By: R C GANJOO

RC GANJOOIn the hubbub of the political situation in JKUT, Begum Khalida Shah, President of the Awami National Conference and the eldest child of Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, has finally sheathed the sword against her brother, Dr Farooq Abdullah, the president of the NationalConference.
In an exclusive interview with the local podcast Asian Mail, she openly said, “I am not on speaking terms with my brother Farooq Abdullah.” As an eyewitness to the politicalhistory of Kashmir, Begum Khalida systematically described Kashmir’sHistory fromre-1947 to the present situation.
At 90, she remembers the history of Kashmir at her fingertips and speaks confidentially. After Sheikh’s death, Khalida turned a politician after her younger brother Farooq Abdullah was named National Conference president and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, side-lined G M Shah, Khalida’s husband and Sheikh’s longest political associate. Six weeks before Ghulam Mohammad toppled Farooq’s government, Khalida led a delegate session of the National Conference in May 1983, which expelled Farooq from basic membership of the party and elected Khalida as its new president. Thus NC was divided on legal and politicalbasis and NC (Khalida) came into being.

In an interview, she without mincing the words said while forming the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) right from day one her son Muzaffar Shah Sr vice President of Awami National Conference(ANC) energetically pursued the task of restoration of Art370 and 35 A of the alliance to take it to logical end. But her son’s candidature was not considered at the time of the assembly election, whereas Panther Party and CPM candidate Yusaf Targami were accommodated under PAGD . As a result of that Muzaffar Shah put his candidates under his banner of ANC when less time was left for his party for campaigning.
Comparing the political situation between the erstwhile J & K state and after reducing JKUT, she categorically said to bring the state to the present situation people and leadership of Kashmir is to be held responsible. She is of the opinion if all Kashmiris come together crossing their party and ideological lines, they can save Kashmir.
She plunged into politics in 1983 after the death of herfather when the National Conference was being split following political differences with her brother, Dr Farooq Abdullah. Her husband, G.M. Shah formed the National Conference (Khalida). It was converted into the Jammu andKashmir Awami National Conference in 1988 headed by her husband G.M. Shah. Khalida Shah, the eldest child in the Sheikh family, was the apple of her father late Sheikh Abdullah’s eye. Though she was barely 13 when she was married to G.M. Shah in 1948, she remained in constant touch with Kashmir politics. She used to visit jails to look after her father’s partyworkers and their family members when both her father and her husband were lodged in jail in 1953 for several years. She stood behind the National Conference like a rock and earned the respect of the masses and the workers. At that time, her brother Dr Farooq Abdullah was in London. ` She said her father never forced her to join politics. But she was intensely involved in politics along with my mother when her father and husband were in jail.
In fact, in 1983, there was tremendous pressure from different quarters that if she did not come into politics the National Conference would lose its image. She joined politics to preserve the heritage of the real National Conference. Because a plan was being hatched at that time to finish the NC. It was felt that the National Conference under her (Khalida) could save the ideology of the real National Conference. Thus, a government was formed.
According to her, she used to take care of the public, whereas her husband, G.M. Shah, as Chief Minister, used to run the administration.
Today Khalida Shah, at 90 with a heavy heart says, that the Kashmiri community has been treated like slaves by successive rulers imposed over the sensitive state of the country. But the rulers have forgotten to mark that the Kashmiri community ruled by heavy hands is not possible because the community is more concerned with keeping its head high with dignity and honour in any eventualities
She described that Kashmiris are basically peace-loving people. Some vested interests within the country and outside never wanted Kashmir to flourish. Kashmir was becoming prosperous economically, socially, and politically day by day. It was beyond the tolerance of some evil forces and trouble has been fomented. Kashmir is really in a bad shape today. Evil forces want to divide the state, divide the family, society and communities. It is a very meticulous plan. They succeeded at one point of time but won’t succeed again and again. She said Kashmiris ought to be trusted since they have joined the Indian domain. She feels sorry to say that Kashmirs were never trusted. If Kashmiris are trusted things will change automatically. Mistrust is the main reason behind the problems in Kashmir, she said

