Peace and Progress

A rejoinder to 'Peace imperative for Progress'
Veenapandita koul

Prof. A.N. Sadhu in his article, “Peace imperative for progress” published in The Kashmir Times on Nov.14, 2009 has hammered the factors leading to peace building, which if practised will attain tranquility and freedom from civil disorder and eventually to progress - to development and improvement, to keep us going on. It is a fact that we all crave for the peace to return in the valley. It feels the paradise is lost somewhere.
I am reminded of good old days when Kashmir was famous for Kashmiriyat, which would mean love, brotherhood, respect shown to guests (Mehman-nawazi), refraining from blood-shed - irrespective of colour, caste and creed, in short respect for human values. One could see people walking by the road-side during late night hours without any apprehensions of Ghosts roaming around. The valley of Kashmir looked colourful not only with the flowers, the green Chinars and the meadows but also with the colourful dresses of tourists. Tourism used to be the back-bone of the economy of Kashmir and had lead to its progress. The common people have the realization of the loss they have incurred by losing tourism in Kashmir. They perfectly understand that the pressures of not keeping peace at a cost are telling hard on the economy of the state in many ways. The mindsets of the common people have not changed or they have not turned hostile to peace. They have also not lost the realm of Kashmiriyat nor has their blood turned into water. Somehow, the rich culture, for which Kashmir is famous for, and the Kashmiriyat, for which the Kashmiris are known for, has gone dormant somewhere. Twenty years have passed in turmoil, exile and anguish; and allowing the state of affairs like this for another ten years will mean an irreversible change in our culture.
We need to awake ourselves to listen to our inner-voice, which I am sure is for peace and progress, not only materialistic one but of mind, body and soul. Need of the hour is to revive kashmiriyat for which we all are proud of. This way we will not only be doing good to our generation but to the posterity as well. Otherwise we will have to be answerable to the generations to come. Trust, tolerance and cooperation need to be imbibed to regain the blissful situation. Peace definitely cannot be enjoyed under the shadows of ghosts and guns. We need to nurture and promote our age-old values to re-establish peace. It may seem that peace has become an expensive affair to attain. It definitely costs men, money, material, time and energy to make peace attainable. But at the same time we need to ask ourselves that what price we are paying for not maintaining peace and order. And what shall be the outcome of true peace? let us all search as the answer lies within our minds.
While concluding I am reminded of the parable about our great emperor, Akbar, who once ordered each household to deposit one jar of milk in a tank to build up a reservoir of milk to feed poor children. All his subjects’ responded. The next morning when the lid of the tank was opened it was filled with clean water instead of milk. Perplexed he turned to the wise Birbal for an explanation and there came an explanation that it happened to be a classical case of individual gain and collective loss. Each one had deposited a jar of water thinking that it would go undetected among hundreds of gallons of milk brought by others.
If we think that our individual contribution will have no significant impact on the overall system, then we are bound to end up with a crippled and callous society. Let us all contribute whatever little we can and be the change that we would like to see around us to create peaceful lives for ourselves and for our posterity.

I saw God in his eyes

I saw God in his eyes
Veena p koul

It was in 1987 that we shifted to live in a rented accommodation at Karan Nagar, Srinagar. Mornings would fill me with joy and energy. The breeze, the chirping sounds of birds, the fresh fragrance of flowers would freshen and elate me. I was in love with myself and hence would enjoy every routine work that would come my way for the rest of the day. And the routine would start by the knock of the milkman at the door of the compound wall which would make me rush with a pot in my hand to fetch milk.
One day while I rushed to fetch the milk, I happened to see a person who had a strange freshness in his demeanour. He was white-bearded wearing white kurta-pajama and a karakuli cap, and had a cool and composed look.
Next day I happened to see him the same time again with a visible serenity in his personality- a saintly look in his eyes. Later, I realized that it might have been the time for his return from a morning walk or may be morning prayers; and that he lived in immediate neighbourhood. Thereafter whenever I would see him, I would bow my head with respect and he would smile to bless. I hardly remember having conversed with him. His unspoken blessings would freshen me sort of the way one is blessed in a temple. It continued for about two years. By this time militancy in Kashmir reached at its peak. Hindus fell prey to exodus, feeling concerned about their safety. On the other hand Muslims in general felt equally concerned and would often come with a question as to why the Hindus should flee. Kashmiri Muslims took it as struggle for libration and Pandits took it as anti-national movement. In short, all confusion and chaos.
One unfortunate day one of our close relatives, living in neighbourhood fell prey to militancy and got killed in his office. It shocked us beyond repairs. We decided to leave Srinagar temporarily which would help us to recover from the shock. The day we had to leave, my brother left to fetch a taxi early in the morning. I was supposed to wait for him outside at the gate of the house in the street. It was almost the time for the milk-man to come and the man to pass. With a suitcase in my hand while I was waiting for the taxi, I saw two young men approaching me. Their body language was what some would describe those of militants. They started questioning me and directed me to follow them. I was shocked and terrified. I felt numb as I could feel death approaching me. Suddenly, I saw the man crossing from the other side of the road. Understanding the situation, he stood between the two and me, almost covering me with his Pharan that he was wearing. He had a verbal encounter with them and I heard him saying, “I swear by Kuran Sharieff, I will not allow any untoward happening here or you will have to kill me first.” He had absolute command in his voice. He held me by the arm and helped me to walk away from them.
After a few minutes my brother approached with a taxi. The man opened the door of the taxi and guided me inside. I was shivering with a mixed feeling of love and anger. He blessed me with his hand on my head and his words still resound in my ears, “Allah bless you, my child. He not only saves innocents but also regards innocence”.
Later, it might have taken me days and months to recover from the shock, but I know I came out with the strength of believing in humanity. From then onwards very often I close my eyes, I see his white-bearded smiling face and light-radiating kind eyes, with a Karakuli cap on his head, in short He in the form of a human-being- Him in his eyes.
Militancy and terrorism, no doubt, is a matter of grave concern particularly in the event of its becoming a global phenomenon. But I am of firm belief that terrorists and militants have no religion because no religion is devoid of human-values and teaches killings. It is only a handful of people who for their own petty gains indulge in anti-human activities. I am sure the world survives because common man believes in peace and harmony, values innocence, protects innocents and regards human-values.

