The Organizers of the Seminar at Amar Singh club aligned the event with the official 2026 United Nations Theme.  At Amar Singh Club, the focus remained on elder abuse which generally goes under-recognized and under-reported. It can take many forms, including physical, psychological, and financial abuse, as well as neglect. It often occurs in situations where individuals lack visibility, support, or access to services. Addressing this issue requires more than raising awareness. It calls for stronger systems that can prevent abuse and respond effectively when it happens, while respecting the dignity, independence, and rights of older persons.

The Seminar at Amar Singh Club, was attended by a galaxy of medical doctors, Former officers of administration and police, academicians, educationists, media persons and senior citizens.  Many speakers deliberated and spoke on the theme. Nasir Hamid Khan, Secretary, Amar Singh Club, welcomed the guests and introduced the theme of the seminar and conducted proceedings also. Dr Zubair Saleem, Geriatric Consultant and Chairman Moul Mouj Foundation, gave a presentation in detail about the elder abuse, their riddles, issues of health, psychological, emotional distraction and other issues pertaining to their ageing life. He related certain personal experiences with such elders who are in a suffering mode due to ageing. He suggested solid and fact-based measures which can make the life of elders or senior citizens comfortable. He also spoke how Moul Mouj Foundation Is tirelessly and devotedly providing medical service and mental therapy to the senior citizens.

A retired Kashmir University academic legend recently warned that a decline in moral values is driving a rise in elder abuse. Pointing to the historic European Renaissance—which revived truth, humanism, and wisdom, inspiring great minds like W.B. Yeats—the veteran academician called for a cultural rebirth closer to home. It is time for a collective shift in attitude: a revival of our age-old values to protect, respect, and cherish our elders. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, (IAS Retrd), Chairman GCC, spoke on the occasion and focused how t elder abuse could be prevented and protected. He stressed on the implementation of “Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in India” to establish legal obligations for children to provide maintenance and allow for abusive adults to be legally evicted from a parent’s home. This would mean the elders possess Legal Protections and Rights as per the Law. He also appealed the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to come out and envisage laws and maintain legal rights for elders so that the adults are prevented from abusing elders.

 “Old age is an unavoidable stage of life that mirrors childhood; both are natural periods of dependence where children rely on parents, and later, parents rely on their children. Consequently, it is our duty to love, care for, and honor our elders.”

Kafayat Rizvi, former senior Officer and   Chairman, Central Pensioners Association, spoke and related his discussion on the issue in terms of Holy Verses of Quran and teachings of Prophet SAW. He stressed that the elderabuse is fast emerging due to the lack of moral and religious education. He recalled the times of the past when elders were respected and loved and the adults would be submissive but the present situation is very petrifying which has made the old parents and elders to live in constant fear and shiver.  He stressed that the educational system requires to steer out with reformations which would involve value-based education. Prof Yasmeen Ashia, Former Director Colleges of Higher Education, spoke and said the elders in the society experience traumas and ordeals physically, healthily, mentally, financially and emotionally. She said that the elder abuse symbolically reflects the downfall of moral values in our society. She stressed that systematic measures and networks are required to maintain the dignity and honour of elders.

Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, delivered an emotional and though provoking speech at the conclusion of the Seminar, He reminded the audience about the past when, our society including elder and adults would honour, love, share joys of each other. It was a time when one would regard his parents and elders and care for their desires, wishes and needs. He said the parent is the sweetest and loving relation for a human being in the world. He said, “If you don’t treat your brother, sister, son, daughter and even wife well, they may behave in the same manner. But even though, you don’t treat and behave well with your parents, still they continue to love you and pray for your welfare.”

Chief Minister’s Advisor highlighted that not only elders need awareness, the young generation also needs to be made aware and inspired to respect and regard elders. They need to remember that today their parents are old and suffering, tomorrow, the same would be repeated with them. He advised the organizers that younger generation should have been invited to the seminar, otherwise, it ironically, gets limited to ourselves (elders) only. He stressed that the society particularly younger generation needs to change its attitude towards the elders. He said he would take up the issue of elder abuse with the social welfare Department and request them to formulate policies for the safeguard of the ageing elders. Old age is an important stage of life that a man cannot deny. Childhood and old age are natural reliant conditions of life where children depend on parents and vice-versa. We need to love, care and honour our elders. At the end of the Seminar, a Booklet, titled “Impact Report” prepared by Moul Mouj Foundation was released by the Chief Guest and other distinguished Guests.

