Huma remembers a great artist and a loving parent whose mysterious death continues to haunt the family
Remembering melodious Ghulam Nabi Sheikh
Huma Sheikh
Few days before his death, Dad was singing a sing, which was recorded in 2003, to a group of students and family in our home.
My father, Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, had sung and recorded innumerable songs. His voice shimmered with his passion for Kashmiri music.
As Program Executive in Radio Kashmir, Srinagar and previously as producer and singer, he could create a high-quality recording whenever he presented or dubbed a show on radio.
The power of Dad’s voice and his singing versatility earned him a title “Mehdi Hassan of Jammu and Kashmir,” and his compositions carried him to greater heights.
He spent almost 40 good years of his life in devotion to music in Kashmir. He was “Top Grade” artist of JK and his songs and compositions blended with contemporary tunes yet retained their melodic folk texture that touched people’s hearts.
He further eternalizes his singing and musical abilities by creating a breed of singers in Kashmir, who all are now popular singers in the valley.
Dad began his musical career at the age of 14. From these early days, he would participate in singing competitions in and outside of Kashmir, often winning first slots. His first international visit as a teenage was to Bangladesh, where he received first prize in a singing competition. Around the same time, Dad began singing for Yuvavani service of Radio Kashmir.
He would be at the same recording room as popular singers of their days like Ghulam Hassan Sofi, Raj Begum and Naseem Akhtar. Dad received first prize in a youth competition in 1980 organized by the Cultural Academy, Srinagar.
Dad soon joined a cluster of singers like Shaheema Azad, Kailash Mehra, who had started their singing career way ahead of him. Singers like Aarti Tikko and Vijay Mala came around the same time as dad. He started singing and composing songs for Radio Kashmir’s General Service while mesmerizing thousands of Kashmiris with his wonderful voice. He marveled people with his singing performances across all states in India. He won “Grade A” singer slot in light music.
In 1983, he was appointed music composer in Radio Kashmir. After 1989 when Pandit Bhajan Sopori, who was Program Executive at Radio Kashmir, left Kashmir, Dad overlooked Radio’s Music section. During those tough years of turmoil, he created a large group of singers in Kashmir, who eventually got recognition in the field of music. Among them are Rashid Farash, Waheed Jeelani, Muneer Ahmed Mir and others.
As approved music composer by Music Audition Board, All India Radio, New Delhi, he also composed songs in Urdu, Dogri, Gojri, Punjabi and Bengali among others.
Years into his stint as music composer, he cleared Union Public Service Commission examination to serve as Program Executive in Radio Kashmir. He was awarded “Top Grade Singer” in light music for excellence in the singing of Kashmiri songs--the other “Top Grade Singer” in light music in the Valley is Begum Akhtar. He also won “D-I Graded Singer” award in light music (Urdu).
He served as member of the Advisory Sub-Committee for Kashmir Folk Music in Cultural Academy (1995-2003) and member of Program Advisory Committee of Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar (1986-88). He was also empanelled with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
But the voice is silent now. Today is the sixth anniversary of his death, yet his death is still a mystery.
My father was died in 2003. He disappeared mysteriously from the train bound for Delhi from Jammu on the night of July 13 and was reported dead the following day by Punjab police. They claimed his body had been cremated. We only got his clothes and slippers and the ring and watch he was wearing.
The tragedy of his death has stuck with us and the ghosts of mystery haunt us as time passes. We have many questions but no answers.
We have questions about who killed him and what led to his death. We regret that the Jammu and Kashmir government couldn’t do anything to unravel the mystery. The lukewarm response of the government toward handling the case also adds to the lingering feeling every Kashmiri has that the people hardly have any power when it comes to dealing with cases that happen outside state.
My father’s death is not the only case in the Valley; many tragedies have happened in Kashmir. At the end of the day, it is not the death of a person but a family. Over the course of six years, my mother has lost hope that her husband will ever come back and so have I and my siblings—a brother and sister.
We just don’t know as we have never seen his dead body. “Some day, there will be a miracle when dad will knock on our door. We don’t stop thinking about it.”
Friday, July 17, 2009
Kashmir's Apple Cart is Stuck!
Three related stories on good news-bad news related to Kashmir's apple industry
Kashmir’s apple clock struck
Rashid Paul (Rising Kashmir)
Srinagar: Apple production in the State, which involves around 25 lakh people, has shown serious symptoms of stagnation for past four years, experts quoting latest figures said Tuesday.
The yield per hectare in the State is stuck at 11 metric tones per annum for the past four years while in countries with similar climatic conditions, production has outreached 46 metric tones.
The yield per hectare is not showing any growth over the past four years, said Prof F A Banday, Head Division of Pomology at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir.
Since many years, the yield per hectare is stuck at 11 metric tones per hectare, he told Rising Kashmir.
The yield in Europe, the continent which has a similar climate to Kashmir, has reached an average of 40 metric tones per hectare.
Belgium, a country with an area almost double that of Kashmir valley produces about 46 metric tones per hectare, Denmark 41 metric tones, the Netherlands 40 metric tones and Brazil, a developing economy harvests 38.2 metric tones of apple a season.
Narrow variety base is the chief factor for our low productivity, Banday said. We developed and released Lal Ambri, Akbar and Sonhari which can produce up to 26 metric tones per hectare per annum.
The government agencies responsible for their propagation and distribution among the farmers haven’t done their job fairly forcing us to take up the distribution job as well, he said.
Some 50,000 such plants were given to farmers last year.
To increase the apple production, Banay advises high density plantation on European pattern.
However, Director Horticulture M S Qasba says it was not justifiable to compare Kashmir with Europe. “We don’t have European standard medical facilities. So we should not draw parallels between horticulture production of Europe and Kashmir,” he says. “They have big land holdings. Their horticulture is mechanized. They also have a state-of-art watering facilities.”
Qasba claimed that the department gives 1 to 2 lakh trees to farmers annually besides developing 500 hectares with clonal root stocks.
However, Muhammad Amin, a fruit grower from Shopian said experts and officials had failed the growers.
“Bad inputs like substandard fertilizers, pesticides and non availability of good yield plants is arresting the production,” he said.
Apple production on decline mode in Shopian as Scab returns after 37 years
Ishfaq Mir (Rising Kashmir)
Shopian: This year apple production in Shopian is set to receive a big jolt as Scab disease has attacked more than 20 per cent of the total area under apple cultivation, experts warned on Tuesday.
Venchuria Inequaris , known as Scab in common parlance which appeared first time in 1972 in the Valley orchards had disappeared to a large extent but non-availability of fungicides in the market has favoured its return after 37 years in this apple belt.
Retired chief scientist Dr.G.M Tak while talking to Rising Kashmir warned of severe financial loss to the apple industry due to the scab which has visited Shopain orchards after a long gap of 37 years.
“Basically it is a form of larva which thrives in moist air. Untimely rain and fluctuating temperatures made it to flourish. Only regular use of fungicides could control the disease but they are not available in the market due to continued strike. The crop was already less this year by about 30 per cent,” adding that and the annual decrease will be more now.
The Scab threat has added to the woes of the orchardists’ already facing threats of low yield this year due to untimely rainfall and swindling temperatures. Besides the disappearance of fungicides from the market due to month a half long strike has made it difficult to control the expected loss.
“The strike of one and a half month made it difficult to get the fungicides. Although the Scab had attacked the orchards in mid May but lack of timely spray of fungicides increased the area under threat. We couldn’t get the fungicides since May 30 till date and the disease is making its grip strong,” said Abdul Shakoor Reshi, a fruit dealer and grower.
Non-availability of the original fungicides in the market paved the way for the fake ones which spread the disease further.
“When reliable fungicides were not available, some of the fruit growers used low grade ones which increased the pace of spread of the Scab disease. We are very apprehensive and only Allah can save us,” added another fruit grower Muhammad Shafi.
Chief horticultural officer Shopian G.N. Shah said, “More than 24,000 hactares are under apple cultivation in Shopian, however the yield is set to decline this year as the rains plus temperature played a foul play.”
'Rs 19 Cr to augment facilities at four fruit mandis of North Kashmir'
Srinagar: Minister of State for Horticulture Javed Ahmad Dar in an officers meeting took stock of the pace of works under execution in various fruit mandis of North Kashmir here today.
It was giving in the meeting that in fruit mandi Sopore, Rs. 18 crore project is under execution for providing and augmenting various infrastructure and basic facilities in the mandi, out of which, Rs. 8 crore stand expended. It was further told that to improve the capacity in the mandi two new sheds will be constructed during the current financial year.
The meeting while taking review of the work under execution in fruit mandi Kupwara was told that Rs. 34 lakhs have been earmarked for macadamization while as Rs. 8 lakh stand provided for drinking water facilities.
The meeting while taking stock of the facilities at fruit mandi Handwara and Baramulla was told that Rs. 35 lakh and 25 lakh respectively have been provided for improving various basic facilities at the two mandis. It was further told that an extra shed will be constructed in fruit mandi Baramulla to increase its overall capacity.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister while terming horticulture as a core activity possessing great potential stressed upon the concerned to ensure completion of all under execution schemes on scheduled. He asked officers to explore possibilities for establishing a cold store at every fruit mandi so that supply is managed as per demand.
Besides, Director Horticulture, the meeting was attended by the senior officers of Horticulture, Planning and Marketing.
(Kashmir Times)
Kashmir’s apple clock struck
Rashid Paul (Rising Kashmir)
Srinagar: Apple production in the State, which involves around 25 lakh people, has shown serious symptoms of stagnation for past four years, experts quoting latest figures said Tuesday.
The yield per hectare in the State is stuck at 11 metric tones per annum for the past four years while in countries with similar climatic conditions, production has outreached 46 metric tones.
The yield per hectare is not showing any growth over the past four years, said Prof F A Banday, Head Division of Pomology at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir.
Since many years, the yield per hectare is stuck at 11 metric tones per hectare, he told Rising Kashmir.
The yield in Europe, the continent which has a similar climate to Kashmir, has reached an average of 40 metric tones per hectare.
Belgium, a country with an area almost double that of Kashmir valley produces about 46 metric tones per hectare, Denmark 41 metric tones, the Netherlands 40 metric tones and Brazil, a developing economy harvests 38.2 metric tones of apple a season.
