News Kashmir Magazine

 

Ever since he has assumed the Charge of State Governor Satyapal Malik is known for doing the hard talk without fear on number of burning issues . Being sharp and clear in his talks and thoughts has earned Governor Satyapal Malik tryst with controversies and praises .

In a latest , Governor Satya Pal Malik  stated that there is no mention at the national-level about “good things” happening in Jammu and Kashmir, governor . He said  this on Wednesday, and asserted that the state is being “demonised at the national-level”.

Addressing a press conference at the winter capital ,Satyapal  Malik said: “The Jammu and Kashmir state has been demonised at the national level. Even a small incident (in the state) is blown out of proportions and not projected as it should be. The state is shown as a bad place

The points articulated by the Governor are in touch with the ground realities as it has been a reality without doubt that good things from Jammu and Kashmir hardly make it to the headlines of national media and it is only the unfortunate killings and bloodshed that is in news often.

While making further strong points , Governor Satyapal Malik stated :  “I have been the governor of Bihar and I was born and brought up in Uttar Pradesh. I have observed and seen that Jammu and Kashmir is a much better place than these places in a lot of ways. That is why it is our responsibility to spread truth,” he said.

The governor said the urban local body and panchayat elections took place “peacefully and successfully” in Jammu and Kashmir. Certainly Governor Satyapal Malik is striking the right chord.

In a barbaric episode depicting height of crimes and moral degradation in the once revered valley of Kashmir, it is learnt that a mentally-challenged woman delivered a stillborn baby on November 20 after she was gang raped by two men near the respected Makhdoom Sahib shrine in Srinagar. A Kashmir-based social activist has put up a social media post of how the woman was forced to pull out the foetus all by herself and said she has now been taken to the hospital. We cannot brush aside the fact that Moral degradation has also adversely hit the valley of kashmir over the past few years. Growing drug addiction, vulgarity, loss of respect for elders are some of the evident realities that  we are also witnessing in once virtuous kashmiri society . All this is impacting the overall moral and intellectual  growth as a society.

 

 

.As a matter of truth, moral degradation is worse than a complex and serious disease with overwhelming long term consequences.  It refers to the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of morality and is seen as preceding or concomitant with the decline in quality of life as well as the decline of societies and nations.  it has destroyed individuals, families, dynasties and nations alike from within.  it starts slowly with seemingly harmless choices by some individuals but then it spreads like an epidemic affecting the society at large.

We need to wake up against rising heinous crimes in Kashmir. The ground pulse is that  we are  not far away when Kashmiris and human of other societies   would lose their identity. These vices cannot  be curbed by an individual effort but need a joint effort of our social, political and above all efforts of the religious leaders.

As the valley of Kashmir is simmering with almost daily killings  in an unprecedented wave of surge in militancy  the India- Pakistan relations are on everyday basis  hitting rock bottom thus making possibility of peace a remote possibility .All this is mostly having adverse impact on Kashmir scenario.

India recently rejected Pakistan’s proposal for  talks on Kashmir and asserted that it would like to discuss aspects related to cross-border terrorism which are central to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Over past some time, India has  expressed his willingness to talk  to Islamabad but maintained Pakistan has no locus standi in addressing any aspect of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir+ , which is an internal matter of India, except to put an end to cross-border terrorism  and infiltration.

 

Indias central point has been that Since aspects related to cross-border terrorism  are central to the current situation in J&K, we have proposed that discussions between the two countries  be focused on them.

While as Pakistan maintains that resolution of Kashmir dispute is key to peace, and has maintained that it will lend all moral, diplomatic and political support to the cause and struggle of Kashmir.

In nutshell, India-Pakistan cold relations can are not only hurting  peace and prosperity of entire region and make Kashmir a hotbed of bloodshed .

Alarmingly enough, 9.4 million deaths each year, or 16.5% of all deaths can be attributed to  heart problems. If you are a shift worker, donating blood could be an easy way to reduce the risk of heart disease, says a study. The high incidence of heart disease seen in shift workers could be due to the tiredness resulting from the disruption to the body’s biological clock as jetlag has a severe effect on red blood cells.These effects can be counterbalanced by fresh, young red blood cells – making blood donations a potential therapy for shift workers, the findings showed.

Heart disease has an ugly face more die of heart disease than of AIDS and all cancers combined.

Worryingly, By 2020, heart disease will be the leading cause of death throughout the world.

“Blood donations in humans also stimulate the generation of new fresh erythrocytes. Therefore, blood donations on a regular basis might be a very simple measure to help decrease the cardiovascular risk in human shift workers,” said Margit Egg from University of Innsbruck in Austria.

