News Kashmir Magazine

Extramarital affairs leading to  more divorce in Kashmir valley 

Mir Sabeen Gulrez
Nearly 50 cases of domestic violence  being reported  in every month in Srinagar:Officials 
“Our lord, grant us from among our spouses and offspring comfort in our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.” (Ayat No. 74, Verse 25 of the Quran) 
According to officials, nearly 50 cases of domestic violence are registered in the District Court of Srinagar each month, some of which are old and the majority of which are new while the scenario is getting worse instead of improving, the case of extramarital affairs, which is alarming these days, and  is unfortunately  becoming a trend in future generations and major cause of increasing divorce rate .
Marriage is a pious relationship between a man and his woman and is endorsed by the Holy Scripture as well as by the great teachings of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). But nowadays, marraige is becoming a burden because of some misunderstandings, domestic violence, and most importantly, because of extra-martial affairs, which are very common these days. 
Having an affair after a marriage is becoming a new trend as people find themselves very comfortable with the opposite sex rather than their wives. They begin to chat or gossip with a friend, willingly or unwillingly, and fall into the trap of an affair without disclosing to the other their secret of already being married. 
Having an affair these days is not bad, but when you are already married and share the bond with the next person who is your wife, it becomes the first gap in their relationship. This becomes the first issue to be raised as a man or woman loses interest in their partners as they start spending their precious time with their friends or partners, which should be given to their family. They always remain on their cell phones instead of giving time to their husbands or wives. This leads to heated arguments, which lead to domestic violence most of the time.  
Divorce under Muslim law is classified into several categories, including husband (Talaaq-ul-Sunnat, Talaaq-ul-Biddat, IIa, Zihar), wife (Talaaq-ul-Biddat, IIa, Zihar), and father (Talaaq-ul-Biddat, IIa, Zihar).Divorce by wife (Talaaq-E-Tafaweez), divorce by mutual consent (khula, mubarat), and divorce by judicial decree under the Muslim Dissolution of Marriage Act, 1939 (lian, fask).
As per Section 13 B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and Section 28 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the couple should be living separately for at least one year before divorce proceedings can begin. However, Section 10A of the Divorce Act of 1869 requires the couple to be separated for at least two years.
For couples, healthy mirages are good for their mental and physical health. For children, growing up in a happy home protects them from mental, physical, educational, and social problems. Marriages, which don’t last, can have numerous reasons for their call off.  
In a chat with News Kashmir, Advocate Sana Khan, a J&K High Court lawyer, stated that when handling these cases there  first priority is that the perpetrator be punished. But it is very unfortunate that these cases take  time.She observes “Everyone in the room has something valuable to contribute; we deserve a spot at that Physical Or Metamorphical Table.It is Axiomatic, that there is no smoke without fire. The same is applicable to divorce.The most common “Final Straw”, reasons of divorce are:1.Domestic Violence2. Infedility between Partners .3. Lack Of Intimacy.4. Arrogance/Egoistic Nature.5. Third Party Factor6.Medical Reason and Dowry somehow responsible as well.
These cases should be handled on priority as the person, either male or female, is suffering. When the person who is a victim comes with these kinds of cases, they always complain of only one thing: “I haven’t narrated all the things to anyone.” This becomes the first issue, as when you keep mum, the other person takes advantage of that and thinks that we aren’t answerable to anyone.
 Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is defined by Section 498 of the Indian Penal Code as violence or some form of abuse, including mental, physical, and sexual abuse, in a domestic setting such as marriage or cohabitation. a common occurrence throughout the world, but in India it is prevalent here as the issues of dowry, male dominance, and living in joint family setups are the norm here. Section 498A deals with “matrimonial cruelty” perpetrated on a woman. Matrimonial Cruelty in India has now been made a cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offence.” She further added that a woman or man should take legal advice first before falling into these kinds of traps.
There is a case where a man (name withheld) who was a divorcee married a woman who was also a divorcee and who had a 12 year old daughter at the time she (her mother) got married. 
The person accepted her and her daughter accepted willingly and now when she turned 22, he (the father) is saying that he won’t keep that girl in his house because she is not his daughter. Besides, the girl has done so much for that house. Even while working with some meagre wages, she purchased everything from household things to carpets out of her own salary. But, alas, no court or judgement can save her today. 
So there should also be something for adoption in Muslim law. 
Meanwhile, While talking with Advocate Barkat Kaur Rattan and Advocate Barjis firdous, working independently for the J & K High Court in Srinagar,  told news Kashmir, that, “In Islam, Muslim women have been given various rights, but nowadays, men have changed it according to their ease and usually under Sec 12 of the Domestic Violence Act, while the case is pending, only a man can remarry only while taking permission from the first wife itself, but here we see  to whom justice has not been done, which also concludes domestic violence in the shape of emotional and physiological abuse. And secondly, whenever a woman who is a victim of domestic violence is to be suggested to go for a Domestic Violence Act case first, not only for maintenance, as she can ask for maintenance in the Domestic Violence Act case itself as a prayer. Moreover, there is one issue whenever a party in a Domestic Violence Act comes into compromise. The men usually keep one condition, that is, if the wife remarries, she has to give the child to the father, but if the husband remarries, no condition is applied. That is totally wrong.
 Why do women only suffer? They make such kinds of conditions to make women’s lives hell so that she suffers more and the man himself enjoys his normal life”. She further added that one more thing in Muslim law is that there is no scope for adoption.
There is another case where a lady (name withheld) who was married in the year 2018 has a child with her who is almost one year and six months old.
 The issue is that the person (name withheld from her husband) who was working outside and after marriage started delay tactics for work, the lady herself started working while the man was always giving excuses for work in one way or the other. She thought once Ishehad a child, he would start working, but this was her illusion instead of work. 
When the weird guy started having an affair with other ladies, once, when she confronted him, he started doing mental torture to her. Her sister-in-law, who is married from the beginning, has created havoc in her brother’s wife’s life. Never leaves a moment to taunt her. The lady, who is a victim, wished to be free of this toxic relationship but is unable to do so due to societal constraints.In between, their child is suffering as he needs his father and mother’s care too as they both wanted to get rid of this relationship. And instead of women, who should get moral support from relatives, they are struggling because of society’s fears.

