The peace and tranquility of the beautiful Kashmir valley is Lost: Kusum Kaul

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Kusum Kaul a proud Kashmiri is a communication and Media professional of par excellence and has a rich academic background . M.A in Mass communication and Journalism from Kashmir University, Srinagar.   B.Sc. in Zoology from Degree College for women, Anantnag, Kashmir University.    L.L.B. from Sir L. A. Shah Law College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat University.

Kusum Kaul is Director – Transsphere Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Proprietor – Zest Worldwide Communication, Managing Trustee – Utkarsh Healthcare Foundation India. In an exclusive interview with The News Kashmir, Kusum Kaul talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.

 

 

 

 

Tell us a bit about your early days ?

Born in Anantnag, Kashmir to Mrs. Rupa Devi Kaul (Bijbehara) and Mr. Rais Brij Krishna Kaul (Anantnag) in severe winter of January. My childhood days were spent in a carefree atmosphere like a tom boy with my cousin brothers, where school was not a burden, homework used to be fun (would do the homework of my cousins too as they were in the same class)

I have cleaned, colored and drawn lines on Mashak (wooden slate), would do my maths and lessons on that. Life was fun as a child, swimming daily with fish under chinars in the fresh serene waters of Nagbal (freshwater springs of Anantnag).  I would race with other boys and girls along with the fish under water, trying to catch the long green fish. The heavy canopy of chinars would make the water look dark and also scary sometimes. Jumping from a cliff of the temple, diving into the water would be a daily exercise and fun. Going to Eidgah with others girls on every Eid was a regular feature of childhood as there was no Hindu/Muslim rituals restriction from my family’s sides (conception of Eid being a Muslim festival), till we shifted to Baramulla. Life took a drastic change from a joint family of thirty people to a single family of four, from a Kashmiri medium to English medium school. The transition wasn’t smooth but I settled down in some years in St. Joseph H.S. School, where I was groomed to what I am today. The discipline, modern life, sports, debates and my father’s modern outlook to life made me what I am today: sincere, dedicated, strong, living in the present and disciplined. Academically I was a first class student, trying to understand things rather than trying to score marks, I never learnt how to get marks ,rather I was a sportsperson not interested in getting marks, but was in watching movies.

How was experience of watching Television first time?

 

The doordarshan 6 p.m. film was a Sunday entertainment treat especially in winters when everything was indoors. I saw a television for the first time on the window of a school on the roadside, I was standing in the crowd of people with other children and watched in amazement, pictures moving, till my father’s uncle bought a television at their home, so going on Sundays to watch a film at their house was a ritual, till my uncle got one at our home.

Who is your role model?

Indira Gandhi has always been my role model. A strong woman of steel, who steered India out of poverty into a modern India. I was always fascinated by Nehru who chartered his daughter’s mental makeup from jail and faraway places through his letters. I have been brought up with my father’s words. “Gandhiji had four sons and Nehru had one daughter, nobody knows Gandhiji’s sons but everyone knows this daughter.” I have been brought up with this state of mind, she was so frail and delicate in looks but had a brain and determination as strong as steel.

What is your take on debacle of Kashmiri civilization?

 

Kashmir valley was devastated and denigrated by violence .  A phrase in Kashmiri “Panen kokr nayee bad ase, Baysendi grre kyaze trave thool.”

This is what happened, our own people worked in the hands of  foreign  puppeteers. They had nothing to lose, but Kashmir lost everything: its culture, civilization, and social fabric…everything got lost. Thousands of Kashmirs were killed, be it Hindus or Muslims, everybody suffered in their own way, some for the wrong acts of others.

The peace and tranquility of the beautiful Kashmir  valley is lost and has given way to fear and uncertainty in life. All suffered, it’ll take centuries to bridge the gap between Kashmiri pundits and Muslims.

What is your take on Kashmiri Pandits return?

Hindus should return to the valley but they aren’t ready. 25 years of suffering have made them feel insecure and unsafe of their return.

How do you feel on mental and personal levels?

What I feel on a mental and personal level “There is not enough pull from the valley and not enough push from the pundits side, we need to work on this push and pull factor, first for mental and then physical factor. Suffering has been immense on mental and physical state, which won’t go away for generations. The physical and mental trauma experienced is quite difficult to overcome. To bridge the gap, giant steps from both the communities need to be taken”.

What can be the way ahead?

With A big heart, a vision that is hundred years ahead, leaders from both the communities need to work together; the British policy of divide and rule has to be done away with.

Tell us a bit about Professional experience?

 

My Professional experience has been quiet diverse and rich . I have worked

  1. With Central Production Centre, Delhi Doordarshan, New Delhi.
  2. With Education Media Research Centre, Gujarat University for educational programs.
  3. As a visiting faculty in Communication and Skill development to different educational institutes like Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University Patan, United Business College Ahmedabad, Gujarat Vidhyapith Ahmedabad.
  4. As a visiting faculty in Communication and Skill development to K. S. institute of Management Education and Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Gujarat University.
  5. As a Master Trainer, Resource Person, Visiting Faculty and as a Coordinator for different Youth developmental programmes in communication and skill development across the state of Gujarat with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Government of India.

Notable awards you have received ?

I have received many prominent awards:

  1. STATE YOUTH AWARD from  OF GUJARAT, DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS YOUTH AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, GOVERNMENT OF GUJARAT-2006.
  2. SAKHI SHAKTI AWARD as a Women Achiever -2007.
  3. Friends of Gujarat Award, New Jersey, U.S.A – 2010

Forget Them Not

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Eid-al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr, Eid ul-Fitr, Id-Ul-Fitr, Eid) which is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. This festival  marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer. Many Muslims attend collective prayers, listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity ) during Eid al-Fitr. Throughout Muslim world this festival is marked by great celebrations.

As we are marking the festival of Eid-al-Fitr the buzz word is that remembering orphans should be the primary concern for all of us especially in Kashmir wherein past two decades turmoil and violence has created large number  of orphans.

