Introduction to KashmirForum.org Blog
Vijay K. Sazawal, Ph.D.
I launched the website and the Blog after undertaking a thorough search of literature dealing with Kashmir. Finding existing choices that varied from harsh zealotry as expressed by multiple political antagonists and religious bigots, I undertook multiple visits to the valley to make a first hand assessment of the situation as well as seek input from those on the ground – common people, civic and academic leaders of both genders, minorities, and bureaucrats both in Srinagar and New Delhi. After having spoken to government officials, political analysts and security experts specializing in South Asian affairs from three continents, it became clear to me that when Kashmiris are suffering and the world has its own set of prior-
-ities, we need to find ways to help each other. We must be realistic, go beyond polemics and demagoguery, and propose innovative ideas that will bring peace, justice and prosperity to all the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir. Above all, it is incomprehensive how violence can lead to any political closure or human justice when it simply impedes any healing, development or normalcy.
We encourage hearing from the disfranchised “silent majority” in Jammu and Kashmir. Please send your comments by contacting us. Thank you.
Were 30 Years of the Slaughter of Kashmiri Hindus Inevitable?
Vijay K. Sazawal, Ph.D. / 2 December 2023 When the Indian Government, after the legal accession of Jammu and Kashmir to the Union of India in 1947, began its overture to “buy the hearts and minds” of the people of Kashmir, little did it know that its appeasement...
A Repository Like No Other
The author had two reasons to create this blog. First, it was to address the question that was being asked repeatedly, especially, by journalists and other observers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, inquiring whether the Kashmiri society was concerned about social,...
A Revolution Among the Young
Pervez explores a growing trend among youth in the valley that is both path-breaking and encouraging. He sees the growing participation by Kashmiri youth in the Indian civil service examination as a positive trend. The separate write-ups below were published as a...
Kashmiri Youth See Enlightenment Beyond the Tunnel
Bashir feels that increasing trend among Kashmiri youth to cross the jawahar Tunnel in order to seek knowledge and related opportunities is empowering them for a bright future (Mr. Bashir Manzar, 55, was born in Chack Ferozpora, near Tangmarg in Baramulla district. He...
A Hero By Any Calling
Pervez writes about a remarkable and a resilient Kashmiri young man named Javed Tak, rendered disable in a militant attack, who fights for the rights and welfare of physically challenged people in Kashmir (Mr. Pervez Majeed Lone, 37, was born in Ashpora, a hamlet...
An Era Gone For Good
Fazili laments about the times and recall glory days that will never return (Er. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, 69, was born in Srinagar. He received his early schooling from the Government Middle School, Nowhatta, Srinagar, and from M.P. High School, Baghi Dilawar Khan in...
Slow Death of a Yet Another Water Body in Kashmir
Majeed says that a vast water body once considered as the pride of the city for its crystal clear waters is about to perish (Dr. Abdul Majeed Kak, 62, was born and in Nowhatta, Srinagar. He received his primary education from the Government Middle School in Nowhatta...
Gulistan-e-Banat
While most of the thousands of girl orphans of Kashmir militancy live a wretched life, Pervez reports of an orphanage in Handwara, town of border district Kupwara, that has given shelter and hope to some (Mr. Pervez Majeed Lone, 36, was born in Ashpora, a hamlet...
Leaving Legacy of a Wasteland
Majeed is convinced that our coming generations will soon crave for a drop of water and curse us (the present generation) when they locate our vast natural resources of water only in the books and photographs (Dr. Abdul Majeed Kak, 62, was born and in Nowhatta,...
A Shaame-e-Mehfil Like No Other
Amin separates real concerns from bogus rants and in the process shows how the civil society got it wrong (Dr. Mohammed Amin Sofi, 59, was born in Handwara. He received his early education from the Higher Secondary School in Handwara, and his B.Sc. from the Government...