Yeh dil mange more Chinese mobile

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Baba Umar

In a bid to flood consumers with a myriad of features on their cell phones, several mobile companies have been vying to hit the valley with phones of different features, sizes and colours. And the fresh contestant in the mobile phone market is Chinese made mobiles. Popularly known here as ‘Chinie mobile’, they are quite inexpensive when compared to their counterparts and are selling like anything.

“It’s just the 15th day here and we are running short of stock,” says effusive Muneer Qureshi, owner of World Vision Mobile centre, where the customers are regularly pouring in.

It seems the ‘Chinese dragon’ is pushing back the ‘Holy cows’ in the mobile sector here as the customers are going crazy about these flashy cell phones with official company statement imprinted on the boxes they come with.

“These phones are economical to the pocket and have similar features one can have in the highest series of Nokia cell phones,” says Jahangir Ahmad, a computer engineer, who has just bought a Chinese CECT model.

Among the different models available CECT, H-King, D-328, A8+, N-Series and BAIZHAD are the much sought after cell phones. They are priced between rupees 3000- 6100 range and some of them come with dual SIM features, 80 percent screen space, GPRS, voice recorder and almost 2GB memory card. One of the models that cost 6100 includes a touch screen and one can also watch television on it. The customers say they are happy with the ‘reverse technology’.

“Its sound system is without comparison and the imaging is quite nice,” a young boy says, while displaying the gadget he has purchased. “Now the television is in my pocket and the joy stick is there to stroll over the big screen.” The owner is waiting for the fancy items that will cater to the teenagers, mostly college going boys and girls. “We have ordered for the showy mobile sets,” says Qureshi.

Though these China-made gadgets come with double battery and all other special features and accessories, there is no guarantee or exchange scheme. However so far, the sellers say that they have not received any complaints.

So next time anyone displays a flashy and expensive looking mobile don’t get befogged, he may have just bought a Chinese mobile.

Job war: Govt versus Private!

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BABA UMAR

Ever wondered on the attitude of your relatives who shower blessings to your brother on getting a government job and never utter a word of compliment when you got a placement in a private firm where your salary is more than your brother!

And what about the trend ( popularly known as ‘Vartav’ in Kashmiri) when your relatives come with loads of fruits and present a gold chain to your sibling who had made into the government services, while at the same time you are completely ignored? Boy, no need to be envious, blame the custom here.

“We carry this baggage from our forefathers and such people have limited vision and a narrow channel to think,” says Tashif Ayaz, working as a Knowledge Management Publisher in a Multi National Company (MNC), Hyderabad. Ayaz, a victim of this ‘negative tradition’ says such well-wishers believe in being happy with little or no risks. “People in Kashmir”, he says, “always see the government service as a permanent solution to all financial and other problems which is not factual.”

“I remember when my cousin got a government job and people thronged him in herds to congratulate and present ‘Vartav’ and all that…and when I got selected in an MNC, my relatives seldom appreciated it,” recollects Ayaz.

There was a time when an 8th pass student would easily get into government services.

“Even if you earn lakhs per month in a private sector, it is played down and negated,” says Qayoom Ahmad. “People here in Kashmir have limited vision regarding the benefits of private services and I guess youngsters need to put it on permanent halt.”

Even the marriages proposals are being decided on the nature of service one is involved in. The better match is one who is in a government service regardless of the salary he is drawing. And there are anecdotes that cause one to simply accept disappointment at times. Ahmad’s brother is one such case.

“My brother got master’s in finance from a reputed University in Delhi and when he came back to valley he started the profession of Auditing ( in various government and non- government organisations) and he was doing well,” says Ahmad. “But when our parents put forward a marriage proposal to a girl’s family, we were shell-shocked on the reaction.”“The boy should be a government employer, no matter if he is a Rehbar-e- taleem (government teacher who earns Rs. 1500 a month),” was the reply from the bride’s mother.

However, Ayaz opines that things can change once the private sector booms in the valley. He says that private organisations are not much visible in the valley that could otherwise make people change their attitude.“Government jobs are still visible in the valley and how come people believe on something which they have never seen”, says Ayaz. “ But once the private industry overtakes the government, everything will change.”

