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 Vol: 1 | No.: 1 | June 15, 2011/Project Work
Special ways for special ones
Bijbehara, Apri 14: Donning in
white and blue colour apparel the
children in this 8 room, double sto-
ry, concrete building are absorbed
completely in their assigned tasks.
Although in their childhood they
are yet different from other chil-
dren. Unlike other schools more si-
lence and little movement wel-
comes any visitor. They take
you more seriously and care-
fully. They are of different age
groups, hues and colours but
they are still similar in a cer-
tain way. They are tender and
innocent like all other chil-
dren. Yet they are the ones
who can’t be described as a
privileged lot.
This is what describes the
locale and inhabitants of
Helpline Special School for
Differently Abled Children,
the first of its kind founded by
Humanity Welfare Organisa-
tion, Helpline in south Kash-
mir at Bijbehara, Anantnag.
The school provides the much
needed education to the spe-
cially abled children of the
area.
The school, founded in the
year 2007, besides basic edu-
cation imparts computer edu-
cation and vocational training
to its students. The main aim
of this initiative is to make the
children with disabilities inde-
pendent so that they can’t be-
come burden on the society.
“These differently abled chil-
dren also have capacity to pos-
itively support the society. The
only thing is to identify their
special traits and fine tune
them” said chairman of the
founding organisation, Javaid Ah-
mad Tak, himself bedridden due to
spinal cord injury, while describing
the motive behind setting up this
institute.
Registered with Jammu and
Kashmir Social Welfare Depart-
ment under Persons with Disabili-
ties Act, the school has a staff
strength of 20 persons for 35 stu-
dents on roll. “For 35 students on
roll the school has 4 general line
teachers and 3 rehabilitation thera-
pists besides two caretakers to take
care of these students” revealed
school principal, Masarat Tabasum
Andrabi.
All the students enrolled in the
school are provided with transpor-
tation facility and charged mini-
mally as per the economic back-
ground of their families. “Students
are charged very less taking the fi-
nancial position of their families
into consideration and it starts
from a meagre sum of Rs 50 per
month” said Andrabi. She also ad-
mits that due to conveyance con-
straints the school denies admis-
sion to a couple of students daily
MAIL
comming from far off places.
Sometimes the school in col-
laboration with other institutions
send their students for vocational
training outside their institute to
train them in other courses as well.
“Recently a group of ten students
completed a six-months Computer
Diploma through Government
Polytechnic College Srinagar” said
Tak. There are other skills impart-
ed to students to make them able to
earn their livelihood. “The students
are trained to make various kinds
of decorative items from waste
products like ice-cream sticks, jute
balls and waste paper” proclaimed
Andrabi.
Moreover the school also offers
religious education for moral devel-
opment of students along with Mu-
sic and ADL (Activities of Daily
Living) on daily basis. “Different
kinds of therapies like Physiothera-
py for Orthopedically challenged,
Speech Therapy for Orally im-
paired students and Braille system
for Visually impaired students
are provided in different
grades” remarked Feroze Ah-
mad, one of the Rehablitation
Therapist in the school. He
also maintained that students
with intellectual imperfection
are given lessons to change
their behaviour. This helps
them grow normal and join
any mainstream institute.
However students with vi-
sual or oral disability compul-
sively attend normal institu-
tions in absence of any special
schools. But due to resource
and time limitations they are
not given the due attention
there. “Prior to this I was at-
tending a local school but i
was unable to learn anything
as due care was not provided
to me in the classroom of
about 30 students” expressed
Saima Jan, a visually im-
paired student of 5th grade.
Students are educated
and evaluated on the basis of
differently moduled programs
called IEP’s (Individualized
Education Programmes). In
this system of education
programmes are made ac-
cording to the capabilities
and needs of the students.
“At the onset of the academ-
ic session different IEPs are
set for different students.
Their progress is checked quar-
terly to bring in any modifica-
tions if required and promoted to
next grade after evaluation at
the end of the session” said An-
drabi. She also reiterated the
need of inculcating the concepts
of Time, Money and Seasons in
the children who are suffering
from intellectual inefficiency.
Continued on P6
 Morning Mail 2

Politics of upgradation

Students continue to suffer for lack of proper

education infrastructure

Bijbehara, Apri 20: Since past making basic requirements like and other necessary facualties. date the students of these extra
half a decade the state government teachers and classrooms available Higher Secondary School Sirhama classes we used to teach them under
is busy in upgradation of schools in to the stu- has same teaching staff strength the open sky. So whenever the cli-
the whole of valley. These schools dents” asked except few contractual lecturers mate is not favourable we used to
infact upgraded on papers but the Bashir Ahmad comming each year for some period send the students of lower classes
situation seldom changes on Pala, a local of time. “A contractual lecturer in back home” said Muhammad Ayoub,
ground. The infrastructure and resident whose each subject is Headmaster of recently upgraded
manpower of these schools is not
promoted proportionately. This
daughter is go-
ing to the same But the root cause of this sent for a brief
time period and
Middle School, Guree, Bijbehara.
