow of water near Baramulla, with a ploughshare. This drained the water and the dry land appeared. The land that appeared first is called Udoor and reminds us of the incident to this day. Even this did not make Bishan completely successful because some deep pits still held water and Jaladbhav hid himself in these. But the water was not so deep that it would hinder Bishan and Brhama. Bishan brought a piece of Sameer mountain and placed it on the top of the pit in which Jaladbhav was hiding. This crushed Jaladbhav to death. This is the place where Kohi Maran (Heri Parbhat) is situated now. According to the legend the mountain is piece of Samir mountain, which reminds us of the wickedness of Jaladbhav. After this event the Satisar had to abondon its ocean-like shape and become a dry land for ever. After a long time the place became a charming land and Kashyap Rishi thought of populating it. From the countries far and near some saintly people (Brahmins) who resembled Kashyap Rishi in worship and spirituality, were brought by him and settled here. Some believe that these were Katyacharya, Mantacharya and Atbacharya- the three brothers who founded this charming region. From these times this colony was named after its founder as Kashyapsar or Kashmir.(Mir meaning house , that is the house of Kashyap. It is also believed that the name of the wife of Kashyap Rishi was 'Mir', therefore the place was called after both of them as Kashyap Mir. With changes in the pronunciation it became Kashmir.)
Some experts relate the name Kashmir and Kashap Reshi to Kashghar, Kashan, Kash tribe and Ka-Syria ( like Syria) etc.

Some literary experts say that the basis of the nomenclature are the Sanskrit words; 'Ka' means water and 'Shemar' means draining. Since the water of Satisar was drained, it was called Kashmir. It is an established fact that the land was populated for more than 5000 years. The other reality is that 2042 years ago before Christ, the city of Sandimatnagar was submerged by the wrath of God during the reign of Sunder Sen. (The city was situated at the place where the Wular lake exists these days). In this deluge a large part of Kamraj had come under water. about half the valley of Kashmir remained under water for 760 years. 1282 years BC, during the rule of King Narendra, when Hazrat Sulaiman came to this region and stayed here. the king and his subjects both seeing the splendour, asked him to do something for water. He got the area drained and again colonized it. Due to non availability of history of Ratnagir, most of the historians are ignorant of this fact. since they have heard of the draining of the water by Hazrat Sulaiman, they make him the source of draining the Satisar also, which is quite contrary to facts. Some historians have named the area as Bagh-i-Sulaiman and Takht-i-Sulaiman is believed to have landed on the top of Zabarwan hills also called Koh-i-Sulaiman (later named as Shankaracharya hill).

Before Kashyap Reshi reached here, there is evidence of population existing here, who brought the tyranny of Jaladbhav to the notice of Kashyap Rishi. The traces of habitation before lake-like conditions are also available. In ancient times there was no permanent habitation here and there were no villages and cities because due to heavy snowfall, it was extremely impossible to live here during winter. More so when the necessary arrangements for protection during the winters were absent. History is witness that Kashmir was a resort for people during summer.

There has been habitation before the Brahmins were brought by Kashyap Reshi. They are mentioned as Chiefs and Kings in Brahat Katha as Bhanandan Dasehnandan; Suraj Verma in the Gita; Darya Dev in Nilmat Puran and Visho Maksh, Partap Bhalu etc. in other Puranas being rulers of this period. The historical details of these kings are not available. Only it is known that during the reign of Darya Dev there was a permanent habitation here. From some histories and archaelogical finds it is known that King Ramchandarji also had arrived in Kashmir.

There are many other ancient places, that prove clearly that there was a good population in Kashmir even before it became the Satisar. from the very beginning Kashmir was not like a pond but was a vast plain where there were springs and rivers at various places. The present river Veth (Vitasta) which is called the Jhelum in Punjab irrigated Punjab with water from Kashmir and Kaghan. Baramulla onwards the flow of Jhelum shows that this river passed through mountains and natural passes in ancient times also and entered Punjab. From the Vedas it is clear that its water benefited the people of this area before the Aryans arrived in Punjab. The Aryans also benefited from this river. It is not known what was the name of this country at the beginning, but it has been found that this region served as a pasture. at the beginning of the spring season; the inhabitants of adjacent area and shepherds, would come here along with their cattle and sheep. They would enjoy and avail themselves of its greenery, meadows and fertile lush land and return to their countries before the advent of winter. There are many clans of gujjars even now, who according to ancient practice, go to hilly areas of Kashmir in summer along with their families and cattle and return in winter to their countries. there is a unanimous opinion about this period that for ages it was the fashion of the times that people would go there during summer and return in winter.

The legend has it that once a man named Chandra Dev could not return due to his old age and resultant weakness of his body. (The author of Rajtarangni describes this thus: When the decrepit old man was left alone by his dependents, he stayed in a cave. When the winter rains started and the roads were blocked, the ogres and geniis flocked to this country and started plundering all over. They were surprised seeing a human being in the city deserts. One of the ogres stood in Kamraj area and another in Maraj, twety leagues away and brought this poor soul out of the cave and tossed him like a ball. In one of the attempts he fell in to the Neel Nag spring. He saw that there was a door at the bottom of the spring. When he opened the door and went ahead he saw a vast piece of ground and quite a new world was living in it. There was a magnificient city in this world. Chandra Dev marched towards the population, when he reached there he was unnerved on seeing the frightful visages of the people living there. He took them for dieties, Soon he saw a royal court and somehow reached there. He saw that King Neel Nag was holding court with great pomp and show and petitioners had come to complain against the tyranny of the giants. He said that he was a human being, who lived in Kashmir during summer and went to warmer places in winter. The things they left there such as food, grains, etc., the giants plundered in winter. In addition to this he told the king of his own plight. The king felt mercy on him and gave him the book Neelmat Puran, authored by him and directed him, his people should act according to the instructions given in that book and to place a sumptuous feast every month for the giants at a separate place as gift. The giants would not harm them then. 12 such feasts for the year called 'shrad', the followers of Neelmat Puran offered for a long time. He issued another order for giants, which he handed over to Chandra Dev and accompanied by his own men to his abode. After this was done and by following the instructions of the Neelmat Puran, the severity in snowfall also reduced and the people were saved from the tyranny of the giants. The king was called Raja Neel Nag. The Kashmiris were of the opinion that the kings live in natural springs, who seemingly resemble snakes. They believed that if this king is arrested, the spring dries up. The same story is told about drying up of Neel Nag spring. It is told that in modern times that a magician from Bengal arrested Neel Nag king by using opium and took him to Rajputana. By this action the spring dried up and another spring appeared in Rajputana.

It is also stated that after Chandra Dev passed his winter in the cave on his release from Neel Nag episode, when his dependents and fellow country men came to Kashmir they were surprised and happy to see the old man alive and safe. Chandra Dev narrated his story and gave the Neelmat Puran to the Chief of nation Daya Dev and persuaded them to have faith in it as ordained by the king Neelnag. Although Chandra Dev being alive had convinced them all of the facts still as a precaution he left a few people behind the next year also and returned himself along with others.. When the next year he found all the people alive, safe and secure, Daya Dev also believed in Neelmat Puran and stayed along with his companions in Kashmir.

The unknown period

These people lived for a long time but no information about their culture and style of living could be found by historians. Only this much is known that these people had learnt to obey their tribe and its Chief. The names of some of these Chiefs who ruled like Daya Dev have been recorded. They resembled the present day Central African people. After some time and 3899 years BC, the Noah.s deluge took place, which annihalated the tribe of Daya Dev and transformed Kashmir into a lake later called Satisar. If the mountain that had fallen in to it near Baramulla and blocked water were not broken by the efforts of Kashyapa Reshi, the charming heaven-like piece of land would have remained as a lake for ever. The world would have missed all the soothing climate of the place for ever.

The recorded period

The The authentic histories show that when after Daya Dev, Kashmir of Kashyap Reshi was colonised, there was a system of democratic rule after which the governing body brought Daya Karan the son of King Puran Karan of Jammu for running the government. According to Kalhana Pandit the reign of king Govanand the third, a total of 52 kings ruled the country. Before this three kings of Jammu dynasty ruled this land. After king Somdut was killed in the war of Kurukshetra, king Okanand of another dynasty sat on the throne. King Okanand was the king of Kashmir 20 years before Kalyug and 3121 years before Christ. Thus we have found the events of 5888 years. The government of Kashmir starts from Jammu dynasty and from 3180 BC to 1324 AD viz. 4504 years Hindu kings ruled this country with pomp and show. Some of these kings were so renowned that their conquests commanded respect in India, Turkey and Afghanistan. The dynasties that ruled were The Gonanda, The Pandu, The Maurya, the Kushana, The White Huns, The Karkota, The Lohara etc. During this period Kashmir remained safe from outer invasions. (In1700 BC king Bhikam of Ujjain invaded Kashmir during the reign of king Baldev but was defeated). Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi also could not succeed in 1120 AD, but after 300 years of this incident Zulchu invaded Kashmir in 1323 AD and disturbed peace of thousands of years. Then the government of the country went out of the hands of Hindus in the next year and fell into the hands of Muslims. The world came to know that Kashmir was not impregnable as it was presumed to be, thereafter foreign invasions continued. the invasions of Mirza Haidar and Mirza Kamran and others made the country so weak that it opened the doors for Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar, the Emperor of India. There-after the Chughtai dynasty Ahmad Shah Abdali conquered the country. Thus Muslims ruled here for 494 years i.e. from 1325 to 1819 AD. In 1819 AD Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Lion of Punjab conquered it and included it in Khalsa government. at last the English gave the charming region to Maharaja Gulab Singh, king of Jammu, for 75 lakh Rupees under the treaty of Amritsar March 1846. The same dynasty of the kings ruled Kashmir till 1947, when democratic rule began.

The earliest source of Kashmir history reffered by Kalhana in his Rajtarangini written in 1148-49 AD, is Neelmat Puran written in 6th century AD. The Nilamata or teachings of 'Sage Nila', the chief of Nagas is the oldest extant record which deals with the legends regarding the origin of Kashmir and the sacred places of Pandits. Kalhana also refers to it also as the book of rites and festivals prsented by Nila for Kashmirians. (Nilmata, or the teachings of Nila, Sanskrit text with original notes, edited by Dr. K. De Vrees- was published at Leiden -Holland by E.J.Brill in 1936).

The Historians

It has been noted that Kashmiris possesed from earliest times a sense of recording their chronicles in contrast to writing sacred tails interwoven with historical events like rest of the Indians. Though Rajtarangini is also not free from unbelievable fables, myths and fantastic occurances, yet Kalhana says in the introduction that historian alone can be reliable and deserves respect who, like a judge, stands above personal predilections and states facts in a detailed manner. Kalhana was followed by other historians in the time of king Zain-ul-abidin Budshah (1422-72 AD) Jonaraja and Srivara brought down the narrative to their own days in their works known respectively as Rajavali and Zain-Rajtarangini. The task was taken up again by Prajyabhatta, who wrote Rajavalipataka in 1512 AD and by Shuka in 1506 AD. With these ended the writing of Kashmir history in Sanskrit verse. Among the chroniclers who wrote in Persian the distinguished ones are Mulla Nadiri, Mulla Ahmad Kashmiri (both in Badsha's time), Qazi Ibrahim (1514 AD), Sayyid Ali (1537 AD), Mirza Haidar Dughlat (1545 AD), Mulla Hasan Qari (1580 AD), Hasan bin Muhammad alKhaki Shirazi (1610 AD), Baba Daud Mishkwati (1658 AD), Haidar Malik (1659 AD), Narain Koul (1710 AD), KH. Mohammad Azam Dedamari (1747 AD),Mir Sadullah Shahabadi (1780 AD),Nizam-ud-din Mufti (1824 AD), Baha-ud-din Khanyari (1827 AD), Mohammad Haidar (1840 AD), Birbal Kachru (1850 AD), Mirza Saif-ud-din Beg (1857 AD), Muhtashim Mirza, Muhammad Zaman Nafi, Sohan Lal (1831 AD). The Kashmir history has been completed filling the missing links and brought uptodate by authors notable among them being Pirzada Hasan Khoihami (Fazili) (1898 AD) who flourished by the end of nineteenth century, besides Mohi-ud-din Miskeen Kubravi (Saraibali), Prakash Ram, Hargopal Kaul, Munshi Mohammad Din Fouq (1910 AD), Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz (1941 AD), G.M.D. Sofi (1949 AD) and P.N. Kaul Bamzai etc.
Thus it is seen that the Kashmiris have surpassed many Indians in maintaining unbroken record of their past events, achievements, failures. myths and prejudices. Some outsiders also have published books on one or other aspect of Kashmir's past but their sources mostly have been the
Kashmir chroniclers.

There is sufficient evidence that Kashmiris in ancient and early medieval times had achieved the pinnacle of glory in different walks of life. In historical times, Kashmir has not only been a great seat of learning but its gifted sons have carried the torch of culture far and wide in the known world.

Kashmir scholars have excelled in all the three periods of Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim rulers. Kashmir should be proud of a galaxy of great men and women who lived in the past as well as are living in the present
The Scholars of the Pre Islamic Period:

Rishi Kashyapa - the patron saint of Kashmir, who drained off the waters of the lake called Satisar through prayers and penances; Nagarjuna -the great Boddhistava, Kalidasa the renowned dramatist, Srivasarma,Ratnakara, Anandavardhana, Kallata pupil of Vasgupta, Sivasvarmin, Datatarya, Gunaditya, Mankha, Bilhana, Shambhu, Jalhana, Kumarajiva, Dida - the ancient queen; Suvya the ancient engineer; Badshah the noble king; Kalhana, Jonraja, Srivara, Prajayata (the ancient historian), Vasu Gupta and Utpala Deva, Abhinovogupta and Som Deva- the Shaiva philosophers; Ksemendra and Prakash Bhat- the ancient poets.

Datatarya Munishwara (Koul)- the embodiment of Hindu Trinity- Brhama the creator, Vishnu the protector and Shiva the destroyer-- all the three in one. His birthday falls on 10th Maghar (His name means given to Gods). He has been the teacher of Ram and on his name there is a temple in Allahabad and his progeny the Datataryas are spread all over India.

