SHEHJAR - Web Magazine for Kashmir

RECENT UPDATE Promoting Kashmiri Hindu issues of this decade and bring the diverse needs of the community in a format that is easy to read and navigate.

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Author’s Article

HEEMAL AND NAGRAI (A popular Kashmiri folk-tale)

Satisar (Kashmir) has a wealth of legends and folklore. Kashmiri folklore has stories of valor and cowardice; love and hate; faith and disbelief; admiration and jealousy; loyalty and deceit. One uncommon story is of Heemal and Nagrai.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

NEW DELHI - PLEASE GET IT NOW

The latest overtures by the Prime Minister of India for dialog with separatists in the Kashmir Valley are bound to fail yet again. These initiatives born from delusions regarding the motives of these separatists are only likely to create more confusion.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

Elections 2014 - Wanted, a Clear Mandate

Let this middle class now act decisively and help bring in a government that has a clear mandate, which will help it to bring in real change for all round development of the nation.

Author : P. N. Ganjoo More

Can We Ever Shun Being Hypocritical About Secularism?

The nationalist, real secular people are having a tough time retrieving the true, exalted meaning of secularism from the gutter levels that the word has been sunk into.

Author : P. N. Ganjoo More

WAS IT A MISS OR A DIPLOMATIC BLUNDER?

Both sides followed the favorite lines. Pak denied all allegations made by India on the basis of the revelations made by Abu Jundal and proposed joint investigation instead of the Bombay terrorist act of 2008.

Author : P N Ganjoo More

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

The Report of Interlocutors is totally skewed when it suggests that Parliament should have no powers to legislate on the state unless such laws relate to internal and external security and its vital economic concerns pertaining to water resources and energy needs only. National wisdom rather than local prejudices guide better on many occasions.

Author : P N Ganjoo More

POLITICKING THE ANTI-TERRORIST MECHANISIM

There can be no two opinions on the need for quick and timely responsive reactions of the security forces to the terrorist intents and plans whenever and wherever they manifest. But our existing architecture does not allow that because different agencies charged with countering different hues of terrorism do not work in tandem and cohesion.

Author : P N Ganjoo More

Political Posturing About AFSPA

This is exactly the reason why both Core Committees constituted by the CM have not recommended revoking of DAA and withdrawal of AFSPA at this stage, when guns of the foreign sponsored terrorists have not been silenced for good.

Author : P N Ganjoo More

Autonomy - A Constitutional Anachronism

Constitutional History of India cannot be redrafted to appease the emotive urges of a small group of disgruntled and volatile politicians who are prompted, abetted and financed by their masters from across the borders.

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

The dynasties who have impacted Kashmir Polity

They raise all these issues, which are public sensitive and emotive in the valley in order to win over the separatists and terrorists to their side and emerge as a political force.In fact, with this strategy, they have been able to shatter the monopoly of National Conference politics in the valley.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

My Brushes with Terrorism in Kashmir

As I knocked on the gate of the garden wall of my house, my pale, pallid and panting wife appeared on the door. She almost collapsed while sobbing. I took her in my arms and wanted to console her but she would not listen. She wanted me to leave the place there and then as others had done

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

MORE AUTONOMY FOR ANARCHY?

When he suggests more autonomy to Kashmir within the framework of the Constitution, he does not explain the details of the suggestions. He has to balance this proposal with the demands of both Jammu and Ladakh divisions which are opposed to all such moves of more autonomy.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

My Brushes with Terrorism in Kashmir -II

Only howling of jackals was heard at a distance. When we rejoined the highway at Awantipora, we were shocked to find that the milepost was painted green with a JKLF flag done on it. First I thought it to be the handiwork of some miscreant

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

My Brushes with Terrorism in Kashmir

A temple in Shopian town was burnt to threaten the Hindus to run for their lives. Some days later, a headless human body with the tag of �informer� was dangled from a walnut tree in the same town to intimidate the town people further.

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

On Dangerous Spats

The Indian Army which is considered to be one of the best disciplined and apolitical armies in the world has all along performed a complementary role to other organs of state, both in periods of crisis and peace. It has maintained a fine balance with civil administration and helped it often in maintenance of law and order duties at times of national and/or natural crisis.

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

THAW IN SEPERATIST�S FREEZE

The firebrand patriarch hardliner of Hurriyyat SAS Geelani also stuck a mild but unusual tone in his speech in a seminar at Srinagar recently. He said that the so called struggle for Azadi has to be peaceful as a matter of policy.

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

REHABLITATE THE PEOPLE OF KASHMIR & NOT THE TERRORISTS

t is also a hard fact that some of these terrorists have grave and heinous crimes of murder, rape, loot, arson, sabotage and revolt on their heads which will not be possible for the State Government to absolve them of under the laws of the land.

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

BIZARRE SUGGESTIONS AND WEIRD MEANINGS

All said, there is no need to go for further experimentation on J&K just because the General is to go to Pakistani voters in order to gain credence through their convoluted process of elections next year.

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

History Repeats itself in Kashmir

One wonders as to what these politicians and bureaucrats of the Valley have been doing, if not conniving with and abetting the separatists and the disruptionists?

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

THE MALIGNANT MALADY

By all symptoms and indications these are pan-Islamic influences and prejudices which have already infiltrated into the Valley through Pakistan and its rabid terrorists who had lured a tiny segment of youth of the Valley to their fold initially to convert the Valley to Nizam-i-Mustaffa

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

Unbelievable, But Facts

I record the same with a view to lay the record straight and help understand the gravity or otherwise of the conditions that were allowed to build up and drift to the extremes from which it was not possible to redeem the Valley with what so ever means :-political, administrative and legislative, back to normalcy.

