Srinagar: A 16-year-old boy has come up with a ‘social networking site’ called KashBook after the state government imposed a ban on social media in Kashmir Valley.
Zeyan Shafiq, a resident of Anantnag, developed and launched the social networking platform within a week after the government banned 22 social media services including Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter.
The young software enthusiast completed his class 10 exams recently. Along with his friend, Uzair Jan, 19, Zeyan came up with KashBook.
The app was first launched in 2013 but was re-launched by Zeyan after the ban. Zeyan has said that within days of re-launch of the app, the site has more than 1,000 users who are satisfied with its features.
“The government has blocked access to all the social networks and they are blocking VPNs too. If they block complete access to social media, how will people from Kashmir stay connected? KashBook is the answer to social media gag,” Zeyan said.
Zeyan and Uzair Jan developed a mobile optimised website and mobile apps for Google Play store and App Store. The duo aims to pursue computer engineering in the future.
Many people here have defied the ban and are accessing the blocked websites by using a virtual private network. But these teens claim that their app does not require a VPN.
The duo claimed that through the app, they will focus and promote goods and services made in Kashmir. “Our effort inspires others to invent and develop new things which can serve as tools for the betterment of Kashmir in a positive way,” said Zeyan.
He said he started learning HTML tags by himself at the age of 11. He also tried his hand on computer languages such as C++ and Java. “On the portal, you can add people and chat with them, post messages along with many features which one finds in other social media websites. There is also a market for buying and selling,” he added.
Category: Union Territory
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Anantnag boy launches social networking site
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Social media ban likely to continue in Kashmir
No improvement in ground situation, state counsel tells HC
Srinagar: The state government today indicated that it may continue with the social media ban in the Kashmir valley as the ground situation has still not improved.While seeking more time before the government actually reviews the order, the state counsel today submitted before the High Court that there was no improvement in the situation in the Valley and it was actually going from bad to worse.Observing that the social media ban cannot be a “permanent fixture”, the High Court today directed the state government to review the “impugned” order and file a reply by May 24, the next date of hearing.Citing maintenance of public order, the government on April 26 ordered a one-month ban on 22 social media sites, mobile phone messengers and video-uploading sites in the Valley by invoking the provision of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.However, the ban order was challenged by two petitioners before the High Court, which on May 8 issued notices to the respondents with directions to the J&K Government to file objections by May 16.As the matter came up before the court today, Additional Advocate General Bashir Ahmad Dar, representing J&K Government, sought time to file objections.However, at this point, Justice Sudhakar Ramalingam observed that “the ban cannot be a permanent fixture”, saying that there must be “periodical reviews” after assessing the situation.“In the interest of justice, the respondents are given one more opportunity to file a reply by May 24,” Justice Sudhakar observed in his orders.Meanwhile, Dar further submitted that a lot of lives had been lost due to the misuse of social media, adding that it was for the same reason that state was regulating social media in Kashmir. (TNS)
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Kashmir father appeals for Rs 22 lakh to help young kid battle cancer
Srinagar: A young father-of-two from central Kashmir’s Budgam district has appealed for help to raise Rs 22 lakh to save the life of his son who suffers from leukemia.
Mohammad Ashiq’s appeal comes just three months ahead of his son Syed Abuzar’s fifth birthday.
Ashiq, a resident of remote Surasyar village, says he has sold whatever he could lay his hands on to fund the treatment of his son from past four years when he was diagnosed with “isolated CNS relapsed pre B ALL” – a type of cancer.After initial treatment at SKIMS Soura, Ashiq travelled to Delhi and Mumbai to find the best treatment available for his ailing son.
Doctors, he says, have advised stem cell transplant with a note that it “needs to be done as soon as possible”.
“He needs to be started on re-induction chemotherapy and provided that he has a good response with CNS being negative and marrow also negative by MRD, will need a stem cell transplant to consolidate his therapy and this needs to be done as soon as possible,” reads a note by Dr Santanu Sen at Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani hospital and medical Research Institute.
“The total cost of BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) will be in the range of 18-20 lakhs, approximately. The cost of Re-induction therapy will be approximately 1.5 to 2 lakhs,” it adds.
Abuzar is currently battling through a course of chemotherapy at SKIMS Soura.
If you want to help fund his treatment, please call on this number +91 700 62 99877 or alternately transfer money into the bank account given below.
Account No: 0008040100030300
Syed Ashique Elahi
Jammu and Kashmir Bank
Branch: Chadoora
IFSC code: JAKA0CHADOO
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Zakir Musa’s statement unacceptable: Hizbul Mujahideen
Hizb dissociates itself from Zakir Moosa statement, calls it Zakir’s “personal opinion”.
Srinagar, May 13 : Reacting to the purported audio statement of its militant Zakir Musa in which he had threatened Hurriyat leaders, Hizbul Mujahideen Saturday said that the outfit has does not subscribe to the statement.