Narrow variety base is the chief factor for our low productivity, Banday said. We developed and released Lal Ambri, Akbar and Sonhari which can produce up to 26 metric tones per hectare per annum.
The government agencies responsible for their propagation and distribution among the farmers haven’t done their job fairly forcing us to take up the distribution job as well, he said.
Some 50,000 such plants were given to farmers last year.
To increase the apple production, Banay advises high density plantation on European pattern.
However, Director Horticulture M S Qasba says it was not justifiable to compare Kashmir with Europe. “We don’t have European standard medical facilities. So we should not draw parallels between horticulture production of Europe and Kashmir,” he says. “They have big land holdings. Their horticulture is mechanized. They also have a state-of-art watering facilities.”
Qasba claimed that the department gives 1 to 2 lakh trees to farmers annually besides developing 500 hectares with clonal root stocks.
However, Muhammad Amin, a fruit grower from Shopian said experts and officials had failed the growers.
“Bad inputs like substandard fertilizers, pesticides and non availability of good yield plants is arresting the production,” he said.
Apple production on decline mode in Shopian as Scab returns after 37 years
Ishfaq Mir (Rising Kashmir)
Shopian: This year apple production in Shopian is set to receive a big jolt as Scab disease has attacked more than 20 per cent of the total area under apple cultivation, experts warned on Tuesday.
Venchuria Inequaris , known as Scab in common parlance which appeared first time in 1972 in the Valley orchards had disappeared to a large extent but non-availability of fungicides in the market has favoured its return after 37 years in this apple belt.
Retired chief scientist Dr.G.M Tak while talking to Rising Kashmir warned of severe financial loss to the apple industry due to the scab which has visited Shopain orchards after a long gap of 37 years.
“Basically it is a form of larva which thrives in moist air. Untimely rain and fluctuating temperatures made it to flourish. Only regular use of fungicides could control the disease but they are not available in the market due to continued strike. The crop was already less this year by about 30 per cent,” adding that and the annual decrease will be more now.
The Scab threat has added to the woes of the orchardists’ already facing threats of low yield this year due to untimely rainfall and swindling temperatures. Besides the disappearance of fungicides from the market due to month a half long strike has made it difficult to control the expected loss.
“The strike of one and a half month made it difficult to get the fungicides. Although the Scab had attacked the orchards in mid May but lack of timely spray of fungicides increased the area under threat. We couldn’t get the fungicides since May 30 till date and the disease is making its grip strong,” said Abdul Shakoor Reshi, a fruit dealer and grower.
Non-availability of the original fungicides in the market paved the way for the fake ones which spread the disease further.
“When reliable fungicides were not available, some of the fruit growers used low grade ones which increased the pace of spread of the Scab disease. We are very apprehensive and only Allah can save us,” added another fruit grower Muhammad Shafi.
Chief horticultural officer Shopian G.N. Shah said, “More than 24,000 hactares are under apple cultivation in Shopian, however the yield is set to decline this year as the rains plus temperature played a foul play.”
'Rs 19 Cr to augment facilities at four fruit mandis of North Kashmir'
Srinagar: Minister of State for Horticulture Javed Ahmad Dar in an officers meeting took stock of the pace of works under execution in various fruit mandis of North Kashmir here today.
It was giving in the meeting that in fruit mandi Sopore, Rs. 18 crore project is under execution for providing and augmenting various infrastructure and basic facilities in the mandi, out of which, Rs. 8 crore stand expended. It was further told that to improve the capacity in the mandi two new sheds will be constructed during the current financial year.
The meeting while taking review of the work under execution in fruit mandi Kupwara was told that Rs. 34 lakhs have been earmarked for macadamization while as Rs. 8 lakh stand provided for drinking water facilities.
The meeting while taking stock of the facilities at fruit mandi Handwara and Baramulla was told that Rs. 35 lakh and 25 lakh respectively have been provided for improving various basic facilities at the two mandis. It was further told that an extra shed will be constructed in fruit mandi Baramulla to increase its overall capacity.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister while terming horticulture as a core activity possessing great potential stressed upon the concerned to ensure completion of all under execution schemes on scheduled. He asked officers to explore possibilities for establishing a cold store at every fruit mandi so that supply is managed as per demand.
Besides, Director Horticulture, the meeting was attended by the senior officers of Horticulture, Planning and Marketing.
(Kashmir Times)
The Village That Time Forgot
Let the ghost of Rajiv Gandhi prevail!
Kumkari – a forgotten village in Kashmir
Kupwara: Believe it or not but it is true that there is a village in Kupwara which is still without power and water supply, not to speak of other basic amenities.
And the villagers of this forlorn hamlet say they are as if living in the “no man’s land”, alleging since 1947 till date “not a single person from higher-ups of administration has paid a single visit to this village”.
Kumkari is the name of this “forgotten village” of 1500 souls in Kupwara, which despite being just 35 kms away from the main township Kupwara, has not attracted an official attention so far.
Now if locals are believed they say the village remains cut off from the rest of the world throughout the year as this ill-fated village is sans road connectivity.
As if this not enough, there is no power, no water supply, no health facilities… “there is nothing!”
“I don’t think we belong to any government or any government belongs to us. This is irony that we don’t have any facility available here. Our children don’t know what an electric bulb is because they have never seen one. We don’t know what a bus or a car is because we don’t have roads. Our pregnant women have to die on way to hospitals because we don’t have doctors here….” said Bagu Malik, a senior resident of the village.
“During winter when over 20 feet of snow accumulate here we are forced to travel a distance of 35 kms to reach SDH Kupwara by foot for treatment,” Malik says, adding “these are the times when we realize we are a forgotten lot”.
“During the past winter only we lost some five pregnant women because of non-availability of doctors here. We tried to lift them to hospital but couldn’t foot the distances as a result of which they died,” said Ghulam Mohammad Poswal, another elderly villager.
When ‘Kashmir Images’ contacted Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Showkat Ahmad Mir, and told him about the lack of basic amenities in Kumkari village, he assured that the village will be connected with proper roads under the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY).
“I will myself visit this village in near future and will assess the problems being faced by the villagers at Kumkari,” Mir said.
“We will try to provide them water supply on priority and take up this matter with our higher-ups of administration as early as possible,” assured Executive Engineer PHE Kupwara, Mohammad Hussain Balakhi and P P Singh, Executive Engineer PDD, when contacted by ‘Kashmir Images’ assured “the village will be electrified under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) scheme on priority.”
(Kashmir Images)
Kumkari – a forgotten village in Kashmir
Kupwara: Believe it or not but it is true that there is a village in Kupwara which is still without power and water supply, not to speak of other basic amenities.
And the villagers of this forlorn hamlet say they are as if living in the “no man’s land”, alleging since 1947 till date “not a single person from higher-ups of administration has paid a single visit to this village”.
Kumkari is the name of this “forgotten village” of 1500 souls in Kupwara, which despite being just 35 kms away from the main township Kupwara, has not attracted an official attention so far.
Now if locals are believed they say the village remains cut off from the rest of the world throughout the year as this ill-fated village is sans road connectivity.
As if this not enough, there is no power, no water supply, no health facilities… “there is nothing!”
“I don’t think we belong to any government or any government belongs to us. This is irony that we don’t have any facility available here. Our children don’t know what an electric bulb is because they have never seen one. We don’t know what a bus or a car is because we don’t have roads. Our pregnant women have to die on way to hospitals because we don’t have doctors here….” said Bagu Malik, a senior resident of the village.
“During winter when over 20 feet of snow accumulate here we are forced to travel a distance of 35 kms to reach SDH Kupwara by foot for treatment,” Malik says, adding “these are the times when we realize we are a forgotten lot”.
“During the past winter only we lost some five pregnant women because of non-availability of doctors here. We tried to lift them to hospital but couldn’t foot the distances as a result of which they died,” said Ghulam Mohammad Poswal, another elderly villager.
When ‘Kashmir Images’ contacted Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Showkat Ahmad Mir, and told him about the lack of basic amenities in Kumkari village, he assured that the village will be connected with proper roads under the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY).
“I will myself visit this village in near future and will assess the problems being faced by the villagers at Kumkari,” Mir said.
“We will try to provide them water supply on priority and take up this matter with our higher-ups of administration as early as possible,” assured Executive Engineer PHE Kupwara, Mohammad Hussain Balakhi and P P Singh, Executive Engineer PDD, when contacted by ‘Kashmir Images’ assured “the village will be electrified under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) scheme on priority.”
(Kashmir Images)
The Pathetic State of J&K's Historical Archives
Yet another example of public indifference exposing the shallow character of people around
Bird droppings, dust, moths ruining historical documents in archives deptt
Asifa Amin Koul (Kashmir Times)
Srinagar: Heaps of dust, bird droppings and fodder for moths and silver
fish. This is how Kashmir’s rare and historical documents are deteriorating in
the dilapidated building of Archives department. But the deplorable condition of
the building as well as the key documents housed in it fails to hook the
attention of the helmsmen.
Over the years bird droppings have also posed a big threat to these unique and
rare documents and manuscripts of Maharaja Hari Singh’s time. Pigeons, without
seeking anybody’s permission, make an easy entry through the broken ceiling of
the repository wing of the building and do not mind easing on these historical
documents without any hesitation.
Established during the Maharaja’s rule, the key documents housed in the Archive
building include Maharaja’s confidential records, state department records,
military records, ex-governor records and the famous Glancy Commission report. How these precious documents have been preserved so far can be well gauged by the fact that many pages of the Glancy commission have faded away. Likewise, some of the documents in various shelves in the halls of the building are moth- eaten. Reliable sources told The Kashmir times that no combing, documentation and cataloging of these documents have been done so far. “There is a complete mess here. The documents of Records section can be seen in Finance section and those of latter in the Revenue section,” sources said.
They added that no official has been assigned the job of looking after the
Records section. Interestingly, the vacant post of the superintendent of records
section has not been filled so far. Sources said that the unbearable stink of
bird droppings coupled with damp and dark rooms of the building of the Archives
department repulse the employees of the department not to talk of researches.
Such is the condition of the rooms housing the key documents that the employees prefer to wear surgical masks before entering into the rooms.
