Category: Articles

Articles

Young shoulders, heavy burden

Editor

Badrul-Duja Childhood is simplicity and innocence. Children should not be interfered with in their childhood. A child is a free spirit and therefore there should be interference whatsoever to disturb their innocence and simplicity. They are free from evil motives, free from materialism, free from hate and greed. They should not be robbed off their freedom either at their own homes or schools. A child is a blooming and colorful rose and spreads fragrance in the garden of humanity. Let them grow in the cradle of nature. As they grow…

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DPS Row: An Alumna Speaks Up

Editor

By Ann Saad Keeping the recent rush of write ups on Delhi Public School (DPS) abaya row in mind, let’s put the things in perspective. Kashmir isn’t a normal place, so let’s not try hard to normalize a situation or a place by keeping a very narrow vision. DPS came to Kashmir in 2003 and I was one among the first students to join the school. My parents had waited so long for the school to finally open. The craze of nyebrem Indian teachers teaching their kids had gripped my…

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Separatists’ Unity – Purpose and Dimensions

Editor

They have joined hands to oppose the ‘Sainik colony’ and ‘exclusive townships’ for migrant Pandits Arun Joshi Kashmiri separatists have “united”. Some pictures showing icons of separatism Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik — representing three different thoughts vis-à-vis the Kashmir solution —- huddled together have appeared to reinforce the substance in the symbolism. Geelani is all for implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions of 1948-49, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is a pragmatic leader who wants dialogue to determine the course of the outcome…

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Four laning Srinagar-Banihal: Perform or surrender

Editor

Mohammad Farooq Wani Administrative callousness has always marred Kashmir due to its poor attention towards Kashmiris infrastructure and more importantly the National highway NH1 which is considered to be the lifeline for Kashmir. During winters NH1 often remains cutoff due to landslides and traffic jams. The closure of road during landslides and snow not only put the people of Kashmir to hardships but adversely affects the economic condition of the people as well despite having adequate funds. The four laneing of Srinagar-Banihal has missed several deadlines which shows the callous…

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Kashmir: Caught in Food Dilemma

Editor

To eat or not to eat! Javaid Malik What to eat, what not to eat has become a big debate these days. No food starting, bread to fruits, seems safe. Everyday people come across the advisories declaring one or other food unsafe. Sometimes people are told that certain foods contain carcinogenic chemicals while the fruits and vegetables which they eat regularly are ripened by using chemicals harmful for our health. Would anyone please tell what’s good for health? There is no doubt about the fact that there has been an…

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Kashmir’s culture and a samovar

Editor

Rifat Mohidin When Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s eye caught an intricately crafted samovar at Srinagar’s Kashmir Haat, she unknowingly brought this traditional Kashmiri copper utensil and the culture it symbolises into focus. Mehbooba had gone to inaugurate National Khadi Exhibition on May 8, when she saw the utensil and became the first buyer at the event. Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, who runs stall number 11 and 12, was the lucky seller. “When all the Kashmiri handcrafts are struggling to survive in the market, copper utensils are still in a good demand…

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Bollywood’s love with Pheran

Editor

Irfan Raina The bollywood’s romance has not only continued with Kashmir’s breathtaking places but age-old local culture and tradition has been persistently portrayed in the films shot here. The snow covered mountains and lush green meadows have not only provided beautiful backdrop to filmmakers but the actresses who have been costumed with Kashmiri’s traditional dress especially pheran have also looked graceful. From Sharmila Tagore who looked extremely pretty and innocent in the film ‘Kashmir ki kali’ wearing the pheran, a head dress and matching jewellery. In the song ‘yeh chand…

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Given its flavour and taste, this medieval feast is eternal

Editor

As the middle-class affluence has grown here like in the rest of country, the list of guests has also become larger than manageable. Sheikh Qayoom To beat the deadline before the fasting month of Ramadan begins, marriage season has hit the peak in Kashmir as the traditional local cuisine, the ‘wazwan’, beckons guests to ‘baraats’ and receptions. “I had to wait for four hours for my wife to finish her food at a marriage party yesterday. It was 6.30 p.m. and the females had still not eaten their lunch,” said…

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‘Kashmir Business’ our TV is fast losing originality

Editor

Nissar Bhat This time around it was no less a person than chief minister Mehbooba Mufti slamming the national electronic news channels for “negative portrayal of Kashmir.” The strong views that the chief minister expressed against the electronic media in the country, though indisputable, would change the things for better seems highly improbable. With apparently no code of conduct being applied on them, “negative news” on almost all the matters— Kashmir not the alone — has become forte with a large section of electronic news media in the country. One…

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Health Services Scenario in Kashmir

Editor

It is the duty of every health professional to ensure not only the best health care possible, but a comfortable stay at the hospital Dr. Mehreen Riyaz Kokiloo Scottish medical missionaries were the first to establish modern medical health services in Kashmir. The first dispensary for women was started way back in 1864 by Reverend Robert Clark and his wife, which is now the site of the Government College for Women, Nawakadal. Later, a Scottish doctor, William Jackson Elmslie, opened his dispensary on 9 May 1865. Dr Theodore Maxwell succeeded…

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