State Vs Non-state Actors | By Prof. Abdul Shakoor Shah

We live in an uncertain world. The present situation yearns for past pattern of socio political transitions like 1815, 1919, 1945, and 1989, when the route was hazy and the world was looking forward to some doable rosy future.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

The past rapid transitional changes are the vivid proof of the fact that the ongoing change will be accelerated in posterity with double pace. There seem to be four basic scenarios for the future world in the coming decade.

The state monopoly seems to be dying out in the near future as the trends, copious forms of media and international interference will cripple the state monopoly in front of the nonstate world.

The second possibility is that the interstate confrontation will merge to a new edge as a part of a new greater game globally and especially in Asian perspective. The western interests, interference and interaction in Asia has justified that Asia has become a global arena for power-wrestling.

It is likely to curtail the global scenario via absolute breakdown or turnaround of globalization. Such murky and mysterious judgments akin to world wars are anticipated but the consequences might be reversed to the past.

In case of chief global powers’ wrestling in Asiatic Arena will provide the tangential powers the juncture to emerge to the global scene to strive for trends to halt the divergence.

The world major powers’ conflict will create an economic and political vacuum which will boost the middle class or developing countries to emerge on the scene. The futuristic technological world is going to eradicate economic and interdependency worldwide.

Photo by AaDil on Pexels.com

The power threads seem interwoven by non-state world rather than state hegemony. Such change will curtail the Western imperialism. Energy independence will ensure the power grip which is the backbone for economic upturn.

It seems that Europe, the US and China will plunge in some greater conflict in Asia and the intervention of peripheral powers will smoother the fidget.

The new political, economic, strategic and regional block will take place.
The boxing for political and world leadership will remain consistent.

The world organizations will be compelled to inculcate certain others and their reformation is certain. The margin of developed and developing countries will remain the same but Chinese per capita income will boost if it follows its present policies for middle income contraries.

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com

The world is on its extreme margins dominating and dominated. If such a situation is not reversed, the inequalities cannot be minimized in the coming decades. The nonstate world will trigger it harder than the past.

The empowerment of the non-state world will intensify the global political, economic and social tensions.

The non competitive countries will be gulped up by non-state giants. From key world powers, the one who stays away from conflicts and gains energy independence will get the best in global decision making.

The world will become wealthy, advanced but darker and insecure which will impinge on domestic as well as international affairs.

Non-state actors, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), cosmopolitan businesses, academic institutions, and affluent dwellers as well as megacities, burgeon and surpass in brazening out worldwide disputes.

Boosting global public opinion harmony among cream of the crop and many of the growing middle classes on chief global challenges-poverty, the environment, anti-corruption, rule-of-law, and peace-form the base of their support.

The nation-state does not ebb, but states ever more systematize and devise amalgamations of state and non-state actors which budge depending on the problem.
Totalitarian rule unearths its durable function in this world, anxious with asserting political predominance at home and respect in a progressively more fully democratized world.

Even autonomous countries, which are connected to the notion of dominion and autonomy, find it thorny to maneuvere lucratively in this multifaceted and sundry world. Minor, luther states in which the privileged are also more incorporated are pertinent to do better than larger countries that are deficient in social or political solidity.

Formal governance institutions that do not acclimatize to the more unlike and prevalent allocation of power are also less probable to be victorious. cosmopolitan businesses, communications firms, international scientists, NGOs, and others that are used to cooperating across borders and as elements of network bloom in this hyper-globalized world where proficiency, sway, and nimbleness count for more than weight or position.

This is nonetheless a hodgepodge and very rough world. Some universal troubles get cracked because networks cope to combine and a few collaboration transpires both state and non-state divides. In other cases, non-state factors might endeavour to deal with a defy, but they are thwarted because of opposition from key powers. Security intimidations pretence an escalating challenge. Entrée to deadly and troublemaking technologies inflate, enabling individuals and small groups to bring about hostility and commotion on a large scale. Economically, universal expansion does faintly better than in the Gini Out-of-the-Bottle scenario because more cooperation occurs on major global challenges in this world.


