News Kashmir Magazine

Unemployed Youth: Future Tense?

Rameez Makhdoomi

Unemployment is among one of the serious problems faced by the youth of Jammu and Kashmir State.
As a matter of fact,the unemployment in Kashmir is characterized by lack of opportunities , chronic underemployment or disguised unemployment.

The unemployment issues among youth of the state especially among educated youth is lingering catastrophe for the healthy growth of society and overall life of youth . Lack of quality private sector and less industrial growth is further complicating the picture Unemployment in Kashmir .

Statistics and surveys related to the problem of unemployment in the valley of Kashmir clearly point out the negative impacts on the life of Kashmiri youth . As per the last Economic Survey, when it comes to overall unemployment, Punjab (4.5 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (2.8 per cent), Delhi (2.7 per cent) and Haryana (2.6 per cent) are much better placed than Jammu and Kashmir.

Official figures have further revealed that unemployment rate for males in J&K was 3.6 per cent whereas that of females was 17.1 per cent which is far too high when compared to the neighboring states Punjab 11.7 per cent, Haryana 2.8 per cent, Delhi 2.8 per cent and Himachal Pradesh 2.5 per cent.

Ground realities suggest that the problem of unemployment is forcing talented youth to leave Kashmir for other places resulting in brain drain.

Jaffar Allie, Head Career Park and educationist while talking to the News Kashmir on the problem of Unemployment stated : ” Unemployment is growing at a rampant pace in the State of Jammu and Kashmir especially in the valley of Kashmir as virtual stagnant industrial growth and absence of vibrant private sector has meant very few employment avenues . This has also lead to the heavy dependence on the Government jobs. Unemployment rising among highly qualified youth is a big issue. We need to concentrate our efforts on promoting skill based education in basic courses concerning daily life as this will lessen the unemployment. Agriculture and horticulture too should be revived in order to fight the menace of unemployment. Rising drug addiction and depression among youth, suicidal tendencies are very closely linked with the problem of unemployment. We are hopeful that a concrete policy and programme would be formulated to tackle the problem of unemployment hitting very hard the youth of our state. ”
The youth also state that the problem of unemployment has in an all-round manner adversely impacted their lifestyle.

Mir Mujeeb, an unemployed youth while talking to The News Kashmir state – “ The problems and issues arising out for youth of Kashmir due to prevalence of serious unemployment are multidimensional. The overall consequences on the life of Kashmiri youth due to unemployment are very adverse. The social fabric stands rattled as the problem of unemployment has lead to surge in late marriages in the past few decades. Jobless youth are finding it difficult to shape up a rewarding lifestyle especially in this era of high inflation. We are hopeful that Government would take corrective measures to address growing menace of unemployment which is proving harmful for Kashmiri youth .”

Without an iota of doubt , the serious consequences of unemployment on kashmiri youth life are quite severe.

06 yrs on, Maharajpora-Sopore Bridge awaits completion

Danish Tariq

Six long years have already passed since the construction work on Mahrajpora-Sopore Bridge in north Kashmir’s Sopore Town started but little headway has been made since then towards its completion.

The bridge, 205 meter long and to be built on 4 pillars with 9 piles, is being built at the estimated cost of 13.68 crore. The foundation stone of the project was laid by then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on 02 December, 2013.

According to locals, once the bridge is made functional it will connect many villages including Tarzoo, Panjipora, Hygam and other areas and the people from these areas can travel directly to Bandipora and Kupwara.

“I am carrying people from one side of river Jehlum to other in my Shikara and I charge ten rupees per person for the ride. If Mahrajpora-Sopore Bridge is thrown open for the traffic, it will bring a much-needed respite for the commuters,” Abdul Rashid Dar, a Shikara owner

Mohammad Subhan, local resident said that, when former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, laid the foundation of Mahrajpora-Sopore Bridge he had promised to complete the construction work in least possible time but that did not happen.

