Vacation of army land

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The vacation of army land has always been a burning issue in Kashmir now with  Prime Minister Narendra Modi approving a Jammu and Kashmir government’s proposal for vacating nearly 458 Kanal of land in army’s possession for expansion of Kashmir University campus in Anantnag is seen as a historic step.

In this regard, Highly-placed sources said the prime minister, after his return from the five-nation tour, had called a meeting on Kashmir during which he asked the Defence Ministry to hand over the ‘high ground’ in Anantnag to the state at the earliest so that the expansion plan of south campus of Kashmir University can be carried out.

It is worth mentioning out here that during the meeting, the prime minister said the Centre is committed to all-round improvement of education in the state, official sources said.

One cannot miss out the fact that the army had in-principle been agreeable to vacating the land for quite some time but a decision by its headquarters got delayed.

Pertinently, the land that  is vacated s adjacent to south campus in Fatehgarh area near an army camp. It was being used by the army for landing helicopters despite the force having a similar facility at Khanabal, a few kilometres from there.

346.7 Kanals of land, which was earlier in the army’s possession, was transferred to the university in 2004.

Political watchers see this step of vacating army land for campus as historic.

The Philosophy Of Ramadhan

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Faizaan Bhat
bhatfaizan10@gmail.com

It is the ninth month of Islamic calendar month of Ramadan the month in which the book of guidance, the book which leads humankind to success, the book which distinguishes right from wrong was revealed. In the words of Allah
“In the month of Ramadhan the Qur’an was revealed, a book of guidance with proofs of guidance which distinguishes right from wrong. Therefore whoever of you is present in that month let him fast But he who is I’ll or on a journey shall fast a similar number of days later. (2:185)
In the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast, don’t eat ,drink from dawn to dusk. Fasting in the holy month of Ramadan is one of the fifth pillar of Islam.  Food, drink are the man’s most basic necessities. When he/she is consumed by hunger and thirst he/she understands pain of hunger, thirst, weak ,ill people. It also gives symbolism of an inner, spiritual eagerness to make all kinds of sacrifices and build a person self control which enables a person to lead successful life.
The month is the annual reminder of the blessings of Quran. The path that mankind must follow, the path that leads to success, the path that was followed by best creation of world Prophet (SAW),the path of obedience.
Ramadan purifies soul, in the words of Prophet(SAW) ” There is a zakat for all things and the zakat of the body is fasting (mishkat 1/639) here zakat means purification of soul which fasting purifies .
The prophet (SAW) also said
“The month of fasting is the month of compassion” (Mishkat al Masibah 1!613).in Ramadan people are compassion, generous which is human aspect of fasting.
Ramadan awakens a sense of humility in all human beings. It produces an atmosphere of compassion. Ramadan teaches us how a society can be turned into truly human brotherhood.

 

Brand Kashmir Derailed

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Brands and items represent a nation on global radar. Despite volatile situation Kashmir has been known for producing great crafts as Kashmiri Handicrafts holds a rich history of craftsmanship and the residents of this valley have skillfully nurtured their cultural heritage. But over the time fake products being sold in the name of Kashmiri handicrafts has ruined the image of Brand Kashmir. Even the recent controversy revolving around Khyber Milk ruined the reputation of Kashmir’s Corporate and branding sector. The Health and Medical Education Department, in its order No HD/Legal/Drug/MR-56/2016 dated 06-04-2016 had  ordered that no milk or milk product of the company be available for human consumption till these products are declared safe by a referral laboratory in Kolkata.

 

One cannot reflect on this issue without having a glance of golden legacy.Pandit Anand Koul, a noted writer giving an account of the development of these crafts writes, “Zain-ul-Abidin turned Kashmir into a smiling garden of industry inculcating in the hearts of the people sane conceptions of labour and life and also implanting in their minds the germs of real progress. He introduced correct measures and weights and made artisans and traders take solemn oaths (which in those halcyon days one could not easily break) not to kill their golden goose by cheating and swindling. He thus promoted commercial morality and integrity and industrial righteousness-qualities which constitute the backbone of a people’s credit and reputation. It was through these virtues that the Kashmiris successfully carried on shawl and other trades at a period when Kashmir was an isolated country and communications with outside world were very difficult.”