(The author is a veteran academician. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)

At a close look into Achebe’s novels, the young writers of the world particularly of the Middle East are bound to receive inspiration awakening and thereby project the social and political problems in their writings instead of the traditional concerns and themes. They are also bound to learn lessons from Achebe and teach people to regain their lost glory and identity and understand the plights, tensions and other political malaises of their society with an effort of reformation and solution.”

English has been a powerful instrument of protest in the past and has become the most important medium of communication in the International spheres. Its terminology and concepts have greatly enriched the languages of the people in the commonwealth countries. In the twentieth century, Commonwealth Literature has attained an independent status in being a vehicle of highlighting the social, political and religious problems of various commonwealth countries during their pre- independence and post- independence periods. However, out of various literary genres, it is primarily fiction that has attracted the attention of the commonwealth writers, probably because of its being the easiest means of depicting the socio-political problem of their countries and verily due to the conventions associated with this genre ever since its birth in the eighteenth century England.  The African fiction, of which Chinua Achebe is the major exponent has its origin in the African literature of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, is no exception in the sense that it has become one of the major means of highlighting the problems faced by the African countries during the British rule as well as after getting liberated from colonialism. The novel is the most indispensable literary genre in Africa, because, as compared to poetry, drama and essays, it depicts, social, political and other important changes of the African society. In 2008, an article appeared in the leading national newspaper, The Hindu in which Chinua Achebe, the renowned Commonwealth writer and the great African novelist was discussed as a less known writer in India and widely known in the other parts of the world. It is observed that in our part of land also Chinua Achebe is less known to the people though the difficulties, frustrations aspirations and prejudices and exploitations which he highlights in his fiction have a close resemblance one way or the other in other parts of the world also. He in his novels very boldly talks about the social and political ills and feels for his people and country. He very clearly sates in his speeches and lectures that as a writer he has a mission to show social commitment and concern. According to him, all art is propaganda, though not all propaganda is art. It should illuminate the people with historical experience and other human and contemporary issues. Mulk Raj Anand, the legendary Indian Fiction writer remarks, “I believe literature, though universally significant deals with a contemporary situation. I mean the human and novel situation at any one given time.” At a close look into Achebe’s novels, the young writers of the world particularly of the Middle East are bound to receive inspiration awakening and thereby project the social and political problems in their writings instead of the traditional concerns and themes. They are also bound to learn lessons from Achebe and teach people to regain their lost glory and identity and understand the plights, tensions and other political malaises of their society with an effort of reformation and solution.

(The author a veteran academician. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)

“The Miraculous Journey was a test for all those people who had accepted Islam as their way of life and it is a test for us also that we believe what our Prophet (SAW) saw and revealed to us from the experience of the Great Journey During The Night. We should be proud of the fact that our Nabi (SAW) was exalted in the greatest way and no Prophet had been exalted in such a manner. This fact reveals to us that our Prophet (SAW) is most dear to Allah and we have the responsibility to abide by the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and live our life according to his teachings.”

The Prophet (SAW) saluted him and Adam (AS) expressed his faith in his Prophethood. Then Gabriel (AS) took the Prophet (SAW) to the second heaven and there he saw John, the son of Zachariya (Yahya bin Zakariya) and Jesus son of Mary. Prophet (SAW) saluted them and they returned the salutation. On reaching the third heaven, they saw Joseph (Yousuf AS) and saluted him. On reaching the fourth heaven, they met the prophet Enoch (Idris AS).In the fifth heaven; they met the Prophet Aaron (Harun AS). In the sixth heaven Prophet (SAW) met Moses (Musa AS). On meeting Mohammad (SAW), Musa (AS) wept and our Prophet (SAW) asked the reason of weeping and Musa (AS) answered that he was weeping because he could not take his people to the heaven as he (SAW) has been able to do. On the seventh heaven, he met Abraham (Ibrahim AS) and both saluted each other. After the visit of the heavens, he (SAW) was taken to Sidrat-al-Muntha (the remotest lote tree) and was shown Al- Bait- al-Ma mur (the much frequented house) which is like the Ka”ba ( Sacred House) encompassed daily by 70 thousand angels who once encompass it, would not get a chance again till the Day of Judgment. Gabriel stopped his journey at this point and told Prophet (SAW), that he can not accompany him because he can not resist the Divine Presence of Allah. According to the Prophet (SAW), from this point, he went ahead alone and passed through many Hijabs, the distance could be traveled in 500 years. He was then presented to The Divine Presence OF Allah and he experienced the joy of THE Divine Glory and Manifestation at the closest distance. In the Holy Quran, Allah says, “Then he approached and came closer.” (Surah, An- Najm—- The Star). The significance of the Miraculous Journey was that Allah Willed to show the Prophet (SAW) all the signs which He had revealed to him through the Holy Quran so that His beloved Prophet would have Faith with certainty. Allah says in the Holy Quran, “… In order that We might show him (SAW) of our verses. (Ayat”). The Miraculous Journey was a test for all those people who had accepted Islam as their way of life and it is a test for us also that we believe what our Prophet (SAW) saw and revealed to us from the experience of the Great Journey During The Night. We should be proud of the fact that our Nabi (SAW) was exalted in the greatest way and no Prophet had been exalted in such a manner. This fact reveals to us that our Prophet (SAW) is most dear to Allah and we have the responsibility to abide by the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and live our life according to his teachings.
(The author is a veteran academician. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Dr. Farooq Ahmad Peer
drfarooqpeer@gmail.com

