Ignoring Agriculture Sector

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The splendid nature of God  has conferred   Kashmir with innumerable gifts, its towering snow clad mountains, bubbling streams, transparent and sparkling lakes, flower meadows, colorful orchards and rare fauna have always fascinated many tourists from all corners of the world. The age-old traditional fruit cultivation has plentifully colored the tranquillity and stillness of Kashmir’s landscape. Kashmir, the land of fauna, flora and fruits possesses a rich history of fruit cultivation.

The agriculture sector of Kashmir, especially its offshoot –“the horticulture industry” in Kashmir has become the bulwark of rural economy in the state. This industry earns revenue of over Rs. 50 crores yearly and provides job facilities to the thousands of people directly and indirectly. But due to coldhearted attitude of masses and government inefficiency we are fast losing our cultivable land to the greed of jungle of constructions .

Sometime back, we came to know that  According to Jammu and Kashmir Statistics and Evaluation Department, the total available area in 1993-94 under ‘permanent pastures and grazing fields’ was 7107 hectares, which has reduced to just 5191 hectares in 2007-2008. The total land available for cultivation of rice in 1996-97 was 17337 hectares in Kupwara, which has been reduced to 15241 hectares. Similarly, the land available for cultivation of vegetables in 1996-97 was 5713 hectares, which has been reduced to just 499 hectares. The available land for cultivation of fodder in 1996-97 was 768 hectares, which has been reduced to just 51 hectares.

But of late as well many voices both in online and offline world are suggesting that whole focus of authorities is on promoting Kashmir tourism sector which has quiet low contribution to economy when compared to contributions of agriculture sector  according to these very voices . So now the question and debate generated in society is that are we ignoring all important agriculture at the cost of tourism.

Ugly Politics over AIIMS

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News Kashmir Excusive

Quality Healthcare facility is need of every human. Health care is one aspect that is direly craving for attention in Jammu and Kashmir State. With the sanctioning of All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)  by the Government of India in Kashmir one had hoped that worries of masses with reference to healthcare in the state would be somewhat eased but as it has turned developments  even in this regard  have taken an ugly shape. Dirty politics and politics loaded with electoral and communal gains is being displayed .State unit of BJP and other right wing Hindutva Parties  with other Jammu based parties  have generated lot of needless hue and cry over the issue of their demand of  the setting of AIIMS in Jammu region.

Valleyites have stated that on account of turmoil Jammu region has over the past few decades got lion’s share out of the developmental packages.

Syed Tajamul Imran, a writer states – “Even if Jammu desires or needs an AIMS; it is very much needed by the people of mountainous Pirpanjal and Chenab divisions of Jammu region,  but demanding such mega facility  for Jammu City or adjacent areas seems only a display of vested and selfish politics. When the need in our part of the world is to brainstorm collectively for betterment of basic facilities like quality healthcare, unfortunately fanatic tendencies seem to occupy the center stage.”

Sane voices are also state that a  place wherein even construction of mega super facility hospital generates controversy, agitation and communal polarization speaks volumes about the maturity of politicians of that part and AIMS controversy bears testimony to the fact that Jammu and Kashmir politicians are more guided by selfish interests rather than collective humane dynamism .

 

On the otherhand the commoners in Kashmir are also questioning the move of demanding AIIMS in Jammu. Manzoor Ahmad, a  student states – “If the agitators demanding would have been so sincere they should have been asking for AIIMS in health facility starved Chenab or Pirpanjal region but their intentions are to look for setting AIIMS in already health facility rich Jammu. Even the protest and agitation carried out for setting AIIMS in Jammu was by no means what we call civillised as it involved lot of coercive tactics. Demand for AIIMS in Jammu city or areas near it seems also visionless as if we look on the issue from geographical paradigms  Jammu is just 650 kms far from the AIIMS Dehli  but the other parts of the state are more the 1000 Kms far from the Dehli AIMS.”

 

Why the demand looks all the more political and selfish in nature is answered by the fact that If we  focus on results of last  elections the BJP got 25 seats from Jammu and PDP from Kashmir got 28 seats but the political analysts believe that it is actually the win of Jammu  that propelled BJP and others to seek AIIMS for Jammu also as the  Government was formed for the benefits and choice of Jammu more than that of Kashmir.

