An Open Letter to Harsh

Aadarneey Harsh Sir,
Namaskar,

Jitendra ki maut ki khabar sunkar mujhe gahra sadma pahucha hai kyonki mai uske saath vigat 5-6 maheeno se vyaktigat roop se juda hua tha, par mujhe jis ek aur baat se kafi aaghat pahucha hai wah yah ki aapne uske nam se jo ek apeal-numa patra apne kuchh mitron ko bheja hai (jo mere kisi mitra ne mujhe forward kiya hai) usme Jitendra ke bare me aadha hi satya likha hai jabki aap vigat 4-5 maheeno se jante the ki Jitendra ko T.B. hai. Char maheene pahle maine Varun aur Rajesh bhai ke saath milkar LNJP Hospital me uska ilaj shuru karvaya tha aur uske baad Jitendra March ke maheene me Sarai Basti Hostel me shift ho gaya tha .

Shuruaat ke kuchh dino tak hamare atirikt prayas se uska ilaj bhi chala par choonki aapki aur sangathan ki usme bilkul bhi dilchaspi nahi thi isliye baad me uske liye ek hi vikalp bach gaya tha ki wah Sarai Basti me pada pada apni maut ke din ginta rahe. Tabse lekar ek-do saptah pahle tak , jab use antim bar Kingsway Camp T.B. Centre me Sarai Basti ke kuchh bachhe akela chhod gaye ,Jitendra ke saath kabhi sammanjanak bartav nahi kiya gaya .

Isliye aapka yah likhna ardhsatya hai ki aspatal me bharti karaane ke thik ek din pahle wah New Delhi Railway Station par Track ke beech me pada mila tha. Mai ya mere jaise mitra jo achchhi tarah se un haalaat se parichit the jinse Jitendra lagataar sangharsh kar raha tha, we kabhi bhi yah kabool nahi karenge ki Jitendra ki maut ko mahaj ek dravit karne wali ghatna mankar thode nakli aansoo baha liye jaen aur sachmuch ki us badi gairzimmedari se bach nikla jae jo Jitendra ki asamay maut se saabit hui hai . Jitendra ki maut se kai aise sawal upaj rahe hain jinke jawab dene ki zimmedari se ham bach nahi sakte –

(1) March ke maheene me jab Jitendra ko Sarai Basti Hostel me shift karaya gaya to kya uske ilaj ke liye paryapt intajam kiye gaye the ?

(2) T.B. ke ek aise mareez ke liye jisne pahle hi jeene ki aas chhod di thi , us hostel me kya suvidhaen muhaiyya karai gayi thin ? Ham sabhi is baat ko jante hain ki Hostel me khana, paani, ilaj aur safai ko lekar kitni laparvahi barti jati rahi hai aur mareez ki baat chhod den vahan to samanya bachchon ke liye bhi hamesha infection ka khatra bana raha hai .
(3) Jitendra lagbhag teen maheeno tak Sarai Basti Hostel me raha aur is beech uske ilaj ko lekar jis bhayanak aapraadhik kism ki laparvahi barti jati rahi , is baat ko tamam purane saathi kabool karenge. Uske nam par jo doodh, phal aadi aate the use doosre log khate the aur uski dawaiyon ke paison se filmo ki CD mangai jati thi.

(4) Kya yah sach nahi hai ki apne ilaj me barti ja rahi laparwahi se Jitendra atyant dukhi tha aur usne hamme se zyadatar logo ko yah baat batai thi ki uska is sangathan aur Hostel Prashasan se poori tarah bharosa uth chukka hai – ki sabhi uske marne ki pratiksha kar rahe hain – ki wah khud ko bahut hi asurakshit aur akela mahsoos kar raha hai ?


(5) Jab zyada tabeeyat bigadne par use pahle LNJP aur baad me Kingsway Camp TB Centre bhej diya gaya to kya yah sach nahi hai ki uske saath jo Dilip nam ka bachcha hota tha caretaker ke taur par , use paani aur emergency ki dawaiyan khareedne tak ke paise nahi diye jate the aur wo bechara do-do dino tak mareez ke saath bhookha-pyasa hospital me baitha rahta tha.

(6) Agar aise haalaat me Jitendra Kingsway Camp se bhag kar fir New Delhi Railway Station aa gaya tha to uske pas iske alawa aur kaun sa vikalp tha ? Aur kya Jitendra hi akela aisa bachcha tha Sarai Basti hostel ka jiske saath aisa amanveey vyavhaar kiya gaya ? kya Aarif , jo Blood Cancer se peedit tha uske saath bhi yahi vyavhaar nahi hua aur baad me apni zimmedari se bachne ke liye use C.W.C., jise aap khud bachchon ke khilaf barbar karravai karne wali ek sanstha ke roop me batate rahe hain, ke hawale kar diya gaya?


Ye saare hi sawal atyant apriy lagne wale hain par kya ek aise vyakti ko jo bachcho- khaskar sadak ke bachcho ke liye behtar duniyan banane ke naare ke saath abhiyan chala raha ho , in sawalon se bach kar nikalne ka rasta diya jana chahiye ?

Aap likhte hain ki Jitendra jaise bachchon ki madad ke liye ek (street based) community health initiative turant shuru karne ke liye aapne ek plan taiyar kiya hai ……Tajjub hai… Jitendra ki maut sadak par nirashrit pade hue kisi bachche ki maut ki ghatna bhar nahi hai balki yah aise bachchon ke nam par desh-videsh se dhan lekar shuru kiye gaye hostel aur care and protection ke daave ke auchitya par bhi ek sawaliya nishan hai .Vastavikta to yah hai ki ab is naare ke peechhe ki asliyat khulkar saamne aa gayi hai aur zyada dino tak sadak ke bachchon ki ummeedon ke saath chhal karne ki ijazat kisi ko nahi di ja sakti. In zaroori sawalon ke jawab ab liye jane chahiye tabhi Jitendra jaise bachcho ko nyay mil paega .

Aapse ek baar fir mera yah nivedan hai ki aap please sadak ke bachchon ko unke haal par chhod den taaki we kam se kam jeewit to rah saken . Jabran in bachchon (?) ki madad karne ki aapki koshishon ne unka jeena doobhar kar diya hai .

Aasha hai aap anyatha nahi lenge .

Saadar,
Abhishek Sharma
(Aman Sathi)

Mob- 9312364054.
Email- <asdilse@gmail.com

Dear Dost Varun aur mere ajeez dosto,

Namaskar,

Do dinon pahle Jitendra ki dukhad maut ki soochna mili. Vyaktigat roop se maine kya khoya hai yah bata pana mere liye muskil hai. Un abhage aur sharmshar kar dene wale do-teen logon me mai bhi shamil tha jinhone pahle pahal LNJP Hospital me Jitendra ko dakhil karate hue use yah bharosa dilane ka apradh kiya tha ki ham TB se uske anthak sangharsh me hamesha uske saath khade honge. Haalaanki tab mujhe bilkul bhi guman nahi tha ki apne khoon-paseene se seenchkar jis abhiyan ki ham buniyad rakh rahe hain uska kewal gumbad hi prakashman ho raha hai aur roshnee ko neeche tak laane ke liye betab haathon ko jad se alag kar dene ki waseeyat hai.

