M.M SHUJA
The old city of Srinagar Down Town Popularly known as “Shaher-e-Khas” has not only a historical background but people living in Paradise have emotional and religious bonding with this old city of Srinagar. Hundreds of Families from Down Town have shifted to Civil Lines and other Posh Colonies of Srinagar City but still male members of family used to visit grand grave yard “ MALKAH” To offer “FATEH” to their Parents and Grand Parents. People residing in other Parts of Srinagar City frequently visit the Shrines of Gausul Azam DastgeerRA, Makdoom SahabRA, Khwaja Naqshband SahibRA, Amir Kabir syed ali hamdaniRA and other Ziyarat Gahs and Dargah, due to revered shrines Down Town is Shaher -e- Khas for people of Paradise.
From decades, the Down Town has been a favorite place to Visit. This imperative part of Srinagar City has been a place of Solace for our old age People and even for small Children residing in other Parts of valley. In our childhood when our parents, Grand Parents used to take us old city during holy nights of Shabi Qadar or Shabi Mehraj to old city, which was considered as a Special day for all Children. The old city progressed well Till 1989-90 the period of turmoil started, Down Town was worst hit, frequent Shutdown, Cross firing followed by causalities not only snatched the precious lives but even peace of mind too. Though after three decades normalcy returned but Shaher-e- Khass of Srinagar city is Still in pathetic condition. The marginalized families residing in old city who during odd times preferred to stay in Shaher-e- khas even today are facing lot of problems in daily life.
People residing in Shaher-e-Khas are blaming successive regimes for poor development as the imperative part of city has been snubbed due to Vote bank Politics. Better road connectivity, Drinking water, Drainage , Parking and above all unemployment is a major issue which has not been redressed from decades. Khanyar to other Parts of old city, roads are dusty as the development projects under Smart City are going by Snail’s Pace which has impacted the business activities of Down Town Srinagar. As per traders on one hand there is frequent Traffic jam in old city and on the other hand no designated parking area for Shoppers is the main reason that the markets of old city look deserted now a days. In present digital era where people are using advanced technology, the people of old city have dilapidated roads, narrow lanes and by lanes which always have devastated the people during Fire incidents Scarcity of safe Drinking water, drainage failure during incessant rains. Down Town which is considered as hub for Kashmir Art and Craft are fighting for survival today. An artisan Abdul Majeed said that due to fake products available in Kashmir and outside valley has impacted this old age business which is a major source of income for artisans and small Shop keepers. Our young generation is not ready to carry their family legacy due to dismal future of industry. The artisan blamed entire system as fake Shawls and other products are available in abundance and even the administration is aware of the Situation. Genuine products are losing their market due to one or the other reason. Unemployment problem have shuttered the dreams of youth and they have indulged in overt and covert activities thus a serious concern not only for their Parents but for entire Society. What has left now to carry forward as one by one we are losing our business and youth of old city their moral values ,We all are watching helplessly whole destruction. Today the mobile in hand cannot be named development. Our daughters have crossed the age of forty without marriage, Young boys which are pillar of Society are busy in immoral activities around revered shrines of old city, he appealed scholars and other religious leaders to come forward join hands to save the youth to save Paradise on Earth.
Prominent lawyer and well known track II diplomat Ashok Bhan said that Shaher-e- Khas (Down Town) has not only rich political and historical significance in J&K but Kashmiri Pandits are emotionally bonded with this old part of Srinagar city which is blessed by DastgeerSahabRA, and Makdoom sahib RA. Even after more than three decades of migration, every year thousands of Kashmiri Pandits while visiting Mata kheer Bhawani pay visit to shrines of Down Town Srinagar.
Bhan urged the administration to restore the glory of old city and also explore the Sofi Shrines of Down Town under Pilgrimage Tourism as it can generate employment opportunities for unemployed youth of old city.
Secretary General KCCI Faiz Bakshi acknowledged that the traders of old city are facing multiple issues and the Chamber has taken the matter with Divisional and District administration. Bakshi urged the authorities to complete the projects under Smart City expeditiously as due to sluggish work, the Trade bodies are aghast. Prominent activists and Environment Advocate Nadeem Qadri, Er Aijaz Rasool and Dr Towseef Bhat have suggested that UT administration should draft a beatification plan for old city for better road connectivity , advanced Health care Facilities, Modern schools for poor students and should address the environment concerns of public residing in different parts of old city. They also advocated timely attention to Achan saidpora dumping site which is turning hazardous for the people of old city.If administration is serious to restore the beauty of old city, Environmental Policy Group (EPG)team is available to provide free services of Experts for conservation and preservation of heritage of old city to restore its brilliance.
The Author is Senior Journalist / Human Rights Activist and can be reached at mmshuja@gmail.com
