Sunday, 25 March 2012

Kashmir Scenario exclusive interview with world famous pakistani fashion designer Nadda salim


Pakistan Fashion Industry has Tremendously Grown: Nadda Salim
(Exclusive interview with world renowned Fashion Designer)
BY RAMEEZ MAKHDOOMI
Nadda Salim has been in the fashion field since 1995, has helped set up and launch some famous retail brands. She’s worked as Head Designer with Fashion stalwarts like Zahir Rahimtoola (Labels) and Asad Tareen (The Designers & Maysoon). With every new experience a different design philosophy or target market requirement has taught her to “know the client” for best results. She’s also been supplier and stockists with both these retailers.

A thorough professional, highly skilled and qualified designer who studied ‘Art & Design’ as well as ‘Design & Communication’ in school before venturing into Fashion Design for her Bachelors. A graduate from Pakistan Institute of Fashion & Design (PIFD) – formerly known as Pakistan School of Fashion Design (PSFD) – an affiliate of La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, France. The importance of this institute can be gauged by the fact that all fashion houses in France must register with ‘l’ecole de la mode’ to showcase anywhere in that country. The standards and competition of this institute are known to be very high plus the graduate list from ‘l’ecole’ includes top European designers such names as YSL.
Nadda also attended London College of Fashion (LCF) for a course in ‘Fashion Forecasting’ since it was a subject that intrigued her and she later freelanced and contributed articles & seasonal forecasts to FAQ magazine. Another area of design that she dabbles in is Jewellery Design and she has won a much coveted Gold Jewellery Design Competition held by World Gold Council & ARY.
Currently involved in Fashion Education, she’s a faculty member at Asian Institute of Fashion Design (AIFD).
Nadda Salim designs both eastern and western wear but loves doing western wear.  Her eastern wear is a mix of traditional elements with a modern twist since the era of the traditionalist is more or less in the past now. This understanding and her slogan of ‘desirable functional clothing’ is the reason why Nadda has carved a niche for herself and has a diehard clientele who swear by her aesthetics no matter what the occasion. The designs or her fashion studio are worn by  exclusive clientele all over Europe, Canada and USA.

