RIK and civil society hold candle light tribute in memory of martyred soldiers in Kashmir

Roots In Kashmir – a frontline group of Kashmiri Pandit community and an initiative of the youth organized a prayer meeting and a candle light vigil at India Gate in memory of Major K.P. Vinay and Major Dinesh Raghuraman who were recently martyred in an operation of the Indian Army in Tangamarg Sector of Kashmir.

People were holding placards, which read, "We Salute our Soldiers", "End Terrorism" and "Terrorists Can Never be Successful" etc. The family of Major Dinesh Raghuraman as well joined them. Eighty year old grandmother of Major Dinesh could be seen accompanied by Dinesh's parents lighting candle in his memory.

Father of Major Dinesh Raghuraman holding a placard.

Eighty year old Grandmother tearfully lighting candles.


Family members of Major Raman paying tributes.

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A huge group of policemen was deployed at India Gate to stop our peaceful prayer meeting. Police tried to scuffle with people present and as well tore posters. Its sad that we as Indian's don't even have a right to remember our soldiers at a memorial specially built for our martyrs.

Police trying to scuffle with common people at the prayer meeting.

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As a nation we have so far remained mute in our admiration of these brave soldiers. Barring one TV Channel who paid tributes to these martyrs the rest have stood their ground of "Unbiased Reportage". It is thus up to us the Citizens of India that we stand by the families in their grief and Pride. It is up to us to show that we care for those who guard our frontiers said one of the protestors.

This as well is a befitting reply to Tangmarg MLA and ex-Housing minister Ghulam Hassan Mir a founder-member of ruling coalition partner PDP who offered fateh, special prayers, to grant heaven for the killed 9 millitants on last Thursday at the militants' graves two days after the three-day gun battle said another.

It is time nation and the media wakes up to this menance which doesnt have any qualms about attacking any religion,creed or caste.IOnly yesterady have we seen how these barbaric forces have attacked Ajmer Sharif with a view to create communal tensions.The fidayeen Attack on CRPF camp in Srinagar should silence all those who are for troop reduction and thus giving a free passage to terrorists.Unless the government comes down with a strong hand on the terrorists we may have to do these tributes time and again,which we are sure makes all of us sad and worried about the state of our nation.

Common citizens holding placards.



Media Reports

The Tribune (Picture)- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071013/delhi.htm

Kashmirnewz.com - Kashmiri Pandit Group flays minister for guerillas prayers

Purdafash.com - Candle Light Tribute for Martyred Soldiers

Also in The Asian Age, The Hindustan Times, Daily Excelsior etc.

Lest we forget...they laid their lives for us.

Don't let them go... These were the last words of critically wounded Major.Raghuraman fighting terrorists in Tangmarg sector of Jammu and Kashmir. True to their word Major KP Vinay and Major Raghuraman ensured none of the nine infiltrators could reach the valley.

Two young soldiers of the Indian Army, one who was about to be a father and another to be a bride-groom were martyred on 3 rd of October, while fighting forces of evil. They gave up their lives in the hope that this nation can sleep in peace.

As a nation we have so far remained mute in our admiration of these brave soldiers. Barring one TV Channel who paid tributes to these martyrs the rest have stood their ground of "Unbiased Reportage". It is thus up to us the Citizens of India that we stand by the families in their grief and Pride. It is up to us to show that we care for those who guard our frontiers.

Let us all assemble at India Gate on Friday,12th Oct, 07 at 6PM to pay tribute to these brave sons of the soil.

"Roots in Kashmir"

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For Further Information plz contact:

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Rashneek Kher - 9810049979

Sunil Bhat - 9911783469

Aditya Raj Kaul - 9873297834

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Please spread the word and forward this to as many as possible.

