Chief Minister Azad says most Kashmiris are corrupt
‘If I open Pandora’s Box 50% of people will land in jail’
Ganderbal, April 10: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday accused most of the Kashmiris including leaders and officials of being “corrupt” and said that if he opens the Pandora’s Box, 50 percent of Kashmiris would land in a jail.
“In past 20 years, most of the Kashmiri leaders worked in league with officials, like engineers, to plunder the wealth of the state through fake bills issued on forged construction projects,’ the Chief Minister said while addressing a gathering here in this newly formed district on the occasion of Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign organized by Press Information Bureau, to create awareness and disseminate information about the flagship programmes of the UPA government.
Azad said that If he “opens the Pandora’s Box, half of the Kashmir would land in a jail,”
In an apparent reference to the leaders from mainstream political parties the Chief Minister said, “I know every detail about all those leaders who have been plundering the state exchequer and who worked in league with officials and engineers for past 20 years. Those who think that I am unaware about the facts are mistaken.”
The Chief Minister said that his directions to the officials not to pass any bills without proper verification have made many leaders “uncomfortable.” “Many of them are feeling choked as they are unable to make easy money,’ Azad said, adding, “So they are hell bent on tarnishing my image.
”The Chief Minister claimed that 90 percent of the big houses and mansions that were constructed in Kashmir in past 20 years belong to those politicians and officers who “looted public money.”
(Shabir Dar in the Rising Kashmir)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
A budding economist takes a crack at analyzing the union budget
Shiekh Yasir has something to say about what the Finance Minister (FM) did not address in the 2008-2009 budget
(Mr. Shiekh Yasir, 22, was born in Kawari, Handwara, and grew up in Sopore. He is currently doing MBA at the prestigious Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) in New Delhi. He enjoys college life and loves to discuss economics and government policy.)
No doubt, year after year the Union Budget ritual is a big let down. But then, this year's Budget has surpassed all such milestones created by previous Budgets in letting down the masses of this country. It was amazing to watch how casually and callously our honourable Finance Minister (FM) kept on doling out favours after favours, with the least respect for a citizen's money. It was also amazing to note how our sitting MPs, dead drunk in 'populism', kept on vehemently applauding each and every illogical and irrational announcement made by the FM. The final icing came towards the end of his speech, when mainstream media, industrial associations and industrial big wigs shamelessly sang in unison in appreciation for the FM, without getting into the details of the actual impending effects of some of the reckless decisions taken by him, in his Budget speech.
Let's start with our Honourable FM's biggest kill in this year's Budget - Waiving of a staggering Rs 60,000 crores worth of loans of farmers. This waiver has actually catapulted him to a 'messiah of farmers,' who seems to be desperately trying to sensitise and uplift the downtrodden farmers from misery!! But then the truth is far from reality! What I fail to understand is that for a FM who is reading his seventh Budget, isn't he aware that this waiver in reality would not serve any of its purpose? Isn't he aware of the fact that more than 50% of the farmer families are in debt trap, and of these, around 50% are those farmer families who are victims of vicious debt traps laid down by the private money lenders? Is he completely ignorant of the fact that it is these farmer families who are most prone to suicides and that such a waiver would not be of any help as these private lenders do not fall under the purview of RBI? For any FM not to know all this is definitely not possible. And if it is so, then the question is, why such a waiver when it does not help the needy? And who does this waiver actually help? Well, answers to both these questions are actually the same. The waiver invariably helps only those farmers (relatively more well-to-do) who, first of all, have the means of getting a loan from a bank. More importantly, it is also a fact that (much unlike the way our FM feels) not every other farmer in India is in distress, as the rich farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Western UP are also some of the largest buyers of the luxury cars in India. By giving a blanket waiver, all that the FM has done is to pamper the relatively well-off farmers and encouraged the borrowers to waste money on conspicuous consumption and leaving the state of the distressed lot as it is.
The truth is that the problem of the farm sector simply cannot be done away with just a one time loan waiver. And this is something which our honourable FM also knows, but then looking at the way he has still gone ahead with the waiver, leaves no doubt that it was a populist step intended to fetch votes for the incumbent government in the ensuing Union elections! Had the FM any intention of actually helping the distressed, then instead of waiving this loan, he should have deferred it, and should have mobilised the same for further capital investments and employment generation schemes in rural India, especially in the distress prone areas. Or for that matter, even if the FM would have decided to distribute this sum through a monthly scheme to all the distressed rural families, it would have been still better than the waiver, as then it would have fetched even better results towards humanising the budget exercise.
His next big kill was the unwarranted tax exemptions for the working class. 'Unwarranted', I say, because these exemptions (except for the one granted for senior citizens) again do not help those who need them the most. As such, there are almost 70% (including the 40% below the poverty line) of the Indian population who do not fall under the tax bracket, and even for those who fall under it, only 2% of them actually pay taxes, so the effective benefit accrues to only 2% of the population, which is the typical Indian middle class. Any which way, this middle class has always been self centered and has been pampered by the government for long through various subsidies and other forms of benefits, so instead of giving them any further, the FM should have mobilised the same money for the benefits of the underprivileged, for it would then have actually universalised the benefits of the Budget exercise.
In fact, the downside of the entire Budget had been so severe that it has completely offset the only upside of it. And that is his initiative of including all the 600 districts under the NREGA. No doubt, this is the right step towards productively engaging the underprivileged, provided it succeeds in corruption-free implementation, which in itself remains a daunting challenge. Also, other than this, the FM has increased the budget allocations for health and education by 15% to 20% respectively, but then it still does not come anywhere close to what the government should actually spend. In fact, if the revenues have grown on the income side, the least that was expected was a proportional increase in allocation in the priority social sector spending, which again did not happen.
All in all, with disproportionate and undue privileges to the already privileged, and that too, with the sole objective of gaining political mileage, the Union Budget 2008/09 would go down in the pages of history as the most de-humanising budget ever delivered!!
(Mr. Shiekh Yasir, 22, was born in Kawari, Handwara, and grew up in Sopore. He is currently doing MBA at the prestigious Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) in New Delhi. He enjoys college life and loves to discuss economics and government policy.)
No doubt, year after year the Union Budget ritual is a big let down. But then, this year's Budget has surpassed all such milestones created by previous Budgets in letting down the masses of this country. It was amazing to watch how casually and callously our honourable Finance Minister (FM) kept on doling out favours after favours, with the least respect for a citizen's money. It was also amazing to note how our sitting MPs, dead drunk in 'populism', kept on vehemently applauding each and every illogical and irrational announcement made by the FM. The final icing came towards the end of his speech, when mainstream media, industrial associations and industrial big wigs shamelessly sang in unison in appreciation for the FM, without getting into the details of the actual impending effects of some of the reckless decisions taken by him, in his Budget speech.
Let's start with our Honourable FM's biggest kill in this year's Budget - Waiving of a staggering Rs 60,000 crores worth of loans of farmers. This waiver has actually catapulted him to a 'messiah of farmers,' who seems to be desperately trying to sensitise and uplift the downtrodden farmers from misery!! But then the truth is far from reality! What I fail to understand is that for a FM who is reading his seventh Budget, isn't he aware that this waiver in reality would not serve any of its purpose? Isn't he aware of the fact that more than 50% of the farmer families are in debt trap, and of these, around 50% are those farmer families who are victims of vicious debt traps laid down by the private money lenders? Is he completely ignorant of the fact that it is these farmer families who are most prone to suicides and that such a waiver would not be of any help as these private lenders do not fall under the purview of RBI? For any FM not to know all this is definitely not possible. And if it is so, then the question is, why such a waiver when it does not help the needy? And who does this waiver actually help? Well, answers to both these questions are actually the same. The waiver invariably helps only those farmers (relatively more well-to-do) who, first of all, have the means of getting a loan from a bank. More importantly, it is also a fact that (much unlike the way our FM feels) not every other farmer in India is in distress, as the rich farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Western UP are also some of the largest buyers of the luxury cars in India. By giving a blanket waiver, all that the FM has done is to pamper the relatively well-off farmers and encouraged the borrowers to waste money on conspicuous consumption and leaving the state of the distressed lot as it is.
The truth is that the problem of the farm sector simply cannot be done away with just a one time loan waiver. And this is something which our honourable FM also knows, but then looking at the way he has still gone ahead with the waiver, leaves no doubt that it was a populist step intended to fetch votes for the incumbent government in the ensuing Union elections! Had the FM any intention of actually helping the distressed, then instead of waiving this loan, he should have deferred it, and should have mobilised the same for further capital investments and employment generation schemes in rural India, especially in the distress prone areas. Or for that matter, even if the FM would have decided to distribute this sum through a monthly scheme to all the distressed rural families, it would have been still better than the waiver, as then it would have fetched even better results towards humanising the budget exercise.
His next big kill was the unwarranted tax exemptions for the working class. 'Unwarranted', I say, because these exemptions (except for the one granted for senior citizens) again do not help those who need them the most. As such, there are almost 70% (including the 40% below the poverty line) of the Indian population who do not fall under the tax bracket, and even for those who fall under it, only 2% of them actually pay taxes, so the effective benefit accrues to only 2% of the population, which is the typical Indian middle class. Any which way, this middle class has always been self centered and has been pampered by the government for long through various subsidies and other forms of benefits, so instead of giving them any further, the FM should have mobilised the same money for the benefits of the underprivileged, for it would then have actually universalised the benefits of the Budget exercise.
