By Hilal Bukhari

Our education department is all set to implement and carry forward the main features of the New Educational Policy 2020. NEP calls for revamping the purpose of education for the learners. The teachers and the parents must learn it wholeheartedly before transferring the same to the learners at the ground level.
According to NEP the purpose of the education system is to develop good human beings capable of rational thought and action, possessing compassion and empathy, courage and resilience, scientific temper and creative imagination, with sound ethical moorings and values.
It aims at producing engaged, productive, and contributing citizens for building an equitable, inclusive, and plural society as envisaged by our constitution.
This would be a great achievement if we are able to understand and then implement this aim at the basic level and act according to all the important norms which are profound for bringing the desired results.
The purpose of education system is thus, not merely the meterial benefit of the learners. It lays equal stress on cognitive, physical, mental and emotional development of the learners. It promises to develop the humanity and more humane approach among the learners. We have to understand now that education is not all about the degrees, grades and the marks only.Its main purpose is to build what we call the real human beings who will be able to lead better lives in their future. They shall approach their challenges in a rational manner.Compassion, empathy, courage and resilience shall be the basic hallmarks and the main traits of these human beings. They shall pursue knowledge with scientific temper and reflect the same with creative thinking. Thus, they shall not be mere imitators copying others and stressing thier minds with rote learning only. They shall rather use their minds for creating novel ideas or at least, the traditional ideas with novel methodologies. The purpose of this new education system is also to develop sound ethical moorings and values among the learners which shall make them more eligible for building great societies.
A poem by William Martin may help us here to understand this idea more easily. He has written;
“Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may be admirable
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples, and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.”
The modern education system hitherto has somehow only taught us to teach our children that the world is competitive and that only winning the competitions should be their main aim. In this way we have have only pushed our tender minds into some futile mad rat races which have been disastrous and devastating for us in the long run.
Need of the hour is that our teachers and parents learn that building basic humanity among our new generation is more important than creating competative robots. If we implement the basic purpose of education at the ground level as envisaged in the NEP document wholeheartedly, we shall be able to see the real results which shall be revolutionizing and grand in the future.

Author is a Teacher in Education Department

Note: The views  and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinion of the author.

