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Showing posts with label Delhi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Delhi. Show all posts

Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 42 of 2026

0713hrs:

Slept at 2300hrs last night but managed to wake up at 0524hrs this morning, just 2 hours & 24 minutes behind my ideal start every day. I've already completed my hour's walk first thing in the morning and already completed some daily tasks before writing today's blog entry. I now have the grounding to get that daily routine into inch perfect shape.

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2207hrs - Views on other blogger platforms:

1) 35,229 - Personal Portfolio (for the record)

2) 10,849 - The Road to Delhi (Doing my bit for the region)

3) 12,802 - CHANGE (You can't change a nation until it wants to change itself)

4) 38,814 - media.uk.net (Think different)

5) 27,849 - Hindustaan (An alternative to the 2 nation theory)

6) 60,091 - Civil Society Forum - AJK (Setting the ground for modern governance)

7) 18,163 - KASHMIR JUSTICE FORUM (Enabling transparency to deliver)

8) 49,585 - Kashmir - One Secretariat (Be relevant to the world you live in)

9)  2,318 - A 21st century politician's blog (The only constant is change)

10) 6,832 - Kotli to Rajouri OBM (Ownership Building in action) 

11) 5,841 - water (The more precious, the more contested)

12)30,557 - Maloomaat (Making Information work)

Total Aggregate Views = 298,930 (c.f. this blog stands at 937,397)

22:59hrs - end of browse and minor edits after more than a year at least!

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Today will always be remembered as the Day of Maqbool Bhat, from his hanging on this day (42) 42 years ago in Tihar Jail, Delhi. For family compulsions, I could not attend the commemoration of this historic figure - beyond parallel in many respects - despite being at district courts of Mirpur, a few footsteps away from Chowk Shaheedan, in a city often frequented by that rebel of 2 neighbouring countries, born out of the British Raj.

23:12hrs - time to sleep and sign off from 11 February 2026. An even year, even more even than the previous even years of the past 2 decades.

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Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 
16
Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:
208
Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:
86
Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):
539

Cash in Hand: 49,840
Cash Deposits: 2,62,077
Immediate Debts: 0 

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Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 68 of 2022

1228hrs:

Day 49 at Martyr's Square Kotli

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c. 1000hrs:

AJK public Agency has explained to the municipality of Kotli that despite attempts over the past few weeks - through notable citizens of Kotli - we were not able to receive a large bin (with lid) for keeping Shaheed Chowk clean and green. We have now decided to get our own made and have informed the municipality that they are welcome to provide us the required bin(s) at any point in the future.


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Update 1530hrs on Wed 9 March 2022:             

It is understood that the local administration is under increasing pressure to evict me from Martyr's Square Kotli. Today is Day 49. So, we need to be clear where all this 'heat' is coming from. 

We also need to understand that we are on the precipice of permanent division of Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA).

Martyr's Square (Shaheed Chowk) Kotli is our last line of defence. If the public protects me, we will avoid division and continue travelling on the path of becoming amongst the top 10 economies of the world, with associated quality in governance. 

If the public cannot hold Shaheed Chowk, we are staring down a dark barrel.

All contingencies must be activated asap.

End of note....

An Urdu translation of the above note:

تازہ ترین 
1530 بجے منگل 09 مارچ، 2022:

شہید چوک کوٹلی سے مجھے اٹھانے کے لئے کوٹلی کی انتظامیہ پہ پریشر بڑھ رہا ہے۔ یہاں بیٹھے ہوئے مجھے 49 دن ہو چکے ہیں۔لہذا، ہم اپنے ہم وطنوں کو یہ سمجھنا چاہئےکہ یہ حرارت کہاں سے ا رہی ہے۔

ہمیں یہ بھی سمجھنے کی ضرورت ہے کہ متحدہ جموں کشمیر کو مستقل طور پہ تقسیم کرنے کی سازش آخری مرحلے تک پہنچ چکی ہے

شہید چوک کوٹلی ہمارے دفاع کا آخری حد ہے۔ اگر عوام مجھے محفوظ رکھتے ہیں تو ہم ریاستی تقسیم کو روکیں گئے اور دنیا کی دس بڑی معیشتوں کی صف میں کھڑے ہونے کی جدوجہد جاری رکھیں گئے، جس کے ساتھ عمدہ اور بہترین نظام حکومت بھی شامل ہے۔

اگر عوام شہید چوک کا دفاع نہیں کریں گئے تو ہم مزید گہری سرنگ میں چلے جائیں گئے۔

تمام تیار کی گئی حکمت عملیوں کو جلد از جلد حرکت میں لانا ہو گا۔

End of Urdu translation....

