Walk the Talk

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Walk the Talk

News Kashmir Exclusive

Recently the assertions of Governor Satya Pal Malik in A function organized by Doordarshan at SKICC have generated lot of debate and discussion.
The function attended by top Union Ministers, Doordarshan officials saw Governor SatyaPal Malik making lot of bold visionary statements.
He termed as welcome the statement of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressing readiness for talks, underling that “temperatures have improved a lot and are far below” since he took over the reins of the state.

“I feel happy that temperature when I came here is far below it. Today the Hurriyat, which once did not open door to Ram Vilas Paswan (presently a Cabinet Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) who was standing at their door, are now talking about talks. There is lot of change everywhere. New recruitment in militant ranks is almost zero and there is no stone pelting after Friday prayers,” he said while addressing a function organized by Doordarshan Kendra Kashmir.
The Governor said that problem of Kashmir is younger generation issues and “there is need to solve their displeasure.”

Governor also expressed his happiness that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq spoke against drug menace and urged all to come up forward and play their role to completely limit the menace.

Expert pulse is in appreciation of these developments.

Inaam Un Nabi, Political Analyst and TV Debater, while talking to the News Kashmir Magazine Stated : ” Dialogue is the basic method to solve the burning issues throughout the world and in case of Kashmir the most needed thing is talks and dialogue so as to stem the tide of painful bloodshed as we are loosing youth on daily basis. The assertions by the Governor SatyaPal Malik and positive response from the Pro freedom leadership is a step in right direction and we need to build on this to solve the burning issues. Even India and Pakistan should walk the talk and ensure the issues between them are solved and not put on the back burner. Dialogue is the only way ahead. ”

Masses of Kashmir who are witness to heavy bloodshed are delighted over the possibility of a dialogue so that the mad cycle of violence can be put to end.

They are urging all the stakeholders to leave hardline approach and come forward for talks.

Devil in Disguise

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Devil in Disguise
Written by: Gowher Bhat
Fake faith healers also referred to as Pirs in Kashmir, and have played a deceitful role with our society. They are devil worshipers and practice black magic convincing people of sinful beliefs. They insist you follow them blindly into deception and persuade their followers to carry out unethical acts like, eating mud from a grave site, or bring blood from humans or animals, all for money or other hidden agendas. It becomes the Devil playground when people fall for their trickery, especially poor souls who are suffering and need to latch onto some hope. A couple of years ago, Gulzar Pir, a fake faith healer was caught molesting, and performing immoral, vulgar acts against dozens of young girls. He was found guilty and now sits behind bars. There was also another Pir that swindled a widow out of her inheritance after her husband died. I’ve read countless stories about fake Pirs that will make the hairs on your arms stand up.
I’ve interviewed dozens of people regarding this menace, and one of the spectators who has a firm hold on things said,
“that people must recite the Holy Quraan. I was told evil people would spend eternity in hell.”
She also mentioned that she never followed or visited any faith healer because she recites the the Holy Quraan and has a strong faith in Allah. I then interviewed another person, and he said,
“I’ve heard people say that these Pirs are swindlers. They take advantage of women and violate people only to get rich.”
He’s determined to alert his family, relatives, and friends about these con -artist.
But not all people agree with this; they believe in their power and feel life will only improve. So I went to the source myself and sat and observed as a potential customer, witnessing three faith healers at work. A young female came in and spoke to one of the Pirs, and wanted him to help her get a passing grade on her college exams. She begged him to make her intelligent enough to ace the tests. It amazed me how people piled into the place to get a moment with these faith healers. There was a woman who told the Pir that when she goes to the doctor, her husband treats her rudely, and she is embarrassed in front of her physician. The faith healer said,
“don’t worry. I am here to help you.”
Then he wrote something on a piece of paper and told her to tear it in three sections, and burn it in a fire pot that evening. He assured her that her husband would be her slave. There was a man who discussed with one of the Pir’s that he was in love with a woman, but he was not sure that she was in love with him. The Pir guaranteed him that if he pays him Rs.10, 000, that the woman will fall in love. It was astounding to me to hear such outlandish things.
To make matters worse; the man thanked him and told the Pir he would be back with his money. He was unemployed and had to get a personal loan from a friend. I walked out with the man and spoke to him, and attempted to convince him nobody could make someone fall in love with you. It is a sin to follow these people. I think I talked him out of it, but I’m not sure.
People pay 1,000s of rupees every day, to allow these fraudulent healers to pull strings on their lives to gain complete control. I had to write about this abuse, and educate the people of Kashmir that these phonies are giving you the impression that they could solve whatever your problem may be haunting you, and all you are required to do is pay them. What is most disturbing is that these Pirs target vulnerable young girls and women, and persuade them to do whatever. They do this by brain-washing them into believing that their life will flourish with riches of happiness.
Kashmir is the valley of Suffis and Saints, and some men are known to help with our problems and bring us to Allah’s light. These warriors strengthen our faith, which gives us the power to heal ourselves through reciting the Holy Quraan. They do not ask for a payment or tell you to do immoral things. They live everyday life and do not perform any magic.
On a personal note, I want to make the citizens of Kashmir aware of staying away from these devil, evildoers; this is a business to them, a money-making proposition. They’re getting rich off of you, and do not care about the hardships you face. Be a student of the Holy Quraan, and learn the passages, worship Allah, it will only bring you good fortune. We need to defeat the demonic entities that plague our society. And pray that these crooks will disappear from our pious valley and will be punished for their crimes. If we keep Allah in mind, we will reap the rewards and live a prosperous spiritual life.

