Daily Diary (DD) - Day 279 of 2024

2355hrs:

Gaining speed. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 278 of 2024

2318hrs:

Day 70 ends in historic Mang. Sublime in nature and powerful in human resistance narrative. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 277 of 2024

2315hrs:

As Day 69 comes to a close....we review our movement earlier in the day as we passed the international border between us and Pakistan at Azad Pattan, formerly known as Lakshman Pattan pre 1947.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 276 of 2024

2351hrs:

Not quite in 4th yet. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 275 of 2024

2314hrs:

We remain in 3rd gear but will progress to 4th gear very soon. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 274 of 2024

2323hrs:

In 3rd gear....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 273 of 2024

2315hrs:

In full flow.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 272 of 2024

2321hrs:

Spreading thin.

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 271 of 2024

2351hrs:

Dicing with death in the context of internet connectivity in AJK. 

Day 63 took me from Sarsaawa to Panjera. 

Long live the revolution. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 270 of 2024

2307hrs:

Day 62 brought us back to Sarsaawa where I walked to yesterday. Tomorrow I will proceed towards Panjera at some point in the afternoon. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 269 of 2024

2353hrs:

A diversion from #Sarsaawa to witness a disciplined marathon of speeches in #Rawalakot . 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 268 of 2024

2310hrs:

Thus Day 60 of our #EducationalWalk from #Sehnsa2Sharda comes to a close. 

Net connectivity here in Noisratta is a world away from net connectivity in Gorah Islamabad, where I agonised for almost an hour to get my blog entry published last night. 

Overall, net connectivity in AJK remains patchy at best but still weak compared to the rest of the world. 

It is part of the larger conspiracy to minimise this region's interaction with the world. 

Thus, it has emerged as one of the priorities in restoring fundamental rights to this territory. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 267 of 2024

2348hrs:

Breaking this deadlock was tough.

I managed to restore my ambition to revive JKA's place in the world on Day 59, after a 22 day break that initially was intended to be only for a day! 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 266 of 2024

2338hrs:

Day 58 too! 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 265 of 2024

2323hrs:

Day 57 passes by too. I don't want to say anything about tomorrow morning yet. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 264 of 2024

2313hrs:

Day 56 comes to a close too. Day 37 seems a long time ago. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 263 of 2024

2309hrs:

Day 55 passes us by too without hitting the road yet. I know that I have no more time to play with. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 262 of 2024

2320hrs:

Day 54 has almost passed too. Not much leeway left to play with. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 261 of 2024

2305hrs:

Day 53 passes too. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 260 of 2024

2332hrs:

Day 52 passes too.

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 259 of 2024

2314hrs:

Day 51 passed too. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 258 of 2024

2315hrs:

Even on Day 50 our take-off was aborted... despite being ready by 1300hrs....and despite writing a public note at c. 0600hrs this morning to alert the public that I would be taking off on the second leg of my journey from #Sehnsa2Sharda at c. 0800hrs.

Tomorrow is another day....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 257 of 2024

2349hrs:

Day 49 and I'm still stuck at home. My 69 day old son Shams-Udeen has made it difficult but I must proceed. There is always an opportunity cost. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 256 of 2024

2354hrs:

Day 48 drifts by too. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 255 of 2024

2307hrs:

Even Day 47 had to be spent at home. Day 48 it is then, when we take the north route out of our house towards Sehnsa > Sarsaawa > Palandri whereas on the 27th of July (Day 1) we took the south route out of our house in Dhok: Kokoi towards Sehrmandi > Braali > Kotli > Tattapani > Tithrinote near Poonch city on the other side of the LOC. 

Despite our south to north inclination for #Sehnsa2Sharda we are traversing Poonch division from east (Haveli) to west (Azad Pattan formerly known as Lakshman Pattan) before we straighten out our route north once we enter Muzaffarabad division. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 254 of 2024

2338hrs:

It took 9 days eventually, to bring myself up to date administratively. Today would amount to Day 46 and tomorrow would be Day 47 when I return to the road.

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 253 of 2024

1557hrs:

The morning is better than at any other time of the day to log one's thoughts daily. 

The afternoon is still better than the evening or night. 

We are into Day 45 and an 8 day recess or downtime....which has to be even more productive than when are on our journey. 

It is proceeding well. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 252 of 2024

1807hrs:

Time is ticking away. Today is Day 44 of our #EducationalWalk from #Sehnsa2Sharda . I'm hectically trying to bring footage made on this walk up to date before I embark on the next phase, which should take me to the brink of Muzaffarabad division which hosts Sharda.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 251 of 2024

2326hrs:

In a much more commanding position today. 

Long it should continue if I can keep up with nature.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 250 of 2024

2308hrs:

Day 42 also spent at home in Dadyaal. Will proceed to Sehnsa in the morning at all cost, enroute to Sarsaawa, where I will chart my next course of this #EducationalWalk , already 5 days pending. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 249 of 2024

2313hrs:

I haven't quite set out on my journey yet, though this 41st day of #Sehnsa2Sharda involved a lot of administrative work at home. 

Data organisation is becoming increasingly critical by the day. 

.... 