Dhoomil ne " Akaal" shirshak kawita me ek jagah likha hai.......".Bachche hame Basant bunne me madad dete hain"......sachmuch bachche ek bahut bade bazar ka hissa hain. Sabhi unki sambhavnaon ki taskari karne me lage hain . Ek badi jamat hai jo seedhe bachchon ka vyapar kar rahi hai to doosri taraf ek usse bhi badi aur zyada khatarnak jamat hai jo unka sanrakshan karne ke nam par unka vyapar kar rahi hai .Bhayanak baat yah hai ki ye jamat zyada sangathit, aarthik roop se zyada samriddh hai aur sabhyata ke mahan aadarshon evam naitikta ke sabse aakramak aur chakachaundh paida karne wale naaron-daavon aur udghosh ke sath bachchon ke upar jaise toot padi hai..............BACHCHE UNHEN BASANT BUNNE ME MADAD DETE HAIN.

Pyare dosto, mujhe maf karna, ki mai pahle se hi bhayanak haalaaton me phanse (ya Pablo Neruda ke shabdon me - "patthar aur patthar ke beech") bachchon ki zindagiyon ko aur kathin......aur asahneey bana dene wali us sazish me shamil tha jo DIL SE ke nam par chal raha tha aur jari hai. Yah sach hai ki maine vastavikta ko anubhav karte hi khud ko abhiyan se alag kar liya tha par kya isse hi mai un tamam apradhon se mukt ho jaunga jinki kali chhaya hamesha apne wazood ke ird-gird mai mahsoos karta hun ? Meri tarah hi kya mere aur doston ka antarman unhen is baat ke liye nahin kachotata hoga ki kyon hamne un bachchon ke dilon me aisee ummeeden jagain jinhen poora kar sakne ki kuvvat hamme kabhi thi hi nahi . kya hame apne dil par haath rakh kar ek bar yah nahi kabool karna chahiye ki ..............pyare bachcho ham jinhen tumne tootkar pyar kiya-ham asal me jhoothe, makkar aur avval darze ke chalak log the......aur ye hamin hain....jinhone Jitendra ko Sadak se uthakar Hospital-Hospital se uthakar Sarai Basti- Sarai Basti se uthakar Kingsway Camp laate le jate rahe.........thik waise hi jaise koi pocketmar pocket se perse nikalne ke baad tabtak us perse ko dhota rahta hai jabtak us perse ko wah poori tarah khali nahi kar leta.........aur is beech Jitendra ke haalaat badle nahi kyonki yah hamara sarokar bhi nahi tha ............kyonki hamara zyada dhyan un deshi-videshi dhankuberon ki taraf tha jinki kripadrishti se ham raton-rat maalaamaal hote rahte hain.........aakhir isi din ke liye to ham har roz har pal apni aatmaon ko maarte rahte hain....... Jitendra Track ke beech leta maut ki baat joh raha tha , wah kyon Sarai basti me marna tak nahi chahta tha.....koi poochhe bhasha ke bazigaron se, jo duniya ke lupt ho rahe shabdkosh ke sabse komal aur lagbhag pighla denewale shabdon ko bhi apne kutsit iradon ke liye istemal kar le rahe hain........jo bhayanaktam apraadh kar chukne ke bad bhi nidar aur nirbheek hokar kahne ka madda rakhte hain ki we to bilkul pak-saf hain..... ki unke alawa is duniyan me aur koi bhala kaise nirdosh ho sakta hai.....we itne nirdosh hote hain.......ki hamesha anjan hi rah jate hain......ya khuda. Varun mere bhai, apne ko kamzor na hone den . Jitendra ki maut ka koi rahasya nahi hai..........jo haalaat the sabke saamne the- jo haalaat hain we bhi sabke saamne hain.....han kuchh log is maut ko ek rahasya ki tarah pesh karenge........aise logon ki pahchan karne aur unki nazron me nazren daalkar unke chhipe hue daant aur naakhoon baahar nikalne ka yahi waqt hai taaki fir koi Jitendra har badhe hue haath ko maut ka haath na samjh le. Jitendra koi pahla nahi tha.........kitne hi the aur hain bhi jinhe bachana hoga maut ke saudagaron se.....hame apne dam par hi aage badhna chahiye. Is mushkil ghadi me mai har qadam par aapke aur un sabke bhi jo sachmuch bachchon ke paksh me khade hain ,saath hun. Aapka

apna,
Rajesh Chandra
Mob-9871223317.

The Search Goes On

Pain of separation turn Hajra Bhanu restless, increase in its intensity worsens her condition to the extent that she wishes to dig a graveyard for herself, which she believes would relieve her of her “subtle but torturous” pains and a perplexed situation.

Finding herself “ruined”, Hajra, in her mid seventies, recollects the “good old” days when her four sons used to live happily with her. Narrating her woeful tale in nutshell, she said, “Akye waqt asas bae chouran shuraen hinz moej, wane chhum ni kahaen”, (there was a time when I was mother of four sons but today I yearn for a support).

Aged Hajra and her husband live alone in Wanigam village of Bandipora district in Kashmir. Left to fend on their own, the couple hardly finds any one to share their agonies and trauma. “There is no one with whom we could share our pains and sufferings. We had two daughters who are married now and they seldom visit us. At times, our agonies turn unbearable and we wish to end our lives. I wish to dig a graveyard for myself at least that would relieve me from this perplexed situation,” lamented Hajra.

One of the Hajra’s sons is missing for the last 11 years and other three have been killed. Living a hard and miserable life, her agonies have adversely affected her. She finds no words to explain her situation. Tears gushing through her eyes narrate the untold part. Hajra’s husband is ailing and too weak to earn. In their old age they are left to support each other.

Despite all this Hajra mustered courage and filed a case in State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). However, she is not satisfied with the pace of work there and is doubtful in getting a verdict in her favour from the commission. “For the last three years I have been going to State Human Rights Commission to seek justice but till date my efforts have borne no fruits. There is no one except Almighty who might come to our rescue, rest is all turning tail”, feebly commented
Hajra.

Disappearance of her son has added to the mental agonies of Taja Bano again from the same village. Taja fails to understand as how could an “illiterate and helpless” mother (as in almost every case of disappearance) trace her son in this land of conflict where every moment of life adds to their bruises. “Where to look for him since the whole matter seems so confusing and complicated. Exhumations in the Ganderbal fake encounter cases have worried us more with the apprehensions hogging our minds that our dear ones might have faced the same fate,” narrated Taja.