By Rayeees Ahmad kumar

A good number of historians and scholars have made solid revelations about the existence of Islam in Kashmir since ancient times. Even in Prophet’s times some pious companions have arrived here as special alchies to illuminate the hearts and minds of people. Raja Wanadata had been so impressed by them that he distributed 1/10 of his agricultural yield among poor and destitudes. However it was Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) the first saint who sowed the seeds of Islam in Kashmir. Some historians believe that he had come from Samarqand while some state that he was from Bukhara. But the majority of them believe that he was from Turkistan. Kashmir was once a non-Muslim land where people were accustomed to non-Muslim practices and were mostly Hindus. Thus, there came an intervention in their lives. Whether, we call it divine or by chance, Islam arrived to make its roots permeate into the lives of the masses of the valley of Kashmir. Syed Sharafuddin Abdul Rehman Bulbul played a catalytic role in the spread of Islam to concretise the societal transformation at large. According to historical sources, many people in Kashmir embraced the creed of Bulbul Shah. After this great saint, there arrived the descendent of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (R.A), a Sufi of Kubrawi order from Hamadan, central Asia along with 700 Sayyids in Kashmir to enlighten the masses with the glorious Islam and its practical aspects through his teachings. He was a Shafi’i Muslim scholar from an educationally well-off family. He was born in 1314 AD at Hamadan. He came to Kashmir thrice with a noble mission of spreading the religion of Islam and arrived first time in 1372 AD and left for Mecca. He again arrived in Kashmir and stayed briefly and left vale again. Finally he came in 1383 and remained here for a short span of time and left this earthly world towards eternal heavens afterwards and Tajikistan became the epicentre of his eternal bodily stay. Amongst 400 other sayids who accompanied Syed Hussain Simnani ra the cousin of Syed Ali Hamadani to valley, was the one Syed Dawood Simnania RA whose last resting place is at village Berigam in Qazigund area. He came to this village with the only motif to enlighten the masses with the noble teachings of Islam. He used to deliver regular sermons to masses of this village and the adjoining areas. People from all nearby villages would throng to Berigam to receive the devine guidance from this God fearing saint. For this noble mission he sacrificed his all belongings and left his ancestral birthplace along with his dear family members. Syed Dawood was the Qaziul quza present day Chief justice at his native place. When he arrived at this village, he settled a deal with the Kumar family of this village.The assembly of people who used to receive sacred teachings from Syed Dawood increased manifold with each passing day and the place couldn’t accommodate the huge gathering where this saint lived. So a deal was finalised between the Kumar family of this village and Syed Dawood Simnania RA. According to this deal a huge area which belonged to Kumar clan was gifted to Syed Sahib for preaching and in lieu of that Syed’s small piece of land was then equally shared by Kumar families. The annual urs of this saint is celebrated each year in the month of November on 7th day of Islamic lunar month.This year it is being celebrated on 22nd of November corresponding to 7th of Jamadiul Awal. For centuries the inhabitants of this village have been accustomed to this popular event. More than an urs it has become a socio-cultural event because on this occasion every household invites its close relatives to make a get-together. I remember during my childhood, like every other household my grandparents would invite their daughters married far away from this village on the occasion of urs. For four complete days heavy rush of public would throng to Berigam to pay obeisance at revered saint’s tomb. Few decades ago folk theatre artists from neighbouring Gundipora and Akingam villages would mesmerize the gathering of thousands of people on Urs occasion. Besides snackes sellers from Bogund area would never miss to attend it as each devotee who flocks to Berigam seeking blessings of the revered saint buys traditional snacks outside the famous shrine as tabruk for their families. This socio-cultural and religious get-together has significant importance for the villagers. Whenever they plan any event to be held in the near future they surely make a reference of the urs. Either the event would be held before or after the urs, this way it is a deep rooted concept almost inscribed in their minds. Previously when people lived simple but austere lives and were rearing indigenous poultries, special one’s would be kept reserved for the urs day. A unique kind of excitement and enthusiasm is observed among children who eagerly keep waiting and count the days till the main day of Urs marks. This urs is a tapestry of love, respect, brotherhood, kindness and above all a spritual assembly. It begets these virtuous traits among believers and helps in removing hatred, avarice, greed and malice among them.
Urs celebration at the tombs of Aulias is indeed in accordance with the teachings of Prophet saw. Each year in the beginning, Prophet pbuh would visit the blessed graves of Uhad Martyrs and pray there for their eternal peace. The practice was even followed by his rightly guided Kaliphs viz Abubakar Umar and Usman as well. There are twenties of books written by noted scholars thereby clearing the doubts about urs celebration at revered saints last resting places. Moulana Rumi says “A saint even in his grave can benifit you more than thousands of living men”. Alama Iqbal ra my spritual guide and mentor too says ” Na takht Taj main na sipah hu lashkar main hai,
Jo baat Mardi qalandar ke Darbar main hai. At some other place he again says “Darbari Shahanshahi se khushtar Mardi qalandar ka Astana”. About his spritual guide Moulana Rumi and Sheikh Ahmad Sirhandi, Iqbal has composed tens of poetry couplets reflecting his mystic attachment. Lord Curzon famous Viceroy of British India too has claimed about Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti ra “I have seen through my own eyes that a man even in his grave is ruling over the minds and hearts of millions of Indians”. On the occasion of the annual urs, special prayer are held for the wellbeing of humanity in general and Muslim ummah in particular. Local and people from adjoining areas participate in Night long congregational prayers seeking repetence and to please Almighty Allah and dear Prophet pbuh. The best way to pay homage to this pious saint is to adopt his teachings in our lives. He came here from the city of Simnan only to preach what the almighty Allah and the prophet (saw ) has ordered. To put forward his mission of inviting people to the right path and restricting them from evil doings is the real and global message of this urs because this saint has in his entire life dedicated himself only for this noble deed. He like all other friends of Allah has never encouraged his fellows to do unislamic practises.
May almighty Allah reward this saint for his tremendous noble deeds, may his pious soul rest in ultimate peace and may almighty Allah give us the strength to follow his teachings in letter and spirit.

Author is a columnist and teaches at Govt Secondary School Anderwan Ganderbal. You can  reach to him at [email protected]

Note: The views  and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinion of the author.

