News Kashmir Magazine

Cover Story 4 January, 2021 Issue.

Terrible 20Hopeful 21
News Kashmir Analysis 
The year 2020 will undoubtedly go down in history as the worst year ever — at least to those of us living in it. It started with Australia forests on fire ,a near war between Iran and USA over killing of General Soleimani . And who knew that it was just the start .The Coronavirus Pandemic that spread from China began to rattle entire world from March 2020 . Millions have died and Crores got Infected due to Coronavirus in the year 2020.The pandemic destroyed economies and millions of Jobs throughout the world .Perhaps the biggest outstanding mystery surrounding the virus’s biology is where it came from. Strong evidence suggests that it originated in bats, and probably passed to humans through an intermediate animal. A number of animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, including cats and mink. In September, the World Health Organization (WHO) formed a scientific team to investigate the animal origin of the pandemic, starting its search in China and expanding elsewhere. US President Donald Trump and others have claimed, without substantive evidence, that a Chinese laboratory released SARS-CoV-2, but most scientists think that is highly unlikely.Farmer agitation against the farm reform bills passed by the Government was another bad news .The farmers’ agitation against new agri laws will lead to economic loss of over Rs 70,000 crore in the December quarter owing to supply chain disruptions, particularly in Punjab, Haryana and border areas of Delhi, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said recently. The chamber’s President Sanjay Aggarwal said “the 36 days farm agitation so far will have more than Rs 70,000 crore economic loss in the Q3 FY 2020-21 due to…disruption in supply chains and day-to-day economic activities particularly in the progressive states of Punjab and Haryana and border areas of National capital Delhi.”Even in Kashmir job loss ,Covid and conflict deaths made Kashmir an unhappy place to live .Now masses are hoping for a better year 2021.As 2021 prepares for its time in the spotlight, perhaps no year in our lifetime has so much weight on it to perform brilliantly. social feeds were full of GIFs and memes panning 2020 and begging for 2021. There is so much hope, so much expectation for 2021 to be a great year. The anticipation for 2021 was  immediately palpable.
One hopes that after worst 2020, the year 2021 would offer hope to humanity and prove to be better year .

DDC Verdict 2020

News Kashmir Analysis 
DDC (District Development Council) Results have come in Jammu and Kashmir as a big surprise to one and all.The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), led by Farooq Abdullah, won 110 seats of the total 280 constituencies in the maiden District Development Council (DDC) elections.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party with 75 DDC constituencies followed by J&K National Conference with 67 seats. The PDP bagged 27 while the Congress won 26 seats.
The newly formed J&K Apni Party (JKAP) won 12 while JKPC and CPI-M bagged eight and five seats.278 results were declared out of 280 .While as top leader of PAGD and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted to say that the BJP “had made this election a prestige issue about Art 370 & J&K’s special status. The people have now spoke hin & it’s for those who believe in democracy to pay heed to these voices”.He added that All of us in the @JKPAGD are deeply indebted & grateful to the people of J&K for your support at this critical juncture. We reaffirm our commitment to use all democratic & legal weapons at our disposal to continue to fight for our rights.On the other hand , Union Minister for Law and Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad,  in a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi said that several candidates among independents who won 39 seats in DDC elections are BJP supporters.

He further said that the BJP has emerged as the single largest party in DDC election in Jammu and Kashmir with the 74 seats and highest number of votes, i.e. 4.87 lakhs. 

