ISHA NIGHAT
She was blessed with a son after a year of marriage, but as fate would have it—she is now the mother of 111 girls.
Isha Nighat, 49, was married in 1987, had a son, and was divorced ten years later. Soon after, she started her own boutique with the hopes of earning a livelihood, and completed a diploma in tailoring. In 1999, she got a job in a women’s center for tailoring—a center that was under the J&K Yateem Trust. Soon, Isha was guiding 40 women there on how to earn their livelihood.
After noticing Isha’s work ethic and nature for three years, the Trust’s chairman offered her the job of a warden for a girls-only orphanage. “Girls are a huge responsibility, one that can be only given to a reliable person; and I don’t know why the Chairman Sahib chose me,” shares Isha. She decided to accept the offer. Isha says her religious principles always made her want to contribute to society, and so she took the step. At this point, her son was in 9th, and she says he was able to understand why she took such a move.
So in 2002, Isha joined the girl’s orphanage Banaat Institute. Soon though, she began to feel homesick, and had second thoughts about her decision. “I used to cry during the late hours of the night for my son,” she says. “But with time I started realizing how God gave me this opportunity to be a mother of around 100 kids instead of just one. And these children were in more need of love. God is the best planner and I left my decision in his hands.” Gradually, she says her bond with the children grew stronger. more
Monday, December 26, 2011
Achievers of 2011
FELLOWSHIPS
Arshad Mushtaq was awarded the International Fellow at the Documentary Center, George Washington University in Washington DC, USA for the year 2010-2011. The fellowship, designed for practicing documentary filmmakers, brought together 20 filmmakers from across the globe to the United States.
A Kashmiri theatre play, ‘Wattepaed’ (footprints) directed by Arshad Mushtaq has been selected for performance in National School of Drama’s annual International Theatre Festival, Bharangam-2012, a rare feat for a Kashmiri production. Arshad has also directed plays like ‘Su Yee’ (He will come) and ‘Akh Daleel Loolech’ (A story of Love). ‘Su Yee’ was the first ever Kashmiri production to be showcased in the same festival earlier.
Showkat Nanda, a freelance photojournalist and formerly Assistant Editor with Kashmir Life has been awarded the Fulbright fellowship 2012-2013 to study photojournalism in a top American university. The fellowship is given by the US State Department to people who demonstrate excellence in their respective fields of study.
A postgraduate from Kashmir University’s MERC, Showkat began his career from AFP in Srinagar as a trainee photographer. Since then he has worked with several local national and international media organizations both as a reporter and photojournalist. He has also taught photography at IUST, Awantipora and Baramulla Degree College.
Earlier this year, he received the National Press Photo Award- the most prestigious honor given for excellence in the field of photojournalism in India. In addition to winning the top title, he also won two other prizes in the prestigious photo contest held in February 2011. more
Arshad Mushtaq was awarded the International Fellow at the Documentary Center, George Washington University in Washington DC, USA for the year 2010-2011. The fellowship, designed for practicing documentary filmmakers, brought together 20 filmmakers from across the globe to the United States.
A Kashmiri theatre play, ‘Wattepaed’ (footprints) directed by Arshad Mushtaq has been selected for performance in National School of Drama’s annual International Theatre Festival, Bharangam-2012, a rare feat for a Kashmiri production. Arshad has also directed plays like ‘Su Yee’ (He will come) and ‘Akh Daleel Loolech’ (A story of Love). ‘Su Yee’ was the first ever Kashmiri production to be showcased in the same festival earlier.
Showkat Nanda, a freelance photojournalist and formerly Assistant Editor with Kashmir Life has been awarded the Fulbright fellowship 2012-2013 to study photojournalism in a top American university. The fellowship is given by the US State Department to people who demonstrate excellence in their respective fields of study.
A postgraduate from Kashmir University’s MERC, Showkat began his career from AFP in Srinagar as a trainee photographer. Since then he has worked with several local national and international media organizations both as a reporter and photojournalist. He has also taught photography at IUST, Awantipora and Baramulla Degree College.
Earlier this year, he received the National Press Photo Award- the most prestigious honor given for excellence in the field of photojournalism in India. In addition to winning the top title, he also won two other prizes in the prestigious photo contest held in February 2011. more
Monday, December 19, 2011
Beat The Cold
The world famous Kashmiri Pashmina isn’t the only product that will keep you warm this season. Tweed is another Kashmiri product known for its pure quality of virgin wool, and it’s comfortably warm. Tweed coats are made from indigenous virgin wools; and as a result they provide good insulation during colder days.
Tweed cloth is available across the globe, especially in colder, European countries. The world famous tweeds are Scottish and British tweeds. Tweed can be tailored into long winter coats, blazers, jackets, suits, waistcoats, trousers, shooting jackets, caps and even wedding suits. However, in Kashmir it can also be tailored into a traditional Pheran.