In fact, the downside of the entire Budget had been so severe that it has completely offset the only upside of it. And that is his initiative of including all the 600 districts under the NREGA. No doubt, this is the right step towards productively engaging the underprivileged, provided it succeeds in corruption-free implementation, which in itself remains a daunting challenge. Also, other than this, the FM has increased the budget allocations for health and education by 15% to 20% respectively, but then it still does not come anywhere close to what the government should actually spend. In fact, if the revenues have grown on the income side, the least that was expected was a proportional increase in allocation in the priority social sector spending, which again did not happen.
All in all, with disproportionate and undue privileges to the already privileged, and that too, with the sole objective of gaining political mileage, the Union Budget 2008/09 would go down in the pages of history as the most de-humanising budget ever delivered!!
One small step in the campaign against leprosy, one big step in evolving Kashmiri social consciousness
Kashmir University's Law Society organises charity event ‘Ehsaas’ and collects Rs 1.5 lakh for leprosy patients
Srinagar, April 7: The Law Society of Kashmir University, which organised a charity musical show ‘Ehsaas’ at University of Kashmir on Monday said they have collected Rs 1.5 lakh for the leprosy patients of the Valley.
Inspector General of Police, Shiv Murari Sahai who was the guest of honour on the occasion, announced that he too would donate Rs 50,000 for the lepers.
The KU’s Law Society comprising of students of the University of Kashmir (KU) collected Rs 1.50 lakh by selling the entry tickets of the musical show ‘Ehsaas’ that was organised at the university’s auditorium.The students of various departments of the varsity besides the Faculty of Law volunteered the whole discourse of Ehsaas.The students on their own have also arranged 67 gas cylinders, solar lanterns and bedding for the lepers. “The motive of organizing this charity musical show was to collect money for the patients suffering from leprosy,” said a volunteer.
In his brief speech, the guest of honour Sahai grabbed the attention of audience saying, “I will deposit the booking charges of the convocation hall on behalf of students if the university charges them. If the university doesn’t then I will donate Rs 50,000 for the leprosy patients.”
Reacting to Sahai’s announcement Registrar KU, Prof S Fayaz announced that KU won’t charge organizers for the convocation hall. Dean Academics, Prof Abdul Aziz who was the chief guest on the occasion stressed that the society should not ignore patients suffering from leprosy.He regretted over the apathy of the government toward the leprosy patients.“It is encouraging to see students take part to highlight such issues. We have decided to hold such events in future also. It was inspiring to see that our students were approaching door-door to collect money for this cause,” said Aziz.
The programme started with Rabab by Shah Sahib, a talented Rabab player. Following this, leading performers of the Valley including Waheed Jeelani, Rizwan Rasool, Rayees Mohi-ud-Din, Mehmeet Syed, Shafi Sopori and others also performed.Young and talented local pop star, King Paul Singh’s performance was the topping on the cake for the audience. The audience members were tapping their feet as the hall reverberated with Singh’s beats.
The renowned singer of the Valley, Waheed Jeelani touched the hearts of audience with his crooning notes and melodies. Jeelani told Rising Kashmir, “I was enthusiastic to perform in this charity show. I performed free of cost and I am always ready to perform in such programmes.”Adil Sidiqqui, a student of the department of Law said, “Music is a thread which connects. Today’s function proved it. This is the best creative way to highlight the issues of the society, which most of the times remain unattended.”
A Jammu based local English daily Kashmir Times was the main sponsor of the show which was supported by Logix. BIG 92.7 FM was the title sponsors while CP Advertisers were the advertisement sponsors. Mirza Sons, Sub-urban Infotech, Chowdary Motors, Babbage computers, Legends School and Kashmir Book Trust were the other co-sponsors.
Srinagar, April 7: The Law Society of Kashmir University, which organised a charity musical show ‘Ehsaas’ at University of Kashmir on Monday said they have collected Rs 1.5 lakh for the leprosy patients of the Valley.
Inspector General of Police, Shiv Murari Sahai who was the guest of honour on the occasion, announced that he too would donate Rs 50,000 for the lepers.
The KU’s Law Society comprising of students of the University of Kashmir (KU) collected Rs 1.50 lakh by selling the entry tickets of the musical show ‘Ehsaas’ that was organised at the university’s auditorium.The students of various departments of the varsity besides the Faculty of Law volunteered the whole discourse of Ehsaas.The students on their own have also arranged 67 gas cylinders, solar lanterns and bedding for the lepers. “The motive of organizing this charity musical show was to collect money for the patients suffering from leprosy,” said a volunteer.
In his brief speech, the guest of honour Sahai grabbed the attention of audience saying, “I will deposit the booking charges of the convocation hall on behalf of students if the university charges them. If the university doesn’t then I will donate Rs 50,000 for the leprosy patients.”
Reacting to Sahai’s announcement Registrar KU, Prof S Fayaz announced that KU won’t charge organizers for the convocation hall. Dean Academics, Prof Abdul Aziz who was the chief guest on the occasion stressed that the society should not ignore patients suffering from leprosy.He regretted over the apathy of the government toward the leprosy patients.“It is encouraging to see students take part to highlight such issues. We have decided to hold such events in future also. It was inspiring to see that our students were approaching door-door to collect money for this cause,” said Aziz.
The programme started with Rabab by Shah Sahib, a talented Rabab player. Following this, leading performers of the Valley including Waheed Jeelani, Rizwan Rasool, Rayees Mohi-ud-Din, Mehmeet Syed, Shafi Sopori and others also performed.Young and talented local pop star, King Paul Singh’s performance was the topping on the cake for the audience. The audience members were tapping their feet as the hall reverberated with Singh’s beats.
The renowned singer of the Valley, Waheed Jeelani touched the hearts of audience with his crooning notes and melodies. Jeelani told Rising Kashmir, “I was enthusiastic to perform in this charity show. I performed free of cost and I am always ready to perform in such programmes.”Adil Sidiqqui, a student of the department of Law said, “Music is a thread which connects. Today’s function proved it. This is the best creative way to highlight the issues of the society, which most of the times remain unattended.”
A Jammu based local English daily Kashmir Times was the main sponsor of the show which was supported by Logix. BIG 92.7 FM was the title sponsors while CP Advertisers were the advertisement sponsors. Mirza Sons, Sub-urban Infotech, Chowdary Motors, Babbage computers, Legends School and Kashmir Book Trust were the other co-sponsors.
When an inconvenient truth is obfuscated by harsh polemics
Rekha Chowdhary explains how Jammu and Kashmir differs from Northern Ireland and in the process brings some hidden truths to light
(Prof. Rekha Chowdhary, 55, was born in Jammu and has been a university teacher for the past 30 years. She is currently the Professor of Political Science, University of Jammu. During her distinguished teaching career, she was the visiting Fellow under a Ford Foundation grant at the Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford, in 1992-1993; winner of the Commonwealth Award availed at the University of Oxford, 1997-1998; and the Fulbright Fellow availed at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at the Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC, in 2005.)
Pluralism in the State has survived the conflict situation
While presenting a paper in a conference I talked about the plurality of Jammu and Kashmir and how it has survived despite all the provocations during last two decades of conflict. As soon as my presentation ended I got quite a few comments, of which I will be quoting and analyzing some. 'It was a wonderful story' was one comment. 'Is your presentation not loaded with optimism on the higher side? - was the other comment. 'If pluralism still survives in Jammu and Kashmir, why is it so? Can one not draw lessons from here for other conflict-ridden situations - like in Rwanda?' This was the most thought provoking comment.
'It was a wonderful story!' The very comment made me realize that what I am saying about Jammu and Kashmir is not believed or is not believable. People think that it cannot be a reality, but a 'story'. That is the reason that the other comment also referred to my high level of 'optimism'! For those who were listening to me talking about pluralism as a surviving value in Jammu and Kashmir - this was not the reality, but a 'make-believe' narrative deliberately made to appear pleasant. My academic training put me to the task of analyzing as to what all this means. Firstly, I needed to check my own facts. Am I presenting the facts as they are or I am exaggerating? No, I am sure I am not exaggerating when I say that pluralism has survived in our State even when there have been all kinds of provocations. Whatever else may be said about the conflict in Jammu and Kashmir no one can say that it has led to communal tensions. Hardly there has been any time when even the severe-most situation has led to a sustained communal response. There are certainly all kinds of political divergence and political divides - there are different kinds of aspirations and claims many of which are conflicting and contradictory to each other. But all these differences at the political level have not made us enter into a 'hate politics', the kind of which is to be witnessed in many other parts of the country or at the global level. We have survived lots of provocations. We have survived the worst kinds of selective killings - in the district of Doda, where a number of times the selective killings have been aimed at provoking a backlash, which did not happen. The massacres in Kashmir - the Chattisinghpora, Nadimarg,Wandhama, Sangrama and many more - were meant to create a permanent tension on community basis - (or the shootout in the Raghunath temple, in Jammu) thankfully none of such situations led to communal tensions. In fact, the very purpose of these selective killings was defeated as these situations were not seen in a 'Black and White' manner. The political maturity of the people was enough to make them understand that these killings were not at all linked with the popular responses of the community and that the local community was as much a prisoner of the situation as the victims were. Even in the worst case so far - the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits which has generated many other kinds of responses - there has not been a communal response. With all the kinds of political wedge that may have been drawn in this case, and whatever kinds of issues that may have arisen - one cannot say that the bond that the Kashmiri Pandits have with the Kashmiri Muslims is totally broken. And certainly, there is not a communal strife between the two communities. So when I make a statement that pluralism in Jammu Kashmir has survived the conflict situation, I am not exaggerating. So why am I seen to be 'narrating a story' or being 'highly optimistic'.
