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 Bible of Resistance that the Hurriyat Conference wants us to follow is apocryphal
Mehmood: If the resistance-calendar framed for us by Geelani Sahib constitutes the Genesis of this book, then sorry to say, it is not about creation; it is about annihilation (Mr. Mehmood-ur-Rashid, mid-30's, lives and works in Srinagar.)Reverse the order of...
There is no Such Thing as Half Pregnant
Jehangir notes that even the supremo is unable to open (or close) the gates of anarchy at will (Mr. Jehangir Rashid, 34, was born in Nowshera, Srinagar. He completed his school education from Green Land High School in Hawal, Srinagar, and his college degree from the...
A Question of Character
Afshana's idealism meets ground reality upon opening a baby cereal box, but in the process she exposes the greatest weakness among our gene (Ms. Syeda Afshana, 34, was born in Srinagar. She attended the Vishwa Bharti High School in Rainawari, Srinagar, and the...
Should Politics Trump Common Sense on the LOC Trade?
Arjimand thinks big and comes short of endorsing the present euphoria on the cross-border commerce (Mr. Arjimand Hussain Talib, 33, is from Srinagar and matriculated from Tyndale Biscoe Memorial School in 1991. He subsequently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in...
Floriculture in Kashmir Needs More Than Open Access to Match Holland
Rhetoric aside, floriculture has the potential of big business in Kashmir but it needs foreign investment and technologyValley Florists seek lucrative markets across bordersBaba Umar (Rising Kashmir)Srinagar: With commercial floriculture becoming a blossoming business...
Saving the Big Lake – Can the Governor Succeed Where Others Have Failed?
There are no short-cuts, only a holistic approach will doVohra calls for mass movement to save DalKhidmat News NetworkSrinagar: Sharing the concern of the civil society on the shrinking of the Dal Lake, Governor, N N Vohra, today called for a mass movement for...
Misfortune Meets Indifference in Today’s Valley
Where are the NGO's?Valley's lone leprosy hospital remains a neglected lotSyed Yasir (Kashmir Times)SRINAGAR: The leprosy patients, admitted to the valley's lone leprosy hospital, continue to remain a neglected lot. The hundred odd leprosy patients in the hospital...
Who Pushed Migrant Labor out of Kashmir? Rising Kashmir Says Jammu Agitation was Responsible for it, but That is not What the Record Shows
Record shows that Ali Shah Geelani's Hurriyat has repeatedly given "ultimatums" to migrant labor to pack up and leave. So why did not the kiln industry speak up then? First, the need for migrant labor, followed by what Mr. Geelani said previously, and now what the...
73 Projects Costing Rs. 1092 Coming up under the Asian Development Bank Funding
This is addition to Rs. 1002 crore investment propsals for 23 projects cleared by the Government (2 reports)73 projects costing Rs 1092 cr coming up under ADB funding in the StateSrinagar: Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) is constructing 73 mega projects in the...
Those who Seek Freedom for Themselves Need to Respect the Freedom of Others
A letter in the Kashmir Times and an editorial in the Kashmir Images describes the dilemma faced by the "silent majority"Letter to the Kashmir TimesTime table for hartals?After so many hartals and curfews in valley the kids of valley are not in a mood to move towards...