Jammu and Kashmir: Industrial development and infrastructure, economy, culture, lifeboats and shikaras in Kashmir

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Does Kashmir have an identity of its own…a land that is better known as the Line of Control and as the Pakistan - occupied Kashmir? The search for its political identity has literally paralyzed people's lives, and the once popular traveler's paradise has now become a land to fear.

This section attempts to see what's become of the economy and industry, the culture and history, the shikaras, lifeboats and the Kashmiri Pundits.

Dr. Farooq Abdullah "Kashmir is a part of India and it will always remain so. It doesn't matter even if I am killed, Kashmir will stay forever a part of India. There can be no compromise on this," Abdullah said in an emotionally charged voice, in response to the brutal killings in Kishtwar. Here is some more information on the political commitment by Dr Abdullah.

Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah entered Politics in very early days and is known to have organized the Youth Federation in the heydays. He has been amongst the popular leaders in the state. He has been opposing the rise of militancy and the destructive effects on the lives of its people.

Dr. Abdullah: a profile of the most famous face in Kashmir and his political efforts in the region.

One of the biggest hit areas has been the Industrial sectors and its financial and economic implications for the people. Traditional occupations like the houseboats and the shikaras and the travel industry have been badly hit.

Lifeboats: a trip to Kashmir without a ride in the beautiful shikaras, especially in the famous Dal Lake, is one of the worst things that can happen to you! With the decline in the travel industry the life boats and the shikaras have dwindled to a large extent.

Tourism: There are proposals and plans initiated to revive the tourism sector, including the hosting of festivals in well-known places. The Director - General of tourism is quoted to have said that the first priority of the tourism industry would be to revive the sites hit by the militants.The government is also promoting Ladakh as an adventure sports destination because it offers the most exciting possibilities for trekking, white-water rafting, canoeing and mountaineering.

Government initiatives in Industrial development: The recent initiatives and proposals for Industrial development and infrastructure, role of industries and commerce, small-scale industries and incentives are oriented towards a lot of development -based projects and increased job opportunities. It has also urged the Agriculture department and the farmers to pay more attention towards the cultivation of mint, lavander, black zera and Kashmiri mirch (chilies) and saffron as they had a great export potential.

KASHMIRI PUNDITS: Documented history shows that Kashmiri Pundits were the original inhabitants of Kashmir.

There are records to show the Kashmiri Pundits' traditions date back to nearly five thousand years. The pundits are said to have contributed in such diverse fields as religion, philosophy, Sanskrit literature, medicine, history, music and aesthetics. According to some sources , during the Islamic rule, the population of the Pundits dwindled and they suffered severe persecution. Some of the pundits have migrated since then.

NARCO-TERRORISM: The Indo- Pak border is also being used extensively for transporting narcotics first to India and then to other countries. Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and smuggling of narcotics has mutually complimented each others requirement i.e., the need for easy money. This nexus has produced the deadly and almost uncontrollable phase Narco-terrorism.

Opinion Poll
Who were the original inhabitants of Kashmir? The Kashmiri Pundits The Muslims after the Islamic rule It’s a great blend of cultures Click here to view results

ATROCITIES ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN KASHMIR: Militant attacks have become almost a common feature in Kashmir and the people lie each day of their lives in great fear. The atrocities on the women and children are rising by the day. There are increasing number of cases when the women have been abducted, tortured, raped and killed in their own house in the presence of her own family members, and then killed.

	A young Muslim girl was killed and four other women seriously injured when two rival militant groups of JKLF and HUM resorted to indiscriminate firing in the village following a clash between them. A total of two persons were killed and 9 persons injured.
	Terrorists intruded into the house of one Sohan Lal Braroo Naisarak, Srinagar and shot him dead during the night. They gang raped his wife Bimla and young daughter Archana. Archana succumbed during the gang rape itself and Bimla who was shot after being raped, died in the hospital.

Rape cannot be a weapon to fight terrorism... victimisation is not the answer.

CROSS FIRE: We have been silently watching the terror that has struck Kashmir for so many years now. We watched it being transformed from the paradise of earth to a land that is wounded and whose people are bleeding.

It is time for us to strike against terrorism now. We have to play the role of a participatory democracy and help the people of Kashmir.voice your opinions on the best way and the only way to solve the Kashmir issue, here, in our CROSSFIRE section.

THE ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY:

http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/asia/india3.html

http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/women/women2.html

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