News Kashmir Magazine

Tourism, Transport

3 Years of Total Loss
News Kashmir Exclusive

Since the last three years the tourism and transport sector of Kashmir has been at the receiving end due to varied reasons . From political upheaval to the ragging pandemic of Coronavirus since more than one year have lent death blow to the tourism and transport sector of Kashmir .The transport and tourism sector related People are the worst hit as they are finding it difficult to meet the day to day needs. The Coronavirus pandemic has caused havoc .Although , Jammu and Kashmir government has come to the rescue of these tourism players. A package of $30 million (INR 3 crore) has been announced. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced the measure for those particularly hit due to the coronavirus pandemic.In this package, Rs 2,000 financial assistance will be provided to 4,444 registered shikara owners, 1,370 tourist guides, 6,663 ponywalas and 2,150 others including those who rent palanquins for yatris. The money will be paid for two months. The relief will be transferred to only those who are registered with the tourism department,” said an official release by the JK government.Although the tourism people still feel it is less.Transporters and their families are on brink of starvation .Transporters also recently  urged authorities to provide them compensation, stating that the sector was worst-hit due to successive lockdowns for last three consecutive years.
“The transports are worst affected. We have been facing the brunt of the successive lockdowns since 5 August,” General Secretary, Kashmir Welfare Transporters Association, Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf.
“The drivers and conductors are pushed to the wall. Owners are not positioned differently either,” he said, adding, “The drivers and conductors are finding it extremely hard to make both ends meet.
The need of the hour is that a very broad based and comprehensive financial package are announced in the favour of tourism and transport sector .It is worth mentioning here that delegation of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) led by its President Sheikh Ashiq and Secretary-general Farooq Amin, met Advisor to Lt. Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan and highlighted the crisis faced by the economically vulnerable sections of the society due to COVID lockdown.

The delegation also included presidents of other associations like trade, transport, tourism, and other allied sectors like Kashmir Traders and Manufactures Federation (KTMF), Federation chamber of industries Kashmir (FCIK), Houseboat Associations, who also highlighted these issues and briefed about the problems they are facing due to the prevailing situation, the Chamber said in a statement.

Austere FestivityRameez Makhdoomi Today pandemic Coronavirus  is ravaging entire India and cases in Lacs are reported daily and thousands are dying . Jammu and Kashmir is also seeing huge spiral in cases with thousands reported on daily bases and scores dying . This week we have many holy festivals in Offing as the holy month of Ramadan is coming to end.  On Friday 14 May, 2021 The holy and joyful festival of Eid al Fitr is being celebrated with full fervour, zeal and zest  . This year we are celebrating Eid in the background of ravaging global Pandemic Coronavirus which has wrecked havoc in India in recent times and killed millions  and Infected  crores throughout the world.
Eid al-Fitr  also called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. This religious Eid is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities, so the day of celebration varies by locality.

The need of the hour is we spend very less on this Eid and keep much for the poor hit hard by the pandemic Coronavirus. 

Religious personalities are also advising that we should celebrate Eid with utmost simplicity  . The expert pulse is that we have to follow precautions religiously to keep the curve flat so that health infrastructure can’t be overburden which is already overstretched.The Coronavirus cases are already rising in Jammu and Kashmir by “overcrowding” or not following protocols, the virus can spread like a wildfire.We should limit spending on too much shopping or on any other extravaganza as this can cause further havoc . The need is to help those whose economy or source of living has been hit hard by the pandemic . This pandemic also should make us introspect while even celebrating . In his Ramadan Dairy eminent writer and Gender Justice activist Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander writes :” Ramadan Diary
How do we know that Allah is not happy with us? When we do not offer our prayers and defer our obligations. Corona pandemic maybe a symptom that Almighty is not happy with us as we have filled the world with our transgressions. We continue to commit grave atrocities against ourselves and others. The way we all have been stopped from praying in masjids, synagogues, churches, temples and places where his name was chanted and we bowed before him is a manifestation of the fact that Almighty does not consider us worthy enough to visit him. 
Ramadan is a reminder to all of us that we should mend our relations with Almighty through sincere repentance, asking forgiveness and further make a commitment that we will not commit transgression against others, destroy nature and pollute the environment. 
Undoubtedly, the need is to do  introspection and celebrate festivals in simple and austere way.

