Friday, 30 December 2011

PDP Is a Pro-people Party: Bashir Ahmad Mir


PDP Is a Pro-people Party: Bashir Ahmad Mir
Bashir Ahmad Mir is the emerging face of Peoples Democratic Party, one of the leading mainstream party of Jammu & Kashmir state. Aged 32 years, Bashir Ahmad is also a prominent businessman. He happens to be the vice-president of PDP in Ganderbal District& President Baltal Traders Federation. In the last assembly elections, he was PDP candidate from Kangan constituency and offered stiff competition to Main Altaf, the State forest minister and prominent face of Ruling National Conference Party.
In an exclusive interview with “The Kashmir Scenario”, Bashir Ahmad talks to Kaiser A. Mir & Rameez Makhdoomi.
Tell us about your personal profile?
I belong to an agricultural family and completed B.A from Ganderbal Degree College in 2005-2006. I started a camping agency business at Kangan, currently as vice president of district Gandrebal I was college president and also president of traders union here and was among the first voices to bring the historical issue of land transfer to shrine board issue.
How you started your political career?
 I had no family political background, but I was student of political science and I was college president during my college days. I am also president of traders unions. Our area is doing business at Baltal- I used to take various issues of traders and resolve them and was first to bring the issue of land transfer to shrine board issue. In 2008, I along with traders went to press colony for protest against the transfer of land. I always got lot of support from people and then I got mandate from PDP to contest 2008 assembly election from Kangan constituency.
What were you more passionate about business or politics?
This was never in my mind that I will be in politics. It was what i would say as in my fate and people also used to tell me I should be in election then I got mandate from PDP. But, business was my first choice
How you got motivated for politics?
I first showed reluctance and I was pro- movement – thousands here have been martyred and no solution of Kashmir has been found. We have a feeling here that election is against will of our political movement. But, when I saw PDP party leadership I got motivated that they are pro-people and i made up my mind to contest the election. Also my mind is to serve my area and I want to fight for my people.
Since you played a prominent role in highlighting Amarnath land controversy-If we look to past, and also 2008, 2009 and 2010 movement were linked to what you did. Do you feel that you made a history?
Yes in 2008 movement I played a main role, even when leadership showed reluctance to act against transfer of land. Newspapers wrote that here traders from Kangan are worried about the land issue and leaders are not. I spoke to N.N. vohra and said to him if this land belongs to us why it has been given in a fraudulent manner. He down played it and said I don`t know about that. Let me mention here we are also fighting for our resources the river Sind- which is rich in trout fishes etc. Also we have rule has given by High court rulling that 250 ft should be left gap for construction of hotel or for camp but at Baltal during Yatra this law is not followed. We are losing lot due to this. Water gets contaminated.
What are your future views about participating in elections?
I am part of PDP and i am proud to be part of it. Under leadership of Mufti Mohammad Syed we are moving ahead.  I am very mush inspired by his energetic persona. In Kashmir there was a trust deficit among people. Now, People are not much suppressed by security forces it’s because of efforts of PDP. I personally believe that Mufti sahib has fulfilled his promises. Mufti sahib is a great diplomat and has achieved laurels for his people what even big leaders like Sheikh Abdullah can`t.
What were your expectations before elections?
When I was in election every one told me that you will have to be contended with an average performance – someone told me above 500 is good. But I was sure that I will give tough competition.
What your view about election boycott policy?
Let me tell you that India propagates election in wrong manner the Indian state propagates elections meant for governance as referendum which is quiet wrong. We on our part cannot let wrong people to go into governance politics.
What would you like to contribute to solution of Kashmir?
Inshah-Allah I will and it would be my good fortune i told you that our party is for interests of masses. We don`t want blood of people .Let me tell you the present Government is not worried even about 140 youth killed. 90% killed were students but Omar Government has failed to provide justice. I would definitely play a proactive role in getting respectable solution to politic problem of my people.
Did your business affected by politics?
No my brothers and father help me, even my father supported me for politics though he knows nothing about politics but he trusted me completely and gave me freedom to choose. He helped me lot even my brothers also helped me lot.
What are your views on ongoing movement against corruption in India?
It is good movement and people are supporting it. But here in Kashmir we are fighting for basic justice and fight for corruption comes in next level.
How would you differentiate business and politics?
Business is personal but politics is much broader you are connected to more people and your responsibilities are more in the political world.

