Save Kani Shawl

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Kashmir is known all over the world for its beautiful  handicrafts products. One of the well known  handicraft products of the valley of Kashmir has been the Kani shawls. Kani Shawls are woven on a fame-loom using fine wooden sticks locally called ‘Tooj’i, which have coloured woolen threads attached to them. A Kani shawl takes about three months to a year for an artisan to complete depending on the embroidery and fetches from 20, 000 rupees) to 80,000 rupees .

As a matter of fact, The name kani shawl has a rich legacy  behind it. This shawl derives its name from Kanihama, a small village on Srinagar-Gulmarg road were this variety of popular shawls was first woven.

The technique of Kani Shawl weaving has rich legacy behind it. been termed as the ’twill tapestry weave by Sir John Irwin, keeper at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, and a well known researcher on the subject, because of its similarity to the technique traditionally employed in Western Europe for tapestry weaving.

It is worth pointing out that the Kani shawl has been historically fashioned using fine hand spun Pashmina & Shahtoosh fibres which have further added to its affluence and earned it the name of ‘ring shawls’ meaning that it can pass through a ring.

. The Kani shawl is woven on based of talim which indicate the color and the number of warp threads to be covered.

Worryingly  the younger generation of Kashmiris is not very much interested in taking over Kani shawl weaving on account of economic uncertainty associated with it. Due to economic uncertainty and it is need of hour that the government takes all steps to promote it .

Especially Neglected

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Global Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3) is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. It has been celebrated with varying degrees of success around the world . The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. It was originally called “International Day of Disabled Persons” until 2007. Each year the day focuses on a diverse issue related to the Specially-abled humans.

 

 

According to rough estimates there are about 4.5 lakh specially-abled persons in Jammu and Kashmir.  According to activist and opinions expressed by specially- abled in the state they suffer a lot   due to government apathy  .Specially- abled   humans are facing a large number of  problems as there are very few facilities for them and thus their families are suffering every sort of trouble.

Sameer Ahmad, an specially – abled person states  – “It is quiet heartbreaking to point out that the overall condition of specially-abled  persons and other handicaps is quiet troublesome in our state. Successive governments have failed us so the  state Government especially the state social welfare department should wake up and gear up its efforts to improve the conditioning  with reference to it . We also need  a comprehensive proposal and roadmap formulated by the State Government and supported by  the Government of India for securing necessary funding for undertaking a survey of all physically challenged persons in the State so that targeted intervention programmes could be planned and implemented  and we also should have at authority level the concern about sensitivities of Specially abled persons taken into consideration while developing infrastructure . Our buildings especially the many government institutes lag the infrastructure that can cater to the needs of the specially- abled persons especially like building friendly ramps.”

On the otherhand of the spectrum, the association  of specially-abled have also stated that they be provided the  financial assistance  that is upto the mark with the needs of time and  relaxation should be granted when it comes to recruitment or promotion. Activists and associations also demand that  specially-abled  in Government service may kindly be posted under five kilometer parameters and while granting ration cards, instead the income of the family, the income of the Disabled persons should be taken into consideration.

In nutshell, we need to go a long way in proving the best atmosphere to persons with disabilities .

THE LEGEND OF THE EAST

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Dr Amlan Das

 