A few years back, according to a  survey conducted by the sociology department of Kashmir University along with Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Foundation Kashmir  an approximate number of 2.14 lakh orphans and 32,000 widows are there in Kashmir due to the two decades of turmoil which aptly shows the gravity of the problem.

Voices of Conscience are calling on masses to remember the orphans on the eve of Eid -al- Fitr .

 

Ajaz Ahmad War, a Journalist states – “ Eid is a time of happiness in which everybody has a reason to smile, celebrate  and sharing the joy with family, relatives and friends. However, orphaned children feel the pain of not having parents whenever any religious festivity such as Eid is around. We need to remember our orphans on Eid by helping them. It is important to mention Child labour in Jammu and Kashmir has augmented rapidly in recent years as the number of orphans has increased on account of conflict and violence. In spite of anti-child labour laws two lacs 40 thousand children are working as labourers in Jammu & Kashmir. Many children have been orphaned in the conflict which resulted in the tremendous  increase of Child labour in the valley. Let us all pledge to remember orphan children of our state on the auspicious occasions of the Eid by helping them in every manner .”

 

Pertinently, unofficial estimates, there’re about 300,000 child labourers in the state with 70% of the teenagers belonging to the Valley and most of them orphaned in the conflict.

Masses and expert voices also state that in view of the disappointing role played by Ngos the onus is on more common people of Kashmir to render a helping hand to orphans as number Ngos rose up in the name of rendering helping hand to thousands of orphan Children of the Kashmir but the work performed by them is unimpressive.

On the otherhand, not paying Zakat or donations by many affluent people in our part of the world has aggravated the problems of orphans. In this regard, Eminent Islamic scholar, Prof Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi recently urged Muslims of Kashmir to pay their Zakat to fulfill the needs of sustenance, education, healthcare and rehabilitation of orphans and widows.

Rafiabadi was speaking at a seminar titled ‘Plight of Orphans and Widows- Our Responsibilities’ organized as part of mass awareness campaign by J&K Yateem Foundation at degree college Shopian.

The scholar called for taking concrete measures to rehabilitate thousands of orphans, widows and destitute through well structured rehabilitation mechanism. He said through education the orphan children could be empowered while creating livelihood and employment opportunities for them to become self sufficient.

 

Syed Tajamul Imran, a student states –  “Despite scores of NGOs coming up in past twenty years in name of helping orphans in Kashmir  but on ground  zero orphans are suffering. Many of them are almost left on their own, becoming bread earners of a family at a very minor age and thus they suffer . While the response of the civil society in Jammu and Kashmir is dismal it is thus our prime responsibility as humans with humane heart to remember our orphans on eve of Eid and render them helping hand . Providing orphans and vulnerable children with a primary and secondary education, nutrition and medical care should be priority . On larger level,  With more than 140 million orphans around the world, the need is great .”

On Eid, Spare a thought for Orphans of Kashmir is the dominant thought in the festive environment of Kashmir.

We need to uphold the right to democratic expression and freedom of speech: Shehla Rashid Shora

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Shehla Rashid Shora, a prominent free speech activist and a eminent researcher on the subjects of Internet Democracy, who   battles for oppressed sections especially the ‘Acid attack victims’ via her activism talks to Rameez Makhdoomi in an exclusive interview with the News Kashmir Magazine, mostly focusing on the latest development in the backdrop of   stroking down of section 66 A by the Supreme court of India.

 

Rameez Makhdoomi : How do you view the stroking down of section 66 A by Supreme court of India?

Shehla Rashid Shora : This verdict is a great victory for all of us. We have repeatedly highlighted the abuse of Section 66A. After Shreya Singhal’s petition, about 10 other petitions were filed in the Supreme Court of India which were heard together. Various lawyers, notably Karuna Nundy and Apar Gupta, deserve special mention for arguing this case effectively.

Rameez Makhdoomi : As a free speech activist, how does abolishing this section impact our internet freedom? With large number of arrests also carried under Section 153 and 153A , do you think it is not time to go overboard?

Shehla Rashid Shora : While the abuse of law through Section 66A has obviously ceased, other hate speech provisions are consistently used to book minorities and marginalised sections.

We rarely see someone like Sadhvi Niranan Jyoti getting booked for calling minorities “Haraamzade”, but various laws, including Sections 295, 153 and 505 are often abused to target weaker sections.

Rameez Makhdoomi :Critics say with weak laws who can control wrongdoings in cyber world, your take on this?

Shehla Rashid Shora : The key thing really is not weak or strong law, but (a) consistency of application of law, (b) rule-of-law and (c) access to legal justice. The poor can hardly afford good lawyers, so the law often favors the rich or the stronger communities. Law should not be used with vengeance, but with an intention to reform the society. The judiciary has an important role here. But the judges often deliver problematic judgments, due to their own social biases. Judgments such as these are rare. Fali Nariman, one of the judges on the two-judge bench that struck down 66A, has an excellent understanding of social issues. Judges have a duty to uphold constitutional principles.

Rameez Makhdoomi : Who should be allowed to regulate online platforms like Facebook, twitter ?

Shehla Rashid Shora : Crimes committed in India are subject to the jurisdiction of the Indian judiciary. No one should have any misgivings about this. The problem arises when overbroad laws or surveillance measures turn everyone into a criminal, regardless of whether they have committed a crime or not.

Rameez Makhdoomi : Religious blasphemies on online forums often lead to unrest , what can be mechanism to tackle same?

