India China Faceoff

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India China Faceoff

News Kashmir Exclusive

India China after more than 40 years have witnessed deadliest border clash at Easter Ladakh in Galwan Valley. 
On 15 June, 2020 night fierce border clash in Galwan Valley that left at least 20 Indian Army soldiers dead.
Sources from India claimed 35 Chinese soldiers were dead or injured. 

The clash in Galwan Valley is the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers while the death toll on the Chinese side was over 300.The Indian Army, however, said on Thursday that all Indian soldiers involved in the deadly clashes with the Chinese army at the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night had been “accounted for”. “It is clarified that there are no Indian troops missing in action,” the Army said in a brief statement without elaborating.
Military sources on Thursday added that a total of 76 Army personnel were brutally assaulted by the Chinese army on Monday out of which 18 were seriously injured while 58 of them sustained minor injuries. They said 18 personnel are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Leh while 58 are admitted to various other hospital. The problematic point is that China is claiming Sovereignty over whole Galwan valley.

Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, a renowned political analyst, while talking to the News Kashmir stated :
“China-India border violence points out the fact of deteriorating relations. More than twenty soldiers are dead and violence can flare up again. Violence is a manifestation of breakdown of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations. Kashmir dispute that BJP and other regimes are trying to brush aside as resolved or internal matter has the potential to drag India to the brink of war. Pakistan has been using its diplomatic and economic negotiation skills to create trouble for India through China and Nepal, as Pakistan claims stakes in Kashmir being a party in the dispute. So once again India & Pakistan have to dialogue with each other to de escalate the violence in which China now has become a party too. 
Kashmiris have been bearing the brunt of state and non state violence and with the illegal abrogation of its special status and detention of pro Indian Kashmiri leaders, the alienation has been complete between Kashmiris and Indian state. If Kashmir dispute is not resolved according to the wishes of people, particularly the United Nations designated stakeholders India and Pakistan, it will continue to bleed the parties involved, earlier just Kashmiri muslims were the victims. Now the soldiers and civilians will be cannon fodder too with the involvement of China.”
The nutshell analysis is that with every moment India China relations are worsening.

Ehsaas International in service of Humanity

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Ehsaas International in service of Humanity 
An interview with Chief Spokesperson Tahir Makhdoomi

NGO Ehsaas International is a prominent  non political social organisation working for benefit of masses in Jammu and Kashmir .At Ehsaas International the belief is that humanity is not limited by borders nor by affordability. It is all about ‘EHSAAS’(meaning care and respect in Urdu language) for human beings and human values. In the need of the hour Ehsaas International have reached different corners of the world and participated in whatsoever means one can ,be it Palestine or Yemen, Chennai or Muzaffar Nagar UP, Nepal or Kerala and Kashmir . In the ongoing Pandemic Coronavirus, Ehsaas International has done a marvellous job in Kashmir, especially when it came to providing the frontline workers all important standard PPE and Masks. 
In an exclusive interview with the News Kashmir’s Rameez Makhdoomi, the Chief Spokesperson Ehsaas International Tahir Makhdoomi talks on diverse issues. 

How difficult it has been to work in a pandemic like Coronavirus especially at beginning? 
Whatever one does for society is always full of hardships and challenges. People were lot of panic struck when Corona hit first. The most difficult challenge for people of Kashmir was how we will fight this pandemic especially ensuring safety of our frontline warriors in covid hospitals. We at Ehsaas have been always at forefront in helping the society at adverse times  . We do most of our work in education sector. This time we saw how we can protect our front line workers like Doctors , Paramedics, SMC people, sanitisation  teams, those working in Quarantine centers, police, revenue officials etc. Our General Secretary Ilyas Hakeem and Chairman Tabasum Geelani held a brief meeting in this regard with executive body. We unanimously drafted idea of producing PPE and held a meeting with all the concerned stake holders especially administration and hospitals got their nod. At the end we bought the material and gave this idea practical shape in our thirty centers. Our PPPs and Masks produced are of global standard with full protection  and comfort. We gave then orders to our centers to produce masks, PPE, food covers. We were able to engage large number of tailors and they also thus got meaningful livelihood opportunities. They had faced lot of economic pain due to previous and current lockdown. They got good amount of money to survive these tough times. 

