Kashmir.Watch

Author: hamid

  • HOW I USED SOCIAL MEDIA TO BUILD MY BUSINESS

    Javid Parsa

    When I began setting up Kathi Junction in Sarah City Center, I knew almost no one in Srinagar

    I joined Facebook eight years ago, on a whim. Curiously, trying to figure out what all the hype was about. When I opened my account, I had the faintest idea that down the line, it would form a very important part of my work, well, life!

    Back when I was in college, social media was a big deal. 

    There were floods of requests, hundreds of messages exchanged, new people and new names everyday.

    Social media was like this really big party where you got to meet a lot of people, share ideas, move beyond your social circle in college. Plus it seemed really practical that you would be able to contact the same people once you left college.

    Thus I hopped on into the world of interaction through social media to have my contacts safe, post the hundreds and thousands of pictures I clicked, and share my views with people.

    Little did I know that it was social media that would set the foundation of my business in Kashmir. It worked like a charm! I had the biggest tool to boost my business. I had the best way to reach the masses. I had the best strategy to take my food to the people of the valley. But this did not come easy!

    To use social media to your advantage, the biggest thing one needs is to reach out to the maximum number of people possible. This being the hardest task!

    Whether they are the number of likes on Facebook, or just followers on instagram and twitter.

    You have to reach out to the maximum number of people possible and only then can you endorse your business.

    To tell you my story

    When I began setting up Kathi Junction in Sarah City Center, I knew almost no one in Srinagar. All my acquaintances were around home in Bandipora and some people around the city. Thus I began alone. I was toiling hard and had the least possible time to go out and make new friends.

    Also I had not even planned on advertising my business through social media.

    I was overwhelmed that I was seeing my dream come to life in the form of Kathi Junction. Thus I captured every milestone on my phone and proudly posted pictures on my social media profiles.

    That’s when KJ started its online journey.

    Friends on my lists were curious about the new restaurant coming up in the city. Some shared the posts, some talked. News was spreading around. Just one little picture on Facebook informed people about who I was and what I was coming up with in the city. That is when I realized the power of social media.

    I began looking at it from a completely different angle. 

    It wasn’t just a profile I had to keep updating, I realized it was part of my work, part of my journey to take my restaurant to the masses.

    Social media has been the greatest boon for my business and the reasons are many.

    Well, to start with, it really cut down on the costs of advertising.

    I came to the city as an amateur and started the restaurant with all the money I had saved. Thus I was really looking for ways to cut down on unnecessary expenses. This was when social media came to the rescue.

    Every new startup needs advertising. People have to know about the new things springing up around them in order for it to flourish. Instead of newspapers and hoardings I chose social media to reach out to the masses. Because that is where the people are today. Especially the youth, always accessible online.

    This would ensure that we would reach out to a large number of people.

    And so began the task of tagging all the people I knew, sharing more and more posts and requesting others to do the same. Little by little more and more people got connected. More people came to know about us. And today we serve people at our restaurant most of whom have come across our Facebook page or have known me through my Facebook or instagram profiles!

    Also social media served my business interests since it posed as the easiest and most comfortable way to reach out to people. Today a little incident in one corner is read around the whole world because of the power of social media.

    I did not have to take up efforts to establish hoarding around the city or post advertisements in newspapers and magazines. Social media ensured the frequency of posts about my place against weekly occurings on print media.

    Thus I knew I had set forth into an arena where I could tell people about KJ on a more frequent basis, also at a closer level, through their phones and laptops. And let us not ignore the fact that people today are inseparable from their phones and laptops.

    Other than these reasons, social media helped me create a special bonding with my customers. Today I have a KJ family, both because of the love the people have for me and also because they felt more connected to me and the restaurant because of social media.

    I love clicking pictures with people and putting up selfies with them on my social media accounts worked like a charm. Whenever I clicked selfies and posted them I made sure to tag all the people in the picture. This made those customers believe that I was genuinely interested in knowing them and really happy to have them at my restaurant. When you engage with people, make them a part of what you do, talk to them and proudly show them off, they know that they are loved and are beyond customers for you.

    For me, people who come to my restaurant aren’t just customers who come and dine in, they are the people who made me who I am, and I try my best to engage them in my life as much as possible. 

    The greatest gift that social media gave me was the gift of my growth as a person and helped me carve out an identity. I can proudly say that today I have hundreds and thousands of people who look up social media for me and send me requests. I get hundreds of messages telling me how I inspire people and how they are dying to meet me at KJ. Reading all those at the end of the day wipes off all my worries. Talk about ‘present-day fanmail’.