The world is also more secure and socially cohesive. The radical changes in the world organizations, new economic, political, strategic and regional blocks have become the need of the hour to crack down the hard nuts of the global problems. Asia is the least integrated region in the world and it cannot bear the brunt of the global powers wrestling. the unresolved long standing issues which are the bone of contention among several states globally should be resolved instead of creating new fuss for power thrust.

The smaller states and developing countries must step forward to format a novel platform for resolving their issues and conflicts. The world power in the hands of a few will forcefully push the unwilling to colour their hands with human blood in various campaigns.

Chai, thand, barfeeli waadiyan aur hum | IoK Special

Photo Credit : Social Media

A Kashmiri Twitter user, Salman used the phrase “chai, barfeeli waadiyan aur hum”, which summarises a typical Kashmiri style welcome to the winter. Cold weather and hot tea in almost all parts of Jammu and Kashmir suggest a unique blend of cultural, social, and traditional offerings.

Popular Kashmir tea Noon Chai- also known as Sheer Chai is a traditional tea of Kashmir and is an essential part of Kashmiri breakfast.

It is prepared in a different way than regular tea. Kehwah is another traditional tea of Kashmir.

It is prepared by brewing green tea, then other ingredients are poured into it such as saffron, cardamom seeds, and cinnamon sticks. Some people also like to add chopped dry fruit. 

Photo Credit: Salman (Twitter)
  • Marryam, an Instagram user loves “two types of bread (the barely visible one is made with cornmeal) and salt tea served in a drinking bowl without a handle”.
  • She thinks that in the days before global warming, you would cradle your bowl in the palm of your hand so that the warmth of the chai took the chill out of your fingers. Today, we need fans and coolers in summer.

Sass_Wati, an Instagram user, wrote “Who would then deny that when I am sipping tea at these beautiful places, I am swallowing the whole universe with it and that this very moment of my lifting the cup to my lips is eternity itself transcending time and space?

The terrible demise of books

/ By Mayeda Shafique /

15 million copies sold? For a few moments, my eyes were transfixed on the statement written on the title page of the book.

The book was in my hand but the mind was baffled. In this age of social media, people read books to such an extent. Do they really exist?

Yes, the nations who are alive, never let the books die and never let their minds rusted. The death of books can only be attributed to those nations who are willing to die before real death. Such death is so terrible that we would have bodies wandering without souls around us.

Books are the source of refining and beautifying souls. The four holy books sent by God justify that books are the food for the soul. Books are so powerful that they are used by our Creator to prove His existence.

The first word revealed on our prophet was ‘Iqra” which means “Read”.Alas, the book in my hand is not the asset of any Muslim country, is not of the nation whose religion is based upon the floor of knowledge.

In fact, hardly 500 copies of a new book are sold in Pakistan and Kashmir. The book reading culture in the youth of Pakistan and Kashmir is dying and totally messed up by social media.

This is a concerning point for us all. Will Facebook and YouTube groom our generations ethically and spiritually?

A particular concern is the references of knowledge shared on these platforms which are not valid. Even the wrong verses of the Quran are forwarded as nobody knows about them.

And nobody bothers to understand the divine book. To study things means to understand them. Whereas, our generation is totally out of it.

Ethics and values are the outcomes of literature. Without literature, we are upbringing a nation that is morally disintegrated and spiritually demoralized. Books create the people of understanding.

Lack of understanding is the core reason for messing up our social relations in society. Books have the power to boost emotional intelligence in order to decorate our lives with peace.
What is left in us?, If we exclude values and ethics from ourselves?

The shameful answer is the animal being ….!This is the bitter truth that without books our generations will take an inhumane form. The form which will be lacking intellectual thinking.

This non-intellectual perspective about life will make our nation the slave of their desires and they will be unable to do any constructive work which can be marked on the map of history. Such nations who are unable to create their identities become the prey of the ruling nations and rolls themselves in chains of such slavery which eradicates their identities from the map of the world.

