MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI (1869-1948)

Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation of India. Assassinated 61 years ago today.

"As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as religion over-riding morality. Man, for instance, cannot be untruthful, cruel or incontinent and claim to have God on his side."
"What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?"
"There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for."
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." - MKG

Gandhi's Ashes Scattered At Sea - BBC, 30 January 2008.
Sad, but Hindu nationalists have Ambivalent Views Over Gandhi Killer - BBC, 30 January 2008.
Photo credit: MHIP

FIRE IN THE BED

PEACEFUL REPUBLIC DAY IN KASHMIR

Srinagar and the surrounding areas of Kashmir remained peaceful and calm during the annual observation of Republic Day, 26 January 2009. The Kashmir Valley area did not experience the violence that has marred the national holiday in previous years.

The run-up to Republic Day is generally marked by increasing tensions in Srinagar as government forces step up planned search and surveillance operations. Furthermore, the observation of a holiday boycott, known as "Black Day" in Srinagar, often results in a widespread shutdown of transportation and retail services, which only adds to the woes of city-dwellers.
Photo credit: Kashmir Media Service

BARACK OBAMA INAUGURATED

Barack Obama is inaugurated and the world rejoices. Here at Gulmarg no one is disappointed to see Mr. Bush leave office.

OBAMA'S KASHMIR CONUNDRUM

Obama's Kashmir conundrum - BBC, 21 January 2009.

CRAIG KELLY (1966-2003)

Craig Kelly, a legend in the winter sports industry, champion freestyler, pioneer freerider, and inspiration to a generation of snowboarders, lost in an avalanche six years ago today. R.I.P.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. (1929-1968)

Our world is rife with division and struggle, intolerance, misunderstanding and hatred, war and oppression. Our civilization depends on the courage of men and women resisting these tyrannies to lead mankind into a future of cooperation and peace.

Although Martin Luther King Jr., is mainly identified with the civil rights movement in the US his message of peace is universal, and it speaks to people of all nations. That message is relevant to the current struggle in Kashmir; his dedication to peace everywhere is the reason Dr. King is a hero.

"Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation."
"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal."
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - MLK

Photo credit: Associated Press

CHILAI KALAN WAKES UP

Chilai Kalan wakes up; Snow, rains cut off Kashmir - RK, 18 January 2009.

From the Rising Kashmir article: The 296-kms long Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only road link connecting Kashmir with rest of the world was closed for vehicular traffic on Sunday after heavy snowfall and rains lashed the State. The army personnel in the upper reaches have been warned about possible snow avalanches and directed to take the precautionary measures.

Heavy to moderate snowfall was experienced in almost all the upper reaches and high altitudes of the Valley.

The meadow valley of Gulmarg received 3 feet of snow, Afarwat and Kangduri 4 ft, Tangmarg and Babareshi 1.5 ft, Pahalgam 1 ft, Sadhna top 4 ft and Kargil 1-2 ft in the fresh snowfall. The plain areas of the Valley also received light snowfall, much to the delight of the city residents. Trees, parks, and fields were draped in white cover.

“It was very delightful to watch the snowfall,” said a city resident Mujtaba Ahmad. (Emphasis added)

AVALANCHE AWARENESS, PT. ONE: GULMARG

Brian Newman, leader of the Snow Safety team for Gulmarg 07/08, with Nanga Parbat in the background (photo right).

Mr. Newman is a no-nonsense individual who takes his job very seriously, and each Tuesday night he and his Snow Safety team hosted a (spellbinding) presentation on the subject of avalanche danger at the Pine Palace. This was always a very well attended, SRO event that never failed to make a sobering impression on the gathered crowd.

Brian is careful to stress that this presentation in no way substituted for actual avalanche training, and in doing so, most definitely motivated many in attendance to seek out that training. (The Snow Safety team established a permanent, simulated buried victim and transceiver as a practice facility on the grounds of the Pine Palace).

Lest you remain unimpressed with the inherent danger of a big mountain environment I invite you to read this arresting submission by Ptor - the 2007 Kashmir Winter Report.
Photo credit: John Carolin
Image courtesy of Brian Newman

CIB RAIDS THE GLOBAL

SUMMIT OF AFFARWAT

USDOS: INDIA TRAVEL ALERT

Travel Alert issued by the US Department of State, 9 January 2009:

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens that there is a high threat of terrorism throughout India, and advises U.S. citizens traveling to or already in India to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, especially during the end-of-year holidays until India’s Republic Day, January 26. This Travel Alert expires on January 31, 2009 and replaces that issued on December 19 to provide updated information regarding the security situation. (Emphasis added)

LETTING LOOSE IN GULMARG

DAY TRIP TO SRINAGAR

KASHMIR CM SWORN IN

Kashmir chief minister sworn in - AJ, 7 January 2009.

DAY ONE, PHASE TWO & LIGHTS OUT

DEL-SXR

HUGE SNOWFALL AT GULMARG

Kashmir Valley receives snowfall - HN, 4 January 2009.

From the Hindu:
Srinagar (PTI): High altitudes of the Kashmir Valley received another spell of moderate to heavy snowfall, while the plains, including capital Srinagar, experienced light snowfall in the wee hours on Sunday...

The sources said Ski resort of Gulmarg, 52 kms from here, received fresh four to five feet of snow, while it was heavy in the upper reaches including Khilanmarg and Apperwath.

Several feet of snow had already covered the slopes of Gulmarg last month, making it fit for hosting winter sports activities, the sources said. (Emphasis added)

PAHAR GANJ, DELHI, PT. THREE

Day One of 2009 starts out at 500 mph, 30000 feet above Greenland and its unpronounceable landmarks, and ends stalled in a rogue taxi behind a dusty elephant in India.



Picking up where I left off last April: I'm back in the thick of it, the Central Bazaar of Pahar Ganj - the tourist ghetto Delhi/New Delhi. Posts from Delhi last year are gathered HERE.












Photo credit: Jay Farbman

HAPPY NEW YEAR