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.
Challenges Facing Women Entrepreneurs
Wajahat offers a short synopsis of challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, but glosses over a key hurdle - Kashmiri women are unable to secure credit without a male co-signer (Mr. Wajahat Hussain Mattoo is Coordinator at the Jammu & Kashmir...
Education Without Learning
Ishfaq wonders if enough is being done to bring about improvement in the quality of education (Syed Ishfaq Noor is a teacher at the Government Middle School in Mir Mohalla Hygam Zone, Sopore.) Towards Quality Education Quality education is possible when academic...
Where the Savior is the Criminal
Pandits are saying that under the guise of "public good", J&K Government is grabbing ancestral land of Pandits and provide token or no compensation in return Govt Itself Involved in Grabbing Land Belonging to Community: KPs Jammu: Ridiculing the Government claims...
Development or Defacement of the City?
A Kashmiri architect/planner based in the USA, offers his perspective on infrastructure development plans for Srinagar as proposed by the Government, and requests readers to provide inputs to the funding agency and the project organization Defacing the City Rafique A....
Sops for the Elites
Ashraf feels that excessive investment in tourism is misplaced and the J&K Government needs to put its money in activities that enhance state's GDP. He should know (Mr. Mohammad Ashraf, 68, was born and raised in Srinagar. He attended the S.P. High School and the...
As Rabid as Dog Menace on Our Streets
Ashraf is talking about corruption in Kashmir, and he calls political corruption as the mother of all corruptions (Dr. Mirza Ashraf Beg, 71, was born in Sarnal, Anantnag. He did his primary schooling at the Primary Hanfia School in Anantnag and completed his F. Sc....
Town Planner’s Perspective on Resolving the Traffic Mess
Shafat offers his ideas (Mr. Shafat Ahmed Reshi, 46, was born in Brane, Nishat, Srinagar. He completed his basic schooling from Shaheen Public School, Srinagar, and his advanced schooling from MPML Higher Secondary School, Srinagar. He completed his diploma in civil...
Srinagar Enters the 20th Century
So what if it is only a century behind? A bigger question is will it really happen? Lead story followed by an editorial in the Rising Kashmir Srinagar to Get 4 Traffic Signals by First Week of May Rising Kashmir News Srinagar: The summer capital is all set...
J&K Has No Fire Safety Act
The Kashmir Monitor makes a frightening revelation - hospitals and other public building may have inoperable fire-fighting equipment. Report followed by an editorial JK has no Fire Safety Act Firdous Hassan Srinagar: While the fire service week is...
An Annual (Meaningless) Ritual
The World Hemophilia Day has come and gone, and Kashmir's civil society, after doing its once-a-year ritual, will ignore the topic until the next anniversary day. Two reports marking this year's ritual (er .... anniversary) Govt Criticized Over Ignoring...