Thursday, March 28News and updates from Kashmir

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Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad: Mukhlis Wajdani, chasing dreams in his verses

Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad: Mukhlis Wajdani, chasing dreams in his verses

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Bint e Haider My connection with Mukhlis Wajdani unfolded entirely by chance, as I initially had no knowledge of who he was. This connection evolved accidentally through the dynamics of a teacher-student relationship. When it became apparent that I harbored a mild interest in reading, he generously shared some books with me, without disclosing that he was the author. ALSO READ: Ibrahim Gul’s literary odyssey in the heart of Muzaffarabad Upon stumbling upon a picture with a name and title at his place. I was utterly astonished, my mouth agape in disbelief. Here was a person, a poet, and such a remarkably beautiful one. However, his demeanor portrayed an image of vulnerability and introversion. It seemed as though he lacked the ability to communicate, and observing him, one might think ...
‘Poonch Custodial deaths’: What actually happened in Topi Peer, Villagers speaks out

‘Poonch Custodial deaths’: What actually happened in Topi Peer, Villagers speaks out

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In the serene recesses of Topi Peer village, sorrow has enveloped this community in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, as an unforeseen intrusion unfolded with the dawn of Friday. Government forces entered the village and detained several youths for questioning. Tragically, three of these young individuals were discovered dead later in the day within the Bafliaz hospital in Poonch, sparking protests by regional parties in Kashmir and Jammu, urging a thorough investigation into the incident. Mohammad Sadiq, Panch of Topi peer ward, shared the harrowing account of the events with The Kashmiriyat, lamenting, "The Army's presence, interrogations, and subsequent brutality have left us grappling with grief." According to Sadiq, around 15 individuals were apprehended yesterday mor...
Fact check: Can you buy land on Moon? Know the reality here

Fact check: Can you buy land on Moon? Know the reality here

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On Friday, the local news in Kashmir was abuzz with a doctor from the valley had bought a piece of land on the moon. The quest for human expansion into space has triggered widespread fascination, sparking conversations about the possibility of owning land on celestial bodies like the Moon. This surge in interest coincides with the endeavors of pioneering companies such as SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and more recently, India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, which collectively have brought the prospect of lunar exploration tantalizingly closer to reality. Amid this fervor, numerous entities have emerged, presenting the opportunity for individuals to purportedly acquire a slice of the lunar surface. Companies like Lunar Embassy, Cosmic Register, and Moon Estates offer plots of land...
‘Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad’: Ibrahim Gul’s literary odyssey in the heart of Muzaffarabad

‘Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad’: Ibrahim Gul’s literary odyssey in the heart of Muzaffarabad

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Azra Zahra One February afternoon in 2011, while navigating the bustling bazaar of Muzaffarabad, I ascended a narrow staircase and stumbled upon a set of small rooms on the second floor. Despite one door being slightly ajar with scattered wood inside, a sudden fear drove me to rush downstairs, unsure of where it might lead. I sought guidance from the shopkeepers to pinpoint the location of a newspaper man's residence. Following their directions, I returned to the same spot and eventually contacted Ibrahim Gull over the phone to confirm his dwelling. Upon receiving the confirmation, I climbed the stairs again and, as I ventured closer to the doorway, a voice beckoned me inside. The familiar tone resonated with "Mira Ji," though this time, it was Ibrahim Gul, known as "Gul Bhai....
The Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad, Unveiling our exclusive series

The Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad, Unveiling our exclusive series

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Jammu Kashmir historically has four distinct areas; Muzaffarabad, Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh. During the partition of 1947, a Line of Control (LOC) came into existence, which divided Jammu Kashmir between India and Pakistan. On the 5th of August, 2019, the Indian government divided the region falling under its domain into two federally governed territories; Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh. Under the rule of Maharaja Ranbir Singh, the Jammu province was divided into seven wazarats, namely Jammu Khas, Jasrota, Ramnagar, Udhampur, Reasi, Nowshera, and Mansar. Notably, this administrative reorganization saw marked improvements in land revenue assessment. In contrast, the Kashmir province, also under Maharaja Ranbir Singh's governance, was divided into six wazarats (court): Shahra-i-Khas, Anantnag, ...
‘Targetted for my identity’: Kashmiri ex-Google employee sheds light on workplace discrimination