Standing in a corner of a book store in Canada gazing upon the words “15 million copies sold……! “, I was asking myself: “Can we do any struggle to save our generation from such ethical and spiritual demise?” “Can we be able to revive book culture by gifting books to the kids and youth of Pakistan and Kashmir?” or we will still keep sitting silently watching terrible intimidation of our innocent and beautiful faces whose eyes have a thirst for guidance.

In the future, we can expect a complaint from them that where you have been the intellectual souls? Why didn’t you guide us to the path of intellectualism? Why were you so self-centred?

Can we be able to face the greatest reformer, teacher, and guide of our souls the Last Prophet (SAW) on the day of Judgement who told us that we are the best Ummah raised for calling towards knowledge and truth and forbidding from evil?

About the writer:


Mayeda Shafique is an author, educationist, and novelist. She is the first female novelist of Azad Kashmir. She belongs to an educated family of Abbaspur-a border town located along the Line of Control. She has been writing articles for different English and Urdu newspapers. She has worked as a curriculum specialist and as a teacher trainer with the International University Pakistan. She did her Masters in English Literature and Linguistics from the National University of Modern Languages Islamabad and Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) in Linguistics from the Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Mayeda aims to promote book culture to build strong characters in the youth of the Kashmiri Nation regarding faith, morality, and human ethics. She is Pattern of ‘Private Literary Association’ which is a literary forum working in collaboration with private schools in Abbaspur, Poonch Azad’s Kashmir.

Onion Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

Photo Credit: Guftar Ahmad

/ By Mazhar Iqbal /

Internet is amazing. Occasionally, we find things that show us the ugly side of the reality. During the pomp and show that we routinely see in inaugural and ceremonial events of the publicly funded projects, we also look at the things that are strikingly in contrast with what these projects openly display.

The word territory is less common in common parlance of Jammu and Kashmir. This is probably because of the sensitivities around territorial claims over ( the lands and resources of ) the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

However, one object of common interest in all parts of Jammu and Kashmir is the display of incorrect language and misspellings in inaugural and foundation laying stones of public sector development schemes.

One such unique foundation stone has been highlighted by Mukhtar Ahmad, a political activist and spokesperson of community organisation in Indian held Jammu and Kashmir. The Gujjar Bakarwal Youth Welfare Conference (J&KGBYWC ) is a Non Political Organisation working for Tribals, Nomads Gujjar Bakarwals in J&K.

The issues that are focussed by this organisation are interesting in various accounts. Forest rights, corruption in public sector developmental projects, community bunkers, bribery in official dealings, and internet connectivity are a few examples of their recent successful or semi-successful campaigns.

The Government of Indian held Jammu and Kashmir had set March 2021 for the implementation of the Forest Rights Act in the Union Territory, but it appears that implementation of the Act may get delayed under the prevailing circumstances. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, is a key piece of forest legislation passed in India on 18 December 2006.

The law concerns the rights of forest-dwelling communities to land and other resources, denied to them over decades as a result of the continuance of colonial forest laws in India.

Supporters of the Act claim that it will redress the “historical injustice” committed against forest dwellers, while including provisions for making conservation more effective and more transparent. The demand for the law has seen massive national demonstrations involving hundreds of thousands of people.

However, the law has also been the subject of considerable controversy in India. Opponents of the law claim it will lead to massive forest destruction and should be repealed.

Saqib Zahoor, a social media user commented on the picture about ‘Onion Territory’ that after the abolition of article 370 and 35A , the Jammu and Kashmir had turned into an onion territory.

The forest department has reportedly demolished houses of Gujjar Bakarwals in various districts and villages. The community has stressed the need for an amicable solution of forest rights issues as the FRA has been termed as a tool to targeting selected community in Jammu Kashmir.

Apples, Oranges and the “Kashmir Problem”

/ By Promod Puri /

Apples and oranges don’t mix. They grow in separate regions and in separate climates. They have separate shapes and separate tastes.

Jammu grows oranges, sweet and juicy. Kashmir grows apples, luscious and crispy. Put them together in a box. And market it as product of Kashmir. That is simply deceptive labelling. It should be marked as product of Jammu And Kashmir.