The Endangered Species by Rahul Pandita(in The Sunday Indian)

The simmers of the communal riots had just died away in Kashmir in 1986, when the then Union Minister of Human Resources SB Chavan came visiting the valley in connection with a wildlife conservation project. It was a project involving the Kashmiri Hangul (a species of deer), which had been declared as endangered species. As Chavan met people, a man appeared from behind and shot a question at him: "So Mr. Minister, you are very interested in saving the animal?" Chavan looked at the man and replied in affirmative. "But what about the other endangered species of this land?" the man said. "Which endangered species?" asked Chavan. "Kashmiri Pandits", replied the man, before disappearing in the crowd.
It has been almost eighteen years ever since Kashmiri Pandits were forced out of valley as terrorists called the shots. All these years, there have been many promises of bringing them back but, so far, it has not materialised at all. This is simply because the Pandits are not a formidable vote bank. As Pandits have been left alone to struggle against all odds, Kashmir has turned into a cottage industry. Human rights activists and self-styled intellectuals spend some time in the houseboats of Kashmir and then pen down book after book, sitting in the air-conditioned environs of Delhi's India International Centre. Amidst all the debris of case studies from the valley, the Kashmiri Pandits do not even figure as statistics.
But today, even the literacy rate among the community, which boasted of hundred percent literacy, is dwindling. Medical surveys state that the Kashmiri Hindus in exile have aged physically and mentally by ten to fifteen years. The Pandit intellectuals and leaders even apprehend that if such a trend continues at this pace only, one day the community may cease to exist. "The apathy towards Kashmiri Pandits is like a blister on the face of Indian secularism," says Dr. Agnishekhar, a community leader.
History bears a witness to the fact that Kashmiri Pandits have been known for their scholarly works in the field of philosophy, poetry, literature, grammar, erotics, drama, music and theatre and so on. It is also because of Pandits that Buddhism was propagated in Central Asia, China and Tibet . It was Ratnavaja, a Pandit from Kashmir , who was appointed as a supervisor for the rebuilding of Bsam-Yas monastery in Central Tibet, which was burnt in 986 A.D. A Kashmiri scholar Lakshmi taught Anutra tantra in Tibet during 1007 A.D.
But today, even the literacy rate among the community, which boasted of hundred percent literacy, is dwindling. Medical surveys state that the Kashmiri Hindus in exile have aged physically and mentally by ten to fifteen years. The Pandit intellectuals and leaders even apprehend that if such a trend continues at this pace only, one day the community may cease to exist. "The apathy towards Kashmiri Pandits is like a blister on the face of Indian secularism," says Dr. Agnishekhar, a community leader.

And back in Jammu , Poshkar Nath Raina sits in a mini bus, looking absently in thin air. He is missing his cow. He misses the apple tree in his backyard. He has not tasted the bodyuhaak and vostahaak (rare Kashmiri vegetables) for ages now. He looks at the fruit vendors selling apples. "Thirty rupees a kilo – Kashmiri apples," the vendor makes a sales pitch. "These and Kashmiri apples," Raina passes a sarcastic laugh, " you put a Kashmiri apple inside your mouth and it is filled with juice. The apples sold here are not even fit for animal consumption. Thirty rupees a kilo? Huh!" He looks at others. Nobody seems to be interested. He closes his eyes. And sitting amidst a heap of his canvasses, artist Triloke Koul whispers, "I feel I was not born at all."

J&K Govt. orders probe, will help Vipul in all possible manner

After the media stories, Ashok Kaul met the Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Mangat Ram Sharma. The minister has assured Kaul of the government's assistance for the treatment of his son.The state government has also ordered an inquiry into genuineness of the letter dispatched from the chief minister's office.''As far as this case is concerned, I have taken up this issue personally, I will sort out the issue and seek help from the chief minister. Inquiry has to be done, because a foolish letter has been written. No sensible officer will write this type of a letter,'' said Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister, Health and Medical Education.''The officer who wrote the letter can be punished. We will try and extend all possible help. Whatever the Chief Minister can do will be done,'' Sharma added.The family is now sincerely hoping that the minister delivers on his promise.

Vipul Kaul's mother Smt. Usha Kaul

Vipul in his mother's lap.

Healing touch or killing touch?

Vipul Kaul suffers due to official's apathy. (TIMES NOW)