Missing her “disappeared” son badly she feels as if her life has come to a sudden halt. Failing to comply with this trauma her husband had a nervous breakdown. Consequently, she was left to feed and support her family that she at times finds cumbersome. Posing a volley of queries she asked, “What is the alternative left for mothers in such grave situations? Who would take the trouble of providing us with the necessities of life? We are all a helpless, hapless and ignored
lot who are left to fend for themselves,” she quipped leaving rest to be conveyed by her abrupt silence.

Misra Bhanu went into depressive fits and finally lost her life. Obsessed to trace the whereabouts of her son, Shabir Ahmad, who went missing since 22 January 2001 Misra failed to bear the separation and bid farewell to the world. Residing at Boatman Colony-Bemina, Srinagar Ghulam Nabi, husband of Misra said that he first lost his son (whose whereabouts he is still tracing. He does not even know whether he is dead or alive) and then his wife.

Frustrated Ghulam Nabi, a fruit vendor by profession has no other source to sustain his family that includes his daughter-in-law and two grandsons. “Now they are my responsibility but how long can I support them. Where will my daughter-in-law go? She has no other source to support her life. Only Allah knows what will happen to her and her siblings. I have reached that stage of life where I myself need a support,” he argued.

Though his case too lies with the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and the High Court but that is not where his struggle ends. So far, he has received no assistance in the form of cash. He added that he has to shoulder the responsibility of the family till he reaches the end of his life.

Getting emotional about his young daughter-in-law and grandsons, Ghulam Nabi pleaded for some sort of assistance for these children keeping into consideration his own limitations, the age factor in particular. “They do not have a secure future. What will they do when I will be no more, this thought sends shivers down my spine and haunts me all along but what to do as I am absolutely helpless,” he asked.

In a bid to catch a glimpse of her son, Fazi Begum (75), makes it all the way to the Saddar Court,
Srinagar irrespective of time, money involved and the type of weather. Being aware of the fact that her son would be brought to the court for hearing, she left no stone unturned to make it to that place.

Rehti Jan, in her late sixties, often walks down the riverside to share her tears with the gushing stream flowing by. She lost her son to the ongoing insurgency in the state. Her son was the lone bread earner of the family and they lived a happy life. Immediately after his death their family went in the grip of miseries and pains. “Life has turned miserable for us and we are living from hand to mouth,” exclaimed Rehti.

Mukhta Bano, a middle-aged woman, remembers her last meeting with her son. Down the memory lane, she recollects the memories of the day when she was waiting for her son only to find that the wait would turn endless. Her eyes always look for that “familiar” face in the crowd. “All my efforts fail to trace him. Now it seems an endless search still I will never give up,” reiterated Mukhta.

Another middle-aged woman, Zainab Begum still waits for her son who is believed to be dead. “I have not seen his dead body or for that mater his grave. How can I believe that he is no more? Show me either his dead body or grave only then I will believe your words. Till then I would continue my struggle the way I can,” insisted the mother.

Sara Begum, a young mother, finds solace the moment she happens to pass by the graveyard of her son. “He is safe here. At least, I know he is lying here and nobody can harm him,” she uttered.

To trace the whereabouts of her only son, Fatima Bi, an elderly woman wishes to get tossed from post to pillar hoping that someday she might locate her son or get any information pertaining to him. “Only then I can die in peace,” she stated.

The wait, however, seems unending for Zoona Akthar, a widow and mother of five children, who have put in all her energy, efforts and other resources to find out her son missing for years together now.

Age seems not to be a barrier for Mala Jan (70), who moves from jail to jail to look for her son and to know about his well-being. “Back home I have to look after his family as well as there is no other source of income. I try to eke out a small living by doing petty jobs,” she said.

“Stop disappearances and stop crimes against humanity,” plead the family members of the disappeared persons whenever they assemble and carry out silent protest demonstration in Srinagar. “Hamaray bachoun ko azad karo, La pata bachoun ko riha karo” (release our missing children, set them free and provide us their whereabouts), are the slogans that they usually raise. Finally, tears and shrieks give vent to their feelings.

The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) is an organization of families of victims of enforced disappearances in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and has been campaigning against phenomenon of enforced or involuntary disappearances since its formation in 1994.

Pertinent to mention, at the very beginning of this year the Association got split into two factions for the reasons best known to them. One faction continues to be the sister organization of the J&K Coalition of Civil Society (J&KCCS) and the other being headed by Parveena Ahangar (earlier President of APDP), independently.

Last year, on the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared (August 30), APDP came out with a paper that contained contradictory statements of the ministers as well as chief ministers issued from time to time about the number of the persons disappeared in the state since 1989.

The document while quoting the statement made by Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy, Minister of State (MOS) for Home during the National Conference rule on July 18, 2002 said that 3,184 persons disappeared from 1989 to July 2002. Then the document while quoting the former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that 3744 persons were missing during the year 2000, 2001 and
2002. The statement that was made in the Legislative Assembly at Jammu on February 25, 2003 said that 1,553 persons disappeared in 2000; 1,586 in 2001 and 605 in 2002. On March 25, 2003 former Law & Parliamentary affairs minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh had said that out of 3,744 persons missing during the period 2000-2002, 135 have been declared dead up to June 2002.

The document revealed a U-turn approach taken by the former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who during a joint press conference with former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Srinagar airport, in April 2003, declared that only 60 persons have disappeared since the inception of militancy in the state. Later, the document said that Mufti while giving the statement on June 11, 2003 said that 3,744 persons are reported missing from 1990 till 31st December 2002. Ten days later, the then Minister of State (MOS) Home, Abdul Rehman Veeri said that 3,931 persons have disappeared from 1989 to June 2003.

The chairman of National Panthers Party (NPP) Prof. Bhim Singh on October 7, 2004 said that 4000 disappeared persons are lodged in Jammu jails. The document further quoted various statements made by the chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and the former deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh about the custodial disappearances that have taken place from time to time.

The document while quoting Azad, during the question hour of the state legislature during February-March 2006 session at Jammu said that 693 disappearance cases have been registered, so far. In the same session he made a statement that four cases of custodial disappearances were recorded between 1-1-2004 and 15-2-2006.

The document while quoting the then deputy Chief Minister on August 1, 2006 said that there were 60 cases of disappearances during the National Conference (NC) rule. Later the document while quoting the statement of Azad made in the legislative council said that that there were 12 cases of custodial disappearances from 2003 to July 28, 2006. The document added that the Chief Minister on the floor of the house during the same session said that there have been 33 custodial disappearances during 1990-1996 in the state. He added that 60 cases of custodial disappearances have come to the forefront during the period 1995-2002, the document added.