The beautiful stretch of lush green from Pir Ki Gali to Aliabad Sarai can be converted into a world class Ski spot which can prove better than Gulmarag. There are a number of passes flowing elegantly towards the valley which are suitable for tracking purpose.  The Mughal Road has also got much importance with the opening of Poonch- Rawalakote road and trade across the LoC.   There is an urgent need to build up a tunnel on the stretches of terrains which remain blocked due to snow and landslides in order to make it convenient for traffic movement for travel. Since, Mr. Mian Altaf of National Conference has come out victorious and is now sitting MP in the parliament of India, it is passionately and excitedly hoped that he shall realize his promise and work assiduously to bolster the vision of the Tunnel on the Mughal Road a reality and airstream glad tidings for the people of his constituency.

The opening of the Mughal Road has thrown opportunities to explore and exploit heritage tourism   on the basis of   existence of the ruins of Mughal culture, Sarais, Tombs and Baradaries alongside the road.  The Aliabad Sarai is still intact where Royal Mughal Caravan after crossing Pir Panchal would halt for few days, relaxing and enjoying the rich nature of the area. The older brilliance of this Sarai can be revived with the original style of renovation.  The halt at this spot may attract climbers and trackers for expeditions towards seven lakes. In the same manner, Noorichum waterfall, Bheramgala, Dhera-ki- Gali, Thanamandi and Chingus can be also developed as tourist resorts which are equally important for heritage tourism. The Unique cultural heritage of nomadic tribes of Pir Panchal region, their ethnicity, dresses, discrete lifestyle, mellow folklore, (Shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Ahmad Aziz (RA) at Peer ki Gali), Sarais and ruins of Mughal period shall improvise the heritage tourism. The construction of 422 years old Mughal Road remained the foremost reverie of the people of Poonch- Rajouri because due to the establishment of LOC, the historic Poonch – Haji Peer Srinagar road was closed and this region remained cut off from Kashmir valley for the last 62 years. Due to the construction of Mughal road the distance from Poonch and Rajouri to Srinagar has been reduced to greater extent (From 500 Kilometers to 180 Kilometers) and journey for the people of Rajouri- Poonch to the valley has become expedient as compared to the travel via Jammu to Kashmir. It is just six hour journey with charming and attractive site scenes of Noorichum, Rat chum, Pir Marg, Aliabad, Sukh Sarai valley and Dubjan, (the small Gulmarag).

The Mughal Road is proving a superb tourist attraction because on this road there are large number of lush green natural spots, high pasturelands   and picturesque moors alongside the road from Pir Pass (12000 feet) to Rattan Pir (8600 feet). 

On the other hand Dubjan, Sukh Sarai valley, Aliabad and Pir Marg have incredible and fabulous potential for tourism.  The virgin hill stations and charming spots shall be a source of attraction for the tourists at national as well as at international level. The number  of peaks around the road like Tatakuti, Ganga Choti, and Kagalana shall be the point of attraction  for the climbers. The Valley of seven lakes like Nandansar, Chandansar, Neelsar and so on located in the upper reaches of Pir Panchal in between 12000 feet to 15000 feet above the sea level is only seven Kilometers from Aliabad Sarai.