How many PPE  and masks your produced so far? We have been able to distribute so far thirty thousand PPE  to different institutions from Directorate of health , SMC to Quarantine centers, and other frontline workers. Our PPE  proved great boon for the doctors and protecting them in hard times. We got appreciation letters from different organs of Government. We also distributed more than fifty thousand masks. After advice from esteemed DC Srinagar we then shifted to distributing food kits especially in those areas were no one had reached. We covered areas like Harwan,Dhara, Khimber, Phag, Theed etc. We have so far distributed more than 1500  food kits . 
Your initiative as Ehsaas International are also now part of UPSC exam. Your take ? One of the eminent team dealing with drafting of syllabus of UPSC exam talked with our General Secretary Ilyas and after getting inputs from  us, they have now added  tremendous work done by Ehsaas international in the exam syllabus.  What about donation you received during this pandemic? We received impressive donation especially at the start and it is only due to this we were able to produce this large number of PPE,Masks, Food kits.Do you believe there is need to improve functioning of Mohalla or area committee in Kashmir? Definitely, the need to improve the Mohalla or area Committee remains in Kashmir. We need to strengthen the institution of the Bait ul Maal as we found many areas during this pandemic facing quite lot of hardships. 
Has NGO coordination in Kashmir improved during this pandemic? The NGO coordination in Kashmir has definitely improved during this pandemic.But, we need to bear in mind that due to diverse thoughts, different mentalities, difference in motives, ego clashes complete harmony between NGOs is not possible.

People should follow advisories to remain Cyber healthy : Tahir Ashraf, SP Cyber Police Kashmir

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People should follow advisories to remain Cyber healthy : Tahir Ashraf 
With the advent of internet and it’s growing reach Cyber Crime has become a reality all over the world and in Kashmir Valley too. Cybercrime, or computer-oriented crime, is a crime that involves a computer and a network. The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. Cybercrime may threaten a person or a nation’s security and financial health. 
Editor in Chief News Kashmir Farzana Mumtaz talks to dynamic police officer and Superintendent of Cyber Police Kashmir Tahir Ashraf on different aspects. 

People in Kashmir are getting calls from numbers allegedly from Saudi Arabia, what is it all about? People are getting lot of calls from foreign country numbers .We came into action and came to known it is global scam and scammers have targeted Kashmiri numbers.The motive of them is that you call back and you are diverted to much costlier premium charge calls,and thus lose good amount of balance. We have advised people not to pick these calls and also not call back. People should not panic and we have already issued advisories via print, electronic media. How far is cyber crime Increasing in Kashmir? With the growing internet usage the Cyber Crime is bound to increase, but the good part is we have been very much effective in dealing with cyber crime. We require cooperation  of public especially in following our advisories from time to time. We also need cooperation of media in raising awareness. The esteemed DGP has stressed that Jammu and Kashmir police is committed to resolve the issues , worries of common masses when it comes to normal and cyber crimes. 
How far are people in our part of the world aware about safe use of Cyber world ? The awareness among people is still less about cyber world. People still do not known what is cyber crime and where to report it. . In this recent miss call scam issue from foreign numbers they came with application to us, while as it deals with people reporting these numbers to their respective telecom operators .Relationship between social media and cyber crime? 
Social media is a part of cyber. Cyber is a big world : Your own internet use, your data, your computers, CCTVs. The cyber world is sea and people think just Facebook, Instagram is cyber world which is not true. 

Your message to masses? 
We as Jammu and Kashmir are committed to solve all issues of people and we appeal people to be alert on cyber world. People should follow the advisories issued by us from time to time and remain cyber healthy  .

