News Kashmir Magazine

Veteran Indian journalist, author and peace activist, Kuldip Nayar, in an interview to New Kashmir Editor,Farzana Mumtaz, talks how India had changed since its independence, the rise of Hindutva in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janta Party coalition government in Jammu Kashmir and how chief ministers have been installed in the State at the behest of New Delhi. Excerpts

 

You are one of the victims of the partition.

Yes, my family had to migrate from Sialkot at the time of partition. I came to the present day India through Lahore by road. On leaving home, we thought it was a communal thing which would stay for sometime but didn’t have an idea that the migration will change everyone’s lives in the subcontinent. When I came to this side of the border, I was penniless.

 

How did you end up becoming a journalist?

Before partition, I had done completed my Law degree. I knew Urdu and Persian languages. I came to know that a newspaper was looking for a Hindu who knew Urdu and I landed in a newspaper Anjaam and ended up becoming a journalist instead of a lawyer.

 

Do you miss Sialkot?

Everybody misses home. When I migrated, I tried my best to at least visit my ancestral home at least once. I applied for travel documents but was refused time and again. This was until Zulfikar Ali Bhutto came to power in Pakistan. When I interviewed him in Pakistan, I requested him for the travel documents. Pakistani Army’s cantonment in Sialkot did not allow any outsiders to visit the place. My documents got cleared the very next day and I visited Sialkot after 25 years.

 

You interviewed Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. The news of Pakistan being a nuclear power leaked through you?

Entire world had its eyes focused on Pakistani nuclear bomb in 1980s. My friend from Pakistan, Mushahid Hussain, was with me. He had arranged that interview for me. When we sat with A Q Khan, I tried my best to know it from the horse’s mouth but all my efforts failed. Then, I provoked him saying that one of the scientists had told him that Pakistan neither had the material nor men to make a bomb. He reacted punching his hand hard on the table saying it thrice ‘We have it… we have it… we have it…’ I replied saying you have not tested it yet. He retorted saying it did not need an over ground test and tests could be done in laboratories too. The interview created ripples all around the world.

 

With all the backing of the Hindu rightwing parties, can Narendra Modi become the Prime Minister who can resolve Kashmir issue?

It is an appropriate time for India to get Kashmir issue resolved. If New Delhi cannot resolve this issue now, then we will have to long. Every Hindu party is with BJP and it is the right time to get Kashmir issue resolved. On the contrary, Congress cannot do anything on Kashmir. They do not have the blessings of these Hindu parties. For any Kashmir resolution, the endorsement of these Hindutva parties is a must. For resolving Kashmir issue, Modi is in a far better position than any Indian Prime Minister has ever been.

 

How was the Kashmir policy of the first Prime Minister of free India?

Jawaharlal Nehru was a Kashmiri and felt for Kashmir. Had Pakistan not sent their irregulars to Kashmir, Kashmir’s fate would have been entirely different. The raid provided an opportunity for India to get into Kashmir. Had raiders not invaded Kashmir, it would have become part of Pakistan. Kashmir was a natural part of Pakistan. Even Sardar Patel said to Jinnah that you take Kashmir and let Hyderabad secede.

 

How good was the relationship of the Prime Minister of Jammu Kashmir, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah with the Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru?

Sheikh was against the Maharaja and led a movement against Maharaja. Nehru supported everyone who had been against their rulers in the princely states. Sheikh was secular and a democrat and had a grip on his people.

 

For most of the time since the independence of India, it has been ruled by the Congress. How have they handled Kashmir?

After the partition, Congress under Nehru’s leadership was keen to get Kashmir issue resolved. But with the coming up of Jan Sangh, a force with all Hindutva backing, it became difficult for Congress to do anything or move forward on Kashmir.

 

And how did Nehru’s daughter deal with Kashmir?

Indira’s Kashmir policy was shaped through Sheikh Abdullah, who helped her when she was in wilderness. Later, she took him for granted.

 

How do you see the incumbent government in Jammu Kashmir? Will it last?

I think this government will complete its full term. Both the parties want to be in power. The only problem in this coalition is that there is a permanent divide between Kashmir and Jammu. The 2014 polls proved that there is a divide between Kashmiri Muslims and Jammu Hindus. This is very dangerous for the secular fabric of India.

 

Is Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to be blamed for entering into this unholy alliance?

