I ABHOR EVERY DISCRIMINATION: TEHMEENA RIZVI, INTERVIEW 29 AUGUST 2022 ISSUE

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I abhor every discrimination: Tehmeena Rizvi

She lives by the lines of Amrita Pritam, “Jaha Bhi Azaad Rooh ki Jhalak Pade, Samajna Woh Mera Ghar Hai” 

Tehmeena Rizvi is a name to reckon with when it comes to the field of public policy and women & child rights. She is a Policy Researcher,  Public speaker and advocates for gender justice, inclusion, Women leadership and development.

She talks in an exclusive interview with News Kashmir. 

A bit about your early days ?

I was born and brought up in small town of Magam in Budgam District ,located near  world famous tourist spot  Gulmarg. My family and extended family are all in business, and even those who were highly educated got into business. I was always labelled as “Baaghi a Rebel” from my childhood and a tagline I live upto. And it’s very obvious that women who don’t participate in patriarchy are called names and rebel is one of them.  I belonged to what our society calls Upper Caste Syed Family but never believed in Caste system, or any gender discrimination.  I abhorred every inhuman tendency and looked at every human from the prism of humanity and never differentiated between black and white, rich and poor,  upper or lower as I don’t believe in any grading. I was forced to believe in these segregations of different forms but I couldn’t do that. The way my childhood shaped my personality, I think  my father played a very major role in that- he was very keen to provide me with  different types of surroundings and was very interested in my studies and my overall development. He made sure that I read newspapers everyday to keep myself updated, he got me scooty immediately after my 11th class, and none of the girls around had a scooty and it came as a shock for some people. He was advised by his acquaintances that he is doing too much for me and should keep in mind that I am a girl, but he never bothered about that. He raised me like a boy, though I have my reservations about this concept. You can raise a strong headed girl, she doesn’t need to be raised like a boy but the society hardly recognises this segregation. I am the first woman from my family who pursued higher studies and that too in social sciences despite coming from a conventional business family. Also, left Kashmir for studies, Have lived on my own from a very young age and I will continue with this journey because i believe that “we should never stop learning”

A bit about your academics?

 I am a Business graduate from Gandhi Memorial College, a volatile college full of diverse backgrounds. Business was my primary interest because of  my upbringing in the same environment. Later, I realised that I am more zealous towards knowing society, human behaviours (How we are as an individual and in a group), so I changed my subject from business to social sciences. I took keen interest in social work especially women and child issues in the final year of graduation, mainly because of the discrimination i was seeing around and i wanted to fight against it.  

I prepared for Civil service exams but due to some issues with the JKPSC, exams were postponed, so I went to Delhi and started preparing for IAS ,but after two failed attempts, I gave up. Failure was not an issue for me but wasting my time was, i was very hyperactive when it comes to studies or work. So I applied for masters and continued my journey of learning. Meanwhile, I joined Policy Perspectives Foundation as a Policy Researcher. 

Your recent achievements?

I have been the speaker at the United Nations 43rd and 50th session of the Human Rights Council (Geneva), my primary focus was women’s rights in conflict. 

In Delhi I worked from a very young age of 21 in Public policy. In between these 6-7 years years I have worked on various issues with different departments, which includes research on implementation of POCSO Act in Delhi NCR with Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights. I also kept learning and utilised my time in pandemic as well. I have also completed my course on “Inter religious Dialogue to strengthen peace” from KAICIID ( The king abdullah bin aziz international centre for interreligious and intercultural dialogue) and another course in “Religious engagement in Peacebuilding” from USIP (United states institute of peace)

Your work as a volunteer and in the media ?

While I was working in Delhi, my work as an activist got recognised for the Ivolunteer awards. I was also working with a Media company, ICN media group as Bureau Chief J&K, and was awarded the youngest bureau chief award there as well.

Your views on Public policy?