#Missing YOU…spiritual father…

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#MISSING YOU… spiritual father..
Umar Bashir

I see your face everywhere I look.
It breaks my heart that my great love is what they took.

Without you here it feels like the end.
I’m lost without you ’cause you were also my best friend.

I’ll be counting the days and nights till we’re together again.
Until then, it’s all my love that I send!……

#Yet_ur_aid_is_sonorous_in_mind..

Was like a beautiful dream come true
It was the best dream I ever saw
More colorful than a rainbow
Your pretty voice is echoing in my ear
The splendid sound I ever hear
No Nightingale’s song
Can compare to your glamorous tone
Those alighting brown eyes
As bright as twinkling stars in the sky
I always wanted to hold your hand
Between my arms close to my heart
My wish was to hug you hard
And listen to the beat of your heart

I can still feel your smell
The wonderful charming spell

“Is Growing Level of Competition Good For Youth “

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“Is Growing Level of competition Good For Youth”
Showkat Ahmad Dar and Engineer Firdous Nazir

competition is a situation on which people or organisations
compete with each other for something that not everyone can
have. What this implies is that competition is a by product of
scarcity.
So, When resources are scare then people compete among
themselves to have access for those resources and thus the
spirit of competition is born. competition is the opposite of
cooperation. It arises whenever at least two parties strive for a
goal which cannot be shared or which is desired individually,
hence cant be achieved collectively.
Humans by their nature are competitive as they constantly
face lack of resources, as compared to their unlimited wants.
Darwins theory of survival of the fittest also implied that only
those species would survive and grow which have the ability
to compete and emerge as winners as against other weaker
species who lost in the game of of life. This proves beyond
doubt that humans are competitive and the competition is
the fundamental pillar of human evolution.
Its to be believed that Youth are more competitive than middle
aged popullation.So it leads us to the conclusion that
competition among youth is a global phenomenon, india being
no exception. In india computation begins when a 15 years old
appears in board exams, it intensifies when he seeks an
admission for a degree and is at its peak when he tries to find
an occupation for himself.
As per statistics nearly four lakh secondary school pass outs
apply for a few thousands seats in engineering, medicine and
other professional courses in a handful of premier institutions
across the country and this leads to cut throat competition
among them.
The reservation quota in india adds fuel to an already burning
fire.This reduces the opportunties for the non reserved or
general category of people and enhances the level of
competition among them.
So, competition is inevitable As michel jordon has rightly
said”you have competition everyday because you set such
high standards for yourself that you have to go out everyday
and live up to that”.
competition encourages youth to work hard. They understand
that success does not comes easily in the environment of
competition. competition helps youth to enhance their skills
as they are very well aware of the fact that one who work
efficiently and effectively can achieve success easily.
competition also encourages youth to be adept
multitasking,as this increases their chance of success. It also
enhances their creativity and helps them to plan for long term
and short term goals.
But not all the people are able to face competition in a
positive way. Its negative results also manifest in youths who
are not able to survive in a competitive environment. Youths
who cant manage to compete with other youths became often
vulnerable to crime and drugs.
They get trapped in social anti social such as robbery, fraud
etc to earn money. Youths who are not able to compete and
adjust themselves often choose to end their life. Reports
witnessed that youngsters who unable to bear shame or the
fear of failing to get into educational institutions of their
choice. competition can thus said to be ethically neutral. The
individuals perception of it makes it good or bad. So,
competition should be encouraged but the youth should have
access to counsellors so that they are able to face it in a
positive way.
Also SWOT ANALYSIS (Strength, opportunity, weakness and
threat) analysis should be conducted in schools and colleges
which will help him to identify his strength and weakness and
choose a career accordingly.
Also, the youth should remember that they could compete
with others or with themselves. competing with others
would make them aware of their faults and competing with
themselves would make improve on their strengths.So,if
continuously compete with others,you became bitter,but if you
Continuously compete with yourself, you became better. so,
compete with yourself and the world will be your forte.
Writer :
Dar showkat and Er Firdous Nazir
Handwara