In an exclusive online  interview with ‘The Kashmir Scenario’, Nadda Salim Adamjee talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.
Tell us a bit about your childhood?
I had a wonderful, carefree and safe childhood growing up with two brothers. We travelled a lot since our young age as our parents philosophy was to educate us through exposure to the world. My parents were always supportive of whatever we wanted to do; dad would give us the pros & cons of everything but we were allowed to make our own decisions even if they didn`t agree with our choice. Being an air-force child I grew up at various air bases. My father (A/M Salim Arshad) was in Pakistan Air Force (PAF) while my mother (Ricky as she's known) was always (& still is) in Education. She's Masha-Allah a Superwoman.
How was the education career like?
Until class 8th I was in PAF schools after which my father was posted to UK for some years so I was lucky enough to do subjects like CDT (Craft, Design & Technology), Design & Communication, Art & Design, Business Studies etc for my GCSEs. Once we returned to Pakistan it was very difficult to adjust again to the mindset of schools and teachers .Very few subjects were available for A-levels and it wasn't about 'learning' it was about getting A grades only. Anyway cutting long story short, I had feeling during my A-levels that I wanted a career in something creative; Art, Photography, something design related or even Journalism, as I considered that to be creative writing. I was not 100% sure of what I wanted to do. Fashion was a total fluke that happened due to the right timing of the College entrance test of Pakistan School Fashion Design (PSFD) .The creative and uniqueness of course aspired me to join it. Once I was in I really enjoyed it and never looked back. I did have a few NCA teachers who always told me that I should pursue Art instead but I stuck to Fashion. After graduation my first job was for LABELS in Karachi as their Head Designer. After a couple of years of working I did Fashion Forecasting from London College of Fashion and then for the next 3-4 years I got into Fashion Education. I  am proud to say quite a few new designers have been my students.  I got back into designing when Asad Tareen (The Designers) approached me with a partnership offer I couldn`t refuse the same. I set up and launched ‘MAYSOON’ and eventually started my own online brand NADDA catering to desis(natives) abroad. I started an online Pakistani store (www.NaddaSalim.com) before anyone else did, way back in 2007. At that time you only saw Indian websites for desi clothes. I launched a Facebook page simultaneously (www.facebook.com/naddastudio) and decided to only target expats but when those clients started telling their relatives to visit my store I had to start catering to the local market too. Eventually I started supplying to ‘THE DESIGNERS’ in Karachi and ‘SHABI'S’ in Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada).
How difficult it is to be in fashion industry in Pakistan?
Pakistan fashion industry has grown tremendously in the last 8 yrs. It isn`t difficult to be in fashion here but it is certainly competitive now much more than before. It also depends on how you see yourself within this industry and where you want to be. It also depends on your personality and your priorities in life. Fashion Industry has always been a bit fickle and clannish. Some ride on other peoples back to 'make it' while others work hard deserve everything they worked for and some just let their work do the talking, Marketing & PR are certainly a big factor in this industry.
How do you envisage future of Pakistan?
 I want a fair, merit-based, just Pakistan where no one is above the law and people are not divided into ethnic or religious groups.  A tolerant Pakistan proud of its history, a Pakistan where everyone is equal citizen and good education for all Pakistanis.
Who is your role model?
I don`t have a role model but there are a few ladies I feel inspired by; Anna Wintour (US Vogue Editor) for constantly pushing the boundaries & being a perfectionist (like me), Nina Garcia  for wearing so many hats and doing justice to every single one of them, Freiha Altaf, Vinny & Nadia Hussain for the same reason. And my mum for always learning new things and for being the most active person I've ever come across (mashallah).
What are specialities of your design house?
Specialities of NADDA include our prêt at amazing prices. I also introduced the concept of Budget Brides where we make bridal outfit for under Rs1.5lakh without compromising at all on quality. We also do complete packages for Bridal Trousseau, Bridesmaids and Bridal Entourage.
How is the cooperation of family like?
My family has always been very supportive. My parents, in-laws and hubby are all 100% behind me. I'm mashallah lucky that way.
How the thought of starting Pakistan’s first western wear did come?
I started with Western Wear way back in 2000. At that time the market was too small for a western brand. So I had to introduce Eastern Wear for the business to work. It has changed considerably since then considering our young demographic. This time I decided to import a European brand as opposed to made in China/Thailand which is readily available here. Layers Paris is a brand which I introduced end of last year in Pakistan just for a feeler. Because I got a good response we will be launching it officially sometime this year.
What is your message?
 Live your dream and never give up.  Always prioritize what is most important to you.

Monday, 5 March 2012

Dynamic Women of South Asia Unplugged - World Women’s Day Special by Rameez Makhdoomi


Dynamic Women of South Asia Unplugged

World Women’s Day Special
 Rameez Makhdoomi

International Women's Day (IWD), originally is called International Working Women’s Day, is marked on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements. It is an veracity that women have always played an imperative role in carrying forward the cradle of civilization towards the positive and right direction.
On the eve of 2012 global women’s day, the Kashmir Scenario interacts with renowned  women of sub-continent who have the potential to change the face of region towards betterment and try to get know how of their personas and get the feel they have being the “agents of change”.
Mehmal Sarfaraz- Vibrant face of Pakistani Women
Mehmal Sarfaraz is a woman of intellect and wisdom. Her persona is a paragon of success and example for other women and it is women like her who have enormous potential to change the face of sub-continent towards betterment.

Mehmal Sarfraz is the Op-Ed Editor of Daily Times, an English language daily in Pakistan. She joined the Daily Times in November 2009. The Daily Times is one of the most liberal newspapers in Pakistan.
Sarfraz has a dynamic calibre as she is also the regional Joint General Secretary of South Asian Women in Media (SAWM), a platform where women media persons can identify and find solutions to their problems. SAWM is committed to fighting gender-based violence and promoting women’s rights in SAARC countries.
Previously, Sarfraz worked as the Program/Principal Information Officer at the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), an associated body of SAARC. She was the Deputy Editor of The Post, a national English daily, from 2005-2008. She also taught at Blessing Home School for two years before venturing into journalism.
Sarfraz has written for The Hindustan Times (one of the largest English newspapers in India), Rediff.com (one of the largest Indian online news website) and appeared on various talk shows. Sarfraz was the only Pakistani woman editor to moderate a panel discussion at the 16th World Editors Forum in the session on the importance of female editors in newspapers