By Dr Shalini Yadav

If you have an addictive personality and have difficulty pulling yourself away from your phone and other devices, it’s time to go on a digital detox.
-Damon Zahariades

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, we are relentlessly bombarded with notifications, messages, and updates from an array of digital devices. The Internet has become an integral part of our lives, and if we introspect, we have become habitual of or better call it addicted to see social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter day and night. There are so many Whatsapp groups or Facebook groups in phones that people are not able to see in a day. No doubt it provides us with incredible accessibilities, eases and prospects at professional or personal fronts at times, it also leads to a sense of obliterate, strain and lassitude whether you desire or not. This is where the concept of digital detox comes into play.

In other words if we say, it is a kind of fasting and fasting has been included in various religions from ages to purify one’s body, mind and soul. Theologian and philosopher Saint Augustine has said: “Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust and kindles the true light of chastity.”

Like fasting or eating less or selected healthy cuisine, detoxing one’s body is about eliminating harmful toxins from the body, avoiding and keeping yourself away from junk food and high calorie diets, digital detox or digital fasting insinuates to a period of time where individuals can intentionally disconnect themselves from their electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even social media platforms. Via this one can step away from the ceaseless flow of information. It also assists in regaining a sense of positive poise and perceptual lucidity. Fasting of any kind either it’s about food or digital content, “is the greatest remedy- the physician within”- articulates Swiss physician and alchemist, Paracelsus.

The way, a systematic cleansing and detox is required after a luxurious holiday trip or after attending a marriage ceremony or partying with friends, requisite for a digital detox has also become progressively proliferating due to the mounting dependency on technology. Studies suggest that the average person spends several hours a day consuming digital content, and this constant exposure can have detrimental effects on our well-being at various levels.

In specific, young generation is at high risk due to excessive usage of digital devices and digital content. They are extensively engaged in these sitting at one place, watching reels on Instagram or chatting for long hours with friends and sidelining their studies and career outlooks. Therefore, there is an avalanche in several diseases such as weakness of eyesight, obesity, early age heart strokes, neural diseases and psychological illness etc. Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are also on the upsurge, and one of the major reasons of these problems is excessive technology use. Moral degradation is also one of the aftermaths of unwarranted practice of reading and watching digital content without any censorship.

The power of detoxification is immense and the paybacks are bounteous and across-the-board. Firstly, it allows us to take a break from the constant hullabaloo of social media and distractions of the virtual or on-screen world. By disconnecting, we can tune into our surroundings, engage in evocative and sensible face-to-face conversations touching the core, and cultivate deeper relationships with those around us. This hiatus empowers us to be present in the moment and appreciate the simple pleasures in life including relishing nature and our real-life relations. Currently not only youth but also all age group people need to opt for frequent digital detox to reenergize them.

Furthermore, getting detoxinated gives the best deal of a respite for our brains. Nonstop exposure to screens and information overload can lead to cognitive overkill and weariness. By taking a break, we give our brains the opportunity to recharge. It aids in augmenting our focus, efficiency, delivery, vision and inventiveness. Many individuals, who have taken a digital detox, expressed in a personal one-on-one talk that they feel more strengthened and inspired after the practice of it. It is a kind of rejuvenating from inside out and complete nourishment of body and mind.

Veteran actress and author, Wendy Speake exerts to make us aware through her book ‘The 40-Day Social Media Fast: Exchange Your Online Distractions for Real Life Devotion’ that our smart devices are easy path to reach anything in this world but we don’t pay heed that it can be a disruption from those which Google search can not find for us including human emotions and values.

Advantageous and therapeutic digital detox, which we cannot surpass, also improves mental health and gives time to a person to be serene and composed. Social media platforms, in particular, have been linked to feelings of meagerness when one sees everyone voicing out loud about their professional or personal stuff and unfortunately that creates in many the “fear of missing out” (FOMO). Unplugging from the digital world is not so easy we all know, as it causes stress to many of losing something, yet by removing ourselves from these virtual spaces, we can set ourselves free from the comparison ploy and foster a fitter and healthier liaison with us. A digital detox allows us to explore our inner selves and reconnect us with it, practice introspection and self-reflection, and prioritize self-care.

Executing digital detox does not mean that one has to permanently cut ties with technology or leave it fully; it is all about learning to balance for a healthy life style and better productivity. One can follow few tips for desired results while implementing digital detox in the schedule.

In his book ‘7 Practical and Easy Questions to plan a Digital Detox: Your Personal Digital Detox Planner’, Rijul Arora tells that it takes time to keep yourself away from your phone and start doing it for limited time on daily basis. He further suggests adding years to your life and life to your years through a ritual of digital detox.