Well Public policy for me is very important in the current world dynamics, to solve real world problems. But, working in public policy is not an easy task, it requires continuous studying like a student and looking at a problem from different angles. It’s a very democratic process and is much required, basically Policies made on behalf of the “Public”.  This field helps you understand societal issues at a much deeper level and come up with concrete policies and vision to tackle the same. In India, there is a dire need of inculcating more women in public policy. I consider myself lucky enough to be working in an organisation where most of our policy researchers are women. I believe that I am in this profession because of being very observant and inquisitive in nature. I had a lot of questions regarding the systems and practices present in the society, so instead of counting the problems, I decided to find the solutions. Though i can’t completely say that i have found everything but i am on my way there.

You were the women ambassador for globally famed MeToo from Kashmir. How did that happen?

When I was working in Kashmir, it really took me by surprise that no one came forward for this campaign because girls are afraid of society and their judgements. So I decided to stand against all odds and fight for it. I made a lot of reports for this and handed over those to CEEO India official who then helped me to submit the same to the Ministry of Women and Child Development. I used to meet girls (who had faced harassment, violence etc) very cautiously, keeping in mind their safety and was really not bothered about my image etc because I was so hell bent to bring in a change.

Your message ?

I think my message will be for young Kashmiri Girls and other women as well that we should stop caring about what society thinks about us, it’s a never ending circle and deeply engulfing. People will talk behind your back even if you were doing everything right. Youngsters who want to go for research and public policy should keep themselves engaged in studies on a daily basis and try to understand the various problems the world currently faces. Overall, i believe that we need to respect diversity and have tolerance for differences. Above all be a human full of empathy, compassion and a will to work for the society, without any  bias or discrimination.

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Loot of green gold in Kashmir with impunity

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Loot of green gold in Kashmir with impunity

Mir Sabeen Gulrez 

Kashmir is rich in natural forests and although the Forest Department continues its operations against jungle smugglers, the people living near the forests are engaged in illegal felling of trees. Extensive forest cover is found in all the four districts of South Kashmir and the forests are much safer than in North and Central Kashmir. The forest department claims it has largely curbed forest smuggling and is continuing operations against forest smugglers. However, people living near forests have been found to be more harmful to the green gold mines than forest smugglers. the Willow Range in Kokranag,  found that people living near the forests cut down trees in broad daylight, which clearly shows the negligence of the authorities.  As a result, ancient and precious trees fall down after a while. Sources said that these people cut the trunks of the trees from all sides and burn them due to which these trees, worth lakhs of rupees, become weak and hollow inside and fall on their own, which these people later use for themselves. As a result, lush and hundreds of years old trees are slowly disappearing.Experts say that pine and other types of trees take one hundred to one hundred and fifty years to grow fully.”If we do not protect these trees, the day is not far when our future generations will curse us because we have failed to protect these beautiful, lush and precious forests,” they said.Civil society groups have called on the forest department officials to take action against forest smugglers as well as those involved in such deforestation.

   “We saw devastation and mass scale deforestation going on at Kupwara Anantnag, Budgam, this made me and my friends sad. Leaving the place with a heavy heart, we went to the Deputy Commissioner’s office with a plea and appealed to him to launch a campaign in the area, however, nothing was done so far.”

According to figures, the Jammu and Kashmir government has recovered over 37,000 cubic feet of timber from timber smugglers in different parts of the Kashmir region. The officials admit that there have been many occasions where the forest smuggling mafia got “free hand” to carry out mass-scale deforestation. However; they claimed that plantation drives launched by the Department of Forest, Environment and Ecology and erecting of fencing and boundary walling has helped in rampant felling of trees by timber mafia—this they said would otherwise affect the larger ecology balance and take a toll on the green gold of the Kashmir region.

According to officials, the forest department seized over 37,9437.19 cubic feet of timber and registered around 626 cases of timber smuggling during 2019-2020 and onwards. The forest officials say that nearly 78 horses have been seized from April 2021 onwards.

The Divisional Forest Officer, Tangmarg,  while reacting to such claims said that the fallen trees are old dry stumps refreshed by women folk during collection of Firewood. “Recently, 5 PSAs have been issued against timber smugglers of the area.”

Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir has 21,387 sq km of forest area. Nearly 47.80% of Jammu and Kashmir’s geographical area is covered by forests. The officials say that economically, the forests in Jammu and Kashmir generate over 2 million man-days of employment and have a monetary value equivalent to Rs 1.93 lakh crore.

‘Start of STRATEGY’

The key constituents of forest damages have been thoroughly examined and accordingly prevention and remedial measures have been taken viz. The people living in forest fringe villages indulge in wood cutting due to underlying socio-economic factors such as poverty, lack of accessibility and lack of employment opportunities.

The Forest department has first allowed road constructions in inaccessible forest villages through PMGSY scheme under Forest Conservation Act which has facilitated access to these forest fringe village people to go to towns for seeking job opportunities. The Forest department has also involved local people in plantation and timber extraction works which has provided them employment at their own place. He says that the forest department has also developed Trekking routes and Eco-parks in vulnerable and smuggling prone areas which has created plenty of opportunities for them to earn their livelihood. On the other hand, the chronic and habitual timber smugglers have been booked under Public Safety Act to create perceptual deterrence.

He further shared that the Forest department has placed the right people for the right job and has effectively involved Forest Protection Force and Police in carrying out the scientific investigations in forest crime cases. These investigations have led to disclosure of nexus existing between various agencies in facilitating illicit timber trade and it has eventually led to arrest of big fishes including officials wherever they have been involved.

“The Forest department has seized many vehicles used in timber transportation which have been confiscated in favour of the government. The forest department has seized and canceled many licenses of saw mill owners who have been found involved in illicit timber trade,” he informed, adding that the remedial measures adopted by forest dept include no. of special plantation projects undertaken in previously degraded and deforested forest areas such as in Tosamaidan, Shopian, Rafiabad and Kandi.

“Millions of plants have been planted by the Forest Department especially under CAMPA scheme over the last few years in these areas which are showing very positive results. The previously degraded swathes are now turning green.” He says that there is a large public support to the Forest department in forest conservancy and efforts of forest department have received tremendous support from civil society, media which have given real boost to forest frontline staff extraordinarily working in the field.

One year of Taliban : Woman’s agency still a myth

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  One year of Taliban:

Woman’s agency still a myth   

 By Tehmeena Rizvi 

The decommissioning of American forces from Afghanistan left quite a gruesome and horrifying image in all of our minds. We all saw the doomsday-like visuals of afghani’s falling out of american military carriers like sand off a boulder. It was a frightening concept of a fear mongering, highly patriarchal and un-democratic organisation running the show in a country.

Taliban takeover has made catastrophic situations for women on multiple fronts. More than one year after their takeover Afghanistan of today is becoming a hellhole for its women. From changing the system of women’s access to education to limiting their mobility, they have become an embodiment of every woman’s nightmare. In a place like Afghanistan where war and misery have been going on for decades, special attention was required and efforts were required in order to reestablish normalcy and education amongst the women. However, the current situation has only made things worse for them and even a slight hope of improvement has been tarnished by the present regime. The psychological and social wellbeing of the women has gone so low, that it would take several years of intensive care and counselling to return to the daily round. According to a U.N. Women report: “In practice, restrictions on women’s freedom of movement often go beyond what is prescribed in decrees,” due to the intimidation attached to taliban. After the Taliban takeover, women employees working in the government departments were forced to stay at home. Approximately three million girls are currently banned from getting secondary education in Afghanistan, according to UNICEF. 

Just recently, innumerable number of girls have protested in Afghanistan’s Paktia province after Taliban authorities shut their schools just days after classes resumed, and the protest harboured global limelight. At a higher level, The academic week has been split so that male and female students can be taught separately, for three days each.

Academics and education experts opine that  this segregation, and the shortage of female lecturers, has reduced the quality of education, particularly for women. Some subjects have even been discontinued for female students, according to some scholars and students. Human rights campaigners and groups  have accused the Taliban of trying to erase women from all walks of public life. In June, several thousand Taliban clerics and tribal leaders gathered to discuss issues of national importance. But Taliban leaders did not allow women to participate, which drew worldwide outrage.

