Kashmir :Uncontrolled Prices

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Kashmir: Uncontrolled Prices
News Kashmir Exclusive

The phenomenon of ever-increasing prices is badly impacting the life of general masses in the state of Jammu and Kashmir especially kashmir valley . Weather vagary this winter has compounded the price rise problem in Kashmir.
As a matter of fact, the monster of inflation is since long badly impacting every sphere of life in our state . Pertinently, Inflation means paying extra for goods than what you were paying previously. Off late, not only necessary goods have seen a price hike, non-essential items have also seen this hike. In other words inflation is making a big dent in the pocket of common man of our valley. One needs to bear in mind that Inflation doesn’t have an effect on everything evenly. Gas prices can double while your home may loses value
The worrying fact is that rising food prices have far outshined the growth rate and overall income rise of masses. Basic vegetables like Tomatoes, Potatoes, onions, eggs and many types of pulses are costing twice as costly as they were about a year or two years ago.
This winter Kashmir has seen inflation problem often due to closed Jammu – Srinagar Highway .

The often closures of Jammu Srinagar Highway has compounded the inflation menace . It is the only prominent road link connecting the valley of Kashmir with rest of country. As a matter of fact, All essentials of life are routed into the landlocked Kashmir Valley through this highway. To add to woes of masses in Kashmir the Hoarders and profiteers hike prices of essentials by creating artificial scarcity each time the highway remains closed for a longer period.
This year too owing to heavy snowfall in all winter, the highway in the most of times especially in the month of January has remained closed giving rise to multiple issues . Despite the promises made that rail link from Srinagar to Jammu would be operational soon the dream has remained so far elusive and will that remain functional during heavy snowfall also remains to be soon. Despite tunnels built the Jammu Srinagar highway has remained a weak point with landslides, blockades wrecking havoc every winter. All this has resulted in goods being scarce in kashmir and consequently food prices hitting.

Expert opinion is that this manic inflation in India has hit the common man the most. Kashmirs logistical handicap has another reverse effect – its exports lose their competitiveness due to the relatively high transportation costs.

Naveed Ahmed, a student states : “ Inflation is a very serious issue in our state especially in landlocked areas like Kashmir and Ladakh. inflation always hurts basic standard of living and worst hit is the man on street. This winter highway closures due to snowfall has resulted in increased prices. Rising prices means you have to pay more for the same goods and services. If your income increases at a slower rate as compared to inflation, your standard of living declines even if you are making more and the same has been clearly seen in kashmir . The departments checking the price rise and hoarding should work in more effective coordination so as to check the evil of inflation.”

. The need of the hour is that the concerned authorities wake up more seriously to the challenges posed by the inflation and draft a farsighted mechanism to tackle this evil of inflation as soon as possible.

PM Modi Jammu Kashmir visit complete report

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PM dedicates 220 kV Srinagar- Alusteng – Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission Line to the Nation; Ladakh now connected to National Grid

 

PM in Jammu – Multiple development projects unveiled. PM Visits Leh – Lays Foundation stone of new terminal building of KBR Airport

courtesy PIB

 

New Delhi, February 03, 2019

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the 220 kV Srinagar- Alusteng – Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission System to the Nation today, a step that would ensure quality power supply to Ladakh round the year. This would give huge boost to the tourism sector and enhance socio-economic development of Ladakh.

Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for this project on 12 August, 2014 and within 4.5 years, the project has been completed by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID),a Navratna Company of Government of India, under Ministry of Power. While inaugurating this projects PM said, “We’ve left behind culture of delays”.

The Rs. 2266 crore project will result in minimizing the massive use of diesel generating sets during winters, and thus will help in protection of beautiful environment, of pristine Ladakh region.

About Srinagar- Alusteng – Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission Line:

Built at a height of around 3000-4000 meters, this approx. 335 km long transmission line has been constructed by POWERGRID. In this project, the four new State-of-the-Art 220/66 kV Gas Insulated Sub-stations built at Drass, Kargil, Khaltsi and Leh will help to ensure 24×7 quality power in all weather conditions. Funding provisions have been in the ratio of 95:05 (95% Govt. of India share and 5% J&K state share).

Benefits to the region:

The implementation of this project was also aimed to supply power to the people of Ladakh in harsh winters and evacuation of surplus power of Kargil & Leh Hydel stations of NHPC in summers. It is a flagship project of Government of India, under PMRP scheme which was aimed to improve reliability & quality of power supply in Ladakh region of J&K by connecting with National Grid.

