"Crores Lost? So What, It is NOT Our Money"

The Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) report on the "Coalgate" may result in the fall of the government in New Delhi, but in Srinagar there is an eerie silence both from Treasury benches and the Opposition when CAG uncovers yet another fiscal fiasco. Fayyaz finds culprits have, in fact, been rewarded with medals of distinction

(Mr. Ahmed Ali Fayyaz, 49, was born in Bodina, Budgam, and received his primary and secondary education in Budgam and later at Amar Singh College, Srinagar. He completed his Master's degree in Kashmiri language and literature from the University of Kashmir in 1987. After working with Rashtriya Sahara and Kashmir Times in 1993-94, and later for 13 years as Srinagar Bureau Chief of Daily Excelsior, he is woking as Resident Editor/ Srinagar Bureau Chief of Jammu-based English daily Early Times since April 2009. He is also a filmmaker whose forte in audio-visual media is Kashmir's composite culture, heritage, ecology and social issues. Since February 2008, he has been regularly anchoring Take One Television's bi-weekly hard talk show "Face To Face With Ahmed Ali Fayyaz" which is watched by more than three million viewers in Srinagar, Jammu and other urban areas of Jammu & Kashmir.)

CAG pulls up R&B engineers for bad performance, Government adorns them with medals

Srinagar: State Government's awards and accolades seem to be continuously jinxed since 2009.  Doordarshan's Deputy Director General, Rafeeq Masoodi, has been placed under suspension by CEO of Prasar Bharti for "poor performance and indulgence in corruption" a year after he was decorated by Governor, N N Vohra, and Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, with the prestigious 'State Award' for his "impressive performance". Messers Vohra and Omar, in fact, only executed what had been scripted previously in the DD officials honour by then Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad. Yes, they conveniently shut their eyes to what was explicitly carried about the awardee's omissions and commissions in media for years. This season last year, Omar Abdullah Government showered bountiful praise on then retiring Chief Engineer of R&B, Nazir Ahmad alias Ladakhi, while granting him a prestigious post-retirement rehabilitation. Ignoring reports that works worth hundreds of Crores of Rupees had been executed during his tenure as SE and CE in R&B Department, Mr Nazir was appointed Commissioner in J&K State Information Commission. On Independence Day last fortnight, Government honoured incumbent Chief Engineer of R&B Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, with the more prestigious Chief Minister's Gold Medal for Honesty/ Integrity & Meritorious Public Service. The list of five top awardees included very honest and gutsy officials like Commissioner-Secretary of Rural Development Department, Farooq Ahmad Pir, who is still famous for kicking out Dr Farooq Abdullah from an officials' meeting at DC Office Baramulla in 1994 when the NC President had been driven to the meeting by late Rajesh Pilot. Mr Pir was then just a district level officer. Alongwith four others [Umang Narula, Farooq Pir, Irfan Yasin, Resham Kashyap] CE R&B Kashmir, Mr Lone on the I-Day function became recipient of cash reward of Rs one lakh, Chief Minister's Gold Medal and a Citation. Now the anti-climax: CAG Annual Report for 2010-11, that covers the period from 2006 to 2011, snubs R&B's engineers and bureaucrats for bad performance and a host of other irregularities. Both the decorated engineers have held senior positions of SE and CE during the period in question. IAS officer, KB Agarwal, remains one-odd incumbent who is yet without any assignment and Chief Minister is himself holding portfolio of R&B since August 2010, reportedly for negative reasons. Amid reports that the Government of India has barred State Government from giving approval to the projects pertaining to roads and building infrastructure in J&K, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has come up with some startling revelations--- indicting the State Government for flouting norms in the R&B sector, causing loss of hundreds of crores to State exchequer besides having failed to implement and execute scores of key developmental projects. It has also blamed MLAs and Ministers for pressurizing various executing agencies and their heads for diverting funds in order to please "blue eyed contractors" for their own promotion in different constituencies. CAG report mentions that in violation of all norms and procedures, a whooping liability of Rs 110.82 Cr was raised by executing 1,328 unapproved works mostly for the sweet will and pleasure of Ministers and legislators. The report reveals that 1,301 works have been executed without obtaining any administrative approvals which was mandatory for undertaking such works. While asserting that the department had failed to transform developmental schemes into public benefit, CAG report says that unproductive expenditure worth Rs 128.28 Cr has been made till March 2011. CAG has pulled up the State Government for not attaining the targeted physical achievements in respect of roads under the Prime Minster's Reconstruction Programme (PMRP). It has expressed dissatisfaction over the progress on the ambitious Mughal Road and Narbal-Tangmarg road projects. Although the cost of both the projects has been revised by hundreds of crores over the actual approved cost, yet the projects were still awaiting completion, says the CAG report. "The targeted date for completion of Mughal Road had been extended upto March 2013 with a revised cost of Rs 255 crores. Similarly Narbal-Tangmarg Road (NTR) estimated to cost Rs 38 crores (revised: Rs 116 crores), although nearing completion, has witnessed a cost overrun of Rs 78 crores as of March 2011", reads the CAG report. The report has also highlighted the 'inability' of the Government in achieving the targets under NABARD. "Against 1,196 schemes sanctioned under NABARD(RIDF IV to RIDF XIII) to be completed by 2010-11, only 725 (61 percent) schemes have been completed and the balance of 471 schemes have not been completed due to non-release of matching share by the State Government", it claims. The report says that works worth Rs 113.57 Cr were executed without inviting tenders, thus defeating the purpose of transparency and tendering in execution.