It’s a power game. When he entered into an alliance, he said he didn’t want to alienate Jammu by going for an alliance with any other party that would not have representation from Jammu.

 

Why has India failed to integrate Kashmiris in the mainstream? Why has it failed to win the hearts and minds of Kashmiris?

Modi will try to do everything to win Kashmiri to his side. He can go to any extent to win Kashmiris because he has to show and sell to Indian public that he has achieved something in Kashmir. If not integrate at least he can say to Indian public that he has pacified Kashmiris.

 

Have the successive governments in Jammu Kashmir choked the alternative political space?

The political space was always choked in Kashmir. Apart from 1977 elections, New Delhi used to handpick the chief minister for this State.

 

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik says that he gave up armed movement at your insistence after you promised him that New Delhi would resolve f Kashmir issue if they adopted peaceful means. Is that correct?

In 1993, the IB men told me that Yasin Malik had expressed his desire of meeting me when he was being treated at a hospital in Delhi after his arrest. I agreed to the proposition and went to meet Malik at the hospital. There he told me why we didn’t take note of the Amnesty International’s report on human rights violations. I responded saying, ‘If you can trust white men, why not us?’ To this Malik responded saying he had all the trust in me.

 

After you convinced him to lay down arms, 600 JKLF men who had given up arms were killed by Army and paramilitary forces. Isn’t the blood of those 600 men on your hands?

I don’t have their blood on my hands. New Delhi and Indian security forces do. I regret New Delhi did not abide by the ceasefire and am sorry to Yasin Malik for that.

 

Many solutions have been floated for resolving Kashmir. What in your view can be the best possible solution?

I think both parts of Kashmir should merge and have a common mechanism for everything from politics to economy. Pakistan should take care of defense and foreign affairs of its part of Kashmir and India of this part. Both parts of Kashmir should come have a common mechanism for government for everything else. There should be better people-to-people contact.

News Kashmir Exclusive

 

Drinking Water problems are aggravating in Kashmir with every passing day. Bearing the  fact in mind that only ~1% of the world’s fresh water is accessible for direct human uses  in entire world the sane voices  thus calls for judicious  use of water in Kashmir and throughout world .This is the water found in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and those underground sources that are shallow enough to be tapped at an affordable cost.

Once rich in drinking and fresh water sources Kashmir is  now facing multiple problems on this front. Rural areas, areas of Srinagar City and far-flung areas in Kashmir since past few months especially after floods last year are facing acute shortage of drinking water. According to officials there are 1800  Water Supply Schemes WSSs in the Kashmir valley for providing drinking water to consumers. However, during the September last year devastating flood, 1,300 schemes were affected, majority of them badly and after few months  due to rain  250 schemes were affected due to mud and landslides.

Pertinently, areas like Batmaloo,Iddgah, Rawalpora have been facing worse problems with reference to drinking water.  In central Kashmir, even as construction of number  of  water supply schemes were inaugurated  in the Chadoora division years ago, the delay in their completion and subsequent commissioning has worsened the scarcity of drinking water in the area compelling people to head to filthy streams and water bodies.

Failure of water supply schemes, devastation  of fresh water sources like lakes, rivers , streams are said to be some off the main reason behind water woes of Kashmir. Summers are here and the urban centres in Kashmir  are already complaining about water shortage not to mention many villages which lack safe drinking water.

 

To mitigate the drinking water problems faced by people  experts call on tapping  Groundwater as it  is a very imperative source of water for the people worldwide.Hence the  expert voices  urge upon the concerned stakeholders to tap groundwater resources to save kashmir from water crisis. According to the statistics, listed on the website of the Central ground water board, J&K has 2.70 BCM(Billion Cubic Meters). And the net Annual Ground Water Availability is 2.43 BCM. So  many state that need of the hour is Government and other stake holders to tap this vital groundwater potential. The largest use for groundwater is to irrigate crops . It is important for all of us to learn to protect our groundwater because of its importance as a source of water for drinking and irrigation.