Shehla Rashid Shora: Online media content alone can’t trigger riots- it is always part of a bigger pre-election conspiracy and careful planning. I’m not ready to accept that riots are spontaneous- they are orchestrated and allowed to spread. It is true that in some cases such as Muzaffarnagar riots, fake videos were circulated to whip up communal frenzy. But this was not the only thing. It was preceded by a Mahapanchayat in which Sangeet Som and others from VHP openly instigated violence. That social media can alone trigger a riot is not a sustainable argument. The thing is that the police chose to ignore the violence that was building up in Muzaffarnagar. –

Rameez Makhdoomi : What makes you fight passionately for burning issues on online world?
Shehla Rashid Shora : I can’t tolerate injustice, majoritrianism, hypocrisy and extremism. I fail to understand how people can have tolerance for these. These principles guide not only what I say online but also what I do in my real life.

 

Rameez Makhdoomi : What is your take on overall paradigms of freedom of speech in India?

Shehla Rashid Shora : We need to uphold the right to democratic expression and freedom of speech. Mere censorship does not eliminate adverse societal tendencies.

Rameez Makhdoomi : Do you think we need further reforms in laws and regulations with reference to laws on freedom of speech?

Shehla Rashid Shora : Yes, the Indian government has assumed massive surveillance powers and this is a dangerous trend. This is the bigger fight ahead.

We will make Education System accountable: Priya Sethi

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Minister of state for Information, Education & Culture J & K and senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party Priya Sethi is a vibrant political face of Jammu & Kashmiri. A science background professional Priya Sethi is a name to reckon with among women politicians of Jammu & Kashmir.

In an exclusive interview with News Kashmir Magazine, Priya Sethi talks to Farzana Mumtaz & Rameez Makhdoomi.

As a prominent women leader of Bharatiya Janata Party, Minister and Former President BJP Mahila Morcha we would like to know from you that what is BJP doing to address growing atrocities and crimes being committed against women?

It is our priority as a party that era of safety is ushered for women all over the country. We are looking that there is grievance center with reference to women in every district of our state.  We are working and aiming to have at least one  female official deputed in every police station so that violence affected women without hassles registers her complaint  .We are also in this regard trying to increase the strength of women specific police stations in the state.

What is the BJP as party trying to empower women in J&K?

Women empowerment is our key concern and in Jammu & Kashmir   our party with 33 percent reservation for women in party fold is trying level best to empower them in every sphere of life  and make women take the charge from grassroots to top level. Women have proven their ability to manage and lead family as well as nation . Women empowerment is our priority area . We want to take along in our  vision of development  each and every women of Jammu & Kashmir  and initiate welfare oriented programmes for them.

 

Since you hold Culture portfolio, we would like to know how would you try to end discrimination against our native languages and give enrichment to our neglected rich cultural heritage?

It is a burning reality that we have neglected rich linguistic treasure of our state .On the otherhand in our state affluent manuscripts, historical monuments, and heritage symbols of our prosperous culture have also since long time  been ignored and faced apathy. Despite living in the era of Information Technology, it took us more than 10 years to repair Tagore hall and we have not modernized our cultural centres too. I have felt there  is a strong need  for framing a vibrant cultural policy that has a holistic policy matter in it to preserve the rich cultural heritage of all three regions of state viz. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. We  recently  held active interactions with writers, poets and other literary and cultural personalities as their expert analysis means a lot in enriching and preserving our diverse and rich cultural heritage .

Why have the Government run schools failed to produce impressive results in our state. Your take as MOS Education?

Actually, the previous governments while framing the educational policy paradigms have ignored the “Child” and have never been child specific. We have got the buildings constructed but ignored the enrolment part. We have had lopsided infrastructural development. At some government Schools shockingly enough we have ten teachers for five students and at some instance two schools in one building. Government School teachers have lot of potential, efficiency and want to perform but lack of proper policy and implementation mechanism has hurt our public education system. Chemistry teacher teaching Math subject and vice versa has summed up the chaos of our Public education system. There has been no accountability, monitoring  and we are embarking to ensure accountability and monitoring from top to bottom. Redesigning the education policy and keeping child the core focus of it will definitely yield positive results as far a government schools are concerned and end all chaos.

 

What would be done to discipline Private Schools as many believe they are functioning like dictatorial  empires?

We will take all steps to make private schools accountable. The basic thrust in this regard would be to make our Government schools efficient models of education by enthusing an aura of effective work culture in these institutions. Our focus is to restore the lost faith of masses in Government schools and by doing so we will automatically be in better position to manage and make accountable the private schools. We will make entire education system accountable.

Floods wrecked lot of havoc in Kashmir and damaged Educational infrastructure. What is being done to revamp same?

As you would be aware that Government is facing lot of shortage of funding and there are liabilities worth more than Rs 9000 crore and when we took over the government the SSA Salaries were not paid since  9 months. Once the funding becomes available we will on priority basis mend the damaged infrastructure.

We have also seen students alleging that Heads  of Government Schools have demanded money for them for repairing school Infrastructure?

There is no demand, but yes, we have kept it optional keeping in mind that in this day and age when a student pays 5 to 6 thousand rupees as fee in Private school and on a similar parlance if a student from Government school out of his own will and love wants to contribute something for betterment of his or her school he or she can. All this was optional not compulsory. We are also roping in Civil society groups so that they also lend efforts to improve the infrastructure of the Government Schools as it has to be a collective effort.

What has been done to reform the defective transfer policy wherein on some instance even female teachers have to travel hundreds of kilometers daily?

We have already framed new transfer policy and it has been posted on internet too. Its provision includes not to post female teacher more than 20 kilometers from her original destination. We are also going to post in same zone in case both husband and wife are teachers. In scenarios were  teachers are posted in remote areas and tough terrains like Leh and Kargil they will be posted only for one year there. We have to bear in mind that all teachers cannot be posted at centrally located places as we do not want far flung areas to suffer.

Minister of State (MOS) post has in previous Government not been made much effective from point of view of  having required power to act, what is BJP trying to revitalize same?

Both at Central and State level MOS has been made much proactive and even here in our state the MOS are working now in tandem and hand to hand  with the Cabinet Ministers .I have absolute coordination with all three cabinet ministers with reference to departments I am holding.

 

Your take on making common man more aware about Government schemes and strengthening of Information Department with reference to this paradigm?

