News Kashmir Magazine

Oops..!following CELEBRITIES :an ERROR*
Umar Bashir

Airbrushed photographs of celebrities with perfectly preened bodies staged in exotic locations are all over social media, but such flawless images have been described as damaging for the way they pressurise young people to meet unobtainable body-image standards.
Everyone of all ages is effected by celebrities, but often teenagers are the ones who are the most impacted. Being an adolescent can be tough, and it’s reassuring to have someone to look up to and follow in their footsteps. Many teens choose celebrities as their role models. This can be a positive or negative choice, depending on the celebrity. There are many stars in the media that tend to maintain a good reputation but there are an equal amount of stars that make parents shake their heads and hope their kids don’t idolize them , but there siblings Do and follow them too ….

In Reality television or either smart phone proves to be a factor that contributes to how teenagers think they should behave. “According to a study conducted by Huston and Wright at the University of Kansas, the only thing that kids spend more time doing than sleeping is watching tv or on smart phone to see shows” (Teens and Celebrities). But every time you turn on the TV or social media , it’s hard to find a television show that isn’t about celebrities. In reality television shows, smart phone clicks were celebrities are displayed in a negative manner, often shown doing drugs, partying, fighting, and engaging in sexual activities. Teenagers who are exposed to this believe that’s the proper way to act and start taking part in those activities themselves. They also start to form false ideals. For example, “one Australian study revealed that children who watched reality programming were significantly more likely to associate wealth, popularity and beauty as factors that contribute to happiness” (Bliss).

Lots of parents try to keep their kids from watching those shows and teaching their kids the right ways to act, but “in fact, some teens are more likely to listen to the words of their favorite celebrities than their own parents , , instead of teens learning from their parents how to be kind to others or how to do the dishes, teens are learning from stars how to throw a tantrum and how to get drunk.

Celebrities have a hurtful effect on the self esteem of teenagers. Celebrities are commonly associated with beauty and “perfect” bodies, and when teenagers see that, they want to look like them. It’s not uncommon that so many female teens have developed eating disorders while trying to attain a skinny body. “In a recent study by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), as many as 10 in 100 young women suffer from an eating disorder” (Chen). The media puts permanent reminders in our minds that we have to achieve the celebrities’ beauty and bodies. Headlines are plastered all over magazines with headlines like, “Get Kim Kardashion’s Bikini Bod!” or “How To Get Jennifer Lopez’s Flawless Makeup Look!” It’s no wonder why teenagers are so desperate to be like celebrities. Those articles make teenagers insecure about their looks. For example, “According to the National Eating Disorder Association, 42 percent of first- through third-grade girls say they want to be thinner, and 81 percent of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat. Even at very young ages, children get influenced by celebrities” (Chen). What teenagers don’t know when they see “perfect” stars on magazines is that those stars have been through hours of makeup, hair styling, clothes fittings, spray tans, and photoshop. Teenagers are trying to achieve a form of “beauty” that doesn’t even exist.
Celebrities are very popular and they could choose to help the world and make a difference. They have an option to choose to be a good role model for people of all ages. Unfortunately, many celebrities decide to do the exact opposite, and let themselves be displayed as fake and bad role models. Teenagers are vulnerable to their influences and can be lead down the wrong path. We can only hope that those celebrities will take a moment to stop caring about fame and think about the people they are leaving a mark on.

“”Drug addiction: is it a disease or is it based on choice:”””
Umar Bashir

A disorder of choice, Gene Heyman surveys a broad array of evidence—historical, anthropological, survey, clinical, and laboratory-based to build an argument about the role of basic choice processes in the phenomena that comprise drug addiction. He makes a compelling, multifaceted argument that conceptualizing drug addiction as a chronic disease (like schizophrenia or diabetes) is both misleading and erroneous. In developing his argument, he points out that the best survey data available indicate that most drug addicts quit their addiction, a fact inconsistent with a chronic-disease model. He illustrates how basic, normal choice processes can lead to addiction, arguing that people do not choose to be addicts, but that normal choice dynamics can lead them to that condition. He points to a variety of factors that keep most from becoming addicted, with a focus on the role of choice governed by choice-by-choice contingencies versus choice governed by the outcome of sequences of choices, a difference in an under-described activity called framing. His view is consistent with the most effective treatments currently available, and provides a basis for continued basic research on choice as well as research on treatment and prevention.

