News Kashmir Magazine

Gurez Women Fighting against all odds

Farzana Mumtaz 

Gurez , a picturesque place know for its world class beauty has immense resources. But the distance from urban hub and tough terrain makes its people face many hardships  . But human resource of Gurez especially its women are shinning in all fields .

The Women of Gurez are doing wonderful work among hardships . In the remote areas of Gurez women can be doing all the tough work including cutting of essential wood and moving the cattle herd. On the darker side, though men especially in far flung of areas do very less tough work in Gurez.

  The education lamp is spreading fast in

 Gurez and it’s adjoining Tulail area among women, with women willing to move out to urban hub of Srinagar for higher education.  The fruits of education are now visible on ground with many women officials having roots from Gurez serving in different parts of the Kashmir including Gurez .

The realities despite many challenges look bright for women of Gurez . Government has to take many measures especially increasing  the horizon of  health and education facilities to make Gurez women life more comfortable .

Ghulam Hussain – Brain Behind Unique Brick Lifting Machine 

Mir Sabeen Gulrez 

It’s not that we use Technology, we live technology. 

Quote by Godfrey Reggio. 

We are living in 21st Century and technology has overcome us with its new advancements. This has proven right by Ghulam Hussain 40, a carpenter by profession  who has done miracle by unique development of a machine which can lift bricks to the second floor of any structure- whether it’s house or shop or anything. Within a limited time period of just fourty five (45) days he developed this unique concept. 

The concept of this machine was in his mind from the day when he thought of the construction of second story of his house. It took him three to four months as the costly expenses of labour was taking his breath away. 

Each day he used to think for this machine and  how to develop this unique idea and surprise the valley by his innovation. 

On one day he took this initiative and developed this unique machine. While charging minimal wages for uplifting of 24,000 bricks in a day. Hussain charges just Rs 240/- per hour. Which is very cheap and affordable by all. 

He developed this unique concept which is working on electricity ,not only electricity option there is another option that we can use generator also as he also has considered those areas which are  affected by electricity. 

While talking to News Kashmir Magazine, Hussain told us that, ” Manual work of labourers where they carry bricks on their shoulders always pained  me while I was a carpenter and usually saw this scenario on daily basis”, 

This idea working on brick lifting  came to  my mind and  I started working on it. It nearly took me three to four months to develop this unique concept. This was a sigh of relief for labourers as well as for the person who has to invest his earning, he added. 

“In a short span of just 45days and with an investment of fifty thousand I was able to develop this unique concept”, Hussain said. 

Hussain said, the machine he developed is just 23 feet which can lift the bricks to the second floor of the house, but side by side he is  going to add it more by 30 feets, so that machine can lift the bricks to the third floor.

Further talking to News Kashmir Magazine Hussain said that, 

Not only I developed this unique concept I also got famous as the people can’t afford the labour cost and come to me from different districts like Srinagar, Budgam amd Pulwama. People used to approach me for this machine and also workflow of this machine has been increased in the markets. 

While suggesting youth he further added that, This machine will help youth  to earn a good source of income on daily basis.Many unemployed youths wanted to earn a good source of income they can come to me as it’s not possible for me to work in every district.

” I am not only earning a good source of income through this machine, but also I am getting a good response from the people after seeing this technology has been introduced in the Kashmir valley. With the advancement of this unique concept  people are also offering the work to me,” Hussain said.

Gurez is symbol of Amazing Hospitality 

Farzana Mumtaz 

Hospitality implies warmth, respect, and even protection; it builds understanding and appreciation among cultures. How much hospitable are people of other areas and cultures plays an important role in image building. The land of unparalleled and mystery beauty Gurez valley in Kashmir  is home to world class hospitality as people here are amazing. 

Gurez is 126 kilometers from Srinagar located in Bandipora district , the Gurez Valley and its adjoining Tulail area some 40 kilometers has some of the best hospitable people who treat guests with great respect and love .

The area does not have much rich people economically but there hearts and warmth surpasses billions . No sooner the guest enters the varieties of dishes of famed Potatoes of Gurez, Fish , meat and maize bread welcome the guests. The salt and Lipton tea are also brimming with taste . The people of Gurez and Tulail treat guest with highest form of respect compassion,  love and affinity .

Munawar Hussain,  an elderly person at Bernayee Tulail stated

” Our hospitality is our identity.  We love to serve guests with varieties of local cuisine and give him or her all the affection. We really love to entertain guests and great hospitality has been Forte of Gurez and Tulail. “

The pulse is that even water of Gurez is people and guest friendly. 

Undoubtedly,  the hospitality of Gurez is beyond words and sentences..