Lockdown Returns 

News Kashmir Exclusive
The second wave of pandemic Coronavirus has wrecked havoc in entire India .Jammu and Kashmir too is passing through difficult circumstances.  In recent times there have been riising number of covid-19 cases and deaths in Jammu and Kashmir .The lockdown has a result returned in Jammu and Kashmir. Recently , the administration had ordered a “complete lockdown” in Srinagar from 7 p.m, 29 April, 2021 to May 3.   
“There will be Complete Lockdown in Srinagar District from 7:00 pm Thursday (29/04/2021) to 7:00 am Monday (03/05/2021). Exemptions apply to essential services. Detailed order shall follow,” said Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, in a tweet  .
The announcement came  a day after the administration ordered imposition of 144 CrpC, banning the assembly of five or more persons in the summer capital of the J&K.
 Masses are welcoming the move of imposing lockdown .  Amid reports of vaccine shortage and other drugs related to covid Government refuted the reports .In this regard the Jammu Kashmir Government  asked some sections of media to act sensibly and stop scaring people.       In a hurriedly called press conference at the office of Directorate of Information and Public Relations on Thursday late evening, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Baseer Khan said that some quarters in media are trying to give an impression that there is shortage of Oxygen supply in Kashmir hospital which is totally untrue and baseless.    “Neither there is shortage of Oxygen nor there is shortage of any medicine,”  He said it is not good to present Covid-19 related management in bad light.    “Let me tell you in our Union Territory we have 20 tons of Oxygen available which is sufficient to meet any demand. There should be no room for any doubt,’ Baseer Khan said.  Khan said Jammu and Kashmir is at first position where one crore 25 lakh vaccines are coming. UP is at 2nd place as for as vaccine procurement is concerned.     While talking about the reports that Ramdesivir vaccine is not available in ample quantity, Baseer Khan said that this vaccine is available in sufficient quantity and it is being provided and offered at places where needed. “There are some quarters who want to give an impression that there is scarcity of medicine. We are in the process of identifying those quarters,” he said.    Khan said that Tocilizumab drug is in pipeline and is arriving in Kashmir Valley. “We have placed the order for Tocilizumab drug and this drug is coming in sufficient quantity.   Khan was flanked by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole, Director SKIMS Dr AG Ahangar and Director Health Services Dr Mushaq Ahmed Rather.
One hopes all out efforts would be displayed by the Administration to meet the challenges arising out of pandemic wave. 

Inflation  Hurting Kashmir 

News Kashmir Desk
Inflation or price rise amid the ragging Pandemic of Coronavirus is hitting quite badly the interests of the masses of Kashmir.

The rising inflation is giving harsh times to  the people in the Valley of Kashmir. The monster of inflation is impacting all important sphere of life in the valley of Kashmir. Pertinently, Inflation means paying more for goods than what you were paying earlier. Off late, not only indispensable goods have seen a price hike, non-essential items have also seen this hike.Fruits and vegetables continue to be sold at very abnormal high prices as the government notified rate list is not being followed by shopkeepers and vendors selling perishables in Kashmir markets.Price rise complaints are surfacing at the juncture when when the FCSCA department claims to have sealed over a dozen shops for overpricing of the items during the recent times .On the other hand of the spectrum ,The black marketing done by few vested interests during the long closures of the national highway causes immense hardships to the consumers . The need of the hour is to undertake more market Checks so as to keep a eagle eye on black marketing .Vegetables and non vegetarian food items is witness to much drastic price rise during these highway closures . Eggs as a commodity also see much abnormal price rise during the road blockade .Currently even the price of chicken basic eatable item in Kashmir are hovering in high range of between Rs140 to 170 Per kilogram .More market checking squads on price rise is the way ahead to tackle the rising inflation in the Kashmir valley.It is important to mention that The Centre on Monday asked state governments to adopt zero tolerance against hoarding of essential supplies like food and drugs during the lockdowns and curfews imposed in some states to contain the spread of COVID-19.Local political pulse is also speaking against the price rise .Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Wing Thursday said that the soaring prices of daily essentials including edible oils and vegetables had added to the woes of the people amid COVID-19 outbreak.
A statement of PDP Youth Wing issued here quoted the PDP Youth State Secretary Arif Laigaroo as saying that due to an increase in the price of the essential commodities people were in a dilemma over what to buy and what not to buy.One hopes rising inflation especially of the essential items in Kashmir is checked immediately to give much needed relief to the masses .