    All this wouldn’t have been possible without my social media accounts. People can easily access me and know my story, communicate with me and sometimes they use social media to express their criticism when they aren’t able to do that in person. I love that it brings a sense of informality. The huge inflow of messages and beautiful words from people makes me realize how far I have come and how it is the people who are the real reason of my restaurant’s success. It has taught me to be humble and always be grounded. With the people, is where I belong!

    Social media is the reason why I can connect with the masses. Without it, a huge chunk of my customers would be aloof to all my activities and I too wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to bond with people.

    But the picture is not always rosy, social media, like other things too has a negative side. People have long used it to spread rumors and cook up stories and spread them like wildfire. If used it the right way it can create great opportunities and help you make life easier.

    For me, social media is a bridge between me and my customers. Slowly wiping away all the distance. 

    Courtesy: Kashmir Ink

  • Soldier vainly waits 4 days for state help, treks 10 hours to carry mother’s body home

    SRINAGAR: When the state and army did not respond to his calls for help, a soldier trekked a snow-covered, avalanche-prone route for 10 hours to carry his mother’s body to his native place in Karnah.
    The video of the men carrying body on a makeshift coffin through the treacherous route has gone viral on social networking sites.
    In the video, the mourners are desperately calling for help and at the same time accusing the government of callousness.
    Sakina Begum, mother of Mohammad Abbas, who is a soldier currently posted at the Pathankot army base, reportedly died of cardiac arrest on the intervening night of January 27 and 28 in Pathankot.
    Since then, Abbas had appealed for a chopper lift to carry her body home.
    Amid bad weather conditions, Sakina’s body was stuck in Rangwar village of Baramulla district for four days. As no help came from any quarter, the family had to make the trek through the dangerous, snow-covered Sadhna pass.
    The villagers began helping the mourners by clearing off snow and making a passage for their journey. Abbas had to trek a distance of nearly 50 km for 10 hours before he could make it home. The snow, at most places, was six feet deep and is prone to avalanches.
    As many as 20 soldiers died in the region due to snow avalanches recently.
    The family claimed the district administration had promised a helicopter would be arranged to take them home. But, they had to tow the dead body all along the way till the rites were finally performed last night.
    Earlier, the residents have expressed severe hardships due to the accumulation of snow in the area snapping all communication with many villages in the border region.
    An army spokesperson, however, refuted the reports that army did not help the soldier, stating “all assistance for the transportation of mortal remains of the jawan’s mother, keeping the snow conditions in mind, was made available by the unit of Jawan as well as other army units en route.” (Kashmir Reader)

  • ‘Law-knowing cop’ who stopped KU VC on highway caught on wrong foot

    Issues ‘standing order’ irking superiors, SSP withdraws order

    Srinagar: A police officer who recently stopped Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor Prof Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi on Srinagar-Jammu highway citing “law enforcement” was on Friday pulled up by his seniors allegedly for lack of knowledge of laws and rules governing the functioning of the police department.
    The Senior Superintendent of Police Udhampur on Friday issued a “Corrigendum” to order immediate withdrawal of a “Standing Order” issued by Deputy SP (Probationer) Udhampur Er Sheikh Aadil Mushtaq in connection with 13 Gambling Act.
    “It is hereby ordered that the Standing Order issued by Er Sheikh Aadil Mushtaq Dy SP (Probationer) vide endorsement No Rdr/2017/4311-29 dated 31.01.2017 in connection with 13 Gambling Act, is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect,” the SSP’s order No Rdr/17/4774-93/DPOU read.
    In his order, Aadil, who peeled off tinted glasses from Kashmir University’s VC’s official car on Srinagar-Jammu highway in a much publicized incident,  had issued directions to SHOs/IC PPs of Udhampur district on how to handle offences under the 13 Gambling Act.
    “Henceforth, it is enjoined upon all the SHOs/IC PPs of this district that as and when any report under this section is received or raid is conducted, cognizable case shall be registered and challaned in the court of law against the offenders after conducting proper investigation. No complaint under this section shall be lodged in the court of law in future. Any deviation of this order shall be viewed seriously,” the “Standing Order” issued by Aadil, read.
    Sources said the order came in for severe criticism from senior police officers in the district, leading to its immediate withdrawal by the SSP. “How can a probationary officer issue a ‘standing order’? This is simply exceeding your brief,” a police officer, well versed with police rules, said. “Such an order can only be issued by an officer of the rank of SP or SSP. And then how can a junior officer direct his seniors to perform a particular task in a particular way.” (Kashmir Reader)

  • Deeply affected by Trump immigration ban: Priyanka Chopra

    Los Angeles: Indian actress Priyanka Chopra, also Unicef’s global Goodwill Ambassador, says as a global citizen, US President Donald Trump’s recent immigration ban — which she described as a “political witch hunt” — has deeply affected her.