 

 

 

 

Manzoor Ahmad , a student said, “ Recently we earned via Public Health Engineering (PHE) officials that two we known Water Supply Schemes (WSS)—Rangil and Alisteang—in the central Kashmir’s Ganderbal got affected due to breach and mudslides triggered by heavy downpour and this badly affected the drinking water supply. We need to have effective mechanism to safeguard our drinking water schemes and solve drinking water   problems .Water is life. At a time when the whole world is witnessing water crisis its adverse impacts are now visible in this part of the world as well .We  thus need to tap  Groundwater as it  is used for drinking  by more than 50 percent of the people in the globe, including almost everyone who lives in rural areas. Only this amount is regularly renewed by rain and snowfall, and is therefore available on a sustainable basis. We need to save our fresh water sources like lakes, streams, ponds from destruction.”

General consensus on ground is that a swift, visionary road map can only minimize  the water woes of Kashmir and save the scenario from getting worse .

 

News Kashmir Exclusive

Eid-al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr, Eid ul-Fitr, Id-Ul-Fitr, Eid) which is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. This festival  marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer. Many Muslims attend collective prayers, listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity ) during Eid al-Fitr. Throughout Muslim world this festival is marked by great celebrations.

As we are marking the festival of Eid-al-Fitr the buzz word is that remembering orphans should be the primary concern for all of us especially in Kashmir wherein past two decades turmoil and violence has created large number  of orphans.

A few years back, according to a  survey conducted by the sociology department of Kashmir University along with Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Foundation Kashmir  an approximate number of 2.14 lakh orphans and 32,000 widows are there in Kashmir due to the two decades of turmoil which aptly shows the gravity of the problem.

Voices of Conscience are calling on masses to remember the orphans on the eve of Eid -al- Fitr .

 

Ajaz Ahmad War, a Journalist states – “ Eid is a time of happiness in which everybody has a reason to smile, celebrate  and sharing the joy with family, relatives and friends. However, orphaned children feel the pain of not having parents whenever any religious festivity such as Eid is around. We need to remember our orphans on Eid by helping them. It is important to mention Child labour in Jammu and Kashmir has augmented rapidly in recent years as the number of orphans has increased on account of conflict and violence. In spite of anti-child labour laws two lacs 40 thousand children are working as labourers in Jammu & Kashmir. Many children have been orphaned in the conflict which resulted in the tremendous  increase of Child labour in the valley. Let us all pledge to remember orphan children of our state on the auspicious occasions of the Eid by helping them in every manner .”

 

Pertinently, unofficial estimates, there’re about 300,000 child labourers in the state with 70% of the teenagers belonging to the Valley and most of them orphaned in the conflict.

Masses and expert voices also state that in view of the disappointing role played by Ngos the onus is on more common people of Kashmir to render a helping hand to orphans as number Ngos rose up in the name of rendering helping hand to thousands of orphan Children of the Kashmir but the work performed by them is unimpressive.

On the otherhand, not paying Zakat or donations by many affluent people in our part of the world has aggravated the problems of orphans. In this regard, Eminent Islamic scholar, Prof Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi recently urged Muslims of Kashmir to pay their Zakat to fulfill the needs of sustenance, education, healthcare and rehabilitation of orphans and widows.

Rafiabadi was speaking at a seminar titled ‘Plight of Orphans and Widows- Our Responsibilities’ organized as part of mass awareness campaign by J&K Yateem Foundation at degree college Shopian.

The scholar called for taking concrete measures to rehabilitate thousands of orphans, widows and destitute through well structured rehabilitation mechanism. He said through education the orphan children could be empowered while creating livelihood and employment opportunities for them to become self sufficient.

 

Syed Tajamul Imran, a student states –  “Despite scores of NGOs coming up in past twenty years in name of helping orphans in Kashmir  but on ground  zero orphans are suffering. Many of them are almost left on their own, becoming bread earners of a family at a very minor age and thus they suffer . While the response of the civil society in Jammu and Kashmir is dismal it is thus our prime responsibility as humans with humane heart to remember our orphans on eve of Eid and render them helping hand . Providing orphans and vulnerable children with a primary and secondary education, nutrition and medical care should be priority . On larger level,  With more than 140 million orphans around the world, the need is great .”

On Eid, Spare a thought for Orphans of Kashmir is the dominant thought in the festive environment of Kashmir.

BY Junaid Nazir  

Let us know…..As we all are aware of everyday motor accidents happens across the valley ,Some vehicles falls in gorge and some vehicles turtle upside down .Why this happens ? Is there lack of driving ethics, lack of driving etiquettes or is there something wrong happening  on grass root level. We cannot stop traffic collisions to happen but we can prevent to some extent.

