Vol: 03 | Issue: 11 | 2nd - 8th May 2016 | Monday | English Weekly | Pages: 16 | Rs: 5/-

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EESHAN PEER

The semifinals of the Inter-School Debate Compe-tition was held at Sanctorum Institute of education, Amargad Sopore which witnessed a very positive and hearty response from the students of the area. More than 350 students gathered to witness the competition between 30 students from various schools vying for a place in the finals to be held on 07 May 2016. Prior to the semifinals, total of 35 schools had participated in the prelims which were held in various schools cover-ing the Baramulla district.The competition has been conducted in two groups comprising of students from IX & X in Category 1 & students from XI & XII in Category 2. Out of a total of 125 students who participated in the Prelims, 30 stu-dents were selected for the semifinals. The semifinals were conducted in a very healthy atmosphere where students from both categories debated with each oth-

er. The efforts of all were to outdo each other by their views & counter views & stamp their authority on the subject, with each student also trying to earn a name for their school in the bargain.The jury for the event comprised of prominent figures from the area namely, Mr Tariq Chalkoo from Degree College, Baramulla, Dr Masood from the District Hospital, Baramulla & Mr Khursheed from North Campus, Kashmir University, Delina. Prof Irshad Ah Wani Director, North Campus, Kashmir University was also present to grace the occasion in addition to the Commanding Officer of the local Army Unit. In a keenly contested event, four students in each category were selected for a place in the finals. They were felic-

itated with prizes & trophies to keep them motivated for the finals. Two more consolation prizes were also given in each category for a place in the finals. The event was very well received by the students & there was palpable excitement amongst them in anticipa-tion for the finals. The views expressed by all speakers were indicative of the winds of change & the positive turnaround which is happening amongst the local youth of the Valley. They also expressed their enthusi-asm & eagerness for the next mega event on focussed career counselling being planned by the Army on 07 May 2016 which would also include the finals of the Inter School Debate Competition. The event is being organized by local army unit

ADNAN DAR

On the eve of World Book Day, Shah Rasool Memorial Welkin Sopore held a book reading session in its campus lawns. On this occasion students took actively part in book reading with great enthusiasm.Books of religion science literature culture were available as per the interests of students besides books on the history geography and on lives of the people of Kashmir were available that at-tracted most of the readers.

The celebration of this day inculcated the im-portance of book reading among the students.The response from students was positive and they highly appreciated the management of the school for helping them to cherish this day.Rashid a student of higher secondary wing said that in today’s time people are very less interest-ed in book reading as they spend most of their time with internet. This decreases their knowl-edge and alters their vocabulary, I feel extremely happy that our school is trying hard to help us understand the importance of reading books.Samah a student from the school said that it is important to read books as they help us to broaden our thinking. She laid emphasis on reading books and thanked her school manage-ment for giving her a long day just to read books

WORLD EARTH DAYCELEBRATED IN

GHSS SOPORE

SUHAIL KHAN

Ministry of Science in collaboration with Girls Higher Sec-ondary School Sopore celebrated World Earth Day in order to make the children aware of the day, its importance and how it is co-ordinated globally.On this occasion students from different institutes of town participated and highlighted various pollution problems and conveyed the message that our planet “Earth” is in crises due to global warming, over population and other critical envi-ronmental issues and spreading the message of saving Planet Earth.The event was organized for spreading awareness among chil-dren about the importance of earth protection and for main-taining ecological balance thus promoting a healthy “Earth”.Meanwhile Dr Parviez Ahmed also speaks on the occasion and awared students about a clean and green environment in addition to conservation of natural resources.The function was attended by Chief education officer baram-ulla Mushtaq Ahmed, Zonal education officer sopore, Prin-cipal of boys higher secondary sopore, President of traders federation sopore and other dignities from sopore town.Meanwhile Principal of Government girls higher secondary school sopore Mrs Suraya concluded the function with vote of thanks and was full of appreciation for the efforts of Min-istry of Science for organizing the event.

INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE COMPETITIONHELD AT SANCTORUM INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION.

WORLD BOOK DAY ORGANISED BY SRM WELKIN

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After a long period of 10 years, Crime branch Kashmir filed a charge-sheet against four J&K police personnel in the court of chief judicial magistrate in the custodial killing of a Bandipo-ra boy.The Crime Branch in its final charge sheet in a case under FIR No 125/2007/ P/S Bandipora, has indict-ed two police officers Abdul Aziz Thakur (Sub Inspector NO 6834/NGO), Bashir Ahmed Khan (Sub Inspector No.7623/NGO), Selection Grade AktherHussain Mir No.867/AP 9th Bnt (now 221/IRP 12 Bntl) presently posted at Brusrar Power Project Kishtwar and Late Farooq Ahmed Dar (SPO) – believed to be the main accused.“The four accused have been booked under charges of murder, torture, il-legal confinement, falsifying and dis-torting evidence separately.”Initially the case was investigated by Police station Bandipora and later a magisterial inquiry was initiated under No.DMB/2006/4340-44 head-ed by then-Assistant Commissioner Baramulla A K Wani.In 2011, however, expressing dissat-isfaction over the investigation Chief