Counseling session held in Boys High Secondary school GG Mohalla Srinagar 

In an important academic development, A Counselling Session was held at Boys Higher Secondary School GG Mohalla in collaboration with UNICEF sponsored NGO KWIDE (Kashmir Women for Inclusive Development and Equality) for Adolescents  through a series of activities related to mental health, decision making and Cognitive walkthroughs for testing concepts and terminologies .Students of age group 15 to 17 have actively participated and responded to experts in a healthy and highly motivated ambience that helped them to ease out from the stressful situations arising out of covid pandemic.. 

Theatre a Dying Art in Kashmir 
Mir Sabeen Gulrez

Srinagar: “Theatre is a voyage into the archives of the human imagination.”– Natasha Tsakos
Artists from valley have given their life for theatre. In 1990’s when there was political turmoil , people used to stay back indoors to save their lives while they(artists) used to serve in theatres , without caring about  their lives. It’s not only that they should care about their lives it’s about they were very passionate about their art. They used to love their work most importantly they used to respect their people not even caring about their caste , creed ,color or religion . Everyone was used to serve under one roof. Artists in Kashmir have seen everything from rise to fall. But it was only artist who remained consistent whatever the condition was .But with passage of time the  artists during pandemic went through a dark phase, not only artist but everyone. Still they continued and emerged as winners.During 1990’s people used to watch DD Kashmir, Doordarshan with their families with fevor as they used to love to watch but with the advancement of social media influence people used to neglect these things intentionally or unintentionally. One time was  when people used to love the characters and used to be like them now the scenario has changed even our kids don’t know the life their parents have lived while watching the characters like Ahadraaz, Johny etc etc.What is a theatre?Collaborative form of performing art where usually actors and actresses perform live shows, to present the experience of a real or imagined  event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage . With combination of gestures , speech songs, music and dance the performers may communicate this    experience to the audience. The elements used for art such as   Painted scenery and stagecraft such as lighting are used to enchance the physicality ,presence and immediacy of the artists.Who is an artist?An actor who uses the stage for performance based on a real or fictional story in front of a live audience in one take is known as Theatre Artist. Theatre artist is different from TV or movie actors as they do not get second chance to perform. They use songs, musicals, poems, drama, dance, speech to exhibit their art. As theatre artist never uses in their plays a cut which is usually seen in movies.Origin of theatre in ancient:The origins of theatre in ancient Greece, according to Aristotle (384–322 BCE), the first theoretician of theatre, are to be found in the festivals that honoured Dionysus. The performances were given in semi-circular auditoria cut into hillsides, capable of seating 10,000–20,000 people. The stage consisted of a dancing floor (orchestra), dressing room and scene-building area (skene). Since the words were the most important part, good acoustics and clear delivery were paramount. The actors (always men) wore masks appropriate to the characters they represented, and each might play several parts.(Source Internet).Origin of Indian Theatre.Indian theatre dates back around 5000 years. The earliest form of Indian theatre was Sanskrit theatre that emerged sometime around the 2nd century BC. It then flourished between the 1st and 11th centuries. Soon after, due to the Islamic conquests, theatre was banned and forbidden. Later, village theatre was encouraged across the subcontinent in an attempt to reassert indigenous values and ideas, developing in a large number of regional languages from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Modern Indian theatre developed during the period of British rule. Indian theatre has three specific periods: the classical period, the traditional period, and the modern period.In early forms, theatre performances were often narrative and included recitation, singing, and dancing. The earliest contribution to the Indian theatre came from Bharata Muni, who wrote the 36 books of the Natyashastra. (Source Internet).
Origin of Kashmiri Theatre:The roots of Kashmiri  and Indian folk and modern theatre are rooted in three thousand years before the birth of the Christ. Linking with the Mohanjodaro and Harappa civilization, since the periods of Ved and Purans and during Sanskrit and Prakrit era, the elements of music , dance and theatre were there in the form of oral traditions of communication through Bards (Male Singers) and Ministrals (Male Singers).The folk theatre movement in Kashmir is usually said that the findings  the Terrokota art and mentioned in the Neelmat Puran and Kalhan’s Rajtrangani the folk theatre in Kashmir started growing gradually and Abhinav Gupta, Madridutta, Bhat Tola, Shamimdra, Somdev,Ragavbhat contributed for the folk theatre movement  and cultural tradition in Kashmir. Its believed  that during the Dogra rule under the dynamic rule of Dogra King Maharaja Hari Singh, Kashmiri literature, culture and folk got open sky to breath freely and establish its existence among the masses. While speaking about the folk theatre and modern theatre of 20th  century, he declared the period of 1966 to 1977 as the Golden period in the history of Kashmiri folk and modern theatre and in this period painters, writers, artists, singers also appreciated the folk and modern theatre in Kashmir. He also applauded the role of Mohan Lal Aima, Dina Nath Nadim, Pran Lal Kishore and also placed on record the contribution of Radio Kashmir, Srinagar and J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Srinagar.While talking to News Kashmir Dr Mirza Farooq Anwaar Chief Editor (Pahari) . Office Incharge Div.Office Kashmir JKAACL said that,” when kashmir had a political turmoil in 1990’s,Yes everything got shattered ,not only theatre but also other artists also suffered a huge loss .Cultural Academy always tried to help these artists from their end . As we after two three years of shut down managed to have festivals but even in far flung areas we also continued the activities.There is gap and we(academy) are trying to fulfill that gap. We are giving them chance for new set ups in form of festivals.