    In a blog post on Thursday on the professional networking website LinkedIn, which she joined last year as a LinkedIn Influencer, she wrote: “All of the ‘banned’ countries are places where a lot of Unicef work is going on, where children are suffering the most. What can I add that people across professions and age groups have not already said? But adding your voice will definitely make a difference.

    “And make a difference we must. Please join me in making our voice stronger so that globally, our children are not discriminated against on the basis of their religion and do not have to bear the brunt of a political witch hunt.”

    Priyanka is currently in the US to shoot the second season of her popular TV show “Quantico”. She divides her time between India and the US.

    Protests took place at airports across the US in response to Trump’s recent travel ban preventing entry from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

  • CRPF Bullet paralyzes South Kashmir girl Family waits for help

    Srinagar: A South Kashmir girl hit by a bullet has been battling for life from past seven months in a Srinagar hospital. His hapless father waiting for help from either government or some any other organization has lost hope while according to him being the sole bread earner for his family, his children are starving due to his engagement in the hospital round the clock.

        Twenty-three years old Shameema Rashid of Arwani Bijbehara area of South Kashmir according to his father Abdul Rashid Lohar was shot by Para-military Central Reserve Police Force when she ventured out from her house to bring back her little brother who was part of a pro-freedom procession. The incident occurred a day after (July 9, 2016) the death of Hizb commander Burhan Wani. “The bullet injury has paralyzed her and she is unable to move. Though doctors have been attending her regularly, but she has not made any progress,” Abdul Rashid present beside the bed of his daughter at Sheereen Bagh hospital here in Srinagar told news agency CNS.

        He said that it has been over seven months he visited his family. “I am a blacksmith by profession and I and my better half don’t know how our little kids are managing the house in our absence,” he said.

        Responding to a question, Abdul Rashid said that he didn’t receive any help from anyone. “Neither the government nor any NGO helped us. Not a single separatist leader visited here so far. Only my own villagers extended help to us and it is because of their help that we are able to bear the expenses of our ‘paralyzed’ daughter,” he said.

        A doctor at the hospital said that the girl has suffered a bullet injury in her hip that has damaged her nerve. “It is called ‘post-traumatic mono paralyses in medical terminology. The patient is young and there are chances that her never may regenerate and she may recover,” he said. (CNS)

  • More rains, snow in next 24 hours: MeT

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir will embrace another spell of rains and snowfall within next 24hours, Meteorological department forecasts high snowfall in upper reaches in Kashmir.
    More rains and snow in next 24 hours, Metrological department said that, there are chances of more rainfall in Jammu and snowfall in Kashmir.
    “We are expecting more snow in higher reaches and rains in plains of Kashmir and Jammu region including Chenab valley upto Saturday,” weather official told KNS.
    Adding that, “Jammu and Chenab valley may receive good spell of rainfall.”
    Mercury level has raise above the freezing point in Kashmir and gives respite to people from bone chilling cold.
    While the traffic official told that due to landslides occurring at different places on highway, the Srinagar- Jammu national highway has been closed for vehicular movements.
    From last two days thousand of vehicles and passengers are stranded on Srinagar-Jammu national highway road; due to the unprecedented land sliding at different areas there.
    According to the Inspector General of Police for Traffic Shafqat Watali, there are more than 400 passenger vehicles and above 2500 vehicles goods carrying vehicles stranded on national highway.
    He said that all the passenger vehicles have been moved towards safer places and all possible help is being provided to them.
    “We have moved 400 passenger vehicles towards safe places, and they are getting all required help,” IGP traffic Shafqat Watali said.
    He said, “there is massive land sliding and stone shooting occurring in Battery Chasma, Digdol areas and all men and machinery are putting there efforts to clear the road.”
    Adding, that the working agency has asked them for three to four hours to make the road clear and if situation improves, only the stranded vehicles will be allowed towards their destinations.
    “We will look if land sliding stops then we will allow only stranded vehicle to move,” IGP traffic said.
    Meanwhile the weather department has forecasted more rain and snowfall in valley in upcoming next days, which may again result further closure of road. (KNS)

  • New Israeli settlements may not be helpful for peace: US

    Washington: Signalling a potential shift in its Israel policy, the Trump administration has said the construction of new settlements or expansion of existing ones by the Benjamin Netanyahu government “may not be helpful” in securing peace with Palestine.

    “While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.

    This is a departure from Trump’s previous support for settlement building by the Jewish state. The US President had vowed to forge closer ties with Israel and move away from the Obama administration’s policy towards the country.

