News Kashmir Magazine

Asia’s 2nd largest fruit mandi at Sopore in shambles

Asia’s second largest fruit mandi situated in north Kashmir’s Sopore area is lacking official attention with traders continuously facing number of problems.
According to traders as much as Rs 2,500 crore fruit business is being carried out in the mandi every year. “However, the lack of infrastructure is creating immense hardships to the growth of business as it prevents the foreign buyers to come to the mandi,”
Established in 1988 on 372 kanals on the outskirts here, considered to be the biggest fruit market in Jammu Kashmir, the mandi has recorded Rs 2500 crore business last year but the fruit growers and dealers alleged that the state government has failed to pay any attention towards upgrading its infrastructure.

Ghulam Rasool, fruit grower said that, the mandi has been neglected by the state government over the years. “We are not begging for anything but demanding something
which is our right. Despite horticulture being the backbone of the state economy, government has totally neglected this sector which is reflected by the state of this mandi,” he further added There is dearth of auction platforms in the market. Present platforms can accommodate only a few growers to auction their fruit while as there are thousands of traders here.

Sukhjeet Singh, Driver said, “There is no accommodation facility for the drivers coming from outside to this mandi. Atleast here should be adequate accommodation facilities for us” When it comes to facilities and infrastructure, this mandi is far behind any other fruit mandi in the country.

Abdul Rashid, local labour said,The fruit growers complained about lack of water supply facility in the mandi. The mandi has no separate water supply scheme despite the fact that every day 20,000 to 30,000 people visit here when it is peak season “Instead of providing the mandi with a separate scheme, water is being supplied through plastic tanks.

While this mandi is known throughout Asia, it does not have proper cold storage facility. “The lack of cold storage facility forces the traders to sell their produce at cheaper rates,” the growers said. “We have no alternative than to sell our fruit whatever returns we get, as we don’t have cold storage facility here,they added

When the reporter tried to contact horticulture department they did’nt responded the repated calls.

#MISSING YOU… spiritual father..
Umar Bashir

I see your face everywhere I look.
It breaks my heart that my great love is what they took.

Without you here it feels like the end.
I’m lost without you ’cause you were also my best friend.

I’ll be counting the days and nights till we’re together again.
Until then, it’s all my love that I send!……

#Yet_ur_aid_is_sonorous_in_mind..

Was like a beautiful dream come true
It was the best dream I ever saw
More colorful than a rainbow
Your pretty voice is echoing in my ear
The splendid sound I ever hear
No Nightingale’s song
Can compare to your glamorous tone
Those alighting brown eyes
As bright as twinkling stars in the sky
I always wanted to hold your hand
Between my arms close to my heart
My wish was to hug you hard
And listen to the beat of your heart

I can still feel your smell
The wonderful charming spell

Garbage piles up at District hospital Baramulla
Danish Tariq

Unattended garbage in the premises of District Hospital Baramulla here is causing immense problem to the visitors and the problem has been compounded by presence of a large number of stray dogs around these garbage piles, putting the lives of visitors at risk in absence of regular cleaning tons of garbage has piled up in the premises of District Hospital

Mohammad Ramzan, an attendant said, I am here from last 3 days with my daughter as I have noticed the treatment of patients is going well but “surroundings of the hospital are lying with heaps of garbage and hospital authorities are failed to take measures for ensuring sanitation of the hospital premises,” meanwhile the unattended garbage is emanating pungent smell posing threat of infection to patients as well as attendants, he added

Pertinently, hundreds of people from various adjoining areas of district daily visit the hospital, stray dogs rummage through garbage piles and chase visitors during night the hospital premises are taken over filled up with stray dogs “in presence of dogs, we cannot venture out to purchase medicine,” the attendants said.

Saleema, patient said, the garbage lying beside the ward area of hospital has caused foul smell by the indiscriminate dumping of garbage “here is no civic sense among the visitors, as the dustbins are available still the garbage is being thrown out from windows,” she added I am here failed to understand how can be the patient’s health get better, the eatable items which are being carried into the ward premises should be banned so the garbage can be controlled.

The hospital should have clean environment. Ironically, the authorities have failed to at least clear the garbage properly from its premises posing a health hazard to visitors and patients.

According to Medical Superintendent District hospital Baramulla, Dr Masood, “there is no civic sense among attendants the waste material they throw out from windows otherwise the dustbins are installed inside the premises”, besides the construction is going on there is second reason of garbage he added we usually clean the area but there should be awareness of cleanliness among visitors and attendants, we are going to block the windows to control the garbage throwing from windows.

G.N Itoo Deputy Commissioner Baramulla said, recently meeting was held with district hospital authorities to ensure the clean surroundings around hospital “i have directed them to clean the garbage within 24 hour earlier they clean it after every 2 days” he assured the cleaning surroundings of hospital will be our first priority.

