Prof Talat appointed Vice Chancellor KU

Srinagar: In a surprising move, Professor Talat Ahmad of the Delhi University has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir here. He will replace Professor Riyaz Punjabi, whose term ended on January 7, this year.

Sources told Kashmir Dispatch that the Governor, Narindra Nath Vohra appointed Professor Talat, who is a Professor at the department of Geology at the Delhi University for the last eight years as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Kashmir University for the next three years. The official communication in this regard was sent to the Prof Talat on Monday.

Prof Talat, whose name was recommended by the search committee headed by former Member of Planning Commission, Prof Abid Hussain, is likely to join the varsity on June 1.

“I received the offer letter from the Chancellor’s office yesterday. I have accepted the offer and agreed to take over the post of the Vice Chancellor,” Prof Talat told Kashmir Dispatch over phone from New Delhi.


Talat who is a professor at the Department of Geology, University of Delhi, will replace Professor Riyaz Punjabi, the present Vice Chancellor, who had completed his tenure on January 6 and was, since then, awaiting the appointment of his successor, an official communique issued here today said.

“Governor, N N Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, has in consultation with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (who is Pro-Chancellor of the University) appointed Talat Ahmad from a panel of three persons recommended in early April 2011 by a Search Committee chaired by Dr. Abid Hussain, former Indian Ambassador to USA, and comprising Professor G K Chadha, CEO, South Asian University and former Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Prof S Seyed E. Hasnain, an eminent Scientist and, till recently, the Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad,” the communiqué said.



Prof Talt completed his MSc in geology from Aligarh Muslim University in 1977 followed by an M Phil in Ore Petrology from JNU in 1980.

He then went onto complete his PhD in Igneous Petrology from JNU in 1985.

In 1988-89, Prof. Talat did a Post Doctoral Fellowship with University of Liecester, while in 1997-98, he did he did another Post Doctoral Fellowship with University of Cambridge.

In 1999-2000, he did another Post Doctoral Fellowship with Nagota University (Japan).

He joined Geological Survey of India as Geologist in February 1980 and later worked as a Scientist-B with Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun from 16-7-1984 to 3-9-1989.

He held different academic and research positions and fellowships with a number of universities and later worked as a Scientist-C with Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun.

He has been functioning as Professor at Department of Geology, University of Delhi, continuously since 31-10-2003.

Prof Talat received the prestigious National Mineral Award, 1994 from the Government of India.

He is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and a Life Member of Mineralogical Society of India.

Indian Navy pressed in to fish out Biscoe boy

Srinagar: A day after a student from Tyndale Biscoe School drowned in river Jehlum, the state government on Saturday pressed drivers from the India Navy to fish out his body.

After 22 hours State Disaster Management and Indian Navy today used divers to find out the body of 10th class student Shakir Ashraf Bhat of Tyndle Boscoe School who drowned after he allegedly jumped into the river for a bet with his friend.

One of the officer from India Navy on the basis of anonymity said, "At around 11 am this noon we received a message from state Disaster Management about this incident. We instantly reached on spot and started a joint rescue operation."

Meanwhile, the families in house boats have expressed serious concern about the delayed use of divers. “The state disaster management should inform the navy force immediately but they called them after one day. It is bizarre on their part,” said, Ali Mohammad a houseboat owner.

Ejaz Ahmad, who last saw Shakir urging for help in the midst of the river is traumatized. “I saw Shakir’s waving his hand in the middle of the river crying for help. I jumped into the river but I feared to move ahead. There was mud and it was difficult to swim safely,” he said.

When contacted, OSD, State Disaster Management, Amir Ali said, We have also brought divers and are trying to locate him as soon as possible."

He further added that it may take couple of days to recover the body.

JKLF chief among 6 held in Ganderbal

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Chief, Mohammad Yasin Malik and six of his associates were detained by police in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district this morning.

Reports said that a delegation of JKLF activists led by the party Chief, Mohammad Yasin Malik were on their way to Kangan to address a public gathering, when a police team intercepted them near main chowk, Ganderbal around 10:30 this morning.

The JKLF activists, reports said offered resistance and tried to proceed towards the venue. However, police swung into action and detained Malik along with six of his activists before whisking them to the nearby district police lines, Kher Bawani.

Some of the detained JKLF activists have been identified as Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Mohammad Zaman Mir, Mohammad Javed, Mohammad Shafi, Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, and Mohammad Haneef Dar.

