Kashmir’s Bleeding Economy!

Arjimand Hussain Talib in a recent post on the Facebook while highlighting the problems faced by the trade in Kashmir has observed, “Kashmir’s economy is dying silently, with far-reaching long term negative impacts. It is high time regional political parties, business groups and civil society initiated a coordinated and effective action. Strikes will only inflict self-harm. A collective response has to be politically sophisticated and result oriented too”. But the moot point is why is Kashmir economy dying? Because it has been slowly made to bleed to death! The bleeding…

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‘Old wine in new bottle’, BJP’s Ladakh manifesto continues with unfulfilled emotive

The BJP’s election manifesto for Ladakh appears to be ‘old wine in new bottle’ as it has again made the issue of Union Territory (UT) status for arid region and inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution as its main poll planks. Opening of Kailash Mansarovar road via Ladakh’s Demchok for pilgrims, early completion of Zojila Tunnel and early execution of Kargil-Padum-Darcha road are the other major promises made by the party with Ladakhi people in its election manifesto, which was released in Leh on Wednesday.…

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Kashmiri Pandit returns home after 29 years, Gets rousing welcome

On Wednesday 65 year old Roshan Lal a Kashmiri Pandit received a rousing welcome from locals in Srinagar’s downtown. Locals of the area as a mark of respect wore him a turban, as others expressed their joy by distributing sweets. Lal a trader was returning to Kashmir after a span of 29 years, he had left the valley after being attacked by suspected gunmen when the armed insurgency in valley erupted. “Four bullets penetrated my belly and then I woke up in the army hospital,” recalled Lal whose grey hair…

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Neither India nor Pakistan, Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris: Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan crickerter Shahid Afridi has said that Kashmir belongs to the people of the valley and not India or Pakistan beside urging the two nations to resolve the issue through a Kashmiri-owned, Kashmiri-led peace process. Afridi in his autobiography named ‘Game Changer’, also said that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan must do more for Kashmir and its people. “Kashmir belongs to the Kashmiris. Not to Indians. Not to Pakistanis. That debate comes later. But first and foremost, Kashmir is for the Kashmiri people themselves,” the 39-year-old said in the…

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