Our Sunday schedule on X Spaces will evolve once more:

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 248 of 2024

2331hrs:

My third and last day of rest, although it was a day of activity from 1000hrs onwards. Giving a rousing welcome to the Joint Awaami Action Committee in Dadyaal city and then accompanying them to Kataar was eventful. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 247 of 2024

2326hrs:

A slightly less languid & lethargic day in Dadyaal today. Will try and move back North towards Poonch division tomorrow. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 246 of 2024

2316hrs:

A typical rest day in Dadyaal. Languid & lethargic. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 245 of 2024

2332hrs:

After completing my tour of Baloch this evening, I've headed home for a 2 day break after being on the road for 37 days. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 244 of 2024

2313hrs:

Some distances on this journey are shorter than others. Tangigala to Baitak via Qillan was hardly 5 kilometres. 

I returned to Qillan (in a vehicle) to retire for the day. The love & affection of the people is world class at times. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 243 of 2024

2306hrs:

In Tangigala. Good momentum. Even better results. 

.... 

We also broke the 300,000 barrier for this weblog, at some stage today. 

Confirming that consistency does generate attention in quantity at some stage. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 242 of 2024

2307hrs:

Reached Trarkhel in heavy rain just after 1900hrs.

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 241 of 2024

2050hrs:

Reached Devi Gali at sunset, despite the fact that it had rained all day. 

This was another almost total incline to 5,480 feet from Hajeera's 3,169 feet. 

Hospitality was also spontaneous as I had secretly hoped it would be. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 240 of 2024

2315hrs:

My 2nd of 2 days in lively Hajeera. On to Devi Gali tomorrow. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 239 of 2024

2304hrs:

In Narwal today, equidistant between Hajeera & Trarkhel. 

Meanwhile, during the day I'm spending time in Hajeera city. Another lull in our journey aka Kotli after 6 days. 

Today is Day 31 of our journey. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 238 of 2024

0810hrs:

Reverted back to waking at 0600hrs....

Resumed walking yesterday after a lull on Day 28 as I travelled back from Haveli to Hajeera. 

In Dawarandi today, which was a commercial centre pre-1947 too. A cattle market operates here on Sundays and I happen to be working here today. 

..... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 237 of 2024

0923hrs:

It's always safer to input a daily weblog entry in the morning rather than the evening. 

I'm already into Day 29 of an #EducationalWalk from #Sehnsa2Sharda . This journey could've essentially been conducted from south to north but the level of awareness in the people of Poonch division has prompted & urged me to travel from east to west of this division too, before I enter Muzaffarabad division at Kohalla. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 236 of 2024

1018hrs:

Reached Soli yesterday evening at c. 0800hrs....

This is the last of 4 main bazaars (commercial centres) in district Haveli. 

At around midday I will reverse my movement to Ser Kakuta Cross, from where I turned eastwards towards Madaarpur, Tithrinote, Chaatra, Abbaspur etc. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 235 of 2024

1318hrs:

2 days of daily weblogging were missed (Day 233 & 234 of 2024) due to the 'Red Zone' of almost absent internet connectivity in various parts of Poonch. 

There were avenues during the day where I could have borrowed internet connectivity from one of the various businesses using fixed connections. 

The quality of mobile internet provided by the Pakistani army's monopoly SCOM leaves a lot to be desired. 

I'm in Khursheedabad at the moment and just preparing to proceed to Soli via Kaala Mula. This will be my final destination in district Haveli before I backtrack to Ser Kakuta on vehicle, from where I will proceed to Dawarandi and then Hajeera on foot. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 232 of 2024

1829hrs:

Mangral Mohalla Dharra Khaas is where I'm camping out today, in tehsil Mumtazabad district Haveli. 

Yesterday's walk was the longest - in a day - yet. Over 30 kilometres from Abbaspur town to Palangi, with over half the distance a constant incline. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 231 of 2024

0920hrs:

An early start today and also an early daily weblog entry. 

We are proceeding to another 'red zone of almost absent communication' in Haveli. It's going to be a long walk too.

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 230 of 2024

2311hrs:

In Abbaspur today. Net facilities are now markedly better since we exited the 'red zone of almost zero communication'. 

We move on to the district of Haveli tomorrow and specifically Mumtazabad (or Palangi as historically known). 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 229 of 2024

2326hrs:

Each passing day is getting more interesting and so it should. Today we have reached the outskirts of Abbaspur at Chaatra. Most of the 10km or so journey from Tithrinote was uphill to the summit of Mittiyan, before we descended for c. 2 kms to Chaatra. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 228 of 2024

2229hrs:

The intensity of this red zone (of almost absent communication facilities) is most felt in Tithrinote - right on the LOC and barely 5 kilometres from Indian controlled Poonch city - from where I've had to return back to Madaarpur (c. 8 kilometres) on a motorbike to undertake some of my daily net responsibilities. 

The aspiration for restoring the 'Right to Rule' is most intense here too, perhaps. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 227 of 2024

2237hrs:

Another 14th August of utter shame for Pakistan in AJK. 

I have reached Madaarpur on Day 19 of an #EducationalWalk from #Sehnsa2Sharda . 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 226 of 2024

2116hrs:

The red zone of communication gets even worse in Dhar Bazaar. 

