Stay alert on Cyber world Cybercrime is defined as a crime where a computer is the object of the crime or is used as a tool to commit an offense. A cybercriminal may use a device to access a user’s personal information, confidential business information, government information, or disable a device.The need of the hour in Kashmir is to stay awake about all forms of cyber crime .Cyber Police Kashmir on Wednesday spread awareness via twitter regarding some miscreants blackmailing the people on social media by extorting the money after threatening the victims to make their pictures and videos viral online.
The Cyber Police Kashmir tweeted following some incidents of sextortion in Kashmir that social media users should be aware about the accepting of random friend requests or chatting with unknown whatsapp users.
The police tweeted the poster which read, “Accepting random friend requests, video calls on facebook or whatsapp from strangers can land you in trouble. Blackmailers have devised a modus operandi to befriend people online and later get their photos/videos through video call and morph these photos/videos on pornographic photos or videos then blackmail the victim and demand huge amounts of money.”The realities urge on common man to use cyber world with utmost caution so that one does not fall prey to cyber crime .Recently in a welcome Development, The Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested 23 people after multiple raids were conducted at different call centres in Srinagar in connection with cyber frauds and hacking. According to police, arrests were made after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered under sections 66, 66-B and 66-C of the IT Act, and sections 419 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The FIR on the reports of cyber frauds and hacking was registered at Cyber Police Station, Kashmir Zone, Srinagar. Later, police carried out multiple raids in Srinagar and arrested 23 people.One hopes our cyber world becomes safe space soon.
SUPERSITITION IS THE RELIGION OF FEEBLE MINDSSyed Mustafa Ahmad It is truly said that superstitiSupersuyon is the religion of feeble minds. In the age of rationalization, it is still prevalent in our society. A lot of people believe in superstitions. Generally, the word ‘ superstition’ is referred to such beliefs which are beyond reason and cannot be explained. Thus, the things that have no scientific explanation, can be termed as superstitions. Superstitions are the legacy of every civilization and are inherited by the following generations. It originated when man was at the mercy of natural elements. These elements are the forces of nature like the Sun, the Moon, water, etc. The men worshipped fire because of its destructive ability or power. When men started falling prey to diseases, he started appeasing the God’s with offerings, penances and sacrifices to ward off evil spirits. It is important to understand various reasons for the birth of superstitions. Illiteracy, lack of knowledge and incapacity to reason out are the basic reasons which generate superstitions. Something which is mysterious, unknown and unexplainable may arouse feeling of fear and anxiety. The fear in its turn gives rise to blind faith, complexes and superstitions. The sense of some insecurity, fear of ill luck and the dread of the unknown forces in the Universe are ingrained in human nature. It is believed that only illiterate people living in rural areas are believers of superstitions. But it is not wholly true. The people living in the cities are also prone to superstitions. Nowadays, highly educated people living in urban areas are not free from these. They are educated but not enlightened. They only now the superficiality of things and are unacquainted with in-depth knowledge of things. All the people in the world share some common superstitions. Believing in spirits, ghosts, witches, the cries of owl, the mewing of cats, etc., to name a few, are superstitions followed all over the globe. A cat crossing one’s path, sneeze or when someone interrupts or calls while one is going out are considered as bad signs. Similarly, there are auspicious and inauspicious days. People consult astrologers and priests to know the auspicious hours and days to start their work, projects and journey. The time and date of marriage, inauguration are fixed according to the advice of astrologers and the position of the planets and stars. Apart from these, the worst form of superstitions followed in India is human sacrifice. Small children are sacrificed in the name of offerings to gods in order to appease gods and become wealthy. Even animals, without any religious authentication, are mercilessly killed. It is illogical in every sense. How can God be happy by killing those who have life? We are advised not to harm a living in any respect. Superstitions can sometimes lead to horrifying crimes. Women, who are suspected of practising witchcraft are tied and burnt alive. A lot of resources are wasted in serving the so-called the champions of any religion in order to please gods. These become middlemen between God and a devotee. It results in narrow meaning of any religion and gives rise to superstitions. In our Muslim society, a large number of superstitions are prevalent. Our religion abhors any type of superstition. Anything that is