 

The scientists worked on zebrafish (Danio rerio), a model organism which, like humans, is active during the day. The fish were subjected to alternate short (seven hour) and long (21 hour) days, resembling shift patterns common in industry

 

 

It was found that “jet-lagged” animals showed higher numbers of aged red blood cells, which accumulated in the blood vessels. “Normally there is a balance between newly produced red blood cells and old ones which are removed from the blood,” Egg noted. Old cells are less flexible and become stuck in the spleen and liver, where they are engulfed by white blood cells. Jetlag appears to disrupt this removal process. . Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States, claiming approximately 1 million lives annually. So we should donate blood to save our heart.

We need to ensure proper diet and proper mechanisms to save human hearts from havoc.

In dramatic turn of events few days back, SPO, Adil Bashir, ran away with seven rifles and a pistol from the official residence of a PDP MLA , Aijaz Mir, from Jawahar Nagar area. This episode has created ripples in the security apparatus and goes on to prove how grave the nature of the overall situation in Kashmir is.

It has had its own repercussions. “Henceforth no unit/district SSP shall deploy any SPO for personal security officer (PSO) duties,” the order, issued by additional director general of police (ADGP) Munir Khan, said. Besides, Range DIGs have been asked to furnish list of all SPOs to the headquarters by October 5. “In case any SPO does not report back, honorarium may not be released and nominal roll of such SPOs be furnished to this headquarters so that their disengagement orders are issued,” reads the order,

On the otherhand, Khan said there were two reasons behind the move: to prevent accidental fire by these SPOs as they are not trained to shoot and to prevent any untoward incident like the one that occurred at Jawhar Nagar. On their part, the police have constituted a Special Investigation Team with superintendent of police South Srinagar as its head to investigate Jawahar Nagar case.

The SIT will investigate how the plan to loot weapons from the official residence of a legislator in Srinagar was executed by Adil Bashir, a resident of Zainapora Shopian, who has since joined Hizbul Mujahideen. Without a doubt the Arm loot at Jawahar Nagar by SPO proves the gravity of the situation .

Encouraging women entrepreneurs is the need of the hour in current times and same is being felt in India as women related issues have dominated the limelight in Indian discourse of late. Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, (PMEGP), aimed at generating employment in rural and urban areas of the country, has helped women entrepreneurs set up 30,437 projects during 2016-17 and 2017-18 with financial assistance of over Rs. 85,305 lakh.  Pertinently, This was stated by the Minister of State (I/C) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) Giriraj Singh in a written reply in theLok Sabha today. Women entrepreneurs from the micro, small and medium sectors from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Odisha and Gujarat have been beneficiaries of the PMEGP. Under the scheme, the women entrepreneurs are provided 25% and 35% subsidies for the project set up in urban and rural areas respectively. For women beneficiaries, their contribution is 5% of the project cost while for general category it is 10%.The maximum cost of the project under PMEGP scheme is Rs.25.00 lakh for manufacturing sector units and Rs.10.00 lakh for units under service sector.

All round steps are needed and some are taken to encourage women in business.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission(KVIC) is also imparting training for skill development through 38 departmental and non-departmental training centresunder various disciplines.  During 2017-18, a total of 35955 women candidates were trained. The Minister further informed that the entrepreneurs, including women entrepreneurs, can sell their products through 8058 sales outlets run by Khadi Institutions including 7 departmental outlets of KVIC located at Mumbai, Kolkata, Ernakulum, Bhopal, Goa, Patna and Delhi.

Giriraj Singh said that under domestic fairs and exhibition component of Marketing Assistance and Technology Upgradation (MATU) scheme, 100% of the space rent is paid for SC/ST/Women/ NER/PH category MSE units limited to Rs.20,000. In the case of technology trade fairs and exhibitions the limit is Rs.50,000. Under international trade fairs and exhibitionscomponent of MATU scheme, 100% of the space rent is paid for SC/ST/Women/NER MSE units subject to maximum Rs.1.00 lakh.

The word Karbala is not just a name of place or any simple concept  but a concept that fills our heart, mind with million emotions and eyes with billion tears , The martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) in the Karbala has inspired entire humanity and world renowned  thinkers and leaders have taken this tragedy as an inspiration in their respective struggles of justice. The tragedy of Karbala took place some 49 years after the death of Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] in 61 Hijri (AD 680). Karbala and unprecedented heroic battle of Imam Hussain as finds no parallel in history and has inspired one and all. James Corne (Author of History of China) wrote –

“Hussain and his companions faced eight kinds of enemies. On the four sides the army of Yezid was their enemy which was ceaselessly raining arrows; the fifth foe was the sun of Arabia that was scorching the bodies; the sixth foe was the desert of Karbala the sands of which were scorching like a heated furnace; the seventh and eighth foes were the overpowering hunger and the unbearable thirst. Thus on those who fought with thousands of infidels in such conditions has ended bravado; on such a people no gallant (hero) can ever have pre-eminence.