“Kashmiri tweed is made of 100 percent wool, meaning it is of superior quality compared to other tweed like that from Amritsar which has also viscose in it. In Kashmir, there is an emphasis is on handmade weaving only, more closely woven because that way the product is of superior quality,” shares an employee associated with tweed sales. Tweeds from states other than Kashmir is reconstituted / recycled wool which is of inferior quality whereas Kashmiri tweed is the only tweed of 100 percent pure wool and sold at affordable price.
Tweed cloth is sold at Rs 500 per meter and the cost of a gent’s readymade coat is Rs 2710 whereas a female readymade long coat costs around Rs 3500. Presently there is a discount of 10 percent on tweed coats.
If you’re out shopping for tweed, you can get it in a variety of textures, such as checkered, herring bone, plain, striped, hopsack, matte, hondse tooth and in twills — as is the case in foreign countries. It also comes in different colors. Tweed can be lightweight, of 9NM (400-450 grams) or heavyweight, of 7NM (525- 550 grams). 9NM meters goes for Rs. 435 and 7NM for Rs. 500.
Tweed coats have been in fashion for many years and they never go out of season. Kashmir Tweed is durable and intricate in its design, and it lasts longer than other fabrics in your wardrobe. It is widely accepted as both formal and informal wear all over the world and is also used as a uniform in some foreign schools. Some big fashion houses like Bookster (UK) deal exclusively with the tweed suiting, and the brand Burberry also deals with tweed coats, which they sell for about Rs 82000. more
Tweed cloth is available across the globe, especially in colder, European countries. The world famous tweeds are Scottish and British tweeds. Tweed can be tailored into long winter coats, blazers, jackets, suits, waistcoats, trousers, shooting jackets, caps and even wedding suits. However, in Kashmir it can also be tailored into a traditional Pheran.
“Kashmiri tweed is made of 100 percent wool, meaning it is of superior quality compared to other tweed like that from Amritsar which has also viscose in it. In Kashmir, there is an emphasis is on handmade weaving only, more closely woven because that way the product is of superior quality,” shares an employee associated with tweed sales. Tweeds from states other than Kashmir is reconstituted / recycled wool which is of inferior quality whereas Kashmiri tweed is the only tweed of 100 percent pure wool and sold at affordable price.
Tweed cloth is sold at Rs 500 per meter and the cost of a gent’s readymade coat is Rs 2710 whereas a female readymade long coat costs around Rs 3500. Presently there is a discount of 10 percent on tweed coats.
If you’re out shopping for tweed, you can get it in a variety of textures, such as checkered, herring bone, plain, striped, hopsack, matte, hondse tooth and in twills — as is the case in foreign countries. It also comes in different colors. Tweed can be lightweight, of 9NM (400-450 grams) or heavyweight, of 7NM (525- 550 grams). 9NM meters goes for Rs. 435 and 7NM for Rs. 500.Tweed coats have been in fashion for many years and they never go out of season. Kashmir Tweed is durable and intricate in its design, and it lasts longer than other fabrics in your wardrobe. It is widely accepted as both formal and informal wear all over the world and is also used as a uniform in some foreign schools. Some big fashion houses like Bookster (UK) deal exclusively with the tweed suiting, and the brand Burberry also deals with tweed coats, which they sell for about Rs 82000. more
Monday, December 12, 2011
'FDI Crushed Even USA'
Kashmir Life: FDI in retail is the hot debate. You opposed the idea from the very beginning. Tell us what are its pros and cons in your opinion?
Yousuf Tarigami:Our party CPIM, the entire left, some political parties, social activists and some NGOs have always opposed FDI retail. UPA-I is lying about FDI retail trade. This retail trade has been under debate since UPA-I, and that time they were dependent on Left groups (part of coalition) and we didn’t allow it to happen. The issue was debated in Parliament and in almost every political party, and it was decided that the trade won’t be allowed to happen, because it will increase unemployment figures.
If it does not help us in promoting growth then how can the trade help us? USA, a developed country,was crushed due to this trade and they are suffering from this new liberalisation. Americans are crying ‘please put a stop to greedy cooperates’, they are facing massive unemployment. So if you want to have a strong economy then you must have toguaranteejobs for your population, and unless that is done, any measure in economic reform is bound to create problems for people—and is thereforeunacceptable to us.
This crushed a nation like USA, a world power. For countries like India, it is very important to first provide food for its starving population. Statistics reveal Indian economy is increasing but people should understand that the economy is of the corporate world and of monopolists. Once NDA said India is shining, but I want to ask them which India? The corporate world doesnot mean India, what about middle and lower class families? If India was shining, then why do farmers go for suicides, why do people wander from corner to corner for jobs? This new liberal frame has failed miserably, not only in India, but in the whole world, earlier it was in the US only, and now it has destroyed the UK too.
I feel there is no future for the younger generation. The government says we have to be with global economies, but we say it has collapsed. So why to be part of failed economies?This trade doesnot suit our population. It must be rejected.
KL: The government launched a new employment policy recently. Do you think it is in the interest of youth? more
Yousuf Tarigami:Our party CPIM, the entire left, some political parties, social activists and some NGOs have always opposed FDI retail. UPA-I is lying about FDI retail trade. This retail trade has been under debate since UPA-I, and that time they were dependent on Left groups (part of coalition) and we didn’t allow it to happen. The issue was debated in Parliament and in almost every political party, and it was decided that the trade won’t be allowed to happen, because it will increase unemployment figures.