good, happens by the grace of God. The natural phenomena are the creations of God. There is no room for superstitions. Rationality is the mantra of the Muslims. But unfortunately, we have become the most superstitions community in the worldly terms. Now, the question that is of utmost importance is that even after scientific developments, what is the place of superstitions in our lives? The reality of God is a big mystery. When it is almost decided that the whole Universe runs according to a plan, planned by the creator in a subtle manner. What is the need of superstitions? Against this background, the Indian Constitution talks about the eradication of superstitions through the fundamental duty in Article 51A. It states to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform. To completely eradicate superstitions from our society, it is important to change the mindset of people. Spiritual teachers can be the best remedy. They teach the realities of life in a most sophisticated way. They talk of the ordinary things of life. They don’t talk of supernatural things. They make you believe that a disease is a test from your creator. He loves us. He promises to help us. He loves those, who love humanity. This mindset will make it clear that there are no enemies. Any calamity is from God to teach us something. Our beautiful bodies are the gifts of God. He, whenever likes, can take back all these things from us. The awareness of new kind can be imparted to those who are prone to superstitions. A bill to curb superstitions was approved in the state of Maharashtra, after the assassination of Dr Narendra Dabholkar, an anti superstition activist. It criminalizes the practices related to black magic, human sacrifices, use of magic, remedies to cure ailments and other such acts that exploit people’s superstitions. It is a nice gesture towards removing the practices that are unimaginable in the age of science and technology. However, mere amendments in law cannot ensure a permanent solution to this persistent problem. Stringent enforcement of the law, collective responsibility taken up by the government is activists and public play a crucial role in eradicating superstitions. In today’s world, it is necessary that we do not blindly follow any superstition passed by our ancestors and being passed by the present society. We are becoming modern day by day. We have gained a lot in every respect. We have progressed miles ahead. However, we do have shortcomings. But the shortcomings should act as a muscle power for the progress of our nations. It is important to have a judicious look for some logical reason behind every superstition before accepting it. So, let us at our individual level pledge that we will try our best not to fall prey to the illogical superstitions. Writer:syed Mustafa Ahmad.Syedmustafaahmad9@gmail.com.
News Kashmir Exclusive Moral degradation has plagued kashmir over the past few years. We have been continuously witnessing growing drug addiction, vulgarity, loss of respect for elders are some of the evident realities that once pious kashmiri society is fast losing its moral fabric. All this is impacting our growth as a society. As a result once known for its pious values the region of Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a highly disturbing scenario with crime level reaching to an alarming level here.Srinagar the heart of Kashmir has also witnessed many ugly crimes in recent times . The Valley of Saints Kashmir is fast becoming known for all the wrong reasons . Few weeks back murder of Ziyaan Chisti, son of Mohammad Ashraf Chisti, a resident of Rainawari area of Srinagar was stabbed to death while another youth namely Faizan Fida Bhat, son of Fida Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Elahibagh was left wounded near the Dastgeer Sahib shrine in Khanyar in evening time . Police on its part stated that , one of the main reasons behind this entire episode has been established that an accused person owed the deceased youth a sum of rupees 7 thousand. The entire argument revolved around the issue of money and seems to be major reason behind the argument, which has resulted in the killing of one person namely Ziyaan Chisti, while another Faizan Bhat has been injured.Shockingly the murder was commited by dear friend .Police after few days claimed to have cracked the sensational murder of a 17 year old youth and arrested three accused from Srinagar old city. The accused have been identified as Mohammad Zahid Bhat and Faizan Fida Bhat of Ellahi Bagh, Soura and Wajid Altaf Kaullah of Jabgri Pora Nowhatta Srinagar. Police said all the three accused persons have been arrested within 12 hrs of the incident and investigation of the case is underway.On the other hand, J&K has witnessed an increase in crimes against women during the past two years, a report by state Crime Branch (CB) has revealed. In 2017, at least 3363 cases of atrocities against women were registered by police. These included cases of kidnapping, abduction, rape, molestation, dowry, cruelty by husband and other crimes. In previous years one has been witness to the fact that heinous crimes unheard in Kashmir some decades ago have occurred frequently . Sane voices are urging that all the stakeholders of the society urge that we all introspect to check the rising tendency of crimes in Kashmir.