Cross-LoC trade shut

On Eid, people missing Pakistani goods

Danish Tariq

Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered a suspension of trade with Pakistan. The action has been taken as the government has been receiving reports of cross-LoC trade routes being “misused” by Pakistan-based elements for supplying illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency.The order has been implemented on April 19 till now it has not been revoked due to which both traders and common people are suffering a lot, from both the regions trade has been halted, Salamabad of Baramulla in Kashmir region, and Chakan-da-Bagh of Poonch district in Jammu region.

On the arrival of Eid the markets of valley are in buzz, people can be seen around every corner of the markets busy with Eid shopping “but on the other side people are missing the Pakistani good which are not available in markets of Kashmir valley due to trade shut”

Mehwesh Sherwani said, ahead of Eid people are busy with Eid shopping particularly girls are excited “unfortunately It is indeed a very bad thing especially for we girls as we can’t buy desired clothes from market.I myself visited more than 5 shops in search of Pakistani suit which is in trend these days but couldn’t find as the goods are somewhere stuck and are not preferably in market,”

Around 280 traders, who were directly involved in the Cross LoC trading has been affected after the suspension of the business

Adil Dar Cross LoC trader stated “as we were doing business on barter system it was beneficial for us through which we were earning a handsome profit from these goods” the items which were included in trade like bananas, embroidery items, clothes, tamarind, red chilli and cumin for exports while imports mainly were almonds, dry dates, dry fruits, herbs and mangoes. He further added “we are suffering a huge loss in business because of trade suspension on the other side here in Kashmir any time any thing can be happen because of conflict so we were earning our daily livelihoods on this trade to feed our family now we are helpless what to do, markets are in buzz on Eid but we don’t have anything to sell,”

Shafqat Khursheed, College student said, nowadays its a trend among girls to wear Pakistani suits specially on festivals “ on the arrival of Eid everyone is in search of Pakistani Suits but due to trade shut there is no collection in markets of valley which has disheartened the buyers and as well as sellers”

Sameer Mir, local shopkeeper said, we don’t have enough collection of clothes on Eid to fulfil the demands of customer “LoC trade shut has hugely affected the business in valley the trade should be resumed earlier to avoid the further loss,”

The cross LoC trade on Srinagar-Muzafarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote routes was started on October-2,2008 as a Confidence Building Measure (CBM).

The traders, common people appealed the government to resume the trade with neighbouring country Pakistan to avoid further loss of business and sufferings of people, they added both the countries should find a better way to bring peace, every dispute should be solved in a peaceful manner which is good for everyone.

NC won all three LS seats in Kashmir
Danish Tariq
Lok Sabha elections 2019 which were held in a seven phase from April 11 to May 19 and result was declared on may 23, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference JKNC secured win in all the three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir valley while Bhartiya Janta Party BJP candidates Jughal Kishore, Jitendra Singh and JTN won Jammu, Udhumpur and Ladakh seats. Peoples Demoractic Party PDP was wiped out, Peoples Conference could not open account again.

Farooq Abdullah NC President has retained Srinagar parliamentary seat. Mohammad Akbar Lone won Baramulla and Hasnain Masoodi was declared winner from Anantnag, Masoodi has defeated former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Congress state president Ghulam Ahmad Mir.

Soon after declared winner from Srinagar parliamentary constituency, National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah said, fighting against the evil designs that are hell bent to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35A won’t be an easy task for the newly elected parliamentarians of the party. He was accompained by National Conference Vice President and former chief minister Omar Abdullah , party’s provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani and others.

Dr. Farooq Abdullah thanked people across valley for helping party candidates to emerge victorious from all the three parliament constituencies in the valley. “We hope the new government in Delhi will do justice with Jammu and Kashmir and talk with the neighbouring country Pakistan to bring us out from the current situation”
No steps are being taken at present to put an end to the border skirmishes, killings,use of pellet guns and other things we will work hard to bring Jammu and Kashmir out from the current sufferings.

Dr. Farooq Abdullah also added that India and Pakistan must sit together to bring peace in the state.

Edutainment Show Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon Calls For A Cleanliness Pledge with #SwachhtaElaan

New Delhi: One of the flagship programmes of national broadcaster Doordarshan and Population Foundation of India’s popular edutainment show Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon has succeeding in bringing about impactful changes at the grassroots level through its content. In its third season, the show calls for ‘Swachhta Elaan’ – a cleanliness pledge – with the story of its protagonist Dr. Sneha Mathur leading her village in tackling issues of sanitation and hygiene.

Meinal Vaishnav who essays the role of Dr Sneha Mathur says, “While the importance of cleanliness is widely understood, it is not a practice that is wholly imbibed – leading to practices like open defecation or throwing garbage in common areas. #SwachhtaElaan calls audiences to not only understand how hygienic practices such as use of toilets are essential for healthy, disease-free living, but also inspires them to pledge towards such a life. The action of the pledge or elaan is important here.”