Lateef Ahmad , an expert voice states –“Handicrafts items fetch good foreign exchange revenue to the Jammu and Kashmir and over five lakh persons are engaged in handicrafts and handloom sectors the state. Painfully enough, the issue of fake craft products has been taken seriously by the government and only few solutions to this problem have also been proposed.

Expert voices have been demanding that GI registration of handicrafts has already helped many states. Tamil Nadu has the third largest number of registered GIs for handicrafts and handlooms after Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. According to these voices the need of hour is to bring more Kashmiri crafts under GI. Once GI registration is received for all major handicraft products, it will help to build up “brand Kashmir” of handicrafts across globe.

 

 

On the otherhand recent controversy in which the government has issued orders for implementing the judgment of Judicial Magistrate Budgam and ordered Controller Drug and Food Control Organisation to “remove milk and milk products manufactured by Khyber Agro Farms Private Limited ‘immediately’ has also raised many questions on the practices adopted by the corporate houses of Kashmir.”

Be it the issue of fake items sold in name of Kashmiri Handicrafts or the Khyber Milk controversy of recent times serious questions are being raised about business culture of Kashmir and amid all this Brand Kashmir is taking a hit.

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Worrying Natural Disaster Preparedness

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Kashmir valley is known as paradise of earth on account of its unmatchable natural beauty .The lush green meadows, gorgeous mountains, streams, rivers in full flow and beautiful gardens define the great beauty of Kashmir. But, Kashmir is also a disaster- prone zone owing to its tough geographical terrain and unique topography.

What is worrying is that considering the ground level preparedness we do not seem to have desired level of efficiency in dealing with natural disasters both in terms of infrastructure and trained human resource.

Recently, Scientists have found that the Reasi fault near Jammu has been building up pressure for some time, suggesting that when it does release or “slip”, the resulting earthquake may be large — as much as magnitude 8.0 or greater.

 

Scientists started looking at this fault more closely following the 7.6-magnitude earthquake in 2005 on the nearby Balakot-Bagh fault in the Pakistan side of Kashmir, which was not considered particularly dangerous because it wasn’t on the plate boundary. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake killed about 80,000 people in Pakistan and India.

On the otherhand, our disaster management preparedness was also taken off guard in the 2014 floods and we were just saved by matter of luck.

The onus is on new government to look into this all important aspect and give full thrust on capacity building with reference to effective disaster management.

Beatripin is not just an agency: Shashank Pandey

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Shashank Pandey is an emerging event management professional of India heading the recently launched Beatripin. In an exclusive interview with The News Kashmir Magazine, Shashank Pandey talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.

Tell us a bit about your childhood days?

Childhood was as pleasant as being under shade of a banyan tree was awesome experience. I was grown up in a joint family. Born and brought up in protected hands of parents, got the love and teachings from grandparents, uncle and aunt with Mom and Dad.I loved to play cricket, sing and study.

I was born in a small town Hajipur, Bihar. Studied there till 10th at Christ Church School and Patna Central school.

 

How was your academic life like?

Academic life was not only like indulging into studies. I was active in sports as well as took part in all the extracurricular activities. Played badminton for my District. I shifted to Delhi post my 10th and then prepared for Engineering college. Did my B.tech from Indraprasth university.

 

Where you inclined to event management since beginning?

Inclination towards event management was because of Atif aslam, I was a huge fan of him so always had a dream to produce one public show with him. This passion made me produce show with legends like Arijit, Atif, Mithoon and many more at a very young age of 20 years.

Conducted many shows and events with lots of singers and now Run agency which manage some good talent.

Who is your role model?

