tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60786568101471671462024-03-13T21:32:10.247-07:00Kashmir FirstThe blog contains articles by the author which appear in various newspapers in Kashmir and are also available on the website: www.kashmirfirst.comKashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.comBlogger408125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-26297860669277277682018-12-05T18:25:00.001-08:002018-12-05T18:25:27.597-08:00Breaching Sub-Continents Berlin Wall!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(The opening of Kartarpur
Corridor practically signifies a breach in the artificial security barriers
created by the two countries to keep their people apart)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="Image result for berlin wall" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /> <img alt="Image result for loc fence" height="221" src="https://i0.wp.com/kashmirreader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/LoC-fence-with-sensors.jpg?fit=398%2C275&ssl=1" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">An
interesting short entry in Wikipedia about the corridor sums up the motive
behind the project. “The <span style="margin: 0px;">Kartarpur
Corridor</span> is a proposed border corridor
between India and Pakistan, connecting
the Sikh shrines of Dera Baba Nanak Sahib (located
in Punjab, India) and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurdwara_Darbar_Sahib_Kartarpur" title="Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur</span></a><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"> (in Punjab, Pakistan). The
proposed corridor is intended to allow religious devotees from India to visit
the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurdwara" title="Gurdwara"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Gurdwara</span></a><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"> in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartarpur,_Pakistan" title="Kartarpur, Pakistan"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Kartarpur</span></a><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">, 4.7 kilometres (2.9 miles) from
the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan-India_border" title="Pakistan-India border"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Pakistan-India border</span></a><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">. The Pakistan foreign office
spokesperson Muhammad Faisal said the corridor will be finalized before the
550th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in November 2019. The </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_India" title="Prime Minister of India"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Prime Minister of India</span></a><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narendra_Modi" title="Narendra Modi"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Narendra Modi</span></a><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">,
compared the decision to go ahead with the corridor by the two countries to the
fall of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall" title="Berlin Wall"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Berlin Wall</span></a><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">, saying that the project may help in easing tensions
between the two countries”. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Recently a ground breaking ceremony for the corridor was held in which
Pakistani Prime Minister and the Chief of the Pak Army participated. Echoing
Prime Minister Modi’s comments Imran Khan said that mistakes have been made
from both sides in the past. Presently, according to him, on the Pakistan side
everyone, the political parties, all institutions, including the Army; in fact
everyone is on a single page, the friendship with India! He said that the
Pakistanis want to move forward. According to him there is only one issue
between these two countries and that is Kashmir! “It needs leadership with a
will on two sides to solve it. It is not difficult to solve the problem. I am
interested in improving relations because of one important reality and that is
the poverty of our people on both sides. If we want to remove poverty, we have
to open borders for free movement and trade. We have to live like good
neighbours. When Germany and France after having fought so many wars, killing
millions of people can now live together, why can’t India and Pakistan do so”!
There cannot be a more positive offer than this to initiate a dialogue for
peace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Unfortunately, the response from the Indian side especially from the
government circles has been totally negative. While some people including the
foreign minister said that reconciliation can only take place after the other
side stops aiding terrorists, others referred to the Corridor as a step in
creating Khalistan. The proposal had been mooted right in 1947 when the Sikh
holy place got included in Pakistan. As Navjot Singh Sidhu remarked the people
of Punjab had been waiting for 70 years to visit this holy place. Incidentally,
it is again the religious basis which has opened up the border. Normally, it
should have been opening for people on two sides to meet each other
irrespective of religion. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Because of reference to Berlin Wall it may be interesting to recollect
the story of that episode in Europe. The relevant portion from the History
website says, “</span><span style="background: white; color: #181818; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; margin: 0px;">On August 13, 1961, the Communist government of the German
Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany) began to build a barbed wire and
concrete “Antifascistischer Schutzwall,” or “antifascist bulwark,” between East
and West Berlin. The official purpose of this Berlin Wall was to keep Western
“fascists” from entering East Germany and undermining the socialist state, but
it primarily served the objective of stemming mass defections from East to
West. The Berlin Wall stood until November 9, 1989, when the head of the East
German Communist Party announced that citizens of the GDR could cross the border
whenever they pleased. That night, ecstatic crowds swarmed the wall. Some
crossed freely into West Berlin, while others brought hammers and picks and
began to chip away at the wall itself. To this day, the Berlin Wall remains one
of the most powerful and enduring symbols of the Cold War”. When the wall
ultimately came down on November 9, 1989, more than 2 million people from East
Berlin visited West Berlin that weekend to participate in a celebration that
was, one journalist called it, “the greatest street party in the history of the
world.” People used hammers and picks to knock away chunks of the wall–they
became known as “mauerspechte,” or “wall woodpeckers”—while cranes and
bulldozers pulled down section after section. Soon the wall was gone and Berlin
was united for the first time since 1945. “Only today,” one Berliner
spray-painted on a piece of the wall, “is the war really over.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; margin: 0px;">Ultimately, it was the fall of the Berlin Wall which
resulted in the unification of Europe as the European Union. Now there are no
borders. Common currency and trade. It looks like one big country! Well, same
could be true of the sub-continent. While talking of walls, the worst ones are
in J & K known as the Line of Control. We have electrified fences, with
mines, booby traps and now even sensors and lasers. It is impossible to breach
these fences which are more formidable than even the erstwhile Berlin Wall! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; margin: 0px;">The worst sufferers are people living on two sides in
Karnah, Tanghdar, Gurez, and even relations separated in what used to be
erstwhile Baltistan, Kargil and Skardu. In fact, the people of Baltistan do not
get any visas to visit each other. They go for Umra or Hajj to meet each other.
Incidentally, some politicians have demanded a corridor to Sharada Peeth. This
place used to have the highest centre of learning in the entire Indian
sub-continent in ancient times. It used to be a very important place of learning
for Hindus as well as Buddhists. It is 150 kilometres from Muzaffarabad,
situated on Neelam River. At present there are ruins of a temple and some other
ancient buildings. It would be worthwhile if the place is revived as a centre
of learning as gesture of goodwill to the memory of Ancient Kashmir which
according to Kalhana was famous for learning throughout the world! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; margin: 0px;">While appreciating this first act of goodwill between
the people on two sides of the border, it may be mentioned that the Berlin Wall
was not removed by the governments on two sides but the people themselves
stormed it and virtually demolished it brick by brick. Similarly, if the
sub-continent has to get rid of the artificially created walls of hatred, the
people have to storm this en masse from both sides! The politicians especially
the ruling ones will never allow this to happen as they are the beneficiaries
of conflict! Bonhomie between the people of the two countries will make them
lose their jobs! However, it is bound to happen sooner than later! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-31378930805880322992018-12-03T22:36:00.001-08:002018-12-03T22:36:15.771-08:00Fragile Power System<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b>(Apart from various
perennial problems relating to demand and supply, the very system of
transmitting and supplyi</b><b>ng power is extremely fragile)</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><img alt="Image result for jumbled power lines" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <img alt="Image result for collapsed power tower" height="238" src="http://d3pc1xvrcw35tl.cloudfront.net/images/686x514/washim-tower_20180694601.jpg" width="320" /></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span>The recent power
break down in the valley reportedly resulting from the collapse of a high
voltage transmission tower caused by a foot or so of unusually heavy and
untimely snowfall resulted in a power outage throughout the valley. For almost
24 hours the entire valley was without power totally plunged into darkness. Power
was restored in the city within two days, however some areas especially in the
South Kashmir remained without power for many days as the damage to the lines
by fallen trees was extensive. People had been worrying about the unusually
long periods of curtailment due to shortage of about 600 Megawatts during the
present winter. However, they had a taste of the outage much before the start
of the real winter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The power
problem in Kashmir has almost been accompanying the basic political problem!
Before the advent of every winter people have to gear up for dark nights and
cold days. In earlier times people were used to lanterns and candles for the
lighting in the night and Kangri and Bukhari for the warmth. Then we ushered in
the modernization. The electric light was a miracle and the heaters both for
warmth and water were great conveniences. Unfortunately, the supply of power
could not keep pace with the modernization of our living. Additionally we did
not want to pay for the energy! Yes, it would have been much cheaper had our
resources not been robbed by outsiders, of course, with the consent of our so
called leaders. The generation cost of hydroelectric power would have been so
cheap that no one would mind paying for it. Well, the story of the power mess
is a long and tragic one and there does not appear a final solution in the near
future. We will have to live with the shortage for a long time to come.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The most
important problem right now is the extremely fragile transmission and
distribution system. The power is transmitted from the northern grid to Kashmir
through high voltage transmission lines mounted on steel towers. These lines
have to cross high mountain passes which get lot of snow in winter. In
addition, in a number of places the mountain itself is loose rock and scree
which is very unstable. Fortunately, most of the towers constructed with strong
bases have held so far. There have been some mishaps off and on when a tower
collapsed in heavy snow. However, the restoration has always been very quick.
The recently completed transmission line along the Mughal Road supposed to
transmit 1000 Megawatts of power too would be vulnerable. Repairing these towers
in winter in extreme cold and heavy snow is not an easy job. Once the engineers
were air lifted by helicopters to repair a damaged transmission tower. Well, we
have to live with off and on problems with the transmission unless these could
be replaced by high power transmission cables in vulnerable areas. There must
be some latest technology to overcome such difficulties. One needs to explore
these possibilities in colder areas like Russia, Sweden etc. After getting the
power one needs a system to distribute it for which grid stations are required.
Hopefully, by the end of the year we will have good capacity to receive and
distribute the power in spite of bureaucratic hassles which delayed these
projects.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Finally, we come
to the actual distribution of power to the consumers in the city, towns and
villages. This must be the most archaic system in the world especially in the
down town area of Srinagar. The lines including some high tensions ones pass
near trees or sometimes on trees itself. They have to do branch cutting and
then line patrolling after each snowfall or even after a thunderstorm! Each
electrical pole has a mesh of wires going to individual houses. Only the
concerned lineman knows which wires go to which house! However, we are not the
unique people to have this mess in distribution at the consumer level. Many
other places have a worst mess! Well, there is a joke about it. Some years back
a team of top engineers from a communist country visited Kashmir to advise
about some projects on Sindh River. They were taken on a city tour. At the end
of the tour they asked the accompanying Chief Engineer as to how many people
get electrocuted daily in Srinagar. When informed “none”, they said they have
started believing in God! That was an old joke but these days many linemen do get
electrocuted while working on these lines. They lack proper equipment and
clothing. Reportedly there was a central scheme to have underground
distribution in some newer localities in the civil lines area. However, for
some reasons known to the authorities, the new distribution system was again
over ground through high voltage lines with individual transformers for two to
three houses. This has made electrical wire congestion in every locality with
high poles and a series of transformers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">In brief, the
Power problem is multi-faceted and getting more severe with each passing year. In
fact, it may be easier to solve Kashmir’s basic political problem than the
perennial power problem! It is really a tragedy that a place having one of the
highest potentials of power generation suffers from a power famine and
moreover, even the distribution of whatever power we are able to get is in a
mess! There is urgent need to honestly address this problem in a comprehensive
way with even foreign expertise and collaboration so that at least people are
able to pass the winters in a more comfortable and cheerful way. However, the
million dollar question is who will do it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-86873933066486279932018-12-03T21:41:00.005-08:002018-12-03T21:41:57.803-08:00A “Limited” War!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(The
way the situation is developing some strategists feel that there may be a
“Limited” War between the two neighbours before the 2019 General Election!)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for indo pak war" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRS5pb7mdgbwVcMbfkz1nC6QsZ8ggGBbpwgyVpxB1l9O0lzmN-k8g" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Dr.Nishank Motwani, <em><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-style: normal; margin: 0px;">a Visiting
Fellow at the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, the Australian National
University, and Consulting Researcher for Armed Conflict at the International
Institute for Strategic Studies (London), </span></em>wrote an article, “Be
Prepared for an India-Pakistan Limited War” which appeared in the Diplomat on
October 5. According to Dr. Motwani, there seem to be some shifts in strategic
thinking regarding the use of nuclear weapons thereby affording an opportunity
for a small conventional war. A short, sharp and a limited conflict. Recently,
General Bipin Rawat had stated that Indian would not be restrained by
Pakistan’s first use of nuclear weapons. In return the Pakistani spokesman had
invited India to test its resolve! Earlier India had been formulating a
strategy of Cold Start which involved short and sharp thrusts by armoured
units. However, India has been held back by the declaration of General Khalid
Kidwai of Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division which is supposed to have short
range Tactical Nuclear Weapons. These can be used to neutralise any short and
quick armoured thrust.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Dr.Motwani after interviewing various people
connected with defence and security on both the sides and strategists from
abroad draws the implication that there is possibility of a limited
conventional war between the two antagonists without crossing the nuclear
threshold. According to him this prospect may seem attractive and workable for
its advocates in Delhi. The surgical strikes are part of this strategy. Such a
strategy may deter Pakistan from conducting proxy wars through terrorists as
they would have to pay a price which they are avoiding at present due to threat
of a possible nuclear escalation. The ideal location for such short and quick strikes
is Kashmir across the mountains. The ideal months would be January and February
when most of the passes get closed due to heavy snowfall. Normally, a conflict
across the line of control does not escalate easily unless there are drastic
incursions disturbing the entire status quo. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">It has been generally observed that both the
countries resort to external diversion when they face internal problems. For
this side any clash is redeeming of the Hindutva pledge of one India, the real
Hindu Rashtra. For the other side it is total Jehad! In such a clash, the
people on two sides get emotionally charged regardless of the consequences. All
internal problems get totally side-lined. It is a different matter that after a
ceasefire which earlier resulted after the two sides exhausted their ammunition
and now it can be due to external intervention to avoid a nuclear holocaust,
the two countries will economically slip more than a decade or so. The
populations below poverty line will considerably increase and both the countries
will get heavy external debts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Presently, there is a forthcoming event in India which
can get a boost for the ruling side by a short war. That is the general
election in May, 2019. The emotions generated by a short and sharp war with
Pakistan will dramatically improve the prospects of the ruling party. It will
act like opium and the emotionally highly charged people will forget all the
bad consequences. Interestingly, many astrologers in India have been predicting
the possibility of Indo-Pak war in the near future. These predictions have been
there right from 2015. However, no one can be sure whether the effects of a
future conflict between these nuclear armed countries would remain confined to
the sub-continent. Some scientists have predicted that a nuclear exchange in
the sub-continent will affect the entire world. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“If India and Pakistan fought a war detonating
100 nuclear warheads (around half of their combined arsenal), each equivalent
to a 15-kiloton Hiroshima bomb, more than 21 million people will be directly
killed, about half the world’s protective ozone layer would be destroyed, and a
“nuclear winter” would cripple the monsoons and agriculture worldwide”. The
warmongers in the studios including some retired generals need to be shown the
Hollywood movie “The Day After” to fully gauge the effects of a nuclear war if
it breaks out now in the sub-continent. Unfortunately, if one follows the
confrontation track with some “surgical” or “non-surgical” strikes, there is
every possibility of quick escalation which can end in a nuclear clash! There
is nothing like a short and quick conventional war. There have never been any
limits to a conflict if it really breaks out!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Unfortunately, the
brunt of the ideological conflict between the two neighbouring countries is
being faced by the Kashmiris for no fault of theirs. They are being used as
guinea pigs by both the sides. Kashmir is losing another generation with dozens
of youth being mercilessly butchered every day. It is the right time now to end
all talk of “Surgical” and “Non-Surgical” strikes; bring down the “War
Hysteria” and save Kashmir by giving relief to Kashmiris by restoring their
fundamental human rights. The only choice is to hold an unconditional dialogue
among all stakeholders to sort out the basic political problem once and for
all. The alternative is a mass suicide!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-70943026720067421572018-12-03T21:29:00.003-08:002018-12-03T21:29:47.522-08:00The Shrinking Political Space!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(For last few years the
political space in Kashmir has been gradually made to shrink and now even the
so called “mainstream” is being squeezed out!)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Recently Omar
Abdullah in an interview said that the political space for main stream parties
has shrunk in Kashmir. One could ask him whether there ever was real political
space in Kashmir any time right from 1947. It had been totally squeezed out when
his grandfather signed on the dotted line by endorsing Maharaja’s accession to
the Indian Union! He tried his utmost through the worst totalitarian means to
suppress any opposition to his stand, the irony of which ultimately landed him
in prison in August, 1953. Kashmiris had been looking forward to their
emancipation after centuries of slavery under the external masters. In fact,
the colossal leader had led a movement against the Maharaja asking him to quit
Kashmir. However, he then became an administrator under the same autocratic
ruler. In order to squeeze the political thought of total freedom out of the
local population he adopted the worst totalitarian measures. That was the
beginning of the shrinking of the political space. His subordinate paid him in
the same coin.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">After this
episode, the only political space allowed was the pro-India space which was
given the name of the so called “Mainstream”! The centuries of slavery under
external masters had given Kashmiris the special “Character” of “if you cannot
beat them, join them”, an instinctive trait for the survival. A foreign author
has truly observed that a foreigner can never know what is in the heart of a
Kashmiri. According to him, “a kind word and a joke will get the best out of a
Kashmiri”! Interestingly, when Bulganin on a visit to Kashmir asked Bakshi
Ghulam Mohammad the then Prime Minister as to how many people were with him, he
replied forty lakhs. On being asked as to how many were with Sheikh Abdullah,
he said forty lakhs. When asked what the population of Kashmir was, without any
hesitation he replied, forty lakhs! Well, that had been the trend all through
because of refusal of the authorities to allow any other political space than
the so called “mainstream”. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">However, slowly
the older generation gave way to the newer generations who refused to go by
this formula of forty lakhs being with every leader or with every political
thought. The newer generations wanted total emancipation which they first tried
to get through the democratic process in 1987. On being denied this democratic
luxury, the youth picked up the gun in 1990. They were fully supported from
across the border who in fact tried their best to totally hijack the indigenous
uprising and they did succeed in that. However, this side crushed the uprising
with a brutal hand. Again the “mainstream” was introduced to create some space
in a totally alien atmosphere. It did carry on for some time but being totally
handicapped in trying to start a dialogue with the alienated youth, there were
again uprisings even though non-violent in 2008 and 2010. These were again
crushed savagely killing over a 100 youth and wounding thousands. Moreover, the
youth born and brought up during the turmoil of the nineties refused to budge
or get cowed down. They were all taken to be suspect and were harassed beyond
endurance. The result was the 2016 upheaval, the Burhan Tsunami, which is now
spread all over and continuing in spite of heavy and brutal measures. The
political space of any dialogue has been totally ruled out. The unending
hunting of youth and butchering them non-stop is not going to end the
restlessness. In fact, Kashmir is slowly turning into a colony being held
purely by military force! <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The worst part
for India is the so called “mainstreamers” too getting isolated. They cannot
even summon courage to face the people and are for the first time boycotting
polls at the ground level like the civic bodies and the panchayat elections.
