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  • Women of Kashmir a symbol of resistance, sacrifices: Yasin Malik

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik on Wednesday said that Women of Jammu Kashmir are the worst victims of Indian oppression and tyranny but the world which propagates women empowerment and safety seems to remain in slumber.
    He said today when international community is observing international women’s day, the plight of Kashmiri women should also be taken into account and efforts should be made to save them from Indian oppression and tyranny.
    In a statement, chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik on international women’s day said that Kashmiri women have suffered more than anybody else during last many decades as she had to bear the onslaught of Indian oppression more than the men.
    She suffered as a mother when his son got martyred or disappeared in custody, she suffered as a wife when her husband became target and she suffered as a woman when her chastity was attacked by Indian soldiers.
    JKLF chairman said that the sacrifices rendered by Kashmiri women are a glorious page of our resistance history and today when international community and India is observing the international women’s day, we want to ask them that whether they consider Kashmiris as part of humankind and Kashmiri women as part of human civilization or not? We want to know from them that do Kashmiri women also fell in the category of those about whom international community is raising its voices today.
    He said that Indian rulers who claim to worship Sita, Parwati, Kali-Mata and Ganga have used attacks on chastity of women as a weapon of war and have dishonored women with impunity.
    He said that Kashmiri women are most honored humans on the face of this world. Their resilience, passion, and zeal is exemplary and serves as a beacon light for all of us, asserted Yasin Malik.
    He said that international community should shun its double faced policies and should take steps to safeguard women of Jammu Kashmir, who are physically, mentally, emotionally and socially being targeted and oppressed by Indian forces and their policies.

  • Niqab and Woman Empowerment

    A woman should be known by her skills, conduct, intellect and personality. Her physical appearance is neither anybody’s property nor an object of display.

    I am a Niqabi, and contrary to popular belief, I am not oppressed. I have a thrilling social life and love to watch Ronaldo playing. However, I am always amused and sometimes irked with the looks of curiosity people direct towards me. Niqab is considered the sign of oppression on woman, or as an act of what is called Talibanism and almost everyone is suspicious of it and this is why I have been asked some awkward questions like ‘Have your father forced you to wear it’, to some hilarious questions like ‘How do you eat or drink or How do you breathe’, which I generally don’t answer as I would wish to, but then I think to myself, Do they really know what woman empowerment means?

    Today when the world is celebrating ‘International Women’s Day’, being a Niqabi I was targeted for the whole day by everyone who spoke at the event, as if the woman who wears western clothes and roams around the city half-naked is the only empowered woman. Yes, that could be a sign of woman empowerment, unless she is doing it out of her own will and not being forced by anyone, not even by the society. If banning Niqab is considered as Woman Empowerment, will the revolt of women against wearing high heels as a part of corporate dress code (as done some days ago), counted as woman empowerment? Does woman empowerment only mean marginalizing power in women so that they can walk shoulder to shoulder with men? Does not woman empowerment mean to let the woman do what she wants, to let her wear what she wants to wear, even if she wants to wear a Niqab?

    Everyone around me wanted me to be a high-achiever but when I started to wear Niqab all of them were guilty of complimenting it. As a result, I find myself fighting this stereotype on a daily basis. Not only do I have to fight this mindset in order to focus on what truly matters to me, I also have to deal with the consequences- I am still judged first and foremost by my Niqab instead of my ideas.  I pay the price for what matters to me. And I am fighting against a society that looks at my Niqab before it even listens to what I am saying. Even though I might not be better than them, I am not any less than them either just because I cover my face. Niqab does not warp me into a mentally incapable being, it is not a lead box designed to store radioactive elements. It does not bind my mind. I think, I process information and I also form opinions. When I wear a Niqab I feel unburdened and liberated.

    I have been wearing skirt as a school uniform and I guess I was the only girl in my school to wear it at the age of 15, I then switched to Niqab when I joined my college, not because my father wanted me to or the society wanted me to but because I wanted to wear it. It has been rightly said, “A woman should be two things: who and what she wants.” And that’s what inspired me. I have studied in co-education school, I am pursuing a career, I drive a scooty and I wear Niqab, if you still think I am oppressed then I am the happiest oppressed person alive. My Niqab might be for religious purposes, but that does not mean someone is obliged to start a religion war with me. Opting for Niqab is my choice, just like not opting for it is someone else. I support the idea that a woman should wear whatever she wants to irrespective of what society wants her to wear, and that’s what ‘empowerment’ means to me. I also accept the fact that many people don’t like the Niqab and I expect them to show me a similar level of tolerance, especially when tolerance is what they are ranting about all day long. Support woman in whatever she chooses to be, and when you do so, you are working toward empowerment of woman. We are real, intelligent people just like other. Treat us as equals.