By: Abid Hussain Rather

When we turn the pages of history we find that once there was a time when the profession of a prostitute was considered the most disgraceful profession. Merely mentioning the name of this profession was frowned upon. Now, the times have changed to the extent that calling someone engaged in this profession (having sexual intercourse with many people in exchange of  money) a prostitute is deemed offensive. A woman who sold her body and charms in exchange for money was known as a prostitute. In the past, there were many prostitutes who, for a certain period, would only sell glimpses of their physical beauty while preserving their bodies exclusively for a nobleman or prince. Such prostitutes were usually known as courtesans. Various noblemen or landlords would send bags full of money to persuade the young courtesan’s  owner, madam, or caretaker (whatever you call a brothel owner) to grant them right for physical intimacy with her. The woman who managed the brothel would, like a shrewd businesswoman, carefully evaluate all the offers. Eventually, the “tender” of one fortunate suitor would be accepted. The young courtesan/dancer, who used to perform at her brothel in the evenings, would then become the mistress or concubine of the nobleman and move to one of his residences. Among the prostitutes, being the mistress of a nobleman was considered a highly honourable position, as it was a privilege reserved only for the most beautiful and youthful courtesans.

After a few months or years, when the nobleman grew tired of her or when the beauty of a new courtesan/dancer began making waves in the market, the former courtesan would be sent back. The former courtesan/dancer would return to her brothel and resume her usual work of selling her charms for money. Occasionally, if she found a wealthy client, she would engage in physical intercourse as well—but only at a high price. This cycle would continue until the courtesan’s youth and beauty began to fade. By the time she reached her early thirties or mid thirties, her dance gatherings would start to dwindle, and her clients would either reduce their payments or disappear altogether. At this point, the courtesan faced two possible futures. One option was to become available to the general public, accepting any client who came her way each night without much calculation or negotiation. The other was to get married with one of her own musicians (instrument players) and settle down. Occasionally, a courtesan who was the biological daughter of the brothel’s owner (madam) or a particularly favoured protégé would undergo training to take over the role of the madam or manager. She would then assume responsibility for managing the brothel and training new courtesans.

This was the state of affairs in the last century. Then came the modern era, and the courtesan was given various respectable titles in the civilized world. The dancer was distinguished from the one who sold her body. It was further argued that selling charms wasn’t such a bad thing—it was an art, a craft. Dance was labelled as art, and thus, the dancer became an artist. It was no longer considered a disgraceful profession. All other aspects of the trade were rebranded as well. The dancer no longer became a nobleman’s mistress; instead, she would marry a filmmaker or someone of similar stature.

This was the norm until a few decades ago. Now, everything has gone digital. The digital revolution has modernized the “profession of the prostitutes and courtesans” Previously, spectators would visit the prostitute’s establishment to enjoy the beauty and charms of a new prostitute/dancer. Today, they can experience far more through online platforms, viewing it all on their mobile screens comfortably from their homes. Modern courtesans no longer need a brothel or a middleman; social media has become their marketplace. With followers acting as spectators, they present themselves as influencers, performers, or models, blurring the lines between art, entertainment, and commodification of the self. The shift from physical spaces to digital platforms has made these interactions not only normalized but also celebrated as entrepreneurship.

In the old days, spectators would spend a significant amount of money just to listen to a courtesan’s singing at her establishment. They would travel through harsh weather, reaching the venue to sit among a crowd of other spectators. Under the dim light of kerosene lamps or low electric bulbs, they would watch the dancer performing from a distance of ten to twenty feet. Even then, the dancer’s heavy attire would conceal the most alluring parts of her body.

In contrast, today’s spectators can see far more without spending a single penny. Just look at modern social media—spectators don’t pay anything because digital courtesans are compensated by advertising companies and various other agencies. There are some people on various digital platforms to sexually please the spectators and call themselves as amateur performers. They provide explicit content labelled as “self-expression” or “body positivity” which frequently serves as a gateway for transactional relationships, where followers or admirers may pay for exclusive content or direct interactions. Some digital platforms have turned as online brothels and have explicitly monetized this dynamics, allowing creators to sell access to private content. The system mirrors the traditional hierarchy of courtesanship, where the highest paying patrons receive the most access.