This will not only help evacuate power in summers, but will also supply power to the region in winters when temperatures dip and hydro electricity generation do not match up. The project will meet the power demand of Ladakh region at economical rates.

With quality electricity available at reasonable rates, hospitality industry in Ladakh will get a boost, as their reliance on diesel sets will reduce. This will also attract tourists looking for affordable stay in all weathers.

Challenges in execution:

This herculean task executed by POWERGRID in unforeseen weather conditions was made possible by immaculate project monitoring skills, high team spirit and strategic planning and use of modern technologies. The line remains snow covered for nearly six months with the minimum temperature going down to as low as -40 degrees at Drass. Therefore, specially designed tower foundations were constructed with assistance from Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) for spotting the tower foundations, as the work force braved the challenge of working at lesser oxygen levels. It shall also provide grid connectivity and reliable quality power supply to the strategically important Ladakh region including defence establishments in the area.

The occasion was graced by Shri Satya Pal Malik, Hon’ble Governor, J&K, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) for Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Haji Anayat Ali, Chairman, Legislative Council, J&K, Secretary (Power) Government of India, Shri A. K. Bhalla, CMD, POWERGRID, Shri Ravi P. Singh, people’s representatives from the areaand senior officials of state government and POWERGRID.

About POWERGRID:

POWERGRID is one of the World’s Largest Power Transmission Utility, and has a wide network of 150,874 circuit kilometers transmission lines, with 238 Sub-stations and transformation capacity of 351,106 MVA.

 

 

In the second leg of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir,  Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visited Jammu today. He unveiled a series of development projects to give a boost to infrastructure in the state. PM is on a day long visit to Leh, Jammu and Srinagar today.

Jammu visit was marked by the PM laying the foundation stone of AIIMS at Vijaypur, Samba. Mr. Modi said that the  setting up of AIIMS will provide quality healthcare to the people and  address the shortfall of healthcare professionals in the region. PM announced that another 500 seats in the state medical colleges would be added soon.

While inaugurating University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Kathua today , PM expressed his happiness that the youths from Jammu will benefit from the 10% EWS Quota.

He also laid the foundation stone for the construction of Northern Regional Centre Campus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication at Jammu. The campus Tmat Jammu was setup in the academic year 2012-13 and is working from a temporary building since then.

PM laid foundation stone for 624 MW Kiru Hydroelectric project and 850 Megawatt Ratle Hydro Electric project in Kishtwar, Jammu. He said, “New power projects in region will provide employment to youth”. PM also declared 100% electrification of households in the Jammu and Kashmir under SAUBHAGYA Scheme.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for construction of Transit accomodation for Kashmiri migrant employees in Kashmir valley. He announced that the work is afoot to employ displaced Kashmiris in 3000 posts. He said “India will not forget the circumstances in which the Pandits had to leave their homes.” The country must stand with those being persecuted in the neighbouring countries, he added.

PM laid foundation stone of the project aimed at reducing pollution of Rivers Devika & Tawi under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). This project is scheduled for completion by March 2021.

PM told that 14000 bunkers have been built along the border for the safety of our soldiers. He added that while the previous Government tried to hoodwink OROP with a grant of Rs.500 Crore, we have allotted Rs.35000 Crore. Had former rulers been proactive Kartarpur Sahib would have been part of India, he added.

Another highlight of visit to Jammu  today was PM laying the foundation stone of 1640 m span double lane bridge over River Chenab at Sajwal. It will provide an alternative route for the population of Sajwal and Indri Pattian which will reduce  the commuting distance from 47 kms to 5 kms between the two. During the event PM said that Rs.40000 Crore has been  sanctioned to improve the connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi arrived Leh in Ladakh in the first leg of his one day visit to Leh, Jammu and Srinagar today. He inaugurated/laid foundation stones for various development projects there.

Applauding the crowd for braving a chilly winter, PM  said “Those who live in difficult situations, they challenge every difficulty. Your affection gives me a great motivation to keep working hard.”

He inaugurated the University of Ladakh and said, “Young students constitute 40% of the population of Ladakh. There has been a long standing demand for a University in this region. With the launch of the University of Ladakh this demand would be fulfilled.” This University will be a cluster University comprising of degree colleges of Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Zanskar, Drass and Khaltsi and will have administrative offices at Leh and Kargil for the ease of students.

