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Saturday, July 24, 2010

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: Indo-Israeli intransigence (Indian forces killed Hurriyat Conference leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz)

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: Indo-Israeli intransigence (Indian forces killed Hurriyat Conference leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz)

Indo-Israeli intransigence (Indian forces killed Hurriyat Conference leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz)

Waseem Sajad (JKPL)


Son of Kashmir, Father of Jehad-e-Kashmir, Jail Bird, Shaheed-e-Azemat
Srinagar: Like Palestinian 'Intifada', the current phase of Kashmiri uprising began on August 12, 2008 when Indian forces killed Hurriyat Conference leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz who was protesting against the government decision to give land to the trust that runs Amarnath, a shrine of Hindus. While extremist Hindus favoured the decision, but due to its revocation, started protests and economic blockade of the Muslims, emulating the Israeli siege of Gaza which had resulted in starvation of many a Palestinians. However, under the new puppet regime in the occupied Kashmir, Indian brutalities are equal to those of Israel. In this regard, daily humiliations of the Kashmiris and Palestinians are a consistent feature of the Indo-Israeli intransigence.

While in his special address to the Muslim World on June 4 this year, Obama had called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims" by stating that tension "has been fed by colonialism that denied rights to many Muslims...without regard to their aspirations." Emphasising the two-nation solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Obama had vocally said: "It is time for Jewish settlements to stop."

Critics opined that Obama did not mention the Kashmir dispute at all. Nevertheless, during his election campaign, while realising the suppression of Kashmiri's struggle for independence as the root cause of terrorism in South Asia, he repeatedly remarked that America should help in resolving this old dispute. Quite contrarily, Holbrooke, special envoy of the US administration on Afghanistan and Pakistan had clarified on January 28 that he had no mandate to deal with Kashmir.

No doubt, Obama wants to improve the American image in the Muslim world by settling the issues of Kashmir and Palestine, but he seems helpless before the strong Indo-Israeli lobbies which play a key role in the foreign policy of the US. Obama is forced to implement the brutal policies of his predecessor, who had endangered the world including US interest by occupying Iraq and Afghanistan, due to these lobbies. He had encouraged Indo-Israeli intransigence in delaying the solution of Kashmir and Palestine. Indian and Israeli regimes had jumped upon the Bush's anti-terrorism bandwagon in crushing the freedom movements in these controlled territories. Since then, both the countries by considering the Muslims as their common enemy, signed several of agreements.

One of the main obstacles in the prolonged War on Terror including solution of Kashmir and Palestinian issues is the US-backed Hindu-Jewish communities which have made alliances in America and Europe and are tarnishing the image of all the Muslims in order to continue their state terrorism on the innocent Kashmiris and Palestinians.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: Sheikh Ab. Aziz Killers: A step towards independence from India!

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: Sheikh Ab. Aziz Killers: A step towards independence from India!

Sheikh Ab. Aziz Killers: A step towards independence from India!


By: Nasim Jijazi
Srinagar, 19 Jully: In a A symbolic march by Kashmirs to march towards north (Muzaffarabad) when they are harmed in the south (Hindu Jammu) has caused more lives for Kashmiris. It is indeed a shame for human civilization that India continues to be engaged in genocide of Kashmiris. As part of Indian strategy to kill Kashmiris in a sustained manner under different guises, some more Kashmiri Muslims were murdered by India in the background of the Hindus fascist fight for Sri Amarnath illegal land deal. After direct fire on Muzaffarabad marchers, at least eight persons, including a most senior Hurriyat freedom fighting leader of Jammu and Kashmir, Shaikh Abdul Aziz, were killed as they were marching towards the Line of Control in Baramulla district leader and a boy were killed by Indian security forces in Srinagar district on August 15 a couple of days ahead of Indian independence day.

Following the killing of six protestors including most senior Sheikh Abdul Aziz, the authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. However, the freedom fighters have reiterated their resolve to continue their mach, come what may. Economic terrorism unleashed by Hindus in Jammu region by blocking the movement of goods between Jammu and Kashmir have caused serious economic problems and this economic terrorism is resented by Kashmirs who have suffered badly and decided to mach to Muzaffarabad to show their anger. Economic terrorism is been used by USA and the Western powers against third world nations, now especially Iran, to cripple their economies. India has thought out similar strategy to make Kashmiris to bend completely and bow down to Indian military dictates. Economic blockade is a crude manifestation of the decades_ old policy of making Kashmir economy fatally dependent on others. Notwithstanding arrests by police in different parts of Kashmir,