While talking to News Kashmir Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan , renowned  and award winning actor,director,broadcaster ,theatre,practitioner told that,”its very difficult to survive whether he/she has earned in lakhs or in crores, no matter but the present income of everybody rich or poor big or small is in very difficult situation including me. No doubt my financial status must be better from many people but the survival in these things radio, television, stage had a big effect in Kashmir, only passion remained. Simply it’s an addiction, it’s an hobby, and there is a passion in what we are doing. If the intellect is used, the work will not be done; no one will do this work. If this hardwork, then I will use this understanding in some other work or business definitely I will earn more in this date. But what satisfies me internally is the way when I see my theatre is getting coverage by leading newspapers, channels and even social media is playing vital roles in this. Right now I am managing seven days theatre festival in which twenty three (23) groups are participating in these twenty three groups five(5) groups are from Jammu, ten(10) groups are from Kashmir and rest of the groups are from colleges ,schools of Kashmir, so its managed, coordinated by me single handed. I never switch off my cell phone even I at times put it on silent mode but never off it.Because once this number is switched off everything is gonna be shut like anything. If I start dealing in land property  by same passion I will become a multi millionaire in just one year.But the passion is so much that I have spend my life on this and this passion doesn’t go away.Man is lost in it and this passion doesn’t go away. While I was doing a job I left it even my junior retired as director . Even I saw many people working . working only for money their passion is just to earn money that’s it. They (people) multiply their business while as what multiplies in me is my pages in the bio data. Today briefly my bio data is of seventeen (17) pages. In last four years if I see the coverage’s in the newspaper they are more than five hundred(500). This thing I took as my profit and this is my earning. I don’t earn in money, yes I can proudly say you can Google my name and see what my achievements are done for this theatre. Do I stand somewhere? That’s my property that’s my profit. We hardly sleep because of our passion.Whenever I finishe my program my first thought is that whether this Press Release have been reached to the concerned authorities or not. Even being a liable person I usually call them whether they have received my mail or not? I usually take conformations regarding my mails whether they have  received or not?Even I have my vehicle, my house, even some of our artists don’t have these kind of facilities but what is same inside their passion about their work.My journey started in 1974 , I was just thirteen (13)years old, I started working in Doordarshan as a child artist. But I was studying. Even after schooling, went to college, then university. Even my parents especially my mother didn’t allow me to do all these things unless I complete my studies , till my mother actually wanted me to finish it of. I completed my post graduation after that she said to me ,”now you can do anything, now your have completed your education ,you can do whatever you want”. Then I started theatre , till that moment I even haven’t done thaetre.Even I worked in Radio also in the year 1975,76.In 1981 I entered fully in theatre. After that no one from my home asked me anything regarding this. I started my career with just one dialogue it was a hindi play ,”Nadi piyasi thi “play, I don’t remember the writer and the dialogue was ,”Bahu Jee Is Bar Phir Bhad Aye Ghei,Aur Hosakta hai Dhubnai Walae Mai Mera Beta Hi Kyun Na Hoo….Hahahahah”. For this dialogue I was so excited that I am gonna perform on stage . Gosh, I cant explain my feeling of joy at that time . After that I did many lead roles but at that satisfaction was there. Upto 1989 theatre was going ok here in Kashmir . last festival I did was 1987 in which in three plays I work as a leading artist . After that festivals were not celebrated here because of the turmoils and all that.Then I again started in 2005 when Doordarshan did festival.Some two three years back I was working as a consultant head north zone cultural academy centre that had a branch somehow at Srinagar  so we used to assign some programs to groups of Bandhpathir  and groups of Folk music , in a year we used to do these kind of programs twice or thrice now this time my number is saved with those persons till date they used to call me , when I asked them yes please go ahead they said we wanted to know hope you are doing good . And I know how much I get hurt because of that as I know what message they wanted to give me. I know I cant help them  as they are expecting something from me. Once they got program from my side and they knew this thing that he (mushtaq sahib) is gonna give us work . I am not any authority but I always wanted to try for them. Government has helped but not upto the mark because the demands are not fulfilled you know how much they get paid per day Rs 800/= and the booking come maximum twice or thrice a month .Labour earns better. Same is the condition with contemporary theatre.
While talking to News Kashmir Kashmir’s famous artist Nazir Josh aka Ahadraaz said that,:
In 1970 I started from my early school life Higher secondary school Budgam. I started from school life in the year 1970 Higher secondary school budgamThere I used to perform short dramas. Prem Nath Premi was teacher and he was poet and performed short  dramas and I worked with him. Then I completed my higher secondary school. At that time, in 1972 in budgam National theatre bugam came into being. I used to do serious roles, I was a serious  actor then I kept going on. I completed my BA. Why comedian? How was your journey from nazir josh to ahedraz? Personally I am very shy, but coming to the dramas my body language, expression, dialogue delivery was altogether different. There was a comedian those days, he dictated me terms but he used to take fees, that was very I high, that  was not possible for me to pay. Then my director told me to try Alibaqal. I tried in 2,3 shows and it was famous among people and people were happy. I was appreciated by director about my dialogue delivery and as a good character. From there I started as a  comedian. When did you gave your audition for TV? In November 1972 . There was festival at that time it was on valley level cultural academy. Today it is district level. In1973 there was a festival in Tagore hall Srinagar’s there was TV and theater in 73.it was a mesmerizing festival. Many popular shows were performed in Tagore hall at that time like, RANGMUNSH, KALAKINDER, NAVRAN, KAMESHVAR KENDER, VASANT THEATRE etc etc  . These Indian dramas were also played. We also played and I wrote the script myself and in that year 1973 I also became a writer. My first script was TEMI GAURI GAYI, which is actually a proverb,That time in that very festival makhanlal. Saraf, etc also participated. Padamshri Sinths drama “Nav Nosh” also was played. Three 3 dramas got best award. They were shuturmurgh, our drama “tem gaurigayi”, and “rang munch”, “Nav Nosh”. After receiving award I was encouraged and I moved forward in my field. I was not performing leading roles till then. But my character was both serious and numerous.. Then Farooq nazki was producer doordarshan at that time. He was send to Germany for further training for 1 year and  6 months . Then after coming back he searched for script and he came to my home in budgam and told me to write the  script  as he knew my potential.. I took 5,6 days and wrote concept BALAY TAUTMA  tautma is a character and balay was act of speaking in a very different way.. We shot the serial and it was a  blockbuster and went viral. That time in this serial I was registered as leading role. Slow motion in this was for first time. In 85 I gave this concept.. He encouraged me to write more. Then I wrote HAZAR DASTAN. After 3,4,5 episodes, it went so viral that it overtook all the leading serials of that time including pakistans top drama andherayujalay. All used to watch hazardastan popularly known by people as ahedraaz. It was such a blockbuster that people sold land, jewellery to buy tv sets and watch aheddraaz. Today much has changed, how do you see it as changed political era as it is social media influence everywhere? I used to perform double role, tripplerole.In 89 it was continued by private producers. Then I also became  a producer in doordarshan. For One serial I used to get some 40 or 50 lakh. In a year I took up almost 3 dramas. Doordarshan benefitted all including hoteliars houseboat owners directly or indirectly.. After 2003 , Government closed funds for doordarshan then the work stopped and never restored. Today it is social media, at that time we used to hier cameramen, technology, lighting, which required lot money. As production needs money kashir channel was also shut. All actors including leading ones were idol. Except those having talent and potential. I recently started laughter therapy on social media which got over 5 lakh views. I upload the old ones also.  