The beautiful stretch of lush green from Pir Ki Gali to Aliabad Sarai can be converted into a world class Ski spot which can prove better than Gulmarag. There are a number of passes flowing elegantly towards the valley which are suitable for tracking purpose.  The Mughal Road has also got much importance with the opening of Poonch- Rawalakote road and trade across the LoC.   There is an urgent need to build up a tunnel on the stretches of terrains which remain blocked due to snow and landslides in order to make it convenient for traffic movement for travel. Since, Mr. Mian Altaf of National Conference has come out victorious and is now sitting MP in the parliament of India, it is passionately and excitedly hoped that he shall realize his promise and work assiduously to bolster the vision of the Tunnel on the Mughal Road a reality and airstream glad tidings for the people of his constituency.

(The author is a veteran academician. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)

 “The Murder of Humanity at Karbala shook the Muslim world to its foundations and the haunting effect of this tragedy is still felt. But this Shadat of great Humans saved Islam from the evil to be encroaching upon and malign its basics, fundamentals, and essence. It in fact aired Islam a new life and admonished the evil doers. That righteous people will offer any sacrifice to protect the Islam preached by Prophet (SAW).”

The predicament for Hussain (AS) was whether in view of the changed circumstances, he should proceed to Kufa, or he should return to Makkah. And the people began to change their stances and the Bedouins who had accompanied Hussain (AS) also parted company. But after the murder of Aqil companion,  other leaders of the Hussaini movement were hunted and killed, the family members of Hussain (AS) insisted that whatever odds, the movement must continue and they should proceed to Kufa. The party stayed for some time at the wayside station of Sharaf. When they moved from Sharaf across the stony rolling plain, they witnessed the forces of Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, (Yazeedi Governor), moving towards them. In order to avoid the encounter with the Umayyad forces, the Imam (AS) and his party turned westward to the plain of Karbala. The Umayyad forces led by Umar bin Sa’d  and vicious Shimer chased the party to Karbala, and on encounter asked Hazrat Hussain (AS) to surrender. In the negotiations, Hussain (AS) placed three proposals before the enemy forces. First, that he should be allowed to go back to Makkah or Madinah: second, he be allowed to see Yazeed in Damascus and third, he should be allowed to go anywhere else. Uamar reported these proposals to Ubaidullah who rejected all these and asked Hussain (AS) to surrender and accept Yazeed as the Caliph unconditionally. Hussain (AS) refused to surrender before the evil and anti- Islamic rule of Yazeed. On the 10^th of Muharram, the enemy troops martyred Hussain (AS), his dear ones and his companions. All the male members of his family met martyrdom and the lone survival was that of his son Ali, who could not participate in the Jihad at Karbala due to fever and he later came to be known as Zain-ul- Abidin. The Murder of Humanity at Karbala shook the Muslim world to its foundations and the haunting effect of this tragedy is still felt. But this Shadat of great Humans saved Islam from the evil to be encroaching upon and malign its basics, fundamentals, and essence. It in fact aired Islam a new life and admonished the evil doers. That righteous people will offer any sacrifice to protect the Islam preached by Prophet (SAW). The great freedom fighter and poet-scholar of India, Moulana Mohammad Jawhar says.     “The Martyrdom of Hussain is the Death of Yazeed, Islam is resurrected after every Karbala” The Martyrdom or Shadat at Karbala teaches us that any rule or kingly power in this world is timely and it ought not to lead us to defiance and immorality and prompt us to kill justice and equality. Allah says in the Holy Quran, “Let not the vicissitude (of the success) of those who disbelieve, in the land deceive thee (O Mohammad). It is but a brief comfort. And afterwards their habitation will be hell, an ill abode” (Surah, Al-Imran, V, 196-197).                                   In the Arab countries particularly and in the Muslim countries generally, the rulers act and display arrogance of power like Pharaoh and Yazeed  by carnaging  justice, honesty, rights and choice of the people and are hell-bent in obliterating real image of Islam. In the social and political set up these countries, the rulers and powerful individuals are corrupt and stooges of inimical forces and hence, have brought their countries on the brink of collapse and trouncing situation.  The Shadat of Hussain (AS) and his Dear ones, guides us to remain patient, steadfast and firm for justice and truth

(The author is a veteran academician. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)

“The moral ideal is to make every person an embodiment of moral values and virtues. The intellectual ideal is to promote search for knowledge. The cultural ideal is to bring about a unity between the material and spiritual aspects of life. The political ideal is to establish a welfare state. The international ideal is to establish a universal state based on the brotherhood of mankind. In case, we as Muslims would follow the commandments of the Holy Quran and the teachings of our Prophet (SAW), the aghasting and horrifying incidents occurring daily in our lives and society would not ensue.”

