They had come to Kashmir festival to know about the Vale and being pampered to fly to Srinagar. But they returned laughing over the theatrics of chief minister’s father Dr Farooq Abdullah.
On his part, Omar did what a chief minister is supposed to – hawked peace and the place. And then papa Farooq took over. His first attack was targeted on Omar who spoke English. “‘It was very nice to hear my son (Chief Minister Omar). But I must say that although I am married to an English lady, I am not married to English language,” Farooq said.
He then talked about peace but put the onus on of its advent on how Islamabad behaves. As he concluded and went to shake hands with his son, Omar refused. At the conclusion of the festival Farooq tried to be mature but ended up singing with boys and girls – hum houngay kamyab ek din!!
SKIMS
Dr Muhammad Yousuf Kanjwal, a US-based Kashmir cardiologist is attending SKIMS hosted 14-day workshop on Cardiac Electrophysiology and Radiofrequency ablation. His presence has helped many underprivileged patients. Kanjwal is a Professor of Medicine and Director EP lab, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA. Host doctors said the visiting expert not only extended clinical and technical help but was also helping arrange a generous support from Biotronic, USA. Kanjwal is the second Kashmiri origin doctor after Dr Fayaz Shawl who would spare time and help the needy back home. Shawl who was denied permission to set up a world-class cardiac facility in Srinagar is facing a criminal case in a Srinagar court.
SHEHR-i-KHAS
Non-lethal crowd control methods of police were questioned by the SHRC last week when a member of the headless commission suggested the state home commissioner to reconsider using excessive pepper-gun in densely populated areas. “Stone throwing is nothing new to Kashmir. We have been observing it for past five decades.
A group of dozens of youngsters involved in stone pelting could be dealt in a manner which would not endanger health of old, infant and pregnant women,” said Justice (retd) Fida Hussain in his notice served to the home commissioner and the state police chief. “For a sin of dozen of youngsters, thousands peace loving people could not be punished and their rights violated in any circumstance.”
Massive morbidity was reported in parts of the city last week after the pepper guns were used. Even doctors confirmed the problems that infants, women and aged faced. Mohammad Ahsan Untoo petitioned SHRC that issued a notice. Wait and watch.
LEH
Shangri La of J&K is changing and changing very fast. The latest positive change is that it will be hosting its maiden film fest on June 15-17, 2012. The Ladakh International Film Festival (LIFF) is aimed at drawing attention of the world and the world cinema towards the region. It is being organised by a Kerala-based former doctor-turned-filmmaker Melwyn Williams Chirayath, and his business partner at Monasse Films, Meghna Dubey. Shyam Benegal is the chairman of the festival. LIFF will showcase movies under four sections — World Cinema, Indian Cinema, Competition and Ladakh. It will include feature films, short films, animation films and documentary films. The endangered specie, Snow Leopard is LIFFs mascot.
BUDGAM
As the politicians are battling over the rights and privileges of the Panchs, the latest and most populous elected class are facing their bit in tackling the mighty executive. The latest was reported from Budgam where Dadaompora Sarpanch went to complain the scarcity of timber to the DFO only to be humiliated, allegedly. The Sarpanch, himself a retired government official, says the humiliation will force him to put in his papers. The officer has denied the charge but the storm could gush out of the teacup!
JAMMU
Last week Revenue Minister Ram Bhalla inaugurated Sharda Radio 90.4 FM at Buta Nagar. An initiative of the migrant Kashmir Pandits, Jammu’s Doordarshan Director Shabir Mujahid termed the community radio station as Awaz-e-Dard (voice of pain). Bhalla hoped the FM station would come up to the expectations of the displaced community and the other people living in peripheral area by promoting their culture, ethos and language. Slowly, Bhalla hoped, the radio station would increase its broadcasting timing.