In an emailed statement to KNS, HM spokesman Saleem Hashmi said that the “militant organisation does not subscribe to the statement.”
“Such a statement is unacceptable to us. It reflects the personal opinion of Zakir Musa. Post Burhan Wani’s martyrdom, the nation and the leadership are united at every front and taking ahead the struggle for freedom and Islam to its end,” Hashmi said in the statement.
“At this juncture, any such statement or step will strengthen the occupying and imperialistic forces. Hizbul Mujahidin, the guardian of lakhs of sacrifices and freedom, is assessing the statement and won’t hesitate to take steps for the betterment of the freedom movement. We appeal the pro-freedom youth not give much attention and discourage such statements coming out in the media,” the spokesman said. (KNS)
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Valley doctor turns writer to help cancer patients
Srinagar: Dr Saba Shafi had started writing articles for local newspapers and magazines from an early age but the thought of writing a book never crossed her mind till around a year back. As she would regularly pen down her thoughts in a ‘stream-of-consciousness’ style of literary writing, her family members suggested her to turn her prose and poetry into a book.Though a practising doctor with an MD in pathology, Saba then finished her book titled ‘Leaves from Kashmir’, which was recently published by the ‘Partridge’. The book tells the story of a young woman’s journey from her native land of Kashmir to Delhi. And the proceeds from the sales of the book are going to benefit mental health and cancer patients of the Valley.“I would write for magazines and local papers but I decided to write a book only after my husband and aunt suggested it. I got married around a year back. My in-laws would love what I write and said let’s put it in a book. The book has now been published and the proceeds from the sale will go to charity for mental health and cancer patients,” said Saba, who belongs to the Rajbagh area of the summer capital and is now working in New Delhi.A student of the well-known Presentation Convent School, she was the topper in her Class X and XII board exams. She completed her MBBS from Government Medical College, Srinagar, and MD in pathology from the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura.Through the ‘Leaves from Kashmir’, Saba also hopes that the book would encourage the Valley youth to give vent to their artistic expressions.“The protagonist is a young woman, who mulls over the aspects of her life and the conflicts in her personality. I also hope that the book encourages youth to come out of the woodwork as they do not have many platforms to vent out their artistic expressions in Kashmir,” she said.
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Young Kashmiri Army officer shot while home on leave
Srinagar: A Lieutenant-rank Army officer, who was posted at a RAJRIF unit in Akhnoor, was on Wednesday found killed in Shopian district of South Kashmir late last night.
Lt Umar Fayaz hailed from neighbouring Kulgam district. He was on a leave and had gone to Shopian to attend a marriage function of a relative.Fayaz was allegedly abducted and shot by Militants last night. Two bullet marks were found on his body.The officer, who was young and full of life, was commissioned in December 2016.
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‘Kashmir On Brink, Can Go Out of Hand’
New Delhi: National Conference President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday called on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
He apprised Modi of the situation in the Valley and urged him to address the issue politically.
During a meeting that lasted over half-an-hour, Abdullah briefed the prime minister on the growing unrest in the Valley.
Farooq Abdullah told the PM that the Kashmir Valley was on the brink, and the unrest could get “out of hand” if not urgently addressed politically.
“Please do not think all of us are Pakistanis,” he told the PM, Business Standard reported quoting a source close to Abdullah.
The National Conference leader said to the PM that Kashmiris do not wish to join Pakistan but the people have their grievances, which the Centre should look at through a political process and by reaching out to the stakeholders.
This is the first meeting Abdullah had with Modi after being elected to Parliament in Srinagar by-poll elections. The seat had fallen vacant after Tariq Karra had resigned from the ruling PDP.
He later briefed Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on the issue as well.
“Our main issue is Kashmir. We discussed that how we can make Jammu and Kashmir a heaven again. For that, we are trying hard so that we can bring back harmony,” Abdullah told ANI.
Yechury said there is a need to put an end to Kashmir’s problems.
“We will discuss on how to take steps that would benefit in future. We all have to work together to solve this issue,” he added.
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‘Let’s Together Take Kashmir Out of Difficult Time’
National Media Spreading Hatred Against Kashmiris: Mehbooba
SRINAGAR: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti Monday stressed on collective and heedful efforts by every section of the society to get J&K out of the difficult times and the looming uncertainties.
She admitted that the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley was ‘serious’, but hastened to add that this too will pass.
“This is not the first time that people of the State have seen tough times but in the past also they have braved challenges and come out resolutely”, she said while talking to media-persons on the sidelines of opening of ‘Durbar’ in Srinagar after absence of six winter months.
The civil secretariat functions here for six months of summer and in Jammu for six months in winter as part of a more than century-old practice called Darbar Move started by the erstwhile autocratic rulers.