Prince Gunavarman, a painter-missionary from Kashmir, was probably a pioneer in the Southern Asiatic route to China, Korea and Japan. The Kashmir of his age (400 BC) was also the seat of the University of the Buddhist Kumarajiva, who came all the way from Tukharistan of Kucha (near Khotan)- which corresponds roughly to the present Badakhshan-to Kashmir to learn Sanskrit and various Indian sciences which he later took over to China.

Nagarjuna -the great Bodhisatva lived in Harvan in the time of Kanishka (AD 78) who extended his empire as far on South as Vindhyas and upper Sind. He annexed Kashmir and was a Buddhist by faith and had his capital at Peshawar. He errected numerous monuments in Kashmir and built the town of Kanishkapora ( modern village of Kanispor about 10 kms. from Baramulla). Under his patronage the 3rd Council of the Buddhist Church was held , which carried on its deliberations in Khandalvan Vihar, near Harvan Kashmir in about 100 AD under the presidency of Nagarjuna and drew up the Northern Concern on " Great Vehicle of the Law". Nagarjuna flourished in the 1st century AD. He was a great Buddhist Alchemist and celebrated teacher elevated to Buddhisattvaship and is the founder of the Mahayana system, which is said to have been introduced in to Tibet. He is represented as at once a philosopher, a physician and an author of great ability. Perhaps fifferent Nagarjunas have been mixed in one.

In popularising the revolutionary ideas of Gautama Buddha in India and beyond its borders Kashmiri scholars have played a significant role . With the torch of enlightenment they travelled in different places in the east, the west and the north. Everywhere they served as harbingers of a new age of emancipation. Kamurajiva spread the message of Mahayana Buddhism in China for which the Chinese Emperor conferred the title of Tugsheo (though young in years but ripe in wisdom) on him. An artist Gunavardana followed him to paint jatka stories in public halls in china. Gunavardana was also sent to Sumatra, where he converted the royal family to Buddhism, which prompted the entire population of the island also to adopt the new faith. Another missionary, Virochana converted the people of Khotan and parts of Gandhara (now NWFP and east Afghanistan) to Buddhism.

When neo- Brahmanism raised its head in the 4th century AD, the talented Kashmiris instead of surrendering to reaction evolved a new philosophy-- Shaivism-- which is the product of the fusion of Vedic and Buddhist philosophies. Its first great teacher was Vasugupta born in 9th century AD., who wrote Shiv Satra Vimarshini. He was followed by Kalatabhata author of Spandra Viritti. Then came stalwarts in succession like Somananda- originator of Pritibhinya school, Utpaldeva who wrote Strotsavali and the last but the greatest of them all Abhinavagupta, who composed among others the dazzling treatise Parmathesara.

Kalidasa-(500-600 AD) It was during the troubled times of the Huns, that Kalidasa, one of the greatest poets of India was born in Kashmir. The white Hun Mihirakula seized the throne of Toramana, the Hun empire had established in the latter half of the 5th century in Afghanistan and western India. Mihirakula succeeded in 510 AD, his capital being Sakala in Punjab which may be identified with Sialkote according to Fleet or with Sangala hill in the Sheikhpora district or according to Anspach Jandiala in Amritsar district of the Punjab. He was a man of violant acts and resembling death, whose approach the people knew 'by noticing vultures, crows and other birds which were flying aheasd eager to feed on those who were to be slain. His revolting acts of cruelty became so abhorrent that the native princes formed a confederacy and under the leadership of Baladitya of Magadha and Yasovarman of Central India inflicted a decisive defeat on him. Mihirakula fled to Kashmir, where he was recieved kindly by the king and placed incharge of a small territory. He repaid the king's kindness by seizing his throne and putting him to death. Then issuing from Kashmir, Mihirakula attacked and conquered Gandhara and drowned multitudes of people in the Indus. Kalhana depicts him in the blackesr colours of cruelty as being surrounded day and night by thousands of murdered human beings. Mihirakula delighted in activities of cruelty and people still point to a ridge (Hastivan--from hasti, elephant and vanj, to go--the passage for elephants on the Pir Panjal range near ' Ali Abad Sarai', where the king to amuse himself, drove 100 elephants over the precipices, enjoying their cries of agony. He favoured Brahmans and hated Buddhism. He commited suicde, overpowered probably by the sense of his own misdeeds.

In these very troublous times Kalidasa flourished during the latter half of the 5th century or 1st half of the 6th century. He has reffered to thew Huns in Kashmir in Raghuvamsha. Kalidasa left his home during the unsettled days of its occupation by the Huns, and travelled throughout the length and breadth of the country halting perhaps much longer at Ujjain than at other places. The personal religion of Kalidasa was Kashmiri Saivism based on the doctrine of the Pratyabhijna philosophy, unknown outside Kashmir. In a remarkable discovery, it is pointed out that the drama of 'Shakuntula' is an allegory of the tenets of Pratyabhijna philosophy of Kashmir.

The Chinese scholar traveller Hieun Tsang and Oukang visited Kashmir (in 631-633 AD) to study the Sanskrit texts.The 6th century king of Kashmir, Matrigupta was himself a poet and patron of learning. Among the best literary crfitics of ancient India, Bhamaha, who lived in the begining of the 8th century AD, wrote Alamkara- the earliest work of poetics; Udbhatta- the court poet of Jayaprida defined 41 ntypes of speech in his Alankarsamgraha. Vamana another writer of poetics also adored the court of Jayapida. The fame of Anandavardhana, who lived during the rule of Avantivarman, rest principally on his treatise on the science of poetics.

Tradition has it that the great Sankaracharya (788-820 AD) visited Kashmir early in the ninth century AD after his blows to Buddhism in the rest of India and that he was forced to accept the superiority of Kashmir Saivism over his vedantic thought although there exists no internal evidence in any way of his main works to this effect. Probably it was some one else, his namesake.

Shankara, who -there are reasons to hold-was influenced by contact with early preachers of Islam in the South, gives definite indication of such influence in his emphasis on monoism, his insistance on action rather than mere devotion, on purity of purpose rather than mere rituals. It may be that each element in Shankara's thought was separately derived from Upanishadic sources but the peculiar composition of these elements and the shifts in emphasis of thought and action can be most easily explained by these new contacts with Islamic preachers down South where in Khaladi or Kelati in Kerala the birth place of Shankara, the ruler had embraced Islam.

The remarkable revival of Sanskrit learning was witnessed in the reign of Avantivarman (855-883 AD). Sivrsvarma was one of the genious of Avantivarman court. Some of the others were (1)Ratnakara- who wrote the Hranjaya in 50 cantos and lived under two kings viz, Jayapida (751-782 AD) and Avantivarman (885-883 AD); (2) Anandavardhana, the author of Dhanyaloka (3) Kallata- the great pupil of Vasagupta- the originator of the Sandasastra division of Kashmir. Sivasvarmin is credited with the authorship of seven Mahakavyas- several dramas, prose works and other writings. But the Kaphinabhyudaya and a few stray verses make up all that is left to the student to read and admire. Swamivarmin's work assumes an importance in the history of Sanskrit literature in general and the literary history of Kashmir in Particular in as much as it helps to show the development of Kavya in Kashmir and the influence of Ratnakara on his contemporaries. Its theme is niether Puranic nor epic, nor historical, but it deals with the Buddhist legend of King Kapphina, one of the great disciples of the Buddha. The Kapphina bhyudaya, which remained in obscurity for the last millenium or so has been made available by the University of Punjab (Lahore). It has been for the first time, critically edited by Pandit Gauri Shankar (Lecturer Govt. College Lahore 1937)
Kashmir became the land par excellence of the Saiva faith-based on the principles of idealistic moism (advaita) which was founded by Vasugupta towards the end of 9th centuryAD. The teachings are now lost, but Somananda, Abhinavgupta, Utpala and others wrote works and learned commentaries of Saivism, explaining its doctrine and dogma and on the Gita. The philosophy of Tryambaka school popularly known as Trika Shastra -the threefold science= is peculiar to Kashmir. Abhinavgupta's Tantra Laka and Pratyabinja-Virmarsini though acclaimed to be mere expositions of Pratyabinja- Sutra by Utpala are original works of high merit., says P.N.K.Bamzai. According to Dr. B.N.Pandit, 'Kashmir Saivism is the only philosophy which can inspire for both material and spiritual progress.' Abhinavgupta (933-1015 AD) was a profilic writer and a versatile genius-poet, critic, philosopher and saint-who wrote more than 40 books, some of which exist. As a literate a grammarian he paved for himself a unique place of honour in Indian aesthetics extended over a quarter of century.

Abhinavgupta-the Kashmir Saiva philosopher and literary critic was born between 950 and 960 AD in a Brahmin family that had migrated from Qannauj to Kashmir during the reign of King Lalitaditya. Abhinavgupta was a voluminous writer on several subjects- dramaturgy, rhetoric, philosophy and the philosophy of the poetry. His contribution to the Saiva philosophy is very great in volume and importance. According to a tradition he walked with 1200 disciples in to the Bhiram cave about 8 kms from Magam, midway between Srinagar and Gulmarg and was never seen again.

Kshmendra-- The ornament of Sanskrit poets of Kashmir, was born in the days of Ananda, on the Dal in the locality where the Nishat Bagh stands now. Kshemendra's father was Parkasendra, a rich , charitably disposed and learned Brahmin. the literary career of Kshemendra runs from 1037 to 1066 AD. He was one of the 3 sons of his father. He stdied under several teachers, but the most noted was Gangaka. Kshemendra's studies wererwide extending to Hindu Law, Sanskrit grammer, Aurveda, politics, music and painting. He underwent a course of manual training too and knew carpentery and smithy as well by the time he was 25 years of age. Then Kshmendra married and had a son called Somendra, Ananda engaged him to teach his sdon Kalasa.

Kshmendra was noted for his learning and wealth, his sagacity and generosity in maintaining boarding schools and for his humility. He enjoyed life too. His book Darpadalama (Pride has a fall), Desha Upadesko (Advice about thge country for foreign students) are well known. He is reputed to be the author of many books, of which 34 believed to be obtainable have mostly been printed at Nirmayasagara Press Bombay. Kalhana has crtisized his Napavali for the classical error. He also charges him with 'consistent carelessness'. Keith has discussed Kshmendra's Bratkathamanjri and other works at length.

The course of studies of Kashmendra, a pupil of Abhinavgupta embraced all arts and sciences then known in India. A many-sided scholar like Abhinavgupta, Kashmendra wrote poems, navaratina, didactic and satiric sketches and treatises on rhetoric and prosidy. He made a notable contribution to fable literature with his Brithat Kathamanjari in which he preserved for posterity the lost classical work of Gunaditya, credited to be the earliest story narrator of the world. In Samayamlatyoka (the ocean receiving rivers of stories from different sources) by the contemporary, somadeva, is a collection of stories based on the Kashmiri version of Guvalitya's Brihatkathamanjari and an important landmark of world folklore, in so far as it contains most of the stories of 'Panchatantra'.

Manka: Manka was another poet of this age. He was the fourth son of his father Vishovrata, the son of Pandit Mammata. Mankha was a pupil of Ruyyaka, the celebrated author of Alankara-Sarvasva. Mankha rose to the post of Director of Dharmartha and foreign Minister. Raja Sussala looked upon him as a philosopher. Mankha wrote his first book 'Srikanthacharita' when 25 years of age, probably in 1039 AD. It consists of 14 chapters and has 2500 couplets. In Jayasimha's Time Mankha was the head of a college. Like Mulla Tahir Ghani he hated flattering others and had quite an independent mind.

Bilhana: Bilhana, a great poet, senior to Kalhana in age was born in Khunmoh 11 kms. from Srinagar. His father was Jyeshtha. On completing his education and finding no scope for his talents, on account of the oppressive rule of Kalasa, Bilhana at the age of 16, is stated to have left Kashmir by way of Punch, and entered the Punjab, visited Lahore and Jullundur. Then he moved to Mathura, qannauj and halted at Kashi, where his fame as a grammarian attracted notice. He also appears to have been to Chhatrakota, Prayag, Anhilvad and Nasik. At Kalyana, in the Deccan, there seems to have been a little romance with the Raja's daughter whom Bilhana had been engaged to teach. A Kashmiri Pandith, as such no doubt, a handsome youth, accomplished, scholarly, he could not fail to win the heart of the princess and the assent of Raja and the Bilhana's marriage took place. Ultimately Bilhana succeeded to the gaddi. But Keith is silent on this romance.

Bilhana is the author of (1) VIKRAMANKADEVACHARITA , (2) KARNA- SUNDARI MALA &(3) CHAURAPANCHASIKA. General Cunningham traced the first And Dr. Buhler the vsecond of these works. When Bilhana revived his desire to return to Kashmir, Harsha deposed Kalasa. Tradition has it That he returned to his village Khunmoh and died there at the age of 80. But there is no effective evidence to substantiate this claim.

Bilhana is not much good at history. He is a poet whose language is simple and clear. He gives a beautiful glimpse of the Srinagar of his days in the slokas of the 8th chapter of his Vikramanka-devacharita on the adventures of Vikrama.

Kalhana: Kalhana Pandit, the author of the celeberated saga of Kashmir called the Rajtarangini was the contemporary of Raja Jaysimha. This was the time when in England Matelda was a fugitive and the barons were at war with one another. Kalhana's metrical history of the Raja's of Kashmir, written in Saka 1070 or 1148-49 AD or 543-44 AH is a well known work in the Sanskrit language. Kalhana was the son of Champaka, the minister of King Harsha of Kashmir (1079-1101 AD). Kalhana claimed to be a poet and historian and was no doubt skilled in both capacities. He attempted to give his readers a complete history of Kashmir and though like most of the medieval historians he combined fact with fiction, his , he 'sincerely endeavoured to consult the various sources of history'.He was well versed in the literary and historical traditions of ancient India and was likewise an erudite scholar. Kalhana's earlier chapters are 'a melody of confused traditions and fanciful imaginations', but he exercised 'independence of judgement combined with strict impartiality and unsparing criticism in regard to conteporary events and persons including kings, officials and priests'.