Kashmiris in fifteen hundred thousands marched towards North Kashmir to participate in the _Muzaffarabad March_ to protest against the economic blockade of the Valley. In North Kashmir, the march to Muzaffarabad commenced from Sopore Fruit Mandi after people defied restrictions. Sopore Fruit Mandi was besieged early morning by police and CRPF men and five trade union leaders were detained and tyres of decorated fruit laden trucks were deflated by the troopers. After arrest of leaders, announcements were made through Public Address System (PAS) asking people to join the _Muzaffarabad March_. Thousands of people again joined march with women lined up on roadside yelling pro freedom and pro_Pakistan slogans. They were seen serving water and food packets to the protestors and praying for their safety. After the protestors reached Baramulla, the processionists boarded buses, trucks, scooters to move towards Muzaffarabad. Amidst pro−freedom, pro−Pakistan and anti−India slogans, the protestors, who were led by Huriyat leaders, Sheikh Abdul Aziz and Shabir Ahmad Shah reached Tachal, Uri, some 20 kms from Uri. They could not move ahead as the army had dug up trenches to prevent people and vehicles from moving ahead. When the protestors tried to march ahead, they were fired on by the troopers, causing injuring to at least 20 persons including Sheikh Abdul Aziz. Aziz received bullet injury in his abdomen and was rushed to nearby hospital, where from he was referred to SMHS hospital, where he succumbed. Meanwhile, thousands of people were on streets till late night at Sangrama, Delina, Sheeri, Hyderbugh, Zumgum, and Pattan. They were waiting for the sunrise to recommence their _Muzaffarabad March_. There have been thousands of known and unknown Kashmiri martyrs who have laid down their sacred lives in their freedom struggle, much more than what the India had lost dung their independence fight under British rule. Abdul Aziz was a pro−Pakistan Kashmiri leaders fighting for the cause of gaining sovereignty back from occupying India. Muzaffarabad is legally a part of Kashmir, now the capital of Azad Kashmir with an independent premier administrated by Pakistan and which would be a part of new Kashmir when it becomes free from Indian military occupation.

Kashmiris have been at the receiving end since their nation was annexed by it neighbor India and hardships are nothing new to them either. Also, now this is not something new to the now fragile economy of Kashmir that it has been subjected to, over the last six decades. The backdrop in which the economy of Kashmir traveled along the time path included a focus on making Kashmir prone to dependency cult, intentionally pursued by New Delhi; priority setting as per the whims of policy planners at New Delhi. The horticulture, floriculture and other commodity sectors have suffered losses that have varied ramifications and most of the growers cannot possibly sustain these losses. These commodities are flooding the already saturated and impoverished local market of Kashmir. The acute hardships faced by people in valley by scarcity of essential commodities, life saving drugs and medicine, even kids_ items, by the economic blockade does call for a new thinking based on self reliance. Of course, now it looks the popular uprising is not going to end until the Kashmirs obtain freedom and independence from India. First of economic terrorism must end followed by state military terrorism. It is noteworthy that in this regard JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yaseen Malik went on a hunger strike unto death but fortunately freedom fighting leaders like Geelani persuaded him to end his long hunger strike. Geelani also reminded him saying, _We differ with the idea of fast unto death as it is not an Islamic way and that we must pray to the almighty for the continuity and eternity of the unity we have showed this time_. Besides, no one will care in India even if entire Muslim community in Kashmir goes on hunger strike until death. India promotes genocide in Kashmir, after all and death of Kashmiris and other Muslims in any manner is welcome to New Delhi. But it is time the Governor of Jammu Kashmir NN Vohra considers recommending to New Delhi to grant independence to Kashmir so that the Kashmiris don_t have to stave and die like this and let them live with honor and resources. Any further day in decision−making in favor of Kashmiris could be disastrous for both Kashmiris and India. The Kashmirs do have the efficient leadership, resources and the capacity to govern their own nation in a peaceful manner. (Writer-South Asia)

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: Strike to be observed in Kashmir tomorrow

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: Strike to be observed in Kashmir tomorrow

Strike to be observed in Kashmir tomorrow


Srinagar, July 17 :  In  Indian disputed  Kashmir, the forum patronised by veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani has announced a 9-day protest programme in connection with its Quit Kashmir Campaign.
The programme includes complete shutdown on Sunday, protests by employees on Monday and sit-ins to be observed by the people across the occupied territory on Wednesday and Thursday, reports Kashmir Media Service.

The spokesman of the forum in a statement issued in Srinagar said, there will be a complete shutdown on Sunday against the atrocities being committed on Kashmiris by the occupation troops and after each prayer people should raise pro-liberation slogans.

 Monday, he said, employees should peacefully protest against the human rights violations being committed by the troops in occupied Kashmir. He urged the employees and their union leaders to massively participate in the programme.
The spokesman called upon the people to observe Tuesday, July 20, as “Day of Solidarity” with the illegally detained Kashmiri youth and Hurriyet leaders including Syed Ali Gilani. “We will continue peaceful protests till our goal is achieved,” he vowed.

He appealed the people to come out on roads on Wednesday and Thursday and hold peaceful sit-ins. “People should raise their voice to apprise the international community that Kashmiris are being suppressed,” he said.