 

 

African noted peace icon and leader Nelson Mandela wrote –“ I(Nelson Mandela) has spent more than 20 years in prison, then on one night I decided to surrender by signing all the terms and conditions of government. BUT suddenly I thought about Imam Hussain and Karbala movement and Imam Hussain give me strength to stand for right of freedom and liberation and I did.”

Battle of Karbala has inspired one and all.

 

Wular India’s largest fresh water lake is not just pride of Kashmir but entire India and it is located in North Kashmir’s Bandipore district in the Indian  state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia and one of the most awesome  lake of world . As a matter of fact, The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River. The lake’s size varies from 12 to 100 square miles (30 to 260 square kilometers), depending on the season.

Wular Lake is an important fish habitat, the main species being the Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), rosy barb (Barbus conchonius), mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), Nemacheilus species, Crossocheilus latius, and various snowtrout [disambiguation needed] species in the genera Schizopyge and Schizothorax.

It is worth pointing out that Fish from Wular Lake make up a vital part  of the diet for innumerable  living on its shores and elsewhere in the Kashmir valley. It is also source of livelihood for thousands of families .

In recognition of its biological, hydrological and socio-economic values, the lake was included in 1986 as a Wetland of National Importance under the Wetlands Programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India for intensive conservation and management purposes.

However it continuously  faces environmental threats including the conversion of large parts of the lake’s catchment areas into agriculture land, pollution from fertilizers and animal wastes, hunting of waterfowl and migratory birds and weed infestation in the lake itself.

 

But the lake is facing dire threats from human greed and indifferent attitude of authorties. The pollution from fertilizers and animals as well as human wastes, the conversion of vast catchment into agriculture land and the hunting pressure on waterfowl and migratory birds are the biggest problems in the region.

According to experts, the current unattended bleak situation of Wular Lake can have catastrophic impacts on the overall natural beauty paradigm of Kashmir as the lake forms an important part of diverse beauty of Kashmir. Experienced voices state that if current situation continues Wular  lake would face great damage and thus all urge upon masses and authorities to save this precious jewel of Kashmir from further havoc.

 

Love or sexual orientation between Men and Men, Women and women have always remained a deeply controversial topic in human history. Homosexuality is not an offence in India and it is not a mental disorder, five Supreme Court judges declared today in a spectacular leap for gay rights in the country and a rainbow moment in its history. The Supreme Court overruled its own 2013 decision and partially struck down Section 377, a controversial British-era law that banned consensual gay sex. The ban is irrational, indefensible and manifestly arbitrary, the judges said. “Take me as I am,” said Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, toasting gay pride. “We have to bid adieu to prejudices and empower all citizens,” said Chief Justice Misra, reading out what he said was a consensus judgment. The judges also said: “Homosexuality not a mental disorder, treat LGBT without stigma.”Section 377, which is part of an 1861 law, bans “carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal” — which was interpreted to refer to homosexual sex..A part of that law still remains; non-consensual or consent obtained by force continues to be an offence, as will “carnal intercourse with children, animals and bestiality”.

The verdict is being cheered by millions across the country, far beyond the gay community, which has fought for decades for the right to be treated equally.The historic judgment acknowledged their struggle as it noted “158 years ago, the law deprived people of love.” The judges said: “Respect for individual choice is the essence of liberty; LGBT community possesses equal rights under the constitution.”

This verdict will have great relief for gays and lesbians living in India.

 

In an interesting development, social media gaint WhatasApp has rejected  Centre’s plea to trace origins of messages spreading rumours, cites privacy policy.The company’s spokesperson said people use the app for all kinds of sensitive conversations, including with their doctors, banks and families.

 

Facebook-owned messaging application WhatsApp on Thursday has indicated that it will not comply with the Indian government’s suggestion to trace the origins of messages that are used to spread false information, PTI reported quoting the company’s spokesperson. The company official cited its policy on end-to-end encryption as a reason for its stance on the matter.

 

The development follows a meeting between Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and WhatsApp Chief Executive Officer Chris Daniels in New Delhi on Tuesday. Prasad had said that they discussed solutions to technological challenges related to the messaging application in India and that he had asked the firm to appoint a grievance officer in India to tackle problems.

 

The company’s official said people use the app for all kinds of sensitive conversations, including with their doctors, banks and families. “Building traceability would undermine end-to-end encryption and the private nature of WhatsApp, creating the potential for serious misuse,” the spokesperson said. “WhatsApp will not weaken the privacy protections we provide. Our focus remains working closer with others in India to educate people about misinformation and help keep people safe.”

This is undoubtedly a far reaching development .