Judicial Magistrate Bandipora direct-ed SSP crime Branch Kashmir to re-investigate the matter.The investigation report, sources said, revealed that on 26 August 2006, the police team from SOG camp Kaloo-sa headed by Aziz Thakur alias Aziz Killer picked up one Zahoor Ahmed Sofi S/O HabibullahSofi of BrarBan-dipora and took him to SOG camp Kaloosa.“The report says that deceased was il-legally confined in the camp till Sep-tember 06, 2006 when he was brought dead to Bandipora hospital in the evening,” police sources said.Doctors after conducting autopsy revealed that death was caused due to the rupture of a kidney with tear measuring 0.124cm and heavy physi-cal torture to the deceased, they add-ed.Crime Branch has accused late Fa-rooq Ahmed of the offence under 302 RPC while Abdul Aziz Thakuhr(SI), Bashir Ahmed Khan(SI), Selection Grade AktherHussain Mir have been charged with the offences punishable U/S 343, 468, 471, 201,109 RPC.The accused have been sent to Cen-tral Jail Srinagar.

Baramulla to get Women’s

Police StationIn order to provide grievance redressal to women, Baramul-la will get its first Women’s Po-lice Station and would function from May 15th 2016. As per the orders 4 Women’s Police Stations recently created by the Govern-ment would function from May 15th 2016. Besides Baramulla, the other police stations would be set up at Anantnag, Rajouri and Udhampur.Orders for deployment of man-power and terms of reference of these police stations were issued by the Director General of Po-lice, K Rajendra Kumar.It may be recalled that on the in-structions of the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, the State Cab-inet in its first meeting had de-cided setting up of four Wom-en’s Police Stations in the State to provide grievance redressal to women in their respective ar-eas close to their homes. So far two women police stations are working at Jammu and Srinagar cities.

Yasha Mudgal leads crackdown on illegal excavation from kare-was at Pattan, 14 vehicles seizedDistrict Magistrate Baramulla YashaMudgal, in a surprise visit to Zan-gam, Pattan seized many vehicles and their owners involved in illegal excavation of soil from Karewas. Having received credible inputs that rampant excavation was illegally taking place at Zangam, Ms. Yasha-Mudgal accompanied by FirozYehyaDySPHeadquarters Baramulla, raided the spot during evening hours and seized as many as 14 Vehicles including 9 Tippers, 2Tractors, 2 JCB machines and a Maruti Car were seized on spot . An FIR was lodged against the culprits involved in the illegal excavation.The District Magistrate, meanwhile, issued strict directions to the Civil and Police administration of Pattan for putting a blanket banon earth excavation from Karewas.

Cross country race held in Pattan

A cross country race organized by Govern-ment Higher Secondary School NihalporaPat-tan was held at Nihalpora, in which about 70 students of various schools participated.The race was flagged-off by the principal of the higher secondary and started from Shouch-Palpora to institutional camp Nihalpora. In under-19 category HassebJabar bagged first position, Aamir Ahmad Bhat and Umer Ashraf got second and third position respec-tively.Similarly, in under-17 age group Ashfaq Ah-mad Loan took first position while as Suhail Ahmad and Aamir Ahmad bagged second and third rank respectively. The position holders were awarded prizes and commendable certif-icates by the principal of the institution.

4 Cops Indicted in Custodial Killing of Bandipora Boy

Tajamul – that is the name almost every household in Muslimabad village of Bandipora is talking about these days, besides being into the news headlines from past couple of days – the reason, her unique talent that got her accolades from every direction of the country. Tajamul, a gold medalist in 2015 National Kickboxing

C h a m p i o n s h i p , is all set to represent India in World Championships, to be held in Andria, Italy in November this year. This small kid with tiny fists didn’t change history only but alsothe legacy of being first ever Kashmiri girl to achieve this feat. Ghulam Mohd Lone,Tajamul’s father - a driver by profession sent his daughter to learn

martial art along her other

siblings in martial art academy in the town run by Faisal Ali Dar.

Her focus and

d e t e r m i n a t i o n initially impressed Dar’ “From the start it was clear that this kid has real fighting skills because I found her more aggressive than others”said Dar Faisal Ali praised her dedication and thanked girl’s parents and school teachers for

supporting this young talent in every possible way. Her elder sister, 12-year-old RaziulMehmood, however, says she is the best among all of them. It was Raziul, who got her enrolled in the Academy.‘Tajamul wanted to join kickboxing classes with me so I brought her here. I didn’t know she will surpass me. I am proud of her,’ Raziul says. The school going kid has been sensation in North Kashmir’s Bandipora, in very short span of time. Her journey began in 2014 when she represented Army Good will school in District Championship. She was judged the best fighter of Jammu and Kashmir.In