The spokesman asked the Kashmiri people to hold peaceful protests outside the mosques on Friday after Juma prayers and in Srinagar they should march towards Khanqah-e-Mualla. “Doctors and lawyers should hold protests against the random arrests on Saturday,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Aasiya Andrabi in a statement in Srinagar, while endorsing the programme announced by the forum patronised by Syed Ali Gilani, has called upon the masses to make it a success. She also condemned the restrictions imposed by the authorities on Friday.

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: KASHMIR-DEAFENING CRIES AND PIERCING SHRIEKS

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: KASHMIR-DEAFENING CRIES AND PIERCING SHRIEKS

KASHMIR-DEAFENING CRIES AND PIERCING SHRIEKS


Srinagar , July 16: Kinza Fatima, a sixteen years old Kashmiri girl wrote to me three weeks back, “Death and blood, cries and shrieks, injured, smashed and emaciated bodies of our dear and near ones; what else we are left with? You writers! Keep on writing but be sure that no one among the Indian Army deputed here in the valley of Kashmir, is going to read what you write. The world around us is deaf and dumb; there will be a time when you would realize that you have been wasting the energy of your words. Your words could never bring back my brother because he is now somewhere in the realms beyond your imaginations, high above the sky.” She further said, “My seventeen years old brother Ahmed Ali was kidnapped by a team of the Indian Army one evening while he was on his way back to home six months ago. We tried our best to locate where they had detained him but we could find nothing. Five days later we found scattered parts of his body floating in a clear water stream.” The most painful sentence of her mail which really watered my eyes; “Dear writer, do you know why the people of valley get frightened when they see a shrieking crowd of wild crows circling around a mountain top: because their circling and  shrieking indicates the presence of some dead body brutally thrown  there by the Indian security forces.”

This mail of innocent Kinza Fatima must be very much agonizing for all those who have a humane heart. I personally feel that it is something very easy to pen down the brutality and portray the hardships the people of Indian occupied Kashmir have been facing for more than seventy years but almost next to impossible is to bear these atrocities even for a single moment. It is simply the courage and determination of the people of Kashmir which has still kept them energetic and alive. If it were the Americans or the British or the Israelis, they would have lost all their hopes very long ago, in the very beginning. Ask the innocent children of Kashmir; ‘who is going to be our saviour?’

The people of Kashmir are of the opinion that it is nothing but the presence of the Indian army in the valley which has deprived them of their basic human rights. But the Indian Army Chief General V.K. Singh has a different point of view in this context. In his recent statement he said, “The basic reason behind the flare up in the Kashmir Valley is the failure to build on the gains that had been made by the security forces in the ‘troubled state’. The army had brought the situation under control to a certain level from where other steps should have been taken to carry forward the process and bring peace in the Valley. There are people who are passing instructions on phone. They have to be identified. The situation in the valley of Kashmir is nothing but the result of the loss of confidence.” This statement of the army chief has many important points which require a very keen type of analysis. First of all he has admitted that there is a situation of ‘flare up’ in the valley. Secondly he has admitted the failure of the security forces and thirdly he has accepted that Kashmir is a troubled state. And above all is his admittance of the fact that the people of Kashmir have lost their confidence in the government of India and the Indian forces. The situation can be very easily improved if all these factors pointed out by the Army Chief are taken care of sympathetically.

Farzana Versey is a Mumbai-based author and columnist. Here is an extract from her recent piece of writing published in the Countercurrents. ‘It does not need to be reiterated that the Kashmir issue is a complex one, but when the armed forces fight civilians, it is not only a matter of separatist aspirations. It is also about a badly-administered state that is not providing basic infrastructure and opportunities to the citizens. The freedom of individuals to express their own anger is being manipulated by various power centers, it is a precious irony’. 

Sumit Ganguly holds the Rabindranath Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Civilizations at Indiana University at Bloomington. In one of his recent articles he states, ‘The problem that the government confronts has no military solution. The anger that has spilled out into the warren-like streets of Kashmir's villages is not the work of Pakistan-supported jihadi terrorists or organized indigenous separatists. Instead it is the spontaneous outburst of a generation of young Kashmiris who have witnessed much hardship over the last two decades of the insurgency. This anger has its roots in economic stagnation. The coalition state government has done little to attract investment into the troubled state. Kashmiris, especially young men, have limited employment opportunities’.

