More of where I come from 🏔
Karombar Lake, Broghil Valley.
The Broghil Pass was the most dreaded “gap” in British defences against the Russians during The Great Game. It was part of GB till 1896 when the British merged it with Malakand Agency as part of their Forward Policy.
What a terrible year for Kashmir!
First, in the parliamentary elections they voted collectively on the basis of sentiment, only to eventually emerge that he was actually a mole for the very idea the vote was against!
Now the Macbethian betrayal on Art. 370.
Bulbulik Music School in Gojal Valley of Hunza, is a local venture to teach n disseminate indigenous forms of music: Rubab,Sitar and a violin-like instrument called γ̌ažək.
Much overlap with Kashmir and neighbouring Central Asia.
Hunza, as always so uplifting & inspiring ❤️
Kashmiri Civilisation has over millennia continued to awe and inspire the imagination of so many across a richness of its offerings. A few poor minds won’t take away much ~ Kashmiri Women in their traditional attire complete with Hookas and Kanghiri - Henry Guttmann 1900.
Had commissioned the following papier-mâché art work for a project I am working on. Such intricacy and skill of craft, beyond my expectations! Can’t thank Maqbool shb enough.
Also, my humble endeavour at preserving and promoting our indigenous craftsmanship.
Love all the gratitude flowing out of Kashmir for the Sikh Community. There is no bond greater than Humanity, no emotion more Sancrosanct than Compassion.
#KhalsaAid
you won our ♥️ “those who have loved are those that have found God” Guru Nanak
Being a native of Astore, it is with a v heavy heart that I appeal to the concerned authorities to look into the case of the drowned little angel from Astore ~ Gilgit-Baltistan, whose body was found in Gurez. I hope the body can eventually be repatriated on humanitarian grounds.
History Cautions:
“The country of Kashmir May be conqueredby the force of spiritual merit, but not by the force of soldiers” ~ Kalhana.
May Sanity and Better Sense prevail.
Beautiful Bangus Valley.
Hoping the Bungus Valley Project finally takes off, providing for eco-friendly and sustainable avenues of development & opportunity for its inhabitants.
A wellness centre modelled on similar enterprises at the foothills of🇨🇭Alps wud b a gr8 way fwd.
Unholy Alliance.
* JI supporting AIP
* AIP no candidates against main Apni party candidates Hasan Mir, Dilawar Mir etc
*Apni party coalescing with NC in Handwara, Budgam.
*NC supporting Apni party Chief in Chanpora.
JI + AIP + AP + NC
Walk the talk ?
Switch off the TV
#ManiacMedia
, turn off from Social Media, Go read a book, some meditation ~ good old gardening if possible. Reclaim your Sanity.
#SayNoToWar
esp. in Kmr we’re the first to get trampled.
Everyone has right to boycott but “selective conviction”🤔. Holding on to own perks why boycott, deprive wen empowerment to trickle down to grass roots level? Devolve ? Decentralise? Let’s c if leaders stick to it in future elections wen their own seats at stake
#Theatrics
Ladakh Division has been a long standing demand of the region, however to dispel notions of discrimination the HQ should be shared on rotational basis with Kargil which is more centrally located. Historically too the HQ of Ladakh Agency (est.1901) rotated b/w Skardu, Kargil n Leh
Ramadan Festivities in the heart of London💕
Embraced Diversity, Societal Evolution.
Beyond mere celebration on foreign shores, let’s embrace and imbibe in our own lands and allow the human spirit to triumph.
PC: Emadi’s rookie attempts at Urban Photography.
Passu Cones: One of the most fascinating and intriguing drives of a life time!
Kept taking me back to its magnificent histories: dissemination of Buddhism to the Orient, the “hidden road” of The Silk Roads, Sogdian trade fairs - rich exchange of peoples, ideas & civilisations.
“Badshah Woh kon hey,
Mehrebaan woh kon hey”
Serene!
Grateful as yet another blissful Ramzaan draws to an end. May the bounties of the festive season abound our lives, enriching and inspiring us to reflect and enact the true spirit of Islam. Amen.
A somber afternoon of quiet reading and I stumble upon this view from my balcony
#Magical
#DeepavaliCelebrations
The Hindu festival of
#Light
symbolising the spiritual “Victory of Light over darkness, Good over Evil and Knowledge over Ignorance”
#HappyDeepavali
Lamhu ney khatta ki thi,
Sadiyu ney saza payi.
The long road to erasure,
How did we get here, who and what facillitated the erosions,
By whome was the ideation of abrogating Article 370 first raised in 1981.
#Kashmir
’s treacherous political History !
How delightful. I earnestly believe the women of Gilgit are one of the most enterprising in the region, especially given the socio-traditional and cultural barriers they face.
This is crude exploitation.
They are simple folks with a limited world view. In Islam respect of other faiths and their places of worship is intrinsic.
This lady is creating malicious sensationalism with the intent of maligning an entire people and rendering them vulnerable.
Not unexpected.
Every time an indigenous Kashmiri mechanism takes shape (whatever the merit) without the diktat of either Islamabad or New Delhi, both powers become unanimous in their nullification of it.
Only goes to legitimise it further.
Revisiting my work on Gilgit-Baltistan, in complete awe of the Passes and Glaciated Pathways that dot the region ~ it’s intriguing geo-corridors : the mainstay if its strategic positioning thru ages.
A Trekkers Delight : most Dramatic Landscape ever
Bucket list : Someday IA!
Each generation of Abdullah’s has inflicted a betrayal on Kashmiris.