There may be two reasons for that. Firstly, there is ignorance about Jammu and Kashmir and people outside the State are not properly informed about the situation within the State. In many ways, the conflict is seen to be induced by the factor of religion and people of the State are seen to be divided on communal basis. There is no real understanding about the internal heterogeneity, plurality and complexity of the society.
The second reason is that there are not many living examples of the conflicts at the global level where the presence of different communities has not led to the communal divide. The Irish example, about which I would like to talk at length in my later writings, is a case in point. Irish case is presented before us as one comparable to out situation. However, at the societal level there could not have been a bigger contrast. It is a highly divided society - with people following Catholic and Protestant faith totally segregated and having no space for inter-community trust or faith. So institutionalized is the segregation between the two communities that they do not virtually have any space for common interaction. They get educated in segregated schools, they follow segregated politics and as for as possible they remain away from each other. It is a situation unlike us - where we may fight at the political levels, but at the community level, there is no stopping us for showing our love and affection for each other. We meet each other on everyday basis. Ours is so mixed a society that it is not possible to mark any kind of division. We are forced to bump into each other and hence no lines like the one drawn in Northern Ireland can be drawn here. There the political arrangement of power sharing between the two communities, has actually widened the gulf between the communities and the demands are being articulated to divide everything - even the playgrounds!
For us the playgrounds, the educational institutions, the shops, the offices, the neighborhood (and many other such places) are the places where we shed our political divide to meet each other on cultural basis and make friends with each other. Not only that we share so much of history and culture that we cannot stop being a part of each other. So much so, we have our folk practices which overlap the religious boundaries and we even have shared religious spaces. One has to visit a 'Peer Baba' in Jammu on Thursday to understand the concept of shared religious spaces! Plural society of Jammu and Kashmir is not an exaggeration. It is a fact of life here. Plurality is a lived experience and not an 'ideological' or 'text-bookish' principle. It is the way we are living for long time. Certainly, the conflict situation in Jammu and Kashmir can be quoted in positive terms when seen in the context of the inter-community relations and in terms of maintaining the plurality of the society. However, that depends on the proper representation of the reality of the State to the outside world. We have failed in projecting the plurality of our society as our lasting strength. We need to tell our 'story' to the rest of the world.
(Prof. Rekha Chowdhary, 55, was born in Jammu and has been a university teacher for the past 30 years. She is currently the Professor of Political Science, University of Jammu. During her distinguished teaching career, she was the visiting Fellow under a Ford Foundation grant at the Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford, in 1992-1993; winner of the Commonwealth Award availed at the University of Oxford, 1997-1998; and the Fulbright Fellow availed at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at the Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC, in 2005.)
Pluralism in the State has survived the conflict situation
While presenting a paper in a conference I talked about the plurality of Jammu and Kashmir and how it has survived despite all the provocations during last two decades of conflict. As soon as my presentation ended I got quite a few comments, of which I will be quoting and analyzing some. 'It was a wonderful story' was one comment. 'Is your presentation not loaded with optimism on the higher side? - was the other comment. 'If pluralism still survives in Jammu and Kashmir, why is it so? Can one not draw lessons from here for other conflict-ridden situations - like in Rwanda?' This was the most thought provoking comment.
'It was a wonderful story!' The very comment made me realize that what I am saying about Jammu and Kashmir is not believed or is not believable. People think that it cannot be a reality, but a 'story'. That is the reason that the other comment also referred to my high level of 'optimism'! For those who were listening to me talking about pluralism as a surviving value in Jammu and Kashmir - this was not the reality, but a 'make-believe' narrative deliberately made to appear pleasant. My academic training put me to the task of analyzing as to what all this means. Firstly, I needed to check my own facts. Am I presenting the facts as they are or I am exaggerating? No, I am sure I am not exaggerating when I say that pluralism has survived in our State even when there have been all kinds of provocations. Whatever else may be said about the conflict in Jammu and Kashmir no one can say that it has led to communal tensions. Hardly there has been any time when even the severe-most situation has led to a sustained communal response. There are certainly all kinds of political divergence and political divides - there are different kinds of aspirations and claims many of which are conflicting and contradictory to each other. But all these differences at the political level have not made us enter into a 'hate politics', the kind of which is to be witnessed in many other parts of the country or at the global level. We have survived lots of provocations. We have survived the worst kinds of selective killings - in the district of Doda, where a number of times the selective killings have been aimed at provoking a backlash, which did not happen. The massacres in Kashmir - the Chattisinghpora, Nadimarg,Wandhama, Sangrama and many more - were meant to create a permanent tension on community basis - (or the shootout in the Raghunath temple, in Jammu) thankfully none of such situations led to communal tensions. In fact, the very purpose of these selective killings was defeated as these situations were not seen in a 'Black and White' manner. The political maturity of the people was enough to make them understand that these killings were not at all linked with the popular responses of the community and that the local community was as much a prisoner of the situation as the victims were. Even in the worst case so far - the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits which has generated many other kinds of responses - there has not been a communal response. With all the kinds of political wedge that may have been drawn in this case, and whatever kinds of issues that may have arisen - one cannot say that the bond that the Kashmiri Pandits have with the Kashmiri Muslims is totally broken. And certainly, there is not a communal strife between the two communities. So when I make a statement that pluralism in Jammu Kashmir has survived the conflict situation, I am not exaggerating. So why am I seen to be 'narrating a story' or being 'highly optimistic'.
There may be two reasons for that. Firstly, there is ignorance about Jammu and Kashmir and people outside the State are not properly informed about the situation within the State. In many ways, the conflict is seen to be induced by the factor of religion and people of the State are seen to be divided on communal basis. There is no real understanding about the internal heterogeneity, plurality and complexity of the society.
The second reason is that there are not many living examples of the conflicts at the global level where the presence of different communities has not led to the communal divide. The Irish example, about which I would like to talk at length in my later writings, is a case in point. Irish case is presented before us as one comparable to out situation. However, at the societal level there could not have been a bigger contrast. It is a highly divided society - with people following Catholic and Protestant faith totally segregated and having no space for inter-community trust or faith. So institutionalized is the segregation between the two communities that they do not virtually have any space for common interaction. They get educated in segregated schools, they follow segregated politics and as for as possible they remain away from each other. It is a situation unlike us - where we may fight at the political levels, but at the community level, there is no stopping us for showing our love and affection for each other. We meet each other on everyday basis. Ours is so mixed a society that it is not possible to mark any kind of division. We are forced to bump into each other and hence no lines like the one drawn in Northern Ireland can be drawn here. There the political arrangement of power sharing between the two communities, has actually widened the gulf between the communities and the demands are being articulated to divide everything - even the playgrounds!
For us the playgrounds, the educational institutions, the shops, the offices, the neighborhood (and many other such places) are the places where we shed our political divide to meet each other on cultural basis and make friends with each other. Not only that we share so much of history and culture that we cannot stop being a part of each other. So much so, we have our folk practices which overlap the religious boundaries and we even have shared religious spaces. One has to visit a 'Peer Baba' in Jammu on Thursday to understand the concept of shared religious spaces! Plural society of Jammu and Kashmir is not an exaggeration. It is a fact of life here. Plurality is a lived experience and not an 'ideological' or 'text-bookish' principle. It is the way we are living for long time. Certainly, the conflict situation in Jammu and Kashmir can be quoted in positive terms when seen in the context of the inter-community relations and in terms of maintaining the plurality of the society. However, that depends on the proper representation of the reality of the State to the outside world. We have failed in projecting the plurality of our society as our lasting strength. We need to tell our 'story' to the rest of the world.
Monday, April 7, 2008
True Nostalgia: Recalling When Badamwari Meant More Than Almond Blossoms
Zahid Mohammad takes a trip down the memory lane and remembers a time when Kashmir's beauty meant more than what meets the eye today
(Mr. Z. G. Mohammad, 59, 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.)
Badamwari has been resurrected - thanks. I did cry over its death. I sobbed, shouted, bawled and bellowed. Many times, my pen dripped scarlet for its agonizingly gasping and panting for breaths.
I wailed and wept - when I saw the Deviangan - the courtyard of Devi-Sharika, buried under cement concrete. Courtyard of this great Hindu goddess that assumed the form of a giant bird to kill the greatest villain of Kashmir Jalabdev after dropping the ‘massive pebble on him from her beak’was reminiscent of our apathy towards our own well-wisher. I looked at this goddess as a symbol of the great messiah that we have been yearning for to deliver us out of agony and trauma and Like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and believed one day modern Jalabdev’s would also be buried under the gigantic pebble.
