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.
United Nations Agency Doing Humanitarian Work in Kashmir
Whether people realize it or not, an agency of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is very active in KashmirUNDP prepares docs to tackle crisisSrinagar: Preparing the medical fraternity to cope up with the crisis situation in case of any disaster in the state, two...
Product of Feudal Mentality: In Kashmir, only the well-connected get attention
Afsana and Farhat share stories with a common theme - an undeclared and unwritten diktat from officials who are determined to deny even a miniscule dignity to the poor(Ms. Afsana Rashid, 29, was born and raised in Srinagar and attended the Minto Circle High School....
Package for Survival, but Rehabilitation is Impossible Without Political Space
Story in the New Europe magazine highlights the plight of Kashmiri Pandits who have been forsaken in the valley by both the government and the State civil societyhttp://www.neurope.eu/articles/86582.phpSeparatist cleansing in the valley may endOn April 25, 2008,...
A Challenge to the Reason: Between Rumors and Rebuttals, a Seasoned Journalist Plays the Communal Card
Arjimand Hussain fears of Kashmir turning into another Middle East while minorities wonder if Kashmiriyat is just a convenient facade for Islamic hegmony in Kashmir. The two sides of the "Amarnath" story - one from Mr. Hussain and the other from the SASB are noted...
Unmarked Injustice
Afshana charts the dicotomy between the lifestyle of elected and separatist politicians with Z-security and other fringe benefits while families struggle to come to terms with the missing(Ms. Syeda Afshana, 34, was born in Srinagar. She attended the Vishwa Bharti High...
Paper Machie: The Exquisite Craft of Kashmir
Afsana provides a historical perspective of a craft indelibly linked to Kashmir (Ms. Afsana Rasheed, 29, was born and raised in Srinagar and attended the Minto Circle High School. She graduated from the Government College for Women with a Bachelor's degree in science,...
Kashmir is losing its fragrance – saffron production is declining
Dramatic decrease in saffron production is deeply disturbingSrinagar: Coalition of Concerned Citizens has expressed its concern over the declining production of saffron in south Kashmir. Coalition has attributed the decreases in production of this highly priced...
Kashmir’s “Hartal Culture”: It is ordinary citizens who end up losing in every way
The recent 2-day strike by employees cost Rs 30 crores to the state exchequer Srinagar: The 2-day strike by the state government employees has cost a whopping Rs 30 crore to the state exchequer, local economists say. According to noted economist, Prof Nissar Ali the...
A Kashmiri Boy From Doru Wins The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) Award
18-year old Aquib Javeed, a class 12th student, shows the way for others to followUnsung Innovators: 18-year-old modifies ‘Gulkand’ to bag ‘SRISTI Samman’Doru Shahabad: Commonsense being uncommon may be a cliché, but armed with simple common sense to dare explore...
A case for creating reading culture in Kashmir
Let’s create a reading culture in Kashmir and we must be serious to make that happen, writes Prof. Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi Let’s read books A seminar on the world book day was held at the SPS Museum library on 23 rd of April. Scholars discussed various issues related...