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.
Paying the Price
Civil Society in Kashmir is quick to raise hue and cry against political and religious intrusions, but quietly ignores environmental degradation when making a fast buck Thajiwas glacier collapses, kills doctor 9/11/2012 11:50:56 PM Srinagar: In a tragic incident, a...
Letter to “Maej Kasheer”
Amreen asks a poignant question, "Do we still belong to the valley of saints?" (Ms. Amreen Naqash, 23, was born in Srinagar. She completed her schooling from the Mallinson Girls Higher Secondary School, Srinagar. She subsequently joined the University of Kashmir,...
Should the Society Ignore Crimes Devoid of Political Payoffs?
Fida sounds an alarm about the recent spurt in crime rate (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 Bachelor's degree in...
Increasing Employment in the Poultry Sector
Altaf says that middlemen are making a killing at the cost of farmers (Dr. Syed Mohammad Altaf Gilani, 45, was born in Srinagar. He attended the DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar, and graduated from the Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Srinagar and...
It Stinks – Do You Know Why?
Water pollution and poor sanitation are two sides of a same coin J&K Lacks Water Pollution Policy Asem Mohiuddin (Kashmir Times) Srinagar: While the ever increasing water pollution and poor sanitation arrangements has emerged as the major concern in Jammu and...
Yes, This Too is Kashmir
Sadaf takes us on a personal journey that suddenly seems so distant and surreal (Dr. Sadaf Munshi, 38, was born in Srinagar and received her early schooling there. She completed her B.Sc in Bio-sciences from the University of Kashmir, followed by a M.A. and...
Land of Barbarians
Dr. Iftikar ponders on societal response to Kashmir's greatest tragedy A Society Which Sleeps Over the Deaths of 500 Infants Dr Iftikar (Rising Kashmir) If you want to know that society which slept over the death of 500 tender souls, just look around and then look at...
Alarming Deaths, No Outrage
Why is it that no one cares about the quality of medical care in Kashmir? The numbers are as shocking as they are disturbing After GB Panth, Deaths in SKIMS Shock People Early Times Report srinagar, Aug 28: Even as the state is yet to recover from the shock of infant...
The Ostrich Syndrome
An editorial in the Rising Kashmir asks readers to recognize turmoil among the young people Alarming Situation It is high time for people in the society to come out with a strategy to fight the menace of suicide The rate of suicides in Kashmir valley is...
Building a Culture of Quality
Ashraf has a lengthy explanation about what Quality means which is necessary given that Quality is treated as an oxymoron in Kashmir (Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, 68, was born in Srinagar. He received his early schooling from the Government Middle School, Nowhatta,...