Acharjya Ila Ram Das popularly known as “BaapIshwar” among his followers and supporters whose name needs no formal introduction was one of the greatest spiritual reformer, revolutionary preacher of the ethical principles of “Ek Saran Naam Dharma” founded by Mahapurush Shrimanta Shankardeva based on universal brotherhood and equality, finest orator, was indeed one of the incredible and ever talented son of our soil whose lifelong struggles and hardships have changed the lives of many, especially the downtrodden sections of our society. The cries and woes and the miserable and pathetic conditions of the oppressed sections of our society was indeed being a nightmare for him who could not resist from engaging himself for their welfare activities by rescuing them from the web of untouchability, discriminations, illiteracy and other prevalent dogmas during that period just as BabaSaheb Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the founding father of modern India ,the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and the messiah of the oppressed sections fought in the national contexture, was a role model for him. He advocated a simple life based on moral values and became a centre of attraction for the emerging Vaishnavite movement in the mid 90s. His sole dedication as a religious promoter and a sincere missionary of Shrimanta Shankardev Sangha could win the hearts of the great masses, who even sacrificed his lucrative teaching career for his mission. He was a core member of the Saran committee of Shrimanta Shankardev Sangha, and also holds important and dignified portfolios like UpaPadadhikar, who had worked with his contemporary Vaishavite leader and Social activist Sunaram Chutiya. His speeches and discourses became so popular during that time that it was not only restricted among the Hindu masses but was also being greatly appreciated by the followers of Islam, Christians and other religions who conferred him with honorable titles like Auliya (meaning friend, helper, supporter, patron or protector) due to his depth knowledge on various religious scriptures, has been a sole inspiration for establishing global peace and communal harmony and people crowded in huge numbers assemble in the public meetings just to have a glimpses of him. Many eminent personalities of our state like poet Nilamoni Phukan, Ramakanta Muktiar, Dr. Maheswar Neog, Dr Indira Miri, Ex-President of India Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed, Ex-prime minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi and others have indeed given due recognition to him for  his  God gifted talents. Once in a public meeting where both Nilamoni Phukan and Ila Ram Das were present, Phukan became mesmerized by his divine speech, said that “People of Assam have given me the title Bagmiveer (meaning maestro of oration) but in real sense son Ila Ram Das deserves this title”. His life took a new turning point in 1971 in the Nehrubali Adhivesan of Sangha at Nagaon where he resigned from Shrimanta Shankardev Sangha due to some ideological differences with his counterparts of Sangha and many of his supporters also came out along with him accordingly. He was so grief stricken after he abandon Sangha that he decided to hibernate himself totally from all sort of socio-cultural activities. His decision has indeed spread like fire all over the state and many of his followers and supporters became deeply lamented and planned to revive him again in all possible way. So on sole demand and humble request from his followers, supporters and well wishers, Baapishwar again resolved to start a new organization of Vaishnavite movement and finally Ek Saran Bhagawati Samaj came into existence. His revival was indeed a new ray of hope for many of his followers and they started promoting and building up organizational base in all over the state with him as the Acharjya (meaning the mentor or spiritual guide). The uniqueness of the Samaj is the divine Gunamala Kirtan and the Palnaam whose melody gives one a state of tranquility and heavenly spiritual experience which act as a boon in this arena of concrete and self-centered life and crave for material aspirations. As the Spiritual Icon of India Swami Vivekananda says “I have faith in my country, and especially in the youths of my country. My hope is in the youths”, similarly Ilaram Das too gave due importance and consideration to youths by starting a youth wing of Ek Saran Bhagwati Samaj named Tarun Vidyarathi Samaj whose prime objective was to impart spiritual and moral values amongst the youths as the youths play a pivotal role in the nation building process. The Prathana Sabha (Prayer Meeting) and various socio-cultural activities conducted by the Tarun Vidyarathi Samaj gives an important message to our new generation that its only by our cultural exploration we can link ourselves to our roots. As Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar says “When a man gets educated his family becomes developed but when a woman gets educated, a society becomes developed”. Keeping this in mind and giving due priority to women, he started a women wing of Ek Saran Bhagawati Samaj named as Sati Radhika Aai Matri Samitee for promoting awareness on women empowerment and motivating them to take important leadership roles for the all round development of our society. He also emphasized on various social prejudices of women prevalent in the society like early marriages, child marriages, birth spacing between births of two children etc and promoted education, vocational programmes for women like weaving under technical expertise and so on. The Naamghosa Rasamrit, Palnaam Tatwa, Nitya Prasangar Arhi etc were one of his superlative literary contributions. The Ek Saran Bhagawati Samaj is now working in all nooks and corners of our state to promote his vision universally. This legendary figure of Assam was awarded with the prestigious Shankardev Award for his outstanding activities by the Assam State Government on 2002. This versatile genius of the state breathed his last on 19th October 2003. His preachings and lifelong contributions will indeed remain as great milestones for the egalitarian Assamese Society and he will never be a forgotten hero.