Today’s modern spectator can watch not just one, but hundreds or even thousands of dancing women in complete privacy. They can pause, zoom in, and admire every move in slow motion. Further, today’s modern dancers/courtesans are free from the burden of heavy clothing. In fact, advertising companies and other agencies have ensured that these performers now dance in skin-tight undergarments. Their goal is to enable the spectator to appreciate every movement, every angle, and every anatomical detail of their body with utmost clarity.

There is no need to explain who are the noblemen in today’s modern digital global courtesanship. How they use their money for these dancing courtesans to make them their mistresses and how these modern courtesans select the one with the most money. And then, after a few years, when their value decreases, how they “settle down” with their “musicians” (best friends). If you are wise enough then you can figure it out yourself with a little effort.

(The author teaches Geography at GDC Kulgam and can be reached at rather1294@gmail.com)

By:Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon

As the academic year begins to wind down, a crucial crossroads lies ahead for parents of students in grades 8, 9, and 10: the decision of choosing the right coaching institute for their child’s foundation exams. This decision is more than just academic—it holds the power to shape not only students’ academic performance but also their future aspirations and overall personality. In a competitive world flooded with options, it’s essential to choose a coaching institute that nurtures knowledge, builds character, and equips students with life skills that last a lifetime.

Why Foundation Exams Matter: Foundation exams serve as stepping stones for a student’s future academic and professional success. These crucial years not only set the tone for higher education but also refine a student’s ability to handle competitive exams. Choosing the right coaching institute, therefore, becomes a decision that should be approached with diligence, care, and insight.

Factors to Consider While Choosing the Right Institute

Track Record and Reputation: An institute’s credibility begins with its track record and reputation. Parents must conduct thorough research to understand the institute’s success rate, focusing on the percentage of students who excelled in foundation exams or secured placements in reputable educational institutions.
Institutes with proven success often have a systematic approach to teaching and a commitment to excellence that sets them apart.

Qualified and Experienced Faculty:Teachers are the backbone of any coaching institute. The quality of faculty members determines how effectively students can grasp complex concepts. Experienced faculty members who excel at simplifying difficult topics, combined with interactive teaching methods, play a significant role in enhancing learning outcomes. Faculty with strong academic qualifications. A student-centric teaching approach.Teachers who emphasize doubt-clearing and personalized attention.

Comprehensive Course Content and Study Materials: The best coaching institutes offer structured and updated study materials that align with the latest syllabus. Comprehensive course content must focus on conceptual clarity while encouraging critical thinking and analytical skills. Detailed notes and topic-wise breakdowns. Regular practice exercises and mock tests. Materials that emphasize application-based learning. Well-structured resources ensure that students not only memorize concepts but understand their practical applications, which is essential for long-term academic success.

Innovative Teaching Approaches and Personalized Mentoring: Modern teaching methods such as interactive classes, digital tools, and gamified learning platforms have revolutionized education. Institutes that adopt these approaches, along with one-on-one mentoring and personalized doubt-clearing sessions, ensure students receive the attention they deserve. Technology-enabled classrooms. Customized learning plans tailored to each student’s pace. Regular assessments with constructive feedback. Personalized mentoring allows           educators to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses, providing targeted support to help them excel.

Seminars on Moral and Social Responsibilities: Education is not limited to textbooks and exams; it also involves nurturing values and ethics. Coaching institutes that organize seminars on moral and social responsibilities stand out as holistic learning environments. These sessions teach empathy, integrity, and teamwork. Encourage critical social awareness. Prepare students to become responsible and ethical citizens.
An institute that integrates moral education into its curriculum empowers students to balance academic excellence with personal development.

