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

Friday, June 27, 2008

Today is a Special Day (Actually Night) for the University of Kashmir With the Telecast of Video Digest "Quest"

The video digest is the brainchild of Mr. Shahid Rasool Bhat, director of EMMRC and the recently appointed head of the MERC, with Abdullah Danish in the anchor chair

(Mr. Abdullah Danish Shervani, 25, a native of Baramulla, was born in the city of Khamees Mushayt, Saudi Arabia. As a child of expatriate parents in the Gulf, his early education was in schools run by the Indian Embassy in cities like Abha, Taif, and Jeddah. He graduated from high school in Aligarh before moving back to Baramulla where he pursued a B.Sc. degree in Mass communication and Multimedia Production from the local degree college. Currently, he is doing post-graduate studies in mass communication at the Media Education Researh Centre (MERC) of the Kashmir University. He is also a budding journalist, covering the campus beat for the newest city newspaper, The Daily Rising Kashmir. His interests include documentary film making, clearing misconceptions about Islam, and in general trying to make the world a better place to live in.)

KU to start university video digest ‘Quest’

Srinagar: Kashmir University, will start a 20 minute fortnightly video Digest “quest” to be telecast on Doordarshan Srinagar and its Kashmir Channel at 8.30 p.m every second and fourth Friday. The first episode of the quest, produced by Educational Multi Media Research Centre (EMMRC) will be telecast on 27th June at 8.30 p.m.

Vice chancellor, Kashmir University, in his message congratulated EMMRC for the production of the programme and said, “KU is the only university in India which produces both Radio and TV digest to highlight their activities. The aim of such programmes is to connect the University with then society. The digest will help society to know about our activities and the contributions we are making to shape the society for better.”

At a preview session held at EMMRC, chaired by dean academics Prof Aziz-ul-Aziz, Director Doordarshan, Dr Rafeeq Msudi, member advisory board of the digest said that he would look forward to more collaborations between EMMRC and Media education Research Centre (MERC) the two prestigious departments of the University.

The digest is produced by noted cinematographer Shafqat Habib of EMMRC and Prof Mohammad Yousuf, Prof M M Masudi, Prof Syed Fayaz Registrar, Shahid Rasool, director EMMRC and head MERC , Showkat Shafi, PRO KU , are in the advisory board of the digest.

The segments of the digest will range from university functions, university Seminars , campus buzz , media report, Sheikiul Alam sayings, Kalami Iqbal, meet the scholar, career counseling, and meet the visiting scholar to other important segments .Episode will start with the logo of the University followed by the montage. The anchor person will introduce the episode and the programme series . Noted graphic designer Akhtar Rasool will be the visual director of the programme and Danish Abdullah will anchor the programme . Shahid Rasool, director EMMRC and head MERC is coordinating the programme.

(Daily Etalaat)

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