Last time

Last Time                                              

Everything had ended! The last time we cross paths,

As she gazed her eyes towards me; yearning in her eyes said it all,

I was still. Smile on my face.

Promised her last time; the last words I said, I reminisce?

Eyes don’t lie, silence make you understand.

Smile on my face; were the signs of change. I wondered?

But she said, last time.

Was change everlasting?

She whispered to her.

Was this the loves highness?

I wondered!           

Can she feel the pain; I wondered?

I smiled, she got it all.

Once she said; can read beloveds expression,

Will she; I thought to myself?

Was I changed person, I whispered to myself!

Or was this the promise; the last words I said.

Tears in her eyes were about to fall; as we peer into each other’s eyes,

I was smiling, she was silent.

Meet came to an end,

I was smiling, she was silent.

So one last good bye

Last words she said…

Turn and gazed my eyes into her,

Tears wee nearer to her eye lashes, she moved.

Bowed her head and played with tassels,

I moved slowly; she fixed her eyes under her scarf.

I saw again the yearning in her eyes.

Last time we met,

Before that we ended.

Valleys first bookstore

One of the oldest markets of Srinagar- Maharaj Gunj has an historic book store to offer which was established in 1890’s. During the Maharaja regime in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, a Kashmiri man- Ghulam Mohammad Bhat who was then 30 year old had a dream of education for the folks of the Valley and started a book store.
  

“In early days we used to sell only Kashmiri, Arabic and Farsi books. Bhat would go Lahore to bring books from there. During Maharaja Rule Kashmiri Muslims were not much educated so it was my grandfather wish to open book store to spread knowledge,” recalls grandson Iqbal Mohd.

The publishing house “Ghulam Mohd Noor Mohd Publishing house” was found in 1890’s. Till 1917 Ghulam Mohd was alone looking at store but after that Bhat elder son Noor Mohd joined his father foot step as to spread more knowledge among Kashmiri peoples. “My father was 10^th class pass, at that time matric pass was called an intellectual and also he had a good hold on English, Farsi and Kashmiri language” said Iqbal. 

During that era Noor Mohd used to travel throughout valley to collect Kashmiris chronicle for preservation. He has a deep bond with Kashmiri literature. Till 1947 Noor Mohd would to go Lahore to bring books but after the partition Lahore train stopped and Delhi, Lucknow started.

Iqbal Mohd further added “During that period there were few educational institutes, one of them was Islamia High School and Tyndale Biscoe and also there were some English medium school in valley so demand of English literature was less.”

Many people don’t know about Noor Mohd contribution to Kashmiri society. Noor Mohd used to visit different places to collect material from Kashmiris Islamic scholars and poets. Then they used to write it on copy for publication which to bring published from Delhi. “Everyone can’t effort books so there were only few elite class people mostly Kashmiri Pundits whom used to buy books,” said Iqbal.

Nearly selling books from more than centuries ‘Bhat’ caste has been replaced by ‘Kitab’. “Everyone calls us by our sir name Kitab and I am proud of that. We have been serving books from 19^th century so our caste has changed to Kitab,” said Iqbal.

Many people are not aware that Noor Mohd was also a writer who had written 175 books and one of the best among them is (Tareeq-a- Kashmir in 1952) all the books are written in Kashmiri language. He had spent his entire life to preserve the Kashmir’s history through his collection of books for the younger generations to come. “I had heard from my uncle that my father was so dedicated that he would travel across valley to meet poets of Kashmir,” said Iqbal.

In 1922 Noor started his own publication house by collecting material from different places and then compiling it in one book and bringing printed copies from Lahore. “Thousands of books we used to bring from Lahore. Demands for Kashmiri literature were increasing. There was no educational institution, media and university. We became the source for books and we contributed in a large way as we were playing the role of cultural academia in valley,” recalls Iqbal.

In Kashmir there was nothing big regarding education system in that epoch. Even matriculation was considered as elitist. At that period, Noor spread the Noor (enlighten) to the people of Kashmir.

