News Kashmir Magazine

Covid Uptick 

News Kashmir Exclusive
With the global and national coronavirus cases once again getting out of hand , we are undoubtedly in third wave of pandemic in India. The cases of Coronavirus are definitely on rise in Jammu and Kashmir too .We are undoubtedly witnessing a steep rise in the cases of Coronavirus both in Jammu and Kashmir as well .On January 13, 2022, 1966 new positive cases of COVID, 889 from Jammu division and 1077 from Kashmir division, have been reported today, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 35016. Also, 05 Covid deaths have been reported; 02 from Jammu Division and 03 from Kashmir Division.
Delhi saw the biggest-ever daily spike in Covid infectionsThursday with 28,867 new Covid cases as the positivity rate surged to 29 per cent, indicating that for every three tests conducted, one person is testing positive.Experts are urging masses to adhere to masks and sanitizers once again .With the detection of few cases of Omicron in Kashmir valley, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday advised people to take precautions to protect themselves from the new variant of Covid-19.
“Simple precautions would help prevent the spread of the variant,” said DAK President and Influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
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“Masks act as barrier, trapping and filtering out virus particles from the air we breathe,” he said.
“If the infected person wears a mask, that reduces the risk of infection to those around them. If the uninfected person wears a mask, that reduces the risk of infection to them from the infected person,” he added.
The DAK President said people are advised to avoid crowding and gatherings. 
“Crowding puts you at higher risk of getting Omicron and it increases the chances for the virus to spread in the community,” he said.
“If you are down with respiratory symptoms, self isolate and get tested,” said Dr Nisar. 
“If your test turns positive, report to the health authorities for tracing your contacts,” he said adding contact tracing is an important tool to prevent the virus from spreading in the community.
General Secretary DAK Dr Arshad Ali said vaccine remains the single best tool against Covid-19 and its variants including Omicron. 
“Fully vaccinated people have significant protection against Omicron infection, serious illness and death,” he said.
“Those who are unvaccinated should go and get it now. People who are eligible for boosters should take them as soon as possible to protect themselves, their families, loved ones and the community,” he added.
Spokesperson DAK Dr Riyaz Ahmad Dagga said Omicron is more contagious than delta which devastated us in the second wave. We don’t know how Omicron will impact our senior citizens and immunocompromised.
“Even though Omicron causes less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm our hospitals,” One hopes that we in Jammu and Kashmir are awake about the rising number of Coronavirus cases once again in Jammu and Kashmir .

Weather Vagaries

News Kashmir Exclusive
The heavy snowfall is seeming to make a come back in the valley of Kashmir since last few winters . At one time the winters of Kashmir had gone total dry .Now , again this year due to snowfall and weather upheaval the masses are facing problems . The traditional road links are getting closed . The airport too has witnessed many cancelled flights .After witnessing two days of disruption, with as many as 79 flight cancellations, 35 out of 45 scheduled flights arrived at the Srinagar International Airport on Thursday 6 January, 2021 as Kashmir saw a significant improvement in weather conditions.The prices of essential commodities get increased which causes much hardships to the masses of Kashmir .In a bright development though , The Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the winter preparedness, supply, and stocking of essential commodities across the Kashmir Division and snowbound districts of Jammu province including Kishtwar, Doda, Poonch, and Rajouri.One hopes that meetings are implemented on ground zero with action so as that masses get relief . The power crisis is a big issue for people of Kashmir and this winter too many areas are facing the problem of power shutdowns .Often in winters, The need of the hour is to strengthen the roots of Administration further so that we meet such heavy snowfalls with better preparedness.As heavy snowfall blocks roads in Kashmir, local youth are often seen lifting snow on their own .Sentiment on ground is the year 2022 some are hoping for better preperation to deal with any heavy snowfall .  Some areas witness quality power supply despite heavy snowfall while on the other hand some areas have not seen impressive power supply and this reality needs to change . Drinking water supply was also hit hard in many areas during last winter and the reality needs to be changed towards betterment this winter season .. The phenomenon of frozen taps has emerged as biggest challenge of this winter and previous winters .One hopes administration would take holistic view of these serious issuesIt is quite clear that due to lack of facilities the winter in Kashmir is not much enjoyable experience .