2015, she took part in National

championship held in Delhi and won the title thus paving her way into international arena.“I am keenly waiting for my first international fight, I will fight and win formy parents,school, instructor and for my motherland”, said a joyful Tajamul.Tajamulwhile talking to varmul post said, “I am most thankful to my trainer,school authorities and parents who helped me to bring out my hidden talent and guided me in proper way. I remember before fight I used to feel scared but the confidence that all of them showed in megave a boost in my self-confidence and moral.However, presuming that a sport like kickboxing has no future in India, Tajamul Islam says her dream is to become a doctor. ‘I want to be a doctor. I want to break the bones of rowdies with my kickboxing so that I can cure them with my medical knowledge,’ Tajamul laughs. A student of second standard, Tajamul is best academically and in other Co-curriculum activities, according to school authorities.“She has not only boxing skills but she a very good dancer and singer as well. She is such a multi-talented girl.She always participates in every competition. Our teachers and her trainer along worked hard to nourish her raw talent. Said principle of Army good will school.Tajamul’s paramount success delivered clear message to girls of the state - don’t undermine your worth. She has proven nothing is difficult.

8-YEAR-OLDCHAMPION

SHOWKAT JANBandipora

NOOR UL HAQTangwari, Baramulla

On June, 15, 1990, Ghulam Mohi ud din of Murrin Tangwari left his home for New Light Hotel at Sopore. Back home, people are still waiting for his return. Sixteen long years passed by he never came back. Both the parents died due to pain and grief. Nazir Ahmad Lone, Mohi ud din’s youngest brother while narrating the fateful story of that that day said that it was the darkest day in our life. Ghulam Mohiud din was head of the family. He was working at New Light Sopore. We were a happy life. But our enemies snatched all the happiness. He wasn’t affiliated with any group. After 2 days of his disappearance, few known militants of the area came and checked our house. They blindfolded me and my elder brother Abdul Ahad Lone, tortured us severely and left us

after many days,” said. “Many of those militants are still living and have joined army and police. They alleged that our brother was working as a collaborator but now it is them who are acting as collaborators. And till date nobody dares to ask them why did you ‘kill’ him. With authority I can say he was kidnapped by the same militants. But till date we don’t know what happened to him. We don’t know whether he is alive or dead,” said Nazir Ahmad. During a routine search the same militants told me that we sent Mohi ud din to Pakistan. But they kept on changing their words every other day. They lied to us but it was their rule then, who could have dared to ask them that it were you who kidnapped him. I was 12 years at the time, when my brother was kidnapped. He was 17 years old. People also provided different versions. Some said he was killed, some said he was burnt alive and some said chopped into pieces. But God knows what happened to him. “One of the militant who is still alive said that we sent him to Pakistan. Some even said that he was arrested by

army at border. Another militant of Hizbul Mujahideen from Fategarh area said that your relatives told us that he was a collaborator, so we killed him. We were ourselves confused as whom to believe. It was chaos everywhere,” added Nazir Ahmad.Mohi ud Din’s father and mother went to every village, every army camp, police station, contacted every Hurriyat office but couldn’t find him. Following the imprints of their beloved son, they breathed their last. They lost their struggle of life in this hope that someday Mohi ud din will return home. Nazir Ahmad claims that he himself searched for his brother at various places. Police showed me many photographs of dead. But I couldn’t find my brother among the pile of photographs. Later on we filed an FIR against unknown gunmen. There was a certain fear to complain against the people who were part of it. After militancy they joined other agencies. So we always hesitated to name the people involved in it. During the course of time, Nazir Ahmad said that government provided the family of seven members, an ex-gratia relief of 1 lac rupees which they distributed among themselves, however didn’t entitle it for a SRO case. Showing scars of torture, Nazir Ahmad Lone said that the militants picked him from home and took to an abandoned orchid, burnt his lips by cigarette bits and dropped hot polythene drops on his chest. “They told me that you are literate and you were giving your brother written letters as he was a collaborator for police and army. When they saw no way out they tortured me a lot. Where was that Jihad? They are now themselves collaborators, they are now working with STF and SOG,” an enraged Nazir said. According to Nazir, Mohi ud din was engaged at Bandipora and was soon to get married but destiny had something different for him. Even after 16 long years, a pall of gloom is still around. Losing your brother isn’t that easy. We still wait for him. The pain and sadness is still there. Wish they would have given us the dead body of Mohi ud din! (Nazir sighs!)

In May, 2015, Lateefabad, a picturesque hilly village, 3 kilometres away from Chan-doosa, Baramulla, witnessed massive landslide that affect-ed almost 35 families and damaged 14 houses. It was nothing usual but something that worried the residents.