International bodies like the United Nations are openly spilling the beans on the painful scenario of Afghanistan women under Taliban rule. Recently a renowned UN rights expert said women’s freedoms had significantly deteriorated since the Taliban returned.

“There’s no country in the world where women and girls have so rapidly been deprived of their fundamental human rights purely because of gender,” Richard Bennett, the special rapporteur to UNHRC on the human rights situation in Afghanistan 

Even the women participating in the economic activities in Afghanistan are dwindling after the Taliban takeover. A whopping  77 percent of women’s CSOs have had no projects in 2022 due to a lack of funding, while some heads of organisations and civil society members have left the country. Since the Taliban takeover, foreign donors have drastically cut aid to Afghanistan, where there is a major economic and humanitarian crisis. The gruelling poverty under Taliban rule has made women of Afghanistan its first victim.

Child marriage is not thoroughly tracked in Afghanistan, with gaps in concrete, holistic data about the number of children affected, UNICEF has reported children being sold as young as 20 days old for future marriage, with girls disproportionately affected. Now, amid spiralling poverty and the difficulty of finding sustainable jobs – only five percent of Afghan families have enough to eat daily, and inflation for essential household goods is at 40 percent (PDF) – even more families are struggling. THIS Makes most of girl child vulnerable for Child marriage.

Even before the Taliban seized power, Afghanistan was ranked among the five poorest countries in the world, with almost half the population suffering from chronic food insecurity.

A year after the Taliban took control, aid agencies say nearly all Afghans now live in poverty.

Amid all this, women of Afghanistan are grappling with horrible choices.  A good number of Afghan women are now selling their babies. Poverty in Afghanistan has risen to a point where scores of women line up in front of bakeries in capital Kabul daily to beg for bread and keep their children alive. Women after selling their daughters are forced even to sell kidneys to feed their families. The fact of the matter is that 48 percent of the population in Afghanistan consists of women and thus Taliban need to dawn upon the reality fast  that the country cannot progress without the active participation of its women in building society, especially one which is war torn.

The all important menstrual hygiene has palmetted to a new low in the past one year, with a very small percentage of women having access to basic menstrual hygiene. Afghan girls lack access to menstrual products and education not just at home, but in school as well. Nearly half of women and girls are left in the dark when it comes to menstruation in the first place since education in such areas is virtually non-existent. One hopes Taliban who call themselves the harbinger of so-called morality would look into this aspect ,the hopes of which are bleak .

The whole World needs to brainstorm on how to help the women of Afghanistan recover from trauma & tragedy and get them the basic human rights that they have been deprived of for so many years now. The media, having covered it immensely in the beginning but slowly fading, should get it back into the light of discussions. In its entirety, humanity should empathise with the plight of the Afghan people & especially the women, extending all the aid possible.

Tehmeena Rizvi The author is a Public Policy Professional from J&K, Currently working in New Delhi. Her areas of 

Global Day of Non violence, editorial 3 October 2022 issue.

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Global Day of Non violence 

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

According to General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”. The resolution reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.

Few years back the wide and diverse sponsorship of the resolution was a reflection of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and of the enduring relevance of his philosophy. Words of Gandhi ji Stand tall.

 “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man”.

This year’s theme is “End racism. Build peace.” Racism robs people of their rights and dignity. It inflames inequalities and mistrust. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s message of this year includes, “Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life in every society. It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality. And it continues to deny people their fundamental human rights. It destabilizes societies, undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and… the linkages between racism and gender inequality are unmistakable.”

CURBING NARCOTIC SMUGGLING : cover story 3 October,2022

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Curbing Narcotic Smuggling 

News Kashmir Analysis 

Drug trafficking or narcotic smuggling is among the major issues faced by the humanity.  Kashmir valley too has got ruined by the vices of drug addiction especially the younger generation.  By definition the term Narcotic means powerful illegal drug that affects your mind in a harmful way. The word smuggling means to take things into or out of a country secretly in a way that is not allowed by the law; to take a person or a thing secretly into or out of a place. This drug trafficking or narcotic smuggling is destroying our youth by supply of drugs.

