MNS online Stroy

Kashmiri women venturing into politics

Monday, September 24, 200714:33 IST

Jammu: Having suffered hugely from years of relentless violence, women in Jammu and Kashmir are fast taking to politics to fight for their rights.
Women, they say, are not represented adequately and not much is being done for them in a state where families, particularly girls and women, have borne the brunt of suffering since insurgency began in 1989. By joining politics they want a space in the decision-making process, they say.
For years after independence, Begum Akbar Jehan, also known as "Madr-e-Mehraban", wife of legendary Kashmiri leader Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, was an iconic figure in Kashmiri politics.
In 1996, another Kashmiri woman, Mehboob Mufti made a mark. She was among the two women elected to the legislative assembly along with Sakina Ittoo, daughter of a National Conference leader.
But it was Mehbooba who took centre-stage, despite the fact that Ittoo was a minister in the National Conference government. Mehbooba overshadowed even her male rivals by her articulation and especially by highlighting the human rights issues and the plight of women in Kashmir."I have learnt everything from my father, but the women found a special relationship with me," she observes in her interviews.
Darakhshan Andrabi, who holds a doctorate and is an Urdu poet, has also made it to politics under the banner of her party, Socialistic Democratic Party. Hers is a greater challenge. "I talk pro-people and I am a nationalist," she says.
Andrabi, always dressed in white, pursues a vibrant pro-India line in the Kashmir valley, where her views are considered a taboo. She is the one who challenges the secessionists, their ways, means and agenda.
"What have they given to the people", she asks and answers: "Death and destruction."
She has already declared her intention to field 30 candidates in the assembly elections, due next year.
As more women are coming to head political parties, and several others are making it to key positions in political groups, educated women are quitting their jobs and joining politics.

Kashmir Issue: Darakhshan's View

Not Kashmir, poverty is the issue: Andrabi
Express News Service

Posted online: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 at 0355 hours ISTJammu, September 5: The Socialistic Democratic Party has said that not the Kashmir but the poverty and social justice were the main issues of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference here today, Socialistic Democratic Party chief Dr Darakhshan Andrabi said that some people were trying to give an impression that Kashmir was the issue which was absolutely wrong.
‘‘It is injustice with the people of the state who are facing poverty, unemployment and illiteracy,’’ said Andrabi, who in the 2004 parliamentary elections had secured third position the on Srinagar seat.
She said that the state have three regions and all the people have equal rights. She stressed on the need of industrial revolution in the state and said that economically people were poor. She said opening of Muzaffrabad road was a small thing and a part of the dialogue between India and Pakistan.

SDP's Nationalistic Political Expression

"Hum Hindustan Se Hain, Hindustan Hum Se Hai"…..Darakhshan Andrabi

STAFF REPORTERJAMMU--31st Dec: Expressing discontent over the attitude of politicians who are hell bent to disrupt the on going peaceful life of people of the State by strengthening ties with anti-national elements, Socialistic Democratic Party (SDP) President, Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi on Monday said that every citizen should be proud to be an Indian.Addressing the media and party workers here on Monday on the eve of New Year, she asked the people to reduce confusion created by certain vested political parties. She hoped that in the year 2008 all the people, especially youth will come forward and play a significant role to defeat every anti-national and enemy of the country. Saying that the people will realise the losses of seventeen-year long militancy, Andrabi suggested that the slogan of people should be ‘Hum Hindustan Se Hain’ Hindustan Hum Se Hai’ and said that to achieve the goal with motivation and satisfaction the tri-colour-national flag should unfurl in the heart of every citizen of the State.

