Happy Independence Day

My Dear Friends,

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY

INDEPENDENCE DAY

It’s been 61 year since we breathed in the free air for the first time as a nation after 200 years foreign rule. Independence, achieved with millions of people’s sacrifice and a battle fought with nothing but carriage and love for the country.

Independence Day, the whole nation is celebrating it with lots of enthusiasm. Kites are flying in the sky and special dishes are being made in the kitchens. Everybody irrespective of their age is doing their best to make this anniversary memorable.

Independence Day is a special day for every one of us. Children are going to schools wearing new dress for flag-hosting and singing patriotic songs, security wings are doing parades with their best effort to win shields and are being watched and applauded by thousands of people, Prime Minister has given speech for the nation and best wishes are coming from every important personality, television channels are broadcasting patriotic films and people hearing patriotic songs in their household, cars and wherever they are going, relatives and friends are sending their wishes through phones and messages……

Friends, I have been thinking from the morning what should I write in my blog today. Many things related to Independence Days (from my childhood) are coming in mind but I guess those memories are not worthy enough to describe here. I have been also thinking on the suggestions you made about my blog. Some of them are as follows:

1) Some of my friends complained that my posts are too big and I should try to write smaller ones, though they understand the importance and necessity of elaboration but still……
2) Some also suggested that I should write on some lighter issues because “bhari-bharkam” topics are not of their types and being honest, they fill bored most of the times……
3) Another loophole of my blog is, I always highlight on darker side of the story and never write on the good things happening around. It’s not correct because anyone, whose knowledge on a particular subject is limited, would get only the negative information……
4) Instead of giving information one by one I should present the data with tables so that it gives a quick view of the facts and save time……

Thank you very much for your feedback. I would try to take care of your suggestions in my future posts.

Friends, Jammu and Kashmir is in news and our mind, for last few days and lives of valley are going through a tough condition. A small piece of land has become a national issue and anti-India cries are being shouted on the roads of the state. Roads were blocked by people; marches are conducted by parties; bullets are being used to prevent the rioters and law and order is in its lowest level. War has been announced between separatists and unionists. And the latest is, boycott of Independence Day has been called by separatists. What is this land crisis? Who is guilty? Why is this happening? What is our government and political parties doing? My hands are itching to type something (at least) about all this violent activities but I am restricting myself as I am determined that I won’t write anything darker or frustrating today. After all it's Independence Day, a day of celebration.

I believe many of us don’t really know about the past and the actual reason of J&K problem properly, though we all know it’s a matter of concern and talk about it all the time. Today, I am not going to describe anything and just giving you a list of incidents which would help you to understand the background of this chaos and would also help you to talk with more efficiency in future discussions about J&K.

Ancient Era: The history of Kashmir written in the 12th century. It was then a centre of Sanskrit scholarship and later a Buddhist seat of learning.
14th Century: Islam became the dominant religion in Kashmir.
1588: Akbar invades Kashmir and it came under Mughal rule.
Early 19th Century: Sikhs took control of Kashmir. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had earlier annexed Jammu. Gulab Singh made raja of Jammu in 1820 and he soon captured Ladakh and Baltistan.
1846: After partial defeat of Sikhs in the first Anglo-Sikh war, Kashmir was given to Gulab Singh for Rs. 75 lakh. Thus the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu (as it’s then called) was formed.
Post 1857: After the first war of independence, kingdom came under the reign of British crown. Gulab Singh’s son Ranbir Singh became ruler.
1925: Ranbir Singh’s grandson Hari Singh ascended the throne.
October 1932: Kashmir’s first political party, the Muslim Conference was formed with Sheikh Abdullah as president. It was renamed National Conference in 1938.
August 1947: At the time of partition, India and Pakistan agreed that rulers of princely states would be given the right to opt for either nation. To put off a decision, Maharaja Hari Singh signs a ‘standstill’ agreement with Pakistan to ensure trade, travel and communication continue.
October 1947: Pashtun raiders from Pakistan’s NWFP invaded Kashmir. Hari Singh appeals to Governor General Mountbatten for help. India assured help on condition Hari Singh signs Instrument of Accession. He did and the Indian troops repulsed assault from across border. UN invited to mediate and insisted opinion of Kashmiris be ascertained. India initially said no to referendum until all raiders were driven out but Nehru two months later agrees to a poll. Pakistan contested accession, claimed Indian Army entered Kashmir.
January 01, 1948: India declared unilateral ceasefire. Under Article 35 of the UN Charter, India filed complaint with UN Security Council.
January 20, 1948: Security Council established a commission and adopted a resolution on Kashmir accepted by both countries. Pakistan was blamed for invading Kashmir and asked to withdraw its force. A year later, UN passed resolution calling for plebiscite.
March 17,1948: Sheikh Abdullah took oath as Prime Minister of J&K.
January 01, 1949: India and Pakistan concluded a formal ceasefire.
1949: Article 370 granting special status to J&K was inserted in Constitution.
August 09, 1953: Sheikh Abdullah arrested and imprisoned. His dissident cabinet minister, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammed, appointed Prime Minister. Abdullah jailed for 11 years, accused of conspiracy against the state in the ‘Kashmir Conspiracy Case’.
1965: Pakistan attacked India in operation codenamed “Gibraltar”. Following Pakistan’s defeat, Tashkent Agreement signed.
March 30, 1965: Article 249 of Indian Constitution extended to J&K. Designations like Prime Minister and President of the state replaced by Chief Minister and Governor.
1972: India nad Pakistan signed Shimla Agreement, promising to respect Line-of-Control (LoC) until Kashmir issue resolved.
February 1975: PM Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah signed accord. J&K made a ‘Constituent Unit’ of India.
1977: National Conference won the first post-Emergency elections.
1982: Abdullah died after naming son, Farooq, successor.
1987: Street protests and demonstrations in Srinagar against inefficiency and corruption against state government turned into anti-India protests.
1989: Armed militancy erupted. Kashmiri Pandits fled valley. State brought under central rule next year as army fought Pak-trained militants.
1990- Present: Armed militancy and terrorism, with international jihadi elements entering the arena, stalked the valley. Elections in 1996 and 2002 brought back some legitimacy to the democratic process but violence continues.

I can also provide you some other data but fearing that my friends might have already started scolding me because of this long post. Sorry Buddies. Let the description and other data remain for another post. Today, we all would enjoy and celebrate.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, again......