In spite of all this, says Aurel Stein, Kalhana must be treated with critical caution, as 'his chronology is unavailable, his sources of information discrepant, and his frame of mind didactic'. To sum up, though the

Rajtarangani avowdly belongs both in form to substance to the literature of artificial poetry, its merits as an historical composition are many and undoubted, says Dr, Goshal. Kalhana was a Brahman by caste. He was a worshipper of Siva and an admirer of Budha. The name Kalhana is derived through Prakrit Kalhana from Sanskrit Kalyana, meaning 'happiness', 'blessedness'.

The Rajtarangini: (River of Kings)

The Rajtarangini was begun by Pandit Kalhana in 1148-49 AD and completed sometime in the following year. As R.S. Pandit says,it was written about half a century before the dereat of Prithvi Raj Chauhan and nearly two centuries before the advent of Shah Miris. It comprises eight cantos. Each canto is called a Taranga or Wave. The number of verses in each canto or Taranga is (i) 373, (ii) 171, (iii) 530, (iv) 720, (v) 483, (vi) 368, (vii) 1732, (viii) 3449.

Many translations have been made of the book, first by King Zain-ul-Abidin in to Persian second 'Bahr-ul-asmar by Mulla Abdul Qadir Badauni ordered by Akbar,third by Haidar Malik Chadura-Jehangir's period, fourth in 1835 AD by Asiatic Royal Society of Bengal Calcutta, fifth in 1852 in French by Societe Asiatique Paris, Sixth in 1892- a critical edition by Sir Aurel Stein- published 1924 AD, Seventh in 1935 by Ranjit Pandit-(complete translation poetry in prose)

Mammata poet (of 12th century AD): Mammata and his two brothers occupy a high position in the literary firmament of Kashmir during the begining of 12th century AD. Mammata, the second son of the scholar Jaiyata bhatta hails from Galandar, near Pampurnoted for saffron. Jaiyata is the elder and Uwata the younger brother of Mammata. Although all the three were noted litterateurs, Mammata was the most distinguished of all. His book 'Kuvya-Prakasa' on posody set for the higher examinations of the Sanskrit language. eighty seven commentaries are known to have been written on the 'Kavya-Prakasa' of which twety five are available. Mammata is supposed to be the maternal uncle of Harsha, the great poet king of Qannauj. THe 'Subda-Vyapara-Vichara' in which the usage of words has been discussed in another well-known book of Mammata. Mammaladevi was the mother of Harsha. Thus Harsha naturally visited Kashmir for contact with Sanskrit Scholars of Srinagar.

Sage Nila is the king and author of Nilmat Puran- the earliest source of history reffered by Kalhana in his Rajtarangini.

Kashmir has been a seat of learning from ancient times. For more than 2000 years, Kashmir has been the home of Sanskrit learning and from this small valley have issued masterpieces of history, poetry, romance, fables and philosophy. Mentioning that Kashmiris have reason to be ' justly proud of the literary glories of their land'. Sir George added that 'Kashmir was for centuries the home of the greatest Sanskrit scholars and at least one great Indian religion Saivism'

Mankha wrote his famous poem Srikanthacharita- narrating a Puranic legend of Siva- between the years AD 1135 and 1145. A dictionary called Manklakasha is current in Kashmir.Other celebrated writers in Sanskrit are: Bilhana, Shambhu, Jalhana and Kalhana. Of these Kalhana and Jalhana were the prized luminaries at the court of second Lohara dynasty. Kalhana is famous for Rajtarangini- the celebrated chronicle of the kings of kashmir which he composed between the years AD 1148-50.' A literary production of high merit'. A contemporary of Kalhana, Ruyyaka authored Alankarasarvara- a standard work on figures of speech.

Brahman's Cultural Contribution Summarised:

Kashmir's Brahmans acquired great proficiency in Persian under Muslim rule and distinguished themselves as great poets and prose writers. Such people did great service to Sanskrit literature and Kashmir was one of the most notable seats of learning in ancient India. Scholars came from far and wide to complete their studies. The great names of Nagarjuna, Kalidasa, Kshemendra, Bilhana, Mammata and his brothers, Manika and Kalhana. The philosophy of poetry has in fact originated in Kashmir. As a matter of fact, Bilhana asserts that saffron is the seed of poetry and as no other province in India produced saffron, Kashmir alone is the true home of poetry. Apart from Sanskrit poetry and prose, the branches of learning that recieved most valuable contributions from the early forefathers of the Kashmiris were prosody, grammer, Saiva philosophy, Buddhist philosophy, history, fairy tales, biographies, tantras or scriptures of Saivism, AZyurveda or medical science and commentaries.

Out of the sixteen most famous rhetoricians of India, Kashmir has produced fourteen and rest of India only two. Vamana (700-800 AD) the founder of the Riti School, Udhhata (774-813 AD) the teacher of the theory of the three Vrittis, Abhinavagupta the great expounder of the theory of Rasadhvani and Mammata (1100 AD) the upholder of the Rasa theory were all Kashmirians.

In fact Bhatta in modern Kashmiri is Bata- a Brahman or a Kashmiri Pandit. Bhatta is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Bhartar', which in Prakrit form gave Bhatta, which has been retained by Sanskritists ans appended to proper names at the beginning or at the end. It was used in the sense of learned and signifies a learned Brahman or a great teacher.

Kashmir Shaivism:

Kashmir Shaivism known as Trika-Shasana, Trika-Shastra or simply Trika, is a type of idealistic monoism (adavita). 'It made its first appearance in Kashmir at the beginning of the ninth or perhaps towards the end of the eighth century AD', says Mr. Jagdesh Chandra Chatterji in his 'Kashmir Shaivism'.

Kashmir Shaivism has two branches (i) the Spandasastra and (ii) the Partyabhijnasastra. The authorship of the first says Sir Ramakrishna G. Bhandarkar is attributed to Vasgupta and his pupil Kalka who lived in the reign of Avantivarman (855-883 AD). The two principal works of the system are Shivasitram or Shivasutrani and Spandarikas which are 51 verses only. The founder of the Pratyabhijna school of Kashmir Shaivism was Sumananda who also wrote the work called Shivadrsti. But the principal treatise of the school was composed by his pupil Vdyakara and contains verses which are called Sutras. The pupil of the pupil of Samananda was the well known Abhinavgupta. The followers of the Spandasastra branch deny the necessity of God's having attempted prompting cause or a material cause for the creation of the world. Neither do they admit that He is Himself the material cause, nor do they think some principle of allusion generates appearances which are false. God is according to them independent and creates merely by the force of His will all that comes in to existance. He makes the world appear in Himself, as if it were distinct from Himself, though not so really, as houses or even towns appear in a mirror and is as unaffected in it as the mirror is by the images reflected in it. Nor does He exist only as realized in the world which is the conclusion that follows from the doctrine that He is the material cause.

The Pratyabhijna school of Kashmir Shaivism accepts the doctrines of the creation of the world and of the relations between the individual and the supreme soul, as set fourth by the Spandasastra School. But the way of perception of the identity is recognition according to this Pratyabhijna system. The Spanda School mentions the drawing of the form of vision of God on the mind in the course of the meditation and thereby the clearing away of the impurities as the way to realization of the identity with God. The Pratyabhijna school mentions that recognition of oneself as God is the way.

These two systems do not enjoin restraint of the breath, concentration and in the words of Sir Ramakrishnna Bhandarkar, all that 'course of fantastic external and internal conduct or discipline', which the School of Shaivism in India 'prescribe as essential'. In this respect Kashmir Shaivism is very near to Islam as Islam condemns self-mortification as a way to realization. The Islamic way to realization is simple, virtuous living, communion with God and service to humanity by sacrifice of one's self for others, if need be by shedding his blood.

Kashmir Shaivism has another similarity. As an instance, the case of celebrated Muslim mystic Abu'l Mughith al Husain Mansur-al-Hallaj (244-309 AH i.e. 853-922 AD) may be cited. He said Anal Haq, 'I am Creative Truth'. Sir Mohammad Iqbal also has repeatedly emphasized understanding the secrets of the self for realization.

The Islamic Period

The first evidence of Muslim introduction is borne by the presrved chronicle in Sharda script in State Archives Deptartment, which records the visit of two Arab companions of Prophet Mohammad (PBH), who met the king of Kashmir and impressed him to such an extant that he adopted simplicity by selling his crown and fixed (ushur) one tenth of the crops as revenue for the poor. The two 'sahabis' are reported to have proceded from here to China as missionary sent by Prophet Mohammad (PBH).
Muktappidya (725-753 AD/ 107-136 AH) also applied to the Chinese emperor for aid against the Arabs who were advancing from their base in Sind and Multan of whom we hear for the first time in connexion with the history of Kashmir (733 AD/115 AH). We may in passing note that Arabs won a victory over Chinese in 751 AD/ 134 AH and acquired Gilgit and other possessions. The history of Kashmir mentions Muslims, a second time when Kalhana represents the younger son and the second successor of Lalitaditya-Muktapida,viz, Vajraditya as selling many men to the Mlechas or Muslims and introducing into the country practices which befitted Mlechas or Muslims. Again from Kalhana's account it appears that Harsha (1089-1101 AD) supported Turushka (Muslim) captains of hundreds with money, or in the words of Sir Aurel Stein, Harsha had "Muhammadan troop leaders" in his service. Harsha's rule lasted from 482 to 495 AH/ 1089 to 1101 AD. Morco Polo. the Venetian traveller . also refers to the presence of Muslims in Kashmir about 676 AH/ 1277 AD. Here I would like to add to the historical records of Kashmir that I am in possession of a hand writtem manuscripts from my ancestoral library, which describes the chronogram of One Sayid Baqir, who migrated to Kashmir from Iran along with 1200 Sayids and passed away here and was buried in Thune village near Wusan (Kangan) in the year 655 AH. That means his arrival here has been many years earlier. Another manuscript dates 691 AH written by Sadr-ud-Din Husaini which is Arabic commentary of Sura Fatah and Arabic pamphlet prohibitting smoking. One more old manuscript is Awrad of Hazrat Baha ud Din Zakaria (d 666 AH). All these indicate presence of Muslims in Kashmir earlier than arrival of Hazrat Bul-bul Shah and conversion of king Rinchan Shah to Islam on his hands during 720-724 AH/ 1320-1323 AD. Still two centuries earlier than this event in the 12th century AD the conversion of Dard tribes on the Indus from Buddhism to Islam took place as stated by Stein.
After the defeat of Raja Dahir of Sind by Mohammad bin Qasim in 93 AH/ 712 AD, Dahir's son Jaisiya went to wait on the Rai of Kashmir. A person bearing the name Hamim, the son of Sama, a Syrian, accompanied Jaisiya to Kashmir. The Rai of Kashmir ordered that , from among the dependencies of Kashmir, a place called Shakalha should be assigned to Jaisiya. Jaisiya died in Shakalha and was succeeded by Hamim son of Sama. Hamim founded masjids there, and obtained great honour and regard. He was much respected by the king of Kashmir. This Hamim . is ostensibly the first Muslim to settle in Kashmir.

It is also worth noting that Muhammad bin Qasim, after the conquest of Sind, came to Multan in 92-94 AH/ 711-713 AD. Here he erected a Jami Masjid and minarets. He appointed Amir Daud Nasr, son of Walid Ummani, its Governor. Then Muhammad bin Qaim proceeded to the boundry of Kashmir called the Panj Mahiyat, at the upper course of Jhelum, just after it debouches into the plains. This is about the time of the caliphate of Walid-I (86-96 AH/ 705-715 AD). It was because of this expected attack of Arabs that Raja Chandra-Ped of Kashmir sought help from Chinese ruler, which he could not obtain. During this period Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik was enthroned, who called Muhammad bin Qasim back to Damuscus and with that the attack on Kashmir got avoided. After Muhammad bin Qasim Kashmir was once again attacked in the period of Hisham bin Abdul Malik (105-125 AH). This time Laltaditya was the ruler of Kashmir, who was the strongest ruler of the Hindu period. He had extended his regime to distant places like Bengal, South India, Sri Lanka and even up to north side Central Asia even upto Siberia.During the Khalifa Hisham the governor of Sind Junaid bin Abdur Rahman (107-111 AH) attacked Kashmir with a heavy hand, but Lalitaditya resisted it strongly. inspite of this the Arabs tried once again and in order to resist it, Lalitaditya was forced to seek help from China. Thouh he could not get this help, he however did not allow Arabs to proceed further. In Abbasi period under the Caliphte of Mansoor, the governor of Sind who was supposed to be the ruler of the Indian subcontinent, Hisham bin Umro al-Taglabi tried his luck upto the foothills of Himalayas and a part of Kashmir came under the rule of islamic rule. Even after the Khalifa Mansoor the Arabs continued to annex Kashmir into the vast Islamic rule but all such efforts did not succeed completely. They however hoisted their flags in the lower areas of Kashmir but the valley escaped from this. Kashmiri rulers were always worried about Arab invasion and that is why they used to be alert on their borders erecting barriers and also asking help from neighbouring countries. However in spite of all these safety measures the valley could not escape from the influence of Islam which was spreading all around. For the Sufis and preachers accompanying the Islamic army, these types of barriers mattered little.

After the end of Arab Caliphate, it was the turn of non-Arab Kings and Kashmir was once again the target of Islamic conquerors and the valley was shaken many a time by the shaking. The process of Arab attacks closed in 142 AH.

Many renowned historians and geographists have mentione about Kashmir in their books like Alyanboei (d 331 AH/940 AD), who reached Kashmir after crossing Zojila pass and has described the scenic beauty of Kashmir and that of its inhabitants in detail. Thereafter other tourist travellers like Abul Hasan Ali Masoodi (d. 346 AH) and Abul Raihan Albiruni who visited Kashmir are worth mentioning. Similarly Mazhar bin Tahir-ul-Muqaddasi an Arab renowned philosopher cum historian describes about the fruits of Kashmir. Again Khirdazbah (d. 300 AH) has described Kashmir as one of the four most noteworthy regions of the sub-continent the other three being Saamil, Hooreen and Gandhara. This proves that Muslim travellers from Islamic countries have been visiting this place in earlier times and that is why, when Sultan Mahmood Gaznavi attacked Kashmir in 424 AH, there were Muslims too among those people who were fortified. Morco Polo the Venetian traveller , also refers to the presence of Muslims in Kashmir about 676 AH/ 1277 AD. The defeat of Lakshman Deva on the hands of Trushka (the Turkish Muslims) in 567 AH/ 1168 AD represents a turning point in the History of Kashmir. After the defeat of this Raja many Muslim Sufi saints got ready to shift to Kashmir.Their simplicity and pure living influenced the people of this region and they received a message of hope from the principles of Islam, of which these Sufis used to preach. Thus Kashmir was not annexed by the armies but the hearts of people were won over by the influence exercised by Muslim scholars and Sufi saints. It is unfortunate that due to unfavourable circumstances, language barrier and unfamiliar culture, the names and efforts of those ancient elders could not be saved in the records of our history who enterd here at the time of the rise of Islam. It was with their efforts that before the entry of Hazrat Sayid Sharf-ud-Din Abdur-Rahman (Bul bul Shah Sahib) the ground was prepared for the spread of Islam.