Domestic Abuse

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 DOMESTIC ABUSE-The epitome of power and control over a women during COVID-19

Safura Amin

 It is a tough time for people around the world as we are suffering from a pandemic but it is tragic for women’s around the world as they are facing domestic abuse. Self-quarantining and social distancing are leading towards violence, abuse and aggression in homes. During these months, with many businesses closed, some victims are stuck at home with their abuser. Government has advised people to stay at home to avoid getting or spreading the novel coronavirus,  but there are many women’s who are worried about  staying at home, as it is not a safe or a happy place for them.Different women narrated there miserable experience during this Lockdown due to pandemic Coronavirus. Maroofa  from  lal Bazer  called us and told he is tracking her more closely and keeping a watch on her. She pointed to the inability to see friends and family who might normally offer support and thusless the financial or emotional burden.Shafqat from Arampora told us he was abusing her emotionally, psychologically, financially, but due to lock down it has led to physical violence.Afshana from budgam said she expected that there will be an outbreak; her ex-girlfriend kept calling him and led to difference between them and which lead to physical abuse to kids as a reply to the questioning by wife.The condition is worst in Kashmir as we don’t have shelters home. Women facing violence are unable to escape their situations due to lack of facilities.  Not every family in our society supports their daughter to live alone and escape the abuser. Women are expected to live in oppressive set ups to save the honour of the family and also because women are financially dependent on their family and abuser. As a lawyer there are many cases which come to us but as courts non availability leads to worst situation and no shelter home in Kashmir adds more to this.  The courts will also see another type of case as a prolonged period of time where people are out of their routines and stuck at home with each other will exacerbate marital difficulties that may lead to increase in divorces. Unemployment will lead to increases in domestic violence .Domestic violence is also deadly, more so now with abusers finding themselves frustrated and at home far more than normal.Tabasum told she was the first to lose his job and suffered the most from economic problems. Low-income in families make it impossible to meet their most basic needs. She told us that her husband keeps fighting with her on the notion she spends a lot and not realizing the economic crunch of the family which ultimately lead to beating and violence  in their home.  Even if partners aren’t living together, the abusive patterns can still persist. For example, Nahida says her abuser tried to convince her to still see in spite of social distancing requirements.  He use to send her Pressuring messages like, “If you really loved me, then you have come over” or “I haven’t been exposed and am not sick, so why won’t you hang out with me?” in this way van abuser is trying to exert control, at the risk of both partners’ health. The situation went worst when he told her that if you don’t meet me I will upload the victim’s pictures on internet.   Isolation period can trigger flashbacks for survivors of domestic violence, too. “A trigger is something that elicits a certain reaction from us when we emotionally—or even physically—re-experience something in our lives,” Sana from Nowpora says she faced an abusive relationship long in the past; this isolation brings her back to that traumatic time Victims are more alone and vulnerable than before. Someone in an abusive relationship feeling even more emotionally dependent on an abusive partner and less likely to reach out for help. The more time that goes on, someone trapped in an unhealthy relationship can lose confidence in their ability to reach out to friends and family for helpMoreover, the very institutions designed to protect victims of abuse and violence—courts, social service agencies, and law enforcement—are themselves shutting down or cutting back while they struggle to determine how to implement social distancing and fight the pandemic. There’s a serious risk that they will operate at significantly reduced capacity at a time when the need for their services is greater than ever so it eventually lead a responsibility on every human to help, protect and report violence of any kind in society.There are enormous opportunities now for us as a responsible citizen to do better in the wake of this crisis and help each other. During this crisis it’s vital that we all look out for each other, and those experiencing domestic violence are on the list of our most vulnerable it’s important for victims to know that they’re not alone, and there is hope. Talk to someone and don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Whether it’s a neighbour, colleague, or family member, it’s important to have the support needed to get to safety.I want to conclude by saying if you have opportunity be a responsible citizen and help each other during this crisis. By- Safura Amin(The author is a practising advocate at J&K High Court, Madras High Court and can be reached at safurabhat15@gmail.com )  

Transgenders Pension

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News Kashmir Desk

Transgender humans have a gender identity or gender expression that differs from their sex assigned at birth.Some transgender people who desire medical assistance to transition from one sex to another identify as transsexual Transgender, often shortened as trans, is also an umbrella term. In addition to including people whose gender identity is the opposite of their assigned sex (trans men and trans women), it may include people who are not exclusively masculine or feminine (people who are non-binary or genderqueer, including bigender, pangender, genderfluid, or agender).Other definitions of transgender also include people who belong to a third gender, or else conceptualize transgender people as a third gender.

