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.
Paying a Heavy Price
Kashmiris are paying a high price for ecological destruction, while bureacracy created to protect environment has its focus elsewhere Largest Fresh Water Lake Shrinking Iftikhar Ashraf/ Shafat Farooq (Kashmir Monitor) Bandipora: Wullar Lake also known as Asia’s...
A Pioneering Effort
Ashraf describes the opening of a new hotel that could be the first new step in attracting high end tourists to Kashmir (Mr. Mohammad Ashraf, 69, was born and raised in Srinagar. He attended the S.P. High School and the S.P College before joining the Regional...
Preserving Kashmir’s Architectural Legacy
Iqbal dwells on Kashmir's architectural heritage (Mr. Iqbal Ahmad, 51, was born in Parigam Chek, Kulgam. He is a graduate with Diploma in Numastics, Archaeology and Heritage. He is an archaeologist, writer, and a cultural historian. Mr. Iqbal Ahmad has published 12...
Demand For Better Education
Naveed pitches for giving students the most important asset in their development (Mr. Naveed Qazi, 23, did his schooling from Burn Hall School and Tyndale Biscoe, and eventually graduated in Commerce from the University of Kashmir. Naveed is a blogger and activist...
RTI Exposes Politicians
The Right to Information (RTI) exposes politicians unwilling to pay their fair share for consuming electricity in their private homes Pay Paltry Bills For Pvt Houses, Huge Amounts For Govt Bungalows Akshay Azad (Greater Kashmir) Jammu: The information furnished...
A Self-Fulfilling Phophecy
Sameer recalls words of his grandmother who had a premonition that Kashmir will self-destruct someday Infant Deaths Dr. Sameer Kaul (Greater Kashmir) This evening while watching the evening news on national television, I was rudely shocked by the reportage of...
Growing City With Questionable Future
Srinagar is bustling city that cries out for development to keep pace with its phenomenal growth City Expansion Abdul Hamid Mir (Rising Kashmir) Srinagar City is not only the heart, but coronary artery of Kashmir. The city is famous since times immemorial and was...
Women Empowerment is an Oxymoron so Far as J&K is Concerned
Raman shoots down the idea that women's emancipation in J&K is anything more than an empty rhetoric (Mr. Raman Sharma, 27, was born in Jammu city. He received his schooling in the Sri Ranbir Memorial School, Jammu, and graduated in political science and...
Women Make History
Rekha describes the triumph of women in bridging the historical divide (Prof. Rekha Chowdhary, 57, was born in Jammu and has been a university teacher for the past 30 years. She is currently the Professor of Political Science, University of Jammu. During her...
Women Empowerment
Roshan pitches for gender equality (Ms. Roshan Ara, 46, was born in Warihama, in Budgam district. She attended the Government High School Aripanthan, and the Government Higher Secondary School Beeru. She graduated from the Government Womens College (GWC) Srinagar,...