I pitied at the whole crop of our planners that had allowed constructing of a sprawling colony for the Tibetan refugees in the courtyard that has been part of our mythology.
I relived the period of tip-cat, hop-scotch, hide and seek whenever I strolled through the almond orchard on the foothills of Koh-i-maran. I would often feel nostalgic about the roasted water-nut sellers- who then used to be aborigines- a few school dropouts from our school days had also took this occupation at the onset of spring - when this great orchard would be rash with purple and white blossoms. I remember one school drop-out was Abdul Khaliq popularly known as Khaliqa, who lived in Sukalpora about three hundred meters away from this garden. Khaliqa could not make it beyond grade five- more so I believe he bade adieu to the school for the corporal punishment that he often got at the morning prayers from Moulvi Noor-u-Din- theology teacher. I enjoyed watching the water-nut sellers roasting nuts in ‘krasham’ a dried variety of grass. Many times, I sat alongside Khaliqa and fanned the grass with the winnower known in local language as shoup. Searching for two appropriate small stones for crushing the roasted water-nuts in an orchard littered with stones and pebbles was in itself a greater pleasure. Tearing the roasted blackened nuts with teeth and blackening the mouth with different designs would draw giggles from the girls in the garden. Many times we bunked classes to enjoy at the Badamwari festival- this festival was our own version of Basant. Many Romeos would be born in this garden and many romances would blossom along with the blossoming of almonds and majority would end up in melancholies.
I doubt if there ever was a boy who did not blacken his mouth with black-soot of roasted nuts. I would feel nostalgic about the tattoo makers who used to squat in front of the shops of the Hindu priests or on both the sides of hundred step stairs leading to the massive temple on the tail of the hillock. Many Hindu priests or purohits known as Gour had lots of shops at the foothill of the temple dedicated to the goddess Sharika. The shops of Gours had small status of wood and stone of some gods and goddesses in one corner with lit-brass-lamps filled with oil around them. The floor was covered with closely weaved mat (wagu). The would say prayers for the Hindu devotees.
Many Pathans with huge loosely tied turbans sitting on tall stools with a massive painting of wild animals in the backdrop were conspicuous by the huge crowds around them in the beautiful landscape of blossoms. These Pathans used to be quite articulate. They would make a concoction in a huge bowl out of different varieties of dry fruit, some wild herbs, butter and Ghee. Most of these Pathans would then recite a couplet of Dr. Iqbal and started praising their concoctions- they called it an elixir that could cure any diseases. They called it an admixture sent by God for people in the paradise. Then most of his talk would go over our heads- and many times when the Pathans would come to man-woman relations they drew away children from the crowd by sprinkling water on them. This admixture of dry fruits and wild herbs was sold as aphrodisiac. After having seen Pathans selling the concoctions and dry fruit, we would often ape them in schools. It was not only Pathans that put their stalls on the lawns of the Badamwari- many quacks from different parts of India would also be party of the grand spectrum. They were nicknamed as ‘sarfa-doctor’- (snake doctors).
I would be reminded of the reenactment of great royal traditions in the garden. The grand poetic recitation- that one day during an interview with me welled tears in the eyes of Mirza Ghulam Hassan Beig Aarif. I was reminded of the great musical concert. I was reminded of Jawaharlal Nehru coming to watch a variety show in the garden. I was reminded of how Ghulam Muhammad Bakshi beguiled him by introducing some long bearded contractor as Qazi-Shahar.
In its death of Badamwari I saw my childhood fading into the aether. I saw in its Alfred Noyes called, ‘sealing all fountains where the soul could slake its thirst and weariness’. It was like scratching of wounds- a portion of the garden facing the Nageen lake and dried up Pukhrabal was restores. I do not know if this almond orchard that announced arrival of spring in our childhood is ever restored to that pristine glory of yester years or not. I do not if that I do not know if the rebirth of this garden, perhaps laid down by the Moguls- our first colonizers in the recent history does not make us cry ‘April is the cruelest month’. The Naigar- Nagar city in whose bosom Badamwari was laid is undoubtedly painful reminder of our colonization by deceit and the fort atop the hillock a symbol of oppression by the tyrants but even then blossoms in this garden filled our hearts with joy enabled us to work odd our feelings.
While feeling joyous about resurrecting of the garden I do not know why this couplet by Bratcher echoed in my mind: “Why come to this place seeking the living among the dead? He is not here—he is Risen…”
(Mr. Z. G. Mohammad, 59, 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.)
Badamwari has been resurrected - thanks. I did cry over its death. I sobbed, shouted, bawled and bellowed. Many times, my pen dripped scarlet for its agonizingly gasping and panting for breaths.
I wailed and wept - when I saw the Deviangan - the courtyard of Devi-Sharika, buried under cement concrete. Courtyard of this great Hindu goddess that assumed the form of a giant bird to kill the greatest villain of Kashmir Jalabdev after dropping the ‘massive pebble on him from her beak’was reminiscent of our apathy towards our own well-wisher. I looked at this goddess as a symbol of the great messiah that we have been yearning for to deliver us out of agony and trauma and Like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and believed one day modern Jalabdev’s would also be buried under the gigantic pebble.
I pitied at the whole crop of our planners that had allowed constructing of a sprawling colony for the Tibetan refugees in the courtyard that has been part of our mythology.
I relived the period of tip-cat, hop-scotch, hide and seek whenever I strolled through the almond orchard on the foothills of Koh-i-maran. I would often feel nostalgic about the roasted water-nut sellers- who then used to be aborigines- a few school dropouts from our school days had also took this occupation at the onset of spring - when this great orchard would be rash with purple and white blossoms. I remember one school drop-out was Abdul Khaliq popularly known as Khaliqa, who lived in Sukalpora about three hundred meters away from this garden. Khaliqa could not make it beyond grade five- more so I believe he bade adieu to the school for the corporal punishment that he often got at the morning prayers from Moulvi Noor-u-Din- theology teacher. I enjoyed watching the water-nut sellers roasting nuts in ‘krasham’ a dried variety of grass. Many times, I sat alongside Khaliqa and fanned the grass with the winnower known in local language as shoup. Searching for two appropriate small stones for crushing the roasted water-nuts in an orchard littered with stones and pebbles was in itself a greater pleasure. Tearing the roasted blackened nuts with teeth and blackening the mouth with different designs would draw giggles from the girls in the garden. Many times we bunked classes to enjoy at the Badamwari festival- this festival was our own version of Basant. Many Romeos would be born in this garden and many romances would blossom along with the blossoming of almonds and majority would end up in melancholies.
I doubt if there ever was a boy who did not blacken his mouth with black-soot of roasted nuts. I would feel nostalgic about the tattoo makers who used to squat in front of the shops of the Hindu priests or on both the sides of hundred step stairs leading to the massive temple on the tail of the hillock. Many Hindu priests or purohits known as Gour had lots of shops at the foothill of the temple dedicated to the goddess Sharika. The shops of Gours had small status of wood and stone of some gods and goddesses in one corner with lit-brass-lamps filled with oil around them. The floor was covered with closely weaved mat (wagu). The would say prayers for the Hindu devotees.
Many Pathans with huge loosely tied turbans sitting on tall stools with a massive painting of wild animals in the backdrop were conspicuous by the huge crowds around them in the beautiful landscape of blossoms. These Pathans used to be quite articulate. They would make a concoction in a huge bowl out of different varieties of dry fruit, some wild herbs, butter and Ghee. Most of these Pathans would then recite a couplet of Dr. Iqbal and started praising their concoctions- they called it an elixir that could cure any diseases. They called it an admixture sent by God for people in the paradise. Then most of his talk would go over our heads- and many times when the Pathans would come to man-woman relations they drew away children from the crowd by sprinkling water on them. This admixture of dry fruits and wild herbs was sold as aphrodisiac. After having seen Pathans selling the concoctions and dry fruit, we would often ape them in schools. It was not only Pathans that put their stalls on the lawns of the Badamwari- many quacks from different parts of India would also be party of the grand spectrum. They were nicknamed as ‘sarfa-doctor’- (snake doctors).
I would be reminded of the reenactment of great royal traditions in the garden. The grand poetic recitation- that one day during an interview with me welled tears in the eyes of Mirza Ghulam Hassan Beig Aarif. I was reminded of the great musical concert. I was reminded of Jawaharlal Nehru coming to watch a variety show in the garden. I was reminded of how Ghulam Muhammad Bakshi beguiled him by introducing some long bearded contractor as Qazi-Shahar.
In its death of Badamwari I saw my childhood fading into the aether. I saw in its Alfred Noyes called, ‘sealing all fountains where the soul could slake its thirst and weariness’. It was like scratching of wounds- a portion of the garden facing the Nageen lake and dried up Pukhrabal was restores. I do not know if this almond orchard that announced arrival of spring in our childhood is ever restored to that pristine glory of yester years or not. I do not if that I do not know if the rebirth of this garden, perhaps laid down by the Moguls- our first colonizers in the recent history does not make us cry ‘April is the cruelest month’. The Naigar- Nagar city in whose bosom Badamwari was laid is undoubtedly painful reminder of our colonization by deceit and the fort atop the hillock a symbol of oppression by the tyrants but even then blossoms in this garden filled our hearts with joy enabled us to work odd our feelings.
