[FEATURE]-Hope is the name of Life!

RDs Time

By:Shamsuddin Muhammad

HUNZA, August: The world planet has had undergone many geological, ecological, anthropological change since the time known of its creation. Once a particular region ruined, hope among the rest of the population compelled them to make efforts to resume the sign of life to have love with the life, shun the grief and place a faith for a better tomorrow. This is the case with Hunza in terms of Attaabad land slide, which has suffered such twice fatal catastrophes during a period of one and half century in the same periphery. Forefathers tell us that such a massive land slide had also hit Ghamay Sarat, now known as Salmanabad, an small settlement on a plateau adjacent to Attabad village, in the mid of nineteenth century in this scattered populated region of Gilgit-Baltistan. The then land slide, according to historians blockade the water for many years and reached to Pussu as it flowed back from the blockade. Later, it out burst its banks and ruined the down stream areas till Thakot of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province.
There are many special person in our society who give us hope in desperation, grief and unease. of course there is one Mr. Harryman, a special person with unique artistic skills. He has command on Urdu, Brushaski and Shina singing, former the language of Hunza and later a dialect of a large portion of the Gilgit region, simultaneously.Although, very few people give him attention, he never dis-hearts and follow the principle "try again", lest some one hear him. Having a legacy of a traditional family, he is the man of taste and culture. Besides, he leaves no room to portray our cultural heritage which today's youth including me, instead of practicing own and respecting others now are quick adoptive and ready to give least patronage to alien norms and cultures.

[Inner-view] An interview with Chairman NDMA Gen.(r) Nadeem Ahmed

Interviewed by: Shamsuddin Muhammad
(Moderator VoH, RDs Time, SRTimes, GBE, Alshams)

Image source:www.spapev.org

Lt.General (ret.) Nadeem Ahmed has recently appointed as Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in the end of second week of June, 2010 following the agitation against former chairman Gen (r) Farooq for negligence over the lake situation. General (r) Nadeem Ahmed has an exhaustive experience of the emergency mandatory response operations during his career in armed forces and aftermath.He was appointed as Deputy Chairman, Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) in 2006, where he undertook the complete spectrum of disaster management. We have managed to get his opinion and steps being taken in his own capacity to cope the challenge rose out of delay in release of an adequate quantity of water from the barrier to reduce accumulation of waer in the barrier at Attaabad. Voice of Hunza has managed to reach chairman NDMA to know about the strategies in wake of blockade during his recent visit to area on June 13. Yet due to constant trouble in the internet service and frequent power failure made it difficult to upload on time . As a response to various emails, the description of this brief discussion is being re-disseminated for readers.

Shams NDMA and NHA made its efforts to discharge water via a spill way with a view to help reduce level of water that submerged upstream areas. Yet the strategy seems to get a partial success for even in current scenario inflow exceeds outflow. What is your plan to tackle the new challenge?
Gen. Nadeem Ahmed: Well, after joining, I have close in touch with the operations for the release of water from the lake. As for as the low quantity of the water was concerned, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National High Way Authority (NHA) had the only option to paw a way to give a passage that was expected to get widen with erosion of water during spill over. The sole blame for delay to develop a breach over NDMA, FWO or NHA unjustified.

Shams There are severe reservations over the role of National Disaster Management Authority especially over Gen.(r) Farooq Ahmed former Chairman, NDMA who came on nuts in public circles for misleading national government and trumpeting of every thing OK. What would be your approach to enhance trust over this organization?
Gen. Nadeem Ahmed: Well, as for as allegations are concerned, those are rather of political nature. NDMA under the former chairman has done according to the resources available from the fund allocated for such disasters. And chairman alone can not be blame for this. You had your regional disaster management authority which has also a due share in such a case. If , poeple think that the former chairman has done any wrong, they can take up issue before national government. But it was illogical to blame someone whole and sole to be responsible for any mishandling.

Shams There are reports that experts are further planning to undertake controlled explosions using dynamite. In case of explosion how much water is expected to discharge to the optimum?
Gen. Nadeem Ahmed: Referring to a scatch he drew on a blank paper, there are two boulders on the way of flow that was creating hindrance in spill over. Another elbow has gradually reduced to grounds due to fast erosion. Nevertheless , there is a also a heavy boulder in the end of Spill way. We are planning to operate blasting to dismantle resistance in proper outflow.