Director Feroz Abbas Khan, who is the creator of the show, says, “Making a pledge is a commitment towards a cause you believe in, that goes beyond watching positive behaviour of characters of the show. Changing longstanding behaviours that become social norms is very difficult. That’s why Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon uses entertainment such as a qawwali to catch people’s imagination and make it possible for them to adopt new behaviours.”

The qawwali appeals to audiences through humour and earthy messages to take steps in order to achieve better health through good sanitation and hygienic practices.

You can watch the qawwali on this link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ_wQpN-ivY

It can also be downloaded as a ringtone here: https://mkbksh.com/swachhta-ringtone/

Early results of the impact of the show can be gauged from the calls received on the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS). Over 13 weeks, more than 2 lakh people have called and a majority of them are leaving messages and pledges related to positive sanitation habits, with an equal share by women and men. Inspired the serial, one man left a message saying, “maine apne gharwaalo se kaha pehle shauchalay banwao, tab mai shaadi karunga. Mahilao ke liye pehle humne shauchalay banwaya, fir unko ghar mein pravesh karwaya” (I told my family to have a toilet constructed in the house before my marriage. We got the toilet constructed and then brought my wife home).

The edutainment show revolves around the inspiring journey of Dr. Sneha Mathur, a young doctor, who leaves behind her lucrative career in Mumbai and decides to work in her village. The show focuses on Dr. Sneha’s crusade to ensure the finest quality of healthcare for all. Under her leadership, village women find their voices through collective action.

This time, Population Foundation of India is supported by the REC Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to produce the third season of this popular edutainment show.

5 years on, SRTC bridge at baramulla awaits completion
Danish Tariq

The SRTC Bridge that connects old town area with civil lines Baramulla in north Kashmir has been under construction for the last 5 years and is still not complete for traffic and public movement.The bridge was damaged in 2014 floods, following which public movement and traffic on it was stopped.

Bilal Ahmad,local shopkeeper said, the SRTC bridge was easy route that connects old town with civil lines “in 2014 floods the bridge was damaged and authorties have closed the bridge terming that its unsafe for public” he added locals are suffering inconvenience and shopkeepers suffer huge loss in business and authorties are not paying any attention towards the completion of under construction bridge.

Manzoor ahmad,local resident said, the construction work of SRTC bridge was started before 5 years but only 2 pillars have been constructed so far “the construction work of bridge is going at snail pace which leds people to suffer,”

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

When contacted Executive Engineer R&B Baramulla, Abdul Rashid Lone said, the construction work on bridge has been restarted and hopefully assured by the end of this year it will be completed.

Danish Tariq
With the arrival of holy month Ramadan the prices of vegetables, fruits, and chicken have risen in the markets of Kashmir due to which locals are suffering. People blame highway ban and government authorities who are in deep slumber and not keep eye on price hike of daily need items.

Mohammad Yousuf, a teacher by profession said, the price hike in daily need essentials is directly being faced by the common people, as this hike hit their pockets “i have purchased peas at cost of Rs 90 per kg while it should be 20 to 30 Rs per kg at this time” I can’t understand why these vendors and shopkeepers selling on high price. He added we are forced to buy vegetables and fruits at huge cost “it could be the carelessness of concerned department who had not deployed regular checking squads in market to curb them for selling essentials at over price”.

Yawar Mohjoo, buyer said, In the month of ramadan we usually face price hike but at this time it’s beyond expectations “ cucumber which we used to buy Rs 20 per kg now being sold at Rs 70 per kg, chicken should be sold at price of Rs 100 kg but it’s 180 per kg there are no rate lists with the vegetable and fruit sellers they are selling at their desired rates while the administration is watching mute spectators” he said

Shah Faizan, shopkeeper “this time we cannot blame dealers and sellers for price hike as the highway closure diktat has created imbalance in demand and supply of almost everything in the valley and that demand increases in the month of ramadan that led to price hike”

A group of people complained that “the trucks loaded with goods are being stopped on national highway for days without any reason as the major supply of goods come to valley from outside state it led further hike price in goods because of short supply, government should look into the matter so public masses would not suffer,” surprisingly, they added the rate list provided by government for goods but nobody is following that.

While talking to Assistant Director, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs,Ghulam Qadir Mir said, we have deployed teams to ensure the price hike could be in control and the drive will continue till end of Ramadan.

Danish Tariq

The contractors of Kashmir valley are on strike from last 40 days and are demanding immediate release of their pending payment, and revocation of order no 186-F of JK finance department that the payment shall be restricted to 15%, there is liability of 1024 crore towards contractors in Kashmir. This amount had to be paid to the contractors before the end of financial year that is up to 31 march 2019 though new financial year has already started, yet the contractors are running from pillar to post for the payments of last financial year, but to no avail.