veenapkoul@gmail.com

The Riddle

The Riddle
Veenapkoul
It is very difficult to understand child psychology. How so ever liberal we may be, sometimes we fail to accommodate the whims and moods of our children. We never raise our level of understanding to appreciate theirs but instead we try our utmost to thrust our opinion and decisions on them. We pick up unnecessary cudgels and at times argue a lot to convince them. And even if we yield to their decision, we undergo many sleepless nights. Later, may be after years we understand that it had been much ado about nothing. Or, it may leave us puzzled whether we were right or wrong in dealing with our children.
I remember one such incident about my daughter. Once when she was in class 11, she expressed desire to buy a pair of sandals with high platform heels for herself. I have had virtual aversion for such type of high heels. I have always felt walking on them is very risky as one is susceptible to fall and hurting or even breaking one’s bones. Moreover, I had a notion that big platform heeled sandals are not for sophisticated and elegant ladies. Whenever I would see ladies wearing such sandals I would feel they have one-ton trucks underneath their feet. With such a bent of mind you can well imagine how I must have felt on hearing her demand. “High heels!” I almost yelled at her, “No, my child ! wearing heels is not good for you. And that too at this young age! No, not at all.”
No, I need to wear them,” she asserted. “Why?” I wanted to know the reason. “I will be as tall as Shahdab and even taller than Mahavash,” she replied quickly. “But does it really matter?” I sounded disturbed. “But Mom, I want to look tall”, she said with enthusiasm. “You are beautiful, my dear. And beauty needs no ornaments. It comes from within. You are an angel -- a golden one and very precious to me,” I heard myself arguing. “I simply want it. And that’s it.” I could sense adamance in her behavior which I had seen for the first time.
She had been a child far more mature than her age. I have never had problems of any sort with her. She would always understand my logic and I would always yield to her genuine demands. I am of firm belief that parents need not to thrust their choice on children and at the same time have to be watchful that their freedom of choice is for their benefit and development. So being of this conviction, I and my daughter would discuss all problems mutually and I would let her take final decision, which would coincide with mine always.
This time it was different. I tried every skill and knowledge of management but all in vain. Finally, it had to be her decision. We went to the market, got the sandals of her choice - a pair of very high plat-form heels, which kept troubling me for quite some time.
Now, after six years I find that there is a complete change in her choice of wearing sandals. She has switched over to complete flat ones, though this time at her age I would like her to wear sandals with sharp small heels. Sometime back I expressed this desire to her. She simply laughed it over saying, “Mom, flat sandals are smart and comfortable. I know I am, what I am. Heels or no heels, I can carry myself. And Mom, beauty needs no ornaments. It comes from within.” “Yes, my dearest,” I heard cry of a proud mother.
Whenever I am reminded of this, it comes as a riddle to my mind, which probably you may help me resolve. Should I have yielded to her demand straight way understanding that in course of time she would realize of her own what is right and what is wrong? Or, has my explaining to her or showing displeasure at that point of time left some imprint in her mind that has made her eventually think in the right direction? Was the trouble that I undertook worthwhile or worthless?

