Crushing Human Rights

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News Kashmir Analysis

(The age in which we live can only be characterized as one of barbarism. Our civilization is in the process not only of being militarized, but also being brutalized. Alva Myrdal).

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December every year.

The date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day .

 

Humanity in Kashmir has been brutalized ever since the political conflict of Kashmir took a violent turn .. Heart-wrenching stories are all alike around Kashmir – . Hundreds of humans lost their lives during this year too and mothers wailing over their dead sons or wives mourning over their husbands killed has been a scene since many decades in Kashmir  .

As a matter of fact, almost every day  the heartrending images  of Kashmir conflict are seen in the print media and in some sections of the satellite television medium.

Yesterday , was never  different in kashmir as bloodshed is  visible quiet clearly in every nook and corner of Kashmir.

 

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No doubt, human rights are crushed. It has also been an established fact that many cases of human rights violation stem from abuse of power under repressive laws and under undue use of gun.  Sometimes even for  acts that are legitimized by international human rights standards of free speech, freedom of association and assembly, and freedom of the press are met with highhandedness.  While many arrests are without any legal justification and Shamefully, even corpses have been beaten up in Kashmir which is quiet heart rending.

Bilal Bashir Bhat, a journalist stated -“We need to respect human rights and as we all know the situation with reference to burning issue of human rights has not been that much promising thus realities call upon the Indian state to be more serious in taking to task those who have abused power and violated human rights of kashmiris.”

Clearly, the latest cycle of tremendous  violence in the troubled valley is a stark reminder that more than seven  decades after independence of both India and Pakistan, the troubled  territory of Kashmir remains as volatile as ever and as a result human rights suffer .Mood on ground zero clearly indicates that that until a permanent solution to the Kashmir crisis is found, normalization of ties between Pakistan and India will not be possible and peace can also  be not achieved .

Top Cop Dr. Sailendra Mishra speech widely appreciated in Kashmir

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Rameez Makhdoomi

 

Dr.Sailendra Mishra , IPS top cop known for his professional skills in the unstable Kashmir Valley in a recent function at Shrenagar Rajasthan gave much humane, realistic speech on Kashmir which was widely appreciated on ground and online world  . His discourse was quite unique, refreshing  and interesting .

Importantly he stated that we need to understand the reasons that lead to creation of Waseem Ahmad Malla and Burhan wani – ” We need to understand and read the story that makes militant and not just go through the episode of killing ,” stated Dr.Sailendra Mishra .

He observed that militants have actually rejected being Indian as a result of anger against system and frustration .” In Jammu and Kashmir we have certainly acts of  violence but not the what fits into terrorism , the terrorism is what we witnessed few days back in Egypt mosque when suicide bombers killed over three hundred Muslims ,” remarked Mishra.

Striking a very different note than the traditional monotonous note that follows the issues confronting kashmir conflict, Sailendra Mishra stated that we should never celebrate the killing of militant as it signals the defeat of system and adds to anger on ground .What Dr.Sailendra Mishra has stated is poles in contrast to the recent tweet of Cricketer Sehwag, which got heavily criticized in Kashmir. Sehwag had tweeted – ”Congratulations to @adgpi and J&K Police for the unbeaten double century this year, eliminating 200 terrorists in 2017 alone. Jai Hind ! May there be peace

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) 

Dr. Sailendra Mishra observed  that bravery, sacrifices  of Jammu and Kashmir police  get hardly noticed and praise is showered just on army and Paramilitary forces . He also went on to say that Prime time debates will never show true picture of Kashmir as real kashmir is full of hospitality and love.

After a long time a speech of security official has received such appreciation in pain hit Kashmir.

 

Is Commemorating Birth Anniversaries of Religious dignitaries, an innovation or an act of polytheism?

