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Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘My father's soul must be at peace now': In Dombivali, a Pahalgam victim's son says he's satisfied with Operation Sindoor
'Baba ki atma ko ab shanti mili hogi (my father's soul must be at peace now),' says Harshal, the 21-year-old son of Dombivali resident Sanjay Laxman Lele, who was gunned down in the Pahalgam terror attack last month. Harshal criticised the April 22 attack that claimed 26 lives and praised the Indian government's decision to launch Operation Sindoor and target terrorist infrastructure at nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Harshal's father, Sanjay, and two of his cousins, Hemant Joshi and Atul Mone, were touring Jammu and Kashmir along with their families when the Pahalgam terror attack took place. All three were killed in the attack. Harshal Sanjay Lele (Express Photo) 'One of my uncles had urged them to allow us to leave. But they showed no mercy and shot him dead. Similarly, my other uncle and my father were killed,' said Harshal, seated in his house at Vijayshree Cooperative Housing Society in Dombivali (West). Harshal, who had also sustained a minor bullet injury on his finger, said, 'Yesterday night I got to know about the air strike on terror camps. We are happy…the souls of my father, two uncles and all the deceased can now rest in peace. Families of the deceased are happy and satisfied with this action. We have also got support from the political parties.' 'We are happy and satisfied. More such actions should take place. Like this, 1,000 terrorists should be killed, and they should be destroyed completely,' an emotional and angry Harshal said. Atul's wife, Anushka, said she was thankful to the Indian government. 'The souls of the three deceased would have found peace. The government should end terrorism at its roots,' she said. Daughter Richa added, 'We are happy that Indians have taken such action so quickly.' Reacting to Operation Sindoor, Hemant's wife, Monica, said emotionally, 'We respect the action taken by the government. My family is in grief. We cannot say much at this stage, but we are satisfied with the action and respect it.' Hemant and Monica had gone to Kashmir for a tour with their son, Dhruv, 16. Jayant Bhave (Express Photo) Hemant's father-in-law, Jayant Bhave, also praised the 'appropriate' action. 'We were waiting for this action. I believe this is a true tribute to the three people who lost their lives. This action will definitely help in reducing terrorism,' Bhave said. Three brothers were shot point-blank Maternal cousins Atul Mone, Sanjay Lele and Hemant Joshi and their families had left Dombivali for Kashmir on April 20. They first went to Ahmedabad by train and took a flight to Kashmir from there. Atul was travelling with his wife Anushka, 35, and daughter Richa, 18. Sanjay was with his wife Kavita, 46, and son Harshal, 21, and Hemant, 46, was travelling with his wife, Monica, 44, and son, Dhruv, 16. Richa Mone and Anushka Mone (Express Photo) According to Atul's kin, the terrorists shot him in the stomach, Sanjay in his head and Hemant in his chest. After their bodies were brought to Dombivali from Kashmir, thousands of people gathered to pay respects to them and support the families. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and MP Shrikant Shinde also paid their respects. Later, a funeral procession was carried out, and the last rites were performed at a crematorium in Dombivali (East).
Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
From Pune to Aragam: terror survivor returns to lead Kashmir's first ‘book and poetry village'
Aragam, a tribal village located 70 km from Srinagar in Bandipora district, has become Kashmir's first 'book and poetry village', where over 70 households have dedicated spaces for books. This project, which started in March last year, will now be managed by Manzoor Rather, who had come to Pune after witnessing his father's killing by militants. Manzoor Rather's return to his homeland comes at a time when many are leaving Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack in search of safety. On October 5, 1998, while three-year-old Rather sat in his father's lap at the dinner table, a group of militants stormed their home in Ajas Bazipora village and killed his father. Aragam, a tribal village located 70 km from Srinagar in Bandipora district. (Express Photo) 'I could've been killed if my father hadn't thrown me away. Following this incident, my grandmother took me to Aragam, where I studied till Class 1. Then, with the help of the Sarhad NGO, I completed my schooling and graduation from the Sarhad Institute in Pune. And recently did my master's in English literature from the Azam campus,' he said. While in Pune, Rather discovered his passion for freestyle dance. He is now a professional choreographer who has worked in Marathi films and was the lead in the title track of Marathi movies like Redu and others. Despite achieving financial stability and settling in Pune with his wife, Rather felt a pull toward his native place. 'I was not content with life overall, as my people in Kashmir are still in search of education and economic opportunities, and I was thinking of doing something for them for many years. After seeing Mushtaq Khoja, a Kashmiri local who started Sarhad Public School in Dardpora village in Kupwara district, which now helps over 250 students study there, my resolve for Aragam strengthened. There I will teach my dance skills to help the budding artists, and connecting with residents there will enhance the cultural exchange which I have gained over the years,' he added. This project, which started in March last year, will now be managed by Manzoor Rather, who had come to Pune after witnessing his father's killing by militants. (Express Photo) Speaking to The Indian Express, Sanjay Nahar, founder of Sarhad, said, 'The Aragam project was implemented in March last year through the collaborative efforts of the Bandipora district administration, our NGO, and Siraj Khan, who initiated the groundwork and was inspired by Bhilar village in Mahabaleshwar. Currently, it has an open library, with over 3,000 books of different genres, which have been distributed to over seventy households and include contributions from the Maharashtra government's Marathi language department.' Sarhad is also planning to start a UPSC guidance centre at Aragam. 'With specialised study materials and civil services exam guidance sessions, our effort will be to help increase the representation of candidates from Jammu and Kashmir in central services,' explained Rather. Rather also aims to develop community-based tourism through homestays. 'This will be beneficial for tourists and locals as well, as economic opportunities will be created for residents while tourists can get a firsthand experience of local Kashmiri culture, which often gets missed in hotel stays. Scaling this initiative with an educational component will keep the youth engaged and divert their attention away from militant activities,' he added.