Khelo India Zanskar Winter Sports and Youth festival 2021 concludes
The 13 day long Khelo India Zanskar winter sports and youth festival concluded at Zanskar Valley of the Union Territory of Ladakh. The festival, first of its kind was organized by the Department of Sports & Youth Services under the Khelo India banner in collaboration with the Ladakh Tourism Department. The festival was organised to showcase potential in adventure tourism and sports and aims to open a new arena in Ladakh for adventure and economy. It is one of the biggest events that has been organised to promote winter tourism in Ladakh. The 13day long festival was started on January 18th and concluded on Saturday, January 30th 2021. Member of Parliament (MP) Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal was the chief guest on the occasion while Councillor Cha Constituency Stanzin Lakpa was guest of honor. Secretary Sports Ravinder Kumar, Director Tourism UT Ladakh Kunzes Angmo, Padma Shree Awardee Tsultrim Chonjor, Presidents of Ladakh Buddhist Association Zanskar, Zanskar Gonpa Association, Zanskar Muslim Association, LBA Youth Wing, Muslim Youth Wing, Women’s Association Zanskar, OSDs and Under Secretaries of UT Ladakh, officers of Army and GREF, and other sub divisional officers were present as special guests. Speaking on the occasion, Tsering Namgyal said that the event is a great achievement towards promoting winter sports and tourism in Ladakh. He elaborated that so far tourists would visit religious places and other sites only, but this event will change the scenario in terms of expansion of economic activities and tourism. Namgyal thanked and appreciated the role played by UT administration and other concerned departments in making the event a huge success. He said that in upcoming year the event will be prolonged for around 70 days including trekking on the Chadar Trek. Secretary Sports Ravinder Kumar in his address appreciated the efforts of the MoS Sports and Youth Affairs, GoI Kiren Rijiju, MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Department of Youth Services and Sports UT, Ladakh, Department of Tourism UT Ladakh, other concerned agencies and individuals besides the people of Zanskar for their efforts in making this event a successful one. “I assure you that this event will be conducted with much efficiency and affectivity next year. With support from the Ministry of Sports, GoI we will assist in infrastructural development, equipment procurement and other necessary assistance”, said Kumar. Speaking on the occasion, Director Tourism UT Ladakh Kunzes Angmo said that Zanskar has potential for winter tourism and adventure, for which the Department of Tourism Ladakh will strive to develop necessary requirements. The winter festival showcased a host of outdoor activities and sporting events like ice hockey, snow skiing, yalk and horse riding, ice climbing and archery. Events of social and cultural importance like snow sculpting, food festival, yoga and meditation were also the part of the festival. Appreciation certificates were distributed among athletes, coaches, organizers and other participants. Various sporting teams, Zanskar students Association and other cultural troupes presented colourful folk songs and dances on the occasion. Around 700 people from various different parts of Zanskar participated in the event. Pertinently, the Union Sports Ministry plans to provide sports facilities in all regions of Ladakh. It aims to promote Ladakh as a centre for Ice Hockey and soon open a center for archery and polo in two areas in the region.
Writer:-Ijlana Nazir ijlananazir@gmail.com “The Days that makes us happy makes wise” When I first read the lines by England’s poet laureate, it startled me. What did John Masefield mean? Without thinking about it much I always assumed that the opposite was true. But his sober assurance was arresting. I could not forget it. Finally, I seemed to grasp his meaning and realized that here was a profound observation. The wisdom that happiness makes possible lies in clear perception, not fogged by anxiety nor dimmed by despair and boredom, and without the blind spots caused by fear. Active happiness not mere satisfaction or contentment often comes suddenly, like an April shower or the unfolding of a bud. Then you discover what kind of wisdom has accompanied it. The grass is greener, birds’ songs are sweeter. The shortcomings of your friends are more understandable and more forgivable. Happiness is like a pair of eyeglasses correcting your spiritual vision. Nor are the insights of happiness limited to what is near around you. Unhappy, with your thoughts turned in upon your emotions woes; your vision is cut short as though by a wall. Happiness the wall crumbles. The long vista is there for seeing. The ground at your feet the worlds about you-people, thoughts, emotions, pressures are now fitted into the larger scène. Everything assumes a fairer proportion. And here is the beginning of wisdom. From the early stages of life a person experiences a lot of things , gains a lot of knowledge about every aspect of life especially life itself. Life is never easy, it many times teaches us a lesson at that point where a prominent teacher or where family, friends, relatives these words seems muffled in the fog of golden age of trying to achieve all, Upbringing from the days where we start to observe