PM inaugurated 9 MW Dah Hydroelectric project in Dah near Datang village and 220 KV Srinagar- Alusteng – Drass- Kargil – Leh transmission system. While inaugurating these projects PM said, “We’ve left behind culture of delays”. He added that his Government will ensure that for all the projects for which foundation stone is laid by him will be inaugurated by him.

Five New tourist and trekking routes in Ladakh were opened today as well.  PM said that Life gets easier, economically as well once a city is well connected. He added that, once the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line is completed, the distance from Delhi to Leh will be reduced.

PM laid foundation stone of the new terminal building of Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (KBR) Airport in Leh by unveiling a plaque. The new terminal will provide seamless passenger movement with all modern amenities.

These projects will he also said that with the projects will result in better availability of electricity, improved connectivity and thus result in more tourist footfalls in the region. It will also open better livelihood opportunities to many villages.

In addition, Protected Area Permit’s validity has been increased to 15 days. Now tourists will be able to enjoy their journey to Leh for a longer time.

PM said that a few changes have been made in the LAHDC Act and the Council have been given more rights concerning the expenditures. Now the Autonomous Council releases the money sent for the region’s development, he added

About the interim budget the Prime Minister told that for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes, there has been a hike in allocation by 30% and nearly 35% hike for the development of scheduled castes.

 

Food Wastage and Kashmir

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Malla Jameel Ahmed

FOOD WASTAGE is a burning issue and we are all responsible and when addressed collectively will get rid of it.

Every year around the globe 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted, that is 1/3 of all food produced for human consumption. Food losses represent a waste of resources used in production such as land, water, energy and inputs.

The losses incurred in developing countries are mainly due to infrastructural constrains related to poor transport, storage, processing and packaging facilities in addition to capacity gaps that result in in-efficient productions.

Our kashmir valley is no exception to the same and is equally fairing in its share of food wastage which comprises of 20-22% of the total waste generated. The quantity of the wastage of food in the land which otherwise takes it a bad thing and a sinful act needs a reprimand to explain the same. If the point of wastage of food is deeply observed at a local level, certain reasons can be attributed to the same.

Transportation:

Kashmir valley is surrounded by mountains and the roads leading to this paradise are full of excitement but with lot of hardships also. The vehicles carrying the food always has to tread these hilly ranges to reach to the Kashmir valley and on a way, the significant amount of food gets wasted even some getting rotted. The problem becomes more persistent in winters, when the heavy snowfall results in avalanches or others completely blockading this age old road which ultimately leads to the perishing of all the items ferried in the stranded vehicles.

Lot of raw food (mainly rice) also gets wasted during the transportation from main godowns to public distribution shops. The wastage may be miniscule but rightly finds its way in one of the factors of food wastage.

Storage

In Kashmir valley, the storage of food is a big problem. The vegetable, fruit and cereal growers does not possess the knowledge regarding the storage of food and various means to increase the shelf life. Resultantly, lot of vegetable & fruit markets can be seen piled up with the waste of vegetable & fruit waste which get decomposed/putrefied due to improper storage. The cereal mainly rice which is distributed in government run fixed price shops are engulfed with rodents and other insects making it highly susceptible for human consumption.

Excessive spending

Consumerism not only led to stalling of minds of people but also led to increase in concentration of the stale food. The increasing in income of the common people has led to the increase in their spending, but in the course of time, people have lost their ability to identify as to which item at what quantity will be useful to them. People spending without any logic on an easily avoidable things has added more to the problem of wastage and if taken the said narrative for the food, it will not be wrong to say, it is one of the factors for food wastage.

Big fat weddings

In Kashmir, the biggest sources of food wastage are the weddings as the quantum of preparation of food is in itself humungous which is bound to get wasted. Kashmiris are by nature known to spend lavishly on wedding. The extra food has been prepared to make sure everyone is well fed which at the end of weddings or function ultimately finds its way in the river streams, dust bins, road corners and many conspicuous places easily accessible to dogs and other animals but deprived to the social animal. Throwing a food which is otherwise consumable clearly shows the ignorance for the oblivious reasons as maximum people do not know what to do with such kind of excess food.

Most common & Easy ways to reduce the food wastage which everyone can implement in their daily life  as the saying goes “great things are done by a series of small things brought together”

Plan your meals in advance so that you will avoid buying items of no need.

First utilize what is already available at home.

Dont go for a shopping empty stomach as it will incite you to buy more and more as the psychologically our brain perceives everything important even if it is not so.

Choose quality over quantity and try to enjoy your meals by eating slowly

Cook only according to your need.