After much ado about nothing, On the assurance of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India in which the state government has been advised to identify pieces of land measuring approximately 200 acres of each in both Jammu and Srinagar keeping in view to expediting the process of establishment of AIIMS in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the members of AIIMS Coordination Committee (ACC) have temporarily suspended their Jammu bandh call .

Amid all this the optimism of setting up maiden institutes of prestigious AIIMS has been tremendously overshadowed by the selfish, communal and regional politics played over this critical issue.

Intellectual Bankruptcy

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Intellectual is defined as a person who engages in academic study or critical evaluation of ideas and issues. Intellectuals have always in Human history played a prominent part in taking forward their concerned Society, Nation or Country towards path of development.

But unfortunately in the Valley of Kashmir Intellectual Bankruptcy has eaten into the vitals of Kashmiri society as a result the society of Kashmir is passing through what can be aptly termed as stagnation. A common Kashmiri knows the fact very well that our so called intellectuals write and ponder over serious issues not out of genuine concern, but to remain in limelight and collect awards and in realistic terms do virtually nothing to address the burning issues.

Commenting on serious issues in cozy chambers under all the facilities  has become a habit of our intellectuals. Advocating for revitalization of Kashmiri language on TV studios for the sake of financial gains has become a routine of our literary personalities. Kashmiri nation hopes that  intellectuals to envisage  a  visionary path  and make decisive analysis  on our behalf but our intellectuals are lagging the ample qualification and skills required for leading us into an era of success. Muscle power is more weighed than academic knowledge in making an entry into the corridors of power and decision making by our intellectuals .

One of the biggest problems of Kashmiri society lies in the inability of intellectuals in this part of the world to make up their minds about who they are. Are they dedicated experts and professionals operating within specific market-oriented and technophobic spheres, adapting quickly with the changing economic, social and political situations? Or independent souls whose only commitment is to truth and who add their voices to the public debates conducting on life in Kashmir

Without doubt  the role of intellectuals in any society is indeed one of the elements very much needed for  its development, so it should be hoped that we overcome our intellectual bankruptcy soon.

Internet Freedom enriched in India

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Internet freedom has become an important subject in the present era with growing number of netizens . Pertinently, the recent Supreme Court judgment rendering a provision of the IT Act as unconstitutional has been welcomed and decried as  a momentous victory for more than 300 million Net users in the country by the Internet and Mobile Association of India .

As a matter of fact, just few days back in a landmark judgement upholding freedom of expression, the apex court  struck down a provision (Section 66A) in the cyber law which provides power to arrest a person for posting allegedly “offensive” content on websites.

 

Few years back in a new report on ‘Freedom of the Net 2011 – A global assessment of Internet and Digital Media’ by the international Freedom House, India had slipped by two points from 34 in 2009 to 36 in the assessment of the constraints placed on the digital media.

 

India stands at the sixth place among 18 countries which have been listed as ‘partly free’.

 

A total of eight countries headed by Estonia and the United States are in the list of ‘free’, while eleven countries figure in the list of ‘not free’. Pakistan is at the bottom of the list of ‘partly free’. China, Cuba, Burma and Iran are at the bottom of the list, in that order.

 

As a matter of fact, the landmark judgment is also going to impact   Kashmiri were  youth have used multidimensional social networking sites like. Facebook and YouTube to report on the events, upload images of the violence, and express their deep anger and resentment over the grave human rights abuses.

But in a series of worrying development it was  learnt that this important tool of freedom of expression is under grave threat and facing repression from the agencies of state. Nevertheless, this landmark judgment augurs well for internet freedom in India.

Growing Suicides in Kashmir

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Suicide is a serious phenomenon that is condemned by every religion and ethic of the world. The definition of suicide, according to the Oxford English dictionary is an intentional act of terminating one’s life due to certain circumstances beyond the normal thinking capacity of a human being.

