Lolab in Early 90’s The sight of heavily-armed foreign terrorists almost two decades ago was the common phenomenon in Lolab which provided conducive environment for the terrorists. The Valley used to thunder with guns and was considered to be a safe haven for the terrorist infiltrating though the Line of Control; such was the dominance…
Author: Rooh Bhat
Freelancer Blogger, Creative Writer and an avid Reader .Sociology and History are my pet subjects. Learning new things and sharing the learnt makes my life rich and wise.
Women Empowerment in Kashmir
Targeting the grass root level for effective change As I write today on the issue of women empowerment, it seems to be a topic that the society hasn’t fully understood yet. It should be made clear at the outset that women empowerment doesn’t mean impartially giving more importance to women rather simply to instill the…
The Unwanted Shawl
Ejaj works in his father’s Kashmiri Handicraft and Shawl shop based in Lal Chowk, Srinagar. He studies part time and helps his father on weekends or whenever he is traveling for work. His college in downtown, offers him a decent education in Agricultural studies and Ejaj wants to help the farmers in his village. One…
Beauty and Blood
Meenakshi Rathore is an avid traveler who has visited Kashmir for the fourth time. She has seen Kashmir from the eyes of a school going girl in 1987 to the times of ‘Stone pelting’ in 2010 and then immediately post Abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A and also on its anniversary. Being a healer and…
Hazrat Sheikh Zain-ud-din Wali’s Shrine Aishmuqam, Anantnag
Hindus’ Lord Shiva Shrine in Amarnath and Muslims’ Zain-ud-din Wali’s Shrine in Aishmuqam stand tall at a common place in Himalayas of Kashmir, Anantnag. What will you call it mere coincidence or more? Kashmir is a land of many religions cohesively bidden together in fibers of Kashmiriyat since centuries. The history holds witness to the…
Heena’s Little Story of Changing Kupwara
I choose to publish this story for it reminds me of little flutter of wings of baby bird before she flies high to kiss the sky. Heena shared this piece with me with pure innocence in white ink. How could I possibly not celebrate her leap of faith in goodness ahead ! She symbolizes the…
Shikara in Dal Lake
The shikar is a type of wooden boat found on Dal Lake and other water bodies of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, India. … Shikars are of varied sizes and are used for multiple purposes, including transportation of people. A usual shikar seats half-a-dozen people, with the driver paddling at the rear. Wikipedia The deodar…
Kashmir’s Divinity in its Lost Sufism
Sufism in Kashmir valley is something that is integrated with the soul of its people and has been the sole guiding factor that has led the people of Kashmir through all of their turbulent history and is something upon which the social foundations of a Kashmiri society resides. Kashmiri Sufism not only reflects the behavior…
I am Kashmir … a Melange of Emotions
When the Shikaras stir my pristine waters and create ripples of life, I smell serenity, stability, inspiration with a whiff of vulnerability and menace. When my loaded orchards add different hues of love, passion, celebration and flourish mylands embracing the wrath, perils and the outrage with pride and grace.The swarm of travelers shroud the mysterious…
Tangdhar Pass Named After 1960s Bollywood Actress
At a height of 10200 feet near Tangdhar, 134 Kilometers from Srinagar exists the Nastha Chun Pass. Nastha Chun Pass literally means a “Cut Nose Pass”, as people don’t feel their nose here due to strong and colds winds blowing throughout the year. Kashmiri name of this Pass is “Nathi Chapa Gali” which means “Numb…
Zaid was not Born a Terrorist
What a beautiful morning it is. I just love this time when Asim (my husband) and my kids haven’t woken up. This is the time I devote to my pranayam, meditation, walk and my gratitude journal. I tried to meditate but my restless mind gave up. Made a big cuppa tea with some cookies and…
Girl Education Get Wings in Kashmir
“When you invest in a girl’s education; She feeds herself, her children, her community and her nation.” Though ‘Gender Equality’ is a slogan we hear in all spheres of life in the 21st century India, we still live in a society where a marginal section of patriarchy considers women as weak and subjects them to…
Muharram in Kashmir
Muharram is the one of the four sacred months for the Muslims across the globe. It is believed that Prophet Muhammad completed his journey from Mecca to Medina during this month. Historical Significance of Muharram Muharram is the one of the four sacred months for the Muslims across the globe, considered to be the second…
‘Kashmiri Wazwan’ Top Dish in Michelin Star Restaurant
“Kashmiri Wazwan is not just a regional meal but a perfect example of the Kashmiri culture and tradition which forms the face of Kashmiri hospitality.” Food may not have a universal language, but it surely is a universal topic and it isn’t wrong to say that food unites us all across the table and around…
Apple Farming in Kashmir Valley: Post Abrogation Of Article 370, 35A
Kashmiri Apples & Their Age Old Repute Jammu and Kashmir is known as temperate fruit bowl of India and is bestowed by nature with production of variety of apple. In India majority of cultivated varieties of apple were introduced by British officers way back in 1865. Apple varieties in Kashmir are popularly juicy and delicious…