Looking for a suitable boy

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BABA UMAR

Ayesha, a 45-year-old home maker and a mother of four bachelorette daughters, finally decided to discover the unconventional method of finding a match for her siblings. She had asked her relatives and some older women of her neighbourhood to help her search for a better match. She had also approached the conventional matchmakers (manzimyoer in Kashmiri). After years of futile search, however, she landed up in the city’s Seerat Marriage Bureau (Matrimonial agency). But she was in for a surprise.

“We are winding up this bureau,” tells the bureau owner to Ayesha.

Disappointed Ayesha says she has paid almost 20,000 to several traditional matchmakers, but all of them never turned up after making few visits to Ayesha’s house in the city outskirts. The matchmakers, she consulted, rather weakened her case and it is four years since she went in the quest of a match for her elder daughter.

“They (Manzimyoer) play pranks that is the reason why I have come here (matrimonial agency),” she says. “Now this matrimonial agency too is giving me the cold response.”

The owner of the bureau (who wished not to be named) cites many reasons as why he is pulling down the shutters of his matrimonial agency. And that activates a lengthy dialogue between the proprietor of the marriage bureau and Ayesha.

Seerat Marriage Bureau was established a year back to help people find matches without any hassles free from irritant manzimyoers that drive one mad. The owner says that his was the only marriage bureau in the city that was meant only for a ‘social cause’.

“I used to charge only ten rupees for this,” says the owner, displaying a three-page-long registration form. The owner says that he wished to get the society out of the clutches of the traditional match makers, but failed. Reasons, “lack of feeling towards their own betterment,” is how he puts up.The bureau so far, he says, registered some 200 odd bachelors. However, only three couples could tie up the nuptial knot. The rest of hopefuls got jammed in the caste, looks of the counterparts and status. They couldn’t find their partners in almost two hundred young people.

“If our religion (Islam) permits inter-caste marriages, then why this ‘sick attitude’,” he says. “I am disappointed with the thinking of the people here.”This time Ayesha nods to the words of the man whom she thought would help her.

Of the 200 bachelors, he says, most of them are highly educated but the rich versus poor, caste dissimilarity and the mind-set to have lavish marriages has ultimately resulted in no-marriages from the pile he had registered in a year. And that is the reason why he is closing his agency.“Is anybody worried about the thousands of girls who are over-aged now and close to infertility,” he poses.Unfortunately his poser has no immediate answer.

You have a new message

http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=331&Itemid=51

Baba Umar

Next time you get an e-mail in your inbox with the title “Congrats- you have won the UK online national lottery £250,000.00”- don’t reply to it as it is simply a spam mail. However, there are those who easily get tricked on the first time and they are left with nothing but utter disappointment.

“I thought I really made it to the treasure, however, the disappointment was instant when I replied to that message and gave all of my credentials,” says Suhail Gulzar Wani, a computer wizard. “Now I know that it is a spam, but on the very first time I was excited and waited for the easy money.”

These mails are basically unsolicited, often commercial messages transmitted through the Internet as a mass mailing to a large number of recipients. These often include your lottery number which you never bought and the mailing address of the agent who is supposedly going to dispatch money in your account! And one is supposed to write back one’s name and full address immediately in the reply message.

Says Fazal Mehmood, “I remember my friend who has almost 7 years of experience in IT, received similar kind of e-mail from someone in London. The e-mail contained telephone number as well as mail ID, and after looking at it, he called on the same number and asked for the detail, not just once but many times, however, they asked him to send $100 in some account and then they will transfer money in his account.” He further adds, “My friend cursed them and was very upset.”

Some of the latest unwelcome spam includes jokes and puns, probably an attempt to lessen the irritation of recipients. However, experts suggest that one should install spam guards and other software that could protect you from becoming the victim of lottery pranks.

“I would say simply delete those message and save your time,” recommends Muheet Ahmad, a software engineer.