As with millions of other issues in AJK, it needs redressal. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 225 of 2024

2320hrs:

There appears to be a red zone (of providing a deliberately low level of internet connectivity) between Tattapani bridge on entry to Poonch division and the tehsil headquarters of Hajeera. 

Currently, I'm right in the middle of this red zone enforced by the Pakistani army, at Mandhol. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 224 of 2024

2308hrs:

After going slightly out of my way to visit Serra & Battal over the past couple of days I resumed my journey along the main route from Tahi to Saawa today. 

A journey that has already been very fulfilling in many ways thus far. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 223 of 2024

2315hrs:

Spending time very close to the LOC on Day 15. At Battal today while yesterday spent in Serra. So close to that part of my family living across the LOC in Mendhar, whom I haven't met or even spoken to since my last visit with my Naani in 2009.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 222 of 2024

2345hrs:

I entered Poonch division today. 

It almost felt as if immediately the level of public attention & support increased exponentially. 

I now have a full-time assistant assisting me on my journey for a start! 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 221 of 2024

2314hrs:

In Tattapani bazaar today. Compared to the previous 8 bazaars on this journey so far, I found that in this bazaar more people were cautious or even scared of sharing details for our online petition at:

https://www.change.org/p/global-civil-society-recognition-for-a-public-policy-framework-for-jammu-kashmir-allied

Prior to today, about 10% of the public that I met on any particular day had apprehensions, reservations or dodged the prospect of adding their name to this aforementioned global petition. In Tattapani - the last bazaar of Kotli district & Mirror division before entering Poonch, it was 40%.

I have been trying to analyse the reasons why. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 220 of 2024

2251hrs:

I couldn't sleep a wink last night in Phagwari, due to the torrential rain which inevitably deprived us of electricity. Then us vs. mosquitoes all night long. We didn't stand a chance! 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 219 of 2024

2228hrs:

Resumed my journey on Day 11 after 4 days in Kotli city, reaching out to the public. 

Reached Phagwari today. 

On to Saawar tomorrow. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 218 of 2024

1438hrs:

Today is effectively Day 10 of our educational walk from Sehnsa to Sharda. It took 6 days to get from my home village of Gurutta to Kotli city. Now, after 4 days here I am keen to move on towards Tattapani, which I envisage will take about 3 days to get to.

Again - like on Day 6 - I will walk in the evening after 5pm and try to get to Reyan Sharif by 7 or 8pm at the latest.

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 217 of 2024

1409hrs:

Our 3rd rest day of sorts on this journey from Sehnsa to Sharda. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 216 of 2024

1350hrs:

Working away in Kotli city, to ensure that I reach a maximum of people here. After all, we are implementing the people's reference.

.....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 215 of 2024

1908hrs:

Today is already Day 7 of our #EducationalWalk from Sehnsa to Sharda. I am camped in Kotli city for a couple of days, partly because its a large city with a lot of area to cover and partly because I'm waiting for reinforcements in the form of personnel for our onward journey north towards Tattapani.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 214 of 2024

2339hrs:

Arrived in Kotli city proper today. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 213 of 2024

2320hrs:

Getting physically stronger by the day. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 212 of 2024

2146hrs:

An interesting day in Braali today, essentially a thoroughfare between Sehnsa and Kotli which we pass on the main road, yet never quite spend time in. 

Today was different and an interesting experience. It has communication difficulties for most net applications and is short on various facilities otherwise available in most other bazaars. 

It is an important water source though, rich in minerals. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 211 of 2024

1602hrs:

Day 3 and motoring well in Gulpur, despite being on foot.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 210 of 2024

2211hrs:

At Sehrmandi. More exhausted than yesterday. 

....

A Youtube, Facebook & X video post will be shared each day, each with different content.

Here's the Youtube video (it joins yesterday's videos with today's:

....

A Facebook live video for the day:

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 209 of 2024

2311hrs:

A very eventful first day on the road. Camped at my first station Thriya. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 208 of 2024

0653hrs:

Preparing to leave my home for that long, engaging and most definitely intriguing walk to Sharda via Sehrmandi, Braali & Kotli.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 207 of 2024

2317hrs:

Have managed to delay my son's circumcision by a few days, so that by the time I reach Kotli, arrangements will have been made. 

So, I will be moving forward in 1st gear tomorrow morning from Gurutta (my janam bhoomi) to Thriya, soon after dawn. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 206 of 2024

2319hrs:

Still in 1st gear but duties related to the circumcision of my 18 day old child need to be carried out before I can leave. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 205 of 2024

2315hrs:

The vehicle is finally in gear. It will stop in Sharda. That is the civilisational marker. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 204 of 2024

2315hrs:

Leaving my daily entry this late every day isn't healthy. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 203 of 2024

2310hrs:

Needed an extra day to prepare....

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 202 of 2024

2314hrs:

My mental focus has been on Sharda for the past few days. It has been over 9 months since my last visit. 

It is the venue from where a well designed programme to impose perpetual ignorance will be defeated. 

It is the venue from where a new knowledge & wisdom based civilisation will emerge. 