They cannot even visit their constituencies. People are not at all ready to
listen to them. This is the result of the policy of refusal to entertain any
political view point except the mantra of the integral part and total
integration or rather assimilation of Kashmiris into Hindutva India or the
proposed Hindu Rashtra at all costs. So, for Omar Abdullah complaining of
shrinking space, the chickens have come home to roost!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">It may be
hypothetical now but if Kashmir had been left as an autonomous region as
envisaged in the Maharaja’s Accession supported by the then most popular
leader, it would surely have become something like another Bhutan! It would
ironically be the other side which would have been in turmoil! The time is
running out. It is difficult to judge whether any offer of an unconditional
dialogue with all the stake holders will be practically possible on the ground
because of the total alienation especially of the youth who now comprise the
bulk of the population. The only alternative is to end the brutal repression
and restore the political space for all the viewpoints including those
advocating total freedom and independence. Mere expression of opposite view
points does not change physical status of a place. Rather it provides
opportunity for all to debate every view point which can lead to ultimate
solution and peace!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-54441441854880802672018-12-03T21:27:00.001-08:002018-12-03T21:27:10.742-08:00The Winter Tourism<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(Kashmir has the highest
potential for the development of Winter Tourism if proper facilities are
provided. We could easily have half a dozen ski-resorts!)</span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><img alt="Image result for heliskiing himalayan" height="187" src="https://travel-blog.waytoindia.com/wp-content/uploads/heli_skiing_gulmarg.jpg" width="320" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In mid-eighties, one had the opportunity of
flying in a helicopter with a European ski expert over the snow areas of entire
Kashmir valley. He had remarked that Kashmir has unlimited “White Gold”. The
oil reserves of the Arabs are termed as “Black Gold”. Similarly, the huge easily
accessible skiable snow areas of Kashmir can be termed as the “White Gold”. We
have the possibility to set up over a dozen world class ski resorts in our
mountain areas. The terrain, snow conditions, and the climate are ideal and in
some respects better than the Alps. Gulmarg is probably the nearest resort of
its type and size to a jet airport which is now an International Airport in
every respect except for the missing international flights. No other resort in
this part of the world is so easily accessible to the International tourist
traffic. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Even in the last
century Gulmarg was considered by the British an important ski resort this side
of Suez. In fact, the Ski Club of India was established by Major Metcarp and
Major Headow, two British Army Officers, in 1927 at Gulmarg. Mr.B.N.Pestonji
was its first Secretary. Skiing had been introduced as a sport in Gulmarg area
almost at the same time as it had started in Alps. Those days all ski
competitions were held at Khilanmarg and the pony track was kept open
throughout the winter. There were two major events, the Christmas and Easter
Competitions. The famous British Sports Equipment Firm, the “Lilywhites” had
introduced some trophies for various ski competitions. In fact one of the ski
slopes above Khilanmarg is still called the “Lilywhite Slope”. The attendance
in the open competition held at Christmas in 1938 was over 500. Gulmarg had two
100 room hotels and hundreds of chalets. There was a Cinema and a Golf Club
House with two eighteen hole courses. One could get everything aristocratic and
fashionable in the “Bazaar” of Gulmarg directly imported from all parts of
Europe. Families of some of the British Army Officers would come to Gulmarg
simply to buy these goodies. Marion Doughty in her travelogue, “Afoot through
Kashmir Valley” makes a special mention of the “Gulmarg Tea Dance” and the
preparations she had to undergo at the British Residency in Srinagar for
participating in the event. Gulmarg was discovered by Yusuf Shah Chak, the last
Kashmiri ruler who used to camp here for days with his poetess Queen Habba
Khatoon. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Europe has millions
of skiers who are now looking for newer and less crowded places with equal
facilities. In the recent years we have had regular Australian groups as it is
summer in Australia when we have winter here. Also sizeable numbers of Russians
have been coming to Gulmarg. Recently, the Chinese Ski Association had
approached for training their teams in Gulmarg. Kashmir could be the ultimate
winter destination for them if the potential is intelligently exploited. To tap
this potential the first essential is international accessibility to this area.
That can be achieved only after Srinagar’s so called international airport gets
international air connectivity enabling direct international flights to touch
down here. In the alternative, like Goa it could get charter flights from a
number of potential markets including Malaysia.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>At the moment it may seem a utopian dream but in the long run it may be
one of the most important economic activities. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Interestingly, the
Adventure Tourism of which the Winter Tourism like Alpine Skiing, Cross Country
Skiing, and Ski Mountaineering are part has maximum potential in Kashmir. In
fact, it is the unique type of Tourism suitable for present times. Most of the
adventure activities are outside the populated areas. The state should have
been encouraging this type of tourism which in overall context is high end
tourism especially when it is organised in group form. In mid-nineties skiing
at Gulmarg and Heli-Skiing in Sonamarg area continued without any problems. In
fact, Gulmarg is presently underutilised when one considers the potential of
winter tourism. It has become a resort to see snow, have a gondola ride or so.
The real adventure tourism involving various winter sports such as
international level ski competitions, training of various ski teams and general
skiing for pleasure seeking people has not grown much. The gondola which was
installed to give access to skiers to higher slopes has remained an attraction
for a joy ride for thousands of day tourists. The ski slopes which are some of
the best in the world have not been got homologated by the International Ski
Federation which is a must for holding international events. Apart from various
ski events, Gulmarg can easily hold the fastest kilometre race like the French.
There is an urgent need for reviewing not only winter sports in Gulmarg but the
entire field of adventure tourism. Let us hope someone gets serious and the
potential of all adventure tourism including the winter tourism in Gulmarg gets
fully revived!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-33140451279154057752018-10-04T02:50:00.001-07:002018-10-04T02:50:22.659-07:00Flood Prevention Not Preparedness!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(Instead of wasting time in
mock drills to test the flood preparedness, the government should get down
earnestly to implement urgent measures for flood prevention)</span></b></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for dredging" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQiKdMr6D9WYt3oqLbiIb8aMR8Z2yZMihdUnMvo_1qW45uvK3ZY" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Recently there
was a high level meeting to discuss the flood preparedness and it was decided
that mock drills would be conducted to test the flood preparedness. In fact a
tented colony to house the displaced persons was also set up! It is a pity that
all of us have learnt no lessons from the disastrous flood of the century. The
latest example of neglecting nature especially during the present period of a
global climate change is the Kerala flood. They faced a disastrous situation even
worse than Kashmir. There were hundreds of casualties and large scale
destruction of property. They will take a long time to become normal again.
Fortunately, in case of Kashmir, the nature was rather lenient. In fact, for
last few years it has been giving us enough time to set our act straight by
taking preventive measures. However, both the government and the people seem to
be totally unmindful!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The last
government wasted four precious years! The most important aspect was increasing
the carrying capacity of the River and the flood spill over channel. Nothing
substantial was done. In fact, a Kolkatta based firm which had been allotted
the contract for the job during the Governor’s rule has been discontinued due
to very slow progress and break down of machinery. </span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">A government of India panel in the wake of 2014
floods had thoroughly investigated the causes of the disastrous flood. They had
pointed out the decrease in the carrying capacity of the River and its flood
spill over channel over last few decades because of the absence of any dredging
being carried out there. From 1986 till very recently no dredging was carried
out in the outflow channel resulting into the drastic reduction in its carrying
capacity from 17000 cusec to 3531 cusec. Similarly, no effective steps were
taken to increase the flow velocity in the 96 kilometre Sangam-Wular mild slope
stretch of river Jhelum. Last year the Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood
Control publicly admitted that nothing substantial had been done regarding
dredging of the River and the Flood Channel<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Recently the newly
appointed Secretary Irrigation and Flood Control gave a detailed interview to a
reporter of the newspaper. Incidentally, he was the Deputy Commissioner of
Srinagar during the century’s disastrous flood. As such he knows that
prevention would be better than the cure! He admitted that the dredging had not
been completed and would take some more time. According to him departmental
dredgers are being used for the purpose. Apart from various environmental
causes, the two main factors resulting in flooding and inundation of vast areas
are the decreased capacity of the River and the Flood Channel and the weakness
of the embankments. He confirmed that both these aspects are being given
priority. The embankments have been surveyed to ascertain the weak points. A
large number of encroachments on the River and Flood Channel banks have been
removed. The Secretary invited advice from experts in the field. Hopefully, it
should be coming. However, it would have been better if an open discussion on
the subject was held where various experts and others could give their opinion.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Kashmir has always
been prone to floods. In fact, most of the migrations from Kashmir in earlier
times have taken place after the famines which used to result from disastrous
floods. The story of King Avanti Varman’s illustrious minister Hakeem Soya is quite
well known as it was taught in Schools through Kashmir’s History Books which
seem to have disappeared now. He did secure the valley from the disastrous
floods and improved irrigation throughout the valley.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Recently there has
been lot of reporting about declaring Srinagar a “Smart City”. There is no
point in declaring Srinagar as a “Smart City” or improving its roads by
flyovers and so on. The first thing is to secure it against the disastrous
floods which may be visiting us off and on. There cannot be more pathetic and
tragic fact than a couple of day’s rain being unwelcome in Kashmir which has
always survived on rain! The rain used to be considered as a blessing but now
it is a nightmare! There is no time left to apportion blame but the most
immediate need is to undertake the urgent measures to secure the “City of the
Sun” from floods. Not a difficult or impossible task. Only requirement is to
get the job done honestly. It is a known fact that all engineering works are
money minting proposals! For a change both the authorities and the people need
to be honest and sincere. The task requires sincerity both from the government
and the people. The lead has to be given by the popular leaders and prominent
citizens supported by the government. Leaving the job totally to the government
is virtually making preparations for the next disaster!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">During the interview,
the reporter praised the role of the new Secretary Flood in Tourism as its
Secretary and Director General which he had dramatically uplifted in spite of
the worst conditions. He hoped that similar dynamism and action would be shown
by him in mitigating the impending threats of disastrous floods in future! Let
us hope and pray that he does so and succeeds to earn the name of a modern
“Hakeem Soya”!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-7333758273532008272018-10-04T02:44:00.000-07:002018-10-04T02:44:30.611-07:00Himalayas and the Climate Change<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(The Himalayas play an
important role in shaping the climate of the sub-continent and the recent
erratic weather is the direct result of the “desecration” of the Himalayas!)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Himalayas and the Climate Change" height="213" src="https://www.greaterkashmir.com/cms/gall_content/2018/10/2018_10$largeimg203_Oct_2018_210723697.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The Educational
Multimedia Research Centre of the University of Kashmir recently organized a
film festival in collaboration with CMS Vatavaran, the International Forum on
Environment and Wild Life. As part of the program a panel discussion titled,
“The Impact of Himalaya on the Climatic Conditions of India”, was held. The
focus of the panelists was the disastrous flood of September, 2014 which is
considered to be a direct result of the ongoing climate change. No doubt the global
phenomenon of undue warming and climate change contributed to the generation of
the massive flood yet many panelists felt that the flood had resulted by the deliberate
damage caused to the environment by the local people themselves. People due to
material greed have squeezed the space of the River by stealing its flood basin
and making numerous encroachments on its banks. Unless drastic measures are
taken to restore the space for the extra waters during heavy rains, we may
continuously face such floods in future also.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">While being on
the subject of Himalayas and the climate change it would be useful to
recapitulate the role of the mountain chain in shaping not only the weather of
the sub-continent but the life in general. One can get a detailed write up on
the subject through Google, some parts of which are reproduced. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">“Himalaya in
Sanskrit means the “Abode of the snow”. The Himalayan Mountain Range forms the
northern border of the Indian sub-continent. “</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The <span style="margin: 0px;">Himalayan</span> mountain
range and Tibetan plateau have <span style="margin: 0px;">formed</span> as
a result of the collision between the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate which
began 50 million years ago and continues today. 225 million years ago (Ma)
India was a large island situated off the Australian coast and separated from
Asia by the Tethys Ocean”. The Himalaya has 3 important ranges- Himadri,
Himachal and Siwalik, <span style="margin: 0px;">about 2400 km</span> in
length & width of 240-320 km. The greater Himalayas or Himadri or northern
ranges, average <span style="margin: 0px;">6000m</span> in
height. Mount Everest <span style="margin: 0px;">8848 m, the
highest mountain in the world is in Himalaya.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">No other
mountain <span style="margin: 0px;">range anywhere</span> in
world has affected the life of people and shaped the destiny of a nation as the
Himalayas have in respect of India. Himalayas block the summer monsoon winds
and cause precipitation in vast parts of India which support agriculture in
plains of Ganges and Indus. The height of the <span style="margin: 0px;">Himalayan</span> Mountains concentrates most of the monsoonal
rainfall on the Indian Subcontinent. This same mountain range blocks cold winds
from Siberia from penetrating the region. This is why most of India has a warm,
tropical <span style="margin: 0px;">climate</span> with high
precipitation. The Himalayas also prevent the cold Siberian <span style="margin: 0px;">air</span> masses from entering into
India. Had there been no Himalayas, the whole of northern India would have been
a cold desert.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Almost all the great rivers of India have their sources in the Himalayan
ranges. Abundant rainfall and vast snow-fields as well as large glaciers are
the feeding grounds of the mighty rivers of India. Snow melt in summer provides
water to these rivers even during dry season and these are perennial rivers.