world I use to listen from my elders we learn when we fail(“girnay k baad insaan sambalta hai”) the words were dancing in room of mind how can it be possible but later on I get to know the wisdom behind these experiences. After every short comings and emotional fights within one’s mind ,changes in hormones and the change in moods as well , happiness, sorrow, regret, these are the days of early formation of our way of accepting life and the world around, these are the times when an eye connects to its cognitive nerve and starts to observe the battling views. Millions of people fritter away their lives by a thousand details of which nine hundred get them no-where certainly not towards happiness. And so do their parents. They live life fast, but neither hard nor deep. They live too fast because they don’t know where they simplify their lives because they had never simplified their thinking. These millions have never stopped long enough to calculate what an aim worth having is. They really don’t know what they want, or where they have to reach, the only goal of there is to reach to the lively luxuries which fades soon before the dream of being esteem fades away. Henry Thoreau, a great natural philosopher, had his own solution to the problem, and anyone can apply his theory in his/her general principle. We live in the midst of details that keep us running around in a circle and never getting anywhere but tired, or that bring on nervous breakdowns and coronary thrombosis. The answers no to talk to the woods, but to find out what we really want to do and then cut out the details that fritter away what is most valuable in life. Live deep instead of fast. I think this is what Thoreau mean. He who had set his course in the direction which his own intuition and logical intelligence led him to believe was the right one, and with dogged courage he keeps on going. The words of people are not especially comforting ones but these are days when the world is less in the need of supine comfort than gallantry and faith in an inner integrity. During times of distress, doubts and weariness, people may well be inspired by the- words of the great navigator, “This day we sailed on” (Christopher Columbus).One of the most appalling comments on our present way of the life is that half of our hospital beds are occupied by the patients with nervous and mental troubles. And a principal cause is that too many people allow themselves to collapse under the crushing burdens of accumulated yesterdays and fearful tomorrows. Here is the problem: you and I are standing in this split second at the meeting place of two eternities-the vast past that has endured forever and the future that is plunging on to the last syllable of recorded time. We can’t possibly live in the either of those eternities, but we often try to do so; and in the process, we wreck both our bodies and our minds. The answer is to live for today in that way which makes you happy to prepare for tomorrow. Of course, it may be that part of today’s work calls for reviewing the past or planning for tomorrow. But there is no excuse for doing so with regret or panic. Instead we should get the facts and push on from there. Today is the only time we can possibly live. Let’s not turn it into a physical and mental hell by aimless worry about the future. Let’s also stop fretting over the blunders we made yesterday. Remember how a walking trip always seems shorter if we concentrate, not on the total distance to our destination, but just the distance to our next milepost. In the same way, we should concentrate on living within today. Then better tomorrow will inevitably follow. Faith in oneself is important part of all others faiths. The lack of it can paralyze a life. Of course it is natural to have nervous moments. Everyone who has spoken in public is acquainted with the panic that seizes one just before the occasion. There is always the fear that lines will be forgotten, that something will go wrong, and yet the play goes on, usually without a hitch. The same preliminary lack of confidence attends every accomplishment known to man the launching of a military campaign, the composition of poem, the salesman’s first trip, the bride’s first cookery. But if we all succumbed to such misgiving nothing would ever be done. Self- doubt is caused by the fact that every human activity involves some other person whose praise or blame seems unduly important. We set goal of perfection before ourselves and groaningly conclude that it cannot be achieved. But perfectionism is the dangerous state of mind in an imperfect world. The best way is to forget doubt and set about the task in hand. While the battle is being fought or the cake is baking in the oven, leave the outcome to the future where it belongs. If you are doing your best, you will not have time to worry about failure. Live for today with happiness and satisfaction, leaving apart the burdens of tomorrow, prepare for a failure before every new day and start with good confidence and a hand full of smile, because THE DAYS THAT MAKES US HAPPY MAKES US WISE. “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind, Be led by the dreams in your heart. More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgments. More blessed less stressed. More love, less hate.” (Roy T.Bennett)
While you are trying to help them, make sure they don’t destroy you.