Now both in Jammu and Kashmir, and at National level the actions against this narcotic smuggling are becoming more active and coordinated.

The special wing of J&K Police, Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has launched a major crackdown in Jammu and Kashmir in a coordinated manner to curb narcotics smuggling with the arrest of over 1232 drug peddlers and lodging of 867 FIRs in the first quarter of 2021-2022.

The ANTF and J&K Police’s drive against drug peddling foiled many attempts of the inter-state drug peddlers with timely inputs provided by the intelligence agencies.

61.02 kg of heroin was seized in the first three quarters of 2022 and 6.03 kg of heroin was seized in the first quarter of 2021,” the official data revealed indicating a steep rise in heroin smuggling cases during the first quarter of 2022.

On National level, 

About 175 persons allegedly involved in drug smuggling have been arrested in different parts of the country in an operation led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in close coordination with the Interpol, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the police forces.

The multi-phase exercise code-named “Operation Garuda” has been launched to dismantle the drug smuggling networks with international linkages through coordinated enforcement actions across the world, through the Interpol.

On worrying side though,Drug trafficking through sea routes in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, estimated to account for around 70% of the total illegal drugs smuggled into India, poses a major challenge for law enforcement agencies, according to the latest annual report of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The use of maritime routes by international drug syndicates based in Pakistan and Afghanistan is only expected to increase, it said.

Anti- Narcotics Task Force ANTF a specialized unit of J&K police to check the rising menace of drugs, has arrested 1,232 drug peddlers and lodged 867 FIRs since its inception in 2020. During the period, the ANTF also foiled many attempts of the inter-state drug peddlers with timely inputs provided by the intelligence agencies.

The hope on ground zero is that across Jammu and Kashmir and in entire country the narcotic smuggling would be crushed.

Digital inclusion vision of Government

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Today is the age of digital governance throughout the world including in our country .

Digital inclusion and connectivity for all is an integral part of ‘antyodaya’ vision of the Government.  Last year Government approved a project for providing 4G mobile services in 7,287 uncovered villages in 44 aspirational districts across 5 states.

In his Independence Day address in 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave a call for saturation of government schemes. The Union Cabinet few days back  approved a project for saturation of 4G mobile services in uncovered villages across the country at a total cost of Rs. 26,316 Cr.

The project will provide 4G mobile services in 24,680 uncovered villages in remote and difficult areas. The project has a provision to include 20% additional villages on account of rehabilitation, new-settlements, withdrawal of services by existing operators etc.  In addition, 6,279 villages having only 2G/3G connectivity shall be upgraded to 4G.

The project will be executed by BSNL using Atmanirbhar Bharat’s 4G technology stack and will be funded through Universal Service Obligation Fund. The project cost of Rs. 26,316 Cr includes capex and 5 year opex.

BSNL is already in process of deployment of Atmanirbhar 4G technology stack, which will be deployed in this project as well.

One hopes we as a country make tremendous progress in Digital governance .

It also needs to be kept in mind that The project is a significant step towards the vision of the Government to provide mobile connectivity in rural areas. This project will promote delivery of various e-governance services, banking services, tele-medicine, tele-education etc. through mobile broadband and generate employment in rural areas.

Gurez Valley emerging as top destination

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Tahir Majeed

People living in villages near the Line of Control are now happily living a normal life and have hugely benefited from the ceasefire agreement.

Not only this, the government of India has  promoted the concept of border tourism, which has changed things altogether.

The areas situated close to the Line of Control (LoC), like Keran, Gurez, Tangdhar, Machil, and Bangus, have now been thrown open to the public. Thanks to the Indian Army which played a vital role in bringing these areas on the tourism map.

With heart-throbbing views of hills, streams and famous Neelum (Kishanganga) river, Gurez Valley is being promoted as a prime tourist destination. It is expected that the neighbouring county will not let these tourist places be used as infiltration routes anymore. 