While feeling joyous about resurrecting of the garden I do not know why this couplet by Bratcher echoed in my mind: “Why come to this place seeking the living among the dead? He is not here—he is Risen…”
Amid Tourism talk, it is strange that the Kashmir University has no courses on the subject
Students aspiring career in tourism lament absence of tourism in KU courses
Arif Bashir (Kashmir Images)
Srinagar, Apr 07: With the valley of Kashmir being flagged as the ‘most favored’ tourist destination, the Kashmir University and most of its affiliated colleges are yet to realize the need for having formal professional courses for tourism studies.
Tourism, which has been touted as the backbone of the state economy does not seem to be a favorable idea with the University of Kashmir – at least the absence of a regular course in tourism in the campus speaks loud about this missing dimension. Needless to say those aspiring for a career in tourism are equally cross with the varsity about it.
Although tourism is taught as a subject in some colleges here, however, the absence of a post-graduate or even a diploma course in tourism in the University of Kashmir discourages the students interested in higher studies in tourism. These students have to make a beeline to other universities outside the state, which comes with its own set of costs and problems.
“Kashmir being an ideal tourist destination must have special study courses aimed at sharpening and shaping positive attitude towards tourism and its applicability. But unfortunately it does not work this way,” says Amir, a fresh graduate who is interested to pursue tourism studies but lands in the Department of Law for obvious reasons.
Most of the students argue that the potential of the valley with regard to tourism is still not being utilized and maximum portion of it is yet unexplored owing to the lack of professional handling of the subject and the innovative method of maximizing its scope.
Interestingly, the Vice-chancellor of the University of Kashmir, who is out of the station, when contacted, had no comments about it and directed this reporter to talk to the Registrar of the University, who too couldn’t be contacted. “Tourism can only flourish when a culture is developed, a culture can be developed by building positive attitude towards it, which is not possible without professionals and trained manpower,” says Ishfaq, a student of Media Education Research Centre, University of Kashmir.
While the authorities in the J&K Tourism Department, Kashmir strongly uphold the idea of inducting trained professionals in Kashmir tourism, much remains to be done by the University of Kashmir in order to fill this gap by training tourism professional through formal education in the field.
Arif Bashir (Kashmir Images)
Srinagar, Apr 07: With the valley of Kashmir being flagged as the ‘most favored’ tourist destination, the Kashmir University and most of its affiliated colleges are yet to realize the need for having formal professional courses for tourism studies.
Tourism, which has been touted as the backbone of the state economy does not seem to be a favorable idea with the University of Kashmir – at least the absence of a regular course in tourism in the campus speaks loud about this missing dimension. Needless to say those aspiring for a career in tourism are equally cross with the varsity about it.
Although tourism is taught as a subject in some colleges here, however, the absence of a post-graduate or even a diploma course in tourism in the University of Kashmir discourages the students interested in higher studies in tourism. These students have to make a beeline to other universities outside the state, which comes with its own set of costs and problems.
“Kashmir being an ideal tourist destination must have special study courses aimed at sharpening and shaping positive attitude towards tourism and its applicability. But unfortunately it does not work this way,” says Amir, a fresh graduate who is interested to pursue tourism studies but lands in the Department of Law for obvious reasons.
Most of the students argue that the potential of the valley with regard to tourism is still not being utilized and maximum portion of it is yet unexplored owing to the lack of professional handling of the subject and the innovative method of maximizing its scope.
Interestingly, the Vice-chancellor of the University of Kashmir, who is out of the station, when contacted, had no comments about it and directed this reporter to talk to the Registrar of the University, who too couldn’t be contacted. “Tourism can only flourish when a culture is developed, a culture can be developed by building positive attitude towards it, which is not possible without professionals and trained manpower,” says Ishfaq, a student of Media Education Research Centre, University of Kashmir.
While the authorities in the J&K Tourism Department, Kashmir strongly uphold the idea of inducting trained professionals in Kashmir tourism, much remains to be done by the University of Kashmir in order to fill this gap by training tourism professional through formal education in the field.
Easier Said Than Done: Investors will come only when the State demonstrates fiscal discipline
The potential for private investment in J&K is high PROVIDED politicians and bureaucrats clean up their act and ensure transparency and good governance
State can be hub for investors: Report
Jammu, April 6: The state, which has the potential to attract Rs 27,800 crore of investment in the next five years, could become a hub for investors. Thus, it will be able to export Rs 13,000 crore worth of goods and create around 25 lakh new job opportunities in the state.
This has been stated in a report titled “Jammu and Kashmir striving for industrial revolution” released by the associated chambers of commerce and industry of India (ASSOCHAM). The report which was released by ASSOCHAM president Venugopal N. Dhoot in Jammu today said the state had a vast potential for agro-based and bio-technical units.
Speaking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the report releasing function Venugopal said, “The most promising areas in which the state can attract investment from outside include food processing - agro-based industries, floriculture, handicrafts, leather processing and leather goods.”
He added, “Besides, sports, forest-based industries, processing of aromatic plants, herbs, bulk drugs, hosiery units can be established in the state.”
He said Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had extended a helping hand to bring in investment in the state.
“We have requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to extend an extra package of Rs 5,000 crore for raising the infrastructure for investments in the state,” Dhoot said.
The report also stated that the state had immense opportunities in hydropower generation, handloom and handicraft exports, gems and jewellery and development of tourism.
State can be hub for investors: Report
Jammu, April 6: The state, which has the potential to attract Rs 27,800 crore of investment in the next five years, could become a hub for investors. Thus, it will be able to export Rs 13,000 crore worth of goods and create around 25 lakh new job opportunities in the state.
This has been stated in a report titled “Jammu and Kashmir striving for industrial revolution” released by the associated chambers of commerce and industry of India (ASSOCHAM). The report which was released by ASSOCHAM president Venugopal N. Dhoot in Jammu today said the state had a vast potential for agro-based and bio-technical units.
Speaking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the report releasing function Venugopal said, “The most promising areas in which the state can attract investment from outside include food processing - agro-based industries, floriculture, handicrafts, leather processing and leather goods.”
He added, “Besides, sports, forest-based industries, processing of aromatic plants, herbs, bulk drugs, hosiery units can be established in the state.”
He said Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had extended a helping hand to bring in investment in the state.
“We have requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to extend an extra package of Rs 5,000 crore for raising the infrastructure for investments in the state,” Dhoot said.
The report also stated that the state had immense opportunities in hydropower generation, handloom and handicraft exports, gems and jewellery and development of tourism.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Exposing the Hollowness of Claims Being Made by the J&K Government
Syed Basharat reports on how a social activist hit a dead end when seeking information under the RTI
(Mr. Syed Basharat, 28, was born in Kreeri, Baramulla, and did his schooling in Kreeri, and later in Uri and Sopore. He graduated from the Degree College in Baramulla and completed his Master's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the Kashmir University in 2005. He has been a reporter for Kashmir Images, a Srinagar based daily, London based website Gaashonline.Com, and a Srinagar based journal, Globe. Currently, he is working as a special correspondent with Jammu based daily newspaper, The Kashmir Times.
Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, 33, 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 legislation.)
What transpired between CM's & Governor's office?
SRINAGAR, Apr 1: The officials at the helm of affairs in Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's office have failed to respond to an application submitted by an activist under Right To Information Act (RTI) seeking the information that transpired between the CM's and the Governor's offices regarding enactment of Jammu and Kashmir RTI Amendment bill 2007.
"On February 26, 2008 I submitted an application each to CM and the Governor with requisite fee under treasury receipt number 108 and 106. I had sought the information about the correspondence transpired between the two constitutional positions with regard to enactment of RTI amendment bill 2007. As per RTI Act the applicant is supposed to receive the reply within 30 days but over a month has passed now, I have not received any reply from both the offices," said Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat RTI activist in Kashmir. Dr Bhat added that he has not even received acknowledgement cards which he had attached with his applications, which compelled him to file an appeal under RTI provision. "If the people don't get response from the Governor or Chief Minister what can we expect from the lower rung officials," he stated.
Dr Bhat observed that "on the one hand the Chief Minister claims that he has launched a Jehad against corruption but on the other hand the laws which could curb the corruption are totally being ignored by the officials of CM secretariat and Governor's office."The J&K RTI Act amendment bill was introduced in assembly in October 2007 but the Governor withheld his assent 'as the amendment bill had not included all the provisions which could have made it powerful and workable as Central RTI Act 2005.
'In February 2008 this bill was given assent by the Governor as a money bill, but the provisions which makes a bill as a money bill were absent and in this context Dr Muzaffar said, he had sought information from CM's and Governor's office."RTI Act is the only weapon which can help our CM to eradicate corruption from this state," Dr Bhat said and added that an electoral democracy should be transformed into participatory democracy which is only possible when Jammu and Kashmir has a strong RTI legislation.