Indian Express
04-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
‘War leads only to destruction': Life inside a Punjab village surrounded by Pakistan and a river
With just 918 residents, Muhar Jamsher is a tiny yet resilient village in Punjab's Fazilka district. Its unique and sensitive geographical location sets it apart — Pakistan surrounds it on three sides and the Sutlej River on the fourth. The village residents live in constant uncertainty, sometimes due to devastating floods and at other times because of border tensions. The last major flood in this village occurred in 2003. It has 703 registered voters and around 1,400 acres of fertile land, owned by around 30 to 35 families. The primary crops grown are wheat and paddy. 'We are safe because the Army and the BSF are here to protect us,' said Veer Sing (Express Photo) After the wheat harvest this year, a few families have sown green moong, while others have kept their fields vacant, preparing for the paddy season in June. Those who have planted moong plan to sow basmati in July. Around 200 of these 1,400 acres are behind barbed wire, where farming is done in restricted hours in the presence of Kisan Guards of the Border Security Force (BSF). 'We know there is tension at the borders, but we are staying strong,' said Veer Singh, husband of village sarpanch Paramjeet Kaur in the wake of the India-Pakistan diplomatic standoff following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. 'Our forefathers witnessed the wars of 1965 and 1971. I'm 41 now and faintly remember the Kargil war. Wars are not as simple as portrayed on TV or social media. Sitting on the frontline, we know the destruction war brings,' said Veer, whose words echo the quiet resilience of this border village, where life continues under the shadow of conflict. Jagga Singh and Makhan Singh, two elderly brothers in their late 70s, live in a house near the barbed wire fencing. From their home, one can see a Pakistani checkpost across the border and even hear the azan from a nearby mosque on the other side. Jagga Singh's son Chhanka Singh said, 'We still hear the azan every day. Sometimes, they announce news like someone's death from the village across. They also seem to live peacefully now. Their houses looked abandoned earlier, but now even that side is turning green and has better-built homes.' Pappu Singh, in his late 30s, fondly known in the village as 'Pappu doctor' for his knowledge of local medicines, recalled the 1971 war: 'Our elders told us that during that time, few men stayed in the village while women and children were sent out. The sound of bombs echoed all around.' The village elders remember how Pakistani forces ran over 28 villages in Fazilka district during the 1971 war. Residents received Rs 500 per acre per year as compensation for two years, but when the land was returned 18 months later, it was riddled with landmines that the Army had to clear, making farming nearly impossible. Similar problems occurred during the 1965 war and the 1999 Kargil conflict. Village residents still have made the land fertile through their hard work, they said. 'War leads only to destruction,' said another villager. 'Now, in the age of nuclear weapons, the consequences can be unimaginable. Even in February 2019, after the Pulwama attack, there were talks of war. The same fear arose after Pahalgam recently. But constant talk of war achieves nothing.' A high-security bridge on the Sutlej River now connects the village to the outside world. It was built about five-seven years ago. Before that, a boat or a temporary army bridge was the only way out. At the BSF post, outsiders must deposit their Aadhaar cards before entry and collect them while leaving. 'But this bridge is not wide enough. Only one tractor can cross at a time,' Pappu said. 'It is a sensitive zone, and we don't even take pictures on the bridge,' he added. Despite challenges, the village is progressing. According to the 2011 Census, the literacy rate was around 47 per cent, but Veer Singh proudly noted, 'Now, children are eager to study. Many of our boys are in the Army, and boys and girls are government teachers. Times are changing.' After the wheat harvest this year, a few families have sown green moong, while others have kept their fields vacant (Express Photo) Kewal Singh, a former member of the panchayat, said,' My nephew is in CRPF now… Who else can understand the importance of guarding our borders… Now children are studying, and they want a progressive Punjab.' Currently, villagers report no noticeable increase in military activity. However, sources indicate that the Army has started cleaning bunkers. Workers from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) have been hired from nearby villages, such as Muhar Jamsher and Muhar Khewaby, to assist with the cleaning efforts, as reported by locals. While there have been occasional patrols by BSF and Army officials, no information has been communicated to the residents.. 'We are safe because the Army and the BSF are here to protect us,' said Veer Singh. 'Their posts are always active — war or no war.' His voice grew firm with pride as he added, 'Jung de maidan toh Punjabi kade nahi darde…Desh de naal khare haan…fauj di poori madad karange je koi halaat bane taan (Punjabis never fear the battlefield…we stand with the nation… And will fully support the Army if the situation demand
