February 06, 2007	Tuesday	Muharram 17, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: A daylong Kashmir Yakjehti Mela was organized at the Lok Virsa here on Monday, with Kashmiris’ cherished wish for freedom and show of moral support to the freedom struggle by the people of Pakistan being the loud and clear theme.

The Mela was jointly organized by the Lok Virsa and the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day observed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan.

The Mela was marked by a series of activities. Some of the major attractions were the Kashmiri artisans at work, Kashmiri arts and crafts bazaar, a congregation of the Kashmiri community and a photographic exhibition on Kashmir.

The event was full of energy. Tableaux, national songs and speeches by schoolchildren were the perfect opening for the Mela.

Probably, the highlight of the event was the well-rehearsed, energetic and delightful performances by these schoolchildren. They sang beautifully and the effect of these young artists on a mixture of audience was brilliant. Kashmiri music, a puppet show and stage play by Kashmiri artists and poetry recitation were also part of the event.

On display in the arts and crafts bazaar were handicrafts, embroidery works, carpets, shawls and decoration products. The originality of design was best executed by the master craftsman of metal works Khawaja Ghulam Habib Salar. Mr Salar learnt the art when he was six. He has trained over 300 students all over the country. He told this reporter that his family had moved to Pakistan from Srinagar in 1947. “Salar was the title given to me by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1948 in Peshawar,” he said.

“It feels good that we all come together to observe Kashmir Day. But it hurts me that all efforts for the independence of my Kashmir have failed,” the 80-year-old Salar said. He has not passed the art of metal onto his children. “There is no recognition of our skills here. And only foreigners like our art,” Salar said.

A prized presentation of the traditional artisans of Kashmir were Gabbas (wall hangings and rugs) with embroidery depicting scenes of hunting, wedding, celebrations and floral geometric patterns. Gabbas are made using a special needle called Aar and a Gabba takes a month to complete,” said the 40-year old Mukhtar Ahmad Dar.

Steaming hot Kashmiri food was another major attraction at the Mela. Some of the best Kashmiri delicacies like Kushtaba (mutton), Rista (mutton), Kashmiri kebab, Karam fish, Aabgosh (meat cooked in milk) and of course Kashmiri tea decorated the food stands.

Muhammad Aslam was the chief chef who had prepared all the delicious food. His family had moved to Pakistan before partition. “Kashmir Day has little significance for me. I was three years old when we migrated. I’m not emotionally attached to Kashmir but it is the home of my ancestors and I will go back after its independence,” he said.

AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan was chief guest on the occasion. In his brief remarks, Attique stressed that peace in the region was directly linked to a peaceful solution of the Kashmir problem. “Kashmir can serve as a bridge between Pakistan and India,” he said.

Photo exhibition: About 100 photographs depicting the freedom struggle of Kashmiris and the Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir were put on display at an exhibition organized by the Rawalpindi Arts Council here on Monday, writes our reporter from Pindi.

The exhibition was organized in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day. Most of the photographs had never been displayed at any forum before.

The photographs showed the blood-soaked bodies of innocent Kashmiris and the young and old women mourning their death.

Some photographs depicted the valley of Kashmir with its dreamy landscape, azure lakes and snow-clad mountains before the Indian occupation troops set their foot on the valley. The hope, endurance and resolve of the Kashmiris was also depicted in the photographs.

Students from three schools presented tableaux and songs on the occasion, praising the heroic freedom struggle of the people of Kashmir.

The students of Hassan Academy for Special Education presented a tableau with the theme “atrocities and peace cannot go hand in hand”. The performance of impaired students won them a standing ovation from the audience.