Madiba, no more!

Mandela’s biggest legacy  was his remarkable lack of bitterness and the way he did not only talk about reconciliation, but he made reconciliation happen in South Africa,” said F.W. de Klerk, South Africa’s last white president before giving way to Mandela, the country’s first black leader.

On Friday Morning, when I heard about Nelson Mandela’s death there is one thing that immediately came to my mind: World has become a poorer place to live! It is a huge loss not only to the people of Africa but to the world, which has looked up to him as an icon of Freedom, Fairness and Justice.  People, who have closely worked with him, have described him as someone born to lead.

He best described himself in a speech in 1964, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Rolihlahla Mandela was born in 1918 in the village of Mvezo and was given the name Nelson by his teacher at primary school. He lost his father at an age of nine. He was expelled from the University for Political Activism along with Oliver Tambo. And soon after became head of ANC’s armed struggle. First as a lawyer, then an activist and ultimately as a guerrilla leader, Mandela fought against the racial discrimination against the black people in Africa. He spent 27 years of his life in prison initially on Robben Island and later in Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Vester Prison and was finally released in 1990. He rose to become the first black president of democratic South Africa and received noble prize for peace in 1993.

In 1980’s, Ronald Regan placed Mandela’s African National Congress on America’s official list of terrorist groups and he was not removed from same as late as 2008.

Kashmir, has always felt some kind of connection with this man. As a Chairman of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) it was he who raised Kashmir issue saying, “All of us remain concerned that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir should be solved through peaceful negotiations, and should be willing to lend all the strength we have to the resolution of this matter”. This was the first time that the issue of Kashmir had ever come up in a NAM Chairman’s speech.

In mid 1990’s when a separatist leader was released after spending some 15 years in jail, he was welcomed as Nelson Mandela of Kashmir.  A protestor, who rose to some fame in 2008 agitations, was also called Mandela. I remember him saying in an interview to news channel, I was born on the day when Nelson Mandela was released from Prison, since then my parents lovingly call me Mandela and so did my friends. For the people of Kashmir, Nelson Mandela was the leader of masses.

Mandela was admired by every Kashmiri. He was respected for his unwavering commitment to the cause of people and steadfastness towards his struggle for freedom.

Madiba as he is affectionately known as would be missed by the people all around the world for his leadership qualities, his conviction and his achievements.

Rest in Peace!

Suffering Moses

Walking along the banks of the Jhelum in Srinagar, mighty chinar trees sway gently in the soft breeze. Soaking in the beauty around it, Suffering Moses, a 173 year-old antique craft shop well-known for its exquisite papier-mâché and wooden artefacts, exudes a magical aura. Inside the modest shop, an antique wooden piece with intricate carving draws you to it almost magnetically. "The fine piece is 70 years old," reveals Muhammad Sadiq Wani, the 65 year-old owner. "You won't find another evidence of this carving anywhere else. A lot of patience and time, probably years, have gone into making this single piece."

In Wani's office, adjacent to the shop, history seems to come alive; the place is rich with artefacts no less than 50 years old. The artistic khatamband ceiling, an excellent example of the age-old art of making geometrical patterns using small pieces of wood, radiates old-world charm. Wani's finely carved desk overflows with delicately designed art pieces such as a rectangular wooden flower vase, a papier-mâché pen stand and an old telephone apparatus.

Suffering Moses has a range of artefacts on sale: hand-painted papier-mâché and copper-lined bowls, lacquered wooden treasure chests, vibrant floral trinket boxes and handmade candlesticks, intricately designed pashmina and jamavar shawls, vintage woollen rugs, exotic petit point and exquisite pieces of Ari embroidery. The making of these wonderful artefacts—that has admirers around the world—involves rigorous processes. For example, in the case of papier-mâché, extensive preparation goes into the making of its basic structure, application of the colour and design. To produce world-class products that last a long time, Kashmiri craftsmen prefer natural colours.

The age-old craft shop is a perfect example of the cultural impressions Muslim preacher Mir Syed Ali Hamdani left on the Valley 700 years ago. Wani's ancestors were among the artisan families brought by the Persian poet all the way from Iran. The families were masters in their own trade: painters, silversmiths, shawl-makers. "My ancestors specialised in papiermâché, wood carving and embroidery," says Wani with pride.

