CONCEPT BY ZAHID SAMOON (ABRAHAM)

The recent mass uprising in the context of the Amarnath land transfer row and the subsequent massive participation of the general public in the first phase of polls held in the J&K state – both make us think in different way. Although both the events seem contradictory and negating the effect of each other, but if we examine it clearly, we will come to know that both events are complimentary to each other.
Words like democracy and freedom are used countless times; they are used interchangeably in modern political discourse, yet their true meanings are very different. Political parties have exploited the name of freedom and democracy to woo the general public. Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word. NC offers Autonomy, which is a synonym for Self rule and Independence, while as PDP has self rule in its manifesto. Separatist parties call for Freedom, which is a synonym of autonomy and self determination. So is it that all parties are calling for independence, freedom, self rule, autonomy as all these terms mean the same thing. George Orwell wrote about “meaningless words” that are endlessly repeated in the political arena. Words like “freedom,” “democracy,” and “justice,” Orwell explained that these words have been abused so long that their original meanings have been eviscerated. In Orwell’s view, political words were “Often used in a consciously dishonest way.” Without precise meanings behind words, politicians and elites can obscure reality and condition people to reflexively associate certain words with positive or negative perceptions. In other words, unpleasant facts can be hidden behind purposely meaningless language.
The real question is, what is happening? People are indeed going to the polls to elect government and are doing so under risky conditions. Central Government portrays democracy as the real freedom, where people have the right to vote and elect their own candidate. But does democracy really mean freedom. The answer is a big no, it is simply classlessness. The problem is that democracy is not freedom. Democracy is simply majoritarianism, which is inherently incompatible with real freedom. Under a democratic government, there is nothing to check the inducement to sacrifice the weaker party or the obnoxious individual. Democracies merely grant revocable rights to citizens depending on the whims of the masses, while a republic exists to secure and protect pre-existing rights.
We must cut through the fog and attach concrete meanings to the words politicians use to deceive us. The paradox is that in a democracy the government tends to be a coalition of interests (factions), and in a system subject to little constraint the key to success lies not in promoting some “public good,” but in rewarding with privileges these electorally significant groups.
If we intend to use the word freedom in an honest way, we should have the simple integrity to give it real meaning: Freedom is living without government coercion. So when a politician talks about freedom for this group or that, ask yourself whether he is advocating more government action or less? The real freedom is not whether Kashmir adopts a democratic, pro-Indian government or boycotts the elections, but rather whether ordinary Kashmiri can lead their personal, religious, social, and business lives without interference from government. The real freedom is when there will be no exploitation of our natural resources. When our lives won’t be threatened by anyone be it army or militants. When exploitation of every kind is stopped, and the voice of a common Kashmiri is paid heed to. Kashmir issue should be resolved amicably according to the wishes of common Kashmiri.
Basically Kashmir issue got complicated during the past 60 years. Many twists and turns with so many hurdles and hiccups have made the issue into one of the most complicated disputes in the present day world. If we examine the Kashmir Issue without bias and prejudice, we will definitely get a solution that will be acceptable to every party in the dispute; a peace that will be long-lasting and usher an era of development in our subcontinent is possible only when all the parties to dispute work sincerely to resolve it. War is no solution to any problem. War dehumanizes people – soldiers and civilians alike – and, for this reason politics should not be played on sensitive issues which can prove to be counterproductive.
(Feedback at zahid_samoon2000@yahoo.co.in)

CONCEPT BY ZAHID SAMOON (ABRAHAM)