It is the venue where I need to be. 

Thus, I will depart from Sehnsa tomorrow for Sharda come what may. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 201 of 2024

2304hrs:

Have to get myself into the best groove yet. One that is sustainable till the very end. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 200 of 2024

2304hrs:

I want to leave Sehnsa, I need to leave Sehnsa. However, the condition of my wife and the status of my new born child is preventing me from doing so. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 199 of 2024

2357hrs:

Gladly getting back into gear. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 198 of 2024

2312hrs:

Drifting away from focus, hopefully momentarily. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 197 of 2024

2337hrs:

Back in Sehnsa for the moment. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 196 of 2024

2337hrs:

A day out in Poonch. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 195 of 2024

1016hrs:

Making final preparations to leave Sehnsa. I'm just slightly stunted by my wife's health.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 194 of 2024

1315hrs:

Every day is a day of decisions but today even more so. I never wanted to make this decision but circumstances have forced me to. I have decided to leave my home tehsil Sehnsa for good.

Here's a photo marking my farewell to Sehnsa:

I shall paste the English portion below of the Facebook post above for the reader's ease:

....

Aah! Re-founding the University of Sharda on this date last year:

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 193 of 2024

2347hrs:

Battling through the heat. It is absolutely necessary. It is also a time to make people aware of the demerit of concrete and the merits of stone, mud & wood.

We are needlessly suffering on so many counts.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 192 of 2024

2307hrs:

When you are stuck, you try harder rather than resign yourself to fate. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 191 of 2024

2314hrs:

The people should own up to their weaknesses. Otherwise, it will be too late. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 190 of 2024

2328hrs:

Enticing leaps in imagination of the public is difficult work but nature supports us despite the seeming odds stacked against us. 

We can feel the power. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 189 of 2024

2337hrs:

Good going.... 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 188 of 2024

2324hrs:

It's been a long day, as it started at about 0800hrs yesterday morning. Although I did get a few hours sleep this morning between 0900hrs and midday.

There's been an addition to my family in the early hours of this morning. I've been blessed with another son.

Immense joy is seldom achieved without great pain. There's a lot that my wife has gone through for this delivery, which it turns out was 2 days overdue. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 187 of 2024

1115hrs:

Walked on an empty stomach today after almost 2 months of recovering from the kicks I received in my left ribs at Sehnsa police station on the morning of the 9th of May (2024).

....

I made a point of going to sleep soon after our X Space ended last night at 2300hrs. I woke up at 0800hrs to the joyful sound of lashing rain and soon after proceeded for that elusive morning walk.

....  

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 186 of 2024

2310hrs:

I have mentioned before - perhaps on more than one occasion - that what happens during the course of any given day is not adequately portrayed in this daily diary.

Yes, most if not all significant happenings in public interest are logged in some shape or form but despite about 7 years of practice, I am yet to publish my day in adequate detail.

My sleeping pattern is improving though I'm still striving for that 0400hrs start and a maximum rest of 6 hours per 24 hour cycle.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 185 of 2024

2316hrs:

A slightly more effective day today despite the stifling heat, exacerbated by concrete and deforestation.

It was early morning, around 0700hrs that we heard the news that a well known relative of ours - Raja Qabil Khan of Gurutta - had succumbed to terminal cancer. A good part of the morning was spent with the bereaved and then funeral proceedings in the late afternoon kept us occupied.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 184 of 2024

1538hrs:

Another lax day today. Did try and sleep just beyond midnight. Took time in sleeping and did get up at 0800hrs but fell back asleep at 1000hrs, only to wake up at 1400hrs again. Another 12 hour stint of sleep today. Again, unacceptable!

....

 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 183 of 2024

1505hrs:

A bit of a lax day today. Slept at c. 0100hrs and did get up at 0800hrs but fell back asleep until 1300hrs. That amounts to almost 12 hours of rest in a 24 hour cycle. Unacceptable!

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 182 of 2024

2039hrs:

One should never blame their tools but at critical points in one's day if something isn't working, it can be the difference between success & failure. 

Earlier, this morning I got up at 0800hrs - 2 hours later than yesterday morning - yet I had slept at 0200hrs this morning, having reached home late from our day trip to Mirpur yesterday. 

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 181 of 2024

0648hrs:

Inching closer to the daily routine I aspire for. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 180 of 2024

2314hrs:

A few important barriers left to break....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 179 of 2024

1445hrs:

Dealing with everything from its source, particularly in relation to the system of 'governance' which appears to be designed by the devil no less.

....

Sleeping just beyond midnight but getting up at 1000hrs is simply not good enough on my part.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 178 of 2024

2348hrs:

Moving on well. 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 177 of 2024

 2342hrs:

Live at Shaheed Chowk Kotli. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 176 of 2024

2312hrs:

Ticking along. Another calm before the next storm.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 175 of 2024

0851hrs:

Another 0800hrs start although I did wake at 0630hrs. I am getting to sleep now soon after 2300hrs.

