Introduction to KashmirForum.org Blog

I launched the website and the Blog after having spoken to government officials, political analysts and security experts specializing in South Asian affairs from three continents. The feedback was uniformly consistent. The bottom line is that when Kashmiris are suffering and the world has its own set of priorities, we need to find ways to help each other. We must be realistic, go beyond polemics and demagoguery, and propose innovative ideas that will bring peace, justice and prosperity in all of Jammu and Kashmir.

The author had two reasons to create this blog. First, it was to address the question that was being asked repeatedly, especially, by journalists and other observers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, inquiring whether the Kashmiri society was concerned about social, cultural and environmental challenges in the valley given that only political upheaval and violence were reported or highlighted by media.

Second, the author has covered the entire spectrum of societal issues and challenges facing Kashmiri people over an 8-year period with the exception of politics given that politics gets all the exposure at the expense of REAL CHALLENGES that will likely result in irreversible degradation in the quality of life and the standard of living for future generations of Kashmiris to come.

The author stopped adding additional material to the Blog once it was felt that most, if not all, concerns, challenges and issues facing the Kashmiri society are cataloged in the Blog. There are over 1900 entries in the Blog and most commentaries include short biographical sketches of authors to bring readers close to the essence of Kashmir. Unfortunately, the 8-year assessment also indicates that neither Kashmiri civil society, nor intellectuals or political leadership have any inclination or enthusiasm in pursuing issues that do not coincide with their vested political agendas. What it means for the future of Kashmiri children and their children is unfathomable. But the evidence is all laid out.

This Blog is a reality check on Kashmir. It is a historical record of how Kashmir lost its way.

Vijay Sazawal, Ph.D.
www.kashmirforum.org

Saturday, April 12, 2008

How Has Corruption Usurped any Semblance of Normalcy in Kashmir? Hear From the Chief Minister Himself

Chief Minister Azad says most Kashmiris are corrupt

‘If I open Pandora’s Box 50% of people will land in jail’

Ganderbal, April 10: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday accused most of the Kashmiris including leaders and officials of being “corrupt” and said that if he opens the Pandora’s Box, 50 percent of Kashmiris would land in a jail.

“In past 20 years, most of the Kashmiri leaders worked in league with officials, like engineers, to plunder the wealth of the state through fake bills issued on forged construction projects,’ the Chief Minister said while addressing a gathering here in this newly formed district on the occasion of Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign organized by Press Information Bureau, to create awareness and disseminate information about the flagship programmes of the UPA government.

Azad said that If he “opens the Pandora’s Box, half of the Kashmir would land in a jail,”

In an apparent reference to the leaders from mainstream political parties the Chief Minister said, “I know every detail about all those leaders who have been plundering the state exchequer and who worked in league with officials and engineers for past 20 years. Those who think that I am unaware about the facts are mistaken.”

The Chief Minister said that his directions to the officials not to pass any bills without proper verification have made many leaders “uncomfortable.” “Many of them are feeling choked as they are unable to make easy money,’ Azad said, adding, “So they are hell bent on tarnishing my image.

”The Chief Minister claimed that 90 percent of the big houses and mansions that were constructed in Kashmir in past 20 years belong to those politicians and officers who “looted public money.”

(Shabir Dar in the Rising Kashmir)

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