 

Padmavati Row

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Padmavati movie is currently creating lot of heated debate and controversies .It is an upcoming Indian epic period drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, based on the epic poem Padmavat (1540) by Malik Muhammad JayasiThe film is also inspired by the Tamil film Chittoor Rani Padmini (1960).[4] The film features Deepika Padukone in the title role as Rani Padmavati, alongside Shahid Kapooras Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji, with Aditi Rao Hydari and Jim Sarbh in supporting roles. Initially scheduled for release on 1 December 2017, the film has been indefinitely postponed following numerous controversies.

The film became a subject of controversy during production and also before release . There were allegations from groups such as the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, a Rajput caste organisation, claiming that the film is depicting inaccurate facts, portraying the Rajput queen Padmavati in a bad light, with activists vandalizing the sets of the film. However, a sting operation[69] conducted by an Indian news channel  showed that the activists had planted the controversies in order to extort money from the filmmakers.

The sets of the film were first vandalized in January 2017. Several historians responded to the vandalism, with The Times of India reporting, “Sufi poet Jayasi made up the story that later got legend status, so Bhansali can’t be threatened for taking creative licence with the tale, say historians

Following Shri Rajput Karni Sena’s threat to Deepika Padukone, the Chatriya Samaj in Uttar Pradesh recently announced a reward of Rs 5 crore to anyone beheading Padmavati’s director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the actress.

The emotions being flared up  by some corners over Padmavati are cause of concern and will not have good results for the society.

Dual Pain

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Farzana Mumtaz/Rameez Makhdoomi

The painful saga of disappeared persons families in the valley of Kashmir is quite heartrending  and disturbing reality of our society. The families of Muhammad Shafi Rah and Mushtaq Ahmad Rah of Maharjganj Srinagar , who were doing  leather business  in Nepal bear testimony to this grim reality.  Pertinently,  the two brothers shifted to Kathmandu, Nepal in 1995 from Srinagar to earn a living. But fate wrecked miseries on them . On September 5, 2000 the two brothers were arrested by a joint team of police from Nepal and New Delhi never to be seen again. They were enforced to disappearance in custody.

As News Kashmir Team visited the families of victims, the parents of these disappeared brothers are still in shock as if the episode has taken place yesterday. Abdul Ahad Rah, the ailing 80-year-old father of Shafi and Mushtaq in painful tone narrates his woeful story – “ These 17 years have been total nightmare for our family . I have run from pillar to post with no success in finding my sons. I  rushed to Jodhpur jail  when we were told by authorities  here that they are lodged there  , initially the authorities there at Jodhpur jail acknowledged that my  sons were detained in the jail and told us to get documents done from kashmir , but then we went back with documents they said that they were not there . Some CID officials told us at Jodhpur they have been whisked away by the intelligence men from Jodhpur jail. We searched for them even in Tihar jail but could not trace them. Despite long drawn legal battles and virtually begging to the state institutions nothing substantial has come out yet. We were fleeced by lawyers, jail authorities and even at one instance a private channel in Delhi took money to highlight our plight. The relative of late Sheikh Aziz Hurriyat leader told us that he had told them that the both were lodged there in Jodhpur jail . The elder one  was though involved in minor resistance as was case with every second youth in 90s but younger knew nothing about politics. ”

As a matter of fact,  Kathmandu Post, which is the largest selling newspaper in Nepal, published the news about the arrest of Kashmiris in Nepal in 2000. The news item mentioned the names of Mushtaq and Shafi among the 27 arrested. Even the Indian embassy had given the two brothers  letter that they are working in Nepal.

The mother of these disappeared brothers Khadijah Rah states  –  “ These 17 years have inflicted seventeen million stabs on our heart . We did not get justice anywhere . Our pain is immeasurable as we don’t know what happened to our sons . Even a criminal is taken to jail and courts but not disappeared like this .I have not lost hope and think one day I will see the glimpse of my sons. I appeal to Government of India to disclose location of my sons and come clear on where the state agencies took them. ”

Rah family story is saga of million tears waiting for justice .