....

in the midst of everything else, I almost forgot before I was reminded of this appointment this evening. Many thanks to Progressive Voices on Facebook for giving us this opportunity:

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 174 of 2024

0928hrs:

An 0800hrs start and an indefinitely full calendar till death.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 173 of 2024

1327hrs:

Caught up on a lack of sleep over the past couple of days by going to sleep soon after our daily X Space ended at 2300hrs yesterday. Was able to get up at 0700hrs.

Dealing with land ownership distribution issues over the past couple of weeks or so, along with the constantly evolving matters of public interest at hand.

....  

Our 21st presentation of the Public Court (Awaami Adaalat) at Jammu Chowk Sehnsa:

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 172 of 2024

0904hrs:

Slept at 0400hrs and got up at 0800hrs. Lack of sleep always catches up at some point and ill-timing has its effect too. A lot of work remains to be done in this area.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 171 of 2024

2306hrs:

Trudging along at a reasonably good pace. Sleeping pattern is still very suspect. Slept at beyond 0400hrs and got up at c. 1100hrs.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 170 of 2024

1400hrs:

Yesterday was perhaps the most relaxing day in the year, given it was Eid. The forest fires are not only consuming our environment, they are also consuming our souls. A friend mentioned yesterday evening that he witnessed a line of peacocks perched on the grill of a masjid on the main road in a nearby village crying. He came closer to them and could see their tears gushing out from their eyes. It appears that they had nestled some eggs in the forest and now that the forest was burned out, they were crying over losing their children.

We humans (living in the territory of AJK) are transgressors of the highest order as we remain inactive while seeing our forests ruined on a daily basis.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 169 of 2024

1330hrs:

Brought myself down to a 0600hrs start. Eid prayer was at 0700hrs and the masjid is barely 100 feet from my home.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 168 of 2024

0953hrs:

So much to do and everything is possible. It just involves putting everything in the right place at the right time by the right people.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 167 of 2024

2359hrs:

It was almost too late and it can happen. We have missed the midnight deadline a few times before, at times by a matter of seconds.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 166 of 2024

1346hrs:

A lot of commotion in the past 36 hours or so. The public is running after the police who have 6 of our co-citizens captive, currently at Bhimber jail. I didn't sleep until beyond 0400hrs because of constant communication but did get up at 0900hrs. Again, the quantum of sleep is not bad but the timing is.

....

Before the storm in Kotli was a contemplative calm in moza Kraitort, taken there for Day 8 of our village to village campaign reference #AJKReferendum2023 :

....

Chor (AJK Police) vs. Police (Public of AJK):

....

Kotli coming of age in 2024:

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 165 of 2024

0929hrs: 

Another 0800hrs start even though I couldn't get to sleep before 0400hrs, despite trying since 0100hrs.

....

Day 7 of our village to village campaign reference #AJKReferendum2023 took us to moza Dagaala:

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 164 of 2024

1016hrs:

Today I woke at 0900hrs, an hour earlier than yesterday while going to sleep at the same time as yesterday viz. 0100hrs.

My performance has to get better and it will get better.

....

Day 6 of our village to village campaign reference #AJKReferendum2023 took us to moza Plait Sayeddan:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 163 of 2024

1341hrs:

I managed to resume my normal sleeping pattern at night, although I did wake up at 1000hrs after falling asleep at c. 0100hrs. The battle for daily efficiency continues....

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A few hours ago, we learned of yet another example of abduction of our citizens living or working in Pakistan:

Here's the text of what's written in the Facebook post above:

Another Abduction - Another Provocation 

(Allegedly by the Pakistani State's security agencies who have created needless instability in AJK, especially over the past few weeks in reaction to the surrender of - some - basic rights back to the people of our territory. Our citizens living or working in Pakistan are not safe either and the following is one such example): 

Khawaja Khursheed of Khawaja Seri village in tehsil Sharda of Neelam Valley was abducted allegedly by Pakistan's roving clandestine agencies from his paint shop near Adiala (Road) in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on the 7th of June. 

We understand that his family has been re-assured of his recovery by the local MLA Shah Ghulam Qadir and his associates. 

We also understand that Khursheed was quite vocal in the recent #RightsMovementAJK sequence of events leading up to the 11th of May, in conjunction with the Joint Awaami Action Committee (JAAC). He is also a party member of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation League (JKLL) and has also fought an assembly election in the past.

As with the Kashmiri poet of Bagh Ahmed Farhad, Khawaja Khursheed's family have also been advised to not raise his issue in public and that he would be returned if they comply.

His family is also under tremendous pressure to not co-operate with any form of media that may highlight his abduction and disappearance. 

#MonitoringClandestineAgencies

#SecurityAJK 

JKA PUBLIC AGENCY Note: #E151711062024

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Day 5 of our village to village campaign reference #AJKReferendum2023 took us to moza Potha:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 162 of 2024

1423hrs:

Last night was an aberration in that I couldn't sleep until about 0600hrs.....waking up at c. 1300hrs....

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Day 4 of our village to village campaign reference #AJKReferendum2023 took us to moza Parandha:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 161 of 2024

1009hrs:

Woke at 0643hrs....incrementally better than yesterday....

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Day 3 of our village to village campaign reference #AJKReferendum2023 took us to moza Channi:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 160 of 2024

1011hrs:

Woke at 0645hrs....getting better.

