Daily Excelsior.........State

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 2: A historical Kirtan Darbar was held in Gurdwara Dera Sant Pura Danna at Nanak Nagar. The function was organised by Guru Nanak Kirtan Council, J&K.

Bhai Ranjit Singh Jee Katha Vachak of Alwar, Rajasthan, Bhai Sahib Harpal Singh Hazoori Ragi Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, Bhai Sahib Swarn Singh Parcharak, J&K, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (Amritsar), Sant Baba Tejwant Singh Katha Vachak Gurdwara Dera Sant Pura Danna (Muzafarrabad) and others participated in the function which was attended by large number of people.

Speakers, while addressing the Sangat, stressed on the need of following teachings of Sikh Gurus. They asked them to follow a simple and spiritual life for betterment of whole universe. The preachers said that the all great Gurus and Saints have given one message of ‘Live and Let’ live with trust and confidence over each other in the globe.

Main aim of the Kirtan Darbar to educate the masses about teachings of great Gurus. Sangat was informed about teachings and path shown by the great Gurus.

Rich tributes paid to Gandhi on 136th birth anniversary

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Oct 2: Like other parts of the country, 136th birth anniversary of the Father of Nation was also celebrated, in the state today. Various organisations held functions in this connection and paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

Jammu and Kashmir Khadi and Village Industries Board in collaboration with KVIC celebrated Gandhi Jayanti at Khistriya Shri Gandhi Ashram Karan, Nagar Srinagar.

Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, who is also chairman of KVIB, was the chief guest in the function.

Addressing the gathering, he paid homage to the great leader and explained relevance of Gandhian ideals in present socio-economic scenario.

Congress Committee organised functions at PCC headquarters in Jammu as well in Kashmir. A number of Congress activists and senior leaders of the party, participated in the functions and paid rich tributes to the Mahatma.

In Kashmir, the function was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, JKPCC president Peerzada Mohammad Sayed, Khemlata Wakhloo, Ali Mohd Magray, Mohd Amin Bhat, Haji Ali Mohd, and others. Paying rich tributes to Gandhi, Peerzada said that the world has ultimately recognized the philosophy of non-violence movement which is the only way to settle all issues in the world.

In Jammu at PCC headquarters, the function was attended by Om Chopra, Dharam Pal Sharma, Yogesh Sawhney Th. Hari Singh, Ravinder Sharma, Indu Pawar, Baldev Sharma, Shanti Vaid and others.

Minister for Power Mohammad Sharief Niaz paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 136th birth anniversary and said that the philosophy of non-violence should be applied to solve all issues. In a message, Mr Niaz said that the best way to pay tribute to the Father of Nation is to implement the Father's policies in day-to-day life.

Akhil Bharat Rachnatmak Samaj, J&K, in collaboration with Sadhbavana-Ke-Sapahai, celebrated 136th birth anniversary of Father of Nation by organising a function at Jammu University.

MoS Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Yash Paul Kundal, who was the chief guest, honoured social activist Ram Nath Shastri on the occasion.

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, a talent search competition was organised by C L College. Minister of State for Youth Services, Sports and Technical Education, Yogesh Sawhney was chief guest on the occasion.

Khadi Gram Mandal Jammu celebrated Gandhi Jayanti with great pump and show. The function started with garlanding and lighting of traditional lamp. Secretary Subash Chand highlighted achievements of Mahatma Gandhi.

Indian National Organisation and Community Service Eco Friendly Club, Jammu University, celebrated Gandhi Jayanti by holding a seminar and Shramdhan activities at Jammu University.

Gandhi Memorial College of Education Raipur Jammu celebrated Gandhi Jayanti. An impressive cultural programme was presented by the students. The other members of Hindu Education Society Kashmir who participated in the programme were J L Bhat, Sanjay Dhar, Dr Satish Bhan and P N Dembi.

Directorate of Health Services Jammu commemorated the birth anniversary of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi. On the occasion Kasht Mukti Rath was flagged off by Dr Jasbir Singh, Director Health Services Jammu, to create awareness among the masses regarding leprosy.

Similar functions were organised at all district headquarters of Jammu province.

J&K Khadi & Village Industries Board Jammu Division celebrated Gandhi Jayanti in premises of district office KVIB, Jammu. The board member Ram Dass Dogra, ex-MLA, presided over the function. Yash Pal Kundal, MoS, Animal Husbandry was the Guest of Honour.

A Prathana Sabha was organised in function which began with the garlanding of Gandhiji’s portrait and lighting of candles.

Shri Gandhi Seva Sadan, Jammu & Gandhi Bhavan Samiti, Jammu jointly celebrated Gandhi Jayanti at Gandhi Bhawan Jammu. Padam Shri Ram Nath Shastri was the chief guest. Dr Ved Kumari Ghai, the eminent Sanskrit scholar, gave thematic lecture on Gandhi’s relevance in the present context.

Children of Dewan Badri Nath Vidya Mandir, Neha Ghar and Apna Ghar of Association for Social Health J&K presented patriotic and devotional songs.

Trade Union Congress, J&K, and residents of Shastri Nagar Jammu celebrated 136th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri by organising a simple function at Vijay Chowk, Shastri Nagar.

The members and activists of Child and Infirm Welfare Foundation, led by its founder director K N Wangu distributed teaching and learning material in all the slums of Bhagwati Nagar area to mark the celebrations of Gandhi Jayanti.

The NCC cadets of Government Higher Secondary School Smailpur celebrated Gandhi Jayanti with children of SOS Home Channi Rama. Col S S Malik, Commanding Officer, 2 J&K Girls Bn, Jammu declared the programme open by lighting the traditional lamp.

Aptech Computer Education Centre and Satyam Institute of Education jointly organized competition of the students on the life of "Father of the Nation" Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. Mr Angad, Miss Surbi and Miss Shabina bagged first, second and 3rd positions respectively.

Pradesh Congress Seva Dal presented Bravery award to ITBP Sub Inspector Sudesh Kumar Gargotra, who had saved lives of over 2000 passengers at Agra Railway Station. Balvinder Singh Sambyal, chairman J&K Pradesh Congress Seva Dal honoured Gargotra along with SDPO Gandhi Nagar Shiv Kumar Singh Chouhan, B L Sharma etc.

Students of Cambridge Public School held an impressive programme to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti under the chairmanship of Baljeet Singh Manhas in which former MLA Shiv Dev Singh was the chief guest while special invitees were Surinder Singh, Joginder Singh and Manjeet Singh Bedi.

Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated by the Lions Club at Ved Mandir, Ambphalla with the students there. Prayers and speeches were held to mark the occasion.

The Father of Nation was remembered by the tiny tots of Stepping Stone Foundation School, Satwari. The kids presented a colourful programme at Mahatma Gandhi Chowk Rotary Satwari.

On the Gandhi Jayanti, a medical camp was jointly organised at Jai Kisan School in village Bera, tehsil R S Pura, by Arogya Bharti Jammu, S&S Health and Management Society and Bharat Vikas Parishad J&K. Swami Hirday Giri of Hirdey Deep Ashram, Jevven Nagar Jammu, was chief guest on the occasion.

In connection with Gandhi Jayanti, a seminar on ‘Child abuse and child labour’ was organised by Border Areas Development Society, J&K. A number of students, youth, prominent personalities of the area participated in the seminar. Addressing the gathering, chairman of the Society,

A week long programmes were held at Happy Model Higher Secondary School, Udhampur. Various programmes were organised during the week long celebration. Today on the concluding day, the students of the school took out a peace march through various bazars and streets of the town.

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, a series of meetings of Congress workers were held in Thathi, Patya, Neelinullah, Brarrian villages under the chairmanship of Yash Pal Khajuria, former Minister and PCC vice-president.

The 136th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was marked with the holding of a seminar by Aman Committee Rajouri at Himalayan Education Mission, here today. Additional Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Shenas Ahmed was chief guest on the occasion. Twenty students from various educational institutions participated in the seminar and expressed their views on the life of Gandhi Ji. First five students were also awarded by the chief guest. District Information Office, Rajouri also organised a cultural programme on the occasion.