One needs to set clear boundaries. Decide on a specific time frame for the detox, whether it’s a few hours, a day, or even a week. Clearly communicate your intentions related to it and time period to friends and family so they can support your decision and don’t panic if you are not available.

Try to generate physical barriers. Find a specific place or box or area as a “device-free zone” in your home. Be stick to your decision not to be allured to go in that grey zone. Minimize impulse temptations and reinforce the detox process with determination and dedication for anticipated outcomes.

Engross yourself in offline and outdoor activities. Plan and consume your time within activities that do not require screens. Be selective and read a good book of your interest, practice yoga or learn dance, go for a walk or hike, or spend quality time with loved ones. Rediscover hobbies and passions that have taken a backseat in the digital age such as painting, drawing, singing, writing etc.

Be watchful with strong willpower about your digital fasting and feasting. Once you experience it, know the benefits and reintroduce technology into your life, make a promise to yourself and a conscious effort to be more purposeful and calculated with your usage of technology. Create borderlines for on-screen time and prioritize activities for everyday that nurture your inclusive well-being.

Thus, it can be said that digital detox offers irreplaceable benefits in today’s technology-driven world where everyone seems to be fully engrossed with their gadgets discarding real treasure of humanity and nature. Such breaks from our devices can help us in reclaiming our time, focus, and mental-physical well-being. So, we should be ready to gift ourselves this gift time to time and relish the positive impact it can have on our life.

Dr Shalini Yadav is a Writer, Editor & Professor

By Yawer Hamid

As we observe on a daily basis the working of panchayats 1959 has been a success in a few states and failure in most of the states. It means that the system has been experiencing ups and downs since ages. The history of panchayat Raj institutions 1959 could be conveniently divided into four stages the face of acidency ,the phase of stagnation, the phase of decline and the phase of revival, the overall attempts to review the panchayat raj institutions could be the last phase when the Ashok Mehta committee report has evoked interest among the politicians and people like in the year 1983. It would be absolutely wrong to blame panchayat Raj institutions by saying that they remain inactive and lethargic in most of their functions. However, we observe a number of shortcomings in the panchayat raj institutions . Let us try to identify the problem areas and find out the remedial measures so that the institutions at the grassroot level would be able to fulfill the promises for which they have been credited.

1:there are few who called the panchayat raj institutions the tools of Democratic seed drilling in the Indian soil .in the process of panchayat Raj institutions are dominated by socially and economically rich sections in rural India who continue to dominate the people belonging to the poor communities. For example, people belonging so called higher caste is continued to dominate lower cases and benefits don’t reach to the people who are in real need. As a result ,the government has to intervene to provide the benefits to the poor people through some other means. But many times government officials pay attention to increase their own bank balance .Further the state control of panchayat Raj in association in the ruler development activities is increasing continuously, there is thus. Confusion about the role of panchayat Raj institutions in the rural development programmes.
2: Widespread illiteracy and ignorance among the ruler people remained a major hindrance in a way of the successful operation of panchayat Raj. It prevented the people from becoming active and willing partners in the system by virtue of being poor people are not given a chance to participate in elections. They are being just manipulated and exploited by giving basic amenities for the sake of vote to someone. Such moments affect the true nature of local government which leads to devastation of local government in the eyes of everyone.
3:The inability of the representatives elected by the ruler to comprehend fully the programs and policies of the panchayat Raj and their apathy towards their duties as representatives of the people together made the working of the panchayat raj institutions inefficient.
4:Ruler poverty, literacy and ignorance are together responsible for a low level of political awareness among the people of rural areas. This prevented the adoption of the panchayat raj by them as a system of self government and self development. At times , what happens in remote areas ,panches and sarpanches take the funds from government for the sake of development but in actual they keep them in their own accounts and show the local village works done by previous year to concerned members of government.
5: The panchayat raj institutions are allocated limited sources of income. These are expected to perform a large number of Civic and development functions. However, shortage of funds always hampered their efforts, shortage of funds kept panchayat Raj institutions dependent upon grants -in -aid this dependency compelled the people to regard the panchayat raj as a government program and they failed to accept it as a system of self government.
6: ineffectiveness of Gram Sabha means the gram sabha which was designed as a village of assembly of all the adult people inhabiting a particular panchayat area failure to become really operative. It existed only on paper; it didn’t come forward to undertaker stipulated task of maintaining supervision and control over the panchayat.
7:Benefits mostly to one class; The objective of securing the environment of all the people of rural areas in the process of securing development through community efforts was put into practice but it benefited only the rich landLords and the upper classes of the ruler people. The rich landlords dominated the election to the panchayat elections and therefore, became the dominant actors in the working of other two institutions of the panchayat raj. the ruler poor failed to really get involved in it. most of them continued to live below poverty line and found little interest in the working of these institutions of self government the apathy on the part of the ruler woman and inadequate opportunities available to them further acted as a big hands in the way of working of panchayat Raj.
8: Voting behaviour of common people, this is one of the most popular issue in local government. This voting choice does not remain in the hands of people. Their choice is being manipulated by giving basic home appliances. It is not seen basically who deserves to seat but one who has power to make people happy through money and other facilities is being selected on the basis of corruption. In addition, after coming to power in a wrongful manner, they try to loot the government through different ways.