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Meanwhile, the status of freedom of speech in AJK:

Mono narratives = repression = slavery = a war against humankind

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On the other hand, it has been fascinating to see AJK politicians associated with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) merging their party flag with the 'Azad Kashmir' flag and shouting slogans of freedom from Modi and Imran, from Delhi and Islamabad; in Pakistan's capital Islamabad:  

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Thursday, 24 February 2022

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 55 of 2022

0926hrs:

Day 36 at Martyr's Square Kotli

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A dose of daily wisdom continues:


Translation:

It is beyond my understanding 
that those who cannot implement 
Islamic commandments on their own bodies
How will they implement Islam over the whole country??

Head of Sharia: Syed Ataullah Shah Bukhari (May Allah bless him)  
(at) Urdu Park Delhi 1946

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Journalist Fazal ur Rehman of Smaahni remains up to date:


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The following photo is perhaps going a bit too far but gives an indication of the love of my supporters. Che Guevara and Maqbool Bhat went through a lot more than I ever could:


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Remember Asmaad Aslam?


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A very windy day today and we have to combat that on top of everything else:


If you cannot directly read the text of the Facebook post above:

English:

From 1947 to 2022 India avoided collecting public opinion of the people of JKA as they knew they would lose.

From 1947 to 2022 Pakistan avoided collecting public opinion of the people of JKA as they (foolishly) insisted In advance that the people here provide an oath of allegiance.

From 2011 to 2016 an inheritor of this very territory diligently collected public opinion in AJK and an overwhelming majority exposed the bilateral collaboration of both countries.

Now that inheritor has been waiting for 36 days at Martyr's Square Kotli , anticipating the remaining inheritors.

Urdu:

انڈیا نے اس لیے متحدہ جموں کشمیر کے لوگوں سے 1947 سے 2022 تک رائے نہیں لی کیونکہ انکو پتہ تھا کہ وہ ہار جائیں گئے

پاکستان نے اس لیے متحدہ جموں کشمیر کے لوگوں سے 1947 سے 2022 تک رائے نہیں لی کیونکہ وہ بضد تھے کہ پہلے یہاں کہ لوگوں سے وفاداری کا حلف لیں۔

آذاد جموں کشمیر کے لوگوں کی رائے یہاں کے وارث نے ہی 2011 تا 2016 تک لی اور بھاری اکثریت نے دونوں ملکوں کی ملی بھگت کو بے نقاب کر دیا!

اب وہ وارث باقی وارثوں کے انتظار میں ہے 36 دن سے شہید چوک کوٹلی میں۔

End of Facebook notes....

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As much as I try and avoid him, he seems to cross my path, albeit virtually:


Earlier in the day, he (Raja Farooq Haider x. PM of AJK) had made some bold noises about the State of JKA. However, he usually follows that up with a meek apology to the masters who control him in Pakistan. In my opinion, he's more of a liability than an asset:


To paraphrase what he said:

India and Pakistan cannot divide this territory between themselves. The land of JKA is not bait ul maal (war booty) or khalsa sarkar (crown land). He also reiterated his demand that AJK be recognised as the genuine successor state to the Dogra State of JKA. Gilgit Baltistan should be given a AJK like set-up and have confederation-type terms with AJK.  

Haider also reminded the audience that he had categorically informed the senior leadership of his party (PML-N viz. Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz) on the 25th of December 2020 that if they - the party - took any steps to permanently divide the territory of JKA between India and Pakistan, he would be the first to revolt against them.

JKA is not a territorial issue between geographic neighbours but a people's issue, which only the people can represent themselves, to the outside world, he repeated once more to an audience outside Islamabad press club.