Transgender people in Jammu and Kashmir have faced much pain, woes and discrimination, and marred by huge risks of economic challenges.

In a big step taken towards the welfare and betterment of Transgender people in the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory , The Administrative Council (AC) which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, G C Murmu, accorded sanction to the extension of coverage of J&K Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) to transgenders, by including them as beneficiaries under the Scheme.

It is worth pointing that previously , the transgenders did not qualify for financial benefits under ISSS. However, with this decision of the Administrative Council, the transgenders will be able to benefit from ISSS. It is a social security scheme, under which monthly financial assistance of Rs.1000 is provided to destitute, old people, widows, divorcees, orphans and orthopedically challenged persons who either have a meagre income or no source of livelihood.

Masses, social and civil circles have welcomed the decision of Government of providing pension to Transgender in Jammu and Kashmir.
The common people on ground zero, along with many organization have welcomed the move. It has been cause of great worry that since ages the Transgender
has been subjected to “taunts, undue criticism ” and “discrimination”, which has been clear moral failure of society.

On the other hand,
While J&K Government took notice of the community’s plight in 2017 and laid an annual budget which included welfare measures for transgender people and categorised them as people below the poverty line but at that time no further headway was achieved . Now this decision is being viewed as great step ahead.

It is hoped that age old harsh treatment, prejudice being meted out against Transgender will also one day vanish in Kashmir, and they will be treated as equal humans.

CHINAR International serving humanity

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An exclusive interview with CEO Chinar International Irfan Shahmiri

Child Nurture And Relief (CHINAR) International is a Prominent NGO of Kashmir,and a name to reckon with when it comes to helping humanity. It is focused on empowerment of “Orphans, Vulnerable Children & Marginalized Youth” in conflict areas through Education and Socioeconomic Initiatives.
In the wake of the recent outbreak of Coronavirus
across the globe, Chinar International launched a COVID-19 Relief
Program in Kashmir. This program has four focus areas – awareness, emergency relief, helpline service and education.
In an exclusive interview with The News Kashmir Magazine, Irfan Shahmiri, CEO Chinar talks to Rameez Makhdoomi and Farzana Mumtaz.

How difficult has been it working in Covid pandemic situation?
It was a challenging situation.
We are used to lockdowns, shutdown in Kashmir. The Coronavirus was unknown thing as we didn’t know what COVID is . The positive this time was that internet was working and when lockdown happened we went into crisis mode and held meetings. We accordingly devised a protocol, strategy and programmes to work during this crisis.

What have been main programmes conducted by Chinar International for masses during these months?

We understood that daily wagers, laborers would be badly hit thus food would become a big issue and secondly people did not known what Coronavirus was. Thirdly it would impact education.
First thing we did was that we ran awareness as we tapped information from online mediums and launched the awareness through different mediums like Social media. We put a helpline so that needy can connect us in case of needing food relief and complete process was formed so that relief in form of emergency kits reaches deserving. We have in partnership with District administration and other NGOs distributed more than 3100 food kits in many districts of Jammu and Kashmir . Our food kits caters to needs of family of five for one month.

How did you ensure that your volunteers safety during relief distribution?
It is a very good question. Once we understood the nature of disease it became clear that social distance and safety measures for our staff and volunteers is a must.We provided proper PPPe and followed complete safety protocol and with the grace of almighty it is going so far smoothly .
We have been very much pragmatic in dealing with the current crisis. Immediately after the first
case was reported, we focused on spreading awareness about the disease
in order to stop individual and community spread. Safety of the staff
was a major concern so we arranged PPE’s and developed protocols to
work on the ground. Soon after, we carried out relief operations, with a
focus on families who needed immediate support to sustain themselves
during these testing times.

You have also created awareness programmes on coping with mental stress. A bit on that?