Lack of political space for genuine, grassroots leadership to emerge w/out being stunted or stymied by powers that be, remains the main reason for NC’s electoral monopoly not necessarily its popularity.
Took the opportunity to Pay homage to the Martyrs of 13th July, while also avail moments of silent reflection at the last resting place of Daddy.
“To Allah we belong and to him we shall return”.
No better way to start ones Kashmir sojourn than a serving of the v delectable “Batte Haak”.
Reminded me of being pleasantly surprised aboard a Turkish Airways flight recently where I was served a portion of savoury greens cooked in the peculiar Kashmiri style!
#TurkicLinks
Pedestrian City Centres with well preserved architecture ~ heritage, freshness in the air and a spring in the step : Residency Road, Srinagar (and adjacent area) could be our answer to this in Kashmir.
Nothing more rewarding than giving back to one’s home region. What more noble way than investment in Education and Enlightenment ~ A robust Human Capital, Responsible Citizenry and above all an Empowered People.
This was a proposal initially presented by Sajad Lone as erstwhile Minister of Social Welfare, duly resigned with time to the dust of bureaucratic wrangling (inter-ministerial rivalry too). Hope this time round it sees the light of day and provides succour where needed the most.
J&K Government to give free health insurance of Rs 5 lakhs to all residents of the UT. Around 1.25 crore people to be covered under this Univeral Health coverage scheme.
Somewhere in Baltistan, GB. Kudos to their resilience, perseverance and sheer Passion for Knowledge. Wish could be provided better learning environment. March on little Champs. May it all pay off one day.
Thank You Chef Gokhan for taking out the time to visit the interiors of Kupwara for an interaction with students.
I'm sure it was an inspiring session. How wonderful to be able to influence young minds towards a constructive and empowering outlook to life.
Was delighted to come across crisp reprints of these rare classics on Gilgit-Baltistan at
#GulshanBooks
Srinagar. Also included the works of G.T Vigne and William Moorcroft~ not in pic.
Totally taken aback by the passion and zeal of Sheikh Ejaz Ahmed shb towards his craft.
So happy to come across my Nana, late (AIGP)Abdul Hameed Khawar’s genealogical study of Gilgit-Baltistan’s history.
@AbidKhawar
Hope to add to the tradition.
Not a day goes by when I don’t miss,think of my father - a memory, a flashback, some situation.
On this day however, I celebrate him…. His life,his struggles,his unwavering conviction.
unshaken, unbroken, undeterred he stood tall.
The Spy Subterfuge
“And the wrong doers will have no helpers”
Surah Al Bakarah.
Had the efforts directed at bringing others down been channelled towards raising own bar, the results wudve been very different.
Bad business practices don’t necessarily apply in politics.
The past few days hve evinced not only the expediency of politics,the puerilty of thought processes but also the panic and desperation to actually hit so below the belt. We are all vulnerable to weaknesses. Let deliverance and performance b the touchstone not misplaced vendetta
It was an absolute delight meeting up. Look fwd to hearing you @ IIC on You’re talk on Afghanistan. Anyone interested in an insightful discourse on the conflict in Afghanistan by the very best on the subject can join in tommorrow on 23 October at 5 pm at IIC Delhi.
Retracing my Kashmiri antecedents
1. Nana: completed his matriculation from Srinagar
2. Naani: studied/grew up in Srinagar
3. Great Grandfather(Naani father): Represented Astore const. (GB) in Praja Sabha.
4. Great Uncle( Naani brother): studied at Amar Singh College, Sgr.
Where it all started ~ my first stop as a fresh QAU graduate. Still hosts one of the best resourced libraries in the country.
The winding boulevard leading to it, still as enthralling as it was all those years ago !
Perceived proximity to the BJP was a major pretext for defeat in Kashmir elections 2024. Yet individuals wid strong grass roots appeal & identification with the electorate successfully consolidated their seats defying the “tag”.
Foul-play by despised elements had a role too.
Thank you so much!
So blessed to have you all 🙏
One my biggest blessings in Kashmir has been your constant support, affection and camaraderie. May the bond continue to grow and thrive. 🤲
Rise n Shine always ✨
It was heartening seeing work underway at the Bio -technology Park in Handwara - Sample cultivation has already begun elsewhere.
This will allow value-added diversification of our agricultural yield (Aroma oils, medicinal herbs) while providing better profits to local farmers.
Alhamdullilah the formalities are under way and the body of little Abid will be handed over by this evening Inshallah, albeit in Teetwal rather than Astore due to logistic difficulties.
May Allah give the family Sabr-e-Jameel and no little angel ever suffer this fate again.
Expressing condolences, somber felicitations on exam results, heartbreaking solidarity on anniversaries - DEATH has become such an overwhelming reality of our existence in Kashmir. A Damocles Sword that hangs over each of our heads.
Oppose any changes to the special status of J&K (the little left) yet ironic that Gilgit-Baltistan was stripped of similar rights in early 1970's. As renewed debate over its status erupts need to reclaim indigenous rights over natural resources, land ownership & fiscal autonomy.
Sights and Sounds of the enchanting Mediterranean Coastline ~ the last specimen of architecture reminded me of Burns Road, Karachi ❤️
#Hometown
“Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” ~ Ibn Batuta.
Muslim population in India doubled from 68 million in 1981 to 172 million in 2011, Muslim MPs nearly halved from 49 in 1980 to 22 in 2014.
Their representation in parliament shrank from 9% in 1980 to 4% in 2014.