Another Higher Secondary at
only helps these schools to go from
bad to worse. While the students
s c ho ol .T he
people are
malfunctioning of our there is not a
single perma-
Kullar has nothing which could
make it eligible to call it a higher sec-
are at the receiving end there
seems none to come forward from
question i ng
the serious-
education system came out nent lecturer ap-
pointed in this
ondary. It is housed in a two storey
building having only 8 rooms for
the establishment to drive them ness of the au- to be political in nature. “It is school although classes starting from 9th grade.
out of this mess. thorities in having a vacan- “Neither we have any laboratory nor
In zone Bijbehara 35 schools their efforts to actually the politicians who cy of two lectur- any Library available here. How
have been upgraded from Primary
to Middle in the past 6 years and 12
provide quality
education in make mess of every right ers in each sub-
ject” revealed
could we demonstrate the practicals
to the students incorporated in their
from Middle to High schools while
the High Schools of Sallar, Kullar,
their schools.
“Since govern-
thing here. They upgrade Ajaz Ahmad
Ganaie, a teach-
syllabus. It is sheer deception with
the students” said a Zoology Lectur-
Sirhama and Marhama have been
upgraded to Higher secondary
ment schools
have only chil-
schools senselessly in their er in the school.
Students
er, Riyaz Ahmad Khan working on
contractual basis.
schools in the same period. The in- dren of poor and respective areas without also showed Almost none of these schools
frastructure at few places has been illiterate par- their disap- have the facility of loos. In many of
upgraded slightly but the manpower ents on roll so following any proper pointment as the schools students are made to sit
is same in most of these schools.
Some of the schools with huge
least attention
is paid towards procedure and conduct to they are not
given proper
on dusty, old mats. Schools like
Middle School Hugam and Mehand
number of students are supported
by only a couple of teachers. A pri-
their advance-
ment by the
drive a political mileage out attention in
the absence
are housed in 5 room buildings
with one room reserved for official
mary school established 4 years
ago in a 2 room quarter at a small
people at the
helm of affairs”
of it” explained Mohd Sultan of adequate
staff.
work. “Government schools are not
provided with least required mate-
hamlet called Batagund near Bi- said a local boy Parray, a retired ZEO. T h e rial and infrastructure that is the
jbehara has just 2 ReT (Rahber e Rizwan Hussain, a post graduate schools which main reason why the performance
Taileem) teachers for seventy five student of Botany at University of have been of these schools is dismal” said Dil-
students. “How can government Jammu. upgraded have posed another prob- shada Habeeb, Headmaster of Mid-
make tall claims of providing qual- Often these schools are without lem for their students. “As we don’t dle school Mehand.
ity education in its schools without any facilities of library, laboratory have sufficient space to accommo- Continued on P6
 3 Morning Mail
Valley temples in shambles
Srinagar, Apri 28: Locked,
neglected, deserteed, unclean
with stinky ambience, whirled
in garbage, gaurded by barbed
wire, are the words which de-
scribe none other than a Tem-
ple situated in my birthburg.
The Temple which was once
buzzed, illuminated, reverbra-
ted and taken utmost care of
by its devotees. Although the
temple is there in replica as
left by its caretakers. But it
only craves for devotees who
with belief bow their foreheads
on its doorsteps, ring its bells
in devotion and admiration,
pray with pure heart for the
peace of mind. The Temple
still stand , calling unto its
priests to sing in devotional
tone the verses from Geeta
and Mahabarata. To decorate
its walls, beautify its sur-
roundings the Temple stands
waiting its worshippers to be
backThis is not the description
of only temple of my birth burg.
Same holds good for others
across valley which remain
unattended after the mass ex-
odus of pandit community.
They may have settled at plac-
es with their kith and kin ex-
celling in different fields of
prosperity. But religion also is
inseperable part of life which
balances all other aspects to
run life smoothly. The reli-
gious ethos of pandit commu-
nity is ‘non-existant’ where
they are living in bits and piec-
es. They lose their community
setup which was a cohesive
force for them in valley. The
flavour and charm of their fes-
tivals celebrated with muslim brethern is an
entity never to be resurrected in the land they
migrated What if they come across
with abundant career building opportunities
there. Their children will never be identified as
‘True Kashmiri Pandits’. They will never wit-
ness with what traditional fervour and zeal the
‘Shivratri’ was observed. How gifts and wal-
nuts were exchanged inbetween Kashmiri
Pandits and Muslims would be an unwitnessed
part of their life. They will not know anything
about their holyplaces with which their rich
religo-cultural ethos were associated. Those
places which were enshrined by their ancestors
and kept beloved more than their lives. They
passed on them nicely to their inheritors but
said with heavy heart that today they are
claimed by none. The places of whorship which
were dazzled with elegant décor are today en-
gulfeed by solitary hush. The festiveness has
faded away and substituted by
stinging stillness.
