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.
When the majority Community Fractures into Groups of Minorities
Junaid misses a key point - in a valley once mostly populated by two communities (Muslims and Pandits), when the minority disappears it is inevitable that the majority will fracture into its convenient minorities (Mr. Junaid Azim Mattu, 26, was born in Srinagar. He...
Environmental Stonewalling
Ali exposes the bureacrat-politician-brick kiln mafi nexus in Budgam Budgam Sitting on Environmental Time Bomb? Syed Ali Safvi (Kashmir Times) Budgam: Central Kashmir’s Budgam district has also been dubbed as “Buthgam” (village of brick kilns) for its ubiquitous brick...
The City Politicians are Rich, it is Just the City is poor
Two "exemplary examples" of a city becoming a large wasteland as reported in the Rising Kashmir SMC has no Money to buy Dustbins Sameer Showkin Lone Srinagar: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is facing acute shortage of funds to buy dustbins for improved garbage...
As Fresh Water Lakes Shrink, Kashmiris Stay Aloof
The Editorial in the Rising Kashmir says that while we are past the stage of restoring Dal to its past glory, but we must try to salvage as much of the lake as possible Salvaging Dal The pollution and gradual shrinking of Dal Lake has been a cause of concern for...
Shortcomings in the New Jobs Policy
Shafi conducts a disection of the new jobs policy announced by the State Government (Mr. Mohammad Shafi Ayaz, 47, was born in Anantnag, and continues to live in the same town. He studied in various state schools, colleges and universities. He has completed his MBA,...
Politics of Competitive Separatism
Fayyaz sees a disturbing trend in the evolving situation in Kashmir, and it is a lot more serious than denouncing the Facebook (Mr. Ahmed Ali Fayyaz, 48, was born in Bodina, Budgam, and received his primary and secondary education in Budgam and later at Amar Singh...
Most Corrupt State May Have Been Edged Out by the Second Most Corrupt State
Junaid sees parallels between today's Kashmir and Bihar before Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (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...
Time Will Tell
Firdous says that merely granting the MFN will not do, deatils will matter (Mr. Firdous Syed Baba, 44, was born in Bhaderwah, Doda, and had his schooling in Jammu. He is a weekly columnist for the Greater Kashmir and writes for the Daily News and Analysis (DNA),...
Srinagar the Great! Srinagar the Shame!
The "good news" about the growing city is tempered by the "ugly reality" discussed in the Greater Kashmir Editorial following the news item SRINAGAR RANKING IN 100 FASTEST GROWING CITIES TRIGGERS DEBATE Srinagar: At a time when Srinagar has emerged among the 100...
The Sad State of Agrarian Economy in Kashmir
Shafi highlights a major reason for deepening divide between the rich and the poor in Kashmir (Mr. Mohammad Shafi Ayaz, 47, was born in Anantnag, and continues to live in the same town. He studied in various state schools, colleges and universities. He has completed...