A frosty morning in Khuiratta

It's been a long time since I've been meaning to write a daily blog and even now as I hurriedly do so in a very chilly Khuiratta, there's so much running through my mind which I aim to gradually un-clutter by expressing a summary of my daily experiences. I'm rushing to Rawalakot to meet Baba Jaan Hunzai of Hunza (Gilgit Baltistan) who spent much of 2011 and 2012 incarcerated and tortured by the authorities in his region for daring to advocate for the rights of his fellow citizens. It's the least I can do to pay homage to a living legend who I'll otherwise have difficulty in meeting in person for the foreseeable future. Our relationship goes back to Gilgit in November 2010 where we met for the first time. A few days later we met in Hunza again when he kindly accepted my invitation to participate in a civil society forum that I conducted there.

20th Civil Society Forum - AJK in Hunza

A frosty field 

This is despite having only 230 rupees on me at the moment - which is probably about half of what I need to get to Rawalakot via public transport - coupled with the need to get institutional matters of Kashmir - One Secretariat into practical shape. However, one more day of delay and financial wrestling will be worth undergoing to spend some quality time with a citizen of the erstwhile State of J & K, who has staked all in pursuit of basic fundamental rights for his co-citizens.