Heteogeneous Society – A Must For Kashmiriyat To Survive
Heterogeneous is something that consists of many kind of things. That something be different types of entities or people. So, by the phrase “heterogeneous society” we mean such a society which consists of different kinds of people from different regions of the world, which is basically a society that is ethnically heterogeneous. Such societies include…
Kashmir Cultural Colours
Prologue The culture of Kashmir is a blend of multiple customs that arrived from Northern India, Northern Pakistan and the Aksai Chin region. The state enjoys the presence of blended religious practices influenced by eachother and that’s why Kashmir is famous for its cultural heritage. It amalgamates Hinduism , Sikhism, Islam and Buddhism like no…
‘Me n U’ Cafe becomes HotSpot of Srinagar
“𝒜 𝓁𝑜𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝓇𝑒𝓌𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒞𝑜𝒻𝒻𝑒𝑒 𝒞𝓊𝓅𝓈 …𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒, 𝒞𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓉𝓎 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐿𝒾𝒻𝑒.” ME n U Café inaugurated its first outlet in Munawarabad area of Srinagar City in August, 2018. Ever since the cafe has become one Hot Spot of youngish valley to brew their ideas and laughter together over a cup of coffee and finger-licking quick eats. Srinagar…
Cricket All Rounder Junior “Mohd Asraf Wani, Shopian”
Life in Jammu & Kashmir has been a lot different and difficult for the people, especially after the abrogation of Article 370 & 35A in August 2019 and the extended lockdown in the country due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools and colleges have been continuously closed since August, businessmen are apprehensive about…
Riyaaz has an Eye Opener Experience in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir
Correspondent | Mohammed Iqbal, Kangan The Correspondent records the story narrated by Riyaz Ahmed Bhatt , resident of Kangan, Jammu & Kashmir India and reveals the truth across Ceasefire line( LOC) in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. History of Kashmir Valley Pakistan occupied Kashmir historically belongs to the erstwhile princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. Maharaja of…
Flora and Fauna of Machhal Valley
Shamshabari Ranges (abode of Fir Trees) in the North of Kashmir valley forms four distinct valleys namely Tangdhar, Keran, Machhal and Gurez. Machhal valley with salubrious climate, serene views and stunning landscapes is the crown jewel of the Shamshabari Ranges. The valley used to be an exclusive holiday resort for royalty of Jammu & Kashmir…
Art and Craft of Kashmir
The annals of Kashmir craft lies in the fabric of the woven shawls, handiwork of the wood carvings, carpet making, copper works, stone carvings, paper mache and the decorative house boats. It’s truly a paradise for it preserves and reflects the skilled cultural art work since ages imbibing and displaying the cultural and traditional art…
Arjumand Makhdoomi Chotay Tarey Foundation : Kashmir’s Emerging Champion of Child Rights
The War at Line Of Control has affected Children on both sides of Cease Fire more than anyone else. Pakistan Prime Minister goes on international platform to crib on atrocities on Kashmiri , he never completes his statement ….Atrocities on Kashmir brought by his terrorists and their guns. Safiya Lone | Baramulla , Jammu &…
Story of a Top Entrepreneur from Bandipora
Drawing inspiration from the age old and unique bakery culture of Kashmir, the young entrepreneur from Bandipora established her own bakery in May 2017 and within three years has carved a niche for herself, nationally.Her Koshur Krunch cookies are irresistible! Nobody can have just one!
Gurez : Jannat From Historial Perspective
Gar firdaus bar-roo-e zameenast!Hameenast! Hameenast-o-Hameenast!! – Amir Khusrau Prologue The above couplet is said to be written praising the beauty of Kashmir, which translates to “If there is heaven on earth then, it is here, it is here, it is here”. The couplet is gospel truth for entire Kashmir but, it definitely hold its essence…
Kashmir Willow Bat
Imagine a perfectly packed cricket stadium – the bat swinging down in a high arc, the sweet crack of bat meeting the ball before it races away to the boundary to loud cheers of the spectators. The runs that a cricketer accumulates are as much about his skills as they are about the perfect cricket…
Shirley’s Bhumbro Appeal to Kashmiri Youth
Bhumbro is a delightful folk song from the valley of Kashmir. The original Bhumbro was composed by Kashmiri composer Mohan Lal Aima for Dinanath Nadim’s Bombur ta Yemberzal, the first Kashmiri opera to be written and performed in 1953, Vinayak Razdan said on his blog Search Kashmir. The opera traces the romance between Bombur, the bumblebee, and Yemberzal, the Narcissus flower….
Srinagar Girl has won 11 Gold Medals in Martial Arts
She won the ‘Best Fighter Woman’ title after she clinched gold in an International Thang-Ta Championship at Imphal in Manipur in November 2018 and bagged another gold medal at World Invitational Championship held in Philippines in April 2019.