The main source of light in these poorly lit and suffocating rooms is few
windows and the broken ceilings. Though there are some lamps, they hardly make any difference as they barely glow due to low voltage. “The employees refuse to go inside as the rooms are suffocating, stinky and the documents are dust-laden. Touch any document, hands get dirty with bird droppings and dust. These are posing a serious health risk by causing allergic reactions,” the sources said adding that the suffocation inside the rooms or halls gets worse during summers.
To eradicate insect infestation for preservation of documents, the department has no fumigation chambers. It has been learnt that the only fumigation chamber procured way back in early 1960s is not functioning properly. When contacted director Archives department, Khursheed Ahmad Qadri, said, “For some time we are doing some repairing and modification of the building to assuage the problems that we face in preservation of these precious documents. We have also sent a proposal to the government for undertaking renovation of the building without touching its original heritage sanctity. We want to preserve it as a heritage building.”
Bird droppings, dust, moths ruining historical documents in archives deptt
Asifa Amin Koul (Kashmir Times)
Srinagar: Heaps of dust, bird droppings and fodder for moths and silver
fish. This is how Kashmir’s rare and historical documents are deteriorating in
the dilapidated building of Archives department. But the deplorable condition of
the building as well as the key documents housed in it fails to hook the
attention of the helmsmen.
Over the years bird droppings have also posed a big threat to these unique and
rare documents and manuscripts of Maharaja Hari Singh’s time. Pigeons, without
seeking anybody’s permission, make an easy entry through the broken ceiling of
the repository wing of the building and do not mind easing on these historical
documents without any hesitation.
Established during the Maharaja’s rule, the key documents housed in the Archive
building include Maharaja’s confidential records, state department records,
military records, ex-governor records and the famous Glancy Commission report. How these precious documents have been preserved so far can be well gauged by the fact that many pages of the Glancy commission have faded away. Likewise, some of the documents in various shelves in the halls of the building are moth- eaten. Reliable sources told The Kashmir times that no combing, documentation and cataloging of these documents have been done so far. “There is a complete mess here. The documents of Records section can be seen in Finance section and those of latter in the Revenue section,” sources said.
They added that no official has been assigned the job of looking after the
Records section. Interestingly, the vacant post of the superintendent of records
section has not been filled so far. Sources said that the unbearable stink of
bird droppings coupled with damp and dark rooms of the building of the Archives
department repulse the employees of the department not to talk of researches.
Such is the condition of the rooms housing the key documents that the employees prefer to wear surgical masks before entering into the rooms.
The main source of light in these poorly lit and suffocating rooms is few
windows and the broken ceilings. Though there are some lamps, they hardly make any difference as they barely glow due to low voltage. “The employees refuse to go inside as the rooms are suffocating, stinky and the documents are dust-laden. Touch any document, hands get dirty with bird droppings and dust. These are posing a serious health risk by causing allergic reactions,” the sources said adding that the suffocation inside the rooms or halls gets worse during summers.
To eradicate insect infestation for preservation of documents, the department has no fumigation chambers. It has been learnt that the only fumigation chamber procured way back in early 1960s is not functioning properly. When contacted director Archives department, Khursheed Ahmad Qadri, said, “For some time we are doing some repairing and modification of the building to assuage the problems that we face in preservation of these precious documents. We have also sent a proposal to the government for undertaking renovation of the building without touching its original heritage sanctity. We want to preserve it as a heritage building.”
Monday, July 13, 2009
Revitalizing Kashmir's Economy
Shakeel-ur-Rehman has an interesting idea
(Syed Shakeel-ul-Rehman, 32, was born in Qazipora, Tangmarg. He did his schooling at the Government Middle School in Katipora and at the Government Higher Secondary School in Chandilora, both in the Tangmarg Tehsil. He graduated in Social Work from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), being the first Kashmiri student to graduate with that major. He subsequently did his post graduate diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from the same University. He has taken specialized courses in computer hardware and software technology. He worked as a columnist and correspondent for the Greater Kashmir daily newspaper until 2005 and is currently the Opinion Editor of the Kashmir Images daily newspaper. He also anchors Doordharshan Kendra Srinagar's live phone-in show called, "Hello DD" since April 2005. Mr. Shakeel-ur-Rehman holds the distinction of having interviewed prominent personalities in all major fields and walks of life, probably more than any other Kashmiri journalist.)
Ideal Industries
Kashmir is industrially starved. This makes private investment on large scale crucial for the state. It is no secret that when it comes to investment, the Valley is unlikely to get big investments in industrial sector given its agro-climatic conditions.
This makes it imperative on our part to focus on small and medium scale industries. And it is this sector which the state should promote.
As far as small scale industrial sector is concerned, the state had not long ago a monopoly in the sector. But due to lack of governmental support coupled with the prevalent situation in the state, this sector suffered enormously. Such is the condition of those associated with the sector that hardly anyone else would like to venture into the field.
But since small scale industries are suited for Kashmir and the state has requisite manpower acquainted with the trade practices, it would be really good if the government took the sector seriously and the captains of Indian industry too did their bit by investing in this sector where chances of growth are huge.
As a matter of fact, the small scale enterprises have to date contributed substantially to the growth of the state economy. The small scale enterprises can be grouped into three categories viz; cottage industries, agro based industries and small scale industries. Cottage industries and agro-based industries being agriculture based have a huge scope in the state.
Although these segments of industry generate foreign exchange through exports, help preserve the ancient and traditional skills of the rural artisans and prevent their migration to the urban areas, they suffer from various problems like non-availability of credit and finance, difficulties in marketing their products, in procuring raw materials etc.
In the context of Kashmir cottage and agro-based industries are important. This is because they are broadly associated with the processing of agricultural produce. Being agriculture based they generate part time and whole time occupations in rural and semi urban areas.
Cottage industries and agro-based industries work independently while the small scale industries are technically and economically dependent on the large scale sector. This limits the scope of the latter in Kashmir. But if the Indian industry majors come forward chances of growth in the small scale sector would zoom.
In a place like Kashmir where the incidents of unemployment, underemployment, and seasonal employment are high and where capital cannot be mobilized on a massive scale to industrialize rapidly, SSI’s would generate large employment opportunities.
The plus point with this type of industry is that it can be established in any part of the state and can create work for the unemployed, more work for the underemployed and supplementary work for the seasonally employed in the rural sector.
Although there is enough scope for the small scale industries in the state, these have been bogged down by myriad problems, the foremost being the non-availability of credit and finance, both long term and short term. Besides, the material resources are small and the industries suffer from instability of profits which deter banks from giving loans. But if the government and industry majors come forward things would doubtless take a better turn.
(Syed Shakeel-ul-Rehman, 32, was born in Qazipora, Tangmarg. He did his schooling at the Government Middle School in Katipora and at the Government Higher Secondary School in Chandilora, both in the Tangmarg Tehsil. He graduated in Social Work from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), being the first Kashmiri student to graduate with that major. He subsequently did his post graduate diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from the same University. He has taken specialized courses in computer hardware and software technology. He worked as a columnist and correspondent for the Greater Kashmir daily newspaper until 2005 and is currently the Opinion Editor of the Kashmir Images daily newspaper. He also anchors Doordharshan Kendra Srinagar's live phone-in show called, "Hello DD" since April 2005. Mr. Shakeel-ur-Rehman holds the distinction of having interviewed prominent personalities in all major fields and walks of life, probably more than any other Kashmiri journalist.)
Ideal Industries
Kashmir is industrially starved. This makes private investment on large scale crucial for the state. It is no secret that when it comes to investment, the Valley is unlikely to get big investments in industrial sector given its agro-climatic conditions.
This makes it imperative on our part to focus on small and medium scale industries. And it is this sector which the state should promote.
As far as small scale industrial sector is concerned, the state had not long ago a monopoly in the sector. But due to lack of governmental support coupled with the prevalent situation in the state, this sector suffered enormously. Such is the condition of those associated with the sector that hardly anyone else would like to venture into the field.
But since small scale industries are suited for Kashmir and the state has requisite manpower acquainted with the trade practices, it would be really good if the government took the sector seriously and the captains of Indian industry too did their bit by investing in this sector where chances of growth are huge.
As a matter of fact, the small scale enterprises have to date contributed substantially to the growth of the state economy. The small scale enterprises can be grouped into three categories viz; cottage industries, agro based industries and small scale industries. Cottage industries and agro-based industries being agriculture based have a huge scope in the state.
Although these segments of industry generate foreign exchange through exports, help preserve the ancient and traditional skills of the rural artisans and prevent their migration to the urban areas, they suffer from various problems like non-availability of credit and finance, difficulties in marketing their products, in procuring raw materials etc.
In the context of Kashmir cottage and agro-based industries are important. This is because they are broadly associated with the processing of agricultural produce. Being agriculture based they generate part time and whole time occupations in rural and semi urban areas.
Cottage industries and agro-based industries work independently while the small scale industries are technically and economically dependent on the large scale sector. This limits the scope of the latter in Kashmir. But if the Indian industry majors come forward chances of growth in the small scale sector would zoom.
In a place like Kashmir where the incidents of unemployment, underemployment, and seasonal employment are high and where capital cannot be mobilized on a massive scale to industrialize rapidly, SSI’s would generate large employment opportunities.
The plus point with this type of industry is that it can be established in any part of the state and can create work for the unemployed, more work for the underemployed and supplementary work for the seasonally employed in the rural sector.
Although there is enough scope for the small scale industries in the state, these have been bogged down by myriad problems, the foremost being the non-availability of credit and finance, both long term and short term. Besides, the material resources are small and the industries suffer from instability of profits which deter banks from giving loans. But if the government and industry majors come forward things would doubtless take a better turn.
Development is Freedonm
Sajjad discusses the role and importance of the regional rural bank, called the Grarameen Bank, in Kashmir's future development
(Mr. Sajjad Bazaz, 45, was born in Srinagar. He attended the Khalsa high school and the Sri Pratap College in Srinagar. He received his bachelor's degree in Media and his master's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir. Mr. Bazaz has over two decades of experience in journalism (both print & electronic), and he is author of the book "Bankwatch" which is about a financial scenario with particular reference to the J&K state. He is currently incharge of corporate communications department in a leaduing financial instution in J&K. Mr. Bazaz likes to spend leisure time watching movies and enjoying company of his friends.)