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Day 2 of our village to village campaign reference #AJKReferendum2023 took us to moza Narnaa:

 

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As the evening drew to a close, my heart also burned at this sight:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 159 of 2024

2031hrs:

Another 0800hrs start....a good habit to improve on....

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Our Friday event at Jammu Chowk, Sehnsa is back to its regular weekly groove:

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Later in the afternoon/early evening we initiated our village to village campaign to reach each and every citizen of our tehsil (subdivision) of Sehnsa. This campaign will visit 1 moza (administrative village) every evening between 1700hrs and 1900hrs. Today, we were in moza Budli, union council Sehnsa:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 158 of 2024

1340hrs:

Got up at 0800hrs this morning....still struggling almost half way through the year but I remain supremely confident that I will perfect the art of a completely productive day sooner rather than later.

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There was high demand for this report, in the wake of the security crisis that has emerged here in AJK:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 157 of 2024

2302hrs:

They had no ideas for peace so we built them ideas. We then implemented them. They recognised in good time otherwise we could have remained tolerating a 'conflict economy' for a 1,000 years.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 156 of 2024

2112hrs:

Getting back into a calm groove after some hectic overload yesterday. 0500hrs is a good time to get up all year round.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 155 of 2024

1122hrs:

Managed to sleep just before 2330hrs last night and was able to easily get up at 0500hrs. A storm of pending work is staring me in my face and I better get used to it.

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Here are some excerpts of an article that touched a raw nerve in me:

The Death of Critical Thinking Will Kill Us Long Before AI

Joan Westenberg

Sep 22, 2023

We have witnessed a multi-generational decline in reading comprehension. We read less, retain less of what we read, and struggle to engage in critical analysis. And if this trend continues, we risk undermining the very foundations of our society.

In the bite-sized content and viral media age, too many of us have lost — or are losing — the focus and patience for lengthy, complex texts. We skim and scan instead of closely reading. Our attention spans have shrunk to mere seconds. While technology has enabled the wide dissemination of information, it has also fragmented our thinking. We are overwhelmed by noise and sensationalism.

Clickbait headlines and social media posts appeal to our emotions rather than intellect, making us susceptible to misinformation. We share articles without reading them, simply reacting to provocative titles and abstracts. The context, nuance, and accuracy no longer matter. Objective truth has become secondary to subjective feelings and base impulses.

Without reading comprehension, we cannot thoughtfully process information and make reasoned decisions. We lose the ability to thoroughly analyse issues, think critically, understand different perspectives, spot logical fallacies, and weigh evidence. Our opinions get shaped by alarmist rhetoric and confirmation bias rather than facts. We consume information, but we do not truly digest it. This erodes the very foundations of a healthy democracy — an educated populace.

A society that cannot patiently read long-form texts struggles to make sense of the world in ways that enable wise judgment, empathy across differences, effective policies, technological progress, economic justice, scientific reason, and fact-based truth to prevail over misguided beliefs. Reviving reading comprehension may be among the most urgent priorities for the future of civilisation.

Reference

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 154 of 2024

0457hrs:

Now, this is much better! The sort of time at which writers should be sitting down to write the thoughts gestating in their minds.

Let's all hope this practice can be added to the rising list of daily deeds that one has to perform, to ensure that a sustainable peace strategy in this territory succeeds.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 153 of 2024

2317hrs:

Sailing along but can't beat the 1000hrs trap in the morning. Apart from our daily Space on X (formerly Twitter) which has just completed its 627th episode - in 628 days - 

..

We also joined a diverse seminar on Zoom today, which included participation from Gilgit Baltistan, the Kashmir Valley and our AJK diaspora under the aegis of Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance (JKNIA):

 

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 152 of 2024

2316hrs:

Settling in but still many an hour in the day can be spent better. I couldn't sleep till c. 0500hrs and thus waking before 1100hrs was difficult.

A significant positive today was that we were able to revive our weekly 'Awaami Adaalat' or 'Court of the Public' at Jammu Chowk, Sehnsa after an enforced absence of 3 weeks:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 151 of 2024

1735hrs:

After a false start on the day before yesterday, I'm now firmly back in my groove 21 days after that epoch-changing dawn raid at my home by AJK police in the early hours of the 9th of May (2024).

....

I've been waking up at c. 1000hrs almost every morning since that day but this morning, I've managed to bring it down to 0800hrs. Obviously, I need to work harder to bring it down to the optimum of 0500hrs.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 150 of 2024

2333hrs:

Settling down....a lot to do....mapping the tehsil (subdivision) of Sehnsa.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 149 of 2024

2029hrs:

It has been precisely 20 days since I last sat at my desk. 7 of those days were spent in Kotli jail. 

The point is, when a rhythm breaks, it takes time to re-establish it.

.... 

We received our first and only response to date in reference to the alert to the 'international community' sent out on the 5th of May:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 148 of 2024

2316hrs:

Another day of protest. 2 hours at the mercy of the sun but the dedication of the public of Sehnsa is unwavering. 