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

Ghulam Nabi Tantray Buisness personality interview with the Kashmir Scenario


Government lending Cold Shoulder to Kashmir Corporate Sector: Ghulam Nabi Tantray
Some construction contractors succeed and make a career of contracting and some fall by the wayside. Ghulam Nabi Tantray is one among the few contractors of kashmir who have attained par excellence in their field by virtue of magnificent works. In addition of leading and pioneering a successful construction company –“Tantray Constructions”, Ghulam Nabi Tantray has also achieved laurels in education sector. He currently is the Chairman of Al-noor B.Ed college and General Secretary of the Kashmir Private Bed colleges Association.
In an exclusive interview with “The Kashmir scenario” ,G.N.Tantray talks to Editor-in –Chief Malik Sajjid
How did you make entry into the world of construction?
In the year 1993, when I was pursuing my post graduate diploma in the University of Kashmir I went to my hometown Bandipora and started my business. I tried to start petrol pump but could not start due to some hiccups and then I started my workshop and unfortunately soon a militancy incident happened near it and it was seized by security forces. And, I became virtually jobless. Those were really tough times for me.
I  remember one fine morning a friend ( ER.Abdul Rashid Bhat)of mine told me that he required my wielding machine which was lying idle in my workshop. After wielding few flinches, he paid me rs 2000 which was quiet handsome amount in those days . The journey moved further when I Went to cash the same amount, a relative of mine introduced me to Senior engineer, who gave me a task of repairing the departmental vehicle, the task which I Successfully accomplished.
After this success,   I began to take petty works and after few years got a b grade contractor license and the same was elevated to “A” grade through my rigorous efforts and quality works. The construction of tedious Pump House at wullar lake Sopore was the first major work that I successfully completed and this accomplishment changed my career graph move positively.
What are the some of the prestigious projects that you have overtaken in your career as “contractor”?
Pump House at sopore, Accommodation for fire service at Bandipora,  Famous eco-tourism park at Baramulla, Several other reputed projects of   NHPCetc are some of the highlighting projects that have undertaken so far.
How was the family support been?
The family support has been unprecedented and quiet positive right from the beginning. My wife stood like a rock behind me during tough times, and the support of father and father-in-law has also been remarkable. Friends have also lent a great support.
What is your take on the difficulties faced by the contractors of Kashmir?
Yes, without a hint of doubt I would like to say that the contractors of Kashmir are going through tough times as payments are not made on time and delayed for quiet long intervals of time. Some of the projects are inaugurated with full fanfare, but the real brain behind building these projects-“The efficient contractor” is more often than not neglected by the authorities. The sanctioning of developmental  works by the government is usually very late and this leaves us with very little time to complete the work and thus affects quality as well as quantity.

Our society has also failed to give due respect to the great brains and wits of contractors.
Since from past few years you have also ventured into the education sector, how has that experience been?
After setting my “Construction venture” on right track I handed the task of manning this to my younger brother who has successfully taken it forward. I am currently more into education sector as I run the famous Alnoor B.Ed college at Bandipora in partnership with other friends of mine.
I also happen to be the General Secretary of Kashmir Private BED Colleges association. Besides I also run few schools.