The Innocent Suffer in Silence

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The Innocent Suffer in Silence
Written by: Gowher Bhat
According to an article from, Aljazeera, named Kashmiri’s Mental Health Crisis, by Baba Tamim, September 3, 2016. Mental Health Illness has affected 1.8 million Kashmiri citizens in the past decade. 50% of women and 37% of men suffer from depression. The studies proved the reason for this severe turnout is due to the military conflicts between Pakistan and India in Kashmir. The strict curfews and strikes have delivered the people into misery, and a sad state of mind. Depression and anxiety disorders are not the only disorder people are suffering. There are hundreds of mental health diagnosis, but they are not labeled and not revealed. Instead, it’s referred to as Mental Illness Stigmas. The definition of Mental Illness Stigmas means a patient is referred to as dangerous, crazy, or incompetent. These disorders are swept under the carpet, by professionals, and family members. There are not enough facilities to help people with Stigmas, and the government is not paying much attention to the widespread problem. There is only one psychiatric hospital in Kashmir, and a handful of out-patient psychiatric facilities, which proves there it’s not taken seriously.
Centuries ago, people with mental health illness, like Schizoid, Psychosis, and Paranoia, were believed a demon-possessed your soul. Which frightened family and friends because of the way a person acted. The family would lock them in a room, labeling them crazy, and hope they would die. They believed it was the works of evil forces and that they would be next. The treatment for this was barbaric, there was no mercy, exorcisms were performed, or they even went as far as drilling a hole through the person’s skull. But nowadays, we have psychiatrist, counselors, social workers, and NGO’s that offer psychotherapy and self-help groups. Medications are administered to control delusional and paranoid behaviors. But still, in Kashmir, we live in the dark ages, with our primitive thinking, labeling people that suffer from severe mental illness calling them crazy lazy losers. Family members make excuses, and try to hide the fact they’re subjected to verbal and physical abuse. Burying the problem is just contributing to the suffering and will escalate over time. It’s a simple scenario if the person doesn’t seek treatment and take medication; it only gets worse through the years; it never cures itself.
In many countries, an adult has the right to refuse treatment. However, they can be treated without their consent if they are a danger to oneself or others. Some countries have crisis intervention teams. Professionals will visit homes and give the disabled person a psychiatric evaluation to make sure he/she is not a threat to themselves or society. Kashmir doesn’t have that law or a Department of Mental Health that could manage these programs. With three-quarters of the population suffering from some kind of mental illness, the problem should be given serious consideration. All the executives I have interviewed say they worry about the people; this is one issue that promptly needs attention because it will not improve over time.
Another cause of concern are children with parents who suffer from Stigma. A child feels hopeless when they don’t understand why their parents are neglectful. They notice the house isn’t not kept, No food in the home and dinner on the table. Arguments are daily by the parent who is suffering from this illness. They endure hurtful name calling and risk the chance of being beaten. The child suffers in silence and tries to hide abusive behavior because he/she is ashamed. The situation put upon a child is irreversible. When entering their teens and into their adult years, they too run a risk of depression and suffer from significant anxiety disorders or Stigma. All because their mother or father refused to get treatment and take medication.
I interviewed a man (who would like to remain nameless.) He lives with this every day. He’s an adult residing with his mother as a caretaker. Lately, most of the time she is psychotic and believes he is destroying the house, by breaking the water pipes, putting holes in the wall and is the cause of all her problems. He never knows what mood she’s in, and as soon as he enters the house from work, she begins with verbal abuse and threatening to hurt him. She remains in a psychotic state for days, and her normalcy doesn’t surface too often as of late. It’s becoming evident she is paranoid, thinking people want to hurt her, and steal things. She shouts out the window calling him horrific names, for all the neighbors to hear. There is no reasoning with her, and she says that he is the crazy one, and there is nothing wrong with her. He’s called the hospital and spoke to counselors and doctors, and when he puts her on the phone, she begins to curse calling them crazy. Family members and friends have disowned her, and she even accuses her husband of fraternizing with other women and kicked him out. He explained to me that he feels he’s the only one going through this; there is no support, no one to confide. His hands are tied and try to understand she is sick, but to watch his mother change into a hateful human is leaving him helpless and affecting his job. She doesn’t trust a soul, not even the pastors from the mosque. Law enforcement will not remove her from home and escort her to the hospital. They tell him their not taking responsibility because she refuses treatment. The lady needs psychiatric intervention, but the law states that she doesn’t have to if she refuses.
On a personal note, I’m proposing that the government to recognize people who are in a bad state of mind as a threat. They need to take action by changing the law so that a family member can mandate a psychiatric evaluation for medication and treatment. With all the turmoil that is going on in Kashmir, this should raise red flags. We need more Psychiatrist, Psychologist, and Social Workers to head up crisis teams. Police should be able to respond if there is abuse taken place and escort an emotionally disturbed person to the hospital. Family members and children shouldn’t suffer in silence any longer by watching their loved ones decompensate into hurtful human beings.