J&K Grameen Bank
The Kashmir conflict being one of the most staggering conflicts and its persistence involving two nuclear powers needs no introduction. Besides, the economic cost of the conflict cannot be confined to a particular sector of economy, as it has affected the important sources of livelihood of common people. Besides exacting extensive damage to the infrastructure of the state, the conflict has discouraged private investment and pushed the economy towards stagnation. Precisely, in this gruesome scenario it is the common people who suffer the most. However, this needs to be realized that even in conflict situation like the one prevailing here, development programmes must go on.
Economic development of the state cannot be overlooked without intruding on political consequences of the conflict. It is also a fact that the Kashmir imbroglio cannot be resolved only by means of economic development, but there is no fun to oppose or stagnate vibrant economic growth which is only for the betterment of the lives of the people.
Here I quote the theory of “development as freedom” by Amartya Sen in which he argues that development and freedom are intimately related. Freedom is both constitutive of development and instrumental to it. Amartya Sen delineates five freedoms that are needed to bring true development: political freedoms; economic facilities; social opportunities; transparency guarantees; and protective security. Based on this premise, any economic underdevelopment amounts to lack of freedom. In the context of Kashmir situation, all kinds of freedoms that are both “means and ends of development” are under constant threat for the past two decades.
Violence has also directly affected other important sources of livelihood such as agriculture, horticulture, and the handicraft industry. The J&K state is known for wide variety of agricultural and horticulture products. However, the conflict environment has prevented from maximally tapping the potential of these sectors. Precisely, here overall suppressed economic development needs energetic efforts from all relevant sources to put all engines of growth back on the track.
On economic front, one of the major developments, which took place in J&K State last week didn’t get much attention was formation of a new regional rural bank – J&K Grameen Bank. The new bank carved out through merger of Kamraz Rural Bank and Jammu Rural Bank - sponsored by J&K Bank – began its operations from July 1, 2009. The area of operation of J&K Grameen Bank with 172 branches has the combined area of operation of the amalgamated Regional Rural Banks.
Even as the Regional Rural Banks have a major role to revolutionise the rural economy by way of providing adequate financial support to different sectors of rural economy, the performance of these has so far remained dismal. The erstwhile Kamraz Rural Bank and Jammu Rural Bank had advanced Rs.357 crores against their total deposits of Rs.1091 crores, thereby registered a poor Credit - Deposit ratio of just 33 per cent (approximately) as on December 31, 2008.
The new Regional Rural Bank - J&K Grameen Bank – has a huge challenge of revolutionising the rural economy of the state, which, so far, has not been realised to its potential. Agriculture, horticulture and the handicrafts sectors have become the survival mechanisms for the most of the people in the state, but the prevailing situation has not allowed these sectors to flourish. Precisely, the conflict situation here continues at a huge economic cost and under these circumstances the strategic positioning of the Grameen Bank to give boost to agriculture and allied activities, and other sectors of rural economy in its area of operation is need of the hour. It has to pull the sources of livelihood of people associated with tourism, agriculture, handicrafts industries etc out of stagnation. Otherwise it would be old wine in new bottle.
The first and foremost thing is to customize products and services suiting the rural economy. For example, It can lend a huge support to preserve and promote the traditional arts and crafts of the state by financing the people engaged in making shawls, silk carpets, rugs, embroidered clothes, silver-work, papier-mâché work, wood-carving, silk-weaving etc. It can even tailor a financial product for artisans associated with ancient art of stone carving, who, so far, have remained outside the ambit of formal financing. This is an area in which Kashmir has its own niche and could be tapped through formal financing.
Kashmir’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture, supporting about 70 per cent of its population. The horticulture industry in Kashmir is considered the bulwark of rural economy in the state. Nearly 75 per cent of temperate fruits in India are grown in the state. The cultivated orchards yield fine quality of pears, apples, peaches, cherries, walnut, almond, saffron, apricot, strawberry, plums, etc. These sectors provide job facilities for the thousands of people directly and indirectly. Considering the growth prospects of this sector, the new regional rural bank needs to reposition itself by providing timely and adequate finances to the farmers.
The Grameen Bank can play an effective role in tapping the potential in Sericulture, fisheries, floriculture, medicinal and aromatic plants, mushroom production, and apiculture. Sericulture is a traditional occupation for a large section of the population engaged in the extraction of silk fiber. But, today the industry is not enjoying glory due to inadequate infrastructural and agricultural inputs. In fisheries sector, according to an estimate, the 27,781 km of rivers and streams in the state could provide the facility for the farming of over 40 million tons of fish. If figures are to be believed then the right strategy cannot only cater to the local demands but will also enable the state to export.
Take the case of animal husbandry with a large livestock in form of cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, etc. The huge gap between the demand and supply in terms of meat consumption compels the state to purchase the same from other parts of the country. The state provides a suitable climate for cattle breeding and it should be used sufficiently. Tailor made financial products for sheep farming can go a long way in encouraging local farmers to establish their units in the sector. Besides, dairy development too has a vast scope which needs formal financing at the grass root level.
In succinct, the new Regional Rural Bank can prove as one of the instruments of change as far as tapping the potential of rural economy is concerned. Let it be a bank of villages, as it is the time to unearth the state’s economic potential for a durable peace, prosperity and profits for all.
(Mr. Sajjad Bazaz, 45, was born in Srinagar. He attended the Khalsa high school and the Sri Pratap College in Srinagar. He received his bachelor's degree in Media and his master's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir. Mr. Bazaz has over two decades of experience in journalism (both print & electronic), and he is author of the book "Bankwatch" which is about a financial scenario with particular reference to the J&K state. He is currently incharge of corporate communications department in a leaduing financial instution in J&K. Mr. Bazaz likes to spend leisure time watching movies and enjoying company of his friends.)
J&K Grameen Bank
The Kashmir conflict being one of the most staggering conflicts and its persistence involving two nuclear powers needs no introduction. Besides, the economic cost of the conflict cannot be confined to a particular sector of economy, as it has affected the important sources of livelihood of common people. Besides exacting extensive damage to the infrastructure of the state, the conflict has discouraged private investment and pushed the economy towards stagnation. Precisely, in this gruesome scenario it is the common people who suffer the most. However, this needs to be realized that even in conflict situation like the one prevailing here, development programmes must go on.
Economic development of the state cannot be overlooked without intruding on political consequences of the conflict. It is also a fact that the Kashmir imbroglio cannot be resolved only by means of economic development, but there is no fun to oppose or stagnate vibrant economic growth which is only for the betterment of the lives of the people.
Here I quote the theory of “development as freedom” by Amartya Sen in which he argues that development and freedom are intimately related. Freedom is both constitutive of development and instrumental to it. Amartya Sen delineates five freedoms that are needed to bring true development: political freedoms; economic facilities; social opportunities; transparency guarantees; and protective security. Based on this premise, any economic underdevelopment amounts to lack of freedom. In the context of Kashmir situation, all kinds of freedoms that are both “means and ends of development” are under constant threat for the past two decades.
Violence has also directly affected other important sources of livelihood such as agriculture, horticulture, and the handicraft industry. The J&K state is known for wide variety of agricultural and horticulture products. However, the conflict environment has prevented from maximally tapping the potential of these sectors. Precisely, here overall suppressed economic development needs energetic efforts from all relevant sources to put all engines of growth back on the track.
On economic front, one of the major developments, which took place in J&K State last week didn’t get much attention was formation of a new regional rural bank – J&K Grameen Bank. The new bank carved out through merger of Kamraz Rural Bank and Jammu Rural Bank - sponsored by J&K Bank – began its operations from July 1, 2009. The area of operation of J&K Grameen Bank with 172 branches has the combined area of operation of the amalgamated Regional Rural Banks.
Even as the Regional Rural Banks have a major role to revolutionise the rural economy by way of providing adequate financial support to different sectors of rural economy, the performance of these has so far remained dismal. The erstwhile Kamraz Rural Bank and Jammu Rural Bank had advanced Rs.357 crores against their total deposits of Rs.1091 crores, thereby registered a poor Credit - Deposit ratio of just 33 per cent (approximately) as on December 31, 2008.
The new Regional Rural Bank - J&K Grameen Bank – has a huge challenge of revolutionising the rural economy of the state, which, so far, has not been realised to its potential. Agriculture, horticulture and the handicrafts sectors have become the survival mechanisms for the most of the people in the state, but the prevailing situation has not allowed these sectors to flourish. Precisely, the conflict situation here continues at a huge economic cost and under these circumstances the strategic positioning of the Grameen Bank to give boost to agriculture and allied activities, and other sectors of rural economy in its area of operation is need of the hour. It has to pull the sources of livelihood of people associated with tourism, agriculture, handicrafts industries etc out of stagnation. Otherwise it would be old wine in new bottle.
The first and foremost thing is to customize products and services suiting the rural economy. For example, It can lend a huge support to preserve and promote the traditional arts and crafts of the state by financing the people engaged in making shawls, silk carpets, rugs, embroidered clothes, silver-work, papier-mâché work, wood-carving, silk-weaving etc. It can even tailor a financial product for artisans associated with ancient art of stone carving, who, so far, have remained outside the ambit of formal financing. This is an area in which Kashmir has its own niche and could be tapped through formal financing.
Kashmir’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture, supporting about 70 per cent of its population. The horticulture industry in Kashmir is considered the bulwark of rural economy in the state. Nearly 75 per cent of temperate fruits in India are grown in the state. The cultivated orchards yield fine quality of pears, apples, peaches, cherries, walnut, almond, saffron, apricot, strawberry, plums, etc. These sectors provide job facilities for the thousands of people directly and indirectly. Considering the growth prospects of this sector, the new regional rural bank needs to reposition itself by providing timely and adequate finances to the farmers.
The Grameen Bank can play an effective role in tapping the potential in Sericulture, fisheries, floriculture, medicinal and aromatic plants, mushroom production, and apiculture. Sericulture is a traditional occupation for a large section of the population engaged in the extraction of silk fiber. But, today the industry is not enjoying glory due to inadequate infrastructural and agricultural inputs. In fisheries sector, according to an estimate, the 27,781 km of rivers and streams in the state could provide the facility for the farming of over 40 million tons of fish. If figures are to be believed then the right strategy cannot only cater to the local demands but will also enable the state to export.