My role model is Dhirubhai Ambani . As I feel he is more realistic to me. And i can relate his childhood with mine. Except the fact of being raised In a joint family  but I can count on economic condition and the spirit to do something or to start something of your own. In events I admire  Ajay kanjani, one very experienced guy who taught me everything as a father and supported as brother whenever I needed. And I would even thank my Uncle for being there whenever I needed his support and he actually did everything possible for me to stay and be dedicated, successful in this industry.

 

A bit about Beatripin ?

Beatripin is not just a agency to us i.e. Shashank Pandey ( Artist management, Show Producer), Kinjal sanchania ( Creative Head,Fashion Stylist, Director) Anshul Sharma( Event Organiser, Social activist,Runs educational institute as well), its our baby which we want to grow and be at the best. The idea to start a agency was to be a consultant to the new comers who don’t know much about conducting shows and even produce and promote prominent, established as well as new singers. We have an expansion plan as well with this company but for now our focus is to Manage singers, Execute shows and do events solution.

 

What are your future goals?

Future Goals is to Produce the best of best shows. Work with all the international and Bollywood singers as well. Produce a world tour with Atif Aslam and Arijit Singh together. ( Wishlist )

 

How difficult is life in Mumbai as it is a challenging city?

Life was a but challenging.. Like people say you have to struggle but u get paid for your efforts. A bit compromise and sacrifice. But it’s the most inspiring city. Like people say it never sleeps. It reminds me of the poem written by Robert Frost. “miles to go before I sleep.”

 

What is the prospects of event management companies in India?

Event Management companies are opening day by day, but the focus it requires to be operated is missing. It depends that what work and to what extent you want to work. Its a full time career now a days in India where you can mix work with travel, fun and music. Its all about the consistency and approach you want to take it forward with

We as society should raise our Conscience : Shafqat Ali Watali,IG Traffic Police

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Shafqat Ali Watali is prominent police officer of state and currently IG Traffic Police.
In an exclusive interview with The News Kashmir , he talks to Farzana Mumtaz and Rameez Makhdoomi
How was the current impressive  traffic management possible despite such problems  before Darbar Move?
It is true that we faced lot of congestion and jams and people expected worse on eve of Darbar opening but devising an effective plan and more important implementing it has done wonders.
We believe in effective coordination and implementation to achieve sucess.
Traffic Department has been facing dearth of human resource  .What is being done in that regard?
It is a fact that traffic department has faced shortage of manpower since many years but now we have got required number of human resource from police department which has solved our human resource problem.

Downtown is seemingly been ignored in terms of traffic police deployment.Your take?
Yes it is a serious issue as downtown has been having very less traffic police at its disposal .We are working on it and in a phased manner we will solve this issue and solve traffic problems of downtown.
Evening transport is another problem .What is traffic department doing in this regard ?
We cannot put every issue related to transport in the court of Traffic .The effective regulation and management  of traffic is our main responsibility and departments like transport too has to work on the issues like evening transport availability via their human resource .

What is been done to regulate unauthorized parking, making more  paid parkings especially of vehicles parked in front of shops?
It is a quiet big issue and all the departments like Municipal Corporation, SDA and ERA have a role to play in this regard .
We are identifying 28 parking spaces to ease the parking problems and make traders and others accountable for wrong parking.Shopkeepers should also introspect were to park and adopt car pooling.
Female drivers are hardly checked for licenses  on scooty which is causing  Traffic accidents .What is been done in this regard?.
With rising competition we have seen more females driving and we are devising plan to make the regulation  paradigm more effective.
Are you planning to increase the number of CCtvs to improve traffic management ?
Yes to identify the traffic violators and manage traffic in a better way the traffic police department is increasing the number of CCTvs Cameras with collobration of allied deparments.
Tippers are causing lot of mess.What is being done in this regard?
Tipers are governed by the High Court rules and we have main problem with tipers that operate on freelance basis and at night time  . Since we have less availability of traffic personnel at that time we are solving this issue in coordination with police department as they have solid presence at night time.
Shouldn’t you now employ more female traffic cops as number of women drivers are growing?
It is a good suggestion and we will look into this important suggestion.
In areas affected by Flyover will the traffic ness not worsen during upcoming festivties ?
We will chalk out the plan for these areas as the situation demand and we are looking into this aspect closely.
Women buses being boarded by male, what is being done in that regard?
We are trying to deal with this but let me state that on this issue and other issues we as a society should raise our conscience level and not always be ready to implement things when forced.