It is pertinent to mention here that the legislature of Jammu and Kashmir passed the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act (J&K RTI Act or principal Act) in December 2003. It was notified in the Official Gazette in 2004. Rules for implementing this Act were notified by the state government in 2005. This law is closely modeled on the erstwhile Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act) passed by the Indian Parliament in 2002 (but never operationalised). In May 2005, Parliament repealed the FOI Act and replaced it with a much stronger Right to Information Act (Central RTI Act) with the intention of bringing in transparency in government at all levels. This law was gazetted in June and came into full force in October the same year.
On August 31, the state government tabled a set of amendments to the J&K RTI Act in the legislative assembly. The Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2007 (J&K RTI{A} Bill) was tabled on the recommendation of the Governor. The Bill also contained a financial memorandum indicating an expenditure of Rs. 20 lakhs per annum likely to be incurred on account of the establishment of the State Information Commission.
(Mr. Syed Basharat, 28, was born in Kreeri, Baramulla, and did his schooling in Kreeri, and later in Uri and Sopore. He graduated from the Degree College in Baramulla and completed his Master's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the Kashmir University in 2005. He has been a reporter for Kashmir Images, a Srinagar based daily, London based website Gaashonline.Com, and a Srinagar based journal, Globe. Currently, he is working as a special correspondent with Jammu based daily newspaper, The Kashmir Times.
Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, 33, 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 legislation.)
What transpired between CM's & Governor's office?
SRINAGAR, Apr 1: The officials at the helm of affairs in Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's office have failed to respond to an application submitted by an activist under Right To Information Act (RTI) seeking the information that transpired between the CM's and the Governor's offices regarding enactment of Jammu and Kashmir RTI Amendment bill 2007.
"On February 26, 2008 I submitted an application each to CM and the Governor with requisite fee under treasury receipt number 108 and 106. I had sought the information about the correspondence transpired between the two constitutional positions with regard to enactment of RTI amendment bill 2007. As per RTI Act the applicant is supposed to receive the reply within 30 days but over a month has passed now, I have not received any reply from both the offices," said Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat RTI activist in Kashmir. Dr Bhat added that he has not even received acknowledgement cards which he had attached with his applications, which compelled him to file an appeal under RTI provision. "If the people don't get response from the Governor or Chief Minister what can we expect from the lower rung officials," he stated.
Dr Bhat observed that "on the one hand the Chief Minister claims that he has launched a Jehad against corruption but on the other hand the laws which could curb the corruption are totally being ignored by the officials of CM secretariat and Governor's office."The J&K RTI Act amendment bill was introduced in assembly in October 2007 but the Governor withheld his assent 'as the amendment bill had not included all the provisions which could have made it powerful and workable as Central RTI Act 2005.
'In February 2008 this bill was given assent by the Governor as a money bill, but the provisions which makes a bill as a money bill were absent and in this context Dr Muzaffar said, he had sought information from CM's and Governor's office."RTI Act is the only weapon which can help our CM to eradicate corruption from this state," Dr Bhat said and added that an electoral democracy should be transformed into participatory democracy which is only possible when Jammu and Kashmir has a strong RTI legislation.
It is pertinent to mention here that the legislature of Jammu and Kashmir passed the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act (J&K RTI Act or principal Act) in December 2003. It was notified in the Official Gazette in 2004. Rules for implementing this Act were notified by the state government in 2005. This law is closely modeled on the erstwhile Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act) passed by the Indian Parliament in 2002 (but never operationalised). In May 2005, Parliament repealed the FOI Act and replaced it with a much stronger Right to Information Act (Central RTI Act) with the intention of bringing in transparency in government at all levels. This law was gazetted in June and came into full force in October the same year.
On August 31, the state government tabled a set of amendments to the J&K RTI Act in the legislative assembly. The Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2007 (J&K RTI{A} Bill) was tabled on the recommendation of the Governor. The Bill also contained a financial memorandum indicating an expenditure of Rs. 20 lakhs per annum likely to be incurred on account of the establishment of the State Information Commission.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Maintaining Ethics and Morals in Today's Decadent Society
Syeda Afshana explores the world of an elderly person who refuses to keep up with the contemporary society in Kashmir
(Ms. Syeda Afshana, 34, was born in Srinagar. She attended the Vishwa Bharti High School in Rainawari, Srinagar, and the Government Women's College in Srinagar where she received a B.Sc. degree. She completed her Master's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the Kashmir University in 1999 and was the Gold Medallist (first position holder) in her graduating class. She is currently a Lecturer in the Media Education Research Centre (MERC) of the Kashmir University and pursuing her doctorate on the role of internet after 9/11. )
Blindly anonymous,
I couldn’t find words
that could express me.
Downtown middle-class mentality,
nothing really remarkable
I have got!
The lines
that demand and
crave attention,
stagger to reason.
A dilemma
out of emotional miasma.
A sheer absurdity
spiced with
helplessness at the heart.
Frazzled and downcast,
I cease to ask for
some blonde hash,
some bogus antics.
I refuse to buy
humiliation.
Anonymity became anonymous.
Belonging to a middle class family, he had seen himself growing in an idiosyncratic downtown that had stoutly groomed many good characters as well as good customs. Inspired by them, he had imbibed certain resolute beliefs. His roots had existed as an interweaving factor to guide him in crucial decision-making in life. From opting for a career to choosing a spouse, he had grounded himself within those parameters.
He basked under criticism. ‘Down-town middle class mentality’: this was his impeachable brand quality. He would parade it proudly, and in return receive a verbal modicum of sarcastic approval.
Things were moving on nicely till increasingly awful congestion in downtown forced him to buy a small house in so-called posh civil lines and settle there for good. A warm nestle of comfort was lost out. Initially, he did not stumble on anything ‘uncivilized’ about the new place. Rich people; palatial houses; brand cars; gaudy dresses; and of course, superficial smiles—it was an unknown world for him to get acquainted with.
The first nuisance dropped in. The next door landlady started to pop in often. The nagging woman was a leading gossiper who would spend hours with his better-half in the kitchen. Golden ornaments; lavish clothing; surplus money; social status—the vocabulary of kitchen was changing. ‘Rebellion’ was getting cooked up slowly. More precisely, it emanated as a Kitchen Resistance. The pushy wife became demanding and discontented. Making finicky comparisons was her habit now. This made him irritable and grumpy. He had never imagined that life will turn so glum and gloomy. A cheerless ambience had enshrouded him. The life beyond this life seemed to be a closed chapter as he found people around him rejoicing the rebellion against God. He was a misfit cruising in a missed world.
His means were adequate to lead a humble life; pompous lifestyle had no room there. Being a rank officer, he could have easily accumulated wealth through unscrupulous ways, but the conviction of his values always stopped him. His subordinates ridiculed him for being honest and termed his uprightness as ‘Gullibility’. While he used to travel in public transport, they would come to office in private vehicles. Teasing him on petty matters or engaging him in trivialities, he was horrifically pressurized to adopt treachery and break his integrity. Corruption was so overruling and superseding that it took his mental toll to resist it. He experienced uncertainty as the conflict between what he believed in and what he saw in reality around gave rise to a kind of a moral dilemma.
Religion for him was not a ritual to celebrate. He wasn’t a staunch believer but he won’t exhibit his genuine fanaticism for public consumption. He meant Faith. Unflinching one. That’s why he would vocally nullify anything reeled off without meaning or mere hypocrisy packed off in the name of religion. Gimmickry with cant and empty religious rhetoric was unacceptable to him.
Nobody was happy with him. He would complain to a shopkeeper indulging in black marketing. He would argue with the bus driver for violating road rules and playing with the safety of passengers. He would object to approach of youngsters towards life. He would openly demur about the leaders failing in their task. He would protest against the crooked politicians who dupe naïve people. He would oppose anything that was morally and principally incorrect. People had named him unsolicited ‘confrontationist’: a crabby fellow spoiling for a fight!
He would also question the insensitivity on the part of his society, which was getting deep and serious. He was disturbed by the ‘moral panics’ of the society whose value-system was getting fragile and feeble to stand any moral weight. He was labeled as ‘maverick’ whenever he spoke his heart out. His thinking was blatantly scoffed at and it never surprised him. There was nothing tangible he could do to stop all this since there was a rising glorification and recognition of it in the society. Values had taken a backseat and it was a state of complete collapse.
He retired as an ordinary official. No awards were conferred on him for his honest contribution. He had no high contacts to market his competence. A scarce pack of pension was all that he got for slogging prime years of his life in upholding things which made him anonymous. He had no regrets. For anything.
(Ms. Syeda Afshana, 34, was born in Srinagar. She attended the Vishwa Bharti High School in Rainawari, Srinagar, and the Government Women's College in Srinagar where she received a B.Sc. degree. She completed her Master's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the Kashmir University in 1999 and was the Gold Medallist (first position holder) in her graduating class. She is currently a Lecturer in the Media Education Research Centre (MERC) of the Kashmir University and pursuing her doctorate on the role of internet after 9/11. )
A Misfit in a missed world
Blindly anonymous,
I couldn’t find words
that could express me.
Downtown middle-class mentality,
nothing really remarkable
I have got!
The lines
that demand and
crave attention,
stagger to reason.
A dilemma
out of emotional miasma.
A sheer absurdity
spiced with
helplessness at the heart.