Someone encapsulated some of the above in a photo:

Bearing in mind what he says disparagingly about 'bait ul maal' (this term also applies to evacuee property) and remembering what Malik Waseem & family have gone through to remain caretakers of Ratan Singh and Sardar Singh's land in Naluchi Muzaffarabad, it is obvious what he - Raja Farooq Haider - and others in the AJK government and administration think about 'bait ul maal'. A 'free for all' is what he is implying.

Haider's entry at this All Parties Conference was also in line with his Jekyll and Hyde temperament:


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Here's the Twitter version of the notes from late afternoon in Martyr's Square. Mind, notes on Twitter can be a challenge to squeeze in, even if we split the note in 2: 

1 of 2

2 of 2

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The woes of politically active students in AJK continues:


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The value of culture and the lurking danger of extinction:



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Friday, 11 February 2022

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 42 of 2022

0926hrs:

Day 23 at Martyr's Square Kotli

It was a night under the open sky once again, after Day 1 at Martyr's Square. Yes, it was cold but not as cold as on the night of the 20th of January.

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Verily, a martyr never dies. Salute to the struggle of Maqbool Bhat whose legacy is becoming  increasingly prominent by the year. This is year 38 since he was hanged in Tihar Jail, Delhi.

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Apt!


Translation:

The State of Jammu Kashmir is not disputed, it is a business for India and Pakistan.

11 February is the day of solidarity with the State of Jammu Kashmir.

End of translation...

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A reminder and an affirmation:


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Maqbool Butt Shaheed Day 11 Feb in Palandri

Heroes never die Maqbool Butt never die...✌️😊 


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Now, looking towards our tasks for the future.....to create a world-class system of governance.

8 Regional Comparisons of Economic history:


1) British India economy 1820 - 1956


2) Dogra economy of JKA 1820 - 1952


3) India economy 

1947 - current


4) Pakistan economy 

1947 - current


5) Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh economy

1952 - current


6) AJK & Gilgit Baltistan economy

1947 - current


7) China economy

1949 - current


8) UK economy

1947 - current

The above data will give us a very good grasp of our future economic outlook....

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Before the midnight clock turns over into a new date, here's some activity on behalf of Maqbool Bhat's soul outside the Indian Consulate in Houston, Texas, USA:


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Sunday, 14 November 2021

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 318 of 2021

2233hrs:

Engagement with the public has been incessant today. It has no sign of receding until at least midnight at the earliest.

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The following relates to a speech by Beverly Hill at a conference organised by Kashmir Global Council, at Middle East Institute in Washington DC on November the 11th 2021.

Beverly Hill background in short:  

She is a doctor by profession, an human rights activist, a politician and a close friend of Hilary Clinton. She is very well connected in official circles and has travelled the world including India on official invitations. She also commands great respect amongst law makers)

Here are some excerpts from her speech:

(Washington DC)

“I stand here to express my solidarity with the people of Kashmir and endorse their call for independence."

"It is time to free Kashmir from a binary choice, forced on it in haste, by a departing colonial overlord. Nearly 75 years have passed since Great Britain left. The question is no longer whether Kashmir should accede to Pakistan or to India, but rather, how can Kashmir release itself from all powers to become an independent country."

"I will continue calling upon my fellow Americans to make US foreign policy consistent with our democratic principles." 

"We will continue urging Congress to create a pathway toward Kashmiri independence." 

 “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Let us send the elephants home.”

An Urdu translation of her speech can be read below:


The whole event can be watched here:
 
 

(Update: 15/11/21)
Reactions to the above were being felt where it mattered:

 

So much so, that I had to make the following comment myself:

Well, I consider this to be progress in some shape or form. I hope these events connect to a sustained meaningful dialogue amongst all shades of opinion in Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA), whereby a measured national narrative encompassing all concerns within this territory can be easily interpreted in the 4 capitals quoted above - but include a 5th namely London - where the genesis of this issue can be located. Thank you Beverly for taking these steps. 

(Update: 18/11/21)
A week after this event Beverly Hill made the following comments embedded below: 


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Thursday, 20 August 2020

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 233 of 2020

1315hrs:

Almost 70 hours later, we are still at a standstill in reference to the Pakistani flags hoisted at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square. 

The Dadyaal administration had asked for 48 hours to bring down the foreign symbols of disrepute in a neutral territory. They do not have the strength to bypass Pakistan's (now not so) clandestine agencies. The latter are on vigilance at the square 24 hours a day. 