A group of people while demanding completion of this Mahrajpora Bridge at earliest said that the people of area facing hardships to travel from one place to another. They also appealed Deputy Commissioner Baramulla to intervene into this issue so that people will not face more inconvenience they added despite repeated public outcry and assurances from the concerned officials of JKPCC the construction on the bridge was not taken up as was expected, authorities have failed to construct the bridge.

Meanwhile, an official from JKPCC who wished not to be named said that, the project was approved under “Languishing Projects” by Jammu and Kashmir government.

“I accept that construction work is going on slowly and the same is because previous funds were released in the tone of lacs which halted its construction. Now, we have requested sanctioning of funds in advance so that the project is completed without further delay,” we hope that in next 2 years the bridge would be made functional for people.

UDTA KASHMIR
NEWS KASHMIR EXCLUSIVE

Drug addiction is defined as compulsive and out-of-control drug use, despite negative consequences. In the last few decades, drug addiction has increased exponentially in the Kashmir valley.
Sometime back, as per the survey conducted by United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), there are 70,000 drug addicts in Kashmir alone, out of which 4000 are women. As per the survey, 65 to 70% of students in Kashmir are drug addicts.
The growing use of Heroin as drug among youth of Kashmir is cause of worry. From North to South Kashmir to Central Kashmir whole Kashmir is worst hit by the menace of rising Drug addiction.
As per the statistics issued by Government Psychiatric disease hospital, Rainawari, 90% drug users are in the age group of 17 to 35 years with a lifetime prevalence of drug addiction. Official records at the centre, which is run by the Department of Psychiatry at SMHS Hospital, reveal that out of 342 people admitted for substance abuse from 1 January 2019 to 20 June 2019, at least 309 (90.3 per cent) were abusing heroin in “some or the other form”.

A recent survey by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) says 4.9 percent of J&K population has been abusing opioid drugs. But mental health workers and doctors consider even this alarming number an underestimate.
In February this year, the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, submitted its report “Magnitude of Substance Use in India”.
Prominent activist Shabir Ahmad Shabir who is running a Rahat drug de-addiction, while talking to the News Kashmir magazine state “ The host of factors are responsible for rising drug abuse and addiction in Kashmir . The worst hit are the teenagers and youth of Kashmir. The factors responsible are easy availability of drug outside educational , residential areas of Kashmir .The lack of action against the drug peddlers has also compounded the problems . Peer pressure is also responsible . Peer pressure can cause teens to engage in risky behaviors, leading to substance abuse. In some cases lack of good parenting is also leading to drug abuse and also the factor of bad company . We should appreciate that since the two deaths in last few weeks related to drug addiction the police has swung into action. Police alone cannot solve the drug addiction problem as it is duty of entire society to end this menace .
It is unfortunate that we do not have a concrete survey yet done to know the real magnitude of drug addiction problem but without doubt ground situation suggests post 2016 it has become a multi headed monster . The society also does not come forward to help drug de addiction centres like us but both society and government are failing us. We are fighting a lone battle .”

Walk the Talk

News Kashmir Exclusive

Recently the assertions of Governor Satya Pal Malik in A function organized by Doordarshan at SKICC have generated lot of debate and discussion.
The function attended by top Union Ministers, Doordarshan officials saw Governor SatyaPal Malik making lot of bold visionary statements.
He termed as welcome the statement of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressing readiness for talks, underling that “temperatures have improved a lot and are far below” since he took over the reins of the state.

“I feel happy that temperature when I came here is far below it. Today the Hurriyat, which once did not open door to Ram Vilas Paswan (presently a Cabinet Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) who was standing at their door, are now talking about talks. There is lot of change everywhere. New recruitment in militant ranks is almost zero and there is no stone pelting after Friday prayers,” he said while addressing a function organized by Doordarshan Kendra Kashmir.
The Governor said that problem of Kashmir is younger generation issues and “there is need to solve their displeasure.”

Governor also expressed his happiness that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq spoke against drug menace and urged all to come up forward and play their role to completely limit the menace.

Expert pulse is in appreciation of these developments.