“The Man Of Middle East “

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“”THE MAN OF MIDDLE EAST””
Umar Bashir
Egypt’s only freely elected president, the Islamist Mohamed Morsi, who was deposed in a 2013 military-backed coup, died on Monday while on trial, 67-year-old US-educated civil engineer and political leader of the Muslim Brotherhood was on trial facing espionage charges when he reportedly collapsed.Was affiliated with the group as oldest Islamist political organisation in the world.
”He is a Hafiz of the Quran..
He is intelligent..”

It is widely assumed that Mursi is not that bright. He is repeatedly portrayed as bumbling and dimwitted. His detractors point to a series of decisions that seemed to exacerbate anger against him – such as the taxation U-turns, the choice of governor for Luxor and his battle royale against the judiciary. And yet the majority evidence points to Mursi being much more academically gifted than any of his detractors.

”The Azaan takes precedence over his speech….”

”The homeless widow….”

”He took part in aid work..”

”The worlds lowest paid leader..”

”He rarely missed Fajr in the mosque..”

Morsi is known to be a hard worker at each position he held – from the various fields of science, in which he excelled, to his career as a determined political leader, in which he proved his great abilities and skills.

He has research in several major fields of industry in Egypt related to practical production solutions. He also conducted dozens of studies in “metal surface treatment”, which is one of the scientific precision industries, during his work at NASA on the development of space shuttle engines in the early eighties.