Shams: Due to bad climatic conditions and technical faults, helicopter service mostly get disrupted. Do you have thought of an alternative to reduce pressure of people stranded on both sides?
Gen. Nadeem Ahmed: See what happens in coming few days. We had a meeting with line departs to construct a jeepable road to the shores of the Western end with proper parking for vehicle. Boat service to be resumer soon to help administration to shift to and from Upstream and down stream areas.

Shams : What about the behavior, level of coordination between military establishment and that of civil administration in the relief operation? Generally it was being observed that military personnel deputed at helipads little bother about the instructions given by civil bureaucracy, and how do you manage to supervise situation at the lake?
Gen. Nadeem Ahmed: Well, every institution is working into its delegated authority under the country’s constitution. If there exists lack of coordination, might be just because of lack of understanding on both sides and utilization of heterogeneous approaches while tackling any issue. Yet, I hope to build better understanding and there is no hindrance in relief work. I personally used to visit every next day to the blockade site. Our personnel were kept high alert to tackle any sort of problems.

Shams: Who has proposed to use explosive to paw further path along spill way, what do you want to do in exception?
Gen Nadeem Ahmed: The idea firstly came to my mind. We would have to use explosions to reduce further rise in water.

Shams: As the widening of spill way is a critical issue for it can be politicized by some elements i.e some in the downstream may agitate to avoid such a move on pretext of possibility of flesh flooding . In such a case what would be your stance to both the government and expected Attaabad disaster hit people on both sides of the blockade?
Gen Nadeem Ahmed: I do not think that controlled explosions in heavy boulders would inflict such a huge destruction in down stream areas. Disaster hit population of Upstream want a way to discharge more water from the lake. In case of any resistance to widen the spill way would not only affect our efforts but also serve to bring trust deficit between the population on both sides. In case of any concern by such elements would be tackled accordingly.

Shams: As a response to lack of will of government, locals have reached blockade site and after negotiations given a week deadline for widening of spill way. What would be your new strategy if NDMA fails to meet deadline?
Gen. Nadeem: I think haphazard blasting is a hazardous approach so we are planning for a controlled blasting at potential points keeping in view the possible damage that may inflict on down stream areas later.

Shams Public complaint against mal attitude of personnel during travel and even ladies are not respected. What can be done to respect all aspects?
General Nadeem: Lo! airlift was not the permanent solution rather people would have to cooperate what the officials say to them. At least they are here to serve public. There is no animosity against someone and if some one has a genuine complaint, he can contact me any time. Legal action to be taken against him.

Shams Population of Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit and Diamer have been evacuated to temporary relief camps. Most of them rely on agriculture as the ultimate source of living. What have you planned to solve it?
General Nadeem: We are consulting local authorities as well as experts to allow population of down stream to work in their respective fields only during the day and subjected to return to the camps due to uncertainty of condition.

Shams: NDMA seems in limbo for many last week emphasizing on still wait strategy,avoid any jerk reaction to low outflow, what would it do if the situation pervails for next many months?
Gen. Nadeem: Well, keeping in view threat posed in case of release of huge water, in-spite of having option for controlled explosions we would like to hear experts' opinion so that better solution would be possible.

Shams Thanks for sparing some time out of your busy schedule and sharing views
Gen. Nadeem :Your are always welcome please.

Shocks jolt Murtazaabad for several minutes

RDs Time Report

HUNZA,July 2:(Salman Ali) Shocks reportedly jolted Murtazaabad village, a settlement along the Karakorum High Way (KKH) in the West of Central Hunza in the yesterday's night. According to our correspondent, shocks felt for the first time at 12:15 AM and it continued to occur frequently till the dawn. The intensity of the shock was below 4 rector scale in the heart of rocks under lying between Mutazabad Paeen and Bala. Yet, no property and human loss was reported.
The residents of Murtazaabad settlement have reportedly identified possiblity of a huge earth quake as the high temperture on surface of lime cum hard soil served to boil springs coming out in the foothills of the village for centuries past. Public circles demand of the concerned authorities to ensure emergency mendatory services in case of any mishap because of presence of such an invisible danger.

Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim community observes 53rd Imamat day with simplicity; special prayers were held for peace,inter communal harmony& prosperity:

speakers in public gatherings highlight Aga Khan's contributions for humanity;

GILGIT,HUNZA, GHIZER, July 11: Shia Imami Ismaili community of Muslims Ummah celebrated 'Yaum-e-Imamat', the day of succession of Shah Karim al-Hussaini,known as Aga Khan (4th) as 49th Imam (leader) on Sundary 11 July, 2010. The day marked with and started with special prayers for integrity, global peace, inter communal faith harmony, prosperity of the country and for the resolution of challenges by humanity in to days world. Speakers in public gatherings highlighted contribution of Aga Khan (iv) for human well being across the world through a comprehensive net work named Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), working for the improvement of health care facilities, socio-economic, cultural, intellectual development and inter-communal faith harmony across the globe.
Shah Karim Al-Hussaini succeed his grand father Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah (Aga Khan iii) around 53 years back in 1957 as an Imam of the community in a young age. Like his grand father, he proved himself a leader of global rapport and delivered numerous accomplishments not only for his own community, Muslim umma but also for rest of the world without any discrimination of caste, creed, faith,and culture. It was his dynamic leadership of Him and his grand father that with in a short span of time, his community emerged as a stable, well organized and knowledge based entity across the world. According to the senior citizens of the the region, it was first ever visit of Aga Khan (4th)in 1960s, this area started to stand on its foot as he started new initiatives to improve standard of living of the people under the banner of Aga Khan foundation.
His unprecedented efforts in Islamic world for preservation of civilization as a mean of Identity as a nation and constant emphasis to respect pluralism, diversity, tolerance, acceptance, integrity, co-existence, equal opportunity, hard work, humanitarian work and after all to hold ourselves responsible of our acts before a supreme power are the some of the key factors to solve the challenges faced by the contemporary world in term of revolts, extremism and violence.

Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan, 49th contemporary spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim community enjoys global regard for his philanthropic work for humanity.
Image source:Simerg.com
On the occasion of Imamat day, we the team of VoH would like to extend our heartiest wishes to the followers of Shia Imami Ismaili community and pray for a violence free just global society where terms namely uneven distribution of wealth, oppression, tyranny, intolerance, apathy and arrogance hardly found there in.
HUNZA, Hyderabad: A community centre elumintated with lighening bulbs give a chamful feelings on 53rd Imamat day of Aga Khan as 49th Imam

Yet, there exists concerns of even those belong to the community over the conventional methods and projects hardly address the socio-economic and intellectual needs of the the people saying a visible deviation for the reason these institutions under AKDN were established.
Courtesy: Voice of Hunza

Implications of Attaabad disaster appearing- chilled weather halts Damson, Cherrys growth

RDs Time Report

HUNZA,July 09: The implications of the Attaabad disaster tends to appear gradually in Central Hunza too as the chilling cold weather in July, a comparatively hotter month in summer season has turned Damsons and French marked Cherry's in various parts of Central Hunza like Ahmedabad, Aminabad,Altit, Hyderabad and Hasanabad.

Some people argue that due to the blockade of the water on Hunza river at Attaabad bottleneck has not only made hostage to Gojal, Upper Hunza, its implications can been observed in plants too. Damsons and Cherry are seasonal fruits making a sizable contribution to the economy of agri-based major population.

Stress being nourished in youth as the unemployment rises in Gilgit-Baltistan [Featured Report]

RDs Time
Illustrated by: Shamsuddin Muhammad

GILGIT, July 8: The mental stress among the youth in the wake of unemployment, decreasing purchasing power and spoiling of their talent in the region. According to a survey conducted by AlShams, around 55 percent youth,in age bracket of 24-30 were found badly stressed due to laziness, lake of relevant work to their qualifications, skills and expertise. 20 percent in the same age bracket were partially depressed while 10 percent of the same age bracket said they did not ever think over that. Five percent of the youth under the same age category were found stressed because of un-equal and non performance based promotions in their respective career.
The menace of unemployment in the region has gradually made many potential youth to embrace the other fields of their interest, living their performances not up to the standards. On the other hand, nepotism, corruption in form of acquiring heavy bribes against key job positions in government sector by authorities and lack of accountability and administrative nuances has made it more difficult for a candidate with poor background and influential recommendation. Interestingly, the ensuing struggle by member of legislative assembly for ministership has left little time for them to work on important issues including new development initiaitives to adjust educated and skilled youth and the hope seem dying among them as those who begged votes from them with tall promises have forgotten every thing and running behind their own perks. The case in private sector is bit like the former one as appointments like in Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) also largely being made on favoritism and personal will. As a result, there are very few developmental initiative to enable region to keep the pace with dynamic world. The policy, here in both private and public sector has had instead of strategic approaches relied upon the conventional ones. For Strategic Human Resource Management(SHRM) experts, out put from even some of well known NGOs working in socio-economic empowerment, despite of its high sounding publicity remained comparatively low as were predicted during right and downsizing as in most case, one can hardly observe a right person for a right job.

