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.
But it is a Typical Trait Among Narcissists
Ashraf says that no one has been fully able to understand the unpredictable behaviour of a Kashmiri. He truly is an “Enigma”! (Mr. Mohammad Ashraf, 68, was born and raised in Srinagar. He attended the S.P. High School and the S.P College before joining the Regional...
Why LAWDA is Failing
Majeed says that the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) does not fully comprehend the challenge posed by poluttents in Kashmir's lakes (Dr. Abdul Majeed Kak, 63, was born and in Nowhatta, Srinagar. He received his primary education from the Government...
Playing by Different Rules – 2
Ajaz exposes the duplicity (Mr. Ajaz ul Haque, 42, was born in Srinagar. He completed his school and college education in South Kashmir. He is presently on the faculty as Producer in the University of Kashmir Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), and a...
Weird Spending Habits of the J&K Government
Arjimand gets wiser as he digs deeper (Mr. Arjimand Hussain Talib, 37, is from Srinagar and matriculated from Tyndale Biscoe Memorial School in 1991. He subsequently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Bangalore University. He is also an alumni of...
Material Greed is destroying Our Fresh Water Lakes
Ashraf wonders how long before our ecology will be destroyed for good (Mr. Mohammad Ashraf, 68, was born and raised in Srinagar. He attended the S.P. High School and the S.P College before joining the Regional Engineering College at Naseem Bagh in Civil Engineering....
Getting Real on Solving the Kashmir Dispute
Shujaat's commentary in the Rising Kashmir is followed by comments from the author Pakistan’s reality check on Kashmir Shujaat Bukhari “On the issue of Kashmir, we have to see if our efforts and our strategy in the past have produced desired results. Now the...
J&K Government Caught in a Web of Lies Related to RTI
Fida reminds the J&K Government that people's right to know is paramount in a democratic society (Mr. Fida Iqbal, 49, was born in Sopore. He attended the D.A.V. School in Nayadyaar, Rainawari, and the Government Higher Secondary School in Sopore. He obtained his...
Playing by Different Rules – 1
Amazing that no one in the authority cares! Are J&K Ministers, bureaucrats and police officers immune to asset disclosures? Jammu: Although the assets statements of the country's Prime Minister and all the Union Ministers are available for public...
Destroying Sufi Icons and Symbols
Wahabism is bringing big changes in Kashmir Arson Bid At Dooru Sufi Shrine Foiled Srinagar: Protests broke out in the Dooru Shahabad area of Anantnag on Wednesday morning after robbers looted a major Sufi shrine and tried to set it ablaze. Reports said that the...
State Government is Playing With Children’s Education
One more proof that Kashmiri public place greater trust in the Central Government than the J&K Government Gulmarg School Faces Closure, Courtesy Govt Srinagar: The centrally-funded Kendriya Vidyalaya in Gulmarg is on the verge of closure with its roll...