Is It Really Communal???

The weeks-old turmoil in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir was finally, and hopefully, laid to rest yesterday with the protestors and the government agreeing to some solution. However, the outcome of these protests is far-reaching as new loyalties have been formed and old ties forsaken. Being a resident of Jammu and Kashmir and born and brought up in Jammu region, I feel more of a Jammuite than a Kashmiri, although by birth I am a Kashmiri Pandit (somehow, I really dont have any faith in any particular religion or community, humanity should suffice for all the religions of the world, I think!!).
However, during the 60 days of curfew, killings, strikes, civil disobedience movement and public protests, I was forced to think as to where do I really belong?
Do I belong to Kashmir or Jammu? I know the question would be troubling a lot of other KP men and women just like me, because, if truth be told, there is no land that we can really call our own, as of now. So, where do we really belong to?
The question is unsettling but, the answer is still nowhere close by. It might take time for the answers to arrive, so meanwhile, I go by the city that has made me what I am and that is Jammu.
Speaking on behalf of people of Jammu, I can vouch for the fact that they are an unpretentious lot, who believe in working hard and earning their due from life.
In the peak years of militancy in Kashmir, I was studying in high school during those days, there were many instances wherein militants tried to foment trouble in Jammu and its adjoining regions as well. But the peace and tranquility of the city remained safe in the hands of the peace-loving Jammuites.
When more than four lakh KPs migrated from their ancestral land, most of them, (at least for the initial years) found refuge in Jammu and its outskirts. There were a few skirmishes regarding the clashes between the KP migrants and local population here and there, but the overall scenario remained peaceful and KPs found a favourable environment to thrive in in Jammu region.
During the following years (between 1990 and 2000), the KPs became a part and parcel of the public life in Jammu, so much so that in the company of KP kids, who were known for their inclination towards studies, the Jammuites also found their benchmark in education and started setting new targets for themselves. The economy also received a boost as there were more people to purchase goods in the markets, more people building homes for themselves and more marriages taking place.
Moreover, even with Kashmir continuing to burn for the next decade, Jammu continued to go about its business peacefully. However, that changed in June 2008, with the government revoking the land transfer order, earlier passed in favour of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.
The Jammuites, who had, during all these years since partition, kept the flag of nationalism fluttering despite all storms raging around them, were forced to come out on streets and make their anguish known throughout the country.
I ask you, the readers, were they not justified in raising their voice against 60 years of discrimination against the politicians, who kept exploiting them at the drop of hat? How justified is Article 370 which prevents other Indians from entering the state of Jammu and Kashmir and buying land or other property there while the Jammu and Kashmir people can do so at will in rest of the country?
These are a few questions which might bring the answer to the present turmoil, which is far from over, though, it might have receded for time being.....

Just like that!!!!!!!!1

Hi folk!
Been away for quite long, reasons are many but I don't want to waste blogspace by counting them. Thanks Soumendra for your encouraging words. I hope I can do justice to the exercise. "Old Lady Lincoln", it was my pleasure to visit your blog and the slide that you had put on for your anniversary was awesome. Anu, thanks for your comments on the photograph. As already explained, the bus runs on one of the routes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and there are many such vehicles, moving around there. By the way, the song is "Kitna Pyaara Vaada Hai In Matwaali Aankhon Ka..." it is one of my favourite old Bollywood songs and shot very interestingly.
Life has been throwing up too much to do right now that sometimes i feel overwhelmed. But there are days that I realise that how lucky it would be to do something in this world and make it a better place than it already is. Well, I guess I am not being much clear in thoughts but never mind.
I saw English movie "If Only" the other day and loved Paul Nicholls in it. He plays "Ian" in the movie, a Britisher, in love with the American character "Samantha", played by Jennifer Love Hewitt. The movie is about how we never treasure what we already have and, instead, run after something, which may never be ours. I guess, we all have something to learn from this thought.
Instead of running after what's not ours, we should cherish and preserve what we already have in our hands.
The thought is profound but we are not able to realise it until it is too late, at least for most of us, just like Ian from "If Only."

A Whiff Of Fresh Air........