Its grave concern and we should ponder on it because we lose those lives that are precious for someone. In my opinion you may or may not agree, this  is turmoil.

These rapid incidents happens due to lack of various Technical failure

Driving Test: we have since decades same procedure for driving test, to pass through the vehicle from Iron poles to & fro. The drawback of this procedure is that testing authority never observes how much “Reaction and perception time” applicant had. The driving on road needs: Anticipation, judgment and road positioning according to other road users. Driving at inter sections needs: Negotiation with zone of vision, check Mirror signal and maneuver (MSM), Position speed and look (PSL). These aspects never judged by Driving test inspector. The current driving testing system in our state never gives best driver to society whether commercial or private.

Fitness certificates of Transport vehicle: According to motor vehicle act section 56 to certify the vehicle through Board Of inspection from Motor vehicle department to conforming the roadworthiness of vehicle after given interval of time by authorities. This is most important part for inspection and testing of in use commercial vehicles .This inspection is based on rather visual and road tested. The equation of vehicles and the testing officer is in reality unbelievable and unfair.

Road design and elevations: We don’t have specific traffic roads as per standard , motor roads should be elevated to large extent that vehicle at permitted speed can negotiate the curves and turns of the road. The road should have traffic signs spotted at proper place like where apprehension of accidents is high. Various mishaps happened on road, is just due to the condition of road. But as accidents are not scientifically analysed, the role of road is always ignored .Road may not be direct cause. But indirectly it compels the driver to behave abruptly considering the situation on road. Pot holes, cuts on shoulders, uneven pavement, and uneven surface compels driver to act differently and its result in accident. In our state roads are divided in to national highway, major district roads, village roads, street and other kinds of roads. Each of these type has to  be properly defined . The minimum width of each category has to be specified. Last but not the least, Punishment for non functioning of the duty has to be specifically mentioned. Which will definitely make the roads good for smooth Transport .

Driver: The steering man is totally responsible to control the vehicle at driving time. If he lacks judgment time he can’t prevent accident .If he lacks perception time and reaction time the accident is possible .If he tailgates or can’t maintain cushion space he is not best driver. The most responsible factor for accident is supposed to be a vehicle driver. As accident is dealt under law. It is treated as crime .Before allowing person to drive a vehicle his social, economical, educational, mental ,psychological conditions of has to be checked and considered. In addition to this impact of vehicle and time, fast music on drivers and societies attitude towards driver also cannot be ignored

Motor cycle and scooter Riders: The number of motor-cycle and scooters on the streets in towns and cities is increasing enormously in the past years. The rider of motor cycle or scooter is very much vulnerable to accidents because he is totally unprotected. A study in Delhi (source internet) has estimated that the chances of fatality is fourteen times as great for motor cycle and scooter riders as for car drivers. Another cause for concern is that the two-wheeler accident victims generally succumb to head injuries. This points to be the usefulness of crash helmets for these riders.

Now what is lacking from administrative side to cause accidents

           Motor Vehicles Department: As per section 213 of motor vehicles Act every state government has       to establish a motor vehicles department. And the Qualification of the officer has been well defined under the notification and rules of the said act. These provisions have been introduced to achieve proper road safety, because the job itself is a technical job and needs expertise and professional attitude. The reality is far away from the dream expectations. The motor vehicles department is one of the most neglected department in every state government .The attitude of state government is to generate more and more revenue through motor vehicles department. Thus department has become a revenue generating machine. But unfortunately it is at the cost of road safety and social safety.

Many times unqualified and unskilled officers from non-technical departments are deputed to motor vehicles department .In addition to this proper manpower and proper infrastructure are never provided by state government. It has become a honeymoon heaven for all the state civil services officers in many states. In addition number of activities is shouldered by other department which has no skill and proper time and knowledge to perform the duties. It has thus  made chaos on roads

Motor vehicles Act: It is basic tool for road safety. But this most active law of land is neglected by government as well as by society.  The reason behind this negligence is motor vehicle act is central act and is implemented by state government. Thus no government is serious about this law or in short this is nobody’s baby. Further this law is called minor act .Violation of the provisions are non cognizable at number of times. It has hampered the social status of law.