Frazzled and downcast,
I cease to ask for
some blonde hash,
some bogus antics.
I refuse to buy
humiliation.
Anonymity became anonymous.
Belonging to a middle class family, he had seen himself growing in an idiosyncratic downtown that had stoutly groomed many good characters as well as good customs. Inspired by them, he had imbibed certain resolute beliefs. His roots had existed as an interweaving factor to guide him in crucial decision-making in life. From opting for a career to choosing a spouse, he had grounded himself within those parameters.
He basked under criticism. ‘Down-town middle class mentality’: this was his impeachable brand quality. He would parade it proudly, and in return receive a verbal modicum of sarcastic approval.
Things were moving on nicely till increasingly awful congestion in downtown forced him to buy a small house in so-called posh civil lines and settle there for good. A warm nestle of comfort was lost out. Initially, he did not stumble on anything ‘uncivilized’ about the new place. Rich people; palatial houses; brand cars; gaudy dresses; and of course, superficial smiles—it was an unknown world for him to get acquainted with.
The first nuisance dropped in. The next door landlady started to pop in often. The nagging woman was a leading gossiper who would spend hours with his better-half in the kitchen. Golden ornaments; lavish clothing; surplus money; social status—the vocabulary of kitchen was changing. ‘Rebellion’ was getting cooked up slowly. More precisely, it emanated as a Kitchen Resistance. The pushy wife became demanding and discontented. Making finicky comparisons was her habit now. This made him irritable and grumpy. He had never imagined that life will turn so glum and gloomy. A cheerless ambience had enshrouded him. The life beyond this life seemed to be a closed chapter as he found people around him rejoicing the rebellion against God. He was a misfit cruising in a missed world.
His means were adequate to lead a humble life; pompous lifestyle had no room there. Being a rank officer, he could have easily accumulated wealth through unscrupulous ways, but the conviction of his values always stopped him. His subordinates ridiculed him for being honest and termed his uprightness as ‘Gullibility’. While he used to travel in public transport, they would come to office in private vehicles. Teasing him on petty matters or engaging him in trivialities, he was horrifically pressurized to adopt treachery and break his integrity. Corruption was so overruling and superseding that it took his mental toll to resist it. He experienced uncertainty as the conflict between what he believed in and what he saw in reality around gave rise to a kind of a moral dilemma.
He was like between the devil and the deep sea. However, he knew that when values conflict, choices are to be made and thus, his strong will overpowered. This, notwithstanding the fact, that he was frequently transferred from one place to another, at times dumped in Official Cells.
Even the social circles were torturous and tormenting for him. He proved to be an odd one out. He failed to live up fallaciously. It was an ordeal to exchange and maintain social connections which had turned into simple ‘liabilities’. He could not manage to spend extravagantly on various social occasions. Most of his relatives would look down upon him as a broke on the breadline. Nonetheless, he journeyed on.
Even the social circles were torturous and tormenting for him. He proved to be an odd one out. He failed to live up fallaciously. It was an ordeal to exchange and maintain social connections which had turned into simple ‘liabilities’. He could not manage to spend extravagantly on various social occasions. Most of his relatives would look down upon him as a broke on the breadline. Nonetheless, he journeyed on.
Religion for him was not a ritual to celebrate. He wasn’t a staunch believer but he won’t exhibit his genuine fanaticism for public consumption. He meant Faith. Unflinching one. That’s why he would vocally nullify anything reeled off without meaning or mere hypocrisy packed off in the name of religion. Gimmickry with cant and empty religious rhetoric was unacceptable to him.
Nobody was happy with him. He would complain to a shopkeeper indulging in black marketing. He would argue with the bus driver for violating road rules and playing with the safety of passengers. He would object to approach of youngsters towards life. He would openly demur about the leaders failing in their task. He would protest against the crooked politicians who dupe naïve people. He would oppose anything that was morally and principally incorrect. People had named him unsolicited ‘confrontationist’: a crabby fellow spoiling for a fight!
He would also question the insensitivity on the part of his society, which was getting deep and serious. He was disturbed by the ‘moral panics’ of the society whose value-system was getting fragile and feeble to stand any moral weight. He was labeled as ‘maverick’ whenever he spoke his heart out. His thinking was blatantly scoffed at and it never surprised him. There was nothing tangible he could do to stop all this since there was a rising glorification and recognition of it in the society. Values had taken a backseat and it was a state of complete collapse.
He retired as an ordinary official. No awards were conferred on him for his honest contribution. He had no high contacts to market his competence. A scarce pack of pension was all that he got for slogging prime years of his life in upholding things which made him anonymous. He had no regrets. For anything.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Living on God's Mercy: A Public Servant Attends a Training Program on Disaster Management and Finds Vulnerability all Around
Kashmir is on the brink of a disaster: We can’t avoid it but we can take measures to minimize the amount of damage it is bound to cause, comments Tanvir Sadiq.
(Mr. Tanvir Sadiq, 30, was born in Srinagar and attended the Burn Hall School. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Information technology and management from Orissa University. He is the youngest Municipal Corporator of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and was elected from Zadibal Constituency. He has contributed regularly to local newspapers like the Kashmir Times, Kashmir Images, Greater Kashmir, and Kashmir Monitor. He was associated with many programs on Disaster Management of J & K and did a couple of programs on highlighting urban poverty. He hopes to be a candidate in the upcoming State Assembly election in 2008 on the National Conference platform from Zadibal assembly constituency. His interest are writing and social work.)
Many people must still be wondering whether to cry over the death and devastation that has wrought havoc on both sides of the State or thank Allah that they are alive. The wrath and fury of nature is always selective. There is no answer why some lose their lives and some are spared. Those gory and gruesome pictures the idiot box exhibited day in and day out since October 8 has terrorized even the steel hearted persons and it is difficult to fathom or comprehend how the survivors will overcome the trauma. There were conflicting reports about the death toll and while the governmental agencies were busy accessing the figure, snow tsunami struck. Many things happened since then but the result was that we are where we started.
I as Municipal Councilor of Srinagar had an opportunity to attend a training program about disaster management. I was so perplexed that for a week I couldn’t sleep. It’s not over, you, I and the world knows. It can happen any time and any where, Kashmir is an earth quake prone area we all know. The houses are built so adjacent to each other that if one falls, the others will follow. In Srinagar itself, Go towards the down town Srinagar and look at the houses built there. I do agree that the older houses are stronger then the new ones but we hardly are left with any traditional houses. And the new construction, thanks to the building authorities are so criminally constructed that you hardly have any scope for the fire gap , leave apart the earth quake .
Habakadal , Zainakadal , Mahraj Gunj , Rainawari interiors , Zadibal and many such places where such construction are so rampant that god forbid if some thing unusual happens , It will be a catastrophe ! . How many times does any body check whether he has adhered to the rules or in that case how many times have the authorities checked? In my opinion, Never. For every tragedy and abnormal circumstances also arises opportunity to correct what has gone wrong before, and such a lesson should not be forgotten.
Now is the time to manage crisis and disaster, Instead of putting blame on each other every one should voluntarily come forward to help who help the victims. No body should oppose others to score points. We have to be bacon of light for the people who have suffered immensely. Have we learnt a lesson from all this … I wonder? Because we are too preoccupied in our own backyard issues of survival we forget that there is a God up there who decides things and not we. We just can’t live in a friendly atmosphere. As if the 19 years of tumult was not enough that we had to face even the natural calamity. Kashmir is not the place which was struck by the earthquake of 8/10 for the first time.
We all know that the most of the areas have been disaster prone and in addition to the earth quake we have had floods, heavy rains and snow falls with regular intervals. One would have expected that the state would be ready with a comprehensive disastrous management apparatus in place to cope with any eventuality. But surprisingly we are always taken unawares and wake up when it’s always very late.
Just to add, two very prominent seismologists warned that a major earth quake could rock Kashmir valley anytime in next 50 years. Roger Biham of University of Colorado, who has been studying Himalayan region for 20 years has made this observation, what’s more important is that he states that the epicenter could be the Pir Panjal region and it could be 7.8 or above. Dr. Susuan Hough has also stated the same.
I am suggesting certain things out of my little experience I had while interacting with officers and people who know about disaster and the ways we can minimize the outcome. The Government of India has already enacted the National disaster management Act. 2005, which envisages the formulation of the national disaster management authority (NDMA) already in place under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The ministry of Home affairs is the Nodal Ministry for the Disaster management at the national level. The state disaster management authorities are under the chairman ship of the respective Hon. Chief Minister and the district disaster management authorities (DDMA) are headed by the respective deputy commissioner. These authorities at various levels are supported and assisted by a number of institution agencies.
While the search, rescue and relief operations are to be carried out by the involvement of disaster response task force created already by raising specially trained 8 battalions of Para military forces at the national level. However the capacity building has been found as the most crucial aspect of disaster management. Keeping this in mind the national institute of disaster management has been set up under the Disaster Management Act -2005 at the national level to guide and assist the central and the state government.