None to blame, but they need
to give a second thought to the
decision of reaching back to their
homeland. If not for the sake of
land but for that warmth and
brotherhood which never allowed
the two communities to colour
their hands with each other’s
blood, whatever the situation
prevailed. If not for the sake of
beauty of kashmir but for the
sake of the rituals and customs
which were differentiating them
from other Hindus. Those rituals
and customs which were exer-
cised by them only in this part of
land. The freedom of thought
and belief which they enjoying
here should undeniably return
them back.
The sacred places called
Temples are waiting for them.
The gods in these temples need
them. They want to be wor-
shipped upon. Because their di-
vinity costs nothing without
showing humility and courteous-
ness. They need to be prayed
upon. They are ready to shower
their blessing on you. They have
fixed their eyes on bells, to bap-
tise with good fortunes, anyone
ringing them in belief and hope.
They are waiting to be garland-
ed and prayed for wishes to be
fulfilled. They are waiting for
the flowers which devotees sprin-
kle on them during ‘Pooja’. They
are waiting to fill their laps with
all sorts of joy and happiness.
But the only precondition is they
need to be back.
Something need to be done,
The sacred places someone should come forward to
take care of these safe heavens on earth. Or-
called Temples are ganisations like Panun Kasheer and others are
waiting for them. there to struggle for the betterment of this com-
munity. But there is hardly one to heed for
The gods in these these holy places. Darmath trust has take on to
do the job but visually they haven’t done more
temples need them. to turn the situation to positive direction. Some
They want to be 20 temples which are very famous and visited
frequently by tourists are managed by them.
worshipped upon. These temples are having a lot of income in the
shape of money offered by visitors and hence
Because their feeding their caretakers themselves. Others
divinity costs being the property of kashmiri pandits and le-
gally not permitted to lay hands on. Therefore
nothing without in this scenario it is imperative and beyond any
doubt that kashmiri pandits need to be back.
showing humility Their courage and self ersteem would never let
and courteousness. them to sacrilege these sacrosanct places. Their
ego and religious faith will not let them to re-
ject the call from their gods.

BOOK REVIEW
Arvind Adiga’s White Tiger worth a ride
Progress made by India in the
fields of science and technology is
not enough to make your opinion
about this ‘developing nation’.
There is something more which in-
fact beneath our nose is not given
the due attention but constructs
the ethos of this ‘progressing’ state.
The rot engulfing this country that
lies deep into its social, political
and economic set-up merits to have
an inquisitive look. This decay has
consumed badly the socially and
economically deprived class of this
society. It has also encroached into
the tenets on which the foundation
of this nation was laid by its archi-
tects.
Much hasn’t been put in writ-
ing on this subject, though it de-
serves attention like any of the is-
sues of ‘national interest’. The
expectations are high as far the
social fabric of this country is con-
cerned but not something out of
bounds for its intellectuals. The
White Tiger by Arvind Adiga, a
novel in receipt of man Booker
Prize, 2008 is really an exercise
which demands appreciation in
this direction. It is not only the con-
tent of the book which captivates a
person but the style of writing and
use of language absorbs a reader so
much that he feels attached with
the characters somewhere where
mechanical relations cease to exist.
Adiga has beautifully but sarcasti-
cally brought forth the shoddy state
of affairs engrossed in the system
of this country that the inhabitants
of this land has now accepted as a
fiat accompli.
Adiga has dwelt on the plethora
of subjects concerning everyone
and everyday affairs constructing
the physical and psychological
make-up of the society. Although
the author has taken a different
route while substantiating his ar-
guments yet there is no moment
where one can clearly counterfeit or
contradict him in clear terms. Adi-
ga has creatively made every major
institution of the country the sub-
ject matter of his novel. It compels
one to do nothing but to praise him
for such a skill and capacity which
potentially promises of his augur-
ing into a writer the nation could
bank upon.