There are so many deficiencies in our state related to transport. We can’t pinpoint at all .so request to everyone kindly follow the rules and regulation to safe guard our generation

 

Junaid Nazir  is a Road Safety Expert

                                                                                                                                              

 

News Kashmir Exclusive

 

Domestic violence (also domestic abuse, spousal abuse, intimate partner violence, battering or family violence) is a pattern of behavior which involves violence or other abuse by one person in a domestic context against another, such as in marriage. Intimate partner violence is violence by a spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner. Globally, a wife or female partner is more commonly the victim of acts of domestic violence

Domestic Violence against women has been continuously rising in Kashmir and raising its monstrous head again and again. As a matter of great misfortune, we are living in such a society today in Kashmir  where women are finding it extremely difficult  to oppose any act of violence, Subjugation and misbehavior with her. She might be educated or may be living in a village the state of affairs is the same.

The traditional patriarchal system puts women at the lowest ebb of the community, whatever be the ins and outs of the society thus acts like Domestic violence have continued unabated.

Tragic Stories Related to Domestic Violence

The facts and stories emanating about domestic violence in Kashmir are heart wrenching and startling . Just at the start of this month victim of domestic abuse Manzeela died at a local hospital. Manzeela was allegedly set ablaze by her husband who according to their neighbors would beat her ruthlessly. Another tragic story in recent days was Maroofa, who hailed from south Kashmir was admitted at a local hospital after she was allegedly set ablaze by her in laws. After battling for life for several days she died on May 15.

The ugly and gruesome incidents of domestic violence did not stop here only . A couple of weeks back one more woman from Shopian area in south Kashmir lost her life after she had set herself ablaze to escape the domestic violence at the hands of her husband.

What Does  activists think?

Nazima Parray, a writer and social activist states –“Every year J&K receives 1600 to 1700 cases related to domestic violence. While most of the cases remain unreported because of social stigma associated. 40% women are the victims of domestic violence in Kashmir.  To stop this menace society at large and every individual at small has to play a vital role. Religious knowledge should be taught at primary level to every individual especially to our males. They should know the teaching of our beloved Prophet (SAW) and moreover they should know the rights and values of women especially of their wives. In laws and other family members have to act wisely in order to solve the misunderstandings between the husband and wife.  Educational exposure is mandatory for both the families involved in this process. Moreover this relation is very sensitive and demands time, nourishment and respect to each other opinion.”

Politician Reaction

Not many politicians in our part of the world talk on domestic violence thus no headway is made on this burning issue and most of the time our politicians are not sensitive towards the serious issues like Domestic Violence. Although in a step in right direction recently ,Prominent Pro Freedom Leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had expressed serious concern over the  domestic violence incidents.“The recent cases where women were burnt alive and the death of a woman in domestic violence should be eye openers,” he had said.

Are we protesting ?

Not Enough protests and Sit ins have been witnessed with reference to burning issue of Domestic violence but the trend seems changing as few days back  in order to show concern and to protest the growing cases of domestic violence in the valley during past few weeks, a sit-in protest was held jointly by ‘Ehsaas’ and Rising Kashmir Foundation.
Pertinently, Civil society members, journalists and research scholars participated in the sit-in which was held at Pratap Park here. The members who participated include Dr Altaf Hussain, Nirja Matoo, Bashir Ahmad Dar, Shakeel Qalander, Ghazala Amin, Shazia Bakshi, Peerzada Ashiq, Inam-ul-Haq, Shameema Firdous and Muslem Jan.
The aim of sit-in was to sensitize the Society about the growing menace of domestic violence and to send a message to government also to act strictly against such acts.

Statistics

In past few months, even the Urban Police Stations have registered hundreds of cases of domestic violence showing the grim nature of the issue. Data compiled by the Jammu & Kashmir Police Crime Branch reveals that in the past two years, it has registered over 4,000 cases of crimes against women

 

 

Expert Opinion

Mushtaq Ul-Haq Ahmad Sikander, a Gender Justice Activist states – “The topic of Domestic violence is quiet dynamic in nature  .In earlier times in our part of the world and most of the other regions, men were the main earning members while women attended to household chores. This skewed economic relationship was responsible for men becoming head of the family. A wife would tolerate domestic violence and high handedness of her husband only because she would be become economically destitute or become a ‘burden’ on her parents, if she was divorced. Today, more women are educated and economically independent. They are expressing their own views and in certain cases opposing the decisions of the male head of the family. Women can no longer be driven like cattle; hence they are termed rebellious and responsible for breaking up the family. Women must sacrifice; kill their dignity and ego to save the family, as if men are not part of a family. For patriarchal Muslims women must undertake every obligation, duty and hardship but men should enjoy every right and authority.”