Mehmal wishes a happy world women’s day to the global women especially the women of Kashmir.
Mehmal Sarfaraz states-“Women are the worst victims of wars, be it civil war or conventional war. Kashmiri women, thus, have suffered a lot in the past six decades. In this day and age, what women need the most is to get educated so that they can be independent and campaign for their rights. Education is not just their basic right but something that will eventually break the barriers of ignorance. In Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s words, “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you; we are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live."
Mehmal Sarfarz further adds-“Women in South Asia have suffered greatly due to the patriarchal mindset prevalent in our part of the world. It is abhorrent to see the way most of our men folk treat women as if we are living in the Middle Ages and not the 21st century. In Pakistan, customs like karo-kari (honour killings), vinni and swara (exchange of women, especially young girls, to settle feuds), marriages to the Quran, etc, are still prevalent. But we have seen that despite adverse circumstances, the women of Pakistan and the entire South Asian region have done great things. Just recently, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, a Pakistani woman, won the Oscar for a documentary on acid attack survivors. Ms Chinoy showed the world that Pakistani women are as capable or even more than their male counterparts.”
Certainly, Mehmal Sarfaraz has the persona to be the global role model for the women all over world.


Zamrooda Habib
Zamrooda  Habib , patron of Muslim Khawatein Markaz, is the most prominent and literate women face of pro-freedom camp in Kashmir. She began her mission with a struggle against dowry and other crimes against women. She later joined the ranks of pro-freedom politics in the Valley and even went to jail several times. Outspoken Habib, a staunch feminist, feels women are not getting due recognition for their contribution to Kashmir's resistance movement

Born in Mohalla Mehman, Rishi Bazar Anantnag (Southern Kashmir), Zamrooda belongs to high-profile and prestigious family, with her nearest kins holding good posts in administration. Breaking the traditional barrier associated with south Asian Politician, Zamrooda Habib enjoys having a very high qualification. She is M.Ed, Masters in Education and LLB .
Prisoner No 100, the ordeal of five years in Tihar jail by pro-freedom  leader Anjum Zamrooda Habib narrated in the book happens to be the first prison dairy written by a Kashmiri prisoner.
She has a specific message to the women of Kashmir on the eve of world women’s day. “Women in conflict zones like Kashmir can play a positive role in conflict resolution. Women of Kashmir have played a dynamic role in resistance and liberation movement. The Indian state through different agencies has committed heinous crimes like rapes against women of Kashmir, but they have always remained steadfast to the cause of freedom and liberation. The widows and half widows of Kashmir have been exploited by the Governments just for vote bank politics.
It just took few months for west to awaken to the suffering of Arab women after the unrest unfolded there. But world powers especially west has been blind to the suffering of Kashmiri women who have suffered worst at the hands of security forces over the past two decades and no justice has been delivered.
Women of Kashmir have felt tremendous pain as they have suffered in multiple capacities as sisters, mothers, wives. The rampant use of psychological drugs by the women of Kashmir highlights their pain.
It is an encouraging sign that more and more women including the educated class are joining the resistance & freedom struggle .In the resolution of Kashmir dispute and on the negotiation table the women of Kashmir have a prominent role to play,” states Zamrooda Habib.
Zamrooda Habib’s stature and achievements are certainly a role model for other women.






