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.
J&K Has the Highest Illiteracy in Northern States
The State with highest per capita enrollment is also the one with low ilitracy - proof that money (easy money) does not buy success J&K Most Illiterate Among Northern States: Census Report Early Times Report Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir is least literate among...
Fleecing Natives
Fleecing Tourists was always a local mantra, but fleecing locals is new Valley Boutiques Fleecing Customers By Khurram Rasool (Kashmir Monitor) Srinagar: Despite charging much higher rates than the usual tailors, the boutiques of the summer capital of the state have...
Life is Unfair, Government Makes it Worse
Javed reports on the World Braille Day (4th January) and wonders if the "Right to Sight" will ever materialize in Kashmir, much less by 2020 (Mr. Javed Ahmad Tak, 37, was born in Bijbehara in the Anantnag district. He received his schooling from Government schools in...
“Let There Be”
Adfar and Soubiya have some words of caution for today's technology obsessed youth (Mr. Syed Adfar Rashid Shah, 28, was born in Watlar, Ganderbal. He did his basic schooling at the Government High School in Watlar, and then went to the Government Higher Secondary...
Power Generation in J&K
Ashraf conducts a due deligence on the power situation in the state (Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, 68, was born in Srinagar. He received his early schooling from the Government Middle School, Nowhatta, Srinagar, and from M.P. High School, Baghi Dilawar Khan in Srinagar....
Another Industry in Ruins
As if deforestation was not enough, growing competition due to imports from U.P. and China are slowly killing Kashmir's furniture industry Kashmiri Furniture Industry Breaths Last Srinagar: Once bedecking the hotel rooms and houses across the globe, Kashmiri furniture...
Know Your Right
Muzaffar conducts a short training on what to expect under the J&K Public Services Guarantee Act (Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, 36, was born in Wathoora village in the Budgam district and matriculated from Tyndale Biscoe Memorial High School in 1993. He completed his...
Naseem Shafai’s Genius
Betab introduces the reader to a true Kashmiri intellectual (Mr. Brij Nath Watal "Betab", 55, was born in Akingam, Anantnag district. He attended the Government High School in Achabal, and completed his pre-professional studies at the Amar Singh College, Srinagar. He...
Speaking Kashmiri Language
Iqbal pitches for the mother tongue (Mr. Iqbal Ahmad, 49, was born in Parigam Chek, Kulgam. He is a graduate with Diploma in Numismatics, Archaeology and Heritage. He is an archaeologist, writer, and a cultural historian. He is employed by the Jammu and Kashmir State...
Sputtering Agrarian Economy
Javid examines the The Comptroller and Auditor General of India's report which highlights gross negligence of State's agrarian economy. Not mentioned is the politician-mafia nexus pushing people away from agricultural land (Dr. Javid Iqbal, 65, was born in Srinagar....