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Mujtaba Abbas

Commemorating remembrance of eminent servants of Allah (SWT) like creating a memorial or celebrations of their Milad, in the view of wises is very clear, but for clarification of every kind of doubt in this matter legitimate testimonies are hereby presented.  1.    Organizing Ceremonies manifestation of Love.   Quran-e-Kareem, Invites Muslims towards love for Holy Prophet and his Holy House Hold.                    قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ( Shura 26/23)Say (Oh Prophet): ‘For this I ask of you no wage except the love of the (Prophet’s) house hold.There is no doubt about commemorating ceremonies for religious dignitaries is nothing but manifestation of love and attachment of people for them, which is in the view of Holy Quran completely correct and acceptable.  2.     Organizing Ceremonies, a Homage to Holy Prophet. Quran-e-Kareem, in addition to companionship of Holy Prophet, has introduced glorification of stature of Holy Prophet as a benchmark for salvation and prosperity.  فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ (Araf/157)Those who believe in him and honor him, those who aid him and follow the light sent forth with him, shall surely prosper. In the light of this verse, it is well understood that honoring Holy Prophet in the view of Islam is completely desirable and praiseworthy and organizing ceremonies which are for having alive the glorious remembrance of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and for his eminent prominence to show our praises for him, shall beoccurrenceof gratification of Allah (SWT). Therefore in this verse of Quran four qualities for salvation are mentioned:                    A: Faith;(الذین آمنوا به)(those who believe him).                   B: Following his light; (واتّبعوا النّور الذی أنزل معه)                                         (The light sent forth with him is to be followed)

C: Helping him; (ونصروه)  (Being helpful for him)

D: Homage and glorification for stature of Holy Prophet; (و عزّروه)  (Honor him).

Therefore, honor and homage for Prophet in addition to faith in him and helping him and following his directions is imperative and celebrating beloved Holy Prophet is an example of (وعزّروه) .

  1. Organizing ceremonies is dedication and obedience for Allah (SWT).

Allah in Holy Quran has mentioned about glorifying the Prophet: (وَرَفَعْنٰا لَکَ ذِکْرَکَ) (Inshirah94/4) (Have We not raised your remembrance?)

In the light of this verse we can understand that Allah (SWT) wants magnificence and glory of Holy Prophet should spread across world and himself has weave Quranic verses in praise of His Prophet.

We too in obedience of His Holy Book, with organizing mnemonic splendor ceremonies, the utmost status of Holy Prophet being our role model of perfection and attainment by glorifying him and by this way degrees of our dedication and following of Allah (SWT) is showcased.  It is very much clear that the intention of Muslims from these ceremonies is nothing elsebut to make long loud the beloved Prophet.

 

  1. Coming down of revelation is not less than coming down of food.

Quran-e-Kareem through the tongue of Prophet of Allah mentions this story:

قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا أَنْزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِنَ السَّمَاءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًا لِأَوَّلِنَا وَآخِرِنَا وَآيَةً مِنْكَ وَارْزُقْنَا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ(Maeda 5/114).

‘Allah, our Lord, ‘ said (Prophet) Jesus, the son of Mary, ‘send down upon us a table out of heaven, that shall be a festival for us the first and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us; You are the Best of providers.

 

Prophet Jesus prays Allah for the Food of skies, so that Allah send down that Food for them and they will celebrate the day of coming down of Food as Festival (Eid).

This is what we want to ask that a Prophet who wants to celebrate a festival (Eid) the day on which Food of Skies is been sent down for them, which was not more than a fulfillment of bodily satisfaction. But if the Muslims of world celebrates the day of coming down of Allah’s revelation on Prophet or celebrates Prophet’s birth anniversary which are meant for the rescue of whole mankind and are actual resources for meaningful life of a human being. Organizing ceremonies of celebrations and celebrating these days as festivals (Eid) are sources of innovations and polytheism?

 

  1. Tradition Muslims.

The followers of Islam from ages organize such ceremonies for glorifying the remembrance of Holy Prophet.

Hussain Ibn Mohammed Diyar Baqari in his book Tarikh Khamis mentions:

Muslims of all over world used to celebrate the month in which Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) day of birth falls along with giving away feasts and during nights of that month alms were distributed among needy people, symbols of happiness were put into gear and all other kindness used to cover whole society and for recitation of memoirs of Milad of Prophet events were organized, and the illustration of his blessings and mercy used to be manifest on everybody.

With all above mentions we attain a general ruling for ceremonies of remembrance of dignitaries of our religion being legitimate and desirable in the light of Quran and tradition of Muslims.

Thus proves baselessness of such claims which says remembering Gods dear ones is an innovation. It is to be noted that innovation is one whose recommendation partially or generally used or applied against Quran and Tradition. While as the general ruling in this matter is completely aligned with Quran and the permanent tradition of Muslims which we understand.