“The People Alliance for Gupkar Declaration was formed because the component of that alliance knew they could not fight BJP single-handedly,” said Prasad during the press conference.BJP is rejoicing over the fact that it first time ever won three Seats from the Kashmir valley while as PAGD is countering it by saying that they won 35 seats from Jammu region .
Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander , eminent political analyst stated : “DDC elections have depicted that citizens of J&K still have not accepted BJP. Although the election boycott trend is still vibrant but people have supported PAGD candidates. The newly launched JK Apni party did not fare well in these elections despite the aura created around it. Apni party is home to more than half of the renegade PDP candidates and congress dissidents, but it’s performance was quite poor, making one surmise that it cannot prove to be alternative to NC, PDP and other such parties. BJP lost many seats in Jammu region too, pointing out the fact that assembly elections whenever they will be held will not prove to be a cakewalk for it. The three seats that BJP won in Kashmir, make it clear that election boycott plus Pandit vote can prove decisive for BJP in Kashmir valley.”The next big curoisty would be how many DDC chairman’s and Vice Chairman each alliance bags out of 20 Districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Cover 21 December, 2020

Pharmacy Reforms in JKNews Kashmir Health Bureau 

The pharmaceutical industry discovers, develops, produces, and markets drugs or pharmaceutical drugs for use as medications to be administered to patients, with the aim to cure them, vaccinate them, or alleviate the symptoms. Pharmaceutical companies may deal in generic or brand medications and medical devices.
In Jammu and Kashmir region many pharmacy shops over the decades have functioned in a very dubious manner with untrained and non professionals running them . There has been a growing demand to provide pharmacy shop license only who are well versed as lack of same act as a great peril and threat towards public health .
Jammu and Kashmir has been also plagued by the massive prevelance of fake drugs in market ,which many studies and surveys over the years have pointed out .Pharmacy reforms in Jammu and Kashmir are long due and now are happening steadily ,which is a good news .
Recently in a very positive development with reference to it , Jammu and Kashmir Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo, formally launched portal for online registrations/validation of Pharmacies under Pharmacy Act, 1948.

As many as, 3 candidates who had uploaded their documents were handed over certificates as Registered Pharmacist on spot.

Financial Commissioner, while appreciating functioning of Pharmacy Council of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, expressed hope that all stakeholders shall get immensely benefitted by this initiative. He said that Pharmacists play a pivotal role in the healthcare system and their contribution is critical towards mitigating sufferings of ailing masses.He expressed hope that the Pharmacy Council shall strive hard to ensure that the practice and profession of Pharmacy in the Union Territory of J&K is regulated in an efficient manner and this body continues to uphold the sanctity of moral ethics, code and conduct among Pharmacy professionals.

He appreciated the Jammu & Kashmir Pharmacy Council for eliminating physical interface in various services offered by it. He said that a transparent, accountable and time bound system is always required to address the problems being faced by candidates aspiring to acquire grant/renewal of their Pharmacist Registration certificates.Expert pulse has been in favour of what they term the  implementation of central pharmacy laws to the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that in a positive manner  ended the hegemony and monopoly and shook the nerves of under-qualified practitioners as now as per central laws every Tom, Dick and Harry can’t enter the profession of pharmacy without valid credentials – the old practice much  prevalent in Jammu and Kashmir.In another great development this year IMAGEJammu and Kashmir Government has established 12 AMRIT Pharmacies across the Union Territory to reduce Out Of Pocket Expenditure for consumers. These stores provide branded drugs and implants surgical and disposable at affordable prices. AMRIT pharmacies, which are operating under an MoU between both central and Union Territory administrations, sell branded drugs such as those used for treating cancer and cardiovascular diseases at an average discount of up to 60 per cent. These pharmacies offer an inventory of more than 5,200 drugs, implants, surgical disposable and other consumables besides ensuring availability of generic and lifesaving branded drugs is its prime objective.
The pulse on ground is quite positive over the public interests reforms being brought in Jammu and Kashmir .

Cover 14 December, 2020 Issue

Brain Drain Hurting Kashmir Rameez Makhdoomi 

Brain Drain since decades is wrecking havoc in the valley of Kashmir.It is worth pointing outhere that Brain drain is a slang term indicating substantial emigration or migration of individuals. A brain drain can result from turmoil within a nation, the existence of favorable professional opportunities in other countries, or from a desire to seek a higher standard of living.
The shifting to better places for employment is not only causing the brain drain meaning leaving of efficient human resources from native land in this case Kashmir bearing the brunt, but also causing pain and emotional trauma to the elders of families . 

