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.
Kashmir and Minority Rights – 2
Paper submitted by Betab at the "Dalit and Minorities International Forum Conference" held in the Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi (Mr. Brij Nath Watal "Betab", 55, was born in Akingam, Anantnag district. He attended the Government High School in Achabal, and completed his...
Kashmir and Minority Rights – 1
Bhushan assesses the recent announcement from the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) (Mr. Bhushan Lal Saraf, 67, was born in Batapora, Shopian. He finished his schooling from the Government Higher Secondary School in Shopian, and completed his professional...
Kashmir Has More Medical Shops Than All North India Combined
Arshad examines the new State Drug Policy. Arshad's article is followed by an editorial in the Kashmir Images (Syed Arshad Hussain Kashani, 38, was born and brought up in Srinagar. After finishing schooling, he did my bachelors in Science from the Amar Singh College,...
Improving Health Care
Farooq assesses challenges in medical care in Kashmir (Dr. Farooq Ahmad Jan, 43, was born in Srinagar, Kashmir. He was schooled at the New Era Public School, Raj Bagh, and attended the Gandhi Memorial College (GMC), Srinagar. He completed his medical degree (M.B.B.S.)...
Corruption Breeds Corruption
Soubiya gives a detailed account of how Kashmir lost its way and is now caught deep in the corruption quagmire (Ms. Soubiya Yousuf, 23, was born in Srinagar. She did her schooling from Salfia Muslim Institute, Parray-pora, Srinagar. After that she went to Iqbal...
The Unsatisfactory Status of the SMC and the SDA
Junaid comments on dysfunctional local councils like the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) (Mr. Junaid Azim Mattu, 26, was born in Srinagar. He partly completed his schooling at the Burn Hall School, Srinagar, and partly...
State in Doldrums
Iqbal conducts an assessment of how the state government has performed (Dr. Javid Iqbal, 65, was born in Srinagar. He attended the D.A.V. School, Srinagar, and graduated in Medicine from the Government Medical College (GMC). His professional service in medicine...
Toxic Milk Sold in the Valley
Kashmir Observer investigates the latest shameful scandal in the State, followed by an editorial in the Greater Kashmir 83% Milk Consumed In JK Contaminated Nazir Ganaie (Kashmir Observer) Srinagar: In a shocking revelation, the Food Safety Standards Authority of...
Only in Kashmir
Only in Kashmir, does one find stray dogs around a hospital outnumbering the hospital staff and patients Patients Resent Lack of Facilities in City Hospitals Mansoor ul Hassan Srinagar: Patients admitted in various hospitals here had to face a tough time today due to...
The Deepening Divide in Kashmir
The gap between the rich and the poor is widening in Kashmir Inequalities Highest in Kashmir’ Srinagar: Inequalities between the poor and the rich are highest in Jammu and Kashmir even after two decades of economic liberalisation, broadly implying that poor people are...