Likewise organizing these ceremonies are only treated as symbols   of respect and glorifying the eminent servant of Allah (SWT) with this belief that their devotion and necessitous is all towards Almighty Allah. Thus has absolute harmony with basic principle of monotheism and Unanimity worship of Allah (SWT).

Therefore it get clearer that anyone who opposes these kind of ceremonies in which God’s dear ones are remembered has no base and foundation. We believe it can never cause polytheism and dualism for a Muslim.

 

Mujtaba Abbas (agamujtaba@gmail.com)

USA BLUNDER ON JERUSALEM

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The US president Donald Trump  recently  in a dramatic televised speech stated that he had “determined it is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel”.

“I’ve judged this course of action to be in the best interests of the United States of America and the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians,” he said.

The decision angered entire muslim and Arab world and protests are going on in several parts of world .

Among US allies, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined the chorus of opposition by saying that Jerusalem was a “red line for Muslims” and that his country’s response towards Trump’s move “could go as far as us cutting diplomatic ties with Israel”. “We implore the US once again: You cannot take this step,” he said.

Mr Trump’s announcement – met with worldwide dismay – reversed decades of US policy on the sensitive issue .Meanwhile on Thursday at least 16 Palestinians have been wounded in clashes in the occupied West Bank, during protests against US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Reports suggest the injuries are mostly from tear gas and rubber bullets, but at least one was hurt by live fire.

Israel has deployed hundreds of extra troops in the West Bank.USA Decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel is likely to burn entire region under the flames of war and kill fragile peace. As a result of it Palestinians in the both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have gone on strike and taken to the streets in protest.

Kashmir Press Club Adhoc body nominated

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News Kashmir felicitates Saleem Pandit Srinagar: The Valley-based media persons including editors, working journalists, photographers and videographers have unanimously nominated an ad-hoc body of Kashmir Press Cub/Aiwan-e-Sahafat.
M Saleem Pandit (The Times of India) will head the adhoc body as its President while Shuja-ul-Haq (India Today TV) has been nominated as Vice President and Shamim Mehraj (The Kashmir Monitor) as General Secretary.
Asif Qureshi of ABP has been nominated as Secretary Administration and Mehraj-ud-din of AP as Secretary Finance.
Besides the office bearers, seven members, nominated by different media associations would be part of the adhoc managing body of the Kashmir Press Club.
The managing committee members are Haroon Rashid (Kashmir Editors Guild); Zahoor Ahmad Shoora (Kashmir Press Association); Habib Naqash (Kashmir Press Photographers Association); Ehsan Fazili (Kashmir Correspondents Club); Shahnawaz Khan (Kashmir Working Journalists Association); Mir Farhat (Young Journalists Association).
The ad-hoc committee will coordinate with the government for the establishment of first press club at Srinagar. Once the club is established, this ad-hoc body would ensure elections for the formation of a permanent body .

News Kashmir team felicitates Saleem Pandit for being torchbearer in steps towards establishing press club in Kashmir.

Wonderful Kashmir Experience penned down by Sri lankan traveller Sakie Ariyawansa

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It was a sunny day when I was wearing a Pharan and sitting on Sameer’s veranda in his ancestral Kashmiri home in Mazhom. The workers of the shawl workshop had already arrived, despise of the killing cold of the starting winter. I too was shivering and protested to move out of my warm blanket, when Sameer’s mom suggested me to go and absorb the sun. It first sounded like a joke for me, as a person coming from a warm country like Sri Lanka, where the sunlight is quite sharp and direct. But to my surprise, the Kashmiri sun light was mild and friendly.

While she busied herself in drying the red chillies over a mat in the garden, I snuggled in a blanket watching the early-morning-formed ice melting with the sun rays. The neighbours were also out on their verandas drying their carpets or feeding the cows. A man could have been sitting outside cleaning the Kaangdis ( Traditional Kashmiri firepots) , readying them for the upcoming chill. A young girl would have been stitching a worn out Pharan, maybe embroidering it with a new floral pattern.