What is your take on the Government response to entrepreneurs of Kashmir?
The state government is unfortunately not lending the right support and as a matter of fact it  is showing cold shoulder to the corporate sector of Kashmir. Take the case of bed colleges—from quiet a long time a large number of hurdles are being created in the way of our functioning.
The Kashmir University and Dean Colleges is using harassing tactics and introducing awkward regulations to hamper the functioning of bed colleges in Kashmir. The authorities should remember the golden fact that it is the mushrooming of bed education that has not only kick-started Kashmir’s education sector but given a new lease of life to its tourism industry. As you know thousands of students from outside states come to Kashmir to pursue bed education and thus this has brought in “Village Tourism” in to fore.
We are not selling harmful drugs, but we are selling education and we are proud of this fact. The Government and the concerned authorities should provide us support in our noble venture rather than creating hurdles.
What are your other ventures in the education sector?
I am currently aspiring to construct education institutions solely owned by me. In this regard, one is near completion in the Jammu City. I have other creative plans in the education sector which I cannot spill out until they are successfully executed.
What is your take on the development of your area Bandipora?
The area definitely possesses an enormous potential. As a matter of fact, the developmental scenario in the area is not all that bright. On account of lethargic approach of engineers of various agencies the developmental works in area are suffering.
What is your message?
I would like to appeal to youth of my region to first get the right exposure and then think of starting something constructive. I would like to appeal through your esteemed medium to the newly formed Civil Society of Kashmir to take note of recent developments. The Government is once again going in with joint ventures with not so famous NHPC. The Civil society should pressurise the Government to introduce equity shares for Public while constructing the power projects. Let masses of Kashmir Valley partner the state government in building power projects rather than outsiders reaping benefits.

Mohammad Yousuf Taragami interview with Kashmir Scenario english newspaper weekly


Right to Self –Determination is a Great Principle: Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami
Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami is the seasoned politician of Jammu & Kashmir State. He is the senior most figure of “Leftist Politics “ in the J&K State. Tarigami is the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Jammu and Kashmir state committee secretary. He represents the Kulgam assembly constituency in the Jammu & Kashmir legislative assembly.
Tarigami, a man with a balanced mind and a balanced approach has through his politics emerged as  a voice of browbeaten  people in the state. Coming from a humble family from Tarigami village in Kulgam, Tarigami has  achieved high stature in political world.
In an exclusive tête-à-tête with The Kashmir Scenario, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami  talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.
Q .What is your take on confusion existing between different agencies on AFSPA revocation ?
I must tell you very frankly that AFSPA is not required .In our opinion this act is not required even at national level. Even if it is required in contingency in some area even in that case the harsh clauses of AFSPA which abet human rights violations have to go.
In 2004, during my meeting with  Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh I made it amply clear that since the situation has gone significant change the people of state should get peace dividends and revocation of AFSPA and disturbed Areas Act should take place.
Even last year during the peak of unrest, when I met Prime Minister i suggested that we should revoke Disturbed Area Act and thus AFSPA  would become redundant.

The harsher acts were imposed when the militancy was at its peak, but now the situation has undergone radical change so the people of state should get relief.
Q. Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain recently stated that if Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was lifted from the state, Jammu and Kashmir would become independent by 2016. What is your take on this?
My honest opinion is that people need relief and the changed situation demands it. The issue of AFSPSA revocation should not become a debate. Such a issue becoming controversial between state and central government is not a good sign.
In India we have tradition that political leadership makes decision and Army should not drag itself into this as it demeans their respect as an institution. We need to address the alienation of people politically.
Q. Recently, renowned lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan stated that  Kashmir would become another  Afghanistan if plebiscite is not conducted. Renowned writer Arundhati Roy has also championed the cause of Kashmir freedom consistently. Do you feel that there is growing support for pro-freedom cause of kashmir at national level?
These are all wonderful individuals whom I respect greatly. But, these voices should be very careful as sensational statements had made people of our state suffer. No doubt the kashmir problem continues to affect adversely peace and prosperity .But, we should be careful while selling dreams as we are caught in “web of emotions”.
Right to Self Determination, Plebiscite are all stated  positions. The Kashmir issue is a very vexed and complex problem and it has no readymade solution.

Well the “Right to Self Determination”  in itself is a great principle, but it is its application is somewhat more complex and difficult. We have to look for a solution that takes in to consideration different diversities and ethnic groups into consideration.

