For many decades of its existence, Adbi Markaz Kamraz has remained a perpetual address to part of the literature that Kashmir produced. Almost all the writers, poets and theatre personalities of Kashmir have remained associated with the Markaz directly or indirectly.
But never ever has the Markaz been in such a sharp focus as it has been for last couple of years. The credit must go to Shujaat Bukhari, a journalist who is a great manager as well. He knows what to do and how to do. As secretary general of the Markaz he has not only managed surging its members but also has been instrumental in guiding his friends to create a centre in Sopore. Though it has around two million bucks for the project, state’s R&B Minister has recently volunteered to chip in for the help the centre may require. Sangharmal, a weekly Kashmiri newspaper that his family owns is giving away a gold medal to the topper of the Kashmir University’s Kashmiri department post-graduate.
In its recent history, holding its annual conference in Kishtwar is Markaz’s major and most impressive decision. In Srinagar it might sound a simple thing but it is a decision of Himalayan order if one sees it from the point of view of Kashmiri speaking people in Doda and Kishtwar. In fact, this has been the very first initiative of the valley’s Kashmir society that could give a feeling of oneness to the Kashmiris’ living beyond the mountains.
Earlier this summer Markaz sent busloads of willing participants from Srinagar through the Semthan Pass for a two night halt at Kishtwar. Some of them who visited Kishtwar for the first time were surprised that there is a host of population living on the other side of the mountains that speaks and literally dies for Kashmir and Kashmiri.
They made their own discoveries. After they heard the local singers perform, some of the participants, for some time, forgot their own star performers in Kashmir. One even claimed that they were at par with late Ghulam Hassan Sofi. Even the poetry was impressive.
The effort was acknowledged. Entire Kishtwar town, regardless of the ideological and communal moorings, felt thankful to the Markaz for conveying by conduct that Kashmir feels for the Kashmiri speakers beyond the valley. In fact, as Minister Ghulam Mohammad Saroori told in his speech, there were demands by other Kashmiri speaking areas like Bhaderwah to offer hosting such conference in immediate future.
As Markaz is gradually expanding its activities and area of interest, it may one day require to revisit its territorial limitation. By nomenclature, Kamraz, it is limited to north Kashmir but by conduct it works across the state. So better go for a change but ensure it does not have the same disastrous impact as conversion of Muslim Conference into National Conference had.
THE POWERLESS TROIKA
Kishtwar lives on the banks of Chenab, the powerhouse of the state. Dul hasti is located in the town itself. Over the years the power supply lines have gone into the length and breadth of the area. In fact the last village after crossing the Semthan Pass is also electrified. But deep into the woods where all the hamlets are electrified, three villages do not have access to power. These are Kidroo, Kalam Sai, and Begpora which are at the centre of the Chatroo tehsil. Local electric department inspector said it has an interesting reason. He said around 15 years back, the government was laying the power distribution lines in the belt. Then, a resident in Kishtwar was killed in an electric shock. As the news reached these villages, they came out of their homes and sat on a protest saying the electric lines may not be laid in their belt because of the inherent dangers involved. Since then, when all the hamlets around them are having electricity they continue to have candle lit dinners. Now, the inspector said, they want electricity but the district plan lacks money to electrify them!!
CHATROO’S CRIMES
At one point of time, Chatroo belt located in the valley between Kishtwar and the Semthan Top was a great refuge of the fugitives. But with the passage of the time, it is more peaceful now. The local police officer informed that the killing of a BRO engineer and some of his workers that was reported early last year was not a militant activity. It was actually a problem between some of the contractors over the distribution of booty that they were making during laying of the road. The murder has been solved. The gang has been arrested and is cooling heels in jail. But, what is the next big crime that you are solving now after militancy is over in Chatroo belt? The police officer said it is kidnapping of women!!
OVER TO LAZINESS
J&K Bank managed declaring Doda a backward and hard area. This helped state’s only listed company to appoint a number of men and women to manage the banking in the belt that is highly mountainous and really hard. They grabbed their jobs and made a good start. The bank saw its credit off take going up and the deposits surging as well. All of a sudden, the state government’s education department started recruiting people and a number of young men and women were selected as teachers. The result – forty percent of these people resigned and joined the service as teachers. Why? It is hard to serve the bank. It is better to be teacher – 10 to 4 and one quarter off!! No work, no tension!
TAIL PIECE
Throughout the two day conference, the speakers felt acknowledged to Kishtwar for producing great saints and poets. Even Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, the most revered poet saint of Kashmir, had his origins in Kishtwar and all the speakers mentioned it. But everything has an anti-climax. When Mashaal Sultanpuri, the multi-tasking erstwhile academic took over to thank, he tried to credit Kishtwar for creating Papa Kishtwari, the Pampore based, currently detained, counter-insurgent. Though the audience said he never belonged to Kishtwar, the distaste was visible and clear.