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Posted : Monday, March 20.2006 at 09.59………Watch Video

VALLEY GETS A VOICE OF POETIC SANITY


Poetic way to Peace: Darakshan Andrabi continues with her
nationalistic mission,despite protests from muslim clerics


JAMMU: SHE IS A RARE VOICE OF SANITY IN THE TROUBLED KASHMIR VALLEY.
DARAKHSHAN ANDRABI IS A DOCTORATE BY QUALIFICATION AND A POET BY PASSION AND HER AMBITION IS TO NARRATE TALES OF PATRIOTISM TO THE NEXT GENERATION KASHMIRIS AND SHE DOES IT BY WRITING, TRANSLATING AND RECITING MESMERISING POETRY.
A DOCTORATE IN PHILOSOPHY (PHD) IN URDU, ANDRABI HAS TRANSLATED POETRY WRITTEN BY FORMER PRIME MINISTERS ATAL BIHARI VAJPAEE AND V P SINGH INTO HER MOTHER TONGUE.
HOWEVER, GETTING THE VOICE OF NATIONALISM ACROSS HASN’T BEEN EASY FOR ANDRABI.
HER WORK HAS WON HER CENSURE AND A STRING OF FATWAS (RELIGIOUS EDICT) FROM THE ORTHODOX MUSLIM CLERICS.
THOUGH HER BREAKING WAY FROM STEREOTYPES HAS MADE HER JOURNEY MORE DIFFICULT, ANDRABI'S MISSION AND HER INFALLIBLE SPRIT KEEPS HER GOING.
"WHATEVER THE INDIAN AUTHORS HAVE WRITTEN, I WOULD WANT TO SHOW THE NEXT GENERATION OF KASHMIRIS. HENCE I TRANSLATE," SHE SAYS.
ANDRABI ALSO FEELS THE NEED TO WORK IN KASHMIRI PANDIT MIGRANT CAMPS.
SHE WANTS TO MOTIVATE YOUNG HINDU BOYS TO RETURN TO THE VALLEY AND JOIN THE ARMY.

VOTE FOR PEACE:a campain of SDP in J&K

Socialistic Democratic Party’s Mission
AMAN KAY LIYAY RAISHUMARI

During the last more than six decades, the politicians of Kashmir have been exploiting the ignorance and innocence of the masses and thus enjoying power and amassing enormous wealth. For their poetry political interests they have been leading the common man to graveyards or the kingdoms of economic backwardness and themselves living in palatial houses and enjoying the luxuries of the world. The state has been experience the bloody period for the last eighteen years now. Those who guided our youth to violence and the graveyards and have amassed enormous and assets wealth for themselves and gifted us with thousands of Orphans and widows. They have been misusing the great religion of peace ( Islam) for letting lose an eara of arson, loot and killings. Kashmiri has been exploited in the name of special status, Rai Shumari, Azadi, Autonomy or Demilitarization Slogans. And a common man is fed up with this all. He needs only peace___peace for security, peace for development and for the better future of their next generation. Those politicians who claim public support for their separatist or slogans ideologies are now befooling themselves every body has seen same crowd clapping for Geelani or Malik and Manmohan Singh or Vajpayee. This is all rented crowed. The common man only stands for peace and rejects all other things. J&K has seen enough violence, enough crime and enough torture Hence I have come out with my ballot box asking for votes for peace. I will snow. how to the world that majority of the common people of this troubled state want peace and reject all other slogans that have deprived them of their kiths and kins and fetched them misery and poverty and uncertainty for children.
“Peace” is the mission of the great Prophet (PBUH). I will carry this “ Aman Kay Liyay Raishmari” campaign to all parts of the troubled state and prove that peace only wins the vote. It is the vote for security, development and employment.

Brief Resume:Darakhshan

Brief Resume

Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi

E-mail: darakhshaan786@yahoo.co.in
Cell No. 09419591926,9419021285
Postal Address: Post Box No. 1089,G.P.O. Srinagar-190001(J&K)India.

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Politics

I am the founder president of Socialistic Democratic Party , a political party which has been registered by the Election Commission of India. It is a staunch nationalistic group which has earned the support of youths throughout the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It is the only local political group which rejects all type of separatism and boldly speaks against terrorism and violence .It is the only unconditional voice of peace and wholesomely comprises of youth leadership . SDP carries its main agenda of economic and industrial development of the state which substitutes the sentimentalist issues raised by other political groups that have fetched us gun and destruction and delivered nothing at the gross root level.