Same case was witnessed, next month when 42 houses received cracks and near a dozen de-stroyed completely, after landslides hit Frastahar, a village 12 kilometres away from district head-quarters Baramulla. The incessant rains lashed the area, resulting in massive landslides. During the last few years, frequent landslides and land sinking due to torrential rains created havoc in many parts of North Kashmir, which experts believe is the result of both human in-terference with nature and natural phenomena. Experts believe that though there are many other reasons for landslides also but deforestations at a massive scale and illegal excavation of Karewas (hillocks= Wadder) at many places in parts of North Kashmir, is the main reason for the fre-quent landslides. Recently, in the month of May, 21 families were displaced after a patch of land started sliding at Brandub village of Rafiabad, due to incessant rains. According to locals the land started sinking way back in 2011 but it is only in 2016, that whole village, which is located on a Karewa started sinking, forcing the families to vacate. Elders of these villages claim that such things

Cover Picture RAJA NOUMAN

Prevention and Remediation of Landslides

1. Experts claim that the best solution, of course, is to avoid landslide-prone areas altogether. Before purchasing land or an existing structure or building a new struc-ture, the buyer should consult an engineering geologist or a geotechnical engineer to evaluate the potential for landslides and other geology-related problems.

2. Improving surface and subsurface drainage: Because water is a main factor in landslides, improving surface and subsurface drainage at the site can increase the stability of a landslide-prone slope.

3. Construction of retaining walls by adding lagging (metal, concrete, or wooden beams) horizontally between the piles.

4. Preserving vegetation: Trees, grasses, and vegetation can minimize the amount of water infiltrating into the soil, slow the erosion caused by surface-water flow, and remove water from the soil. Although vegetation alone cannot prevent or stop a landslide, removal of vegetation from a landslide-prone slope may initiate a land-slide.

ARE WE LOOSING OUR GROUND ?

BYNOOR UL HAQ

Cover Picture RAJA NOUMAN

never happened in past and it used to rain heavily more than this. According to Abdul Majid Khan, village head of Frastahaar such disasters were never witnessed in these areas before. But now it is a usual trend, as every year some village of Kandi belt is hit by landslides or land sinking. “In earlier times, we did not witness such things. In my 65 years of life, this is the first time we are witnessing landslides in this area. It is actually curse of nature on us. Abruptly land sinks and you are destroyed. Neither the government takes pains nor do the people want to change. We fight with the nature and na-ture hits back,” said Abdul Majid Khan.

Experts believe that due to the nature of these areas which is mostly in slope (Karewa) and contains clay, it erodes easily due to torrential rains, causing massive landslides, thereby creating problems for the families. Principal Handwara College, Professor Abdul Majid (A Geolo-gist) says that villages settled on Karewas are at higher risk and are prone to landslide and land sinking. He says that landslides occur when there is imbalance in the natural angle of repose. “Nature has its own balancing mechanism. Wherever there is any mound or hillock it maintains its balance at an angle, which we call as angle of repose. When we want to develop roads, buildings or cut soil the natural angle gets destabilized which results in massive landslides. It is this imbalance which actually creates landslides and land sinking. Wherever angle of repose gets affected, land sinks and landslides occur,” Professor Abdul Majid said. Professor Majid believes that there are many reasons for land-

slides but deforestation being the main. While talking to Var-mul Post he said that slight tremors create movement of soil which in turn also becomes a reason.“Rains, soil cutting, deforestation are the reasons for landslides. And we also lose the base by pumping lot of water through washrooms, drainage system. It helps in liquification of soil. Hard clay becomes plastic, what we call as hydroplastic proper-ty, in which base erodes and naturally it sinks,” he added. Riyaz Ahmad, an IIT Rourkee pass out and a Geoscientist says that landslides are although a naturally occurring environmen-tal hazard but they have recently increased in frequency in cer-

tain areas due to human activity. He blames human greed and unplanned government policies for the catastrophe. “The mass deforestation, illegal excavation of Karewas, cutting of roads through the hillocks without providing proper protec-tive walls and bunds, removal of vegetation, modification of slopes, mining and quarrying activities and tremors are the few reasons for landslides,” he said. Pertinently, a report submitted to local administration by Geol-ogy, Mining and Soil conservation department claimed that the entire area of Kandi Baramulla, villages of Rafiabad and Uri are located on Karewas, which makes it geologically prone to land sinking and landslides. Besides that the illegal excavation of soil from these areas makes it more vulnerable. As per the official survey in 2004, experts claimed that the upper belts of district Baramulla are at a higher risk and vulnerable to landslides and land sinking. The villages of Frastahaar, Latiefabad, Wahdina, Shumlaran, Wagoora, Chandoosa (Kandi Belt), Brandoub,

Balhama, Kambar (Rafiabad) and few villages of Uri are prone to landslides and land sinking. Few villages were declared slide-prone in 2014 by a team of geologists and seismologists who surveyed the area and residents were promised alternative land for relocation of the village too. Despite continuous warnings by experts, people are still living busy with soil cutting, defforestration and government is in no mood to ban the illegal practices.Professor Majid warns of a dangerous backlash if there is not a blanket ban on soil excavation, deforestation and other illegal practices.“You can’t fight back nature but yes we can minimize the dam-age. Whatever angle of repose is there, maintain that. You are cutting banks; deforestation is going on a massive scale and definitely there will be backlash from nature. We have to opt for

Prevention and Remediation of Landslides

1. Experts claim that the best solution, of course, is to avoid landslide-prone areas altogether. Before purchasing land or an existing structure or building a new struc-ture, the buyer should consult an engineering geologist or a geotechnical engineer to evaluate the potential for landslides and other geology-related problems.

