The event was attended mostly by writers, intellectuals and those who have been fighting for Mohammed Afzal Guru, who has been found guilty and sentenced to death in the Parliament attack case. The event was a book-reading session and excerpts from Nandita's new book were read out. It was insightful and enriching. The book essentially deals with the Kashmir issue, terrorism and how the Government perceives it.
I happened to go to Jammu and Srinagar once in early 2004 to teach theatre and creative writing techniques to children of displaced communities. What were my first impressions of the place? I have been often asked this question by friends and Kashmiris I have met in Delhi and this is what I have said, 'I was disturbed. Have always discussed Kashmir with friends and told them that the first thing I noticed about the place was that everyone cries there! I went to Jama Masjid, Hazrat Bal and all I saw was men and women praying and crying.'
I also found the presence of army personnel at every nook and corner extremely disturbing. The city goes dead by 7 pm. Had a great difficulty in finding a chemist shop as friend hurt her little toe and was bleeding profusely. We travelled the length and breath of Srinagar to find a painkiller and betadine! Felt and observed a lot of other things however this is not the right time to write about it. Perhaps later.
Coming to the book, well, I am no authority on the on-going Kashmir conflict so I would rather refrain from commenting. Nandita Haksar's book raises some uncomfortable questions, such as:
The Govt talks of terrorism and talks of uprooting but interestingly it never talk about its causes. Why?
Have we ever given a thought why our own people have turned away from us? Why several Kashmiris gainfully employed in Govt jobs gave it all up to join the People's Movement for self-determination?
The book attempts to answer some of these questions through Geelani and Afzal's case. What I liked most was Nandita's reading of her open letter to the Prime Minister which I recorded. I reproduce here the same for all those who were not there but would like to hear what she has learnt, her side of the story
(Click on the link below to hear the recording)
Framing Geelani, Hanging Afzal: Patriotism in the times of terror, by Nandita Haksar is out in the market and is available for Rs. 450/-
About the AuthorGarima Dutt Garima Dutt is the Web Producer and Web Anchor for IBNLive.com and produces/anchors broadband shows on entertainment etc. She also writes for Ibnlive....Read Morefirst published:March 15, 2007, 13:42 ISTlast updated:March 15, 2007, 13:42 IST
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Attended the book of launch of Nandita Haksar's new book, Framing Geelani, Hanging Afzal: Patriotism in the times of terror, yesterday with a colleague (at India International Centre).
The event was attended mostly by writers, intellectuals and those who have been fighting for Mohammed Afzal Guru, who has been found guilty and sentenced to death in the Parliament attack case. The event was a book-reading session and excerpts from Nandita's new book were read out. It was insightful and enriching. The book essentially deals with the Kashmir issue, terrorism and how the Government perceives it.
I happened to go to Jammu and Srinagar once in early 2004 to teach theatre and creative writing techniques to children of displaced communities. What were my first impressions of the place? I have been often asked this question by friends and Kashmiris I have met in Delhi and this is what I have said, 'I was disturbed. Have always discussed Kashmir with friends and told them that the first thing I noticed about the place was that everyone cries there! I went to Jama Masjid, Hazrat Bal and all I saw was men and women praying and crying.'
I also found the presence of army personnel at every nook and corner extremely disturbing. The city goes dead by 7 pm. Had a great difficulty in finding a chemist shop as friend hurt her little toe and was bleeding profusely. We travelled the length and breath of Srinagar to find a painkiller and betadine! Felt and observed a lot of other things however this is not the right time to write about it. Perhaps later.
Coming to the book, well, I am no authority on the on-going Kashmir conflict so I would rather refrain from commenting. Nandita Haksar's book raises some uncomfortable questions, such as:
The Govt talks of terrorism and talks of uprooting but interestingly it never talk about its causes. Why?
Have we ever given a thought why our own people have turned away from us? Why several Kashmiris gainfully employed in Govt jobs gave it all up to join the People's Movement for self-determination?
The book attempts to answer some of these questions through Geelani and Afzal's case. What I liked most was Nandita's reading of her open letter to the Prime Minister which I recorded. I reproduce here the same for all those who were not there but would like to hear what she has learnt, her side of the story
(Click on the link below to hear the recording)
Framing Geelani, Hanging Afzal: Patriotism in the times of terror, by Nandita Haksar is out in the market and is available for Rs. 450/-
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