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.
World Bank Financed Saffron Production Project
Two reports on the interaction between the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) and local saffron growers in the valleySaffron per Hectare Output Down by 200%: SKUASTSajad Kralyari (Rising Kashmir)Srinagar: Lack of fertilizers,...
The “Abused Wife Syndrome”
Kashmiri separatists continue to accept Pakistani indignities with quiet graceCompromising Ego (Editorial in the Kashmir Images)With Pakistan once again selectively picking and choosing Kashmiri separatist leaders for invite to visit the country, separatist circles...
Free Press in a Free World
Saleem has found his calling(Mr. Saleem Iqbal Qadri, 24, was born in Duroo, Sopore. He did his schooling in the Government Higher Secondary School in Sopore, and is currently a student in the Government Degree College in Baramulla, studying for the Bachelor of Arts...
Should Hangul be Allowed to go Extinct?
Mansoor gives a clarion call regarding saving the Hangul(Dr. Mir M. Mansoor, 54, was born in Shopian. He completed his schooling from the M.L. Higher Secondary School in Shopian. He attended the Government Degree College in Anantnag, receiving his B.Sc. degree in...
Those Were the Days
Dr. Khuroo shares his experiences from a time and era when getting admission to the GMC Srinagar was not an important thing, but the ONLY thing(Dr. Mohammad Sultan Khuroo was born in Sopore. He attended the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, receiving his MBBS...
How a Good Idea Morphed into a Disaster
Maroof looks at a program that was intended to end hunger among students but ended as making beggers out of students, contractors out of teachers, and turned the educational department into the den of corruption(Dr. Muhammad Maroof Shah, 31, was born in Kunan,...
A Childhood Fantasy
Zahid takes you back to the time when one did not worry about things like hygiene and water quality, and yet we all survived to tell those tales with relish(Mr. Zahid G. Mohammad, 61, was born and raised in Srinagar. He earned his Master's degree in English literature...
The Ugliness Called Dal Today
Nayer Mohammad has the courage to speak his mind hen he says that the conservation of Dal Lake is all bone and no meatFrom Dal to DullReturning home from a walk along the banks of the Dal Lake, I as usual grabbed the newspaper and began to scan the headlines. A news...
New Medicine, Old Ailment
Ashraf wonders if the lake will ever recover its pristine condition(Mr. Mohammad Ashraf, 66, was born and raised in Srinagar. He attended the S.P. High School and the S.P College before joining the Regional Engineering College at Naseem Bagh in Civil Engineering....
Neutralizing Duplicity
Rekha looks at empowerment of Kashmiri women's as part of the empowerment of the Kashmiri society as a whole(Prof. Rekha Chowdhary, 55, was born in Jammu and has been a university teacher for the past 30 years. She is currently the Professor of Political Science,...