Inclusivity: No Discrimination Based on Status or Background: Education should be an equal opportunity for all. Unfortunately, some institutes prioritize status symbols like luxurious infrastructure over actual learning. Parents must steer clear of such institutes and instead choose ones that prioritize equality and inclusivity.
Institutes that promote equality for urban, rural, and economically weaker students. Scholarships for underprivileged yet deserving candidates. A culture of respect and inclusiveness.
True education uplifts all, regardless of socioeconomic or regional backgrounds, and fosters an environment where every student can thrive.

Location and Accessibility:Choosing an institute close to home ensures that students minimize their travel time and remain focused. Accessibility, safety, and a conducive learning environment play a major role in reducing stress and fatigue.

Affordability and Scholarship Programs:Quality education doesn’t have to come at an unbearable financial cost. Reputed coaching institutes often offer Merit-based scholarships for high achievers.Financial aid for students from underprivileged backgrounds.Transparent fee structures without hidden costs.
These opportunities reflect an institute’s commitment to making education accessible to all.

Extracurricular Activities and Stress Management:Academic pressure can be overwhelming, especially during foundation years. Institutes that promote extracurricular activities such as yoga, sports, and art programs create a balanced learning environment.Stress management workshops help students cope with academic pressure.Activities like group discussions foster collaboration and teamwork.
This holistic approach ensures that students remain mentally and emotionally resilient while focusing on their goals.

Parental Involvement and Regular Progress Tracking: Parental involvement in a child’s education strengthens their support system. Coaching institutes that encourage, Regular parent-teacher meetings, timely progress updates and feedback.
These initiatives allow parents to stay informed about their child’s academic journey and provide timely guidance.

Character Development: Respect and Self-Awareness: While academic achievements open doors to success, true education lies in developing character. Institutes that emphasize respect (adab) and self-awareness create individuals who are humble, disciplined, and aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
Respect teaches kindness and humility, essential traits for personal and professional life. Self-awareness helps students identify their purpose and set meaningful goals. There is a well-known Urdu saying: “Ba Adab, Ba Naseeb; Be Adab, Be Naseeb,” which translates to “Respectful is fortunate; disrespectful is unfortunate.”
This proverb underscores the vital role of respect and good manners in shaping one’s life. It suggests that individuals who demonstrate respect, humility, and proper conduct are more likely to attract success, blessings, and opportunities. In contrast, those who lack respect and behave rudely often face setbacks, misfortunes, and missed chances. This saying serves as a timeless reminder that respect and etiquette are not only the foundation of personal growth and social harmony but also the key to earning admiration, trust, and lasting success in life.
A respectful person ultimately recognizes their Creator. True success lies not just in achieving grades but in developing a balanced, purposeful, and morally upright personality.

Choosing the right coaching institute for foundation exams is a pivotal decision that requires careful thought and consideration. Beyond academic rigor, parents and students must prioritize institutes that emphasize inclusivity, moral education, and holistic development.

Flashy advertisements and superficial infrastructure may attract attention, but true value lies in institutes that nurture character, knowledge, and life skills. The right coaching institute ensures students not only excel academically but also grow into responsible citizens who contribute positively to society.

Quality Education and Supportive: Environment: Reputable coaching centers prioritize their students’ success by investing in well-trained teachers and comprehensive study materials. They create a supportive learning environment that nurtures students’ intellectual growth and instills a passion for knowledge. As someone who has dedicated several years to the coaching industry, I have consistently strived to provide quality education and create a supportive atmosphere for students. Drawing on my expertise in Urdu, education, and computer technology, I have developed innovative teaching methods, mentored students, and offered individualized attention to maximize their learning potential.

Job Opportunities for Educated Youth: It is worth mentioning that coaching centers also provide employment opportunities for highly educated individuals. Drawing from my own experience of working in coaching centers for the past eight years, I have witnessed how these institutes effectively utilize the knowledge and skills of professionals, including individuals with expertise like myself, to benefit students and contribute to their educational growth. By offering job opportunities to highly educated youth, coaching centers not only empower individuals but also tap into their expertise to enhance the overall quality of education provided. With my specialization in Urdu, education, and computer technology, I have been able to actively contribute to the development of comprehensive study materials, implement innovative teaching methods, and integrate technology into the learning process. This multifaceted approach has played a vital role in enriching the educational experience for students.

