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.
Do Incumbents Deserve to be Re-elected?
Junaid says, with good reasons, no! (Mr. Junaid Azim Mattu, 26, was born in Srinagar. He partly completed his schooling at the Burn Hall School, Srinagar, and partly at the Bishop Cotton School, Shimla. He attended college in America and graduated with a degree...
Wood Works of Kashmir
Iqbal recalls the magical talent of Kashmiri artisans specializing in wood Works (Mr. Iqbal Ahmad, 51, was born in Parigam Chek, Kulgam. He is a graduate with Diploma in Numastics, Archaeology and Heritage. He is an archaeologist, writer, and a cultural historian. Mr....
How Low Can One Sink?
Javed says that crooks are making it harder of physically challenged people to receive their due (Mr. Javed Ahmad Tak, 38, was born in Bijbehara in the Anantnag district. He received his schooling from Government schools in Bijbehara, and his B.Sc. degree from the...
Crawling City
Traffic is a nightmare in Srinagar Choked City In a classic case of bad civic maintenance causing distress to thousands of commuters, travelling on Srinagar roads has become longer and grueling. The daily traffic mess has been worsening with each passing day. The main...
Dismal Health Care
No medical care facility in Kashmir is up to even "West Africa Standards" in spite of huge budget outlays provided by the Central government to the State for medical care. Take the case of the Bone and Joint (B&J) Hospital Lack of Funds, Poor Sanitation Hits...
Where Were those 1400 Parents Until May 2012?
Nothing provides a clearer glimpse of the Kashmiri mind than the way infant deaths in Kashmir hospitals were routinely covered up by both hospital authorities and by parents and relatives Infant dies at G B Pant hospital, Family Stages Protest Srinagar: One more...
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence generally affects only women who are at the wrong end of the bargain SWC Gets 20 Cases Daily: Shameema Aliya Bashir (Kashmir Monitor) Srinagar: With knowledge just a click away for the valley women to learn their rights, divorce and marital feuds are...
The Marriage Racket
Zeeshan sees inequalities that only good luck can overcome The Marriage Market Zeeshan Banday (JNU) “Marriages are settled in heaven and celebrated here on earth,” reads every invitation card in Kashmir irrespective of the lingual form it has viz. English, Urdu or for...
Affluence Takes its Toll
One of the victims of growing affluence is fading interest in Kashmiri culture ‘Kashmiri Culture has Plummeted Almost to its Lowest Ebb’: Veteran Artists Mukhtar Ahmed (Kashmir Images) Srinagar: The foray of Bollywood and Hollywood songs in the Valley has left a...
If Only Capabilities Would Match Dreams
Imagine a Public Sector Undertaking, considered among the most corrupt by the Transparency International (TI), promises to deliver 3,000 MW of power in the next five years. A small hitch overlooked, it only generated 3 MW of new power in last 5 years 3 MWs in Past 5...