The chief minister while making a mention in the state legislature said that 15 custodial disappearances have taken place during 2003-2005 and that a single case of custodial disappearance has occurred from November 2, 2005 to August 5, 2006, as per the document. It added that Azad in the house said that during the Governor’s rule and NC regime 33 and 60 cases of the custodial disappearances were reported respectively.

The APDP believed that in Jammu and Kashmir the successive governments have not even acknowledged the phenomenon of enforced disappearances and it is imperative that the cases are investigated. The question of identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice, according to the Association, seems to be a remote possibility.

Since 1989, APDP records that 8000 to 10,000 people have been subjected to enforced disappearances during different regimes. According to them, 122 people were subjected to enforced disappearance from November 2, 2002 to November 2, 2005. The Congress government led by Ghulam Nabi Azad has been no different and more than 42 cases of enforced disappearances have been reported from November 2, 2005 to this date revealed the Association.

Parveena Ahangar, former president, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) and currently heading one of the APDP factions reiterates to continue the struggle, till the last breath.

“We won’t rest till we know the truth,” she stressed. She was of the opinion that even courts have failed them. “Courts have failed to provide us the justice. We have been asking about the setting up of a Commission under the Commission of Inquiries Act with a mandate to probe into all the disappearances taken place since the insurgency, here. But that did not happen. We asked them to stop such violations. Contrary to that, cases of disappearances keep pouring in,” she maintained. The Association, according to her, is persistently campaigning against phenomenon of enforced or involuntary disappearances since its formation in 1994.

She however, reiterated that they do not want relief, job or compensation making it clear that they simply want their children back. “What more can a mother’s heart urge for and what else would children demand. No one can gauge the pains and sufferings of a widow,” she said. She went to the extent of saying that if they are sincerely told that their “missing” relatives are no more, they are ready to take that as well. “At least, we will stop looking for them and stop spending everything we have in trying to trace them. But, it appears as if no one is moved by the pains we are undergoing,” she advocated.

Either show us their dead bodies or let the international agencies intervene, she maintained. “How long shall we continue like this?” Parveena asked. “I can understand the pains of a mother, a sister or a wife who has lost her son, brother or husband. I have gone through all this and I am fighting for this for the last so many years,” she reinforced. Parveena’s son is missing since the last 16 years.

Lashing out on the government, a relative of a disappeared youth asked the government to show them the dead bodies of their dear ones. “You talk about resolving Kashmir issue, what about our issues. Return us our children”, he asked. Questioning further, he said which provision in the Constitution authorizes the government to take away their children not to be returned. “Tell them their crime, punish them, but at least show them to us. This is a grave injustice done to us,” he submitted.

Pervez Imroz patron J&K Coalition of Civil Society (CCS) stated that this situation is confronted by 3, 00,000 family members. He added that the government has been too insensitive to this issue. “We are planning for the international pressure because we feel only that works. We want to expose this indifference to the whole world. More shocking is the indifferent attitude of the civil society groups especially the women activists (elitist women group) who are observing silence over this grave issue,” Imroz explained.

”Since 12 years of the formation of APDP we have been fighting against disappearances in the state. We want the perpetrators to be brought to book,” he stressed. “Disappearance is a crime against humanity. Government is answerable for the disappearances,” emphasized Pervez Imroz.

Parveena Ahangar too demanded to make government answerable for the disappearances. “One hundred sixty four people have disappeared during Mufti’s government, 44 during Azad’s regime so far and about 35,000 during Farooq Abdullah’s time. How come Mufti led a delegation to United Nations General Assembly? Was there no one to question him about the disappearances during his regime,” Parveena asked.

Other members of the Association added, “Day in and day out we hear that both India and Pakistan want to solve the Kashmir issue, but there is no one who would stand up and mention about the disappearance of our kids. We are not against peace but at the same time we want that the whereabouts of our wards are known to us. If they are no more in this world then hand over
the bodies to us so that our mental agony comes to an end”.


Afsana Rashid

(Charkha Features)