The Himalayan Rivers, along with hundreds of their tributaries, form the very
basis of life in the whole of north India. The Himalayan region offers several
sites which can be used for producing hydroelectricity. There are natural
waterfalls at certain places while dams can be constructed across rivers at
some other places. The vast power potential of the Himalayan Rivers still awaits
proper exploitation and utilisation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">In addition, the Himalayas have abundance of the forest wealth,
agricultural possibilities, extensive Tourism potential, unlimited and
unexploited mineral wealth and finally scores of pilgrim sites. Most importantly,
these act as a Defence Barrier for the entire sub-continent. Unfortunately, in
spite of the most important role these play in the life of the sub-continent,
we have tried our best to desecrate these in every possible way! The
deforestation caused by uncontrolled cutting of the trees. The pollution of the
rivers by garbage left by the “pilgrims”, over-exploitation of land by grazing
and agriculture and so many other activities are damaging the Himalayas
extensively. If we have to adjust to the global climate change, we have to take
care to save the Himalayas. These alone could help us to cope up with some of
the disastrous effects seen in recent times. The Chinese Philosopher Confucius
once said, “The wise men find pleasure in water, the virtuous in mountains”!
Unfortunately, the saying does not seem to hold good now!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-11418347577900393162018-10-04T00:13:00.001-07:002018-10-04T00:13:12.611-07:00Kashmir, the “Final” solution!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(Reportedly, Prime Minister Modi is going to announce
the “Final” solution of the Kashmir problem before 2019 elections!)</span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for j 7 k map" height="289" src="http://www.travelindia-guide.com/maps/north/jammu_kashmir_map_s.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Recently there
was a news report that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to announce the
“Final” solution of the Kashmir problem very soon. In fact, the Eurasian Times
on September 12 carried an item titled, “PM Modi will divide Kashmir in three
parts before 2019 elections”. The writer poses a question, “</span><strong><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Is Delhi planning to divide Jammu
and Kashmir into three parts i.e. Hindu Majority Jammu, Buddhist and Shia
Muslim dominated Ladakh and Sunni Muslim dominated Kashmir Valley? As per
reports in a local Jammu and Kashmir daily, Indian PM is keen to change the
political map of J&K before Indian elections of 2019”. </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin: 0px 0px 26px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“Quoting the sources, the Jammu based paper reported that the PM Modi
wants to resolve the Kashmir issue during his first-term itself. “It is
possible that the PM may himself in a month or so declare division of Kashmir
into three parts,” it said. According to PMO officials, Delhi was working out a
plan that would lead to the trifurcation of the J&K state. “If all goes
well, the Kashmir map would be changed and Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh would be
created as the union territories,” they said.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin: 0px 0px 26px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The report claimed that the ‘division’ of the J&K territory would
lead to the ‘resolution’ of many obstacles. “BJP knows that it cannot form a
government in Jammu and Kashmir on its own and that it has to depend either on
the National Conference or the People’s Democratic Party if it wants to come in
power. Under such a situation of joint power-sharing with NC or PDP, Delhi
cannot abrogate Article 370 of the constitution. An Indian official at the PM
Office claimed that the Modi government would divide the J&K state before
the general elections of 2019”.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin: 0px 0px 26px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The word “Final Solution” gives one creeps because of an ominous
ring<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>which reminds one about the “Final
Solution of the Jewish Problem”, mentioned by Adolf Hitler in his
autobiography, Mein Kampf. That final solution which he had designed resulted
in the death of six million Jews and created the most notorious concentration
camp of Auschwitz! Probably, some of the fanatic followers of Hindutva may be
thinking on those lines in regard to Kashmir. Kashmiris to be reduced to a
minority in Kashmir! However, the division of the state will not result in
that. It will on the contrary create a unit of Kashmiris only with hundred
percent Muslim population. Jammu will lose its importance as it is known only
because of its association with Kashmir. Jammu as Jammu on its known is not so
much known not only abroad but even in India itself. Ladakh does have an
independent recognition as the “Little Tibet”. Incidentally, a famous statesman
from Jammu, Balraj Puri died with his dream of Regional Autonomy. He did have a
viable preposition but no body listened to him. Giving three regions internal
autonomy within the overall State of J & K should not have been a problem.
It would fulfil the regional aspirations without changing the overall character
of the state. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin: 0px 0px 26px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The division of the State into three union territories would change its
status in relation to the UN Resolutions passed regarding the final disposal of
the erstwhile State of J & K. The case is still on the agenda of the UN
Security Council and the UN observers continue to be stationed here. Unilateral
division of the State without asking the people their choice violates the UN
Mandate. It should normally invite immediate UN intervention. In fact, on the
other side, the people living in the former Northern Areas now known as
Gilgit-Baltistan had been clamouring for a long time to be declared the fifth
province of Pakistan. The same could not be done by the Government of Pakistan
because of the UN resolutions on the subject. Reportedly, the feeling there was
that such an act would weaken Pakistan’s case. Accordingly, Pakistani’s gave
them some sort of autonomy on the pattern of the Ladakh’s Hill Development
Councils. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin: 0px 0px 26px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The recent contradictory declarations regarding holding of Indo-Pak
foreign ministers meeting in New York and then its abrupt cancellation by India
does not augur well. Additionally, the two Army Chiefs have issued somewhat
belligerent statements. That straightaway forestalls any “Final Solution” as
has reportedly been envisaged by the Prime Minister. That solution, if
attempted, may be the spark not only to light a fuse of an unmanageable
Indo-Pak conflict but may be the beginning of disintegration of the whole
sub-continent. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-31990143199336747642018-09-13T01:53:00.002-07:002018-09-13T01:53:39.386-07:00Political Uncertainty, the main problem!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(Lack of accountability,
lopsided governance, dishonesty and corruption in every field stem from the
basic malaise which is the perennial political uncertainty)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Political Uncertainty, the main problem!" src="https://www.greaterkashmir.com/cms/gall_content/2018/9/2018_9$largeimg212_Sep_2018_215359353.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">During last 70
years or so Kashmir has off and on faced one or the other turmoil. In fact, it
has seen four wars between its neighbours. There have been some periods of
apparent calm but the uncertainty has been always floating under a calm
surface. All these years have seen improvement in the living conditions,
economic development and a rise in the standard of living of the general
population. Apart from that it has also seen growth of a capitalist class where
some people dealing in various commercial concerns have made considerable
amount of money. Till the start of the nineties various upheavals were not so
disruptive except the one witnessed during the holy relic agitation. There
would be some turmoil and after some time the things would settle back.
However, after the violent turmoil of nineties which resulted in the death of
over 50,000 people the things have never been normal. Especially, after the
Amarnath land row, there have been violent agitations in 2008, 2010, 2012 and
the worst one was in 2016 on the killing of Burhan Wani. After the election of
2014 with the subsequent formation of a coalition government, the entire valley
has been functioning like a simmering volcano which keeps on erupting off and
on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Kashmir has now
become a virtual prison. </span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The
ground reality of Kashmir was described by the European Union delegation some
years back. They called it a “Beautiful Prison”! Kashmir has been given many
other names and attributes in the recent times. It is called a nuclear
flashpoint, most dangerous place on earth and a troubled paradise. It is
supposed to be South Asia’s hot spot. The most militarised place on earth. In
fact, most of the western countries advise their nationals to avoid travel to
Kashmir. They all believe that the ground situation in Kashmir is highly
combustible notwithstanding the government’s exaggerated claims of a tourism
boom ushering in normalcy. Even the propagators of tourism normalcy sometimes refer
to the volatility of the situation. One may not claim it to be a powder keg
which would blow up by the lighting of a single match yet no one can dispute
the discontent and alienation simmering under the calm surface. There is a
sense of general unease in the air itself. This is due to a situation of
perennial uncertainty. This uncertainty has given rise to the absence of
accountability in every sphere. There is a virtual free for all! Corruption at
all levels rules the roost.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Kashmir is supposed
to be the most militarised area of the world. During the last elections, Chris
Morris, the BBC correspondent had reported from Srinagar that he had never seen
so many soldiers in civilian areas in any part of the world. The number of
soldiers deployed in Kashmir was more than those deployed for elections in the
entire length and breadth of Bangladesh at the same time! No one can dispute
the fact that Kashmir is the highest militarised area in the world when one
compares the number of uniformed people to the local population. There is army,
paramilitary troops, and the local police. Even the number of local policemen
exceeds a hundred thousand. Apart from massive cantonments housing headquarters
of various corps and divisions, the entire area is dotted with army and
security camps. Even deep inside civilian areas one finds security camps,
bunkers, and check posts. It is because of this heavy security presence
that the local population especially in the rural areas has got very much
alienated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The ground reality is
that the entire effort in Kashmir is on managing a conflict on the basic issue
rather than resolving it to the satisfaction of the people. The aim is to
somehow buy time. Prime Minister’s Group, Parliamentary Delegation,
Interlocutors and so on are all meant to manage and somehow buy time. Over the
years, a colossal administrative set up has been created for this management
which is disproportionate to the population of the area. There has been a
tendency to somehow provide government jobs almost to everyone even though
sometimes on casual or stipendiary basis. The set up comprising almost half a
million employees of all hues and shades has become thoroughly corrupt and
totally unaccountable. In fact, major chunk of state’s funds goes into the
salaries of these employees leaving very little for development. This
administrative giant created for the management of the basic conflict has a
vested interest like the mainstream politicians to maintain the status quo at
all costs. It is the stark truth that everything in Kashmir has to have a
clearance from the Union Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs! Without their
specific overt or covert clearance nothing can happen in Kashmir in any sphere
of activity. However, it would never be possible to manage the conflict by
engaging an entire generation in government jobs or some other non-governmental
activities. According to available figures, the number of educated unemployed
has already crossed half a million.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The correct attitude
for all the sides is to face the ground reality and not escape from it. Kashmir
has a problem. A deep rooted problem which is political in nature and has been
further compounded by all the wrong initiatives and measures taken to douse the
flames rather than remove the cause of the fire! Unless one directly addresses
the problem, the things are not going to improve. Unfortunately, the only
people directly in the line of fire getting singed every minute are the poor
Kashmiris. The two neighbours are only getting indirectly affected. It is a
pity that they do not understand that the fire burning deep inside is
ultimately going to engulf them also. Their mutual mistrust is worse than the
directly burning fire. It is consuming them from within! However, there is
always an approach or process for the final settlement of any problem
whatsoever. The least the two neighbours can do is to honestly and sincerely
trust Kashmiris and allow them the freedom to breathe freely. They had
initiated the so called confidence building measures but these are only
symbolic and not really substantive. Keeping security forces everywhere
breathing over the necks of Kashmiris with zero accountability through the
internationally acclaimed draconian legislations. Allowing absolutely no
freedom of expression even through peaceful protests. Allowing couple of
thousand people to travel across LOC in 10 years or so. Having stone-age barter
trade in 21st century without any communications and banking. These are not
confidence building measures. Rather these are steps to increase alienation and
reinforce the mistrust. The least the rulers on two sides could do is to allow
people on both sides to at least enjoy the same basic rights as their own
people enjoy. These measures if taken in earnest could be a good beginning to
start the process for the ultimate resolution of the problem taking away slowly
the entire sub-continent from an avoidable catastrophe!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-59593638588313533562018-09-05T22:40:00.003-07:002018-09-05T22:40:50.170-07:00Cross LOC Bus, an ordeal!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(The most important
confidence building measure between India and Pakistan initiated in April, 2005
has virtually become an unbearable ordeal for the passengers!)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Cross LoC Bus, an ordeal!" height="213" src="https://www.greaterkashmir.com/cms/gall_content/2018/9/2018_9$largeimg205_Sep_2018_223844437.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">It was for the first
time since the establishment of a ceasefire line in 1947 (present LOC or the
line of control) that people were allowed to cross from both the sides in
April, 2005. Even though the Buses did not actually cross because of the narrow
bridge on Jhelum and the travel was through transhipment, yet the event
received worldwide coverage. It was hailed as a breach in the Sub-continents
Berlin Wall. The Bus was started on a fortnightly basis with 30 odd passengers
travelling from either side. The travel of the first Bus was telecast live. The
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flagged it off from Srinagar. Mufti Muhammad
Sayeed, the then Chief Minister had himself gone to LOC to receive the first
batch of visitors from the Pakistan Administered Kashmir. There was euphoria
all round and people expected that the decades old problem was on way to
resolution. Some of the relations on two sides of the divide travelling by the
Bus had met after 60 years or so. The measure was the beginning of détente
between India and Pakistan which had been initiated by Atal Bihari Vajpayee by
extending a hand of friendship to Pakistani leadership from Kashmir. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Simultaneously, cross
LOC trade was also initiated. The trade did pick up and goods were exchanged from
two sides. However, it was more or less a barter trade as there were no
arrangements for cross LOC banking. Both the bus and the trade are continuing
on a virtually nominal basis. One had expected that after initial hiccups there
would be virtually free flow of the people across the artificial barrier.
Unfortunately, that has not happened. We still have a miniscule number of
people travelling to and fro. Firstly, to get a ticket on the bus first
involves clearance from the intelligence and security agencies of both sides
which takes months. Only blood relations on two sides get the permission.