Media

As a freelance writer/producer /director I have made fifteen documentary & fiction serials for different channels of Doordarshan. I have produced the first anti-militancy serial Khoon Kay Ansoo for Doordarshan Kashir in 1999. I have been participating in different kinds of programmes of All India Radio and Doordarshan in different capacities for the last ten years.


Poetry / Writing

My writings have been published in many leading journals and magazines of India. I have participated in numerous All India National Poetic Symposiums including Indo-Pak Urdu poets Symposium held at Mumbai.. I have represented J&K state at Republic Day National Poets Symposium 2002 . My writing have been translated into many Indian languages and also have been published too.

I have composed poems and also written extensively for defence forces.

My following books have been published up to now:
1. Jahhar-----Kashmiri translation of contemporary Indian poems selected from twenty two Indian languages.
2. Tarakh Nabech Tarakh Moth------Kashmiri translation of selected poems of prominent poets of India including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Amrita Preetam, Vikram Seth & Nigeen Saikia.
3. Zuvis Peth Akh Raath-------Kashmiri translation of poems by Pabloo Neruda, the world famous poet of Chilli.
4. Teen Post Modern Dramay------Urdu translation of three post modern Indian dramas.


Journalism

1. Worked as Editor Sheeraza, the bi-monthly Urdu journal of J&K Academy of Art,
Culture and Languages.
2. My reports and articles have been published in different local and national papers
and magazines.


Social Work

Continuously engaged in social work ( propagation of Nationalism in trouble-strife Kashmir economic help during natural calamities, helping in social welfare and health sectors, education and civic-action programmes)


Awards and Appreciations

1. Vijay Samman 2004 from Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India for gallantry of pen.

2. Shair-e- Wattan Award 2004 by All India Hindi-Urdu Sangam ,Bhopal.

3. Sahir Ludhyanvi Award 2002, by Sahir Accademy Punjaab.

4. Rajbhasha Samman 2005 by All India Radio.

5. Chandrabhaga Samman 2002 for Journalism excellence from Chandrabhaga Society.

6. Kavya Vibhooti(Maanad Upadhi)2004 by Akil Bhartiya Kavya,Katha evam Kala Parishad of Madhya Pradesh.


Educational Qualification

1. Masters Degree in Urdu Literature from Kashmir University

2. Masters in Psychology from Aligarh Muslim University

3. Masters Degree in Philosophy from Lukhnow University

4. Bachelors Degree in Education from Kashmir University

5. Ph.D. in Urdu Literature from Guru Nanak Dev University

Abid Gowhar interviews Dr. Darakhshan

Saturday, March 15, 2008
“Mein Bharat Ki Deewani Hoon”

A young poet; Kashmiri Lady with new political song"

She likes to be different than others, whether it’s her poetry, intellect or other circumstances in her life. This young lady from Lalbazar Srinagar is enriched with so much versatility that, in local literary forums, she is renowned for her Urdu prose and poetry, in social forums she has an urge to help the distress people and in politics, she has courage to open-up against all odds with a unique manifesto.
She is Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, a doctorate in Urdu, winner of many National awards including “Vijay Sammaan”, an effective writer and poet, author of many books and founder of Socialistic Democratic Party(SDP), a political party with patriotic agenda.
She spoke more about her life and ideology in an exclusive interview withAbid Gowhar (Freelance Journalist).

Question: Madam, Is it a poet, turning politician or a search for theme of your new ghazal or script?

I am a poet by birth having sensitive observations all around and of course intend to change the theme of modern politics not only by words but by actual deeds. I am not just turning to politics but like to help the people, who are mischieved by modern-day politicians.
Question: What attracted you to think about politics?

I believe that the people of the state have been ditched and deceived by the ambitious and selfish politicians in the garb of sentimental exploitation and sloganeering. We as a people have been left in a rudderless boat in the sea of misery by our own politicians. I never wanted to watch it all happening and just pass comments and talk against it at my own place as the majority of our educated people do. I believe we do not need impotent intellectualism to correct the wrongs in our political system but we need honest, educated class to come forward to replace the myopic politicians of the day.
Question: You belong to a reserved Kashmiri muslim family. Where from you get your education and how you managed to cross the social bearers?