Unseen go their wounds : Unheard go their woes

Absence of proof of death makes life miserable for half - widows, women whose husbands are missing in a conflict situation in Kashmir. This is the irony they are faced with and they continue to live with uncertain future.Waiting for twelve years (after the disappearance of her husband) Sara Bano (name changed) re-married but faced the wrath of the society in general and family in particular. “I had children to feed and had no other source of income and nobody helped me. Now, when I am re-married, they don’t let me live in peace, either. They keep taunting me in a way or other. The fact is that hungry stomachs cannot be fed on illusions and hopes”, Sara maintained.Sara does not stand alone in this struggle. Waheeda, Shahzada and many others follow and the list is unending.Waheeda Bano (name changed) lost her husband in 1991. Left with six children she found it impossible to feed them. Living in abject poverty, her pains never receded. “They kept piling up and nobody offered me a genuine help. I was left on my own’, said Waheeda sorrowfully.Consequently, Waheeda was forced to do petty jobs in the neighbouring houses, but that could not make a sustainable earning for her. “I worked as a labourer, but earned a meagre amount. The day’s labour could not, at times fetch me an amount in double figures and many a times, we had nothing to eat and had to satisfy our belly with water”, said the mother of six children in an awful tone with tears rolling down her cheeks.After putting in so much labour and exhaustion, for about four years, her own health deteriorated and one of her kidneys had to be removed on health grounds. Ailing Waheeda finally went for re-marriage. “No one objected to this decision and why should they? No one comes forward once you are in need, then why to pay heed to them, even if they interfere”, she stated. Shahzada Bano another widow from district Srinagar, in her early thirties was suggested by her acquaintance to re-marry. She had no source of income to sustain herself and her two children. She however, dropped the idea on the ground that her in-laws, in such a situation, wanted her to surrender her girl children which are two in number. In her words, “How is it possible to\n leave my two kids and that too in a situation where they (in-laws) have already drove us out of their house”, Shahzada argued. Caught in between, Shahzada is tossed from pillar to post in order earn a morsel for her younger siblings. Society is not always encouraging these “silent victim’s” second marriage. Consequently, women have to do menial jobs to keep the pot boiling. Absence of organizations, both government and voluntary, working for such women, at the grass root level, has further aggravated the situation. Most of these widows and half-widows are illiterate and unemployed. Suddenly a situation arises where they have to shoulder the entire responsibility of their family. “They are caught in the dual responsibility of managing and maintaining the family. In this process they neglect their ownself and fall prey to various curable and incurable ailments”, observed Dr. Rukhsana Khan, a general practitioner in Srinagar. Emotionally,\n economically and psychologically such woman feel detached, her status in the society changes the moment she looses her husband. Sheema, a social activist described society as supportive towards widows and half widows. In her opinion relatives of this suffered lot encourage them to re-marry. She goes on to say that widows and half widows face innumerable problems and it becomes very difficult for them to sustain the family once the entire burden is shifted to their shoulders, as restrictions are imposed on their re-marriage. After putting in so much labour and exhaustion, for about four years, her own health deteriorated and one of her kidneys had to be removed on health grounds. Ailing Waheeda finally went for re-marriage. “No one objected to this decision and why should they? No one comes forward once you are in need, then why to pay heed to them, even if they interfere”, she stated.Shahzada Bano another widow from district Srinagar, in her early thirties was suggested by her acquaintance to re-marry. She had no source of income to sustain herself and her two children. She however, dropped the idea on the ground that her in-laws, in such a situation, wanted her to surrender her girl children which are two in number. In her words, “How is it possible to leave my two kids and that too in a situation where they (in-laws) have already drove us out of their house”, Shahzada argued. Caught in between, Shahzada is tossed from pillar to post in order earn a morsel for her younger siblings.Society is not always encouraging these “silent victim’s” second marriage. Consequently, women have to do menial jobs to keep the pot boiling. Absence of organizations, both government and voluntary, working for such women, at the grass root level, has further aggravated the situation.Most of these widows and half-widows are illiterate and unemployed. Suddenly a situation arises where they have to shoulder the entire responsibility of their family. “They are caught in the dual responsibility of managing and maintaining the family. In this process they neglect their ownself and fall prey to various curable and incurable ailments”, observed Dr. Rukhsana Khan, a general practitioner in Srinagar.Emotionally, economically and psychologically such woman feel detached, her status in the society changes the moment she looses her husband.Sheema, a social activist described society as supportive towards widows and half widows. In her opinion relatives of this suffered lot encourage them to re-marry. She goes on to say that widows and half widows face innumerable problems and it becomes very difficult for them to sustain the family once the entire burden is shifted to their shoulders, as restrictions are imposed on their re-marriage.Contrary to her, her counterpart, Dr. Rouf Mohi-ud-Din, social activist and consultant Child Rights and You (CRY) holds an entirely different view. He does not find society cooperative in this regard. According to him, it is mostly women who oppose her if she decides to remarry. “Local support system is lacking. It is hard to convince families for her remarriage especially her in-laws and in certain cases they\n themselves are not willing to re-marry. In case of natural death of husband, widows remarry. The widows who do jobs also go for second marriage as they are financially secure and very few people point fingers towards their second marriage. On the whole, society dislikes such practices especially in present context. Transfer of property does not take place in most of the cases and that too creates additional problems for the widow or half-widows”, explained Dr. Rouf. He insisted that the survival of 15,000 - 25,000 young widows is not only lurking, but it is a grave issue that needs to be addressed with care and caution. “Islam, the dominant religion being practised in the valley allows woman to go for re-marriage after three months and ten days. This period is known as IDAT and if she carries a child then again the same period of time is prescribed, but after the birth of the child”, he added. The sufferings of those who share the maximum heat of\n the conflict around go unseen. Failing to meet their family related needs and requirements re-marriage could have been an alternative available to them. But social stigma, traditional taboos and other compulsions come in between. Sometimes the circumstances leave them with no option and they get captured in between the ravages of time and conflict. In the absence of head of the family, many try to carry the responsibility of their family to the extent they can. Whereas others fail to share the responsibility and are bent under the burden of responsibility, opt for re-marriage. Sophiya, advocate J&K High Court considers remarriage of widows and half-widows as the best option. She even finds society mature enough to accept it but attaches a rider to it saying that the sympathy from the common masses is timely. Being permissible under Islam, she finds no reason why people should oppose it and finds re-marriage as a sensible decision.Contrary to her, her counterpart, Dr. Rouf Mohi-ud-Din, social activist and consultant Child Rights and You (CRY) holds an entirely different view. He does not find society cooperative in this regard. According to him, it is mostly women who oppose her if she decides to remarry.