Khadi and Village Industries Board Rajouri celebrated Gandhi Jayanti by organising a simple function. The speakers on the occasion paid floral tributes to the Father of Nation.

Inordinate delay in COLA

The Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for the year 2004 and 2005 has since became due to the Public Sector Employees of the J&K State, but the State Government is making delaying tactics in releasing the due COLA in favour of PSU employees. The Rule of law desire that the Right of the people should not be ignored or delayed what ever be the reason. Every time the PSU employees have to roam from door to door for their Right. It was expected that the State Cabinet will consider this demand before the Change of guards in the State. Since no agenda was presented in the Cabinet, we appeal to the Chief Minister, to issue necessary instructions to the Finance Department for issuance of notification, as required, as per the Rajan Wage Committee report. The COLA is the life line of the PSU employees for the survival of their whole family.

Abdul Lateef Sheikh

Sirkoot Kishtwar

Link Chishoti, Massu with roads

Residents and general public of Garh, Massu, Chishoti, Humori and Machail (Kishtwar) demand and request for road and electricity connectivity.

We request the coalition Government not to ignore these farflung and poor areas, as far as developmental activities were concerned.

It is strange that there is still no road connectivity under the Prime Minister's Sadak Rozgar Yogjna, while other areas have been facilitated.

Partap Singh

Kishtwar

Abolish parking charges

I want to highlight the plight of scooterists, motorcyclists- who even for purchasing an item of one rupee while parking scooter, motorcycle in Raghunath Bazar-Sahidi chowk etc., even for five minutes, are forced to pay Rs.5/- as parking charges to the guard deployed there by the contractors of JDA, Municipality. Then, if scooterist, motorcyclist after purchase from one shop takes his bike and reaches hardly ten shops further and decides to purchase another item by parking scooter, he has to again pay Rs.5/- there to another guard standing there. Likewise for any other purchase in next lane ( that may be from Raghunath bazar to Residency road) again Rs 5 are to be paid to the authorities.

Same is the story in hospitals.

Therefore, in this behalf J.D.A./Municipal authorities are requested to abolish this policy of parking charges as they must know that all the scooterists /motor cyclists and also other four wheelers come on the road after purchasing vehicle from concerned company, very much after paying the Road Tax, Token Tax to the Regional Transport Department. Thus, this parking charge is extra and unnecessary tax. One can move and park anywhere in public place, except the place of any private person. Sometimes it is also said by Municipal and JDA that to avoid rush of parking in city, they have introduced this policy, but they should know that none from Gandhinagar or Janipur shall take his vehicle to park at Raghunath Bazar or Sahidi Chowk unnecessarily and if any one will go there, that shall be just for the time the shopping is made.

Anyway, if at all Municipal or JDA have to raise their revenue from this also, the rate should be genuine one i.e. Rs.1 or 2 for scooter and Rs.5/- for four wheeler instead of present rate of Rs.5/- and Rs.10/-respectively and that too if the scooterist, motorcylcist and other vehicles are to be parked for whole of day. Otherwise, transit-parking in the process of shopping in this set up should be absolutely free from any charges, as already the shopkeepers are over charging the customers besides the payment of VAT. In addition, there should be arrangement of validity of the same parking receipt anywhere in the city for whole of day.

Durgadass Rami, Ghagwal.

Manwal, Mangal passengers fleeced

The 407-matador owners charges excess fare from the passengers to the tune of Rs 12/- per passenger from Udhampur to Manwal and thereafter Manwal to Nagrota, whereas as per Govt rate fixed they are bound to charge only Rs 8.75/- only. Anybody who raises any objection, is maltreated, manhandled and thrown out from the vehicle.

We request the authorities concerned to take stern action against the guilty persons.

Surinder Kumar

Majalta Ramnagar

Start mobile service in Poonch

I would like to ask the BSNL authorities why the Cellone Service in Poonch City has been delayed. Poonch in remote area of the State. And people here face many difficulties to communicate with other people of the country in absence of such a service. It is thereby requested to the concerned authorities to start Cellone Service in the region.