The author describes humor-
Morning Mail 4
ously the grave cases of corruption perity. The book also reveals how desist from under the harsh cir-
and highhandedness common to the village life- its customs, tradi- cumstances of its ‘fast life’.
all the institutions whether poli- tions and values- becomes impedi- The environment in metropoli-
tics, judiciary, police or much talk- ments in the path of the develop- tan cities of this nation has also
ed about corporate sector. Parallels ment of this class. How rural been dissected comprehensively.
drawn in between the poor rural population is stacked under the Adiga has used a driver (named
and rich urban life has been done heavy burden of various implacable Balram) of a private car of a busi-
in a pure and pragmatic manner. impositions which ultimately ren- nessman, as a main character in
Amazing details of exploitation of ders this populace unproductive this novel. How the city life erodes
poor at the hands of their wealthy and halts the growth and advance- his innocence gradually and tough-
masters and how their misery is ment of these areas. ens him so much that he commits a
made to metamorphose into the Migration of these countryside cold blooded murder of his master.
luxury of those who owe them are labourers towards cities giving Although he was once respecting
impressive. These lucid details birth to slums there is the direct him so much and was of the belief
craftily converged into an ever-in- result of the inhuman approach of that masters are equivalent to par-
ents for a servant. When his self
became indulged in various acts of
debauchery remains mystery to
this fellow.
When once strange appearing
Delhi life drives him to embark on a
path which desecrates his soul and
corrupts his mind never gets re-
vealed. Balram runs away to Banga-
lore with the bag, full of cash and es-
tablishes his own Travel Company
there without having an iota of em-
barrassment. Adiga has successfully
tried to display the proportion of in-
sensitivity a person acquires unde-
sirably under deceitful city life set-
tings. He exemplifies it by presenting
the meanness of Balram as he was
sure his action would cost him the
spiring account village land- lives of all of his family members in-
needs much analy-
sis supplemented
These lucid details lords towards
this class of so-
cluding his elder brother.
Adiga has also mentioned the
by good experi- craftily converged ciety. Major social set-up of this state for which
ence, devotion and causes of hun- he has used the metaphor of ‘Roost-
articulation infact into an ever- ger and diseases er Coop’. He believes the social
all traits beauti-
fully expressed by
inspiring account can be traced to
the mode of life
bondages and long established,
deep ingrained values of the rural
the author to lend
the book a predi-
needs much these ‘human
beasts’ are co-
areas of this nation as powers re-
sponsible for the under-perfor-
lecting touch. The analysis erced to live mance of its populace.
book thus de- there. In these How democracy works in this
mands less exhibi- supplemented by neo-modern cit- country is not any boon but a bane
tion of concentra-
tion, thoroughly
good experience, ies dignity and
honour of this
for its people. Vote bank politics
and its dishonest politicians has
mixed with enter-
taining bouts
devotion and human lot be-
comes subser-
made this institution a least trust-
ed one from which all other shades
hence evades any articulation infact vient to their of evil are radiated out. All this has
possibility of men- survival. Ev- reduced it into a money minting
tal fatigue. all traits beautifully ery deed, irre- machine operated only by few men
Adiga illus-
trates how blood
expressed by the spective of its
legal position,
with long hands. Voters are sold
like stocks before elections and
and sweat of the
impoverished hu-
author to lend the which guaran-
tees them to
election manifestoes often repeated
special songs sung in election sea-
man lot is the book a fetch some- son to lure the gullible people.
strength of every thing in terms Lack of development in this na-
edifice signifying predilecting touch. of cash or kind, tion is ascribed by author to the
power and pros- is inevitable to Continued on P6
 5 Morning Mail
Dwindiling reading habits
among Valley youth
Reading is a habit, develops gradu-
ally over a span of time in any per-
son. It stays longer, develops per-
sonality both creatively and
aesthetically. societies having huge
readership are more developed and
more empowered. Thus helping
their nations to lead on the indices
of development.
CONCERN: Valley having a
population of about 7 million people
with 70% literacy rate is not show-
ing encouraging trend in its reader-
ship. Although a chunk of popula-
tion is capable enough to crack the
prestigious competitive examina-
tions at state and national level.
Yet the reading habit is not picking
up at the rate proportional to its
educated lot.
People here love to debate is-
sues ranging from their internal
matters to international affairs
with great zeal at Barber Shops
and other shop fronts. But they
lack adoration for literature and its
allied branches. The two decade
long conflict may have played a role
in the extension of such a behav-
iour. However it is not the only rea-
son to put blame on.
History bears testimony that
readership in Kashmir was always
less but whatever miniscule size of
population reads was of great im-
pact. With the advent of time peo-
ple failed to absorb it in their cul-
ture. This perhaps can be attributed
to our lack of imagination and pru-
dence. And people here are hardly
aware of its consequences as there
seems no need of it at any juncture
in life.
