Rahul Pandita was fourteen years old when he was forced to leave his home in Srinagar along with his family. They were Kashmiri Pandits-the Hindu minority within a Muslim-majority Kashmir that was by 1990 becoming increasingly agitated with the cries of 'Azaadi' from India. Our Moon Has Blood Clots is the story of Kashmir, in which hundreds of thousands of Pandits were tortured, killed and forced to leave their homes by Islamist militants, and forced to spend the rest of their lives in exile in their own country. Pandita has written a deeply personal, powerful and unforgettable story of history, home and loss.
The Book Arises Out Of A Seminar Held In 2001. Papers Collected In The Volume Cover A Wide Range Of Social, Cultural Scholastic And Artistic Aspirations Of Kasmiri Pandits - And The Topics Of Interest To Them. Quite A Few Relate To Kashmiri Pandits In Delhi. (8 Chapters - Figures.)
The present-day Kashmir valley, according to Nilmat Purana, the sixth century Sanskrit Classic, was a large lake called Satisar surrounded by gigantic snow-peaked mountains. Geological findings confirm that the Valley was once submerged underwater. There is a tradition that the lake was drained by an ascetic, named Kashyapa Rishi (sage) by cutting the gap in the hills at Baramulla (Varaha-mula). Hence the reclaimed land was called Kashyap Mar. In the people's language over a while, Kashyap Mar became 'Kashmir, ' the present name of the Valley.The Hindus of Kashmir Valley, popularly known as Kashmiri Pandits, are the aboriginal people of the Valley. Their ancestors (Saraswat Brahmins) settled in the Valley over five thousand years ago after the original lake was drained and the land became habitable. The Valley inhabitants were principally Hindus until the 14th century when Islamists entered the Valley and began converting Hindus to Islam. Seven mass exoduses of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley have occurred in the past 600 years. In the mid-1980s, the Islamist radicals, with the help of the local Muslim majority, began a militarized crusade to Islamize the Valley. Throughout the summer of 1989, armed radical Islamists intensified their jihad in Azadi's name (freedom) to Islamize the Valley. Explosive and inflammatory speeches broadcast from the loudspeakers installed on the mosques became frequent. Thousands of audio cassettes, carrying similar propaganda, were played all over the Valley to instill fear into the already frightened Kashmiri Pandit community. There were open calls for the establishment of an Islamic order. Various Islamist groups like Jamat-i-Islami and its militant wing Hizbul Mujahedeen, women's wing Dukhtaran-i-Millat, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, Allah Tigers, Jamiatul-Ulemmi Islam, etc. proclaimed the objective of their struggle as Islamization of the Kashmir valley and its merger with Pakistan. The Islamic extremists launched a malicious campaign against the Kashmiri Pandits through sermons in mosques and via the local Urdu newspapers by publishing materials derogatory to Pandits and by denigrating their history, customs, and traditions, with an object of spreading hatred and disinformation about this ancient indigenous community amongst the ordinary Muslim masses in the Valley. On January 4, 1990, a local Urdu newspaper, Aftab, published a press release issued by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, asking all Pandits to leave the Valley immediately. Another ultimatum was given to the minority Pandit community through the local press on April 14, 1990, asking them to leave the Valley within two days or face death. This announcement was published in a popular local newspaper Alsafa, Srinagar, on April 14, 1990. These warnings were followed by Kalashnikov-wielding masked Jehadis carrying out military-type exercises openly. The elimination of the entire Pandit community was deemed necessary to rid the Valley of its un-Islamic elements. To achieve their goal, Islamists began a campaign of killing Hindus in cold blood. From late 1989 to mid-1990, over 1000 Hindus were massacred - a genocide forgotten. The Hindus' atrocities led to the exodus of the entire Hindu population from the Valley to Jammu and other cities in India. Over 350,000 Pandits became refugees in their own country and are still waiting to return to their homeland. The account given here is an abridged description of the ethnic cleansing and the subsequent exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in 1989-90, who became refugees in their own country. Not only has this human tragedy been forgotten by the world community, but a campaign of disinformation coupled with misguided and misinformed narrative has been perpetuated for years by Pakistan, Muslims, and the media. The author, whose family has been a victim of this human catastrophe, hopes that this text sets the record straight for future generations of the uprooted Pandits.