Let us put together the statement of General V.K.Singh, the opinion of Farzana Versey and the analysis of Sumit Ganguly to form the real picture of Kashmir. The only reason behind is nothing but injustice and human rights violation. The Indian political and military hi-ups are never ready to pay any heed to the actual root cause. They always try to deny the facts and mitigate the situation by commenting the Kashmir issue as an internal affair of India. Kashmir has never been an internal affair of India; it is the actual bone of contention between the two neighbouring countries India and Pakistan. It is because of the Kashmir conflict that India is always eagerly ready to drag Pakistan into every incident of terrorism which takes place on the Indian soil. The Mumbai attacks of 2008 are the worst example in this regard. The Indian hi-ups are mistakenly of the opinion that Pakistan is supporting the people of Occupied Kashmir through different jihaddi groups. They are also of the opinion that all these groups are trained and financed by the ISI. The Indian Minister for External Affairs S.M.Krishna also expressed the same thoughts during his visit to Pakistan in the second week of July. He said that the peace process could never be successful unless Pakistan puts behind the bars the perpetrators of the Mumbai Blasts. He also criticized the statements made by Hafiz saeed. Same type of comments was made by the Indian Home Secretary G.K. Pillai in Indian Express. He said, ‘The ISI did not have "just a peripheral role" in Mumbai assault. They (ISI) were literally controlling and coordinating it from the beginning till the end’. As far as Hafiz Saeed is concerned, he has always been the most favourite target of the Indian politicians and Indian media. This religious scholar is being continuously blamed for his connections with the Kashmiri militant groups which are fighting against the Indian atrocities in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. These groups have nothing to do with Pakistan same in the manner as those of the Naxalites and the Maoists. All these groups are nothing but the ‘Indigenous Protestants’.

The South Asian Region can become a peaceful paradise if an amicable solution of the Kashmir issue is sought on urgent and compassionate grounds. This is the only way to compensate and pacify the innocent Kinza Fatima who is helplessly mourning over the brutal murder of her brother Ahmed Ali.(Kashmir Watch)

Kashmir Watch columnist can be reached at: alisukhanver@hotmail.com

Curfew, restrictions to thwart demos in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 16 : In Jammu and  Kashmir, the Indian authorities continued to clamp curfew and impose stringent restrictions in Srinagar and other towns to prevent people from holding anti-India and pro-liberation demonstrations, today.

Despite restrictions people took to the streets in Srinagar, Pampore, Kakapora, Khrewa, Handwara, Kralgund, Wattergam, Budgam, Sopore, Kupwara, Islamabad and other areas. They raised slogans like ‘We want freedom’ and ‘Go India go’.

The forum patronised by veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Hilal Ahmad War had called for a march towards Batamaloo in Srinagar to pay homage to the youth recently martyred by the troops.

The authorities continued to confine the APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to his residence while Hurriyet leaders including Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi and Yasmeen Raja were placed under house arrest. The APHC Chairman was not allowed to offer Juma prayers for the third consecutive week.

Official sources told mediamen that Indian police had arrested around 700 youth during the past four weeks for participating in anti-India demonstrations in the Kashmir Valley.

Addressing a meeting of religious scholars in Srinagar, the grand mufti of occupied Kashmir, Mufti Bashiruddin, stressed the need to resolve the Kashmir dispute, without any further delay.

An Indian army Major and two other troopers were injured at Beri Rakh in Mendhar area of Poonch district in the clash with Mujahideen, which entered the fourth day, today. Earlier, an Army Major was killed and seven other personnel including a Colonel were injured in the clash on Tuesday. So far, two Mujahideen have also been martyred in the gun battle, which continued till last reports came in.

Kashmiri students in the United Kingdom held a peaceful protest demonstration outside BBC's office in Manchester to express solidarity with the people in occupied Kashmir and call for the international attention to the happenings there. (Writer-South Asia)

Friday, July 16, 2010

700 Kashmiri youth arrested, many detained under PSA


Srinagar, July 16 In disputed state of  Kashmir, Indian police have arrested around 700 youth during the past four weeks for participating in anti-India demonstrations in the Kashmir Valley. The police officials told newsmen that the youth had been arrested in nocturnal raids, Kashmir Media news Service reports.

The police have filed false cases against the arrested youth besides slapping draconian law, Public Safety Act against many of them.

Srinagar city has been on the boil after the killing of 17-year-old, Tufail Matoo in police action on June 07. The anger further simmered after the killing of Rafiq Ahmad Bangroo, 23, and Javaid Ahmad Malla by paramilitary CRPF.

The occupied valley witnessed a series of massive protests after the killing of 15 people including a woman in police and CRPF firing since June 07.

Dozens of youth were arrested for participating in protests demonstrations in Baramulla, Palhalan Pattan, Sopore, Islamabad, Pulwama, Kulgam, Ganderbal and Shopian areas. “Around 300 youth have been arrested from Srinagar alone,” said a police officer.

The officials said that of the 700 people, 500 have been booked while 200 are currently under detention. “We have also slapped PSA against many of them,” the police official said adding that the PSA would be slapped against more detainees in the coming days as their dossiers were being prepared.



'Lamhaa' banned in Middle East and Kashmir


Srinagar, July 15:  Veteran Kashmirian actor Anupam Kher is shocked and upset with the treatment meted out to his forthcoming movie "Lamhaa".

First, the film's premiere was cancelled in Kashmir and now it is banned in the Middle East.

"I am shocked to learn that 'Lamhaa' is banned in Middle East. Why? Without even seeing the film. And we talk about progress and culture. Sad," Anupam posted on his Twitter account.

The film, based on violence and terrorism in the Kashmir Valley, was due for release in Middle East Thursday. But the censors there felt it is a highly objectionable and controversial subject.