 

Frequent,long power cuts irk Khumeini Chowk residents

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Frequent, long power cuts irk Khumeini chowk residents

SRINAGAR, Nov 20: Residents of Bemina Khomeini Chowk and adjoining areas have complained of frequent and unscheduled power cuts in the area.

A delegation of the area under the banner of Bemina Development and Welfare Forum (BDWF) told this newspaper that the PDD employees have failed to adhere to the scheduled announced by the PDD authorities.

“Our area gets power from Rakh Arath receiving station. Every now and then, we face unscheduled power cuts on the pretext of grid rotation and electric fault. Due to long power cuts, we face lot of hardships, particularly in this cold weather,” the delegation said.

“During day time, the field staff fixes the fault, but during night time no one from the field staff is present in the area to repair the fault. And the faults usually occur during evening time,” the delegation added.

The delegation said that the PDD employees at grid station Bemina were developing a knack of violating the power cut schedule.

The delegation appealed to chief minister and chief engineer PDD to personally look into the matter to mitigate the sufferings of the people.

Mission interlocutor

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Farzana Mumtaz

 

 

In a major development, the Centre few  weeks back  appointed Shri Dineshwar Sharma, former Director of Intelligence Bureau, as the Representative of Government of India to initiate and carry forward a dialogue with the elected representatives, various organizations and concerned individuals in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The development was seen as a deadlock breaking move with reference to painful situation of Kashmir prevailing since long.

 

When  Sharma was appointed as Interlocutor it was stated that he will initiate a sustained interaction and dialogue to understand the legitimate aspirations of the wide cross sections of society, particularly the youth in Jammu and Kashmir and communicate them to the State Government and the Centre.

 

 

I will try my best,” Sharma told reporters when asked if he would go an extra mile to meet the Hurriyat Conference leaders.

The Joint Resistance Forum, a conglomerate of three prominent profreedom  organisations—the hardline and moderate factions of the Hurriyat Conference and the JKLF—had announced that they would not meet with the interlocutor  and termed  his appointment a “time-buying tactic” of the Centre.

CPI-M MLA Yusuf Tarigami   told the central government’s special representative Dineshwar Sharma that peace in Jammu and Kashmir can only result out of “genuine and meaningful parleys”. Pertinently, addressing a joint press conference with Hakim Yaseen, leader of the Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), and Ghulam Hassan Mir, leader of the Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN), after they met Sharma, Tarigami said peace cannot be made a pre-condition for a dialogue process.

 

 

 

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had an advice to offer for interlocutor. We discussed the prevailing situation in the state as also steps that can be taken to make his visits to the state more meaningful,” Abdullah said in a post on microblogging site Twitter. He told media persons that he hoped that Sharma acts on his suggestions “as waiting for people to come and meet him won’t yield results”.

 

 

Bilal Bashir Bhat, member JKYJA and Editor in Chief Only Kashmir speaking on the development stated – “The interlocutor step was a step in right direction but the lack of homework from the government ruined the beginning of this otherwise good move. Giving confused signals and reducing the prestige of institution of interlocution forced many sane voices to stay away from the process and thus also desired results were not achieved .One hopes the next time interlocutor comes here it would bear fruits and a proper homework would be done .All parties of dialogue being serious in the process is the only way ahead to resolve Kashmir tragedy.”

The hopes are pinned that Mission interlocutor gains desired momentum.

Bemina Residents angry over “inaction ” over CM directions

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  • Bemina residents angry over “inaction” over CM’s directions