He also divulges the benefit and the modus operandi employed by such spam senders. “They basically use ‘Sniffer software’ which sniffs into the server and reads all the mail addresses. Later they send the mails to different users,” he says. “And after that, the users are advised to reply along with their complete addresses and credentials on a separate e-mail id.”He says (as happened with Mehmood’s friend), the users are then asked to deposit certain dollars into some bank account and hence they easily rob gullible aspirants.

First Salary

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BABA UMAR
The ‘first’ has always something special about it. Be it first love, first venture outside, or meeting your spouse first time. And to top it all whenever anyone gets his first salary he feels elated and over the top of the world. There is nothing like having your first salary.

For the staff it is always exciting as they finally get the bucks to execute the plans they knit in a month’s long time. “Once my salary arrives, I pay my bills, spend some money on buying clothes and books,” says Shafia Gulzar, a computer instructor. “And by the time I spend all the money I realise it is already middle of the month and just keep wondering when will the month get over so that I get the month’s salary again,” she laughs.

The sheer excitement and the thrill of getting first salary is immense and equally a great experience. “It is actually a huge happiness—your first salary. I am delighted and want to dance at the top of my energy,” says Bashraat Ahmad, who just encashed his cheque from JK Bank. “It is the day I will never forget in my life.”

And when the pocket bulges for the first time, you recollect that your friends had asked for a treat the day when you got selected for the job.
“Yes, after couple of days I want to throw a party,” says Abid Hussain, who got selected in a Mumbai-based IT firm. “And I am also thinking for a Mobile phone, may be I will buy it on the next payday,” he says.

And there are some who think the first salary belongs to their parents.

“First salary is always special, it goes to your parents and some part of it goes as alms to poor,” says a woman, who wished not to be named. “You buy gifts for your family and like to remember first payday that sets the era of your financial independence.”The money, she says, which one gives to one’s parents doesn’t make any difference, nor do parents call for it, but it is parent’s hope that matters.

The first salary is joy which one remembers for long and it is the same salary which gives us the feel of independence.

No no its Nano

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BABA UMAR goes round the city and finds out that middle class people are dying to buy the least expensive car.

It might have taken a long time for Indian Automobile giant Ratan Tata to conjure up an idea of coming up with a low budget car ‘ Nano’, but it took almost no time for the people here to reach a decision of buying it. The denizens both young and old seem to have got completely smitten by the Nano car. “I watched ‘Nano’s launch on a Hindi news Channel and on that time I decided to buy one,” says Hilal Ahmad, a book seller. “Who won’t wish to buy it?” chips an effusive, Saqib Parvaiz. “Two wheelers are the things of bygone era, now it is the time to rule these roads via Nano,” he yells.

The middle class families have hailed the innovation here and they are quite excited that they too will be counted among the car owners.
“Now I too will be called for Barat, because in our society only car owners can accompany groom to the bride’s house,” laughs Ajaz Hafiz, a private employee who wants to buy the car instantly. “One lakh is no big deal,” says Nayeem Bilal. “It is within our reach.”

The launch has even caused sensation among the kids and students. They no longer want bikes and Scooty’s, but vroom their ‘Nano’ in colleges and Varsity. “Imagine how it would be like, when I enter the college gates with my silver colour Nano,” shouts Amir Zargar in delight. “Ask your dad to gift it on your birthday?” quips Amir’s friend.

Even the rickshaw drivers are planning to sell their vehicles just to buy the stylish and hot Nano. They say one can’t resist this car which can prove to be a good replacement of traditional auto rickshaws. “A brand new auto rickshaw would cost you more than one lakh rupees and if you are getting a sophisticated car in the same price range, why not to go for it?” opines Mohammad Younus, an auto rickshaw driver.

“And then they (drivers) would stuff in half-a-dozen passengers at two fold rates,” jokes a passenger seated in the auto, who says he too would love to own this small wonder-- Nano.

Hoax abduction drama shocks police

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Baba Umar

Srinagar, Jan 13: An abduction drama of a minor which started Sunday morning in Batamaloo area ended in the evening when the alleged kidnapper, also a minor, visited the police station, claiming he was not involved in any abduction.
Suhail Ahmad Wani, 12, claimed to have managed to run away way from a 16-year-old rag picker Bashir Ahmad who allegedly abducted him Thursday evening from Batamaloo bus stand.“He took me to his rented room and locked me there for three days,” said Wani, who is currently with the Police.“I gave him a slip when I left at 9 am and reached my aunt’s place in Eidgah at 11 am,” Wani said.