Suhaib Ashraf Bhat
“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” (Khalil Gibran)The basic foundation for success in social relationships is love for people, and being kind and polite towards them. Man is a social animal and to live and survive in life, humans have to interact and rely on each other. This is the reason why humans have the gift of being born with relationship and throughout their lives they go for new relationships or try getting rid of the ones that don’t contribute positively to their lives. One of such relationships that humans value greatly is friendship. Friends are an integral and important part of life as they contribute heavily in what a person makes of his or her life. This is the reason why Islam also speaks about friendship. Islam acknowledges the importance of friends in one’s life, therefore, it emphasizes on the selection of right friends. The lines below discuss the importance of friends in the light of Islam and what different criterions should a Muslim follow pertaining to the matter of making friends. Being kind to people in word and deed, and all kinds of doing good. This is one of the means of removing worry, distress and anxiety. By this means Allah swt wards off worries and distress from the righteous and immoral alike, but the believer has the greater share of this, and is distinguished by the fact that his kindness to others stems from sincerity and the hope of reward, so Allah swt makes it easy for him to be kind to others because of the hope that this will bring good things and ward off bad things, by means of his sincerity and hope of reward. Allah swt says (interpretation of the meaning):“There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allah’s Cause), or Ma‘roof (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind; and he who does this, seeking the good Pleasure of Allah swt, We shall give him a great reward.” [al-Nisa 4:114]Life’s trials show us our true friends & help us to be grateful to God. My father always used to say, hardships and empty pockets will teach you millions of things which no college or university can. Yes papa, You are right.This is how life teaches you. So friends don’t ever forget Advice is easy, what is difficult is accepting it, for it is bitter in taste. I am not advising anyone of you as all of you know much more than me, But its just my conclusion, Trials and tribulation are like feeling the heat and cold, when one knows that they cannot be avoided, he will not feel anger at their onset, nor will he be distressed or disheartened. More-ever, World is not permanent, It is the test you will go through due to it, With hardship comes ease’ The ease will overwhelm the hardship. just be patient and remain Positive.. In Quran, Allah swt says: “And (remember) the day when the unjust one shall bite his hands saying: O! Would that I had taken a way with the Messenger! O woe is me! Would that I had not taken such a one for a friend! Certainly he led me astray from the reminder after it had come to me. Ah! The Evil One is but a traitor to man!.” (25:27-29) There are a variety of things that become clear from this ayah of Quran. The first thing that becomes clear is the fact that Allah swt acknowledges friendship as a factor that is important to the life of a person. Therefore, making friends is not something alien or out of Islam, rather friends are acknowledged as a relationship in Islam. The second thing that becomes clear from this verse is the fact that the kind of friend that one has have a great role to play in what a person gets in the life hereafter. Those who get paradise will definitely have their friends as their partners because they all contributed in the life each other and followed the path of righteousness. On the other hand, the ones who receive hell as a reward of their deeds will complain about their friends and lament upon the fact that it is following their unrighteous friends that has resulted in this plight of theirs; therefore, it is imperative that a Muslim has righteous friends.Pertaining to the righteous friends, Allah Almighty says in Quran:“Friends on the Day will be enemies one to another, except al-Muttaqun (i.e. those who have piety).” (43:67)From this ayah it is clear that on the Day of Judgment there won’t be any friends, rather it would be such a situation that friends would turn into enemies. At such an instance, only those who are pious would remain friends of each other. Therefore, if one is to make friends, then he or she should make friends who are pious, because such friends don’t just remain friends in this world only, rather they remain friends in the world hereafter as well and help each other out.Reminds me the couplet of Molana Amir UsmaniJo marhalon mei sath thai woh manzilon pai chut gaye, Jo raat mei lutai na thai woh dopahar mei luth gaye, Magan tha mei ki pyaar k bouhat sai giit gavonga, zuban gung ho gayi, galai mei giit ghut gaye, kati huvi hai ungliyan rubaab dhundhta hon mei. In the period of sufferings real character of the people are revealed and exposed. The masks are down while the ugly faces are open to humanity as whole but don’t forget “No sadness goes on and No joy lasts forever”.You can be damn sure that the people who are there for you when you most need help are the ones that really do love you. It’s easy to love someone when they’re happy and breezing through life. It’s more difficult when that person is so stuck in pain they barely have any love to give. Remember that the people who really, truly, unconditionally love you, will still have love to give to you, even if you’re temporarily unable to give it back. Secondly, struggle doesn’t make you who you are as much as it tends to reveal who you are. When you’re truly in a state of desperation to fix something, your real self will start to emerge out of necessity. Pay attention to this. There are great lessons to be learned from seeing what you do and who you are in the most trying times.And the poet said,This was no friendship, to forsake your friend, To promise your support and at the end Abandon him-this was sheer treachery. Friend follows friend to end. When sorrow comes one’s true friends are found; In times of joy ten thousand gathers around.Verily, Allah swt shows you true face of people in a most mysterious way.
By Syed Mustafa Ahmad Environmental pollution can be defined as the addition of some unwanted substances in the environment, which are harmful for both living and non living. It can also be defined as the decrease in the level of the life-living gases that result in the rise of some other unwanted gases, which ultimately cause the environmental pollution. It is not a recent phenomenon. But it is the process of many centuries. In recent years, it has kept a brisk pace. The previous decade witnessed some of the hottest years of the century. It is visible in the decreasing of the ground water level in India, flooding of many areas, the bushfires of Australia, the melting of glaciers in the fragile Himalayan region, the thinning of the ice in Antarctica, the extinction of species, the vulnerability of species, the huge storms, the spreading of deadly diseases, etc. There are many other examples that only suggest that the situation is going from bad to worse. But the point I want to discuss is that if a man is the crown of humanity, why can’t he solve this problem? And more importantly than this is that what are the causes responsible for this global problem. Let us try to know more about this. First is industrialization. The heavy machinery creates havoc in the environment. The chimneys produce the toxic gases. The effluents or the hot waters from the industries go into the seas. They destroy the ecosystem of the marine life, which eventually disturb the ecological stability or balance of the environment. Moreover, the other wastes produced by the industries are dumped without any scientific watch. It also plays with the delicateness of the environment. Delhi is a good example of this. The dumping site is as big as a mountain. It kills animals, human beings, spreads diseases, wastes energy, litters the landscape, etc. In our valley, we also witness the same situation. There is no planning on the part of the government to decompose the wastes in a scientific manner. In Israel, the majority of the wastes is decomposed in a scientific manner. But we can’t do it? Second is deforestation. Deforestation results in rain deficiency on the one hand and droughts on the other hand. It is being reported that a large part of the Amazon forests is cleared due to continuous felling of trees. In our valley, the smugglers are hand in glove with the government in looting our precious resources. Everyday we come across the news that smugglers are caught red-handed in this and that part of the valley. It has given rise to the loss of the habitats of the wild animals. The end result is the human-wild conflict. Recently, many wild animals were seen in the human habitations due to our greed and narrow-minded approach. Overall, the continuous felling of trees has brought a lot of harm to the environment. Trees keep the ecological balance of the environment. When they are cut ruthlessly, there are cent percent chances of the environmental pollution. Third is the continuous rise in the plying of vehicles on the already narrow roads. Every day, new vehicles appear playing on the roads. First, the roads are not so wide to drive comfortably. The result is that many lives are lost. The fuel used in the majority of vehicles is non-renewable. It means that it won’t last forever. Moreover, these vehicles produce the toxic gases that disturb the environment on the large scale. Acid rain is a good example of this. Slowly and steadily, the ground is prepared for the environmental pollution. Fourth is that we waste energy. The bulbs are on without any purpose. The taps drip through out the day and night. The vehicles are washed with the drinking water. The engines of the vehicles are not stopped at the red light. Food is wasted on most of the functions. Mobile phones are on without any purpose. The televisions and radios are talking through out the day and night without any listeners. Refrigerators, washing machines, vaccum cleaners, etc., are on without any real purpose. There are many examples like this which suggest that there is some leniency on our part. In short, the above discussion has one thing in common that is all the things destroy the environment in one way or other. Last is that we are unaware about the importance of the environment. We take things for granted. We don’t have such kind of mindsets that may help us to ponder over the diversities in the environment. We never bother to respect the endowments bestowed upon us by the Creator of the universe. We come to senses when it is too late. This approach of ungratefulness is very dangerous. It is necessary to have compassion towards the environment. It pays and will pay if we remain little bit diligent. A lot of damage has been done. Now, there is need to carry out the mission of the real construction. We have to remain careful in not destroying the environment further. There is an urgent need of this mindset. We can’t be so complacent. Let us pledge that every person at his or her individual level, try his or best to protect the environment. By: Syed Mustafa Ahmad .Syedmustafaahmad9@gmail.com.
