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.
Saving the Wullar
Iftikar pleads a case for saving the Wullar Lake which has shrunk from 20,000 hectares to just 2400 hectares in less than 60 years(Mr. Iftikar Rashid Wani, 29, was born in Bandipora and received his primary and undergraduate education in the Bandipora district. He...
Life in the City
Monisa has some sobering thoughts on hassles of the city life in a State coping with violence and anarchy(Ms. Monisa Qadri, 23, was born and raised in Srinagar. She has been a Mallinson Girl and studied bio-chemistry at the Women's College, Srinagar. She has studied...
Politics by Deception
Firdous says that public participation in the State elections negates the politics of Hurriyat(Mr. Firdous Syed, 42, was born in Bhaderwah, Doda, and had his schooling in Jammu. He is currently the Chairman of the "Kashmir Foundation for Peace and Development...
The Price of Obsession
An editorial in the Rising Kashmir highlights a continuing problem in Kashmir where an overdozed civil society is unable to wean away from politics to address remaining 90% of daily issues confronting the societyUnder-Mining Over-obsessed with politics Kashmir...
Dealing With Kashmiri (Literary?) Snobs
Riyaz has some advice for pseudo-snobs who are jealous of a budding author(Mr. Riyaz Masroor, 36, was born and raised in Srinagar. He is a Srinagar based journalist who writes in English, Urdu and kashmiri. Besides working in the local press, his articles have...
A Tale of Two Books
Zahid provides his perspective of two recent publications dealing with Kashmir(Mr. Z. G. Mohammad, 59, was born and raised in Srinagar. He earned his Master's degree in English literature from the Kashmir University and has completed a course in Mass Communication...
Racing Towards Oblivion
It appears that the Kashmiri indifference towards its surroundings has the same affect on its people (vanishing Pandits) as on its beauty (vanishing lakes)Illegal constructions devour Nigeen Lake; LAWDA In SlumberArif Shafi Wani (Greater Kashmir)Srinagar: While the...
The Sad State of Cooperative Societies
Musavirr exposes yet another racket in Kashmir(Mr. Musavirr Wani, 27, was born in Srinagar and attened the Burn Hall School. He graduated from the Meerut University and joined the Kashmir Times as a reporter. Loves driving his car and surfing internet to seek out...
The Quality of Leadership – Is it the Case of Getting What we Deserve?
An article in the Kashmir Times exposes the "imperfect side" of the Kashmiri characterI am a KashmiriHumans can be, and are enigmatic, individually and collectively, anywhere in the world. But one wonders whether we Kashmiris would have many equals in this particular...
Muzaffar describes what the Right to Information (RTI) is all about(Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, 33, was born in Wathoora village in the Budgam district and matriculated from Tyndale Biscoe Memorial High School in 1993. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Dental Surgery...