the treasure

The Treasure
Veena p koul
Thefts are very common these days. Almost every alternate day the daily newspapers carry the news about the thefts. One can hardly imagine what a horrifying experience it is for the people who fall prey to it. Loss of hard earned kind or cash is a shock no doubt, but the way the belongings are thrown upside down leaves a scar in the memory. I have experienced one myself.
One fine morning me and my husband left our home locked at 8 a.m. and at 3 p.m. on my return I found almost everything on floor lying in shambles. The theft had taken place. It was like a night-mare and took us almost 3 or 4 days to settle down and resume normal routine of life. I don’t intend to give an account of how I felt that day or how we settled down afterwards but to narrate how I overcame the whole psychological trauma.
It was hell of a job to readjust everything that was lying in sixes and sevens all over the house. But as we all know that what can’t be cured has to be endured. So finally, in the centre of the room, on the floor I seated myself with a heavy heart to do and undo things which were spread all around me. In the process I laid my hands on a bundle that contained some cards and letters. Ah, the fond memories, the reminiscences! I got absorbed in searching and finding whatever it contained. Therein I found 3 letters addressed to me, two written by my father and one by my uncle. It is needless to say that I adored and admired both of them. And these happened to be special letters they had sent on different special occasions. Now that both of them are no more, I felt that these letters were sent to me from heaven, and I still enjoy their patronage and blessings.
The bundle also contained a book ‘The Prophet’ by Khalil Gibran which was presented to me by my brother about 18 years ago. I remembered having read the book without actually understanding it. Now that it was in my hands once again, I went through it and found it as an unparalleled philosophy of life, and an all-time reference book.
Last but not the least, I came across some pages that I had preserved but conveniently forgotten with the passage of time. One of the pages contained the first sentence my daughter had written for me, “Mom, I love you”; the other one was a pencil drawing she had drawn; 3rd one the newspaper cutting carrying news of her dance performance in school. Along with it there was the first Barbie Doll she had played with.
I held all these things – the letters, the book, the pages and the doll in my hands, hugged them and kissed them. It filled my heart. I could feel tears rolling down my eyes that washed me of the bitterness created by the theft.
I had found the treasure, an invaluable one that will remain very close to my heart for the rest of my life.
Sh…… Sh…… Sh! No loud talking loudly about ‘The Treasure’. Only whisper, lest the thieves may listen and misconstrue the word.

veenapkoul@gmail.com

a knock--- tak-tak-tak

‘Tak-Tak-Tak’

Veena p koul

Have you ever lived in a house, where in the mornings you find birds instead of chirping trying to break the window panes with their small beaks?
I am living in one for last one and a half month. Don’t be surprised. I am not talking about any Bhoot-Bangla (horror-house), it is my home, a newly constructed house where we have shifted recently.
It took us 2 years and 5 months to construct this house. When it was being constructed, these birds have lived there and made every cavity in the ceilings, which are normally kept for lights, bulbs and fans, their sweet home. I have been witness to it during my frequent visits to the house during its construction. Often I would see their beaks full of straw, would listen to their chirping sounds, would see at times their eggs dashed to the room-floor and some times had to wipe their shit as well. But I had hardly visualized that what it could mean to these innocent birds after we fit in the bulbs, tubes and fans, close all the windows with glass panes and close the other openings with doors. Our shifting to this new house has deprived these small innocent creatures of their sweet homes.
Now it is one and a half month that during the mornings and after-noon there is only one sound tak-tak-tak persistently resounding in our house. The other interesting thing that takes place in this house is that if you happen to keep any of your doors open, immediately you see some of the birds flying inside the house making beautiful chirping sounds, as if singing and dancing with joy.
I can feel their pain when we have to push them out of the rooms, I can visualize their unseen tears. This is so because it reminds me of our exodus from Kashmir. It reminds of me of my home in Sopore when I was a child and of Srinagar when I was young and I am convinced that no house, how so ever big or small, can fulfill my desire of being at home other than the one in Kashmir, my own native place. Living and being one with Kashmiri Muslim brethren, where you don’t have the identity crisis, where you are recognised and respected, where Eid and Shivratri means festivity for all, is a dream that almost all Kashmiri Pandits like me will be dreaming of. The newly constructed flats and houses may be a refuge for them but not a home.
Till this is made possible, the world has to be a witness to the ‘Tak-Tak-Tak’ sounds from the soft tongues and pens of Kashmiri Pandits.
veenapkoul@gmail.com

God Smiles

God Smiles


Veena p koul


Mornings are not cool for working people particularly for women. It is a tough time to keep running between kitchen to bath-room, to ward-robe, to dinning-table and so on. You may be mistaken if you think that this exercise is taken up to burn calories. Take my example, I simply keep running as I have to manage home and reach my office in time. After attending to all that seems important at my home, I have literally to run to reach my car to drive it as fast as I can in the terrifying rush of traffic. It is a great relief to see everyone around rushing and driving fast at least faster than the one who is just preceding him/her. You say why relief? Yes, otherwise I would feel I am the only mad person in this world.