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

Gupa Dakhdhar - A Short Story

He could not afford to put them off to tomorrow as he could not see their agonies prolonged. So he associated an aged and emaciated Kashmiri Pandit to help him to compound the medicines for patients

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

Vision for India

Prime Minister�s vision for new India as a great power though suave and statesman like is not supported by a firm diplomatic clout which is a pre-requisite to handle issues of such magnitude.

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

Quaint Ironies in Kashmir Politics

It is estimated that more than 10000 Kashmiri Muslim youths after their indoctrination in rabid fundamentalism and arms training are stranded in Pakistan due to effective ceiling of borders and deterrent anti-terrorist measures adopted by our security forces.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

MY GURTOO HEYRATH EXPERIENCES

I am not an expert in religion and so I have no brief to comment upon the religious and spiritual significance of Heyrath (MahaShivratri). However, I would like to delve into the socio-cultural and celebratory aspects of the festival.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

Political Jigsaw through Connivance

It is for the first time that a leader from the State, and that too Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who is considered to be a moderate among the separatists, stated that China was a stakeholder in Kashmir.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

MAHADIV BISHTA - ROBIN HOOD OF KASHMIR

Mahadiv was clever and smart, shrewd and intelligent. Yet he was kind and caring too. Unfortunately he fell in bad company as he had no father to watch over his activities.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

Nandlals of Kashmir Administration

Nandlal was the master of many virtues. He was not ambitious. He was not over-assertive. He was not wavering. He was frank and firm. He was focused. He believed in Karma. He was a fatalist. He had a small family of his own within his big joint family.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

Raja Chandra

The story of Raja Chandra may sound bizarre and gruesome among folklore but it is steeped in deep moral and ethical overtones. That is why Bhattas love the lore of Raja Chandra and sing it in ballads or as free verse on various social occasions.

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

STUNNING BUT CARRYING HOPE

Recent Election Results from Kashmir

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

OPPORTUNITY MISSED, BUT NOT LOST

The separatists were flabbergasted by the fearless polling of voters, including Kashmiri Muslims of the Valley, even in the face of boycott protests and threats of violence and reprisals.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

YETCH DEVTA

The mosaic of Bhatta (Kashmiri Pandit) culture is vibrant and multi-hued. It is steeped in folklore, legends and mythology which lend it a unique romance. Being a highly ingenious community we have created and sustained our culture with spontaneous participation and appreciation. There are many myths and legends from our verdant and chaste surroundings of the Valley....

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITIES

The window of opportunities which was opened by the Election Commission of India has provided sufficient space for all stake holders in the State of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to act their part in a positive manner. It is heartening to note that all the stake holders excepting separatists and disruptionists have taken the opportunity by the forelocks as six phases of the elections have indicated.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

CAN WE NOT EXORCISE THIS GHOST?

Even the provision of a separate flag to be foisted along with the National Flag was granted to the State to preserve its identity and respect its cultural sentiments. It is only the President of India who can impose President?s Rule in the State in the face of foreign aggression, civil disturbance and break down of law and order. Indeed no state in a federation can have such far reaching powers and guarantees of autonomy as Jammu & Kashmir enjoys currently.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

CAN WE NOT EXORCISE THIS GHOST? Part1

Despite having the world?s largest, working and vibrant democracy, India is deemed to be a soft and vulnerable state; open to regular and frequent terrorist attacks, with hard laws but tepid implementation.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

WHAT THE INDIAN MEDIA DOES NOT KNOW OR HIDES FROM

The Indian media has been featuring news and talk shows on the situation but to those who are knowledgeable, one is shocked by the level of naivety existing or displayed by the anchors in giving out the news or conducting the debates. They continually portray as if injustices have been done to the Kashmiri Muslims and as if they are disenfranchised and more power and doles will bring them to the Indian side.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

Having pride in our Bhatta identity

Although it may be politically incorrect and even chauvinistic in these days of a shrinking world and expanding knowledge, I have to say that I take pride in my Bhatta (Kashmiri Hindu) identity. We have some of our own idiosyncrasies though

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

THE MUFTI'S GAMEPLAN, Risky for the people and risky for the Nation

This seems to be the latest equation between Muftis and the secessionist groups on which the Muftis hinge their hopes of the future. But the question is, what are the stakes of this game plan of the Muftis? Do they want to get back in power by pawning the safety and security of the people of the state and allowing terrorists to manipulate the next elections?

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

Bold & Beautiful: My Mother

All Mothers are sweet and soft to their children. But my ?SEIDH? was the softest and the sweetest for everyone. She was too caring, too kind and too compassionate. Though literally illiterate, she had endowed herself with the right knowledge and wisdom through self learning.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

Kashmiri folk-tale - SOEN KESSER

She would cook Mushkbudij, a highly aromatic fine sweet variety of Kashmiri rice which is not available anymore and Hakh, a leafy vegetable which has held its sway on Kashmiri Thall (plate) till date. Dum Aaloo, a full boiled potato cooked to crisp tenderness in herbal spices with the garnishing of red chilly powder was her specialty and this dish continues to be the crown of a Kashmiri Pandit feast.

Author : P.N. Ganjoo More

THE MALADY OF KASHMIR; INADEQUATE LEADERSHIP

Yet as soon as he was in power, he reverted to his Pan-Islamic propensities, again harping on ratification of the Accession of Kashmir with India. ..... He also wanted to freeze Article 370 into a permanent feature of the Constitution.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More

IS A BHATTA TO BE JUST A RELIC IN KASHMIR?

If it remains so, we may even have to accept such a losing fate in eventuality. Just for the simple reason that we have not yet been able to iron and straighten our internal differences which at the most are trivial and trite. We will never be able to see the light at the other end of the Jawahar tunnel.

Author : P.N.Ganjoo More