Take the case of animal husbandry with a large livestock in form of cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, etc. The huge gap between the demand and supply in terms of meat consumption compels the state to purchase the same from other parts of the country. The state provides a suitable climate for cattle breeding and it should be used sufficiently. Tailor made financial products for sheep farming can go a long way in encouraging local farmers to establish their units in the sector. Besides, dairy development too has a vast scope which needs formal financing at the grass root level.
In succinct, the new Regional Rural Bank can prove as one of the instruments of change as far as tapping the potential of rural economy is concerned. Let it be a bank of villages, as it is the time to unearth the state’s economic potential for a durable peace, prosperity and profits for all.
Charting a Shaky Course in Kashmir
Afshana records the moment when Kashmir lost its moral compass and the society began to reap what it had sowed
(Ms. Syeda Afshana, 35, 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 Sad Tale
The shadowy killings continue. The sly onslaught on women persists. The strange disorder and disturbance is prolonging. The strife in Kashmir is taking worst shape.
With every passing day, things over here are getting shrouded in mysteries. A kind of sinister and spiteful atmosphere is engulfing Kashmir. Today, the furtively crafty nature of happenings makes Kashmir different from the years of conflict gone by. This wasn’t so in 1990’s as the conflict was extending its scope and reach, besides associated violence taking its silent toll. The killer and the killed were identifiable. The events were scary but not surreptitious.
What exactly has happened during these two decades? The dynamics of conflict, of course, have changed with the alteration in power equations at the subcontinent and international level. The players of this conflict are malformed entities now, struggling to stay stoutly alive among the array of nation-states.
Pakistan, the so-called moral supporter of Kashmir cause, is battling the survival game with colossal hands of violence hell-bent to knock down its pillars. India, the so-called emerging superpower, is hassled by the rising fanaticism out to break the cornerstone of its secular ideology of which Kashmir remains a formidable symbol.
The people of Kashmir, as a party to this conflict, are left out as a dejected lot whose material and moral has got impaired over these years. Perhaps the intense fallouts of conflict, deviously engineered by the opponent, have crippled them in every aspect. From political to socio-economic decisions, they have lost their say. It can be said that their opponent has smartly complicated the contours of conflict in a way which has succored in rendering them feeble and perplexed. Inevitably, their control over the situation got snatched gradually. As of now, they have been reduced to puppets, whose strings are pulled up by unknown and obscure forces.
All the same, it would be unfair to blame conflict for all the ailments the Kashmiris’ are afflicted with. Conflict can be partly blamed for shattering and spoiling the fabric of this society. However, the indigenous character of this land is equally responsible for making things come to such a passé. The strength of national character is expected to wrangle with the awful offshoots of conflict boldly. The opponent inescapably wrestles in whitewash, as such. But, it was not to be so. The collapse of the adversary did not take place; the trouncing of the national character but did.
The fact is that the thought system in Kashmir over the years has undergone a gross transformation. The kind of thought revolution, as envisaged in any form of resistance, couldn’t trigger here. Consequentially, the things and concepts which were unacceptable to the society some years back, have gained currency. The culture of permissiveness has purposely been nurtured.
There are unusual ripples around to comprehend. The growing criminalization and lumpenization has thrown up many uncomfortable questions. The warning bells have started ringing. If all that which is happening in Kashmir right now isn’t stopped, a strange wipe out will overtake the population. The tentacles of consumerism and hedonistic hang-ups have already snarled up our generation next. They have become the most vulnerable group.
And with Kashmir becoming a den of inscrutability and obscurity, akin to a horrific whodunit, the entire framework of this society is under an appalling threat. The ambience, in which Divine intervention takes place, has been absolutely destroyed. The godless milieu has left no scope for any such aid coming our way.
Mere sloganeering has duped us. And, in the long run as well, it won’t lead us anywhere at all. All the sections of society, especially political leaders and religious scholars, have not been able to inspire anyone. Most of them have turned self-indulgent and materialistic. The need of self-introspection; the stress on individual reform; and simple honesty in our dealings has been utterly negated.
The cost of resistance cannot be measured in dying ethos of any society. The call for freedom is okay until the moral health of any nation remains sound. Once the moral health deteriorates and starts stinking obnoxiously, there is a dire need to rethink and reorient the strategy of yelling out for ‘promising demand’. The insanity of sorts cannot hang on to any type of cherished freedom. On the contrary, it can lead to a catastrophe. The sooner we recognize it, the better.
(Ms. Syeda Afshana, 35, 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 Sad Tale
The shadowy killings continue. The sly onslaught on women persists. The strange disorder and disturbance is prolonging. The strife in Kashmir is taking worst shape.
With every passing day, things over here are getting shrouded in mysteries. A kind of sinister and spiteful atmosphere is engulfing Kashmir. Today, the furtively crafty nature of happenings makes Kashmir different from the years of conflict gone by. This wasn’t so in 1990’s as the conflict was extending its scope and reach, besides associated violence taking its silent toll. The killer and the killed were identifiable. The events were scary but not surreptitious.
What exactly has happened during these two decades? The dynamics of conflict, of course, have changed with the alteration in power equations at the subcontinent and international level. The players of this conflict are malformed entities now, struggling to stay stoutly alive among the array of nation-states.
Pakistan, the so-called moral supporter of Kashmir cause, is battling the survival game with colossal hands of violence hell-bent to knock down its pillars. India, the so-called emerging superpower, is hassled by the rising fanaticism out to break the cornerstone of its secular ideology of which Kashmir remains a formidable symbol.
The people of Kashmir, as a party to this conflict, are left out as a dejected lot whose material and moral has got impaired over these years. Perhaps the intense fallouts of conflict, deviously engineered by the opponent, have crippled them in every aspect. From political to socio-economic decisions, they have lost their say. It can be said that their opponent has smartly complicated the contours of conflict in a way which has succored in rendering them feeble and perplexed. Inevitably, their control over the situation got snatched gradually. As of now, they have been reduced to puppets, whose strings are pulled up by unknown and obscure forces.
All the same, it would be unfair to blame conflict for all the ailments the Kashmiris’ are afflicted with. Conflict can be partly blamed for shattering and spoiling the fabric of this society. However, the indigenous character of this land is equally responsible for making things come to such a passé. The strength of national character is expected to wrangle with the awful offshoots of conflict boldly. The opponent inescapably wrestles in whitewash, as such. But, it was not to be so. The collapse of the adversary did not take place; the trouncing of the national character but did.
The fact is that the thought system in Kashmir over the years has undergone a gross transformation. The kind of thought revolution, as envisaged in any form of resistance, couldn’t trigger here. Consequentially, the things and concepts which were unacceptable to the society some years back, have gained currency. The culture of permissiveness has purposely been nurtured.
There are unusual ripples around to comprehend. The growing criminalization and lumpenization has thrown up many uncomfortable questions. The warning bells have started ringing. If all that which is happening in Kashmir right now isn’t stopped, a strange wipe out will overtake the population. The tentacles of consumerism and hedonistic hang-ups have already snarled up our generation next. They have become the most vulnerable group.
And with Kashmir becoming a den of inscrutability and obscurity, akin to a horrific whodunit, the entire framework of this society is under an appalling threat. The ambience, in which Divine intervention takes place, has been absolutely destroyed. The godless milieu has left no scope for any such aid coming our way.
Mere sloganeering has duped us. And, in the long run as well, it won’t lead us anywhere at all. All the sections of society, especially political leaders and religious scholars, have not been able to inspire anyone. Most of them have turned self-indulgent and materialistic. The need of self-introspection; the stress on individual reform; and simple honesty in our dealings has been utterly negated.
The cost of resistance cannot be measured in dying ethos of any society. The call for freedom is okay until the moral health of any nation remains sound. Once the moral health deteriorates and starts stinking obnoxiously, there is a dire need to rethink and reorient the strategy of yelling out for ‘promising demand’. The insanity of sorts cannot hang on to any type of cherished freedom. On the contrary, it can lead to a catastrophe. The sooner we recognize it, the better.
Kashmir's Golden Era
Iqbal says that artisans who worked on Harwan terracotta tiles seem to exhibit a high degree of sophistication
(Mr. Iqbal Ahmad, 48, was born in Parigam Chek, Kulgam. He is a graduate with Diploma in Numismatics, Archaeology and Heritage. He is an archaeologist, writer, and a cultural historian. He is employed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Government. Mr. Iqbal Ahmad has published 12 reference books on Kashmir archaeology and heritage.)
Greco-Buddhist Art in Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir state has yielded number of evidences of Greco Buddhist sculpture art at its various archaeological sites, which include the terracotta, stone and bronze sculptures Buddhist Stupa of Harwan.
The molded brick tiles unearthed at Harwan depict a unique art trend in that they do not deal with religious, but with secular themes. We find life and nature as the artist found around him. There are figures of men, wearing Central Asian costumes; and curiously enough the relief figures of Parthian horsemen, women, heads and busts appear side by side with early Gupta motifs.
Commenting on it PNK Bamzai writes, “The moldings of Harwan terracotta tiles cannot, however, be the work of folk artists. The art seems to have attained a high degree of sophistication and the molded tiles depict life of the upper class, in as much as we find figures of hunting horsemen, men and women sitting on balcony and enjoying perhaps the beautiful land caps and listening to music from female musician and recitals of dancers. The physiognomy of the persons depicted on these tiles leaves no doubt of their Central Asian origin, their prominent check bones, small eyes, receding forehead and heavy features, all point to the same conclusion. From some letters in the Kharoshti script which went into disuse before the 4th century A.D, and also from a small passage on Buddhist creed written in the Brahmi characters, it seems the tiles belong to the 3rd - 4th century A.D.”
Where as the Harwan tiles are flat, hardly rising out of the background, and are made from a mould and therefore repetitive, the terracotta heads and relieve found at Ushkar are each a single masterpiece produced from moulds carved by hand.
About them PNK Bamzai writes, “These later Gandhara terracotta’s have been variously put from the 4th to the 8th centuries A.D. The figures and figurines depict true Hellenistic influence. Hellenistic art was the dominant cultural force for about a thousand years from the 3rd century B.C. to 700 A.D. in what is now called Afghanistan, and its final echoes lasted in Kashmir until the 10th century A.D.