February 25, 2021, was no less than an Eid for villagers living along the LoC in J&K. On this day India and Pakistan agreed to strictly observe all ceasefire agreements along the LoC and other sectors. People living in villages near the Line of Control are now happily living a normal life and have hugely benefited from the ceasefire agreement.

Not only this, the government of India has  promoted the concept of border tourism, which has changed things altogether.

Nowadays, tourists from across the country visit Gurez Valley. Peace on borders has given a sense of security to those who intend to visit these tourist destinations located close to LoC. The Government of India seems highly interested in developing these areas as tourist destinations.

During my visit to Gurez Valley I saw people enthusiastically welcoming tourists. Our group held interactions with the local people and tourists from different parts of country were seen  enjoying the beauty of nature.       We were surprised to find an amazing coffee shop, The Log Hut Café, in the town of Dawer has been established by Indian Army. All the staff running the cafe is local and has been trained by army  personnel. Such types of cafes and food outlets  need to be established at every border   tourist spot, like in Bangus Valley, Tangdhar, Machil and*Keran.

Gurez now seems emerging as one more Switzerland in Kashmir.  Once part of ancient Dardistan, the valley of Gurez falls along the ancient Silk Route which connected the Kashmir Valley with Gilgit. People here speak the Sina language and are full with quality of hospitality.

Gurez is located in the high Himalayas, about 86 kilometres from Bandipore town and 123 kilometres from Srinagar city, in northern Kashmir. At about 8,000 ft above sea level, the valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Razdan Pass divides this valley from Kashmir valley and it remains closed during the winter season due to heavy snowfall. The people of Gurez valley are ethnic Dards (Shins). They have the same styles of dress and culture as their kinsmen in Pakistan held Gilgit-Baltistan.

Dawar is the central township in Gurez . The population of the area is estimated to be about 35,000 in its all fifteen villages. Dawar is an important archaeological site. In village Kanzalwan, the last Council of Buddhism is believed to have been held. Just a few miles away in Neelum Valley (in the Pakistan-held part) is Sharda Peeth or the Seat of Sharda, named after the goddess of wisdom Saraswati. It was an ancient centre of learning established in 273 B, even before the Takshila and Nalanda universities. Such is the importance of this*valley.

Gurez’s most formidable peak is Habba Khatoon. This pyramid-shaped peak was named after the Kashmiri poet Habba Khatoon. The emperor of Kashmir Yousuf Shah Chak was enthralled by Habba Khatoon’s beauty, intelligence and poetry. Shah is said to have arranged her divorce and married her. When Shah was imprisoned by his rival King Akbar, Habba Khatoon began to wander near this peak that now bears her name to look for her lover. Before the partition of Kashmir, Gurez was a destination for foreign tourists such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who is known to have visited the valley some time before he became the US president.

Sports and Tourism Potential:

Experts believe that if the valley is promoted in a proper way it can attract tourists from across the globe and can generate employment for thousands of unemployed youth of Kashmir. There is unparalleled potential of adventure tourism, sports tourism, trekking, water rafting, skiing, skating, rock climbing and snowboarding etc . The media has a crucial role to play in promoting emerging destinations like Gurez Valley. However, the valley has been not given the coverage it deserves. Recently a Kashmir-based association of volunteers, Youth Peace Club (YPC), brought here a team of media persons who captured the beautiful scenery of Gurez, conducted interviews of tourists and locals. Thousands of social media users have showcased the beauty of the valley and have succeeded in creating some awareness.

Writer  can be reached on : lawtahirmajeed@gmail.com

Stree Shakti Mahotsava Dayawati Modi Award presented to Alka Saraogi

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In an important development  at India International center,  Delhi the Stree Shakti , the Parallel Force, well known women oriented organization  of India  presented recently  prestigious Award Dayawati Modi to well known Hindi writer Alka Saraogi .