“Local support system is lacking. It is hard to convince families for her remarriage especially her in-laws and in certain cases they themselves are not willing to re-marry. In case of natural death of husband, widows remarry. The widows who do jobs also go for second marriage as they are financially secure and very few people point fingers towards their second marriage. On the whole, society dislikes such practices especially in present context. Transfer of property does not take place in most of the cases and that too creates additional problems for the widow or half-widows”, explained Dr. Rouf.He insisted that the survival of 15,000 - 25,000 young widows is not only lurking, but it is a grave issue that needs to be addressed with care and caution. “Islam, the dominant religion being practised in the valley allows woman to go for re-marriage after three months and ten days. This period is known as IDAT and if she carries a child then again the same period of time is prescribed, but after the birth of the child”, he added.The sufferings of those who share the maximum heat of the conflict around go unseen. Failing to meet their family related needs and requirements re-marriage could have been an alternative available to them. But social stigma, traditional taboos and other compulsions come in between. Sometimes the circumstances leave them with no option and they get captured in between the ravages of time and conflict.In the absence of head of the family, many try to carry the responsibility of their family to the extent they can. Whereas others fail to share the responsibility and are bent under the burden of responsibility, opt for re-marriage.Sophiya, advocate J&K High Court considers remarriage of widows and half-widows as the best option. She even finds society mature enough to accept it but attaches a rider to it saying that the sympathy from the common masses is timely. Being permissible under Islam, she finds no reason why people should oppose it and finds re-marriage as a sensible decision.“This can help her to start her life afresh and above all she can find financial support and security. In case her ex-husband is alive, the children will go to him under the Muslim Personal Law especially the male child or to the grandparents”, she said. But if economically she is sound, she does not need to remarry even if she has children, Sophiya opined. However at the same time she believes that children should not be made an excuse with her feelings being looked into properly. For children, other alternatives like sending them to boarding schools can be looked into, feels the advocate. Referring to local traditions, where in many cases widows have been re-married to their brother-in-laws, Sophiya feels that under such circumstances both widow and her children are safe and secure. “NGO’s have a role to play here. Not only can they help them to sustain, but they can provide them with proper counseling and the same would help these\n widows in the long run”, she suggested. Widows and half widows suffer on all fronts, she admitted. Financially they are dependent and at the same time they have to support their children and to look after their own security as well. “Society is not that much supportive. Sympathy is shown, but that is timely. Assistance in real sense is hardly provided and sometimes, they even get exploited”, admitted Sophiya. Either shelter homes, where both mother and children could live together should be provided or they should be assisted on economic fronts, in terms of providing them financial assistance so that they can set up their own self-employment units, so that they can earn and live their life, she added. “Economic independence should be taken care of,” insisted the female advocate. Jammu and Kashmir Women Initiative for Peace and Disarmament (J&KWIPD), a member organization of J&K Coalition of Civil Society (J&KCCS) claims to\n help widows and half widows with free legal aid and counseling.“This can help her to start her life afresh and above all she can find financial support and security. In case her ex-husband is alive, the children will go to him under the Muslim Personal Law especially the male child or to the grandparents”, she said.But if economically she is sound, she does not need to remarry even if she has children, Sophiya opined. However at the same time she believes that children should not be made an excuse with her feelings being looked into properly. For children, other alternatives like sending them to boarding schools can be looked into, feels the advocate.Referring to local traditions, where in many cases widows have been re-married to their brother-in-laws, Sophiya feels that under such circumstances both widow and her children are safe and secure. “NGO’s have a role to play here. Not only can they help them to sustain, but they can provide them with proper counseling and the same would help these widows in the long run”, she suggested.Widows and half widows suffer on all fronts, she admitted. Financially they are dependent and at the same time they have to support their children and to look after their own security as well. “Society is not that much supportive. Sympathy is shown, but that is timely. Assistance in real sense is hardly provided and sometimes, they even get exploited”, admitted Sophiya.Either shelter homes, where both mother and children could live together should be provided or they should be assisted on economic fronts, in terms of providing them financial assistance so that they can set up their own self-employment units, so that they can earn and live their life, she added. “Economic independence should be taken care of,” insisted the female advocate.Jammu and Kashmir Women Initiative for Peace and Disarmament (J&KWIPD), a member organization of J&K Coalition of Civil Society (J&KCCS) claims to help widows and half widows with free legal aid and counseling.Parvez Imroz, patron J&K Coalition of Civil Society says that under normal conditions, widow remarriage is not opposed and it is their legal right under Muslim Law. But in the prevailing situation, society does not willingly support these marriages. “KWIPD and Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) adopt those families who have no other source of income and those who have discontinued their studies. This is not the final answer to their problems, but definitely it makes some difference”, observed Parvez Imroz. “Personally, I think they should go for re-marriage otherwise they\n have no option whatsoever. In many cases, after seven years they have remarried. More reaction has come from the women-folk itself. Those family members who have certain interests oppose such marriages. They want to exert control them and in case they want to remarry it is considered as a revolt. But since it is permissible under Islam, so it should be encouraged”, he said. Parvez added that most of the widows and half-widows re-marry because of the economic factor. Afroza Qadir, a political activist emphasized for special reservation to be given to half widows and widows in all the fields. “Not only orphanages, but widow-ages should be there and personally I am after that. I am also trying to establish small units for women especially widows so that they are financially sound and secure. They should come forward to carve a niche for themselves,” Afroza stressed. Abdul Rashid Bhat, Assistant Professor Shah-I-Hamdan Institute, Faculty of Social\n Science, University of Kashmir describes, “Widow is one whose husband has died in whatever way. Islam, however, allows her remarriage even Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) followed the practice”. Her age and her liabilities, her economic prosperity, psychological harmony necessitates her re-marriage, he added.“In addition, skill development training is provided to them. Then they are provided with raw material and are helped in marketing the finished goods as well so that they are able to sustain on their own”, said a female activist associated with this organization.Parvez Imroz, patron J&K Coalition of Civil Society says that under normal conditions, widow remarriage is not opposed and it is their legal right under Muslim Law. But in the prevailing situation, society does not willingly support these marriages.“KWIPD and Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) adopt those families who have no other source of income and those who have discontinued their studies. This is not the final answer to their problems, but definitely it makes some difference”, observed Parvez Imroz.“Personally, I think they should go for re-marriage otherwise they have no option whatsoever. In many cases, after seven years they have remarried. More reaction has come from the women-folk itself. Those family members who have certain interests oppose such marriages. They want to exert control them and in case they want to remarry it is considered as a revolt. But since it is permissible under Islam, so it should be encouraged”, he said. Parvez added that most of the widows and half-widows re-marry because of the economic factor.Afroza Qadir, a political activist emphasized for special reservation to be given to half widows and widows in all the fields. “Not only orphanages, but widow-ages should be there and personally I am after that. I am also trying to establish small units for women especially widows so that they are financially sound and secure. They should come forward to carve a niche for themselves,” Afroza stressed.Abdul Rashid Bhat, Assistant Professor Shah-I-Hamdan Institute, Faculty of Social Science, University of Kashmir describes, “Widow is one whose husband has died in whatever way. Islam, however, allows her remarriage even Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) followed the practice”. Her age and her liabilities, her economic prosperity, psychological harmony necessitates her re-marriage, he added.“It has been in practice in past as well as present, though it has declined at present. Changing social status is the main reason. Rate of re-marriage has definitely declined”, he observed. “It is a phenomenon here and some NGO’s are doing a good job, but still more needs to be done. As far as society is concerned, I feel people are more self-centered. The issue needs to be addressed at the earliest,” emphasized the academician.