While I was turning pages of my ancestoral manuscript library, I came across on hand-written chronogram regarding one such sofi saint named Sayid Baqir, who is mentioned to have come from Iran along with 1200 Sayids and was buried in 655 AH in the village Thune near Wusan and his mausoleum is described to be blessed with showers of mercy from Almighty Allah. This means Sayid Baqir had reached Kashmir about 100 years earlier to Hazrat Bulbul Shah. Another manuscript is dated 691 AH by Sadruddin Husaini-a commentary on Sura Fatah of Holy Quran in Arabic and an arabic pamphlet describing prohibition of smoking according to Quran and Hadith. One more manuscript is 'Awrad' of Hazrat Baha-ud-Din Zakaria of Multan (D. 666 AH). These pertain to the period much before the conversion of Rinchan Shah to Islam.

The first Muslim King of Kashmir:

Sultan Sadr-ud-Din, Rinchan, the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir, a contemporary of Edward III of England, was originally a Ladakhi, also called Tibetan, from western Tibet. He was well disposed towards Islam on account of his contact with Shah Mir, then in the Kashmir service. Rinchan is believed to have actually owed his conversion to Sayid Bilal (Bulbul Shah) in the beginning of 14th Century AD. Bulbul Shah is believed to have visited Kashmir first in the time of Raja Suhadeva, the predecessor of Rinchan. Sayid Bulbul Shah was a widely travelled Musavi Sayid from Turkistan having enjoyed a long stay at Baghdad. He was the spiritual disciple of Shah Nimatullah Wali Farsi, a Khalifa of Suhrawardi tariq or school of Sufis founded by Shaikh-ush-Shuyukh Shaikh Shihab-ud-Din Suhrawardi. The simplicity of Bulbul Shah's faith coupled with his own dissatisfaction with what was then professed by the people around him. Rinchan embraced Islam at the hands of Bulbul Shah and assumed the name Sultan Sadr-ud-Din and became the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir.
The rule of Muslim kings begins with Rinchan shah. Although he ruled for two and a half years, he laid the foundation of Islam so strongly that the whole country converted to it. On his death his son was very young, therefore his queen Kota Rani married Odian Dev the brother of Sehdev and entrusted the governance to him. The era following Renchan Shah is also considered an unstable period. In fact Islam established after Kota Rani's rule. The foundation of it was laid by the famous Shah Mir. These Muslim kings ruled the country with great pomp and show for about 500 years from 1326 AD to 1819 AD. During the rule of Muhammad Shah Durrani, Pandit Birbal rebelled against the subedhar of Kashmir, Mohammad Azim khan and conspired with Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Lion of Punjab. The Pandit met Ranjit Singh, in person and compelled him to invade Kashmir. he defeated the Muslims in 1819 AD and established the Sikh rule. Thus the susequent rules can be classified as under:
1) 1325 to 1343 AD/ 725 to 744 AH -- 18 years- era of instability.
2) 1343 to 1554 AD/ 744 to 961 AH-- 211 years-The Sultan Dynasty.
3) 1554 to 1586 AD/ 961 to 994 AH-- 32 years-The Chak Dynasty.
4) 1586 to 1752 AD/ 994 to 1166 AH--166 years- THE Mughal Kings.
5) 1754 to 1819 AD/ 1166 to 1234 AH-- 66 years- The Afghan Dynasty.
6) 1819 to 1846 AD/ 1234 to 1262 AH-- 27 years - The Sikh Dynasty.
7) 1846 to 1947 AD/ 1262 AH to 1366 AH--101 years. The Dogra Dynasty.

The Muslim period also witnessed scholars, saints and poets of great repute, which maintained the fame of the region as a great seat of learning. After the conversion of Rinchan, his brother-in-law and commander-in-chief and several others- according to one tradition 10,000 embraced the creed of Bulbul Shah. A place of gathering for the new converts was set up on the banks of the Vitasta and is known as Bulbul Lankar-(Lankar is a corruption of Langar meaning a hospice) and also the first mosque in Kashmir- reconstructed recently. Bulbul Shah died in 727 AH/ 1327 AD.

A host of Sayids arrived thereafter, prominent among these being : (1) Sayid Jalal-ud-Din of Bukhara known as Makhdum Jahanyan Jahangasht-the disciple of Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din Alam (son of Hazrat Baha-ud-Din zakarya Multani) and arrived in 748 AH and left Kashmir after a short stay. (2) Sayid Taj-ud-Din ( the cousin of Mir Sayid Ali Hamdani or Shah Hamadan ), who arrived in 760 AH, in the rign of Sutan Shihab-ud-Din and was accompanied by Sayid Masud and Sayid Yousuf, his disciples, who lie buried near his tomb in Mohalla Shihampur, a quarter of Srinagar. (3) Sayid Husain Simnani, who was the younger brother of Sayid Taj-ud-Din, a disciple of Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din Alam and came in 773 AH. Sayid Husain lies buried in a beautiful shrine in Kulgam. The other brother is buried close to the National- Highway to Islamabad near Awantipur.

Mir Sayid Ali Hamadani

Born in 714 AH/ 1314 AD at Hamadan Iran, with his geneology traced to Hazrat Ali through Imam Husain, he being the 16th in direct decent from Ali b. Abi Talib. He studied Islamic theology, acquired knowledge and learnt tasawwuf under Sayid Alaud Din Simnani, his maternal uncle. He became the disciple of Sheikh Abul Barakat Taqi-ud-Din Ali Dosti, thereafter Sheikh Sharaf-ud-Din Mahmud Muzdaqani in Ray. Shah Hamadan visited several countries, journeyed for about 21 years and thus came in contact with several sufis (mystics)and ulama (divines) of the age and profitted by association with them. Shah hamadan trvelled three times round the world and met 1400 saints. after retuning to his native place, Shah Hamadan left for Kashmir along with 700 sayids in the reign of Sultan Shihab-ud-Din in 774 AH/ 1732 AD. Sultan Shihab-ud-Din had gone on an expedition against the ruler of Ohund. After 4 months stay, Shah Hamadan left for the scene of the battle and persuaded both sides to come to peace. Shah Hamadan then proceeded to Mecca and came back to the valley in 781 AH/ 1379 AD. in the time of Sultan Qutb-ud-Din. After a stay of two and a half years, he went to Ladakh in 783 AH en route for Turkistan. The third visit of Shah Hamadan took place in 785 AH/ 1383 AD. But he had to leave Kashmir on account of ill-health and stayed at Pakhli for ten days at the request of the ruler of that place whose name was Sultan Muhammad. From Pakhli Shah Hamadan reached in the vicinity of Kunar, where after a short stay, he had a relapse on 1st Zilhajja 786 AH/ 1384 AD and ate nothing for five days. On the 5th Zilhajja ,he drank water several times, and on the same night of the same day , he breathed his last at the age of 72. On the death-bed Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir=Rahim was on his lips, and this, strangely enough , gives the date of his demise. He was buried at Khatlan two miles away from Kunar according to the wishes of his disciples. THE moghul KING babar visited the shrine of SHAH hamadan in 920 AHl 1514 AD, after capturing the Chaghan-Sarai.

Shah Hamadan belonged to the kubravi order of Sufis founded by Shaikh Najm-ud-Din Kubra of Khwarizm who died in 618 AH/ 1221 AD. The Kubravis are a branch of Suhrawardi Sufis. That the conversion of the valley to Islam was furthered by the presence of Shah Hamadan is beyond doubt. His promonent co-workers were : Mir Sayid Haidar, 2. Sayid Jamal-ud-Din, 3.Sayid Kamal-i-Sani, 4. Sayid Jamal-ud-Din Alai, 5. Sayid Rukn-ud-Din, 6. Sayid Muhammad, 7. Sayid Azizullah.

All Fresh Water Bodies are Dying

2011-12-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

Majeed notes that public focus on Dal and Nigeen lakes is like seeing a couple of trees while missing a bigger, more threatening, aspect of the whole forest

(Dr. Abdul Majeed Kak, 64, was born and in Nowhatta, Srinagar. He received his primary education from the Government Middle School in Nowhatta and his secondary school education from Bagi Dilawar Khan Higher Secondary School in Fateh Kadal. He completed his college education at the Islamia College of Science and Commerce in Srinagar. In 1977 he was the first candidate from the University of Kashmir to be selected by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of the Government of India for a doctoral research scholarship at the university leading to a Ph.D. in Botany in 1980. He is currently the Research Coordinator in the Department of Botany at the Islamia College of Science and Commerce in Srinagar. Dr. Kak has over 35 years of teaching experience and research experience of over 25 years. He has received numerous research awards resulting in publication of 70 research papers and has authored two books on Botany. He is presently engaged in promoting and strengthening local and regional museums, a project supported by a grant from the Ministry of Culture, New Delhi.)

Diminishing Fresh Water Lakes in Kashmir

Nothing is hidden about J&K State regarding the corruption, immorality of both by the Governance as well by masses. We crossed all limits of humanity and are egotists and furthering away day by day from spirituality as well as religious belief and are leading towards beastliness. Still everything here is normal, peaceful and well managed, amongst the society of deaf, dumb and blinds. Conveying a good message or showing a right path to somebody in today’s educated society is like baying and the people shut ears unwilling to looking at him, considering him a frantic person. How can an individual survive in this society until and unless he too mingles with its dirty customs, which is impossible….

Why people are only after Dal and Nigeen, have you, being a Kashmiri, forgotten “Veth” or Nala Mar such a peaceful, picturesque, where our fathers and forefather used to spend on their uneven banks, their leisure hours peacefully. It was feeding the total population of city inhabiting on both its flanks by its crystal clear water, ration supply was distributed on its ghats and was the only enchanting means of transportation etc. Have a glance on Kashmir History, all the magnificent thrones of our ancient kings were built on its banks. Now all its wide banks are no more and are grabbed. People are squeezing its throat by both hands and once such a wide natural fresh crystal clear water river is suffocating and taking its last breath. All effluents, kitchen and other solids wastes of whole city are directly flowing in it. Surprisingly public privy can be seen all along its route. Our fore fathers protected it for this generation and what we protected for our posterity. Nallah Mar is no more, it is extinct. It is changed to metallic road even its name has been altered as Circular road.

We never talked about Wular Lake, one of the Asia’s largest freshwater Lake, a vast and important source of our food. More than 6 -700 quintals of water nuts; 1 - 200 quintals of Nudru (drum sticks) and 6 -700 quintals of fish are harvested yearly from this water body and is historically famous that in the Famine of 1757-58 it has saved the life of half the population of Kashmir by because of its water nuts. My recent visit to this lake has startled me particularly when I desired to have an aerial look and take photographs from the highest peak of Baba Shukur Din Sahib. Once such a vast lake is reduced to its half, some new villages have come to existence and the older ones have extended much further. Water level is reduced to such an extent that the fishermen have to row not less than half a km from the shore or some times more to get a catch. Position of lake some 2 decades before is totally incomparable. Wular Lake is as Ramsar site, the state government has created a separate “Wular Lake Authority” for its conservation. Rs.120 Cr. has already been sanctioned by the central Government for its restoration. Two days before i.e. on 7th of December Wular conservation and management action plant was inaugurated by state government at Sadurkote Payeen pledging to conserve all assets of this world famous lake. State government has already formulated a comprehensive action plan of Rs. 386 Cr. for its conservation and management that will be utilized for a period of five years. Let us watch how much money will be spent honestly for its conservation and management, and hope that it will not go into the pockets of authorities as happened to the case of Dal Lake. The main flaw what I personally feel is that Government is kept ignorant about the role of Scientists which these authorities are lacking. A simple example can be cited, when the Honorable High court ordered for the felling of the trees in the Dal Lake, no scientist was consulted how to tackle the problem. Everything was manipulated by the Engineering wing of Lake Authority. Trees were stumped, mostly above the water level, instead of a single stem number of off shoots sprouted next year that added a lot many vows to the lake. We kept shouting but nobody paid any heed.

Anchar Lake is declared dead lake; nobody bothers or even talks about it. Once such a magnificent lake sustained thousands of locals with its produce; has been grabbed from all its corners and even in the centre. The lake is reduced even to its quarter size, a small wetland like. Salix triandra (a willow) is cultivated abundantly, that supports our wicker industry. Anchar Lake was once pouring into the Khushhal Sar, one of the largest wetlands is now totally extinct.

One really yells when visiting Nilnag, a majestic natural alpine lake and a gift of God has been ruined by the unknown cruel hands of some engineers and contractors. Lake is converted into a concrete tank, all natural flora and fauna has vanished.

Lake Manasbal to some extent was untouched till last year; Now Manasbal Lake authority has started pouring its dirty hands in it. Introduction of house boats and other water crafts for visitors’ attraction will in no time transform it like the Dal Lake.

Clear indication is that we are losing all our fresh water bodies uncontrollably. Stern actions are needed to be taken against the culprits indulged in land grabbing, construction of illegal luxury hotels and who do not abide by the prohibitory orders put forth by the Government or by the High Court, even if it may be the official of higher rank or a politician.

The Bygone Era

2011-12-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

Zahid takes the reader to the time when life was at peace with calm waters of the Dal

(Mr. Zahid G. Mohammad, 63, was born and raised in Srinagar. He earned his Master's degree in English literature from the Kashmir University and has completed a course in Mass Communication from Indian Institute of Mass Communication. He is a writer and a journalist who has written for many newspapers, including the Statesman, the Sunday, and the Kashmir Times. He currently works for the Greater Kashmir.)