“We were arrested by police when we were on way to Kangan to address a public gathering. Ten of my party activists were also arrested by the police,” Malik told this correspondent over phone

'Power need not corrupt'

Oveesa Iqbal is the first Muslim woman from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify the coveted Union Public Service Commission exam 2010. In an interview with Kashmir Dispatch correspondent Junaid Rather, she says power 'need ot corrupt'.



Ovessa Iqbal, 25, in a file picture.

You are the first Muslim woman from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify the coveted UPSC exams. Tell us about it?

I got to know about the news of being first Muslim woman from Jammu and Kashmir from newspapers only. I am glad that God has blessed me with this honour. I don’t have words to express my feelings.

Your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from many sources at different point of time.

Tells us about your days while you were preparing for the exams?

Those were days of mixed emotions, failure, success, failure, finally success! But then I feel those were the best days as I was enjoying what I was doing irrespective of results.

You pursued engineering, how did UPSC happen?

After my graduation I had few options like going for a job or do MBA or pursue Masters or go for civil services. Finally I decided to go for civil services as this was the best career option to start at a young age. It offers challenges like diverse service opportunities, social esteem and involvement with the masses.

Does coming from an underdeveloped region make a difference?

I don’t feel so. My parents never made me feel that I belong to a remote area. Being born and brought up in a remote area doen't make much of a difference as everyone has to face same conditions.

What do you aspire for the people who saw you grow?

At this point I don know which part of the country I will be serving. Where ever I would be, I will try to reach out to the people and ensure my loyalty towards them and towards the organization.

Many Kashmiris believe that they are discriminated elsewhere in India. What do you think?

To some extent in some way or other this is true. This I realized after living in Kashmir. But things are changing now as the education level is changing and people are becoming more aware.

More Kashmiris are moving into civil services, do you think this could be helpful in resolving Kashmir Issue?

Yes I feel so because by this the general perception about the things which are going on will change in a positive way and the potential of the brilliant youth of Kashmir can be channelized.

Power corrupts, what’s your take?

If power corrupts then does powerlessness make you pure? So for me power need not corrupt.

Your message for those who are planning to prepare for UPSC exams.

First you need to be firm with your decision then just believe in yourself no matter what others say and be yourself. Don’t follow coaching centers blindly.

Kashmir enslaved by India, Pak, China: IDP

Srinagar: Pro-India Internationalist Democratic Party (IDP) on Tuesday said that the formerly princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was enslaved by India, Pakistan and China soon after the partition of the sub-continent in 1947.

“The truth is that India was a slave when Kashmir was free. When India gained freedom, Kashmir was enslaved by the three countries. 70000 acres of land of our state is held by Pakistan, 49000 acres by China and 1, 38,000 acres by India. Our state has been divided. We have been devastated,” senior IDP leader, Kulbushan Singh said while addressing a gathering on the second day of the peace conference being held at SK international convention complex (SKICC) here this afternoon.

“Desires can’t bring peace. It is time for the people of Kashmir to think before both the countries ruin us,” he added.

Lashing out at India, the IDP leader said that the government of India was not serious in resolving the Kashmir issue. He said that the involvement of people of Jammu and Kashmir was imperative for any dialogue process to succeed.

“New Delhi doesn’t want peace to prevail in Kashmir. They don’t want to resolve Kashmir issue,” he said.

He said that Kashmir has been a flashpoint between the two arch rivals and elections in both the countries were being fought with Kashmir as the main agenda.

“Both the countries want to keep the conflict going for their personal interests,” he said.

The IDP, he said aspires for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue for which peace conferences are being held in different states of the country

Talk straight to Kashmiris, says Agnivesh

Srinagar: Renowned social activist and religious leader Swami Agnivesh Monday expressed serious concern on the Kashmir issue during a peace conference held here at SKICC.
Talking to the reporters on the side-lines of the conference, he said, "India should talk straight to the people of Kashmir and if they can’t then there is no need to come Kashmir except for tourism."

“Delhi is trying to make Kashmir their state and those who represent Kashmir in Delhi are only for namesake” said Swami.

He added that Government of India should come forward to talk face to face to the people of Valley.

“There should be an immediate revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir,” said Swami.

Commenting on the killing of Naxal leader Aazad, he said, "When moist leader Azad was killed I alone filed a case in the Supreme Court against his killing but during summer unrest 2010 in Kashmir there were 118 innocent killings. Why there was no such judicial enquiry."

“There is an immediate need to call for probe in all innocent killings and to release all prisoners who are detained in different jails of India,” he added.