2. Improving surface and subsurface drainage: Because water is a main factor in landslides, improving surface and subsurface drainage at the site can increase the stability of a landslide-prone slope.

3. Construction of retaining walls by adding lagging (metal, concrete, or wooden beams) horizontally between the piles.

4. Preserving vegetation: Trees, grasses, and vegetation can minimize the amount of water infiltrating into the soil, slow the erosion caused by surface-water flow, and remove water from the soil. Although vegetation alone cannot prevent or stop a landslide, removal of vegetation from a landslide-prone slope may initiate a land-slide.

“You can’t fight back nature but yes we can minimize the damage. Whatever angle of repose is there, maintain that. You are cutting banks; deforestation is going on a massive scale and defi-nitely there will be backlash from nature. We have to opt for sustainable development where the damage is least”

Professor Abdul Majid, Geologist / Principal GDC Handwara

“The mass deforestation, illegal excavation of Karewas, cutting of roads through the hillocks without providing proper protective walls and bunds, removal of vegetation, modification of slopes, mining and quarrying activities and tremors are few reasons for landslides”

Riyaz Ahmad, Geo-Scientist

sustainable development where the damage is least,” he added. Meanwhile after every such catastrophe Government promises shifting of families to safer places, orders relief for affected families but problem remains there. Landslides occur fre-quently, people remain in certain fear while as experts warn of catastrophe and authorities are visibly is in deep slumber with no concrete plans to follow. For example, Brandub vil-lage of Rafibad complained of land sinking in 2011 but till date neither the families have been shifted to any safer places nor the people have left the area. Similarly despite declar-ing Frastahaar and Lateefabad landslide pro zone, people are still residing in those cracked houses and there are no retaining walls in such areas. However, Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Bashir Ahmad Khan says that wher-ever possible authorities are doing their job to minimize the damage due to landslides be-sides providing relief to the affected families.“Entire Kandi belt especially Sheeri, Naarvaaw, Lateefabad, Frastahaar are landslide prone zones and we have once and again requested the families not to construct any building in such areas. Also we have shifted the effected families to safer places besides providing relief. We are taking enough precautionary measures to minimize the damage due to landslide as it is more or less a natural phenomenon,” ADC Bashir Ahmad said. In a welcome step Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Yasha Mudgal during a surprise visit to Zangam area of Pattan, seized 14 vehicles and the men involved in illegal excavation from Karewas. Directing the civil and police administration of Pattan for curbing the menace of soil excavation from Karewas, she impressed upon the local administration to ensure strict and effective ban on soil excavation from Karewas. Department of Geology, Govt. Degree College Handwara organized a one day field trip to Brinyl Rajwar Handwara where a massive landslide struck on March 25th, 2016. The land-

slide resulted in dis-connec-tivity of higher reaches and also damaged the property as well. The department headed by Dr. Javid Ahmad Dar and Ishfaq Ahad Lone (Lecturers from Geology Department, GDC Handwara) visited the site. A report released by the de-partment reveals that the pertinent cause of landslide seem to be the slope destabi-lization due to intense rain-fall and snow melting in the region and the second prom-inent factor seems to the de-forestation in the area.

Natural causesof Landslides

EarthquakEs:Seismic activities have always been a main cause of landslides throughout the world. Any time plate tectonics move the soil that covers those moves with it. When earthquakes occur on areas with steep slopes, many times the soil slips causing landslides. Furthermore, ashen debris flows caused by earthquakes can also trigger mass movement of soil.

hEavy rainfall:When sloped areas become completely saturated by heavy rainfall many times landslides can occur. Without the aid of mechanical root support the soil simply runs off when it contains too much water.

Human causesof Landslides

DEforEstation:

Deforestation is the main reason for landslides. This method is hazardous because it destroys the existing mechanical root structure in the area.

Mining:Mining operations that use blasting techniques often cause other areas that are at the risk of sliding to slide due to vibrations under the soil.

soil Cutting:Soil cutting is also a reason and in parts of North Kashmir, this is one of the main reasons for

land sliding.

Patch of road that sank around 4 feet down at Brandub, Rafiabad Picture By EESHAN PEER

In April, a portion of land started sinking at Brandub, Rafiabad Picture By EESHAN PEER

ASIm SHAH

In the world of today, media has become as necessary as food and clothing. It has played significant role in strengthening the various societies. Media is considered as “mirror” of the modern society, in fact, it is the media which shapes our lives. But in this part of the world(Kashmir) the media has become a mere tool for some people, who use it for their personal advantage.