And that is the same subtle difference when Kashmir and Jammu are packaged together linguistically, socially and politically. And the entity is stamped as Kashmir.

The packaging is done and marketed by Kashmiri political traders.

As such the Kashmir issue in its present outlook does not justify to represent its true complexity.

The simple but mostly ignored reason is that the colloquial “Kashmir Problem” is not representative of all the diverse regions of the state, as well as those held by Pakistan. The occasional violence erupts only in the valley not in other parts of the state. We seldom hear about political protests and fury in Jammu or Ladakh regions, or even for that matter in Pakistan-controlled “Azad Kashmir”.

The entire Kashmir leadership is controlled by Kashmiri-speaking politicians and activists. There is no representation from the other regions.

Now a Union Territory, Jammu and Kashmir is extensively diverse: linguistically, culturally, religiously and geographically.

Ignorance of this reality generates the impression that everybody in the state is Kashmiri-speaking. The same applies to “Azad Kashmir”. Nobody there speaks Kashmiri, nor do they identify culturally with the Valley.

Unless a correction in the “Kashmir problem” is made to recognize the diverse realities of the state of the region, only then it can be discussed among all the concerned parties. In its present avatar, the Kashmir Issue itself is unrealistic, undemocratic and monopolized.

(Promod Puri belongs to Jammu, now resides in Canada. Websites: promodpuri.com, Progressivehindudialogue.com)

Mirpur: A city under water

 /By Amnah Shaukat/

Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it (L.M. Montgomery).

It’s the month of January. The water level in Mangla Dam has lowered greaty in the past two months. As the water level falls, the remnants of an old city become more visible. What happened to that city, I wondered. Why doesn’t it exist anymore? The places of the city, its streets and its buildings: where are they? Why was it demolished? I wanted to know the history of Mangla and the city submerged in it. On inquiring from my father I came to know that the dam is actually named after Mangla Devi, the daughter of King Porus. The Mangla Dam was constructed on top of settlements.

The old city was evacuated, its residents were moved to another place now called “New Mirpur City” and then the place was flooded entirely to create Mangla Dam. Seeing my interest, my father referred me to his friend. He had conducted 5 years of research on the old remnants of Mirpur city submerged under the dam.

I went to his house, where he had built a small library that was entirely dedicated to old Mirpur city. He told her that the old city was very rich in culture and tradition and was especially known for its religious harmony Hindus have been living here with Muslims in complete peace until Partition changed everything in 1947.

After the Partition of the Indo-Pak subcontinent in 1947, the existing irrigation system was divided between the two countries without an understanding of the actual irrigation requirements. This irrational approach gave rise to a water dispute between the two countries right from the beginning: one which persisted for quite some time. The dispute was finally resolved when the Indus Water Treaty was signed in 1960 whereby rights over three eastern rivers – i.e. Sutlej, Beas and Ravi – were assigned to India and three western rivers – i.e. Chenab, Jhelum and Indus – were allocated to Pakistan .The agreement provided a provision for construction of replacement works called ‘Indus basin projects’ comprising of two dams (Tarbela and Mangla), five barrages and eight link canals. And so, Mangla dam was constructed on the river Jhelum in 1967.

Besides providing timely irrigation supplies to agriculture, Mangla dam was constructed primarily as the backbone of the natural economy and a replacement for the depleted eastern river flows. The indirect benefits through enhanced agricultural output and increased industrial production utilising electricity generated at Mangla Power House can hardly be measured in tangible terms.

But to achieve all this, the water that was released in 1967 submerged the whole of Old Mirpur city and 260 villages.

During the colder months of January, February and March, the water level recedes to such an extent that one can travel on old Mirpur road – which still exists – and thus visit some of the old sites.

he holy shrines of Syed Abdul Karim and Meeran Shah Ghazi become visible and so do the remnants of a Sikh Gurdwara as well as a Hindu Mandir possibly dedicated to Mangla Mata (Mangla mother goddess). The submerged remains of old Mirpur present the silhouette of a pre-Partition city when many faiths co-existed side by side.