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
In Pune, how red dots and elephants are leading the way into memories
The work, Red Dot, is intended to stir an intimate memory of every woman who comes across it. It has emerged from a personal experience of artist Minal Parkhi – of her first period when her mother gave her a folded cloth to use. Red Dot recreates the impression of blood stains on the cloth, except that the recurring patterns in the work are made using cow dung and red thread. Red Dot is a part of the exhibition, Thassa: The Mark of Being, at Monalisa Kalagram in Pune till May 14. Parkhi, who completed her art diploma from Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya, is moved by a deep motivation for almost every aspect of work. The cow dung that is a common medium can be traced not only to Parkhi's childhood in Induri village near Talegaon, where her family lived in 'mitti ka ghar' and used cow dung on the floors, but also to gender politics. 'It is always the women who work with cow dung, whether it is related to rituals or the work of making cow dung cakes. I thought that cow dung was an appropriate medium to depict the experiences of women,' says Parkhi. Parkhi, who completed her art diploma from Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya, is moved by a deep motivation for almost every aspect of work. (Express Photo) The other notable influence is the elephant made from colourful waste cloth. Parkhi goes back to the Covid-19 years when she and her husband returned from Dubai, where they had been staying, to India. Surrounded by the fear of the global pandemic, when just trying to stay alive and safe became of paramount importance, Parkhi wondered if it wasn't possible to make art beyond the demands of acrylic and canvas. She noticed that the neighbourhood tailoring shop routinely burnt or discarded large bags of waste clothes. These became her medium, and an elephant form took shape. It's a work that has kept growing and acquired meanings. 'I like the impression of weight that an elephant conveys. It is an apt symbolism of the burden of waste that the planet is enduring. When we get a suit stitched, do we bother about the waste that we generate?' she says. The medium of using waste and sustainable elements, including cow dung, has become her message. An installation shows two women forms, once again made from rags, sitting together, their featureless faces surveying each other. One of the women is nude, the other covered in colours of waste fabric. 'The nude figure represents a woman from a red light area while the other is from a 'good family'. It is strange how women judge each other,' says the artist. There is a third chair as well that is empty. It is an item that almost every family has – something that was once used by a deceased person and holds their memories. Parkhi's way of working verges on the meditative, where she is driven by impulses rather than conscious thoughts. 'I get a lot of feedback that the works stir feelings in the viewers,' she says.
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
‘Like seeing a lion in Leh': Birder spots greater racket-tailed drongo in Gurgaon
When Major General Arvind Yadav was out on his usual birding routine Sunday, the last thing he expected to see in the semi-arid Millenium City was a greater racket-tailed drongo, a medium-sized Asian bird known for its long outer tail feathers with webbing only at the tips. 'It is like spotting a lion in Leh, Ladakh. They have no reason to be seen in Gurgaon,' said Maj Gen Yadav, 57, a serving officer, who sighted the bird in Jhanjhrola in the morning. The greater racket-tailed drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus) belongs to the Dicruridae family and stands out in forest habitats, often perching openly and drawing attention with loud, varied calls, including accurate imitations of other birds. They tend to steal insects caught or disturbed by other flock members, and another hypothesis is that their mimicry distracts smaller birds to facilitate this theft. They are active during the day, especially before dawn and near dusk. Maj Gen Yadav said that the Himalayan bird is otherwise spotted only in forests or hilly regions, and his experience on Sunday would be termed a vagrant sighting, which happens when a bird is spotted outside its normal geographic range or migration route. The greater racket-tailed drongo is spotted only in forests or hilly regions. (Express Photo) Previously, the greater racket-tailed drongo was spotted in Haryana only in the Faridabad section of the Aravallis on two occasions, he said. 'It is not native to the state, and when we saw it, the bird was being chased away and attacked by resident birds like crows, who do not allow other birds to mingle in their area.' The officer added that his birder group had another vagrant sighting earlier – a wader bird known as the thick-knee. Stumped by the spotting, he said that traditional textbooks on birds need not necessarily be considered the last word. 'What with significant climate change and deforestation, maybe it is being forced to adapt to and adopt a new habitat of sorts. This one might just have been lost, but still.'