These arts flourished during the British rule in India. To overcome the scorching summer heat, the British elite used to head for Kashmir to enjoy its cool climate. They bought movable boats called donga, converted them into houseboats and hired expert artisans to decorate the interiors. "It was during this period that many household decorative items like flower vases, bedside tables, pen stands and writing tables were introduced," says Wani. "Later, these beautiful artefacts were also exported."

In 1935, Suffering Moses opened a shop in Connaught Place in Delhi where Lady Mountbatten often came to shop. "But during Partition, the shop was looted," Wani recounts. "Later, my father went back, only to find that it was turned into custodial property. But many of our customers from England used to come even after 1947."

Though the handicrafts industry in Kashmir thrived for centuries, things have changed in the past 25 years owing to the extended conflict in the region. Apart from having an impact on production, there has also been a rise in the production of fake handicrafts. "We are just pulling along now," reveals Wani. "We are dependent on tourists for business, but inflow has fallen drastically because of the conflict. Last year was an exception however; I hope this year is good too."

There are other problems too. "The new generation is not too enthusiastic about this field," adds Wani. "Even younger people within the family are not interested in taking it up as a profession because they want to pursue education and other professions. Lack of patience is another reason; this skill takes 10-15 years to hone. But amid all these challenges, Suffering Moses has always given importance to quality, sometimes even at the cost of profit."

Now the question that should have been the first: Why the name 'Suffering Moses'? "The name was bestowed upon us in 1840 by a British Lord," answers Wani. "It's reflective of the pain one goes through in creating each piece of craft. For example, a fine kani jamavar shawl takes almost four years to make." No pain, no gain, right?

Dead like Stones.

…and he fell to the ground. Breathing life out of the body, yet to have the masculinity of a grown up. School bag slung around his arm. The virgin pages of his newly bought drawing book painted red. His eyes wide open, staring the sky, which ushered no emotions. But, he could hear the war boots thumping towards him. The Men in Khaki had aimed and shot his head, regardless of him being a school going child. And there came the kick from an Inhuman, Sick bas****. His brain was on the ground and his soul miles away from the body.
His parents, the neighborhood and the city contemplated the world would end the next minute. But when has the earth been ashamed of the cruel murders carried upon its dry soil? Not even of the genocides, the brutal killings, rape- murders and mass graves. Thousands are already asleep in the womb of mother earth, waiting to be awoken someday by the proclamation of freedom, they laid their life for. While the living continue to fight, through various means they have learnt through experience and technology.
That one death, which by no means can be mourned for the measure of pain is infinite, could not quench the thirst of the blood- sucking vampires. What followed was brutally worse, Ten (10) more killings and all of them too young to die. Most of them were not even eligible to vote in elections, if the government was to fall. A nine year old kid, for God sake how could you kill him? And then I read so called Indian Patriots saying, “How would CRPF guys know he was not a fidayeen?” Do you people even realise, what a nine year old kid means?
The mainstream politicians in power (and crossing their fingers to remain so) have gone to and fro over the statements they have been making. While the Law minister said, CRPF command has gone out of hands, the Chief Minister backed away from the statement very next day. “Its self defense,” he added and pleaded that parents should not allow their children to go out of their houses. It sounded to me like the Bollywood Inter-Caste, Inter- Religion or whatever marriage movies, wherein rather then giving a lesson to ones own child you threaten the other party of dire consequences. I understand your selfish nature to remain in power but not even for a moment does the father in you awaken, who would realize the pain of shouldering the body of his dead son to the grave yard. But, who am I giving this advice to. Mr. CM, I am still awaiting a response to my previous letter. What was the meeting with cabinet worth if you could not even come up with a sympathy message or had that to come from the corridors of power in New Delhi. Or was that a way to show off your new look in GAP T-Shirt; bottom tight Jeans and the BlackBerry.
And those who are not in power shedding crocodile tears over the deaths of these young boys while sitting in their extremely comfortable couches and trying to gain political mileage over the blood of people who seek Freedom. Freedom from all mainstream politicians and so called Indian democracy.
A bunch of young kids pelting stones at well armoured security forces is enough an excuse for the well armoured and well armed so called “security forces” to hit these young boys with bullets. Fully automatic weapons are aimed directly at their head or chest, rendering the angel of death with no option but to take away their soul. To all those patriots of Indian Democracy and fanatical Nationalists, I just want to ask , “How many of your so called security forces have been killed by these stones. Just tell me how many of them have been even injured in stone pelting? I pity your conscience, if any is left!