Featuring Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu and Kunal Kapoor along with Anupam Kher, "Lamhaa" questions whether wisdom would prevail in the Valley so that the Kashmiris are not crucified in the name of politics.(Writer-South Asia)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Growing Saffron


Saffron is a perennnial , low growing herb with a globular   corm   ranging   from  0.5  to  5cm  in diameter. The corms (Monje/Seed) produce 6-15 narrow, needle like leaves about 10 cm long; surrounded in the lower region by four to five scales. The flowers are borne singly or in two to three. The three stigmas of the flowers along with the style when dried constitute the saffron of commerce. The plant is a native of Iran and Asia Minor. In the former princely state of  Kashmir Vale is a legendry crop of well drained plateau of  Pampore (South Kashmir) where it is being  grown since ancient times. The recorded time of saffron cultivation in Kashmir dates back 550 AD  nearly four centuries earlier than that recorded in Spain. It is rightly called the golden condiment of Kashmir. Saffron also cultavated in Iran, Spain, Baluchistan, Gilgat and now in Afghanistan

COMPOSITION
The average composition of commercial saffron is water ( 15.6 per cent) starch and sugur (13.15 per cent), essential oils  ( 0.6 per cent) fixed oil (5.63 per cent ), total N-Ffree extract (43. 64 per cent), Crude fiber (4.43 per cent), ash (4.27 per cent). The chief pigment of saffron is its yellowish red glycoside crocin, picrocrin is the bitter tasting pigment and it too is glycoside.

USES
Saffron is as precious as gold not because of its high demand and  low production  but because it  is used  in various religious rituals. Hindus use saffron for marking their foreheads, Muslims divine extract in water and write charms with ink thus formed. In Indian market mostly 50-60 per cent of saffron is used in chewing tobacco and for preparing wine. Saffron is used to prepare saffron rice, saffron cakes, wazwaan, tea, cakes, in the preparation of scent and perfumes. It is used for colouring butter, cheese, puddings and confectionary. Like most oriental aromatic herbs saffron is also used in medicinal and culinary reputations. It stops vomiting, expels worms, heels headache and wounds. It is good for hemorrhoids, for removing the discoloration of face and pimples. It is good for epilepsy. Some times it is used in exenthematous diseases to promote eruption. It is popularly supposed to be a stimulant warm and dry in action helping in the alleviation of urinary, digestive and uterine troubles. Paste of saffron is used in dressing bruises, superficial sores, rheumatic and neurological pains and congestion of chest. Passaries of saffron are used in painful complaints of uterus. Dry boiled corms are administered in Ayurvedic and Unani ststem for treatment of gousciatica  and rheumatic pains.

Soil & Climate
Saffron grows well in drained loamy soil. Medium grade, light soil with neutral to slightly alkaline reaction is suited for its cultivation. It prefers very well drained, clay loam soils of karewas of Kashmir. The soils should be deep and free from stones. Saffron thrives well in sub-temperate regions ranging from 1500 meter to 2400 meter.

It requires cool and sunny situation for promising growth. An optimum of 12 hours light duration is essential for growth and flowering. The day temperature should be 20-22  0C  with a difference of 10-12  0C between day and night temperatures. A good shower during August-September facilities flowering and increased yield. Dry weather condition during flowering period is essential for realizing higher yields. In general locations which receive  30-40 cms rainfall and are covered with snow during winter are good for its cultivation. Spring rains are favourable for promoting corm multiplication wherease, a second spell of rains at the beginning of autumn encourages profuse flowering.

Prpoagation

Propgation of the plant is through corms. The plant remains dormant from May-August. The mother corm reproduces annually and gives rise to four to six daughter cormlets. The corms formed during a year produce flowers in the following year. The mother corms provide food to the new developing corms and in doing so wither, shrink and finally die. Now corms develope each year to replace the older once.
Corms multiply from one year to the next, from one corm one can get 8 corms after 3-5 years

Land Preparation and planting

Land preparation starts in March -April. The field is ploughed four to five times to a depth of 30-35 cms.Another  polghing is done in May and fields leveled. Well developed seed corms @1600 to 2000 kg per per hectare should be used after dipping in five percent solution of copper sulphate. The corms should be of 1.5 cms and above in diameter with outermost loose covering cleaned before planting. The corms should be planted in second fortnight of August at a depth of 15-20 cms with a row to row spacing of 15 cms and corm to corm spacing of five to eight cms. After planting divide the field into 2 meters x 4 meters strips by opening 15 deep and 30 cms wide furrows for proper drainage. Saffron can also be planted as an inter crop in newly planted orchards. The superior and less expensive method recommended by Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre is strip system.Saffron corms can either be planted directly into the ground (borders, gardens, fields etc…) or in pots or window boxes (inside or out). 
 Manures and fertilizers
Mix 15-20 tonnes per hectare of well decomposed FYM during last ploughing. Recent studies have revealed that application of vermicompost @350 kg/hectare has given a yield of 4.88 Kg/hectare.