Neeva Jain(IPS)
Born on 23rd Feburary , 1986, Neeva Jain represents constructive dynamism and positive energy. She is among the youthful women police officers of India. She was recently posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police headquarters Budgam. She has already made history in several respects. This is for the first time that a woman IPS officer has been posted in the Budgam district. Neeva Jain hails from Farrukhabad district , Uttar Pradesh, and has done her graduation from St John’s College Agra in 2007. She has the honour of being one of the youngest IPS officers who qualified IPS at an age of 22 in 2008.
Neeva Jain states that the urge to become a positive agent of change helped her to join the prestigious Indian Police Service.”I always had an urge to contribute something positive to the system and help the things move in right direction and make the lives of masses easier. If you have the right attitude you can bring the change you desire to bring,” States Neeva Jain.
Neeva Jain while delivering her message on eve of global women’s day states- “I wish the women of kashmir a very happy and prosperous World Women’s Day and hope that they contribute in a constructive manner to bring peace and progress to the Valley of Kashmir. Women have a key role in peace building efforts as by nature they are tolerant in nature. The women of India are progressing in right direction but there are still many challenges as women are still facing many hardships in different parts of the country.”
On being asked how she plans to tackle a volatile situation in a turmoil hit part like kashmir ,Neeva Jain confidently states that “Negotiation has power .We always should engage with people in case of a volatile situation and using force should never be a priority .”
Neeva Jain believes that police being the face of administration has often to bear the brunt.”People may be protesting against the shortage of commodities or erratic electricity supply, but it is the police force which has to always control the situation even if it is not the cause of that very situation”, states Neeva.
A feminist reflects from Neeva Jain’s persona. She has given first priority to the cases in which women’s are involved as she states that a woman being involved in a case is a much greater stigma for that very women.




Mantasha Binti Rashid
Mantasha Binti Rashid is a young Kashmir Administrative Service ( KAS) officer and hosts a popular TV show in Kashmir Sitaroon Sey Aagey telecasted on Doordarshan Kashmir. Interestingly enough, the programme she hosts has had its main thrust in providing awareness about the career oriented programmes especially about the administrative services to the students of Kashmir.
Born on April 19 , 1986 she is doing her bit to contribute constructively to society. Women like her are seen as an agent of positive change by masses. Mantasha Binti Rashid wishes women of globe especially women of Kashmir a happy and prosperous world women’s day and expresses her feeling as women of Kashmir in the above critical opinion .
“Last month, in January when I was skiing in Gulmarg I met a girl from Delhi. We had quite a few talks while having lunch, sitting on terrace and walking upto the slopes. Once she asked me if I found Kashmiri men strange too? By too she obviously meant that she did! On talking further she explained that she feels very uneasy talking to kashmiri guys and feels that they ogle at girls, stare and pass comments.

I tried to tell her that it could be because by far the guys she has met lack exposure or are not so educated and sophisticated. In the heart of my hearts I knew that I am just saving the image of my people, rather male folk.                                                           
But I wonder for a moment why should I be doing that when the same men harass me or other females everyday on roads,  buses, colleges, tuition centres, offices, phones and sometimes at home too.                                                                                                                                                               
I along with so many females fear boarding public transport because the man sitting next to you on the seat will make sure to sit closer; in case you are standing he will make sure to brush against you. All you can do is to recite prayer in your heart. You can’t dare question his actions and movements as he will boldly scold you for your attire saying often why are you not veiled, inviting the scorn of the whole lot of passengers for having the guts to talk and not being veiled!  I wonder in which chapter in our holy book, Quran is it mentioned to be disrespectful of women for not covering themselves from head to toe and even harassing them? Does that mean that only Muslim women deserve respect and by virtue of being just a woman, one can’t be respected? Or does it mean that only women are the ones on who the onus of being nice, covered and cultured lies .We must have often observed men talking ill of women who wear jeans or trousers(other than salwar kameez) in our society; the reasons being jeans is too western an outfit. When the same piece of clothing has been worn by our men for four decades now why do we have issues of culture and ethnicity associated with it if a woman wears it? Leave aside that, even small changes in looks or actions of female folk become topics of huge debates because we have, as a society made a watertight pigeonhole in which an ideal female is fitted into without caring to provide an ideal environment for the survival of that ideal image of a woman.                                                                                                 
No amount of deviation from that set role is acceptable to the respectable men folk of our society who don’t find it vulgar when young, school and college going boys show the rims of their underwear’s displaying the brands! The same men brought up in a patriarchal or moreover chauvinistic family and societal set up feel it their moral obligation to keep out women when it comes to decision making process at home or among relatives. They also take pride and privilege in branding a female who has been separated  from her husband a not-so-good character person and one who elopes with a guy a cheap character(as if she eloped alone!!). From the school to which a child is sent to the selection of spouse for children(strangely adults are children in our society even after having children of their own!)all is decided by the male head of the family.                                                                                                                                         
Matasha further adds “That girl from Delhi didn’t find it uneasy putting up in one of the most notorious and unsafe cities in the country but found it strange and uncomfortable in the pristine valley with pious people! Looking at the increasing crime rate against women in our society, which earlier wasn’t so low  as we would think ,but wasn’t reported or covered by media for reasons like shame and stigma(be it for dowry, eve teasing, rapes or molestations)it is truly high time we introspect as a society, a nation.”
The words of Mantasha Binti Rashid are a tacit and bold admission of painful realities surrounding our social fabric and reflect both the microscopic and macroscopic pain of Kashmiri women.