However, yesterday in the same rush of madness while on my way to office, I was caught in a traffic jam at one odd point of the road where the Fly-over and the road from Jewel to Tawi Bridge meet, exactly at the point where Tawi Bridge leads to join Vikram Chowk. I saw a group of children around 7 or 8 in number from a distance, holding hands, trying to cross the road very earnestly. Given the circumstances, it is understandable that none of us can afford to wait for a second not to speak of a minute to give these children a safe passage to cross the road. Of course, I am not blaming anybody; after all we are all in a hurry and hence bent upon to over-take each other. I watched the children looking at every passer-by with pleading eyes. A forward jerk moving every vehicle closer to the one in front of them could be seen as if not allowing even air to pass in between. Finally it was my turn to pass that particular point without wasting a second. Suddenly I could feel those innocent pleading eyes watching me as well. I don’t know exactly what struck me that I applied the brakes of my car and waited for these children to pass. Suddenly I saw their eyes turning cheerful and naughty. While they were crossing the road some of them waved at me and some smiled as if they had conquered the world.
It was then that I realized that my waiting for a minute and letting these children cross filled me with happiness. It was share joy to see their eyes radiate light.

I took a pause for a moment and saw them leaving towards my right. From them my eyes happened to glance at the temple. I bowed in obeisance and felt that God was smiling too.


veenapkoul@gmail.com

veena vadan

Beating the Heat

Veena P Koul

“What should be done to avoid drowsiness while driving,” I asked young and smart lady working as computer assistant in my office. It is almost 3 pm that we leave from office for home every working day. Lately I experienced that due to scorching heat I feel drowsy while driving at this time of the day. “Madam, it is very dangerous to drive while you feel sleepy. I have heard people talk of very serious accidents within a wink of sleep,” she exclaimed. “Yes, I am conscious of that and hence am seeking a remedy to avoid sleep a wink,” I replied. Both of us observed calm till we reached the stop where she gets down for her home and I heard her saying, “kindly take care. You may call any of your friends to keep yourself busy and alert.” Saying this she got down and I was left to myself. Suddenly I thought of calling my friend. I dialed her number. “Hello,” I said. “Hello,” she replied almost straining herself to maintain cool, which normally she never loses. “What a hell it is to attend kitchen in this hot weather at the peak hour of the day. Anyway, what is it?” She sounded fatigued and disturbed. I wasted no time in replying, “Nothing dear, carry on.” I drove for sometime again and got reminded of another friend. After exchanging compliments he asked, “What is this noise? Oh I see! You are driving? It is very risky to talk on mobile while driving. Moreover, I am a law-abiding citizen and you too try to be so.” Saying this he immediately went off the line. The bit of his mind that he gave me worked good enough to keep me alert and ensured my safe drive to home. But at the same time I cursed myself for even attempting to call any one while driving. Thankfully, next day my smart computer assistant had come up with a new formula. “What is it?” I sounded excited. Very eagerly I watched her opening her purse and taking out a chewing-gum. “Madam, chew it. This will surely help you,” she sympathised while getting down at her stop. I took one and started chewing it. After a while I got reminded of how people make bubbles out of the chewing-gum, which I had of course never attempted. Could I do it? A strange thought crossed my mind and I started with the process of making one. At the beginning, the exercise was futile but with trial and error method I finally succeeded. I felt happy like a child when I could make easily one bubble out of my chewing-gum, though a small one. Now I tried for bigger ones, as I had seen people with big bubbles around their lips, almost of the size of their face. I succeeded in blowing out some big ones too. While one such big bubble was around my lips, I saw my much respected teacher coming from the opposite direction and watching me very curiously. I tried to bow in respect but only could see a strange expression of surprise on his face. ‘Sir, yes chewing-gum……..no sir, I know it is unbecoming of me…… sir, in fact I was … yes sir, I teach my students not to have it, not in class, not in the face of others, yes sir… I understand but this was only to beat heat… No sir, bubbles… yes sir, that is shameful but it so happened… yes sir, we teach our students and we are the role-models for them….. But sir this heat and drowsiness… yes sir, even then. Sir, definitely I should not have blown bubbles at this age, never sir, I should have remembered I am your taught and above all a teacher.’ Suddenly I heard a strange voice from the other side, “Madam, what are you thinking? Are you alright? Should I open the gate for you? Oh my God, you are perspiring.” It was my neighbour feeling very much concerned about me. I suddenly realised that I had reached my home, stopped my car at the gate side, with chewing-gum spread all over my face. I simply heard myself saying, ‘No more tips. Now never.’