Wani’s relatives said that they filed a missing report of the boy at Safakadal Police Station.“We gave him money to buy eatables from the market but he didn’t return,” said one of Wani’s uncles.Wani’s relatives, who were outside the police station for hours kept demanding the immediate arrest of Bashir Ahmed.

However, Bashir Ahmed along with the owner of the house he is putting up in also arrived at the Police Station in the evening. Ahmad claimed that he took pity on Wani after who lost his way in the area and brought him to his room.“He was crying and I thought he had gone astray,” said Ahmad. “He wished to work with me and even accompanied me for two days when I went to collect rags.”

Coming to Ahmed’s rescue, the house owner said that Wani was lying and he had been staying in his house with Ahmed for the last four days.“One a day back, Wani told me that Ahmed was his relative,” Bashir Ahmad Gilkar, the house owner said. “He even played cricket with the children outside. He never complained that he had been abducted.”

Meanwhile, police officials who are examining the case said they are investigating and it might be the case of mix-up from both sides. They said the boy will be handed over to his relatives after proper investigation.

Back to press conference

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Attending PC is not merely reporting but having to bear the side talks, giggles and rushing with other scribes to get the free meals.

BABA UMAR

The city’s Ahdoos Hotel, many believe, is turning out a sweetheart of pro-independence politicians these days. It has seen ‘cream of the crop,’ who air their beliefs from its cosy hall, meant for meets and other gatherings. Today it was Shabir Shah—once portrayed as the 'Nelson Mandela of Jammu and Kashmir; founder, Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), who was back to press conference podiums after a gap of three-and-half-years. The separatist leader after several years came to public only to declare that he has realised the benefits of the ‘Unity in Diversity’—a comment many failed to swallow. Perhaps he was talking about the reunion of APHC (M) and APHC (G). But what about his place in any of the two parties? He refused to comment. His speech no doubt started on time, however, some of the scribes and lensemen seemed to have forgotten their lessons. Organisers of such meets often complain of distractions caused by the latecomers. And the side talk during the press conferences, which is a hobby of some latecomers, also irks the leaders who are supposed to be heard first. And as the separatist leader talked about the oppression and the magnitude of sufferings a common Kashmiri endures, one of the scribe’s mobile phone confirmed his statement, “Dil mein meray hai Dard-e-Disco”—the sing tone, as the cell phone buzzed. The song, actually a Bollywood hit, synchronized with the leader’s words.The press conference ended as usual. The moment one of the escorts of Shah announced the house open for freebie (Tea and Kebabs), the news gatherers in huff gathered around the long embellished table for the plates and forks. Meanwhile, a scribe joked to his fellow member, what would happen if there will be no freebies? “No news-gathering,” pat came the reply and they both laughed. Just after they stepped down the stairs, one of the scribes had an SMS, which read: Shabir Shah is floating the third APHC called APHC (S).

Imported sweets, indigenous eaters

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Talk of sweets and our mouth waters. How strange is the fact that we love sweets but when it comes to make them we just avoid them.

BABA UMAR

There was a time when indigenous sweets like ‘Busrukh, Khand-e-gazer’ used to be the essentials in marriage
and engagement ceremonies. However, the present times presents a different picture. Sweets like ladoo, burfi, gulab jamun,kolkata sweets, etc, have deeply penetrated into our culture and society. And the outside labourers are taking a full advantage of it. Many believe that local workers are themselves responsible for it. They say, workers here are talented but they have an ego problem that needs to be shelved. “Probably the outsiders are not willing to share their trade secret here,” opines Parvaiz Ahmad Bhat, who is running a confectionery shop in the Lal Chowk. Bhat also says the local bakers do not like learning this art and that is the reason why this work is being operated here by outsiders only. “My workers are all from Delhi and Jammu,” he says.
“Outsiders don’t feel shy,” says Ghulam Mohammad, who orders a kilo of sweets in one of the famous sweet shops of the city. “Our local workers are sitting idle in their homes while the outsiders collect wealth here.” He says Kashmiri workers have already lost their jobs to outside masons, carpenters, labourers and this line of work is no exception. “Even we have an attitude problem,” says the Manager of Modern Sweets, Irfan Ahmad. He says people here are not willing to change. “We can see how many Punjabi’s and Bihari’s are eating up our jobs,” he says. “Sweets played no role in our Kashmiri culture; however, they (outsiders) brought this thing in our society,” he further adds. “And we gave up.”