Just as then, the latch of the gate creaked and a woman of her 40’s maybe, walked in to the garden. She wore a dark green Pharan and a head scarf of bright pink matching with the border design of her dress. Ring earrings hung from her ears. She had a fancy gold ring with green and red stones embossed to it. She came to Sameer’s mom who hugged her thrice and greeted with Salaams. Their gestures in conversations made me realized that it is about me. I was told that the lady who walked in is a neighbour and her son is to go to Delhi for further studies. She came towards me and sat across. She did not speak Hindi nor Urdu. She was from “that” generation which only spoke Kashmiri. My own Kashmiri was not good enough back then to have pleased her. I only knew how to count. But I could understand what someone would tell me.

She looked at me and smiled. She asked me when I will be going back to Delhi. I managed to say “Akh December” (one). She was extremely happy to have understood 1st of December. Not only that, she gave one clap and laughed with joy at my very slight Kashmiri. We shared a lot through the smiles and expressions. I was wrapping my arms around myself at which she kept saying “Toor cha?” I later found out it was for cold.

The 20 minutes we sat together of course included tea and biscuits with jam in the middle, and a hard doughnut which is known as Kulcha. She observed me struggling with Kulcha, and demonstrated how to eat it with ease. My every move was a joy filled laughter and I assume it made her fall for me more.

The two women were talking aloud mostly about village issues I guessed. I could only gape at their gestures and imagine what it was about. Words like, Siri Lanka, Bangalore and Sameer’s dost cleared to me that it was also about me. Having heard how far Sri Lanka is from Kashmir, her exclamations and surprise escalated further to know that I had come all the way by myself.

It was time for her to head back to her house, and she invited me to tag along with her. When I politely promised for some other time, she pulled out her fancy golden ring and put it on my finger. It was obviously quite big on me (I had thinner fingers) but it was a precious souvenir for me. I really wished I could wear it. Even tying a thread to make the ring hole smaller would not have worked. I denied to accept it, but she insisted that I did. Finally she kissed me on the forehead and left. I also managed to take some selfies with her before that! (I trained her enough until she could not stop taking photos)

There had been many such humans whom I have come across since my first trip to Kashmir. Speaking Urdu can be a definite advantage, but yet they are such people who accept with whole heart a guest, and make them feel home. They never hesitate to invite, always force to eat more, and offer to take you around at get your shopping done at absolutely low prices. So what is stopping you now?

Reality behind ISIS!

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Javeed Ali

javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

At the time I was writing this piece, the news flashed on my smartphone that during Friday prayers in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, ISIS terrorists settling off explosives, spraying worshippers with gunfire and killed at least 300 people including 27 children in the deadliest ever attack on Egyptian civilians. We have reached to that stage where these kind of terrorist attacks have become a normal routine now. Massacre of hundreds doesn’t make us feel saddened any more. The kind of ideology being propagated in world now has made us heartless and pitiless. Beheading innocent people doesn’t tremble our soul anymore as we see these things round the clock on the social media and we take it as a normal phenomenon. Where have we reached? Where is humanity? What is being fed to us that the word ‘mercy’ is obsolete now? Why is Islam which is the religion of peace being presented as a religion of barbarism? Why are the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) which are for the betterment of whole humanity being altered to justify killings? Why is Islam presented like it has to be imposed by force on people? Why we try to force our religion on others when we don’t implement it in our lives? This is all being done  because there are elements in this world who use Islam to fulfill their desired goals than to serve humanity which is the paramount segment of Islam.

ISIS or Daesh is one such group which was created to serve the interests of those who have nothing to do with Islam. America, Israel and their Arab puppets laid the foundation of this group and provided all the required resources to them including propaganda machinery. The main motive of this group was to create sectarian violence in the Middle East to pave way for the Greater Israel and to secure the illegitimate monarchy of Arab rulers. At the time when the youth were awakened against Zionist and arrogant powers in this world and were working and praying for the liberation of Palestine, Daesh was founded to sabotage the liberation movement of Palestine and to crush the resistance movement. The creators of this terrorist group in order to hoodwink the world community staged the drama of fighting this group. There are ample reports that US and Israel were providing arms and ammunition to ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria and also provided treatment to those ISIS terrorists who had got injured.

As the authorities in Iraq and Syria have now declared the complete elimination of ISIS terrorists from their countries, a point to ponder is that those groups who fought and defeated ISIS terrorists are being designated as terrorists by America, Israel and their Arab puppets. This is the clear indication that they are mourning the loss of billions of dollars which they had invested on this tumour (Daesh) and now they utter ridiculous things out of their frustration.

