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.
Nageen Lake Dying
Nageen is dying as two stakeholders - houseboat owners and the lake authority (LAWDA) - point fingers at each other Tourism Woes M Afzal Sofi (Kashmir Images) Srinagar: At a time when authorities claim to make strides to explore new tourist...
Bankruptcy in Planning
Riyaz says when the government cooks up unwise plans, why blame ordinary citizens for being irresponsible Dal Lake City Riyaz Ahmad (Greater Kashmir) The government has shelved the idea of a cantilever bridge along Boulevard after there was a political opposition to...
Heritage Day? In Kashmir it is Heritage Destruction Day
Rising Kashmir documents desecration of Buddhist heritage sites in Kashmir, followed by a report from Irfan about the pathetic condition of major historical artifacts in Kashmir Heritage Loot Apart from being famous for its beautiful locales, Kashmir...
Winds of Change?
Life appears to be coming back to valley as a convention destination Big Corporate Houses Coming to Kashmir Srinagar: The efforts of JK Tourism to target high end segment and high spending tourists to visit Kashmir have started to bear dividends as some of...
Disappearing Water Bodies
Majeed and Aadil narrate stories of desecration of Kashmir's ancient landmarks resulting in ever shrinking water bodies (Dr. Abdul Majeed Kak, 65, was born and in Nowhatta, Srinagar. He received his primary education from the Government Middle School in...
Seeking Professionalism in Hiring Practices
Ashraf wonders why a state with the highest unemployment rate is not reorganizing and revamping its hiring practices for fairness and good governance (Mr. Iftikhar Ashraf, 24, was born in Sopore. He attended the M.E.T., Sopore upto the10th grade and finished his...
Prospects of a Booming Flower Industry
Ashraf says there is need to go beyond Tulips if one wants to realise the full potential of Kashmir’s flowers! (Mr. Mohammad Ashraf, 68, was born and raised in Srinagar. He attended the S.P. High School and the S.P College before joining the Regional Engineering...
MM II – Mushroom Cultivation in Kashmir
Sajad says that the Government is about to boost production of mushrooms and hopefully, it will create new jobs (Mr. Sajad Kralyari, 29, was born in Kralyar, Srinagar. He had his early schooling at the General Public Mission (GPM) School, and his higher secondary...
Managing and Conserving a Scarce Natural resource
Ashraf presents a lucid and comprehensive description of challenges and opportunities faced by India, with special emphasis to J&K, on how to manage scarce (and ever shrinking) water resources (Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, 68, was born in Srinagar. He received his...
University of North Texas Hosts a 2-day Symposium on Kashmir
Sadaf organizes a 2-day conference on Kashmir in the Contemporary Arab and Muslim Cultural Studies Institute (CAMCSI) (Dr. Sadaf Munshi was born in Srinagar and received her early schooling there. She completed her B.Sc in Bio-sciences from the University of Kashmir,...