Taj Vivanta optimistic symbol of Kashmir’s hospitality sector

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Rameez Makhdoomi

Taj Vivanta located at a picturesque spot of KralaSangri hills  is the only premier five star hotel of Kashmir with 83 room capacity and beautiful lobbies and restaurants.

The brainchild and joint collaboration of prestigious Saifco group and Taj Group of Hotels , Taj vivanta has just in few years grown in stature and emerged as image of the hospitality and tourism sector of Kashmir .

Pertinently ,the lobby of hotel has been built on Autumn theme and Restaurant on Spring theme.

The attractive hotel  has kept in touch the local and socio- cultural touch into consideration.

Basharrat Rashid, Director Sales and Marketing  Taj Vivanta Group States -“We have to  keep local social and cultural consideration into account because tourism is all about rejuvenating local economy and culture.The response to us has been overwhelming and especially in peak s

season the demand is full.”

Taj Vivanta has also been devising more attractive discount packages for Ring ceremonies, which forms the integral part of Kashmiris ceremony related culture.

As a matter of fact, Bollywood crews have always preferred Taj Vivanta as number one destination when it comes to stay and shooting related paradigms .

With diverse holistic paradigms and different innovative thoughts combined with efficient staff Taj Vivanta is slated to be among the prominent symbols of tourism and hospitality sector of Kashmir.

Policy Shift on Kashmir

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In what can be described  as a major shift in its Kashmir policy, the Narendra Modi government has said that the Hurriyat Conference (separatist) leaders are free to meet the representatives of any country in India.

Pertinently, the  Indian government had earlier cancelled the Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan when the Pakistan’s High Commissioner, Abdul Basit, met Kashmiri separatist leaders.

At national level, Narendra Modi government’s approach towards Pakistan in ensuring better ties has invited sharp criticism from opposition parties in the country but praise from the world leaders.

Experts are it as a major  shift in its ‘Pakistan Policy’, of the government which has now decided to ‘compromise’ on its ‘most controversial’ point on Islamabad holding meetings with Hurriyat leaders.

In kashmir it has been widely welcomed, PDP Senior Leader and Spokesperson Rafi Ahmad Mir has said that PDP warmly welcomes the initiative taken by union government to allow Hurriyat to hold talks with Pakistan. Mir said that “we laud this confidence building measure by the government after sincere efforts of PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, this step will be a defining moment in the Indo-Pak relations.

Former Chief Minister and Senior Leader of National Conference Omer Abdullah has welcomed the government decision to allow Hurriyat leaders to meet Pakistani leadership.

Kashmir resents NEET

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News Kashmir Exclusive

National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) to be also implemented in Jammu and Kashmir is not being received well especially by voices in Kashmir, as they feel it is against the overall interests of Kashmir.

Many a voices are openly stating that it is against JK’s special status . “NEET is against the interests of our students and clearly goes against the spirit and essence of J&K’s special status,”  the former Chief Minister Omer Abdullah  had said recently .