Making Narbal to Baramulla road world class my Dream : Advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone Advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone is a well known Activist and lawyer , TV Debater of Kashmir who recently won the DDC election from prestigious Sangrama seat in North Kashmir defeating many political heavyweights . In an exclusive interview with the News Kashmir he talks to Rameez Makhdoomi. Why did you contest DDC elections as some thought it didn’t suit your personality? I congested DDC election process with the aim to serve people as I was already in Public service . I had in past times too unsuccessfully contested electoral process . As far as Panchayat Raj act is concerned DDC is related to Development and people come to me for assistance and support . I thought in order to ease sufferings of my people who lag basic needs like water , Electricity as is case in my DDC constituency that I should contest . The second reason is even if one is Panch ,Sarpanch or Nambardar he or she should believe that we should legally and politically fight for getting our rights back guaranteed by Constitution of India ,and I also wanted that BJP and it’s proxies should be defeated .Anyone becoming Panch or DDC member or anything should remind that rights given to us by Constitution and constituent assembly of India need to be restored back. We need both legal and political fight to get back our rights .What would you do to end neglect of your area especially with reference to basic needs ?We will leave no stone unturned to end miseries of masses. Recently , when there was a heavy snowfall I on my own went to administration and got the snow cleared and I am thankful for their support .I went from village to village . We will do everything to see that basic needs of people are fulfilled. Promises made in Baramulla District. during back to village programmes need to be fulfilled . We would see MNREGA and all works are executed on time and people get their due plus DDC can play role in electricity ,water like issues . Standing committees on finance , health and education DDC members have a role to play . I appealed when I took oath to all the 14 DDC members of Baramulla for having a common thrust that we should jointly have for widening of road from Narbal to Baramulla , as this road is key to progress of Baramulla district . This road has become death trap and long traffic jams .Your take on who are the strong contenders for DDC Chairman for Baramulla District ?It is difficult to say which alliance or person would become DDC chairman. Some people say their is confusion regarding alphabet ordering of Baramulla or Budgam as one of these might get reserved meaning only women DDC Chairman. It is unfortunate to note that many political players are getting desperate even in Gupkar alliance to gain chairmanship which is disappointing. How far will DDC formula be successful in Jammu and Kashmir as previously it has been tried in Srilanka only ?We believe as far as this act is considered it provides Development at grasroot level , devolution of power at Gram Sabha level and meaning thereby common People of village will formulate Development plan . By virtue of Panchayat Raj act now we have District Development Council instead of previous District Development Board and the voting rights were with MLA , MP and now in DDC only these 14 members have voting rights and other powers in standing committees on fulfilling basic needs of masses.You defeated many political heavyweights in the DDC election . How do you view same ?The people have lot of expectations from me . They believe that I will work with full dedication and truth . Apart from Development , they expect I will play a role for the genuine political greiviance especially resolution of Kashmir problem . My people believe that I would be firm voice on restoration of our eschewed political rights . Although I never forget that I am a too small a person .Dont you believe revenge against those we fight electorally or don’t vote for us should be now a phenomenon of past ?I consider those who contested against me not as enemies but as political opponents . I have with them personnel relationship and all of us in Jammu, Kashmir ,Ladakh people should be united and have dailogue and fight for getting our stolen rights back . Internal fighting will take us nowhere .How far has been District Administration been cooperative towards your concerns so far ?
Administration of district has been highly cooperative . Although ,DDC is yet to be formally constituted but on respective level I have found the district administration of Baramulla highly cooperative.What would be your biggest dreams for your area as DDC member ?The biggest dream remains making Narbal Baramulla road world class and second dream is to have testing laboratories for Pesticides and other related agriculture products in our areas . Your message to youth ? My appeal to youth is that we are worst victims of emotional and exploitative fight and it is high time that we don’t just apply heart but mind too so as to work towards achievable solution.Since you have good acumen on agriculture being agriculturist yourself . Your take on Farmer issue in India ?I believe the Government should be serious towards concerns of farmers . Be it regard to abrogation of article 370 and conversion of State into UT when curfew was imposed and no opinion was taken from assembly, which was otherwise mandatory or other issues like CAA they excluded Muslims from citizenship benefits or these current farmer laws they didn’t consult farmers . Democracy is not just about elections and voting but it is about freedom of speech and above all taking every stakeholder on board .
