SRINAGAR: In a bid to provide free medical services to the people of Gurez, the Department of Community Medicine, GMC Srinagar in collaboration with five specialties of GMC Srinagar organized a free outreach health camp in the area.
The health camp was staffed by a team of experienced medical professionals, who provided a wide range of services to the local residents. The camp offered services such as free medical check-ups, radiology, antenatal scans, and ophthalmological, orthopedic, and ENT examinations.
The consultants and specialist doctors, along with a team of medical staff, set up various examination and treatment stations to cater to the different healthcare needs of the patients. Medicine specialists provided general health check-ups and prescribed medications for common illnesses while ophthalmologists conducted eye examinations and distributed free medications
ENT specialists addressed ear, nose, and throat problems, while orthopedic doctors provided consultations on bone and joint problems. Obstetricians and gynecologists provided prenatal check-ups and discussed family planning methods.
During the free health outreach camp in Gurez, over 500 patients were seen and treated who had various ailments including chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), acute pancreatitis (APD), upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), documented cases of fatty liver, febrile illness, scabies, dermatitis, and eczema.
Among the pediatric patients, there were 62 cases with clinical features of anemia and URTI. Additionally, one case was diagnosed with cyanotic heart disease and was referred to the Children Hospital Srinagar.
35 patients were seen for gynecology and obstetrics issues. Among them, 13 were expecting mothers who underwent Antenatal Care (ANC).
A significant number of patients were observed seeking treatment for various ear-related problems. Out of the 52 patients seen, a majority presented with conditions affecting their ears, reflecting the prevalence of ear issues within the community.
Among the cases encountered, particular attention was given to two young siblings, aged 4 and 3 years, who were diagnosed with congenital Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). Congenital SNHL refers to a hearing impairment that a person is born with, and it can significantly impact their quality of life if left untreated.
Understanding the importance of early intervention, the concerned medical professionals at the ENT have advised the siblings to visit the ENT department at SMHS Hospital or any relevant hospital] for further evaluation and management. By taking this step, the medical team aims to provide the best possible treatment and support for the young patients in improving their hearing abilities and overall development.
During the camp, 65 abdominal ultrasound scans were conducted, and some interesting findings were observed. Out of 18 patients, 9 males and 9 females had hepatic steatosis, while three patients had moderate hepatic steatosis. Additionally, three cases of cholelithiasis and two cases of hydronephrosis were diagnosed.
The health camp also offered antenatal scans, and 11 scans were conducted.
In Orthopedic OPD, a variety of patients attended the clinic. The majority of patients were suffering from LBA with radiculopathy. Ophthalmology OPD was attended by 85 patients. The predominant problem among the patients was congested pterygium, followed by refractive error, allergic conjunctivitis, dry eyes, and cataract.
During the camp, the ophthalmologists provided a range of services to the patients. Patients with congested pterygium were provided with appropriate treatment.
Patients with cataracts were referred for further evaluation and treatment, while patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis and episcleritis were provided with appropriate medication and lifestyle modifications.
The camp was very well coordinated by BMO Gurez Dr Tahira with support from her staff at PHC Budupora. The camp organisers expressed their gratitude to DC Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad, concerned HODs of GMC Srinagar, CMO Bandipora, and SDM Gurez for their support and cooperation in conducting a successful camp and expect similar camps in such far-off places in the future too.
SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K) has announced that it will be supplying potato chips making machines to farmers in Gurez. Quoting an official,KNO reported that the move comes as part of SKUAST-K’s efforts to address the marketing challenges that have been faced by the region’s potato farmers. He explained that the machines will help to create a viable market for potato production in the area. The official also noted that the Kala Zeera variety of potato grown in Gurez is fully organic, which could open up opportunities for a new market for potato chips with a zeera flavor. To further assist farmers in the area, SKUAST-K is also developing marketing techniques and partnering with packaging firms to help farmers sell their stock online. The official said it will provide much-needed support to farmers in the region, who have faced difficulties in selling their produce due to limited marketing options. “In addition to supporting potato farmers, SKUAST-K is also working to promote an integrated farming system in the region,” the official said, adding that this system optimizes farm resources by reusing waste from one enterprise as input for another. He said that the approach is not only environment friendly, but it also provides a reliable source of income for farmers by allowing them to sell eggs, mushrooms, milk, honey, and silkworm cocoons. “Overall, SKUAST-K’s efforts are set to benefit the Gurez community by providing new self-employment opportunities, boosting the local economy, and promoting sustainable farming practices,” he claimed.
SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K) has announced that it will be supplying potato chips making machines to farmers in Gurez. Quoting an official,KNO reported that the move comes as part of SKUAST-K’s efforts to address the marketing challenges that have been faced by the region’s potato farmers. He explained that the machines will help to create a viable market for potato production in the area. The official also noted that the Kala Zeera variety of potato grown in Gurez is fully organic, which could open up opportunities for a new market for potato chips with a zeera flavor. To further assist farmers in the area, SKUAST-K is also developing marketing techniques and partnering with packaging firms to help farmers sell their stock online. The official said it will provide much-needed support to farmers in the region, who have faced difficulties in selling their produce due to limited marketing options. “In addition to supporting potato farmers, SKUAST-K is also working to promote an integrated farming system in the region,” the official said, adding that this system optimizes farm resources by reusing waste from one enterprise as input for another. He said that the approach is not only environment friendly, but it also provides a reliable source of income for farmers by allowing them to sell eggs, mushrooms, milk, honey, and silkworm cocoons. “Overall, SKUAST-K’s efforts are set to benefit the Gurez community by providing new self-employment opportunities, boosting the local economy, and promoting sustainable farming practices,” he claimed.
SRINAGAR: The opening of the schools in Gurez area of the north Kashmir’s Baramulla District has been postponed till March 5 in view of the fresh snowfall forecast.
According to an order issued by sub-divisional magistrate Gurez, the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure.
“In light of the recent snowfall forecast and avalanche warning, and in the interest of safety and as a precautionary measure, the opening of school educational institutitions, which was scheduled to begin on March 1, 2023, is hereby postponed until March 5, 2023,” the order read.
Gurez, Feb 25: The opening of the schools in Gurez area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has been postponed till March 5 in view of fresh snowfall forecast.
According to an order issued by sub-divisional magistrate Gurez, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure.
“In light of the recent snowfall forecast and avalanche warning, and in the interest of safety and as a precautionary measure, the opening of school educational institutions, which was scheduled to begin on March 1, 2023, is hereby postponed until March 5, 2023,” read the order—(KNO)
Srinagar, Feb 10 (GNS): A woman and a girl were rescued alive after they were swept away by an avalanche that occurred in the Gurez area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district this morning, officials said.
A police official told GNS that a snow avalanche occurred at around 0940 hours near Mazgund Bala area of Tutail in Gurez and swept away a girl, Tabassum Banoo daughter of Mohammad Yousuf, and a woman, Shahnaz Begum wife of Zahoro Ahmad. Immediately locals launched a rescue operation and after strenuous efforts, he said, both of them were rescued alive. He said that people are advised not to go near avalanche prone areas. The Gurez Valley has seen several avalanches in the recent past and fortunately there has been no loss of life in them, the officials said.
Today’s incident comes ten after two polish skiers were killed and 19 other foreigners besides two local guides were rescued after being swept away by an avalanche in the world famous skiing resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramula district.
The avalanches are frequent in higher reaches of the valley during January and February, especially after fresh snowfall. Yesterday, parts of Kashmir including Gurez witnessed moderate snowfall. (GNS)
SRINAGAR: A woman and a girl were rescued alive after they were swept away by an avalanche that occurred in the Gurez area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district this morning, officials said.
Quoting a police official news agency GNS reported that a snow avalanche occurred at around 0940 hours near Mazgund Bala area of Tutail in Gurez and swept away a girl, Tabassum Banoo daughter of Mohammad Yousuf, and a woman, Shahnaz Begum wife of Zahoro Ahmad. Immediately locals launched a rescue operation and after strenuous efforts, he said, both of them were rescued alive. He said that people are advised not to go near avalanche prone areas. The Gurez Valley has seen several avalanches in the recent past and fortunately there has been no loss of life in them, the officials said.
Today’s incident comes ten after two polish skiers were killed and 19 other foreigners besides two local guides were rescued after being swept away by an avalanche in the world famous skiing resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramula district.
The avalanches are frequent in higher reaches of the valley during January and February, especially after fresh snowfall. Yesterday, parts of Kashmir including Gurez witnessed moderate snowfall.