If it does not help us in promoting growth then how can the trade help us? USA, a developed country,was crushed due to this trade and they are suffering from this new liberalisation. Americans are crying ‘please put a stop to greedy cooperates’, they are facing massive unemployment. So if you want to have a strong economy then you must have toguaranteejobs for your population, and unless that is done, any measure in economic reform is bound to create problems for people—and is thereforeunacceptable to us.
This crushed a nation like USA, a world power. For countries like India, it is very important to first provide food for its starving population. Statistics reveal Indian economy is increasing but people should understand that the economy is of the corporate world and of monopolists. Once NDA said India is shining, but I want to ask them which India? The corporate world doesnot mean India, what about middle and lower class families? If India was shining, then why do farmers go for suicides, why do people wander from corner to corner for jobs? This new liberal frame has failed miserably, not only in India, but in the whole world, earlier it was in the US only, and now it has destroyed the UK too.
I feel there is no future for the younger generation. The government says we have to be with global economies, but we say it has collapsed. So why to be part of failed economies?This trade doesnot suit our population. It must be rejected.
KL: The government launched a new employment policy recently. Do you think it is in the interest of youth? more
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Shazia's Father Fights for Justice
A day before Eid ul Azha, Shazia, 28, was found hanging to a ceiling fan in her house in mysterious circumstances. She was a mother of a three year old baby girl. She had disputes with her husband, Javaid Ahmad Wani ever since they got married.
Shazia, the only daughter and sister of her two brothers was living happily with her family. She was a gold medalist of her batch ( at University of Kashmir) and then got a job of librarian in Islamic University, Awantipora. After getting a job her parents started looking for best matches for her and selected one, Javaid Ahmad Wani and thought he has also done a masters in engineering so he will be compatible with their daughter and will keep her like princess as she used to be in her house but destiny had stored something different for her, extremely opposite to what her parents had dreamt of and now her father feels guilty of giving preference to an educated person. more
Women on Resolution, Government and Future
Kashmiri women has long been portrayed as a mute spectator of all that has happened and is happening. Considered to be a bystander in Politics of kashmir, more
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Ties That Bind
Rajeshwari, 30, has been known as Tabish since 2006 when she married Bilal Ahmad, a Kashmiri Muslim. Tabish has an MBA from London’s top school—but today she is a homemaker, trying hard to adjust to Kashmiri culture.
Tabish is originally from Kolkata. She and Bilal were pursuing their Bachelors’ degree in a Bangalore college when they met for the first time. Tabish was studying Journalism and Bilal, Business Administration.They were conscious of their religious restrictions, and so decided to separate for the sake of their families. Tabish says, “After completing my graduation, I went for further studies to London, so that I could come out of my past. But destiny had something else stored for me. Bilal started contacting me again and so our relationship started again.”
After coming back from London, Tabish decided to go against her family’s wishes, and marry Bilal. She came to Kashmir with the hope that her family would forgive her once she is married, as she is her parent’s only daughter. Tabish converted to Islam and married Bilal according to Islamic Sharia on the same day of her conversion. She is now a mother of two, a girl and a baby boy.
Now a practicing Muslim, Tabish says she has become so immersed in Kashmiri culture, that she sometimes forgets she was an outsider. But there are times when she feels her life could have been better, had she settled somewhere in India. She says, “I never imagined my destiny would lead me to such a naturally beautiful place that is unfortunately in so many disputes. Youngsters don’t have any opportunity to prove themselves, and neither do I. I have my Masters’ degree from London, but I am still sitting at home, since there are no good opportunities here, and my husband doesn’t want me to work for just 5000 or 8000 bucks.” more
Tabish is originally from Kolkata. She and Bilal were pursuing their Bachelors’ degree in a Bangalore college when they met for the first time. Tabish was studying Journalism and Bilal, Business Administration.They were conscious of their religious restrictions, and so decided to separate for the sake of their families. Tabish says, “After completing my graduation, I went for further studies to London, so that I could come out of my past. But destiny had something else stored for me. Bilal started contacting me again and so our relationship started again.”
After coming back from London, Tabish decided to go against her family’s wishes, and marry Bilal. She came to Kashmir with the hope that her family would forgive her once she is married, as she is her parent’s only daughter. Tabish converted to Islam and married Bilal according to Islamic Sharia on the same day of her conversion. She is now a mother of two, a girl and a baby boy.
Now a practicing Muslim, Tabish says she has become so immersed in Kashmiri culture, that she sometimes forgets she was an outsider. But there are times when she feels her life could have been better, had she settled somewhere in India. She says, “I never imagined my destiny would lead me to such a naturally beautiful place that is unfortunately in so many disputes. Youngsters don’t have any opportunity to prove themselves, and neither do I. I have my Masters’ degree from London, but I am still sitting at home, since there are no good opportunities here, and my husband doesn’t want me to work for just 5000 or 8000 bucks.” more
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