Interculture
Keep the planted field undisturbed till the following June. Perform the first hoeing in June using a short handled  tangru locally called (in Kashmiri) "ZOUN". This operation provides aeration to the soil which is very important for proper development of Saffron Corms.

Subsequently the second hoeing is done in the month of September along with cleaning and repairing of the drainage channels. Care should be taken not to disturb the growing buds of corms. This hoeing is accompanied by light dressing  of FYM at the rate of two tonnes per hectare. Third and final hoeing is given after the flowering is over and mannure is mixed in the soil with the help of iron  rakes. This schedule of operations is followed every year until the crop remains in the field.

Diseases and pests
Fungal diseases often infect the corms. Fungi like Rhizocotnia crocorum,, Sclerotina bulborum and Phoma Crocophila are reported to infect the corms changing the colour of flesh from white to yellow and finally to black resulting in death of the corms. poor aeration in the soil, injury to corms and hail storms provide ideal conditions for the development of diseases. Discarding can prevent this. Treat healthy corms with five percent copper sulphate solution during planting. Incidence of Gangrane disease (in this, the normal plant which prevents flower formation) is also reported from some fields. Rate and moles causing damage tones of corms every year often damage saffron cro. Zinc phoshide baiting and rat control campaign on watershed basis may be of great help.

Harvesting and processing
The flowering season is confined to three weeks from middle of October to first week of November. The flowers are picked daily in the morning and stigmas and styles are trimmed immediately. About 1,60,000 flowers are hand picked to produce one kg of good quality dried saffron.

Saffron Corms/Bulbs/Seeds- The most expensive Plant in the world

Planting and Seed Material avilable at: Chenab Industries
PO Box No: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Regd. Office: Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR JK 192121
Ph: 09858986794, 01933-223705
e-mail: cikashmir@gmail.com, iirc@rediffmail.com , http://chenabindustries.blogspot.com



(Scientific Cultivation of Saffron report is also available in Urdu)
e-mail: iirc@rediffmail.com

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Latest updates from Kashmir

Srinagar, July 14 (Writer-South Asia):  In Jammu and Kashmir, an Indian army Major was killed and seven others including a Colonel were injured in a clash in Poonch district.

The clash took place at Beri Rakh in Mendhar area of the district. Major Amit Thingay was killed on the spot while seven troops including Colonel Ajay Katoch, Commanding Officer (CO) of 37 Rashtriya Rifles, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Signalman Satinder Kumar, Naik Jasbir Singh, Sepoy Sunil Kumar and Rifleman Basharat Hussain were critically injured in the clash.

All injured Army personnel have been hospitalised. Indian army official sources have claimed that the two Armed Kashmiri Mujahideen were believed to be killed in the clash. The gun battle was going on till last reports came in.

An Army man, Naik Sudhir Radha was injured in a mine blast when he was shifting from Sagar Post to Hans Post in Balakote area of Mendhar sector along with a Road Opening Party (ROP) of 5 Maratha Regiment of Indian Army.

Meanwhile,condemning the media curbs in disputed Kashmir, media personalities of India have said that attempts are being made to paint journalists from Jammu and Kashmir as anti-India.

Indian journalists at a meeting convened by Press Club of India (PCI) to discuss vindictive policy against media men in the valley, described it a dangerous move and an assault on the press.

The Srinagar correspondents of News X Channel, Suhail Bukhari and Idris Lone, against whom FIRs have been lodged in the Pulwama police station under Unlawful Activities Act, gave their version at the meeting. They said that they had been harassed without any reason by the authorities. They said that they were being victimised by vindictive approach of the occupation authorities though they tried to discharge their duties honestly.

In South Kashmir, Indian Forces con
Scores of Delhi-based Kashmiri journalists also attended the meeting. A resolution was also moved in which the puppet administration was asked to immediately withdraw cases against News X correspondents.

“It said the ban on freedom of expression shows intolerance of the authorities. Attempts are being made to divide the local and international press. This should be resisted and all efforts should be made to mobilise full support for Kashmiri media,” the resolution read.

Seema Mustafa, Sidharat Vardharajan, Nidhi Razdhan, Zafar Agha, Onkar Singh, David Davidas, Shabnam Hashmi and scores of others attended the meeting to express solidarity with Kashmiri media associations. 



Sunday, July 4, 2010

Amnesty International urges India to avoid use of force on protesters in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 04 (Writer-South Asia): In Kashmir, Indian troops, in their fresh act of operations , martyred four innocent Kashmiri youth in Kupwara district, today.The troops killed the youth in Nowgam area of the district during violent military operations, which continued till last reports came in.

The London-based world human rights body, the Amnesty International has urged India to avoid the excessive use of brute force on protesters in occupied Kashmir as it had an obligation to protect the right to life of the people, in accordance with international law.

The Amnesty International in a statement issued in London said that in the last month, a total of 11 persons, at least eight of them teenagers, were killed in shootings by the Indian paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force personnel during demonstrations in Srinagar, Sopore and other towns.

The Amnesty demanded probe into all the killings to bring the involved troops to justice.