Inaam Un Nabi, Political Analyst and TV Debater, while talking to the News Kashmir Magazine Stated : ” Dialogue is the basic method to solve the burning issues throughout the world and in case of Kashmir the most needed thing is talks and dialogue so as to stem the tide of painful bloodshed as we are loosing youth on daily basis. The assertions by the Governor SatyaPal Malik and positive response from the Pro freedom leadership is a step in right direction and we need to build on this to solve the burning issues. Even India and Pakistan should walk the talk and ensure the issues between them are solved and not put on the back burner. Dialogue is the only way ahead. ”

Masses of Kashmir who are witness to heavy bloodshed are delighted over the possibility of a dialogue so that the mad cycle of violence can be put to end.

They are urging all the stakeholders to leave hardline approach and come forward for talks.

Kathua: Justice with Asifa!

News Kashmir Analysis

In a landmark Judgement, a court in Pathankot Punjab has awarded life imprisonment to three of the six convicts including mastermind Sanji Ram and a policeman in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua.
Pertinently,
three of the accused, Sanji Ram (main accused), Deepak Khujuria and Parvesh Kumar alias Mannu were earlier convicted for both rape and murder while as many policemen–Anand Dutta, Tilak Raj and Surinder Kumar (SPO) were held guilty for destruction of evidence. Vishal, son of main accused Sanji Ram, has been acquitted.
On the other hand,
The three policemen have been sentenced to five years imprisonment.
All the social and political circles have applauded the verdict.

President J&K Peoples Movement Shah Faesal welcomed the Court verdict in rape-murder case of a child from Rassana Kathua and called it a victory of truth over falsehood.

In his tweet, Shah Faesal called out the politicians who had tried to sabotage the investigation in the matter and gave credit to J&K Police and the Judiciary for standing their ground in-spite of the political pressure.

Shah Faesal said that politicization of this rape case was one of the most horrendous and shameful incidents of our time and those people who raised the communal bogey against the victims family deserve to be condemned.

“The role of media and activists who tirelessly built a global campaign for justice to the victim also needs to be appreciated”, Shah Faesal added.
While talking to the News Kashmir Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikandar, writer and activist stated :”There has been an institutional denial of justice to Kashmiris since 1990s. The Draconian laws like afspa have been providing impunity to the uniformed men. The award of sentences to culprits in Kathua rape and murder case is a welcome step towards restoring justice and faith of people in judiciary. But the larger question remains that culprits in this case were communal civilians and local policemen but when it comes to army and other paramilitary forces the persecution percentage remains quite low. The faith of common people has retrograded in the institution of judiciary and to restore it culprits of Kunanposhpora, Tufail Matoo, Shopain double murder and rape case and numerous others need to be brought to book and punishment be awarded. To use different yardstick for army and local policemen or civilians will lead to rendering the fault lines more sharper in the society.”

Return of BJP
What it means for JK Politics ?
News Kashmir Desk
The Bhartiya Janta Party has achieved an emphatic victory in the General elections 2019 and the victory has been resounding with BJP bagging more than 300 seats on its own.

BJP victory will definitely have an impact on the politics of Jammu and Kashmir as well.

BJP is certainly in the agressive mode without doubt clearly hinting the impacts of its victory on JK politics.
Analyst state that in wake of this huge victory the onslaught on the special status of Jammu Kashmir might be matter of time.

Rattled and unnerved by the massive (46%) mandate received by Bharatiya Janata Party, the leadership of National Conference has begun its ugly campaign of lies and falsehood to mislead the people, as a prelude to its campaign for the assembly elections likely to be held in the near future, stated Brig Anil Gupta, State Spokesperson of BJP.
Tearing apart the arguments placed during the press conference addressed by its provincial president at Jammu, Brig Gupta reminded the NC that much water has flown in Jhelum and Tawi rivers since 1996 including the massive floods which washed away the NC from the political scene of the state. The party was blinded by power to such an extent that its declining vote share, which reached its lowest 7% in 2019, went unnoticed by the dynastic hierarchy of the party. Consequently, the party failed to field its candidates in Jammu and Ladakh regions. With mere 7% percent vote share how can the party claim to be a voice of the majority, questioned Brig Gupta?