Ramadan Hopes Rameez Makhdoomi 
The holy month of Ramadan started on Wednesday, 14 April 2021. However, in Kerala, the festival started 13 April. In this holy month, which is also called Ramzan in India, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. During the fast, they do not drink or eat, and strictly refrain from indulging in any immoral acts.In Jammu and Kashmir too Ramadan started on 14 April, 2021 with lot of hopes especially in the Muslim majority Kashmir valley . People of Kashmir have multiple hopes as Ramadan has ushered . People are hopeful of peace and prosperity in Kashmir . The major hope and prayer on the ground zero is the end of pandemic Coronavirus . As a matter of fact , the pandemic of Coronavirus has killed millions and infected crores worldwide . The economies have been shattered across places . Kashmir too has been at much receiving end of the pandemic. People are hoping that in the blessed month of Ramadan prayers would result in an end to pandemic Coronavirus .
People of Kashmir would also be praying an end to rising crimes and  immoral acts in our society . The recent killings of daughter in laws in Kashmir has exposed growing ugly nature of our society .This practice of fasting across Ramadan helps in detoxifying the soul and brings closer to Allah and thus leads us to doing moral acts is big hope .Everyone of us becomes honest in our conduct and we do more self introspection should be pulse of our prayers during the Ramadan .
 In his latest Ramadan Dairy , eminent writer and Gender Justice activist Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander writes :”
Each human has material and spiritual components embedded in their personality. The material aspect relates and operates at Instinctual level reaching its zenith in hedonism, whereas spiritual dimension needs transcendental connection. While everyday we nurture our physical needs without caring much about the spiritual ones, Ramdan makes us to give time to our spiritual needs. 
Fasting deprives our body for sometime the cravings that it demands, helping us strengthen our will power by keeping the instincts in control. We nurture our body for eleven months and most of us eat in an ill mannered way but the one month of fasting helps us to regain control of our eating habits in a balanced manner while supplementing and replenishing our spirituality too. “
One hopes Ramadan 2021 would be a foundation stone for global happiness of humanity and also the valley of Kashmir would emerge from the pain and regain its lost glory.

Cover 12 April,2021 issue

Rising Domestic Violence In Kashmir News Kashmir Exclusive
The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights. | Gloria Steinem
Women are as important to humanity as men are , but it is unfortunate to note since centuries women in many countries are subjected to much repression and oppression. Domestic violence against women is a matter of great concern .Domestic violence (also named domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation. Domestic violence is often used as a synonym for intimate partner violence, which is committed by one of the people in an intimate relationship against the other person.
In a heart stabbing  episode just few weeks back a mother of two children who was allegedly set ablaze by her in laws in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, succumbed to her injuries on Thursday evening, officials said.
This horrible crime depicts again the trauma and violence that Women of Kashmir are facing. Over the years Domestic Violence has been on continuously rising in the Kashmir valley.The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted by the Union Ministry of Health has exposed shocking facts about domestic violence against women in Jammu and Kashmir. The survey report, released in 2020, claims that 9.6% of women in the age group 18-49 experienced domestic violence in 2019-20. Five years ago, when J&K was still a state, the survey says 9.4% of women were subjected to domestic violence. The survey further reveals that domestic abuse and sexual harassment is more widespread in rural areas of J&K as compared to urban areas.Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, an eminent Gender Justice Activist ,while talking to the News Kashmir stated :”Domestic Violence is a manifestation of patriarchy and toxic masculinity prevalent in our society. Most of the victims of this violence are women particularly daughters in law. Men still are not able to overcome patriarchy. Most men cannot tolerate empowered women and with each passing day women are claiming positions of power, that is rendering men vulnerable to insecurity. To overcome this insecurity become violent against women over whom they enjoy a certain position of power. 
Further our education system does not inculcate values of gender justice among us so we are not ready to give an equal space and agency to women. 
The remedy for bringing down the domestic violence cases is to educate, decondition and detoxify men and women against the patriarchal norms that are prevalent in society.”