J&K Social Welfare Department is a Disgrace

Steeped in corruption and office politics, the Social Welfare Department is a poster child for poor human development in Kashmir


ADMINISTRATIVE INERTIA

Imran Muzaffar (Greater Kashmir)  

Srinagar: Even as a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General pulled up the Social Welfare Department for failing to implement flagship schemes, both state and centre sponsored, the department continues to work in a sluggish manner on the vital issue, raising a question mark over its functioning.

The CAG report after being tabled in the State Legislative Assembly sometime back had pointed to “financial mismanagement, non-adherence of eligibility criteria, and lack of monitoring and proper planning” in the department. The report had said that the department has completely failed to implement the vital flagship programmes of the Government of India.

An official source told Greater Kashmir that even after CAG observations, the “unnecessary retention of huge undisbursed money in bank accounts and delay in finalizing rates of contract in nutritive items under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) persisted in the department.”

“Non-release of funds continues to affect various vital schemes. This is not because there are serious technical faults but due to the careless attitude of authorities and their little concern for implementation of the schemes. Since CAG has also taken note of it, the National Social Assistance Programme is still to be implemented due to the non-release of funds,” he said.

The source said the department was yet to implement Contributory Security Scheme as well. “The scheme is aimed to benefit marginal workers in the age group of 20-50. But despite the CAG castigating the department over the failure to implement it, the scheme is yet to be formally launched.”

The CAG had also pulled up the department for not spending the huge unspent balance on the schemes. “The report had taken note that at the end of each financial year crores of rupees remain unspent in the accounts which are otherwise meant for the implementation of schemes and benefiting the marginal and weaker sections,” the source said.

The CAG report had, pertinently, said: “The supplementary nutrition under the ICDS was not provided to all beneficiaries from 2005-09 and shortfall ranged between 7 to 40 per cent. The health check-up and other referral services were not provided to deserving at all.”

The source said funds worth crores of rupees under another key scheme-‘Scheme for Empowerment of Skilled Women’- has been unspent, with the department putting tough procedure for applicants. The State Cabinet had in 2010 accorded sanction to the Scheme vide order No. 05-SW of 2010 dated 08-01-2010. 

“The Scheme was aimed to grant loan to skilled women so that they may venture out for their concerned businesses. But the procedure for sanctioning of the loan was made so tough for the applicants that they backed out halfway,” he said.

Despite repeated attempts, the Director and Secretary, Social Welfare Department, were not available for comments.

Environmental Concerns Versus Religious Sensitivities

Some signatories below, who represent a middle ground in the Kashmiri civil society, express concerns with development work related to the Amarnath shrine 

Kashmir civil society express concern over Amarnath construction plans

The press release below has been jointly issued by a number of eminent citizens and civil society members in Kashmir. Full list of signatories at the end.

Srinagar, 18 August 2012: Civil society groups of Kashmir express their serious concern over the recent Supreme Court directions to the J&K government for undertaking civil engineering works leading to construction of roads and other infrastructure in the environmentally fragile Himalayan habitat around the Amarnath cave shrine in the valley of Kashmir. This move comes even as the committee formed by the Hon’ble court for recommending ways and means to promote safe journey of pilgrims to the cave shrine is yet to submit its report.

At a joint meeting of various civil society groups held on 16 August at Srinagar, the following resolution was adopted:

i) While we fully share governmental concern to ensure good health and well-being of the intending pilgrims, we believe that the yatra must be conducted in accordance with the National Environment Policy, the State Forest Policy and also the Nitish Sengupta Committee recommendations.

ii) Given the fact that a vast population of the Kashmir valley depend on the drinking water that originates from the glaciers around the Amarnath site, we believe any increased human activity through large scale construction works will greatly enhance pollution, pose serious challenges to public health and result in irreversible damage to the flora and fauna of the area, critical to tourism and agriculture of the region. It must be noted that the area through which the current tracks lead to the Amarnath cave in the Sonamarg area fall under the Thajiwas Wildlife Sanctuary, and as such any construction activity will be in contravention of the established laws. Conserving the pristine waters of the Lidder, the Sindh, the Jhelum rivers and their tributaries must be a common goal, irrespective of religious beliefs, political affiliation or any worldview one might subscribe to.

iii) We strongly believe that the principles of conservation for environment and administrative facilitation as applied to the pilgrimage to Holy Gangotri and the larger conservation plans for the Holy Ganga river be applied to the pilgrimage to Amarnath shrine as was the established practice in the past. Any politicisation of the pilgrimage could be fraught with serious consequences.