Fishing At Char-Chanari

How an ocean looked like! I had no idea. My siblings, my peers too could not envision it. Born in a vale surrounded by tall mountains, kissing blue skies, all I could imagine about was hills, forest, cedars, lagoons, waterways, birds and flowers- I do not know exactly, when I heard word sea for the first time. I might have heard this word for the first time from my grandmother. She attributed all her sicknesses- from fatigue to her aching joints to ‘samandar-noon’ (sea salt). She cursed this ugly blackish salt coming in dirty gunny bags through Banihal cart road and put on display in big deodar wood vats by all grocers. She all her life had relished white- crystal-rock salt that used to arrive on donkeys or on ‘nanda bus’ through the Jhelum Valley road- latched with bayonets year’s back- its closure had coincided with my tumbling into the world.
The word ‘samandar noon’ never set me on a cruise of imagination. It was learning English language alphabets that worked as CGI, and generated images after images in my mind; (Z ‘Zebra Maanay Samandari Gowda) on learning this alphabet we believed that Zebra lived in sea – some massive lake. I remember during our school excursion to Nishat and Shalimar garden the teachers would mostly compare the Dal Lake with an ocean and I would often imagine Zebras living deep inside the Dal Lake.

On crossing the Bouddal, sitting on the front of the Doonga, I believed that we were crossing our own ocean. It was lucid and lucent water everywhere, mountains perennially bathing in these waters would temporarily dissolve in waves on a speedy motor boat passing by causing panic in my mother and all children reclining against the boat walls.

Sitting on the num, I love watching waves tossing against small boats of anglers, these caused them to spin. It was a spectacle that caused curiosity in all children- fishermen casting their nets with full force into the force- then with his casting their nets into the water and then with a “naroch” in hand fixing eyes on bigger fish- and hitting at it with precision. This five-blade spear used by the fishermen for hunting bigger fish had a place in history of freedom struggle.

The children admired the anglers for their precision and the elder felt nostalgic about the 1931 struggle- they remembered “Narchoo Paltan”- and down the memory lane they remembered saint Syed Mirak Shah Kashani- whose abode in Shalimar used to be another destination during our family’s three day Dal Lake sojourn. Having been eyewitness to September 1931 showdown against the Maharaja, my uncle narrated story about the saint bidding adieu to his hermitage and marching towards Khanyar on a horseback with sword in his hand ahead of his thousands of his followers. More than sixty thousands people armed with spears, axes, spades shovels, lances and Narchoo. Narchoo had been the main weapon- the story had many twist that retained children’s interest in the story. My uncle even the boatman took pride in having made Maharaja to bow before the people power; not daring to use the force but sending all his important functionaries- but castigated him for not living up to his promise.

The boatman Mulla Subhan while enjoying puffs from the Hubble-bubble wanted to share some more stories he about ‘Narchaoo-Palatan’, I and my sibs were more enthusiastic in playing hide and seek on the island and catching small fish (Gorun). Instead of a fishing tackle, we used a basket for catching fish- our hearts would even fill with joy on netting larva’s. Sitting on the chiseled limestone Ghats of Charchanri- we dipped the basket deep in waters.

The Doonga remained anchored at the Ghat for hours together.

I would then accompany my uncle to the Hazratbal shrine in a small boat for inviting some “peer sahibs” for offering Khatmat - over a luncheon… and buying meat and vegetables from the market… collective prayers in doonga had almost become an annual ritual for our family—after prayers the doonga would start moving towards Shalimar garden…

At Your Risk

2011-12-20T12:59:00.000-08:00

Ifran says that the famed lake of yesteryears attracts more fear than enjoyment now

DEADLY DAL LAKE

Irfan Hashim (Greater Kashmir)

At a time when the state government claims that attempts were being made to attract more of tourists to Kashmir, a visit to the banks of world famed Dal lake near Mughal Garden at Nishat in the City reveals a different picture.

Barely two miles from the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convocation Complex (SKICC), where on December 5, a Union minister pitched views on how to attract tourists, is the lake-view point at Nishat, just opposite to the Mughal Gardens.

There hardly might be any tourist who while visiting the Mughal Garden must have skipped to go for a sight seeing of the magnificient lake from there. But the same old wooden structure is in such a dilapidated condition that the short picnic can prove disastrous if anyone falls into the lake.

Hira Mani, a tourist from New Delhi said he was about to slip in the lake during his recent visit to the Valley.

“This speaks volumes of carelessness on the part of authorities. If the place is unsafe they should raise caution boards with danger sign on it,” Hira, said.

Similar were the views of Gowhar Ali of Naid Kadal who recently visited the site with his wife and young kids.

“It was risk going to the spot, I will never visit the spot again,” Ali who is mostly abroad told Greater Kashmir.

Shopkeepers of this picturesque area are irked at the fractured platform with so huge vents that one walking there may straight slip down into the lake.

“Tourists have been aghast over the issue. They say the place is risky than being a enjoyable spot,” said Muhammad Shafi a shopkeeper while serving the coffee to the customers.

“Many a tourist and local who came here for enjoyment got hurt in the past few months. Although several repairs have been made, none lasts for more than a few weeks,” he added.

The shopkeepers said the platform condition has affected their business.
“Although we are not directly associated with the Dal-view point, the place is going so infamous for the dilapidated condition that people shy away from coming here,” the shopkeepers said.

Truly a Black Day!

2011-12-10T14:49:00.000-08:00

Politicians may not care, but to Kashmir's physically challenged people, the International Day for Persons with Disabilities is like no other. Javed's moving tribute followed by reports on various demonstrations held in the valley, followed by an editorial

(Mr. Javed Ahmad Tak, 37, was born in Bijbehara in the Anantnag district. He received his schooling from Government schools in Bijbehara, and his B.Sc. degree from the Government Degree College in Anantnag. Unfortunately, at the age of 21 he became a victim of a terrorist bullet which hit his spine and disabled him for the rest of his life. However, he overcome mental and physical odds to complete his Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Kashmir, and also completed certificate courses in Human Rights and Computers from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Although wheel-chair bound, Mr. Tak is recognized as a leader who has relentlessly and with extreme passion taken up the cause of disabled people in J&K, seeking full citizen rights guaranteed under the J&K Disability Act but never implemented in the past. He is a founder-member of numerous NGO's dealing with issues and sensitizing public about challenges faces by physically handicapped people in Kashmir. He has received numerous awards and citations for his selfless work and has attended numerous workshops on disability rights around the country.)

WE ARE FORCED TO LAMENT, PROTEST AND OBSERVE THIS DAY AS A BLACK DAY
WORLD DISABLED DAY

Most of us think that the Physically Challenged persons are less fortunate and have less exposure to the world; it is not true. God has compensated their disability with some of the sharpest instincts. That is why some call us Differently Abled.

Persons with disabilities are discriminated at all levels in the society. This is because the charity model of disability has been adopted by the stake holders all around the country for the so called empowerment of the persons with disabilities. This country has ratified UN – Convention for the Rights of the persons with disabilities and vigorous process is on to replace the existing Disability Act – 1995 (Equal opportunities, Protection of the Rights and full participation) and amend National Trust Act – 1999, Rehabilitation Council of India Act – 1992 and Mental Health Act – 1987. All these Acts have one mandate - to remove discrimination and create inclusive society. But at gross-roots level things are quite contrary to all this.

Persons with disabilities are facing intense discrimination at all levels including education, employment, accessibility, and living independently in the community. There is social stigma stuck to severe disabilities, forcing such persons to live a dependent life. Anyhow handful of persons with disabilities, become successful in overcoming immense challenges.

There is no school with appropriate teaching facilities where children with disabilities can continue their education through special educators and appropriate learning material. There is no feasible curriculum available with the State Board and the Universities in our state in comparison to many other states in the country. Some physically disabled students have less healthy upper limbs or arms still they have to compete in the normal schooling standards and examinations with the normal students with the same time available for normal students with good health. Almost all severe physically challenged students face painful conditions but they are bound to ignore the pain and face the exams with others. There is no special provision to accommodate students with loco-motor disabilities to take examination or attend classes .

Students facing disability by birth are carried by their parents to the class room and taken back home. Neither there is any support system nor any reasonable accommodation available for such students. Still a number of severe disabled students overcome these challenges and attain Degrees.

But at the time of employing the persons with disabilities the discrimination happens. The Circular No: 62-SW of 2001 Dated: 23-03-2001, has made us really handicapped. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment identifies teacher post for the Deaf, Mute, Blind, and for other severely disabled but here in our state such persons are dropped from the list with the only plea that the post of teacher has not been identified for them. It is very unfortunate that persons with either upper or both lower limb disabilities are not considered for any post here by the SSRB due to above mentioned circular.

Even officials with severe disabilities, like IAS and KAS officers, who are blind or have no upper or lower limbs have proved themselves fully capable. We have such cases to prove the point. Mr. Khursheed Malik served the state in capacity of Secretary in different departments on a wheel. He created a lasting impressions in the hearts of common people by serving the state with full dedication and honesty. Mr. Riyaz Beigh is serving the state as KAS officer. He has no upper working limbs, still he has been serving the people of state with dedication, commitment and dignity. In the same context Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat of Budran Budgam, working as teacher at Middle School in Kandhama, Beerwa, Budgam has been serving the masses like any other able bodied person. Mr. Tariq Bashir working as 10+2 lecturer in District Institute of Education and Training, Khanabal, Islamabad, was in the first attempt dropped as he applied for the post of teacher through SSRB. But later he was selected as 10+2 lecturer in History subject in the higher education department and is now posted at DIET Islamabad. He has changed the history and removed the stigma that blind people cannot teach.
Keeping such role models in view the above mentioned circular makes least sense. We are confused about the selection criteria formulated by the state in making recruitments through SSRB and PSC for the persons with disabilities in J&K state. In other states flawless policies and SROs exist to help the persons with disabilities of all sorts to seek education and employment .

On eve of this World Disability Day, Social Welfare Department needs to do some brain breaking on these issues.

Persons with disabilities spend more on their education and maintenance of life than normal people do. Because persons with severe disabilities, mainly using wheel chair, blind and dependent on crutches and other aids and appliance for their mobility can’t reach school and other places using normal transport. They have to spend a lot of time and money. Sometimes harsh climatic conditions keep them confined to home and they are unable to continue schooling. So they need additional tuitions to compete with other students. Sometimes a disabled student is 100% crippled thus fully dependent on high support needs. Like Mr. Waseem Feroz Matoo, whose mother carried him to the school and back home every time, from Nursery to class 8th. But even after completing B.A, B.Ed he was dropped from the Budgam teacher list with the only plea that his legs are disabled.

In 2010 a historic decision was passed by the double Bench in Apex Court (the Honorable Supreme Court of India) in case of Syed Bashir ud Din Qadri V/S State of J&K. Syed Bashir has been working as teacher in the Middle School Kanjinag, Awantipora in Pulwama District under Rehbar-e -Taleem scheme. He was disengaged on grounds that he is not using his arms and is not able to take food himself and cannot use the black board. But the honorable Supreme Court of India considered it as the severe case of discrimination under Article 22 of the JK persons with Disabilities Act 1998, guaranteeing equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation. Thus Orders were passed to reinstate syed Bashir who is presently working as teacher in the Kanjinag school.

Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for persons with disabilities, under ministry of Labor and employment was established in premises of Government Polytechnic College, Srinagar, on September 14, 2005. So far only 50 candidates with disabilities were registered for different trades. 25 of the registered candidates completed the courses and rest were dropped. The budget spent in lakhs could only empower 25 candidates. (Information Sought under RTI application reply under No: F.No: VRC-(SN) 11025/01/07/672 Dated: 17/10/2011.)

National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation NHFDC is another institution established at national level for providing opportunities of generating livelihood for the youth with disabilities across the country. In other states persons with disabilities enjoy loan facilities from the institution and are doing their business independently to live a life with dignity. But our state through the J&K SC/ST/OBC Corporation as the channeling agency for NHFDC has created another record. This year applications received from disabled people have been ignored, not a single person was covered so far. Out of allocated Rs. 52.00 Lacs not a single penny has been released for our state due to state’s lenient approach towards the matter. Thus again the scheme is failure in J&K. (information sought under reply of RTI application under No: SCSTBC/corp./RTI Act/2011/2155-56. Dated 01/11/2011).

National Planning Commission has declared 3% budget allocations in the 11th five year plan for the benefit of persons with disabilities through all departments. But as per information sought under RTI applications nothing special has been allocated by Company Affairs and Public Distribution Department and Department of Science and Technology J&K government ( under RTI reply No: CAPD/Plan/RTI/36/2001 Dated 17/11/2011 & No:- ST/Adm/61/2011 Dated: 18/11/2011. Other 6 Ministries/ Departments of J&K state viz Health, Education, Finance, Higher Education, asked for same information have failed to respond so far. )

Country has recently started process for harmonizing disability law 1995 with the UN – convention on Rights of persons with disabilities but the state is still discriminating with persons with mental retardation, autism, mental illness and multiple disabilities by not bringing National Trust Act 1999. Members of Legislative Assembly and Council should look into these voids; why best Acts of country are not adopted.

The corporate sector in J&K is also neglecting persons with disabilities. Apart from inaccessible websites all banks have inaccessible banking system for persons with disabilities. No ATM in our state is accessible to severely disabled people. Job reservation is not given to persons with disabilities in corporate sector.

A huge number of people visit civil secretariat but the persons using wheel chairs are asked by the security to call official whom we want to meet there. We are treated indifferently by the security there. Is it possible for all officials to give their contact numbers to the disabled people and would all officials make it easier for us to meet them in the offices. I personally wrote about the problem to the Honorable Chief Minister’s grievance cell; but, who cares?

We are forced to lament, protest and observe this day as a black day.

In Kashmir, it was a black day!

Mukhtar Ahmed (Kashmir Images)

Srinagar: Alleging the government of being insensitive towards them, scores of differently- abled persons Saturday staged a peaceful demonstration at Press enclave here to observe the “World Disabled Day” as “Black Day” to press for their demands.