Change is the law of nature and Kashmir cannot be exception but since many years faster  exodus to foreign lands is matter of great concern. 

Syed Arshid Hussain Kashani, a writer and scholarly voices who ponders on this subject states :”  Brain Drain is a very serious issue .There is a case of settling abroad in almost every locality now, with rest of family trying to adjust in the situation. We see a little jubilation in the beginning in most of the cases;however, the families with an old history of such development live in a different shade now. I few months back wrote how an uptown old couple wished to donate their entire property as despite huge properties because of well settled kids outside they had no one around when they needed them most. It was painful to note that the owner told the charity group that there was no dearth of money, he pleaded that he will be donating all his wealth provided in turn charity group  will take care of them as long as they continue to live. This case is not exception but such cases and scenarios are now common thing throughout length and breadth  of the Kashmir valley. “

Syed Arshad Hussain Kashani adds that to great worry  settling abroad is now irresistible; parents and kids have almost surrendered on this issue. It has been found that settling abroad is usually one way traffic; you rarely return to attend your moral obligations and this trend is increasing. 
The voices of sanity on ground state  that if this phenomenon remains unchecked and more youngesters began to abandon their homes, the need for setting up old age homes may become a reality.All this will also hurt the overall talent pool of the Kashmir valley .For decades, Kashmir’ s skilled professionals have preferred emigrating to the Gulf or  West in search of better jobs, lucrative salaries and higher standards of living.  All this is causing loss of talented humans to Kashmir and in this regard the Government of Jammu and Kashmir should create widespread opportunities so brain drain of talented humans is stopped .

Cover story 7 December,2020

Weak IT Sector Hurting Kashmir News Kashmir Technology Bureau 

Information Technology is considered among the major sectors  of world  today generating a sizeable revenues  and considerable  proportions of employment throughout the world  .
Over the past few decades the  IT Sector has taken center-stage in the progress of global economies and played a very important  role in the  development of Indian economy too. 
Pertinently, India, one of the most technologically forward moving countries in the globe; the IT sector plays a major  role in economy and as a matter of fact sometime back it employed more than 3  million people and accounts for over five percent of the country’s gross domestic product and export earnings. 
 It was stated that India’s outsourcing industry is expected to hit 225 billion dollars by in 2020.
 But unfortunate part is that in Kashmir not much attention has been paid to the development of Information Technology sector and despite producing huge number of IT professionals we do not have  job opportunities for them. 

Most importantly despite being announced several years back the dream of having Mega IT Park in Kashmir has remained an elusive dream. Now with Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir coming into being many voices are hopeful that IT sector of Kashmir gets due attention. 

 Experts from time to time have made it clear that there are a wide variety of career opportunities available for capable and experienced IT professionals. 
Experts are urging upon the government to take all the necessary steps for the promotion of IT Sector in the valley of Kashmir.
 Dvelopment of IT sector in Kashmir holds the key towards the path of peace and progress . The Information Technology sector outhere lacks quality IT Parks and a large number of IT Professionals are thus jobless in the valley of Kashmir.We have been witness to the negative fact that  IT Parks have been promised but no pragmatic effort made to build the same.
Javaid Ahmad  ,an Information Technology  professional said, “ Information Technology is big  sectors of today’s world and no country or place can progress swiftly  without it.We in Kashmir as a  matter of worrisome facets  lack quality IT Parks in Kashmir .The majority of IT Professionals in the valley of Kashmir are facing a host of issues and problems on account of lack of job avenues in this all important sector in the entire state especially  kashmir valley. We are hopeful that major steps would be taken to promote IT Sector of Kashmir.’
One hopes IT Sector of Kashmir sees brighter tomorrow soon.