iv) We note with deep appreciation the government of India’s in-principle nod for declaring the 135-km stretch of the Ganga between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone in November, 2010, seeking specific measures to protect the rich biodiversity of the region. We also view with satisfaction that the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) has approved discontinuation of 3 hydro-electric power projects-Bhaironghati, Pala Maneri and NTPC’s Loharinag Pala proposed on the river to improve the overall water quality in it. We demand that the same principles be applied for the conservation of the area surrounding the Amarnath shrine in Kashmir and no human activity be undertaken there in a manner that will irreversibly damage the fragile ecology of the area. Application of uniform principles of conservation and protection are not only necessitated by the imperatives of the National Environment Policy and the National Forest Policy but also emphasized by the uniform standards of judicial principles.

v) We call upon the Central Empowered Committee on Forests and Environment and the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Environment to initiate steps that the national environment and forest policies be implemented in letter and spirit and the plans of large scale construction around the Amarnath cave shrine be subjected to legal scrutiny in the light of the established laws and policies.

vi) While we support administrative measures to ensure good health and well-being of the pilgrims undertaking the pilgrimage to Amarnath shrine, we believe construction of roads and cable cars will not help in preventing deaths because of the inherent health risks in high altitude travel. It is a medically established fact that gradual acclimatization is needed for ascent from 5000 feet to 14,000 feet for any human being, including pilgrims. Acute Mountain Sickness, High Altitude Cerebral Edema( HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) can happen in otherwise healthy people as well if the basic principles of acclimatization are not adhered to. These clinical conditions contribute substantially to high mortality encountered during the yatra. The health hazards are compounded in the elderly, persons with high blood pressure, heart disease, pulmonary insufficiency and diabetes. Pilgrims are especially susceptible to hypothermia and hypoglycemia which amplify morbidity and mortality. An equally important aspect of unregulated number of the yatris and extended duration of the yatra results in outbreak of water-borne diseases namely – gastroenteritis, hepatitis, typhoid etc causing immense morbidity among people using the polluted water.

vii) We strongly recommend authentic medical clearance for the intending pilgrims on the pattern of the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra where pilgrims above 70 years are not allowed to undertake the yatra and pilgrims are to produce genuine medical certificates certifying their health status.. We believe these very basic measures will greatly help in preventing pilgrim deaths in the high altitude area and at the same time ensure conservation of highly fragile and precious eco-diversity of the area.

Signed by:

Abdul Majeed Zargar (Chartered Accountant), Akhtar Rashid (Former chief engineer & social activist), Dr Altaf Hussain (Pediatrician), Anuradhu Bhasin Jamwal (Journalist), Anwar Ashai, Arjimand Hussain Talib (Development consultant/columnist), Dr. Ashraf Beg (Writer/columnist), Bilal Ahmed Dar (Academician), Faiza Qadri (Electronics engineer), Dr Hameeda Nayeem (Academician/chairperson-KCSDS), Dr Hina Altaf (Dermatologist), Dr. Javed Iqbal (Columnist/writer), Kaiser G (Director, Punjab Technical University, Srinagar), Khurram Parvez (Human rights activist), Khursheed Ahmed (Academician), M. Saleem Beg (Head INTACH-J&K chapter), Dr Maroof Shah (Veterinarian), Muhammad Shafi Khan (Social activist), Dr. Mubeen Shah (President, J&K Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Nadeem Qadri (Environmental lawyer/activist), Dr Omar Kirmani (Radiologist), Peerzada Ashiq (Journalist), Parvaiz Bukhari (Journalist), Qurrat-ul-Ain (Academician), Raja Muneeb (Social activist), Riyaz Ahmed Lone (Pahalgam Peoples’ Welfare Organisation), Shakeel Qalander (Ex-President FCIK, Kashmir), Shujaat Bukhari (Senior Journalist), Shuja ul Haque (Journalist), Sulaiman Hussaini (Medical device professional), Umar Shafi Trumboo (Businessman), Zahir-ud-din (Lawyer/columnist/human rights activist), Zareef Ahmed Zareef (Poet/activist), Z G Muhammad (Writer/columnist), Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat (RTI Activist)

Harvesting Misfortunes For Profit

Qurat shares an open "dirty secret" in the valley

Valley Orphanages are Money Minting Machines: Masoodi

Tawseef Ahmad (Rising Kashmir)

Srinagar: Qurat Masoodi, a social activist Wednesday alleged that orphanages in Valley have become an industry for some people to make money.

Referring about the resumption of Shah-e-Jeelan orphanage, Masoodi said: “Orphanages in Kashmir are exploiting children in the name of taking care of the orphans.”

Masoodi expressed concern over the work carried over by the trust and said that these people are exploiting the orphans only for their personal benefits.

“I fail to understand how an orphanage can resume its work when State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has asked for its closure. I do not know if the government wants our children to get proper treatment,” she said amid slogans raised by her supporters who advocated for the closure of the orphanage.

Criticizing the government for its failure to check the mushroom growth of unregistered orphanages in the valley, Massodi also criticized the parents “for are selling their children” to these orphanages.