Gurez, Feb 06: A Naib Tehsildar and two Junior Engineers (JEs) had a narrow escape after their vehicle came under a snow avalanche in Gurez Tehsil of Bandipora district on Monday evening, officials said.
An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the trio escaped unhurt after a snow avalanche hit the vehicle they were travelling in at the Check Nallah on Dawar-Gurez road.
In the incident, the official said the vehicle was damaged and got buried under the snow at the spot following which the traffic movement on the road was suspended.
Earlier today, JKDMA had issued a warning, saying that avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2200 metres over Bandipora, Ganderbal in the next 24 hours.
“General public is advised to restrict movement to only carefully selected safer routes with extreme care and Evacuate from unprotected settlements near the avalanche path,” it said—(KNO)
Srinagar is expanding fast as hoards of rich, professionals and fortune hunters from Kashmir periphery are making Srinagar their home. Raashid Andrabi explains the trend
This is the main Srinagar city called the down-town where congested housing is the norm. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
Syed Ishfaq, 42, a resident of border Tanghdar town shifted to Srinagar in 2017 when his son started preparing for his Board examination classes. He chose Lawaypora, almost 150 km from Karna, where his relatives were already living. Ishfaq, a teacher, headed a 4-member nuclear family but found it difficult to educate his children in his hometown with negligible exposure and facilities.
“I was born in Tanghdar, and I used to visit Srinagar very less, mostly when I had to visit any of my relatives here or for any medical or official emergency,” Ishfaq said. Tanghdar, 67 km from Kupwara, is literally located on the Line of Control, the de facto border between two halves of Kashmir. “It isn’t just about the future of my children alone. It is about a place where you can receive all basic services. Moreover, the chances of work here are better than in the villages.”
A New Trend
Over the years, a huge population from the Kashmir periphery moved to Srinagar for one or the other reason. Mostly, it was the education of children that was a key factor. However, there are countless families that migrated – partially or fully, even in certain cases seasonally, to Srinagar for a professional career, better life, and fortune hunting.
In certain cases, migration was dictated by development. Gurez is one of the best illustrations where the NHPC required the depopulation of a vast belt to set up the dam for the Kishangaga Hydroelectric Power Project. This area was routinely inaccessible for nearly half of the year as the Razdan Pass would remain snow-covered.
After the residents, mostly Shina-speaking Dard people lost their battles against the power giant, they took the compensation and moved out of the beautiful valley. Though in Bandipore, they have a housing colony, where most of them live but most of them have decided to move to Srinagar directly. In various parts of Srinagar city, there are clusters of people who have acquired small properties in recent years.
Root Reconnect
While a section of these neo-migrants felt consumed by the comparatively fast urban life, there are many who still live with the “loss”.
Aleem, 23, sitting on the banks of Dal lake to watch the lovely sunset was snapping pictures of it. “It’s stunning, isn’t it? I frequently think about how much quiet and tranquillity there is in my home village back in Ganderbal,” Aleem said. “My parents purchased a home here in Srinagar after my brother finished his 12th grade with excellent grades. They believed that life in the city is better. For the last three years we have been living in the city, we hardly visit the ancestral home.”
Aleem sees city life as monotonous, and misses the get-togethers with his peers and neighbours, playing cricket in just-harvested rice fields and taking a dip in the riverside. He feels lonely and does not know even the names of his neighbours as everybody is preoccupied with moving on in their lives. Social life is completely neglected. My village resembled a big family,” Aleem regretted.
After spending 23 years in Srinagar, Abubakar Hakeem, now a resident of Zainakote, has opened a 24 x7 business in Bandipora, his ancestral home. In 2011, his family moved to Srinagar, leaving their home, agricultural land uninhabited.
“We left Bandipora for a decent education. I wanted to start a new business after studying business,” Hakeem said. Lured by the departmental store concept, he decided to start his own store. “In 2022, I started construction of my store in Bandipora. It helped me reconnect with my root and address a deficit.” His Blue Basket is up and running and he has hired the entire human resource locally.
White Collar Issues
Kashmir’s agricultural land is already in so short supply that families are unable to manage their livelihoods from small pieces of land. Coupled with the stigma of being a farmer, they move towards cities. In elder generation is either getting agricultural implements to replace the lost manpower or simply have abandoned the small patches of land and surviving on the earnings of their younger generation.
Section of the people who are posted in Srinagar gradually decide to have a flat or small home of their own. At some point in time, this home becomes their new permanent address.
