Simrit Kahlon Recently, I had an opportunity to go through an article titled “Indian Army: little glory, lots of gore –1,” carried by The Kashmir Times, a well known Jammu based English daily. In the article the author, while referring to the Indian Army, says, “it maneuvers its ruthlessness in a continuum that is directly proportional to its operational distance from the … [Read more...] about The pathetic state of defence and security journalism in Kashmir
At the end of it all humanity prevails
Simrit Kahlon This is a true story narrated to me by villagers during one of my visits to the remote regions of the Kashmir valley. The names have been changed on the request of the involved individuals. A young Kashmir lad, Anwar, had some land along the line of control in the Kashmir valley. His mother had died when he was one year old and his father was killed accidently … [Read more...] about At the end of it all humanity prevails
Rehabilitation: generosity cannot override pragmatism
Simrit Kahlon Some one hundred and fifty odd people have set up a front called the POK Returned Families Rehabilitation Forum in the Kashmir valley. The constituents of the forum are such erstwhile Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) based Kashmiri militants who have returned to the valley with large families. The method of return is by and large illegal; most of these people … [Read more...] about Rehabilitation: generosity cannot override pragmatism
Detractors of Operation Sadbhavna should carry out a reality check
Simrit Kahlon That the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been in the grip of a destructive and violent separatist movement for the past two decades is known to all. This climate of perpetual disruption and destruction has taken its toll on the human psyche and the physical infrastructure. This is a conclusive and tragic reality that can be felt and understood only by the … [Read more...] about Detractors of Operation Sadbhavna should carry out a reality check
Sam Manekshaw, Indian soldier and the Bharat Ratna
Simrit Kahlon The Indian system of honours, broadly speaking, comprises of two kinds of awards - gallantry awards and civilian honours. The gallantry awards may further be classified into awards earned due to acts of bravery during war and awards earned through acts of bravery in times of peace. Civilian awards also fall in two categories; those that come under the ambit of … [Read more...] about Sam Manekshaw, Indian soldier and the Bharat Ratna