While talking to News Kashmir Hassan Javeed told that, “You are talking about my life, I am starting at my career in 1990, although I have approach Television in 1989, JLNL academy has been awarded as best ACTOR by that time there was some sport programme going on named as “Khel and Khiladi” which was been anchored by Dear Roshan Khayal, where I asked them to visualise 2 sportsperson among them , initially I have started with an article for news magazine “Nawaz Ali” ,then having curiosity in TV since childhood, I went for Acting but because of having unsmoothen condition it was difficult for me to travel each day using pass since I was into cricket as well. Then after 2.5 month of struggle someone sent me pass I got a chance to act as “Deputy Nazeer” , it was an role of an a foreigner’ Servant by that time I was 17yr old, Then no growth of mustache and beard and I want too lean and I played those side roles till 1998, then Mr Mujahid , the director has given a a chase to feature me as a main character known as “Dadgah”, which was been writer by Dr Nazer. Then DADASAH has been offered to me as well which was of 400 episode, and I got established then.
But sooner I realised that, Being in lobby was important and Only the actors from lobby get further offer so sooner in 2000, I started my own production house which was named as “BAHAR Films” , And in 2002 I have emerged as director and made series even after criticism , I continued as serial direct and 450 episode, and majors serials got great hit. E.g- Dasha, Shortcut and I even gained more popularity after the commercial film- “DUS numbari”, that gave a name of “JONNY” and I have been started getting recognized as that name which was written by “shahzad SHABBIR” , After that I get a phone call from police station as I have featured one of the police role in that commercial as funny so they get offended and when I entered police station, IO was very serious but when I have praised him as AMITABH BAcchan, he laugh out lauder.
While Atal Bihari Bhajpyee was prime minister and they has allotted a channel for kashmir, which scheme was on 15k which then get shut after 15 years. Then we switched to private sector and then You tube as well for quality episodes under which we tried to only show the family scenes.
Then in 2010, after invention of mobile, thing started vanishing from TV, and article 370 was on air and we get deteriorated by 100 years. By that time we were expecting daughter, there my wife got amazed wha scene she saw after entering hospital as I have been call as “KASHMIR k Shahrukh Khan”.
Since that time I have been earning by only one medium where as government employed have been earning by 2- 3 medium and pled government for help and they did, but for once only they help all the artist with rupees 9000/- in 2020 and has never took any update. In sopour event, I have given a female artist rs 2000/- but then she replied with big sparkling eye and hopes as she thanks for that amount as it was really miserable condition.
We did a many protests against the government of India, still they were not releasing there amount and there was so much corruption, also there has been no action taken from the government.
Now a days artist are only getting mere wages of 2k to 5k rupees, also for voice over they only get 300 rupees, so I am seeing career of actor, voice artist and drama artist no where in kashmir and there is no money and profit in this sector in KASHMIR.
EVEN we want to more to small job in any private company to earn livelihood.
Message from our valleys renowned artist Nazir Josh aka Ahadraaz to youth is that,” Here, talent is awesome, rabab players, musicians,  better than old but they lack proper  script and concept. Need is to consult the writer who knows formulas, dialogues. Join workshops, and not write by themselves as such. Go through proper guidance and training. Do not make this as your profession till it becomes the proper industry here in Kashmir”.