Store food better as correct storage can add days, weeks and even months to the foods. Make sure dry goods are stored in air tight containers to avoid moisture and weevils, freeze leftovers and don’t store all the fruit and vegetables in the fridge as sometimes it will make them deteriorate quicker

Leftovers shall be used judiciously instead of throwing them away.

Freeze for later use

One can use leftovers to be converted into compost.

Preserve seasonal produce,

The significant waste occurs at consumption stage. It is better not to make wasting a way of life. Many people hardly manage a single meal a day and there are still lot of poor people who out of societal fear don’t acknowledge such condition. Hunger is still one of the most urgent development challenges and hunger is global issue , even after the world is producing more than enough food, but the wastage plays a spoilsport.

(Malla Jameel Ahmed is a government employee and is working is Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar.)

 

Refurbishing government service

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Badar Bashir

Once upon a time a king told his subjects to dig up a well and when they did it, the king asked his subjects to bring a glass of milk and pour that into this well before the sunrise, as people dissipated towards their homes, a person thought since everyone is going to get a glass of milk why not I bring a glass of water instead. He brought a glass of water and poured that into this well and went back home. After the sun rose and king came to see the well, to his amazement he found only water in the well. The reason was that everyone had thought that every other person will bring the milk. Same is the case with our duties we think that other person is going to do the job while we sit back and inhabituate the layback approach. Same approach has plagued our government institutions and with each passing day they enforce the worklessness into their habitat of inactivity.

The fundamental question is, why are the government employees so prone to strikes, why do they show lack of diligence in their duties, why do they ask for more when their institutions are languid and less-performing. Why do they desire more when they deserve no more. Why are they so arrogant even after being caught for the dereliction of duties.

Its an evident fact that if a process involves government institution for its completion, the completion in itself becomes a constant struggle, eventuality of a petty document becomes a dream and in near future we sigh! Finally it’s done and even plan a party for the success that we had anticipated for its completion.

Work culture? Yeah! It’s the culture which we have to follow from our contemporaries and who are the contemporaries, they are the same species following us. When did we have culture at first? Never. We always followed comforting ourselves and in that process we have made fraternity of government employees specifically working for each other’s requirements. Where shall a common man go? Everywhere until he finds peace. It’s said that human needs influence human behaviour and its easily discernible what they need because their behavior heralds their need.

Even a rational non-working active employee In governments holds that they have less value, their value is the derivative of diligence they show towards work and what is worse is the inoculation of herd mentality which was the legacy, is the legacy and will always be a legacy until we learn the benefits of morality behind working. An easy example to measure all the people of the state should be measured from its educational institutions and the predicament is that, that they are worst hit by undeserving people and the products they create are equally worse and when they get employed, they spoil things in a same way their teachers have spoiled them.

Karl marx once said the production of too many usefull things results in too many useless people. the more useful things we are blessed with the more useless we become, further we spread that uselessness and brag about it in a most unsuitable way.

Nonetheless there are still people who work for the upliftment of culture and values, the people owho are service motivated. The prerequisite is to inculcate moral education among people and reduce the information deficit that they have, that they cant procceed and progress without adulation and chicanery. The more they work themselves the more they build themselves the more they build themselves the more society progresses. Being diligent in one’s own work is a sign of greatness that  is yet to come.

 

 

Kashmir Highway : Choked Vein

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Jammu Srinagar National Highway is a part of NH 44 (former name NH 1A before renumbering of all national highways) system and connects Srinagar (Kashmir Valley) with Jammu City. The distance between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar was 295 km and was reduced by about 30 km after commissioning of Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, new Banihal road tunnel and other small tunnels.

It is the only prominent road link connecting the valley of Kashmir with rest of country. As a matter of fact, All essentials of life are routed into the landlocked Kashmir Valley through this highway. To add to woes of masses in Kashmir the Hoarders and profiteers hike prices of essentials by creating artificial scarcity each time the highway remains closed for a longer period.

This year too owing to heavy snowfall in all winter, the highway in the most of times especially in the month of January has remained closed giving rise to multiple issues . Despite the promises made that rail link from Srinagar to Jammu would be operational soon the dream has remained so far elusive and will that remain functional during heavy snowfall also remains to be soon. Despite tunnels built the Jammu Srinagar highway has remained a weak point with landslides, blockades wrecking havoc every winter.

Also, the prices of air tickets  soar once highway get blocked.