Hopes 22

News Kashmir Analysis
Year 2022 has dawned with full bloom , giving humanity hope of better world .The present Gregorian calendar and the Julian calendar both recognise January 1 as the first day of a year. People decorate their homes, throw parties and cook for their families and friends to make a joyful entry in the new year. The world welcomes the new year with much zeal and jubilation. People also make fresh resolutions and plan their goals for the following year. Begin this New Year by wishing your loved ones in advance using these wishes and greetings.People are hoping that in the year 2022 world would be able to end the pandemic of Coronavirus which has wrecked havoc across countries and continents . People are also hoping that world would be a better place to live with an end to conflicts and resolution of burning issues. 2022 (MMXXII) will be a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2022nd year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 22nd year of the 3rd millennium and the 21st century, and the 3rd year of the 2020s decade.On the other hand , The United Nations has declared the new year as the international year of artisanal fisheries and aquaculture, but truly 2022 should be celebrated as the year of hope, after two years of Covid-induced travails.
The year 2021 was a horrible year for whole world on account of ragging pandemic Coronavirus . Throughout globe millions died and crores got infected due to Coronavirus . In Kashmir too hundreds died due to pandemic and thousands got infected . Besides inflicting huge emotional wounds the pandemic Coronavirus destroyed almost all economies .In Kashmir too many jobs and ventures were lost to pandemic . Tourism industry has though shown signs of revival .
The conflict bloodshed also marred Kashmir in 2021 with hundreds of Humanbeings across political divide getting killed . Now in the year 2022 masses are hoping that peace and prosperity makes a comeback in Kashmir.The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are hoping that high unemployment rate of Jammu and Kashmir is brought to an end and youth provided with the meaningful employment opportunities .On global level hopes are that after successful launch of vaccines against pandemic in year 2021 more effective vaccines come up .

Delimitation Storm

In a surprising development,More than two years after the state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories in August 2019, and article 370 abrogated in a  recent move the Delimitation Commission proposal has suggested adding six new legislative seats for Jammu and just one for Kashmir. This has created much uproar especially in the valley of Kashmir with stiff reaction coming to the decision .
After the meeting of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) members in Jammu recently, the spokesperson of the body, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, said that the proposals of the Delimitation Commission are divisive and not in the interests of the people of J&K.
The meeting of PAGD came after the Delimitation Commission proposed one seat for Kashmir and six seats for the Jammu region. Following the meeting, Tarigam, who was flanked by Dr Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and other members of the PAGD, said that the proposals of the Delimitation Commission are not in the interests of the people of J&K and are divisive. 
“By keeping in view the 2011 census population, if the seats are to be increased, then there should be some benefit by it,” said Tarigami. He also questioned whether the constitution, rules and laws are still out of operation in J&K.
Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party recently  held twin high level meetings at its offices in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu and M2 Church Lane, Srinagar over the recent Delimitation Commission draft proposal. The meetings were presided by party President Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari in Srinagar and Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir in Jammu. As per a party spokesman, the meetings primarily focused on the recent proposal of Delimitation Commission “that was outrightly rejected by the party while demanding the commission to revisit the draft”.
On the other hand , Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Sunday said that National Conference’s U-turn to participate in the delimitation commission’s meeting has legitimized the grossly unfair proposals.So what actually is delimitation.The Election Commission of India describes it as the “act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province (state or Union Territory) having a legislative body.” The process may also entail a change in the number of Lok Sabha seats allotted to different states, as well as in the number of Legislative Assembly seats for each state.According to reports, the commission has proposed the reservation of seven seats for Scheduled Castes and nine for Scheduled Tribes. It has also proposed the reservation of 24 seats for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).On ground zero , Regional parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC), have protested that the Delimitation Commission has not only “ignored the principle of population” while carving out the new constituencies, it has also “helped the BJP increase the Hindu footprint” in J&K. BJP leaders, however, deny these allegations.
The nutshell reality is that delimitation has created much uproar .

Apple vs Apple 

News Kashmir Exclusive

Kashmir Apple industry is the main bulwark of the economy of Kashmir.Jammu & Kashmir boasts of around 80% share of total apple produced in the country. Apple cultivation and its value chain is one of the main stays of rural economy with revenue of around Rs. 1500 crores.Since sometimes the entry of Iranian Apple is threatning the apple sector of Kashmir . With horticulture associated people of Kashmir expressing concern. The expert pulse is that Apple industry is the main source of income and employment for millions of souls in the Kashmir valley and every thing should be done to preserve it .Recently ,Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealer Union urged the government of India to ban illegal import of Iranian apple which is being imported under the garb of Afghan apples through Wagah Border.
Fruit growers have sought the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to safeguard the interests of local fruit growers.
As they say that illegal import of Iranian Apple is eating the share of Kashmiri apple and inflicting losses upon fruit growers.
President, Kashmir fruit growers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer said “Iranian Apple via Afghanistan is imported by various traders and its illegal sale thereof is made in our country, as there is zero import duty agreement between Indian government and Afghanistan which is severely hitting our business and causing huge losses to local fruit growers.On the otherhand, Iran has exported 74,900 tons of fresh apples to India during the 2020/21 apple season (August-July), increasing exports by three times, the East Fruit website reported.
Based on the report, India has registered the largest increase in fresh apple imports among other countries during the mentioned period.
The volume of apple exports to India during the said time span exceeded 400,000 tons, having doubled compared to the 2019/20 season.To the disappointment of Kashmir fruit growers, the world-famous Kashmiri apples and one of the mainstays of Kashmir’s economy have not fetched a good market price since 2012.  In fact, the rates have remained constant, and on some occasions, even declined.On the otherhand, Apple growers in Kashmir are incurring heavy losses due to “distress sale” of the fruit prompted by acute paucity of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage, growers and officials said.
As per available data, Kashmir produces 20 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually. But with only 1.80 lakh metric tonnes of CA storage capacity, growers are compelled to sell their produce at a relatively lower price due to fear of the fruit getting perished.One hopes that the concerns of Kashmir Apple industry posed by Iranian Apple industry would be taken into consideration.