Mudasir Rehman Dar Shines in Painting World 
Mir Sabeen GulrezSrinagar : Mudasir Rehman Dar 26, from Kulpora Kulgam bring laurels to the valley by being awarded in India Book Of Records and Asia Book Of Records.First Kashmiri artist who first gained popularity via using Social Media Platforms .Mudasir didn’t learn this painting art from anybody while he is god gifted of being like this. His first issue was to highlight social issues. Firstly people recognized him via Social Media Platform. His creative approach led him what he is actually today. Even his painting have got famous on International as well as National level.In Medium Art Gallery have my paintings already in their gallery. In Amritsar there was an exhibition where my paintings were displayed. Even in Chandigarh there was an art exhibition M.F Hussains were even my paintings were also displayed. His unique art style is so different even his painting on ring stone is world’s smallest painting of Holy Kabbah(Most sacred site in islam), and a leaf and a pencil lead.Mudasir is known for  is known in whole India for creative abstract Artist, paintings, ModernArt, ContemporaryArt, sufiArt  sketching, landscapes, IslamicArt, calligraphy, socialArt,  and portraits  winning several awards at mega stages.While talking to News Kashmir MudasirRehman Dar said that,”   Was just naturally attracted towards the art since my childhood. “Different paintings gave different messages to society. My focus was always on social evils through my art work like drug addict, child labour and other social injustices which are ongoing ,” While adding he said,  “this art work is giving me peace of mind.” Asia book of records is the one where I have got “Grand Master” title while as in India Book of records,World Record  I got ” feet achieved” title besides that I have won so many awards at national, state and district level besides dozens of certificates are there with me. Getting an  entry in Asian and Indian book of records is acknowledgement of your work which makes a person happy but real happiness is will be when he will have a platform where he can show his real talent.
Mudasir Rehman  said that,” getting appreciation because of the art at different mega stages but the support which “I need to continue my art work from government is nowhere in sight.”
Mudasir Rehman Dar said that Kashmiri youth are talented but they lack platforms where they can show their talent and government must look into it seriously.My inspiration is really the pain and agony of the people which  they are passing through everyday. If we can talk about art it’s an ocean and I am just a drop of this ocean. I don’t think that I am a big artist I am just a learner as being a learner I can learn new things each and every passing day.We should always be down to earth as we should live for the society. An egostic person can never learn anything as he always thinks that I am the only one and no one can stood infront of me.Because of my humble nature I met those renowned artist whom I can never even imagined in my life. Even I feel lucky that Allah has given me such an ability where I feel privledged,he further added.