In conclusion we could say that the problems that are associated with the local government discussed above could leave a harmful effect on the development in remote areas like lack of development and exploitation of many people healing from poor communities. The impact of a lack of local government or ineffective governance can result in poor public services, inadequate infrastructure, and limited community development. It may lead to a lack of proper resource allocation, hindering education, healthcare, and other essential services for residents. Additionally, without effective local governance, community engagement and representation may suffer, affecting people’s ability to voice concerns and participate in decision-making processes. Loopholes in local government can foster corruption, mismanagement, They may allow for exploitation of public funds, undermining essential services. Lack of transparency and accountability can erode public trust, hindering community development. Addressing these loopholes is crucial for fostering fair governance and improving citizens’ well-being.

Writer is a student of political science at University of Kashmir
and you can reach to him at [email protected]

Dr Shalini Yadav
(Writer, Editor & Professor)

If you’re having difficulty coming up with new ideas, then slow down …Creativity exists in the present moment. You can’t find it anywhere else. —Natalie Goldberg

Post-pandemic, every one wishes his or her voice to be heard; works to be appreciated and identity to be acknowledged. The world has rapidly changed when people saw their closed ones suffering and dying and now wish to live the fullest, exhibiting their skills beyond materialistic pursuits. Before that people were running behind physical facilities but the lockdown period made them explore themselves in a better way and brought out a multifaceted persona to showcase to the world.

Sigmund Freud has said- “Everywhere I go I find a poet has been there before me.” Same do I see everywhere. Adrenaline-charged feel it is to see burgeoning writers and artists from different parts of the world, but the problem is this whether we are befooling ourselves or productivity is sincerely increased? Is it due to massive adoption of Artificial Intelligence, we are able to create and write more or it’s original with lived humanistic experiences? Are we creating such an environment where everything already exists in the surrounding or it’s a naïve idea? Do we really need to care about it or shall we go with the flow? Can AI really be a replacement for fiction writers, copywriters, copyeditors and poets?

Post pandemic where everyone wishes to be sassy-brassy, many are using AI to be quick to fabricate, weave and display as AI tools are faster and helpful for writers and editors in generating content ideas, providing writing assistance, content optimization, automated summarization, language translation, and writing prompts to overcome writer’s block etc.

AI tools and Chat GPT can be helpful in creating new-age literature in multiple ways including idea generation for stories and plots, characters, language enhancement, editing, identify redundancies and inconsistencies and more diverse vocabulary etc. Though it can help writers and editors streamline their workflow, save time and effort, and produce high-quality content more efficiently, it needs human inputs and touch to make the stuff more realistic.

Himanshu Rai, the favourite literary juggler of India and renowned author of best selling novels including ‘You are Still the One’ and ‘I am Always With You’ shares his perspective in a conversation- “AI tools and Chat GPT can be good tools for researching topics and can enhance writing skills. They will work as a tool of research for the writers, but cannot replace the thoughts and feelings of writers. Writing a novel is actually bringing feelings on paper and AI tools may have the caliber to research but they lack in terms of emotions and feelings.”

Author and Life Coach Yasmin Sait says her mind- “I haven’t used it so far but I have heard a lot about it. I may be wrong but I feel you should be creative to use the AI-generated apps and Chat GPT so that it can boost your creativity. After all, don’t forget, it is artificial intelligence getting the expression, voice, and style that requires a human to guide it; hence, garbage in, garbage out.”