Islam presents for mankind a complete and comprehensive system of life from the cradle to the grave. It provides guidance in social, economic, political, moral and spiritual fields of life. The best way of living in this world is the way which is based on the guidance provided by Allah Himself and by the Prophet (S A W). In order to lead humanity to the way of Allah, the injunctions of the Holy Quran were translated into practice by Prophet Mohammad (SAW), thus providing a living model for all mankind. When the Prophet’s wife Hazrat A’isha (RA) was once asked to describe the mode of life and conduct of Prophet (SAW), she replied: “His morals are the Quran”. In other words, his (SAW) life is a true picture of the Quranic teachings. We have blinded ourselves to see difference between Halal (legal earning) and Haram (illegal earning) and we have mingled both of these together. In our daily life we make every kind of corruption and resort to illegal means of earning. The malaise of corruption is every where, in court, market, school, college, university, , politics, society, office, medicine and it is rampant in our outside life as well as in our private. This fouling tendency has led us to witness such incidents which symbolize moral degradation in our society. We are suffering from lack of moral values because we do not study our Holy Quran and do not follow our beloved Prophet (SAW) practically. We do not prefer education of our children on religious basis and not to speak of full time religious education, we do not permit them to study our religion for an hour a day and think that by doing so; time for worldly studies will suffer. The religion of Islam brought by our beloved Prophet (SAW) is a way of life and it is not concerned with mere religious rituals but means to regulate human behavior and conduct in all fields of life and spheres of activity. It has set ideals and principles and the objective is to have a congenial social and political order so that climate for blossoming of Islamic ideals is created. These ideals are religious, social, moral, intellectual, cultural, political and international. The religious ideal of Islam is to establish belief in Allah and that Mohammad (SAW), is the Last Prophet. The social ideal is to establish a pattern of social order under which there are no distinctions of caste, color, the rich and the poor. The moral ideal is to make every person an embodiment of moral values and virtues. The intellectual ideal is to promote search for knowledge. The cultural ideal is to bring about a unity between the material and spiritual aspects of life. The political ideal is to establish a welfare state. The international ideal is to establish a universal state based on the brotherhood of mankind. In case, we as Muslims would follow the commandments of the Holy Quran and the teachings of our Prophet (SAW), the aghasting and horrifying incidents occurring daily in our lives and society would not ensue.
(The author is a veteran academician in Jammu & Kashmir. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
drfarooqpeer@gmail.com

 “Eid-Ul- Adha is not merely a ritual but it is a great occasion to offer change and seek salvation. It is a test for the Muslims to prepare themselves for any sacrifice and at the same time stresses that we as Muslims should grow and evolve our children in the manner Hazrat Abraham (AS) did. Through the tree of sacrifice, we should try to create friendship with Allah and not desist from any sacrifice when the call comes in any form. It should make us remorseful and our inner soul ought to be cleaned from the disease of malice, jealousy and animosity. It should relieve and release us from the chains and slavery of evil.”

The first sacrifice of human history was offered by the two sons of Adam (AS), Abel and Cain. The Holy Qur’an says,

“And tell them accurately the story of the two sons of Adam. When the two offered their sacrifices, the offering of the sacrifice of one was accepted but that of the other was not accepted” (Al-Qur’an, five, V.27).

Abel offered the sacrifice of the best ram out of his flock happily for the sake of Allah and whereas Cain offered a portion of useless corn unwillingly. The sacrifice of Abel was burnt up by a fire from heaven and this was a sign of its acceptance, but Cain’s offering was left and rejected.Prophet (SAW) says about the act of sacrifice (Qurbani) “The person who possesses necessary means and does not offer sacrifice, he ought not to come to the place of Eid Ground (Idd Gah)”. (Abu-Hurairah (RA). The sacrifice echo’s that we submit ourselves to Allah and the sacrifice of animals is a rehearsal for us to prepare for other sacrifices. The sacrifice is not only confined to our wealth and cattle but it involves everything including our life. We cannot please Allah by sacrificing an animal; nonetheless He is pleased with the Spirit of submission and our obedience to His commands which He has given in the Holy Qur’an. He is pleased with us when we isolate ourselves from the evil doings, immoral actions and other irreligious acts. He wants us to sacrifice our comforts and luxuries and take the path of righteousness which may involve difficulties and hazards. Eid-Ul- Adha is not merely a ritual but it is a great occasion to offer change and seek salvation. It is a test for the Muslims to prepare themselves for any sacrifice and at the same time stresses that we as Muslims should grow and evolve our children in the manner Hazrat Abraham (AS) did. Through the tree of sacrifice, we should try to create friendship with Allah and not desist from any sacrifice when the call comes in any form. It should make us remorseful and our inner soul ought to be cleaned from the disease of malice, jealousy and animosity. It should relieve and release us from the chains and slavery of evil.  In our world of today we have become spiritually and morally dappled and barren, for we chase the benefits of this world only. We take those paths which lead us to material opulence and avoid those paths which could lead us to redemption. Our suffering, pain and misery will definitely castrate in the world if the meaning of Real Sacrifice of sacrifice is understood.