Madhuri Banerjee
Madhuri Banerjee is a world renowned author and comprehensive media professional, having worked in all forms of the visual medium —TV as a Senior Producer with Zoom, advertisements with White Light Motion Pictures and her own production house Gray Matter Solution, documentaries as a freelancer with PSBT and commercial Bollywood films as an Assistant Director. She has worked with stalwarts like Subhash Ghai, Kaizad Gustad and Rohan Sippy, and music director Anu Malik.
Madhuri graduated from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi with a Bachelor’s degree in English Honours. She continued her education acquiring a Master’s in Mass Communication and Films from Jamia Millia Islamia. Her thesis film, “Between Dualities” won her the National Award for best documentary on women’s issues. Besides media, she is passionate about travelling, fashion, reading, and zumba! She gives relationship advice to followers for her column called Love Guru in the Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle every alternate Monday.
She has currently finished working on a commercial film script and the sequel to her novel, which is the second part of the trilogy for Penguin India. Her debut book Losing My Virginity and Other Dumb Ideas has sold over 40,000 copies in the first year of its release and was on the best seller list for over 10 weeks.
Madhuri Banerjee wishes women of Kashmir a happy global women’s day and has an intellectual message for them on the eve-“Women are wondrous explosions of love. We must never keep them stifled in a box of stereotypes and institutions. Yet in our society, we continuously criticize women. We say things such as they’re not good mothers, wives, daughters, cooks, homemakers or workers. Then that is followed up with they’re too fat, thin, ugly, stupid, brash, docile and it continues. It goes on so that we feel better about ourselves and fail to realize we’re sending out negative energy. This affects how we behave in our daily lives. We fall prey to our own undoing. By saying harmful things about each other, we think we are superior to those women. However, it comes back in some manner. Women believe what people say. Insecurities set in. They try to remove them like a bad stain that doesn’t disappear. And then something else is mentioned in a casual remark and it affects us so deeply that we fall into depression. Suddenly we are trapped by our own psyche that thinks we’re not worthy, we’re not good enough, we don’t deserve love. That is not true. This is all because of the negative energy we have sent out. We have to first stop judging other women. It needs to start from you. Because when women judge other women, the men follow suit. Every woman deserves to be pampered, cherished, and worshiped. Every woman deserves the best that life can give. We need to become far more than the sum of what is expected from us. We need to be our own beacon of light and shine for each other and ourselves.
I have studied women from around the world and I find Kashmiri women have this iridescent symbol of hope that shines from within. Not only are they an amalgamation of stunning beauty and gorgeous bodies, they are filled with God’s power of indomitable strength and fierce determination. I believe they can lead the way for women across India. Because it really is a paradise on earth, and not just for the scenery, but for the women of the land who make it beautiful. I hope they will take this message for themselves and for others as well,” states Madhuri.
Nashrah Batool
Nashrah Batool ,a B.E student from J & K proactively tweets on the famous social networking site Twitter and  her twitter name @ tulri (honeybee) reflects on different topics. She is currently studying Electrical Engineering in Jammu. On the eve of world women’s day she expresses her feelings proficiently in this beautiful  article-
