News Kashmir Magazine

GI Tags Boosting Economy 

News Kashmir Analysis 

Geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., a town, region, or country). The use of a geographical indication, as an indication of the product’s source, is intended as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a good reputation due to its geographical origin.

Article 22.1 of the TRIPS Agreement defines geographical indications as “…indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a Member [of the World Trade Organization], or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.”

In India, sometime back adding to the present collection of Geographical Indications (GIs), nine new items, including gamocha of Assam, Tandur red gram of Telangana, Raktsey Karpo apricot of Ladakh, and Alibag white onion of Maharashtra, have been given the coveted GI tag. Kerala has been awarded five GI tags for its agricultural produce.

With this, the total number of GI tags in India comes to 432. The top five states holding the maximum number of GIs are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. Of these, 401 are Indian-origin products, 31 foreign-origin.

In Kashmir too the large number of GI tags given by the Government is giving many positives by boosting the local economy and promoting orginal and pure products of Kashmir..

The GI tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorised users (or at least those residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name.

As a matter of fact, The Department of Handicrafts and Handloom (H&H) Kashmir has submitted the dossier for registration of two more crafts viz. Crewel and Chain-stitch to Intellectual Property India, Chennai, an apex body for the registration and better protection of geographical indications (GI) relating to goods in India.

Recently also, to give a impetus to saffron production in Kashmir, J&K government launched new initiatives including the introduction of GI tagging.

The GI certification of Kashmiri saffron by Geographical Indications Registry would cease the adulteration and will also put an end to the marketing of saffron cultivated in other countries under the garb of being produced in Kashmir.

In other development sometime back, The Jammu and Kashmir government has finally started a Geographical Indication (GI) registry for the famed Kashmiri carpet with a quick response (QR) code with details of artisans and the material used. The first ever consignment of GI-tagged carpets were exported to Germany from New Delhi.

One hopes Geographical Indications would continue to boost economy of Jammu and Kashmir and entire India.

Dhangri Bloodbath

News Kashmir Analysis 

The recent bloodbath in Dhangri Area of Rajouri District is a matter of great worry. Terror and extremist elements have been able to commit a heinous crime against humanity. The killing of Hindu civilians which included even children have saddened the hearts of every sane human in Jammu and Kashmir.

A large crowd gathered in Dhangri village on Tuesday, 3 January 2022  morning to attend the last rites of the six civilians killed in the terror attack in Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday on New year 2023 eve .

In the massacre, Four civilians, including a father-son duo, were gunned down by terrorists who barged into their homes in Dhangri village on Sunday night.

The carnage did not stop here. Hours later an improvised explosive device (IED) went off around 9 am on Monday at the house of one of the victims. The blast killed two minors and injured 12.

Following both the attacks, on Monday evening, the Medical Superintendent of GMC Association, Rajouri said, “Six people are dead and 12 are under treatment in Rajouri in three Government Medical Colleges, Jammu.

National Conference top lesder and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah  condemned the killings.

Deeply shocked as more details emerge of this targeted attack in Rajouri district of Jammu. I unequivocally condemn this heinous attack & send my condolences to the families of the deceased. I hope those injured in this attack will make a swift & complete recovery. #RajouriAttack,” Omar Abdullah tweeted. 

Civil society is also pained by Dhangri Bloodbath.

J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu Wednesday boycotted work in all courts and held a protest demonstration against the brutal killing of innocent people in Rajouri recently by the terrorists.

On the otherhand, Fifteen companies of CRPF comprising 1,500 personnel have been deployed in Jammu and Kashmir’s twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to secure minority areas in the region, officials said.

Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Ravinder Raina on January 03 went to Dangri village to pay his last respect to the deceased of the terror attack. Speaking with ANI, Ravinder Raina said, “The burning pyres of people is the murder of humanity. Those who committed this crime will be punished by our Army and Police. God will also never forgive these murders. Which kind of bravery is to kill women and children? These cowardly Pakistani terrorists are not worth fighting with the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police.” Earlier, on the morning of January 03, locals of Dangri village in Rajouri of Jammu and Kashmir gathered for the last rites.

The Dhangri Bloodbath has raised fears in Jammu and Kashmir, and pained every human.

I Quit!

Rising Suicides in Kashmir 

News Kashmir Analysis 

Suicides once thought very strange to the valley of Kashmir,  since some years are now  happening on regular instances. 