The purpose of the media journalists is to inform people in a fair manner based on facts, so that they can reflect the real aspirations of the society but when this trade comes in the hands of greedy busi-ness men, it definitely is going to run in losses. The media claimed to be governed by righteousness and equity, but greed and self-promotion of some unqualified people has poisoned its virtues in North Kashmir.

Due to some nonprofessional media per-sons in north Kashmir especially in Sopore and Baramulla towns the respect and dig-nity of print as well as electronic media has been defamed. The people who are having minimum or no qualification in this field are hired by some media organization, which is a serious concern and need to be look after. InNorth Kashmir there are some people who claim to be scribes but actually they are just having a qualification of 10th pass or may be not even that.This yellow journalism which is running in different parts of North Kashmir especially in Sopore town has given local masses and people in local administration a chance to raise their fingers against the third pillar (Media) of our nation. One of the sad se-crets of the North Kashmir media indus-try is that too many reporters are hired without having the proper qualifications to cover the news.

In my opinion, the quality of news suf-fers when important assignments or field work go to people who, quite frankly, do not have the educational and professional backgrounds that would make them qual-ified for these jobs. This may explain why the texture of North Kashmir news is far less mature today – both in terms of style and substance. After all, who wants to read badly-written reports or articles by report-ers that may or may not know what they are doing?Why would a media company hire some-one as a reporter and/or a photographer who cannot do the job? There are sever-al reasons behind this, with money being the top cause. After all, it is cheaper to hire someone with little or no qualification and hope that he or she will be able to grasp the intricacies of their assignments rather than to spend more money on qualified person, who can ask for more money than the first one. The second important reason can be that these unqualified guys who claim to be scribes are being used by different agen-cies for their personal motive, as everyone in Kashmir is well aware about living in such a conflict zone and how the things work (Dirty Work).

While with a casual conversation with a lo-cal trader of North Kashmir, Ghulam Mo-hammad, when asked about how are the media persons in this part of Kashmir, the response was strange and funny they are mostly Gazri journalist (Carrot journalist) who do not know anything about it and are claiming to be scribes but do they are even having a 10th pass degree certificate, I am sure they are not. How come then they have become journalist? Hanging camera on shoulders and roaming in the streets doesn’t mean that they can be called jour-nalists.As everyone in North Kashmir has only one question to ask that why does the me-dia keep hiring unqualified reporters when every year dozens of media trainees come out of journalism departments of Kashmir. The answer still lies missing in this sorry state of Kashmir.

Due to some nonprofessional

media persons in north Kashmir

especially in Sopore and

Baramulla towns, the respect and

dignity of print as well as electronic

media has been defamed. The

people who are having

minimum or no qualification in

this field are hired by some media

organization, which is a serious concern and need

to be look after. In North Kashmir

there are some people who claim

to be scribes but actually they

are just having a qualification of

10th pass or may be not even that.

Why Does The Media Keep Hiring Unqualified Reporters?

TEXT & PICTURESRIZWAN DAR

Child labour - a practice that has been devouring the childhood from children from many generations. Chil-dren are forced to work or at times work willingly to overcome the woe of poverty. In Kashmir children work mostly because of poverty. They belong to poor families so they lend a hand to their families in earning the bread and butter. Numerous debates are being held across the globe on permissibility of level and type of work which chil-dren should be allowed to toil; even the constitution is crammed with some laws which govern the regulations of child labour, but in a pragmatic world there seems to be no implementation of these laws which could pro-vide reprieve to those tender hands who work tirelessly to make ends meet. In a society like ours which pays no credence to the menace of child-labour, scores of juve-niles have fallen prey to drug addiction and this trend is on rising vertex in many countries.Child labour has been affecting the psychology and per-sonality of these children pathetically. It is high time to realise and understand whose responsibility is to help and uplift these children. Is it the Government, the par-ents, the employers or all of us together as a society?

“ …and they say the best way to stop child labour is to show it.”

1

2

3

THEYSHOULDBE

IN THESCHOOL!

1. Rameez Daga, a young teenage boy from KraltengSopore has chosen to be a bus conductor at this tender age. His father is a fruit-seller. Awry educational setup has been one of the biggest reasons many young lives have gone astray. Rameez studied till 8thclass in a government school inSopore. But due to baleful environment at school his mind got distracted and couldn’t continue his studies. He earns Rs. 1,500 a month for his job.Job of a conductor is not an easy one. These young boys are seen hanging on bus doors calling passengers and most of the time they are scolded at by uncouth passengers.

2. Faisal Manzoor, an adolescent vegetable seller, who on account of certain reasons couldn’t continue his studies. He belongs to a poor family. His father does a job of watch repairing in Uri and earns very less.

3. Muzamil Naik is very much loved by the customers because of his innocence who often give him some extra money as tip. Like his brother he also carries tea and snacks to many shopkeepers in the market.

4. Moomin Naik hailing from Uri, carries tea and snacks to many shopkeepers in a market in Baramulla. He belongs to a poor family. His father is a labourer who earns very. Working in market at such a delicate age has exposed them to a very dangerous environment, which is shaping their thinking and personality in an unsound manner.