Buddhist stupa of Akhnur
Relics similar to Ushkar have been unearthed at Akhnur. Situated on the right bank of the Chenab, where the river first enters the plains of the Punjab, Akhnur lay in ancient times on the route between Jammu and Srinagar via the Budil pass, as well as on the road to Rajauri (ancient Rajapuri). It was thus an important centre of trade and commerce and the headquarters of a flourishing timber industry. “Both in treatment and the material used in the lovely terracotta heads with their somber lines and the serene and peaceful poses, we notice a close affinity to the “Pater Gandhara School” on the one hand and to the Gupta art on the other,” writes Bamzai
The fragments collected both at Ushkar and Akhnur consist of pieces of bodies, covered with drapery or partly covered, or even nude; broken bodies of princes, princesses, attendants, holy men, Buddhist mendicants in their draped robes; elaborate decoration that once might have been personal ornaments, such as crowns, necklaces, armlet, bracelets, ear-rings and the like; architectural fragments of a highly ornamental style, including pillar capitals with vine ornaments, volutes, etc.
He further writes, “Stylistically, they seem to inherit two different aesthetics: the mongrel Indo-Roman school of Gandhara school, when there was a shift of artistic activity to areas where schist was not available, (Kashmir, Taxila, Kabul, Bamiyan, Central Asia), a school of sculpture took to working in stucco. Here, gradually, they developed a sensitive, somewhat romantics, style; but later they found that burnt clay (terracotta) lasted longer and was not destroyed like stucco by rain and sun. Patronage of these artists fell low in Taxila and adjoining areas, when Buddhism was dying out, and they crossed the Pir Panjal range into Kashmir where, from towards the end of the 5th century A.D. the building trade was very brisk and flourishing.”
Tile pavement of Hionar
It is a forest site located near the tourist resort of Pahalgam on the left bank of Nallah Lidder, a tile pavement was found by Archaeologist in 1979. The site revealed a pavement which was formed of square and rectangular tiles carved in various human and animal motifs. The most outstanding is the motif of Egyptian king Nariman depicted on one of the tile.
Tile Pavement of Hutmur
Hutmur: Another title pavement scattered on a vast forest land was cited by experts at village Hutmur few kms below Hutmur. The remains of small pebble walls were also recorded at the site.
Tile pavement of Kotbal
Remains of tile pavement were recently discovered by State Archaeology Department on Kotbal hill in Anantnag district in year 2005. The tiles exposed at site carried several motifs but most outstanding were those motifs which showed few female dancers in a Greco Budhist style.
(Kashmir Images)
(Mr. Iqbal Ahmad, 48, was born in Parigam Chek, Kulgam. He is a graduate with Diploma in Numismatics, Archaeology and Heritage. He is an archaeologist, writer, and a cultural historian. He is employed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Government. Mr. Iqbal Ahmad has published 12 reference books on Kashmir archaeology and heritage.)
Greco-Buddhist Art in Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir state has yielded number of evidences of Greco Buddhist sculpture art at its various archaeological sites, which include the terracotta, stone and bronze sculptures Buddhist Stupa of Harwan.
The molded brick tiles unearthed at Harwan depict a unique art trend in that they do not deal with religious, but with secular themes. We find life and nature as the artist found around him. There are figures of men, wearing Central Asian costumes; and curiously enough the relief figures of Parthian horsemen, women, heads and busts appear side by side with early Gupta motifs.
Commenting on it PNK Bamzai writes, “The moldings of Harwan terracotta tiles cannot, however, be the work of folk artists. The art seems to have attained a high degree of sophistication and the molded tiles depict life of the upper class, in as much as we find figures of hunting horsemen, men and women sitting on balcony and enjoying perhaps the beautiful land caps and listening to music from female musician and recitals of dancers. The physiognomy of the persons depicted on these tiles leaves no doubt of their Central Asian origin, their prominent check bones, small eyes, receding forehead and heavy features, all point to the same conclusion. From some letters in the Kharoshti script which went into disuse before the 4th century A.D, and also from a small passage on Buddhist creed written in the Brahmi characters, it seems the tiles belong to the 3rd - 4th century A.D.”
Where as the Harwan tiles are flat, hardly rising out of the background, and are made from a mould and therefore repetitive, the terracotta heads and relieve found at Ushkar are each a single masterpiece produced from moulds carved by hand.
About them PNK Bamzai writes, “These later Gandhara terracotta’s have been variously put from the 4th to the 8th centuries A.D. The figures and figurines depict true Hellenistic influence. Hellenistic art was the dominant cultural force for about a thousand years from the 3rd century B.C. to 700 A.D. in what is now called Afghanistan, and its final echoes lasted in Kashmir until the 10th century A.D.
Buddhist stupa of Akhnur
Relics similar to Ushkar have been unearthed at Akhnur. Situated on the right bank of the Chenab, where the river first enters the plains of the Punjab, Akhnur lay in ancient times on the route between Jammu and Srinagar via the Budil pass, as well as on the road to Rajauri (ancient Rajapuri). It was thus an important centre of trade and commerce and the headquarters of a flourishing timber industry. “Both in treatment and the material used in the lovely terracotta heads with their somber lines and the serene and peaceful poses, we notice a close affinity to the “Pater Gandhara School” on the one hand and to the Gupta art on the other,” writes Bamzai
The fragments collected both at Ushkar and Akhnur consist of pieces of bodies, covered with drapery or partly covered, or even nude; broken bodies of princes, princesses, attendants, holy men, Buddhist mendicants in their draped robes; elaborate decoration that once might have been personal ornaments, such as crowns, necklaces, armlet, bracelets, ear-rings and the like; architectural fragments of a highly ornamental style, including pillar capitals with vine ornaments, volutes, etc.
He further writes, “Stylistically, they seem to inherit two different aesthetics: the mongrel Indo-Roman school of Gandhara school, when there was a shift of artistic activity to areas where schist was not available, (Kashmir, Taxila, Kabul, Bamiyan, Central Asia), a school of sculpture took to working in stucco. Here, gradually, they developed a sensitive, somewhat romantics, style; but later they found that burnt clay (terracotta) lasted longer and was not destroyed like stucco by rain and sun. Patronage of these artists fell low in Taxila and adjoining areas, when Buddhism was dying out, and they crossed the Pir Panjal range into Kashmir where, from towards the end of the 5th century A.D. the building trade was very brisk and flourishing.”
Tile pavement of Hionar
It is a forest site located near the tourist resort of Pahalgam on the left bank of Nallah Lidder, a tile pavement was found by Archaeologist in 1979. The site revealed a pavement which was formed of square and rectangular tiles carved in various human and animal motifs. The most outstanding is the motif of Egyptian king Nariman depicted on one of the tile.
Tile Pavement of Hutmur
Hutmur: Another title pavement scattered on a vast forest land was cited by experts at village Hutmur few kms below Hutmur. The remains of small pebble walls were also recorded at the site.
Tile pavement of Kotbal
Remains of tile pavement were recently discovered by State Archaeology Department on Kotbal hill in Anantnag district in year 2005. The tiles exposed at site carried several motifs but most outstanding were those motifs which showed few female dancers in a Greco Budhist style.
(Kashmir Images)
Their Home is as Important as Yours
Aamir suggests that conflict between human and wildlife population is emerging as a major conservation issue worldwide
(Mr. Aamir Bin Masood, 28, was born and raised in Srinagar. He graduated from the Sri Partap College, Srinagar, and pursued his Master's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Kashmir. He also completed a post graduate diploma in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems from the same university. He has authored a book titled, "Environmental Education," published by Navrang Publications in 2007. He has participated in many seminars and workshops and won many prizes and certificates. He currently works at the largest local bank in Kashmir.)
Managing Human - Wildlife Conflicts
One of the J&K’s most exquisite natural resources is its diverse wildlife. We have Leopard, Snow Leopard, Hangul, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Markhor, Ibex, Bharal, Serow, Chiru, Shapu, Chital, Wild Ass, etc. All these primarily represent the varied wildlife of the Himalayas. Unfortunately, leopards, snow leopards and bears are increasingly coming into conflict with the humans. The Human-Wildlife conflicts are increasing like anything in J&K. Leopards and bears have been on rampage in many areas of Jammu and Kashmir divisions, such as Kupwara, Tral, Zabarwan belt, Sopore, Banihal, Udhampur, Poonch, etc., whereas in case of Ladakh, it is the snow leopard which is increasingly coming into conflict with the herders. Of late, these incidents have been increasing across the length and breadth of the state. Many people have been killed and injured.
Conflicts between human and wildlife populations are emerging as a major conservation issue worldwide. Crop-raiders like monkeys, birds, etc. can diminish or destroy cash crops. Carnivores and larger crop-raiders (like bear) can also threaten the lives of both humans and livestock, and are often presumed to be a threat and shot on sight.
As human populations expand and natural habitats shrink, people and wild animals are increasingly coming into conflict over living space and food. The impacts are often huge. These animals, many of which are already threatened or endangered, are often killed in retaliation or to prevent future conflicts. Human-wildlife conflict is one of the main threats to the continued survival of many species and is also a significant threat to local human populations.
Many carnivore populations escaped extinction during the twentieth century as a result of legal protections, habitat restoration and changes in public attitudes. However, encounters between carnivores, livestock and humans are increasing in some areas, raising concerns about the costs of carnivore conservation.
Human-wildlife conflicts occur in both urban and rural areas and range from nuisance encounters to attacks on humans, pets and livestock. The villagers are more likely to encounter wildlife in their own neighborhood than while visiting a national park or a forest. As humans and wildlife try to share limited living space, conflicts can arise. But with patience and planning, most problems can be resolved humanely, or avoided altogether.
Wild animals were considered to be much wilder in the past, but this perception among the common masses changed as people became more and more educated. Recent increasing trend in the human-wildlife conflict in the valley has again tarnished the image of the wild animals, especially those of leopard and bear. Leopards and bears have been responsible for the killing of many people and livestock. These animals are justifying the fact of their being ferocious predators. But I don’t think these are to be blamed entirely for these wrong-doings. Somewhere we are also to be held responsible. Though there should not be any compromise as far as human lives are concerned, but having said that, the fact remains that the incidents can be prevented without endangering these animals too.
Let me now talk about the management practices, which local people need to adopt while encountering the wild animals.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, the humane approach to human-wildlife conflict is based on three general principles:
(1) Respect for the environment (2) Tolerance and understanding of the living beings, and (3) A willingness to resolve conflicts using non-lethal means.