Khalid Tufail,an eminent activist States –

“PDP-BJP government are eroding status of Article 370.Nowadays, NEET crises are spreading all over Jammu Kashmir, as JK state is also bought under the ruling recently passed by Supreme Court, which states that only one entrance examination i.e, NEET (National Entrance Cum Eligibility Test) should be held all over India for MBBS, BDS and Post Graduation in medical education which will enable students to get admissions in various colleges of India. By this decision future of many aspiring doctors of our state is at stake. This sudden ruling passed by Supreme Court has destroyed dreams of many students who were eagerly waiting for JKCET. There is a lot of difference between JKCET pattern and NEET pattern. JK state should be exempted from NEET as education in JK is a state subject and JK enjoys a special status in India and presenting a petition by JK government in Supreme Court is only a step to erode Article 370 . From last 10 years , we are given false hopes that 10 medical colleges will be established but none is made till now and irony is that Government of India is now taking control over our medical colleges. One by one Jammu Kashmir state government is losing the control over the educational system of Jammu Kashmir, this is an attempt to convert JK into Palestine. JK government must take their stand to oppose this order. Now we have question to Minister of Higher Education Mr Naeem Akhtar , why is he silent over this issue? This ruling has created a state of confusion in many students as they don’t know what will be the fate of JKCET and what will happen to their future, why Mr Nayeem Akhtar is not clearing his stand on this thing? This time we have to stand for our students and evoke our special status so that we will not regret in future. Act now or never.”

 

 

On its part,  government has maintained that it took  an immediate action on National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) decision of the Supreme Court by filing a prompt application against the applicability of the order to the state.

“When the Supreme Court judgment came on April 28, the state government filed immediately, without delay and perhaps in record time, an application that the decision does not extend to the state as in Jammu and Kashmir education is a state subject. We pleaded the BOPEE exams have to be conducted as before in our case,” Minister for Education    Naeem Akthar stated.

For the moment, NEET has generated resentments in Kashmir.

Hard work Rewards : Mannan Bukhari

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Mannan Bukhari is an  Author, Human rights defender and   documentary film maker .He recently authored “Kashmir – Scars of Pellet Gun”  on sufferings of pellet victims of Kashmir , which received wide appreciation. Mannan also recently made the 20 minutes long documentary “Children in Conflict Torn Kashmir’

 

In an exclusive interview with the News Kashmir Magazine , Mannan Bukhari talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.

 

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I did my schooling from  Angels Garden Kanipora and Public High School Gogjibagh. My high schooling happened  during the years of hard turmoil. I had my post graduate studies from   Kashmir university and Human rights course . I was an active child, student and always inclined to activism.

 

Tell us a bit about your activism days as you are known for your activism?

 

I pioneered and lead well known Alama Iqbal Students Movement (AISM) as President and several students federations at Bemina Degree College.

 

What was motivation behind joining Pro-Freedom politics?

 

After joining student activism and  as you know it develops revolutionary tastes in you and so joining pro-freedom politics was my  natural  choice.

 

Who are your favorite authors and your favorite readings?

 

I do not have any favorite set of readings and authors. I read diverse authors and concepts so my choice of authors and readings is not limited. Although, Allama Iqbal and Mirza Ghalib I have read as first literature and loved that a lot.

 

How big is the achievement of inclusion of your book titled “Kashmir Scars of pellet Gun”  in UN Human rights library ?

 

It is really matter of honor that the book has found its place in the library and catalogue of office of the High Commissioner United Nations Human Rights Council. The book has been included in two categories -General and Education.

 

What motivated you to write your debut book “Kashmir – Scars of Pellet Gun”?

 

I was always moved by the pain and sufferings of pellet victims and made a documentary on it titled “Shattered dreams”. I than finally thought to give my urge and the sufferers of infamous pellet gun a shape of fully fledged book.

 

What Challenges you faced while writing your books?

 

The authorities  tried their best to resorted to dill dally tactics and provide manipulated figures reasons known best to them and I had to contest even RTIs to prove that their data was incorrect which I proved via my ground work.RTI related realms form the core of my book.

 

How long it took you to pen down this book?

 

Due to floods I had lost of record of the book which I had not unfortunately digitalized .It took me two years of research and pain taking efforts to finally come up with the book.

 

Had you ever thought that book will receive such appreciation?

 

My main concern was to highlight the sufferings and trauma of pellet hit victims, I had never thought it would receive such wide appreciations and reviews. The unique subject and topic also helped.

 

How far has your family supported your ambitions?

 

My family has been highly cooperative towards my ambitions and my mother has always been my inspiration as she has always stressed me to read and write.

 

Your message to young writers and activists?

 

I think your work and activism especially in the field of human rights demands lot of hard work and being focused on collecting facts.