GENEVA
Kashmir may not be in the priority list of United States, but Kashmiri things are selling hot in the markets of Global Giant. A 35-carat Kashmiri sapphire fetched $ 7.3 million last Wednesday at the Christie auction house. Sapphires from Kashmir are rich cornflower blue or velvety blue and are very much sought after. In 1881, Sapphire was found in the North Western Himalayas deep in a rock slide followed by intense mining activity. Sapphire exhausted in 1931. An anonymous Asian buyer set a world record per carat for a Kashmir sapphire at $209,689 per carat.
SRINAGAR
Kashmir will remember him, certainly, for times to come! At least, on Sunday, when Hurriyat octogenarian Syed Ali Geelani will be releasing third volume of his autobiography, Wullar Kinaray. Life time member and former Ameer of Jama’at-e-Islami, Syed Nazir Ahmad Kashani died last Thursday. He was 75. Post his matric examination, Kashani was appointed in Power Development Department. Basically a resident of Saraf Kadal, Kashani shifted his residence to Buchpora in1982. He also edited JeI’s official newspaper, Azan. He joined JeI as Rukun in 1967 and headed its Srinagar district two years later. Kashani headed JeI in turbulent times, which saw Geelani parting his ways with Jama’at. He remained steadfast as JeI Ameer from 2003 to 2006.
Mumbai
It is said that when tourism is in motion, economy of the state starts spinning! Sensing same, just in his second month of government, J&K CM Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, along with his senior cabinet members, flew to Mumbai and threw dinner parties for Bollywood bigwigs asking them to resume their Kashmir connection. Responding to Mufti’s call, ready to be screened, Welcome 2 Karachi production house led by sensational Lauren Gottlieb landed in ‘no theatre zone’ valley for its promotion! On the other side, Salman Khan resumed shooting of Bajrangi Bhaijaan from Zoji La, marking opening of the strategic Srinagar-Leh road.
PUNJAB
If it happens next time, the problem may turn worse. After Punjab State Power Corporation Limited managed Ranjit Sagar Dam released water, it washed away 64-year-old Sayeed Mohammad of Jarai village in Kathua, along with his livestock. Kathua DC was quick registering an FIR against Anil Sood, chief engineer of the Ranjit Sagar Dam under Section 136 (wilful negligence resulting in the death of a person) of the Ranbir Penal Code. But Punjab irrigation minister Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon said that the victim was washed away when the flow of water was normal and if such accusation and counter accusations happen again, then FIRs will registered every day. The two border sharing states are meeting soon to resolve the issue and DC Kathua has not pursued the case further.
BHADERWAH
A cop from Chenab valley hogged headlines for a different style of policing. He doesn’t seem to believe in baton. Yes, you heard it, correct. He punishes offenders in a typical school master’s way. So when SHO Bhaderwah Bandeshwar Manhas saw mini bus drivers openly violating traffic rules, he made half a dozen of them to pose in a most humiliating and painful posture at Pasri bus stand. The act, we are being told, was cathartic moment for onlookers and passengers, otherwise left irked by the irate driving. Now, shall one give the cop a medal for low cost, high yield deterrent? People say: yes, bring it on!
VIRGINIA
They love art, so they respect it! Virginia is not Kashmir and Kashmir is stuck in its history. Kashmiri sensation Mehmeet Syed, Bilal Matta and Irfan Nabi blending rich poetry with Kashmiri and Western musical instruments, enthralled audience in various cities of USA during their musical journey to the Western State. Chicago-based George Lawler and Habib Wardak joined the trio from valley. Bedard Daade Chani, Soorho Sapdaan, Beha Yaar Lagai, Begum Nawas, Rum Gayim Sheehas, Baigur Guwa Baani Moun, Jaan Wandyo Haa Bhi Paan Wandiyo, Zuv Te Jaan Wandai Main Dilbaroto generated a huge round of applause from the audience, persisting, let the music play!
39 persons have been tested positive with deadly disease Hepatitis-C at Leper Colony in Lal Bazar, Srinagar
Coalition partner in J&K government, Bharatiya Janta Party, claimed of registering 3 lakh members from Kashmir valley for the first time