Annette Tarpley, Founder of an International Poetry Community ‘The Passion of Poetry’ with 90 K members, says- “I do not endorse AI at all in writing, to me it is a form of plagiarism.” She further adds- “The poet is forfeiting her/his own creativity and utilizing an artificial mean and claiming it as her or his own, that is not writing, that is not creating. And if one is using that as a means to create so to speak, he or she is not a writer. It is false pretence and if one uses that it should not be claimed as their own but the credit should be given to AI as source.” And in a discourse, Founder of a poetry association, ‘The Writers Wave’ and a skilled poet from Tunisia, Myriam Ghezail Ben Brahim says- “it spoils creativity undoubtedly”.

Presently many AI generated books are sold in the markets and it is a matter of worry for writers who work hard day and night and for publishers too. Showing the concern, S Affan Yesvi, Director, Rhyvers Publishing utterly discards the idea of using AI resources and also pronounces it as GIGO. He also said that publishers should also be aware of what is going on in the present and must crosscheck before publishing.

The intellectual property of writers which is already there online is in danger because AI somehow takes and modifies the same information which is already available on web sources. It generates copyright issues and legal proceedings take lots of time and money to get the due justice. This is a burgeoning issue that AI copies the style, language and creative work as it is and the task becomes herculean to identify whether it’s fake or original hence there is no proper device available which can completely assure that it is not plagiarized.

Acclaimed and award-winning Author Shunali Kullar Shroff who writes about culture, art and travelling a lot to fantastic locales, shares her views on usage of AI- “Chat GPT is an evolving tool. If you ask it to describe a scene, for example Ganges in Rishikesh, or a scene set in High Park in London, you will find that the description is very florid or flowery and it’s full of cliches. Now if you are already a writer and you know that these cliches should be avoided but if sometime you are feeling lazy to build the scene, then you may utilize it, however I find that language is very inauthentic and every person has a unique voice.”

Shunali continues, “Ultimately what is the writer’s goal is that something in my heart and mind should touch your heart so to that end you can’t rely on Chat GPT, you have to bring soul into it. if I am describing an Indian politician walking with his bodyguard, and I am stuck somewhere in being able to physically describe the bodyguard, it’s great I haven’t tried it yet. But I know it for a fact, it might be able to describe that fairly well. To that end one can use it but so far not beyond that.”

Shunali further added that it still can not frame authentic dialogues and is relying on the creativity which is already present there and nothing new comes out. As students when one is stuck with descriptive scenes and character descriptions and one relies on Chat GPT and asks to write it and one can sort of learn from it. One can learn about sentence structure, key features of the person being highlighted.” She remarks: “learners can learn from it indeed but still I would suggest learning from reading real literature is any day a better idea.”

Multiple Award-winning Author, screenwriter and journalist Meghna Pant, who keeps writing on gender issues, shares her views about AI and Literature. She said that many people have asked her whether artificial intelligence is going to be a replacement for novelists and what impact is going to have on literature. She continues- “I am happy to inform you that as it stands today AI is definitely helpful but it’s not infallible. The concept sounds great but the experience of it is very different. The generative AI and Computational Analysis can help you in your research, can help you generate ideas, can help you if you are stuck and facing writer’s block they can help you to restructure, to perhaps proof read and edit beyond that it can not capture the emotion and gravitas of so being human being.

Meghna adds- “The lived experiences, pain, pathos and authenticity that comes for writing a story none of those can be emulated. AI is too staccato, incoherent and rudimentary to write good stories. Therefore, it acts best as a supplement but not as a substitute. And definitely the rise of AI generated literature is a new genre that we cannot ignore, but need not to fear either.”

Eventually, whether or not writers and poets choose to incorporate AI technology into their work depends on their individual goals, preferences, and creative process. Some may find AI to be a valuable tool for enhancing their creativity, while others may prefer to rely solely on their own intuition and inspiration.

There is no doubt, AI technologies can be used to augment human creativity, providing inspiration, suggesting new ideas, or helping to automate certain aspects of the creative process. For example, AI-powered writing tools can help budding writers with grammar, syntax, and word choice, while also providing suggestions for plot lines, character development, and settings.