It is pertinent to mention that Shah-e-Jeelan orphanage was closed down in June, 2012 on the orders of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) after its investigation revealed that the orphanage lacks basic facilities. The investigation had further revealed that the orphanage was not even registered, as claimed by the owner.

According to the SHRC order dated 25.06.2012, a copy of which is with Rising Kashmir the Shah-e-Jeelan orphanage at Dalgate was found lacking basic facilities and was not found to be catering to the segregation of the children on gender basis.

“The first floor of the orphanage was used by the house owner himself while the one room on the floor was occupied by three tenants, working with some private establishments. The second floor houses male orphanage in two rooms. One room is used as office and one room is under house owner,” the report reads.

“Third floor of the orphanage is used to accommodate four female orphans including female cook (mother of three female orphans). One room is occupied by three male tenants from Lolab in the same floor", report says.

It was also revealed that two children were put to some sort of physical torture.

The female cook who has now left the orphanage also leveled charges against the owner of the orphanage and said that he was misbehaving with the children and was bungling money meant for the orphans.
Coming down heavily on the owner of the Shah-e-Jeelan orphanage Masoodi said : “How can a person take care of 20 0r 30 children, when he himself is a drunkard.”.

She claimed that she knows some children whose parents are alive but they have sent their children to orphanages. “It is very unfortunate that some children are taking shelter in orphanages despite having their parents alive. This means that they are selling their children to these unregistered orphanages,” she said.

She also expressed dismay over the mushroom growth of unregistered orphanages.

“There are so many unregistered orphanages in here and nobody is having a check on them. I urge the concerned authorities to find the total number of registered orphanages operating in the valley,” said the social activist adding that the government should launch a manhunt for the closure of the unregistered orphanages. 

Kashmiri Sikhs in Distress

Sikhs considering the possibility of migrating from the valley

Sikhs In Kashmir

Early Times Report Jammu: Miniscule minority of Kashmiri Sikhs has finally decided to take on head on the authorities in the State and at the Centre and attract attention of those who matter to the problems they have been facing since decades. They may even decide to quit Kashmir, as the miniscule minority of Kashmiri Hindus did more than two decades ago to save their religion, culture, life and dignity and completely identify with the nation. It all depends on what transpires in the two-day-long "Ethnic Sikh Conference", which will commence tomorrow at Dr Sir Syed Iqbal Mini Complex, Rawalpora, Srinagar. Prominent Sikh leaders and several lawmakers from Delhi, Punjab, Jammu and other places will participate in this crucial ethnic Sikh conference. The decision to hold ethnic Sikh Conference was made public last week by chairman of the All-Parties Sikh Coordination Committee Jagmohan Singh Raina. Addressing media persons, he, along with other Sikh leaders, had catalogued the woes, problems and demands of his community and threatened that the entire Sikh community will quit the Valley in case their demands were not conceded forthwith. About 50 to 60 thousand Sikhs still live in different parts of Kashmir, especially Baramulla, Anantnag and Srinagar. Raina had accused the authorities of destroying the Sikh community socially, economically and politically and asserted that it was being done as per a plan. He did give everyone to understand that his community in the Kashmir Valley was facing persecution, neglect and marginalization and that the situation in Kashmir had climaxed to the point that the entire Sikh community could migrate from the Valley. He had, in fact, revealed that many Sikhs had already migrated from Kashmir villages to cities. His message was loud and clear.  Things in Kashmir have deteriorated; it is difficult for the Sikh community to live in the Valley in the prevailing hostile environment. Raina had that day put forth four specific demands - grant of minority status to the Sikh community, reservation for the Sikhs, appointment of Punjabi lecturers in colleges and security.It is obvious that the participants in the scheduled Ethnic Sikh Conference will discuss all these and the related issues in minute detail. The very fact that Raina warned that his co-religionists in Kashmir could quit Kashmir indicated that they were passing through critical times like the minority Hindus and Sikh in Pakistan. Hence, one can expect a very serious debate on the issues confronting the helpless and abandoned Sikhs in Kashmir.

Nigeen Club (Lake) Going to Dogs

It is the same old sad story

Mismanagement at historic Nigeen club: Dogs on prowl inside

Sana Altaf (Kashmir Times)