Hi folks!! sorry, i am not being a regular in this space, primarily because i am still overwhelmed with the amount of information and interactions available in the blogging world and am trying to come to terms with the same before i start contributing on a regular pace. Anyways, life was quite hectic in the past few weeks, both at home and at office. had a birthday party last Saturday, mainly for colleagues and friends. enjoyed to the hilt (talking of myself) and seemed that the guests were also having a good time. however, the best part of the evening was the last, when all of us went to the Central Park at Connaught Place. the time spent there (although, we couldnt stay for long as it was already late) was marvellous. didnt do much except for the usual leg-pulling and gender discussions, but just sitting there, in the open air, with everyone visibly relaxed, really set me thinking as to human spirit being crushed in the strict confines of daily life in a metro like Delhi. This was my first trip to the central park in CP but i was told that the place is getting more visitors every day and night in comparison to other places of interest in the vicinity, like the multiplexes or restaurants. This proves one thing that people still crave for open spaces and fresh air, even though, they have every other facility at their disposal. Hmmm..... nice food for thought, isnt it?

Sarhad Ke Us Paar!!!!

Hi friends!
You all must be wondering what is this thing on the left. well, it is the picture of a bus (beautifully bedecked) from across the border, i.e., Pakistan. This is no unique vehicle, because throughout the Pakistan part of (PoK), this is a common mode of transport, which also adds a dash of to the lives of people living there. Observe the kind of frills attached to the bus and the use of bright colours, it seems as if not a bus but an embellished belle is coming up the road. The ornaments of the bus are proof enough that its owner must really be in love with his vehicle, which is not only a source of his livelihood but also his means of existence. Do let me know what u think of it......

Mausam Mastana!!!!!!!

"Rimjhim Ke Taraane Le Ke Aayi Barsaat....." Most of the Delhiwallahs must be singing this song on Monday as weather turned a noble eye on us. Just when the Delhiites were fuming over the rising mercury, the rain god decided to bless us with a good dose of shower. Monday blues were washed off by an erratic spray of rain over various parts of the national capital even as officer-goers, students, etc prepared for their week ahead. the change was welcome and so was the fall in temperature. this makes one sit up and notice that the global warming is really making the weather behave in a strange manner. however, the mere mortals like us, who prefer to live a day at a time, would not be found wasting their time thinking of such inane topics as long as we are enjoying the weather at its best. Garmi mein sardi ka mazaa is always welcome, isnt it??? moreover, it helps us keep our cool if there is a little rain falling down outside the window as we deal with heaps of work at office (i can already see some of the heads nodding). well, that is how it should be? but, unfortunately, it doesn't. Tomorrow is just another day when we might have to brace ourselves against the scorching sun as we venture out in search of livelihood, education, shopping or, just life.......

Hi there,,, so, you are really agreed to the idea of making a difference on your own, instead of waiting someone else to do it for you? Well, that is a good start and i hope more and more people, thinking like us, come forward with their helping hand because a lone person might not be able to make much difference, specially since the time is running out. Waise bhi, thespian Dilip Kumar had said it long ago in one of the songs of his "Naya Daur", it goes like "Saathi Haath Badhana Saathi Re!!!" So, to begin with, let us all join hands and not contribute to the already burgeoning mounds of garbage around us. This simply means going green, recycling the garbage generated in our homes, using less and less plastic, saving paper, keeping our surroundings clean and planting trees. Pretty much the same old stuff, which needs to be done vigorously and with a little more commitment. Well, to my own eyes and ears, I have begun sounding like a rude teacher, taking a class (and nobody likes such a character and moreover, this blog is supposed to be fun, isnt it?), so I will just say that make a start by shunning plastic from your life, like (here i go again!) insisting on paper bags at shops, showrooms, malls. There can be many other ways to begin with, but this was the first that came to my mind and it is easy as well to start with....., so, let us all try and see, where we go from here......

Lately, i have been coming across a lot of writeups on various blogs that bring out the "not so good" aspect of life in the national capital. Ranging from absence of civic amenities to traveling on DTC buses, there are a lot of things, which can hardly be called a luring aspect of life in a metro. However, before anybody gets up to shoot me over bringing Delhi down, or something like that, let me clear the air (well, it actually needs to be cleared, ain't it???). Anyways, I was saying that Delhi in itself is not bad, no city is because a city, town or a village is as good or as bad as the people who live in it. So, in the old fashioned way of explanation, pointing a finger at Delhi would mean pointing three fingers at ourselves. (Can't figure out how???? Well, try pointing a finger at someone and you will see for urself.) The funda of going so deeeeeeeeep into this was to say that instead of pointing accusations at authorities (they give a damn about the city or its condition, nevertheless) is not going to solve the problem. So, why can't we, with our own hands, do something to clear the air (literally!!!!). What say???? let me know 'coz I am waiting to hear from u........