Mohd Rasheed Zar

Poonch City

Kala Kendra
A Significant Step Forward

By Ravinder Kaul

Culture is suddenly in the focus. Only a few days ago on September 23 the government announced its decision to create a Department of Culture to be headed by an independent Secretary. With this, the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Directorate of Research, Libraries and Museums, Toshakhana of Hospitality and Protocol Department and the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (which retains its autonomous character) have been brought under the administrative control of this newly created Department. And now comes the inauguration of Kala Kendra, a centre of arts and culture that is the first of its kind in our State. Someone out there is thinking about art, culture and heritage and it augurs well for these areas that have been neglected for a long long time.

That the attractive and centrally located structure of Kala Bhawan will soon become a landmark of Jammu is a foregone conclusion. The artistic works displayed in the Art Gallery also lend it an aura that can only be gauged by highlighting the names of some of the artists whose works are displayed in the gallery. It is the virtual who’s who of Indian art. M.F.Husain, V.S.Gaitonde, J.Swaminathan, Ram Kumar, Paritosh Sen, B.C.Sanyal, Ghulam Mohd.Sheikh, G.R.Santosh, K.K.Hebbar, Shanti Dave, Rameshwar Broota, Jai Zahrotia and Jatin Das. Anybody with only an elementary knowledge of Indian art will know that all these artists form the edifice on which the body of Indian art rests. In monetary terms the price of the paintings of the artists whose names have been mentioned here alone must run into several crores of rupees.

But that is not all. The gallery also has on display the works of some of the finest artists of our State. Beginning with Pt. Sansar Chand Baru, who has six paintings on display in this gallery, the collection on includes the works of Vijay Gupta, Bhushan Koul, Gokul Deambi, Harsh Vardhan, Vijay Saraf, N.D.Jamwal, T.S.Batra, Suman Gupta, Veer Munshi, M.A.Mehboob and Masood Nakshbandi. There are also a number of sculptures by some of the well known sculptors of the country on display both inside the galleries and on the lawns of the complex.

One of the galleries on the first floor has currently on display an exhibition based on the historic Dandi March. Mahatma Gandhi’s defiance of the British empire and its laws is the focus of the exhibition. Panel after panel the salient features of this historically significant March have been highlighted in an appealing manner.

There are two more galleries on the first floor that display the photographs of the Pahari miniature paintings (mainly Basohli) in the collection of the Dogra Art Museum. These two galleries in fact lower the image and stature of Kala Kendra. No gallery worth its salt will ever have photographs of paintings, whatever their value or significance, on display. These need to be removed immediately if the Kendra has to retain some stature.

There are some more areas that need immediate attention. The first and the foremost is the air conditioning. In Jammu, where the temperature hovers around 40 degrees celsius for more than nine months in a year, how the architects have conceived a gallery without the provision for air conditioning beats one’s comprehension. There is no office space in the complex. There is need for a decent restaurant where the artists and writers of the city will have their ‘adda’, lending life to this bricks and mortar building. Last but not the least the artist community needs to be involved in the decision making process of the Kendra.

There is a long way ahead. But the beginning has been made and if the things move in the right direction, Kala Kendra will certainly become a vibrant centre of creativity in not too distant future. But that is in the future, for the present Soujanya Sharma, the Administrator of Kala Kendra, informs us that the Kendra will remain open everyday from 11 am to 5 pm. All Jammuites must visit the place and view the significant works of art on display.

Secular Alliance, AMCCC firm on return to Valley

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 2: Those who oppose the return of Pandits to Valley are playing with the cause of the community. This was the general view of speakers at a joint meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Secular Alliance and All Migrants Camp Coordination Committee (AMCCC) held at Mishriwala Camp this afternoon.

Though some raised the apprehensions that the threat perception still looms large in the Valley in view of the increasing terrorist attacks, the speakers said the retention of the community was much more important than return and what guarantee the community has that it will not be again forced to flee on the gun point.

However, allaying their fears the convenor, of the Alliance Anil Dhar maintained that there was a discernible change in the Valley situation and the community should be mentally prepared for return.

He warned any delay on the part of displaced Pandits to reinforce their claim on Kashmir and show their willingness to return will be inimical to the interests of the Pandits and they will be written off from the history of Kashmir completely.

Asserting that he was ready to lead the first batch of Pandits who are willing to return to Valley, Mr Dhar said he will not hesitate in facing the bullets for the same as enough is enough now as the community has been exploited to the hilt by the Government of India over the years and it was responsible for our present plight.

He made it clear that return to our motherland is our right and nobody can deny us the same.

He said neither Government nor the bureaucracy is interested in our return as Pandits have become a salabe commodity for them.

Supporting the return move, advisor of the Alliance R L Bhan said that he had submitted a proposal to Government in the Apex level meeting that 500 quarters be constructed at each district headquarters at the initial stage for the return of the community.

He, while justifying the talks with Hurriyat alleged that both PDP led coalition and previous NC Government totally ignored us though they sought millions of rupees as aid from Centre.

He alleged that Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti were more interested in pleading the case of Hizbul chief, Syed Sallah -u- Din than mitigating the sufferings of the Pandits who were the real sufferers in turmoil.

These views were supported by P N Sus, P N Kaul and Ritender Kaul ex DIG also who said that time is opportune when the community should take a bold initiative.

Vir Ji Bilove, chairman AMCCC while expressing concern over the role of Union Government blamed it for the plight of displaced people. He said KPs is the only community which has been deprived of every right in the free India and the community feels that they are still slaves.

He said had the Union Government been really sincere towards the community it ought have come forward in mitigating our sufferings.

However, Pinto Ji, Triloki Nath Bilove and Kumar Ji Bhat were apprehensive of the prevailing situation in Kashmir which they said was not conducive for return.

The role of Relief Commissioner was also criticised by the camp inmates who alleged that the community was unnecessarily being harassed. They alleged that Relief Commisioner instead of being a helping hand, was unnecessary creating hardships. Desh Rattan general secretary AMCCC warned that his organisation and alliance will launch an agitation against the relief authorities.

Those who addressed the meeting included Jitender Bakshi chairman Action Committee for Return of Kashmiri Pandits, Bihari Lal, C L Tickoo, Roshan Lal Bhat, Hari Krishen, S K Bhat, Mr Zitshi and Moti Lal.

BJP urges Governor, SAC to take
suo-motto notice of corruption

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 2: Expressing grave concern over rising corruption in Jammu and Kashmir State, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today urged the Governor Lt. Gen. (retd) S K Sinha and State Accountability Commission (SAC) to take suo-motto notice of what transpired in the State Assembly and take action against the State Government which is openly encouraging corruption under the policy and name of the peace process.

Addressing a joint press conference, BJP State vice president and spokesman Prof. Hari Om and ex. MLA, Ch. Piara Singh said that there was still time for them to stem the rot and prevent the rulers and others from looting the public money.

Prof. Hari Om said both the Governor and Accountability Commission must rise the occasion and help the State against those who are on looting spree.

Alleging wide spread malpractices and bunglings in appointments and selections in Government departments, he said maximum candidates from Valley figure in the recently issued KAS list by PSC. Likewise , while making promotion of the doctors the deserving incumbent figuring as serial number 100 has been dropped while those at serial number 101, 116 and 132 have been promoted. Ch. Piara Singh, demanded that a probe be ordered that why the MLAs from Kashmir have failed to file up the property statements. Moreover the Government should also ascertain whether these MLAs have filed their I T returns or not.

Alleging that the policies of present Government were pro-Kashmir and anti Jammu, he said Rs 68 crore toll tax has been waived off on dry fruit and fresh fruit to Kashmiri traders.

Swiss neutral team begins Baglihar inspection

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Oct 2: Endeavouring to adjudicate the riparian dispute between India and Pakistan, World Bank appointed Swiss neutral expert Raymond Lafitte today began inspecting the dam design and "peripherial setup" of the 450-mw Baglihar hydel project.

"The team entered the project construction site at Chanderkote area of the district at around 1000 hrs. The team straight away went to the dam site and began inspecting its peripheral structures like the diversion tunnels," official sources said.