Inefficient WAQF
Rameez Makhdoomi

Kashmir is the famous allover globe as being land of great Saints, Sufis. It is bestowed with religious wealth in the form of abundant shrines and places of worship enjoying reverence and allegiance of people professing different faiths.The valley of Kashmir with the inception of Islam did undergo tremendous  positive changes at all levels and strata of society. Islam in Kashmir wasn’t result of some brutal and bloody conquest but by the efforts and toil of Sufi Saints. The imprints which Islam left on Kashmiris have been rightly observed by the noted historian Prem Nath Bazaz “Politics had dehumanized the Kashmiris; Islam made them men again. Just as the Muslim rule was established in Kashmir without much bloodshed, so was Islam spread throughout the length and breadth of the valley by peaceful preaching and lucid persuasions of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani(RA) and hundreds of the Sayyid Missionaries who came from Hamadan and other parts of Persia.As a matter of fact, the sacred shrines in Kashmir belong to both Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims and are visited by lakhs  of devotees. Some of the shrines are the world renowned  such as shrine of Dargah Sharif Hazratbal, Baba-Zain-ud-Din Wali R.A. (Aishmuqam), Baba Hyder Reshi R.A. (Anantnag), the last of the saints of the Rishi order in Kashmir about whose resting place the Alamdar-i-Kashmir (Flag Bearer of Kashmir), Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Rishi R.A. (Charar- e -Sharief) , Baba Dawood Ghoni R.A. (Vailoo), Hazrat Noor Shah Bagdadi R.A. (Kund), Hazrat Sheikh Syed Samnani R.A. (Kulgam), Baba Naseeb-ud-Din Ghazi R.A. (Bijbehara) Hazrat Syed Yaqoob Sarfi R.A.,Hazrat Baba Gulindin Sahib (R.A.),Hazrat Baba Reshi Sahib R.A. Gulmarg, Hazrat Baba Shikur – u –din Sahib R.A. Watlab Sopore, Shrine of Hazrat Peer-e-Dastgeer Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Geelani R.A.at Khanyar Srinagar etc.Besides, these Muslim shrines, in J&K there are other sacred religious places like Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara  in Srinagar and Shri Vaishno Devi In Katra managed by Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (GPC) and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi .Muslim WAQf Board is managing these all shrines which has the unique distinction of being second largest asset rich body in Jammu and Kashmir after the  government as it  is the custodian of these 47 holy shrines in the Kashmir Valley. WAKF Board gets tremendous income   from the Nazar o Niyaz (Donations) made by the devotees visiting these sacred shrines with unflinching faith.What is tragic to note is the fact that despite generating tremendous resources, the  corruption and malpractices have marred the functioning of WAQF since decades admitted even by top management.WAQF in Kashmir should have been known for philanthropic activity ,building strong institutes of health and education but it is most of times in news for all the wrong reasons .Recently, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member, Central Waqf Council and Chairperson, Waqf Development Committee, Ministry of Minority Affairs,  Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi stated  that Waqf Board is corrupt to the core and no place Is left untouched by the corrupt hands of the board in Kashmir.
While speaking  at Balhama, She said, “Since I’ve been a part of the board, I’ve seen a lot of corruption take places. I will make sure that all of those people, who have done corruption, will not get away with it.”
Chairperson of Central Waqf Development Committee said, “The corruption is everywhere, Mosques, graveyards, shrines, etc. no place has been left. I am a part of the board, I request the government of India to create a separate Waqf board for the Shia community.”
Masses are hopeful that WAQF Functioning would improve.