A disorder of choice Gene Heyman makes a case for drug addiction to be a result of natural processes involving voluntary (i.e., operant) behavior, specifically choice. This approach stands in stark contrast to the current received view, at least as promulgated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), that drug abuse is a disease, specifically, “Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease…similar to other chronic, relapsing diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease….” . Over the course of seven chapters Heyman makes his case by describing the history of drug abuse and addiction, societal responses to it, case histories from addicts, the epidemiology of drug addiction, “rational” and “irrational” choice, brain–behavior relationships, and approaches to treatment of drug addiction. These descriptions provide the bases for the focal points made, which are that normal, apparently rational choice processes can lead to poor long-term outcomes (e.g., addiction), and that an understanding of such processes offers a viable approach to the prevention and treatment of drug addiction. Of particular interest to readers of this journal is that the behavioral processes involved have been studied and characterized to a considerable degree by those who investigate operant choice. In addition, scattered throughout the exposition is a litany of evidence making the view that drug addiction is a disease, at least in the normal sense of that word, difficult to defend. In this review I endeavor to describe briefly and evaluate some of the key points made by Heyman about how normal choice processes play a role in drug addiction and to highlight his arguments countering the “addiction is a brain disease”.

India vs Pakistan…A must watch for Kashmiris!!!
Owais Ahmad Shah

The arch rivals are always at each other’s throat.The high-voltage atmosphere between two countries is always mawing in people but Kashmiris are at the first place.The recent imbroglio between the two existed in the month of February when a fidayeen attack carried out at Lethpora in Pulwama claimed lives of more than forty CRPF men.The brutal attack sent shockwaves across region and set the scene for an acute political disorder.The conditions went out of control and ultra-nationalists stooped to beating Kashmiris,threatening and sending in numbers back home.
With no Govt in power,the Kashmiri voice almost seemed drowned out and the unabated assaults continued.Following up the attacks,India claimed to have carried out a surgical strike on the Jaish outfit in Pakistan.Media declaiming the attack and an announcement was made in the Home ministry about killing more than 300 Jaish militants.Pakistan threw a fit at India for overstepping the mark at LOC and Gung-ho-istic approach from both the sides set in trouble but Kashmiris always at first for being at the receiving end.
What calmed both sides was a pilot,Abhinandan who was captured by Pakistan and Imran Khan’s peace gesture put the whole house in order.
The World Cup was in the pipeline and the fixture read India vs Pakistan to be played in the grand events.India pulled back at this and went to forfeiting the match but later calmed down.
What was interesting more is the Kashmiri desire for watching the match.This is not only a cricket match but a matter of pride for country and Kashmiri needle always swings between the two.
The bilateral series between the two have been played a dot years ago.The 2008 Mumbai attacks almost ruined the relationship between the two and cricket was shutdown.
So the world Cup stared and the match played.India won and it’s grip continued on Pakistan in World Cup matches.
In the subcontinent,this cricket match is seen widely but Kashmir is always at first place for the political disturbance in the region.People of Kashmir see this as a beginning for a comprehensive dialogue but the tension exacerbates and Kashmiris bear brunt of the turmoil.
The time for shrugging-off anger is imperative and the amiable relationship is must for India Pakistan to decide the issue of Kashmir.The disturbed region is not on the table but at the menu.Its high time for both sides to place the recipe on table.

“Teenage Suicide…… Today’s Grave Problem”
Showkat Ahmad Dar and Engineer Firdous Nazir
Suicide is the act or an instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally. Teenage is the transition of one’s life. It’s that time period when an individual witnesses the
physical and psychological changes and it difficult for the young innocent minds to acclimatize to these changes. Over the years teenage suicide has become of the major cause of worry for our society.
The teenage live in their own world of dream and fantasies that is completely is different from ground realities. The harsh
realities of life hit them hard. They have high expectations and aspirations in regard to their personal and professional lives, which if are not fulfilled lead to disappointment,
resentment and ultimately suicide. A lot of hormonal changes became difficult for the teenagers to handle these changes resulting in stress and Frustration in their lives.
The teenagers are under constant pressure to meet their expectations of their parents. Some parents are in a habit to compare their children with their siblings and friends, who are better than them in their different spheres. This creates a sense of inferiority complex among these children. The teenagers who are unable to handle the pressure are haunted by suicidal thoughts as they are guilt ridden and consider their life worthless.
Teenagers often cannot cope up with the increasing pressure in their educational life. Thus schools appointed counselors to take the problem. Education experts so much pressure on
them, that during board examinations some students commit suicide. Suicide in Kota also justify this pressure theory. Kota is a major hub of the country for competitive exams preparations and has a number of engineering and medical coaching institutes.
The social media and dating websites have became quite popular among teenagers. Sometimes due to peer pressure and sometime by choice they get involved in the relationships.
But that fact is that they are not mature enough to handle the pressure of relationships. Unwanted teenage pregnancies failed relationships and rejection are the major causes of depression which instigate an adolescent to commit suicide.
In order to cope with the stress they resort to means such a alcohol drugs and smoking The end result of all these means is depression the than suicide. This all needs to comfort them by providing them emotional support.
The teenagers need to be taught that failures and rejections
are a part of life. The parents and teachers needs to teach the children the basic of sex education. Teenagers need to be taught the importance of life. Children should join yoga and
meditation classes which promote the well being of an individual.