Yes, I was born in an educated business family brought up in very strict but genuinely pious religious atmosphere but that doesn’t mean that Kahmiri girls have got no freedom of getting higher education or there is any social bearer to achieve good aims and objectives. I got my early education from English medium schools, got my masters in Urdu from Kashmir University before going out of the state for further education. I did my masters in Philosophy from Lucknow University and masters in Psychology from Aligarh Muslim University. I lately did Ph.D in Urdu from Guru Nanak Dev University for which, I worked on the literary contribution of the veteran contemporary Urdu poet Makhmoor Sayeedi.
Question: what about your literary tastes and script writing?

I remember, I was composing small verses even during my school days. When I reached college I found ways to different literary forums. I started with Urdu and then started to write in both Urdu and Kashmiri. I have presented my poetry all over the country and abroad too. I have produced and directed a Current affairs mega series "Khoon Kay Ansoo" for Dordharshan. In addition to my own productions I scripted fifty episodes of diverse nature for other producers also.
Question: What about your various publications to your name?

My writings have been published in different leading papers and journals. Again my Urdu short story collection "Khoon Ki Lakeraein" has also been published. Other books include “Jahaar” (A translation anthology of Indian Poems) and “Tarakh Nabech tarakh Moth”.I have co-translated Ex Prime Minister V. P. Singh's poetry into Kashmiri which has also come out in book form. I have translated the world famous poet Pablo Neruda into Kashmiri. I worked with Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for some time as Editor of their periodical “Sheeraza”.
Question: How far you feel encouraged by the feedback to your literary works?

I was honored with some very prestigious awards for my literary pursuits that encouraged me a lot. The prominent among them are, Sahir Ludhyanvi Award , Shair-e-Wattan Award and very dear to me the Vijey Sammaan from Government of India for gallantry of my pen.
Question: You are a different voice in whole of J&K’s political arena. What inspires you to be unique in a terror enveloped state?

My love for my country. “Mein Bharat Ki Deewani Hoon”. My patriotism leads me to be brave and present the truth as it is. I believe people of J&K right from 1947 have been exploited by political leaders by their semi-separatist ideologies and sentimentalist theories. I want to tell the truth to the innocent people of J&K. That is what I am doing…….
Question: What about the present political slogans like “Self Rule” and “Demilitarization” ?

I believe it is mere separatism. It is the repetition of Sheikh Abdullah type of politics. “Aadha Idhar,Aadha Udhar”. People in militancy-infested areas are living a fearless life because army is there. Demilitarization means gifting J&K to terrorists, Self Rule is confusion synonymous with PDP. My party (SDP) will never allow this all to happen.
Question: You seem a staunch opposer of Hurriyat Conference also. Is it True?

Yes, they are killers. They are responsible for the genocide of our youth. They have used Islam, the religion of peace and universal brotherhood for justifying their criminal attitudes for their personal gains, amassed enormous wealth through Hawala and compelled the youth of the state to be killed and stay without objecting because of fear of gun. They are again exploiting the innocent Kashmiris.
Question: Do you feel yourself secure in the present situations of your motherland?

God is protecting me. The State government is trying to eliminate my presence. Despite my right to security, the police and the local administration has deprived me of my constitutional right. I respect constitution but am sorry to say that we have very biased law implementing agencies in Jammu and Kashmir. My party wants that our ailing system of governance should be properly treated.
Question: Have you been able put your voice forward in any of the forums out-side the State?

The majority of the people out-side J&K think that all Kashmiris are separatists. I have tried to break this unhealthy feeing. My slogan is “Hum Hindustan Say Hain, Hindustan Hum Say Hai”.
Question: You fought previous parliament election as an independent candidate but failed. Now you have launched a party (SDP) and have decleared your part's participation in the coming Assembly elections. What do you expect now?

We have already started the preparations. We are contesting in all the three divisions. Our party has earned the support of the people in many constituencies while as in some other constituencies we are working very hard. The youth of the state is identifying itself with the economy-oriented political ideology of SDP. I hope if there will be transparency in coming Assembly elections, my party will show its strength and win many seats Insha Allah.