Noor also was one among the rebels who stood against the Maharaja in 1931. “He was supporting ferment through education, he was making plans and strategies against the oppression,” recalls Iqbal.

After 1947 when India and Pakistan were put on World map and both the new nations claimed of this princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Noor thought of bringing printing press to Kashmir and in 1955 he brought.

“Stream printing press was the first press that my father brought from Delhi. After that we used to publish books from our own press” said Iqbal. Printing press was set up in central hub area of Srinagar Lal Chowk near KMD bus stand. “It was the first press that was owned by a Muslim person and we used to print every book but our main focus was on Islamic books,” recalls Iqbal.

Nearly for past one decade stream press was going smooth but new technologies were arriving in market and Noor thought of bring Litho printing press (printing from a metal or stone surface). “We also printed few newspapers of that time. As my father died in 1965 nobody was left who can continue printing press so that we sell the press and our main focus remains back on books. I was only two years old when my father died,” said Iqbal.

Further Iqbal added “After that it was my uncles who were running this store. But soon I got interested and I joined my father and grandfather historic book store. I brought new books in store and some English literature.”

Noor contribution to Kashmiri society is a lot but grandson of Ghulam Mohd has one request. “I want one special award in the department of Kashmiri language in Kashmir University by the name of Noor Mohd. It has been discussed so many times but still they had not implemented it. It a request through your medium,” said Iqbal.

Ends…

It was sheer luck that bought cricket enthusiast Waseem Raza Parray face to face with state’s Ranjhi selectors. Wasaf Jeelani recaps budding cricketer’s journey that saw him fulfill his dreams   

In action Wasim Raza during one of the Ranji Matches.

On a sunny afternoon in October 2012, Waseem Raza Parray, then 19-year-old, went to Kashmir University for some academic work and saw Ranjhi Cricket Camp taking place inside the campus.  “It was sheer coincidence,” recalls Raza, a cricket enthusiast from Srinagar’s downtown area.

The camp was headed by then state Ranjhi team coach Bishan Singh Bedi and a local cricket star of yesteryears Qayoom Baghoo. Raza who has already played a couple of matches in under 19 team, got excited and met both the legends of the game.

Raza told Baghoo about his interest in the game. And what happened next will remain with Raza for the life time. “Baghoo allowed me to participate in the camp,” recalls Raza enthusiastically.

For rest of the afternoon Raza practiced with the senior players of state’s Ranjhi team under the watchful eyes of Bedi. “I learned a few important things related to my bowling from Bedi Sir,” says Raza.

In the evening Raza received a call from the selectors that his name has been included in the list of 30 probable. “That night I couldn’t sleep at all. I was excited,” recalls Raza who had played his first national level game at the age of 17.

But the journey onwards was not smooth at all for young Raza who wanted to make his mark as a cricketer. In the first three under 19 games that season Raza didn’t make it into playing eleven. Finally Raza got his dream debut in the fourth game of the tournament against Delhi. “I bowled 9 overs in the power play and took one important wicket of Unmukt Chand,” recalls Raza. Unfortunately J&K team lost all four matches.

The next big moment for Raza came when he played his first test match against Surashtra. “I bowled well and was the highest scorer for my team,” says Raza.

After the match Raza was called by match referee who praised his performance and told him that he has potential to play next Ranjhi season for his state team. But cricket in J&K is run in an altogether different manner by the state’s board.

“I had to wait for next two seasons before I got to play again,” says Raza now 23-year-old.

In the meanwhile Raza was selected for under-22 team but unfortunately could not find a place in the playing eleven.

When Raza got his first pay check (match fee), he could not help but recall those days when he would save 2 rupees to contribute as ball fund, so that he can play a game on Sunday.

Raza recalls his journey as cricket started in 2003 when he first played in an inter-school tournament where he scored a half century. “That performance spurred my passion in cricket,” says Raza.

