Category: Columns
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Jammu’s political theatre is mute amid buzz of polls
By Sahil Mahajan The political theatre in Jammu is in a silent mode. At a time when the buzz of Assembly elections is filling the air, it appears that the political parties in Jammu appear to be immune to it as if nothing is happening , or nothing is going to happen. This silence is…
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India’s strategy to low-carbon development
By Bhupender Yadav With India marching towards Amrit Kaal, the centenary of the country’s Independence offers a significant milestone to the national efforts on sustainable development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for ‘sabkaprayas’ in meeting this milestone with provisions of basic amenities for all. As the Modi government is trying to expand the economy…
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The notion of stability and Jammu
Sahil Mahajan It is an irony with which Jammu has been living for long; the improved situation and connect with the Valley is crucial for stability and predictability of Jammu and Kashmir . Nothing has changed in this notion , both within the country and beyond its borders , even after its status was reduced…
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Jammu seeks its due, the roadmap is unclear
Sahil Mahajan Nowadays, it is a common refrain that Jammu should be given its due. Some veterans have joined the voices of a few spirited youth leaders demanding that the injustice meted out to Jammu region be undone. This is a very critical perception which prevailed in the region over the decades and continues to…
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Did Lord Rama visit Kashmir during his exile?
Shah Faesal In Kashmiri language, the word for rainbow is Rama Doon, meaning Rama’s Bow. Doon also means the bow string used for fluffing cotton by local quilt-makers. As a child growing up in a sleepy village close to the Line of Control, my fascination with this word, Rama Doon, surpassed the wonder evoked by…
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Kargil war victory and Jammu’s role
By Sahil Mahajan On Tuesday, the nation paid gratitude and tributes to the warriors who made supreme sacrifice, fought in high range of Himalayas in Ladakh in the summer of 1999 during the Kargil war. Soldiers are soldiers. They are identified by their uniform and their will to lay down lives to save their nation…
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Heritage and tradition
Gole Mela – Fair at ancient Jagan Nath Temple India is indeed the land of fairs and festivals. Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir marks no exception to it. The Fairs and festivals of our country boasts of our rich culture as well as religion and makes us realise that Hinduism is the oldest religion…
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Peshawar terrorist strike has many lessons for Pakistan
Jasbir Sarai On Friday, 04, March, a lone suicide bomber shot the police guards at the entrance of a packed Shia Mosque at Peshawar’s historic Qissa Khwani Bazar with a pistol. He then entered the Mosque and blew himself up in the middle of worshippers offering Friday prayers. At least 60 people were killed and close…
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Jammu got what it wanted – what next ?
Sahil Mahajan The second draft of the Delimitation Commission on Jammu and Kashmir has sprung some surprises if it is viewed from the previous landscape of the Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies. Some changes were inevitable, as the status quo that existed until October 30, 2019 had to go. That did, as the changes announced on…
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Time to fine tune policies toward J&K, hold elections
By Sahil Mahajan Last week Union Home Minister Amit Shah while unveiling the district good governance index for all the districts in Jammu and Kashmir, something which happened for the first time , underscored that his promise of restoring the statehood to J&K is unshakeable , and so is the commitment to hold elections in…