by Afsana Rashid Absence of proof of death makes life miserable for half – widows, women whose husbands are missing in a conflict situation in Kashmir. That is the irony they are faced with and continue to live with uncertain hopes. Waiting for twelve years (after the disappearance of her … Read more →

By David Lepeska They came from Bandipore and Baramulla, Pampore, Rajbagh, Sonmarg, and Uri, three to a scooter, 60 to an overloaded minibus, on foot, by bicycle, truck, rickshaw and horse-pulled tonga. Swinging placards and posters, hoisting banners and waving flags, miles-long convoys coursed through the streets of Srinagar as … Read more →

S Zafar Mehdi Safvi The horrible fears have after all come true. Alas! MK Gandhi’s ‘glimmer of hope’ was not to last any longer. It’s Jammu vs. Kashmir no-holds-barred showdown. Regional and religious sentiments, coupled with parochial and chauvinistic interests rule the roast currently, while the grand old edifice of … Read more →

By Afsana Rashid Absence of social support network for special children in Indian administered Kashmir for the last 18 years of conflict has witnessed number of special homes emerge, with no rules to govern them. Though special homes are not considered an ultimate answer to increasing number of special children … Read more →

By Dr. Shaleen Kumar Singh Diaspora Literature involves an idea of a homeland, a place from where the displacement occurs and narratives of harsh journeys undertaken on account of economic compulsions. Basically Diaspora is a minority community living in exile. The Oxford English Dictionary 1989 Edition (second) traces the etymology … Read more →

Nyla Ali Khan In an attempt to create a congenial atmosphere for rational dialog, the globally known non-profit organization Pugwash organized a two day seminar on the Kashmir conflict held in the capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad on 29-30 March, 2008. The purpose of the Pugwash conference was to facilitate … Read more →

Saiba Varma When I say mental hospital, the auto-rickshaw driver looks at me and, to my surprise, nods with recognition. I climb in. The formalized name of Srinagar’s mental hospital is the Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital. The hospital is located on the margins of the city of Srinagar, in an … Read more →