Here's our Facebook offering for the day:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 147 of 2024

2318hrs:

Back in Sehnsa, preparing to sleep for the first time in my bed since that ridiculously ill-fated morning of the 9th of May, when my bed was surrounding by more than a dozen policemen, without notice or due legal procedure.

Thankfully, it is not only my world that has changed. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 146 of 2024

2333hrs:

Encountering very weak connectivity today. Putting up with a lot as it is. Change is driven by such conditions precisely.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 145 of 2024

2054hrs:

Out and about. To and fro from Dadyaal to Mirpur. A lot is brewing and it all needs to be consumed, then digested before one can lay solid public policy prescriptions for such unprecedented conditions in AJK.

....

Our online petition has finally reached its first milestone of a thousand signatures. We still have a long way to go:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 144 of 2024

0000hrs:

I missed Day 143 by a matter of seconds...

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 142 of 2024

2313hrs:

We motor on in Mirpur. Public momentum is also intensifying...

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 141 of 2024

2307hrs:

Pursuing our political prisoner's release today. Of more immediate concern is the plight of our sole female prisoner Nasrin Farooq, who is in urgent need of medical attention after the brutal torture meted out to her by male police officers since her arrest on the 11th of May.

We cover her plight in our Facebook post today:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 140 of 2024

2320hrs:

Our 7 political prisoners in Mangla are on my mind foremost. It could be criminal if I return to Sehnsa without securing their release.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 139 of 2024

2323hrs:

A lot of the day spent out and about in Mirpur. Leaving little time for documentation.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 138 of 2024

2327hrs:

Another working day. After all, it is a new era.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 137 of 2024

2334hrs:

I can welcome myself back after an enforced hiatus of 8 days. 7 days of incarceration from 0500hrs on Day 130 of 2024 to 1200hrs (midday) on Day 137 of 2024 and 1 day due to an enforced AJK wide blockage of internet connectivity, which was unblocked at about midday today.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 129 of 2024

1610hrs:

Momentum took me all the way to 0700hrs this morning before I finally fell asleep. I even almost got up for my morning walk at c. 0600hrs but thought better of it as it could have exhausted me for the rest of the day. Instead, I opted to sleep and got up at 1300hrs. It was 6 hours of sleep, an optimum amount but at totally the wrong time of day. Nevertheless, 129 days into the year and we battle on.

....   

This should be self-explanatory:

Averting a Security Crisis n #AJK via a #Conflict2Peace Strategy..Pls sign the updated petition 2 make up the numbers needed 2 implement this strategy.https://t.co/rISm5jHHKh via @UKChange
FAO:
1) @FCDOGovUK 2) @StateDept
3) @amnesty @hrw
4) @AJIunit @BBCUrdu @dw_urdu @voaurdu

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) May 8, 2024

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An Urdu video explanation of the 'Averting a Security Crisis in AJK':

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An example of how Pakistan's clandestine agencies try and threaten our people for peacefully protesting for their rights:

(The number of the person making the call is also included):

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1981, Margaret Thatcher and the Mujahideen:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 128 of 2024

2329hrs:

Fared today similar to yesterday viz. midnight to 1000hrs....thus I need to work out what is preventing me from waking at 0500hrs as I was doing not long ago.

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Worth knowing:

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The first sign of solidarity for #RightsMovementAJK from across the LOC and from a Kashmiri Pandit no less:

Where there is a plan for #Peace it should be embraced & where there is a plan for #Conflict it should be disgraced.

By all thinking humans irrespective of where they live in the world or what ideology they follow. #RightsMovementAJK#Conflict2PeaceInvitationLetterAJK https://t.co/tILLxsZ6oZ

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) May 7, 2024

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 127 of 2024

1240hrs:

Fared a bit better today, waking at 1000hrs after sleeping close to midnight. A lot to do and for that I need to be active for 17 hours a day.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 126 of 2024

1706hrs:

Another lapse this morning despite sleeping close to midnight and waking up fresh at 0700hrs. Nevertheless, I drifted back to sleep until about 1100hrs when some guests arrived.

Today, I'm about to write possibly the most important letter in my life yet, given the onset of a security crisis in AJK. 

Here it is:

Page 1 of 2

Page 2 of 2

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Initially published on Facebook on the 25th of February at Mirpur, here's an X (platform) update on our direct application to the public for the absent role of public policy administrator in AJK:

In the spirit of #directdemocracy & in light FD absence of governance in #AJK a citizen application to the public at large in (& of) this territory was made @ #Mirpur on 25/02/2024. The #Security crisis developing here of late has forced us to speed up the process of engagement: pic.twitter.com/It5oOvMaUX

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) May 5, 2024

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 125 of 2024

1314hrs:

I spent the early hours of this morning (0000hrs to 0300hrs) following Luton Town's progress at the tail-end of their first campaign back in the Premier league after over 3 decades. They pushed hard for a win but remain in a very precarious position, needing the other 2 contenders (Nottingham Forest & Burnley) for the 2 remaining relegation spots to falter in their 3 remaining games.

Luton Town's passion on the field and the spirit of their fans are the talk of the country and it would be safe to say that most 'neutrals' would like Luton to stay up.