“Wajood-e-zann se hai tasveer-e-kaynat mein rang, isi ke saaz se hai zindagi ka souz-e-darun..
"The picture that this world presents, from woman gets its tints and scents. She is the lyre that can impart pathos and warmth to human heart."
Solace of father's eyes, pride of husband, and blessing for the children- In the arena of life multiple roles played by woman are incontrovertible. The individuality, the character she displays does not restrict itself to personal zone of life only but extends to a well maintained professional sphere too. No field has been left unimpressed. Some great names I remember having learnt since my KG's are that of Mother Teressa, Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Lata Mangeshkar, Noor Jehan, Tenzing Norway, Kalpana Chawla, Abeda Parveen and the count never ends. The versatility is evident from the list itself- each name has a well counted fame in respective field.
The above mentioned couplet by Allama Iqbal gives a clear picture of the position a woman holds in the universal system. He describes woman as a soft song which keeps the human heart warm and tuned. The world , he says, with no woman would be colourless.
Sharaf Mein Badh Ke Sureya Se Musht-e-Khak Iss Ki
Ke Har Sharaf Hai Issi Durj Ka Dur-e-Makoon
"Her handful clay is superior far to Pleiades that so higher are for every man with knowledge vast, Like gem out of her cask is cast."
The achievements women attained in variety of spheres-be it science or literature, sports or entertainment etc.- are irrefutable. She once moved out of her coop and ended up on moon. She set foot on highest mountain peak. She gave theories and proved words. She ruled. She led masses and led to better. Been kissed by success all the way, women section of society still moves ahead with great zeal.
"Achievers fly high and never look back." Talking of achievements I can't refrain myself from naming some female achievers. In Business world- Irene Rosenfield of Kraft foods, Andrea Jung CEO of Avon cosmetics; Sports world- Serena Williams (Tennis) , Saina Nehwal (Badminton), Kay Yow (Basketball coach), Pat Palinkas (Football) , Gayle Sierens (Football commentary), Lindsay Davenport (Tennis) , Gertrude Ederle ( Swimmer), Manon Rheaume (Ice hockey), Lucy Harris (Basketball), Nancy Lieberman ( Basketball) etc; Politics- Benazir Bhutto, Sonia Gandhi, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Victoria Woodhull, Susan B. Anthony, Hinq Rabbani Khar etc; Entertainment- Farah Khan, Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Nargis, Asha Bhonsle, Iqbal Bano, Whitney Houston, Adele etc. Pakistan based Oscar winning Film maker Sharmeen Obaid- Chinoy's name cannot be left out.
Often having heard that "Behind every succesful man is a woman". The words prove themselves right every time-contribution being direct or indirect. A wish, a blessing from mother at the time of exams takes away a tonne of burden off kid's mind. A single word of encouragement from wife props up the husband from fall and failure. Every Sita with Ram, Eve with Adam and a Mary for Jesus was created for a reason.
History has eye witnessed the era when women were looked down upon. That era was surely not the era of women. Girl child was buried alive, wives were beaten to death, women were not allowed out and were suppressed. But with an advancement in studies, times and conditions changed.
Inspite of all the knowledge and information about the position woman holds in society and religion, certain shameful acts like abortion of female foetus, dowry system and other forms of violence against women still prevail. These disgrace her beautiful existence. These immoral acts if eradicated, women will prosper even better and excel everywhere, for they have the abilities unseen till date.”
Nasrah Batool’s passionate and dynamic elucidation of role of women in the society aptly reflects the dynamism of the women of Jammu& Kashmir.