23 , November 2020 Cover

Red Line
News Kashmir Exclusive
The borders between India and Pakistan are once again heating up especially the Line of Control .All this is giving rise to tremendous human tragedies . Recently, In a major flare-up along the Line of Control, eleven people including five soldiers were killed in ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in several areas in north Jammu and Kashmir  officials said.
Four soldiers of the army, a Border Security Force (BSF) sub-inspector were killed in Pakistani firing, the officials said. Six civilians were also killed in various areas, news agency PTI reported. Pakistani forces used mortars and other weapons.
Indian forces strongly retaliated to the shelling and army sources said there have been multiple casualties on the Pakistani side.
On its part,The Pakistan military said four civilians and one soldier were killed on the Pakistani side.
Pakistan fired heavy artillery without any provocation, but the Army and the BSF fought with bravery, gave a befitting response to them and many defences (installations) of Pakistan were destroyed,” Inspector General of BSF, Kashmir Rajesh Mishra said.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the wreath-laying ceremony of BSF Sub-Inspector Rakesh Doval, who was killed in the Pakistani firing.

Mushtaq ul Haq Sikander, an eminent political analyst stated ,while talking to the News Kashmir :  “The recent skirmishes at border resulted in a number of deaths. The flare up on border between India and Pakistan is not something new. It has been going on since the partition of the subcontinent and birth of Kashmir dispute. In this violence the civilians and residents of these border area are the worst casualties. They are daily paying the price of the hostility between India and Pakistan. Before it is too late and the violence consumes more lives it is better to initiate a dialogue between the two nations that will pave way towards lasting peace. Unless concrete confidence building measures are not put in place, the violence will continue to engulf and devour the civilians. The borders will continue to bleed and certainly the common innocent people are paying the price of this violence with their blood.”

16 November,2020 Issue

Mutton Price Crisis News Kashmir Desk 
Price of Mutton has been a serious issue in Kashmir with it going out of reach of common masses  since few years.
Kashmir is known world over as a society that eats meat in very huge Quantity. More than 95 percent of Kashmiris eat non-vegetarian food items and mutton is most consumed among them .

Few years back official statistics stated that  Jammu and Kashmir annually consumes a whopping 51,000 tonnes of mutton worth Rs.12.06 billion (over Rs.1,200 crore), of which 21,000 tonnes is imported from outside. The 21,000 tonnes is in addition to 30,000 tonnes of mutton produced locally and costing Rs.7.02 billion (Rs.702 crore) which also goes into the local consumption each year  sometime years back these figures were revealed by the  official of the animal husbandry department .Despite having some of the best meadows and pastures in the world, all the mutton imported into Kashmir comes from Rajasthan and other states .

Meat consumption has grown more in these current times . So it is high time that valley of Kashmir gears up its effort to become self sufficient in meat which we are not.

In an optimistic development recently it was stated that   Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang K Pole chaired a meeting of Rate Fixation Committee and fixed rates of mutton at Rs 480 (retail) and Rs 450 as (wholesale) rates in Kashmir.
          In this regard,at the outset, the Div Com said that rates have been fixed after taking all factors including, production cost, transportation, processing, cutting and all other charges into consideration.
          He said that now onwards mutton rates shall be revised annually as per government’s wholesale pricing index.
          Stressing on the strict implementation of official rates, the Div Com said that stringent action including FIRs shall he registered against mutton dealers/ butchers if found selling mutton on higher rates or resorting to any kind of violations against the official rates.In past few weeks many butchers have been booked for violating the orders .
Butchers state that production of mutton is still very low in Kashmir and that is why prices are high while as some experts state that despite mutton having different grades the butchers sell all on high prices .
Following the revised rate of mutton announced by the Divisional Administration Kashmir, meat shops in several areas of Srinagar were seen closed recently. Butchers state that it is not possible to sell on Government fixed rates for them.

Days after Divisional Administration fixed the rates of mutton, authorities had registered 37 FIR’s against mutton dealers for overcharging.

In Nutshell, one hopes that mutton prices  would be stabled so that prices are within the reach of common masses .
For the moment ,mutton prices are generating great debate. 