Houseboat Policy 2021News Kashmir Exclusive
Houseboats have been integral part of Kashmir culture and Tourism .
The origin of the houseboat lies in the chapters of Kashmir’s history. It is said that the native kings had forbidden foreign visitors, especially the British from constructing houses in the region and this gave rise to the concept of a houseboat.But critics have often blamed them for pollution of water bodies , now in a latest the Jammu and Kashmir Government has framed New Houseboat Policy .Recently, the Administrative Council (AC), which met under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the roll-out of policy and guidelines for sustainable operation of houseboats in Dal and Nigeen lakes.

Pertinent to mention here that in a bid to preserve the marine eco-system of both the lakes, the new policy aims to regulate the functioning of houseboats moored in Dal and Nigeen lakes by adopting the models of sustainable and responsible tourism. 

The policy envisages providing a pleasant experience to tourists and sustainable source of living to stakeholders while preserving the fragile ecosystem. 

Keeping in view the carrying capacities, the Tourism Department has capped the number of houseboats in both lakes at 910. Under the new policy, the houseboats are required to be registered online subject to the fulfilment of various conservation parameters; within 30 days from the date notification of the policy.

 Yaqub Dunoo, Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association , Chief Spokesperson stated :” We are still examing the policy as Directorate of Tourism is yet to give us final policy document , the previous policy seemed to aimed at crushing the houseboat industry as it had many unfriendly and illogical parameters . We will keenly study the policy and give our opinion on it after studying .We are hopeful that this policy would be friendly and core issue of houseboat reconstruction would be allowed and no adverse guidelines will be there . We fully respect the conservation and preservation of Dal Lake as Houseboats are there only due to lake and houseboats are similarly jewels of lake . We are ready to install bio toilets in the Houseboats .”
We are aware of the reality that the houseboats in Srinagar are usually static as they remain moored at the edges of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake. Some of the houseboats have been built in early 1900s, and are still being rented out to tourists.One hopes that Houseboat policy 2021 would be acceptable to all the stakeholders and it would usher a new era of sustainable and environmental friendly tourism in the gorgeous valley of Kashmir

Cover 29 March,2022

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India Pak Bonhomie

Let Peace Prevail

India – Pakistan peace is very must for the progress of world and especially the wellbeing of entire South Asian region . The relationship between India and Pakistan in the past few years especially after the deadly 2019 Pulwama bombing had gone from bad to worse.Now with recent border ceasefire between the two countries holding hopes are raised .This has inspired optimism about reduced tensions in South Asia.  Experts have stressed that If decades of conflict are to be settled, however, the two sides must both do much more to address grievances and deal with the legacies of a half century and avoid too ambitious an effort to attempt everything at once.On the otherhand, Advocating for peace in the sub-continent, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday said it was time for New Delhi and Islamabad to “bury the past and move forward”.
Addressing the Islamabad Security Dialogue, Bajwa added that stable Indo-Pak relations were the key to unlocking the potential of South and Central Asia by ensuring connectivity between East and West Asia.On the otherhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan that trust without terror and hostility was necessary for a better relationship between the two countries, it was reported recently.PM Modi observed :
“As a neighbouring country, India desires cordial relations with the people of Pakistan,” Modi wrote in a letter dated March 22. “For this, an environment of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is imperative.”On the otherhand, neither India nor Pakistan has reacted over the peace deal, there is a media report that claims that the recent thaw in the ties, beginning with the ceasefire agreement on February 25 and the subsequent conciliatory statements by the Pakistani military and civilian leaders, is the outcome of the mediatory role played by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Media reports have added that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi are likely to hold a meeting on the sidelines of the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference in Tajikistan capital Dushanbe.Speaking with reference to the new ceasefire agreement with Pakistan, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that India desires “normal” relationship with Pakistan but New Delhi’s stand on several key issues will continue to remain unchanged.One hopes that the real pain hit region of Jammu and Kashmir would see real Development of peaceful and progressive atmosphere as a result of India Pakistan improved relationship.

Cover 8 February 2021 Issue .