“Time and again, government is ignoring our plight. Had it not been so, we would not have lamented our hard luck. We want that our demands should be implemented in letter and spirit” president, All J&K Handicapped Association, Sajad Anwar Masoodi told media persons.

He accused the government of disregarding the genuine demands of handicapped persons. “On 26 May, 2011, we had a meeting with Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, where in we were assured that our grievances will be addressed within 45 days, however, our misery continues to torment us”, he lamented.

Meanwhile, the disabled persons demanded concessions in payments of revenue to the government, setting up of a handicapped advisory board, providing prosthesis aid and artificial limbs, introduction of Braille education system from primary to university level in the state, reservations in government jobs and enhancement of monthly pension.

“We also demand free medical treatment for the handicapped people in all the government-run hospitals in the state, dieselized motor cycles instead of the tricycle and 50 percent subsidy in loan and reservation in Indira Awas Yojana Program,” scores of disabled persons said.

Displaying placards to show their plight, the protestors lamented that being disabled, both government and the society have been neglecting them. “If someone would have come forward to our help, we would have been observing this day in a quit manner,” they said.

Later, the disabled persons tried to march to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah’s residence here. However, as the protestors reached near the Sher-i-Kashmir Park, police restrained them from moving forward. In the milieu, police detained some of the protestors.

The agitating people alleged that they were thrashed by the people not being even slightly sensitive to their disabilities.

On World Disability Day, Physically Challenged Children Hold Demos

Demand protection of rights, implementation of Disability Act

Sameer Showkin Lone (Rising Kashmir)

Srinagar: On International Day for Persons with Disabilities, scores of physically challenged children Saturday held a candle light protest here at Press Enclave demanding safeguarding of their rights.

The protesting children were holding placards reading “We need no pension, but ensure our rights”. The children had assembled under the banner of Humanity Welfare Organization and demanded implementation J&K Persons with Disability Act, 1998 and fulfillment of their other pending demands. The protestors raised slogans against the “negligent” attitude of government towards them.

“It is the responsibility of the State to ensure our safe accessibility to schools, banks, hospitals and other departments,” said Ruby Jan, a class standard student from Wopzan Bijbehara.

Kashmir’s Disabled Lament Apathy

Despite an Act, no support coming

Zahid Maqbool

Srinagar: On the world disabled day, differently-able people in Kashmir are fighting for the basic rights amid the lack of implementation of J&K disabilities act laws from government and as well partial behavior from general public.

The J&K persons with Disability Act 1998 guarantees equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation has failed to empower people with disabilities because of negligence from successive regimes.“We had thought that it would help us now, but unfortunately it has hardly decreased our miseries. No one cares for us. Even after passing of more than 10 years law is not implemented” said Javed Ahmed Tak, Chairman,Humanity welfare organization Helpline an NGO.

The persons with disabilities also alleged that there is no provision or proper arrangement for education of their kind.“There is no school with appropriate teaching facilities where children with disabilities can continue their education through special educators and appropriate learning material. There is no feasible curriculum available with the state board and the universities in our state. There is no faculty for sign interpretation in our lone school for these children”. Tak said.

Talking about the discrimination of disabled children with other normal students in examinations he said, “Some physically disabled students have less healthy upper limbs or arms still they have to compete with the normal students. No extra time is given to students for answering the questions. Even in some cases where helper is allowed, no extra time is given to students.”

The differently-able people have even accused corporate houses of discrimination in employment and lack of provision in facilitating the movement of these people while constructing corporate buildings.
“There is no facility for facilitating our entry in corporate offices. I will give you an example of central corporate office of banks. I cannot go inside the building on my wheel chair. It is not only me, if tomorrow they will employ someone like me , how he will go up with it every day. There are no special software’s for Braille in ATM’s” .

The differently-able people say they are feeling very bad about the larger community who treat them differently.“Last time I went to an office for some official work. The officer told his subordinate to give him ten rupees.” I felt very bad. They think everyone on wheel chair is a beggar”
The Indian railways have barrier free entry in trains and railways stations but in Kashmir they have failed to provide so.

“We cannot go inside the train with wheel chair. It is not possible for us. As the entry is constructed in such a way that it becomes impossible for us to go inside” said, Hilal Mir.

Helping Hand
(Editorial in the Greater Kashmir)

Govt needs to go beyond token gestures to help people suffering from physical and mental disabilities

The World Disability Day, observed on 3rd of December, was marked by various functions, highlighting the plight of the physically disabled persons. On the occasion, we also get to hear the ministers and officials talk at length about the problems faced by physically disabled and the schemes meant for their welfare. They don’t go beyond the token gestures of giving prosthetic limbs, wheel chairs or cheques to some disabled persons. As a result, the real problems facing them remain unaddressed.

While the physically challenged persons have long been complaining about the government apathy, there has been no real effort on part of the authorities to address their grievances. Even the packages announced by New Delhi from time to time have nothing to offer to these hapless people. The preoccupation of the government to maintain law and order in the valley, particularly in the last three years, has meant that many vulnerable sections of the society continue to suffer. There has been a two-fold increase in the number of physically challenged persons in the valley over the last 10 years. According to Census 2001, there were around three lakh physically challenged persons across the state, which has increased to over seven lakh during the last 10 years. The increase in disability cases is attributed to firing, blasts, street protests and other such incidents.

Given the situation in the valley in the last three years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of persons rendered handicap in police and CRPF action. Persons who survive bullet and pellet injuries add to the ever-growing list. There has also been a surge in the mental disorder cases in the past two decades. Some non-governmental organizations like Medicos Sans Frontiers (MSF) have been doing their bit to help the people suffering from anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders. According to MSF, 30 per cent of patients in the valley are suffering from anxiety and depression, 18 per cent are suffering from mental illness as a result of physical health problems, 15 per cent are mood related disorders and rest are suffering from psychological instability, domestic problems and trauma.

Among the affected lot, 60 per cent are women. Furthermore, during its studies, MSF has discovered that 50 per cent of these cases have trauma background and in one way or the other related to conflict. The government must take concrete steps to alleviate their sufferings. The government must live up to its claims of improving health sector. It must work for the betterment of persons suffering from physical and mental disabilities.

TAAK Reelects Tramboo

2011-12-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Rauf on his reelection as the President of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK)

(Mr. Rauf Tramboo, 53, was born and raised in Srinagar. He completed his school education at the Islamia High School located at Rajori Kadal, and his college degrees - B.Com. and LLB (Hons.) - from Islamia College of Science and Commerce located at Hawal. He is an Adventure Travel Consultant and an Adventure Tour Operator. His personal interests are reading, photography ane environmental advocacy.)

‘Peace will turn Kashmir into top tourist destination’

Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) was established in 2008 with the sole aim to promote tourism in Kashmir. TAAK has been successful in attracting many tourists to Kashmir with its various promotional campaigns in collaboration with the Tourism Department. This has led to the increased tourist rush to the Valley.

In its annual general elections, TAAK re-elected Rauf Ahmad Tramboo as its President.

In an interview with Rising Kashmir, Tramboo talks about the overall tourism scenario of the J&K State.

Give us a brief profile of TAAK?

There was no valley based association of tour operators and travel agents who could work for the promotion of tourism in the State at a bigger platform. The need was felt to have an association to attract tourists again to Valley which has been hit by long turmoil. A group of travel agents and tour operators joined hands to establish TAAK in 2008.
Our aim was to develop and promote tourism in Kashmir and safe guard the interests of travel agents and tour operators of the valley. By the grace of Almighty Allah, we have been successful in many of our programs for the promotion of tourism in the State.

What will be your priorities during your tenure?

There are lots of things which TAAK had planned to do for the betterment of tourism trade and its members.

We have been successful in most of our plans while some are yet to be achieved. My priority will be to accomplish those assignments before taking up the new areas like promotion of Kashmir as all time tourist destinations in different part of India and also taking up issues like infrastructure development with government.

TAAK is Kashmir centric only. Do you have plans to involve travel agents from all the three regions of the State?

TAAK, indeed, is a Kashmir centric association which represents most of the travel agents and tour operators from all districts of the valley but we are planning to expand its membership to other regions like Ladakh and Jammu very soon. We want tourists to travel to all the parts of the State. All the regions, Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh have their own unique features where tourists would want to travel. If we invite tourist to Kashmir, we will want him to visit Ladakh also.

What are the main hurdles which prevent us from attracting tourists to Kashmir to its full potential?

Tourism is a peace-time trade. Peace is prerequisite for the development of tourism.

Long political turmoil and conflict in Kashmir is the main hurdle in promotion of tourism in our state. However, the entire tourism fraternity is thankful to God and also to all those who helped to maintain peace in 2011. Peaceful summer has attracted record number of tourists this year. J&K will be the number one state in tourist arrivals in whole India if peace prevails.

Why has Kashmir failed to attract high-end tourists especially foreigners?
High end tourists are willing to spend any amount on their tours but, in return, they expect same amount of comfort which our state is not in a position to offer. Our tourism infrastructure is basic and caters to budget and economy class tourists only.

Unless we provide them better facilities, they will shy away from visiting Kashmir which is a direct loss to the State and tourism players. Besides, the travel advisories are the main bottlenecks and impediments in attracting them.

What is TAAK doing to woo foreigners to State?

Tourism Department and also tour operators have frequently visited European countries to attract tourists to Kashmir but so far it has proved futile. As I already said unless the adverse foreign advisories are lifted tourist arrivals from West is a distant dream.

We have a better market in our own backyard in the form of domestic tourist. We should give more attention on our domestic market.

What are your expectations for winter tourism?

So far we have witnessed good number of tourist inflow during spring, summer and autumn season.

The arrivals have been beyond our expectations. Now, we are upbeat about winter tourism also. The queries and booking which we receive are encouraging. Insha Allah, we are going to have more tourists in winter also.

Why have we failed to attract tourists to heritage sites despite the fact that our state is rich in heritage? Most of the tourists visit Kashmir for sightseeing?

Yes we have not been so successful in projecting and selling our heritage tourism when we not only have great potential for heritage tourism but for pilgrim and medical tourism also. We also have a great potential in adventure tourism in the entire state.

Our department of tourism is trying its best to identify the new areas to promote tourism to its fullest and I am sure in near future entire scenario of tourism will be changed for good in our state.

Tourism Minister has recently said that around 20 lakh tourists may visit Kashmir next year. Do you think we can attract so many tourists?

Far last many years our department of tourism and tourism players worked hard to see the tourist arrivals to touch one million and this dream came true in 2011. Now, we are sure that the year 2012 will also be a good tourist season and tourist arrivals will touch a new high. If peace and tranquility prevails here, sky will be the limit.

A Forgotten Art

2011-12-10T14:37:00.000-08:00

Iqbal laments the loss of yet another Kashmiri handicraft

(Mr. Iqbal Ahmad, 49, was born in Parigam Chek, Kulgam. He is a graduate with Diploma in Numismatics, Archaeology and Heritage. He is an archaeologist, writer, and a cultural historian. He is employed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Government. Mr. Iqbal Ahmad has published 12 reference books on Kashmir archaeology and heritage.)

Kashmiri Mat Making, a Forgotten Art

The domestic industry in Kashmir, better known as Kashmir handicrafts, has lost its pristine glory and traditional touch as several crafts of disappeared from the markets, while many of them are dying fast. There are several reasons responsible for the decay but, truly speaking, I am not writing this column to discuss those reasons as I am more focused to analyze the competition between technology and tradition.

Generally the advancement of new technologies which have revolutionized the industrial output, all over the planet, is believed as the main cause for the downfall of traditional, often termed as time consuming methods of creating things. Not just Kashmir, the handicrafts industries which were imbibed in tradition and would usually require great toil are dying and paving way for the giant machines that produce magical results.

Kashmir is often spotted among those places where traditional industries have suffered the worst jolts. It is because Kashmir was, more or less, known for the artifacts produced by its traditional handicraft industry. Although the land was famous in producing number of arts and crafts but today very few of those are seen while the rest artifacts produced by this industry have nowadays occupied the shelves of the museums. These artifacts have become the objects of the past and are placed in museum galleries, for display purposes.

One such trade, the artifacts of which could even not succeed to become the zenith of any museum gallery, is Kashmiri Mat Making which once served as the most essential domestic art of Kashmir. The significance of this art was felt during the winters each year as the mats would be prepared during the chilly winter days when people would prefer to stay indoors. Winters therefore gave people ample time to prepare these mats.

The sad part of the story is that this art died an unnatural death and is seen no more. As much as even the specimen of this art could not survive to this day what to say about the art of making it. This trade once produced the excellent varieties of floor coverings locally termed as Patig and Wagoo. Patig and Wagoo used to be a style statement in Kashmir and numerous designs and patterns of these floor matting’s were found in almost every household.

The beauty of it was that these were the famous local floor mats manufactured by local weavers using local material. It therefore required nothing foreign for its survival and could have stayed here forever. It was a self –reliant trade and art and modifications in it could have been an better choice in an economic way. These mats were replaced by a variety of glorious machine made house decoration and floor covers including high class Wall-to- Wall floorings .

Being one of the necessities of the human civilization, floor covering in Kashmir has had an interesting history. In ancient times Kashmiri people decorated the floor of their huts either by tree leaves or by simple mud plaster. Such is evident from the excavations under taken Burzhama and Gufkral sites. Later Kashmiri’s used to decorate the floors of their huts by open- straw of rice grasses. The floor was firstly leveled and later covered with light mud plaster. After this it was decorated with open dry grasses and hay, especially in winter times. Than came the Mats which were prepared locally by the people.

Mats were composed of ‘Pechi’ (straw taken from dry rice grasses) and were usually used in urban housing and in mosques and tombs. Mats prepared of dry straw grasses were used mostly used in rural houses.

Mat making, as history reveals was introduced in Kashmir in the period of Mirza Haider Daughlat. This period dates back to 15th century AD. There were two types of mat-making arts in Kashmir locally termed as “Waggu” and the other “Patgi”. The Pech, says Lawrence, is the swamp plant from which excellent types of floor matting’s were prepared. It was not cultivated deliberately as it grew, in plenty, in various swamps. The Anchar lagoon to the north of Srinagar was the biggest home of pech. The trade was associated with Hanjis (Boatmen) of Kashmir, having their establishments in lake and riversides. It provided employment to a large number of people. The people of Lasjan, Srinagar were known the best mat-makers for their excellent designs of Patgi.