Starting from street cricket like others, and many shattered window panes later – for which he used to get scolded – Raza finally set his eyes for a bigger goal: playing at the highest level of competition as a child.

But how to fulfill his dreams was a question that baffled this teenager. It was his brother’s experience as a right arm off-spinner that helped Raza nurtures his raw talent.

Raza then started perfecting his cricketing skills by watching old cricket matches on television. “I would closely observe Pakistani left-handed batsman Saeed Anwar and try to learn from him style,” recalls Raza.

A year later Raza gave trail for under 14s district level team and got selected as an all-rounder. “I took my first 5 wicket haul in the finals but unfortunately ended on the losing side.”

But getting a place in state’s under 14s level team was still a farfetched dream. “I failed for two consecutive years,” says Raza.

In the third attempt Raza finally managed a place in the under 16 team. After that Raza got affiliated with a local club for one year. “It was a good learning experience for me,” says Raza.

Then came the big moment for which Raza has been waiting for long. “I participated in under 19 trails but selectors didn’t notice me. Maybe my style of bowling was rough and needed guidance,” says Raza.

It was then Raza’s friend Sameer Ali, a Ranjhi trophy player, who guided him through his initial times and helped him stay focused.

When finally Raza got selected for the state Ranjhi team he knew this was his moment. “We had lost a few early wickets and captain was keen to have some good partnerships.”

Then it was Raza and Ubaid Haroon who fulfilled their captain’s wish by adding 100 plus runs on the board together. In the same match Raza got his debut Ranjhi wicket as well.

Raza continued to shine in next two seasons. In 2014 Ranjhi season, Raza took his first 5 wicket haul against Tamil Nadu. “I am really indebted to Sunil Joshi and Parvez Rasool for their support,” says Raza.

With one dream fulfilled Raza now has another one: to meet South African batsman Hashim Amla; Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakara and Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf once in my life.

“I want to play IPL in next two years time,” says Raza with a tinge of hope in his voice.

Flood shocks and aftershocks

Flood Shocks and aftershocks

Drizzle that started drenching valley on September 2 had submerged half of the citytill September 7. All roads were water-logged. No vehicular din was heard. Only a haunting silence reigned supreme.

I remember government announcement at 11:00 am on September 6. I went out with some of my cousins to evacuate the other family members. At Zero Bridge, the sight was too scary. A feeling—the end is near—ran inside my head!

I could see water level kissing the bridge. A spillover was quite clear. It was simply an unnerving sight.

But before such scenes would have shaken us apart, we had failed to heed alarms bells at first place itself. Out of habit, I believe, we shrugged off shocking signals.

Many people stayed put only to be driven out later by the devastating deluge.

In the garb of night, Jhelum swelled perilously. Not many sensed it. It was complete misreading of the incoming calamity. But once they opened their eyes in next morning, they stood petrified. The flood water was already in their compounds, lawns and gardens! There was no way out for them. They were held hostage by nature’s fury.

Everything happened so fast—within 24 hours. Phones started buzzing up, alarmingly. Everyone was screaming for help. I heard people literally crying their hearts out: “Save us! Anybody there? Please, save us!” These cries made me feel that nature was about doom us! Such was panic. Such was hysteria. And, such was terror!

But not everyone was losing mind in the face of nature’s fury though. Most were finding ways and means to save their loved ones. But many were looking helpless to rescue their loved ones. The families, which were trapped in their houses, started praying to Allah. He was the only hope left.

In the middle of all this, phones were continuously ringing. Grave and grievous conversations were on. But around 3 o’clock, all phones went dead. The communication breakage further created panic.

At Zero Bridge, almost all Rajbagh – rendered homeless by flood – had turned up. Everyone was shouting! Screaming! Crying!

Some were literally begging boatmen to save their loved ones. People were even giving their car keys and thousands of rupees just to avail a boat. But such was the ferocity of Jhelum that even boats appeared useless.

In the same state, days passed into nights and nights into days. But the horror triggered by flood was only intensifying.