 

The word suicide comes from two Latin words Sui (of oneself) and Cidium (killing).Suicide cases have become one of the common causes of death in various parts of world. As a matter of fact, the phenomenon of suicide has greatly increased over the past few years in the entire world. Our Kashmir valley, which once had the lowestsuicide rates in the region, has seen manifold increase in the suicide rates in the past two decades on account of turmoil.

 

World Health Organisation (WHO)  data states that approximately one million cases of suicide are recorded annually world over. Every 40 seconds, somebody dies by suicide.

 

 

Pertinently, Kashmir’s suicide rate has increased 40-fold since militancy broke out over two decades ago, many researchers probing psychiatric disorders here have noted this veracity .As a matter of fact, suicide rates in Kashmir  valley were almost zero  before the breakout  of violent conflict since 1989. Since then, there has. As a matter of fact, on the very first day of 2015, when people were busy celebrating , wishing each other happiness and prosperity and on that day  four persons attempted to commit suicide in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Three persons according to hospital sources breathed their last while a girl who also attempted to end her life is in critical condition. Even in last year there has been a very noticeable spurt in suicides contuning the trend of  rising suicides  in the past 22 years.

 

But this abnormal increase in suicide rate has sounded alarm bells among the sane corners of Kashmiri society. Suicides among women are growing at much alarming pace. Some voices blame loss of patience and financial distress being responsible for this spurt in women suicide while others believe brutalities of men towards women and lack of opportunities responsible for increase in suicide among women of Kashmir.

We as a nation of Kashmir need to understand that life is a priceless gift from God.   Even when a human being has no material belongings, life will still be possessed.   In light of these observations, it is very logical and ethical to believe committing suicide is awful because you are always better off than someone else out there. Why would you want to throw your life away?.

All the voices of sanity in Kashmir should engage in brainstorming sessions to put an end to menace of suicides which is harming our national fabric.

Resilient Peshawar

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Peshawar which recently witnessed a horrific terrorist attack on an Army Public School which killed 131 children is still somber and sadness defines the life of this Pakistani City Known as Flower City. But the will to fight back is there and the signs of all this became clear last Monday when in a big step towards  Limping  normalcy, the army-run Peshawar school which was ravaged by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan nearly three weeks ago resumed its classes with even injured students thronging to schools .

Pertinently, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif personally received the students and met the parents at the school. He also attended a commemorative service held at the school and sung the national anthem in honour of those who lost their lives during the terror attack. The attack on December 16 had claimed 148 lives, including 132 school children.

In another heartening development,  Meanwhile, the structure of the school has been renovated while the cleansing work has also been completed. Vacations in all educational institutions across the country were extended due to security reasons. After enhancement of security measures these educational institutions resumed classes on last Monday.

People of brutalized Peshawar City are showing the will power to fight the carnage of inhuman elements. As the legendary personality of late Nelson Mandela had beautifully stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”More powerful than the terror inflicted by gunshots. More powerful than the fear and darkness which overcame Peshawar on this dark moment in history when it last 131 young children and 15 brave teachers but the city seems to be remembering the importance of education very well.

One hopes that resilience shown by Peshawar will transform the country of Pakistan into a positive country full of peace and prosperity.

 

Load Shedding problem in Kashmir

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As the winters dawn in Kashmir we have always witnessed long spells of load shedding hitting the Valley of Kashmir impacting the daily  chorus of masses and adversely effecting the industrial, business progress and study schedule of students. Long hours without electricity not only haunt masses but life without electricity is full of depression. The menace of electricity has plagued the majority of areas of Kashmir since very long and every government that has come in power has had no effective answers or policy mechanisms to deal with this problem. One effective answer to the electricity problem could be to tap the enormous hydro-electricity potential of Jammu & Kashmir especially Kashmir Valley  and utilize this potential in right direction.

All throughout the history, the hydroelectricity potential of our state Jammu& Kashmir  especially the water rich Kashmir Valley is a well known fact. Power Development in Jammu and Kashmir has a long and illustrious history. 9MW Mohra Hydro-electric Plant, among the first of its kind in the subcontinent, was developed as early as 1905. The estimated hydel potential is about 20,000 MW.

The Jammu& Kashmir State Power Development Corporation presently has 20 hydroelectric projects with installed capacity of 758.70MW located in various districts of Jammu & Kashmir including 450MW BHEP. .