Rising cancer cases in Kashmir

News Kashmir Health Bureau
World Cancer Day is observed on 4 February each year. The theme for the year 2021  is ‘I am and I will’.
Breast cancer has overtaken lung cancer as the most common form of the disease, accounting for nearly 12% of new cases each year worldwide, the World Health Organisation said recently .One million cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed annually in the world. India has a lower incidence as compared to specific areas like Southeast Asia. Certain areas like the Northeastern states and Kashmir have a higher incidence than the rest of India.Kashmir has worryingly enough over the past few decades witnessed an abnormal rise in cancer cases .The summer capital Srinagar has recorded highest number of cancer cases, among all districts of J&K, during the past two years, as per the data available at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).
In response to an RTI filed by rights activist and Secretary of J&K Peoples Forum MM Shuja, the hospital administration has revealed that 11,281 new cancers cases were registered at the institute from 2018 until middle 2020.SKIMS, celebrated World Cancer Day at SKIMS auditorium.
On the occasion Scientific program was organized in which experts deliberated on various topics of importance about prevalence, detection, awareness and treatment of various cancers.
While giving comprehensive overview of various cancers prevalent in the UT of J&K, the experts stressed for various preventives measures including early screening , life style modifications , healthy dietary habits etc to contain the disease which is spreading at the alarming rate and is the leading cause of death.
On the eve of World Cancer Day (4th Feb 2021) Cancer Society of Kashmir organized a free Oncology Consultation Camp under the supervision of reputed Oncologists & expert doctors.
A large number of patients who had come from different corners of Kashmir Valley were examined.  Poor and deserving patients who are registered with the society were provided free anti-cancer drugs as a matter of routine. Other supportive drugs required for G.I treatments were provided to all patients free of cost.
It is worrying to note that among the Jammu , Ladakh and Kashmir Valley regions the Kashmir Valley has much higher number of cancer cases.Kashmir Valley has recorded the highest number of cancer cases compared to Jammu and Ladakh Union Territory in the last over two years with officials at SKIMS saying that 92 per cent of cancer cases registered with them belong to Kashmir division only.Researchers have revealed that climate change will extract an acute toll worldwide, with rising temperatures, wildfires and poor air quality, accompanied by higher rates of cancer, especially lung, skin and gastrointestinal cancers.
In a study, published in the journal The Lancet Oncology, the researchers provided a synopsis of future effects from global warming on major cancers, from environmental toxins to ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, infectious agents and disruptions in food and water supply.It is hoped Kashmir with proper and healthy life style triumphs cancer soon ..One hopes we would soon witness the valley of Kashmir taking all preventive mechanism to help contain and one day end this menace of rising cancer cases in Kashmir.

Valley of Crime!

News Kashmir Exclusive
Moral degradation has plagued  kashmir over the past few years. We have been continuously witnessing growing drug addiction, vulgarity, loss of respect for elders are some of the evident realities that once pious kashmiri society is fast losing its moral fabric. All this is impacting our growth as a society.
 As a result once known for its pious values the region of Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a highly disturbing scenario with crime level reaching to an alarming level here.Srinagar the heart of Kashmir has also witnessed many ugly crimes in recent times . The Valley of Saints Kashmir is fast becoming known for all the wrong reasons . Few weeks back murder of Ziyaan Chisti, son of Mohammad Ashraf Chisti, a resident of Rainawari area of Srinagar was stabbed to death while another youth namely Faizan Fida Bhat, son of Fida Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Elahibagh was left  wounded near the Dastgeer Sahib shrine in Khanyar in  evening time .
Police on its part stated that , one of the main reasons behind this entire episode has been established that an accused person owed the deceased youth a sum of rupees 7 thousand. The entire argument revolved around the issue of money and seems to be major reason behind the argument, which has resulted in the killing of one person namely Ziyaan Chisti, while another Faizan Bhat has been injured.Shockingly the murder was commited by dear friend .Police after few days  claimed to have cracked the sensational murder of a 17 year old youth and arrested three accused from Srinagar old city.
The accused have been identified as Mohammad Zahid Bhat and Faizan Fida Bhat of Ellahi Bagh, Soura and Wajid Altaf Kaullah of Jabgri Pora Nowhatta Srinagar.
Police said all the three  accused persons have been arrested within 12 hrs of the incident and investigation of the case is underway.On the other hand, J&K has witnessed an increase in crimes against women during the past two years, a report by state Crime Branch (CB) has revealed.
In 2017, at least 3363 cases of atrocities against women were registered by police. These included cases of kidnapping, abduction, rape, molestation, dowry, cruelty by husband and other crimes.
 In previous years one has been witness to the fact that heinous crimes unheard in Kashmir some decades ago have occurred  frequently .
Sane voices are urging that all the stakeholders of the society urge that we all introspect to check the rising tendency of crimes in Kashmir.