Wooden constructions  still standing tall in Tulail Gurez 

Rameez Makhdoomi

Located at distance of 165 kilometers from Srinagar and 40 kilometers from Gurez , the Tulail Valley in Gurez is one of the remotest area in Jammu and Kashmir region bordering areas under control of  Pakistan. 

The wooden architecture and style of construction is still standing tall all across the Tulail area in Gurez,  the area is known for one of the toughest terrains in Kashmir. 

HEAVY SNOWFALL is among the permanent features of the Tulail area often. The residents believe that considering the natural conditions of the area and also the poor local economy  wood is best suited .

Haji Munawar Hussain,  an elderly voice states that it is the wooden houses that stand firm against the snowfall , and due to good availability of wood locally it the cheap medium of construction  . He adds that wood gives much heat as opposed to the concrete construction.

Tulail despite being a remote and poor area meets the eye catching demand of quality wooden houses. Throughout the world experts opine that 

Wood delivers on innovative design, speed, cost and resource efficiency, health & wellbeing, and offers a low-carbon, environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional building materials.

Traditional wooden houses give especially the old Tulail areas look of wooden villages full of beauty and mystery .

Arif Mir, Paragon of Successful Audio Engineer 
Mir Sabeen Gulrez

Srinagar

In recent years music industry of Kashmir has changed the scenario in Kashmiri Youth whether it’s Rap Music, Folk or Sufiyana . But when we see the quality music it’s not only the voice but the struggle and hard work of the audio engineer which they do while others enjoy just music.Various Kashmiri Artists got fame in the music industry by releasing various number of tracks which give a different sooth of music that give goosebumps.Arif Mir 23 , from North Kashmiri’s Bandipora district has been an audio engineer for a number of songs which were in trend. Started audio engineering  and fixing audio with his own songs when he was just 17.Trending songs like Lolan which became a sensational hit song in youth , Jingle, MBA,One side Up,One side Down and several other songs which were done by him as an audio engineer.You Tube who was his first guide for learning Audio Mixing helped him to make impossible an possible effort. AR Rehman  who is an Indian Film Composer ,record producer, song writer is always considered as an idol by him in this very field .”Since childhood I used listen songs on cassettes and  I developed an ear for sound and if I am a sound Technician is just because of Rehman Sir whom I always considered my Guru”. “Every time I used to hear the music from his production I went deep down in this ocean “.Not only here but the songs on which he has worked  were also released on big cast Zee Music,Azaadi Records and local platforms.Starting his career by famous song “lolan” which not only gave him fame in this industry but a name which took him more hundred steps as an audio engineer and a temporary studio which helped me to work on different tracks. In my studio the first hit record was the Down Town.I got requests to record their music when musicians actually heard the recordings, Arif said.Student of Cluster  University who is doing Bachelor in Computer Application(BCA)  and who already has done his schooling from his home town Hajin and later moved to Srinagar.Not only Audio Engineering Arif has been a Tabla Player and Piano. He never learned the duo .While talking to News Kashmir Magazine Arif said,“It’s my passion and love towards my work that’s keep me going , I wanted to get into music composition ,he explains”.For getting a government job  which is always on priority for a Kashmiri to earn a livelihood ,Arif said,”In Kashmir,people’s first priority is the running after Govrnment Jobs, which is totally insane and no one is willing to identify their creative side and try to make their livelihoods in other ways that too lavishly”.Initially Arif faced resentment which is very common here from the people around but Arif believed on himself that with passion  and hardwork , one can create  a space and earn for his livelihood.“When I first started doing audio engineering , some people told me that I was wasting my time but God had a better plan for me . BY doing this work , I am earning  a handsome amount . And I am pretty hopeful that the more time I devote to it , the more I will learn , he further added.Full support from his family in present is helping him to develop new learning skills to make himself betterwhich will further advance him in his career.He told to News Kashmir Magazine that ,”All I need to do now is invest time in learning new skills . I have worked very hard on these songs . It took me  weeks to complete the projects . At present , I am not facing any issue with my work”.Having high credence that one day his struggles and hardwork will pay off and he will get an opportunity to work with the top music organizations in the country said Arif.”When I started this audio engineering I didn’t know the ABC of this,but I was dedicated towards this thing that I would become a reputed audio engineering who will touch the sky of success In future”.Five specialized roles are their in the realms of audio engineering : Recording Engineering ,Mixing Engineering,Mastering Engineering,Live Sound Engineering and Multimedia Sound Engineering.Every function has a distinct function to play in the music industry , and the path to each career is distinct as well.“Parents spend a huge amount of money on their children’s education and to make them doctors and engineers but there are few people who think beyond these professions ,”he further added. Talking about music Audio engineers play a crucial role . A work in audio engineering impacts each part of the music industry,from capturing live sound to mixing music recordings to managing the technical aspects of audio equipmet.“A music producer’s major duty is to provide artistic direction for a recording session , but an audio engineer’s role is substantially different . Audio Engineering can also be producer’s, but they must first grasp the principles of audio creation, he further told News Kashmir”.While concluding he said,”In every field,people are facing problems,and most of them give up early , which is not good. If people will give everything to their passion , they will get good results sooner or later.