KASHMIR  SYSKA Personal Care and Appliances Distributors meet with Ababeel Traders stockist Kashmir valley at Perzoo Island , Srinagar 
Ghulam Nabi Wani , Propertior of Ababeel Traders  KASHMIR thanked all the PCA distributors and Aamir Ahmad the State  Head Personal Care Syska and special Guest State Mobile Accessories  Head Tanveer Syed , brainstorming the entire buisness operation of Syska during the day long meet after Covid .

Prayer, Perseverance, patience and Passion is Key to Sucess : Sabina Kamal

Sabina Kamal is among the sucessful muslim women of India.  A brilliant techno-creative thinker, has been architecting Digital Products and Solutions for over 20 years, she is currently COO & Founder of Prestigious MobiQuest / Paytm m’Loyal ; India’s largest SAAS based Loyalty & Rewards platform.In an exclusive interview with the News Kashmir she talks to Rameez Makhdoomi and Farzana Mumtaz.

Tell us a bit about your childhood days ?

I spend my childhood in the picturesque Nanital studied at St Mary’s Convent/ Ramnee. My father was an Engineer and principal at the Engineering Polytechnic at Nanital. My mother was an athlete & an artist, a teacher at All Saints School. Most of my childhood was spent in mountains and as a child I was curious, creative and active. I loved to draw and make handicrafts, posters for the school fete and birthday invitation cards, my father would encourage me to build little hobby  planes and picture cupboards. While Archies was my favourite comic book, my favourite magazine was Popular Science. I enjoyed treking and nature walks, collecting different leaves and creating art on them, overall my childhood was full of life Alhamdulillah..amid nature.
Tell a bit about your academic life ?
As a child, I always wanted to become an architect, and my favourite subjects were Maths & Arts. I was a pretty average student until high school, Didn’t  qualify for Science stream so opted for commerce stream in 11th class along with computer science and art as my subjects and topped the class.
Was keen to go to National Institute of Design however my Father didn’t allow me since it had a common hostel accommodation for boys & girls. Much to my disappointment I was packed off to Aligarh Muslim University for Bachelors in Fine Arts as Majors along with Psychology & English. Now that I am a parent myself and look back it was probably the best decision. AMU not only gave me a strong academic foundation, it served as a great platform to explore and hone my skills from cultural and public speaking to badminton and Tarkwondo. Made friends from all walks of life and built special relationships and bonds for a lifetime.
In 1991 I completed my graduation and topped the Arts faculty. I was among four students selected for the republic day parade by Narasimha Rao, Hon’ Prime Minster. My first National recognition at College was for the National Poster Competition on peace that I won with the headline “Know God. Know Peace. No God. No Peace”. Which made me want to pursue Art for a purpose. Although some day I wish to go back to the brush as part of my retirement plan 🙂 I went on to do my specialization after that in Commercial/applied art from South Delhi polytechnic in Delhi. Did my training as an Illustrator with a Children’s Publication.