We wanted to reach masses and knowing the internet connectivity is a road block in Kashmir so we used conference bridge wherein people can just dial over about there mental issues. We have organized global mental health town hall for the people who are fighting this disease and have been directly or indirectly impacted . We are talking on diverse issues and have conducted sessions by well known mental health experts and Doctors of globe .

How far have your main programmes being of working on education of vulnerable children hit due to Coronavirus?

The big part of impact due to Coronavirus pandemic is felt on education. We know due to Social distancing we have to think out of box. We could not have community learning center due to Coronavirus. We did a survey and found that some students had access to smart phone , some to normal phones and some did not have . We devised study packages according to the infra availability of students.We used online application for creating virtual classrooms for students and also provides stationary kits.

What is your message?
My message would be people should listen to health experts. They should wear masks and follow Social Distancing. Wash hands regularly and avoid going to public places.

“Is an education necessary for politicians “

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“Is an education necessary for politicians”

Showkat Ahmad Dar and Engineer Firdous Nazi

Education is the cornerstone of a civilised society. Its education that boosts up the minimum knowledge and intellect of a person. As well as education person is considered as a resource for the development of the country. Though wisdom and intelligence hold prominence over
education but without Education the wisdom lacks from grounds of
Certainty and evidence.

Aristotle a great scholar as Philosopher said
about education, ” The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living differ from the dead” But making education the sole criterion for politicians is not a beneficial resort.
India is the largest democracy in the world and its success cannot be deemed to rely first on the educational qualification of its leaders or politicians. The debate on the issue whether educational qualification can be made compulsory for politicians is an emotive one. In 2015 Govt
of Haryana enacted Haryana Panchayti Raj Amendment act 2015
setting a minimum educational criteria for contesting the local body
election. At the same time Govt of Rajasthan also Passed a legislation
for minimum qualification in local body election. The act outlined
various levels of minimum educational criteria for general candidates
women and Dalits.
A PIL was filed in the supreme court contesting the validity of such a law. Supreme court after hearing both sides said, ”
Its only education which gives a human being the power to discriminate between right and wrong, good or bad. “on this issue supreme court said that the govt as well within its rights to impose reasonable restrictions on the rights of people. So, was of the opinion that Right to contest elections were neither Fundamental right under law of land nor a common legal right, rather its a statutory right. Therefore its well within the prerogative of any govt to impose
minimum qualification criteria.

Our country has history of highly educated leaders since the time of independence but the importance and pivotal and role of education in the decision making leadership and as a fuel to run a country has
vanished.
Its desirable to make a minimum educational qualification can be
enforced so that our leaders are equipped with the ability to understand various issues with our sighted vision. India is suffering
from various challenges including economic development, infrastructure, health and Hygeine, poverty ,unemployment etc. The
reason behind failure in elimination of these evils is corruption that is
prevalent in our country because political power is coalesced with
economic power. Uneducated contestants are opined and believe that
economic power provides ample opportunity to control and gain benefits. Corrupt leaders are more inclined and capable of amassing
social wealth instead of working for the welfare of people.
However electing a right person to run the country may be difficult. A
leader has to be elected through observation of his communication
skills, literacy level, patriotism, honesty etc.
The electorate should be wise enough to analyse the background of the
electing contestants incase the arguable and debated criteria i.e
education is not at par. Earning and possessing highly educational
degrees may be bonus, but making education mandatory is
contradictory since a good leader must be more committed to social
service than a mere holder of degrees without the ability of making a
contributory change. Also, politicians are model citizens for the common
people. Therefore, its imperative that they have educational
qualification which can motivate common masses to emulate them. Its
evident that good and successful governance depends on the quality
of leadership, which is polished through education.Hence,minimum
education is must for politicians.