The submerged remains of old Mirpur present the silhouette of a pre-Partition city when many faiths
co-existed side by side

“Our cultural heritage was eroded in the construction of Mangla Dam. It resulted in a massive eviction of people and the demolition of urban areas” Najib Afsar tells me. It posed something of a residential crisis in the region. “And even until now we are not settled” Afsar adds.

As water levels recede, the remains of old houses, water wells and graveyards reappear too. People from surrounding areas visit old Mirpur during these months to pay homage to the ancient land that they lived on. They say some prayers for their loved ones as they visit graveyards.

“The place where I am sitting and talking to you was the porch of my house .Every year I visit this place when the water level recedes. And I cannot forget that time when we used to play here. I miss my old city were so many memories lie – which I can never forget” says Chaudary Adalat Khan.

Other former residents remember the livelihoods lost in the creation of economic opportunities for the rest of the country.

“The land on which I am working belongs to my parents. And now this place is under water. Before the construction of the dam we used to work on these fields and they were a source of income for our family. Now in the new city it’s difficult for us to meet our expenditures because our only source of earning, this land, is under water. So we wait for the month of March or April for the water levels to drop” explains Chaudhary Abdul Rehman.

Residents continue to raise questions about a process that took place decades ago. Couldn’t the old city and its cultural heritage be preserved? Can compensatory packages make up for the personal losses that its residents suffered, i.e. losing their land, homes and ancestors’ graves? Can anything replace the cultural heritage lost in this process?

These questions remain unanswered.  

Source: The Friday Times

Pugga Vrat

Pugga Vrat/ Pugge Ka Vrat: observed mainly in Jammu by the Dogras (Duggar community).It is observed for the wellbeing of children.

Pugga Vrat is observed on the fourth day during the waning phase of moon in Magh Month (Krishna Paksha) Chaturthi as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pugga is a traditional sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery. It is a very strict fast where women do not even take water till they open their fast by offering arghya to moon.

They open their fast by eating pugga, with milk & banana, they can also consume radish and sugarcane however no ann/grains.

Pugga Vrat katha is about a woman who accidentally kills the young baby of an animal in forest. Even though she repents, she losses all her children. She then performs Pugga vrat and due to her vrat she gets all her kids back.

Ever since mothers perform pugga vrat for long life & safety of their kids 🙏🏼 Maa shakti 🙏🏼 Nari Shakti 🙏🏼Art courtesy: Medhavi Sharma#connectingdogras

Souce: International Dogra Society

Pakistan launches Kashmir Premier League

The Six groups, 5 from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and one consisting of Kashmiri Diaspora, will take part in Kashmir Premier League (KPL). The teams are named Muzaffarabad Tigers, Mirpur Royals, Kotli Panthers, Rawalakot Hawks, Bagh Stallions and Overseas Warriors.

Islamabad (IoK News): Pakistan launched  T20 format Kashmir Premier League (KPL) at a ceremony here in Islamabad on Saturday.  The Kashmir Premier League is a collaboration of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and regional authorities in Pakistan administered Jammu and Kashmir. The aim of this sporting event is to give a chance to the youth of Azad Jammu & Kashmir to show their cricketing talent to the world and to bring Kashmir on the sports map of the world.

All the participating teams of the event will be primarily consisting of players of Pakistan Administered Kashmir. The Six groups, 5 from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and one consisting of Kashmiri Diaspora, will take part in KPL. The groups are Muzaffarabad Tigers, Mirpur Royals, Kotli Panthers, Rawalakot Hawks, Bagh Stallions and Abroad Warriors.

The official website of the cricketing event has also been launched. The Kashmir Premier League – is also branded as KPL20 via the website KPL20 (Kashmir Premier League – KPL20). Main sponsors are the Government of the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, The Cutting Edge Group, PCB and Geo Super.