Development works including repair of roads have come halt as the state government had failed to release the pending bills of contractors amounting to Rs 1024 crore. In April the work on development projects used to be in full pace as the Kashmir witnesses break in construction works during winter months due to low temperature.

Imtiyaz ahmad, civil contractor said, the boycott call given by joint contractors coordination committee (JCCC) against the pending bills of contractors “we have always worked for the development but government has let down the contractors community from every corner,” he added we are paying huge amount of taxes towards government and contractors are backbone of Kashmir’s economy “we have boycotted all developmental works, neither tendering nor any repair work will be carried out till our payments are released”.

Abdul Majeed, another contractor said, we are already suffering due to many issues we are being pushed to walls by these such orders from government “it’s very unfortunate that the government is always doing inequality with Kashmiri contractors” he further added “ we have taken loan from bank and we have not paid installments because of pending bills, banks are charging us huge amount of interest that leds to further problems,” we have not paid a single penny to suppliers also, we hope government will release our pending payments to ease our troubles.

The Kashmir valley contractors are protesting under the banner of JCCC at Chief Engineering complex from various districts of Kashmir, they also locked down the offices of various officials and treasuries of district during this long stretch strike.

According to Ghulam Jeelani Purza, JCCC Chairman, Due to negligence of officials the funds were lapsed on the end of financial year although the funds were available for distribution but HoD’s and DDO’s of various departments have kept funds stopped, he further added “government can release our pending bills in instalments so that we can work further and that will be easy for government also” but no official approached to us for any assistance we have written letter 3 times to governor for meeting but all the times our request denied, now on May 06 we have given call for Raj Bhavan march from engineering complex rajbagh to address our demands, the strike will be continued till our genuine demands get fulfilled, Purza said.

When sky dropped all its veils to wail unpardonable sin

19 years on and the justice still nowhere

Younus Rashid

Off to Chattisinghpora a hamlet in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a 30-minute drive, from Anantnag town. Earlier on I had a conversation with my friend who had an assignment there, and we fixed a date for having a visit to this village. We met at Anantnag town, and boarded a cab whose board reads as ‘Singh Nard”. And the cab went through paddy and apple orchard trees with a side view of a mountain, and yet to bloom small trees.

On reaching to this remote hamlet called Chattisinghpora which came into limelight after a bloodbath on 20th of March 2000. Commonly known as ‘Chattisinghpora massacre’ in which 35 Sikhs were killed.

We met with one of the eye witness lady, whose husband and brother-in-law were killed on that day. ‘It was 7.20 PM and we happily had a gossip at home, when surprisingly some gunmen wearing army fatigue and were having different boots, came and asked our men to assemble near the temple. After some minutes we heard gunshots when we rushed to the spot we saw all our dreams have been shattered. It was blood everywhere, unforgettable even after 19 years’ she told me. My husband had gone to meet his relative a few meters away from our home, unfortunately, at the same time this happened and he too was killed there, in a brutal way, another victim lady told me.

I was curious to see this place where this brutality had happened when I was only 4-years three months and twenty days old. 19-years of justice delayed in this case and the days continued to count. For me it was very hard to see the victims there, I hardly controlled my emotions. A lady who lost her husband after speaking to us went to the next room and after a few minutes, she came back with a tea. She had emotions high after having a word with us, yet she was having a slightly smiley face after I tried to have a joke on something. All those we met there, and who had witnessed this bloodbath, narrated tearful tales. I failed to write all of them, being emotionally charged.

We went to the spot where this massacre took place; actually, it took place at two different locations of the same village. First place is outside of a known Gurudwara. We saw bullet marks on the wall which were fired on that day are still visible and now been circled with yellow colour. At this place, 18 Sikhs were killed. Next place in few wards down to the village, there too are bullet marks, now coloured with yellow. And a board which reads the details of massacre and names of 17 Sikhs killed. The names have been arranged as per age of the killed persons here; from eldest 48-years to the youngest 15-year boy.

This massacre left behind not only 35 families but their relatives, friends, and dear once as victims. Some are doing private jobs outside, some are studying and rest are waiting for the government jobs. But, all they say is “justice”. Justice, for which they are waiting from the last 19 years and they say will wait till the last breath of life. Losing dear once in this way, and coping up with the pain, agony, and sufferings is very difficult. Now you see the government apathy, they haven’t done anything for us, for justice and peace to prevail in ourselves, said a local youth of the same village. We observe an anniversary on 19th, 20th and 2Ist of March to commemorate the massacre and to pay homage to the martyrs.

Kashmir has seen many such massacres, and in most cases, the perpetrators are known but in this case, no tanzeem has taken responsibility, and in this way all we demand is to know who did this, justice with us and punishment to the killers, she further told me.

Author is a student activist and can be reached at younusrashid786@gmail.com