Are you logged on

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BABA UMAR

There is a whole new class of enthusiasts cropping up in the valley whose lives revolve around social networking sites (Orkut, Facebook) these days. And they may be better called as ‘Kashmir’s Orkutians’. Young people who would earlier make friends in the school corridors or college canteens are now befriending people out in the open on the net. “It’s a mania! And I love it,” says Farooq Ahmad, a 25-year-old Copy Editor, who has become addicted to Orkut over the last two year.The social networking sites like Orkut, Netlog, Tagged, Zorpia, Wayn, MySpace and Facebook, are websites where you can place your picture, profile, videos and hook up with the friends online. You can send requests and reject requests. These online networking sites are the much loved things for the present generation of internet freaks. And it’s a growing trend among the youths here.
“I have made friends in middle east and Europe,” says Tamim Ahmad, who has built up a network of more than five dozen friends. “It’s an eon of multi-tasking and this is the least time-consuming way to keep in contact with friends.” The 'friends' — a blend of a few real pals, many temporary acquaintances, foreigners, and even people he hates in the real world.

In some cases, the addiction goes to such an extent that users feel locked in whenever the server crashes. “I get very disappointed when all of a sudden the internet stops responding,” Ali Malik pursuing Bachelors Degree in Computers says. “Then I keep on waiting till it starts again.” No matter how much the net café charges, these freaks stay till the connection is back. “Internet shops around Lal Chowk,” Malik says, “charge us 20 rupees an hour, and sometimes it stretches to three hours.”
And as for the so-called fairer sex, they have also started to show their panache in the art of scrap (Orkut term) and making friends online. They declare they would overtake their counterparts very quickly. “We would outnumber boys in Orkut very soon,” chuckles Nadia Khan, a post graduate student in the Kashmir University. “Orkutting is my time pass where I hook up with my e-friends.”
Then there are more than 800 communities moderated by these users, wherein they discuss sundry issues mostly about Kashmir and their political opinions.Among the top ranked community moderated by any Kashmiri Orkutians is ‘Jammu and Kashmir’ having 4555 members followed by ‘Kashmir India and Pakistan’ signed in by 1526 members. ‘I love Kashmir’ is having almost 1441 members and the list goes on. Even there is separate community meant for Kashmiri scribes called ‘Kashmir journalists’ with 125 members in it.
But what is making such websites popular in Kashmir?
“People are stressing more and more on individualism, and the other reason might be the lack of time and space in a place ridden with conflict where people scarcely hang out with friends, discuss problems, and, give vent to their miseries,” opines, Dr Arshad Ahmed, a Psychiatrist.
About the communities created by Orkutians, he says, “these communities are the ingredients of modern societies and a part of neo culture run on the internet.”

(S)Now White Gold

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Baba Umar

As a 2008 starter, the weather Gods finally sent down the much needed white gold (Snow). However, it was only after several years that valley received snowfall in ‘Chillai Kalan’-- the 40-day long phase when the probability of snowfall is highest and recurrent as well. The last couple of years saw snowfall only after the Chillai Kalan and somewhere around the onset of spring season. Director, Meteorological Department, T S Zutshi, calls the early snowing ‘a miracle of God’. “We didn’t see this thing happening during past several years.” He says it had snowed heavily in the past, but that was not a timely snow.