SRINAGAR, Nov 14: Residents of Bemina suburb in the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday expressed dismay against the concerned departments of the Jammu and Kashmir government for not meeting their civic demands despite Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s direction.
The residents said they met Mehbooba at a public meeting in Budgam district on October 8 this year under the banner of the Bemina Development and Welfare Forum. They claimed to have presented a list of their demands to her.
“The chief minister had issued on the spot directions to the concerned officials present in the meeting. However, more than a month has passed, but unfortunately not a single demand has been taken care of,” Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, who head the delegation, said in a statement.
Demands raised by the residents in the meeting included a good drainage network from Hyderia Colony Hamdania Colony, construction of toilet blocks, upgradation of Public Health Center, Khomeini Chowk, an ambulance, a well-maintained public park and playground, upgradation of a nearby Government High School to the higher secondary level, ration store, a school in Rakh Arath colony, and repair of faulty power transmission lines in Dargund and Dansoosa areas.
The residents, in the statement, stated, “Bemina Khomeini Chowk is a forgotten neighbourhood of Srinagar. The forlorn area, comprising many small villages and ghettos, has a population of over 15000, but the area has been completely ignored by the government authorities and political representative, which is quite evident from dilapidated roads, poor power infrastructure, lack of proper drainage system, shoddy healthcare service and poor educational infrastructure.”
They alleged that the district administration Budgam has turned a “blind eye” towards the area.
“For the district administration Budgam, Bemina is on another planet. They seem to be least bothered about the problems faced by the people in the area. They only make false promises and employ dilly dallying tactics,” the delegation said.
They sought the Chief Minister’s intervention to redress their grievances in a time bound manner.

 

Dark Ages

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News Kashmir Exclusive

The power crisis is back haunting the valley of Kashmir with long power cuts hitting the length and breadth of Kashmir valley. With winter about to dawn the situation is giving lot of worries to people of kashmir .

With Darbar moving to Winter capital Jammu the Power Department has issued an annoying curtailment schedule . According to this schedule, Kashmir will be facing twenty one- hour power cut in metered areas in a week and forty two- hour cut in non- metered areas, as per the curtailment schedule of Power Development Department.

Students facing different exams and industries, trade are usually the worst hit due to these power curtailments.

Manzoor Ahmad, a student states – “ Power crisis during winters is a reality of Kashmir . The load shedding in crippling manner is back and is causing worry among all the  Students who consider themselves the worst affected by this out uncontrolled load shedding,  as during evening time especially this brings all important exam preparations to a near standstill. The bad impacts of load shedding are beyond description – From Housewife to students, Professional to Labourer everyone seems to be badly hit by this recently spell of never ending load shedding. “

On its part, Power Department has maintained that  it can only effort 1200 MWs of power these days however the demand is 1600 MWs. So we have started the power curtailment from last few days and according to the schedule the metered areas are subjected to 21 hours of weekly cut and non- metered 42 hours.

As a matter of fact, the J&K State has the potential to generate around 20,000 MWs. of hydroelectric power, but it has largely remain untapped  and whatever it has  not been given due share in the various hydro-electric projects as  NHPC continues to mistreat the state, and electricity seems by and large a Delhi-controlled affair.

Importantly,  Dry weather for the past about six months has resulted in considerable drop in the water level, lowest in about two decades, in river Jhelum and its tributaries, and all this has adverse consequences on the generation of electricity as well.

Realities call upon the Government to take necessary all the necessary steps to curb load shedding before this problem goes out of hand and people are forced to protest. Sane voices are also urging upon the masses to use electricity judiciously so that the crisis does not worsen further.

Sometimes our greatest fears or strengths are revealed to us when we are by ourselves: Sakie Ariyawansa

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Sakie Ariyawansa , a well known traveler and writer from Srilanka  in an exclusive interview with news Kashmir talks to Rameez Makhdoomi .She also describes her wonderful experiences as traveler in kashmir.

She is also founder, writer  http://www.thetravellore.com/

 

.Tell us a bit about your childhood?

 

 

My childhood was a pretty calm one. My parents were both Arts graduates and the environment at my home was always filled with talk about history, politics, and geography. My father had an excellent collection of books on Soviet Russia, Che Guevara, Mahatma Gandhi and other inspirational characters and places. The news was not only watched at home but also discussed. This developed a hardcore reading habit in me, and interest to know about other countries, cultures, and people who lived in them. I always dreamt about traveling to those and seeing in real every scene I had imagined while reading.

 

 

How was it growing when the conflict was on in Sri Lanka?