It was never to be taught to the people as the art was picked up by family women just like that. There was no training required as juniors would sit and observe the seniors of the trade doing it and they would pick up the tricks of making the mats. Though it was an indigenous craft, it shockingly, could not survive against the modern machine borne luxuries.

The Double Edged Sword

2011-12-10T14:31:00.000-08:00

Shafi points to the double tragedy of dying art and increasing unemployment as Kashmiri handicraft trade slows down

(Mr. Mohammad Shafi Ayaz, 47, was born in Anantnag, and continues to live in the same town. He studied in various state schools, colleges and universities. He has completed his MBA, and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers(CAIIB), and is working on a doctorate thesis on “Non Performing Assets in Indian Banks." He is a banker and presently Director of the Jammu & Kashmir Bank Rural Self Employment Institute (JKBRESTI), Kulgam. Mr. Ayaz has three publications - two in Urdu, one comprising of fictions/short stories titled as “Dard-i-Pinhan” (Hidden Pain), and the third comprising of poetry titled as “Talash-i-Sahar”(In Search of Dawn). He has also published another short book in “Interest Free Banking.” He writes on various topics in the Daily Kashmir Images, Weekly Shuhab and Weekly Sabzar. Earlier he contributed articles to two leading Urdu dailies of the Valley - ‘Aftab’ and ‘Srinagar Times’.)

A Tragic End to a Glorious History

Kashmir valley was not only known for its natural beauty, pleasant atmosphere, saffron, apple and silk but also for its handicrafts. Machines and technology based industries in Kashmir are hardly 50 years old as after agriculture; the handicrafts were the main profession and source of living for the people here for centuries together.

Some of these handicrafts are said to be 5000 years old while as others have either been introduced or promoted during the period of Sultan-i-Kashmir, Zain-ul-Abdin Budshah. Also some of the handicrafts were introduced by the famous Islamic Scholar Hazrat Amir Kabeer, Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (R.A).

Some well known traditional industries or handicrafts of Kashmir are Paper Machie, Tilla (Embroidery), Chain Stich, Gabba and Namda Sazi, Kani Shawl, Wood Carving, Willow Work, Pottery, Kangri weaving and Wague or Patej (grass mats) weaving. Although the population of the State and Valley increased as a natural phenomenon and accordingly the graph of persons involved in various professions including government jobs, agriculture activities, trade and industries has increased. Unfortunately the number of persons involved in handicraft activities has decreased drastically.

As per records, the number of artisans has decreased from 7.00 lakhs to 1.00 lakh. The trend surely seeks introspection as the decreasing number of people in this sector poses threat to many good handicraft industries in the valley.

Wague or Patej are the traditional Kashmiri mats woven out of dry grass and were used as floor furnishing in Kashmir for centuries. There was a great demand for them as this kind of furnishing would keep the rooms warm during winters. This mat weaving was a common profession of people in villages and particularly among Dal Lake dwellers. With the latest machine made woolen and warm matting this traditional work received a serious setback. People now prefer to use the latest well designed machine made furnishing for their homes and as such the demand for Wague or Patej has declined greatly and most of the persons who were dealing with this activity have changed their profession.

Embroidery which was once patronized by rulers in Kashmir is also facing the same fate. The artists who, by hand, embellished different designs of maple, lotus , stars etc on shawls and Pherans (a winter robe for Kashmiri women) is very hard as the same is done with needle and hand. Now the Tilla (embroidery) is done by machines which consume less time and is cheap. The traditional handmade Tilla embroidery is ofcourse costly and time consuming but is unique in its quality and beauty. People nowadays prefer machine embroidery and moreover, the women folk of Kashmir now use such cloths only on special occasions.

The changing scenario, therefore, is posing a great threat to this famous handicraft in Kashmir. It is observed that only a few of people continue this activity while as the there are no newcomers into this trade. The machine made embroidery work is generally done by non- Kashmiri artists.

Shawl weaving is another traditional industry of Kashmir as in the beginning of 19th century this trade was boosted by the fame and success of its special brand ‘Kani Shawl’ which was preferred by people across the countries. These shawls are very effective in keeping the inhabitants of the cold region of the country in warm comfort.

But the success story was to end in a bitter way as, It is an admitted fact, cheap and low quality replica shawls are purchased by a great number of people from Amritsar and are sold throughout country on high rates by claiming them to be the real Kashmiri Shawls. This sort of practice has earned a bad name and reputation for this industry and people outside State hesitate to purchase Kashmiri Shawls anymore.

Similar to many other fine arts, the art of willow work has existed here from the times immemorial. Willow a local produce used to make charmingly quaint objects ranging from shopping baskets and lamp shades to tables and chairs. The most common willow product in Kashmir has always been ‘Kangri’ the handmade fire pot used by almost all Kashmiris during the winter season. With the introduction of new plastic or metallic well decorated furniture, the demand for willow furniture has decreased significantly. The common use of Gas and Electric Heaters and Blankets has also affected production and patronage of Kangri.

Likewise, Pottery in Kashmir too suffered the onslaught of modernity and seems at the verge of extinction. What once constituted a basic and vital part of Kashmiri kitchenware is now breathing its last breath in the shine of the modern metal utensils and plastic items. Traditional pottery bowl for Kangri, Tandoor, some musical instruments like “Nout” & ‘Tanbhakhnaar’, flower pots etc were some of the exquisite features of this trade.

When we talk about un-employment, joblessness, sound economy, mobilization of state resources and utilization of available man power in gainful activities, diminishing local traditions only add salt to the injury. What could have proved to be a strong viable option for upbringing the standards of life in Kashmir and carving out employment for the unemployed, has been successfully ignored and eradicated from the scene. For achieving self sustainability no society can afford to sideline the existing economic trends embedded in tradition. We better start exploring and exploiting the tradition for the sake of our own success.

Though much has been said about the apathy of the state government in this regard, the two tables clear the picture of Government efforts for promoting the handicraft/ handloom sector in the state.

Implementation of schemes under Handicraft Sector (Amt. in lakhs)

Year Target Accounts Target Amount Achievement
Accounts Achievement
Amount Achievement %age

2002-03 6106 2986.03 731 278.40 9
2003-04 3169 1587.72 576 231.47 15
2004-05 9759 4181.62 775 313.69 8
2005-06 7464 2937.47 599 282.80 23
2006-07 3090 1498.20 526 271.33 18
2007-08 3471 1575.63 817 6432.85 27
2008-09 3516 1928.72 931 531.37 28
2009-10 3514 2097.09 912 486.37 23

The percentage achievement under Handicraft sector is at an average of 19 during last eight years.

Implementation of Schemes under Handloom Sector (Amt. in lakhs)

Year Target Accounts Target Amount Achievement
Accounts Achievement
Amount Achievement %age

2002-03 4655 7131.81 292 120.93 2
2003-04 2342 1532.24 200 78.91 5
2004-05 1861 1295.45 194 90.08 7
2005-06 1517 1013.24 126 64.23 6
2006-07 1035 691.19 118 60.64 9
2007-08 1102 779.90 200 102.61 13
2008-09 1251 905.30 123 92.44 10
2009-10 937 609.45 256 163.74 27

The percentage achievement is below 10 during the last eight years.

Down the Memory Lane

2011-12-10T14:17:00.000-08:00

Fida saw flashes of harmony and Brotherhood. What he missed is anguish. Other than rhetoric and handouts, the majority community still does not comprehend the deep chasm that keeps Pandits away

(Mr. Fida Iqbal, 47, was born in Sopore. He attended the D.A.V. School in Nayadyaar, Rainawari, and the Government Higher Secondary School in Sopore. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Agriculture/Floriculture and Landscaping from Chowdhry Chottu Ram College at Muzaffarabad Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. Mr. Iqbal works with the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department as a landscape architect. He enjoys kitchen gardening, reading writing, and is very a passionate and dedicated golf player.)

The Songs of Love

Last week Jammu and Kashmir Government organized three days ‘Kashmir festival’ at India international centre (IIC) New Delhi. Amid usual inaugural pampering and customary valedictories the festival ended on 4th of December. Many cultural programs were part of the festival; art, cuisine, and other forms of Kashmiri culture, traditions and heritage were very well showcased. But, the essence of the whole three day show was an elaborate musical and theatrical performance by ‘Mouj Kasheer’ a music and theatre group of children of displaced Kashmiris. These young boys and girls in the age group of ten and twenty mesmerized the entire audience at multipurpose hall of India International Centre. Never ever residing permanently in Kashmir, still they presented the true culture and tradition of Kashmir in their one hour long musical presentation; with an emphasis on age old tradition of amity and brotherhood in Kashmir. Their entire performance proved nostalgic for reasonably large Kashmiri audience at India International Centre.

This particular festival with active support of India International Centre was primarily a tourism promotion event; however it facilitated exploring the hidden ‘Kashmiriyat’ within the large population of displaced Kashmiris temporarily living outside the valley of Kashmir. On that positive evening at India International Centre, Mouj Kasheer was the true representative of entire community of displaced Kashmiris, representing the emotions and intense desire of homecoming. Within the smaller but technically exceptional multipurpose hall of India International Centre, even least influence-able souls, like me got swayed by the excellent performance of these budding Kashmiris. This was more a stirring concert than a usual performance. This outstanding musical performance, depicting real Kashmir was devoid of any visible or veiled bias and was a befitting reply to few fringe groups (particularly outside valley) wandering in the deserts of hatred to seek refuge and cheap publicity after attaining nothing in their life. It was, as well a call to fellow Kashmiris, both outside and within Kashmir to unite for honorable homecoming of dislocated Kashmiris. The name of this unique group in itself is not only attracting but touching as well.

The name ‘Mouj Kasheer’ meaning Kashmiri motherland makes you nostalgic in the first instance and rest, the real Kashmiriyat was brought to limelight by the artists of this group by their rousing performance.

Generally in Kashmir we suffer with a belief, that these displaced people have detached themselves from their roots and are living a happy and prosperous life full of happiness and joy, cherishing every bit of present materialistic world, but in fact these ill-fated (ill-fated in the sense, their destiny got them displaced) Kashmiris are not only well connected to their Kashmiri roots but are having a yearning desire to return to their ethnic and cultural descent. Every act and lyric; costume and settings of Mouj Kasheer theatrical group was full of emotions and longing for ultimate Kashmir. It required a heart, a bigger heart to be precise, to listen to their message of unity and love and decode it for future united and amiable greater Kashmir. Keeping track of culture, language and traditions at this young age, that too in a fast moving materialist world describes their unflinching love for their homeland and particularly that of their language. In Kashmir at occasions parents express complete disapproval of their children speaking in Kashmiri language and most often encourage them to communicate in English or Urdu language (that too distorted ones).

However, these tender souls have put a huge question mark before the present generation of Kashmiri people, that too the neo-riches; a question mark of existence as a nation with unique culture, heritage, traditions and above all the distinctive language.

After listening to honest and earnest calls of Mouj Kasheer at India International Centre, I sincerely believe that if politicians will not play a ‘spoilsport’ the displaced Kashmiris will soon join their brethren in Kashmir and then Mouj Kasheer’s young souls will recite great Kashmiri poet Mehajoor’s harmonious Kashmiri poetry—dudh chu muslim hund chu shaker saf saf, dudh te bea shaker ralaew pane waeween.

Saffron and Silk

2011-12-10T14:12:00.000-08:00

Sana says the days of fragrance and imperial texture are numbered

Saffron and Silk Wither in the Valley

Sana Altaf

Srinagar: The saffron and silk industries in Kashmir have been dying a silent death over the last decade, with production rates for both commodities witnessing up to 50 percent declines in some areas of the Kashmir Valley.

A growing market for cheap, ‘fake’ saffron - either chemically manufactured or ‘cut’ with additives to increase its weight – has dealt a harsh blow to traditional, world renowned saffron producers and sellers in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, a mismanaged government monopoly over the silk industry coupled with an invasion of cheap Chinese silk has choked local production, pushing thousands of producers out of business.

As a result, Saffron farmers and silk rearers are facing hard times in the lush Kashmir Valley.

Official figures estimate that the production of saffron has declined from 16 to 6.5 tonnes in the last year alone, accounting for a more than 60 percent decrease in just 12 months.

Land under saffron cultivation has shrunk rapidly, from 5,707 hectares in 1997-98 to just 3,010 hectares in the 2006-2007 financial year.

Likewise, production of silk cocoons has plummeted from 1.5 million kilograms (kg) in the 1960s to just over 800,000 kg in 2011, cutting the output of raw silk from 170 to 107 metric tons.

Kashmir is one of a handful of places on this earth that grows natural saffron, along with Iran and Spain, and has long been considered to have the best quality saffron in the world, with rich crop plantations in Pampore, Pulwama, Budgam and Kishtiwar.

But Saleem Shakeel Mir, managing director of Kashmir Kesar Leader, Kashmir’s leading saffron producer, told IPS that the influx of false saffron has lacerated the market for honest producers.

"Chemically-altered and synthetic products are being sold for a fraction of the price of organic Kashmiri saffron, both within and outside the Valley," he said.

Since laymen are unable to differentiate between pure and artificial saffron, the cheaper product is selling fast, Mir added.

"If pure Kashmiri saffron costs 110 rupees (or just over two dollars) per gram, synthetics cost as little as 30 rupees. As a result, traditional Kashmir saffron growers have suffered an almost 70 percent loss."

Mir also blames saffron growers’ hardships and waning cultivation on the rampant industrialisation in the valley, including the proliferation of residential houses in the area, which eats up swathes of land that could otherwise be used for crops.

"A decade ago, 10 kanals of land (that is, just over 6,000 square yards) were under saffron cultivation; today just four kanals, less than half the original amount, are used," Saleem said.

Abdul Gaffar, a saffron grower from Pampore said that fake saffron has forced farmers to give up their decades’ old practice.

"With the filth that’s entering the market, there is no place for original saffron. We spend thousands of rupees on cultivating saffron and get almost nothing in return," said Gaffar.

Gaffar has seen his area of saffron cultivation shrivel by 60 percent.