Each individual is unique and has his own weakness and strengths. It is imperative for the parents and
teachers and family to understand this fact. The innocent minds of the teenagers need to be cushioned
with the love and care of the elders. This will help the teenagers to handle the tricky situations of life successfully and emerge as stronger human beings.

Poem on Smoking
By Gowher Bhat
To buy cigarettes to abed their habit. So you can see now how addictive nicotine could be, but most people don’t think of it that way, smoking is part of their life and daily routine.
So my plea is to the lawmakers, please put an age limit on cigarettes, have the shopkeepers post signs that people under the age of 18 years of age can not purchase them and enforce the law. This may detour our future youths not to begin smoking and assure them to have a healthier future. This issue has inspired me to write a poem about smoking.

If You Smoke

If you smoke your money is drained,
making your family members pained.

If you smoke it ruins your health,
which is more precious than wealth.

If you smoke it reduces your age,
the verdict with every doctor and sage.

If you smoke you face premature death,
almost denying you of your last breath.

If you smoke your children will imitate,
who may be doomed by a similar fate.

If you smoke you are downgraded,
rebukes and warning are traded.

If you smoke you pollute the air,
by spreading toxins here and there.

By quitting smoking you will lead an enriched life,
And also bring joy to people who are near and dear to you.

Devil in Disguise
Written by: Gowher Bhat
Fake faith healers also referred to as Pirs in Kashmir, and have played a deceitful role with our society. They are devil worshipers and practice black magic convincing people of sinful beliefs. They insist you follow them blindly into deception and persuade their followers to carry out unethical acts like, eating mud from a grave site, or bring blood from humans or animals, all for money or other hidden agendas. It becomes the Devil playground when people fall for their trickery, especially poor souls who are suffering and need to latch onto some hope. A couple of years ago, Gulzar Pir, a fake faith healer was caught molesting, and performing immoral, vulgar acts against dozens of young girls. He was found guilty and now sits behind bars. There was also another Pir that swindled a widow out of her inheritance after her husband died. I’ve read countless stories about fake Pirs that will make the hairs on your arms stand up.
I’ve interviewed dozens of people regarding this menace, and one of the spectators who has a firm hold on things said,
“that people must recite the Holy Quraan. I was told evil people would spend eternity in hell.”
She also mentioned that she never followed or visited any faith healer because she recites the the Holy Quraan and has a strong faith in Allah. I then interviewed another person, and he said,
“I’ve heard people say that these Pirs are swindlers. They take advantage of women and violate people only to get rich.”
He’s determined to alert his family, relatives, and friends about these con -artist.
But not all people agree with this; they believe in their power and feel life will only improve. So I went to the source myself and sat and observed as a potential customer, witnessing three faith healers at work. A young female came in and spoke to one of the Pirs, and wanted him to help her get a passing grade on her college exams. She begged him to make her intelligent enough to ace the tests. It amazed me how people piled into the place to get a moment with these faith healers. There was a woman who told the Pir that when she goes to the doctor, her husband treats her rudely, and she is embarrassed in front of her physician. The faith healer said,
“don’t worry. I am here to help you.”
Then he wrote something on a piece of paper and told her to tear it in three sections, and burn it in a fire pot that evening. He assured her that her husband would be her slave. There was a man who discussed with one of the Pir’s that he was in love with a woman, but he was not sure that she was in love with him. The Pir guaranteed him that if he pays him Rs.10, 000, that the woman will fall in love. It was astounding to me to hear such outlandish things.
To make matters worse; the man thanked him and told the Pir he would be back with his money. He was unemployed and had to get a personal loan from a friend. I walked out with the man and spoke to him, and attempted to convince him nobody could make someone fall in love with you. It is a sin to follow these people. I think I talked him out of it, but I’m not sure.
People pay 1,000s of rupees every day, to allow these fraudulent healers to pull strings on their lives to gain complete control. I had to write about this abuse, and educate the people of Kashmir that these phonies are giving you the impression that they could solve whatever your problem may be haunting you, and all you are required to do is pay them. What is most disturbing is that these Pirs target vulnerable young girls and women, and persuade them to do whatever. They do this by brain-washing them into believing that their life will flourish with riches of happiness.
Kashmir is the valley of Suffis and Saints, and some men are known to help with our problems and bring us to Allah’s light. These warriors strengthen our faith, which gives us the power to heal ourselves through reciting the Holy Quraan. They do not ask for a payment or tell you to do immoral things. They live everyday life and do not perform any magic.
On a personal note, I want to make the citizens of Kashmir aware of staying away from these devil, evildoers; this is a business to them, a money-making proposition. They’re getting rich off of you, and do not care about the hardships you face. Be a student of the Holy Quraan, and learn the passages, worship Allah, it will only bring you good fortune. We need to defeat the demonic entities that plague our society. And pray that these crooks will disappear from our pious valley and will be punished for their crimes. If we keep Allah in mind, we will reap the rewards and live a prosperous spiritual life.