Srinagar traders see rising demand for dates during Ramadan
Mir Sabeen Gulrez 
Srinagar, Apr 29: During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims in the valley devour massive numbers of dates, locally known as “Khezir.” After fasting for the full day, Muslims all over the world break their fast with dates, which is considered a Sunnah (prophetic tradition) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).According to the survey done by News Kashmir Magazine Reporter Mir Sabeen Gulrez, the sale of dates in the first fifteen days of Ramdhan in the business hub of Srinagar’s Maharaja Bazar is 80 kg to 100 kg per day, while it’s more at some other shops as well.This figure varies from market to market as sales increase. If we talk about Koker Bazar in Srinagar, their sales are almost 100-200 Kg per day in the first fifteen days, while this figure decreases in the last fifteen days.Same as if we talk about Zaina Kadal Downtown and the whole sale market, which is a hub for dates and dry fruit, their sales are always at the higher end as compared to the retail markets of Srinagar’s Lal Chowk.

People usually sell 8–10 kgs of dry fruit per day in the first fifteen days, while the same sale decreases in the last fifteen days.

While talking with News Kashmir Magazine, Umar Mehraj, shopkeeper, Haji Mehraj Din Wani and Sons, said that, “If we see in the past three years, the market was hit very badly because of the pandemic, as people were not able to come out of their houses, and this year, Alhamdulillah, we had a very good market for dates, consumption was very good.”

We can see there is a variety of dates available in the market as at least fifteen to twenty-five (15–25) varieties of dates are available in which we have ”Ajwa dates,” “Mabroom,” “Ambar,” “Khalil” and so on. The dates that are exported from Medina are always in demand. Mostly, dates are exported from Tunisia, Palastine, Iran, Algeria and also many other countries. Market sales vary

From market to market. If we talk about Lal Chowk and Maharaj Bazar, they’re a business hub for these kinds of products. That’s why we see a big sale of dates during the initial days of Ramdhan. Now, it’s not only Ramadan that people prefer dates but also  throughout the year.

in a chat, another shopkeeper, Kamran Mushtaq, said that, ”In the holy month of Ramdhan, mostly in the first fifteen (15) days, we usually sell 80kg to 100kg (one quintal) of dates.

We have a variety of dates available in which ”Ajwa Dates, Mabroom, Khalil, Medjol, Kemiya, Barari, National Dates, Sultan, Black Negin, Noor, Crown Dates, Pearl, Liberty, Ambar dates are available.

On priority In the market, Kalmi, Mabroom, and Ajwa Dates are on sale. Customers usually ask for this variety of dates, so they are always in demand. And about price, they are usually sold at the rate of Rs 500/= to Rs 1000/= per kg.
 The Date Market in Kashmir this Ramadan full of positive realities .

Kashmir  revisits rich heritage on World Heritage Day 

Mir Sabeen Gulrez

Srinagar : 

A concerted effort to preserve our heritage is a vital link to our cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, and economic legacies – all of the things that quite literally make us who we are — Steve Berry

To conserve the rich cultural heritage and the historical sites such as monuments, forts and palaces of a country the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums as part of World Heritage Day celebrated the day on 18th April, in order to generate the awareness about preserving the History.

The exhibition whose themes were “Rare Books, Manuscripts and Paintings” which they recovered from different parts of valley were showcased  at  Art Museum Stone Building Old Secretariat Srinagar on “Rare Manuscripts “.

The day is also referred to as International Day for Monuments and Sites.

The idea of International Day for Monuments and Sites was first established by ICOMOS in the year 1982. Later on, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the resolution in its 22nd General Conference in November 1983. Since then, World Heritage Day has been celebrated annually around the world.

The world on this day aims to recognize the efforts of all involved in the reservation,e.g architects,geographers,civil engineers ,artists, and archaeologists, who actually have involved themselves in the protection of Heritage.

Basically it’s celebrated just too aware our young and new generation about our rich cultural diversity that our ancestors have given to us, and the importance of preserving our ancient heritage. Only purpose of celebrating this day is to carry forward the legacy and preserve our culture. 