We have a very huge hydroelectricity potential which if properly tapped can end the problem of power cuts in Kashmir .Although,  there is a difference of opinion on the total hydroelectric power potential of the J&K State with JKSPDC putting it at about 20,000 Mw’s. But on the other hand independent assessment has revealed that Jammu and Kashmir’s hydropower potential is 25,000 megawatts, much higher than the state government’s estimated figure of 16000 to 20,000 megawatts. But from all estimates the hydroelectricity potential of Kashmir is huge.

To ensure continuous electricity supply we should also cut down transmission- distribution losses. Pertinently, the power sector faces in the state is the transmission and distribution losses which are more than 63 per cent of the total electricity generation of the state. According to a  report released few years back , the transmission and distribution losses are about 50 per cent, while the rest 13 per cent are collection losses, making it an aggregate of 63 per cent. Another disturbing factor revealed by the survey is that the state with such a huge hydropower potential had to purchase 90 per cent of the total electricity consumed in the state in 2006-07 from central power agencies.

In addition to tapping the hydroelectricity potential of Jammu & Kashmir Curbing of the  theft of electricity, ensuring the efficient metering system could go long way in solving the grave issue of power crisis in Kashmir.

With the elections round the corner and very few months left before a new state government can take over the reins of power in Jammu & Kashmir the masses are pinning the hopes that the new State Government after assuming the office should tackle the issue of electricity failure in Kashmir especially during winters.

 

 

 

 

Civil Society and Kashmir

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It is well known fact that a strong  Civil Society plays a dynamic  role in informing  and adding new lease of charm  and new lease of life to a modern society and is considered among the most needed institutions in a civilized society especially when a society is faced with adverse scenarios .Undoubtedly, Non Governmental Organizations also commonly known as NGOs play pivotal  role in forming a vibrant and active civil society in any part of the planet earth.

 

Importantly the recent devastating floods in Kashmir have reinforced the role of having an effective and vibrant Civil Society. Society Experts have time and again started that Post-conflict situations call for effective efforts from Civil Society to come out of traumatic experiences .  The importance of efforts to rebuild civil society by the constructive role of NGOS and establishment of the rule of law, tackling natural disasters, stimulation of political dialogue and public participation, which is essentially made possible by a vibrant civil society  must not be under-estimated, as they provide both formal and informal institutions for reconstruction in post-conflict situations. Therefore, efforts to strengthen civil society is a necessity that can be facilitated by NGOs, both local and otherwise, in a number of ways – by assisting local communities and individuals in the design of programmes, providing capacity building services, access to financing, and establishment of legal entities like cooperatives.

But on ground zero the Civil Society component of Kashmir offers a mixed picture. Pragmatically on ground the desired coordination between civil society was lacking if we take the recent floods as example but on the otherhand we also some vibrant NGOs rendering valuable efforts in rescue, relief and rehabilitation which has helped in easing the sufferings of masses. With more positive approaches applied the Civil Society in Kashmir can do wonders in changing the overall  situation towards betterment.

Wetland Destruction, Illegal Encroachments Triggering Kashmir Floods

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News Kashmir Exclusive

With the threat of another floods looming large in Kashmir valley this season the biggest question, that is talk of town is that how Valley of Kashmir has been literally converted into a flood zone with even normal rains that too in month of March which is a no-flood month.  .

Pertinently, the answer does not seem simple as the overall environmental scenario is quiet awful as Valley of Kashmir has  lost several precious environmental resources. Over the past few decades, Kashmir  lost a majority of wetlands and lakes. The phenomenon of deforestation has increased. Illegal encroachments have worsened the matters.

Painfully Enough,  by display of the selfish attitude by masses and successive inefficient governments , Kashmir has  lent a great blow to its  natural resources and as a result today according to experts the calamities like floods are thus becoming a normality.

According to many environmental watchers, Wetlands destruction is one of the main reason behind recurring Kashmir floods as wetlands form an vital part of our ecosystem. Wetlands perform multiple function as they  can decrease flooding , remove pollutants from water , recharge groundwater, protect shorelines, provide habitat for wildlife , and perform other various important functions.