Srinagar: Kashmir may boost over the success of its tourism this year, but how far the authorities have been able to keep up the charm of tourist places is evident from the condition of the posh Nigeen Club. Entering one of the most famous, serene and elitist club situated on the banks Nigeen Lake, one is pleased to see well maintained flowering garden. However, after stepping further inside the club, stray dogs welcome the visitors. They can be spotted in the parking slot, amid flowerings, under the shade of chinar and even resting near the restaurant of the club. Ironically, no one seems to be bothered to even shoo off the dogs, who seem to enjoy the cool and serene atmosphere of the club. The presence of stray dogs in the club is equally prominent as the foreign and domestic visitors who sometimes have to shoo the dogs from attacking their open air dining table. The visibility of dogs is more during the evening hours. Adding to the displeasure of the visitors are the defunct lights, old bamboo dining chairs and the polluted Nigeen water. The evening visitors have to be provided with lanterns or candles for open air dinners. “Nigeen club has been one of the poshest places in Srinagar. Though the gardens have been maintained, but it is sick to have dogs inside,” said Musadiq Ahmad, a local visitor to the club. Mohammad Amir, another visitor says he was disappointed with the mismanagement in the club. “It is distressing to see dogs inside club, no proper lights and management. Government needs to take steps to spruce up tourist places.” Nigeen club dates back to 1900. It was constructed by British on the orchard land owned by the after being en snarled by the supreme beauty of the lake. It was a recreational centre in which a guest house was later built in 1940, wherein the British Residents used to stay. The British would spend their leisure time in the club, playing cards and other games. After the British left Kashmir, it was passed onto to department of tourism. The club activities came to a grinding halt after the building was gutted in a devastating fire in 1989. Like most of the public spaces this one too was occupied by Indian Security organizations; first, Border Security Force and later, Central Reserve Police Force. The residential bungalow of the club having seven bed rooms, dining hall, lounge and pantry housed the Jammu and Kashmir Police. In 2007 the club was vacated and its reconstruction started. It was thrown open again in 2009. Kashmir Times learnt from club employees that the housekeeping of the club is currently unavailable for past one week as new appointments are in process. “New members are now being appointed for the club and shall be brought back into action. We will ensure that club work best,” an employee at the club said.

The Gender Gap

Zeenat addresses the plight of women concerned about society reaction to remarriages

(Ms. Zeenat Zeeshan Fazil, 27, was born in Srinagar, Kashmir. She did her schooling from King George (Mumbai) and later Cambridge (New Delhi), and received her Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Kashmir in 2008. Presently, she is also pursuing her second Masters degree in Mass Communications through the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). In 1998, she began her career as a freelance journalist with leading national newspapers and simultaneously joined ‘Fazil Kashmiri Publications’ as Editor and Publisher, and is also an editor of the ‘Focus’. Ms. Fazil has written a book on Mass Media and Linguistics (2006), and ‘Falcons of Paradise'(2009), a reference book contains 100 Eminent Personalities of J&K starting from 14th century till date. After working for ‘Daily Etaalat’- a Srinagar based Newspaper in 2007-2008; she joined ‘Daily Kashmir Images’ as a Senior Correspondent by the end of 2008. She is also currently associated with ‘Charkha’, a foundation that highlights the developmental concerns of marginalized section of Kashmiri society particularly in rural areas and to draw out perspectives on women through their writings. Ms. Fazil is also associated with ‘Interchurch Peace Council Netherlands’ which is intensely involved in several conflict areas such as in Kashmir. In 2009, she joined the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA). She has received numerous awards for her meritorious contribution in the field of literature. Her interests are reading, writing, poetry, music, travel,and gender related topics.)


Troubled Marriages Continue to Trouble Kashmiris


Srinagar: Though the Kashmiri society has largely become tolerant to women remarriage yet the idea of a second marriage carries a stigma and most of the women hesitate to take the plunge.

After being ensnared in an abusive marriage for around five months, Firdousa Qadri (name changed) finally took the plunge and asked for a divorce. But this decision of her was only the beginnings of trouble.

“I had not done anything wrong, I just availed my God-given right to seek the annulment of a troubled marriage. Yet, I am treated as if I have committed a sin,” says Firdousa. “If I think about remarrying, people will start questioning my character,” the woman complained.

Firdousa, a 38-year-old single mother and a government employee said that her husband’s violent behavior started immediately after marriage. “I made my best efforts to keep the relationship going but the burden ultimately became unbearable. I started losing my vision and even my voice. I was left a shadow of myself,” says Firdousa.

Even then, she says, she might have stuck to it — but she had conceived. “I thought that by staying in this marriage I would not only ruin my life, but also that of would be child”, said she.

Five years on, Firdousa remains unmarried, though not by choice or a lack of offers.

“I received umpteen proposals from men but I think they have an eye on my parent’s wealth. Some even want me to leave my daughter. My ex- husband remarried eight months after divorce”, said Firdousa.

Another victim, 42 year old Heena Farooq (name changed), who runs a Boutique, faced severe resistance from her family when she decided to seek a divorce. She belongs to a conservative family where marital fights are traditionally settled by elders.

“I was virtually abandoned by the family. They wanted me to reconcile with my husband who used to beat me and never cared for the children. Even when it comes to remarriage, our family has a rigid and conservative mindset and doesn’t appreciate women who take such a step,” she says.

“A daughter is owned only till she is unmarried. Once she is married, she is treated like a guest in her parent’s home. If the marriage fails, she is treated as an outsider and a burden,” says Heena.

Most Kashmiri women who get divorced or whose husbands have died have similar stories to tell. Not only they have to strive for the respect they deserve but are also haunted by the ghosts of their previous marriages. They become soft and easy target for all sorts of abuse.