We should aware our generation by  activities including story telling sessions, visits to monuments and heritage sites , organizing essay  and speech writing competitions, drawing and poster making designs, photography contests of ancient heritage monuments, conducting heritage festivals, telecasting movies with messages of culture and traditions.

The museum has put this year’s theme based on A Special Exhibition on “ Manuscripts, Rare Books and Paintings”.

While talking to Deputy Director Archives , Archaeology and Museum ,Mushtaq Ahmad Beigh told News Kashmir that,”we got  inaugurated Art Museum on 15th August 2021 by our LG Governor Sahab. It’s main aim was to provide information to the people and provide space to local artisans. 

There should be conservation, reservation to Sufi Shrines , Temples , Gurudwaras and Churchs, every sort of religious chains we are considering. This is the routine process of the department for organizing such exhibitions to make the required awareness among the people.

We have conserved Hari Parbat Fort and that’s a wonderful achievement. In Tral there was a temple whose wall was damaged we quickly came into action and reconstructed that again.

We usually appeal to the Heads of Educational Institutions to visit these venues along with their students so that they can be aware of their past how it happened to be. There will be no entry fee for students as well as for the public also. We have a rich cultural heritage and that legacy cannot move forward unless or until our generation is aware.

However, along with the government, there should be public awareness in the way we treat our monuments and important sites. Certain important things should be kept in mind such as cleanliness is of prime importance and one should not scribble anything on the walls of these historical places. Do not throw litters around the historical places and make it untidy. Respect the historical sites. “We have limited ourselves to a more introverted mind-set and therefore our involvement with our towns, cities and heritage is getting lost.

While talking with News Kashmir Muhammad Athar Samoon designated as Surveyor said that,” In a whole year we usually three auspicious days i.e. World Heritage Day, Museum Day, Archives Week. During these celebrations we usually do exhibitions of rare manuscripts ,nadir which is usually Three hundred or four Hundred (300-400)year back. These books are very rare and ain’t are available in local . After Museum Day is celebrated in 18 May in which we usually invite people, schools,colleges,universities so that they can visit there. Then comes our Archives Week which is celebrated in the month of November from 18 Nov- 25 Nov in which whole week is celebrated and many people do visit to our place. We usually invite people just to aware our new generation so that they can be aware what their ancestors have left behind their back. Usually researchers and scholars do visit us and we entertain them to our fullest . We have number of books and records left with us which is beneficial for the society , researchers and scholars. 

Since people are very digital these days they have forgot to visit these places,  whenever children or other young people come here they get usually astonished while watching these things. Our ancestors have written these books with their hands and have left a wonderful treasure behind them. Because for our new generation everything is  computerized they became so curious to listen these stories how people of ancient times used to wrote these books. Yes , there is no doubt digitalization have put a generation gap where our kids forgot how our ancestors have survived.
The department consists two calligraphers namely Ms. Rashida Iffat & Mr. Javaid Ahmad. Who are the most wonderful calligraphists as showing the skills of hand made Calligraphy in very good manner including sharing the stories and history about the ancient Calligraphy of manuscripts including Rare books.

Regarding our manuscripts we have Sharda, Sanskrit ,Bhoj Patra(leaves of a tree,still existing) .We have a survey team which usually surveys each month to different districts or parts of valley. And these survey team consists of Registar,Field Assitant,Surveyor, Research Assistant. Usually these teams consisted of three to four people (3-4) or so. In a month we usually surveys for a week.

Government has a scheme where they pay to people who wanted to preserve books at their home or libraries even. For that team usually goes for surveys and if they found them liable then these survey teams pay them . So, that they can preserve their treasure in form of books.

Its people who guides us that this person has this book ,that saint have that book. Usually we get Rare Manuscripts from saints and madrasa’s.

“I don’t remember whether it was 2016-17 there was a madrasa in which some four big bags were full of manuscripts , we asked them that we are on our survey if you want to sell them you are welcome, if not then we will let you know how to preserve them. We usually ask these people if scholar comes to you, help them in every possible way of yours”,he further added. 

In a chat with News Kashmir Farhat Noori Museum Assistant/ Incharge Art Museum said  that,” we had exhibition  of rare manuscripts in which different manuscripts of different languages were shown to people. But here in Art Museum We have displayed almost number of paintings here in exhibitions in which  Antiques are 53, while as Modern are 50 and the total number of paintings were 103. The  names of paintings which have displayed on exhibitions were Kangra, Pahari, Basoli School Of Art (its very popular ), Rajasthani, Kashmir school of art, and Jammu school of art were present.

The paintings describe different scenario’s, in which artist describes everything. Artists when they look at these paintings get deep and feel as if they went to some other world even after spending hours while gazing they feel like they have lived in their own world, she further added.