Daily Diary (DD) - Day 270 of 2022

2244hrs:

Day 114 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0757hrs

My punctuality deficit has decreased to 39 minutes.

Punctuality percentage: 65 days on time or early of 114 = 57% punctual.

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Day 15 of our regular evening Twitter Space slot between 2100hrs and 2200hrs. Today we discuss why we need to re-learn to live together, irrespective of our religious affiliations:

 

Set a reminder for my upcoming Space! https://t.co/7YV8nzk0fR#Culture is usually the key that unlocks the potential of humanity. Reviving those aspects of society that have proved a source of strength in the past will mitigate the horrors motored by hate witnessed since 1947.

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) September 27, 2022

Associated reference:

The following post will give u a good summary of the progress we have made so far in reviving the religious heritage of other co-citizens of JKA whose places of worship have been forcibly abandoned since 1947:

Link

Space Count (That is: How many people have engaged so far): 82 (updated at 1743hrs on 08/10/2022) 

Average space count (15 days so far): 153

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 234 of 2022

2251hrs:

Day 78 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0725hrs

My punctuality deficit has decreased to 209 minutes.

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Amongst the multitude of tasks I undergo on a daily basis are responding to comments on my Youtube channel at: ajkpublicagency.xyz

I would just like to share an important piece of information regarding the cultural heritage of Chamb, the southernmost urban centre of AJK. It was sent to me by a co-citizen barely 6 kilometres across the LOC whose family lived here pre 1971. After the war between both countries in that year, this area was one of those pieces of JKA that were swapped by both countries:

@Tanveer Ahmed ji, I am residing hardly six KM away (via Manawar Tawi) from the village Chak Pandit.

Chhamb was a big town having a big hospital, post office, vetenerary hospital, police station and higher secondary school.

Moreover Chhamb was popular for Sweet Palang -Tor (Milk cake).

(It was a) Very busy bazar with its culture heritage. The Festival of Baishakhi was celebrated with pump and show in this town.

Thanks 🙏 and God bless you.

..end of Youtube comment

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 197 of 2022

2155hrs:

Day 41 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0827hrs

Despite my punctuality introspection last night after 40 days, I was late again today. This time by 27 minutes.

A daily punctuality deficit/surplus update is therefore in order:

290 + 27 = 317 

Thus, my punctuality deficit on Day 41 is 317 minutes. 

On this occasion, it was probably because our diaspora's evening in the UK coincides with our sleeping time - I try to sleep at 2200hrs - and if they want you to talk in a public space on a powerful issue, you cannot ignore them.

Here's the specific reason:

This is how they titled it:

'shardah-Cross LOC Religious and Heritage Tourism'

https://t.co/Z80tsR0sB0

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) July 15, 2022

For the audience, there was a reference. Here it is:

https://t.co/XBy0rmcZLF - There is a conversation in this link that was referenced in the current discussion on #Sharda

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) July 15, 2022

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As mentioned yesterday, the following 1 minute Anglo Pahaari theme will be daily too:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 194 of 2020

0114hrs:

It was only the day before yesterday that I was discussing the rising amount of threats from the 'not so deep' Pakistani State to a number of our citizens; from established politicians to writers and activists. The following post is a statement made yesterday by a very seasoned and upright journalist in AJK's capital Muzaffarabad:

As I've mentioned in a comment on this post, I have often read his clearly worded articles in Urdu media and have most often felt the need in public interest to translate his writing into English. I've failed to do so thus far but now that his life is clearly on the line, this could literally be a matter of life or death if I don't:

Malik Abdul Hakeem Kashmiri

Secretary General - Central Union of Journalists AJK

Statement - 11/07/20

Life is endearing no doubt......but?

"We will abduct you!"....."We will see to you"...."We will make you serve as a lesson (for others)"..."Confine yourself to your shoe size"....

What kind of mindset is this?

All right. It is understood that those equipped with power and resources can do whatever they want but for a limited amount of time. I am unarmed. My only weapon is my pen. Hitherto, thousands have been abducted and what would happen if I am to be included in this list? One has to die ultimately, whether today or tomorrow (now or in the future)......so be it if it is today.....

However, it should be remembered that I will not beg to stay alive. My case and my ideology is absolutely straight and clear. I talk of humans, I talk of their rights, I talk of their self determination and I talk of their genuine freedom.....

I have never been an opponent of the public of Pakistan. I have never talked against the public of Pakistan. Yes, I speak of my rights. I am of the view that my people deserve total freedom and I am so totally certain of my ideology that it is akin to the belief in all of us that the sun will rise every day.

This territory which is referred to as Azad Kashmir has transformed into an open pasture; there is an environment of coercion, every individual is a prisoner of their own circle (of thought) and stepping out of (that circle) is treason. The people's right to governance is now only in name (empty posture). Steps in contrast with the public mandate are being taken. Operating beyond one's jurisdiction has become tradition. 

The recording of telephonic conversations of our womenfolk is tantamount to playing with our self-respect. Can any such activity be considered as acceptable?

(What about) the act of bringing untrustworthy and corrupt politicians into power in Azad Kashmir for nefarious purposes and then teaching them lessons when they occasionally don't oblige? Making governments, breaking them, changing the prime minister, making self fulfilling agreements and (constitutional) amendments; What have all these issues to do with peace and integrity?