“A broken or a failed marriage takes a toll not only on women but on a man as well. But it is easier for a man to remarry as they are not faced with as many obstacles as women,” says social activist Nighat Shafi Pandit

Instead when a woman goes for a second marriage for the most part she has to compromise on the man’s age, financial position, education and physical appearance as well as being willing to take on the responsibility of his offspring, says Nighat.

It is very difficult to find suitable matches for women who have children, she added.

The figures available with State Women’s Commission (SWC) suggest that the domestic and post martial feuds cut across all income groups and strata.

“We have around 4000 cases registered with the Commission since last three years, out of which around 650 have been settled and more than 3400 are still pending,” says Chairperson SWC, Shameema Firdous.

Shameema says that on an average the Commission receives at least two to four cases daily. The cases that Women’s Commission receives are usually at chronic stage.

“Though we try our best to persuade the couples to reconcile but due to the degrading social fabric the results are extremely unrewarding. We also try to work for the maintenance (monetarily) of children”, adds Shameema, citing different reasons for increasing number of divorces like exposure, awareness of the rights, domestic violence and extra-marital affairs.

Social activist, Advocate Abdul Rashid Hanjoora says, “there is a mounting trend in which not only the uneducated but educated women are filing petitions for dissolution of marriage which was something never heard before. At present, we have around 12000 cases of domestic discord and maintenance disputes pending in the Lower court of district Srinagar only and if we include figures of cases pending in different courts of the Kashmir valley, the numbers will be much higher.”

One of the reasons for mounting figures of divorce cases, he said, is “lack of any “matrimonial” court in Kashmir (though we have one in Jammu) for speedy trials.”

Another Historic Nag (Spring) in Dispair

Irfan describes yet another historical archeological site in the valley in shambles

Tale of Kothair Spring, its Neglect


Irfan Naveed (Kashmir Images)

Despite the tall claims of the government in promoting J&K’s rich heritage tourism sector, many top notch heritage sites are on the verge of extinction as the concerned authorities have failed in preserving them. The unchecked human vandalism, continuous weathering, lack of repairing and restoration work have posed a great threat to the survival of many archaeological heritage sites. The poor maintenance has not only become the fate of unprotected sites, but they (sites) are notified under Archaeological Preservation Act—thus have to face the brunt of the state government’s neglect.

One of these ill fated sites is located at Kothiar in Shangus block in South Kashmir ‘s district of Anantnag. It houses the ancient spring and Pandu lare (remains of Pandu buildings), situated only 8km above the famous Mughal garden—Achabal. To add to the utter neglect of the potential site, it even lacks the basic preservation and conservation methods.

Besides, the entire affairs at the site are in utter ruins as no basic conservation infrastructure has been kept available despite showcasing some wonderful remains of ancient Pandu buildings. The structural basements and few standing remains are most attractive monumental ruins at the site. Besides, there are reports that not a single visitor has ever visited this glorious spring and its historic remains as the site is yet to figure on the tourist map of the state.

The site, as per reports has been declared a state protected monument some thirty years back with the meaning of Ancient Monuments Protection Act sum vet 1977. But, except the chain link fencing of the site, there are no any other preservation measures to save the structural remains of the site.

Even though the site has lost its importance as a potential local tourist site, the remains of few olden stone structures and of a major ancient spring are still intact, and have immense archaeological importance, if tapped by the government. Although the spring has been to certain extent maintained, the monumental basements are in utter neglect. The ruins are in a shambles and its well chiseled stones are scattered all along the ground. Several standing remains have grown heavy bushes and wild plants around them-----thus weakening its basements.

The question that shots through every one’s mind here is that is it is it really a protected site? No, reply the locals in a loud tone as one is very much seethed to see the absence of protective measures at the site. The lack of conservation and protection of an important archaeological monument like Kothair can be gauged from the fact that hardly any semblance of infrastructure development is visible here. Experts fear that if steps are not taken up, this ancient spring along with its glorious remains would surely disappear for ever.

Kothair----full of miseries and curious traditions have added a lot to ones curiosity. The historic spring is also called locally as Papa Sudan nag. Local traditions associated with this spring reveal that in the ancient times, the Hindu Yatris arrived here to wash their sins from its healing waters. The name given in Sanskrit---Papa Sudan also denotes the same meaning “sin washer.”

This historic spring has also got its mention in Kalhana’s “Rajtarangni,” where it is named as kapastevara tirtha. A tradition recorded in this 12th century chronicle states, that a man from plains known as padmaraja---the importer of Tambala leaf----became friends with king Bhoja---the supreme lord of Malwa, by remitting heaps of gold through him to construct a pool at kapastevara, besides, taking a vow to wash his face, daily with the waters of this spring

Another tradition states that the spring tank was built by one Dacen raja called Matshankund----who is said to had ears like that of a buffalo which he had dropped after bathing with the healing spring waters.