India and Pakistan are two important stakeholders to this vexed dispute and you cannot ignore anyone of them. We need a solution that is acceptable to people of J&K across Line of Control and a solution acceptable to people of India and Pakistan. We need a genuine and meaningful dialogue between all stakeholders to solve this problem .We need to proactively engage the esteemed parliament of India. The CPI(M) had even last year suggested to involve a delegation of parliamentarians so as to talk with diverse shades  of opinions especially the alienated voices. But nothing much headway has taken place in this regard.
Q. Autonomy, Self rule like documents are there to solve Kashmir issue. What is your take on these vision documents ?
All of these are important documents with reference to resolution of the Kashmir Issue. On ground zero, all of us would love to have maximum autonomy and softer borders. But, we need to involve every stakeholder and involve different shades of opinions. We need to remind that both mainstream and separatists platforms  are not homogenous That is why I feel that the leadership of J&K both mainstream and separatist should involve in brainstorming sessions and let us evolve a common program so as to approach the Government of India and Pakistan with one voice on the solution of kashmir dispute from the leadership of kashmir.
Q.Over the past few weeks, renewed stone pelting and minor arrests is starting to dominate political discourse in Kashmir. Do you feel we are back to square one?
I would like to state that we are not yet exactly back to square one. But, definitely the situation is explosive as lava for eruption is always there and a mere spark can turn the situation into flames. We need to remember that this generation is the product of conflict and brutalities. Certainly, the acts like Public Safety Act (PSA) are no answer to the situation. We need to own our youth by initiating a credible process of dialogue to address their grievances.
We should also not forget that our youth are suffering from the rampant problem of unemployment and the ever growing corruption is adding to their woes.
Q. Just some months back Left bastion West Bengal fell to Trinamool Congress. What are the reasons behind this loss?
We had never claimed that West Bengal is our bastion forever. One has to remind that Left was in power in West Bengal for 34 years consecutively and this is a remarkable achievement in itself. Even during the last election which we lost we got more than 20 million votes.
Q. Would you not concede that Nandigram and other land acquisition related developments were a mistake on the part of Left?
Yes, we certainly have committed mistakes and we are not a political force that hesitates to accept mistakes. One has to also remember that before elections Mamata  Banarjee was blaming us for using power against Maoists .One wonders what she has done just after few months.
You have to also remind that there was a whole lot of un-principled nexus from Delhi to Kolkata  to oust the left led Government .We as a party have taken solid stand against USA and exploitative corporate sector and they are busy in their own way to make road tough for “Left”.
What is the future of left politics in India?
Left is the hope for hopeless. Left is the voice of voiceless .We are currently having two India’s- one which is shinning for limited sections and the larger which is in dark. We are having farmers’ suicides, growing scams, lot of hunger, lot of diseases and corporate exploitation. Leftists’ politics certainly represents hope for oppressed sections of society.
Q. Since Kulgam also happens to be stronghold of pro-freedom Jamat-e-Islami .How have you maintained the balance while dealing with the aspirations of people of your constituency?

I don’t know myself and I am amazed and i have never made any wrong promises. I get good on with Jamat –e-Islami cadres and I do not believe in discrimination against people on the bases of political ideology or on the basis of their regional affiliation.
Since you are said close to cause of oppressed classes than why are you shying away from corridors of power?
First of all somebody has to offer, but then there have been approaches made. But my priority remains that I should not get that type of power which makes my voice dumb.
How do you view the talk of governance deficit in the state?
I do not believe in the politics of abuse. But, certainly those who say everything is all right are in dark. There is a large gap emerging between people and administration. The delivery of services to masses should improve and there is lot of scope for improvement in other realms as well. We need to do something so as to provide relief to masses from multi-dimensional difficulties.
What is your message to masses?
My message to masses is that they should be united towards the common objectives and in a peaceful manner raises their voice to achieve common goals.

