“There is no longer any such thing as fiction or nonfiction; there’s only narrative” – Edger Doctorow

“No word matters. But man forgets reality and remembers words.” – Roger Zelazny

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.

The Genius of Ghulam Ali Bhat

Basharat comments on an unsung hero named Majboor (Mr. Syed Basharat, 29, was born in Kreeri, Baramulla, and did his schooling in Kreeri, and later in Uri and Sopore. He graduated from the Degree College in Baramulla and completed his Master's degree in Mass...

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Ending Kashmir’s Malaise

Shakeel-ur-Rehman hopes that the Right to Information (RTI) Act would bring good governance to the State(Syed Shakeel-ul-Rehman, 32, was born in Qazipora, Tangmarg. He did his schooling at the Government Middle School in Katipora and at the Government Higher Secondary...

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Blame Salt for Cutting Lives Short

In Kashmir salt from one region evokes special sentiments, but even that salt is every bit a problem as the rest30 per cent people in Kashmir suffer from hypertension, experts blame high salt intakeSrinagar: According to an expert survey, thirty per cent of the people...

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Success by Hook or Crook

Those were not just "good old days" but compare today's photographs with the past and see how ugly it has becomeThe idea of KashmirNadia ShahIt is so unfortunate that young people are a part of my generation, and the ones who came and will come after us don’t have...

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A Tragedy Waiting to Happen

Musavirr highlights an issue that is routinely ignored for now but is certainly going to be a major issue of concern some day(Mr. Musavirr Wani, 28, was born in Srinagar and attened the Burn Hall School. He graduated from the Meerut University and joined the Kashmir...

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Asinine Politics of Opportunism

An Editorial in the Daily Kashmir Images laments on destructive behavior of separatistsHartal politics With the Parliamentary elections over and north Kashmir recording very good poll percentage in comparison to south and central parts of the Valley, the question that...

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Paradox of Unequality

Mubashir touches on everything except an affirmation program for religious minorities in KashmirReservation: Paradox of EqualityMubashir Ahmad, LawyerIt is true that poorer and underprivileged sections of the society need to be safeguarded through law. The sections of...

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Moving Towards Oblivion

Shakeel-ur-Rehman is not the first, and will certainly not be the last, to raise a red flag regarding deteriorating ecology of Kashmir. But do people care?(Syed Shakeel-ul-Rehman, 32, was born in Qazipora, Tangmarg. He did his schooling at the Government Middle School...

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