We have also seen Hundreds of Kashmir-bound passengers stranded in Jammu for weeks this year due to highway closure and staged a massive demonstration, urging the government to take immediate steps to clear the road or airlift them to Kashmir. The passengers have often assembled at General Bus Stand Jammu urging authorities to be serious about their problems.

The high prices are a norm due to highway closures, and not having the enough quality cold storages and other mechanism remains an issue .

Malla Jameel Ahmed , a knowledgeable voice states : “In Kashmir valley, the storage of food is a big problem. The vegetable, fruit and cereal growers does not possess the knowledge regarding the storage of food and various means to increase the shelf life. Resultantly, lot of vegetable & fruit markets can be seen piled up with the waste of vegetable & fruit waste which get decomposed/putrefied due to improper storage. The cereal mainly rice which is distributed in government run fixed price shops are engulfed with rodents and other insects making it highly susceptible for human consumption. Thus we immediately see problems a road closes ”

 

 

 

 

Why US Empire incarcerated Marzieh Hashemi?

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By Javeed Ali

 

 

 

 

 

In this materialistic world a person who wants to support and spread the truth is not allowed to do so by those whose foundations are based on falsehood and deceit. Any voice of realism is being muzzled by those who survive on fabrication and falsification.  A cry for an oppressed soul is being trampled under the boots of oppressors. An opinion for peace is being eroded by those whose strategies are based on wars and deaths. An appeal for justice to marginalized and disadvantaged people is being caged by those who claim to be the defenders of human rights. A right of religion is being trammelled by those who create and groom terrorists. Discrimination in the name of caste, creed, religion or colour is being perpetuated by those who own and run corporate media.

 

 

 

There are some God-fearing individuals in this world who advocate and uphold the cause of suppressed and subjugated people. One such soul is Marzieh Hashemi. She is a journalist, anchor-woman, documentarian, presenter, voice-over artist and an analyst who is vocal for Muslims, Women Rights, African-Americans and other oppressed people in the world. She is critical about the American foreign policy and regime change plots. Marzieh is against the police brutalities towards black people in the US and she is also against the US–backed wars all across the world.

 

 

 

Marzieh Hashemi was born in an African-American Christian family as Melanie Franklin on December 21, 1959 in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. During her journalism studies in Louisiana State University, the 1979 Islamic Revolution happened in Iran. She took interest in the events occurring in Iran at the time and researched about the Islamic Revolution and the life of Imam Khomeini (R.A.).  She was very inspired and finally converted to Islam in 1982 at the age of 22. She changed her name from Melanie Franklin to Marzieh Hashemi and married an Iranian. Marzieh worked with a number of Islamic magazines and newspapers. She was an activist in number of community organisations working for social justice and was confronting Islamophobia menace in the US.

 

 

 

In 2008 Marzieh moved to Iran and began hosting programs on Press TV. She has worked on numerous documentaries depicting the miserable and repressed condition of underprivileged people across the world. A strong proponent of the Palestinian cause, Marzieh also supports other oppressed people of the world. This is the main reason she is being harassed by the US authorities when she visits her relatives there. There is no doubt that it is her activism that has led to her unfair arrest. If Marzieh was like other government-fearing journalists she would be enjoying her freedom right now. If she wasn’t such a strong advocate for Palestine she would be considered harmless. Perhaps if she didn’t work for Press TV none of this would have happened. Her arrest, subsequent harassment by authorities, removal of her hijab. All of this would never have happened if Marzieh remained silent. Only those who speak the truth are targeted. That is a fact.

 

 

 

On 13thJanuary 2019 Marzieh was arrested by FBI agents in America when she was about to board a flight from St. Louis Lambert International Airport for Denver, to visit her ailing brother who is suffering from cancer. She was then transferred to Washington DC where she was handcuffed and shackled in an FBI detention center. Her Hijab (veil) was forcibly removed against her will and she was mistreated. Marzieh was given a short-sleeved T-Shirt in which her mug-shot was taken without her headscarf. After two days of her arrest, she was finally allowed to call her daughter. This was when she revealed the inhuman treatment meted out to her. Marzieh was given pork instead of Halal food which she refused to consume and has only eaten pretzels and bread. She is being held under custody without any crime or charges and is being treated as a criminal. Her family members and friends are very concerned about her health condition and they have demanded her immediate release.