Mubashir Dewani, a public servant, is from Bandipora. Currently, he divides his week between his residence in Srinagar and his hometown of Kunan. Father of two young girls, he struggled with the choice of letting his children pursue their education in his hometown or relocating to Srinagar.
“We didn’t choose to send our children to study in Srinagar; we had no choice but to do so,” Mubashir said. “How could I leave my daughters in Bandipore, when their mother works in Srinagar?” Mubashir believes urbanization has two sides. People flourish in rural areas before leaving for urban areas due to societal stigma after achieving some success there, he said.
Most of the rich people in the periphery own a house in Srinagar. The same is true with the best professionals who eventually had no option but to work in Srinagar. In most cases, however, they retain their inheritance and belongings in the villages and usually manage their time between the two homes.
Unlike the rich, who can afford to manage their incomes from their rural and urban properties, people like Mubashir could not. “My family moved to Srinagar, and I lost my herds, chickens, and fishery farms, all of which had a positive impact on both me and my village’s economic well-being,” Mubashir said. “As I was sucked by my 10 am – 4 pm career, the farms collapsed.” He regrets that he is not alone. “Individuals who had the capacity to contribute to the betterment of the village relocated as a result of which the villages continue to be as primitive.”
The internal migration has created a situation that Srinagar is now a huge city. It has already got into Budgam, Ganderbal and Pulwama and within a few years, parts of Baramulla will be included in Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Gradually, this is adding to the unfair and uneven distribution of populations between the city and the periphery.
This is enforcing choices on people. Many of the Srinagar neighbourhoods were rural or semi-rural villages. As the cost of the land escalated, they sold out their lands, changed their lifestyle and culture and are as urban as Zaina Kadal.
Opportunities
Over the years, the Kashmir villages are better moneyed, thanks to the cash crops that replaced the rice in most of the south and parts of north Kashmir. In Srinagar’s expansion, a lot of them see fortunes. The land in Srinagar is perhaps one of the most lucrative investments.
Ibrahim Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar’s Natipora neighbourhood, relocated to Srinagar with his wife, three children, and parents from Pulwama. “I purchased this piece of land back in 2018, and throughout the following few years, its value has increased substantially,” Ahmad said. “Before the end of the year, I sold a portion of it and gained a respectable profit. I then used the same money to build my house, and after my kids were admitted to some colleges in Srinagar, we decided to move here.”
There are dozens of people who had invested in land in the city periphery in the last century. All of them are millionaires now. In most cases, the appreciation is more than 100 per cent. No land in Srinagar sells at Rs 70 lakh a kanal. In certain cases, it is as high as Rs 3.5 crore.
A 21-year-old cluster university student from Srinagar, Zuhaib Ahmad Bhat recently launched a Srinagar-based real estate firm. Given that he has sold a significant number of homes to residents of Zainakote, Bemina, Soura, and other locations, Zuhaib has been pleased with the prospects of this firm. “More than half of my buyers were from Kashmiri villages,” he said. “People primarily move here from these areas due to the greater opportunities and facilities.”
The massive escalation in land prices has created an interesting trend. Now a section of people from the city moves towards the periphery. They sell their belongings in the heart of the city and get better land plots on extreme borders of the city. The reverse migration from the city is the outcome of the failure of the governance structure in offering some way out to the hugely congested Srinagar city, especially the Shahr-e-Khas.
Insiders in the real estate sector suggest that while education and jobs could be a reason, the claims that Srinagar has better facilities do not sound plausible. “You can reach Anantnag in less time than SKIMS from Batamaloo,” Abdul Rashid, who buys and sells property around the so-called 90-Feet said. “You have train connectivity with Sopore and Baramulla that is cheap and fast. There are better roads, good schools and most of the uptown brands in almost all major towns. In fact, the market in Anantnag is better and cheap than in Srinagar. Yes, the only issue is that of power supply that is slightly improved in Srinagar.”
Rashid believes that migration to Srinagar is being seen as part of “upward mobility” and not dictated by the absence of infrastructure. This might be true in a section of the neo-migrants but this is not the whole story.
SRINAGAR: Two avalanches hit Gurez and Tulail tehsils of the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, said, officials.
However, no damage to property or loss of life was reported.
“Two minor avalanches were observed in Gurez and Tulail tehsil today; no damage to property or loss of life occurred,” news agency ANI quoted District Magistrate Bandipora as having said.