Welcoming the Amnesty International’s statement, the Chairman of Kashmir Centre Brussels, Barrister Abdul Majeed Tramboo urged the United Nations and European institutions to act urgently to help stop Indian state terrorism in occupied Kashmir.

In Srinagar, the APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, addressing a press conference after presiding over a meeting of Hurriyet’s Executive Council, said that Kashmiris’ struggle for right to self-determination was totally indigenous and India would not be able to crush it through use of brute force.

Meanwhile, life in the occupied territory remained at a grinding halt as curfew, restrictions and protest demonstrations in Kashmir valley entered the ninth day, today. Hundreds of people took to the streets in Islamabad town, raising pro-liberation slogans. Indian police fired in the air and lobbed teargas shells to disperse them. Despite restrictions, people held demonstrations in Trehgam area of Kupwara and in many parts of Doda and Kishtwar.

Indian troops, in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred four innocent Kashmiri youth in Nowgam area of Kupwara, during a crackdown operation, today.

In Islamabad, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Raja Farooq Haider Khan visited the office of APHC-AJK to express solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir. He met with the leaders of APHC and the forum patronized by Syed Ali Gilani. The AJK Prime Minster said, the people of occupied Kashmir are not alone in their struggle of right to self-determination as the leadership and the people of AJK and Pakistan stand firmly at their back. He said that Kashmiris’ struggle was destined to succeed because it was based on the principles of justice and international law.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: Announcement

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar New Delhi Islamabad Muzaffarabad: Announcement

Announcement

Database of Medicinal Plants


Medicinal plants play an important ROLE IN HUMAN LIFE TO COMBAT DISEASES SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL. The rural folks and tribals in India even now depend largely on the surrounding plants/forests for their day-to-day needs. Medicinal plant are being looked upon not only as a source of health care but also as a source of income. The value of medicinal plants related trade in India is of the order of 5.5 billion US$ (Exim Report-1997) and is further increasing day-by-day. The international market of herbal products is estimated to be US $ 62 BILLION. India share in the global market of medicinal plants trade is less than 0.5%. In view of the innate Indian strengths, which include diverse eco-systems for growth of medicinal plants, technical/farming capacity, strong manufacturing sector, the medicinal plants sector can provide a huge export opportunity after fulfilling domestic needs.

The present e-book covers systematic account of most different plants with pictures used in medicines. It covers Medicinal Plants containing alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, additives and other active matabolites.

We hope that this e. book will be useful not only for technologists, professionals, but also for farmers, traders, students, NGOs, institutions, exporters and importers of Medicinal Plants. The CD-based book costs Rs. 550/-

More information:
International Information Resource Centre
Mailing address: POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Ph: 09858986794, 01933-223705
e-mail: iirc@rediffmail.com

Friday, July 2, 2010

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: We Wellcome our Indian Brothers and Sisters, especially Yatrries: Hurriyat: APHC#links#links

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar New Delhi Islamabad Muzaffarabad: We Wellcome our Indian Brothers and Sisters, especially Yatrries: Hurriyat: APHC#links#links

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: We Wellcome our Indian Brothers and Sisters, especially Yatrries: Hurriyat: APHC#links#links

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar New Delhi Islamabad Muzaffarabad: We Wellcome our Indian Brothers and Sisters, especially Yatrries: Hurriyat: APHC#links#links

We Wellcome our Indian Brothers and Sisters, especially Yatrries: Hurriyat: APHC

Srinagar, July 02: : The General Secretary of Hurriyat Conference , Masarat Alam Bhat, on Thursday said the ongoing resistance movement in Jammu Kashmir had nothing to do with Amarnath Yarta.

“Our struggle is not aimed at sabotaging Amarnath Yatra but for liberating Jammu and Kashmir,” Alam said in a statement.

“The ongoing Quit Kashmir movement is gaining momentum with every passing day and it has unnerved the government and it is now vainly trying to give it a communal colour to mislead the people in India,” he said, adding that the “The local agents are a party to this propaganda.”

Masarat made it clear that the ongoing freedom struggle is not against Yatra. “We are fighting for freedom,” he said.

Reacting to the union home minister P Chidambaram’s statement, Masarat termed it as childish, saying that “We will not be overawed by such statements.”

Masarat condemned the deployment of heavy contingents of troopers in and around the Pathar Masjid to prevent the women from assembling there as part of the “Quit Kashmir” movement. “Despite curfew and other restrictions, thousands of women led by Dukhtaran-i-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi assembled at Mughal Masjid, Chattabal, here and made the programme successful,” said Masarat, adding that special prayers were offered on the occasion for the success of ongoing freedom struggle.

Masarat strongly condemned the arrest of youth and attack on the residential houses of civilians by the police and CRPF troopers at various places in the Srinagar city yesterday evening, smashing window panes and beating inmates.