In a country like India, where people elect through a voting system based on caste, money and religion ways, a person who is properly educated can judge the whole scenario and can judge the minister’s potential too. Does the so called illogical Voting is enough..really? Though intelligence has more prominence over education, it’s
the education which boosts up the minimum knowledge
of an individual. A well educated man is considered as
the resource for the development of the country. And if
the leaders of the human resource are ill literate then there would be no proper guidelines for human
resource. An ill-literate leader would have no thinking, realising, amplifying and implementing ability, which he needs to uphold. Uneducated politician may misuse their power and in spite of thinking for development they will get themselves involved in criminal activities. They would not bother of citizens’ deficiency and problems. they would become corrupt. In order to prevent the country from all these shortcomings, rules should be implemented that “people having a limit of education qualification could take part in the political system of the country.” Hence, minimum education is must for
politicians.
Many of you will still consider this article contradictory but start thinking if we get a leader who is equally intelligent and well educated…

Still wondering why Indians are perpetually dissatisfied
with their rulers?

I would refurbish the face of entire Bandipora Assembly Constituency once elected :Sameer Iqbal Bhat

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I would refurbish the face of
entire Bandipora Assembly
Constituency once elected: Sameer Iqbal Bhat

Hailing from Bandipora area of North
Kashmir, Sameer Iqbal Bhat is a young businessman and is known for his social
and political activities in Bandipora Constituency. Bhat was born in 1977 in Kaloosa area of Bandipora District district and is an emerging and young Politician, Bhat Started his Political Journey in the year 2015 with National Conference. Bhat is a businessman by profession. Being from a non business family, he took a challenge to start a small business in sale & service of computers. He was associated with intex technology as a distributor for Kashmir and later was associated with other other Multinational companies like samsung, HCL, Toshiba, Sahara and was Awarded by Europe and USA in the year 2008 and 2015 respectively. In the year 2009, Bhat started business with havelet Packard india Pvt Ltd as a volume core partner for printer division and started a retail out of HP. During business days, he was very much interested in social activities.

In a exclusive interview with News Kashmir Magazine, Bhat Talks with our correspondent Nasir Khuehami about the present Political Scenario of Kashmir, Development issues of his Constituency and various Issues. Here are the Excerpts of Interview.

Q1. Can you introduce yourself, your earlier life and your journey to NC?

Ans: I am a resident of Kaloosa Bandipora. I came from a humble background. I am businessman by profession. Being from a non business family, I took a challenge to start a small business in sale & service of computers. I was associated with intex technology as a distributor for Kashmir and later i was associated with other other Multinational companies like samsung, HCL, Toshiba, Sahara. In the year 2009, I started business with have let Packard india Pvt Ltd as a volume core partner for printer division and started a retail out of HP. During business days, I was very much interested in social activities. During my early life I was very inspired by some persons and I intended to be a Public Servant. During my business, I realized that there is more than one way to contribute to the society. I became particularly interested in Political Activism and in the year 2015 I made my mind to join National Conference. NC is the party which is peoples’ friendly and its agenda is for the public welfare. Ever since I started my political career my first aim has been to serve my people, to work for them. Moreover I wanted to choose a party where I could serve my people.

Q2. What is your viewpoint about PDP?
They Often Blamed that Omar Abdullah Led NC hanged Afzal Guru, Killed many civilians during 2010 Uprising, Your take?

Ans: See, a party cannot befool people with fake promises. PDP has blood on their hands, and has failed miserably and couldn’t do anything for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. PDP sold their Self rule, Azadi, for the sake of chair. People are intelligent enough now and have power to elect who they feel is the fittest.

Q3. Do you think Previous dispensation has failed totally on Moral Grounds?

Ans: We saw nothing on ground level during their tenure. PDP was extending every possible support to the BJP in eroding special Status of State. This Party sold whole kashmir for being in power. During 2104, PDP demanded votes to keep BJP at bay, but later on they joined hands with the same Party. Previous Dispensation totally failed, when it comes to Ground Level. Previous PDP- BJP alliance was totally unholy and were responsible for the agony and anguish among the people. People will never forgive both the parties for betrayal and damages caused to peace and development in the State. The Previous insensitive coalition government has pushed people to the wall, as unemployment has increased, prices have risen and developmental activities have suffered a huge dent. People in all the three regions have realized that the vote to PDP BJP in 2014 elections has brought death and destruction only, as a result they were feeling dejected over the way they are being treated. PDP & BJP have failed people on every count, as no development has taken place.