Some four days later, the nature showed some signs of kindness. Jhelum mellowed down. Now, many people got back to rescue works. Before their eyes, people were watching how flood had reduced their lifetime property, savings and documents into slush.

And once Jhelum assumed normal course, people started assessing their losses.Insurance companies chipped in. But not everyone was insured. The aid, therefore, proved selective.

In between, International aid was on way to valley. But it hit the roadblock after central government stopped its march. Many read the move – “worst than the flood itself”.

To ‘flaunt’ solidarity, Modi visited Kashmir to celebrate Diwali in the Muslim majority region. “He should have visited us on Eid instead, if at all, he wanted to show solidarity with us,” many rued.

Modi’s K-visits, however, didn’t cease. He kept visiting the valley without ushering any change on ground. “Visits don’t change the situation,” one commentator observed.

But now when PDP-BJP ‘complicated’ alliance is already a reality in JK, many believe Mufti must motivate Modi to lift ban on international aid. Maybe, the move might paddle Mufti-Modi bonhomie in the state where the state of flood-hit continues to be critical.

Teaching Ideas

Teaching ideas

It’s just a mundane exercise of mugging up things and vomiting them out. 

Well history of education began in India with Vedic period. The word Veda originated from the word Vid which bears the meaning of knowledge.

What are we learning in schools, colleges and universities? Long lectures, that’s it. In Vedic period we will notice their methods of teaching were based on practice and less on theory, and that helped in living the life better. Are these practical things really happening to our educational system. Well, the answer probably would be no. So bringing in practical things into our education is very important. We teach our children to mug up things from the very early age but do not let them use their own creativity. Their own original thoughts and ideas.

In the 19th century, Brits framed an educational curriculum which we are still clinging to. As for themselves, they moved on. But we are still chasing the leftovers. The trust deficit among the individuals in our educational society creates more and more bureaucratization in our education system, which directly impacts the academic, creative and research spirit of the academia. Primary education is the essence of social change, mobility and modernity. But what are we doing? Simple, lacking in primary education too.

Well, pupil-teacher relationship should be based on love, respect but it’s all reverse in our case, that’s why students hesitate to ask questions and a communication gap forms. It remains there until our death. We need to change our basic education system, we should make teacher-student bonds stronger. Primary education is the base and our base is not so strong.

When we compare our education system with the other countries we find ourselves far behind them all. Reasons. Our primary education. The reformation must start from very very small things: The education ministers, vice chancellors, principals should be qualified enough to innovate. They should be visionaries. There should be trainings and orientation pragrammes for teachers after every six months, so that they will keep learning how to deal with a primary class student in the primary education system. There should be counseling programmes at primary levels to a guide a student in opting a career. After the twelfth standard^, there should only be a single subject of the student’s choice in which he/she would be interested and the same should be opted by the student.

  

Let us live for ourselves

Let us live for ourselves

One of the universal realities is that the first social institution for a child is a family. It is a place where he gets introduced to Knowledge, faith, culture and others. But with the modernization, which has raised the burden on Kids, every parent now demands a Doctor and Engineer in their kids, while ignoring the desires of their child.

Most of the parents in the sub-continent are stuck with the mind set of forcing their wards to become doctors, engineers and pilots. Is not it equally important to ask a child what he wants to becomes. In our society when new baby is born parents straight away decide their future.

The criteria of judging the so called fate is simple for any parent for that matter. If a baby girl is born, she has to become a doctor. If it is boy then engineer. The height is even before the child gets introduced to the alphabets of literature; the fate of a child is already decided.

This is one of the reasons due to which the kids of this generation have become more vulnerable. The desire which one lives with to achieve are crippled in the childhood. Ultimately it ends up with frustration and helplessness. Psychological experts claim that one of the reasons for suicide among the present generation is that they find their dreams getting scattered and ultimately commit suicide. 

We start mugging up things,and from there on new journey starts - called “the journey of studies” -from word A we reach to Z and from 1 to 100 and so on more words come and numbers we learn but the direction in which we are going is what our parents had already decided.