“Since 1947, we have seen ups and downs in the state. For 22 years, famous leader (Sheikh Abdullah) fought for self determination and plebiscite but despite that he was compelled to sign Indira-Sheikh accord”, she said.
“Since 1990, militancy increased and situation deteriorated a lot, and the people could not move out of their homes. Later, the situation improved. I remember 1996 when it was difficult to even conduct a public meeting. But people have come out of that and would also pass through the present times with resilience,” she said and appealed for collective and vigilant efforts by every section of the society in this regard.
“Every issue has a solution. The prevailing situation is serious but it too has a solution,” Mehbooba said.
Terming youth as an asset and a promise for a better future, the Chief Minister said the youth of the State have made us proud in all fields they went and competed. “Be it studies, sports or competitive exams, our youth have performed so well to hold our heads high”, she said and asked them to exhibit their potential in any corner of the country.
The chief minister said Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of India and people of the state have a right over every inch of the nation.
“It (Jammu and Kashmir) is the soul of this country. When there is Jammu and Kashmir, there is India. The people of Jammu and Kashmir not only have right over Jammu and Kashmir, but on each part of the country and they should assert it,” she said.
On the ongoing protests by students in the valley, Mehbooba said they are angry and disillusioned.
“Today, our children and our youth, whatever way they are on, are angry and disillusioned. Some are being provoked. I think we all should work together to resolve this situation,” she said.
Mehbooba Mufti asked the national media to desist from portraying all Kashmiri youth as stone-pelters and not to show discussions that develop hatred against the people of the state.
She appealed media to play a constructive role in minimizing the divide between sections of the society and act as a guide and a beacon to show the right path to the government and the people whenever they deflect from their objective.
“I request the national media, the electronic media, not to show such discussion on television that develop hatred against the people of Jammu and Kashmir throughout the country.There are some who pelt stones, but not all the youth from Kashmir pelt stones,” she said.
The Chief Minister said though some youth might be disillusioned with the system but the media should not bracket the entire generation but work towards clearing their disillusionment and create an atmosphere of goodwill.
The Chief Minister didn’t take further question and left the place.
Earlier on her arrival at the Civil Secretariat this morning, the Chief Minister was given a ceremonial reception by a contingent of J&K Police.
Members of the Council of Ministers, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Administrative Secretaries and a large number of employees of the Civil Secretariat accorded a warm welcome to the Chief Minister on her arrival.
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Won’t allow anyone to disturb peace of J&K: CM Mehbooba Mufti
Mufti cautioned people against the nefarious designs of some “negative” elements who want to derail the developmental process in the state.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said nobody will be allowed to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the state. Those who take the law into their own hands will be dealt with appropriately, she said after inaugurating a 1.5 km flyover here.
Mufti cautioned people against the nefarious designs of some “negative” elements, who want to derail the developmental process in the state by creating an “atmosphere of hate”. Complimenting the people of Jammu for maintaining communal harmony and brotherhood despite “provocation”, the chief minister said nobody will be allowed to disturb the peaceful atmosphere, and mischief-mongers will be dealt with sternly.
The flyover from Bikram Chowk to Women’s College has been built at a cost of Rs 77.54 crore by the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA). Deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh said the project reflects the coalition government’s commitment towards developmental works. Speaker of the legislative assembly Kavinder Gupta complimented the people on the completion of the project.
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RSS propaganda pushing Kashmiri youth towards militancy: Salman Nizami
SRINAGAR: Congress today expressed concern over the reports of educated youth joining militant ranks in Kashmir valley. Senior Congress leader Salman Nizami said that troops should exercise restraint and adopt people- friendly policy. He said, the RSS-BJP backed national media who by showing provocative videos enrage the Kashmiri youth, which compel them to come on roads to throw stones and take guns. Nizami said “People get emotional after killing of innocents but police and security forces should have shown restraint but they didn’t and ultimately it resulted in the killing of youth and injuries to many.” Nizami alleged that the chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has taken no measure to improve the situation in the Valley which is extremely bad, She has completely failed. The Congress leader slammed the BJP-PDP govt for not acting against those involved in spreading communal hate. Nizami said the Government is turning Jammu and Kashmir a bleeding ground due to policies which it has adopted for last few years.
“Everybody knows what is happening in Uttar Pradesh & many other parts of India against minorities and besides there is a general concern that what would be its affect on J&K ( a Muslim majority state). According to media reports, local recruitment, which had come down to a trickle, has picked up suddenly from January 2015. Nizami said that the killing of innocents & anti- Kashmir- anti Muslim propaganda of BJP-RSS is pushing youth towards militancy. Kashmir problem is not about land, but people. We need to win the hearts and minds of kashmiris. Nizami appealed Central Government to look into the matter of educated youth joining militancy. “The Government should take it as national challenge.