The 3-member Swiss team would be discussing the entire design with the Indian and Pakistani officials on the inspection tour after studying the flow of the Chenab river and the various data provided, they said.

The Pakistani representatives had brought along "documentary evidence" in support of their contentions, they said.

Lafitte, a Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, along with two other Swiss neutral experts, 6 Pakistani and 4 Indian officials arrived in Jammu yesterday.

The Pakistani group is headed by Syed Jamait Ali Shah includes Ashfaq Mehmood, Bashir Qureshi, Asif Baig, Peter Joseph and Faisal Ahmed while the Indian team led by R Jayascela are B K Mathur, D P Dharzi and Naresh Kumar.

Lafitte was appointed the neutral expert to adjudicate on the Rs 4,500 crore power project by the World Bank in May under the terms of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty after Pakistan said the construction of the project was in violation of the treaty.

Under the treaty, the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi waters of the Indus branch were accorded to India while Jhelum, Chenab and Indus were given to Pakistan. It allowed Jammu and Kashmir to use the waters of the western rivers for "non consumption purposes".

Pakistan’s contention is that the Baglihar dam would deprive it of over 7,000 cusecs of water every day adversely affecting its agriculture.

The neutral expert was appointed after Pakistan approached the World Bank, which brokered the 1960 treaty, on January 18 this year.

Indian and Pakistani officials are scheduled to meet in New Delhi in November to discuss another power project being constructed on the Kishenganga river in J&K. Pakistan alleges that its design violates the treaty.

Officials of the two sides will visit the project site from Nov 7-9 before holding talks from Nov 10-12.

For US thinktanks too, Azadi is just a sweet dream

DATELINE AMERICA
From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

Oct 2: Michael Krepon of The Henry L. Stimson Center is a well known name---not only in the Indian and Pakistani circles but also in Kashmir. Being a Srinagar-based journalist, I was aware of the fact that Krepon had assiduously worked for engaging the Valley's formidable militant organisation Hizbul Mujahideen with an India-Pakistan dialogue a few years ago. During our 80-minute-long interaction with Krepon at his Dupont Circle headquarters in Washington D.C I was keen to learn how the American policy activist had deliberated with militants in my area of operation.

It was Krepon who revealed that the US Government was keen to negotiate a peace process between New Delhi, Islamabad and Kashmiri militants after the separatist leaders disappointed her by not participating in any elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He said it was because of this initiative that Washington had withheld its decision of declaring groups like Hizbul Mujahideen as terrorists after the September 11th. He confirmed that in his last visit to Kashmir, he had met senior Hizbul Mujahideen functionary Abdul Majeed Dar but indicated that his initiative failed after Dar and his loyalists were eliminated in a series of strikes.

Krepon relished references to his frequent meetings with the JKLF chairman Yasin Malik but maintained that there was a disagreement between the two. While Malik has been referring to scores of nations who are smaller than Jammu & Kashmir---either in size or in population or both---Krepon believes that Azadi is a mission impossible. He strongly holds the belief that Kashmir's "freedom movement" would not stand a day in absence of Islamabad's support even as there were indigenous ingredients in it. He suggested that Pakistan had already begun to embark on the "shifting course" and September 11th in 2001 had closed many of her options.

"Today Pakistan's existence depends on her shifting course. But, Musharraf can't shift on a dime", Krepon asserted, expecting concessions to the soldier-politician from New Delhi. "Pakistan has no future as long as Jihad exists in its peoples' mind. Its social fabric and cohesion have no future if sectarian violence continued. Musharraf knows it well that Pakistan is in need of support and foreign investment", added Krepon. He ruled out any major change in the existing borders between India and Pakistan, saying that Pakistan had tried it a many times--- by 3 wars, 2 insurgencies---but failed. According to him, just "a little change here and there" was possible. In his illustration, Krepon made it clear that the people, "who see the prospects of an independent Kashmir, are likely to be disappointed".