 

Beautiful Valley of Kashmir is bestowed with large number of impressive wetlands like HAIGAM RAKH, MIRGUND WETLAND, SHALBUGWETLAND:

The Wetland International(NetherLands)  an International organization and authority on wetlands describe in their report the worth of wetlands of Kashmir as under,” The Kashmir Valley with an average elevation of 1600 amsl is dotted with wetlands, which play an enormous role in maintaining the hydrological regimes of the entire valley. There are varied assessments on the extent of wetlands within the valley owing to difference in interpretation of definition of wetlands. The present assessments ranging from 236.5 sq km (Space Application Center, 1998) – 256 sq km ( NationalWetland Inventory, Salim Ali Center for Ornithology, 2001) , are significantly underestimated considering the comprehensive definition of wetlands on hydrological basis. But destruction of these wetlands has lead to environmental havoc.

Commenting on this abject reality, Junaid Khan, an activist states – “ The recent flood disaster in kashmir is undeniably a result of extreme rainfall. But this is not entire story. The loss of forests, wide spread illegal construction on agriculture land and earth/filling of water bodies has decreased water retention and increased flash floods and landslides (Due to deforestation ) across the state. As a result, heavy rainfall may turn into disastrous flooding with in hours. Destruction o wetlands has worsened the matters for us. The illegal encroachments and construction in Dal and other lakes causes water level to ris and lakes cant bear the continuous spell of rain and same water overflows causing  fear and destruction. More than 30% of wetlands in kashmir valley have been encroached upon or severally damaged. The construction there is mainly due to commercial activities. Take example of of biggest lake “wular” It has once spread across 20000 hectares, it now remains restricted to 2400 hectares.

 

According to expert opinion , Dal Lake, Anchar Lake, Manasbal and Wular Lake are some of the larger wetlands of the basin. Extensive marshes have been also formed in lower areas through catchment drainages, particularly between Srinagar and Sopore Rakh Asham, Naugam, Malgam, are some of the major marshes of the valley, but unfortunately  a big portion of which has been drained and reclaimed for agriculture and settlement”.

 

Hilal Alvi, An environmental watcher states – “ Wetlands have immense importance as they function as natural sponges that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater and flood waters. Trees, root mats, and other wetland vegetation also slow the speed of flood waters and distribute them more slowly over the floodplain. This combined water storage an braking action lowers flood heights and reduces erosion. We  need to remember that  Wetlands within and downstream of urban areas are particularly valuable, counteracting the greatly increased rate and volume of surface- water runoff from pavement and buildings. The holding capacity of wetlands helps control floods and prevents water logging of crops. Preserving and restoring wetlands

But currently the Wetlands in Kashmir are facing multi-dimensional threats “Taken as a whole, it is estimated that the aggregate value of services generated by wetlands throughout the world is $4.9 trillion per year (Costanza et al. 1997). Wetlands are integral part of environment. Wetlands are an important part of Kashmir environment but they have been continuously   facing many  problems including siltation, eutrophication and unabated encroachments of agricultural land. Natural and artificial fertilizers extensively used on adjacent agricultural lands enter the wetland resulting greatly in increased  rate of eutrophication and threatening wetlands. Steps should be taken to save our valuable wetlands from looming disasters than only we can safeguard overselves from calamities like floods .”

Illegal Encroachments over the past few decades have become a norm in Kashmir and have lent death blow to the fragile environmental zones and aggravated the situation further. While on one hand these illegal encroachments have choked rivers and flood channels on the otherhand, rational voices are also worried that Large scale encroachment of Wullar, Hokera & Narkara Wetlands for residential colonies is also posing a danger to migratory birds.

Overwhelming opinion on ground is that Wetland Destruction, Illegal Encroachments are undoubtedly triggering Kashmir floods.

Debate : March Session or November Session

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News Kashmir Exclusive

The Valley of Kashmir’s already fragile education system has been hit hard by the political turmoil, natural disasters, lack of quality infrastructure in past few decades and students have been hit hard by all this.