Sixty glorious years of independence of India mark several milestones and immense contributions from great men and women who have become part of its history. For the first time ever, this book showcases post-Independent India's twenty greatest living personalities who have and continue to set extraordinary examples for the nation. Brilliantly orchestrated and edited by renowned author Anil Dharker, the book singularly establishes the unparalleled greatness and iconic status of these men and women, including A P J Abdul Kalam, Amartya Sen, Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, M F Husain, Charles Correa and Sonia Gandhi, by some of India's best known writers - Srinivas Laxman, Prem Shankar Jha, Maithili Rao, Dom Moraes, Ranjit Hoskote, and Kumar Ketkar, among others. A fascinating saga spanning several decades, this book unfolds the charisma, exceptional destinies, talents and achievements of twenty men and women who continue to shape today's India. 'The previous evening while he (K C Pant, former defence minister) and Dr Kalam were going for a walk, the minister asked him: "What would you like me to do to celebrate the success of Agni tomorrow?" Replied Kalam, "We need 100,000 saplings at the missile research centre." Srinivas Laxman on A P J Abdul Kalam'
Vaisnavism Played A Very Significant Role In Socio-Religious And Artistic Expressions Of Kashmir In Ancient And Medieval Periods. Vaisnavism Carved Its Due Place In The Minds Of The People In The Valley With Equal Amount, If Not More Than That Of Buddhism And 'Saivism. In General, The Religion Of Vishnu In The Kashmir Valley Shared The Pan-Indian Notion, Yet In Certain Aspects, It Maintained Its Individualistic Approach. Such Differences Are Noted In The Texts As Well As In The Artistic Expressions Of The Valley. The Present Book Deals With The Various Facets Of Vaisnavism In Kashmir With Particular Reference To The Vaisnava Icons And Art. The Book Deals With Para, Vyuha And Vibhava Aspects Of Vishnu As Well As With Composite And Syncretic Aspects Of The God. Attention Has Also Been Paid To The Minor Vaisnavite Deities Including The Personification Of Vishnu'S Attributes. There Has Been A Dearth Of A Comprehensive Study On Vaisnava Art And Iconography Of Kashmir And This Book Is Likely To Fill The Gap
Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir in 1989 was their seventh such exodus since the arrival of Islam in Kashmir in the fourteenth century. This was precipitated by the outbreak of Pakistan-sponsored insurgency across Kashmir Valley in 1989. The radical Islamists targeted Pandits - a minuscule community in Muslim dominated society creating enormous fear, panic and grave sense of insecurity. In the face of ruthless atrocities inflicted on them, the Pandits’ sole concern was ensuring their own physical safety and their resolve not to convert to Islam. Over 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee en masse leaving their home and hearth. This was the single largest forced displacement of people of a particular ethnicity after partition of India. Pandits’ travails did not end with the exodus. The obstructive and intimidating attitude of the State administration towards the Pandit refugees made their post-exodus existence even more miserable. The Government at the Centre too remained indifferent to their plight. This book traces the Pandits’ economic and political marginalization in the State over the past six decades and covers in detail the events that led to their eventual exodus. In the light of ethnic cleansing of Pandits from the Valley, the book also examines some critical issues so crucial to India’s survival as a multi-cultural, liberal and secular democracy.
The sole aim of writing this book has been to rekindle the values of Kashmir that has been considered as the cradle of civilisation. The book aims at making the world know about the land of Kashmir that has been a prime contributor in extensively escalating Bharatiya culture across the globe. The book articulates about the reality of ancient Kashmir where people belonging to different sects lived peacefully and in co-existence. For centuries, education, culture and knowledge has been a matter of reverence and honour that has consequently produced great scientists, scholars and saints and has made Kashmir a melting pot of knowledge and wisdom. The book brings to light the invasions and forcible conversions that has led to genocide and seven recorded exoduses of Kashmiri Hindus. It also recommends some steps that government needs to take towards the dignified return of Kashmiri Hindus back into their homeland. Proud children of this land who carry with them the cultural heritage of Kashmir, its spiritual strength, urge for knowledge and search for truth, will be the harbingers of human hope. They will be the torch bearers of respect for elders and teachers, universal love and unlimited hospitality for all beings. This book is a collection of inspiring cultural folklore of Kashmir. Kathasatisagar by Prof. Raj Nehru (Author), Dr. C.K. Gariyali (Author): This Hindi-language book is a collection of popular folk tales and stories from across India, covering a variety of themes, including love, family, and adventure. The book features well-known characters and stories that have been passed down through generations, providing readers with a glimpse into Indian culture and traditions. Key Aspects of the Book "Kathasatisagar": Folk Tales: The book is a collection of popular and timeless folk tales from India, providing a window into the country's culture and traditions. Well-known Characters: The book features well-known characters and stories that have been passed down through generations, offering readers a chance to explore the rich mythos of Indian storytelling. Hindi-language: As a Hindi-language book, it is particularly useful for readers who prefer to read in their native language or are interested in exploring Indian folk tales in Hindi. Prof. Raj Nehru and Dr. C.K. Gariyali are renowned authors and researchers, known for their contributions to Indian literature and culture. They have written numerous books and articles on Indian history, culture, and mythology. Kathasatisagar is their latest work, offering readers a collection of popular folk tales and stories from across India.
The present handbook is the first of its kind in Kashmir, and is intended to supply the want felt by the numerous visitors who, without being professed antiquarians, take an intelligent interest in the antiquities of Kashmir. It is modeled upon the Handbook of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Each object described is illustrated. The descriptions are as short as they could possibly be. As a matter of fact, the aim has been to make the descriptions merely supplementary to the illustrations. All details which were not likely to interest the average visitor, and which would have considerably increased the bulk of the booklet has been avoided.
Traces The Journey Of The Land And People From Ancient To The Modern Day. Captures The Factors For The Decline Of Kashmiri Civilization From Glory To The Present State Of Murder And Repire. The Author Hopes The Worst Is Over And The Old Practices Of Kashmiriyat Will Return.