What about start of professional career and overall journey of professional life ?
I started as a designer in the well known, Archies cards and gifts company to create designs for greeting cards. At Archies I really learnt the meaning of quality. My first artwork was torn almost 7 times by Ashokji the production incharge until I got it right. I worked with them for a while and then moved on to join Nirula’s as part of the Design & Marketing team headed by Samir Kuckreja , as a visualizer. That was my first step into the world of marketing and communications and the Nirulas Birthday Club was probably the first Loyalty & Rewards program that I helped manage. It’s only now that I realise how it helped engage its customers to drive loyalty and repeats by offering its members free scoop on their Birthdays and also infusing trials.
My journey from brush to mouse began in 1997 when I moved to Network Programs, an American company.  I had no idea what I would do in a software company. Internet was in its infancy and I learnt pretty much on the job with self discovery, teamwork and application on the various digital assignments. I made my first website for Telegraph India newspaper and ITH travel house, Buisness Standard and my first elearning assignment was for Telstra Australia for their Global offshore Data Products. Today I admire Dr Gopi from Bell Labs/ Chairman Network Programs & Lotus Interworks vision of bringing in designers into a Software Company. He knew it would probably be difficult for creative souls working in boring cubicles so gave us the freedom to do up the Multimedia Division office space creatively. With great colleagues and mentors like Sarkar Sir, Hasan Kabir, Alok and other colleagues who taught selflessly Network Programs was really the foundation of my Tech journey..from coding to research to quality control, brainstorming, learning new softwares to even the basics of wireframes, file naming  conventions and version control, I learnt pretty much at Network Programs. Together we built thegreatindianbazaar.com, but I guess it was too early in time 🙂
A few years later I was called for an interview to FCS Software solutions and was asked the usual question; “where do you see yourself 5 years from now?” and I replied “ either at Disney or Microsoft”. Dilip Kumar , MD & Chairman at FCS smiled at the rather honest response and asked me “Would you rather work for a Microsoft or Build one?” and it got me thinking for a few seconds before replying “ Build one” and happily accepted the joining offer. 
While at FCS, we had a team visit us for a pitch to create an online agency, little did I know it was the hunt for the startup team for India’s first online Advertising & Marketing agency; BrandQuiver started by WPP & Times Internet headed by Suhel Seth and Marketing Guru Shunu Sen. Joined them as Creative Head and worked on various clients like lacoste, Barista, Philips. My first exposure to the fast paced advertising world..with the Dot com bust I remember being on a panel for discussion on .com or .gone 😀 ..championing .com 
I moved back to FCS and went on to set up their e-learning, interactive communications & digital consultancy practice. Grew it to a team of 150+ with Digital Centers of Excellence for F500 companies like BestBuy, Canon, Dominos, GE amongst others. The experience taught me the very basics of Learning Principles of Instructional Design and figured out how every individual is unique and how therefore learning needs to be not only ‘personalised’ it needs to be fun too considering different learner types.For the first time we started the use of Gamification to build interactive programs. Created key differentiators of Rapid Building using reusable learning objects to help reduce time and cost. I loved the experience at FCS and the freedom and support it gave me with my new born in 2003. Was privileged to have been given one of the Directors cabins for the baby’s cot and maid to help me continue work in  one of my recent meetings Dilip jokingly mentioned how when he was on calls people would ask him are you at home or work when they would hear the child cry. I can’t thank him enough for this as it helped me keep going.
A few years later I received a call from Anita, HR head with Dr Gopi’s companies saying Dr Gopi’s looking for you. Flew down to meet him in Los Angeles to understand his vision to create interactive books for Children and went on to join InterSolutions as Chief Creative Officer.
In 2005 I got bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and I co-founded my first company  with Vineet Narang, Xceed IT Solutions. Focussed on e learning and digital products for US & Canadian companies. Successfully delivered over 2000 hours of AICC/ SCORM compliant multilingual learning content for companies like Red vector, American Health and RFID Technologies..from soft skills to technical/ software Trainings to & compliance and regulatory. After having moved from a comfortable corporate salaried environment to a DIY entrepreneurial journey was filled with challenges.
After global meltdown in 2008 we started Mobiquest. An enterprise Mobility company. Some of the key products for SFA for field force with its largest implementations for Abbott Pharma was an industry first.
Our strategic Partnerships with Airtel and Blackberry resulted in some great implementations for their enterprise customers. Some of the products were much ahead of time and didn’t take off welll because of poor 2G connectivity issues like Airtel MediaMate/ mobiLIVE a platform that allowed live video shoots and streamed to Central Server without allowing the video to be stored on the device. The app helped reporters sending live reports in an encrypted format and was a great real for freelance journalists. Some of the dear projects was in the Telemedicine domain with Care Hospitals Hyderabad, WHO, National Council of Medical Research and Apollo Research; to provide initial medical care to rural areas with the help of health workers who were trained to use the multilingual app on Nokia devices.
Our flagship product m’Loyal emerged as a great spinoff being a disruptive Platform that bridged the gap of accessibility and usage of Omnichannel Billing data to consumers, helping convert Purchase Data to knowledge and knowledge to insights and insights to Action in Real time thereby driving “Repeat Sales”
Our journey with Paytm began in 2017, Vijay Shekhar saw great value of Loyalty being a key driver to grow businesses. That’s where the meaning of BIG and scaleup really began and we’re working to keep pace with the contagious energy that stirs each Paytmer.With over 130 million registered members, for over a decade now the Platform ; Paytm m’Loyal emerges as the largest Loyalty & Rewards real-time Fulfillment ecosystem. Some of the popular Loyalty Programs rollouts include Baskin Robins, HP Pay, INC5, GoodEarth, One Apollo, INOX Cinemas.
From a consumer perspective, the loyalty app  allows consumers to  view an interactive digital membership card, earn points, see his points and get digital membership and for companies it is getting data of customer or consumer in much advanced way ,  it gives them intelligent know how of consumer.  It personalises and automates marketing.  It converts data into insight and insight into action . Offers are send according to customers choice and keeps close touch with him or her. By this very relevant messages are send to customers.Paytm Mloyal or the my  company name Mobiquest is my biggest sucess. 

What is the future outlook of Mobiquest?

We would like to globally scale up the Paytm m’Loyal Platform and let the retailers/ Enterprises world over benefit from its proven capabilities. We want to cover scores of medium and small enterprises and be a global leader in the Saas Mobile Loyalty domain.

 How do you feel about current status of education of Indian muslim  women ?