CAUSES: There is no paucity
of reasons to which this lackdaisi-
cal approach of the masses can be
ascribed to. Different opinions ra-
diate out, converging at a point
that this flaw hasn’t any positive
connotation as far the intellectual
upliftment of this community is
concerned. Although our youth
have proved their metal in every
field, they cease to envisage the
benefits of extra reading. Thus hin-
dering their advancement towards
this important facet of knowledge.
The causes believed to be in-
strumental in shaping such an at-
titude in us are few in number.
Many people critisize the way chil-
dren are brought up here. Among
them is Abdul Majeed Muzmar,
Head of Department, University of
Kashmir. He says “The culture of
reading is not well developed here
as in west so children are not ex-
posed to such environment which
could establish this habit in the on-
set of their developmental years”.
He also believes that the way
our education system has been de-
vised is equally responsible for the
dismal performance. “Our teach-
ing and examination system has
lacunae in it. They are formulated
to impart and check the superficial
A sense needs to be
nourished passionately in
our kids from the
inception of their
development. They
should harbour a kind of
madness for the books.
They should go after
every new book hitting
the stalls. And this is
well in target if parents
are ready to walk this
extra mile.
information of the person not the
overall knowledge” he asserted.
This means we are heading to-
wards the wrong direction. We are
only churning out informative not
educated individuals.
Other opinions regarding lack-
lustre approach emanates from
Head of Department English, Uni-
versity of Kashmir, she puts the
onus on parents particularly the
working mothers. Professor Lily
Want explains it by quoting the ex-
ample of working mothers who pre-
fer to make their wards sit before
TV or provide them any other gad-
get to engage them, rather than
providing any story or comic book
to read. This could definitely have
inculcated the habit of extra read-
ing in them in their childhood and
would remain with then through-
out their life.
The other ‘curse’ Professor Lily
thinks is responsible for this is ‘per-
centage craze’. “Students only
think of education in terms of per-
centage they acquire in their ex-
ams. Hence they only focus on their
curriculum. They seldom get any
time to look at other things as they
always try to find shortcuts to
achieve the desired” she regretted.
CURE: For every ailment un-
der the sun there is a remedy avail-
able to it. The only struggle one is
supposed to do is to choose the most
appropriate one. Experts also for-
ward some solutions to correct this
historical malpractice of our soci-
ety. They are sure about the effec-
tiveness of such measures in case
they are implemented in letter and
spirit.
It is ascertained that an initia-
tive is required to overhaul our ed-
ucation system by accommodating
books or topics other than general
curriculum. Simultaneously the
syllabus also needs to be worked
out anew to make it a bit flexible.
There is a dire need to change our
methods of evaluation and exami-
nation. Whether competitive or ac-
ademic, examinations should ex-
hibit overall competitiveness of an
individual.
A sense needs to be nourished
passionately in our kids from the
inception of their development.
They should harbour a kind of
madness for the books. They should
go after every new book hitting the
stalls. And this is well in target if
parents are ready to walk this ex-
tra mile. Teachers particularly who
teach at primary level should take
it as their responsibility to aware
students about the benefits of extra
reading. They can bring some liter-
ary material like short stories,
comic books into classrooms and
recite there. This could also make a
remarkable difference.
Other measures which can be
fruitful in this direction include ex-
posing our children to external en-
vironment. Create avenues or plat-
forms where they can have
interaction with the students of
outside states. This could give them
idea about the challenges and pos-
sibilities of reading beyond the ex-
amination point of view.
CONCLUSION: All said, the
time is to act now. It is not any-
thing to discuss or debate only. Ef-
forts are demanded at both indi-
vidual and collective level,
household to state level and local to
regional level. Negligence at any
stage can sabotage the whole pro-
cess, which is least affordable.
The inevitable consequences in
absence of any corrective measures
are that society will be unable to
produce intellectuals who can
think of any new social order. We
will be producing only literates
whose creative faculty would be
dead. They will be suffering, what
experts call ‘an atrophy of imagina-
tion’. Chances are bright that it will
lead to incompetitiveness which
will progress from generation to
generation, hence contaminating
the whole community.

Special
ways
Although the initiative is
applauded by one and all but
the void has not been com-
pletely filled. “This is a good
step and demands apprecia-
tion but it is not enough” said
Feroze. He demanded empa-
thetic approach from intellec-
tuals and civil society to-
wards this important issue.
“The present model in vogue
here is Charity based instead
of Human Model practised
elsewhere” lamented feroze.