 

What has been the prominent defining challenge amidst all this turbulence is the debate revolving whether the November- December session is best or the March- April session with reference to the timing of examinations of Kashmiri students. Viewpoints, narratives, arguments have all been differing with some favouring maintaining the November Session while others favouring March session.

Pertinently, a Cabinet decision in 2014 by the then state government had made it clear that examinations shall be held in March  and stated “ It is a binding on all education institutions operating in the state and those violating the orders will be dealt as per law.”

The said cabinet order had made it amply clear that academic session will start from March and exams will also be held in the same month. The November session has been deferred to March and it will continue to remain so in future, the said order had maintained.

 

What decision will the new government take on academic calendar will it be November session or March session remains to be seen but a debate on subject is on between social circles .

While reflecting on this debate whether November session or March Session is suited, Sheikh Sameer, An Academician states – “J&K state has distinct geographical features. People have adjusted their lifestyle according to unique climatic conditions. The summer and winter activities in every sphere of life follow the somewhat different calendar of J&K people. The March session had been in practice earlier but unfortunately as it is generally believed it was changed to appease bureaucrats. It is because of bureaucratic intervention and hegemony that such system evolved for worse. November session has many disadvantages, problems that are endemic. On the other hand the advantages of March session are many. The academic session at present starts in March and ends in September (with regard to teaching-learning). As such there are only seven months of teaching-learning period. While as shifting of annual exams permanently to March session will increase the teaching-learning period. Academic year will start from April and end in November stretching the duration from seven to eight months thereby increasing the period by one month. Students can better prepare for examinations in the two months, that is from December to January. The examinations may start in mid February when severe cold is accorded ‘farewell’ and the climate starts becoming suitably warm. In winter vacation students often waste a lot of time in unnecessary home work instead of exam preparations. In this technology age students should not be allowed to wait too long for preparation and declaration of results. By March if both exams and results are over, academic session would begin as early as April. With the prospective change of the examination session from November to March many problems will get settled on their own (structurally). Let all stake holders have firm approach to make this a permanent change. Let exams be always held in March and the final class pass outs join professional and academic courses afresh without wasting any time.”

 

Ubaid Zaragar, a student states – “In  March this year the weather was not stable which created havoc for board authorities to conduct exam on due dates. The questions were continuously arising will this (March session) continue or not. Although I think the exams should be conducted in March which will be helpful for both the 10th and 12th class students. As we all know in winters, people in Kashmir usually stay inside and most of them waste their time, either in playing cricket or in snow fighting. March session, to several students, has come as a great solution for deriving out maximum benefits from an idle phase. It will surely give them a chance to develop the habits of self-studying, reading novels, history which, otherwise, is not possible. March session will benefit students from rural areas as well. Normally, autumn is a season for harvesting in Kashmir. Most of the students living in rural areas remain busy with the crop harvest. Ironically, most of the examinations are held during the same period of the year. If the examinations are postponed until March, these hardworking students from villages will get ample time to prepare and thus will prosper both economically as well as academically.

Ubaid Zargar adds – “Another reason where I support is when we pass graduation level exams in January, we need to pause our self while waiting in getting admission inside Kashmir or outside. Then after a long they too follow the March session procedure which in fact devastates our several months. The irony in it is these months get wasted which in fact as per calculations waste the whole year.

 

The conduct of exams in winter is a very difficult job for authorities as well as students because of the weather conditions prevailing here. The government should make it compulsory, as its kick start was not so good. They should stick to the decision to conduct exams in March every year as it is advantageous.”

 

On the otherhand, there are many opposing voices too who state November session should e maintained.

Arshid Ahmad, a parent stated – “ Examination session or the academic session should e not changed to March as this will make our students, teachers lethargic. We all know we have a long winter in Kashmir and in this day and age preparing for exams is not such big deal. Making March Session a permanent feature will come with a great hazard that on overall terms winter vacations will not be utilized and these long months of vacation will not prove productive and can make our students lose touch and elegance. So we should not change to March Session as it can lead to total wastage of long intervals of Winter Vacation in Kashmir.”

Without doubt an interesting debate is on whether to have March Session or November session for our academics and policy makers should take all pros and cons into consideration before taking final call.