Shocking Death of Bakerwal Children due to harsh cold
In an tragic event that took place in Kulgam some days back two Bakerwal Children died in their tents due to harsh cold weather .Officials said that a bakerwal family of Reasi had set up shelter (Tent) under open sky in the Brenal Lammar area. During the Saturday night one of their minor children, identified as Sahil Zubair (10 years old), passed away due to severe cold inside the tent. Officials added that after a day passed, during the intervening night of Sunday-Monday, another child of Zubair Ahmad Mandar namely Shazia who was just 6 years old, developed complications due to the frosty weather. The family immediately shifted her to a nearby healthcare facility but had passed away on the way, officials added. As per reports, Tehsildar Devsar had provided them blankets and food after they refused to take shelter at a nearby school of the area. It is pertinent to remind ourselves that the nomadic community in Kashmir keeps moving from summer pastures of Kashmir to winter pastures of the Jammu plains every year.
The community has asked the administration to provide basic facilities to the nomads on the move to stop such incidents.The death of these two children caused great pain and uproar in the Kashmir , with calls of having a collective introspection growing louder . It is heart wrenching that still many marganilised sections in the society suffer due to cold and other weather vagaries . The need of the hour is that both society and Authorities step in to help those in need . Gujjar and Bakerwal community should be providing housing facilities .
Food security is key to the human survival Recently the massive cut in ration quota and the directions to provide ration to only Adhar card holders triggered a protest in the premises of Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs here in Srinagar city. The protesting employees from the department alleged that field staff is unable to confront the general public due to vague orders issued by the government. The protest was led by Jammu and Kashmir Food and Supplies Employees Association President Riyaz Ahmed Sofi. The protesters raised the slogans against the government and alleged that the department has endangered the lives of field staff especially store keepers. Employee leadership stated that the Department has deleted one lakh 25 thousand consumers from its portal just because they have no Adhar Cards. This is absurd and a move to harass people. They opined consumers ask store keepers to show formal order. Pertinently, Government has curtailed over 120371.62 quintals of food-grains (rice and wheat) in Kashmir Valley. Store Keepers and Fair Price Shop dealers have virtually locked their stores demanding supply of rice as per the desired quota and a formal announcement from the Department in this regard. Under National Food Security Act (NFSA), Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Kashmir has allocated 210849.89 quintals of food-grains for the month of January 2021. Last year in October, 331221.51 quintals of food-grains had been allocated for Valley. “This is a deficit of 120371.62 quintals of food-grains and it is a huge margin that will affect people badly.For the month of January 2021, under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category, 30457.95 quintals of rice (50595.74 quintals in Nov 2020) have been procured. Under the same category 1321.60 quintals of wheat has been allocated while the figure in November 2020 was1488.11 quintals. For the month of January 2021, under Priority Household (PHH) category, 98035.79 quintals of rice (155941.69 quintals in Nov 2020) have been procured. Under the same category 6620.00 quintals of wheat has been allocated for the current January month while the figure in November 2020 was 8207.46 quintals. For the month of January 2021, under Non- Priority Household (NPHH) category, 70701.04 quintals of rice (109239.08 quintals in Nov 2020) have been allocated. Under the same category 3713.51 quintals of wheat has been allocated for the current January month while the figure in November 2020 was 5749.43 quintals. The political pulse of Jammu and Kashmir is expressing deep anguish over the sorry state of affairs with reference to ration availability and the paradigms brought in.Expressing concern over the shortage of ration and arbitrary curtailment in food supplies quota in Kashmir division, Apni Party senior leader Muhammad Dilawar Mir Monday urged Lt Governor ManojSinha to address the issue on priority. A statement of Apni Party issued here said that Mir said that Kashmir was witnessing an awful shortage of ration supplies and the Director Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Kashmir appeared to be in “deep slumber”.On the other hand , in a joint statement issued here, senior NC leader Abdul Rahim Rather and NC Women’s Wing President ShameemaFirdous said that there was a crisis-like situation in Kashmir due to non-availability of basic essentials and the administration had failed to live up to its obligation of ensuring people all basic civic amenities and essentials. The statement quoted the NC leaders as saying that the curtailment of monthly ration to APL and BPL families had compounded the woes of people across J&K in general and people of Kashmir in particular due to the ongoing harsh winter season.