 

Mushtaq Adds- “On the otherhand, In our part of the world, The Dowry Deaths, Female Feticide, Domestic Violence, Rapes and Crimes against women are increasing with each passing day though we may never fail to boast that we have achieved cent percent literacy rate and more schools and colleges are being opened every day, plus the girls rolls is also increasing. So what are the reasons for this apathy? To understand the reasons a few concepts need to be delineated

The difference between education and literacy must be understood!!

The literacy that is imparted in our schools and colleges, is job oriented, where the destined goal is to secure a good job with immense perks and privileges. Hence the whole concentration of students is to secure more and more marks in a cut throat competition, and it is achieved by cramming and rote learning scores of books with a little understanding.

This superficial learning fails to transform the character of an individual; add to it the dearth of focus on moral ethics, pluralism, tolerance and lofty humane ideals; a student rarely gets transformed from a beast to a human leave aside an angel through education, which is its real aim. Hence education fails in its real purpose!!”

 

 

Way Ahead

As the number of silent sufferers of  Domestic violence goes up, it becomes increasingly difficult to track the problem. Strengthening  the Women Commission, increasing awareness in women to resist the menace of domestic violence are the some steps to be taken immediately to wipe out the menace of domestic violence.

The authorities need to act soon and book all the culprits responsible for the heinous crimes like Domestic violence.

News Kashmir Exclusive

The menace of VIP culture is a rampant phenomenon in our part of the world, it is a menacing  practice wherein some chosen few  people are given special treatment in any realm of life and others are mistreated at their cost.

As a matter of fact, the VIP culture reflects itself basically in two forms. It can be in the shape of the enjoyment of special perks and privileges by selected few . Every day we come across examples of the powerful and well-connected people in various sectors of life getting special privileges, which are denied to the common man.  Another and, perhaps, a more serious form of the VIP culture is the absence of the rule of law and as a result majority of masses suffer.  The VIP Culture also manifests itself in dangerous misuse of power by those at helm of affairs.

VIP Culture manifests its evil head eery now and then in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Somedays back, a  perfect misuse of this VIP Culture was seen when a prominent Journalist was thrashed allegedly by the guards of Senior Minister. The journalist, Javed Malik, who works for Greater Kashmir newspaper stated that he was thrashed after he objected to the guards passing lewd remarks on his wife. He accused Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura of signaling his guards to assault him.

 

 

Masses and sane voices are aghast over this demonic nature of VIP Culture.  Syed Tajamul Imran, a columnist states – “The recent episode of serious nature involving a Senior Journalist being thrashed by the  security Guards of the escort of senior State Minister is a matter of grave concern. It sums up that in VIP Rule of ours the genuine voice and rights of common citizens  would be muzzled by VIPS.  It is ironical that political parties and their leader talks incessantly of the menace of VIP culture especially at a time when they ask for votes and pledged to end it when they are out of power, but after coming into power they became very part of the same culture and impose it more harshly. VIP culture or VIP Raj is a cancer that makes the entire fabric of the society defunct and if we really envisage to see a prosperous future ahead the VIP Culture has to be ended.”

With the anger and resentment growing against profuse VIP Culture especially in the wake of this recent violence against Journalist , the media fraternity took to the streets against VIP Culture menace. Journalists working for various media houses held protest near the Press Enclave here after Javaid Malik, who works with Greater Kashmir daily, was beaten by some guards of the Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone.

Media persons who were part of protests were holding placards that read “Solidarity with Javaid Malik”, “End VIP culture” “Suspend cops involved in assault”.

Pertinently,  Journalists were supported by independent MLA from Langate, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, members of a trade organization Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Municipal Contractors Union, J&K Contractors Central Coordination Committee, Doctors Association Kashmir led by Dr GM Mir and some separatist groups.

 

On the otherside the cavalcade following ministers, bureaucrats and other higher officials often creates chaos and commotion on our roads as they prioritize it they have to get through by hook or crook and give damn to the prescribed rules and regulations. Experts and sane voices have from time to time rightly observed that luxurious life style of ministers,  bureaucrats  and legislators has emptied treasuries in economically poor Jammu and Kashmir State  due to which a common man in JK is facing the brunt at present and this VIP Culture has worsened the Financial Crunch in our state.