http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=3192

The office of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister has refused to give financial aid to a 13-year-old boy who is battling for his life. In fact the government is playing the Article 370 card saying they are not bound by the Union Home Ministry's order to provide aid to the child.
Vipul Kaul, a 13-year-old son of a Class IV employee in Jammu and Kashmir's Public Works Department suffers from multiple diseases and is alive thanks to drugs that are costing his family a fortune.
Vipul's mother, Usha Kaul said,"I'm very scared. If he isn't given medicines, his life will be in danger". Vipul's family had petitioned former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah's government for aid and a s sum of Rs 20 Lakh was assured to them. But when the government changed, the aid stopped. The Home Ministry then intervened and advised the state to continue the aid.
The contents of the letter from the J&K official in reply to Home Minsitery's letter have also upset the state government as well. J&K Health Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma said," Strict action will be taken against the Secretary. I think the man is a 'mental case'. How can anybody snub the Home Minister's letter?" The apathy of the J&K state government has put the life of a hapless 13-year-old boy at risk.
But that ray of hope for the Kaul family now seems to have been cut short, stifled by the callous response from Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's secretary says, "The government of Jammu and Kashmir is not bound to obey the orders of the Home Department of India due to article 370 which gives special status to the state. hence your child's medical case cannot be settled.''
Vipul's father, Ashok Kaul said," This is not a healing touch, but a killing touch policy. They're playing with my son's life".
The contents of the letter from the J&K official in reply to Home Minsitery's letter have also upset the state government as well. J&K Health Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma said," Strict action will be taken against the Secretary. I think the man is a 'mental case'. How can anybody snub the Home Minister's letter?" The apathy of the J&K state government has put the life of a hapless 13-year-old boy at risk.

NDTV

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070028198&ch=10/4/2007%208:38:00%20AM

Art 370 or life: J&K family in a bind
Zaffar Iqbal
Thursday, October 4, 2007 ( Jammu)
Article 370 that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir is now becoming a point of debate between the Union Home Ministry and the Jammu and Kashmir government over the treatment of an 18-year-old suffering from a terminal illness.Eighteen-year-old Vipul suffers from cryptochidism, a terminal disease, and needs Rs 20 lakh for treatment.The state government had sanctioned Rs 14 lakh in 2001 but now refuses to pay more. Last year Vipul's father, a Class 4 state government employee, wrote a letter to the President who forwarded it to the Union Home Ministry. In May this year, the MHA asked the state government to do the needful. But the letter from state government said it is not bound to comply with the Centre's order according to Article 370. ''This is our fundamental right. Article 370 is meant for other purposes, not for this. It should be meant for saving life not taking it,'' said Ashok Kaul, Vipul's father.In 1991, the Kauls' migrated from Srinagar when militancy was at its peak. Soon Vipul was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder.He was operated twice at AIIMS in Delhi and has since been taking costly medicines.''The officer who wrote the letter can be punished. We will try and extend all possible help. Whatever the Chief Minister can do will be done,'' said Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister, Health and Medical Education.The family is now sincerely hoping that the minister delivers on his promise.

Pandits denied entry into temple in POK-HINDU

Shrine of Sharda,once the greatest seat of learning in ancient India..now in ruins

A slew of so called CBM's and GoI's Healing Touch Policy, as always leaves Pandits out.When thousands from across the border have visited Char-e-Sharief and Hazratbal,not even one Pandit has been given permission to visit the sacred shrine of Sharda in POK.

Read on....

Srinagar, Oct. 3 (PTI): Notwithstanding denial of permission by authorities, a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits yesterday tried to undertake a journey to Sharda Peeth temple, one of their revered shrines, in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir from here.
The 11-member delegation, however, was not allowed to proceed beyond the drop gate of army headquarters of the Uri brigade, 20-kms from the Line-of Control.
The delegation also contacted the sub-divisional police officer for the permission but he denied, saying it was the prerogative of the army.
The Kashmiri Pandits, under the banner of Pir Panjal organisation, chanting slogans 'Sharda Mata ki Jai' left from Durga Nag temple here for Kaman post in border town of Uri.
"Ours is a peace mission. We have been the worst sufferer of the animosity between India and Pakistan and our journey is an attempt to restore peace in the subcontinent," president of the organisation Ramesh Hangloo told PTI before embarking on the 120-km journey.
The KP leaders had requested India and Pakistan to allow them to visit the temple in PoK, but were denied permission.
The delegation was hopeful that they would be allowed to visit the temple in Atamuqam tehsil in Muzaffarabad.
Asked if they were not allowed to cross the LoC, they said its shows that the two governments were not serious about Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) announced so far.
Sharda temple, in Neelam (Kishanganga) valley just beyond the LoC in Pok, is located in a small village called Shardi near the confluence of Kishanganga and Madhumati rivers. It is one of most revered shrine of Kashmiri Pandits, and they want to go to undertake repair work of the temple.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200710030341.htm