About the Author:

Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon is a renowned Motivational Speaker and an Associate Editor of the weekly publication ‘Education Quill.’ With a Master’s degree in Urdu and Education, and expertise in computer technology, he has been working in the coaching industry for the past eight years. Follow the author on Instagram at @UBI9305.

By SYED MAJID GILANI

It was a quiet evening when Mohsin sat in his bedroom, his hands trembling as he looked across at Farhat, sitting opposite him. Her posture was rigid, and her expression was as cold and unyielding as the accusations she had just thrown at him.

“I am such a clever and intelligent woman,” she said, her voice laced with twisted arrogance. “I kept you in a constant state of insecurity all these years.”

The words hit him like a punch to the stomach. Mohsin struggled to breathe, barely able to process what she had just confessed. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice hoarse with a mix of disbelief and growing pain.

Farhat smirked, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “You heard me. I manipulated you. I made you doubt yourself, made you feel like you were not good enough. And you believed it, didn’t you?”

Mohsin’s world shattered in that instant. He had spent more than a decade of his life trying to please her, always believing that if he loved her enough, things would get better. Now, staring into her cold, triumphant eyes, he realized the painful truth—she had been playing a game, a game that was never meant for him to win.

“Why?” His voice cracked, torn between confusion and heartbreak. “Why would you do that to me?”

Farhat’s smile deepened, her words laced with venom. “Why did you believe it? Because I could, and because you were too weak to stop me.”

The silence that followed suffocated him. Mohsincould not move, could not speak. The weight of her words crushed him. For so long, he had hoped that things would improve, that his love would somehow change her, make her see him for the man he truly was. But now, it became clear: he had been living in a prison of his own making.

As his mind raced, he thought back over the years, to the countless moments when he had felt small, insignificant—always questioning himself. He had given everything to her, tried so hard to prove his worth. However, it was never enough. Every sacrifice, every effort, was met with indifference, manipulation, and cruelty.

“I thought… I thought you loved me,” Mohsin whispered, almost to himself.

Farhat’s lips curled into a cynical smile. “Love? I never loved you. You were just a means to an end. I used you to get what I wanted. Your love, your sacrifices, they meant nothing to me.”

A cold wave washed over Mohsin. His heart, once filled with hope, now felt empty. His love had been nothing but a tool—something to control, to break him down, to make him feel insignificant.

Tears blurred his vision, but they were not tears of sorrow. No, these were tears of realization—of wasted years spent on someone who had never cared for him. The life they had built, the family they had raised, had all been based on lies.

Then, something shifted within him. It was not anger, nor was it sadness. It was a quiet, resolute decision. He would not let her destroy him any longer. “No,” he said, his voice steady, filled with newfound strength. “I won’t let you do this to me anymore.”

Farhat raised an eyebrow, as if she had not expected him to fight back. “What are you going to do about it?” she sneered.

Mohsindid not respond immediately. Instead, he locked eyes with her, the weight of her manipulations heavy in his mind. For too long, he had been her silent victim. For too long, he had let her control him, let her make him doubt himself. Not anymore.

He thought back to all the moments, all the years, when he had convinced himself that things were just misunderstandings. He had tried so hard to prove his love, to prove that he was worthy of her affection. Now, he understood the truth. Farhat had never loved him. She had used her indifference, her silence, and her cruelty to keep him on edge, to make him feel small, to strip him of his dignity.

Her words—the words that had cut him down repeatedly—now rang in his ears with sharp, bitter clarity. He had been manipulated, controlled, kept in a constant state of insecurity. And for what? For her amusement? For her need to feel in control?

He had given her everything—his love, his trust, his heart—and she had thrown it all back at him as if it meant nothing. How could she be so cruel? How could she take pride in having kept him insecure all these years? To her, he was just a tool, a pawn in her cruel game.

Mohsin felt an ache in his heart, but no tears came. The pain was too deep, too raw, for tears. He felt broken, beyond repair. The years of suffering, of not knowing where he stood, of never feeling good enough, all of it crashed down on him in that one moment.