Students
continue
Students of Govern-
ment Middle School Boys
Bijbehara, few meters
away from Zonal Educa-
tion Office Bijbehara,
are complaining of sev-
eral hardships as the
school is housed in a pri-
vate, partially gutted
building for the previous
15 years. “The school is
damaged and not reno-
vated properly. Class-
rooms are poorly lit and
there is no facility of
electricity available in
Arvind
Adiga’s
corruption and red-tapism
which has spread its tenta-
cles at every level. Every per-
son rich or poor has his mus-
cles stretched to pounce on
anything he is able to snatch
from other beings. Adiga has
summed-up this phenome-
non in the oft-quoted lines-
In olden days there
were thousand castes and
He calls government inter-
vention imperative as the
process is highly cost ridden
and also for wide-area cover-
age.
Nodoubt students are feel-
ing at ease in this particular
school but still the prescribed
standard in the absence of
proper infrastructure has not
been yet achieved. “Currently
we are putting up this school
in a rented building and
therefore we have limited op-
tions to make modifications
in its design” admits Tak. Si-
multaneously he blamed es-
tablishment for non-utiliza-
tion of funds and only
providing a chunk of it to
“blue-eyed” persons on “polit-
ical affliations”. Tak also cas-
tigated government for not
the school” exclaimed
Ashfaq Ahmad Dar, a
student of 8th grade in
the school. Other stu-
dents also protested
along Ashfaq for not
shifting their school to
any feasible location.
Authorities seem to
be aware about all these
shortcommings but they
try to prove themselves
innocent and helpless in
this matter. “Primary
education is necessary to
be imparted free every-
where and measures are
in place to upgrade any
school along with infra-
structure and manpow-
er. It takes time as every
government process has
its own course to follow”
thousand destinies in In-
dia.
Now there are just two
castes- Men with big bel-
lies and Men with small
Bellies and only two desti-
nies- eat or get eaten up.
Regarding the life of those
who live on the mercy and
bounty of elites, author has
come up with the bold conclu-
sion. Adiga has compelled
these people to have determi-
nation and will to break
these shackles to free them-
selves forever. He makes it
amply clear that the only way
out is everyone should overt-
ly or covertly came out of this
predicament employing
transferring a piece of land to
his organisation identified for
the establishment of college
cum residential complex even
after completion of all neces-
sary formalities for more
than a year now.
Despite clear guidelines
from Supereme Court of In-
dia and Rehabilitation Coun-
cil the state government re-
mains unmoved on the plight
of this populace. “There must
be a rehabilitation centre in
every zone with atleast two
special educators to cater this
significant section of popula-
tion. Besides this all legisla-
tions pertaining to the well
being of disables must be im-
plemented at an earliest by
our state as well” explained
Feroze. This he suggested
revealed Abdul Hameed
Shah, Zonal Education
Officer (ZEO) Bijbehara.
However he fails to give
any satisfactory answer
about the malpractice of
upgrading schools well
before time of upgrading
its infrastructure and
enhancing its manpow-
er.
Many reasons came
to surface on exploring
the main cause behind
this problem. But the
root cause of this mal-
functioning of our educa-
tion system came out to
be political in nature. “It
is actually the politicians
who make mess of every
right thing here. They
upgrade schools sense-
whatever means he is able to
take. The author gives the
feel that on earth the rela-
tions are only based on mate-
rial calculations. The rele-
vance of any person among
his inmates is until the per-
son is worth earning. Once
he exhausts or becomes im-
paired during this course his
fate becomes like that of an
old horse, which is neither
suitable for stable nor for
slaughter house.
Put it simple the book is
straightforward and truth-
ful in its account. It is a pack-
age in itself. You can’t help
yourself without applauding
the efficiency of author to
Morning Mail 6
can definitely make sharp
difference on the ground.
Humanity Welfare Or-
ganisation, Helpline is a Non
Governmental Organisation
running on public donations.
In addition to this Special
School, it runs public welfare
campaigns like environment
safety awareness, awareness
about the rights of disables,
providing financial and ma-
terial help to poor and need-
ful students. The volunteers
of this organisation helps in
immunization of children
during pulse polio and other
health campaigns. It is col-
laborated in most of its en-
deavours including in the
running of this special school
by a Delhi based organisa-
tion- Child Rights and You.
lessly in their respective
areas without following
any proper procedure
and conduct to drive a
political mileage out of
it” explained Mohd Sul-
tan Parray, a retired
ZEO.
Every effort which
can streamline the edu-
cation system anywhere
else proves out to be
more disastrous here.
The nub of this whole af-
fair lies in our impru-
dent planning and wrong
policies. This only leads
us towards more disor-
der. Hence need is to
have a relook on all this
and work selflessly so
that we could also envis-
age a better future.
smoothly interconnect such
diverse subjects into one
compact and complete novel.
Distributing the content cre-
atively into chapters with
headings as if periods of sto-
rytelling (First Night, Third
Night, etc) is a very unique
way. This makes it easy to
read and understand.