BY AFSANA RASHID
SRINAGAR

Women, Children share maximum heat

Living a deplorable life under the shadows ofinsecurity, helplessness and trauma, the widows andorphans of the state have unending woes and agonies attheir disposal, heed to which can drive even a normalhuman being insane.Since they form the vulnerable group, it makes themthe ultimate sufferers in a conflict situation likeJammu and Kashmir. The group being mostly dependentsuffers the most.If any thing happens in the society, particularlyadverse, it affects them badly. Say for example, ifthe head of the family (usually the earning hand)dies, its immediate impact is, his wife becomes awidow and the children orphans. Their plight startsright from here. Many people come to mourn them,promise them many things, but finally they have tomove ahead with no outside support.The entire burden has to be shared by the women andthe children themselves. Generally, such situationgives birth to two major implications, as has beenobserved by the study, “Impact of conflict situationon women and children (1999-2000)”, carried out byProf. Bashir Ahmad Dabla, Head of the DepartmentSociology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar.The first implication, as per the study, is theincrease in the women labour force leading to asituation where more and more women come out to work.They are exploited and are paid minimum wages comparedto their male counterparts. Other implication is thatthe educational setback faced by the children. They labour, revealed the study.Mostly, after the death of the husband, women shift totheir parental house. Even as per Islamic Shariah theycannot maintain their claim over their husband’sproperty. They have to go to their parental home wherethey are welcomed initially, but later their brother’sfamily usually shows a sort of resentment and theyhave to opt for some rental or separate accommodation.Very few of them stay at their husband’s house and attheir parental home, added the study.The study further depicted the impact of the conflictin different fields of life. Women face the problem ofmaltreatment and harassment, drop out rate ineducational institutes among children increases (ithas gone up to 40 percent) and health of women andchildren has shown deterioration.“As per the study, both mental and physical problemsamong women have increased. Neurological and heartrelated problems that were not so common among womenearlier are prevalent now. Even the crime rate amongthe children can be partly attributed to the conflictsituation. In males, it has affected their attitudeand behaviour”, said Prof. Dabla.The study further added that the affected childrenface many psychological problems and at the same timeabnormal traits in them can also be partly attributedto the conflict situation. Behaviour and attitude ofchildren goes awry and there is an increase inchild-delinquency.Relations within and outside the family get severed.Within the family it results in conflicts and outsidethe family it affects the group or societal relations,the study added. Crime rate among the children hasshown a significant increase, as per the study.“When a child loses his/her family, school, parentsand face economic problems (s) he develops chronic".too get exploited and there is increase in childlabour, revealed the study.Mostly, after the death of the husband, women shift totheir parental house. Even as per Islamic Shariah theycannot maintain their claim over their husband’sproperty. They have to go to their parental home wherethey are welcomed initially, but later their brother’sfamily usually shows a sort of resentment and theyhave to opt for some rental or separate accommodation.Very few of them stay at their husband’s house and attheir parental home, added the study.The study further depicted the impact of the conflictin different fields of life. Women face the problem ofmaltreatment and harassment, drop out rate ineducational institutes among children increases (ithas gone up to 40 percent) and health of women andchildren has shown deterioration.“As per the study, both mental and physical problemsamong women have increased. Neurological and heartrelated problems that were not so common among womenearlier are prevalent now. Even the crime rate amongthe children can be partly attributed to the conflictsituation. In males, it has affected their attitudeand behaviour”, said Prof. Dabla.The study further added that the affected childrenface many psychological problems and at the same timeabnormal traits in them can also be partly attributedto the conflict situation. Behaviour and attitude ofchildren goes awry and there is an increase inchild-delinquency.Relations within and outside the family get severed.Within the family it results in conflicts and outsidethe family it affects the group or societal relations,the study added. Crime rate among the children hasshown a significant increase, as per the study.“When a child loses his/her family, school, parentsand face economic problems (s) he develops chronic thefts and pick-pocketing cases in the valley, but nowthe number has increased. Crime among children can bepartly attributed to conflict, which is an additionalfactor, other factors can be modernization andurbanization”, pointed Prof. Dabla.Conflict has serious impact on the society as a whole.“Attitude towards life changes, culture of intolerancecreeps-in, divisions in society are created, closerelations within the family get suspended. Moreover,conflicts result in no assessment, no accountabilityand no control”, warned Prof. Dabla.In conflict situation, differences are there and theycan be easily located. Firstly, normalcy goes out,attitude and behaviour of people gets disturbed,values take a severe beating. Conflict situationcorrelates with increase in violation and crime, useof drugs, violation of values and norms.The study further revealed that the affected womenmostly belong to educationally weaker section of thesociety and their social world is small, so many ofthem do not resort to drugs etc. The cultural andreligion values that bind them is another main factorwhich keeps them away from such immoral acts, addedthe study.However, suicide rate among women has increased. Theproportion of females is more than males and it ismore intense in the rural areas, revealed the study,“Suicides in Kashmir (2000-01)”. All through out theworld the suicide rate among the males is more and itis more intense in the urban areas but in the Kashmirvalley, reverse is true.“As per the study, the rate of suicides in females ismore than males and it was found more prevalent in therural areas. This too can be partly attributed to theconflict situation”, commented Dr. Dabla.Apparently, failure in the examination, unemploymentor family problem were the reasons quoted for the diseases. Before twenty years or so, there were lessthefts and pick-pocketing cases in the valley, but nowthe number has increased. Crime among children can bepartly attributed to conflict, which is an additionalfactor, other factors can be modernization andurbanization”, pointed Prof. Dabla.Conflict has serious impact on the society as a whole.“Attitude towards life changes, culture of intolerancecreeps-in, divisions in society are created, closerelations within the family get suspended. Moreover,conflicts result in no assessment, no accountabilityand no control”, warned Prof. Dabla.In conflict situation, differences are there and theycan be easily located. Firstly, normalcy goes out,attitude and behaviour of people gets disturbed,values take a severe beating. Conflict situationcorrelates with increase in violation and crime, useof drugs, violation of values and norms.The study further revealed that the affected womenmostly belong to educationally weaker section of thesociety and their social world is small, so many ofthem do not resort to drugs etc. The cultural andreligion values that bind them is another main factorwhich keeps them away from such immoral acts, addedthe study.However, suicide rate among women has increased. Theproportion of females is more than males and it ismore intense in the rural areas, revealed the study,“Suicides in Kashmir (2000-01)”. All through out theworld the suicide rate among the males is more and itis more intense in the urban areas but in the Kashmirvalley, reverse is true.“As per the study, the rate of suicides in females ismore than males and it was found more prevalent in therural areas. This too can be partly attributed to theconflict situation”, commented Dr. Dabla.Apparently, failure in the examination, unemploymentor family problem were the reasons quoted for the kind of undesirable situation created by the conflictsituation, added the professor.Impact of changing development, urbanization,education, modernization are the causes that lead tothe emergence of suicides and the conflict situationadds to that maintained the study. The professor,however, warned that if the same situation continuesfor the next fifty years it might create manyundesirable problems. Entire society will be affected,be it education, culture, politics, religion or anyother dimension of life.