Zarief Ahmad Zarief, 64, a Kashmiri poet, says the snow has brought smile on the every face. “People like me keep on waiting for this blessing,” he says. “Now we can expect a good summer with a plenty of water and greenery.” Zarief recalls the time when people would stock oil, rice, salt, and other necessary household items before the onset of winters.“The snow level used to reach our first floor,” he recollects. “Even walnut shells, cow dung, twigs and plant shoots were maintained and used in the winters.” When he was a kid, he says, the winters were harsh and equally bone chilling. “But we used to enjoy those days. We would make snow man, snow dogs and several other figures, that would later freeze rock solid.”
He says present generation lacks those creative things.“First it hardly snows now and if it does, it is untimely, says Zarief. “Today kids remain glued to the video games and satellite channels. They lack the real fun of snow.”Chillai kalan used to be a treasure for Kashmiri literature and folk. Even the snow clad trees, heavy snowfall and chill of this period would provide content for many folk songs and poems. “Now it’s all over. Our jungles are being plundered; there is no eye on the looters, the Dal is drying up and the air is being polluted, I guess the time is coming when we have to create artificial rain and snow,” he laments.

Bhutto killed at CIA’s behest: War

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Baba Umar

Srinagar, Jan 3: The Peoples Political party (PPP) chairman, Hilal Ahmad War alleged that former Pakistan premier, Benazir Bhutto was killed at the behest of CIA.“It was a CIA led assassination,” War said while addressing a press conference here.He alleged that both Benazir Bhutto and her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto were killed at the behest of CIA as the two leaders opposed US policy of making Pakistan a satellite state for carrying out its future plans in South Asia".War further alleged that assassination of Bhutto is part of US policy to disintegrate Pakistan. “US is creating conditions to justify its takeover of Pakistani’s nuclear arsenal," he claimed.Terming the British government’s offer to help conduct investigation in Bhutto murder case as “non –sense”, he said, “The proxy offer resembles the CIA association with the inquiry regarding the murder of first prime minister of Pakistan Liaqat Ali Khan. All the culprits, CIA agents, were saved from being exposed by the American agency,” War claimed.
He asserted that Pakistani police and intelligence agencies were capable enough to conduct investigation into the Bhutto murder case. “They (Pakistani police) are able to scrutinize Bhutto’s case, but US and British are poking their nose to save the real culprits,” he said.“US game plan worked well when they exploited the religious sentiments of Islamic countries against the philosophy of Communist ideology. They are now anxiously working to take control of nuclear warheads in Muslim countries”, he added Calling himself the fan of Taliban and Al-Qaida, the separatist leader claimed that US workers have even infiltrated into the Al-Qaida and Taliban ranks and were destabilising Pakistan secretly and fomenting another military intervention in the Muslim country. On Benazir Bhutto’s father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, War said, “He is a sort of inspiration to Kashmiris and our organization. It was only Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who dreamt of nuclear Pakistan and also gave the Kashmiris’ voice an international platform.”PPP chairman also announced to establish a trust ‘Bhutto Memorial Trust’ in memory and honour of several martyred members of Bhutto family. He said the trust’s objectives are being discussed in the meetings of Central Executive Committee of PPP.

War on neo –imperialism

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BABA UMAR

Kashmir might break a world record soon for its devotion to observe unlimited number of shut downs and press conferences. The most recent strike was observed on Benazir Bhutto’s assassination and the latest Press Conference was held in the city’s Ahdoos hotel, to announce the formation of ‘Bhutto Memorial Trust’, by People’s Political Party (PPP), Chairman, Hilal Ahmad War.
Scribes from all corner of the valley were actually waiting for something new. This being the winter month means it is considered dry season for the news and activity. PPP Chairman concentrated his topic on the evil designs of US and its Allies. War took everyone present in the hall into the era of Cold war and the subsequent fall of Communism. Tagging America as the ‘Monk of Global miseries’, he declared that if the present people of the sub-continent failed to notice America’s wicked ambitions, the next generation would curse their ancestors. To a larger extent the speech was meant to warn people about American neo-imperialism, however, after the press conference concluded, it was the time to throw freebie to people who stayed there and whom David Barsamian, a well-known author of America, christens ‘Hotel Journalists’. They had Kebabs and Vegetable rolls in stylish sets. No one used their hands directly and as a replacement, forks, spoons and the tissue papers were engaged. “The tea is awesome,” one gentleman said, as his mouth bulged with overdose of tea and veg rolls. The tea was served in American made cups and saucers. The round tables in the vicinity seemed as if to be used by White men. One of the scribes from a local channel called the party as ‘Grand Feast’ because last time in a Press Conference, he had only a cup of ‘Kashmiri Kehwa’ and ‘Bagir khwani’. Poor chap!! While guzzling down the freebie stuff, scribes too discussed the perils of foreign neo-imperialism and one even vowed not to collapse under anybody’s cultural imperialism. “Do you want another Veg Roll’? The waiter asked him. “Why not,” he nodded. And the talk of American monopoly rolled on over the Veg rolls!