(The author is a veteran academician. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)

The obscurity and indistinctness in the narrative of the translation reflects vagueness in Kalhana’s book itself. The narrative is such as, if Kalhana was writing for the readers who were well acquainted with the Kashmir of his day. However, with regard to the topography of Kashmir, local references seem to be exact and clear. In spite of the shortcomings, the Rajatarangini is an important historical commentary with regard to the past of Kashmir and though Kalhana has given a wonderful picture of our native land with rise and fall of empires, the conflict of different races, cultures and civilizations yet it cannot be delineated as the most authentic history of Kashmir due its abstruseness and fragmentized historical dates and incidents.

We also come to know that Kashmir was a place of Kings and rulers and hence the intrigues and strife’s were the part of the game. The translation of the chronicle makes it explicitly clear that Kalhana did not hold any office under any of the rulers he saw or witnessed. On the contrary, his father Canpaka enjoyed high position in Harsha’s rule. The chronicle does not have any clue wherein it could be found that Kalhana was patronized by any ruler as a poet or historian and there are no references which can show that he wrote has compositions on the instructions of Jayasimha in whose rule he completed his book. He, however, describes the defects and follies of certain rulers and praises other rulers for their qualities. The translation of the chronicle depicts Kashmiris in their real colour and at times one comes to know that Kashmiris lacked physical and moral courage, the fact which the other historians have also highlighted in their compositions. translation Kalhana enlightens that besides merchants, traders and agriculturists, the Kashmiri society was full of teachers, astrologers, physicians, labourers, artisans, soldiers and carters, workers of water wheels and hand mills and there were divisions and sub-divisions among these classes of people according to their professions. The Rajatarangini gives an impression that Kashmiri women received a liberal atmosphere and education in their parent’s house. They could speak Sanskrit and Prakrit languages fluently. Kalhana’s chronicle proves that there was no seclusion of women, nor were they segregated or veiled in any way. They were queens also and took active part in the affairs of the government. Even women of lower status also took an active part in the affairs of the state and more importantly, were not discriminated on the basis of sex. The chronicle also states that there were instances of immorality prevailing among some classes of women. The custom of dedicating girls (devadasies) to temples for singing and dancing was prevalent in Kashmir also. The Chronicle also elucidates that the Kashmiris were highly superstitious like Indians in India. They believed in black magic, and sorcery affecting the lives of human beings and thereby shewing that there was wide spread witchcraft and necromancy in Kashmir. The Chronicle is an important historical record of Kashmiris, which gives a detailed account about the Kings, masses and olden times of Kashmir. The Chronicle can be called as a valuable contribution to the history of Kashmir as well as to the literature of Kashmir. It makes amply clear that Kalhana was not only a historian but also a poet of par-excellence and his Rajatarangini is more than an account of the rulers of the Kings of Kashmir. The translation of Chronicle augments that that it serves moral lessons indicating that Kalhana was of the belief that the glories of the world were transitory and there must be a moral code of conduct in everything. In the 8th canto or part itself, he says, “Shadow is itself unrestrained in its path while sunshine, as an incident of its own nature, is pursued a hundredfold by nuance. Thus is sorrow from happiness a thing apart; the scope of happiness, however, is hampered by the aches and hurts of endless sorrow”. The translation brings to our notice that the Chronicle suffers from many drawbacks. There are no accurate dates of the rulers and one cannot believe that the names of the rulers can be also authentic. The translation signifies the contemporary events and at the same time indicates that the Chronicle is full of obscurities and ambiguities in terms of the narrative and construction of certain ideas. The obscurity and indistinctness in the narrative of the translation reflects vagueness in Kalhana’s book itself. The narrative is such as, if Kalhana was writing for the readers who were well acquainted with the Kashmir of his day. However, with regard to the topography of Kashmir, local references seem to be exact and clear. In spite of the shortcomings, the Rajatarangini is an important historical commentary with regard to the past of Kashmir and though Kalhana has given a wonderful picture of our native land with rise and fall of empires, the conflict of different races, cultures and civilizations yet it cannot be delineated as the most authentic history of Kashmir due its abstruseness and fragmentized historical dates and incidents.

(The author is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)

drfarooqpeer@gmail.com

The valley of Kashmir is devouring through a nightmarish and lurid experience as valley is belligerently grappling with continuous acute power crisis at present. The consumers are mentally stunned due to the prolonged and unscheduled power cuts lasting for 14 hours, an unprecedented pervasiveness. The power crisis or power cuts are not confined to rural areas only but it is a regular feature in the capital city and so called smart city of Srinagar. The power crisis has bemused all and one feels as if we are of mortals of philistine Aegean people who existed around 12th century while the progress in terms of Electric Engineering, power generation/ transmissions, power plants has steered to brighter heights in the country and the world. I am reminded of 1980- 1990s during which I was pursuing my education at Degree College Sopore and I happened to be a Literature student and belonged to poor family background and therefore, needed a durable effort of studies to score good marks in the examination to complete graduation and therefore, manoeuvre to find a bit of lot to beat poor conditions at home. After, college hours, I used to find some solace in sports activities like cricket and football till dusk. But the night late hours were utilized for my studies and working of studies would be ignited by the contnious power supply hours during the night even if it was scarcely available during day hours as so many power projects had not come to the fore those times. The situation at present is extremely different and we are faced with long power cuts in the night even in the Smart City making the students and business institutions to suffer and consequently, pushing us egregiously and imperceptibly to blatant and uneasy life at our homes even in spring season not notwithstanding winter. As the valley is facing prolonged power cuts across Kashmir, even in spring when the electricity situation is usually better, the the authorities in power at the top level have directed the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department to provide monthly updates on five key achievable points related to the power sector. One of the main concerns highlighted is the staggering revenue deficit of Rs 5000 crore faced by the PDD, which officials deem unsustainable. Post-August 2019, power corporations operating in J&K cannot sustain such huge recurring losses. Therefore, the administration has asked both power corporations of J&K to improve revenue realisation, Addressing the revenue deficit is a top priority, and the department has been instructed to focus on various measures to boost revenue collection. These include implementing a power amnesty scheme, conducting continuous revenue realisation drives to compel consumers to pay outstanding dues, and holding division and sub-division-wise meetings to improve revenue collection. Another key actionable point is making serious efforts to curb power losses through inspections, disconnections, and filing FIRs for power theft. The imposition of heavy penalties on power thieves has been also emphasised. In order to embark upon the issue of non-metered consumers, the department has been directed to ensure the immediate installation of available conventional meters in non-metered areas, with a focus on locations where LT-AB cable has been laid but not charged yet. Implementation of the Smart Metering Project under RDSS, which shall cover the remaining 6.95 lakh consumers in Kashmir, load revision of the sanctioned load of non-metered consumers as per actual consumption in a calibrated manner. The department has also been instructed to expedite the pre-paid conversion of Smart Meter consumers under Phase-II of the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and bring down losses on feeders where Smart Meters have been installed, with a focus on billing efficiency.. Furthermore, the authorities have emphasised the need to improve the billing and collection efficiency of all feeders, with Feeder Managers and their support teams being directly responsible for monitoring feeder-wise recovery. Lastly, the department has been directed to ensure energy auditing and maintain a balance between input and billed energy to improve overall revenue realisation.

“The residents are mentally distressed over the prolonged power cuts, which have become a regular occurrence during the spring season, typically a period of relative respite from energy woes. FOR GODS SAKE, achieve the key points immediately, In case the delay to achieve the key targets is not accomplished, it may anguish the mortals of this land and make their life more miserable. Let the Govt work with an open heart to ease out the problems and riddles of its people and provide the basic and main facility of electricity at an earliest. The Delay in working out the solution to power crisis may exasperate and turn pushy and podium the predicament from the Alps to the Everest”.

As the news about power achievable key points surfaced in the electronic and print media, I gleefully read out, searching any point where the department of PDD is directed to regulate uninterrupted power supply within any stipulated time but surprisingly, it did not exist in the key achievable points or targets and left me guessing what would happen to us and should we be ready to combat with murkier and more bleak days and life in summer also without power. The question is who shall expedite to achieve these key targets. Surely, it is authority in power in the stratum and power department who have to accomplish the task given to. Let them achieve these targets in a time bound manner and relive us from the plight. The political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have been wooing voters for the Lok Sabha election—Anantnag-Rajouri, Srinagar and Baramulla constituencies in Kashmir, who are enjoying uninterrupted power supply under VIP Qouta and while as the common man is facing a severe power crisis that has thrown normal life out of gear and plunging the Valley into darkness. The worst affected are patients who rely on home oxygen supply for respiratory illnesses. Even though the Power Department brags about opulence and improvement in supply, but the basic facility of electricity is nowhere; this is impacting our daily lives, leaving our homes and businesses powerless. Despite, having huge water resources and generation capacity, electricity produced, we are in more dark hours. Even the areas designated by the KPDCL to receive round-the-clock power supply have not been spared. Over 40 feeders in these areas have been subjected to outages ranging from 5 to 6 hours per day, leaving residents and businesses reeling. The crisis has put the KPDCL in an embarrassing situation over its failure to procure additional power despite the corporation’s efforts to increase revenue and implement smart metering. The revenue as per sources has upped the revenue, and smart metering is going on, but the required supply is not still available. As a result, the ire of the people, who are rightfully aggrieved because, in areas where there is 100 percent cabling and no losses, they are paying their bills, but still load shedding is imposed on those areas. The unprecedented power crisis is affecting daily life and economic activities across the Valley, with the student community, businesses and essential services bearing the brunt of the outages. The residents are mentally distressed over the prolonged power cuts, which have become a regular occurrence during the spring season, typically a period of relative respite from energy woes. FOR GODS SAKE, achieve the key points immediately, In case the delay to achieve the key targets is not accomplished, it may anguish the mortals of this land and make their life more miserable. Let the Govt work with an open heart to ease out the problems and riddles of its people and provide the basic and main facility of electricity at an earliest. The Delay in working out the solution to power crisis may exasperate and turn pushy and podium the predicament from the Alps to the Everest.
(The author is a veteran academician of Jammu & Kashmir. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
drfarooqpeer@gmail.com

“In today’s political order values are least bothered and the symbols of goodness and righteousness, have undergone a radical change and it is witnessed that values and principles are being sacrificed for the sake of expediency and selfish gains. The current political atmosphere and scene in most parts of the world particularly in Kashmir is devoid of moral ardour and undesirably, opportunism has become a matter of faith with politicians or with those having even a slight bent of mind towards politics”.

Material advancements should not be the only concern of politicians but their duty is also to set the system of the society right and push it towards sound progressions. The poet of the East, Iqbal (RA) is right when he say’s in his eternal verses,
“Juda Ho Din Seyast Se Toa Rah Jati Hay Chengaizi”
Iqbal is very clear in these lines that politics without principles and integrities brings tyranny and barbarity and suppresses goodness and justice. No religion of the world says that politics is not a part of the religion and they are separable. Our beloved Prophet (SAW) was a great leader and politician who handled every situation very wisely not for his own interest but for the benefit of the people and the social system. He (SAW) never said that politics and religion are disagreeable and these should be kept apart. But dismayingly, the politicians of today separate the two, evidently for their own interests and incase they confine their politics under the bondage of the conviction; they can not enjoy those comforts and luxuries, which they enjoy at the cost of others. The politicians of today take refuge in the so called democracy and under its garb legitimize their misdeeds. Any democracy today merely reiterates the story of a struggle for power, for perpetuating the safe hide and to keep any kind of opposition away. Political parties symbolize nothing more than a bitter rivalry and greed for power by ousting all other rivals. Rules, regulations and principles are thrown to the winds and selfish aims and motives are achieved. The politicians of today try to keep values and politics separate because they know that civility does not allow the adoption of short term aims but prefers values so that a better moral order and social system is established and magnified. In today’s political order values are least bothered and the symbols of goodness and righteousness, have undergone a radical change and it is witnessed that values and principles are being sacrificed for the sake of expediency and selfish gains. The current political atmosphere and scene in most parts of the world particularly in Kashmir is devoid of moral ardour and undesirably, opportunism has become a matter of faith with politicians or with those having even a slight bent of mind towards politics.
(The author is a veteran academician in Jammu & Kashmir. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
drfarooqpeer@gmail.com