5. Ishfaq Gojri sprinkles water on cucumbers while calling the customers to buy them. He earns nearlyRs 5,000 a month. He quit his studies after 5thclass to provide sustenance to his family.

6. Junaid Buhroo, an adolescent, works as a salesman at a readymade cloth shop. Hehas a small family to feed and support and can’t find anything better to do than to work tirelessly leaving aside the childhood frolic and amusement. His father died when he was studying in 7th class and then with the support of his uncle he managed to continue his studies till 10th but couldn’t continue further. He works for Rs. 3,000 a month and feels burdened with the responsibilities at such a tender age. He wants play but has no time for it.

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BY AAqIB JAVAID

(This ancient game of elements, this base world; the frustration of the longings of the great Empyreans’ dwellers,Upon its destruction is bent today that Fash-ioner of things; Who gave it the name, the world of be it so!)

Dr Allama Iqbal (Devil’s Conference)

On 12th April, when day was giving way to dusk, social media was abuzz with the news of two young Kashmiris boys getting killed in cold blood by the paramilitary forces. Ironically, our national me-dia found the name changing of Gurgaon to be more news worthy and hardly reported the killings. There was no Arnab Goswami shouting “the nation wants to know” on his show because the suf-ferings of Kashmiris hardly hold any importance for these main-stream news channels. Indian media, which thrives on sensational news, seems to find the routine killings in Kashmir too mundane and boring to report. However, it is time the nation should know the truth about Kashmir- the so called integral part of India. Five innocent people already lost their lives and their only crime was being Kashmiri. These two young boys were not shouting slo-gans and demanding freedom or revocation of AFSPA. They were merely protesting the molestation of a teenage girl. Just like the whole nation protested during the Nirbhaya rape case. But they forgot one simple thing- this is Kashmir and here the answer to every question is bullets.The national media only woke up and decided to report these mass murders when they had enough fabricated proofs and statements to save the face of the democratic nation that India claims to be and also the pseudo-dignity of the so called brave Indian Jawaans. They repeatedly played the video of the Handwara girl, denying any molestation by the soldier, even though the origin of the vid-eo was unknown and doubtful. Also, this video, which became a wakeup alarm for the national media to dignify their journalistic duties, was unlawfully circulated in the first place. These news channels conveniently forgot the constitutional laws, which they

invoke every now and then when labelling students and Kashmiris as anti-nationalists, while circulating the statement of a girl who was under tremendous stress and might have said anything under pressure.Turmoil is nothing new to Kashmir. Kashmiris have been facing the tyranny and wrath of rulers since decades. Even the Guinness book of world records reports Kashmir as the highest militarized area in the world as more than 8 lakh troops reside here. Allama Iqbal perfectly described the ground reality of Kashmir in his poem: (A Cry of burning lament issues forth from the heavens; when the man of truth is overawed by the power and pomp of king and landlord).What happened in Handwara is not something new to Kashmir. In fact, it is a routine for the Kashmiris. On 29th May 2009 in Shopian, the battered bodies of Asiya and Niloofar, who had gone to tend to their apple orchard, were found in Rambi Ara, a stream which flows by an army camp in the area. Their bodies showed clear signs of struggle and rape. Even though the culprits, who were clearly known, our constitution and justice system allowed them to walk free even when the gynaecologist who examined the women confirmed rape and said, “What was done to these women could not have been done even by animals”.Seven years after the Shopian rape case, the media still continues to defend these soldiers by saying the two women died of drown-ing. The same pattern can be seen today where the media circu-lates fabricated reports to protect the guilty and give a free pass to them. In this game of politics, we are losing our future, our youth. Kashmiri blood is being spilled so callously as if it has no value at all. I can hear the dead crying from their grave, “Please don’t forget us and don’t forgive our murderers. Today it is us and tomorrow it will be you. Fight and drive these evil forces out of the land of saints. Seek justice, seek freedom. Don’t let our deaths go in vain. Fight and avenge every brother, sister, daughter and son, who became the victims of this tyrant ruler.” As Allama says, “Today that land of Kashmir, under the heels of the enemy, has become weak, helpless and poor, once known among the wise as little Iran.”

(The author is a student of intellectual property rights at Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi.