The recent mass uprising in the context of the Amarnath land transfer row and the subsequent massive participation of the general public in the first phase of polls held in the J&K state – both make us think in different way. Although both the events seem contradictory and negating the effect of each other, but if we examine it clearly, we will come to know that both events are complimentary to each other.
Words like democracy and freedom are used countless times; they are used interchangeably in modern political discourse, yet their true meanings are very different. Political parties have exploited the name of freedom and democracy to woo the general public. Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word. NC offers Autonomy, which is a synonym for Self rule and Independence, while as PDP has self rule in its manifesto. Separatist parties call for Freedom, which is a synonym of autonomy and self determination. So is it that all parties are calling for independence, freedom, self rule, autonomy as all these terms mean the same thing. George Orwell wrote about “meaningless words” that are endlessly repeated in the political arena. Words like “freedom,” “democracy,” and “justice,” Orwell explained that these words have been abused so long that their original meanings have been eviscerated. In Orwell’s view, political words were “Often used in a consciously dishonest way.” Without precise meanings behind words, politicians and elites can obscure reality and condition people to reflexively associate certain words with positive or negative perceptions. In other words, unpleasant facts can be hidden behind purposely meaningless language.
The real question is, what is happening? People are indeed going to the polls to elect government and are doing so under risky conditions. Central Government portrays democracy as the real freedom, where people have the right to vote and elect their own candidate. But does democracy really mean freedom. The answer is a big no, it is simply classlessness. The problem is that democracy is not freedom. Democracy is simply majoritarianism, which is inherently incompatible with real freedom. Under a democratic government, there is nothing to check the inducement to sacrifice the weaker party or the obnoxious individual. Democracies merely grant revocable rights to citizens depending on the whims of the masses, while a republic exists to secure and protect pre-existing rights.
We must cut through the fog and attach concrete meanings to the words politicians use to deceive us. The paradox is that in a democracy the government tends to be a coalition of interests (factions), and in a system subject to little constraint the key to success lies not in promoting some “public good,” but in rewarding with privileges these electorally significant groups.
If we intend to use the word freedom in an honest way, we should have the simple integrity to give it real meaning: Freedom is living without government coercion. So when a politician talks about freedom for this group or that, ask yourself whether he is advocating more government action or less? The real freedom is not whether Kashmir adopts a democratic, pro-Indian government or boycotts the elections, but rather whether ordinary Kashmiri can lead their personal, religious, social, and business lives without interference from government. The real freedom is when there will be no exploitation of our natural resources. When our lives won’t be threatened by anyone be it army or militants. When exploitation of every kind is stopped, and the voice of a common Kashmiri is paid heed to. Kashmir issue should be resolved amicably according to the wishes of common Kashmiri.
Basically Kashmir issue got complicated during the past 60 years. Many twists and turns with so many hurdles and hiccups have made the issue into one of the most complicated disputes in the present day world. If we examine the Kashmir Issue without bias and prejudice, we will definitely get a solution that will be acceptable to every party in the dispute; a peace that will be long-lasting and usher an era of development in our subcontinent is possible only when all the parties to dispute work sincerely to resolve it. War is no solution to any problem. War dehumanizes people – soldiers and civilians alike – and, for this reason politics should not be played on sensitive issues which can prove to be counterproductive.
(Feedback at zahid_samoon2000@yahoo.co.in)

Where have all our leaders gone? They sometimes appear to be an endangered species, caught in a whirl of events and circumstances. Our quality of life depends on the quality of our leaders. As a person cannot function without a brain, so a society cannot function without leaders. A leader is always responsible for the effectiveness of organizations and institutions of the Nation. He always leads and motivates the nation towards a goal of prosperity.

When we try to analyze any nation in the contemporary world we usually judge that nation on the basis of the people who represent them. Here I am not talking about the people who govern a country but the people who represent a nation. They are the persons who act as a role model for there people. Leaders have always been a guide to take the nation out of ignorance & darkness towards the shine of the glory & success. The History of Kashmir is full with the leaders of high caliber who have inspired the people for ages. Although there is no dearth of talent & capability in our young generation but what we lack is the proper guidance to tap that talent so that they are molded into better leaders in coming times. Today Kashmir is facing the leadership crises. Genuine Leadership is the need of the hour. The crisis of leadership in Jammu and Kashmir is proving to be the main stumbling block in the resolution of Kashmir Issue and other related issues.

We need leaders of eminence and stature with a broad vision who can lead us in the right direction of prosperity and restore the past glory of Kashmir in every field.

  Presently the signs of a leadership crisis are alarming and persuasive. There is a widespread loss of faith in our major institutions, be it social or religious institutions. Incredible political and global changes are creating great confusion, and joblessness is playing havoc with the morals and innovative capabilities of our youth. But these dangers raise another, yet more urgent, threat: the failure of leadership to address these concerns. None of the other problems we face can be solved without effective leadership.

It seems to me that there is an unconscious conspiracy to discourage and suppress genuine leadership. As a nation, and as individuals, we fear taking risks. The context of our work and personal lives reinforces a set of common values, attitudes and perceptions that discourages us from standing out in a crowd – that calls for playing it safe. We believe in blaming others for our failures and setbacks. We try to see the negative side of everything, but don’t do a bit to rectify it.

We blame others for our own suffering; take the example of Dal Lake, who is responsible for its present state. It is non other we people, wake up people of my nation and start taking responsibility before it is too late. It is each individual’s responsibility to stand out in the crowd. At present no single leader can save the day.

Truly successful leadership today requires teams, collaboration, diversity, innovation, and cooperation. I am calling for a continuum of leadership that includes indirect leadership exerted through support and networking. On that continuum, each of us can find a means of expressing ourselves. We are each capable of creating ourselves as effective leaders. The learning process is one that includes self-critical examination, taking risks and reaching goals. It also includes learning about the context that limits the full expression of leadership. This context is inherited from our youth and shapes our current view of ourselves. As long as it remains invisible to us, we cannot shift our thinking or our behavior to fill the leadership gap.

If we really want to stand united and emerge as a prosperous nation then we have to start working from the very basics. We have to change our modus operandi towards various things. So take responsibilities and be leaders.