Muzamil Maqbool, Life Skills Specialist stated :” The rise of Bhartiya Janta Party BJP has without a doubt got landslide victory in the General elections 2019 and it would have it’s series of impacts on the politics of Jammu and Kashmir. The special status in form of article 35 a would be under special stress by the politics of BJP as it would be on the front foot mode. BJP will most likely follow tough policies and more till assembly ejections. The polarised verdict would create more problems for the state especially Kashmir. I hope the promise of “Sab Ka Saath, San Ka Vishwaas” would be implemented by PM Modi and his party everywhere and especially in Kashmir to settle down tensions which had massive negative impact on Kashmiris and the economy of state of J&K. Ground realities scream Peace on top of their voices. Ground realities scream empowerment, end to blood shed on top of their voices. We must be heard. Is someone listening at central level?

BJP Tsunami: Opposition Decimated

The NDA lead by
BJP has created history in the Indian elections by bagging
349 seats with BJP on its own as a party winning majority mark seats.
This victory of BJP is exemplary.
“Every Cell Of My Body Dedicated To Nation,” Sated PM Modi After Big Win.
In 2014, the BJP won 282 seats, the NDA had won 336. It was the first time in more than three decades that a single party won majority on its own.

And in 2019 verdict the achievement has been more pronounced and huge.
As a matter of fact ,
BJP crossed the 300-mark just three hours into counting.

PM Modi congratulated people, said party’s win “victory of democracy”
Will work non-stop to ensure nation keeps moving forward, he added.

The BJP’s performance has exceeded its tally of 2014 , crossing the previous tally. Overall, the NDA has won nearly 350 seats .

The party’s victory, the Prime Minister said, has created a new narrative. “All parties have to introspect” he said.

targeting the caste-based politics practised in large swathes of the country, he said, “There are only two castes left. These are… the poor. The second – those who remove poverty”.

Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal BJP decimated opposition everywhere with clean sweeps — the state after state saw saffron blooming to full extent . In eastern part politics for decades BJP struggled but this time it too has given a huge mandate to the BJP .
Despite Challenges BJP shined in Uttar pradesh too.
In 2014, the BJP and its ally Apna Dal had won 73 of the 80 seats in the state. This time, in face of a challenge from the Grand Alliance of Mayawati and Samajwadi Party of Akhilesh Yadav, the BJP has won in 61 seats.

Even NC leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had to admit the shinning performance of BJP.
He tweeted :” So the exit polls were correct. All that’s left is to congratulate the BJP & NDA for a stellar performance. Credit where credit is due PM Modi Sahib & Mr Amit Shah put together a winning alliance & a very professional campaign. Bring on the next five years.”

“We had gone to the people to know about their decisions… today, crores of people have filled this fakir ki jholi (poor man’s bag)… this is democracy’s biggest incident,” PM Modi said, addressing hundreds of workers at the party headquarters in Delhi.
Political analyst Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikandar stated :” These huge number of seats gained by BJP is a huge surprise. The coming of NDA to power for the second term is decisive in many respects. The opposition has failed to wean away the masses from voting for the BJP. Despite the failure of BJP to deliver on its promises of constructing Ram Mandir and revoking Article 370, people have granted them another chance to perform. Now they will be under huge pressure to perform in the second term. But for the moment they have decimated the opposition. State after state has been swept by the BJP which shows the strong influence of Modi. We have entered an interesting era. “

Kasmir: No more a Raeshvaer’
News Kashmir Desk

Recently members of Shia-Sunni Coordination Committee (SSCC) held a crucial meeting to discuss the deliberate upon the rape of a three-year-old girl at north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on May 08 that has brought down the heads of every citizen in shame, made a collective appeal to the people of Kashmir to put an end to protests and give police a chance to probe the incident transparently so that guilty is given an exemplary punishment.