GI Tagging and Kashmir Economy 

News Kashmir Economic Bureau

One hopes in coming times more Kashmiri products would come under GI Tagging and the economy would be boosted .

Orphans For Sale 

News Kashmir Exclusive
When you lose a parent, you realize how vital they are to the foundation of your life. It’s impossible to understand what it means until that curtain is pulled. You’re an orphan. But then I think that life is kind of remarkable, and the thing that causes the biggest pain can also bring amazing energy —- Neneh Cherry
The brutal three decade old conflict has made Kashmir a land of orphans as thousands have lost their precious lives . In a recent shocking closure it is learnt that orphans of Kashmir are up for sale .According to prominent News Channel India Today investigate report, Asrar Amin ran an NGO in Kashmir called Global Welfare Charitable Trust, which claims to be working for children and family welfare.But when India Today’s SIT reporters probed him at a hotel in Delhi, he offered Covid orphans under his care for Rs 75,000 a child.
“We have so many orphans with us. But if one wants a Covid orphan, there’s no problem,” he said. “Kashmiri children are really beautiful, Mashallah!”Amin demanded Rs 1.50 lakh for a pair of Covid orphans.
“So two children can be adopted for Rs 1.50 lakh, right?” asked the reporter.
“Yes. I am not taking this money for myself. It’s for my trust,” the NGO head replied.
According to India Today Amin is willing to offer Covid orphans without paperwork.According to a 2014 study conducted by Save the Children, a London-based charity organisation, the estimated population of orphans in Jammu and Kashmir due to conflict and natural death of parents is around 215,000, 15 per cent of whom live in orphanage homes across the territory.
The report said that 37 per cent of the orphans lost one or both parents due to conflict while 55 per cent were orphaned due to the natural death of parents and remaining eight per cent due to other reasons.Masses are angry over this development of orphans of Kashmir being treated like commodities.Bilal Bashir Bhat, eminent young Journalist of Kashmir wrote on Facebook – ” Selling Kashmiri covid orphans is not possible without the help of gynecologists, which many news portals have already indicated. Meanwhile, the unholy nexus between diagnostic centres and most of the ‘prominent’ gynaecologists is an open secret in our society. A survey report of the year 2019 reads “80% medicos are in nexus with private diagnostic centres” Seems we Kashmiris are busy sucking the blood of each other, some in the name of treatment, some in the name of Tabaruk. Every time we can’t blame the bloody conflict.!!One hopes strict action is taken against such criminal orphanage.

Dark Winter 

News Kashmir Exclusive
The harsh winter of Kashmir is known for its chill and heavy snowfalls. This year the winter has knocked on the doors of the Kashmir valley very early.  The global predictions are that winters in this season throughout the world are going to be harsher .The presence of electricity is what makes life comfortable to a large extent during the winter months. Everything runs on electricity these days and from child to elder everyone requires electricity to spend life in a easy manner .Kashmir valley has seen the problem of electricity or power getting much worse as soon as the winter dawns. This year too from many years of the Kashmir valley we are coming to know about long power cuts, causing much distress to the masses. 
It is learnt that both metered and non-metered areas in Kashmir have started witnessing extended unscheduled power cuts, despite the fact that Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) announced a load shedding program of 1.5 hours in metered areas and 3 hours in non-metered areas.

Even in the urban hub of Srinagar there are multiple reports of power cuts from different areas and it is the need of the hour to look into this problem in a very serious way.  The authorities need to devise a plan and strategy so that people of Kashmir during this long and harsh winter see minimum power cuts. 

Although in an optimistic development, In order to ensure adequate electricity to the consumers, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has suspended all the maintenance works till next two months, thus simultaneously the frequent power shutdowns will no longer be witnessed till January 2022 end.