 

 

 

US authorities have violated the religious and human rights of Marzieh Hashemi. They have also violated international laws and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which advocates freedom of opinion and expression. Marzieh Hashemi is being humiliated and tortured as she is the voice of the oppressed. Now it’s the moral obligation of each one of us to raise our voice against the tyrannical and wicked regime of America, that has illegally detained a 59-year-old veteran journalist who is also a mother and a grandmother. She is being intimidated as she has challenged the hegemony of imperialistic powers. It doesn’t matter that Marzieh is an American citizen, what matters is that she is against the system. And that is an unpardonable offense.

 

 

 

Let’s all join our hands and start a massive campaign on social media and press for her release. Already some journalists and human rights activists have started an online hashtag campaign such as #FreeMarziehHashemi and #Pray4MarziehHashemi. Journalists, writers, activists, intellectuals and other professionals should use their energy and platform and urge the International community to pressurize the US authorities, so that they release Marzieh Hashemi from this illegal imprisonment immediately.

 

 

 

May Allah Almighty keep Marzieh Hashemi in good health. Ameen

 

 

Shady NGO Business

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News Kashmir Exclusive

THE role of nongovernmental organizations in social work and philanthropic efforts are known to one and all. In the present world of fast globalization, technological and social advancements, the Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have played a significant role in pushing for sustainable development at the National, local and international level.

Pertinently, Campaigning groups have been key drivers of inter-governmental negotiations, ranging from the help towards human causes from regulation of hazardous wastes to a global ban on land mines and the elimination of slavery.

But NGOs in conflict and tragedy ridden Kashmir have just grown in numbers not doing any effective work.

Especially after the break out of violent conflict some three decades back, the Valley of Kashmir has also witnessed mushroom growth of NGOS, but the unambiguous grassroot pulse is that  these Ngos have failed miserably to perform their functions in a proper and positive way.

As a matter of fact, it is learnt that some time back we had  four thousand NGOS are registered in the State of Jammu& Kashmir, which is quiet an abnormal figure. To make the matters more worse it is learnt that Out of thousands registered NGO’s in state only about a handful percentage  are working on the ground in real spirit others are just on papers and minting money. According to expert voices no part on the planet earth except our state has such a high number of Ngos.

Many a voices are making it clear that time has come to trim the number of NGOs. Qurat-ul-Ain Masoodi., an eminent social activist , while talking to the News Kashmir stated : “ Yes the abnormal number of Non Governmental Organizations has been cause of concern and it has harmed the name of overall social works sector. One should not form NGO or join Social works sector just to mint money but with passion to serve people. Now slowly and steadily the government is on path since sometime to deregister the non performing NGOs which is a step in right direction.   NGO Sector should be properly regulated and governed and it is important need of our times.”

On the other hand of spectrum,  Ngos rose up in the name of rendering helping hand to thousands of orphan Childs of the Kashmir, as conflict rendered tens and thousands of children in Kashmir with the tag of orphans. There is also strangely a mushrooming growth of non government organizations in the last one and a half decade. But unfortunately, not even a fraction of the staggering figure of 50,000 to 80,000 orphans is being provided some kind of support.

The reality urges all  stakeholders to ensure NGO Sector in kashmir works honestly and efficiently.

 

The actual aim social work is to touch human lives and make a positive difference : Qurat-ul-Ain Masoodi

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Qurat-ul-Ain Masoodi  is a young and  dynamic social worker of Kashmir who has worked extensively on orphans and was brain behind the much appreciated recent mass weddings initiative. She is founder of AASH Hope of Kashmir NGO/Trust

In an exclusive interview, Qurat-ul-Ain Masoodi talks to Farzana Mumtaz and Rameez Makhdoomi.

 

What prompted you to give practical shape to your recent  mass marriage initiative in Kashmir?

I read a report in daily English daily that more than Ten thousand girls have passed marriageable age  in Kashmir and I decided to do something on it, and I used to get calls from age 50 and more years  women facing same issue .The conflict has hit us hard especially a daily wage class and this has resulted in this tragedy of girls of these families passing marriageable age. Nuclear families are in fashion and the compassion of that joint family is missing with poor girls thus  being at receiving end. .Plus our marriages being a costly affair and females discriminated already  , and thus getting them married was a weapon  of empowerment.

I consider myself as connection between upper and lower economy class and there are the people who trusted my organization and wanted to donate for the same purpose.

A bit about your journey?

We started in the year 2011  AASH Hope of Kashmir  and late Shujaat Bukhari mentored me lot and advised me to remain focused despite what people talk  .I started from orphanage as orphans have always been  close to my heart since   my parents had separated when I was just eight month old  . I have never seen my father. I believe  you either could translate your hatred  or vacuum in life towards destructive or constructive and I chanellized this energy towards positivity.