A local folk lore which is still sung in the area says,

Makun razas Mounshi kan

Su Kate baliyas kothair wan

(Raja Makan had Buffalo ears which got treated at kothair forest)

Preserving Kashmir's Cultural Architecture

Iqbal says that preserving Sufi shrines is much more than an expression of tolerance and pluralism - it is a way to preserve Kashmir's iconic Reshi architecture

(Mr. Iqbal Ahmad, 51, was born in Parigam Chek, Kulgam. He is a graduate with Diploma in Numastics, Archaeology and Heritage. He is an archaeologist, writer, and a cultural historian. Mr. Iqbal Ahmad has published 12 reference books on Kashmir archaeology and heritage.)


  Preserving the Sufi Shrines

One more glorious Sufi shrine has been lost to the devastating fire and one more historical and architectural monument has been raised to ashes. It was not the tomb of any Sufi saint and yet the most revered popular spiritual and architectural site of Kashmir which, besides other few sacred relics, enshrined the sacred hair of the Sardar Awliya (Head Saint) Peer Dastgeer Sahib (R.A) revered and respected in the entire Asian continent . He is also known by his other titles including Gousul Azam Dastgeer, Peer Peeran, Shah-i-Jeeelan etc while his actual name was Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani. He was born in the year 1077AD in the Mazandar province of Iran.

In the Asian subcontinent, the Sufi saints are held in high esteem and their tombs have become the great Sufi centers to which the people are spiritually associated. The devotees offer special prayers, charity and it was with the help of these donations that such wonderful tombs had been raised over the sacred graves of saints and sufi’s. These tombs are named after the names of the saints buried there.

In Kashmir the Sufi traditions are much popular and, like other Asian countries, Sufi saints and their respective tombs are revered and respected. People usually visit the shrines and attain spiritual pursuits. The tombs and shrines associated with the Syed Saints are the most significant sipiritual centers here , but when it comes to Shah-i-Jilan, his Sufi order remains the most popular among all the other spiritual schools. His shrines and relics are held in high esteem and people cannot afford to lose them at any cost.

Sufis, here, are broadly classified into two major categories differentiating the saints of local origin and the saints of external origin. The local saints are usually referred to as Reshi’s, those born here and belonging to this land. Their order (Selsella) was founded here by the Patron saint of Kashmir Nund reshi or better known as Shiekh Noor ud Din Noorani (R.A).

Also titled as Alamdar-e-Kashmir (The torch bearer of Kashmir), Sheikh Noor-u-Din (R.A) was born in a small village at Qaimoh in south Kashmir District of Kulgam during the early 15th century AD. His tomb is located at Chari Shrief, in the central District of Budgam. It is the major Sufi centre of Kashmir while hundreds of Sufi saints belonged to this School are located in almost every village and town of the valley.

Syed saints, those wise men, the preachers of Islam who arrived here along with the Grand Sufi saint, Mir Syed Amir Kabir Ali Hamadan better known here as Shah Hamden . Those are mostly Syeds who are held in high esteem for their vision and religious knowledge and also for the fact that they are among the progeny of the last prophet, prophet Mohammad (SDA) because of being the descendants of Prophet Mohammad’s (SAW) family.

The Sufi tombs are formed as wooden shrines and are called as ‘Astan’ in the local language. These shrines have been raised over the graves of these saints and most of such sites are found in rural and forest areas of the valley as such locations allowed ample time and peace for meditations.

The wooden shrine architecture is known as Reshi order of architecture. It is purely Kashmiri and is hardly seen beyond the borders of the state. It is most significant architecture of this land, which are almost uniform in plan, material and style. These are square in plan and mostly self contained buildings with plinths of Devri Stones while chambers mostly constructed by bricks and mortar or, sometimes, of logs laid across each other. The spaces between logs is seen filled with brick work, chambers are square with a Cenotaph (char) of latticework at its centre.

The entrance to the chamber is usually from the south. Bays of the chamber are decorated with fine types of Jali (Screens) of wood; the interior of the central chamber is sometimes covered with papier machine paints or lime Plaster. The columns around the central chamber (Noor khana) or within the chamber, are elaborately carved while the low pyramidal roof projecting over the whole super structure is built in several tiers with size diminishing in each successive tier. The roof is usually surmount by a rising steeple, the final of which is molded, the largest molding in the shape of umbrella, usually covered with metal object.

Unfortunately these tombs have lost most of their traditional materials and stand renovated with cement plasters, marble floors and glazed windows besides, the brick bark roofs have been replaced by metal sheeted roofs, but the plans, designs and style has remained, more or less, unchanged.

Kashmir is a living museum by virtue of these Sufi shrines and sites. One can hardly find a village across the length and breadth of the valley where there is not a Sufi shrine or any sacred relic associated with a Sufi. These glorious wooden monuments are more impressive in their wonderful architectural style, without the modern manipulations which appear a mismatch.

The tragedy is that such wonderful architectural monuments and traditional sites of sufi practices are not being maintained on modern scientific lines. These shrines are in neglect and are not properly conserved as several glorious shrines, included the major olden shrine of Nundreshi at Charar-e-Sharief, Khanqah-e-Sheikh and Khanqah-e-Faizpana at Tral are utterly neglected.