Though there is no harm in using or taking help of AI if credit given to the source but we should keep it in mind that we can not expect growth within our lives just through the usage of technology and we need to make a balance of humanistic approach, needs and use of technology to give the best product adding more to the existing rather just reproducing the same with another tags and titles.

(Dr. Shalini Yadav is a Professor, Writer and Editor)

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” tweeted the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition on August 23.

While this is the aspiration of the world’s democracies, the concepts of human rights and equality are mocked every day in illegally occupied territories of Jammu-Kashmir (PoJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), which mostly go unnoticed under tyrannical rule and censorship. This is in total contradiction to the Secretary-General’s tweet.

Kashmir is no “complicated international conflict”, as suggested in the recent opinion piece of Pakistan’s national daily, The Nation. The article makes preposterous, farce claims about the land of Jammu and Kashmir which made an independent decision to accede to India in October 1947, when the Pakistan Army sent thousands of tribesmen from their territory to annex J&K. Disturbing an independent princely state in hopes of colonizing it, looting its resources, and using its geostrategic location as a terror-breeding sanctuary to keep India in fear, that is Pakistani mentality till date.

This isn’t an assumption. The live evidence is the mortal remains of what we call Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). Land grabbing, and plundering of resources like water, minerals, forest derivatives, crops, etc. has been the ongoing business since day one. Over the years, 20-hour load-shedding periods, starvation, and lack of basic amenities like hospital access, schools, and clean drinking water, have been normalized. Threatened with force, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances, residents are given just enough to remain alive.

Pakistan calls the new airport in Skardu and the Mangla Dam in Mirpur advancement, but never addresses the environmental catastrophe it has caused. The airport has snatched the livelihood of people who anyway cannot afford its use, and the dam has caused floods and submerged thousands of homes. Every economic activity in this territory is only for the state’s interests.

Citizens’ demands from the government, their pleadings, and requests resulted in a revolt for dismemberment from the state of Pakistan decades ago. These uprisings have been silenced with open firings. Despite repeated warnings by the UN, Pakistan continues its human rights violations in PoJK and GB.

Ironically, Pakistan beats its chest beating for the Indian Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. But on what grounds does it invoke the UN Security Council Resolutions of 1948, when it hasn’t adhered to any of its conditions itself? It never withdrew its tribesmen or Pak nationals from the Indian territory of Kashmir, as laid down in condition one. On July 7, 1948, the Pak Army had three Brigades of regular troops in Kashmir. To this, Joseph Korbel, a member of the UN Commission said, “This disclosure of Pakistan had changed the entire complexion of the Kashmir issue.” The SC Resolution of 1948 was violated in letter and spirit by Pakistan, making it defunct.

Today the UT of J&K is at least a hundred years ahead of PoJK. Accounts of exiled citizens of PoJK reveal appalling details of the Pak Army’s loot and colonization. Every week there is a story of terror launchpads budding in the region preparing for jihad in Kashmir. Their Kashmir jihad strategy was so popular among Army circles that it is being replicated in the progressive, colonized province of Balochistan!

Pak Army’s motto, ‘Rules for thee, not for me’, will not work anymore. History cannot be erased by raising slogans of ‘Free Kashmir’, when Pakistan has done everything in its power to neocolonize it. The pains of Kashmiris under Pakistan rule cannot be invalidated and forgotten. Rather, they should serve as a caution to Pak sympathizers as to what this rogue nation is capable of.

After three wars, countless armed skirmishes, and daily battles by Pakistan over Kashmir, it is ludicrous to view Pakistan as a stable entity, let alone a peace-loving nation. Pakistan has gaslighted itself into believing its false narratives. But their derangement is understandable; after all, it is only the Kashmir tantrum that keeps them relevant in 2023.

Note: The views  and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinion of the author.

By Samuel Baid

During his 44 months rule as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan mainly concentrated on exposing earlier ruler’s corruption, ignoring his duties towards his countrymen. After his ouster, he was exposed for corruption. He told the truth about his opponents and the opponents told the truth about him when they came to power. The sum total of these truths was moral collapse that has kept Pakistan in political and economic anarchy.

There is another truth as tweeted by a Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Muzaffar Khokhar. This truth relates to the relations of the people of occupied Kashmir to Pakistan. It says “Now the people of PoJK have to decide whether they have to accede to a state (Pakistan) facing moral decline and political anarchy or live free and independent like a dignified country and nation in the world”. Addressing the PoK people, he asked them to observe Pakistan’s independence day as black day. He said the creation of Pakistan did not mean Islam, iman (faith) and deen (religion). He said Pakistan killed and raped their own Muslim brothers and sisters and created Bangladesh. This spoke of moral degradation of Pakistan.

