Kashmir Sentinel’s centenary issue released

KS Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 23: The centenary issue of Kashmir Sentinel, a prominent local monthly journal, was released in a simple yet impressive function, held here today at Jammu Club.

The issue was released by Prof. Hari Om, State BJP Spokesperson and Mr. Shyam Koul, a Veteran Journalist. Mentioning the momentousness of ‘Kashmir Sentinel’, Prof Hari Om spoke about its uniqueness. He told the audience this journal had a particular that standing in the field of Journalism. He added that it covers all aspects of history of India as well as J&K. “It provides me exact picture about Kashmir affairs. I normally preserve important clippings of news papers. But so far as Sentinel is concerned, I preserve the whole copy,” observed Prof. Hari Om. He cautioned the audience not to take Sentinel as simply the mouth-piece of Pandit community. This journal covers all aspects of Kashmir problem, he added. He assured that the efforts of sentinel will not go in vain.

Prof. Hari Om said, “Sentinel is the protection shield of Indian culture and it is serving the nation with a broad vision. I am emotionally attached to the Kashmir Sentinel because from time to time sentinel keeps us in touch with our past.”

Mr Shyam Koul, recalled with pride his association with Kashmir Sentinel as its founder-editor. He said that it is a great moment for a journal as it has survived on limited resources and enjoys a highly committed readership. About the role of Sentinel it is the good way to tell the world about our plight, miseries and disinformation. He recalled the occasion when the first issue was released in the presence of a huge gathering.

Prof. M.K. Teng said Kashmir Sentinel represents Indian and Kashmiri civilization, where as the national papers were the ideologies of western liberation. Dr Teng strongly rejected the contention, frequently displayed on Television, Kafiley Bastey Gey Aur, Hindustan Banta Gaya (Carvans went on settling down and Hindustan was formed). “It means that before settling of the caravans, Hindustan was not existing. Such types of slogans are creating illusion among the masses,” he added.

Mr Omkar Nath Trisal, veteran Congressman and senior community leader observed, “our target is separate homeland and Kashmir Sentinel is a weapon in our hands to fight the forces inimical to Pandit community interests”.

Dr. Ajay Chrungoo, Chairman Panun Kashmir on the occasion said the publication of 100th issue is not a big achievement to talk about but the circumstances under which the Sentinel completed its 100th issue is creditable and no less than a triumph. He said that he wanted to know for how long the Central government was going to ignore the displaced Pandit community as it is not coming out with any solution. Dr. Ajay warned that if Congress keeps appeasing the Muslims for their support, a day will come when Congress will lose its identity.

Dr. S.S. Toshkhani, a noted poet and scholar on Kashmir's cultural tradition described Kashmir Sentinel as a unique journal. He observed that in his view no paper of this standard has been ever brought out by Kashmiri Pandit community. He said the uniqueness of Kashmir Sentinel lay in its refusal to engage in personal publicity of Panun Kashmir leaders. Dr Toshkhani said that the papers writings reflected continuity and added that it was a tremendous effort by people associated with it. Capt. SK Tickoo praised the efforts to keep Kashmir Sentinel going.

Prof. M.L. Koul, an eminent scholar lauded the efforts of Kashmir Sentinel in countering disinformation. He came down heavily on Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust for applauding people like Balraj Puri  and said that these were the people who engaged in malicious disinformation on Pandits’ ethnic-cleansing. Prof. Koul commented such negative tendencies in the community need to be exposed.

Mr. Shailendra Aima, Editor Kashmir Sentinel, Dr Shakti Bhan, chairman Panun Kashmir Foundation and the noted Gynecologist and Mr. Kuldeep Raina, General Secretary Panun Kashmir also spoke on the occasion. They impressed upon the audience the need to create a fund for the survival of the paper .  

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