However, Mohsin remained silent. What could he say? How could he possibly express the depth of his pain, the emotional neglect, and the years of being belittled and ignored? The truth was, he did not have the words to convey what he had endured. No words could fully capture the weight of those years—years that had hollowed him out. His suffering was so deeply ingrained that even the idea of putting it into words seemed impossible. A wound had no name, no way to explain the torment he had lived through.

Strangely, it was notMohsin who sought justice, but Farhat. With cold calculation in her eyes, she approached the King. It was her voice that rang through the halls of the royal darbar, accusing Mohsin of crimes he had never committed. There she stood, the one who had twisted his love and manipulated him for years, now casting herself as the victim.

“Mohsin has abused me for years,” she claimed, her voice shaking with false emotion. “He stole my valuables—cash, gold, and silver ornaments. He forced my family to give him a dowry when we married—and continues to demand it to this day.”

Farhat, the architect of their suffering, had become the accuser, twisting the truth to suit her narrative, while Mohsin, the true victim, was left to prove his innocence. She even accused him of neglecting to provide for necessities—household amenities, groceries, medical care and other living expenses—which he had always shouldered, silently, without complaint.

She painted a picture of herself as a helpless victim, portraying Mohsin as a cruel man who had emotionally and physically tortured her. She claimed her family had supported her financially throughout their marriage, not Mohsin, and that he had demanded dowry at every turn.

Her accusations seemed endless, each more damaging than the last. She even claimed that Mohsin had physically abused her, beaten her, and manipulated her into submission. However, when questioned, she could not produce any witnesses to support her story. No neighbors, no friends, no family—no one had seen or heard what she claimed to have suffered.

Mohsin stood across from her in the King’s darbar, his heart heavy with the weight of her lies. His hands clenched at his sides, but he did not lose his composure. “Your Majesty,” he said, his voice calm but unwavering. “I ask for one day to gather the evidence and prove my innocence.”

The King nodded, granting him time to collect the proof.

When the next day arrived, Mohsin stood before the King, the documents he had gathered in hand. He did not flinch under Farhat’s gaze. “Everything she has said is false,” he said, his voice steady. “I never demanded dowry. I did not need it—her family could never have afforded it even if I had. I have never abused her. I have done my best to provide for her and our children.”

Mohsin laid out the records of his financial support for the family—providing for necessities—household amenities, groceries, medical care and all other expenses he had shouldered, with no assistance from Farhat’s side. “This is the truth, Your Majesty. I have always fulfilled my duties as a husband and father.”

Farhat’s eyes widened in shock, but she quickly masked it with a scowl. She had expected him to crumble. ButMohsin wasn’t finished.

“I also have testimonies from witnesses who can confirm that I never asked for anything from her family,” he continued. “I earned handsomely and decently. I did not need anyone’s help or favours. All I wanted was for her to love and respect me. But she turned my love into a weapon.”

Farhat’s accusations crumbled under the weight of evidence. She could not produce any proof of the dowry she had claimed to provide, nor could she provide any evidence of abuse. Her story, carefully crafted to destroy Mohsin, unravelled piece by piece, each lie exposed.

Despite the mounting evidence in his favour, the King was compelled to reopen the case multiple times as Farhat’s persistent accusations dragged the proceedings on. Each time, Mohsin had to prove his innocence anew.

However, through it all, Mohsin did not feel victorious. The wounds of his past, the years of emotional manipulation, were still raw. He had spoken the truth. He had been believed. The prison he had lived in for so long was finally breaking apart.

The road ahead would be challenging, marked by deep scars and lingering pain. Yet, for the first time, he felt something new—a delicate spark of hope. Though fragile, it sparked a quiet resolve within him. The possibility of healing, of reclaiming his life, was no longer out of reach. He would rebuild, slowly but surely, piece by piece. He would learn to live for himself again, and for the sake of his beloved children, vowing to continue forward with purpose and strength.

Syed Majid Gilani is a writer and serves as a GST Inspector for the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. He can be reached at syedmajid6676@gmail.com

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