Uri – Rich in Culture and Heritage
Uri, a beautiful town situated on the left bank of Jhelum river and is about 23 miles from Baramulla. This township has a glorious past and was known as ‘window of Kashmir’ due to its location.
Future to Fold – Fault Lines in Kashmir
It is not the mosques and literature that influence the valley rather, it is the Internet and social media are used to the influence the youth of the Kashmir by the Ahl-e-Hadith movement.
Woman Sarpanch in Kashmir
Boonikhet is a nondescript panchayat, cradled in the lofty Pir Panjal mountains in Surankote block of Poonch district in Jammu & Kashmir, but its ward panch, Zaitoon Begum, is anything but ordinary. For the permanent residents of Kashmir, life isn’t easy. The terrorism in valley has affected almost everyone, right from the children to the…
Sabbah Haji : Great Teachers Inspire Generations
𝒜 𝒯𝑒𝒶𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓈 𝒶 𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒹, 𝒪𝓅𝑒𝓃𝓈 𝒶 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓃𝒻𝓁𝓊𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝒶𝓃 𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓇𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝓃𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝑜𝓂𝑜𝓇𝓇𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝑒𝓁𝒶𝓃. 𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒾𝓂𝒶𝑔𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝒸𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝓉𝓊𝒹𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈. Aiming to have a tangible and sustained impact in the Valley, Sabbah Haji is beckoning a bright future for the children by striving to provide quality education…
How Green is Our Valley: Reads His Diary Pages
The excerpt from diary dips into colours of love and concern of the author who is starstruck by beauty and innocence of Kashmir Valley and its beautiful people. I had given my best guess- it must be someone’s wedding and my curiosity was slowly lulled to sleep. The next day again, the entire valley was…
A New Dawn For Women in Kashmir
“I raise up my voice-not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” Malala Yousafzai In Nov 2016, eight year old Tajamul Islam from Bandipora, Kashmir made the country proud and created history by defeating her rival…
Kashmir : The Beautiful People
Kashmir, the paradise on earth; I visited Kashmir for the first time when my husband was posted in Leh. We drove down from Leh along with some friends and stayed in Srinagar for two days. I was awestruck by the stunning beauty of Srinagar, Dal Lake and Wular Lake, sky-touching Chinar trees and blooming almond…
Undefeated Kick Boxer of North Kashmir
Rabia, two times National Gold Medalist in Kick Boxing is presently pursuing her dream of representing India in Olympics by becoming India’s best player in Kick-Boxing and continues with her drive for women empowerment.
Exposing Dual Face of Pakistan and Its Social Media Propaganda Against India
In the age of the Internet which has revolutionized every sector in the world from communication to business. It is tool that engages public at a larger scale. Our neighboring country, Pakistan is doing all efforts to spoil the future of youth of Kashmir and is also using fake social media handles to keep the…
Youngest Sarpanch in Jammu and Kashmir
Faisal Iqbal , son of Late Mr Mohammad Iqbal is a true youth icon among locals of Dardkot and Uri. Despite being 24 yr old, he has already been electeduncontested as Sarpanch of Dardkot village which has a population of 3300 which includes approximately 600 families. As on date, Mr Faisal Iqbal is the youngest…
Own and Other Own Side of Kashmir
The people dwelling in PoK have had tears galore of vexation, post Pakistan finagled it’s way in this region in 1947. In a veritable attempt to juxtapose the comprehensive development, superlatively in terms of infrastructure between the conterminous, “The Own” and “The Other Own” side of Kashmir, it is crystal evident that, while “The Own” side has witnessed omnifarious development projects germane to road infrastructure, irrigation and flood control, power, tourism, sport, health medical education, housing and urban development etc, “The Other Own” side is at the receiving end of Pakistan Government’s mere hyperbole, which hasled to wide scale protests in a pique by the dwellers in PoK region.
The Bogy Of Pakistan’s Flag Operation: A Ghost of its Own Shadow
Imran Khan’s military handlers have given him a script to create a fake rhetoric of false flag operation against Pakistan by India. In spite of repeated lies, it has failed to attract
domestic as well as foreign attention. The real reasons for this victimhood card is to blame India if there is uprising within Pakistan against his inefficient governance. The
frustration of Imran Khan and General Bajwa is apparent since nothing is going right for Pakistan at the moment.
My Childhood and Sound Waves
A Young Kashmiri Radio Broadcaster, RJ Umar Nisar, who is today a Bollywood acclaimed
TEDx Speaker and also known as Radio boy of India. Sharing his story of half
decade in Radio Industry.
Breaking The Monolith Fallacy Of Kashmiris
You may be Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, or Pandit, if you do not agree to the regressive
aspirations of the Intifada factory (a motley crew of overground workers, politicians,
bureaucrats, journalists, civil society members,writers, talk show experts, etc), it is an
unspoken law that you have no right to be in Kashmir. Various tactics are then deployed to
hound you out of the Valley or get you silenced.
Kashmir RootStock 