"If this situation remains unchanged, I might have to abandon cultivation altogether like many others have done," Gaffar told IPS.

In an effort to combat the crisis, the government recently announced the National Mission on Saffron for Economic Revival, its latest five-year plan aimed at increasing saffron production from 2.32 to five kg per hectare.

Silk production slips through farmers’ fingers

According to Malik Farooq, director of the Sericulture Department of State, government efforts to save the silk industry have gained much less ground, possibly because a decades-long government monopoly over the silk industry contributed to its decline in the first place.

Silk is one of Kashmir’s oldest trades. In 1855, Europe was Kashmir’s biggest silk trading partner, purchasing 70 kg of silkworm seeds every year. The period immediately following the end of British rule opened a glorious phase for Kashmiri silk.

"After the1980’s there was a sudden decline in silk production and the industry began to suffer," Farooq told IPS.

The rigid state monopoly that had once boosted the industry became its greatest impediment. The government bought all the silk cocoons from the locals but managed every other stage of the production process themselves.

"However, this did not prove to be very profitable," said Farooq.

According to official government statistics, the number of silkworm rearers shrank from 60,000 in 1947 to a mere 7,161 in 1995.

The area of land under mulberry cultivation shriveled from thousands of hectares in the early 1900s to less than 2,000 hectares in 1990.

From employing 1830 labourers on 584 silk production units, the silk industry now only has the capacity for 200 workers on 30 silk production units.

Furthermore, "the invasion of Chinese silk in the market and the lack of government policy or proper protections for domestic producers has practically killed our local industry," Shafat Ahmad, a silk rearer by trade, told IPS, adding that it is practically impossible to compete with China’s low prices.

Farooq believes the government should compensate silk rearers for their losses in order to keep the local industry alive. As it is, many silk producers are abandoning the trade altogether since they are unable to make ends meet.

According to the Sericulture Department’s report, ‘Recent Trends in Development of Bivoltine Sericulture in Jammu and Kashmir’, silk rearers also have to contend with other agricultural crops, market shocks and volatility, the dumping of cheap bivoltine silk on the local market and a lack of government development funds.

Is Kashmiri Culture Out of Fashion?

2011-12-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

Mukhtar examines the language and attire of Kashmiris, and concludes that Kashmiri culture is dying

Kashmiri Dies Slowly as Youth Shoulder its Coffin

Mukhtar Ahmed (Kashmir Images)

Srinagar: Unlike in the past when Kashmiri was the principal source of communication here, conversing in the mother tongue is witnessing an alarming decline in Kashmir today. What is lamentable is the way parents encourage their children to speak in Urdu and English, say experts adding that the prospects of spoken Kashmiri is heading for a disaster.

They say that lack of Kashmiri as a subject at school level and the foray of Indian movies and television serials have hampered the conversation in Kashmiri a lot. They point out that by taking a leaf from dialogues of Indian matinee idols, Kashmiris, particularly youngsters are only adding to the woes of the already struggling language.

“The way girls and boys, particularly in cities talk in Urdu or English; it looks as if they are non-Kashmiri. Owing to absence of Kashmiri in school curricula for a long time, our youth developed interest in other subjects. Besides Bollywood movies and television serials are so much liked by our youngsters, that they are repeatedly mimicking filmy dialogues and copying the dress pattern of many Bollywood celebs”, noted Kashmiri critic and writer, Mohammad Yousuf Taing told Kashmir Images

Criticizing the parents for helping their wards in getting accustomed to speaking in Urdu and English, Taing warned “Such parents are not reading the signs of disaster, they are bringing on the cultural identity of Kashmir. No doubt, they may be helping their children shying away from communicating in Kashmiri, but they hardly realize that years down the line, they will be responsible for devastation of one of the richest assets of Kashmiri culture.”

Blasting the government for its lackadaisical role in teaching Kashmiri at school level for a long time, the renowned writer pointed out that being members of “Political Class” our politicians too are responsible for the sorry state of Kashmiri language currently.

“No doubt Kashmiri has been somewhat introduced at school level, but whenever our politicians deliver speeches, they always prefer to speak in Urdu or English. They never realize that being at the helm of affairs, they have to take the lead in promoting the mother language”, he said.

Prominent poet and writer, Zareef Ahmad Zareef echoed the same reasons for the pathetic condition of Kashmiri at the moment. “Many parents phone me to know the meaning of various Kashmiri terms. When they themselves don’t properly understand the literature of Kashmiri language, how come is it possible they will encourage their children to speak in Kashmiri”, Zareef asked.

He acknowledged that even though Kashmiri has been introduced in government schools now, but it is the English medium schools, that are doing the damage as far as communicating in our mother-tongue is concerned.

“The Hindi movies and television serials have restricted our youngsters from learning values of their own culture. From speaking dialogues to copying hairstyles of Bollywood actors, our youth are talking a lead in this made race to out doing each other”, Zareef pointed out.

Meanwhile, when this reporter apprised a 57-year-old USA citizen, Michael Pollock of how Kashmiris are shying away from speaking their mother-tongue, he commented “By doing this, Kashmiris are killing their legacy and cultural identity. USA may have taken giant economic strides, but in no way, have we allowed the ladder of economic success to hamper our mother tongue and culture.”

The US based architect, while eulogizing the Kashmiri culture said “Kashmir has one of the richest cultural histories in the world. By ignoring Kashmiri at domestic and professional level, Kashmiris are doing a great disservice to their beautiful land. I have been here since weeks and I am startled that very few Kashmiris travel by wearing the traditional Pheran. It means that you are deviating from your cultural values.”

After Abandoning Language, Kashmiris Dump Traditional Attire Too!

Mukhtar Ahmed (Kashmir Images)

Srinagar: Even as wearing of traditional dresses is seen as an explicit display of love for one’s native culture, but like so many other things in Kashmir, particularly the language, people here are gradually loosing this marker of their identity too.

Some experts and exponents of Kashmiri culture say that people here, particularly the youngsters by opting for other kinds of apparels, are doing a great disservice to their civilization.

“We are gradually avoiding our traditional dresses. A huge chunk of Kashmiri boys prefer being clad in jeans and other latest imported apparels. I am not saying that we should go to markets and offices draped in traditional blankets (‘Tchadar’), but we should be wary that modernity doesn’t trample over the glory of our conventional garments,” noted writer and poet, Zareef Ahmad Zareef told ‘Kashmir Images’.

Criticizing the way Kashmiris are “madly following” the Bollywood and Hollywood stars, Zareef says, “Movie actors earn hefty amounts for wearing dresses as per the demand of the script. But for no reason, our youth copy their dress patterns. Our girls instead of traditional dresses are dressed in such bad clothing that I find it hard to call them daughters,” Zareef lamented.

Recalling the dress patterns of yore, Zareef said that women would be dressed in such a customary way that even a non-Kashmiri could easily distinguish her from others.

“Women during those days were the embodiments of ‘Kashmiriyat’ as they used to cling to embroidered ‘Pherans’, head scarves, ‘Kameez-Yazar’ everywhere. But nowadays, women, particularly college-going girls are walking with open hair pulled to their back, half-sleeve shirts and jeans. I wonder what has happened to honour of their parents; who allow them to leave homes in such a way?” rues Zareef.

He points out that Kashmiri boys instead of traditional caps - ‘Karakulis’- the ‘Kameez Shalwar’, ‘Pherans’, customary ‘Sadris’ are now seen wearing rings in their noses and ears.

“During our days traditional apparels were order of the day. Every person from blacksmith to goldsmith, from doctor to patriarchs could be distinguished by their dress codes,” he added.

Noted critic and writer Mohammad Yousuf Taing says a “Cultural Tsunami” has been triggered in Kashmir since past few years.

“What is lamentable is that instead of being torch-bearers, youth is killing the identity of our culture. From dress codes to speaking in the mother tongue, they are getting heavily influenced by Vidya Balan, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and others,” Taing said.

Giving example of the Japanese people, Taing added that despite being one of the most affluent people, they always adhere to their traditional dresses.

“We also want our youth to progress, but prosperity should not come at the cost of our customary outfits,” he emphasized.

Taing also criticized media for minimally underlining the issues plaguing various assets of the Kashmiri culture.

“Barring a few organizations including ‘Kashmir Images’, I don’t know why our media is not highlighting that despite having one of the finest cultural attires why is it that Kashmiris are gradually shying away from their customary dresses,” said Taing.

President, Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF), Fayaz Ahmad Bakhshi said that tourists are immensely fascinated by Kashmir’s traditional dresses.

“I still remember when former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi came here during 1980s, she wore the traditional ‘Pheran’ at many occasions in Kashmir. As a result, the dress became a huge hit with Indian people in those days,” Bakshi said.

“Usually tourists will not do without taking pictures in traditional Kashmiri ‘Pheran’ here. Therefore, suppose if wearing of ‘Pheran’ is encouraged among the hotel staff in Kashmir (we will support it anyhow), this will not only fascinate tourists, but will send a strong message about our (Kashmiris’) love for, and interest in preserving every rich asset of our culture.”

The Shopian Tragedy

2011-12-10T13:56:00.000-08:00

The author investigated the Shopian murders long before the CBI inquiry. The results were same then as now - that the truth was cast aside in favor of political shenanigans and outright lies. Author's report can be accessed at: http://kashmirforum.org/shopian-tragedy.htm

Shopian Deaths

Srinagar: A city court has reserved its order in an application challenging CBI counsel’s appointment in Shopian rapes and double death case.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate which is the designated court for CBI cases reserved its order and the same will be pronounced on December 8.

Syed Reyaz Khawar, counsel for the accused lawyers in the matter had challenged the appointment of CBI counsel S K Bhat on the grounds that since the case pertains to the Jammu and Kashmir, the state government was supposed to appoint a public prosecutor to plead the case in the court. However, the S K Bhat argued that CBI is within the “well-defined jurisdiction” to plead the case.

“The case was transferred to the CBI for investigation, and there is no reason to oppose my appointment.”

According to advocate Khawar, the CJM will hear the other two applications one filed by Shakeel Ahangar seeking re-investigation into alleged rape and murder of his wife Neelofar and sister Asiya Jan and the second application seeking copy of investigation report conducted by the Special Investigation Team supervised by Inspector General of Police Farooq Ahmad.

Earlier on March 26 this year, Syed Reyaz Hussain, the counsel for Shakeel, Syed Reyaz Khawar counsel for accused doctors and lawyers while objecting to the appointment of public prosecutor were unanimous in their arguments that since the case pertains to the Jammu and Kashmir government, the Public Prosecutor must be appointed by the state government only.

“The CBI counsel can not appear as a public prosecutor in this matter as he has been associated with the CBI investigations and it is the duty of the state government to appoint a public prosecutor in this matter,” advocate Syed Reyaz Hussain had argued during the last hearing of the matter.

The CBI has already filed its objections to the protest petition filed by Shakeel Ahangar husband of Neelofar Jan and brother of Asiya Jan—the two women who were allegedly raped and then murdered in Shopian in May 2009.

Ahangar in his protest petition had sought reinvestigation into the case by any agency other than the CBI. However, CBI has objected to the reinvestigation of the matter on the basis that its investigation is foolproof and there are merits in the protest petition.

In the meantime, an application was moved by the complainant to replace the public prosecutor as according to Syed Reyaz Hussain the CBI counsel was ineligible to appear as Public Prosecutor in this matter.

On March 26, advocate Hussain argued that the court should first decide the application filed for replacement of Public prosecutor before proceeding in the main protest petition.

It may be recalled that on its last hearing on November 9, 2010 the court had issued notice to the CBI to file its objections if any to the responses submitted by the accused doctors and lawyers.

The accused doctors and lawyers had furnished their responses before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar who is also a designated court for CBI in Kashmir.

In their responses to the Shakeel Ahangar’s application filed on September 23 last year, the accused doctors and lawyers have expressed their agreement with Shakeel’s demand. Shakeel in his application had sought reinvestigation of the mysterious death of his wife Neelofar and sister Asiya by any agency other than the CBI.

The counsel for accused doctors and lawyers had challenged the appointment of CBI counsel for prosecution submitting that since the case pertains to the state government, it was the prerogative of the state government only to appoint the public prosecutor.

Advocate Khawar had further sought a direction from the court to the CBI to furnish the copy of the report of investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team. The court later issued the notice to the CBI to file its response to the prayers made by the counsel for accused doctors and lawyers by or before December 11, 2010.

However, CBI had sought time from the court to file objections to the protest application moved by Shakeel in which he had sought reinvestigation of the case.

Supporting the protest application counsel for complainant (Shakeel) Syed Reyaz Hussain had submitted before the court that section 173 (8) of Criminal Procedure Code says that at the time when the charge sheet is presented before the court, the complainant must be put to notice. However, in Shopian case, this law was violated and Shakeel was not asked about his satisfaction about the investigation, Hussain had argued.

Pertinently, the CBI has already described the death of two women as “accidental drowning” and chargesheeted 13 persons including five lawyers, six doctors and two civilians (witnesses) accused of fabricating the evidence and retracting from their statements.

On December 10, 2009 the CBI presented charge sheet against 13 persons before the CJM, Srinagar. The charge sheet said that two women, Asiya Jan and her sister-in-law Neelofar who had gone missing on May 29, 2009 and then whose bodies were found on banks of Ramber Nalla in Shopian on May 30, 2009 have been neither raped nor murdered.

The CBI charge sheet has described the death of two women as “accidental drowning.”

The CBI said that investigation has established that false post mortem reports prepared by the first team of doctors comprising Dr Bilal Ahmad Dalal, and Dr Nazia Hassan and second team of doctors comprising Dr Nighat Shaheen, Dr Ghulam Qadir Sofi and Dr Maqbool Mir in connivance with Dr Ghulam Muhammad Paul. The lawyers accused in the charge-sheet include Mushtaq Ahmad Gatoo, Sheikh Mubarak, Altaf Muhammad, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat and Abdul Majid Mir. The civilian include elder brother of Asiya (victim), Zahoor Ahmad Ahanger and Ali Mohammad Sheikh. The duo has been accused of fabricating evidence and intimidating witnesses to mislead the investigations in the case.

CBI, which took over the investigation from SIT on September 17, 2909 into the rape and murders of two Shopian women, completed its probe in December 2009.