Common Kashmiris on two sides do not get the permission if they are not
related. Permission wise it may be easier to get a normal visit visa from the
respective embassies and the travel by air or even by road through Wagah is
much easier and smoother. The worst part of the travel as related by some
people who have crossed on the bus is the checking on two sides of the line of
control. The buses do not cross but people have to walk across the Domail
Bridge along with their baggage and take the buses of either side to reach
Srinagar or Muzaffarabad. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The actual travel
itself is tiring and quite long. Some relations who recently came on the Bus
had started at 6 am in Muzaffarabad. They reached Chakoti at 8 am. Till 12
noon, the Pakistani authorities completed their verification procedures at the
line of control and they crossed the line at 12.30 pm. On this side the Indian
authorities completed their procedures by 3 pm when they finally left for
Srinagar. They reached Srinagar at 7.30 pm. A normal drive of three and a half
hours took them thirteen and a half hours and they were really tired when they
reached their destination! They were also very upset about the facilities
provided on the Indian side. These were, according to them, virtually non-existent.
On the contrary the Pakistanis have provided excellent facilities on their
side. It would send a message of goodwill across if the civic and other
facilities on our side are upgraded and improved.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">These people also disclosed
that in the past they would travel through Wagah border. That travel is easier
and smoother. Those days they would start from Lahore at around 7 am and would
be in Amritsar by 11 am. They would take a direct flight from Amritsar to
Srinagar and would reach their destination by 2.30 pm or so without any
problem. The confidence building measure has virtually become a confidence
shaking measure for the actual users. The only advantage has been that many people
who had been cut off on two sides for almost half a century have been able to
meet each other. One great consolation is that the bus has continued in spite
of many hiccups caused by tension on the border and within Kashmir. There have
been disruptions but the bus has not been totally discontinued. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Now, with the change
of government on the other side and possibility of a thaw in relations between
our two neighbours, one expects that the Confidence Building Measures would not
only be revived but made into real and practical ones giving some solace to the
suffering masses. The most important first step to usher in real peace in the
subcontinent is the demolition of the sub-continent’s Berlin Wall!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-46204850504512266002018-08-29T22:05:00.001-07:002018-08-29T22:07:02.253-07:00Partition and Kashmir, the British Conspiracy!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(Gurrinder Chadha’s film
Viceroy’s House released last year reveals Churchill to be the real author of
the conspiracy to partition India as well as Kashmir!) </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="The British Conspiracy!" src="https://www.greaterkashmir.com/cms/gall_content/2018/8/2018_8$largeimg229_Aug_2018_222501223.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Last year a
British Indian Director, Gurinder Chadha released a movie “Viceroy’s House”
about the partition of India. The feature film is based on the goings-on at
Viceroy’s House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) in Delhi. The film blames Winston
Churchill for the partition of India. Chadha originally hails from Jhelum in
Pakistani Punjab. She had to hurriedly migrate with her mother and spent some
time in a refugee camp. Gurinder Chada in an interview to a movie journal says,
“</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">My film is based on Top-Secret British documents
that look at what Britain and America had to gain from the Partition of India
and the creation of Pakistan. As part of my research I read Narindra Singh
Sarila’s The Shadow Of The Great Game, which exposes these Top Secret
Government files that had been sealed for fifty years. These documents show
that the decision to divide India was influenced by the World Map and who would
retain power in the region”.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">After the end of the
World War II, the west was keen to restrict the influence of their war time
allay Stalin. Both Britain and America wanted to restrict Russian approach to
the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. They were keen to create a corridor by
partitioning India to restrict the Russian advance. Lord Archibald Wavell at
Churchill’s behest drew a secret plan to divide India. </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The war-time prime minister, who otherwise
fiercely opposed the concession of freedom to India, analysed Jawaharlal Nehru
as being pro-Soviet Union and therefore likely to give the Communist power
access to the warm water port of Karachi and consequently an easy passage to
the Middle East. In contrast, he assessed the Muslim leadership demanding
Pakistan as being pro-West and therefore likely to be resistant to Moscow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The partition plan
was discussed and prepared in the War Cabinet Meeting held on May 19, 1945. In
the movie Wavell gives a file to Cyril Radcliffe containing the secret note
circulated after the cabinet meeting. The movie has some shots showing the
actual file which is now declassified by the Home Office. Radcliffe had been
sent to demarcate the border between the two new countries. He had never
visited India before. He was given just few weeks to do the job. When he
mentions to Lord Ismay that it is impossible to undertake such an assignment in
such a short time, Lord Ismay shows him a map in the file where in the entire
border is already marked in red! He tells Radcliffe that he has only to
demarcate the border on the ground as already decided by the Cabinet Mission!
Incidentally, the partition plan was given the name of Mount Batten Plan and
ironically Mount Batten knew nothing about it. He was called to England just to
give the impression that it was his plan! It was a plan already prepared by
Lord Archibald Wavell at Churchill’s behest and handed over to him for
implementation! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Ashish Ray in London
Tribune writes, “In the “great game” of carving out spheres of influence
between Britain and the Soviet Union, Churchill was attempting to checkmate
what he perceived to be the United Kingdom’s post-war, Cold War rival; but at a
heavy cost to the people of India.</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">
</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The fact is access to the waters of the Arabian
Sea through Pakistan has been denied to Russia to date. But if Churchill’s
objective was to thwart communist enlargement and hegemony, he has failed, for
China is comfortably ensconced not merely in Karachi, but in Gwadar, which is
even closer to the Gulf.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #01290f; margin: 0px;">Rakesh Ankit after studying the de-classified documents
wrote a detailed research paper on the subject, “The Cold War and its Impact on
the Evolution of the Kashmir Crisis, 1947-48” which appeared in the Journal of
the Oxford University History Society in 2009.According to him, “‘Power
Politics’ made a large contribution to the evolution of the Kashmir crisis.
While the dispute emerged for local, regional and religious reasons its
evolution and eventual ‘internationalization’ bears the stamp of concerns which
had nothing to do with the individuality of the crisis and the merits of the
cases of the two protagonists. In other words, while the events in and around
the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir from August 1947 to January 1949, a
period which saw an entire range of conflict, from local skirmishes to
full-fledged invasion to pitched defensive warfare, were manufactured by a set
of circumstances, personalities and concerns, which were all essentially local
or regional and sub-continental or religious in nature, once the crisis erupted
it was manipulated by the British-led Western Block, as far as possible, in the
pursuit of its own vital interests stretching from the Middle East to Central
Asia to the Far East.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #01290f; margin: 0px;">These vital interests can be broadly categorised as
defensive, strategic and geo-political (aimed at the former Communist USSR) and
ideological or religious (aimed at the Islamic Middle East).” In fact, Rakesh
has quoted extract from Bevin’s letter to Marshall which states, “Kashmir was
on the Soviet frontier. Russia might well intervene as she had in Greece and
China, playing on the tribes and on communal feeling. Whoever controlled the
valley of Kashmir controlled the strategic and commercial communications
between India, Pakistan and Central Asia.” The main western interest was the
access to Central Asia and containment of the Communist Russia.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #01290f; margin: 0px;">In fact, it was decided in a meeting in Paris between
Bevin and Marshall that the Anglo-American interests would be best served by
keeping the Kashmir corridor passing through Gilgit with Pakistan as India
could create problems. The ceasefire and the extent of areas under each country
too were decided by the western powers as both the armies at that time were
controlled by the British Officers. The details of the intrigues, conspiracies
or even the actual happenings on the ground have been put down by many authors
like Lord Birdwood, Dr. Josef Korbel, Alistair Lamb and recently by Christopher
Snedden. In spite of these vast resources about the happenings of 1947, to
simply put all the blame on Mohammad Ali Jinnah is not fair!”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #01290f; margin: 0px;">Incidentally, the so called Tribal Raid is also alleged
to be a British Plan. They did not want the Maharaja to completely accede to
India as it would mean loss of the strategic corridor. They wanted the Indian
Army to be sent to Kashmir but there was no excuse to do that. David Devadas
writes in his book that the Indian Army Chief who was British knew three days
in advance that the Tribesmen were coming but he did not inform Nehru. It is
also alleged that all the Tribesmen were not from the Pushtoon Tribal Area.
There were quite a few mercenaries who were from Agha Khans Tribe in Hunza who
indulged in loot and rape rather than complete their mission of capturing
Srinagar! These were allegedly arranged by the British. The raid gave the
Indian Army an excuse to land in Kashmir. Again the Indian Army did not go all
the way to capture Muzaffarabad or even Gilgit which they could easily do but
stopped leaving the strategic corridor to Pakistanis as had been envisaged in
Bevin-Marshall meeting!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 13.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #01290f; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #383838; margin: 0px;">Adil Najam, Dean</span><span style="background: white; color: #727272; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px;">, </span><span style="background: white; color: black; margin: 0px;">Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston
University wrote a detailed article on Errors of Royalty in the partition of
India, which appeared on August 15, 2017. One would like to conclude with his
last para. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 13.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: #727272; margin: 0px;">“</span><span style="color: #383838; margin: 0px;">Nowhere
does the unfinished business of partition bleed more profusely than in the
continuing conflict between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir. Would
a little more attention and a few more weeks of effort in 1947 have spared the
world a nuclear-tipped time bomb that keeps ticking on both sides? We can never
know the answer to this question.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 13.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #383838; margin: 0px;">Nor can, or should, I believe, India and Pakistan blame
the British and Mountbatten for all their problems. Seventy-one years on, they
have only themselves to blame for missing opportunity after opportunity to fix
the troubled relationship they inherited.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 13.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #383838; margin: 0px;">However, maybe, today, on the anniversary of their birth,
both India and Pakistan can take a break from simply bashing each other and
recognize that at times history can deal you a bad hand in many different ways
– in this case, due to the hasty and monumental errors of a British royalty.
But also recognize, it is on you to learn from history and fix it”.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 13.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #383838; margin: 0px;">It is ironical that both the countries look towards these
conspirators to bail them out of the mess in which initially they put them! </span><span style="color: #01290f; margin: 0px;">The most surprising fact about the movie is its virtual
ignorance among the people in India and Pakistan. Has it been deliberately
suppressed by both the countries? May be because of so many uncomfortable
questions it raises about partition!</span><span style="color: #383838; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-20394460272719671972018-08-15T22:20:00.003-07:002018-08-15T22:20:44.538-07:00The Cup of “Poison”!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(The cup of poison called
“Hemlock” which Socrates was forced to drink has always turned out to be the
cup of the “Water of Life” for the mainstream politicians of Kashmir!) </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for socrates cup of poison" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTjVoeLv5cPj26g_m2iO_onqMYUpvGKr2YoTBI6zK6QL44ttqwW4g" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">The former Chief Minister after losing the seat of power by sudden and
unannounced withdrawal of support by BJP to her coalition government declared
that the initial alliance with them was like drinking a “Cup of Poison”. The
allusion seems to be to the famous historical event of the Greek philosopher
Socrates who too was made to drink a cup of poison. It would be interesting to
reproduce the history of the event as given in Wikipedia. </span><span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">“The <b>trial of Socrates</b> (399 BC) was held
to determine the philosopher’s guilt of two charges: </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impiety" title="Impiety"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">asebeia</span></a> <span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">(impiety)
against the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon_(religion)" title="Pantheon (religion)"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">pantheon</span></a><span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> of
Athens, and corruption of the youth of the city-state; the accusers cited two
impious acts by Socrates: “failing to acknowledge the gods that the city
acknowledges” and “introducing new deities”. The death sentence
of Socrates was the legal consequence of asking politico-philosophic
questions of his students, from which resulted the two accusations of moral
corruption and of impiety. At trial, the majority of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dikast" title="Dikast"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">dikasts</span></a><span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> (male-citizen
jurors chosen by lot) voted to convict him of the two charges; then, consistent
with common legal practice, voted to determine his punishment, and agreed to a
sentence of death to be executed by Socrates’s drinking a poisonous beverage
of hemlock”.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">Socrates
gave his life for certain principles. He refused to go along with the false
Gods of the Greek Pantheon and spread the knowledge among the youth for which he
had to pay with his life. On the contrary our Kashmiri politicians have been
drinking from the cup which has virtually proved to be the water of life for
them right from 1947. Like the proverbial cat they have nine lives and in some
cases may be even many more! They have been doing so for hiding the truth! In
spite of many upheavals, turn arounds and somersaults they continue to survive
with vigour! From the first “Cup of Poison” taken by the Kashmir’s “tallest”
leader in 1947 itself, there has been a routine of all the so called mainstream
leaders drinking the cup of whatever potion one may say ostensibly for the sake
of the public but in reality for their own self and their family’s sake! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">In case of
the last ruler who claimed to have taken a cup of poison by collaborating with
BJP for the sake of people, Kashmiris faced the worst sufferings in the recent
past. Scores were killed and wounded, hundreds were hit with pellets and almost
a hundred people totally lost their eyesight. Dozens of houses were completely
destroyed and village upon village was totally pillaged and vandalized.
Kashmir’s biggest mosque remained locked up on umpteen Fridays and people could
not offer prayers on scores of Fridays. A few thousand people especially the
youth were detained and some were put under continuous detention under Public
Safety Act. After her ignominious departure one would have thought that the
others would take a cue and come on the straight path. Not at all. They seem to
be eager to drink from the “Cup of Poison” even if they have to sell their
mothers for a price! Somehow the so called poison in the cups of Kashmir appears
to be a potion which turns these leaders into virtual blood sucking leaches.
They fall only when they have sucked the blood to their fill! Unfortunately for
the poor wretched people, they have been themselves picking up and putting
these leaches back on their bodies to suck more blood!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">So far
these leaders have been leading Kashmiris like sheep from one pasture to other.
However, there is a change now. Kashmir has a new generation. The generation
which was born and brought up in turmoil. No matter how many cups of hemlock or
honey or somras the Kashmiri mainstream politicians drink, they are not going
to make any impression on this new generation! The new generation of Kashmiris
is beyond their control. They do not follow any leaders. They are leaders in
themselves. Their alienation from the mainstream appears totally irreversible.
They have spread the infection of “Azadi” throughout the length and breadth of
Kashmir. In spite of the use of maximum force, the authorities are unable to
control or cow them down. There can be no solution unless a way is found to
address this generation. All out operations are not going to solve the problem.