“Is Growing Level of competition Good For Youth”
Showkat Ahmad Dar and Engineer Firdous Nazir

competition is a situation on which people or organisations
compete with each other for something that not everyone can
have. What this implies is that competition is a by product of
scarcity.
So, When resources are scare then people compete among
themselves to have access for those resources and thus the
spirit of competition is born. competition is the opposite of
cooperation. It arises whenever at least two parties strive for a
goal which cannot be shared or which is desired individually,
hence cant be achieved collectively.
Humans by their nature are competitive as they constantly
face lack of resources, as compared to their unlimited wants.
Darwins theory of survival of the fittest also implied that only
those species would survive and grow which have the ability
to compete and emerge as winners as against other weaker
species who lost in the game of of life. This proves beyond
doubt that humans are competitive and the competition is
the fundamental pillar of human evolution.
Its to be believed that Youth are more competitive than middle
aged popullation.So it leads us to the conclusion that
competition among youth is a global phenomenon, india being
no exception. In india computation begins when a 15 years old
appears in board exams, it intensifies when he seeks an
admission for a degree and is at its peak when he tries to find
an occupation for himself.
As per statistics nearly four lakh secondary school pass outs
apply for a few thousands seats in engineering, medicine and
other professional courses in a handful of premier institutions
across the country and this leads to cut throat competition
among them.
The reservation quota in india adds fuel to an already burning
fire.This reduces the opportunties for the non reserved or
general category of people and enhances the level of
competition among them.
So, competition is inevitable As michel jordon has rightly
said”you have competition everyday because you set such
high standards for yourself that you have to go out everyday
and live up to that”.
competition encourages youth to work hard. They understand
that success does not comes easily in the environment of
competition. competition helps youth to enhance their skills
as they are very well aware of the fact that one who work
efficiently and effectively can achieve success easily.
competition also encourages youth to be adept
multitasking,as this increases their chance of success. It also
enhances their creativity and helps them to plan for long term
and short term goals.
But not all the people are able to face competition in a
positive way. Its negative results also manifest in youths who
are not able to survive in a competitive environment. Youths
who cant manage to compete with other youths became often
vulnerable to crime and drugs.
They get trapped in social anti social such as robbery, fraud
etc to earn money. Youths who are not able to compete and
adjust themselves often choose to end their life. Reports
witnessed that youngsters who unable to bear shame or the
fear of failing to get into educational institutions of their
choice. competition can thus said to be ethically neutral. The
individuals perception of it makes it good or bad. So,
competition should be encouraged but the youth should have
access to counsellors so that they are able to face it in a
positive way.
Also SWOT ANALYSIS (Strength, opportunity, weakness and
threat) analysis should be conducted in schools and colleges
which will help him to identify his strength and weakness and
choose a career accordingly.
Also, the youth should remember that they could compete
with others or with themselves. competing with others
would make them aware of their faults and competing with
themselves would make improve on their strengths.So,if
continuously compete with others,you became bitter,but if you
Continuously compete with yourself, you became better. so,
compete with yourself and the world will be your forte.
Writer :
Dar showkat and Er Firdous Nazir
Handwara

“”THE MAN OF MIDDLE EAST””
Umar Bashir
Egypt’s only freely elected president, the Islamist Mohamed Morsi, who was deposed in a 2013 military-backed coup, died on Monday while on trial, 67-year-old US-educated civil engineer and political leader of the Muslim Brotherhood was on trial facing espionage charges when he reportedly collapsed.Was affiliated with the group as oldest Islamist political organisation in the world.
”He is a Hafiz of the Quran..
He is intelligent..”