    The unexpected statement comes after Prime Minister Netanyahu announced plans for constructing Israel’s first new West bank settlement in more than 20 years, in addition to building thousands of new settler homes.

    The White House also said it had not yet taken a position on settlement activity by Israel, and would raise the issue with Netanyahu during his visit later this month.

    “The Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visits President Trump later this month,” the statement said.

    The Press Secretary said American desire for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians has remained unchanged for 50 years.

    “As the President has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region,” Spicer said.

    Before taking office, Trump had lashed out at the Obama administration’s decision to withhold a veto on a United Nations Security Council resolution criticising Israel’s settlements, an indication that he would be more supportive of the Jewish state. —PTI

  • Geelani in ICU after chest pain

    Srinagar: Senior separatist leader and chairman of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Geelani was today admitted to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) after he complained of severe chest pain.Though his condition was said to be stable by doctors, he had been kept under observation at the ICU (Medical) of the institute.Later, separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik visited Geelani in the hospital to enquire about his condition.Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar said Geelani complained of massive chest congestion and pain late on Wednesday night.“He was immediately rushed to SKIMS, Soura, where several tests, including ECG, were repeatedly conducted. He was later admitted to the ICU and continues to be under constant monitoring by specialists,” he said, adding that the ailing leader was now stable and feeling better.“Hurriyat appeals to people to pray for his speedy recovery,” he said.

  • Shiv Sena (Hindustan) gets new members in Kashmir

    SRINAGAR: The Shiv Sena (Hindustan) Wednesday claimed that 200 people joined the right wing political party in northern Kashmir’s Sumbal area.   “Two hundred people joined our party in Sumbal Nowgam,” Shiv Sena (Hindustaan), President Kashmir region, Abdul Khalid Bhat said. “They are our proud members now. We welcomed them with open arms.”
    Bhat, who hails from Chadoora, said that people were jubilant on joining the party and took out a rally holding party flags showing their support.
    “We discussed basic problems faced by the people in the area with the newly arrived members. The members apprised me about the political situation prevailing in the area. I pledged them that I would do my utmost to address those problems,” Bhat said.
    “I told them we are not double crossers like PDP, Congress and National Conference. We have one policy which we follow,” he added. He said that Shiv Sena wants to change the mindset of people so that the party is not stigmatized.
    “Shiv Sena Hindustan is not anti-Muslim. There is an impression in Kashmir that the party is responsible for Muslim sufferings. It is not. We want to change this thinking in Kashmir,” Bhat said.
    He said that Kashmir wing of the party has constituted district bodies in Badgam and Bandipora.
    “We have around 1000 members in Kashmir. We will increase our activities in Kashmir to consolidate the party,” Bhat added.

  • CSR initiative for cancer patients: JK Bank seeks land in Mumbai for project

    Srinagar: In a major CSR initiative, J&K Bank has approached Maharashtra government seeking allocation of land in Mumbai for construction of accommodation for cancer patients. 

    The proposed initiative is aimed to mitigate the hardships of economically deprived patients of J&K in particular, and patients from other parts of the country in general travelling to TATA Memorial Hospital for specialized treatment, the bank in a statement said.

    The proposal in this regard was conveyed to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis by the J&K Bank Chairman & CEO Parvez Ahmed. The chairman had called upon the Chief Minister to apprise him about the operations of the Bank in Maharashtra especially the country’s financial capital Mumbai, it said.

    The Maharashtra Chief Minister has assured the J&K Bank chairman of exploring the possibility of allocating land for the benevolent CSR project of the bank in consultation with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

    During the meeting, the J&K Bank Chairman Parvez Ahmed highlighted that JK Bank has strategically chosen the city as headquarters for its Treasury Business and Regional Administrative Office to control its Business operations in five states of Maharashtra, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. 

    The bank, he said, was handling sizable investments in Mumbai region and was keen to expand its footprint in the region and requested for empanelment of J&K Bank for handling the Government Business which was one of its core strength as it was handling the Government Business for J&K state over the last seven decades. 

    Parvez informed the Chief Minister that J&K Bank was actively involved in facilitating the pilgrims all across the country to visit the famous Shrines of Shri Amarnath in Kashmir and Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu by extending registration and other facilities through its Business Units.

    Chief Minister Fadnavis while commending the role of J&K Bank for economic and social development of J&K state assured all necessary support to the Bank for expansion of its operations in Maharashtra and development of Government Business. 

    He advised the Chairman to ensure active participation of the Bank in various upcoming viable infrastructure projects both in public and private sector in Mumbai.

    The Chairman in the end expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister.