Review of Secrets of the Kashmir Valley
Posted: 18 May 2023, 12:38
[Following is a volunteer review of "Secrets of the Kashmir Valley" by Farhana Qazi.]
Kashmir is a less-known valley located between India and Pakistan. The valley boasts a population of about 6 million inhabitants. It is described as a place of beauty and deep color. Despite this beauty, there are some secrets the valley holds. Decades of war between India and Pakistan over this region continue to create misery for the Kashmiri people. Left without definite borders post-British colonization, Kashmir is a region that remains hotly contested between India and Pakistan. India wins the sporadic wars every time and continues to occupy Kashmir. In her third edition of Secrets of the Kashmir Valley, Farhana Qazi writes of the horrors imposed on the predominantly Muslim Kashmiri population by their Indian “masters”. The war has dragged on for so long. Farhana majors on the plight of women and their role in the war. Kashmir is crying for autonomy. Militia groups are on the rise in Kashmir. Acts bordering on terrorism are being committed by people oppressed in their quest for freedom. The oppression goes as far as the denial of basic human rights such as the right to communication. Farhana examines through real-life experiences the role women play in this role in conservative Muslim society. Ranging from the stories of mothers who lost sons and wives who lost husbands to women heading protests and even some volunteering for suicide bombing missions, Farhana paints a picture of a deeply troubling modern colonialism. The silence of the international community on the Kashmir issue is deafening. This is why the author decided to create awareness of the murders, tortures, and many more atrocities leveled at the Kashmiri people through the militarization of their motherland by the Indian government through literature.
I like how the author presents her stories. She writes in a manner that catches the attention of the reader. She explains the scenes so vividly. Farhana describes local life in Kashmir in great detail in such a way that reading this book is half a visit to Kashmir. The mayhem caused by the Indian occupation is also well described and it paints a worsening picture of the situation which has to be controlled soon to prevent total dehumanization of the peace-loving Kashmiri people. Farhana writes her book vividly to the point that I can only describe it as the voice of the Kashmir women. I also like the interactive manner in which the author writes the book. She asks thought-provoking questions to the reader. For example, she asks the reader to imagine the United States without internet and cell service. What comes to mind is total pandemonium. This enables a reader to embrace the principle of walking in another's shoes. The overall result is an inspiration of sympathy and human connection with the Kashmiri people in the mind of the reader. The author also provides some study questions at the end of the book which I found quite thought-provoking. The praises of Secrets of the Kashmir Valley are inexhaustible within the confines of this review. Bravo Qazi! Bravo for this great cause for your motherland.
I did not find anything displeasing in the book. I found the book so informative that I now feel like an expert in the India-Pakistan conflict whose existence I was aware of but had no idea what it was all about. The book is precise and has a good amount of research put into it.
I will rate Secrets of the Kashmir Valley with five out of five stars. I give a perfect rating because of the aforementioned praises. I did not give a lower rating because the author has a passion for her work and has produced a masterpiece of information.
Finally, I recommend this book to all readers who can read English. It is a book for humanity and everyone should read this book. In particular, those interested in Eastern affairs would be more intrigued by this book as it has a depth of knowledge on the matters of the region. UN members and those concerned and able to influence world affairs should also read this book as it can help shape policies and strategies to bring freedom and human dignity to a bleeding Kashmir.
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Secrets of the Kashmir Valley
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Kashmir is a less-known valley located between India and Pakistan. The valley boasts a population of about 6 million inhabitants. It is described as a place of beauty and deep color. Despite this beauty, there are some secrets the valley holds. Decades of war between India and Pakistan over this region continue to create misery for the Kashmiri people. Left without definite borders post-British colonization, Kashmir is a region that remains hotly contested between India and Pakistan. India wins the sporadic wars every time and continues to occupy Kashmir. In her third edition of Secrets of the Kashmir Valley, Farhana Qazi writes of the horrors imposed on the predominantly Muslim Kashmiri population by their Indian “masters”. The war has dragged on for so long. Farhana majors on the plight of women and their role in the war. Kashmir is crying for autonomy. Militia groups are on the rise in Kashmir. Acts bordering on terrorism are being committed by people oppressed in their quest for freedom. The oppression goes as far as the denial of basic human rights such as the right to communication. Farhana examines through real-life experiences the role women play in this role in conservative Muslim society. Ranging from the stories of mothers who lost sons and wives who lost husbands to women heading protests and even some volunteering for suicide bombing missions, Farhana paints a picture of a deeply troubling modern colonialism. The silence of the international community on the Kashmir issue is deafening. This is why the author decided to create awareness of the murders, tortures, and many more atrocities leveled at the Kashmiri people through the militarization of their motherland by the Indian government through literature.
I like how the author presents her stories. She writes in a manner that catches the attention of the reader. She explains the scenes so vividly. Farhana describes local life in Kashmir in great detail in such a way that reading this book is half a visit to Kashmir. The mayhem caused by the Indian occupation is also well described and it paints a worsening picture of the situation which has to be controlled soon to prevent total dehumanization of the peace-loving Kashmiri people. Farhana writes her book vividly to the point that I can only describe it as the voice of the Kashmir women. I also like the interactive manner in which the author writes the book. She asks thought-provoking questions to the reader. For example, she asks the reader to imagine the United States without internet and cell service. What comes to mind is total pandemonium. This enables a reader to embrace the principle of walking in another's shoes. The overall result is an inspiration of sympathy and human connection with the Kashmiri people in the mind of the reader. The author also provides some study questions at the end of the book which I found quite thought-provoking. The praises of Secrets of the Kashmir Valley are inexhaustible within the confines of this review. Bravo Qazi! Bravo for this great cause for your motherland.
I did not find anything displeasing in the book. I found the book so informative that I now feel like an expert in the India-Pakistan conflict whose existence I was aware of but had no idea what it was all about. The book is precise and has a good amount of research put into it.
I will rate Secrets of the Kashmir Valley with five out of five stars. I give a perfect rating because of the aforementioned praises. I did not give a lower rating because the author has a passion for her work and has produced a masterpiece of information.
Finally, I recommend this book to all readers who can read English. It is a book for humanity and everyone should read this book. In particular, those interested in Eastern affairs would be more intrigued by this book as it has a depth of knowledge on the matters of the region. UN members and those concerned and able to influence world affairs should also read this book as it can help shape policies and strategies to bring freedom and human dignity to a bleeding Kashmir.
******
Secrets of the Kashmir Valley
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon