WRITE-UPS Archives - Page 3 of 47

Jan162024 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Leave the snake, kill the Gujjur’: Tribal community challenges Kashmir’s deep-rooted racism, discrimination

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Bhat Yasir In the heart of Kashmir echoes a notorious phrase passed down through generations: "If you find a snake and a Gujjar/Bakerwal man in the forest, let the snake be, kill the Bakerwal man, the snake is not as dangerous." Having spent several years in Srinagar, I personally have not faced such taunts or been labeled with this derogatory name. However, the reality remains that villagers in Srinagar are consistently marginalized, a phenomenon not unique to Kashmir but a global occurrence where one class deems itself superior, casting derogatory views upon those considered inferior. The Gujjars, constituting a tribal group in Jammu Kashmir, also inhabit the high altitudes of Himachal. Their lifestyle is marked by simplicity, yet they often find themselves economically disadvan...

Jan152024 by News DeskNo Comments

Kashmir’s cry for snow: Farmer’s resort to prayers amidst drying rivers, dry spell

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Bhat Yasir Every morning, Abdul Ahad Khan, a 59-year-old farmer from Batengoo in Khanabal, makes a pilgrimage to the banks of the Jhelum, a mere 400 meters from his home. "I come here every morning to check the water levels of Jhelum. This water level in Jhelum is our lifeline. Our food produce, agriculture, water, and everything else depend on this water. But it looks like it has not been snowing up in the mountains. It worries me. Kashmir has seen the worst of times for the last four years," laments Khan. As on Sunday, water level in the Jhelum River has reached its lowest point due to a prolonged dry spell in Kashmir. “River Jhelum was flowing at -0.75 feet at Sangam (Anantnag district) and -0.86 feet at Asham (Bandipora district) on Sunday morning. This is the lowest water level ...

Jan142024 by News DeskNo Comments

Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad: Sabir Afaqi’s book ‘Hama Aftab Beenam’ bridges gaps between cultures and languages

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Bint e Haider Sabir Afāqī's book was published in 2010, and he passed away in 2011. Regrettably, he is no longer among us, having faced the challenges of the vast unknown. Before writing this review, there were ongoing discussions about his other books. I had the honor of sharing a meal with Dr. Saab, and he also provided encouragement. However, given the current circumstances of his absence, seeking guidance from him regarding the references and background of the book is not feasible. The following review is not just a claim but my sincere effort to navigate the intricate ocean of his writings. Nevertheless, as I put these words to paper, my eyes fill with emotion, and my hands shake with the recognition that this book from Dr. Saab serves as a parting gesture for all of us. Enc...

Jan142024 by News DeskNo Comments

Industrial pollution forces transition of Kashmir’s Saffron farmers to new frontiers

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"I know shifting to oilseed cultivation from saffron sounds a bit unusual, but the losses in saffron cultivation forced this change," laments Gulzar Ahmad, a Saffron farmer with vast tracts of land in Lalpora, just 3 km from Pampore town in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Each year, Gulzar eagerly awaited saffron harvest from his sprawling 20 kanal field, However, the year brought an unexpected shift. Ahmad, like many farmers in Konubal, Dusoo, Munpora Ladhoo, and other saffron-producing villages, turned to mustard cultivation. The tales of shifting crops echo through the saffron-rich landscapes of Kashmir, painting a narrative of adversity and transformation. In the heart of the picturesque Kashmir Valley, globally renowned for its saffron, a looming threat has cast shadows ove...

Jan82024 by News DeskNo Comments

Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad: Dr. Sabir Afaqi, the luminous star in literary skies of the city

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Bint e Haider Rasool Hamza eloquently speaks of the vast expanse within the hearts of the Dagestani mountains, where a perpetual melody resonates. He vividly describes a house in this village, seemingly indistinguishable from its neighbors. Yet, within this humble abode, two poets have soared with their poetic names spreading across the world. Muzaffarabad, my city, is also a mountainous city surrounded by hills, akin to other hilly cities. Some have rugged winding roads leading to homes, where residents form communities based on their village, city, or homeland. A local poet beautifully expressed that our city is like a gem in the mountains, a ship of waves in the thousands. Muzaffarabad is indeed a surrounded city, where the confluence of Neelum and Jhelum gives it a unique identit...

Dec272023 by News DeskNo Comments

Warriors and Falcons: A tapestry of Kashmiri medical excellence unveiled in century-long odyssey

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The book 'Warriors and falcons: Life sketches of 100 outstanding Kashmiri doctors' is a collaborative effort of Dr. Faroque A. Khan (New York) and Rumana Makhdoomi (Srinagar) showcases the profound impact of individual doctors but also highlights their ability to influence entire healthcare systems through a sense of purpose and commitment to community service. The establishment of institutions like Government Medical College and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) against significant odds stands as a testament to the vision and perseverance of leaders like Dr. Ali Jan. Upholding these legacies is crucial as they serve as wellsprings of inspiration. Released in September 2023, the preface of the book eloquently underscores the pivotal role played by the 100 distingui...

Dec272023 by News DeskNo Comments

Wailing wombs: Voices of grief and demands for justice echo in Poonch

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Under the solemn backdrop of her modest, one-story pucca house in Topi Peer in Bafliaz of Poonch district in Jammu Kashmir, a man cradled a young girl adorned in pink. Bearing the weight of profound sorrow on her countenance, she proclaimed with resolute conviction, "The perpetrators took the life of my brother; those responsible must face punishment. The forces are entrusted to safeguard us, not inflict harm. We, four siblings, relied on my brother as the sole provider for our destitute family. Compensation is not our plea; justice is our sole cry." Tragedy befell Topi Peer at Poonch when three to four heavily armed militants targeted an Army truck and a Maruti Gypsy late Thursday afternoon.at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Buf...

Dec252023 by News DeskNo Comments

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 ...

Dec232023 by News DeskNo Comments

‘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...

Dec222023 by News DeskNo Comments

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...