These are rather compounding it. Every killing is giving rise to ten new
recruits. The only way is to address the basic political problem in an open and
unconditional dialogue. The first and foremost requirement is to create a
conducive atmosphere for that. The threats of obliterating the very existence
through repealing of different legislations are going to add fuel to the
already simmering fire. Let us hope all the politicians will forget about
drinking various cups and concentrate on somehow bringing peace to the troubled
paradise!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-73963553123485986062018-08-15T22:13:00.002-07:002018-08-15T22:13:18.398-07:00The Threat to Kashmiri Existence!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(Unprecedented shutdown
against Supreme Court hearing on Article 35-A shows Kashmiris’ concern not only
to protect their unique identity but their very existence!) </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for kashmir shutdown" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Before one
delves on the threat to the existence and the identity, it would be worthwhile
to describe the unique Kashmiri identity. </span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">There are many theories about the origin of Kashmiris. It is
one of the most mysterious and exciting topics. Some say we are descendants of
Aryans who came from Central Asia. However, one can say with certainty that we
are not in any way very close to other inhabitants of the sub-continent
especially those living in our southern neighbourhood. Physically we are of a
fine stock, well built and tall. We have sharp and regular features. Generally
people are lively and intelligent. Full of fun and fond of amusement. The
beauty of our women has been well known and praised by writers and poets for a
long time. We do look like an ancient race with complexions varying from very
fair to ruddy and sometimes even blond. In Europe as well as in many other
countries we are mistaken for Turks or Iranians or Greeks and in some cases as
Spanish or Italians. Some people even call us the “White Indians”! Raj Tarangni
describes original inhabitants of the valley as Pisacas and Nagas who used to
create trouble for Brahmans. Kashmiri Brahmans popularly called Pandits form a
distinct class of their own and can be considered to be the purest specimen of
the ancient Aryan settlers in the valley. Rajtarangni also mentions that the
valley was once a big lake (Sati Sar) which was drained by Kashyapa after
killing the Demon Jalodbhava who was guarding its outlet in Baramulla. Well,
the Geological formation of Karewas, layers of sedimentary clay deposits, found
everywhere in the valley, does confirm the existence of a lake. There is only
one definite and irrefutable scientific evidence about the beginning of human
civilisation in Kashmir and that is the Neolithic (New Stone Age) dwelling
sites in many parts of the valley out of which Burzahom site is the most
studied and well known in the scientific community. The site is famous because
it was the first such site discovered in Kashmir. It has dwelling pits, burial
pits and some megaliths. The Neolithic (or the New Stone Age) Period of this
site dates back to around 3,000 BC. In a way the place represents the site as
well as the period where from the first inhabitants of our beautiful valley
came. They could be termed the original Kashmiris who started inhabiting this
valley like their counter parts in many other areas of the world. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">In ancient chronicles
the land of Kashmir is extensively mentioned by Greek, Chinese, and Arab
historians as a beautiful valley deep in the Himalayan Mountains. This
Himalayan girdle very difficult to cross especially in ancient times has
protected Kashmir’s unique identity for centuries. Mahmud of Gazhni and even
Alexandre the Great could not cross the barrier! Kashmir has seen many
religions through centuries. Saivite Hinduism, Budhism and finally Islam. All
these religions had a peaceful and a very smooth change over. In ancient times
and till sixteenth century Kashmir was an independent sovereign country.
Mughals finally annexed it to their empire in 1586 by treachery after failing
twice to subdue and conquer it by force. After that Kashmir went under Afghans,
then Sikhs and finally the British sold it to Dogra Maharaja Gulab Singh of
Jammu for rupees seventy five lakhs vide the infamous Treaty of Amritsar. During
all these centuries of foreign rule, Kashmiris maintained their unique identity
even though the foreign rulers turned them into miserable wretches draining out
all civility and self-respect from them. All the foreign rulers like Mughals,
Afghans, Sikhs and Dogras have gone into virtual oblivion. However, Kashmiris
are still there with their unique identity. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As revealed in the secret documents recently
released by the British Home Office, as a result of the British Conspiracy
hatched at the instance of Sir Winston Churchill when he still was the Prime
Minister, the British divided the sub-continent and created the Kashmir
dispute. This was done to forestall the Russian advance towards the warm waters
of the Indian Ocean. A film on the subject is available on Netflix! The film is
“Viceroy’s House”! Had this conspiracy not been hatched and put in practice,
Kashmir may have emerged as an independent sovereign state in 1947 itself after
the departure of the British! It has also been revealed that the so called
tribesmen were not in reality Pathan tribesmen but mercenaries engaged by the
British themselves from Hunza area. There are so many other revelations in the
film made on the subject. As a result of this conspiracy and due to the blunder
of their own popular leader, Kashmiris got themselves locked into a Gordian
knot out of which they are unable to come out. During all these years there
have been umpteen attempts to modify Kashmir’s unique identity linguistically,
culturally and economically. However, all these attempts have failed. That has
left only alternative of physically displacing them from the area. So far this
has not been possible as the Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh in 1927 passed the state
subject law to protect the identity of his subjects in all the three regions of
the state. Maharaja in spite of his being a hereditary ruler loved his subjects
and took care of them by safeguarding their future. The present attempt of
repealing the Article 35-A of the Indian constitution is aimed at removing the
state subject law thereby enabling the masses from the mainland to virtually
drown Kashmiris in the flood of people which may come in by the removal of the
barrier. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The two days complete
shutdown is totally unprecedented in the recent turmoil. Everything was closed
and off the road. Even the raidee walas (carts selling eatables etc.) and the
auto-rickshaws were off the road. Not a single shikara moved on the Dal Lake. Even
in the peak of militancy one had not witnessed such a total shutdown! This has
given a clear warning to the new conspirators bent upon dissolving not only
Kashmir’s unique identity but the very existence of a Kashmiri. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A Kashmiri may tolerate all the suppression
and oppression but when it comes to safeguarding his unique identity and the very
existence he can go to any length regardless of the consequences. It would be
in the interests of the entire sub-continent if the message given by this
unprecedented two day shutdown is heeded and measures are initiated not only to
protect Kashmir’s existence and unique identity of its people but to address
the basic political problem which has been plaguing not only the sub-continent
but the entire South Asia for last 70 years. The sooner the advice is heeded,
the better!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-18864627819524127962018-08-01T23:48:00.004-07:002018-08-01T23:48:51.238-07:00Adulterated Food and Fake Medicine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(The worst calamities for
Kashmir apart from natural disasters are the adulteration in food products and
the sale of fake medicine!)</span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Adulterated Food and Fake Medicine" src="https://www.greaterkashmir.com/cms/gall_content/2018/8/2018_8$largeimg201_Aug_2018_231244430.jpg" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Kashmiris have
now become used to both natural and man-made disasters striking one after the
other. In fact, Nature has been rather very kind and it is the fellow human
beings whose material greed has turned into the instruments of disaster for the
entire society. The journal of the Indian Law Institute carries an article
about the survey conducted regarding food adulteration in the State of Jammu
and Kashmir. The article is in vol. 31 of March-April 1989. (pp 91-105). The
survey about food adulteration conducted at that time about sends shudders
through one’s body. Imagine how much “progress” and “sophistication” has been
achieved by these adulterers! There is a legislation to check food
adulteration. It is the duty of the Health Officer of the Municipal Corporation
to check food adulteration and take action under the act. The cases are tried
in the Municipal Court. One does hear off and on about action taken to check
adulteration. In fact, sometimes even major companies get hauled up.
Unfortunately, the material greed has become so much widespread that it is
impossible to fully check food adulteration. The worst suffers are the people
from the lower strata of the society including the large number of slum
dwellers. It is shocking how some of the human beings administer virtual poison
to their fellow human beings just for material greed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">A few decades
back in early fifties one would not hear so much about food adulteration. Yes,
one would come to know about water being added to milk to increase its
quantity. Even that too was rare. Those days the Municipal Authorities would be
emptying pitchers of milk into River Jhelum because the milk in these was diluted
with water! The Municipal Health Officer of those days was a nightmare for all
these criminals! Not now! People can get away with anything because of
corruption having entered the Kashmiri blood stream. There have been instances
of detergent and blotting paper being added to milk, powdered bricks, saw dust
and many other dangerous and poisonous materials being added to some spices. Even
the bakers have been adding some chemical agents to bread and other
confectionary to make it crisp and presentable.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Sometime back there were some cases registered against big firms dealing
with various food products like milk and spices. However, after sometime the
companies involved continued as before! One does not know what happened to
those cases? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Adulterated food
products are naturally bound to induce sickness among the consumers and they
would need to be treated. The height of irony is that the drugs being
prescribed for such and other illnesses too are fake! There is a massive racket
of fake drugs in the State. There can be nothing more criminal than this! Again
the cases of fake drugs have been there for quite some time. In 2013 there was
a massive scam of fake drugs being supplied by the Jammu & Kashmir Medical
Supplies Corporation to various hospitals. </span><span style="background: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Two major supplies of life saving drugs to Kashmir-based
government hospitals - antibiotic Maximizen-625 and Curesef - were found unfit
and spurious by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Ministry of
health and family welfare, and the local drug control department. In another
case, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">chalk and clay
were found mixed in these drugs which had been supplied almost for two years.
In fact, 500 babies that had died could be because of drug adulteration. The
medical superintendent of the Children Hospital had admitted that the babies
could have died due to spurious drugs. Some of the well-known brands of
medicine including anti-biotics are reportedly faked in Jammu and then supplied
in the valley through various outlets. They are not ordinary criminals but real
murderers! They deserve to be hanged in public. Unfortunately the procedures to
prosecute these criminals are so lengthy that they have every chance of getting
scot free. One cannot depend solely on the government for getting rid of the
menace. It needs social awareness and a strong peoples’ movement not only to
ensure the trial and prosecution of the caught criminals but a total social
boycott and complete ostracization of these criminals from the society. All the
Civil Society groups should take up these issues and ensure prosecution of the
persons caught adulterating food products and manufacturing and selling fake
drugs. There is also urgent need for not only political leaders but all the
religious leaders to take up the issue of food adulteration and manufacture and
the sale of fake drugs. People have not only to be made aware of the widely
present menace but also motivated to ensure hauling up and prosecution of the
persons found guilty of indulging in these offences.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-85242512902605587182018-08-01T23:45:00.002-07:002018-08-01T23:45:54.699-07:00The Environmental Suicide!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(The
way we have been deliberately and knowingly destroying various components of
Nature in Kashmir makes it look like an Environmental “Suicide”!) </span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for kashmir environment damage" height="214" src="https://kashmirlife.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Jungle-Loot.jpg" width="320" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Recently there has been news about some dredging
scam in the Wular Lake area where the contract given to a firm has been
cancelled. The need for dredging of the second largest sweet water lake in Asia
is a tragedy in itself! Kashmir has witnessed some of the worst episodes in its
long history both in terms of human suffering and material destruction.
However, the wanton destruction of its Environment during last few decades has
no parallel in its entire 5,000 year old history. The destruction has been
deliberate and intentional purely for material greed which has surpassed all
limits. One does not know where to begin this tragic story as every facet of
nature has suffered from this inhuman onslaught. Let us start from the water
bodies as these have come into sharp focus due to the intervention of the State
High Court. Dal Lake is virtually at the point of extinction. A massive water
body has been reduced to a wide river but without any flow! If the flow had
been there, one could have waited to get the original size of the lake back by
removing encroachments by various means. Unfortunately the first action of our
brilliant modern engineers was to stop the flow of water by filling up the
centuries old canals which has transformed the lake into an oversized pond of
stagnant water. The inflow of tons of raw sewage and untreated waste from over
2,000 house-boats and dozens of hotels on its banks has converted it into an
oversized septic tank.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">While taking care of the pollution of water bodies
we must not forget the Wular, Manasbal, and the River Jehlum. All are
threatened and are facing worst kind of pollution, most of it manmade. During
the time of Maharaja the River Jehlum used to be dredged periodically and the
silt was taken out of it. Dredging was done downstream to ensure good flow of
water. In fact, one dredger was permanently stationed in Baramulla. No such
operation has been undertaken for decades now. On the contrary we are dumping
the entire muck from the City and other habitations on its banks straight into
it without any treatment whatsoever. Vyeth or Vitasta as it was known in ancient
Kashmir deserved a better treatment<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">After water bodies, let us study the condition of
our Mountains. The fate of these is starkly evident right from the first entry
into Srinagar. The stone quarries of Pandh Chok show the great love and regard
we have for our Mountains. These have been virtually “raped”. There is no other
stronger word in English language which can depict the state to which these
lovely and beautiful Mountains at the entrance of Srinagar have been brutally
subjected to. It is like a lustful savage assaulting a beautiful lady by
forcibly lifting her dress right from her feet! Right from this spot to Dara
along the Zabarwan Range there are many quarry sites where the same story is
being repeated. In addition, a road has been taken up the Mountain at the back
of the cantonment and a number of buildings constructed on the ridge. It has
completely disfigured this beautiful Mountain which gives a back drop to the
city of Srinagar. It is not known whether the Forest and Environment
Departments had cleared the construction of this road? The people who have done
it should have at least had the decency of covering up these scars with fast
growing shrubs and trees as was done in the case of the road going up the
Shankaracharya hill for TV transmitter. Similar degradation has been done to
karewas (sedimentary clay formations) by taking clay for constructing railway
track and filling some water bodies for constructing colonies!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">All our Mountains used to be covered with lush green
and dense forests. In the earlier times these forests were so dense and near to
the city that wild animals would be seen roaming in the lanes of old town
especially in winter. Hundreds of migratory birds would fall into the backyards
of the people during a heavy snowfall. Gone are those days! We have massacred
our forests in a joint venture. During the peak of militancy the security
forces and timber smugglers had joined hands for a very profitable enterprise. Truckloads
of furniture were sent to different parts of the country. The felling in the
forests especially next to the road heads was so indiscriminate that even very
young trees were not spared. Some of the top forest lessees enjoyed official
patronage and some are even now holding important offices in the Government of
the day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Kashmir used to be famous for wild life. The
Dachigam National Park boasted of over 800 Hangul or Kashmir Stag. During the
turmoil most of these got butchered by the conflicting parties as well as by
the people living in villages at the periphery of the sanctuary. According to
some reports the number had gone down to 150 or so. Hopefully, it may have
started going up again in last couple of years or so? On the contrary, the
vermin like Black bear have considerably increased in number and are a menace to
the people living at the edges of the forests. The wetlands which provided home
to hundreds of thousands of migratory birds seem to have gone out of focus and
dried up!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The drastic
climatic changes in Kashmir cannot be solely blamed on global warming. About 30
years back one could not even think of ceiling fans in Kashmir. Now some people
have started using coolers and air conditioners. The famous short story writer
Krishan Chander in one of his stories had shown Kashmiri farmers growing dates
and coconuts! With the present climate change, it may soon come true!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Is there a solution to this problem? Can we stem
this rot? Yes, we can. But it would need a multi-pronged approach. We have to
begin with our children. Most important is the elementary level. Children have
to be given lessons in Environment both theoretical as well as practical during
their formative years. In addition, the leaders of all shades and hues have to
unite to ensure mass support. All political “streams” have to join together to
save the Environment. Surely they can at least unite on this important issue if
they claim to be true leaders of the people? </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Finally, all
efforts to safeguard and conserve our Environment can only be a real success if
the Media, both electronic and print take it as a challenge and rising above
commercial considerations, starts a dedicated and concerted campaign to make
people aware about it and continuously laud efforts to save it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-49702463498442062022018-07-20T06:37:00.000-07:002018-07-20T06:37:04.658-07:00Tourism gets low priority<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(In
spite of the fact that one and all claim Tourism to be back bone of Kashmir’s
economy, yet the government does not seem to accord it the priority it
deserves!)</span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><img alt="Tourism gets low priority" height="213" src="https://www.greaterkashmir.com/cms/gall_content/2018/7/2018_7$largeimg218_Jul_2018_232015473.jpg" width="320" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Almost
all the governments have been declaring from various pulpits that the Tourism
is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. Unfortunately, so far there is neither an
approved “Policy of Tourism” nor a long term Master Plan for its development
and promotion. Most of the projects and schemes such as setting up of Tourism
Development Authorities are taken up on ad hoc basis. Merely a place being very
attractive does not necessarily make it a good tourism destination. For any
tourism development of an area there are three basic criteria, Potential,
Accessibility and Infrastructure. The Government has constituted more than 20
Tourism development Authorities in different parts of the state, mostly on
local demand or to satisfy certain constituencies. People have been given a feeling
that Tourism is a magic wand and if it comes to their area, they will get
prosperity. In fact, some time back, the Comptroller and Auditor general of
India in its annual report had severely criticised the setting up of these
authorities and creating of infrastructure there. They had stated that Rupees
500 crore spent on this was virtually infructuous expenditure. It would have
been better to select only three to four areas easily approachable and having
basic infrastructure instead of selecting at once 20 areas or so. In view of
the fall in overall tourist figures due to unusual conditions, these new areas
will mostly remain unutilised. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">While
the department is developing news areas, they should not forget the present
destinations which are getting over developed and congested. There is urgent
need to inspect all the existing tourist destinations and ensure that these do
not become virtual slums because of overdevelopment. Especially, there is need
to take care of environment which in many existing resorts is getting totally
polluted due to garbage thrown everywhere including in the mountain streams and
forest areas which are primary the main source of attraction. In this regard,
the worst sufferers are our water bodies such as the famous Dal and Nagin lakes
which had earlier been known for the purity of the waters. These are now
virtually turning into stinking marshes overgrown with weeds!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Well,
to take care of various aspects of Tourism one needs a professional Tourism
Organisation. All over the world the official Tourism Organisations have
specialists in various fields to take care of different aspects. One needs
planners, environmental specialists, marketing professionals and legal experts
and so on to take care of different areas both for development, marketing and
regulation of the trade. The Government itself has only to develop the basic
infrastructure and leave the super structure to private enterprise that need to
be continuously monitored and regulated. As Margret Thatcher once said,
“Government has no business to be in business”! Unfortunately, the State
Tourism Department has always been treated as any other department and people
posted there have no specialisation but are basically administrators either
from the State Administrative Service or the All India Administrative Service.