Q4, Please tell us about Bandipora Constituency?

Ans: Bandipora is an interesting place and is known for three things, Alim (knowledge), Adab (good Habit) Aab (Fresh Water). The Bandipora constituency is one of the most beautiful areas in North Kashmir. This constituency is predominantly rural and its residents are facing multiple problems including broken roads, the dearth of potable water and inadequate health and education facilities. People have been facing immense hardships especially those living in forest areas due to the non-availability of basic amenities in the vicinity. Bandipora has been ignored by all the previous regimes and has become politically orphan since 90’s. People in far place especially have been made to suffer on every count, even they had been denied the basic facilities they deserved. Our successive representatives have pushing the Bandipora into an abyss of darkness, even being the headquarter of District. The healthcare facilities are non-existent in the Constituency. The roads are in a shambles and the public education system is in utter disarray.

Q5. NC, oldest party of the state, being in power for most of the time is accused of eroding the special status of the state. How far is it correct?

Ans: This accusation is totally Baseless and Concocted. It is because of the untiring efforts of Sheikh Sahib and his colleagues that Article 370 was incorporated in the Constitution of India.
It will, therefore, be appropriate to say that National Conference is the architect of Article 370. No one Can remove Article 35-A and Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. This is the state’s heritage, its legacy. Don’t forget that J&K acceded to India on certain terms and conditions as represented by Articles 35A and 370.

Q6. Do you think Previous Government has miserably failed to mitigate the sufferings of tribal Community and instead using them for Petty vote bank politics?

Ans: Yes, there is no doubt that PDP Govt has miserably failed to mitigate the sufferings of tribal Community and instead using them for Petty Vote Bank Politics. The systematic neglect which the Gujjars faced over the past years was due to the exploitative politics of PDP which has pushed the community to the wall. This Party has always used Gujjars, Bakerwals, Pahari’s as its vote bank and audience for its public meetings and did nothing concrete in return for their social and educational uplift. National Conference is committed to work for their welfare. Gujjars are an important section of the society but, unfortunately, the benefits of development have not reached them, as the previous dispensation has never allowed it to happen.

Q7: What is your agenda on developing
Bandipora as it is currently one of the least developed areas of State?

Ans: Yes it is harsh reality that successive governments have ignored Bandipora and its elected representatives have failed to take
up its case in a desired manner.
Bandipora Constituency has been ignored by all the previous regimes and has become politically orphan since 90’s. I would refurbish the face of entire Bandipora Assembly Constituency once elected. Granting eco tourism status to different areas of Bandipora is my top concern so that meaningful avenues of employment are generated for youth. Ensuring basic amenities like uninterrupted power supply and water supply is my top concern.

Q8. What is your own Role in NC?

Ans: I wanted to work for the party and i have been opportunity to serve the party as Youth Joint Secretary. I am Satisfied with the assignment, i have been given in the Party.

Q9. Is NC facing internal bickering in Bandipora Constituency?

Ans: No. Who says so! Is there any evidence? If there is a bickering, it is somewhere else and not in our party. We have a collective leadership. We have many other leaders; Have anybody from them said anything about any bickering in the party in Bandipora.

Q10. Will there pre-poll alliance or a post-poll alliance with Congress Party!

Ans: I don’t know what the decision will be. It is for the working committee to decide. Whatever the party high command decides, we as soldiers of the party will follow. So far I am concerned; we are here to strengthen the party in all areas of the Bandipora as true soldiers of the party. The call on alliance lies with top leadership Farooq Abdullah sahib and Omar Abdullah sahib .

Q11. Apart from Roads and other developmental issues, what are your top priorities?

Ans: As you know, Wullar lake is located in Bandipora and it is not just the pride of Bandipora, but of entire kashmir as it is one of the largest fresh water lake in asia. Since many decades the Lake is dying due to official Negligence, encroachment and weeds, it needs sustained conservation efforts to make the Wullar project successful and achieve its objectives. I am trying hard to save wullar lake and its beauty in every manner and help it regaining lost Glory. Granting eco tourism status to different
areas of Bandipora is my top concern so
that meaningful avenues of employment are generated for youth.