Although I never faced  financial crisis but faced emotional pain. Missionary school education helped a lot in imbibing social work values in me .I was the first person who got orphanage closed down for abuse, although some people had advised me to just close eyes but I fought till success  .

Have you  faced as a prominent Social activist the tagging culture that is common in our part of the world?

Yes unfortunately there is a good section of people here believing in tagging, as a matter of great misfortune we are judgmental people and make immediate judgments without base. That section says the agency would be behind mass marriages or any other noble work. Why will any secret agency do philanthropic work or marriages of needy section. I keep on telling people social work is amazing and I admire and love when people join me for same  .I come from a quite high profile background – my father has been academician at  Harvard, mother teacher, Uncle justice at court and cousin politician. I choose social work by my passion as serving others is my goal.

Would you agree that social work is disorganized sector in Kashmir ?

We definitely have a disorganized social work sector as our tragedy is that those who study social work are after degrees and want to be in just academics not social work. I am currently studying social work and completed masters. I have seen even some government employees joining social work and other well settled not to help needy but to making careers and minting money out of it , for me social work is close to my heart as it is my passion to serve humanity especially those in need.

It  is great tragedy that some people  ask you what you do beyond social work for bread and butter not knowing this is 24 into 7  job and you do not have even time to take breathe .Our organization  does not have enough money to get even my salary so I work as consultant for many organizations.

Are  we society of more talks less actions and more active on social media than ground zero?

When we do facebooking or campaigns on facebook they are in no means real social work, we talk lofty things and use high-class English on facebook but do not do much on ground. The actual aim social work is to touch human lives and make a positive difference. I worked with a gangrape victim in year 2015 who was raped by a neighbor and gave her meaning to live and fought for her justice, it was unfortunately no news for media and journalists probably due to lack of sensation.

Are we careless as nation when it comes to donating ?

 

Yes the problem in this regard is we either give donation without credibility or make a baseless remark that everyone is thief. Now for a good section of people the trend is changing and they are coming to me and other credible organizations to donate with credibility. I would reaffirm neither easily trust neither totally resort to lack of trust adopt a wisdom based approach according to your own verifications, knowledge.

Whom would you credit the success of your mass marriage initiative ?

I have been able to involve students as students are my hope and these volunteers have been great help to me in making mass marriages event successful.

NGO’S  have a wrong image here, your take ?

Someone had told me that NGO’s have a bad name and I replied that I have joined to change same . I did a sting operation and brought rot in open about an orphanage run by NGO open .

 

 

What changes would you like to see in social work sector in Kashmir ?

Accept social workers as social workers .Don’t be judgmental immediately. When you start organizations for purpose of social work do social work don’t look for your own benefits that then harms name of entire sector .

What is your message to those youth who want to go to social work?

I would like to say join social work sector only when you are passionate and don’t be in this sector just to mint money or achieve cheap limelight . I for long stayed away from media and if you get addicted to limelight your passion towards social work is lost .

I AM READY TO TREAD A LONG PATH : Dr. Shah Faesal

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I AM READY TO TREAD A LONG PATH : Dr. Shah Faesal

 

 

 

Dr. Shah Faesal born 17 May 1983  is a former  civil servant from Jammu and Kashmir. He has a very dynamic caliber .In 2009, he became the first Kashmiri to top the Indian Civil Services Examination and the first candidate from Kashmir in several years to be selected to the Indian Administrative Service through open merit. He resigned from IAS on 9th January 2019 citing unabated killings in Kashmir.

 

As a matter of fact, He was the first Kashmiri to top the Indian Civil Services Examination in 2009. He holds an MBBS degree from Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences’SKIMS, Srinagar.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

You have stated that your resigning was result of unabated killings and bloodshed in Kashmir, when you topped IAS and became officer in 2009 at that time too killings were happening why not resignation then but now ?

 

First of all when you enter the system you entered it to deliver, and to understand and learn things. One does not enter system for resignation. The situation post 2013-14 especially  the new wave of eruption in 2016 pained me , and then I started rethinking that should I continue or not in service and speak about the things around and finally as you know resignation happens once in life not every time .

 

After your resignations the speculations are ripe that you are likely joining the National conference ?

 

I have not had the belief to choose easy paths in life. If choosing easy paths in life was my priority then I would not have resigned from job and secondly joined some established party to enjoy good post as per speculations in social media . I have made it clear that I am not joining any existing political party which has laid all speculations to rest .