The more Government functionaries remain vocal and proactive  more the flow of knowledge of Public Welfare schemes will reach to masses on ground. Widening the network of Information centres in all districts and in far flung areas of Jammu & Kashmir  is our priority. Taking the aid of local Doordarshan and Radio Kendras to disseminate information of Government programmes and schemes is also our top concern.

 

Tertiary care Hospitals in Kashmir Lack Infrastructure: Doctor Bashir Gaash

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Doctor Bashir Gaash is one of the pioneering, efficient epidemiologists of Kashmir valley. He holds an expert vision, excellence, experience on flu related diseases . In an Exclusive interview with The News Kashmir Magazine, DR. Bashir Gaash talks to Rameez Makhdoomi. DR.Bashir Gaash especially threw light on the Swine Flu scare that had hit entire India sometime back .
How do we describe swine flu?
Flu (medically called influenza) is a short term infection of respiratory tract caused by any type of influenza virus which primarily affects the throat, sound box, windpipe and lungs, but also enters the blood stream and reaches all parts of the body. A person can get it in 1-2 days of contact with some infected person. The vast majority of cases have very mild symptoms like running nose, cough, mild fever, and body aches and pains which last for a week and go as in common cold. Some, however, can get serious features as high fever, severe headache, breathlessness or vomiting and need hospitalization.
Difference between swine flu and bird fly?
All the flu viruses that are currently spreading in the world arise from any place with big farms of swine and birds being reared together. In such places the flu viruses living in the throats of the three (pigs, birds & men catering to them) interchange and can give rise to a new virus. People don’t have resistance to such newly produced viruses and get infected immediately. That is the reason behind global epidemics at periodic intervals (3-5 years cycle). Most of the global epidemics (called pandemics) have risen from China or other countries of the East Asia, but this new pandemic, which started in 2009 is from Mexico.
The new virus selects a carrier and method of spread: The Avian Flu (bird flu) can be transmitted by birds to birds as well as to human beings. The rate and intensity of spread is low in bird flu but once human beings get it there are chances that 50% of the patients cmay die. That means in bird flu less people become infected but once infected half of them can die. On the contrary, the main route of spread of ‘swine flu’ virus is man to man, so any person can get infected easily, but only a few will get serious disease. It is easier to curb bird flu (culling of birds and ban on import/export of birds) but difficult to control ‘swine’ flu since we can’t ban travel of human beings from one region to another.
What about vaccinations. How effective are they?
The real bad habit of the flu virus is that it goes on changing its nature. When the changes are mild the vaccine available in the market can be given and provides protection. When the genetic change in the virus is big as occurred in 2009, the vaccine available in the market is ineffective for protection. The World Health Organization routinely gives recommendation each year for the vaccine to be produced for the flu virus that year. It takes almost 2-4 months for the entire process till the vaccine comes in the market and by that time the infection has spread and people got their own resistance from mild infections.
For the vaccine to be effective it should be given 10-20 days before anticipated infection. In the Northern hemisphere, October is the best season for giving vaccines to at least health professionals and those who are at an increased risk of death from influenza (like children under five, adults above 65, pregnant women, and those with longstanding diseases or receiving drugs that lower body’s resistance to infections).
The protection afforded will be till some new virus emerges and attacks human beings. It is a killed vaccine and therefore side effects are less.
Your take on our health infrastructure to tackle swine flu?
Our state has Disease Surveillance & Epidemic Section at the respective Directorates of Health at Jammu as well as Srinagar. The section at Jammu is not as developed as in Srinagar. However that in Srinagar is well-staffed and well-equipped. There are highly qualified epidemiologists. And, in Barzullah, a State-level Public Health Laboratory has been established as early as 2007. A separate virology section was demarcated, and a qualified microbiologist posted for epidemiological and disease surveillance work. One of the epidemiologists has been trained in the Tropical Karolinska Institute of Amsterdam, and the microbiologist got trained in no less an institute than Johns Hopkins, Baltimore. In addition, we have a videoconferencing hall with automatic cameras for immediate videoconferencing with the World Health Collaborating Centre for Southeast Asia (the National Centre for Disease Control, Sham Nath Marg, Delhi) so that daily conferencing could be held between the State and district health officers and the experts at the National Centre.
The public health laboratory and the emergency video-conferencing centre were established in my period as State Surveillance Officer. Both the epidemiologists have worked as my deputies and have proved their worth. However both the centres were rendered functionless after my retirement in 2010. The grave error the previous government committed was to transfer the microbiologist to NRHM which deprived the Public Health Lab of an experienced public health microbiologist which overtime got denigrated to just another district level laboratory.
The primary responsibility of predicting, preventing and controlling outbreaks lies with the Directorate of Health Services and not with SKIMS or the GMC. The tertiary care hospitals are for managing serious patients, but lack the necessary infrastructure as well as doctors qualified in tackling epidemic prone diseases. There are no isolation wards, no dedicated ventilators for infective patients, and no coordination between the institutes.
I can say without fear of being contraindicated that the Directorate of Health services, particularly in Kashmir, has failed in its preventive endeavours.
In Kashmir do we have sufficient number of doctors to tackle epidemic like scenarios?
We have enough doctors to undertake preventive and controlling activities. Most of them are highly qualified but, for their own convenience, have been given senior positions which should have been filled on seniority basis and not out of favouritism by some congress leaders. Most of our doctors in the field want to work but they suffer because of favouritism, nepotism, inefficiency of their superiors and arrogance of politicians. Most of the time you will see doctors who should have done public health work busy pleasing bureaucrats or their political bosses. The specially trained Community Health Officers are mostly trade-union leaders and do no health work at all.
Precautions to be taken against swine flu?
Precautions are same as for any acute type of respiratory infection including flu, measles, and whooping cough etc. The virus first infects the throat and reproduces in millions there, and thence can be transferred to others or to our own body parts while talking loudly, sneezing and coughing. Hands become infected and should be washed with soap and warm water. Eyes, nose and mouth should not be touched with hands unnecessarily. If we sneeze or cough it should be done away from others, preferably in the open and definitely not into our own hands. The mouth as well as nose should be covered with a suitable mask. The specialized N95 masks are not needed except by those who cater to the suspected or affected patients.
What can be likely side effects of taking a drug like tamiflu without prescription?
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antivirus drug that kills the virus in the body and cures the patient. There is no justification for self use, since side effects are common and some of them could be serious. Therefore the drug should be given only when advised by health professionals for prevention of infection in the family members or work mates etc or for treating patients.
Are the traditional prescriptions like camphor or smelling elachi effective against swine flu?
H1N1 Type A flu (wrongly called swine flu) is a serious disease and if a person gets it he should follow the protocol recommended by the World Health Organization. If the disease is mild it is self-limited and goes of within a week without leaving any residue. If severe the patient is to be admitted in a well-equipped hospital. WHO sees no role for local remedies and the allopathic medicine has no knowledge of the benefits of any local remedies for this type of infection.
Why is this time death count so high in India on account of swine flu?
I said that the flu virus is very fond of minor or major genetic changes for its own survival. These changes are aimed at speeding up the spread from man to man or increasing its invasiveness. We expect a yearly change, and since the virus loves cold and moves to the southern hemisphere when the North of the world gets warmth weather starting from April, we anticipate some change on its next visit. For the last 5 years since 2009, when it first appeared it has not undergone any notable small or big change. This limited its spread as well as its invasiveness, but last year, as was found by an Indian scientist working on a collaborative project of MIT/Harvard, Saisekharan, found the first single mutation in the virus which could have increased its pace of spread as well as disease producing capability. May be it was so aggressive this time. We should expect more changes in the future.