Thus, we need to open up the issue on even wider parameters, as this aggression traces its steps back to Rawalpindi and Islamabad but not before passing through London, Beijing, Washington and Delhi.

This will assist us in obtaining closure on many fronts.

Our judiciary is the only institution that remains to be engaged in what is essentially a legal, constitutional issue.

All other aspects of society are well engaged and ready to assist in clarifying the legal status of this territory.

I've said as much on Facebook too:



All the people in this picture and their well wishers are responsible for fulfilling the agreement made between JKLF and the local administration.    

Wednesday, 10 June 2020

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 162 of 2020

2331hrs:

3 different exercises requiring an hour each per day every day for 6 days a week.

I've just about reached that milestone today.

Will the body build or break is almost similar to the question of Jammu Kashmir & Allied.

With Beijing, Delhi and Islamabad engaged, we need to return from New York to London.

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Tuesday, 24 March 2020

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 84 of 2020

1413hrs:

Information, knowledge, wisdom and technique/intellect are all a trust that every individual accumulates in some degree during the course of their life; to share, bequeath and pass on to the rest of humanity.

The following video was made in 2015 but it confirmed the flaws in democracy that I have been working hard to avoid, since beginning to plan the architecture of an internal political process in AJK since 2007:



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The following translates as:

Ye jo puri dunya me waba hay

This pandemic that the whole world (finds itself in)

Kya ye Kashmiryo ki bad dua hay?

Is it (the result) of a Kashmiri curse? 




Further context:

A 7 month lockdown in the Valley of Kashmir (since the 5th of August 2019) is presumed to have instigated a global lockdown as punishment by the almighty for the world's apathy towards the plight of Kashmiris.  

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I remember the following place from my youth....such a crowded place it used to be:



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Friday, 28 February 2020

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 59 of 2020

2335hrs:

I could have quite easily missed today's entry too.

I can't think of a better image to encapsulate how I feel:


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Tuesday, 17 September 2019

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 260 of 2019

0922hrs:

The confrontation between the Pakistani narrative and the internal narrative in AJK is going to get more intense by the day:



Translated thus:


Quit Jammu Kashmir Movement


- The formal initiation of an awareness/public contact campaign has begun from district Bhimber

- We make an appeal to all patriots of this land and pro freedom (activists/citizens) to fully participate in this campaign and to begin a struggle for a prosperous future 

The map is of all 10 districts in AJK. From South to North:


1) Bhimber

2) Mirpur
3) Kotli
4) Sudhnoti
5) Poonch
6) Haveli
7) Bagh
8) Hattian Bala
9) Muzaffarabad
10) Neelam Valley

End of translation....


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Today, we have managed to reclaim a 90% success rate in daily blogging this year (2019).

That is, 234 days of 260 days this year have had a daily entry: 234 / 260 = 90%

This is a marked improvement on last year (2018).

That was, 255 days of 365 days last year had a daily entry: 255 / 365 = 69.9%

Last year was a drastic improvement on all the years before, since this blog came into being in 2008: 

(Year)  (Entries)  (Annual Percentage) 
2017:     5              = 1.4%
2016:     8              = 2.2%
2015:     5              = 1.4%
2014:     4              = 1.1%
2013:     7              = 1.9%
2012:     3              = 0.8%
2011:     51            = 14%
2010:     11            = 3%
2009:    37             = 10.1 %
2008:     18            = 8.3% (217 days of 365 from when the blog was created)

That gives us a mean average from the 10 years before 2018 of:  4.4% per year

We understand that many of our co-citizens as well as the net connected world in general use other more popular platforms for putting out their story e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Wordpress etc. 

However, I prefer the functionality of this platform and it is my understanding that any aspect of my work can be referenced or pinpointed here, relatively easier than any other social media platform available.