No doubt one can have
divergent opinions with re-
spect to the real essence be-
hind the compilation of this
novel. It can only serve as
fodder for a good debate
which in my opinion is a sign
of its being a nice piece re-
cently added to English lit-
erature.
 7 Morning Mail
Spun to deprivation
Srinagar, May 16: Rotate this
wheel for whole day and your
earnings will not be more than
rupees ten to fifteen. Still there
are thousands of Kashmiri par-
ticularly rural women whose
fingers never feel tired spinning
on this otherwise penny produc-
ing wheel. Is it their compulsion
or gullible nature which has
stiffened the stand of traders so
much that no hike has been reg-
istered in the wages from the
past couple of decades? Although
the price of commodities made
from this spinned wool has in-
creased many folds during the
same period.
While the people associated
with this trade at higher eche-
lons are well-to-do and lives a
very luxurious life, it is only
poor, basic workers who get pea-
nuts. This facet of Kashmiri
handicraft industry although
much more popular, has noth-
ing to attract the basic workers.
“It is only if five to six hours a
day are spent on spinning wool
can it amount for rupees ten to
fifteen per day” lamented
Mubeena Akhter of Zablipora,
Bijbehara who is associated
with this art of spinning for the
past 12 years.
Women on wheels
ers with their hands. “It is actu-
This business ally the electric looms which do
has nothing the maximum part of the work.
They are time and cost efficient
lucrative. It is and slashes down the rates of
tiring and workers who do it with their
hands” said an F & C agent Mu-
fetches hammad Sultan Wani of Bijbe-
nothing. It is hara, who is providing wool to
some 200 women of his locality.
this trade So it becomes imperative to
which made trace out where these under-
privileged workers are exploit-
my daughter ed. If the shawl, the basic mate-
to leave her rial of which is prepared by
these spinning wheel turning
studies and women is sold as expensive as
help me in gold. Then what hinders the
traders to trickle down these
this particular fortunes to the grassroots level.
work, as it “Actually this shawl making
process is bit treacherous and
was getting involves a number of persons at
harder to various stages of completion.
This greatly enhances the pro-
support her. cessing cost which hinders esca-
lation of wages of these workers”
The people who act as for- said Abdul Majeed Shah, the
warding and commissioning (F & owner of Shah and Sons, Haw-
C) agents put blame on electric al, Srinagar, who export Kash-
looms installed by many traders miri handicrafts to Middle East
in the wake of keeping pace with for past two decades.
the modern technology. But Meanwhile the people asso-
same is not aesthetically equal ciated with the business at low-
to the work done by poor work- er strata have different assump-
tion to propound. “The traders
while manufacturing this hand-
icraft item use machine and
hand-made fibres simultane-
ously to increase the value of
shawl, as it is labelled as hand-
made only” revealed Wani. This
he believes fetches these traders
the handsome price for the prod-
ucts which turns their fortunes
only.
The women, who initially
prepares the yarn to feed this
industry only gets a rupee per
knot, which contains at least
eleven threads of about one and
a half feet in circumference.
While as the F&C agents also
get a meagre sum at an average
of 15% for all their hard work.
“It is since I started spinning
that only one rupee was award-
ed per knot. Nodoubt the price
of wool has been reduced by 50%
but it hardly helps” said Mubee-
na, who is in her forties. “It is
not understood why concerned
Government department (La-
bour and Employment) doesn’t
take notice of this malpractice.
It is annoying to see these poor
women suffer as this work has
bad impact on their health also”
expressed Wani.
It is more than difficult to
run the domestic affairs on this
petty venture. The women who
need to support their families
has daily uphill task to meet
their basic requirements. “This
business has nothing lucrative.
It is tiring and fetches nothing.
It is this trade which made my
daughter to leave her studies
and help me in this particular
work, as it was getting harder to
support her” said Aisha, a wid-
ow at Bijbehara.
There is some scope where
authorities can intervene to put
end to the miseries of this ne-
glected lot. It is imperative to
have a relook into the tenants of
this trade and take steps to re-
store dignity and well being of
the women associated with this
trade. If departments like La-
bour and Employment can take
its job more seriously, it is not
far from reality that this ven-
ture would also prove to be lu-
crative and more dividends giv-
ing for its workers.

Kashmir bat industry on bad pitch
Experts call for upgradation of manufacturing plants
Srinagar, May 29: Cricket bats, with short
handles, long blades and made of willow wood,
are something which experts believe can im-
prove the economy of this financially starving
state. This medium sized industry has a poten-
tial to give fillip to our industrial sector if cer-
tain measures are taken to improve and stream-
line it. There is a vast scope in market for its
promotion and being successful but sincerity
and dedication in our efforts are
demanded to materialize this
dream into reality.