On the bright side. the BBC have finally quoted AJK along with my comment for the first time:

Meanwhile, having slept at 0300hrs I managed to wake up an hour earlier than yesterday viz. 1100hrs, thus much improvement needed. One of the positives over the past few days is that I'm maintaining a gruelling 1.5 hour walk soon after waking up and have also begun using light weights later in the day during this period.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 124 of 2024

2009hrs:

Despite sleeping close to midnight, I couldn't wake at 0500hrs or even 0900hrs, rather I got up just beyond midday. 'Enjoying' almost 12 hours of sleep. This is a move in the wrong direction despite the fact that I'm maintaining the new dietary pattern of eating well in the morning and then just having a cereal in the evening while missing lunch. In fact, I even missed out on eating my evening cereal yesterday.

Obviously, we throttle on despite everything.

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The security situation in AJK is at its most perilous post 1947 given the AJK government and it's sponsor Pakistan's inability to contain a year long peaceful resistance to:

1) Unwarranted hikes on the price of electricity in a territory producing much more than its own needs.

2) Inaccessibility to subsidised flour for the affected masses at large.

3) Unnecessary privileges & perks enjoyed by the bureaucracy & politicians of AJK  

With a nationwide 'Long March' announced by the Joint Awaami Action Committee AJK for the 11th of May (2024), the following government circular looks ominous and it has been followed up with a drastic increase in Pakistani troops throughout the rural & urban landscape of AJK to crush this peaceful & persistent resistance:

This is a desperate attempt 2 'subvert' a peaceful movement 4 basic rights n #AJK that has struggled n a daily basis 4D last year, with little seriousness shown by d #AJKGovt r its sponsor #Pakistan. This is a last ditch attempt by the occupier 2 sustain a conflict economy here. pic.twitter.com/ULNesxVpVC

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) May 3, 2024

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 123 of 2024

1330hrs:

Faring better today than yesterday. Woke at 0830hrs after sleeping at around midnight. Resumed my 1.5 hour morning walk after an unnecessary break of 2 days.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 122 of 2024

1605hrs:

A slack day today after making some progress over the past week. Got up at 0900hrs today despite sleeping at around midnight. Slept an additional couple of hours between 1300hrs and 1500hrs.

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The People's Mandate! Isn't that such a relevant subject for us in JKA?

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 121 of 2024

1146hrs:

Continuing on the journey of taking the camel laden with precious wisdom through the eye of a needle, we immerse ourselves further in human/data management so that we can manage the most strategically contested water, soil & waste in the world.

The financial resources needed to do so are modest but must fairly & equitably apply to each and every citizen of the territory of AJK. 

Indigenous Public to Public Interaction:

1) Generate Ideas >

2) Struggle for those Ideas >

3) Recognition of those Ideas >

4) Investment in those Ideas >

Laying conditions & possibilities for achieving genuine public policy goals in AJK.

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This is the latest example of incendiary rhetoric committed by a 'loyalist'* politician in #AJK 

#ChoudharyAnwaarulHaque

 

1) You should no longer use #India as a scare-mongering tactic to divert attention away from your ineligibility & incapability to govern this territory.

Do not hide behind India.

2) 'Aini haath' (constitutional fist) 

There was a lot of aggression in that expression and you have spun a constitutional trap for yourself. You cannot claim the mandate of the people if you have 'procured' your mantle as 'prime minister of AJK' #PMAJK through the assistance of another country. You have 'democratically disqualified' yourself from claiming that title. 

Your arguments against India are the arguments of #Pakistan 

We - the people/public - have our own arguments against India. It would be foolish of us to club our arguments with yours.

You are threatening to deprive us (the people/public) of our democratic rights through aggression and fairy tales about forefather's commitments etc.

You are threatening the geo-political neutrality of this territory and thus you are threatening the peace of this territory.

You will have to answer the 4 questions wanting of examination in reference to your 'foundational document' #24Oct1947 **

1) What happened to the people's reference ("the right of free self-government" as written in the declaration) post that date?

2) What happened to "entertain(ing) sentiments of the utmost friendliness and goodwill towards" our neighbouring dominions (now countries) of India and Pakistan?

3) What happened to "...securing to the people, including Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs" that "right of free self-government"?

4) When are you going to surrender to the 'Will of the People' as indicatively measured by 'Citizen Public Opinion Survey AJK - Report 2017' *** and currently being clinically measured by #AJKReferendum2023 **** ?

You can no longer enforce #IdeologicalApartheid in this territory from the barrel of a neighbour's gun.

You cannot use the licence 'of the people' against 'the people'.

#ConstitutionalEvolutionAJK

#PublicPolicyAJK 

#Conflict2PeaceAJK

#WhiteFlagsAJK

References:

* - https://tanveerandkashmir.blogspot.com/2011/06/of-nationalists-and-loyalists.html 

** -

https://tanveerandkashmir.blogspot.com/2020/08/daily-diary-dd-day-218-of-2020.html

*** -

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8NvBPqFcnTVeXRmMjhhdmpjUDg/view

**** -

https://tanveerandkashmir.blogspot.com/2023/05/daily-diary-dd-day-143-of-2023.html

JKA PUBLIC AGENCY Note: #E181830042024

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