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Since yesterday, we've been hearing of rumours that the tribal Pathans (who 'helped' capsize the region of Jammu & Kashmir in 1947) are returning once again to Muzaffarabad. Here is footage from Abbotabad Adda (Bus Station) last night:




Here's further footage of them, with captions in English this time:




Unsurprisingly, this story is getting a lot of coverage in social media throughout AJK:





These Kabailis (Tribesmen) even held a press conference in Muzaffarabad today. They didn't forget to mention that Kashmir - both sides - belongs to Pakistan, in their opinion. Here's some video footage of the press conference, courtesy Dunya News:




So, this is aggression on the part of Pakistan. The Qabaili (Tribesman) who also happens to be a politician clearly said and I paraphrase: Both divided parts of Kashmir belong to Pakistan. He also equated the Pathan tribesmen with Pakistan, Kashmir and Muslims. 


What is their intent? 


The timing of this tribal visit is not incidental. It is also clearly State sponsored. 


We need a direct forum with the UK on this matter, talking with Pakistan has always ended with silence and of late with bowed heads on their part. 


The British empire had George Cunningham as Governor of NWFP (KPK today) when the forbears of today's visitors drum beat their way from the tribal areas - along the same Braarkot entry point in J & K in 1947.  


The Pakistanis can no longer be controlling our police or our civil defence...they may well be leading us into another religious identity war......we need a local IGP (Inspector General of Police) for a start. We cannot have a repeat of 1947 except in reverse. 


That is: 


Initiatives for peace, dialogue and tolerance of distinct national(istic) narratives exist throughout J & K. The States of the world and global civil society should help us recognise these internal narratives, which are being violently suppressed by India and Pakistan. 


We could also approach this regionally but at least one of India and Pakistan will have to play 'ball'. Which will it be? 


In a personal capacity, I've had plenty of interactions with Pakistanis throughout my life and have only a few fond memories compared to the majority of those I remember for their intolerance, chicanery and use of Islam to cover their tracks.


I maybe biased on some way but I swear I had good relations with all other nationalities. I don't even remember anybody ripping me off except citizens of Pakistan, although it is possible one or two such crimes were committed by my co-citizens of AJK. Well, we have been controlled by them for 72 years.


I remember my Indian Gujerati and Bangladeshi friends in particular. They were always so hospitable, tolerant and never tried to trick me into anything for personal benefit.

  
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Update 1830hrs:


Given the security scenario in AJK and what increasingly seems to be a not so subtle attempt by the State of Pakistan to promote freelance fighters to cross the LOC en masse, the best I can do at the minute is launch an online poll to remove the lent officer, under whose presumed command our AJK police are made to act against public opinion and public interest in AJK. A local civil intelligence mechanism and civil defence operating under the command and control of a local IG could help thwart this overbearing war narrative:




For those of you who can't read the content of the FB post above:


Measuring Public Opinion in AJK:


Having spent almost 14 and a half years on the ground in #AJK , in the interest of peace in #JandK The IGP AJK must now be an aspiring citizen & State subject of Jammu & Kashmir State forthwith.


Else we may see a repeat of 1947.


Answer with Yes, No or Don't Know (DK) before commenting please...


(Roman Urdu translation of above):


AJK me Awaami Rai ko Naapna:


Yaha Azad Jammu wa Kashmir me takreeban sadey chauda saal se zameen par kaam kiya. Jammu wa Kashmir ki aman ki khaatir - mera andaaza hayy - ke IG Police AJK ka aik purumeed shehri aur Jammu wa Kashmir ka Riyasati baashinda ab laazim hay forun.


Nahi to hum Unees so Sentaalees phir dohraengey.



Aap jawaab Ha, Na ya Nahi Pata (DK) pehle likhey aur phir agar aap ne kuch mazeed likhna hay to zaroor likhe...

End of FB post.....


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A note from history:




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It isn't all sweet when AJK or POK is discussed in Delhi but this could be an exception:



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MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter Faisal Malik originates from Kotli. He made his entry today in an 'Azad Kashmir' flag. He won the bout too!



In such an heightened environment where the internal narrative of AJK is crossing swords with the Pakistani narrative, some wonder why the Pakistani media isn't giving Faisal Malik any coverage, when they acted differently to when Amir Khan won a similar title. Is it because Amir Khan originates from Pakistan?

Meanwhile, here's Faisal's next bout for those of you interested:



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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 220 of 2026

2037hrs: I'm working hard using whatever means possible, to maintain daily contact with the world, despite enduring 65 days of an almost...