From Salaam to Lal Salaam

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From Salaam to Lal Salaam!!!
Owais Ahmad Shah

The word for salaam is foreign and the sentiment is not native to us.In India we have no such problem and we can see that from the endless saluting of policemen they need to do in our parts.Even those on traffic duty have to flash it each time when the senior passes by.
In India and Pakistan,the salute is made for both police and army with the palm facing out.This is different from the way Americans salute,with their palm facing down and showing only the blade of hand.The American one is easy to copy and requires less practice but the Indian one is a bit smarter and requires extra smartness.
It is always too odd of corpulent,sloppy politicians to salute the flag or return their salute at military or police functions.Even Americans didn’t return salute to the Marines guarding the helicopters at white House since actor Ronald Raegan did this first.
So,what are salutes for and what they are meant to communicate?It shows telegraph respect and the exposure of hand shows that the salute is unarmed.
What does the Roman salute communicate?
It comes from the painting by 18th century artist Jacques Louis David called the Oath of Horrati.Adapted from story in Livis Histories.It was adopted by the Nazi Party under the Hitler’s rule although it is now reviled across the world.
Hitler also did the job of bending his elbow and showing his palm which was ruthlessly mimicked by the Great Charlie Chaplin.
Another salute that is no longer visible is the Black Power salute.The elbow is moved at around 80 degrees and hand balled into a fist.
The Rashtraya Swamsewak Sangh has Cultish feeling for its salute called Zogist salute.The arm is bent at the elbow which slightly goes over the chest.Where did they get it from.Veer Savarkar has made warm references of Guissepi Mazzini and Guissepi Garibaldi and Hindutva is deeply influenced by Italians.
The above mentioned salutes bring us to another salute called the Lal salaam.This was with the elevation of Sitaram Yechury to secretary Communist Party India(Marxist).Yechury held his arm above his head and the fist turned out.This gesture communicates defiance and solidarity.

Uses and Curses of Cement Factories

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Uses and Curses of cement factories
Gowher Bhat

Nearly thirteen miles from Srinagar City, there are seven Cement factories in KHREW Kashmir. The names of the factories are under JK Cement, HK Cement, Max Cement, Cemtac Cement, ICC Cement, Arco Cement and Valley Cement. The neighboring vicinities are KHREW, Batina, and Ladoo. Families who live in these localities work in the factories and benefit from the industry.

They are holding positions such as, managers, receptionists, technical support, and laborers who load and unload the bags of cement, gravel, and sand. Fourteen-hundred trucks are affiliated with these factories, and the truck owners are employees of KHREW, Batina, and Ladoo locations. They earn a substantial income, and part of the reason is that the factories are far away from the central city — almost 80% “who live nearby, work in these factories for earning their livelihood.” I interviewed many people, and mostly they said they are grateful for the jobs.

However, there is a severe drawback; they say there are problems with air pollution, the dust that these factories produce are uncontrollable. The environmental issues are causing people to suffer from chest infections, eye infections, and viral infections. They can’t seem to get away from it; it’s on their roofs, the walls, floors, in their homes. The dust gets onto their clothes and deposits on their food. Some people told me we are not against the business, but this is becoming a severe problem. In other states of India, they have the same industry, but there is environmental control, and they use updated machinery and technology to produce less dust.

Why can’t Kashmir’s cement factories invest in proper equipment and help the people and the air quality? Complaints were made to higher authorities about this, but no one paid heed to these issues. What makes it worse is that roads are in shambles, there are potholes, and broken asphalt, that causes a lot of dust and debris when the trucks ride through them. The government should help fix these roadways, being that fourteen-hundred heavy trucks are driving through them every day.

On a personal note, although I’m glad the people can support their families on the income they earn in these factory jobs. It’s was disturbing how much dust and dirt collected on my skin, clothes, and shoes., my eyes burned, and I started coughing while I visited. There is no reason for this. The cement factories are a billion-dollar Industry. They should take care of the environmental issues and invest in updated machinery to assure people stay healthy.