Official Logo of Rawalakot Hawks

It will likely be a 10 days main cricketing occasion scheduled from 1st April 2021 to 10th April 2021 in  Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Rawalpindi. On the launching ceremony, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan mentioned Kashmiri persons are sports activities lovers and this occasion will probably be one other platform for Kashmiri youth to point out their expertise. He assured that his authorities will present all potential help and cooperation for the profitable conduct of the occasion.

The official emblem titled “Khelo Azadi Say” was additionally unveiled on the opening ceremony.

Former Captain Pakistan Cricket Workforce Shahid Afridi, on the event was happy over the launch of the KPL.

The official website of the event says that the league is designed to provide the young Cricket talent of AJK with a quality platform through which they can exhibit their skill and will be showcased all around the world with the involvement Pakistan international players as well helping us raise the community spirit among people of Azad Jammu & Kashmir through providing the global recognition to the culture of the region bestowed with natural magnificence and landscapes manifesting the alluring geography and culture of AJK in addition to the proliferation of sports in the region letting us promote tourism of the region and making international and national stakeholders to invest in the region.

The Life and Struggle of K.H. Khurshid

//By Mazhar Iqbal//

The late K.H. Khurshid was private secretary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He later went on to become the president of Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK). As I turn the pages of the book titled “Tareekhi Mushahidat o Waqiat”, I see him as a beacon of light. This book is a compilation of various pieces of writings of K.H. Khurshid along with contributory articles from his wife cum editor of this book-Begum Surraya Khurshid. She herself is a woman of extraordinary stature, not because of her status as the wife of a former president but her personal character, integrity, and commitment to high moral values in life.

تاریخی مشاہدات و واقعات : مصفنہ ، ثریا خورشید
قائدِاعظم کے سیکریٹری کے ایچ خورشید کی یادداشتوں سے ماخوذ

For many, K.H. Khurshid was one of those super zealous Kashmiris who wished to live in the past. But, for many others, he was a true lover of democracy. For me, he is the only towering figure in a land of pygmies. The Lilliputians of his time possessed all the pretence of genuineness and representation of  the opinion of masses but they were impotent to cage his opinion. So, they hypocritically and deceitfully ditched him simply to further their own agenda. Khurshid’s differences with President Ayub were genuine and grounded in his ideology for the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He did not pretend to be a champion of the rights of ‘his’ people as his successors in the government would have done. He had all the characteristics of a leader of a nation, but not a tribe. He stood steadfastly to protect the rights of the affectees of Mangla dam and questioned the legitimacy of the interference of the central government in the affairs of PAK.

Khurshid was a Pakistani to the core of his heart. Otherwise, he would not have bothered to visit Dhaka (formerly Dacca) to see Mujib ur Rehman and show his concerns over the boiling situation regarding the power-sharing quagmire with the West Pakistan leaders. Surraya quotes in this book that Quaid-e-Azam once said “Pakistan was achieved by my sister, my secretary, and my typewriter”. She refers to an editorial note by chief editor Nawa-e-Waqt Hameed Nizami written in 1959 which states ‘I am sure this secretary was K.H. Khurshid”. He worked hard day and night along with his leadership during the most tumultuous years of the partition of India. By showing his commitment, loyalty, and determination to the cause of the Muslim League and personal service to the founder of the nation, Khurshid proved that he was the right choice of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and perhaps, one of the most suitable candidates for the future leadership in the post-partition state of Jammu and Kashmir. 

He was disciplined, talented, and visionary, just like his mentor. As a well-educated and highly qualified lawyer, he would have lived a happy, prosperous, and successful life in Pakistan or abroad but he spent all his life in a struggle for the betterment of his people. He lived life as a challenger of the status quo. Whenever challenged on his morals and values, he would not hesitate to speak the truth while looking into the eyes of the challenger and leave the corridors of power. In 1958, he spent four months in detention during the stormy years of the Kashmir Liberation Movement (KLM) but did not compromise on his principled stand on the Kashmir cause. His upstanding view of the right of self-determination of Kashmiris was wrongly interpreted as a deliberate effort to steer the liberation movement away to an independent Kashmir.