Appreciating the natural environment we share with other living beings is one of the most important components of wildlife conflict resolution. Often the first and best defense is to let natural forces resolve the issue without human intervention. Human tolerance and understanding are also crucial, since many so-called wildlife problems arise out of our irrational fears. Non-lethal conflict resolution is an emerging concept in conflict management, which most people have only just begun to investigate and realize.
The following six-step evaluation will help you resolve wildlife conflicts safely and humanely. (1) Determine the problem—and consider whether it is a problem at all: Learning about the habits of your wild neighbors will help you decide what kind of a problem you can experience. (2) If there is a problem, collect information to better deal with the problem: It is necessary to positively identify the species involved, the extent of the damage, how long it's been happening, whether there are young animals present, and what can be done to resolve the issue in a humane and permanent way. (3) Assess the seriousness and extent of the problem: Important considerations involve safety or health concerns to people or livestock, likelihood of recurrence, and whether the damage appears to be seasonal or ongoing. (4) Take action, but only after all the facts have been collected: Taking action should be one of the last steps, and it should not necessarily have to involve killing animals. (5) Evaluation: Did your action resolve the problem or merely address the symptoms? Your solution should get at the underlying cause of the problem and be effective over the long-term. (6) Seek help: You may not be able to resolve the problem by yourself. Then the matter is immediately to be reported to the concerned authorities.
While most injured or orphaned wildlife are picked up by the authorities, it is important to realize that such human-animal interactions are sometimes unnecessary. Before deciding to intervene, the most important thing to do is patiently observe the animal in its surroundings and decide if it actually needs help. Many animals appear to be orphaned, but actually are not. Sometimes wild babies are not with their parents and spend some time alone, with the parent(s) nearby.
This was something about the humane-approach to solve the human-wildlife conflicts. But this will not solve the problem completely. Much more needs to be done at the governmental level to check and eliminate this problem. And, if solutions to conflicts are not adequate at the governmental level, local support for conservation also declines.
We humans often choose to forget that wildlife have rights too, and, like us, want to be left in peace to raise their young. Sometimes, because of our careless attitude too, conflicts may occur. When they do, it is usually the animals that lose out.
In conclusion, let me say, home is important. Whether it is a cabin, a mansion, a hollow log, a burrow, a den or a forest, home is cherished. It is something to be protected from outsiders, especially if it houses young family members. Homes and their locations are chosen by people and animals for much the same reasons – size, safety, and proximity to amenities such as good food sources. So let us remember it for the sake of co-existence.
(Mr. Aamir Bin Masood, 28, was born and raised in Srinagar. He graduated from the Sri Partap College, Srinagar, and pursued his Master's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Kashmir. He also completed a post graduate diploma in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems from the same university. He has authored a book titled, "Environmental Education," published by Navrang Publications in 2007. He has participated in many seminars and workshops and won many prizes and certificates. He currently works at the largest local bank in Kashmir.)
Managing Human - Wildlife Conflicts
One of the J&K’s most exquisite natural resources is its diverse wildlife. We have Leopard, Snow Leopard, Hangul, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Markhor, Ibex, Bharal, Serow, Chiru, Shapu, Chital, Wild Ass, etc. All these primarily represent the varied wildlife of the Himalayas. Unfortunately, leopards, snow leopards and bears are increasingly coming into conflict with the humans. The Human-Wildlife conflicts are increasing like anything in J&K. Leopards and bears have been on rampage in many areas of Jammu and Kashmir divisions, such as Kupwara, Tral, Zabarwan belt, Sopore, Banihal, Udhampur, Poonch, etc., whereas in case of Ladakh, it is the snow leopard which is increasingly coming into conflict with the herders. Of late, these incidents have been increasing across the length and breadth of the state. Many people have been killed and injured.
Conflicts between human and wildlife populations are emerging as a major conservation issue worldwide. Crop-raiders like monkeys, birds, etc. can diminish or destroy cash crops. Carnivores and larger crop-raiders (like bear) can also threaten the lives of both humans and livestock, and are often presumed to be a threat and shot on sight.
As human populations expand and natural habitats shrink, people and wild animals are increasingly coming into conflict over living space and food. The impacts are often huge. These animals, many of which are already threatened or endangered, are often killed in retaliation or to prevent future conflicts. Human-wildlife conflict is one of the main threats to the continued survival of many species and is also a significant threat to local human populations.
Many carnivore populations escaped extinction during the twentieth century as a result of legal protections, habitat restoration and changes in public attitudes. However, encounters between carnivores, livestock and humans are increasing in some areas, raising concerns about the costs of carnivore conservation.
Human-wildlife conflicts occur in both urban and rural areas and range from nuisance encounters to attacks on humans, pets and livestock. The villagers are more likely to encounter wildlife in their own neighborhood than while visiting a national park or a forest. As humans and wildlife try to share limited living space, conflicts can arise. But with patience and planning, most problems can be resolved humanely, or avoided altogether.
Wild animals were considered to be much wilder in the past, but this perception among the common masses changed as people became more and more educated. Recent increasing trend in the human-wildlife conflict in the valley has again tarnished the image of the wild animals, especially those of leopard and bear. Leopards and bears have been responsible for the killing of many people and livestock. These animals are justifying the fact of their being ferocious predators. But I don’t think these are to be blamed entirely for these wrong-doings. Somewhere we are also to be held responsible. Though there should not be any compromise as far as human lives are concerned, but having said that, the fact remains that the incidents can be prevented without endangering these animals too.
Let me now talk about the management practices, which local people need to adopt while encountering the wild animals.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, the humane approach to human-wildlife conflict is based on three general principles:
(1) Respect for the environment (2) Tolerance and understanding of the living beings, and (3) A willingness to resolve conflicts using non-lethal means.
Appreciating the natural environment we share with other living beings is one of the most important components of wildlife conflict resolution. Often the first and best defense is to let natural forces resolve the issue without human intervention. Human tolerance and understanding are also crucial, since many so-called wildlife problems arise out of our irrational fears. Non-lethal conflict resolution is an emerging concept in conflict management, which most people have only just begun to investigate and realize.
The following six-step evaluation will help you resolve wildlife conflicts safely and humanely. (1) Determine the problem—and consider whether it is a problem at all: Learning about the habits of your wild neighbors will help you decide what kind of a problem you can experience. (2) If there is a problem, collect information to better deal with the problem: It is necessary to positively identify the species involved, the extent of the damage, how long it's been happening, whether there are young animals present, and what can be done to resolve the issue in a humane and permanent way. (3) Assess the seriousness and extent of the problem: Important considerations involve safety or health concerns to people or livestock, likelihood of recurrence, and whether the damage appears to be seasonal or ongoing. (4) Take action, but only after all the facts have been collected: Taking action should be one of the last steps, and it should not necessarily have to involve killing animals. (5) Evaluation: Did your action resolve the problem or merely address the symptoms? Your solution should get at the underlying cause of the problem and be effective over the long-term. (6) Seek help: You may not be able to resolve the problem by yourself. Then the matter is immediately to be reported to the concerned authorities.
While most injured or orphaned wildlife are picked up by the authorities, it is important to realize that such human-animal interactions are sometimes unnecessary. Before deciding to intervene, the most important thing to do is patiently observe the animal in its surroundings and decide if it actually needs help. Many animals appear to be orphaned, but actually are not. Sometimes wild babies are not with their parents and spend some time alone, with the parent(s) nearby.
This was something about the humane-approach to solve the human-wildlife conflicts. But this will not solve the problem completely. Much more needs to be done at the governmental level to check and eliminate this problem. And, if solutions to conflicts are not adequate at the governmental level, local support for conservation also declines.
We humans often choose to forget that wildlife have rights too, and, like us, want to be left in peace to raise their young. Sometimes, because of our careless attitude too, conflicts may occur. When they do, it is usually the animals that lose out.
In conclusion, let me say, home is important. Whether it is a cabin, a mansion, a hollow log, a burrow, a den or a forest, home is cherished. It is something to be protected from outsiders, especially if it houses young family members. Homes and their locations are chosen by people and animals for much the same reasons – size, safety, and proximity to amenities such as good food sources. So let us remember it for the sake of co-existence.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Excesses of a State Indulged by Other People's Money (OPM)
Arjimand analyzes J&K’s case to the 13th Finance Commission of India
(Mr. Arjimand Hussain Talib, 34, is a columnist/writer and a development professional who matriculated from Tyndale Biscoe Memorial School in 1991. He subsequently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Bangalore University and has a diploma in journalism as well. He is an alumni of the International Academy for Leadership, Gummerbach, Germany. Arjimand writes regular weekly columns for the Greater Kashmir and The Kashmir Times since 2000 on diverse issues of political economy, development, environment and social change and has over 450 published articles to his credit. His forthcoming book: "Confronting the Myths: A Critical Analysis of the Political Economy of Jammu & Kashmir," will be published soon. He is currently working with an international development organisation, undertaking projects evaluation and developing contingency plans in some 11 countries in Asia and Africa.)
Recipe for bankruptcy
Ancient India’s Machiavellian - Kautilya - believed that artha (sound economy) was the most important thing to the survival of a State. To him, dharma (faith) and karma (deeds) are both dependent on it.
When it came to dealing with an adversary within the State, Kautilya always suggested to his king - Chandragupta Maurya – a mixture of strategies: sanman (appeasement), danda (punishment), dana (gift and bribery), bheda (splitting opposition) and maya (illusion and deceit).
While trying to understand Omar administration’s current financial condition and Srinagar’s relation with New Delhi, there are some interesting signs in Kautilya’s ‘wisdom’. We need to look the way other way round too. Omar administration’s karma and dharma alone would determine whether Kashmir could avoid a seemingly impending financial bankruptcy.
The current visit of India’s 13th Finance Commission to Kashmir has come at an interesting time. Our State is neck deep in debt. We no longer have sustainable finances to run the State. More than half of Kashmir’s 2008-09 budget of Rs 18,400 crore – about Rs 10000 crore – came from what are generally called as ‘central grants’.
Our own tax revenues account for just 20 per cent of the total expenditure. Our expenditures are rising but income in average terms keeps going down. We cannot even build a drain now without a ‘central grant.’
Our overdraft from J&K Bank has now become chronic. It now never goes below Rs 1500 crore at any given time. Government’s has a standard solution: one-time grant from government of India to write that off! There are other miseries too.