Invariably, all the American policy thinktanks we met in Washington and New York ruled out Kashmir's separation from India and accession to Pakistan. All of them dismissed the basis of that prospect---the UN resolutions of 1948 and 1949---as "dead and dumped". "Now, there's an era of realism between the Indo-Pakistan relationship. Now, nobody but one man (Syed Ali Shah Geelani) is talking of Plebiscite. There's an important shift in Islamabad. Musharraf's shift from Plebiscite is very important. New Delhi's flexibility is also significant", said Krepon. He said that today's leadership in Pakistan and India was lifting "more weight than it could" and insisted that the leadership in Kashmir would have to shoulder a responsibility.

Krepon, nevertheless, made it clear that Kashmir was central to the whole gamut of the changing relationship between New Delhi and Islamabad. "Musharraf can't pretend. Both the leaders (Musharraf and Manmohan Singh) are taking risks", he said. Krepon emphasised that the "buffer" (current CBMs and peace process) had to grow if anybody expected Musharraf to deliver on crucial issues like Kashmir. According to him, Government of Pakistan had not yet given up the "option to turn off heat". "The infrastructure of terror is still in place in Jammu and Kashmir and across the LoC. Organised crossings do still continue", Krepon said and feared "some explosions by some spoilers". He still described himself as "cautiously optimistic" and sounded hopeful that "other lines of communication" would open in near future of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus Service, launched in April this year.

Chairman of Institute of Multi-Track Diplomacy (IMTD), Ambassador John W. McDonald, was one-odd in a host of the American policy thinktanks who visualised a "free Kashmir". But, when he specified an outline of his "free Kashmir", it sounded a little different from the contours of "greater autonomy". "It's strange that 700,000 Indian troops are guarding just six million people in Kashmir. Why don't they withdraw?" asked 80-year-old McDonald who has held senior positions in the US State Department for four decades in the past. Having attended IMTD's week-long "Kashmir Conflict Transformation Workshop" in Kathmandu last year with 20 Kashmiris drawn from both sides of the LoC, it was not new for me to learn that McDonald was the first to have floated the idea of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus Service about seven years ago.

McDonald looked radiant over reference to the bus service, which finally started off in April 2005, as also to remarkably growing exchange of mediapersons, businessmen, filmmakers, legal practitioners, scouts and students. He said that IMTD had worked for peace in over a dozen conflict zones all over the world. "Conflict resolution is a long process. We have identified 12 tracks of it", McDonald said. According to him, Governments tend to be impatient and it were all tracks like business, citizens exchange programmes, religion, communication etc which had to be put in place on different tracks.

McDonald too described the relevance of the UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir as "zero", while suggesting that holding a referendum 55 years later was "simply impossible".

Stephen P. Cohen, Senior Fellow at The Foreign Policy Studies Programme of the famous Brookings Institution, was no different in underscoring the significance of Gen Musharraf's "publicly shifting" from the UN resolutions. "I'm aware that others too had been saying it but all of them privately. Musharraf is the first to have gone public. Cohen, who is a well-read author and foreign policy researcher, having visited India first in 1964, described the Kashmir problem as "a combination of ethnic dispute, misgovernance, cultural unrest and terrorism".

In response to one of my colleagues' question which he put to every American (Why US is not playing a pro-active role in resolution of the Kashmir crisis and setting a deadline for India and Pakistan?) Cohen made it clear that he was personally supportive of a pro-active role. "But the Government does not accept that. It has its own argument".

Cohen asserted that misgovernance and mismanagement of a small political crisis in New Delhi and Srinagar had resulted in a major catastrophe and, according to him, rigging of elections in 1987 was a major contributor. "Irony of the Indian policy is that they did to Kashmir what the British did to India", Cohen insinuated to a colonial mindset. According to him, Pakistan at this stage needed a backing in the region, either from China or from India and India needed an assurance from Pakistan that it would not violate the borders any more.

India's bitter critic, Cohen described Manmohan Singh as "one of the world's greatest Prime Ministers" and "a great economist, who realised in 1992 that India had to become a great economic power, who knows that a war can't happen between nuclear states and who knows the importance of shifting to the power of economy. He sounded optimistic that the current détente would lead to amicable resolution of many crises---including Kashmir---between India and Pakistan.

(To be continued...)