Cover 9 November,2020 Issue

Good Governance Challenges in JK
News Kashmir Bureau 
Good Governance is the basic foundation of progress and prosperity for every state and Country. Since Jammu and Kashmir was converted into Union Territory last year many have hoped that overall paradigms of Governance would improve. 
Unfortunately enough, the Good Governance was a dream in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir with State several times in news for wrong reasons on account of being among the most corrupt states of the country. The ineffective and inefficient Governance in Jammu and Kashmir has since decades plagued the common masses and their interests. Good governance aims towards betterment of people, and this can not take place without the government being accountable to the  people, and experts too have stressed same. But the recent findings from a credible study show that Good Governance still remains a dream in Jammu and Kashmir. 

As a matter of fact, the data released by Public Affairs Centre under Public Affairs Index-2020 ranked Southern State of Kerala the best governed State in the large States category while Uttar Pradesh ended at the bottom.

 It is worth mentioning here that the City-based not-for-profit organization, headed by former Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chairman K. Kasturirangan, said in its annual report that the States were ranked on governance performance based on a composite index in the context of sustainable development. Four southern States — Kerala (1.388 PAI Index point), Tamil Nadu (0.912), Andhra Pradesh (0.531) and Karnataka (0.468) stood in the first four ranks in the large State category in terms of governance, it said.

 Chandigarh emerged at the top in the category of Union Territories with 1.05 PAI points, followed by Puducherry (0.52) and Lakshadweep (0.003). Dadar and Nagar Haveli (-0.69), Andaman, Jammu and Kashmir (-0.50) and Nicobar (-0.30) were the worst performers.

 On the other hand, Central and UT JK Government have often made it clear that Governance in Jammu and Kashmir is improving fast, which many mainstream parties and civil society groups have criticised citing Governance in Jammu and Kashmir remains unimpressive. 
In Nutshell Analysis, the efficient Governance in Jammu and Kashmir still remains a dream not reality.

Cover story 26 October, 2020 Issue

Struggle for Statehood
News Kashmir Exclusive

In a big development for Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah has recently said that the centre will not take long to restore Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir which was converted into the Union Territory on August 5, 2019 and declared that there will be a wave of development there in next 5-6 months as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is taking development to grass-root level.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. I have also stated this on floor of Parliament. We won’t go back from our promise. It (restoration of Statehood to J&K) won’t take too long,” Shah said in an interview to CNN News 18 Network.Political and Social Circles have welcomed the move. 
Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that an early restoration of Statehood alone could guarantee the residents of J&K their right to self-governance. 
He said that the people of J&K cannot afford any further delay in the restoration of Statehood. 
In reference to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks that the Centre will not take long to restore Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Bukhari said that the decision is no longer about a political party or any leader but about the democratic rights and political aspirations of the people of J&K.
Bukhari said: “While I welcome the union home minister’s statement, I would like to remind the union government not to keep this critical issue in political limbo for a long time in view of the sufferings of residents of J&K and the undeniable governance . 

Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, a well known political analyst stated :” Restoring statehood to J&K that has been degraded to Union Territory status is a genuine demand, because the decision of August 5, 2019 was taken without the consent of people. People and mainstream political parties who have been humiliated and betrayed will feel a sense of healing on their bruised souls. The apprehension however is like the previous state governments who were pawns in the hands of the centre and the regime in power in Delhi would call shots, now that process has accelerated in the Union Territory. Every small and big decision is taken by the centre so it does not evoke optimism that restoring statehood will bring some kind of relief, sense of triumph or revolutionary change in j&k. The mainstream political parties and centre is using the restoration of statehood as an election plank and conscious souls do understand it.”

On the other hand, PDP sounded unimpressed. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated that mere restoration of statehood to J&K is not going to undo the plunder of rights of its people and that the party would always strive to restore the position of August 4, 2019 as the first step towards working out the resolution of the J&K issue in a dignified manner.
Addressing the party workers meeting of zone Khanyar-Srinagar at the party office, PDP General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura said that the people of J&K can’t be tricked into the bargain of statehood against our special status, rights and identity.