According to prominent Knowledge source Wikipedia, suicide  is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and substance abuse (including alcoholism and the use of and withdrawal from benzodiazepines) are risk factors. Some suicides are impulsive acts due to stress (such as from financial or academic difficulties), relationship problems (such as breakups or divorces), or harassment and bullying.Those who have previously attempted suicide are at a higher risk for future attempts. Effective suicide prevention efforts include limiting access to methods of suicide such as firearms, drugs, and poisons; treating mental disorders and substance abuse; careful media reporting about suicide; and improving economic conditions.

The recent suicide of a young girl due to tough conditions in life  at Sopore has caused valley wide pain.

On Monday (12 December), a 9th standard girl  in north Kashmir’s Sopore area ended her life by jumping into river Jhelum and the body still remains unrecovered. Her relatives and friends are eagerly waiting for her remains on Jhelum embankments, even as people continue praying for early recovery.

Social media is abuzz with anguish and agony .

Skinder Gulzar, a social media user wrote, “An orphan girl from Sopore have allegedly commit suicide after feeling helpless of family financial problems. As a society how shameful we shall fell.”

Just few days after it in same Sopore, 23-year-old youth was prevented from committing suicide in Sopore area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said here on Thursday evening.

Quoting an official the news agency KNO reported that the youth during evening hours was spotted by locals attempting to jump into the river Jhelum at Chankhan bridge in Sopore.

Following this, the locals rushed towards him and foiled his suicide attempt,” he said.

The statistics with reference to suicide rare in Kashmir are worrying to say the least.

According to the Crime Gazette 2021 recently released by Jammu and Kashmir Police, the valley is witnessing an increase in attempted suicide cases with Central Kashmir district Budgam and North Kashmir’s Baramulla toping the tally with 73 cases each with crime rate 4.36 per lakh population.

The Valley witnessed 586 attempted suicide cases in 2021 while the number was at 472 in 2020. At the same time, the winter capital Jammu witnessed only 20 cases of suicide attempts.

The data in 2021 clearly shows that there has been noticeable increase in the attempt to suicide cases as compared to the year 2020.

The rising mental depression is said to be one of the main reasons behind spurt in suicides. 

The need of the hour is to work on knowing our society and understanding it better.

Blue Saffron!

News Kashmir Exclusive 

Saffron is not a common spice for Kashmir but iconic symbol of our heritage.  It is a representation of our age old heritage and diversity . Kashmir is home to world’s best quality saffron  grown. Pampore the South Kashmir town is the saffron capital of Kashmir.  Over the years many issues had confronted the saffron Spice of Kashmir. Lack of irrigation facilties coupled with Pampore converted in Jungle of construction and erratic weather had ruined the prospects of saffron for many years.

But now the realities are changing towards better. As this year better and bumper saffron crop is expected. 

Kashmir valley  is among the only three places on planet earth growing this spice. Saffron (pronounced /ˈsæfrən/) is a spice derived from the flower of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), a species of crocus in the Iridaceae.  used in cooking as a seasoning and colouring agent. Saffron, the world’s most expensive spice by weight is native to Southwest Asia Saffronfields.

Being one of the world’s costliest spices, saffron is used both in cooking and for producing cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. 

As a matter of fact, Saffron is one of the world’s most expensive spices and is known as the king of condiments. It fetches between ₹1.5 lakh and ₹2.5 lakh per kg.

The annual yield of saffron crossed 13 metric tonnes in 2020 for the first time in 10 years. This year, the production is expected to break more records.

It is worth mentioning here that The tourists visiting the valley are stopping at the saffron farms to see how it is grown. A lot of tourists are buying saffron from the farms as well.

What stands out is thev GI tagging of ‘Kashmiri saffron$ by the Jammu and Kashmir government is doing wonders for the farmers associated in the production of saffron in the state. The certification under the Geographical Indications Registry will not just bring the adulteration to a halt but will also terminate the trade of saffron grown in other parts of the world being marketed as the Kashmiri saffron.

On the otherhand of the spectrum, The saffron cultivators in Kashmir Valley are adapting newer techniques such as indoor cultivation to grow saffron, one of the most expensive spices in the world. Farmers have to adapt as climate change has affected outdoor production.

