Month: September 2015

Expedition takes unfamiliar route from Ladakh to Kishtwar

Editor

A group of mountaineers have successfully completed the first-of-its-kind ‘Himalayan Traverse’ from the higher reaches of Ladakh to upper Kishtwar in the Jammu region. Though several expeditions are usually undertaken in the Himalayas of Kashmir and Ladakh, the trekkers of this traverse took an unconventional route which was not properly documented. The trekkers and officials believe that the expedition will open new vistas for serious adventurers and give a boost to adventure tourism in the state, especially in the untapped upper Kishtwar area. “This Himalayan Traverse was completed in seven…

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Kashmiri Language – The identity of Kashmiris

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Brij Nath Betab Our mother tongue Kashmiri not only gives us our cultural identity but also magnifies our cultural ethos by connecting us with our traditions and cultural expressions. Today, when we boast of our rich past, it could not be possible if the language would not connect us with our ancestors and particularly with those whose words of wisdom have become guiding principles of our social life. Despite having contributed magnificently to India’s social and cultural milieu, apprehensions of an onslaught on Kashmiri language have been lurking large. One…

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Did you ban cow-slaughter in Kashmir right before Eid to offend Muslim sensibilities?

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Faraz Talat As soon as the Indian authorities are done congratulating themselves over the arrest of the Kashmiri anti-nationalist figurehead, Asiya Andrabi, they can start explaining how they intend to win Kashmiri hearts and minds through an expanding list of despotic restrictions being imposed upon the people. The firebrand chief of the all-female separatist group, Dukhtaran-e-Millat or “Daughters of Faith”, was recently arrested from her Soura resident over a bizarre list of charges. These include the crime of waving the Pakistani national flag and singing the Pakistani national anthem, as well as slaughtering a…

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Non-local population crosses 6 lacs in Kashmir

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From masons to beggars, they’re all ‘imported’ Kashmir is fast losing its local skilled and unskilled resources as thousands of migrant workers are replacing its indigenous manpower. These non local workers have been coming to Kashmir since decades and the trend is rising day by day. As per census 2011, Valley’s population has increased to around 70 lakh and government estimates put non-local population around 5-6 lakhs. It means that for every 14 locals, there is one non-local in Kashmir. “Right from north to south, they have marked their presence…

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Hizb Commander Burhan, his associates enjoy local support: Indian Army General

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‘No demilitarization at this moment’ Admitting that Hizbul Mujahideen Divisional Commander Burhan Muzzafar Wani and his associates enjoy local support, the Indian army’s 15 Chinar Corps Commander Lt General SK Dua called the new local militant recruits as “our children” and said they have been “misguided”. According to GNS correspondent, while talking to reporters during a media interaction at Badami Bagh cantonment, the army commander said that it becomes difficult for forces to carry out operations against the militants in Tral and other adjoining areas as these militants enjoy local…

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Ahead of Eid, waterlogging brings Valley traffic to a halt

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With just three days to go for Eid-ul-Adha in Kashmir, people had to face hard time as most parts of the commercial hub remained inundated due to continuous rain since early morning. People in most parts of Srinagar who thronged city’s Lal Chowk for buying essentials for the festive occasion complained of waterlogging which caused great inconvenience. “This is one of the biggest festive occasions for us, but the government has failed to dewater the commercial places in the city which has made travelling difficult,” said Nazir Ahmad, a city…

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Jammu-Srinagar national highway closes to traffic

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The Jammu Srinagar National Highway was today closed for traffic after 3 pm following landslides at Gangru in Ramsu and shooting stones at Panthial triggered by the heavy rain since the wee hours today. Traffic police sources said the NH-44 was declared closed today afternoon following the landslides and shooting stones at several places on the road, especially at Gangru in Ramsu and Panthial. However, till last reports came in, the GREF authorities were busy clearing debris to make the highway through for one-way traffic. Meanwhile, the 50-km Batote–Doda road…

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‘Conspiracies being hatched to turn Jmu into Israel, Kashmir Palestine’

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Reacting to statement of “Hindu communal and fanatic forces,” threatening economic blockade of Kashmir, Chairman JKLF (H) and senior Hurriyat (M) leader Javaid Ahmad Mir today  said, the conspiracies were being hatched “to turn Jammu into Israel and Kashmir into Palestine”. He in a statement issued today said: “So called government led by PDP at the behest of RSS has spread an atmosphere of terror in Jammu and Kashmir.   Kashmiri Muslims, who have sacrificed more than hundred thousand lives, cannot be mowed by such mean tactics and we will…

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Rain affects harvesting season in Kashmir

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Incessant rainfall since Monday night has marred the harvesting season in Kashmir with farmers worried over the damage to their crops. “It was a nice season so far. We were almost done with harvesting of the paddy crop. Now this rain will not only delay the process but also damage the harvest,” said a farmer at Narbal in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. The Met department has predicted light to moderate rainfall during next 24 hours.

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State Govt sacks two top AG officials post beef ban

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Amid the ongoing beef controversy, the J&K Government on Tuesday sacked Additional Advocate General, Jammu, Vishal Sharma and Deputy Advocate General, Jammu, Parimoksh Seth. The two have been sacked for their role in the beef ban case. The order of sacking of the two lawyers comes nearly two weeks after the High Court passed its orders on September 9 banning bovine slaughter and sale of beef. “The Government has ordered the disengagement of Additional Advocate General, Jammu, Vishal Sharma and Deputy Advocate General, Jammu, Parimoksh Seth with immediate effect,” an official spokesman…

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