The condition of all other wooden shrines scattered all along this valley is also not satisfactory as these need to be provided the safety equipments and preserved on modern scientific lines, keeping in view the fragile material these are constructed from. The wakf board, local shrine committees and care takers of these sites should ensure proper safety and security of these sites, for which government is also bound to provide the necessary security and conservation.

People say we have already lost many such spiritual and cultural heritage buildings and would not afford to lose any more.

Official Claims Notwithstanding ....

Zeenat interviews Javed regarding the ability of physically challenged people in the valley to assimilate into the society

(Ms. Zeenat Zeeshan Fazil, 27, was born in Srinagar, Kashmir. She did her schooling from King George (Mumbai) and later Cambridge (New Delhi), and received her Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Kashmir in 2008. Presently, she is also pursuing her second Masters degree in Mass Communications through the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). In 1998, she began her career as a freelance journalist with leading national newspapers and simultaneously joined ‘Fazil Kashmiri Publications’ as Editor and Publisher, and is also an editor of the ‘Focus’. Ms. Fazil has written a book on Mass Media and Linguistics (2006), and ‘Falcons of Paradise'(2009), a reference book contains 100 Eminent Personalities of J&K starting from 14th century till date. After working for ‘Daily Etaalat’- a Srinagar based Newspaper in 2007-2008; she joined ‘Daily Kashmir Images’ as a Senior Correspondent by the end of 2008. She is also currently associated with ‘Charkha’, a foundation that highlights the developmental concerns of marginalized section of Kashmiri society particularly in rural areas and to draw out perspectives on women through their writings. Ms. Fazil is also associated with ‘Interchurch Peace Council Netherlands’ which is intensely involved in several conflict areas such as in Kashmir. In 2009, she joined the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA). She has received numerous awards for her meritorious contribution in the field of literature. Her interests are reading, writing, poetry, music, travel,and gender related topics.

Mr. Javed Ahmad Tak, 38, was born in Bijbehara in the Anantnag district. He received his schooling from Government schools in Bijbehara, and his B.Sc. degree from the Government Degree College in Anantnag. Unfortunately, at the age of 21 he became a victim of a terrorist bullet which hit his spine and disabled him for the rest of his life. However, he overcome mental and physical odds to complete his Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Kashmir, and also completed certificate courses in Human Rights and Computers from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Although wheel-chair bound, Mr. Tak is recognized as a leader who has relentlessly and with extreme passion taken up the cause of disabled people in J&K, seeking full citizen rights guaranteed under the J&K Disability Act but never implemented in the past. He is a founder-member of numerous NGO's dealing with issues and sensitizing public about challenges faces by physically handicapped people in Kashmir. He has received numerous awards and citations for his selfless work and has attended numerous workshops on disability rights around the country.)


  Kashmir lacks facilities for physically challenged people!

Srinagar: The Kashmir conflict, now in its third decade, has left almost a million people disabled, psychologically or physically, say the experts.

Although the authorities make tall claims of rehabilitation of these people but independent organizations working for their welfare allege of complete official apathy.

“There are nearly 10 lakh people in J&K with different types of disabilities including psychological and physical. Around six lakh such people are in Kashmir Valley alone,” says Javed Ahmad Tak, chairman 'Help Line', a non-governmental organization (NGO).

He says the concentration of physically challenged people is more in districts of Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Anantnag and Pulwama.

“Psychological and orthopedic problems are more prevalent among the disabilities,” says Tak, attributing the problems to the armed conflict in the state.

“Since the inception of armed insurgency in J&K, we have experienced a geometrical increase in the cases of mental and orthopedic disability,” he said.

Tak further said that though the government claims to be spending millions of rupees on the welfare of these ill-fated people, but the ground situation is that disabled population of the state is a God forsaken lot.

In most of the Indian states there are special schools for the disabled children imparting education through various methods like the Brail system or sign language. But in Kashmir no such school exists.

“We don’t even get admission in normal schools for the reason that they don’t have the facilities for us,” complained Mustafa, a disabled boy.

Demanding introduction of Brail system of education and sign language in government schools, Tak said, “There are no separate schools in the state where Brail education system exists. Jammu and Kashmir is among the few states in India which are yet to introduce Brail technique of education in the schools.”

In 2009, Delhi High Court ordered all the schools of different states to hire “special educators” for students with disabilities “but alas J&K is yet to hire even a single educator,” said Tak.

“We demand the government to implement Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities Act 1998 in letter and spirit. We don’t need meager amount of Rs 400 as monthly pension but education which can empower us. The Act guarantees us a dignified life,” said he.

Tak further said that there are few private organizations like ‘Shafqat School’ or ‘Chotey Taray’ working for disabled people. But “when it comes to facilities, they have enough facilities to deal with mentally-retarded people but have nothing to offer to the blind, dumb and deaf.”

“Educational system in the state has been made for children with high levels of concentration and attention. These might be the majority of children, but they are not the all. There is good percentage of children with intellectual and artistic deficiencies and other communication disorders,” says noted psychiatrist Dr. Mushtaq Margoob.

He said there is need to recognize the strengths of specially-abled children so that their areas of strength are utilized. “This could be done only when we have proper facilities available in schools,” he suggested.