Gulzar Ahmad , a commoner states :” In this day and age we need electricity to carry out our life activities in a smooth manner. Without electricity we can’t afford a comfortable life as life without it especially in a harsh winter like Kashmir becomes hell.We need power to carry out our lives smoothly and are hopeful that those at helm of affairs would ensure round the clock electricity availablity.”
The need of the hour is that we ensure round the clock electricity availablity in Kashmir.

Right to Bury

News Kashmir Exclusive

Unfortunately, the valley of Kashmir is not coming back from the vicious cycle of violence gripping it since past three decades . Scores have lost their valuable lives in this painful conflict and humanity stands biggest victim of it . The heavy bloodshed has pained the atmosphere of Kashmir .The recent Hyderpora Encounter which resulted in four killings has run in all sorts of controversies, with relatives of slain alleging it to be fake encounter . They lead a successful protest in demand of return of dead bodies of their loved ones .The Government also woke up to their pain in some manner. Honorable Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha tweeted :” A magisterial inquiry by officer of ADM rank has been ordered in Hyderpora encounter.Govt will take suitable action as soon as report is submitted in a time-bound manner.JK admin reiterates commitment of protecting lives of innocent civilians&it will ensure there is no injustice.’On the other hand ,  amid huge  outcry and protests, the  authorities on Thursday, 18 November,2021 ,  exhumed bodies of two residents—Mohammad Altaf Bhat and Dr Mudassir Gul—from a graveyard at Wadder Zachaldara Handwara where they were buried along with two other persons who were killed in the ‘encounter’ at Hyderpora here on Monday. 
Official sources told that  bodies were exhumed under the supervision of Tehsildar Handwara in presence a team of doctors. They said the bodies are being sent to Srinagar for handing over same to the families.  Sources said that families had been asked to limit the funeral to few people only. Also restrictions have been imposed in the area to prevent “law and order”. 
The families of the duo contested police claims and had been demanding their bodies for “proper” burial.  

“I am thankful to LG for ordering an inquiry. I am thankful that my oppressed voice was heard by someone. I only have one request to the LG, I want the body of my brother returned to us and the killers of my innocent brother brought to justice,” stated victims brother.The hope on ground zero is that justice that had eluded Kashmir since long would be delivered and the victims of this painful get complete justice .People’s Conference Supermo Sajad lone stated : ” Finally two bodies have been returned. But what times we live in. Have seen such incidents in the past. But aloofness is distinctive. The eeriness says it all. Thanks to all those who made it possible for bodies to be returned. 
May I say. Please don’t mistake fear for consent.”All the dead cannot return back but their children and rest of the family should get a sense of closure and atleast a sense of what these innocent civilians were punished for “said Mohammad Yousuf  Tarigami, Senior leader of PAGD.

Srinagar City UNESCO Feat 

News Kashmir Exclusive 
The famed world body of UNESCO has included Srinagar in the prestigious list of Creative Cities Network in the category of ‘Folk Art and Culture and Craft’, city mayor Junaid Azim Mattu stated recently.
As a matter of fact , Launched in 2004, the Unesco Creative Cities Network aims at providing cooperation among cities that recognize creativity as a major factor in their urban development.Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed jubilation over the move as he tweeted:Delighted that beautiful Srinagar joins the @UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) with a special mention for its craft and folk art. It is a fitting recognition for the vibrant cultural ethos of Srinagar. Congratulations to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
— Narendra Modi, Prime Minister , India  (@narendramodi) November 8, 2021.It is worth mentioning here that around 49 cities were added to the network of 246 cities following their designation by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, in recognition of “their commitment to placing culture and creativity at the heart of their development and to sharing knowledge and good practices”.Mudasir Muran, the Owner of Paradise Wood House and Art Lover Stated : ” This is great feat for the historical city of Srinagar to become  one of the few cities worldwide to join the UNESCO Creative Cities list. It is a proud fact for us that Srinagar city is a part of UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). With this, the UCCN is now an exclusive club of 295 cities from across 90 countries that invest in culture and creativity — crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music — to advance sustainable urban development. We hope that this development goes a long way in promoting art and crafts of the Srinagar city on global map . This development would also boost the overall image of Srinagar city . Expert pulse is there is already a huge demand for Kashmiri handcrafted products abroad, even as it is not benefiting the artisans directly. We hope this move benefits in big way our artisan community too .””A new urban model needs to be developed in every city, with its architects, town planners, landscapers and citizens,” said Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay.For the historical city of Srinagar achieving this feat is a feather to its cap without any doubt .It is worth pointing out here that Every year, UNESCO seeks applications for various cities across the globe for putting them under its UCCN project. The applications in India are routed through the Ministry of Culture. Srinagar going through it successfully is indeed an wonderful news to ears .