Traffic Mess Mars Kashmir

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BY Junaid Nazir  

Let us know…..As we all are aware of everyday motor accidents happens across the valley ,Some vehicles falls in gorge and some vehicles turtle upside down .Why this happens ? Is there lack of driving ethics, lack of driving etiquettes or is there something wrong happening  on grass root level. We cannot stop traffic collisions to happen but we can prevent to some extent.

Its grave concern and we should ponder on it because we lose those lives that are precious for someone. In my opinion you may or may not agree, this  is turmoil.

These rapid incidents happens due to lack of various Technical failure

Driving Test: we have since decades same procedure for driving test, to pass through the vehicle from Iron poles to & fro. The drawback of this procedure is that testing authority never observes how much “Reaction and perception time” applicant had. The driving on road needs: Anticipation, judgment and road positioning according to other road users. Driving at inter sections needs: Negotiation with zone of vision, check Mirror signal and maneuver (MSM), Position speed and look (PSL). These aspects never judged by Driving test inspector. The current driving testing system in our state never gives best driver to society whether commercial or private.

Fitness certificates of Transport vehicle: According to motor vehicle act section 56 to certify the vehicle through Board Of inspection from Motor vehicle department to conforming the roadworthiness of vehicle after given interval of time by authorities. This is most important part for inspection and testing of in use commercial vehicles .This inspection is based on rather visual and road tested. The equation of vehicles and the testing officer is in reality unbelievable and unfair.

Road design and elevations: We don’t have specific traffic roads as per standard , motor roads should be elevated to large extent that vehicle at permitted speed can negotiate the curves and turns of the road. The road should have traffic signs spotted at proper place like where apprehension of accidents is high. Various mishaps happened on road, is just due to the condition of road. But as accidents are not scientifically analysed, the role of road is always ignored .Road may not be direct cause. But indirectly it compels the driver to behave abruptly considering the situation on road. Pot holes, cuts on shoulders, uneven pavement, and uneven surface compels driver to act differently and its result in accident. In our state roads are divided in to national highway, major district roads, village roads, street and other kinds of roads. Each of these type has to  be properly defined . The minimum width of each category has to be specified. Last but not the least, Punishment for non functioning of the duty has to be specifically mentioned. Which will definitely make the roads good for smooth Transport .

Driver: The steering man is totally responsible to control the vehicle at driving time. If he lacks judgment time he can’t prevent accident .If he lacks perception time and reaction time the accident is possible .If he tailgates or can’t maintain cushion space he is not best driver. The most responsible factor for accident is supposed to be a vehicle driver. As accident is dealt under law. It is treated as crime .Before allowing person to drive a vehicle his social, economical, educational, mental ,psychological conditions of has to be checked and considered. In addition to this impact of vehicle and time, fast music on drivers and societies attitude towards driver also cannot be ignored

Motor cycle and scooter Riders: The number of motor-cycle and scooters on the streets in towns and cities is increasing enormously in the past years. The rider of motor cycle or scooter is very much vulnerable to accidents because he is totally unprotected. A study in Delhi (source internet) has estimated that the chances of fatality is fourteen times as great for motor cycle and scooter riders as for car drivers. Another cause for concern is that the two-wheeler accident victims generally succumb to head injuries. This points to be the usefulness of crash helmets for these riders.

Now what is lacking from administrative side to cause accidents

           Motor Vehicles Department: As per section 213 of motor vehicles Act every state government has       to establish a motor vehicles department. And the Qualification of the officer has been well defined under the notification and rules of the said act. These provisions have been introduced to achieve proper road safety, because the job itself is a technical job and needs expertise and professional attitude. The reality is far away from the dream expectations. The motor vehicles department is one of the most neglected department in every state government .The attitude of state government is to generate more and more revenue through motor vehicles department. Thus department has become a revenue generating machine. But unfortunately it is at the cost of road safety and social safety.