There is no harm in having the Chief Executive or the Head of the Organisation
from the Administrative Service but he needs to have specialists and
professionals related to different fields to assist him. Unfortunately, the
present set up has only administration related officers at all levels. Some
time back the organisation did have specialists especially related to Adventure
Tourism which is presently the most sought after avenue in the state. Almost
all of these have either retired from service or have been transferred out of
the department. There is urgent need for the government to revamp the entire
tourism organisation and get officers who are specialists in different fields
especially, tourism planning, adventure tourism, marketing and regulation of
trade and so on. The problem with only having persons from various
administrative services is that these people usually have fixed tenure and as a
matter of policy have to be circulated in different departments. In view of
various aspects it is imperative that the Government takes an overall view of
not only proper planning and the development<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>but also of the tourism organisation so that the activity becomes not
only profitable but also environment friendly. Government must aim for
sustainable tourism with emphasis on adventure tourism which has unlimited
scope in different parts of the state both in summer as well as winter. Mere
lip service of calling Tourism as the backbone of the economy will not do. It
has to be practically shown on the ground by giving highest priority to
activities related to development and promotion of tourism including the
tourism organisation responsible for handling these activities!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-13990647563397789532018-07-12T05:41:00.002-07:002018-07-12T05:41:40.137-07:00Nepotism, Kashmir’s worst enemy!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The
most destructive element in every sphere of Kashmir Society is the widespread
nepotism! For any real progress it has not only to be opposed but eradicated)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Nepotism, Kashmirâs worst enemy!" src="https://www.greaterkashmir.com/cms/gall_content/2018/7/2018_7$largeimg211_Jul_2018_225515900.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Most of the ills in Kashmir in every sphere of the
society emanate from extensive nepotism. It would be interesting to study the
rise of nepotism and its prevalence in our parts. The Cambridge dictionary
defines nepotism, as “the act of using your power or influence to get good jobs
or unfair advantage for members of your own family”. The Oxford dictionary
definition is, “<span style="background: white; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px;">The practice among
those with power or influence of favouring relatives or friends, especially by
giving them jobs”. However, the real meaning of the term and its origin is
given in Wikipedia, “</span><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;">Nepotism</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> is based on favour granted
to </span><span style="background: white; margin: 0px;">relatives<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> in
various fields, including business, politics, entertainment, sports, religion and
other activities. The term originated with the assignment of nephews to
important positions by </span>Catholic<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> </span></span>popes
and<span style="background: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="background: white; margin: 0px;">bishops</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">. </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The term comes from
the Italian word <i>nepotismo</i>, which is based on the Latin word <i>Nepos</i> meaning
'nephew'. Since the </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Middle Ages<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> and until the late 17th century, some </span>Catholic<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> </span>popes<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> and </span>bishops<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">, who had taken vows of </span>chastity<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">, and therefore usually had no legitimate offspring of
their own, gave their nephews such positions of preference as were often
accorded by fathers to son”.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Well, the most
practical physical view of this definition on ground can be seen in Kashmir! Nepotism
started in Kashmir almost at the same time as the movement for emancipation
from centuries of subjugation started. Political nepotism refers to the act by which
political leaders indulge in making their relations, often, sons and daughters
as their heirs in assuming the highest offices in a state. However, Kashmir is
not the only place where it is exercised. This “disease” is prevalent almost
all over South Asia. Dr. Sukarno<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>and
Sukarno Putri in Indonesia; Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Marcos in Thailand;
Solomon Bandranaike and Sirimavo Bandranaike in Sri Lanka; Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
and Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan; Sheikh Mujibur Rehman and Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh
and so on. As regards India, well the Nehru family ruled for almost 70 years! Presently,
100% of Indian MPs under age of 30 are hereditary! Two thirds of Indian MPs
under the age of 40 are from political families. </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Nehru/Gandhi Clan – Congress, Abdullah Clan – National
Conference, Amarinder Singh Clan – Congress, Devi Lal Clan – Indian National
Lok Dal, Mishra Clan – BJP, Yadav Clan – Samajwadi Party (U.P.), Badal Clan –
Akali Dal, Lalu Clan - RJD, Scindia Clan – BJP, Gowda Clan – Janata Dal, Karunanidhi
Clan – DMK, NTR Clan – Telugu Desam Party etc. are some of the most popular
instances of nepotism in Indian politics. Specifically, nepotism has become a
part and parcel of state level politics. Regional parties are observed to have
a higher ratio of hereditary MPs compared to national parties. </span><span style="background: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">All these sound like successions in a
monarchical set up rather than elected parliamentarians or heads of government
in democratic countries. Kashmir, of course has not been left behind. We had
Abdullahs and now Muftis succeeding each other like in a monarchical set up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The nepotism in
highest political offices circulates down below throughout the government. In
turn, it infects the entire civil society. Apart from Government set up and
organisations, it has crept into civil, educational, religious and all other
organisations, societies and even corporate families. The important positions
sometimes get passed on to close relatives or even friends. In a political
party normally the best and most capable people should man various positions.
Similarly, in a religious organisation, the most learned and religious scholars
should be the top leaders. The leadership of such organisations cannot be
hereditary! Unfortunately, people always sacrifice principles in order to get
some benefits to their own self and their relatives. Due to this widespread
nepotism, the ultimate sufferer is the common Kashmiri. He is always taken for
a ride by one and sundry! For last seventy years are so, nepotism has been
officially encouraged to keep a hold on the political situation. With nepotism
in every sphere of the society, it is impossible to get emancipation. If we
want things to improve, the first and the foremost task is to eradicate nepotism
from every sphere of the society apart from the government. It appears to be a
herculean task. Can it be done? Well a beginning has to be made somewhere! In
the alternative, we will keep on circling round and round for centuries!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-55575752476553365372018-07-05T20:54:00.002-07:002018-07-05T20:54:47.280-07:00Living with nightmares!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(The
trauma caused by the disastrous flood of 2014 makes living in Srinagar’s low
lying colonies virtually a continuous nightmare, especially during the rainy
days!)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for kashmir's flood channel" height="228" src="http://admin.risingkashmir.com/images/news/bf9c7422-5965-45bf-b4af-bfc959d40e54.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The recent flood caused by just a couple of days of
continuous rain created a wave of panic among the people living in different
parts of Srinagar especially those in the low lying areas of the city. Some of
them had even started moving towards safer places and some had taken their
possessions to upper floors! This is the third nightmare. The first one was
last year and the second one early this year. It is truly living with
nightmares!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The capacity of the River and the flood channel has
been so much reduced that even a short spell of rain of couple of days creates
a flood like situation. Nothing tangible has been done by the concerned departments
during these four years. Rather both the River and the spill over channel have
got more silted and further reduced in capacity because of encroachments on the
embankments. Floods in Kashmir are a part of the history. These have been very
devastating in the past also. Historically, Kashmir has suffered immensely due
to floods which have often resulted in famine. However, in the recent times the
only devastating flood in the living memory was the 2014 flood which inundated
the capital city of Srinagar. According to reports a flood of such magnitude had
occurred almost after a century! Experts, say such massive flood had been
caused by the combination of western weather disturbances with the spill over of
monsoons. There were innumerable cloud bursts over the mountains. According to
satellite pictures, the main River had almost disappeared and there was a
couple of kilometres wide sheet of water moving all along downstream! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Most of the inundated places in Srinagar had over 20
feet of water. All the posh colonies of the capital were under water for almost
20 days or so. Fortunately, there was not much loss of life due to the
voluntary efforts of the people and the assistance of the Air Force and Army Engineers.
However, there was immense loss of property and peoples’ possessions. The
overall material loss ran into thousands of crores! People in some colonies had
to stay in the top most floors or in the attics of their houses for almost a
week before they were rescued. It was truly the worst nightmare of their lives!
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; margin: 0px;">Most of the experts who analysed
the disaster had observed that the flood was due to extreme vandalisation of
the environment in the catchment areas and usurpation of the flood basin of the
River.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Incidentally, the River which
gave life to Kashmir has been fully vandalised and desecrated by us. The muck
and filth of almost entire Kashmir is made to flow into the River. Its banks
have been encroached in most places especially in the city of Srinagar. For
last half a century or so no one has bothered to dredge it and take away the
silt. Over and above everything else its flood basin has been snatched and
converted into colonies. Where else will it go except overflow its banks and
sometimes may even change course. Most of the wetlands and water bodies have
either been filled up or encroached upon. The historical channel Nala-i-Mar has
been filled up and converted into a road. We have hardly left any space for the
extra water to flow anywhere. In the catchment areas, most of the rain water
would normally get absorbed but now it runs down straight as we have totally
denuded the catchment area of the River. In view of this we will always face
the nightmare of a disastrous flood after every heavy rainfall even if it lasts
only for a couple of days as happened recently.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">There is no point in
declaring Srinagar as a “Smart City” or improving its roads by flyovers and so
on. The first thing is to secure it against the disastrous floods which may be
visiting us off and on. There cannot be more pathetic and tragic fact than a
couple of day’s rain being unwelcome in Kashmir which has always survived on
rain! The rain used to be considered as a blessing but now it is a nightmare! There
is no time left to apportion blame but the most immediate need is to undertake
the urgent measures to secure the “City of the Sun” from floods. Not a
difficult or impossible task. Only requirement is to get the job done honestly.
It is a known fact that all engineering works are money minting proposals! For
a change both the authorities and the people need to be honest and sincere. The
task requires sincerity both from the government and the people. The lead has
to be given by the popular leaders and prominent citizens supported by the
government. Leaving the job totally to the government is virtually making
preparations for the next disaster!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">It has been often
observed that most of the elected so called “popular” governments are corrupt
to the core. Incidentally, at present we have a one man government which is
honest, strong and a go getter. Having been a mountaineer and headed the Indian
Mountaineering Foundation, he knows how to face the risks and get things done! People
honestly feel that this system should continue till the city is secured against
these not natural but man-made disasters. For a change the hordes of so called
“political leaders” who have been virtually acting as leeches need to be sent
on a holiday. A large number of non-resident Kashmiris who have been alarmed by
the recent nightmare suffered by their kith and kin, in their comments too have
observed that the present set up should continue till all the flood prevention
measures are fully implemented. Will Delhi take a note of it! Let us hope they
do?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-12278291394185549812018-06-28T05:08:00.004-07:002018-06-28T05:08:58.629-07:00Corruption in blood stream!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(The Kashmir Society has
become so corrupt that one feels the corruption has gone into the blood stream
of the people!)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for corruption" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTx-DR9uUgIikkvxN5aB1aIaYUG7SrIh_qSGr-UQWwypZdnVVcp" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">There was a time when
word “corruption” would give a scary feeling. In fact, calling somebody corrupt
was probably the worst abuse. Not now! It has become a word of daily usage to
which all of us seem to have become insensitive. Corruption has spread like cancer
in the entire society. No part of our daily life is free of this most terrible
malaise. People are feeling suffocated and helpless before this scourge which
has eaten into the vitals of our society. Some years back, Kashmir had been
rated by Transparency International as the second most corrupt state in India.
Corruption is not confined to material areas only but has affected both the
political values and the overall morality of the society. We are faced with
material, moral and political corruption. In reality, the corruption has
virtually gone into our blood stream! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Why has Kashmir
become such a corrupt place? There is one main factor and that is the readiness
of Kashmiris to compromise. Once a person strays from the truth and is prepared
to say that 2 and 2 make 5, corruption starts. The origin of this compromise
goes back centuries in our history. However, it has seen real culmination in
last half century or so. It has been often observed by a number of historians
that the timidity and deceitfulness of a Kashmiri is due to his unending
suppression by outsiders. He has never had a chance to grow in a totally free
and healthy atmosphere. It is natural for a human being to develop an instinct
of survival when he is faced with the forces bent upon annihilating him. For
survival a person goes to any extent. For him morality, truthfulness, honesty,
self-respect, and dignity lose all meaning. He has somehow to survive against
all odds. Sir Walter Lawrence in “Valley of Kashmir” also talks about this misfortune
of Kashmiris. According to him Kashmiris are not as bad as are portrayed by
outsiders. The main cause for their pitiable situation is the centuries of
slavery. A couple of generations living in a free atmosphere under an honest,
just and a strong rule will bring the best out of a Kashmiri. But they never
got that chance and the slavery has continued in one or the other form.
Compromise has become part of our daily life. This has been taught to us by our
leaders.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">If one studies the
history of Kashmir’s Movement for emancipation which started in 1931, a stark
fact that emerges is the compromise by the so called leaders at every step! The
leaders at that time had started the movement for total emancipation. It was to
restore the independence and sovereignty which Kashmiris had lost four
centuries back. Primarily movement was started by Muslims but subsequently it
encompassed the entire population regardless of religion.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The move had apparently been good as it had
given a truly nationalist colour to Kashmir’s Freedom Movement. In 1946, a
movement was started against the autocratic ruler asking him to quit Kashmir.