He can be reached at masteraaqib@gmail.com)

“Nation Wants To Know ”The Silence of National Media

BY INDEEP KOUR

The status of women in our society has always been a subject of concern. From antiquity to present time, the status of women has under-gone certain changes. From being a suppressed gender, the women folk have endured certain changes to raise themselves but still the in-equality exists, because of lack of acceptance from the male dominant society. Although, constitutionally women have equal status to men, but women can still be referred to as the sufferings sex.To put women under the arena of suffering sex isn’t due to any biased condition but due to ‘gender inequality’, where men and women are not considered equal. All people are subjected to equality before law and cannot be discrimi-nated on the basis of caste, creed, sex, colour, or religion but discrimination on the basis sex is quite prevalent in our society. Women are confined to houseful chores and denied other privileges, which are granted to male members of the household. This practice is incessant and is even prevailing today. Women have been subjugated and dominated over a longer period of time; dowry and domestic violence being the

mishap of all. Apart from this, woman has al-ways been an object of desire and gaze; she has also faced sexual harassment or molestation. They are even mistreated and their voices are being suppressed, they have no choices com-pletely of their own and are made to live under prescribed conditions. As a result, this makes the female sex insecure, hinder their growth and progress in the society. But with the passage of time some privileges have been provided to women. Certain govern-ment interventions have led to the upliftment of the female. From the abolition of Sati (1829) to enactment of dowry prohibition act, mater-nity benefit act, domestic violence prohibition act, the position of women in our society has strengthened, but the dwindling sex ratio still prevails. The number of females for every 1000 males in India is around 957(sex ratio). The reason behind declining sex ratio is that girls are considered economic burden in our society, due to practices like dowry .Hence people don’t prefer girl child and therefore go for selective abortion. However with the enactment of Pre conception and pre natal determination test prohibition act (pc-pndtp) the incidences of sex selection abortion have decreased. Still, there is a long way for women folk to get equality either politically or socially because there are certain misogynists who always put hindrances in their growth. Apart from all the stress and growth, even if a woman emerges to

be independent woman, she is always mocked at coming out of the veil which society has provided for her mannered and modest self amongst the knitted framework of polite man-ners. Woman is perhaps a shackled human spirit who is chained from all the sides. Her supremacy over the men folk is non-negotia-ble. She is never expected to contend mastery over the other sex and if she does that, she is mocked as stray woman who has lost her path, is morally deformed and has defiled imagina-tion. This is the harsh veracity of our society which we need to accept.Thus, the status and the conditions of women have improved a lot since past times but still the void is not completely filled yet. Although constitutionally laws have provided certain reservations and rights for the upliftment of women class but unfortunately most of them are unknown to them. For this we need to first of all revamp our social understanding of the problems faced by women and then conduct gender sensitization activities on various fields. To end this, I leave all issues to your prudence and hope that all the readers show their leni-ty at the best to this incessant issue of women conditions and gender inequality. I do envisage a world of equableness for ourselves and our posterity and expect the same from you.

(Author is the student of Delhi University and can me mailed at sheenabali919@gmail.com)

BY AZRA MUFTI

Circumstances change but ideologies remain same. The doll you liked in your teens is noth-ing than a toy for you now; the book you cher-ished to read in your youthful days seems to be a trash of literary work. The friends who could never think of parting with you are strangers for you now; the dress that you really wanted to buy is nothing but a figment of imagination for you now. Those Avril Lavigne songs that you used to hear are just meaningless lyrics for you now, you are no longer interested in the bleat-ing of western ideologies, but all through this one thing remained same, that is you! This is the irony of life; you can take out life from your soul, not the soul from your life. A time will come in your life when you find difficult to rec-ognize yourself ! Am I the same me who wanted to be rich and famous? Am I the one who want-ed to be surrounded by swarms of friends? Am I the one who wanted to have a perfect destina-

tion wedding? No! How can my wish list be so dumb and vague? All these things seem to be so shallow! They seem nothing but the wishes of a 16 year old fantasy lover! Instead of rich and famous, you just want to be happy, Instead of having hundreds of fake virtual friends, you just need one best friend to stand by your side through your thick and thin, instead of a desti-nation wedding, you need a simple wedding or no wedding at all! So, you see life changes just like that!It is good to change, only if this redirecting you to something better. If you are successful enough to break the cocoon of unrealistic thoughts that prevent you from achieving something great, then change is something you badly need. I am pained to see that nowadays age is just a number of people; they fail to mature ignoring the consequences. Some people definitely do not want to see you grow so they will push you to the darkest chambers from where it will be hard to return. Make your wish list so strong that you never want to stop. “Passion”, this sev-en letter word is the key to success. Remember, there is always going to be another mountain, another blockade, another hurdle, but you have to move on no matter what. Sometimes change

follows overnight without you even realizing it. It is a beautiful feeling when you realize that the change has really changed you to a better person.I believe that mistakes are a part of life but do not let your mistakes belittle your confidence and faith. Someday everything is going to make a sense, but for now you badly need a mental makeover. You badly need to detoxify your thoughts; you need to nourish your brain with good thoughts. Someday every scar is going to make sense. There is a long way to go, there are a lot of things that need your attention, the child crying on the road for food, the paper that needs to be submitted, the colleague who needs your help, the friends waiting for your attention, the parents hoping for your love and care, your sibling waiting for another tiff and the list is on! Just calm down and prioritize your thoughts and stay strong!

(Author hails from Khawajabagh, Baramulla and is an active researcher about mental health

issues)

The Suffering Sex

CirCumstanCes Change but ideologies remain same