Many times unqualified and unskilled officers from non-technical departments are deputed to motor vehicles department .In addition to this proper manpower and proper infrastructure are never provided by state government. It has become a honeymoon heaven for all the state civil services officers in many states. In addition number of activities is shouldered by other department which has no skill and proper time and knowledge to perform the duties. It has thus  made chaos on roads

Motor vehicles Act: It is basic tool for road safety. But this most active law of land is neglected by government as well as by society.  The reason behind this negligence is motor vehicle act is central act and is implemented by state government. Thus no government is serious about this law or in short this is nobody’s baby. Further this law is called minor act .Violation of the provisions are non cognizable at number of times. It has hampered the social status of law.

There are so many deficiencies in our state related to transport. We can’t pinpoint at all .so request to everyone kindly follow the rules and regulation to safe guard our generation

 

Junaid Nazir  is a Road Safety Expert

                                                                                                                                              

 

Interview with Masarat Alam

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Masarat Alam Bhat, the 45-year-old, is among the prominent Pro-freedom leaders of Jammu & Kashmir. He is the chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Muslim League (JKML) and the general secretary of All Parties Hurriyat Conference which is headed by veteran Pro-Freedom leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Masrat Alam is considered to be Geelani’s confidant and one of his prime successors.

Being the alumnus of prestigious Tyndale Biscoe School, Masrat Alam after completing his graduation from Srinagar’s Sri Pratap College in science joined the political movement in 1987, when he was just 16. He participated in rallies of the Muslim United Front, an alliance of pro-freedom  parties that contested the 1987 J&K elections in  Kashmir.

On account of revolutionary activities, he has spent most of his time in prisons .He was dubbed as the prominent brains leading the Summer Agitation of 2010 and was in prison since 2010  until being  released recently. In an exclusive interview with The News Kashmir Magazine, Masrat Alam talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.

 

 

 

Union home minister Rajnath Singh has said that he will ensure surveillance of Masarat Alam. Your take on this ?

Since we have committed ourselves to the cause of Freedom movement and plunged into running the freedom struggle we are under continuous surveillance, so the current talk of surveillance on me has no meaning at all.

 In 2010 summer agitation of Kashmir in which about 115 boys were killed , Authorities and some Politicians blame you for these very killings. Your response on this?

We were just leading peaceful protests attended by lacs in favour of Kashmir dispute resolution and it was the Security forces who were holding gun and firing on protesters. Girls and Babies too were martyred by security forces during 2010 agitation. Even the Indian Parliamentary delegation that visited Kashmir observed that these killings by Security Forces were crimes against humanity.

Many critics state that pro-freedom leadership had gone in slumber after your arrest. Your viewpoint on this ?

No it is not like that. My forum is part of one of the Hurriyat Conference    lead by veteran pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and whatever programme emerges from there we have to follow that.

J & K Police’s Former Top counterinsurgency Special Operations Group Officer, Ashiq Hussain Bukhari stating that Omar Abdullah offered him  2.5 million to kill Masarat Alam. How do you envisage this?

 

We have been time and again saying that thousands of people in Kashmir have been killed extra judicially by Security Forces  and now a former Top Cop and Former SP Srinagar statement that he was told to carry out my fake encounter is a burning reality and vindicates pro-freedom leadership stand on extrajudicial killings and  proves how lawlessness has been carried out in Kashmir brazenly .

Your critics say you could not change the 2010 Revolution into Resolution and the sacrifices went in vain. What is your response to this allegation?

You have to remember that even Indian freedom struggle took 190 years to reach destination or for that matter you read history of any other freedom struggle of the world it takes long time to accomplish goals  . History teaches us it takes many decades and sometimes centuries for a movement to achieve its final goal.

Opponents of Pro-Freedom leadership state that the pro-freedom leaders play with the blood of youth of common masses for their political interests. How do you view the same accusations?

It is their allegation and allegations come our way in politics. This freedom  struggle is of every class, every group of people of Kashmir and the bullet from security does not see who it kills. Even pro-freedom leadership has sacrificed a lot.

What is your take on lessening interest of World Community over Kashmir Dispute?

Day in and Day out the world community talks about Kashmir Dispute and the need to resolve the same and we are hopeful that soon the required atmosphere would be created by global community to solve Kashmir Dispute.

Pro- Freedom leadership is criticized that it has not been able to evolve the pro-freedom struggle and wants to exclude every community and now the latest talk and allegation being that this struggle for rights is excluding Shia community?

It is not just an allegation but it is an effort to divide people of Jammu & Kashmir to divert the attention from the real issue. When we talk about the political dispute of Jammu & Kashmir we talk of every citizen of this disputed area .Shias, Sunnis every community has rendered sacrifices in freedom movement of Kashmir. We have pro-freedom leadership continuously emerging from Shia community and they too have produced large chunk of martyrs in Kashmir freedom movement. There is nothing like Sunni or Shia in Kashmir freedom movement.

As a youth pro- freedom leader what strategy would you follow with reference to resistance movement in coming years?

Strategy would be devised by the Executive Council of Hurriyat lead by veteran pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and whatever programme evolves from there we will follow that.

Is Pro-Freedom leadership unhappy over the internal problems of Pakistan and secondly do you see same enthusiasm among people for struggle as it was in 2010?

We are not disappointed at all by the conditions in Pakistan .People are with same enthusiasm with the liberation struggle as they were in 2010.

Your message to people of Kashmir?

People should not get dejected and not in any way feel depressed. We as a browbeaten nation of Kashmir will soon gain success and achieve our noble objectives.

Domestic Violence Monster Brutalizes Kashmir

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News Kashmir Exclusive

 

Domestic violence (also domestic abuse, spousal abuse, intimate partner violence, battering or family violence) is a pattern of behavior which involves violence or other abuse by one person in a domestic context against another, such as in marriage. Intimate partner violence is violence by a spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner. Globally, a wife or female partner is more commonly the victim of acts of domestic violence

Domestic Violence against women has been continuously rising in Kashmir and raising its monstrous head again and again. As a matter of great misfortune, we are living in such a society today in Kashmir  where women are finding it extremely difficult  to oppose any act of violence, Subjugation and misbehavior with her. She might be educated or may be living in a village the state of affairs is the same.