During detention, he wrote in his diary that this was the time when his closest and most trusted people started parting ways from him as they thought he was no more in the ‘good books’ of Pakistani authorities. A true democrat can never be in the good books of dictators. As a challenger, Khurshid introduced the democratic process in affairs of government by deviating from ‘selection’ to ‘election’ of the president of PAK. Earlier, the presidency of PAK was considered a nomination of a tribal chieftain. Khurshid is rightly named as Khurshid-e-Millat by his ideological followers as he was the first and the only voice from liberated land who wanted the PAK government to be recognized as the representative government of the people of all parts of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Basically, the purpose of this ideological and highly significant stance was to ensure a concerted and targeted struggle towards the liberation of the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. As a human being, he was a humble, self-restrained, and loyal person. But, as a Kashmiri, he was an idealist and optimist in and out as he was opposed to the idea of controlling or even subverting the will of the people.  

The editor of the book has repeatedly referred to the political philosophy of K. H. Khurshid. Unfortunately, his political approach has always been misconstrued. He was not against the idea of Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan but was greatly opposed to putting pressure on Kashmiris to accept a particular course of action with regards to the future of the state. His committed position was to make efforts to liberate the occupied territory and let the people of Jammu and Kashmir decide their future. He was motivated to showcase PAK as an integral part of the whole of Jammu and Kashmir; not an annexed or subordinate territory of Pakistan. Surraya has rightly documented Khurshid’s unwavering support to the cause of Kashmiriyat. As the major part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is yet not liberated, politicians and rulers in Azad (liberated) Kashmir should not live the luxurious life of the representatives of a free people. The liberated territory was genuinely a base camp for Khurshid and not a place to enjoy the freedom. He abhorred the idea of a luxurious living in the base camp.

He lived in the President’s House as a layman and true believer in simple living. This is the same base camp of the liberation movement where flag-bearing government vehicles are a norm. During the presidency of PAK, Khurshid’s 4-year-old daughter insisted to go to school in the flag-bearing car, and in a moment of emotional outpouring, her mother (Surraya Khurshid-the wife of president AJK) allowed her daughter to avail that facility. In the evening, Khurshid showed his anger and asked Surraya not to repeat that incident again. How many of state officials and present leaders of PAK would observe such a strict discipline in handling the state resources?

Surraya’s candid and honest analysis of the democratic journey of the people of PAK under the title of “Mr Khurshid ka astifa (Mr. Khurshid’s resignation”) is a documented evidence of one of the most significant aspects of Khurshid’s successful career as an influential and elevated politician. This shows the depth and reach of his visionary approach in bringing a political, social, and democratic change in PAK. Surraya writes “had Kashmir Liberation League not founded in 1962, the people of PAK were still miles away from political acumen that they enjoy today and they were still be governed by a clerk in the ministry of Kashmir affairs”. However, according to the Surraya’s opinion, this was a mistaken approach of the then rulers of Pakistan as they thought Khurshid was an active preacher and supporter of the idea of an independent Kashmir. He, in fact, was a sincere believer of the ideology of Pakistan; perhaps an idealist but a hard-core centralist. 

Kashmiri woman distributes sanitary napkins

Eva Safety Door kit consists of sanitary napkins, underwear and handwash, for women who cannot afford to buy them.

Irfana Zargar was settling in after a long day at work when she received a desperate call from a woman asking for sanitary napkins. Despite the lockdown, Irfana set off to deliver the napkins in person. In a dilapidated house in the downtown locality of Srinagar, she met Sabia Khan who was in a wheelchair. Sabia was the one who had made the call. Due to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus lockdown, Sabia was unable to buy essentials for herself.

Five years ago, Irfana – who stocks public toilets in Kashmir with sanitary napkins, took an initiative to help Kashmiri women meet feminine hygiene needs. She would prepare an ‘Eva Safety Door’ kit consisting of sanitary napkins, underwear and handwash, for women who cannot afford to buy them. All the arrangements are done from Irfana’s personal savings although, she says, a lot of people are now coming forward to help her.