However, in 1947 that movement was abandoned and the ruler’s accession to India
was publicly endorsed. People had blind faith in the sincerity of the leader
and followed him in spite of his political somersaults. Had he been truly
nationalist and taken the third option of independence right from the start,
the things would have been different. He did realise his mistake after sometime
but then it was too late. People would have forgiven him but his own lieutenant
stabbed him in the back. He opened the flood gates to corruption. A systematic
campaign for character assassination was unleashed on Kashmiris. Money and
muscle power were freely used to buy temporary loyalty of the masses. Spiritual
and intellectual pursuits were replaced by material gains. Betrayal was
rewarded and loyalty to principles was punished. Orwellian new speak was
introduced and truth was banished. People were “disciplined” through the newly
constituted “Peace Brigade”. It was Goebbels in action. A masterly use of
carrot and stick! That in fact, has been the real beginning of corruption in
Kashmir. Corruption was so much ingrained into the psyche of Kashmir that it
was taken to be a normal way of life. Since that time, the slide into
corruption has been fully accelerated. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">There does not appear
any chance of coming out of the pit! Repeated declarations, slogans, and
promises by top politicians to remove the scourge of corruption sound hollow in
the face of actual ground situation. Right from the traffic constable on the
road side up to the top political bosses, the whole system is steeped in
corruption. Bribes are not only gladly taken but also given without any
hesitation or remorse. It has become a well-established routine for getting
anything done in every government establishment or organisation. In some
departments, the corruption has been institutionalised and it is taken to be
part of the normal procedure. No one feels anything bad about it. Rather it is
taken to be rightful cut of all concerned. The typical example is of
engineering departments. The percentage cut from each contract right from the
level of a junior engineer to chief engineer is fixed. There is no dispute
about it. Paying of huge bribes through intermediaries for posting, transfer,
and appointments at the administrative level as well as the ministerial level
has been thoroughly debated but no cure found!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Apart from material corruption, there is
exponentially growing moral corruption involving all sections of the society.
Every second day one witnesses skeletons falling out of the moral cupboard. The
second rank in corruption given to the state by the transparency international
must be now higher than even the first rank? Can this corruption which has
eaten into the vitals of Kashmir society be ever eradicated? The blood will
have to be drained out and purified by a dialysis machine. Even then it can
only be prevented from recurring if the top is clean. Honesty like water flows
from top downwards. Unless we have the top honest and clean and that too with a
political will, nothing will succeed. An honest top rung will not tolerate a
corrupt bottom. In the present context an uncompromising, honest, and upright
leader with courage of conviction and a political will to stand by the truth is
the only solution to end the vicious circle of corruption. To refuse compromise
involves sacrifice and suffering. Is anyone prepared for that? This is
precisely what Kashmir has been waiting for. Will we ever get such a leader?
God alone knows! Till the time that happens, the corruption is not going to go
away. It will rather go on multiplying and eating into the vitals of our
society.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-9670494094801244242018-06-21T05:32:00.001-07:002018-06-21T05:32:19.715-07:00The Climate Change<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(Extraordinarily hot weather
in Kashmir is part of the Global Climate change due to which many parts of the
world have been experiencing freak weather)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/1009658763207294976/ikhqEsxg?format=jpg&name=800x419" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Kashmir has been
experiencing very hot weather in the month of June. According to MET sources
sometimes the temperature has been more than 8 degrees above normal for the
same period in previous years! In contrast to hot days, the mornings are
comparatively cooler for this time of the year. Something like a desert
climate! This unusual climate has been creating problems all over the world.
However, it has not happened just at once but has been happening gradually over
the years and we are noticing it only now because of the various cumulative
effects which are peaking during the present time. The experts have been
warning about the climate change for a long time but the people have not been
heeding their forecasts about various damaging effects which our planet is
gradually suffering. In Kashmir, the effects of the climate change have been
studied in detail by the department of Earth Sciences in the University of
Kashmir which is headed by a well-known scientist Shakil Romshoo. A study of
nine bench mark glaciers conducted by the department reveals that between 1980
and 2013, these glaciers have shrunk by 17%. The total glaciated area has been
reduced from 29.01square kilometers to 23.81 kilometers. There has been
corresponding reduction in the discharge of the rivers dependent on these
glaciers. Another worry has been the shifting of the peak rainfall season from
summer to spring which could have adverse effect on the agriculture due to
water shortage in the required season!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">One does not
have to be an expert to notice the climate change. During mid-forties one
remembers the amount of snowfall which the valley used to have. Sometimes the
snow would fall so fast and heavy that people had to come out of their houses
from the windows of the first floor! Many times the snow would fall so thick
and fast that it looked like night during the middle of the day. Often the
migratory birds flying around would get blinded and fall in peoples’ lawns!
Those days there used to be thatched roofs or roofs of clay over wooden planks
and everyone was out after every snowfall to clear snow from the rooftops. But
now we hardly have few inches of snow in the city during winter. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The global
climate change is the hottest topic all over the world these days. The arctic
ice is melting fast and the sea level is gradually rising. Some predict a rise
of 100 feet in the sea level! The experts have given alarming forecasts about
the drastic effects of this climate change. With the rise in sea level many
countries surrounded by sea may completely disappear. Even many coastal areas
may go under water. Melting of glaciers will cause water shortages in many
parts of the world. If one goes by the geological history, the warming of our
planet may be followed by another ice-age! Unfortunately, this is not a natural
process but a calamity brought upon mankind by mankind itself. The greatest
culprit is supposed to be the emissions of harmful gases from motor vehicles,
power plants and so on. There are many alternatives being tried to lessen
emissions. These include automobiles working on electric power and so on. Apart
from this is the depletion of the green cover. This is very true of our own
state especially the valley. We have indiscriminately destroyed our forest cover
which used to act as a filter for these emissions. The timber smugglers in
connivance with the authorities have denuded mountains throughout the state. Another
destructive factor has been the deliberate destruction of our water bodies by
greedy people. We have virtually eaten away our lovely water bodies including
the world famous Dal Lake which is in the last throes of death! In fact, the
disastrous flood of 2014 too has been the result of this climate change brought
upon us by our own greed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Our worst tragedy
is that neither the government nor the people in general seem to be either
aware or even concerned about this catastrophe slowly happening. Both the governments
as well as the people in general need to be woken up from the deep slumber. In
fact, the state has a full-fledged organization called the Department of
Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing whose task is to take measures and set
up projects to protect state’s environment. The effects of climate change and
remedial measures to mitigate these effects should be their primary
responsibility. According to their website, they have already completed 56
projects and have16 on-going projects regarding ecology and environment.
However, what is most urgent is peoples’ participation in protecting the environment
so that the effects of climate change are minimized. The ideal thing would be for
all the leaders of all hues and shades to impress on the people to take care of
environment and ecology. Even all the religious leaders can be motivated to
take up this task. However, the million dollar question is will they do so?
Well, on that rests the fate of our future generations!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-52557444790103126392018-06-14T05:42:00.002-07:002018-06-14T05:42:33.951-07:00The Vanishing Water Bodies!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.greaterkashmir.com/cms/gall_content/2018/6/2018_6$largeimg213_Jun_2018_232341137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Vanishing Water Bodies!" border="0" src="http://www.greaterkashmir.com/cms/gall_content/2018/6/2018_6$largeimg213_Jun_2018_232341137.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(We have literally eaten
away most of our water bodies after first polluting these beyond redemption)</span></b></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">As the legend
describes it, Kashmir Valley was a huge lake. </span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Kalhana,
the author of the earliest recoded history of Kashmir, Rajtarangni, states that
the valley of Kashmir was a huge lake called Satisar. The Lake was drained
through the Varmul gorge by Kashyap Reshi after killing the demon Jalodbhava
guarding the outlet. The draining of the Lake reclaimed the present valley of
Kashmir. The geological findings especially the presence of Karewas (geological
formations of sedimentary clay) throughout the valley confirm this mythological
belief. For thousands of years Kashmiris had the privilege of having the last
remnants of Satisar as Wular, Manasbal, Dal, and Nageen. These water bodies
were our living heritage from the times immemorial. In fact, as per the
findings at Burzhom and many other similar places, the human civilisation in
Kashmir started on the banks of these water bodies right from the Neolithic
age. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">For centuries these
water bodies survived and were the pride of Kashmir</span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">
Till the middle of the last century that is during the reign of the erstwhile
Maharaja Hari Singh, most of the Lakes including the smaller water bodies and
even the canals of Srinagar survived and continued to exist. However, with the
freedom of the sub-continent and ushering in of the popular peoples’
governments, these water bodies started slowly shrinking and even disappearing.
During the autocratic rule people respected the law and there was no escape for
violators in any field. Even most of our lush green forests also continued
their existence during Maharaja’s reign. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Kashmir’s
misfortune started after 1953 when the popular leader was removed and general
policy of compromise in every sphere of life was liberally introduced. Still
people violated the law hesitatingly and there was some accountability.
However, after the death of the popular leader and installation of puppets one
after the other, there was free for all in every sphere of life. This was the
result of uncertainty which has been prevailing since. Because of the political
uncertainty the accountability in every sphere of life has virtually vanished. The
Wullar Lake has been encroached through growth of willow trees all around and
the clear water body has been converted into farming land. According to some
experts it is now an apology of the once second largest sweet water lake of
Asia. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #01290f; margin: 0px;">It is just in last 3 to 4 decades that we, the present
inhabitants of the so called “Paradise on Earth”, have (due to our insatiable
material greed) brought these to total ruination. Three fourths of blame for
ruining these water bodies can be squarely placed on the local people. This is
especially true of the Dal Lake. It is immaterial as to who has done how much
damage, whether these are house boat owners, hoteliers, vegetable growers,
residents inside or on the banks of the lake. Damage beyond redemption has not
only been done but is continuing on a daily basis.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #01290f; margin: 0px;">As regards the role of the people entrusted with the
restoration of the Lake, there can be no better judgement than that given by
the former Chief Minister Azad who publicly admitted that the Lake has become a
“Money Minting Machine” for the politicians! He said so in spite of the fact
that the political set up he was blaming was headed by him. The most
unfortunate part of the tragedy is that the government had woken up towards the
necessity of restoring and conserving the Lake in mid-seventies itself. The
best ever report for the restoration and conservation of Dal Lake was prepared
in 1977 by a team of New Zealand consultants (Enex Consortium). The consultants
had made some very practical recommendations for initiating measures to arrest
the further deterioration in the condition of the Lake as also to restore it to
its previous glory. These measures would have stopped accumulation of nutrients
in the lake and over a period of time this would result in a net loss of
nutrients that would in turn curb weed growth and thus improve the water
quality. The Enex report provided cost estimates and based on analysis deemed
the proposed improvements economically feasible. In fact, at that time the
Overseas Development Agency of U.K. and the World Bank had offered to fund the
restoration of the Lake through some international agency. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #01290f; margin: 0px;">Unfortunately, no practical steps were taken to implement
the plan. On the contrary, the bureaucrats as usual dithered by discussing
endlessly the project report in committee after committee and the politicians
in the meantime made hay while the sun was shining on the waters of the Dal Lake!
At last the government constituted a toothless non-statutory authority LAWDA,
the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority which proved to be an epitome of
corruption. It is just like any other government department mostly headed by
bureaucrats having absolutely no expertise in environment protection or
conservation of water bodies. LAWDA has been moving like a tortoise but not
like the tortoise of our school day story of “Slow and Steady Wins the Race”.
It is a tortoise which is slow but not steady. In last 30 years or so, the Lake
instead of getting restored has gone from bad to worse. If one puts three
fourths of blame on the local people, one forth has to be shared by the
Government of India also. Even the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in
their report have raised objections about the pumping of funds by the Central
Government into the Lake Authority without any accountability. The condition to
which the Lake had deteriorated could not be reversed by cosmetic slow
treatment. It needed accelerated intensive time bound treatment to arrest its
deterioration and reverse the same.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; margin: 0px;">It may be mentioned that sometime back
the Lake Geneva, much bigger than Dal, had suffered worse pollution when even
the fish had died. However, with the help of some international resourceful
expert agencies they were able to completely redeem it. Why can’t we do the
same with the Dal Lake? It may be our last chance and whomsoever takes the
initiative will have his name carved in golden letters in the history of
Kashmir. There is no time left and we have to wake up from the deep slumber.
All the leaders of all hues and colours must come forward and motivate people
for restoring and conserving the water bodies. If we fail now, then it is
better for us to formally prepare for performing the last rites of the Dal Lake
and other water bodies! </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-15304779361000903272018-06-06T23:02:00.003-07:002018-06-06T23:02:46.681-07:00Ceasefire in “Ramadan”!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(Linking cessation of
military operations against militants with the holy month of Ramadan amounts to
communalizing the move which should normally have no connection with religion)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for ramadan ceasefire in kashmir" height="199" src="http://media.kashmirmediawatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ceasefire.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The Central Government recently announced the cessation of cordon and
search operations by the Army during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to give
peace a chance. The announcement was made on the request of the State Chief Minister<span style="color: #365f91; margin: 0px;"> </span>who had
asked <span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">for a “Ramadan Ceasefire</span><span style="color: #365f91; margin: 0px;">”! </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Linking the ceasefire with the
Muslim Fasting month of Ramadan gives it a communal colour. Does it mean that
all operations are directed against the Muslims of Kashmir? Or is the fight
between the Hindu Army and Kashmiri Muslims? Secondly, the word ceasefire
normally applies to two fighting armies. It seems odd to declare a ceasefire
between the third largest Army in the world fighting just a couple of hundred
militants! In fact, it is the State Government which has called it the “Ramadan
Ceasefire”. The announcement from the centre as given in Times of India says.<b>
“</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Centre directs forces to halt security operations in J&K during
Ramzan”. The cessation of violence from both the sides should have nothing to
do with the religion. Kashmir is not basically a religious issue but a
political problem pertaining to the final disposal of the erstwhile State of
Jammu & Kashmir lingering from the partition days. It is unfortunate that
after the installation of a Hindutva Government in Delhi, the problem has been
communalised with ulterior motives. Ceasefire should be treated as ceasefire
regardless of the month or timing when it is declared. It is an end to all
types of violence which normally should be followed by talks and dialogue with
all stakeholders for ultimate settlement of the basic political problem which
continues to stay on the agenda of the international organisations including
the United Nations, Security Council.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The Kashmir’s Political
struggle is not a fight between Muslims and Non-Muslims. It is, in fact, a
struggle for basic Political rights for all Kashmiris irrespective of religion.
Kashmiris have been struggling for the basic right of self-determination.