It is widely assumed that Mursi is not that bright. He is repeatedly portrayed as bumbling and dimwitted. His detractors point to a series of decisions that seemed to exacerbate anger against him – such as the taxation U-turns, the choice of governor for Luxor and his battle royale against the judiciary. And yet the majority evidence points to Mursi being much more academically gifted than any of his detractors.

”The Azaan takes precedence over his speech….”

”The homeless widow….”

”He took part in aid work..”

”The worlds lowest paid leader..”

”He rarely missed Fajr in the mosque..”

Morsi is known to be a hard worker at each position he held – from the various fields of science, in which he excelled, to his career as a determined political leader, in which he proved his great abilities and skills.

He has research in several major fields of industry in Egypt related to practical production solutions. He also conducted dozens of studies in “metal surface treatment”, which is one of the scientific precision industries, during his work at NASA on the development of space shuttle engines in the early eighties.

Due to his constantly firm stance against the repressive measures and oppressive practices of the overthrown regime, Dr. Mohamed Morsi was arrested several times. After the 2005 elections were rigged, Dr. Mohamed Morsi led demonstrations in support for judges demanding independence, refusing referral of some judges to the Competence Commission to punish them for their outspoken views against blatant elections fraud.
Consequently, Dr. Morsi was arrested on the morning of May 18, 2006 with 500 members of the Brotherhood during their protest in front of the North Cairo Court and Al-Jalaa Court Complex in Central Cairo . He spent seven months behind bars.

He was arrested, yet again, on the morning of the “Friday of Anger” on January 28, 2011 during the revolution of January 25 along with a large number of Brotherhood leaders across Egypt . Their arrest was a deliberate attempt by the despotic regime to prevent them from participating in the ‘Friday of Anger’ protests across Egypt . When several prisons were destroyed during the revolution, and many prisoners escaped, Dr. Morsi refused to leave his prison cell. Instead, he contacted satellite TV channels and news agencies demanding the judicial authorities visit the prison and check the legal position of jailed Muslim Brotherhood leaders, to clarify if there were indeed any legal reasons for their arrest, before leaving prison, since no judicial personnel were available there.
The injustice suffered by Dr. Mohamed Morsi went beyond his person, extending to his family. His son, Dr. Ahmed, was arrested just after the announcement of his father’s nomination for parliament in 2000. He was also arrested 3 times when his father was an MP at the People’s Assembly.

After his great endeavors and proven excellence in political work in his five-year term in parliament, Dr. Morsi was chosen by the Muslim Brotherhood’s Shura Council as a member of the group’s Guidance Bureau. After the January 25 Revolution, he was elected by the Muslim Brotherhood Shura Council as Chairman of the Freedom and Justice Party when that was established by the group.

Dear NEET aspirants!!!
Owais Ahmad Shah

As you know that results have been declared.Your reading room has turned into a veritable jungle.Those who have made it are walking on the air and those who have not are carrying a vacant expression in their faces,crestfallen.Just relax,stay lose and composed.Turn back your clock,in the recent past you have hammered away at this examination.You gave everything to make your dream come true.Celebrate this failure and it will open new doors of success for you.Today you have to compete with the aspirants of other states.During the days of JKCET,a student would bear in his mind that he has to compete with the aspirants of his own state but the new age medical professionalism has broadened the horizons and put over this capital idea just like IAS,where participants of all states push ahead to crack the exams.
You have the necessary detachment,participate in career counselling programmes.Your only goal should not be to read the stuff and crack the exams but you must go beyond this phenomenon.
The profession of medical science is not only about identity attachment but it is about social work,it is about taking care and finding new measures of curacy.
At last let me try to make you feel relaxed about the exams.As you know,in every exam,we see success stories as well as failures.People who pass exams with flying colours are appreciated,recognized for their feat but the people who fail the exams are crestfallen,they bite their lips.
The next year NEET exams will also have success stories who will take the centre stage and as well as failures who will be in background.This year you have not made it to NEET and you should not burden yourselves with miseries but you should pin faith in your confidence for the next exams.You must have well prepared your notes for NEET exams and now you need to stay lose and do any other work.Start studying higher education and frame a time table for NEET studies.I know you will go to the whole nine yards.When you have done your first coaching,stop doing anyother coaching because it will have an adverse affect on the early coaching.Start self-studying,take advice of NEET pass outs and participate in career counselling programmes.The best bet would be to start a new chapter in NEET exams.
Today horizon of career is not limited to few fields but scores of fields.
The writer is Student at GDC Handwara.