(it should be noted that the Pakistani clandestine agencies have a habit of cornering genuine criticism by turning the tables and citing their country's integrity to be on the line, when such criticism emerges. In other words, anybody who identifies corruption, malpractice or unaccountable behaviour in general by employees of the Pakistani State are victimised by the latter as inviting instability and destruction of their State)

These questions will arise....and I will continue raising these questions. The ideological front is another subject but we can never give permission to anybody to destroy our social fabric (environment). Be it the prime minister Farooq Haider, any other politician or some powerful department. The mantra of politics politics, government government, control control may well be chanted (and played). By all means be corrupt......loot (resources as much as you can).....I will write against such activities according to my capacity and as a journalist identify such (within my means).

However, when (the backlash) reaches our doorstep then life no longer holds any meaning....Any such action - whether individual or collective - cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

As for the threats against me...I'm in no mood to fight and I have no inclination to engage in any such adventure. In all likelihood more than anything else, I may use the option of protesting underneath a banner along with my friends or those of my friends residing in Europe may stage sit-in protests outside (relevant) consulates/embassies etc. 

I would leave those who hold the mandate of threatening others to their own devices. Time will decide what ensues.

I am grateful to all those friends in the USA, Europe, Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and in particular my journalist friends for the manner in which they've shown solidarity with me...my friends in Europe have written to human rights organisations against this coercion and have furthermore pledged all possible support.

End....               


Note: Words in brackets are for emphasis or clarity in meaning.

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This was pending from last year and here it is, just less than a fortnight away from its anniversary:



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Finally, I'm on the verge of beginning my much anticipated cycle ride from Chamb (in tehsil Barnaala where AJK begins in the South) to Sharda via Alibeg Gurdwara. Here's a map of my proposed journey:





This is how the journey began, from Dadyaal to Mirpur:



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Our consistency in providing a weekly Urdu programme on the internal narrative of AJK reached its 13th week today via JKTV, albeit an abridged version due to connectivity issues:



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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 147 of 2020

0741hrs:

I think I've cracked the code for my sleep dilemma that took its toll during the last ten days of Ramadhan. Now, on the third day of Eid I've seemed to have broken the pattern of staying awake all night, which at times was till the next days' afternoon. On a couple of occasions I even remained awake beyond 36 hours.

This morning I've woken up fresh at c. 0630hrs....

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The day was proceeding well when I got a call to accompany a crowd to Ramkot Fort, perched on the border between AJK and Pakistan. This was an impromptu although belated Eid outing:

We also went live with some coverage:



At the Fort itself:



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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? 

یہ جو پوری دنیا میں وباء ہے
کیا یہ کشمیریوں کی بددعا ہے#SaveKashmiriFromCorona#Kashmir #AzadKashmir@Ali_Kashmiri_ @IamKashmiri_ @AshfaqKashmiri8 @NomiJk @jk_BNM_offical @AKLM_Official @JKLF_Kashmir @khanzuhan11 @khawajaatteeq @sahaafi @JklfSaad @AyazRiazKashmi1 @MoonaMalik201 pic.twitter.com/5PNfjYeagK

— Malik Anees Kashmiri (@MalikAneesKash1) March 24, 2020

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:

Connaught Place, New Delhi.

...and life begins anew... ❤️

Let the NATURE play its role now. pic.twitter.com/lTVxCeKTft

— Tina Bhat (@TinaBhat3) March 24, 2020

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 209 of 2019

1032hrs: 

I've reached that stage where my writing should get a lot more internal, intrinsic and introspective of the society that I am operating in. It is perhaps a trait of human nature that whenever anybody exploits us and/or our land/resources, they do so by exploiting our inherent weaknesses. If we continue to falter in addressing our weaknesses, there will be many more Khans, Modis and Trumps who will dance around our aspirations. 

We will continue to play the fool with our own status. Particularly by ignoring those who work tirelessly on our collective behalf by sacrificing their personal aspirations, while we celebrate being played by regional leaders and the international community.

This reverse can and should begin in Sharda:

Fog or low clouds on Kishenganga between rain at Sharda yesterday

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People should also understand that any place with such a rich heritage cries out for continuation or revival. Here's just one example:



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Contributing to our society's paralysis is this utterly needless blood sport:

3 civilians including a mother her baby were injured on Sunday an exchange of fire between #IndianArmy V #PakistanArny at #LOC #Poonch occupied #JammuAndKashmir @ Shahpur sector.

Fatima Jaan (35), her infant baby and Mohammad arif
Are you proud India &Pakistan ? pic.twitter.com/Dvh18z9QLr

— JKLF 4 Jammu-Kashmir (@JKLF_Kashmir) July 28, 2019

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 173 of 2019

0929hrs: 

Forts were built to defend warrior/kings and their conquered territories from the enemy. We have our own Red Fort in Muzaffarabad which was built centuries ago but has endured decades of neglect since 1947. 

Here's a video of it that I made almost 8 years ago:



Can it be restored? More pointedly, can its use be transformed to better suit contemporary public interest?  

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I usually translate any content embedded here. However, on this occasion I will confine the privilege of understanding the following to my Urdu readers. Most certainly, they need to understand the message more than anyone else:

Lehaza 3 saal lagaa kar 32 tehsilo me phir kar aur 10,000 humwatan shehriyo se ittefaaqi andaaz me (randomly) ajnabi ban kar rai li gayi, taakey ye bunyaadi abhaam (confusion) door hosakey. Maamla wohi hal hota hay jis ko naapa (measure) jaa sakta ho. Ref: https://t.co/pM6xQOJ1I8

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) June 23, 2019

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