Pro-freedom camp's telecon with European Parliament foiled

Srinagar: Police on Wednesday foiled the teleconference of the pro-freedom leaders with the European Parliament on the 5th Global Discourse on Kashmir (GDK 2011) being held in Brussels.

Eyewitnesses said that a police team carried out a surprise raid at Ismail guest house in Barbarshah locality of the uptown and disrupted the teleconference of the pro-freedom leaders with the European parliament. The cops, eyewitnesses said cut off the electricity supply to foil the teleconference.

Prominent pro-freedom leaders, including Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Hurriyat Conference (M) leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah, JKLF (R) leaders, Javed Ahmad Mir, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate and senior lawyer G N Shaheen were present at the venue when the police thwarted the conference.

Most of the pro-freedom leaders were unable to address the European Parliament. However, Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Shabir Shah addressed the conference.

“We could not make it to Brussels because the Government of India has not issued us passports. The police did not even allow us to address the European parliament through teleconference,” senior JKLF (R) leader, Javed Mir said.

Another party leader, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate said that police snapped off electricity supply by switching off generator to foil the teleconference. He condemned the police action.

The 5th Global Discourse on Kashmir (GDK 2011) started in European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday with the welcome address by James Elles, Chairman All Party Group for Kashmir in the European Parliament.

On this 5th discourse on Kashmir Influential actors, diplomats and experts from across the globe along with a number of members of the European Parliament drawn, in particular, from the Afghanistan, Indian and South Asia.

James Elles, Ambassador Abdulla Alim, special representative of OIC on Kashmir, Tijis Berman, Chairman Afghanistan delegation, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) and Sherry Rehman, member of the parliamentary committee on national security participated in the inaugural session titled “Situation in Kashmir – International Appreciation.”

Jaen Lambert, Chairman South Asian delegation, Josef Janning, Director of Studies, European Policy Center, Dr Dennis MacShane MP (UK) and Prof Nazir Ahmad Shawl, Chairman Justice Foundation Kashmir Center London also spoke during a session titled “Situation in Kashmir – European Appreciation” later in the day.

Ivo Vagjl, MEP Committee on Foreign Affairs, Moulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Chairman Pakistan Parliamentary Kashmir Committee, Dr Udit Raj, National President, Indian Justice Party and Nasim Zehra, Director Current Affairs Duniya TV also participated in the session“Situation in Kashmir- Regional Appreciation.”



The main purpose of the Global Discourse on Kashmir, since its first meeting in 2004, according to APGK chairman James Elles, has been to encourage the informal dialogue process between the governments of India, Pakistan and representatives of the people of Kashmir.

APDP concerned over missing Pandit youth, holds sit-in

Srinagar: Coming down heavily on the police for failing to trace the missing Pandit youth, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) on Thursday said that the incident was an indicator about the continued phenomenon of disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir.

21-year-old Susheel Raina, son of Badrinath Raina went missing from Chandergam, Aishmuqam in south Kashmir’s Islamabad district on April, 4. Susheel had left his home to collect a certificate from the boys Degree College when he went missing.

“Susheel’s disappearance is an indicator about the continued phenomenon of people disappearing in Jammu and Kashmir. He is not the first one to disappear but if the government does not allow independent and impartial investigations into the phenomenon of enforced disappearances, unfortunately Susheel will not be the last one as well,” an APDP spokesman said, during a sit-in demonstration at SK Park here this afternoon.

Mother of Susheel Raina holding his picture at their residence in Ashmuqam: File Picture

Lashing out at police, the spokesman said that when it comes to high profile political murders, like the one of Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith (JAH) President, Maulana Showkat Ahmed Shah recently, police swiftly came out with a charge sheet against some people without even providing a shred of evidence.

“But when there are cases of common Kashmiris like Susheel no one seems to be interested in investigating these cases. Intelligence agencies are clueless and news analysts are silent,” he said.

The spokesman said that the police claims of investigating the disappearance cases in last two decades have neither begun nor ended. In rare cases, the spokesman said where police investigations have indicted the perpetrators, no one has been prosecuted.

“Like so many young men, justice too appears to have been forced to disappear from Jammu and Kashmir. People who seek justice are branded as hardliners and the ones denying justice claim to be the torch bearers of democracy. Democracy is strengthened by truth and justice but here in Kashmir transparency, accountability and truth are the most hated concepts for democrats,” he said.

Reiterating its demand for independent investigations into all the cases of enforced disappearances, the APDP urged the government to shun ‘callousness’ and help the family of the Pandit youth establish his whereabouts.