Due to his constantly firm stance against the repressive measures and oppressive practices of the overthrown regime, Dr. Mohamed Morsi was arrested several times. After the 2005 elections were rigged, Dr. Mohamed Morsi led demonstrations in support for judges demanding independence, refusing referral of some judges to the Competence Commission to punish them for their outspoken views against blatant elections fraud.
Consequently, Dr. Morsi was arrested on the morning of May 18, 2006 with 500 members of the Brotherhood during their protest in front of the North Cairo Court and Al-Jalaa Court Complex in Central Cairo . He spent seven months behind bars.

He was arrested, yet again, on the morning of the “Friday of Anger” on January 28, 2011 during the revolution of January 25 along with a large number of Brotherhood leaders across Egypt . Their arrest was a deliberate attempt by the despotic regime to prevent them from participating in the ‘Friday of Anger’ protests across Egypt . When several prisons were destroyed during the revolution, and many prisoners escaped, Dr. Morsi refused to leave his prison cell. Instead, he contacted satellite TV channels and news agencies demanding the judicial authorities visit the prison and check the legal position of jailed Muslim Brotherhood leaders, to clarify if there were indeed any legal reasons for their arrest, before leaving prison, since no judicial personnel were available there.
The injustice suffered by Dr. Mohamed Morsi went beyond his person, extending to his family. His son, Dr. Ahmed, was arrested just after the announcement of his father’s nomination for parliament in 2000. He was also arrested 3 times when his father was an MP at the People’s Assembly.

After his great endeavors and proven excellence in political work in his five-year term in parliament, Dr. Morsi was chosen by the Muslim Brotherhood’s Shura Council as a member of the group’s Guidance Bureau. After the January 25 Revolution, he was elected by the Muslim Brotherhood Shura Council as Chairman of the Freedom and Justice Party when that was established by the group.

Baramulla’s Blind School seeks government attention

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Baramulla’s Blind School seeks government attention
“RAY OF HOPE IN DARKNESS”

Danish Tariq

Kashmir’s specially-abled institution at Baramulla has been suffering due to lack of proper facilities since long.The absence of basic facilities has created immense hardships for these specially-abled students of Baramulla’s Blind School at Khawaja Bagh, the number of disabled students are enrolled in recent years to get the light of education to follow their dreams like other children.

The institution was established in 2012 by Late Haji Mohammad Yousuf Khan, government employee by profession, on a rented building to provide every assistance to these visually impaired and deaf and dumb persons.

Wajid Bhat, 7th class student said, I was admitted at Baramulla Blind School in 2012, we have well qualified teachers here to teach us but it’s not easy task for them to teach us, all the facilities are being provided to us free of cost, “our school is functioning in a rented building for that huge amount of rent has to be paid monthly, we are specially-abled persons government should construct a permanent building for our school so that our sufferings will decrease,” he added education is the basic right of every individual “everyone has aim in life to achieve something and my goal is to qualify Indian Administrative Service (IAS) I am here to seek the education that will lead me to achieve my goal,”

Rafiya Khaliq, another student said, the education, food, hostel is being provided to us but we have an issue of proper building for that we want seek attention of government help us to get out of problem “our teachers don’t get their salary monthly sometimes they get salary after three or four months and we don’t have have space for playing” we are highly thankful to our teachers for their kindness towards us, she added we are enough lucky despite being specially-abled that we are getting benefit of education.

Currently school is running in 8 roomed rented building at Khawja Bagh.The government has identified land for the construction of blind school at Fathepora area of Baramulla in 2017 but due to paucity of funds the school building is not constructed yet, from various districts of valley students are enrolled and every facility is being provided free.

Mubeena, Office Secretary said, the school is running fully on public donations as the institution has no any revenue source, there are total 75 students enrolled in our institution in which 42 are deaf and dumb and 33 are blind including male and female among which some are residing in hostel and all their expenditure bears institute, we seek the government intervention to construct the school building and all possible help to brighten the future of these specially-abled students.

MESSAGE: To all the other specially-abled children, DON’T BE SAD, DON’T THINK WE ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS, MAKE THIS DISABILITY AS YOUR STRENGTH, CHANGE YOUR DISABILITY INTO SPECIALTY, COME AND JOIN US AND ENLIGHTEN YOURSELF WITH EDUCATION (WAJID BHAT, VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENT )

Dear NEET Aspirants!!!