 

 

Well, the conflict was taking place in the North East provinces of the country, but surely was a wound for all of us. (Sri Lanka is very small in area) I was born and brought up in Colombo, and it was a matter of life and death and not a single family member in any household was sure of being able to return home from work or school. Suicide bombers and explosions targeting public gatherings had become so common that one would easily suspect almost anyone in public transport. People had lost trust. Fear was everywhere. Every day, someone known was dead. Breaking News was always on TV. Colombo was a grey city to me back then. Looking at it now, I am truly happy and proud as a Sri Lankan to have overcome the menace of terrorism. I am thankful that one day my children will not see such cruelty that I did.

 

 

A bit about your travel experiences?

 

 

A bit is too less! I believe, traveling is what made me who I am today. I feel I saw almost a world within India, with so many religions, traditions, languages, and dressing styles. It definitely taught me to become flexible, confident and adjust according to the situation. Ability to speak Hindi and some Indian regional languages came in handy majorly. I realized that what media feeds to us is sometimes completely against to what it really is. This made me a very liberated person, I would not believe anything for the sake of it. I came back home as a very different person from my childhood. Ever since I could not be stopped. I am intoxicated by different landscapes I think!

 

 

My concept of “Inspire Traveling” is based upon how best it is to learn things yourself, rather than depending or being influenced by external opinions. We get misled because we don’t make an effort to find the truth ourselves or don’t have the time for it. Traveling is not visiting a place and taking photographs of it, but to acknowledge oneself of the lives, friends, and simplicity behind it, which is what enlightens the mind. Traveling is the key to a free mind and productive traveling can be a cure for racism and hatred too. It is the best teacher, and lessons that never bore!

 

. How was experience in Kashmir like?

 

 

Kashmir is no more a traveling destination to me, it is like home. I had grown up knowing of Kashmir through Bollywood movies. The Roja movie of Mani Ratnam was a great inspiration. As a child, I wanted to climb those mountains, and see the snow-covered trees. I remember my mother telling me about how far away it is (she has never been there, but she is a fan of old Bollywood movies-70% of them were shot there) We all knew it for the conflict, so traveling to Kashmir was considered totally unsafe and hectic. The first time I went to Kashmir, my mother was shocked, happy and worried at the same time! I extended my two weeks stay to 1.5 months as I fell in love with it. My mind grew to overlook the violence and to see the warmth of the people and the mesmerizing sceneries of it from my mother’s tales. The Internet is quite poor in Kashmir so I can never Skype to show my life in Kashmir to my folks in Sri Lanka. I discovered a different beauty about it that is unknown to the outside world, so started writing on it. My trips kept on increasing and I am glad my stories and findings have been able to create a positive mindset in many Sri Lankans on Kashmir and Kashmiris.

 

 

 

 

Would you call yourself a feminist?

 

 

Definitely not. Speaking for women’s rights would not make me a feminist. I think it will only make me human. Rights should be given to all men and women equally. Just that I see certain topics are considered taboo for women, and surprisingly are created and enforced by women at certain instances. Therefore, it sometimes comes to it that to save women, one needs to fight some women itself. Aspire a career they dream, acceptance and respect to all occupations, and not just doctors, engineers and teachers should become more ordinary. One such concept I have seen is that “teaching” is considered the best job for a girl. Or girls are forced to take science subjects only to become a teacher, ultimately. The unsystematic plan of education shuts the doors to wisdom and an open mind. And the circle will continue. They should be encouraged to reach out to opportunities, and witness what the outside world is like. They should also have their own findings, stories to tell others than the vice versa all the time. An educated acknowledged force of women can prosper a nation.

 

 

Advice for solo travelers?

 

 

A.) Be interactive. You have no idea what stories could come your way and how life-changing they can be only if you become a little open. Sometimes its therapy that you could not find in an expensive hospital. You learn to realize how small your problems are sometimes.

 

 

  1. B) Be confident. You could be freaking out within, but never show that so much that you could be a target! Always act as if you have been in that place for 100 times already especially with auto drivers. The trick is to build a conversation with them and become a not-a-total stranger. Point A could probably resolve this situation.

 

 

  1. C) Enjoy your one-ness.

Traveling alone does not only reveal the outside world to you but makes you discover your own self. Sometimes our greatest fears or strengths are revealed to us when we are by ourselves.