The expert pulse and hope is that saffron from Kashmir would continue to rule  the world again.

Lumpy Skin disease Challenge for livestock 

News Kashmir Analysis 

Livestock is an important sector of economy and is backbone for the prosperity of rural areas. Livestock provides livelihood to two-third of rural community. It also provides employment to about 8.8 % of the population in India. India has vast livestock resources. Livestock sector contributes 4.11% GDP and 25.6% of total Agriculture GDP.

But since sometime Lumpy Skin disease is emerging as a worrying and major challenge for the livestock of entire country including Jammu and Kashmir.  Historically, the diverse diseases have posed great challenges to the livestock growth .

As a matter of fact, Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle and buffalo that causes relatively low mortality. It does not affect humans. The disease can result in animal welfare issues and significant production losses.

It is worth mentioning here that Jammu and Kashmir is one of the wealthiest milk-producing regions in the country. Kashmir reportedly produces an estimated 7.5 lakh litres of milk each day, it is among the world’s largest producers of milk. Thus the Lumpy skin disease is a major challenge. 

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), an infectious viral disease among cattle continues to affect more cattle worrying farmers in Kashmir.disease is caused by a virus in the family Poxviridae, genus Capripoxvirus which affects cattle. “Agro-climates, communal grazing, biting-fly, and introduction of new animals are associated with the occurrence of lumpy skin disease,” a paper in Science Direct states.

Quoting farmers news agency KNO reported that though the mortality rate of LSD is not so high, animals infected with the disease are unable to produce enough milk even after they are cured, hitting their economy.

On the other hand, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo, few days back  reviewed status of vaccination for lumpy skin disease in all districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

In this regard, ACS had a meeting with Directors of Animal Husbandry Kashmir and Jammu, Chief Animal Husbandry Officers and District Animal Husbandry Officers of J&K besides other senior officers including experts from SKUAST.

Atal Dulloo set deadline of November 5 for completing carpet vaccination of eligible cattle population in all districts of UT.

By mid September,  The viral outbreak has so far killed over 57,000 cattle across India.

Punjab was  the second state after Himachal to ask the Centre to take action on the deadly infection. The Himachal Pradesh government had urged the Centre to declare Lumpy Skin Disease an epidemic.

Paharis Reservation 

News Kashmir Analysis 

Reservation has been a serious and sensitive issue in the Independent India, meant for upliftment of backward and marginalized  communities. 

During the recent historic visit to  the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, by  Home Minister Amit Shah he historically  announced Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Pahari community on Tuesday (4 October).

The announcement was made in his address at a public rally in Rajouri. He said that Justice GD Sharma Commission has recommended reservation for Paharis, Gujjars and Bakerwals and after completion of the administrative process, these communities will get reservation benefits.

However, scores of students belonging to the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities protested when the move to grant ST status to Paharis in Jammu was being speculated.

In 

March 2020, the Jammu and Kashmir government had constituted a three-member commission headed by Justice Sharma to look at the issues relating to socially and educationally backward classes, scheduled tribes and scheduled castes.

The other two members of the Commission were Indian Police Service officer Muneer Khan and retired Indian Foreign Service officer Rupa Lal.

However Gujjar Bakerwals community was not happy.

The community has been protesting against the move for the last several months. It fears that the sizeable Pahari-speaking population, if granted the ST status, will eat up their share in government employment and higher education.

As a matter of fact, 

The two communities were already benefitting from 10 per cent reservation in jobs for STs in J&K. They feared dilution of their quota on inclusion of Paharis and said ST status should not be granted on the basis of linguistics.

It is worth mentioning here that The plan was unveiled by Home Minister Amit Shah, who said in Jammu in 2021: “Elected members of the Pahari community can now become a minister and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, which was impossible earlier because of dynastic politics.”

“Prime Minister Modi is now going to solve the issues of the Pahari community. Soon BJP will grant ST status to Paharis which is their genuine demand,” BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir Chief, Ravinder Raina said in a meeting with Paharis, later. “The Gujjars, Bakerwals and Paharis are three sons of the same mother.”

Paharis constitute nearly 10 percent of population of Jammu and Kashmir.

The hope is that Gujjar and Bakerwal,Paharis and all the marginalized communities would get a due share and be part of peaceful and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir.  The reservation status should mean empowerment of all these communities.