    By: Tawqeer Un Nissa (Student of Social Science at Kashmir University)

  • Tale of choked routes that lead us to Kashmir Hospitals

    Malik Asif Noor

    Health sector speaks volumes about the mental evolution of the people and if in any part of the world, this sector is put on the back seat, it has direct bearing on the social development of that land. As a nation we are suffering on every front and life is miserable in this “alcove of saints” and since the fact lies that due to the frequent public uprisings and intermittent mass movements, the health sector happens to be the worst hit.

    Now it seems that the State government has decided to add salt to the injury. I think so because I have my personal views for this and evidence to support my opinion. As chairman of an NGO, “WE VOLUNTEERS” I frequently have to visit different hospitals especially at Srinagar to see the people whom our organization is taking care of and look into their admission in the hospital to their medication and other related issues.

    In this connection I recently had to see a patient who had been rushed to casualty due to some medical exigency at SMHS Srinagar, a hospital that gives us an insight into the broad vision the people who have established it way back in 1940, with a motive not only to cater to the needs of their times but to be ready for the challenges that would take place far ahead. The colossal structure of the hospital, the expansion of the building demands a sense of respect for the people who had such great thinking.

    My ordeal began right at the main entrance that has recently been dislocated and shifted somewhat towards the KAKSARAI CHOWK. I had to wait for some odd 10 minutes to see the traffic cleared at this new entrance and again a same amount of time to find a proper place to park my car.

    A thought immediately took me by shock that what would happen if there was an emergency case on my car? The thought send chill down my spine, I had goose-bumps all over my body.

    We all know that every single minute counts during such constraints and wasting a score of minutes means fatal risk to the person in trauma. We may lose a precious life at the threshold of such an institution that is actually renowned for saving lives. In fact my distress grew more to see that there are no trolleys or wheelchairs available and the patients need either to be carried on back or dragged by hand to the main entrance of the casualty building of the hospital.

    Furthermore, I was snapped off my feet to see that people from outside also park their vehicles in the parking lot of the hospital as it is a safe zone and there is no risk of car-lifters. I actually had a first had experience about it. I saw a luxurious sedan parked behind my car and the man driving it said that he had to attend an important call on a business proposal in some interior of the area and could not park his car at any place for different apprehensions and thus preferred to take the advantage of the “commercial parking lot” at the hospital premises.

    Finally, my eyes could not bear the sight of finding the previous gate or the entrance closed off and abandoned completely. This is the gate that was thrown open just a couple of years back and the expenditure in its construction and decoration could be only guessed. An entrance which was exactly in front of the casualty entrance and was an easy and comfortable access to the emergency and was such wide that it could take care of the evermore increasing rush of patients even decades after.

    Besides it was erected as a historical monument as it was carved out of the chiseled quarry stones, an age old craft, and a part of heritage and culture of this unfortunate valley. On enquiring I was told that it was called off for reasons unknown and that the architect of the news/present entrance was probably one of the highest rung officers either from the hospital or the associated medical college.

    I was immediately reminded of the famous quote, “A bad works man quarrels with his tools!” No doubt the person may be the best in his profession but how come does that justify the assignment of an engineer? The two are poles apart.

    The new/present gate is not even the half of the width of the previous one and stands already choked due to the parking of locomotives, scattered everywhere.

    Last, but not the least, I make a humble submission to the people at the helm of affairs that if you can’t take away the pains of the sufferings souls, don’t add to them please. It would be more than a humane favour to restore the previous entrance to the casualty section in the hospital while keep the new one as well, since it may serve as an exit so that the trouble for vehicles in general and ambulances in particular is spared. I hope that this plea shall not find a trash-bin as its destiny before it is heeded to.

    Author is Chairman of non- government organisation “We Volunteers” 

  • Tanveer To Fight Charges, Won’t Return Until Proven Innocent

    BLOOMINGDALE : There are new details about an international snowshoe racer charged with sexually assaulting a preteen girl.

    These charges shocked people in the Saranac Lake community who had just been cheering for the suspect in a world championship race. Tuesday, a small group of locals came to court to continue to show their support. 

    Tanveer Hussain, 24, arrived at St. Armand Town court on Tuesday prepared to fight charges that allege he sexually abused a 12-year-old girl. Saranac Lake Village Trustee Richard Shapiro was one of several locals who showed up to support him, reported wcax.com.

    “He’s obviously innocent. It’s bogus. The complainant has made false accusations multiple times in the past, and they’ve been thrown out, and this will be too. It’s just really unfortunate that this poor kid, Tanveer, has to suffer through this,” said Shapiro. 