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Dear NEET aspirants!!!
Owais Ahmad Shah

As you know that results have been declared.Your reading room has turned into a veritable jungle.Those who have made it are walking on the air and those who have not are carrying a vacant expression in their faces,crestfallen.Just relax,stay lose and composed.Turn back your clock,in the recent past you have hammered away at this examination.You gave everything to make your dream come true.Celebrate this failure and it will open new doors of success for you.Today you have to compete with the aspirants of other states.During the days of JKCET,a student would bear in his mind that he has to compete with the aspirants of his own state but the new age medical professionalism has broadened the horizons and put over this capital idea just like IAS,where participants of all states push ahead to crack the exams.
You have the necessary detachment,participate in career counselling programmes.Your only goal should not be to read the stuff and crack the exams but you must go beyond this phenomenon.
The profession of medical science is not only about identity attachment but it is about social work,it is about taking care and finding new measures of curacy.
At last let me try to make you feel relaxed about the exams.As you know,in every exam,we see success stories as well as failures.People who pass exams with flying colours are appreciated,recognized for their feat but the people who fail the exams are crestfallen,they bite their lips.
The next year NEET exams will also have success stories who will take the centre stage and as well as failures who will be in background.This year you have not made it to NEET and you should not burden yourselves with miseries but you should pin faith in your confidence for the next exams.You must have well prepared your notes for NEET exams and now you need to stay lose and do any other work.Start studying higher education and frame a time table for NEET studies.I know you will go to the whole nine yards.When you have done your first coaching,stop doing anyother coaching because it will have an adverse affect on the early coaching.Start self-studying,take advice of NEET pass outs and participate in career counselling programmes.The best bet would be to start a new chapter in NEET exams.
Today horizon of career is not limited to few fields but scores of fields.
The writer is Student at GDC Handwara.

Garbage Piles up at District hospital Baramulla

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Garbage piles up at District hospital Baramulla
Danish Tariq

Unattended garbage in the premises of District Hospital Baramulla here is causing immense problem to the visitors and the problem has been compounded by presence of a large number of stray dogs around these garbage piles, putting the lives of visitors at risk in absence of regular cleaning tons of garbage has piled up in the premises of District Hospital

Mohammad Ramzan, an attendant said, I am here from last 3 days with my daughter as I have noticed the treatment of patients is going well but “surroundings of the hospital are lying with heaps of garbage and hospital authorities are failed to take measures for ensuring sanitation of the hospital premises,” meanwhile the unattended garbage is emanating pungent smell posing threat of infection to patients as well as attendants, he added

Pertinently, hundreds of people from various adjoining areas of district daily visit the hospital, stray dogs rummage through garbage piles and chase visitors during night the hospital premises are taken over filled up with stray dogs “in presence of dogs, we cannot venture out to purchase medicine,” the attendants said.

Saleema, patient said, the garbage lying beside the ward area of hospital has caused foul smell by the indiscriminate dumping of garbage “here is no civic sense among the visitors, as the dustbins are available still the garbage is being thrown out from windows,” she added I am here failed to understand how can be the patient’s health get better, the eatable items which are being carried into the ward premises should be banned so the garbage can be controlled.

The hospital should have clean environment. Ironically, the authorities have failed to at least clear the garbage properly from its premises posing a health hazard to visitors and patients.

According to Medical Superintendent District hospital Baramulla, Dr Masood, “there is no civic sense among attendants the waste material they throw out from windows otherwise the dustbins are installed inside the premises”, besides the construction is going on there is second reason of garbage he added we usually clean the area but there should be awareness of cleanliness among visitors and attendants, we are going to block the windows to control the garbage throwing from windows.

G.N Itoo Deputy Commissioner Baramulla said, recently meeting was held with district hospital authorities to ensure the clean surroundings around hospital “i have directed them to clean the garbage within 24 hour earlier they clean it after every 2 days” he assured the cleaning surroundings of hospital will be our first priority.

The Brand Name Drugs -Versus Generic

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The Brand Name Drugs – Versus Generic.