The traditional patriarchal system puts women at the lowest ebb of the community, whatever be the ins and outs of the society thus acts like Domestic violence have continued unabated.

Tragic Stories Related to Domestic Violence

The facts and stories emanating about domestic violence in Kashmir are heart wrenching and startling . Just at the start of this month victim of domestic abuse Manzeela died at a local hospital. Manzeela was allegedly set ablaze by her husband who according to their neighbors would beat her ruthlessly. Another tragic story in recent days was Maroofa, who hailed from south Kashmir was admitted at a local hospital after she was allegedly set ablaze by her in laws. After battling for life for several days she died on May 15.

The ugly and gruesome incidents of domestic violence did not stop here only . A couple of weeks back one more woman from Shopian area in south Kashmir lost her life after she had set herself ablaze to escape the domestic violence at the hands of her husband.

What Does  activists think?

Nazima Parray, a writer and social activist states –“Every year J&K receives 1600 to 1700 cases related to domestic violence. While most of the cases remain unreported because of social stigma associated. 40% women are the victims of domestic violence in Kashmir.  To stop this menace society at large and every individual at small has to play a vital role. Religious knowledge should be taught at primary level to every individual especially to our males. They should know the teaching of our beloved Prophet (SAW) and moreover they should know the rights and values of women especially of their wives. In laws and other family members have to act wisely in order to solve the misunderstandings between the husband and wife.  Educational exposure is mandatory for both the families involved in this process. Moreover this relation is very sensitive and demands time, nourishment and respect to each other opinion.”

Politician Reaction

Not many politicians in our part of the world talk on domestic violence thus no headway is made on this burning issue and most of the time our politicians are not sensitive towards the serious issues like Domestic Violence. Although in a step in right direction recently ,Prominent Pro Freedom Leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had expressed serious concern over the  domestic violence incidents.“The recent cases where women were burnt alive and the death of a woman in domestic violence should be eye openers,” he had said.

Are we protesting ?

Not Enough protests and Sit ins have been witnessed with reference to burning issue of Domestic violence but the trend seems changing as few days back  in order to show concern and to protest the growing cases of domestic violence in the valley during past few weeks, a sit-in protest was held jointly by ‘Ehsaas’ and Rising Kashmir Foundation.
Pertinently, Civil society members, journalists and research scholars participated in the sit-in which was held at Pratap Park here. The members who participated include Dr Altaf Hussain, Nirja Matoo, Bashir Ahmad Dar, Shakeel Qalander, Ghazala Amin, Shazia Bakshi, Peerzada Ashiq, Inam-ul-Haq, Shameema Firdous and Muslem Jan.
The aim of sit-in was to sensitize the Society about the growing menace of domestic violence and to send a message to government also to act strictly against such acts.

Statistics

In past few months, even the Urban Police Stations have registered hundreds of cases of domestic violence showing the grim nature of the issue. Data compiled by the Jammu & Kashmir Police Crime Branch reveals that in the past two years, it has registered over 4,000 cases of crimes against women

 

 

Expert Opinion

Mushtaq Ul-Haq Ahmad Sikander, a Gender Justice Activist states – “The topic of Domestic violence is quiet dynamic in nature  .In earlier times in our part of the world and most of the other regions, men were the main earning members while women attended to household chores. This skewed economic relationship was responsible for men becoming head of the family. A wife would tolerate domestic violence and high handedness of her husband only because she would be become economically destitute or become a ‘burden’ on her parents, if she was divorced. Today, more women are educated and economically independent. They are expressing their own views and in certain cases opposing the decisions of the male head of the family. Women can no longer be driven like cattle; hence they are termed rebellious and responsible for breaking up the family. Women must sacrifice; kill their dignity and ego to save the family, as if men are not part of a family. For patriarchal Muslims women must undertake every obligation, duty and hardship but men should enjoy every right and authority.”

 

Mushtaq Adds- “On the otherhand, In our part of the world, The Dowry Deaths, Female Feticide, Domestic Violence, Rapes and Crimes against women are increasing with each passing day though we may never fail to boast that we have achieved cent percent literacy rate and more schools and colleges are being opened every day, plus the girls rolls is also increasing. So what are the reasons for this apathy? To understand the reasons a few concepts need to be delineated

The difference between education and literacy must be understood!!

The literacy that is imparted in our schools and colleges, is job oriented, where the destined goal is to secure a good job with immense perks and privileges. Hence the whole concentration of students is to secure more and more marks in a cut throat competition, and it is achieved by cramming and rote learning scores of books with a little understanding.

This superficial learning fails to transform the character of an individual; add to it the dearth of focus on moral ethics, pluralism, tolerance and lofty humane ideals; a student rarely gets transformed from a beast to a human leave aside an angel through education, which is its real aim. Hence education fails in its real purpose!!”

 

 

Way Ahead

As the number of silent sufferers of  Domestic violence goes up, it becomes increasingly difficult to track the problem. Strengthening  the Women Commission, increasing awareness in women to resist the menace of domestic violence are the some steps to be taken immediately to wipe out the menace of domestic violence.

The authorities need to act soon and book all the culprits responsible for the heinous crimes like Domestic violence.

VIP Bug Stinks J&K

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News Kashmir Exclusive

The menace of VIP culture is a rampant phenomenon in our part of the world, it is a menacing  practice wherein some chosen few  people are given special treatment in any realm of life and others are mistreated at their cost.

As a matter of fact, the VIP culture reflects itself basically in two forms. It can be in the shape of the enjoyment of special perks and privileges by selected few . Every day we come across examples of the powerful and well-connected people in various sectors of life getting special privileges, which are denied to the common man.  Another and, perhaps, a more serious form of the VIP culture is the absence of the rule of law and as a result majority of masses suffer.  The VIP Culture also manifests itself in dangerous misuse of power by those at helm of affairs.