While in other parts,  there are lot of movements by public going on the need to arrest the ‘laal batti’ [red beacon] culture in public governance unfortunately in the Valley of Kashmir in the name of security VIP Culture has been promoted lavishly. Another worrying facet of VIP Culture in Kashmir is that not keeping time seems to be part of our VIP culture. The more important a VIP the more late he arrives for the occasion.

VIP Culture end is deemed by majority the first major step towards ensuring an impartial and efficient system in Jammu & Kashmir state.

 

Rameez Makhdoomi

 

School as institution of Knowledge is considered an extremely important facet of any society for a huge number of positive reasons. . As almost every person has been to school up until at least a certain point of his or her life. School as a transmitter of education, wisdom and knowledge is a soul of every educated and civillised nation.

But here in Kashmir we seem to be not worried about the status of our decades old schools and let them die without any attention or care.

DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar , Kashmir bears proof to this reality as it has recently been totally made non-functional with recently last remaining some seven students given Discharge certificates and the remaining 12 to 13  teachers have even not  been paid their meager salaries since past 34 months.
Pertinently, DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar, Kashmir has enjoyed a rich legacy which was once one of the major and top rated educational institutes in Kashmir and was run on the name of Swami Deanna Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj – a great social reformer and visionary who revolutionized the Hindu Samaj and launched a successful campaign  against the social evils prevalent in the society including Sati and fought for remarriage of widows.
It is worth mentioning here that the first of its such  School was founded by Arya Samaj in Kashmir in 1936.The foundation of new School at Jawahar Nagar was laid by ex Principal Pt Radha Krishan Ganjoo and other leading educationists of that time in 1971. These schools were once the leading educational institutions of Kashmir in terms of academic excellence and merits.
According to school authorities, the first seeds of chaos and confusion in the functioning of the DA School , Jawahar Nagar were sown in 1984 when  Punjabi and Kashmiri Pundits trustees managing the schools developed rift and the battle was taken over to courts and it gave rise to unending legal battles between two parties and thus functioning of the school began to take a adverse  hit.

Turmoil of 1990s took its own heavy toll on the functioning of this school as the Pandit exodus had also its own  negative consequences  on the functioning  of DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar. Despite all odds  the local kashmiri teachers out of their exemplary work and dedication kept the school abuzz and in functioning  .Amidst all this the trustees continued their legal battle and at one stage teachers were not paid for years together their salaries as a result according to teachers of school once via court direction a fixed deposit of school earnings was broken to pay teachers their salaries.
Importantly, according to teachers of DAV School Jawahar Nagar out of the three schools of the DAV Chain   one was sold to a corporate house at price of crores and teachers were kept unaware about sale at that time as the trustees joined hands for money. While the other school is also nonfunctional.

Recently, few months back  the historical  DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar was also closed  by Ganjoo family trust managing the school citing financial problems and lack of government support.
According to teachers of  the now defunct school greed, selfish nature of Ganjoo Family Trust, Mutual rivalries between trustees coupled with government carelessness and indifference have lead to death of historical DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar.

Teaches who have given decades of services to this once renowned school are feeling disheartened.  Teachers like Masooda and Shahida who have served in school for over 30 years, for them  the nonpayment of salaries since 34 months and virtual death of DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar implies both financial and emotional trauma.
According to school teachers and other authorities of school, despite DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar  once being the prominent school of Kashmir and also known for many decades in promoting academic excellence and producing noted personalities like Doctor Sameer Kaul, Ali Mohmmmad Sagar and scores of officers has been left to die without any attention.
Shagfuta Haqani, Principal DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar speaking to News Kashmir states – “ It pains me and all concerned voices to see DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, a prominent learning center dying on account of  the selfish nature of trust managing DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar and no thoughtful attitude shown by the governments from time to time . We on war foot basis demand from policymakers and authorities  and above all the government of time to save this great school from being sold to corporate houses. We have not been paid salaries since 34 months adding to our miseries . We should not let this great institution die like this .We have lot of hopes atleast from the New Government to take much needed steps to save the DAV School from destruction.”

Death of DAV School, Jawahar Nagar Srinagar , Kashmir is a matter of grave concern for all to ponder in a serious way.