‘Targetted for my identity’: Kashmiri ex-Google employee sheds light on workplace discrimination

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Zahid, a former online strategist and Google AdWords account manager, has come forward with detailed allegations of discrimination and unfair treatment during his tenure at Google India Private Limited. The incidents, revealed by Zahid to The Kashmiriyat, spanning over 18 months, shed light on a series of discriminatory practices and psychological torment that have left Zahid seeking justice and redress. "I worked for Google's AdWords ETO team in Gurugram, India. Despite being recognized as a high achiever and dedicated employee, my experience was marred by discrimination based on my identity as a Kashmiri Muslim," Zahid revealed, detailing the challenges he faced while working for the tech giant. The discrimination allegedly began with provocative discussions initiated by middle ...
Entertainment over empathy? Critical look at Arab nations amidst the Palestine crisis

Entertainment over empathy? Critical look at Arab nations amidst the Palestine crisis

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Farhat Riyaz In the heart of one of the most enduring humanitarian crises of our time, the world witnesses a paradox that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of empathy. The Palestine conflict, a long-standing tale of loss, despair, and hope, unfolds with new chapters each day. Yet, within the Arab nations appear to be occupied with pursuits that are far from pressing humanitarian concerns. The perplexing question remains: Why are they seemingly more engrossed in entertainment, such as Shakira's concert, while their Palestinian friends pop neighbours are struggling to survive? Palestine's struggle has been etched in history, a testament to human resilience and the enduring spirit of a people faced with relentless adversity. The lives of Palestinians, whether in the Gaza Strip or th...
‘Critical journalists being targeted for doing their job’: JK HC rebukes Sajad Gul’s PSA  detention

‘Critical journalists being targeted for doing their job’: JK HC rebukes Sajad Gul’s PSA detention

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In a significant ruling, the High Court of Jammu Kashmir has quashed the Public Safety Act detention of Kashmiri journalist Sajad Gul. The court's decision, citing vague grounds and violations of constitutional rights, marks a crucial turn in the case that began with Sajad's arrest in January 2022. The court order accessed by The Kashmiriyat, issued by Justice M.A Choudary on November 09, highlighted that the grounds for Sajad Gul's detention consisted of general allegations without specific instances or incidents. The order stated that such vague grounds didn't justify curtailing Sajad's liberty, violating his rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Reference was made to Supreme Court judgments in similar cases to support this argument. The detention order fac...
‘Never Thought’: A sad tale of Venkateshwar College’s helpless students

‘Never Thought’: A sad tale of Venkateshwar College’s helpless students

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Bhat Yasir Living in the border district of Jammu Kashmir, remorseful Neeru Devi is squandering her days as the registration agency has refused to permanently register her entire batch rendering her degree incomplete. Devi, a resident of the Rajouri district, enrolled in the Sai Tirupati University of Rajasthan's Venkateshwar College of Nursing in 2017 with the goal to pursue a Bachelor of Science (BSC) degree. She passed in 2021, but the Rajasthan Nursing Council has accused their college of failing to obtain a state government NOC, as a result, she never acquired the permanent registration certificate that the RNC was meant to provide. She sobbed at her fate when she learned that her ineligibility stemmed from not having a permanent RNC registration, even after passing the AIIMS...
Unveiling the hidden epidemic: Kashmir has over 13 lakh drug addicts, Nearly 2 lakh are minors

Unveiling the hidden epidemic: Kashmir has over 13 lakh drug addicts, Nearly 2 lakh are minors

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Kounsar Bashir  In the serene backdrop of Kashmir, an ominous shadow has crept over the valley in the form of a surging drug crisis. Arif's close call with tragedy is but a single chapter in this unsettling narrative. Arif found himself in a remote room during his cousin's wedding celebration in the ancestral village of Dehruna. What started as an ordinary midnight party escalated into a nightmarish ordeal. Whiskey flowed freely, followed by cannabis, and ultimately heroin. But as the night's excitement peaked, Arif's joy turned to agony. His muscles cramped, and his skin crawled, drenched in sweat before he collapsed. For the next thirteen hours, he lay unconscious, friends concocting excuses to cover his absence. Arif was one of the fortunate ones to survive. Kashmir ha...