Written by: Gowher Bhat

Arshid Ahmad owned a farm in the Kashmir valley and struggled with his wife to get by with expenses. He fathered and raised two children who are grown and on their own. When his wife Gulshan Akther got sick, he brought her to a government hospital. The doctor told him that Gulshan had high blood pressure, and she needs to take medication for the rest of her life. He gave Arshid Ahmad the prescription, and he went to the drug store to have the prescription filled. The price was so high that Arshid Ahmad could not afford to pay. When he went home, he sold some of his valuables to get enough money to buy the drugs for his wife. He loved her very much and could not think of living his life without her. He purchased the medication, but it was only for thirty days. There was no way he could continue to pay the price for the drugs every month. When he went back, he asked the doctor if he could prescribe another medication. The doctor prescribed another drug, but still, when Arshid Ahmad went to buy it, the price was a little lower but expensive. The doctor said it was the only medication that would help his wife, and she had to keep taking it; otherwise, she will die. After six months, Arshid Ahmad could not afford this medication any longer. So his wife took the pills every couple of days to save money and make the pills last longer. A year later, Gulshan had a stroke and passed away because her blood pressure was out of control. Later on, Arshid found out that the medication his wife was taking was available as a generic drug which was 80% cheaper than the brand-name drug his wife received. He is very bitter and blamed the doctor for killing his wife because he did not tell him that he could get the inexpensive brand, which gave the same result.
Arshid is not the only one who suffered a loss from this practice. Doctors are not honest with patients, and pharmaceutical companies are selling their brand-name medications by enticing doctors with expensive gifts. When the marketing representatives visit doctors or telephone’s them, they make a deal, that’s referred to as a kickback. These gifts range from luxurious vehicles, credit cards for shopping, arranging family trips, cash, and even kitchen items. All the doctors have to do is prescribe their drug to the patients instead of the generic. Kashmiris are facing problems and suffering the consequences of these practices because there is no genuine concern for patients’ well-being. The majority of the people in Kashmir belong to lower-middle-class families, and when they fall sick, they can’t afford treatment and the costly medication to get well.
People need education about generic drugs. It’s known to be equivalent to the brand name in dosages, strengths, route of administrations, quality, safety, performance, and intended use. Generic drugs are 80 – 90% less costly than brand-name drugs.
I had an interaction with patients who fell, victim. One person told me that his daughter got sick; the doctor prescribed a name brand drug. He had to go into debt to pay for the medication.
Another lady said the doctor prescribed her a lot of costly medications, and she mentioned to the doctor about generic brands. He told her to shut up about that; they were not as good.
I then took my interview to another hospital, and there were dozens of marketing representatives with big shopping bags, waiting to see the doctors. I interacted with one of them, and asked him many questions like why are you here? He said he wanted to make a sale and showed me the list of medications they sell and what reward the doctor would receive if he prescribed one of them.
Dr. Nisar ul Hassan confirmed what I’m writing. He said, “that brand-name drugs are preventing affordable generic drugs from reaching the low-income families.” He also added, “doctors prescribe expensive brand-name drugs knowing the cheaper version is available. These expensive drugs prescribed to gullible patients and doctors are becoming drug mafias. Clinicians are fed up also and are bred by pharmaceutical companies for pushing patients to purchase branded drugs. The whole thing is an unholy practice and misleading the public by giving false information. The use of generic drugs has increased at a snail’s pace in Kashmir. But Kashmiri doctors continue to dole out expensive therapies for monetary gains.”
On a personal note, I request the doctors who are turning their profession into a business and refusing to cater to the people with low incomes to stop.

They took a Hippocratic oath to cure the sick with righteousness. I’m also asking the government to crack down on these practices and pass a law to restrict doctors from robbing the sick. If something is not done, people are going to continue to die at the doctors’ expense.
I’m writing this article to put the Kashmiri people on alert, that they need to ask the doctor for other options. Fatalities are rising because patients are not able to afford to pay these prices. Again, I ask, who cares for them? Perhaps no one in the health profession, especially the pharmaceutical companies.