Times are fast evolving and over the last few decades, you can see that Indian Muslim women have progressed well globally and created a niche in almost every vertical domain be it Engineering, liberal Arts & Literature, Pharma, Aviation, Civil Services. Families should continue to encourage provide equal opportunities to their daughters to pursue their aspirations, inculcate free thinking with a strong grounding and value system, to be financially independent and raise responsible future leaders & mothers to take the country towards the next level.

What values in life you would advise people to follow to be successful ?

The 4Ps of success as I see it begin with Prayer followed by Perseverance, Patience and Passion. Staying grounded to values and ethics go a long way in establishing relationships be it personal, business or customers.Transparency and integrity help establish trust, from a business perspective ’easy to do business with’ Valuing relationships beginning with Parents to the others along the journey and Gratitude is always rewarding.Learning never ends. “Rabbi Zidni Ilma” / “O Lord increase me in beneficial Knowledge “. So continue to aspire, inspire , innovate and dream big.
Drop Social Cliches and biases for a healthy more peaceful world. Live and let live.Introspect, unlearn and relearn..constantly working on competing with your own self and improving..doing better. 
Life wasn’t meant to be a bed of roses alone, the thorns and trials are part of the journey. Don’t ever give up.Keep Going and remember “ you have never done enough”Rethink life. Rethink your potential. Rethink your blessings. Rethink the purpose of your life. Make the remaining journey more meaningful, enough for you to leave behind a legacy that benefits you and others, which you continue to redeem years after you’re gone.
What impact of Coronavirus you see on our lives ?

No doubt loss of near and dear ones was catastrophic for many families. The Coronavirus pandemic taught us values of family life and relations, in this hectic and fast life where we hardly have any time for each other.  It introduced in us self-introspection.
Any more things you would like to share ?I’d like to appeal to the people of my country and globally to all of humanity is to  drop social cliches and prejudices against Islam, against my Muslim Sisters specially this whole thing against Hijab. Live and let live. Go research. Form your own opinions. Respect the freedom and free will given by God to do what each individual wants and to be what they want to be.On my future plans, I see a gap in India being non Arabic as a Native Language community for good Quran Recitation Academies, I would like to start or help setup one some day for children & women in different parts of the country on a blended learning format. I intend to someday be able to use gamification to teach Children the meaning & purpose of life in a fun self exploratory way. I have had the opportunity to be a part of the open source Oxygen/ Med Tech community Oxikit/Pillar Tribe during the Pandemic and after a challenging Covid recovery and am glad that my efforts helped to train, inspire the Tech/ Manufacturing/building community to manufacture locally and contribute towards building a Self Reliant Country inspired by the United  Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I’m not sure how yet, but I hope to contribute towards environment conservation and work to help build a greener planet. 
What is your Message ?

Let’s together strive to give meaning to our lives as individuals and as humanity learn to coexist with each other with love and kindness and appreciate diversity and establish peace such that when we return to our Lord, we have no regrets and redeem the rewards collected in this journey of life. Would like end with Iqbal sher “Khudi ko kar buland itna ki har taqdeer se pahlay khuda banday se khud poocha, bata teri Raza Kya hai”

Awami Awaz Party concerned on rising unemployment levels in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir Awami Awaz Party, an youth revolution lead political party of Jammu and Kashmir latest entrant into mainstream politics of Jammu and Kashmir has vowed to fight the issues of people of Jammu and Kashmir especially youth.
In this regard the party expressed concern about the rising unemployment levels in Jammu and Kashmir .
Suhail Ahmad Khan , Party Chairman observed ” Today unemployment especially among the highly qualified educated youth of Jammu and Kashmir is destroying many dreams . As a result of unemployment the youth are indulging in many immoral activities . Depression among youth is also rising due to unemployment . Today after Nagaland the Jammu and Kashmir has the second most unemployed Post Graduates in the Country . Once Jammu and Kashmir Awami Awaz party is voted to power we would take solution of unemployment as top priority .”
Syed Irfan Hashmi, observed that skilled programmes for the Youth of Jammu and Kashmir need to be launched on mass scale to adress the menacing proportions of rising unemployment .
He said that party would soon come with a broad based vision document on all the contours that party hopes to implement in resolution of unemployment of Jammu and Kashmir youth .
The party leadership resolved that the answer to multiple woes of youth of Jammu and Kashmir could lie in showing them a pathways towards achieving self reliance . The promising sectors like Horticulture, Tourism , Handicrafts can offer the youth of Jammu and Kashmir a gateway to the much needed self employment paths.
The party reaffirmed that it’s keeping a close watch on credible statistics in this regard .
According to Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) data, the month of December 2021 has recorded 15 percent of unemployment while the percentage was higher in the month of November which recorded 21.2 percent.
Before the second wave of Covid, UT of J&K was among the top states/UT in providing.

Jammu and Kashmir Awami Awaz Party envisaged to present multiple suggestions to the Lieutuant Governor lead administration to solve the issues of unemployment .