    Just over one week ago, Hussain was racing in Saranac Lake’s World Snowshoe Championships. He and one other racer from India were cheered on, having nearly missed the event after being initially denied visas. Community members rallied behind them and contacted state officials for help. 

    “One of the misconceptions out here is the initial visa rejection was not due to anything with character or morals or anything like that. He passed all the background checks. The question that they had, was did he have enough ties to his community that he was going to go home as opposed to try and immigrate here,” said Shapiro.

    But just a few days after the race, Hussain was arrested. Witness statements from court documents allege that Hussain passionately embraced the girl and touched her breast. He is facing a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child and a felony charge of first-degree sexual abuse.

    “We did extend an offer to allow him to plea to the class A misdemeanor, and accept responsibility for some of his actions,” said Jamie Martineau, Essex County District Attorney’s Office. 

    Hussain’s attorney says he could have gone home had he accepted the plea deal, but he rejected it because he maintains his innocence. 

    “He could walk out and go home. They would return his passport right now and he could go home, but he’s decided, elected to stay here and fight these charges,” said Brian Barrett, Hussain’s defense attorney.

    Hussain was released on bail after his initial arrest and is required to stay locally. The case will now be going to a grand jury in Essex County. 

    Other witness testimony from court documents allege that Hussain was messaging the 12-year-old and expressing his love for her, as well as his wish to spend time with her alone. Shapiro argues that Hussain does not speak English and had to translate every message with the help of Google and a friend.

  • Mehbooba Mufti Says ‘In 3 months, one dozen local militants brought back to their homes’

    Srinagar: Saying that at least a dozen of youth who had picked up guns were brought back to their homes, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday asked the youth to help the government in restoring the peace in the Valley and get jobs in different departments.
    Addressing a gathering during the PDP youth convention here at party headquarters, Mehbooba said, “I am happy to see that at least a dozen of local youth who had picked up guns were brought back to their homes from past two or three months. I won’t say that they surrendered as they are my family members and I am happy to see them back to their homes.”
    She said that the youth who were acting as her bodyguards are having stones in their hands at present. “I feel hurt when I see the stones in the hands of the youth who earlier acted as my bodyguards whenever I visited their villages. I want to tell you that give me peace in the Valley and I will provide you jobs in different departments including Tourism, PHE, Traffic and others,” she added.
    Mehbooba said that she would urge the Prime Minister to visit the Valley regarding the employment of the unemployed youth. “We won’t allow the youth to pick up ‘tich tich’ (guns) as we will try to provide more and more jobs to the unemployed youth of the Valley,” CM said.
    Earlier, various PDP leaders addressed the gathering during the youth convention. (KNS)

  • Doctors allegedly remain ‘unpunctual’ at SMHS hospital Patients suffer

    Srinagar: Many Doctors including the seniors at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital – GMC Srinagar are accused of coming to work late.

    Hospital sources told this KNS reporter that Doctors here never complete their duty hours. “Despite heavy flow of patients that OPD usually receive in this hospital, most of the doctors arrive and leave at their own will, forcing patients, no matter how much serious cases they have, to wait for hours and even days,”
    The insiders said that long queues of patients are a common feature at the Out-door Patient wards in this hospital. “The OPD of the hospitals are supposed to open at 10:30 am but not a single doctor turns up for duty on time, “they said.
    One of the hospital employees told KNS that Lack of inspection from the concerned authorities has given leeway to the doctors to show up for duty whenever they deem necessary. “Most of these doctors either run private clinics or work in private hospitals, “he alleged and said the hospital management is least bothered about the serious lack of punctuality among the doctors.
    Patients alleged that Non-availability of medicines add to their miseries and accused that that the doctors prescribe only those medicines which are available with the chemists who are associated with these doctors.
    “Many doctors have also developed links with the owners of private nursing homes where they practice after hospital duty. “These doctors also put pressure on the visiting patients to get their treatment done at private nursing homes, where they usually practice, “alleged one of the patient at this hospital.
    He said that due to the acute medicine shortage, the patients are told to buy them from the market.
    Citing Political patronage main reason to this mess sources said that many doctors in the government hospitals and other health institutions have developed links with the political bosses and ministers. (KNS)

  • Weatherman predicts four days rain, snowfall in Valley

    Srinagar: As the rains lash Valley from this afternoon, the weatherman here has predicted heavy rains or snow in the next four days across the Valley.

    Talking to KNS, Director Meteorological (MeT) department Sonam Lotus said, “There is possibility of heavy rains in the plains in the next four days while the higher reaches of the Valley including Ladakh would witness fresh spell of snow in these days.”
    He said that the parts of Jammu region would also receive heavy to heavy rains during the next four days, adding that the weather in these days would mainly remain cloudy. (KNS)

  • Misuse Of Antibiotics killing patients in Kashmir

    Srinagar, March 07: Raising concern over rampant misuse of antibiotics in Jammu and Kashmir (JK), Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today said that this is responsible for unprecedented levels of antibiotic resistance which is killing patients.