He also condemned the continued detention of pro-freedom leaders and activists including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Dr Muhammad Qasim, Muhammad Yousuf Mir, Muhammad Yousuf Nadeem, Firdous Ahmad Shah, Gen Musa and Ghulam Qadir Bhat.(Writer-South Asia)

Prof. Shawl, Tramboo apprise Fazl of youth killings in IHK

London, July 02 : Acording to Kashmir Media Service reprts from London,the Executive Director of Kashmir Centre London, Professor Nazir Ahmad Shawl and the Chairman of Kashmir Centre Brussels, Barrister Abdul Majeed Tramboo in a letter sent to the Chairman of Pakistan’s Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Maulana Fazlur Rehman apprised him of the recent killing of innocent youth and the continued human rights violations by Indian troops in occupied Kashmir.

In the letter, they said that more than 33 Kashmiri youth had been killed by the troops during the first half of this year. “Even in India, actors and leaders acknowledge Kashmir as the most dangerous place on the earth,” they added.

They further said that 11 people including a nine years old child had been killed in one week and still more and more reports were coming out of the occupied territory regarding the deteriorating situation.

They said that in Britain they were using their right to protest against the human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir by the occupation authorities because protest was one of the strongest tools to draw attention of the international community toward the killings taking place in the occupied territory.

“The new spate of killings making it all the more essential to raise a very strong voice, particularly at a time when dialogue has been put back on its rails, and an improved human rights situation could become a vehicle of positive change on the ground,” they maintained.

»

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: Bollywood Director-2010 released

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar New Delhi Islamabad Muzaffarabad: Bollywood Director-2010 released

Bollywood Director-2010 released

(Announcement)
International Information Resource Centre has been collected the information of Indian film Industry and brought out a CD-Rom, It contains complete information of thousands of bollywood personalities and companies from all over India.

All details of top bollywood available personalities film Stars, Directors, Producers, Film Productions, Film Studios, Film Associations, Film Makers, Television & Modeling Institutions all over India. Include details like Name, Full Postal Address including City, State and Pin code.

This is comprehensive source covering major Indian Persanalities & Film Companies. Most of the people in this database are very rich people with spending power.

Available in CD/e-mail edition

Very useful to:
Newcomers, Modeling Agencies, fan Clubs, NGO's, Film Companies, Advertising Agencies, Film Journalists, Service providers and almost all who are in entertainment industry and especially who seek an edge over its' competitors.

More details:
International information Resource Centre-IIRC
Mailing address: POB: 667 GPO Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir-190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Mob: 09858986794
e-mail: iirc@rediffmail.com
http://bollwooddirectory.blogspot.com/



Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: “Bharat Teri Shahmat Aayi …Lashkar Aaayi…Lashkar Aaayi. Translation : India , you are now faced with worst time as "Lashkar" has arrived .

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar New Delhi Islamabad Muzaffarabad: “Bharat Teri Shahmat Aayi …Lashkar Aaayi…Lashkar Aaayi. Translation : India , you are now faced with worst time as "Lashkar" has arrived .

“Bharat Teri Shahmat Aayi …Lashkar Aaayi…Lashkar Aaayi. Translation : India , you are now faced with worst time as "Lashkar" has arrived .

Dear editor,

Lashkar-e-Taiba is a pro-jehadi organization fighting the forced Indian occupation in Kashmir. They have been known to be the most lethal, technologically advanced, highly trained and the most destructive force among all of the Kashmiri resistance groups and have been bleeding the Indian occupation forces in Kashmir for years now. In accordance with Islamic teachings, they have a policy of not attacking civilians, and have denounced countless terrorist acts targeting civilians in both India and Pakistan.

In addition to their resolve and ability, one of the reasons Lashkar-e-Taiba has been so effective in Kashmir is the popular support they enjoy among ordinary Kashmiris. Hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris have taken to the streets every day demanding freedom from India, chanting such slogans as ‘India teri maut ai, lashkar aai lashkar aai‘ and ‘lashkar-e-taiba se rishta kya, la ilaha il-Allah’

Meanwhile the vale of Kashmir reverberates with the slogan of “Bharat Teri Shahmat Aayi …Lashkar Aaayi…Lashkar Aaayi. Translation : India , you are now faced with worst time as "Lashkar" has arrived .

laming Lashkar-e-Taiba is not only a great diversion for the understandably angry Indian pulbic looking at their leaders for answers, it also helps paint Lashkar-e-Taiba as mindless terrorists and Pakistan as a state sponsor of Terrorism. Pointing towards the ‘traditional enemy’ means they can’t be held accountable, and provides the perfect cover for home grown Hindu terrorists, giving them a free hand to keep slaughtering Muslims and Christians in India.

Jahangir Khan
Via e-mail
Srinagar

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar | New Delhi | Islamabad | Muzaffarabad: 'Difficult to say if Lashkar is behind J&K violence' Mufti Mehboba

Writer-South Asia (Srinagar New Delhi Islamabad Muzaffarabad: 'Difficult to say if Lashkar is behind J&K violence' Mufti Mehboba: "'Difficult to say if Lashkar is behind J&K violence' Mufti Mehboba"