Altit bridge expansion work goes slow

RDs Time Report

HUNZA, Altit, July 8: The expansion work over Altit bridge is slow than was expected by the public. According to the details, the work over expansion of the bridge joining Altit with Mominabad is being suffered of slow pace of work.

HUNZA, Altit: The expansion work of Altit-Mominabad bridge going on compratively slow. RDs Time Image

The bridge over only truckable road to this main town in Central Hunza was partially carpeted and rest of the dilapidated road is covered with stony cross sections and ditches. Public circles have demanded of the representatives to direct concerned department to complete the co-project in time without delay.

Water level in lake decreasing; all departments round the clock: Z.F.Taj

RDs Time Report

HUNZA, Karimabad, July 03: Contrary to the figures of the measurement by FOCUS, GNPWD, NESPak who reported still chances of surge in water level since spill over had claimed that water level recding since last week following the controlled dynamite blasting in boulders resisting flow of water over spill way. Talking to Readers Time, here at Karimabad Zafar Waqar Taj, deputy commissioner Gilgit-Baltistan said that all departments were red alert and monitoring the situation closely. He said that essentials like food and other relief items were supplied to the all Internally Displaced Persons in the temporary camps in Altit and Karimabad.He rejected the agitation from various circles of mishandling and mismanagement on part of local administration saying such were the propaganda of certain political elements. He said that efforts by certain elements to defame government's contribution in relief work would not work.
On the other hand, public circles in Gojal have condemned Home secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Asif Bilal Lodhi's statement in which he vowed to take legal action against those involved in opening of spill way by registering First Investigation Report in Gojal. They said, disaster hit people after disappointing from government's strategy to widen spill way have volunteerism initiated their own to escape further destruction. They have demanded of government to make efforts to widen the width by more controlled blasting on spill way.

YAIN (Water Mill) A Socio-Economic Agency of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral

By: Abbas Ali

YAIN (Water Mill) was a manifestation of the local wisdom and innovation while modern technological revolution was not known for the people living in Gilgit-Baltistan. Perhaps YAIN was the only industry which was operating on the best known technological knowhow of its time.

Photo By: Muhammad Fayaz

Many of us may well remember while special preparation were made to take wheat, Maze, Barley and many other types grains to be milled in the YAIN. It was like a festivity at home. Looking at YAIN and its function may be seem a simple basics mechanics, however, analyzing its role in the socio-economic context of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral sketches an important symbolic expression of the way of life of the people.

It helps to trace the food items used by the people, it does not only help to highlights some of the very important food items, it also help us to trace the processes involved in preparation of food items. The grains processed through YAIN was used for bread (Shapic, Khamali, Qistam, Giyaling, Khamishdoon, shuroo, Fiti, Shiroo, Khamoloot, Baroo-e-giyalin, duldoongi, Diramp hiti, Diram Khamishdoon) [Names are in Burushashki] and these many varieties of bread were used to make further a huge variety of dishes from Guhmaldi to Tarbatiti.

In terms of economy the owner of the YAIN was the prosperous industrialist of his own time. Everyone who was milling anything in the YAIN was supposed to give a certain amount of the flour to the owner and it was called FEE. On times where the cultivatable land was very small, productivity of the land was perhaps at its minimum and there was a highly level of scarcity of the grains, the owner of the YAIN was getting enough to be self-sufficient rather at times of need he was lending to others because he was accumulating enough through FEE.

Preparing the grains to be taken to YAIN was one of the major agencies for the socialization of women, particularly young women. Cleaning grain was the responsibility of women. Cleaning enough like 80 to 100 KGs of wheat grain take almost a day for three to four women. Women used to gather for helping each other to fasten the process of cleaning the grain, three to four women used to gather for the purpose of cleaning the grains, while their hands and eyes were busy in cleaning the wheat grain, their minds and lips were used to discuss a lot of personal issues and issues related to society of the village under supervision of an old lady. During these times the women were used to brainstorm, develop their opinions and frame their minds to look at individual and social context.

YAIN at the same time shades light on the level of technological knowhow of the people, the economic status of the area, as well as a significant benchmark to look at transition from the traditional means of technology to the new area of hi-tech technology. In a way the YAIN could be seen as an agency in the pre 1980s time period of the societies of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. Although, many of these agents of the past do not survive any more but it would be highly appreciable to preserve some of the these as one of the important parts of our collective identity and our progress.

Source: gbtimes.wordpress.com