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.
Quality of a Society is Reflected Through the Preservation of its Heritage
If we do not ourselves care about our past, why would anyone care about our future?Protecting HeritageShakeel-ur-RehmanHeritage is endless in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, but year after year even the best is disappearing.Take the Maharaja Palace of Gulmarg. Built...
What if creating upheaval is the end game rather than a means to the end?
Happymon Jacob performs an autopsy of the latest uprising in the valley(Happymon Jacob, 33, is the Assistant Professor at the Department of Strategic and Regional Studies, University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the Nelson Mandela...
Revisiting a Nightmare
Why is Dal dying?Dal Lake—the dying lakeIdris Wani (Greater Kashmir)Dal Lake has always been the main attraction in the Srinagar city. Its tranquil water has always attracted everyone. Its beauty has attracted many poets and film makers. It was impossible to encounter...
An Excellent Commentary on the Red Cross Movement in J&K
Volunteerism in non-political NGO's is always a challenge in KashmirRed Cross Movement In J&K StateG. J. Nahvi (Hony. General Secretary of Red Cross movement In J&k State)Voices have in the recent few weeks been heard about the State Red Cross not forthcoming...
Celebrating Wildlife Week in Kashmir With Words and Little Action
During the Wildlife Week, the need of the hour is to change the mind-set of people, and for that we need to go beyond the blame game and perhaps look to invocation of moral and ethical teachings - two reports Global Concern Srinagar: It is a ritual that is being...
2 Kashmiri Muslims Selected for “Kabir Puraskar 2008”
News to Restore one's Faith That all is not LostKashmiri Muslim rewarded for saving HindusNew Delhi: Unfortunately when the officially 'united' Jammu and Kashmir has been unofficially 'divided' into 'Hindu-Jammu' and 'Muslim-Kashmir', an act of a Kashmiri Muslim has...
Can we please move on? The state has gone through hell in the past 4 months
Let us give peace a chanceGovernor's State Advisory Council has Passed a Peace ResolutionSrinagar: The recently constituted State Advisory Council (SAC) in its maiden meeting here on Tuesday passed a peace resolution to restore peace in the state with the involvement...
Good News for the Kashmiri Pashmina Industry
Government of India steps in to protect brand KashmirKashmiri Pashmina gets patentedSrinagar: A long standing demand of the Kashmir Pashmina weavers of patenting it, has been acceded by the government of India and has patented the traditional Kashmiri Pashmina shawl...
Can the Line of Control become the Line of Commerce?
Ershad looks at the landscape from the "other side"(Mr. Ershad Mahmud was born in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir. He is a freelance journalist and researcher based in Islamabad, Pakistan)Intra-Kashmir Trade: Of Challenges and OpportunitiesThe recent summit meeting between...
Lack of Credibility Accentuates With Fake NGO’s
If people would really get involved in civics, fake NGO's would be a thing of the pastFake NGOs collect crores in RamadanAbid Bashir (Rising Kashmir)Srinagar: Alarmed by the growing number of "fake" Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), especially orphanages in...