Nobody asks us what we want to become.I often wonder why our parents dictate us our future. Perhaps, it happens because of the society around us. Parents often tell us that “see your friend he tops the list” but why do we compare ourselves with others?It is simple because of the society around us.Someone has rightly said the word “log kya kahenge” (What will people say) has killed more dreams than anything else.Break the rules, live for yourself not for others.Why do we care about society?

Have we arrived in this world to satisfy others? Or are we here to live our dreams?From very beginning our mind is set that we want to become doctor, engineer, pilot et cetera.

But when we start achieving the mile stones that our parents had set for us we become happy for time being.Our parents become happy in society after noun is being followed by adjectives like doctor, engineer et cetera,but in inner world what we want to become that remains confined to us and the only thing that describe our desire remains entangled to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. 

When child is born we use to tell them “you will become doctor. But, when you see cricket match on television you will start telling yourself this is what you wanted to become. But this is too late we have missed the bus.Time and tide waits for none. 

There are few people in this world who know what actually they want to become rather than others and when we could not achieve that we say that is not good for us or this was in my fate but nobody says I never made an attempt for it.

The culture of enforcing the profession is killing and leaving our generation with deep psychological trauma. It is high time for parents to change their policy towards their children and try to accept the ideas of their children.

Cricket will miss you

Jersey number 10 will always be remembered 

  

He is known for his aggressive batting style, the flamboyant player of cricket fraternity,cricket’s favorite child Shahid Khan Afridi!

Making his ODI debut for Pakistan at the age of 16, he made his way in the team as a replacement for the injured Mushtaq Ahmed as a leg spinner but soon he drew the attention of one and all with his unorthodox batting style.

Earlier, we never had heard such an “Unorthodox” word on television. In his second ODI match he hit the stunning fastest century of just 37 balls. Cricket was witnessing something different for the first time, eleven sixes he struck in his innings and became the youngest player to score an ODI ton.

His ability to hit every ball out of the stadium made him attract fans from across the world and they had so many hopes from him as he was playing in his last World Cup.

He represented Pakistan in 396 ODI’s with 395 wickets in his name and eight thousand plus runs, just five wickets short of four hundred.

Cricket lovers were expecting he will reach his 400 wickets in this world cup but felt disheartened. Represented his country in five World Cups but unfortunately could not manage one in his career.

After making impressive ODI debut Afridi got his test cap two years later but could not impress with bat in his next test, he smashed 146 runs against India. He was given the little of Boom Boom by an Indian commentator Ravi Shastri when he scored his second century in just 45 balls against arch sports rival India.

As a child I remember watching him play always fascinated me, glued to TV set just to watch his innings and always mouth in my heart when he hit ball in air. I remember his innings against New Zealand back in 2000 were he smashed the ball everywhere in the ground and took game away from Kiwi’s with his fearless bating style and who can forget his batting against India in Asia Cup where he hit Ashwin two consecutive sixes and win over match for Pakistan and proved again that he is a match winners.

Known as “Lala” (big brother) is one of the biggest match winners that Pakistan ever had produced. Four hundred international sixes with 8000+ runs with more than run-a-ball.

Shahid Afridi will always be remembered for his maverick style, never changed his batting style whatever the situation demands he was and he will be remembered for his unique style either in field or outside the field.

Girls favorite boy, Afridi cricket will miss you so your fans. I in person used to watch Pakistan cricket matches for him and thirstily used to wait for his chance to come. He is our favorite cricketer star and will always remain in our hearts.

Who can forget 2011 World Cup Semi-final match against India, everyone saw how much he love cricket as Pakistan lost tears in his eyes could tell all story.  Played his last World cup match against “Aussie” just could regain his magic, jersey number 10 will always be remembered in world cricket.

Afridi has played more ODI matches than any other Pakistan cricket player. He will always remains a Youtube sensation and will be our (LALA). He will be hero of millions and always remain and will be remembered as one of the best all-rounder world has ever seen.