Valley gets third Cotton County retail outlet

BABA UMAR

Srinagar, Jan 01:

Players in the retail apparel section are constantly vying for the lucrative Kashmiri market — and it was ‘Cotton County’, a men’s wear brand, which increased their brand presence by opening their third outlet in the Valley.

Pic by: Abid Khan

The outlet was inaugurated here in the city’s Court Road and the chief guest on the occasion was Member Legislative Council, Syed Basharat Bukhari.Bukhari who was also the first customer of the day said, he wishes to see more brands launching their outlets in the valley.“Everybody would love to have on branded clothes,” he said. “And yes we are waiting for other brands to establish their outlets here.”About the discount and rates Cotton County is offering, he said “the rates are genuine.” “I bought a branded track suit which is not expensive,” said he. Cotton County’s winter collection includes pullovers, woolens, tracksuits, sweat shirts, thermals and jackets. Cotton County offers complete product range in men’s wear like shirts, t-shirts, trousers, cargos and covers formals, semi formals and casuals.Cotton County is a part of Ludhiana-based multi-crore Nahar Group and is emerging as one of the leading men’s wear brand in India.Raman Sonie, Cotton County’s Area Field Manager said he was ecstatic to see the response from people who visited the outlet on the very first day. “We might do well till late afternoon,” he said as the customers started pouring in swarms.

However, many believe brand understanding among potential customers is an essential ingredient for these outlets to become successful in non-metro areas. Said Niyaz Ahmad, a lawyer, “I shopped for 3000 rupees here, but the thing is how many people know about the existence of such brands here.” He said it again depends on the brand conscience of the customers. In the wake of the winter season and New Year, Cotton County -the name synonymous with quality cotton apparels had come up with up to 70 percent discount on its complete range of apparels. “It will last for two months and the company might put on ‘Buy two get two free or 50 + 50’ offer,” said the outlet’s franchisee, Shabir Ahmad.

He said it is cheaper and more successful to adopt a discount option rather than appointing expensive brand ambassadors. Ahmad said the brand might open another outlet in South Kashmir’s Islamabad in the coming days.

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J&K Bank dates 2008 for Kashmir enterprise

BABA UMAR

Srinagar, Jan 01: It’s a calendar choreographed anew on Kashmir. With ‘Kashmir Everywhere’ as its catchphrase, the Jammu and Kashmir Bank has come out with its latest calendar. What’s more is that it is an “upgrade” of what the bank has been bringing out from the past several years.This time the lens has been shifted away from the pictures of Kashmir’s flora and fauna, shrines, brides, landscape etc to a new spectrum. The new look is a portrayal of the Kashmiris with their merchandise clicked in the sundry markets of India. It’s all about Kashmiris slogging there in the plains of India and bringing home a new experience plus affluence. Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Bank Haseeb Drabu describes the schema of this year’s calendar as a move to “re-ascertain Kashmir’s cultural legacy”. “This is basically a new cultural proliferation and something what we can say an attempt to restore Kashmir’s rich heritage,” Drabu says.