As cricket is a game which
has gained much popularity for
the past few years by the intro-
duction of short-version (Twenty-
Twenty) of the game. Besides this
the introduction of other leagues
like IPL (Indian Premier League)
and County Cricket has made it
round the year phenomenon. But
cricket bats made from Kashmir
Willow are not in such demand.
It is actually its counterpart,
English Willow (made in Eng-
land) which is holding the centre
stage.
Various suggestions are put
forth by the connoisseurs of this
trade to bring this product at par
with English one. “The cricket
bats made here are equally good
but we only lack some techniques
used in procurement and season-
ing of this wood” said Nazir Ah-
mad Salroo, President Kashmir
Cricket Bat Manufacturers Asso-
ciation and Member All India Mi-
cro, Small and Medium Entre-
preneurs (MSME).
However Cricketers have something else to
add the tale. “Quality of bats made here is not
good as they are not processed well. In the ab-
sence of technology the moulding and finish of
bats is not of good standard. This makes these
bats less preferable” said Syed Humayun Qa-
isar, former J and K Ranji player and Sports
Broadcaster, Radio Kashmir Srinagar.
Blame is also put on the insincerity and cal-
lousness shown by the people involved in this
trade. “We have achieved ISO 9000 trade mark
for our products but the manufacturers are not
fair with their job. NO banding and upgradation
of products is done and there is also not a single
moisture testing and seasoning plant which im-
pairs the quality of the bat” admits Salroo. He
maintained that government needs to be sensi-
tized on these issues to take steps towards the
as part of the MA Programme in Mass Communication and Journalism, session 2011
Superviser : Malik Zahra , Reporter/Editor : Wasim Anznoo , Layout : Aga Shahi
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upliftment of this important industry.
Players also believe that in the absence of
required technology the bats made in valley be-
come heavy as compared to its counterpart. “If
1100 gram bat is made from Kashmir Willow it
will be exceptionally thin and hence develops
cracks easily even on playing ordinary shots
while the English Willow bats of same weight
are good in thickness and does well” revealed
Parvaiz Rasool, the only batsman from J and K
Ranji team who has represented state in both
North Zone team for Deodar and Duleep trophy.
The other complications which mar this in-
dustry are also material in nature.”The handle
of the bat is made up of pieces and inbetween
them are rubber bands which lend it a bit flexi-
bility. The ordinary handles they insert in the
blades of Kashmir Willow bats are very stiff and
therefore illadvantaged” remarked Qaisar.
While preparing the blade there are certain
technical aspects which strictly need to be ad-
hered to. On overlooking these parameters the
This tabloid is based on the project work
at MERC University of Kashmir
Morning Mail 8
quality of bat drops drastically. “The shape of
the bat has immense significance. It determines
the balance of the bat which is of utmost impor-
tance as far as quality of bat is concerned. And
manufacturers here are illskilled in shaping
and balancing the bat well” asserted Rasool.
Although the manufacturers are not pro-
ducing any quality products which could meet
the international standards still they are con-
tent with the little they achieve. “Almost
all of the traders succeed in selling their
products to the tourists comming here at
exorbitant rates. This hinders their ca-
pacity to think of exporting their goods
to the actual international market” ob-
served Salroo. He also believes that ab-
sence of better marketing techniques
like advertisement and publicity are real
impediments in preventing this busi-
ness from flourishing.
As the market value of ‘A-Grade’ Eng-
lish Willow bat starts around Rs 25,000,
there is no need for them to cater to the
local market. Simultaneously Kashmir
Willow gets undervalued as the same peo-
ple associated with the trade smuggles the
raw blades outside state in the wake of ban
imposed on it by the state government.
“The traders themselves illegally transfer
the raw material to Jalandhar or some
other area and sells for peanuts there.
This slashes down the price of bats made
here as they process it in a much better
way” explained Qaisar.
There are ofcourse some grey areas
where both traders and government
needs to work in consonance. Govern-
ment needs to live upto the expectations
of the traders and they also should be de-
voted towards the upliftment of this indus-
try. “The processing and seasoning plant being
developed by government at National Highway
Sethar in district Pulwama should be completed
immediately without any further delay. This could
surely enhance the quality of our product” de-
manded a Cricket bat manufacturer, Muhammad
Hussain at Sethar, a village whose 70% popula-
tion is associated with this trade.
Some other major and minor steps like com-
pletely barring the smuggling of raw material out-
side state, employing skilled personell in prepar-
ing this commodity in a standardised manner.
Using quality material in the shape of wood which
can be accomplished with the help of our experts
at Agricultural Universities. And using quality ac-
cessories like handles, grips etc which are most
recommended can indeed make this industry a
lucrative one.