    President DAK Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a statement said that patients are dying from antibiotic-resistant bacteria because of misuse of antibiotics.

     More than 70 percent of antibiotics prescribed are either given unnecessarily or used improperly.

    Antibiotics are prescribed for viral infections against which they have no effect.

    You go to a doctor with cold or flu; you will walk away with a prescription for antibiotics.

    Every time you have fever, you are given an antibiotic.

    Every fever is not because of infection and does not require an antibiotic.

    Antibiotics find their way in prescriptions for viral diarrheas, sore throats, ear and sinus discharges.

    The misuse has assumed serious proportions due to widespread over the counter sale of antibiotics.

    Chemist shops give antibiotics for everything from malaise, fatigue, body aches to headache.

    Inappropriate use of antibiotics has turned hospitals into breeding grounds for deadly bacteria that are resistant to all antibiotics.

    More than 80% of the bacteria are resistant even to last resort antibiotics.

    Patients are dying of simple infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infection and diarrhea – as no antibiotic works.

    We are kind of back to the era of not having antibiotics.

    With no antibiotics, cancer chemotherapy and simple surgery will become impossible and we are facing a future where cough or cut can kill once again.

    Not only the improper use has helped the microbes to evolve into resistant bugs, but patients are needlessly put at risk of serious adverse effects of antibiotics.

    Misuse of antibiotics wipes out body’s good bacteria that may be contributing to the rise in chronic conditions like obesity, asthma and cancer

  • Geelani calls for boycott of upcoming by-elections

    Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman on Monday urged people to boycott upcoming elections, saying that it provides Indian leadership opportunity to mislead world community.

    The few people who vote in election dramas were not only committing an act of treason, their actions were also acting as oxygen for the Indian occupation of Kashmir, he said. It tantamount to betrayal with the sacred blood of martyrs, said Geelani & any sort of participation would prolong our struggle for freedom.

    In a statement, Syed Ali Geelani in a telephonic message to mourners in Tral said that any flaw or any type of support to puppets is misrepresented in international flora by Delhi. Syed Ali Geelani while referring to huge participation of people in martyr’s funeral said that it should serve an eye opener for India and let them realize that they have virtually lost their battle and now enacting election dramas won’t serve any purpose, said Geelani.

    Referring to slain youth, Syed Ali Geelani said that most of those sacrificing their lives are highly educated and committed with right cause .We need to be aware of this and we are duty bound to safe guard their sacrifices and refrain from such activities which may prove counterproductive for our movement ,added Geelani .

    While quoting a couple from Dr Iqbal’s poem and hailing the sacrifices rendered by youth, said that their blood is pious as that of Haram-e-Paak and the people who for pity gains barter this blood are betraying nation and will find nothing hereafter except punishment for their misdeeds.

    Referring to people’s uprising in 2016, Syed Ali Geelani said that more than hundred lost their lives, twenty thousand were maimed and hundreds blinded .Properties worth billions was ransacked and twenty thousand were detained & despite inflicting loses and mass detentions, India couldn’t suppress our passion of freedom ,added Syed Ali Geelani .However people despite all these repressive and arbitrary measures are overwhelmingly exhibiting their valour and passion for freedom ,said Syed Ali Geelani.

    While asking India to read writing on wall, Syed Ali Geelani said that their obstinate approach has yielded nothing, nor they can demoralize spirits of people. 

    Syed Ali Geelani said that lasting and peaceful resolution is only possible when people are provided the opportunity to express their inner regarding political destiny of state.

    Terming the prevailing situation in Jammu & Kashmir explosive, Syed Ali Geelani said that unrealistic approach of India is prompting our brave hearts to resist and offer their lives.

    Nobody would like to derive pleasure from human losses, said Syed Ali Geelani and while referring to present gloomy state, said India is in position & can play a key role for solving the vexed issue and for this they need to consider sincere & bold initiatives.

  • Counter-insurgency Operations to continue till all ultras killed: DGP 

    Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) Shesh Paul Vaid on Sunday said the counter-insurgency operations would continue till all militants were killed in the Kashmir valley. “The counter-insurgency operations will continue till all militants are killed in the Kashmir valley. We will bring peace to the Valley,” the DGP told reporters after paying tributes to a police constable who was killed in an encounter in Tral.  “We have killed two militants in the Tral encounter. One of them is a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander while the other is a Pakistani national,” the DGP said.