Saturday, 25 February 2012

Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) Plunders Bandipora cover story 26 feb-3 march 212 issue


Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) Plunders Bandipora

.Illegal stone-crushing smothers thousands villagers in Bandipora
 .Fail to undertake pollution control measures
. All the HCC crusher units are operating in violation creating  doubts among the local population which is up in arms against the agency,

Kashmir Scenario   Disclosure
Bandipora: Hindustan Construction company ( HCC) is destroying the environment & natural resources of Bandipora unabatedly without any check from the higher authorities. In this regard, the “Kashmir Scenario” has learnt a series of startling disclosures with reference to this grim veracity.
Pertinently, the level of solid macro particles (SMP) is growing in the environment and posing a serious threat to public health in dozens of villages here in the North Kashmir’s Bandipora District, as Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) executing 330 Megawatt Kishen’ Ganaga Hydro Electric Power Project and in this regard has set up a huge crusher unit in violation of rule and regulations. However, the environmental watchdog, the State Pollution Control Board (PCB), and allied departments are watching like a mute spectator are lacking in will to crack the whip against Hindustan Construction Company-HCC- the owner of stone-crushing unit, which has vandalized the environment and ecology in the area.
    SPCB officials, as well as the district administration, have been in the complete knowhow of the fact that HCC crushers don’t even have licenses and are being run without the No Objection Certificates (NOC) from several concerned departments like Forest, Fisheries, Geology & mining  and Industrial departments, according to residents.
     An environmentalist preferring anonymity alleged that HCC management have strong political links and are also hand in glove with the authorities. “Huge amount of money is involved in entire trade so government as well the enforcement authorities have shut their eyes to these blatant violations since last one year” he alleged.
     Official sources told that the District Head of the Industries Department shot about four letters to HCC management asking them to produce the NOC’s of several departments to get the crusher unit registered, however HCC has failed to produce any and  is even trying lot to cool down the Industries officer, besides presenting offers to him, sources said.
The letters expose how activities of HCC were going on illegally under the very nose of the authorities causing pollution and destroying the forest cover despite the public outcry. The letters also re-established the suspicion of official patronage being provided to HCC operations in the name of project construction.
Reliable sources revealed that the forest department has intimated government and its Legislative Environment Committee about the illegal existence of  HCC crusher within the demarcated forest zones, department has intimated the government that the crusher should immediately stopped if not found environmental friendly. Besides this all the HCC crusher units are operating in violation creating doubts  among the local population which is up in arms against the agency,
       In blatant violation of rules governing environmental protection in Jammu and Kashmir, HCC crusher units in the area are not undertaking the measures to minimize the pollution levels. . “Being a red category industry, the pollution control norms for the stone crusher are  being violated with impunity? As per SPCB norms, there should be three rows of trees encircling the stone crusher for reducing the impact of dust emission. But not a single tree has been planted around the crusher”, sources said.
     “The dust also adversely affects visibility, reduces growth of vegetation and hampers aesthetic sight of the area. It can also cause lung cancer and several other ailments after entering into a human body” locals added.
      Recently, Deputy Commissioner Banidpora Manzoor Ahmed Lone halted work on the project after locals complained  of the massive pollution of water resources due to the mismanagement in HCC’s execution of the project work. Earlier locals were complaining that the HCC management while violating the rules are draining the muck, residue and crusher ruminants into the  nearby water resources, which was then conformed by the state premier Laboratory in National Institute of Technology where the water samples were found highly toxic  due to the HCC pollution. The Lab report of   water samples declared that the pollution in the nearby water resources has increased three fold after the HCC started draining wastage, crusher residue and other garbage into the water resources.
State government in particular and SPCB in general is facing public ire for being unresponsive to public health hazards. A resident of Kralpora says breathing fresh air is impossible due to the dust in the area, with so many stone crushers are operating illegally here. Despite several complaints, the pollution control authority is yet to take action against them.
     “The connivance run deep or else how could such a huge crusher plant can operate here around lush green forests?” asks another resident, who has been diagnosed with lung disease.
      “The public perception is gaining ground that the government including SPCB is reluctant in calming down for it is being faced several pulls and pressures besides some favour exchanging hands” locals said. The department has served notice to several of them in these two districts but the crushing is going unabated.
     Locals in the area said “The concerned Ministries and departments are aware that the illegal crusher unit set up by HCC run on a regular basis”.
Certainly, HCC is destroying the once serene atmosphere of Bandipora with Impunity. 

Status Quo on Kashmir favours Mainstream: Bilal Gani Lone.kashmir scenario weekly newspaer interview 26 feb-3 march issue


Status Quo on Kashmir favours Mainstream: Bilal Gani Lone
Bilal Gani Lone is the senior pro-freedom leader of Jammu & Kashmir. Chairman Peoples Conference and Hurriyat Conference (M) executive member, Bilal Gani Lone is viewed as the emerging face of pro-freedom thought in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
In an exclusive interview with the Kashmir Scenario, Bilal Gani Lone Talks to Rameez Makhdoomi& Kaiser A.Mir.
How did you happen to join pro-freedom politics?
I have joined pro-freedom politics on account of my father’s assassination as he was my role model and ideal. The sprit for achieving freedom for the nation and other revolutionary concepts I imbibed from my father. I was doing my business but after tragic assassination of my father I decided to join pro-freedom politics so as to give message to killer that we are not afraid of him. The circumstances forced me to join politics.
We are from a normal Kashmiri family. My father left a simple & moral background for us and we are always attached to ground zero. We are still the agriculturalists that we used to be.
Sometime back one of your interviews created ripples in which you were quoted as saying that separatists are getting money from Pakistan?
The simple crux of my viewpoint is that you need finance to run politics be it mainstream or pro-freedom politics. No movement can run without finance. But doing politics for the sake of money and finance is “Haraam”.
How do you view the damning disclosures made by wikileaks about Hurriyat (M)?
Wikileaks is not a gospel truth. It is a partly true and partly false because these leaks are based on conversations and individual interpretations and cannot be relied upon.
It is said that pro-freedom political parties like Hurriyat are out of colour during peace times and get activated only during civil unrests. What is your take on this?
The resistance movements witness their own ups and downs. The mainstream is for power politics. The pro-freedom camp is representing sentiments while they (Mainstream) exploit the sentiment and it is the pro-freedom amalgam that stands for resolutions. In addition one has to bear in mind that the circumstances are also made difficult by authorities for pro-freedom politicians.
Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has some time back stressed the need for Hurriyat Conference to address the day to day problems of masses. How do you view this?
This vision is direly needed and it is “better late than never” as we need to be much more pro-active and take the Hurriyat conference to grassroots. If we ask masses to stay away from mainstream politicians than we have to draw some sought of mechanism to help masses address their day to day problems.
The people are facing lot of hardships as the institutions are functioning like mafia wherein the masses have no say and might is right has become the order of day.
Some analysts stated that Hurriyat (M) was not able to get desired results from talks with center. What is your taken on this?
I do not understand whom you call analysts. The analysts herein run multinational companies outside Kashmir and give analysis through their cosy chambers. We have to bear in mind that nothing can be solved without dialogue. Every conflict on world has been solved through dialogue.
Besides, dialogue is a complicated process and you should not expect that dispute like Kashmir would be solved in one sitting. If anybody has better way other than dialogue to solve Kashmir he should take the lead we are ready to follow.
My personal belief is that we should engage for the resolution of Kashmir dispute and safeguard our younger generation. We have already sacrificed 1.25 lakh people for achieving freedom and this sacrifice is a big fixed deposit for our sacred movement.
Does lack of unity among pro-freedom leadership undermines it in a dialogue process?
The government makes it alibi sometimes. But it is quiet illogical and has nothing to do with a dialogue process. We live in a society wherein different political opinions are functional. At the macroscopic level, all the pro-freedom parties and leaders stand united as we all believe in resolution of ‘Kashmir Dispute’ and an end to status quo.
The status quo on Kashmir greatly favours the mainstream parties and politicians.
How do you perceive the response of current Central Government towards dialogue process?
The response towards dialogue process in place for Kashmir is always dictated by the system and not by a particular government. It is the matter of New Delhi`s policy only not the government be it the government of Congress or BJP or any other government.
How do you view the impact of degraded situation in Pakistan from several years on the Kashmir issue?
We need to bear in mind that Pakistan is a big thing as they are a state in themselves. But, I wish for a stronger Pakistan as it is only the nuclear power in world. The kashmiri people and leadership if develop  the proper strength and character can achieve the desired results.
What is your take on prevailing human rights situation?
The current human rights situation continues to remain grim. The recent killings of Rafiabad and Uri youth prove this veracity. Actually, the trooper on ground has developed his own vested interests and wants to draw benefits from continuing bloodshed. The system is quiet barbaric as it has only futile enquires and commissions to offer.
The mainstream parties & politicians only shed crocodile tears .If they are so much concerned why do not they leave the system and confront it openly.
Do you believe it is time for pro-freedom camp to ponder over contesting elections?
No, I do not think so. Elections are too small and petty reality for us as they are held after every five or six years for governance purpose. We the pro-freedom parties stand for bigger realities such as the resolution of Kashmir Dispute.
What is the way ahead according to you to solve Kashmir dispute?
I do not have any road map. But, the concrete solution can only be achieved through an effective participation of the main  party i.e Kashmiris and the other two big players India and Pakistan. Only trilateral involvement can solve this dispute and no bilateral involvement would work.