VIP Culture manifests its evil head eery now and then in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Somedays back, a  perfect misuse of this VIP Culture was seen when a prominent Journalist was thrashed allegedly by the guards of Senior Minister. The journalist, Javed Malik, who works for Greater Kashmir newspaper stated that he was thrashed after he objected to the guards passing lewd remarks on his wife. He accused Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura of signaling his guards to assault him.

 

 

Masses and sane voices are aghast over this demonic nature of VIP Culture.  Syed Tajamul Imran, a columnist states – “The recent episode of serious nature involving a Senior Journalist being thrashed by the  security Guards of the escort of senior State Minister is a matter of grave concern. It sums up that in VIP Rule of ours the genuine voice and rights of common citizens  would be muzzled by VIPS.  It is ironical that political parties and their leader talks incessantly of the menace of VIP culture especially at a time when they ask for votes and pledged to end it when they are out of power, but after coming into power they became very part of the same culture and impose it more harshly. VIP culture or VIP Raj is a cancer that makes the entire fabric of the society defunct and if we really envisage to see a prosperous future ahead the VIP Culture has to be ended.”

With the anger and resentment growing against profuse VIP Culture especially in the wake of this recent violence against Journalist , the media fraternity took to the streets against VIP Culture menace. Journalists working for various media houses held protest near the Press Enclave here after Javaid Malik, who works with Greater Kashmir daily, was beaten by some guards of the Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone.

Media persons who were part of protests were holding placards that read “Solidarity with Javaid Malik”, “End VIP culture” “Suspend cops involved in assault”.

Pertinently,  Journalists were supported by independent MLA from Langate, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, members of a trade organization Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Municipal Contractors Union, J&K Contractors Central Coordination Committee, Doctors Association Kashmir led by Dr GM Mir and some separatist groups.

 

On the otherside the cavalcade following ministers, bureaucrats and other higher officials often creates chaos and commotion on our roads as they prioritize it they have to get through by hook or crook and give damn to the prescribed rules and regulations. Experts and sane voices have from time to time rightly observed that luxurious life style of ministers,  bureaucrats  and legislators has emptied treasuries in economically poor Jammu and Kashmir State  due to which a common man in JK is facing the brunt at present and this VIP Culture has worsened the Financial Crunch in our state.

While in other parts,  there are lot of movements by public going on the need to arrest the ‘laal batti’ [red beacon] culture in public governance unfortunately in the Valley of Kashmir in the name of security VIP Culture has been promoted lavishly. Another worrying facet of VIP Culture in Kashmir is that not keeping time seems to be part of our VIP culture. The more important a VIP the more late he arrives for the occasion.

VIP Culture end is deemed by majority the first major step towards ensuring an impartial and efficient system in Jammu & Kashmir state.

 

We need to put effort in order to keep the mirror of our hearts clean: Sama Sabet

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Sama Sabet is a prominent youthful humanity voice from Kashmir working on diverse humanitarian causes. She is a well known orator and is currently  busy in different philanthropic causes in different parts of planet earth. In an exclusive interview with The News Kashmir Magazine, Sama Sabet talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.

 

Tell us a bit about your childhood days?

Days of yore were marked with beautiful friends with whom I could grow old with, questions that spark the light of truth and most importantly true education which sets the foundation of who you become as an individual.

How was academic life like?

Until 4th grade, I studied at S.R.G Montessori School which inculcated a world embracing vision in me with a lot of emphasis on oneness of mankind as the motto of the school is “World Unity” and then it was Mallinson Girls School.

English, History and Urdu poetry were my favorite subjects but my passion was manifested in participating in debates, seminars, hosting programs and drama.

It’s very important to have this habit of asking questions as I feel that our culture does not appreciate this trait at all. It helps you in being always in the learning mode and opens the gate of understanding without having preconceived notions.

 

Where you always motivated by pro-humanity works?

Every human being on this earth is motivated by pro- humanity works by default.

Almighty has created us noble and human by nature is spiritual; there is no doubt that we need to put effort in order to keep the mirror of our hearts clean and reflect these noble virtues but we all have the capacity for sure. Rest is just a matter of free will.

 

Tell us a bit about kosh khabar concept?

Media has a lot of power to influence people, change perceptions etc. but this power can be used to bring people together or to widen the gap and create more barriers.

I have been following a lot of face group pages and groups related to Kashmir and most of them have imbibed a style of reporting  that was quite provocative, biased and most importantly was creating more and more hatred.

The comments made by people from various religious back grounds showering abuses on each other etc. made me ponder about the deep impact media could have.

When Kashmir was recently hit be the deluge, I felt the barriers had collapsed but it was sad to see that after a few days, the media again used it as a tool to reinforce the existing prejudices. Instead of focusing on we all helped each other as one big community, it was turned in to a competition of who did more?

At that moment, I decided that we need a platform to prove that Kashmiri society is rich not only in beauty but in noble actions that are aimed towards the betterment of our society irrespective of religion, caste etc. Thus Khosh Khabar was born and we believe “Achhi baatei bhi banti hei khabar”

We posted news about Trehgaam which was about a Kashmiri Muslim man taking care of a Hindu Temple since many years. The reaction of Pandits to that post was so overwhelming and that man was showered with words of gratitude. This kind of news never makes headlines but makes its place in a tiny corner of a newspaper which goes unnoticed by everyone.

 

  • Who is your rolemodel?

We don’t need famous people or celebrities to be our role model. Every human being who brings about change both at the level of individual and society is inspiring.

  • Do you fell world of ours is buying more hate than love?

Love is the reason behind our creation and it is the most powerful force on this earth, it is the light that guides in darkness. Hatred has no existence; it is just the absence of love. People are inclined towards love but alas, no one is there to highlight what is good.

Your message?

Prayer has to be followed by action, and then only we will move towards a better society. As In Urdu they say, Ibadat ki taqat, khidmat ka zor, tabhi badhengei hum ek behtar muashere ki aur.