“There will be no economic or education development,quality of life will never be enhanced,underdevelopment will prevail and every singleindividual will have to pay the price and there willbe dearth of good jobs”, pointed Dr. Dabla.Another study, “Women and children under armedconflict in Kashmir”, conducted by renownededucationist and former head of education department,University of Kashmir Prof A G Madhosh has revealedthat after the death of their fathers, children mostlyfaced economic hardships, psychological set back,denial of love and affection and apathy from relativesand friends.The research says, “Children who continued with theirfathers relatives were usually harassed. They had tostop going to school and 51 percent of them gotengaged in domestic work”.Regarding the psychological condition of the orphans,the study showed that a sense of isolation wascreeping among the youngsters. Absence of education,no regular house, health deterioration, negativecharacter growth, negative social attitude, denial ofproperty rights and absence of positive attitudetowards life were the other problems identified by theorphans, as per the study.It was further observed by the research that orphansusually under took employment hazardous to their suicides committed, but the underlying factor is akind of undesirable situation created by the conflictsituation, added the professor.Impact of changing development, urbanization,education, modernization are the causes that lead tothe emergence of suicides and the conflict situationadds to that maintained the study. The professor,however, warned that if the same situation continuesfor the next fifty years it might create manyundesirable problems. Entire society will be affected,be it education, culture, politics, religion or anyother dimension of life.“There will be no economic or education development,quality of life will never be enhanced,underdevelopment will prevail and every singleindividual will have to pay the price and there willbe dearth of good jobs”, pointed Dr. Dabla.Another study, “Women and children under armedconflict in Kashmir”, conducted by renownededucationist and former head of education department,University of Kashmir Prof A G Madhosh has revealedthat after the death of their fathers, children mostlyfaced economic hardships, psychological set back,denial of love and affection and apathy from relativesand friends.The research says, “Children who continued with theirfathers relatives were usually harassed. They had tostop going to school and 51 percent of them gotengaged in domestic work”.Regarding the psychological condition of the orphans,the study showed that a sense of isolation wascreeping among the youngsters. Absence of education,no regular house, health deterioration, negativecharacter growth, negative social attitude, denial ofproperty rights and absence of positive attitudetowards life were the other problems identified by theorphans, as per the study.It was further observed by the research that orphansusually under took employment hazardous to their hours. “Jobs like carpet weaving, farming, carpentry,bus conductor, automobile filling service, domesticservice, casual daily wage engagements as helpers toshopkeepers, house builders and masons were taken upin order to earn a livelihood”, established theresearch.According to this study, 90 percent of the childrenwere either found in primary school or preparing toseek admission in private or governmental educationalinstitutions before they lost their fathers. Now, 65percent of children within the age group 11-18 yearshad to enter into a regular child labour market.Focusing towards the increase in the child labour atan alarming proportion during the last 16 years or so,surveys have found nearly 75,000 children below theage of 14 years have joined work force in order tosustain their families that entirely depend on them.According to UNICEF there are over 1,00,000 orphans inKashmir and just 20 orphanages take care of roughly1000-2000 children (JK Practitioner, journal ofcurrent medical science and practice).As against 1,762 patients registered during 1990 atGovernment Psychiatric Diseases Hospital, the numberof patients who visited the hospital in 2000 went upto a staggering figure of 38,696. In 2002, however,the figure rose to nearly 48,000. The figures havealready crossed 48,000 up to September 2003, revealeda report of Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society(J&KCCS). The report further added that before theeruption of conflict in Kashmir in 1989 there washardly any case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD).According to Dr. G.A.Wani, a psychiatrist, “Ten yearsago, we did not get more than 30 such patients a day.Today we examine nearly 200 such cases”. According tothe studies most Kashmiris today suffer from PTSD and health and were being forced to work for the longhours. “Jobs like carpet weaving, farming, carpentry,bus conductor, automobile filling service, domesticservice, casual daily wage engagements as helpers toshopkeepers, house builders and masons were taken upin order to earn a livelihood”, established theresearch.According to this study, 90 percent of the childrenwere either found in primary school or preparing toseek admission in private or governmental educationalinstitutions before they lost their fathers. Now, 65percent of children within the age group 11-18 yearshad to enter into a regular child labour market.Focusing towards the increase in the child labour atan alarming proportion during the last 16 years or so,surveys have found nearly 75,000 children below theage of 14 years have joined work force in order tosustain their families that entirely depend on them.According to UNICEF there are over 1,00,000 orphans inKashmir and just 20 orphanages take care of roughly1000-2000 children (JK Practitioner, journal ofcurrent medical science and practice).As against 1,762 patients registered during 1990 atGovernment Psychiatric Diseases Hospital, the numberof patients who visited the hospital in 2000 went upto a staggering figure of 38,696. In 2002, however,the figure rose to nearly 48,000. The figures havealready crossed 48,000 up to September 2003, revealeda report of Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society(J&KCCS). The report further added that before theeruption of conflict in Kashmir in 1989 there washardly any case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD).According to Dr. G.A.Wani, a psychiatrist, “Ten yearsago, we did not get more than 30 such patients a day.Today we examine nearly 200 such cases”. According tothe studies most Kashmiris today suffer from PTSD andUndoubtedly, women have suffered a lot during morethan 16 years of conflict and they are being subjectedto humiliation and trauma of various trauma. They havemostly been “silent, but worst sufferers.”According to the doctors at Government PsychiatricDiseases Hospital, women constitute 62 percent of thepatients visiting the hospital, stated J&K CCS report.The report further added that there are hundreds ofwomen who have no idea of medical counseling and hencecontinue to suffer. “Suicide rates particularly amongthe women and youth have also gone up. This, theexperts say, is sufficient to ring the alarm bell”,added the J&KCCS report.According to Medicines Sans Frontiers, MSF (Doctorswithout borders), a private international medical andhumanitarian organization, counseling can help tounderstand their problem and treatment throughcounseling is psychological and therefore a process,which may continue for a certain time period.This intervention, as per MSF, would take days, weeksor months depending upon certain factors like durationof the problem, person who is afflicted, severity,intensity and complexity of the problem, number andtype of symptoms. The organization offers freecounseling to the patients (clients). Most of thepatients (clients), believed the organization, feelbetter after they receive counseling.“Doctors without borders” believe that areas of armedconflict and mass violence generally give rise tostressful situations that can be difficult to copewith. “Violence has touched each family living inKashmir one way or another. This leads to detrimentaleffects on the well-being of the people of Kashmir”,MSF maintains.Physical, cognitive, emotional and behaviouralreactions occur under all stressful situations.Relationships get strained, accidents become common are in need of treatment.Undoubtedly, women have suffered a lot during morethan 16 years of conflict and they are being subjectedto humiliation and trauma of various trauma. They havemostly been “silent, but worst sufferers.”According to the doctors at Government PsychiatricDiseases Hospital, women constitute 62 percent of thepatients visiting the hospital, stated J&K CCS report.The report further added that there are hundreds ofwomen who have no idea of medical counseling and hencecontinue to suffer. “Suicide rates particularly amongthe women and youth have also gone up. This, theexperts say, is sufficient to ring the alarm bell”,added the J&KCCS report.According to Medicines Sans Frontiers, MSF (Doctorswithout borders), a private international medical andhumanitarian organization, counseling can help tounderstand their problem and treatment throughcounseling is psychological and therefore a process,which may continue for a certain time period.This intervention, as per MSF, would take days, weeksor months depending upon certain factors like durationof the problem, person who is afflicted, severity,intensity and complexity of the problem, number andtype of symptoms. The organization offers freecounseling to the patients (clients). Most of thepatients (clients), believed the organization, feelbetter after they receive counseling.“Doctors without borders” believe that areas of armedconflict and mass violence generally give rise tostressful situations that can be difficult to copewith. “Violence has touched each family living inKashmir one way or another. This leads to detrimentaleffects on the well-being of the people of Kashmir”,MSF maintains.Physical, cognitive, emotional and behaviouralreactions occur under all stressful situations.Relationships get strained, accidents become common abuse are likely to be followed.Single parent upbringing too has been reported to putthe children under immense physical as well aspsychological pressure apart from constant familyconstraints. Not able to cope up with the suddendisturbances, these children undergo emotionalimbalance resulting in fear psychosis, anxiety,depression, suicides and short temperament, reveal thestudies conducted. In case where the single parentremarries, many children are either not able to adjustin the atmosphere or are ill-treated and ignored....................................................",


BY AFSANA RASHID
SRINAGAR