Honorable philospher and Politician  Dr. Karan Singh was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Prominent writer Smt. CHITRA Mudgal and Dancer Shovana Narayan  were guests of honour along with Dr. KK Mishra.

Smt.  Chitra Mudgal lauded the efforts of Stree Shakti for identifying the global and national women of struggle and repute . 

She observed that Dayawati Modi Award has recognised women from all sectors,  and urged all to take efforts for upliftment of women  ..

Alka Saraogi eminent Indian novelist and short story writer in the Hindi language received on 27 July, 2022 the  prestigious prestigious Stree Shakti Award at India International center New Delhi, India.

Young boy Devansh who recently made an interesting movie x or y to promote gender equality was given the first Gender Influencer award instuited by Stree Shakti .

Rekha Mody , Founder of Stree Shakti lauded the efforts of Alka Saraogi for translation of magnificent stories in Teerah Halaf Namey.  She lauded the efforts of esteemed Dr. Karan Singh poineering efforts in field of Hindi Publishing and literature .

Shovana Narayan ace Dancer of India stated that Rekha Mody has carried forward the tradition of women activism, research,   literature and civilization legacy forward in positive direction.

Dr. Karan Singh eminent philosopher and politician of the country observed that he has seen the birth and evolution  of great country of India. He said from Jawahir Lal Nehru to Narendra Modi he had maintained positive contacts with all Prime Minister’s and Presidents of the country  .

He saluted great efforts of Rekha Mody in women empowerment efforts  .Dr. Karan Singh called it historical development that tribal women becoming President of India as few decades back tribal population was not taken into reckoning anywhere.

Dr. Kamal Kishor Mishra, eminent Professor of Sanskrit modulated the entire programme

Combating Corruption – News Kashmir Exclusive

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Corruption has been hydra headed monster for Jammu and Kashmir. In the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir the tag of being among the most corrupt states of country hurt the image and progress of Jammu and Kashmir.  But , now realities are changing as the Government of Jammu and  Kashmir is making rapid progress to root out the menace of corruption. The drive against corrupt Government officials by different Government agencies is a great step welcomed by one and all.

In recent times while rendering historic efforts in ending corruption in Jammu and several high ranking officials have been booked and arrested while accepting bribe  .

Just few days back, Anti Corruption Bureau received a complaint against one Manzoor Ahmad, Field Supervisor posted in the office of JK SC, ST & OBC Development Corporation, Baramulla for allegedly accepting bribe of ₹15,000 and demanding bribe of ₹4000 from complainant for processing his loan case.

The complainant alleged that he is running a Kiryana Shop at old Town Baramulla and to expand his business about six months ago he had applied for loan under the Scheme from SC, ST & OBC Development Corporation Baramulla. The interest rate for the said loan is 6% for which he was eligible. He fulfilled all the required formalities for sanction of his loan. The concerned field Supervisor and district officer were not sanctioning loan in favour of the complainant.

Few weeks back, Anti-corruption Bureau  arrested Tehsildar Shalteng and Naib-tehsildar Batamaloo in Srinagar district for allegedly accepting bribe.

An ACB spokesman said it received a written complaint alleging therein that Mohammad Younis, Tehsildar and Gh. Rasool Hajam, Naib-Tehsildar of Tehsil Office Shalteng are demanding rupees 5 lakh as bribe for allowing the complaints to run their business on Nazool land transferred in their favour under Roshni Act which has been recently declared ultra vires, at Rampur, Chattabal Srinagar, while the matter is sub-judice and pending disposal before the Court of law.

About a month back, Anti Corruption Bureau traps and arrests Gulzar Ahmad Makloo, Patwari, Halqa Zakoora, Srinagar for demanding ₹50,000 and accepting ₹15,000 bribe for issuance of revenue extracts.

In a statement, Anti Corruption Bureau said that they received a written complaint wherein it has been alleged that Gulzar Ahmad Makloo, Patwari, Halqa Zakura, Srinagar is demanding Rs. 50,000/- as a bribe for issuance of revenue extracts of land in favour of the complainant.