The May page reads a beautiful one-liner of a Kashmiri shawl vendor in Kolkatta, “We don’t just sell shawls, we sell stories.”The January page comes with a one liner of three Kashmiri boys who are engaging a Delhite on a roadside deal: “Every customer is a new experience.” These quotes apart from the images of Kashmiri entrepreneurs which depict their fortitude are carried till the last month of 2008.And many deem it wise to agree on the distinctiveness of this year’s calendar. They say it is one of the best ever calendar the bank has ever brought out.“It simply shows the life and struggle of Kashmiris who are out there beyond our borders,” says Imran, a student of photojournalism. “I feel encouraged while looking at its all leafs.”

The New Year calendar provokes the onlooker to seek for the mastermind who has taken adequate care while finalisation of the artefact from its enduring themes and images, aesthetic designs to selection of fonts, finest quality paper and the best statements of the home grown entrepreneurs.“The idea,” says Drabu, “is to demonstrate how our common Kashmiris have gone ahead.” He says this year’s calendar is a tribute to such entrepreneurs and their fortitude. “I salute them as they are my idols,” says he.And about the bank’s New Year resolution, he says it is “to contribute utmost in a short span of time”. The calendar seems not just a bundle of leaflets meant for hanging there on walls but it’s being seen as an eternal sort of spirit to Kashmiris through their own culture.Moreover it syncs with the mission statement of the bank to empower the promising entrepreneurs of the Valley.

http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=41

One media versus another

Pitted against one other, both trying to outsmart, it was spectators who emerged real winners as they enjoyed the match between local and national media, comments

BABA UMAR

In Kashmir, the local press and the national media have always been at loggerheads with each other. And on 29 December they opened up a new battle. Both parties took the clash out of their print and broadcast desks into the city’s SP College turf. They had earlier traded rhetoric of defeating each other in cricket and on the D Day: ‘Play or perish’ was the chant of the day. After the arch rivals are done with the hurdle, and, it is time to toss up a coin to fix on who will bat first.
“Get the coin,” shouts a lenseman working for local press. One of the players from the other camp takes out a dime (Canadian coin) and hands over it to the umpires, as if his salary is deposited in the foreign currency. “Scribes are running short of coins,” mumbles one of the umpire. Within five minutes the umpires are done with their first job of the day.
“Put on the pads,” orders the national media captain to his openers. Everyone knows that each side is playing less for the trophy and more for the pride. “We defeated them in the last match, and today we will teach them a new lesson,” says the local’s team guru confidently, who later doned the commentary cap. The burly long-bearded man, a lenseman by profession, is seen as a sort of spiritual leader in the opposite camp.
“They respect him,” says a National media player. “He’s their mentor.” The national side too has their adviser. They would also seek his blessings before running out there on the pitch. The opening pair is ready in the gears and it’s the time to have a word with their guru who offers dates to his opening players. “Have it and do well there,” he tells them. “We can’t afford to lose today’s game. Mind it,” he warns.
The national media is proud of their voice that transcends across all Indian States. However, the local press team calls themselves as the true voice of Kashmir. And on the cricket pitch both sides would settle scores, using services of their eleven players who would score runs by hitting a small hard leather-covered ball with a bat, and running between two sets of wickets. Both the balls and bats are English made. “Who won’t love to play with English willow?” quips one of the openers while leaving the makeshift dressing room.
It’s the bowling side which dominates the first inning. Scribes from the national side posed a mild score. Though there middle order showed some character in the middle overs but the score was not daunting. Now the first stipulated overs are completed it’s the time to hurdle and discuss strategies. Twenty four men, two separate circles including two gurus, and a swarm of crowd clapping and getting pleasure out of the game. The cricketers disperse and the second inning begins. The ‘spiritual guru’ starts commentary surprisingly after his team’s innings. And the kids would surround him to listen his teasers. “Aur yeh hamara batsman out –nahi huwa!” he taunts the other team as the first catch of the second inning has been dropped. The crowd enjoys and kids around the guru giggle.
The local press openers made it an easygoing. The mild score is chased in 14 overs. The national team loses the match to their counterparts and the crowd is on their toes. Meanwhile VADI channel’s (a regional TV channel) reporting team emerges out from nowhere and starts demanding the score cards from each side. The national side is bruised and equally loath to show their score card. But the local press doesn’t hesitate; after all they have retained the pride. The winning team had her revenge. And VADI got a sports story.

http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=51