Palhalan Symbolises Revolution-cover story the Kashmir Scenario Weekly


Palhalan Symbolises Revolution
Kaiser A. Mir/Rameez Makhdoomi
World revolutions have witnessed special “Pockets of resistance”. Srebrenica in Bosnia Revolution, Qabatiyeh in Palestine revolution, and Kashmir’s two decade old violent pro-independence revolution has seen Palhalan, a village 30 km north of Srinagar in Baramulla district.
Suffering, Valour, Revolutionary spirit, Principles might be outdated concept in today’s fast developing world, but Palhalan ( a tiny northern kashmir hamlet) defies all this. Pro-freedom sentiment runs deep in Palhalhan.The history of killings,  militancy, stone pelting, the visible influence of the pro-independence Jamaat-e-Islami, ruthless State repression have become the symbols of this tiny revolutionary belt. Hardly anyone in this part of the world has a passport on account of lack of clearance from security agencies; a large number of youth despite qualifying for the Government jobs have been denied the same for the want of “No objection certificates “ which is seen as a punishment against people of this hamlet for having pro-freedom sentiment.
The village elders state that this hamlet comprising of number of villages has already lost more than thousand men for what they term the “sacred cause of independence”. Most of the residents state that they would prefer starvation rather than compromising on their pro-freedom sentiment.
Naseer Ahmad Malla, a senior functionary of Hurrriyat(G) and a resident of Palhalan, while talking to ‘The Kashmir Scenario’ team states: “Palhalan has been a role model in the revolutionary resistance of Kashmir against India’s forcible occupation. Freedom is our birth right and we shall have it. Every form of torture and deceit has been tried out by agencies to suppress the pro-freedom population of Palhalan, but all of it has miserably failed. Even in the recently concluded Panchayat elections our area preferred boycott to voting. Even the top Army and civil officers admit that Palhalan is fighting battle of principles rather than battle of emotions.”
On ground zero off late, the interrogation methods being devised and adopted to break the will power of people of Palhalan are quiet awkward and barbaric .In one such method according to residents of Palhalan area, the security forces call youth to security camp once or twice in a week and are asked to remain  in open ground for hours together without any purpose. During this time they are not allowed to communicate and even mobiles have to be kept on switch off mode during this trying time.
While on the other side of the spectrum, whenever the people of Palhalan raise genuine voice for providing them the basic amenities the answer on most of the occasions from the majority of officials is –“You people ask for Pakistan and when Pakistan will be established they will provide you people with all the required facilities”.
Last year during massive protest rage across the Kashmir valley, Pahallan area of Baramulla district was soaked in blood with the killing of around eight civilians. The area was put under intense curfew for 34 consecutive days by police, army and paramilitary forces.
Even those injured during last year’s protests are not spared as they are slapped with Public Safety Act (PSA) as soon as they show signs of recovery. Our team saw many such injured and most of them were in their teenage lying helplessly on beds without any assistance from government. One such injured who was injured in 2010 unrest while talking to The Kashmir Scenario said, “I received bullet in my left leg and now I am lying at bed  for more than a year, I used to work in a local timber mill and was also studying. But this incident has left me shattered - neither can I help my family nor I could fulfil my dream of studies. The state rather than helping the affected people is devising means to compound our pain.”
Mohammad Ismail Sheikh, a senior Jamaat-i-Islami figure of area narrates the adversity in a revolutionary tone-“Palhalan is with the grace of almighty educated enough to know what is right and what is wrong. Soon after partition, we realized the importance of freedom for our nation and this tiny belt has and is paying heavy price for offering resistance against occupation. Our area has seen complete militarization and even for minor family feuds the military intervenes. The movements of liberations see their ups and downs but at the end of it history remembers with golden words the revolutionary pockets like Palhalan.”
One clearly feels, what makes this area different from the other areas .Pertinently, those who call themselves revolutionary leaders here have themselves been paragon of sacrifice. Mohammad Ismail Sheikh ‘s family (a pioneering pro-freedom family of Palhalan) has suffered number of fatalities and number of members of this family are in jail and this fact makes leaders very respectable in this part of the world.
Even the young breed of this area seems ever ready and determined to nourish the pro-freedom ideology of this area and most of them say they are not afraid despite what they term rampant “State torture and clampdown”. The new generations continues to inherit varied animosities against state from their elders and say freedom is only acceptable solution to them.
One can without doubt state that if Kashmir’s young pick up the gun again, it is more than possible that Palhalan will yield a big chunk of fresh recruits to the “cause”. Certainly, Palhalan has become synonym of valour and revolution.