How much a flower costs in Kashmir University? This strange question by a research scholar of the University left us baffled. “It costs around Rs 50,” he said. Then he explained the reasons. “The University over the years has employed large number of watch and ward staff, gardeners to look after vanishing University gardens that one gardener gets one plant to take care of. By that standard I think one flower costs Rs 50,” he said. I was surprised by the discovery.

Then he started...

All freedoms enshrined by the constitution of India are being either violated or thrown away by the Jammu and Kashmir police. One could substantiate the above remark that I have made with numerous examples. We were not the first pressmen thrashed by police while covering the stone hurling protests in the Kashmir. On Friday, last, without any rhyme or reason policemen along with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) thrashed us and snatched our costly cameras. They did not even hesitate to...

We had never met.
The crowd was patient, glaringly staring at the arrival gates. The confusion was contained. I moved swiftly with the trolley of belongings as my eyes wandered seeking a familiar face. The end was near to my despair.

“Asslam!”

I had uttered “Walaikum” by the time I faced him. His gleaming brown eyes reflected a sense of accomplishment. His hairs were short, jet black and unwavering just like his demeanor. His walk was strident not deceptive, clamoring his ethnicity...

 

As always, you have of late broken your silence on the much controversial issue of “stipendiary mode” of recruitment. Though you in your response tried to be apologetic, saying no other option was available with the State government, yet as the state finances are suffering stress and strain, no reply came either from you or your ministers for the points which make this new job policy so controversial and contended.

Let me for the sake of all youth of my state whom you were supposed...

As I went about my work this morning, I saw two children who had picked rags. They, however, did not appear to be rag pickers like the ones we see in Srinagar city or in the Indian mainland. In this north Kashmir town, poverty is mostly unheard, and seeing two local boys collecting trash was intriguing. They were wearing pheran— a cloak that Kashmiris use mostly for winter. Both were sitting on the packets they had used for the collection. I stopped to enquire. They looked at me – the...

A mistake concerning strategy is a serious matter. All the movements which only bet on liberation, emancipation, the resurrection of the subject of history, of the group, of speech as a raising of consciousness…do not see that they are acting in accordance with the system, whose imperative today is the overproduction and regeneration of meaning and speech.

Jean Baudrillard

Neo, in the first part of Matrix Trilogy, enters Agent Smith to kill and explode him from within, only to find...

I landed in Srinagar on a typical balmy autumn afternoon. My father, who had come to the airport to receive me, and I were catching up on our way back home.

While driving through the old quarters of the city he slowed the car down, and for the few minutes, both of us helplessly sat there witnessing a heartrending scene of young Kashmiri boys being mercilessly beaten and arrested.

What initially looked like a scuffle between friends, turned out to be stone-pelting protestors being arrested...

Education increases awareness among the people regarding almost all the issues and helps them in achieving wisdom in the conduct of their lives. Education helps the people to make responsible decisions regarding the utilization of various resources. It ensures sustainable development. It is the education that enables us to frame and implement the waste management and handling rules.

Education is understanding the universe through surroundings; through planets, stars, plants, animals...