The need of the hour is that Government of Jammu and Kashmir continues these drives against corrupt elements and above all they should be given exemplary punishment.

South Asian Peace is Fragile : Dr. Karan Singh

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Dr. Karan Singh is eminent politician and philosopher of country. He is the son of the last ruling Maharaja of erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, Sir Hari Singh. He was the prince regent of Jammu and Kashmir until 1952. From 1952 to 1965 he was the Sadr-i-Riyasat (President) of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the Republic of India.He is the chairperson trustee of the Dharmarth Trust of Jammu and Kashmir which maintains 175 temples in north India and works in other areas such as historical preservation.

In an exclusive interview with News Kashmir Magazine,  he talks to Farzana Mumtaz and Rameez Makhdoomi. 

How do you view election of Droupadi Murmu as President of India?

Earlier on huge number of people the schedule caste, Adavasis , Schedule Tribes were kept out of system for more than 60 years. Droupadi  Murmu  presidency represents great and positive change for India .  I am older than this republic and have seen many times, ups and downs  and bringing such marginalized communities to center of our polity is treat to soul of India. Droupadi Murmu is powerful symbol of positivity, she lost husband and sons but kept on fighting with great spirt . Her presidency resembles huge positive change and proud moment for us as country .

Few decades back you stated that development is contraception and then after decade or so you said contraception is development,  your take on it now ?

Yes, this is an interesting question.  I have not given much thought to population issue for sometime, yes recently read that India is going to surpass China in Coming times in terms of population which was worrying, but now contraception use is improving and fertility rate is coming down across communities which is a great sign. 

What is your take on less debating in Parliament in India in past few decades ,how much negative it is for democracy?

It is matter of concern for all of us that in past few decades the quality of debating is going down in Parliament  and unnecessary ruckus is being created. This hurts the democracy. Once late Arun Jaitley had stated disruption of Parliament is legitimate right of opposition which I don’t agree and believe that often  disruptions are harming to democracy. In times of Jawahir Lal Nehru or even Indira Gandhi both Government as well as opposition used to do quality debating,  but now it is going haywire. No doubt opposition has right to protest on issues of price rise but creating ruckus in the well of Parliament is not at all acceptable. 

How do you see the Journey of India as we are approaching 75th year of Independence?

At the time of Independence we could not even produce needle and now we are global hub of production, and even sending people to space. India as country has made tremendous progress in past 75 years. On the negative side our biggest weakness as nation of India is that we have not been able to  abolish the poverty. Still crores of people live under crushing poverty and I hope this reality would change towards betterment in coming times .

Do you think progress has happened in Jammu and Kashmir post article 370 abrogation?

The realities are complex, it is difficult to answer. When I meet some people they say nothing has happened.  But, you have to understand from road network to other infrastructure and projects Jammu and Kashmir Government offlate has Kickstarted many important projects. There is no magic wand and things will take time   . The biggest development that has happened post abrogation of article 370 is that Jewel of Kashmir beauty the World famous Dal Lake is clean again and regaining its lost glory as since past few decades Dal Lake had got destroyed .

Is the declining nature of opposition worrying sign for India ?

Yes for parliamentary democracy like ours strong opposition is the need of the hour, as democracy can’t remain  dynamic without active opposition. The present status of main opposition party Congress is sad ,  and I am also since long the member of congress party . The present condition of Congress due to different factors is worrying. However, on otherwise from Telengana to Odisha and also in WestBengal the regional opposition parties are doing good .

Your take on South Asian Peace?

The peace in South Asia is quite fragile. Pakistan is facing chaos and instability,  Sri Lanka is facing economic disaster and Burma is under military rule .All these are worrying signs for South Asian Peace.

Your message, especially to people of Jammu and Kashmir?

I express my deep wishes to the people of Jammu and Kashmir . I feel I have not able to offer them a satisfying solution to their problem and owe them a spiritual Debt. I urge them to make most out of the developmental efforts done by the Government.  We need to regain the lost glory of Jammu as death and destruction has given us nothing.