 

What is your next step there is lot of curiosity about that ?

 

I have made it clear and requested masses  that I was out of country for some years and also in civil services some years and accordingly it is a must for me to know the ground sentiment. After my resignation a sea of people  especially the youth of Kashmir want to associate with me and to come out of this situation is not easy and had I been  just after power you would have seen me in campaigning for some Party .It is heartening that youth who has never interacted with system is coming to me and I want to engage with my people and youth . I am not after  MP or MLA position but I have made it clear I with my youth want to see if we can occupy the democratic space which is mostly currently held by corrupt lot . I am not after power grabbing but a long view to take careful decisions and get clean mandate not get such people elected who harm more our nation . The initiative which I envisage is long term and it can take even five or ten years but taking my peoples aspirations into count is must.

 

Politics is sometimes also about making your own decisions would you  entirely depend of feedback from people ?

 

My decisions are my decisions. Basically I am not the tradition politician who have degraded politics to crooked nature as I respect my people views and sentiments and cannot overlook them and take their feedback very serious. Ultimately I agree leader has to make his decisions as well .

 

Wouldn’t your leaving civil services leave the notion that civil services are  powerless  in nature  ?

 

No not at all civil services would not lose sheen. I have made it clear that I am  leaving civil services under constrains and there are burning problems which need immediate solutions that is why I have entered politics .

 

How would you balance between pro boycott youth and pro election ?

 

I agree it is a tough task and my thrust is to negotiate in between this space.  I would not take any step that disregards my peoples sentiments , I won’t show eagerness to immediately join electoral politics and take such steps that is seen as dishonoring the sacrifices and emotions of my people . I am ready to tread a long path .

 

You have talked of Imran Khan and Kejriwal but they have succeeded in free societies but ours is conflict ridden, don’t you think it is wrong analogy to compare them with Kashmir ?

 

We are not society or culture of slaves. When I talk about Imran khan and Arvind kejriwal I mean we too can create successful public movements .I appreciate their three methodologies , firstly they sacrificed a lot and secondly failed a lot and thirdly struggled a lot . It does not matter to me where did they achieve these things but methodologies matter to me.

 

Your resignations has lead to wave of resignations by other officer in favour of joining politics  How do you see it ?

 

I see it as a very positive development We have seen politics as a dirty thing and if good people want to join it then it is great development.

 

Your message to people ?

 

We have to learn trusting people despite having seen series of debacles  and betrayals. We cannot be at standstill and stagnant position which will offer no solution to huge bloodshed .We have to give new and honest voices a chance .

 

How do you see issue of youth killing in Kashmir ?

 

Youth annihilation is issue of entire Kashmir..The central government has to shun rigidity and I have tried to bring to their notice to this burning issue. We will have to talk with Government of India and have to make them sensitive about raging fires in Kashmir .

 

Many suggested  you to join hurriyat , your take ?

 

Joining Hurriyat is not easy task and you are imprisoned immediately . It is not in everyone’s mental strength to join Hurriyat and I agree I have taken a easier route as opposed to it .

 

 

Gulmarg Ski Academy organizes impressive Skiing training programme for kids

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Gulmarg  SKI Academy organized a training programme  for  5 to 15 year old kids at world famous Hill resort of Gulmarg Kashmir  for both local and non local children. The programme was held on 7 January .

Pertinently, the scores of Children who attended the Skiing training camp lauded the efforts of their trainers .  On the occasion, many kids who spoke to the media stated : “ We love the experience as we dream to achieve big in Skiing  sports . The Skiing trainers who are well versed like Afzal sir and Faizal sir made us aware about different crucial dimensions of the Skiing Sport . Playing the Skiing under the guard of dynamic  world class trainers has been a sound experience for all of us and we hope the skills we acquired here would enable us to achieve big in the world of skiing sports. We laud the efforts put in by Gulmarg Ski Academy to train us in this enthralling and beautiful sport of Skiing .”

Maria Samuels Director Gulmarg Ski Academy stated : “ We are determined to provide our budding kids all the necessary skills in the Skiing sports. We want our children to shine not just on national level in the Skiing sport but also on the international level. We have got the best training experts and infrastructure to train the kids and youth in all the dimensions of Skiing sports .”

Educationist GN Var also applauded the programme and termed it  important for children in multidimensional way . “ Today education involves holistic development of all aspects be it mental , physical development or the career development and such well designed programmes involving acquiring skills in  important and adventurous sports like Skiing help in all aspects .”