As a supplementary initiative the state government have also been assisted right from the 8th Five Year Plan by inducting a faculty in all the state administrative training institutes including the IMPA Srinagar. However, in J&K state the scheme has not been adopted in full and has been launched with no permanent arrangement although IMPA has had a number of trainings programmes/workshops. The present faculty head has some other assignment to look after and the disaster management training course are in addition to his routine activities.
Earlier I am told that the GoI assistance was given to one faculty position now raised to four. However, this scheme has now been transferred to the national institute of Disaster management Delhi and will now be funded for the entire 11th Five Year Plan taking care of both, programme component as well as the establishment cost . It has been decided that the govt. of India will continue supporting the programme beyond the 11th five year plan also.
As already stated above Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most vulnerable Multi Hazard prone states of India which faces most of all natural and man made disasters. If we haven’t learnt a lesson or two from our own disasters but we have seen through out world that preparedness, awareness and a responsible administrative mechanism is the only way to minimize damage. I therefore once again suggest that a FULL FLEDGED disaster management Venture is operational while as I learnt that UNDP (GOI) has made a committee in which the Div. com is the chief for Urban earthquake vulnerability reduction project (UEVRP) but its tenure is coming to an end sometime in September , while as its role was limited to capacity building, trainings constitute ward level teams and above all awareness and vulnerability assessment , its shameful nothing has happened till date except a press briefing that no one can predict an earthquake so just chill, how irresponsible is that . It seems they are busy in other issues.
It is time to create a Full Fledged Disaster Management Agency for emergency, equipped with all necessary Gadgets, and with some Helicopters even if that means begging any one inside or outside the country . If the establishment proposed is shifted and put under a directorate of disaster management authority, which can be under the control of state disaster management Authority or any officer who can contribute. It will help It should be a constant affair of the government to store Blankets, Fabricated Sheets, Fully Equipped Ambulances, Snow Clearing Machines, Motor Boats, Shikaras, Tinned food Stuffs, and Water Bottles .What’s more important is that the relief should be available within the shortest span of time. Department of housing must entrust the job to the department of R&D to prepare a building design that can withstand any future tremors .In this regard I suggest that we collect information from KOBE Japan, where they have devised low cost earth quake prone dwelling units . The governments must dis-courage settlements of singular units and instead encourage settlements of not less then 10-15 units at one place. For any relief distribution in future this can work out better and save lives. May be if we invest a little now, it may be help us save much more in future.
I am not an expert on disaster management, but as a responsible citizen I think it’s high time we think and think fast. Opportunity knocks at the door once; we may not get a better chance next time. We still have time and we have to avail it! The message is clear, the conclusion is obvious.
(Mr. Tanvir Sadiq, 30, was born in Srinagar and attended the Burn Hall School. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Information technology and management from Orissa University. He is the youngest Municipal Corporator of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and was elected from Zadibal Constituency. He has contributed regularly to local newspapers like the Kashmir Times, Kashmir Images, Greater Kashmir, and Kashmir Monitor. He was associated with many programs on Disaster Management of J & K and did a couple of programs on highlighting urban poverty. He hopes to be a candidate in the upcoming State Assembly election in 2008 on the National Conference platform from Zadibal assembly constituency. His interest are writing and social work.)
Many people must still be wondering whether to cry over the death and devastation that has wrought havoc on both sides of the State or thank Allah that they are alive. The wrath and fury of nature is always selective. There is no answer why some lose their lives and some are spared. Those gory and gruesome pictures the idiot box exhibited day in and day out since October 8 has terrorized even the steel hearted persons and it is difficult to fathom or comprehend how the survivors will overcome the trauma. There were conflicting reports about the death toll and while the governmental agencies were busy accessing the figure, snow tsunami struck. Many things happened since then but the result was that we are where we started.
I as Municipal Councilor of Srinagar had an opportunity to attend a training program about disaster management. I was so perplexed that for a week I couldn’t sleep. It’s not over, you, I and the world knows. It can happen any time and any where, Kashmir is an earth quake prone area we all know. The houses are built so adjacent to each other that if one falls, the others will follow. In Srinagar itself, Go towards the down town Srinagar and look at the houses built there. I do agree that the older houses are stronger then the new ones but we hardly are left with any traditional houses. And the new construction, thanks to the building authorities are so criminally constructed that you hardly have any scope for the fire gap , leave apart the earth quake .
Habakadal , Zainakadal , Mahraj Gunj , Rainawari interiors , Zadibal and many such places where such construction are so rampant that god forbid if some thing unusual happens , It will be a catastrophe ! . How many times does any body check whether he has adhered to the rules or in that case how many times have the authorities checked? In my opinion, Never. For every tragedy and abnormal circumstances also arises opportunity to correct what has gone wrong before, and such a lesson should not be forgotten.
Now is the time to manage crisis and disaster, Instead of putting blame on each other every one should voluntarily come forward to help who help the victims. No body should oppose others to score points. We have to be bacon of light for the people who have suffered immensely. Have we learnt a lesson from all this … I wonder? Because we are too preoccupied in our own backyard issues of survival we forget that there is a God up there who decides things and not we. We just can’t live in a friendly atmosphere. As if the 19 years of tumult was not enough that we had to face even the natural calamity. Kashmir is not the place which was struck by the earthquake of 8/10 for the first time.
We all know that the most of the areas have been disaster prone and in addition to the earth quake we have had floods, heavy rains and snow falls with regular intervals. One would have expected that the state would be ready with a comprehensive disastrous management apparatus in place to cope with any eventuality. But surprisingly we are always taken unawares and wake up when it’s always very late.
Just to add, two very prominent seismologists warned that a major earth quake could rock Kashmir valley anytime in next 50 years. Roger Biham of University of Colorado, who has been studying Himalayan region for 20 years has made this observation, what’s more important is that he states that the epicenter could be the Pir Panjal region and it could be 7.8 or above. Dr. Susuan Hough has also stated the same.
I am suggesting certain things out of my little experience I had while interacting with officers and people who know about disaster and the ways we can minimize the outcome. The Government of India has already enacted the National disaster management Act. 2005, which envisages the formulation of the national disaster management authority (NDMA) already in place under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The ministry of Home affairs is the Nodal Ministry for the Disaster management at the national level. The state disaster management authorities are under the chairman ship of the respective Hon. Chief Minister and the district disaster management authorities (DDMA) are headed by the respective deputy commissioner. These authorities at various levels are supported and assisted by a number of institution agencies.
While the search, rescue and relief operations are to be carried out by the involvement of disaster response task force created already by raising specially trained 8 battalions of Para military forces at the national level. However the capacity building has been found as the most crucial aspect of disaster management. Keeping this in mind the national institute of disaster management has been set up under the Disaster Management Act -2005 at the national level to guide and assist the central and the state government.
As a supplementary initiative the state government have also been assisted right from the 8th Five Year Plan by inducting a faculty in all the state administrative training institutes including the IMPA Srinagar. However, in J&K state the scheme has not been adopted in full and has been launched with no permanent arrangement although IMPA has had a number of trainings programmes/workshops. The present faculty head has some other assignment to look after and the disaster management training course are in addition to his routine activities.
Earlier I am told that the GoI assistance was given to one faculty position now raised to four. However, this scheme has now been transferred to the national institute of Disaster management Delhi and will now be funded for the entire 11th Five Year Plan taking care of both, programme component as well as the establishment cost . It has been decided that the govt. of India will continue supporting the programme beyond the 11th five year plan also.
As already stated above Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most vulnerable Multi Hazard prone states of India which faces most of all natural and man made disasters. If we haven’t learnt a lesson or two from our own disasters but we have seen through out world that preparedness, awareness and a responsible administrative mechanism is the only way to minimize damage. I therefore once again suggest that a FULL FLEDGED disaster management Venture is operational while as I learnt that UNDP (GOI) has made a committee in which the Div. com is the chief for Urban earthquake vulnerability reduction project (UEVRP) but its tenure is coming to an end sometime in September , while as its role was limited to capacity building, trainings constitute ward level teams and above all awareness and vulnerability assessment , its shameful nothing has happened till date except a press briefing that no one can predict an earthquake so just chill, how irresponsible is that . It seems they are busy in other issues.
It is time to create a Full Fledged Disaster Management Agency for emergency, equipped with all necessary Gadgets, and with some Helicopters even if that means begging any one inside or outside the country . If the establishment proposed is shifted and put under a directorate of disaster management authority, which can be under the control of state disaster management Authority or any officer who can contribute. It will help It should be a constant affair of the government to store Blankets, Fabricated Sheets, Fully Equipped Ambulances, Snow Clearing Machines, Motor Boats, Shikaras, Tinned food Stuffs, and Water Bottles .What’s more important is that the relief should be available within the shortest span of time. Department of housing must entrust the job to the department of R&D to prepare a building design that can withstand any future tremors .In this regard I suggest that we collect information from KOBE Japan, where they have devised low cost earth quake prone dwelling units . The governments must dis-courage settlements of singular units and instead encourage settlements of not less then 10-15 units at one place. For any relief distribution in future this can work out better and save lives. May be if we invest a little now, it may be help us save much more in future.
I am not an expert on disaster management, but as a responsible citizen I think it’s high time we think and think fast. Opportunity knocks at the door once; we may not get a better chance next time. We still have time and we have to avail it! The message is clear, the conclusion is obvious.
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