ISIS terrorists killed Shias, Sunnis, Christians, Yazidis and beheaded thousands of innocent people. They destroyed cultural heritage sites and religious places of different faiths in Iraq and Syria. They butchered hundreds of Muslim scholars belonging to both Shias and Sunnis.  They raped thousands of women in the name of so called Sex Jihad, a term which has no Islamic validation. They are beasts which are given free license by their masters to kill and rape. They are at the service of Zionism and play treacherous plots to malign the image of Islam.

Iraqi Army, Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Al-Hashd Al-Sha’abi, Syrian Arab Army, Hezbollah Resistance Movement, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Russia played the brave and commendable role to eradicate this menace from Iraq and Syria. US which was claiming that they are fighting against ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria instead were hampering the job of anti-Deash forces. US and Israel employed all its options to save its creation (ISIS) but failed miserably in Iraq and Syria.

The disheartening thing is that at the time of complete annihilation of ISIS terrorists from Iraq and Syria, the Arab league called an emergency meeting where they gave a statement in which they declared Hezbollah as ‘terrorist outfit’ and accused Iran for interfering in Middle East. It clearly indicates that the defeat of Daesh has not gone in their favour.  The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas denounced the statement of Arab league and urged them to declare Israeli’s actions against Palestine as terrorism. Hamas also called on Arab states to support the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people.

Its very tragic that the Saudi Arabia is tying with US and Israel to attack Iran and Hezbollah as was recently hinted by an Israeli Minister. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in pursuit of kingship is using all designs to grab power at the expense of Palestinian cause. He even detained 11 fellow princes, hundreds of businessmen and government officials over claims of corruption and there are reports that they are being tortured by American mercenaries called ‘Blackwater’ .

We should always keep this thing in mind that US and Israel can never be friends with Muslims. They are sponsoring the terrorists to create the discord in Muslim Ummah for their nefarious designs. They have no love for Islam so Muslim countries should not pin any hope on them. They confront or defend a ruler depending on their evil interests. They confronted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and presented him as brutal and barbaric ruler as he was not serving their interests. Even rebellion was orchestrated in Syria against Bashar al-Assad to topple his government as he didn’t bow before the diktats of Zionist forces. He was blamed for killing his own people. This was all told to us through Western backed media like White Helmets and UK-based so called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The tragic part is that our media copied the same propaganda and pasted it in their publications. So its obvious that when we read these concocted and fabricated stories, it do affect our mindset in a wrong way. I invite all people who want to know the real ground situation of Syria. Just visit Syria once and interact with the civilians there. This is the only way you will come to know the reality than though the media which is backed by Zionism.

Have you ever seen US-Israeli nexus condemning the innocent killings happening in Palestine, Yemen, Rohingya, Egypt, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Nigeria, Bahrain. They only interfere where they have their set goals. Million of people were displaced in Yemen and thousands were brutally killed there by US-Saudi-led aggression. An alarming number of children are suffering of malnutrition and many of them have died of starvation. US-Saudi coalition have even blocked the humanitarian aid to the impoverished people of the poorest Arab country. Save the Children reported that 130 Yemeni children are now dying every day from extreme hunger or disease, with 50,000 dead this year alone. Where do our sympathy goes when the plight of these oppressed nations comes into our notice?

Even though ISIS lost its ground in Iraq and Syria, we should not be complacent. Their sponsors will be thinking to rebuild them with new name and place. They will reemerge anywhere with new flag and strategy to sow the seeds of discord again. So we all need to be cautious and work tirelessly to unite the Muslim Ummah as only united Ummah will break their bones. Moreover, we should educate those people who have got romanticized with the ideology of groups like ISIS due to lack of knowledge. We should make them understand that these are not Islamic groups but anti-Islamic groups in Islamic attire which is funded and supported by the enemies of Islam. They raise the deceptive flag of Islam and perpetrate heinous crimes which go entirely against the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Holy Quran. They are Takfiri groups whose main ambition is to create strife among the Muslims and dominate the Muslim World. Its our religious obligation to forge unity and fight these Takfiri groups so that peace prevails in the world.

-The author is a freelance writer and can be reached at javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

 

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.