Kashmir has been on the edge since past few days as massive protests were witnessed from nook and corner of the Valley with students, traders, religious scholars, youth, women and others hitting streets in protest to demand exemplary punishment to the guilty of rape of three year old girl of Sumbal Bandipora with another rape allegation surfacing from Ganderbal district.

The heinous crimes are now happening regularly in the valley of Kashmir raising question marks over our overall moral health as society and indicating that we are no longer following the teachings preached to us by Sufis and Rishis who bestowed Kashmir greatness.
Mushtaq Ul Haq Sikandar, writer and activist stated :
The Kashmiri society is in doldrums, neither is it ready to accept modernity nor is it comfortable with traditional conventions. The rape culture that is gaining ground is a result of the fact that men are yet to accept the women as equal citizens. The women now are present in every field of life and most of them are economically independent. But men are yet to accept women in these roles. Add to it the toxic masculinity that Patriarchy creates and is reinforced by our traditional and media notions about women being meek, weak and docile. So women are supposed to endure the unwanted glances, uncomfortable touches and oglings. So once these are accepted as normal rapes are bound to happen. What are being reported is just tip of an ice berg. Our religious, family and educational institutions are ill equipped to provide any type of gender sensitivity learning to our young boys and girls.
The common voices also stand aghast over these growing horrible crimes.

Bashir Ahmad, commoner stated :
” The people in the Valley of Kashmir have forgotten over simple and pious past. We have lost touch with the moral path as we do not give importance to moral values now. The hunger for grabbing more and more, materialism is the basic reason behind our overall degradation. It is the need of the hour that before further clamity falls on us we repent and follow once again great Sufi teachings taught to us. Tragically by our deeds we make ourselves look no longer the land of great Sufis and Rishis. ”
The overall realities urge us to once again follow the Sufis and Rishis teachings in letter and spirit and get in touch with moral path to save Kashmir from further destruction.

Srinagar Parliamentary Seat: Subtleties and Surmises
Rameez Makhdoomi

The prestigious Srinagar Parliamentary constituency comprising of district Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal went to polls on 18th April.
The contest for the seat is triangular with National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, People’s Conference leader Irfan Raza Ansari and People’s Democratic Party leader Agha Mohsin.
Low turnout, National Conference having upper hand, clashes, voting machine defaults at some places defined the election.

At 9.30am in the morning we found voting machines developed default in the beginning at Hakabazar were 198 votes were cast.
Total votes 626 pandan eleven
Male 318 female 308 . Voting Machines were being rectified there when we reached.
An aged voter gave important inputs.
Mohammad Sidiq, a 72 year old voter waiting for his turn at Pandan Nowhatta stated ” I have voted number of times and would like to make it clear that here only national conference rules the roost with competition at all. We vote NC for progressive and peaceful Kashmir. ”
On the other hand of the spectrum, Farooq Abdullah & Omar Abdullah cast their votes at a polling station in Munshi Bagh Area in Srinagar LS constituency. Omar Abdullah stated : “Now that LS polls are due to conclude, we can only hope that Centre together with EC give people of J&K and elected govt which is their right.
He Criticized the BJP’s choice of giving ticket to Sadhvi Pragayi .
The turnout at the end of the day was about 14 percent which was seven percent more than the bi election of 2017 but twelve percent less than 2014 polls.

Although in some pockets voting was strong, at Bemina G we saw 232 votes polled out of 958 just within three hours of polling.
Young Political analyst Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikandar stated :” The election for Srinagar parliamentary seat will witness a strong fight. With parties like PDP and PC fielding candidates like Agha Mohsin and Irfan Raza Ansari, the Shia vote is bound to get divided particularly in district Budgam, among PDP, PC and NC. But given the traditional network of National Conference, Dr Farooq Abdullah seems to emerge victorious. Further NC has campaigned on the issue of safeguarding the special status of Kashmir, while decrying and alleging that any vote cast in favour of PC or PDP is synonymous to be going in the kitty of BJP. So the chances of win are tilted in favour of Dr Farooq Abdullah.”