“Menstruation is a natural phenomenon and I don’t understand why people shy away from talking about it. Some women do not buy pads because they feel ashamed. I want to change this. We have been asked to stay silent all our lives, enough is enough,” says 28-year-old Irfana who works as a Helpline Assistant in Srinagar Municipal Corporation on a consolidated-basis.

Providing kits to women in Covid wards

Irfana came across the case of a woman being treated for coronavirus in a hospital in Kashmir. Due to unavailability of sanitary napkins, the woman was forced to wear a cloth pad cut out of a curtain during her menstrual cycles. Shocked by the incident, Irfana prepared several kits and distributed them in different wards of the hospital.

On the onset of coronavirus lockdown, Irfana received hundreds of calls from women asking for kits as they could not buy pads from the local stores. As people were hoarding up essentials in the initial days of lockdown, a shortage of menstrual products was reported from all over the country. Apparently, it was not looked upon as an essential commodity. When a countrywide lockdown was imposed in India, pads did not make it to the list of essentials, the delivery of which was allowed despite restrictions. Only when the grocery stores and chemist shops ran out of supplies did the government deemed it a necessity.

“I was very anxious at that time. Not everyone can afford to hoard. Also, hospitals should take special care of stocking sanitary napkins. Pandemic or not, periods do not stop,” says Irfana.

According to Irfana, she delivered 19000 sanitary napkins and 16 Eva Safety Door kits during the lockdown. Even then, she could not reach many women due to restrictions on movement. After meeting them in person, Irfana would make sure that they received sanitary napkins every month.

“It was a complete mess. There were days when I could not help these women and it was starting to take a toll on my mental health. This was when I realized that buying sanitary napkins is a privilege a lot of us cannot afford,” says Irfana.

Unaffordable for people with lower incomes

17-year-old Zainab (name changed) lives in a one-storey house in Srinagar with her parents. Her father, a daily wager, experienced financial constraints as his income was seriously affected during the lockdown. Trying to make ends meet, her family struggled to survive the pandemic. Zainab could not muster the courage to ask her parents for money to buy pads.

“One packet of sanitary napkins costs around 40 rupees and you at least require two or three packs a month. For some people, it might be a small cost but for us, it meant a day’s meal. I had no option but to use cloth and cotton,” says Zainab.

Irfana says that under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushdhi Pariyojna (PMBJP), sanitary pads were being sold for Rs 1 per pad at Janaushadhi Kendras. Despite this many women are still unable to make use of such schemes due to lack of awareness.

Zainab is thankful that her father managed to find work after the lockdown. Some of her friends are still facing hardships and continue to use cloth. According to a report of BBC, only 15% of girls had access to sanitary napkins  during the lockdown.

“When it comes to food or menstrual products, the obvious choice would be food. But I am happy that I am able to buy pads again,” says Zainab.

Period shaming and Menstrual health

Irfana’s journey started in 2014 when she was walking the streets in one of the busiest places in Srinagar. She got her period and was unable to buy a napkin due to lack of money. Going inside a public washroom, she was appalled to see its condition.

“There was no soap and water. I had no option but to travel like this. Period shaming is so common here and in case you have a stain, you will be landed with insults,” recalls Irfana.

Since that day, Irfana made sure to donate sanitary napkins to public washrooms. Till date, she stocks around 15 washrooms in Srinagar district. After losing her father, Irfana wanted to make him proud by helping people and so she ventured out to help women in need.

Talking to TwoCircles.net about the harmful effects of using dirty or unsterilized cloth during periods, Seema Zahra, a gynaecologist based in Kashmir says, “It can be very dangerous and can cause serious health issues. It can expose them to infections which can later turn out to be more sinister.”

Dr Seema says most of the patients that come for treatment related to this problem are from lower-income groups. Due to their financial state, they are forced to look for alternatives like rags and cloths.

Even though Irfana has not received her salary for months now, she is adamant about working for the cause of women. She says these women look up to her and she cannot abandon them in these tough times.

“I have prepared more kits and I will be distributing them soon. It is important to spread awareness about menstrual hygiene and I will keep doing so no matter what,” says Irfana.

Source: MPositive