Unfortunately, the struggle has been deliberately communalised by Kashmir’s two
neighbours for their own motives. It is neither a Jehad nor a Dharam Yudh! The
most urgent need is for all to realise the existence of this basic Political
issue and strive for its peaceful resolution. The need of the hour is to
declare total cessation of all violent activities from all sides without any
specific time limit. This will create a peaceful atmosphere for an
all-inclusive dialogue between all the stakeholders within Kashmir and within
the sub-continent to resolve the problem. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Recently, even the top
Army Generals from the two sides are asking for a peaceful dialogue. They seem
to have realised the futility of violence in settling political disputes. They
also must know that in the present context no conflict can remain localised or
conventional. Once war hysteria starts, it has no end and could spiral into a
nuclear conflagration destroying not only the entire sub-continent but the
entire South Asia with some after effects going all over the globe. The
Generals have given their opinion about the basic political problem, being
fully aware of the ground situation. It is now the turn of the Politicians on
two sides to come forward and start talking at the earliest. Unfortunately,
politicians on both the sides have been using Kashmiris as guinea pigs to test
their political ideology. The recent book written by the Spymasters of the two
countries jointly has made many revelations about Kashmiris being used for
various purposes by the two sides. Additionally, Kashmir has been a very easy whip
to raise emotions at the time of elections. It is time, everyone realises the
futility of using the dispute to further their individual interests. This has
harmed both the countries immensely. Let us hope they realise it soon and save
us from an Armageddon! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-92172897697536876982018-06-06T20:20:00.002-07:002018-06-06T20:20:58.282-07:00The land-locked Kashmir!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(Kashmir has been described
as a land-locked country but with the advent of civil aviation it became quite
accessible. However, some parts still continue to be remote especially in
winter!)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="The land-locked Kashmir!" src="http://www.greaterkashmir.com/cms/gall_content/2018/6/2018_6$largeimg206_Jun_2018_234143360.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Historically,
Kashmir has always been known as a land-locked country in the high Himalayan
Mountains. In the earliest Chinese records Kashmir is described as,</span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> “</span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">a country enveloped on all sides like a precious jewel by the
snowy mountains, with a valley in the south which leads up to it and serves as
a gate of the Kingdom”. Famous Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang describes Kashmir
which he calls Kia-shi-mi-lo as a country surrounded on all sides by very high mountains
which have very narrow and contracted passes for entry. According to him these
natural bulwarks have protected the country from its neighbours who have never
succeeded in subduing it.</span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The Greek chronicles also mention Kashmir as
Kaspeira, a country surrounded by high mountains whose inhabitants are great
foot-walkers! In fact, this isolation of Kashmir in the high mountains allowed
it to remain unmolested for a long time. In ancient Kashmir there used to be an
official called the “Dawara Pati”, the guardian of the passes whose job was to
keep an eye on all passes which were guarded by garrisons of soldiers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The conquest of
Kashmir by Mughals, even though through treachery, ended Kashmir’s isolation.
However, even with the passing of the country from Mughals to Afghans, to Sikhs
and finally to Dogras, the physical isolation continued. The only access was
through the Jhelum Valley road along the River Jhelum. After, the events of
1947, even though Kashmir got disconnected from its Central Asian neighbours in
the North, yet access became easier towards South. Finally, with the advent of
civil aviation, Kashmir is no longer a land locked and isolated “country”! The
valley of Kashmir has become a global tourist destination and millions of
tourists have been coming here from all over the globe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Unfortunately, in
spite of year round global access to the Kashmir valley, there are still some
parts which remind one of the ancient land-locked Kashmir. These places get
totally land-locked in winter, in some cases almost for six months or so. These
include Gurez and Tilel Valleys; Karnah; Wadwan Valley of Kishtwar. The other
areas in the State which remain land-locked in winter are Ladakh where totally
land-locked is the remote valley of Zanskar. In this modern age it is
unthinkable of people getting totally isolated for months on end. They have no
access either by road or by air. The people in these areas face not only a
physical trauma but also a psychological one. Unfortunately, most of the rulers
in recent times have totally neglected this aspect of winter inaccessibility of
these remote areas. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">After a wait of
decades, the government has finally started work on the Zoji La tunnel to
ensure year round access to Ladakh by road. This is a welcome step and one
hopes the work would be completed on a fast track. It would have been ideal if
notice of inaccessibility of other areas had also been taken. The long term
accessibility of these areas would also require construction of tunnels below
the passes which get closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. These include the
Sadhna Pass, the Razdani Pass, the Simthan Pass, the Margan Pass and so on.
These passes would need much shorter tunnels which may be cheaper and easier to
construct. Let us hope the government keeps the requirements of these people
living in remote areas in view and formulates a plan to make these accessible
in winter also.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Pending construction
of tunnels, the government could explore connecting these remote areas by short
haul turbo-prop aircraft. These aircraft do not need long and concrete runways
and can land on small strips and in some cases even in plain fields. Air Asia
and the Indigo Airlines do have these small turbo-prop aircraft and are
operating services to some areas. The government needs to explore the
possibility of inviting these airlines to survey the areas and start such short
haul air services. Even these services could be subsidised to allow reasonable
pricing of these flights. At the moment, some of these areas in the state are
serviced by MI-17 helicopters of IAF for which the government makes payments to
the Ministry of Defence. Similar, treatment needs to be given to the Zanskar
area also which too remains totally cut off during winter. Here again sometime
IAF courier services are operated. The worst part is the assistance to sick
people during winter. Sometimes the concerned Deputy Commissioners do
requisition helicopters from the Air Force. However, providing of a regular
short haul air service can ameliorate the suffering of these people till these
are made accessible on a round the year basis.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-24999434683368533182018-05-25T01:28:00.003-07:002018-05-25T01:28:32.918-07:00Srinagar International Airport, a cruel joke!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 16px 0px 14.66px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">(Going by International Civil
Aviation Standards, the Civil Airport at Srinagar does not, in reality,
function as an International Airport)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://kashmirfirst.com/articles/politics/images/180524.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 16px 0px 14.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">For a change, let us see how the airport is described in the famous online
encyclopedia, Wikepedia. It says, </span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">IATA</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">: <b>SXR</b>, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">ICAO</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">: <b>VISR</b>)
also known as <b>Srinagar Airport</b> is an </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">international
airport </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">that serves </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Srinagar</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">, the summer capital of the state
of </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Jammu <span style="color: #0b0080; margin: 0px;">and </span>Kashmir, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">India</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">. <span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">It is owned by the </span>Indian Air Force<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">, and the </span>Airports Authority <span style="color: #0b0080; margin: 0px;">of </span>India<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> operates
a </span>civil enclave at <span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">the airport.
Although, designated an international airport in 2005, the Srinagar airport
does not receive scheduled international flights as of April 2018, but has
seen Hajj flights. It has an integrated terminal and one </span>asphalt<span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"> runway. The airport has bus and taxi service to the
city of Srinagar, which lies 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) to the north”.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 8px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">So, if one considers all aspects of the Airport, it appears
to be an apology to a real International Airport in many respects. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The Airport itself
with its runway, control tower and other ancillary facilities is the property
of the Indian Air Force who maintains it and controls all flying operations.
The civilian side has only an enclave, an apron and outside parking area.
Again, because of absence of any operations involving international flights, it
is a misnomer to call it an international airport. Even the domestic flights
are totally dependent upon the Air Traffic Control of the Indian Air Force
unlike other civilian airports in the country. In spite of Precision Approach
Radar and other sophisticated instrument landing facilities, the civilian
flights get cancelled in poor visibility and fog, especially in winter. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 8px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">One of the most important
requirements for any tourist destination to attract high end foreign tourists
is easy accessibility. The destination should be accessible to international
airlines. </span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">As mentioned in Wikipedia, in 2005 Srinagar
Airport was up graded and declared to be an “International” Airport. In fact, a
Dubai-Srinagar flight was also started. However, the whole exercise turned out
to be something in the name only and not with honest and sincere intentions.
Firstly, the Airline, Air India Express which operated the flight was an Air
India subsidiary meant for the labour class in the Gulf Region. It had all
economy configurations with no in-flight facilities. One of the European groups
which flew to Srinagar from Dubai in this flight swore never again to fly Air
India! Secondly, Pakistan did not allow overflying to aircraft flying in or out
of Srinagar which increased the flying time from 3 to 5 hours and made the
flight uneconomical. The Pakistani objection could be overruled if the flight
had an hour long stopover in Delhi ass flights from Jaipur and Amritsar have. Allegedly,
even this namesake international flight was discontinued on the intervention of
security agencies. Unfortunately, the “Democratic” India is suffering from a
security phobia and every positive thing gets shelved for security reasons.
They have the last word!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 8px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">There
is a way out to both maintain the name “International” and allow direct access
to high end global tourists both leisure and adventure without any security
apprehensions. Let International Charters from various foreign tourism markets
be allowed to fly in direct to Srinagar. Pakistanis too will have to co-operate
in allowing overflying to these International Charters coming from the west if
they have any consideration for the well-being of Kashmiri people. The Charters
from the South East Asia can come direct without any hindrance. Also Charters
from Central Asia can come directly to Srinagar. Goa has a short season of
about five months from November to March. It gets more than a 1000 charters
from Russia, Central Asia, Europe and now even from Middle East. It is because
of these Charters that the Tourism has received a tremendous boost. Why can’t
we have a similar thing in Kashmir?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 8px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Well,
if Tourism of International standard is to be introduced here with global
arrivals, then the Government may have to seriously consider setting up of an
independent modern civil airport somewhere else. The valley being totally flat,
it should not be difficult to select a proper spot for the purpose. It does not
matter if it is little away from the capital Srinagar. One could always
construct a fast motorway to reach the airport. Well, that may be a thought for
some time in future! In the meantime, one has to make best use of the existing
airport with all possible improvements.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 8px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The
most annoying part of the present system is the most elaborate and frustrating
security checks of outgoing passengers. No doubt there have been a number of
incidents and Srinagar is because of the volatile situation, a very susceptible
airport to incidents of violence, hi-jacking and other incidents. With the most
modern body, baggage and even vehicle scanners available these days, it should
be possible to reduce the harassment of the passengers. This is more important
as the incoming passengers have a smooth entry without any hassles. However,
the entire goodwill of the arrival and stay in the valley is lost by the
cumbersome and annoying exit. Let us hope. The authorities give due
consideration to this aspect also.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 8px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078656810147167146.post-55122113567712451362018-05-16T22:09:00.001-07:002018-05-16T22:09:14.118-07:00The Resilient Kashmiris!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(“The country of Kashmir may be conquered by
the force of spiritual merit, but not by the force of soldiers!” Kalhana)</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for cordon and search operation" height="181" src="https://i2.wp.com/kashmirreader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/condemn-forces-army-crachdown.jpg?fit=701%2C397&ssl=1" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Recently the Army
Chief challenged Kashmiri militants saying that they cannot get Azaadi as they
cannot fight his Army. </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">"I
want to tell Kashmiri youth that <em><span style="font-style: normal; margin: 0px;">Azaadi</span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>isn't possible. It won't happen. Why are you picking up
weapons? We will always fight those who seek <em><span style="font-style: normal; margin: 0px;">Azaadi</span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i> those who want to secede. (<em><span style="font-style: normal; margin: 0px;">Azaadi</span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">)</i> is not going to happen, never.” It seemed odd that the Chief of
the third largest Army in the world with thousands of tanks, guns rockets and
even nuclear weapons having almost a million troops in Kashmir is getting upset
with a couple of hundred teenagers, mostly untrained and ill-equipped.
Probably, he is facing a strange kind of Guerrilla War in Kashmir which has no
parallel! A few armed teenagers are being protected by thousands of unarmed
civilians at the cost of their lives. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In
every army operation, the civilians try to protect or help militants to escape
who probably visit these houses to have a meal! Due to this civilian
interference in military operations, there are more civilian casualties than
those of the militants! Incidentally, in an earlier column the fight was
likened to the biblical episode of David versus Goliath. On this a friend had
remarked that in the end it is David who wins the fight!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Earlier the General
had said that neither the militants nor the Army can solve Kashmir problem
through violence. Well, that is really true; the General had, in fact, spoken
the truth. Violence begets violence and no issue can be resolved by mindless
violence. Ultimately, it is an unconditional and open dialogue which solves all
issues. As regards the persistence of violence even after huge losses, it is
the genetic resilience of the Kashmiri. Historically, Kashmiri has always been
a resilient person. Dictionary meaning of the word “Resilient” is: “a person </span><span style="background: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">able to withstand or recover quickly from
difficult conditions”. </span><span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Tyndale
Biscoe in his book, “Kashmir in Sunlight and Shade” observes that the amount of
oppression Kashmiris have undergone over the ages, if the British had faced the
same, they would have lost their manhood! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">This resilience is
actually the survival instinct of a Kashmiri. For over last four centuries,
they have been oppressed by Mughals, Afghans, Sikhs and Dogras. They were
reduced to virtual wretches and lost all their good qualities. They did rebel
to change their destiny many times but failed. The main misfortune of the
people has been their betrayal by their own kinsfolk. There have been and there
continue to be “Black sheep” within the Kashmir society ready to sell even
their mothers for a price. All the foreign oppressors got a foot hold because
of these local collaborators. The external oppressors always scout for ready
collaborators by patronising the weaknesses of character in a person. They
bring out the worst and suppress the good qualities. During last 70 years
people on both sides of the divide have exploited the weaknesses of the
Kashmiri character to keep them in perpetual subjugation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">In recent years, the
worst suppression was during the turmoil of the nineties of the last century.
There were massacres, rapes, virtual kidnappings and the population faced
probably the worst trauma in their lives. Such a brutal treatment can reduce
any people to worst form of depression and despondency. The people were truly
traumatised. In fact, the teams of “Doctors without Borders” (Medicins Sans
Frontiere) that visited Kashmir after the turmoil of nineties reported that
almost every second Kashmiri is facing a psychological trauma. Their
counsellors did try to help by touring and interacting with the people in
different parts of the valley. In fact, the well-known local Psychiatrist Dr.
Mushtaq Margoob to help the people overcome the trauma started a counselling
project, “Rainbow in Haze from Canada to Kashmir”. It was conducted with the
Canadian assistance. The district Ganderbal was taken as a pilot district. They
did achieve a considerable success in normalising the traumatised people. They
had intended to take up many more districts. However, the attitude of the Delhi
rulers and their collaborators from 2014 onwards has eliminated every need of
counselling or treatment. The people, because of their inherent resilience seem
to have overcome all the traumas and are out on the roads everywhere to face
even the bullets! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #01290f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">In the turmoil of
nineties, people were very much scared of the gun. During any encounter or even
cordon and search, they would immediately leave the area to save themselves. No
one could even think of defying restrictions or curfews. However, the situation
is totally changed now. The fear of the gun is totally gone. During any
encounter or cordon and search, the people instead of running away, try to
storm the area to afford militants a chance to escape. Many times the militants
trapped in a cordon and search operation have been successful in making good
their escape because of the people rushing in large numbers towards the site.
As a result a large number of civilians have either been killed or injured in
these operations. Apart from the fact that the people have overcome the trauma
of fear, they appear to have developed extreme alienation from the mainstream.
As one journalist has put it, they were earlier anti-Indian but now they hate
India! Even the veteran politician Yeshwant Sinha has opined that India has
lost Kashmir emotionally! The present possession is physical only. How long can
one keep physical possession without emotional involvement? The only way to
involve people emotionally is to cease all violent action on all sides and
start an honest unconditional dialogue. It is impossible to physically
obliterate a whole nation by military force. Hitler could not do it with Jews
in spite of killing six million of them! On the contrary his Third Reich
disappeared and he committed suicide in an underground bunker! Here, one would
like to repeat Kalhana’s saying about Kashmir and Kashmiris. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“The country of Kashmir may be conquered by
the force of spiritual merit, but not by the force of soldiers!” So the sooner
the spiritual side is taken up, the better for one and all!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kashmir Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17539702260453278025noreply@blogger.com0