Letter to the Chief Minister!

Mr. Chief Minister
Sir,
You see, I don’t like winter. And I know you too would have no admiration for it, except when it snows and you go skiing. Let me tell you, I also like skiing but I never get a chance. I was planning to go this year, but you see it did not snow. People have being praying all over the valley for snow now, you know even Mirwaiz Omar was praying for snow yesterday at Jamia Masjid. He seemed quite worried about it. But they never show him skiing. Did you ever see him there? By the way, he is more interested in cricket. He is worried about Pakistan players not playing in IPL. Did you hear that? Yes, you must have. Why don’t you tell your father to do something about it? Anyways, tell me did you pray for snow? Or are you still praying to stick to your Chair! (I was joking; you see I have a good sense of humour.)
See, in all this I almost forgot why I was writing to you. You see, I finished my University course last year. And the I-Card I had expired too. As you know 26th January is approaching, so there is a lot of checking and frisking going on. I wanted to ask you, If you could tell them not to check my I card, or make do with my old one. I know most of them who check are illiterate and they cant read dates, but I am very afraid of their gun butts. You know, every time I come out of my house my Mother starts worrying about me. She knows I don’t have an I-card. I have even stopped going to village. No, no, I am not from village. I am an entrepreneur, a Farmer. I rear Sheep and Hen! So, I have to go to village, daily. But, I don’t have an I-Card. There is lot of Identity Check. My friend says, “How can they check our identity in our own land?” And you know they also beat an old man. Would you do something about it? You see, I felt so bad.
The other day when I was at my farm, army came thumping down to the village. It scared everyone there. Even I, because I don’t have an I-Card, you see. Villagers were trying to offer some tea and home made Roti’s to them, but they were busy trashing two young boys. You know what they had done, there cattle had run into the Army camp. That day, even my hens were scared. They did not lay eggs the next day! I don’t know the reason. Do you? Yes, yes, I am kidding! How would you, I know you studied hospitality. Did you learn cooking too? You could some day make food and we could eat together. You know, for long time I thought you had done MBA. Then, when you became the CM, I read your interview in Hindustaan Times, saying you never did MBA. Between, why don’t you give some good interviews about yourself to the Local Media, there are many misconceptions like this among people. We always get to see you on India Media channels, and you know how biased they are. I know, you too know but you have to keep them happy, no?
See, I forgot to tell you. You really looked like a Model on GQ’s Cover. They call you the new poster boy. Why did you not try modeling? You really would have done well. But, one thing which I don’t understand is, why Indian Media gives you so much coverage. More than Nitish Kumar, who brought Bihar’s GDP to 11.03, only second to Gujarat. And they know you have not done anything of such caliber, except that you fought your father (of course, a Domestic fight) to become the CM. And, yes, you did this at a Young age. You should check this out. This might be a conspiracy against you. Like the one they did against your Grandfather.
But you know, I still think you would better have been a Model. Although I know Mirwaiz Omar has better looks, but you see he is a Cleric. He won’t think of doing so. Neither would magazine’s like GQ give him the front cover.
And that Mr.Geelani, I know that old man has been giving you some sleepless nights. He doesn’t even see his age, you are almost a Grandson to him. He blew that Shopian rape incident out of proportions. But I think you should tell him that you are more interested in campaigning for Congress all over India then caring about those unfortunate girls. And I know girls in Delhi, Mumbai and other such states are crazy about you.
I get so much deviated from the real thing. Yes, about the I-Card. Do you think I should not come out of my house for next four days? But, you see, I am not a militant, I swear I never seen a gun, except when it is hanging on your armies arm. But, my mom, she won’t allow me to go out, you see. So, I will have to stay put!
And, yes wanted to tell you, if could tell your security forces not to kill young boys like they did last week. He was so young, that his marriage would have been called a child marriage.
Also wanted to ask you, “Do you have an I-Card?” Some one told me you don’t have one, that’s why you ran to Jammu, so that you skip checking and frisking! That was a good idea sirji!
;)
Irtif Lone,
The Farmer!