The Brand Name Drugs – Versus Generic.

Written by: Gowher Bhat

Arshid Ahmad owned a farm in the Kashmir valley and struggled with his wife to get by with expenses. He fathered and raised two children who are grown and on their own. When his wife Gulshan Akther got sick, he brought her to a government hospital. The doctor told him that Gulshan had high blood pressure, and she needs to take medication for the rest of her life. He gave Arshid Ahmad the prescription, and he went to the drug store to have the prescription filled. The price was so high that Arshid Ahmad could not afford to pay. When he went home, he sold some of his valuables to get enough money to buy the drugs for his wife. He loved her very much and could not think of living his life without her. He purchased the medication, but it was only for thirty days. There was no way he could continue to pay the price for the drugs every month. When he went back, he asked the doctor if he could prescribe another medication. The doctor prescribed another drug, but still, when Arshid Ahmad went to buy it, the price was a little lower but expensive. The doctor said it was the only medication that would help his wife, and she had to keep taking it; otherwise, she will die. After six months, Arshid Ahmad could not afford this medication any longer. So his wife took the pills every couple of days to save money and make the pills last longer. A year later, Gulshan had a stroke and passed away because her blood pressure was out of control. Later on, Arshid found out that the medication his wife was taking was available as a generic drug which was 80% cheaper than the brand-name drug his wife received. He is very bitter and blamed the doctor for killing his wife because he did not tell him that he could get the inexpensive brand, which gave the same result.
Arshid is not the only one who suffered a loss from this practice. Doctors are not honest with patients, and pharmaceutical companies are selling their brand-name medications by enticing doctors with expensive gifts. When the marketing representatives visit doctors or telephone’s them, they make a deal, that’s referred to as a kickback. These gifts range from luxurious vehicles, credit cards for shopping, arranging family trips, cash, and even kitchen items. All the doctors have to do is prescribe their drug to the patients instead of the generic. Kashmiris are facing problems and suffering the consequences of these practices because there is no genuine concern for patients’ well-being. The majority of the people in Kashmir belong to lower-middle-class families, and when they fall sick, they can’t afford treatment and the costly medication to get well.
People need education about generic drugs. It’s known to be equivalent to the brand name in dosages, strengths, route of administrations, quality, safety, performance, and intended use. Generic drugs are 80 – 90% less costly than brand-name drugs.
I had an interaction with patients who fell, victim. One person told me that his daughter got sick; the doctor prescribed a name brand drug. He had to go into debt to pay for the medication.
Another lady said the doctor prescribed her a lot of costly medications, and she mentioned to the doctor about generic brands. He told her to shut up about that; they were not as good.
I then took my interview to another hospital, and there were dozens of marketing representatives with big shopping bags, waiting to see the doctors. I interacted with one of them, and asked him many questions like why are you here? He said he wanted to make a sale and showed me the list of medications they sell and what reward the doctor would receive if he prescribed one of them.
Dr. Nisar ul Hassan confirmed what I’m writing. He said, “that brand-name drugs are preventing affordable generic drugs from reaching the low-income families.” He also added, “doctors prescribe expensive brand-name drugs knowing the cheaper version is available. These expensive drugs prescribed to gullible patients and doctors are becoming drug mafias. Clinicians are fed up also and are bred by pharmaceutical companies for pushing patients to purchase branded drugs. The whole thing is an unholy practice and misleading the public by giving false information. The use of generic drugs has increased at a snail’s pace in Kashmir. But Kashmiri doctors continue to dole out expensive therapies for monetary gains.”
On a personal note, I request the doctors who are turning their profession into a business and refusing to cater to the people with low incomes to stop.

They took a Hippocratic oath to cure the sick with righteousness. I’m also asking the government to crack down on these practices and pass a law to restrict doctors from robbing the sick. If something is not done, people are going to continue to die at the doctors’ expense.
I’m writing this article to put the Kashmiri people on alert, that they need to ask the doctor for other options. Fatalities are rising because patients are not able to afford to pay these prices. Again, I ask, who cares for them? Perhaps no one in the health profession, especially the pharmaceutical companies.