Rakshanda Afrin - July 22, 2022
Almost three decades later, a lone warrior, Munawara struggles to raise her only son facing a lot of challenges but is relentless in seeking justice in the courts to punish her husband’s killer. Inside her Srinagar home, Munawara Sultana hymns poet Mahmod Gami’s famous 16 century masnavi—“I call out to you, O my Yusuf, come! […]
Rakshanda Afrin - January 22, 2022
Located some 15km from the city centre of Srinagar, Burzahom, translating to birch trees in the local language, is the very first site where evidence of prehistoric human settlements in the valley had been traced. But sadly, what can be observed today is that such a “neolithic revolution” site is on the fringe of deterioration […]
Rakshanda Afrin - March 11, 2021
The legendary educationist of Kashmir whose door-to-door campaigning inspired generations of Kashmiri girls resurfaced in their recent academic feat.
Rakshanda Afrin - August 13, 2020
Academician Dr Altaf Hussain Para in a candid chat with Kashmir Observer throws light on why one needs to understand the past rationally, talks about the Sheikh’s contradictory stances and U-turns, and expresses his views on the major developments of the valley as well as present day affairs.
Rakshanda Afrin - August 7, 2020
Last August when embargo on communiqué was enforced, letters reminiscing the good old days became the only way to stay in touch in the valley
Rakshanda Afrin - July 13, 2020
As a day of remembrance, Kashmir’s Martyrs Day this year paints a different picture due to altered equations in the valley post abrogation of Article 370, removal of 13 July from the list of state holidays and obviously the ‘invisible enemy’ looming large in Kashmir
Rakshanda Afrin - July 6, 2020
In times of pandemic, here’s a list of ten history books one can pick up to revisit the past objectively and know how those bygone occurrences shape present day events and continuing dilemmas in the ‘Vale of Kashmir’
Rakshanda Afrin - July 6, 2020
“Our curbed life is leaving a little choice for us now,” Aqsa said. “You can’t go out for normal schooling and routine outing. And back home, your parents keep sulking over the situation in Kashmir. This takes toll on your mind.”
Rakshanda Afrin - June 3, 2020
Kashmir Valley’s rich literacy landscape has over the years witnessed the emergence of a new breed of bards — who use poetry as a matter of faith and a creative expression to capture the prevailing times plagued with protracted problems and pathos
Rakshanda Afrin - May 24, 2020
Shut shops, padlocked mosques, and absence of the signature festive vibes marked the Eid celebrations in Kashmir Valley, where back-to-back death dispatches once again haunted the natives caught in the searing strife