Kashmiri leaders, who left the National Conference to revive the Muslim conference at the behest of Muslim League Chief Mohammad Ali Jinnah were moved by Jinnah’s awe and not by Kashmir’s long-term interest.  They were blinded by their sycophantic feelings towards Jinnah. As against them, Sheikh Abdullah favoured India because of its respect for Constitutionalism.

After 1947, Muslim Conference (MC) leaders in PoJK realized if you are on the right side of the Pakistani rulers especially its Army, the occupied territory is for you to loot. MC supreme Sardar Abdul Qayym considered himself born ruler of PoJK. He and his son made money left and right without any fear of accountability. In other words, PoJK could not be any better than their counterpart Pakistani masters.

For their own selfish motive, MC leaders have always harmed the interest of fellow PoJK Kashmiris. In April 1949, MC leaders signed an agreement with Pakistani government handing over to Karachi (then national capital of Pakistan) administration of Northern Areas (now Gilgit Baltistan). This formally divided Pakistan controlled Kashmir into so-called Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas. All the communication between the two was permanently cut off. An Azad Kashmiri could go anywhere in Pakistan but could not cross the Luxman rekha to see his brothers and sisters in Northern Areas.

Sardar Qayyum collaborated with the Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to prepare the 1974 Provisional Constitution for PoJK. This was very openly a document of slavery of Kashmiris in PoJK. This document has been ruling PoJK for almost six decades but no squeak from anywhere.

There are no protests as Arif Shahid writes in his Urdu book “kaun azad kaun ghulam” slave Kashmiri of PoJK have been given an injection to put the high in the belief that they are azad.

JKLF leader Khokhar says PoJK Kashmiris do not understand that Pakistan wants to stab them in the back. He tweets Pakistan is in favour of splitting Kashmiri in pieces. Favour of gifting Kashmir to Daddy China.  Favour of being a so-called administrator and then grabbing land.  Favour of forcefully taking our rights.

From day one, Pakistan has been known for political murders, for palace intrigues, deceit, corruption in high places and sectarian and communal hatred.  All this has boiled down to the present anarchy and despair. Can such a country woo Kashmiris?

Note: The views  and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinion of the author.

With India’s successful landing on the moon on Wednesday, social media is discussing how Pakistan is lagging behind its neighbour in the field of science and technology. While the factors that contributed to this lack of progress in scientific research in Pakistan are multifold, religious bigotry has been one of the main hurdles. Pakistan’s first Nobel laureate Dr. Abdus Salman, who was once leading the country’s efforts to develop its space and nuclear programmes and had founded Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Corporation (SUPARCO), was later shunned due to his Ahmadi faith.

In 1961, Dr Abdus Salam collaborated with late Pakistan Air Force (PAF) commodore WJM Turowicz to set up SUPARCO. When SUPARCO was established, its founders and scientists who were part of it worked tirelessly to develop scientific research in Pakistan. Pakistani scientists were connected with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was expected that within a decade or two, Pakistan would be able to send its own satellites into space. But this dream soon came crashing down.

Dr Abdus Salam’s collaborations with NASA eventually stopped after he was snubbed with the Ahmadi community being declared non-Muslim through an amendment to the Constitution in 1974. Salam then left Pakistan for England, orphaning the country’s space programmes and quitting his efforts of developing scientific research in Pakistan. Thereafter, the government of Pakistan lost interest in improving Pakistan’s space programme with the help of international researchers and scientists.

Due to his Ahmadi faith, Dr Abdus Salam was never duly acknowledged and celebrated for his achievements despite being the country’s first Nobel prize winner. Salam passed away in 1996 in Oxford, United Kingdom, and was laid to rest in his hometown, the Ahmadi majority city of Rabwah. The epitaph on his tomb initially said “First Muslim Nobel Laureate”, but the then government of Pakistan removed the word “Muslim” and left only his name on the headstone. The way Salam was shunned for his religious identity in spite of his dream to take Pakistan’s space programme to new heights reflects how bigotry and extremism has always cost Pakistan dearly.

Note: The views  and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinion of the author.