Omar Abdullah has made a public commitment to raise the salaries of government employees. It means his government requires an additional Rs 1700 crore every year. To pay the arrears, he needs over Rs 4200 crores. There is no way his government can get this money. There is only one solution: recurring annual ‘central grants’!
The question is: are all these grants without Kashmir being able to raise its own resources really possible to sustain?
A sustainable way out goes much beyond the 13th Finance Commission. Our current case presentation to the Commission is argumentatively weak and politically short sighted. Kashmir needs hard political bargains. That alone would enable us to take economic decisions that will end our dependency. Has this government the stomach to do that, by the way?
We are now asking for Rs 15000 crore as devolution, mainly for investing in the power sector. If we get that money it is possible we will be able to pay our debts and generate a surplus. But would that happen?
Since Kashmir’s annexation and division, New Delhi has never let Srinagar assume political and economic power that will enable us to take our own decisions. We have been systematically paralysed, not only to act decisively but even to think logically.
Today our case before the 13th Finance Commission for a ‘generous’ award seems to be influenced by panic and desperation, rather than a right. We need to make Kashmiri people understand that financial devolution from New Delhi to Srinagar is not a matter of political concession or generosity; it is all about due economic rights. What they are supposed to pay us through devolution, we have already paid all that through the visible and invisible taxes on the goods and services we use.
To have the system of tax devolution in India in perspective would be helpful. Generally the Finance Commission follows the equity and efficiency criteria while proposing awards to states – trying to improve services in low income states, promoting horizontal equity and rewarding better performing states.
When the Twelfth Finance Commission (TFC) distributed tax money among Indian states, it increased the `efficiency share' to 15 per cent (7.5 per cent for fiscal discipline and 7.5 per cent for tax effort). The weightage for population was raised from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. It reduced the ‘distance criterion’ to 50 per cent. In other words, better performing states were rewarded.
Omar administration must remain informed that budgetary gaps as a ground for equity have now been given up as not being conducive to efficiency. Our ‘budgetary gaps’ argument is again not sustainable.
No matter the criteria followed on the percentage of grants to devolutions, the problem is that they will hardly help us in raising our internal revenues. Kashmir needs its natural resources and political sovereignty back. Nothing else will do.
Government of India now encourages States to take loans directly from the market. The singular option of raising loans from the central government is over now. But such a course needs good fiscal health and commitment to fiscal responsibility. Are we in that condition right now? Who will give us loans looking at our pathetic repayment condition?
One of Kashmir’s biggest handicaps is that we do not know our exact contribution to the central tax kitty. It is never made known to us. It is common sense that given our high reliance on imports from India, our share in India’s tax kitty is higher than what we get through the normal formulae of devolution. As such, Omar administration needs to embrace a language of rights rather than generosity.
Another area of concern is the centrally-sponsored schemes (CSSs). It is now an established fact that most of the CSSs in Kashmir are an absolute waste. A few months back while delivering a lecture at IMPA, Srinagar, I asked some block-level government officers about their perception of centrally sponsored schemes. The response was unanimous – they see these schemes in collision with socio-economic realities of Kashmir. We must renegotiate the terms of CSSs in Kashmir. By virtue of our own constitution, we must get them as untied discretionary grants which could be used contextually.
On power, there is no substitute to handing over our power houses to us. To say that it is the Indus Waters Treaty that inhibits our ability to develop our hydro power resources is misleading. It is a kind of political red herring which tends to pass the buck. The case is simple: New Delhi has managed to harness a huge chunk of our water resources within those ‘limitations.’ We need to negotiate our rights within that space, which is broad enough to exploit sustainably.
Kashmir’s current level of financial dependency is totally unmanageable. The current course of unsustainable and open ended grants leads to bankruptcy. This course of running after grants and packages is nothing but a fool’s errand.
Omar administration’s future dharma and karma would reflect how it takes this state out of this dependence. Kashmiris don’t need sanman (appeasement). We need samman (honor). We can’t tolerate danda (punishment) indefinitely. Nor a culture of dana (gift and bribery). Kashmiris do see through the maya (illusion and deceit) now. It is time to think different.
And reversing the excesses of political disempowerment alone holds the key.
(Mr. Arjimand Hussain Talib, 34, is a columnist/writer and a development professional who matriculated from Tyndale Biscoe Memorial School in 1991. He subsequently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Bangalore University and has a diploma in journalism as well. He is an alumni of the International Academy for Leadership, Gummerbach, Germany. Arjimand writes regular weekly columns for the Greater Kashmir and The Kashmir Times since 2000 on diverse issues of political economy, development, environment and social change and has over 450 published articles to his credit. His forthcoming book: "Confronting the Myths: A Critical Analysis of the Political Economy of Jammu & Kashmir," will be published soon. He is currently working with an international development organisation, undertaking projects evaluation and developing contingency plans in some 11 countries in Asia and Africa.)
Recipe for bankruptcy
Ancient India’s Machiavellian - Kautilya - believed that artha (sound economy) was the most important thing to the survival of a State. To him, dharma (faith) and karma (deeds) are both dependent on it.
When it came to dealing with an adversary within the State, Kautilya always suggested to his king - Chandragupta Maurya – a mixture of strategies: sanman (appeasement), danda (punishment), dana (gift and bribery), bheda (splitting opposition) and maya (illusion and deceit).
While trying to understand Omar administration’s current financial condition and Srinagar’s relation with New Delhi, there are some interesting signs in Kautilya’s ‘wisdom’. We need to look the way other way round too. Omar administration’s karma and dharma alone would determine whether Kashmir could avoid a seemingly impending financial bankruptcy.
The current visit of India’s 13th Finance Commission to Kashmir has come at an interesting time. Our State is neck deep in debt. We no longer have sustainable finances to run the State. More than half of Kashmir’s 2008-09 budget of Rs 18,400 crore – about Rs 10000 crore – came from what are generally called as ‘central grants’.
Our own tax revenues account for just 20 per cent of the total expenditure. Our expenditures are rising but income in average terms keeps going down. We cannot even build a drain now without a ‘central grant.’
Our overdraft from J&K Bank has now become chronic. It now never goes below Rs 1500 crore at any given time. Government’s has a standard solution: one-time grant from government of India to write that off! There are other miseries too.
Omar Abdullah has made a public commitment to raise the salaries of government employees. It means his government requires an additional Rs 1700 crore every year. To pay the arrears, he needs over Rs 4200 crores. There is no way his government can get this money. There is only one solution: recurring annual ‘central grants’!
The question is: are all these grants without Kashmir being able to raise its own resources really possible to sustain?
A sustainable way out goes much beyond the 13th Finance Commission. Our current case presentation to the Commission is argumentatively weak and politically short sighted. Kashmir needs hard political bargains. That alone would enable us to take economic decisions that will end our dependency. Has this government the stomach to do that, by the way?
We are now asking for Rs 15000 crore as devolution, mainly for investing in the power sector. If we get that money it is possible we will be able to pay our debts and generate a surplus. But would that happen?
Since Kashmir’s annexation and division, New Delhi has never let Srinagar assume political and economic power that will enable us to take our own decisions. We have been systematically paralysed, not only to act decisively but even to think logically.
Today our case before the 13th Finance Commission for a ‘generous’ award seems to be influenced by panic and desperation, rather than a right. We need to make Kashmiri people understand that financial devolution from New Delhi to Srinagar is not a matter of political concession or generosity; it is all about due economic rights. What they are supposed to pay us through devolution, we have already paid all that through the visible and invisible taxes on the goods and services we use.
To have the system of tax devolution in India in perspective would be helpful. Generally the Finance Commission follows the equity and efficiency criteria while proposing awards to states – trying to improve services in low income states, promoting horizontal equity and rewarding better performing states.
When the Twelfth Finance Commission (TFC) distributed tax money among Indian states, it increased the `efficiency share' to 15 per cent (7.5 per cent for fiscal discipline and 7.5 per cent for tax effort). The weightage for population was raised from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. It reduced the ‘distance criterion’ to 50 per cent. In other words, better performing states were rewarded.
Omar administration must remain informed that budgetary gaps as a ground for equity have now been given up as not being conducive to efficiency. Our ‘budgetary gaps’ argument is again not sustainable.
No matter the criteria followed on the percentage of grants to devolutions, the problem is that they will hardly help us in raising our internal revenues. Kashmir needs its natural resources and political sovereignty back. Nothing else will do.
Government of India now encourages States to take loans directly from the market. The singular option of raising loans from the central government is over now. But such a course needs good fiscal health and commitment to fiscal responsibility. Are we in that condition right now? Who will give us loans looking at our pathetic repayment condition?
One of Kashmir’s biggest handicaps is that we do not know our exact contribution to the central tax kitty. It is never made known to us. It is common sense that given our high reliance on imports from India, our share in India’s tax kitty is higher than what we get through the normal formulae of devolution. As such, Omar administration needs to embrace a language of rights rather than generosity.
Another area of concern is the centrally-sponsored schemes (CSSs). It is now an established fact that most of the CSSs in Kashmir are an absolute waste. A few months back while delivering a lecture at IMPA, Srinagar, I asked some block-level government officers about their perception of centrally sponsored schemes. The response was unanimous – they see these schemes in collision with socio-economic realities of Kashmir. We must renegotiate the terms of CSSs in Kashmir. By virtue of our own constitution, we must get them as untied discretionary grants which could be used contextually.
On power, there is no substitute to handing over our power houses to us. To say that it is the Indus Waters Treaty that inhibits our ability to develop our hydro power resources is misleading. It is a kind of political red herring which tends to pass the buck. The case is simple: New Delhi has managed to harness a huge chunk of our water resources within those ‘limitations.’ We need to negotiate our rights within that space, which is broad enough to exploit sustainably.
Kashmir’s current level of financial dependency is totally unmanageable. The current course of unsustainable and open ended grants leads to bankruptcy. This course of running after grants and packages is nothing but a fool’s errand.
Omar administration’s future dharma and karma would reflect how it takes this state out of this dependence. Kashmiris don’t need sanman (appeasement). We need samman (honor). We can’t tolerate danda (punishment) indefinitely. Nor a culture of dana (gift and bribery). Kashmiris do see through the maya (illusion and deceit) now. It is time to think different.
And reversing the excesses of political disempowerment alone holds the key.
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