Monday, March 24, 2008

Abid Gowhar interviews Dr. Darakhshan

Saturday, March 15, 2008
Mein Bharat Ki Deewani Hoon”

A young poet; Kashmiri Lady with new political song"

She likes to be different than others, whether it’s her poetry, intellect or other circumstances in her life. This young lady from Lalbazar Srinagar is enriched with so much versatility that, in local literary forums, she is renowned for her Urdu prose and poetry, in social forums she has an urge to help the distress people and in politics, she has courage to open-up against all odds with a unique manifesto.
She is Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, a doctorate in Urdu, winner of many National awards including “Vijay Sammaan”, an effective writer and poet, author of many books and founder of Socialistic Democratic Party(SDP), a political party with patriotic agenda.
She spoke more about her life and ideology in an exclusive interview withAbid Gowhar (Freelance Journalist).

Question: Madam, Is it a poet, turning politician or a search for theme of your new ghazal or script?

I am a poet by birth having sensitive observations all around and of course intend to change the theme of modern politics not only by words but by actual deeds. I am not just turning to politics but like to help the people, who are mischieved by modern-day politicians.
Question: What attracted you to think about politics?

I believe that the people of the state have been ditched and deceived by the ambitious and selfish politicians in the garb of sentimental exploitation and sloganeering. We as a people have been left in a rudderless boat in the sea of misery by our own politicians. I never wanted to watch it all happening and just pass comments and talk against it at my own place as the majority of our educated people do. I believe we do not need impotent intellectualism to correct the wrongs in our political system but we need honest, educated class to come forward to replace the myopic politicians of the day.
Question: You belong to a reserved Kashmiri muslim family. Where from you get your education and how you managed to cross the social bearers?

Yes, I was born in an educated business family brought up in very strict but genuinely pious religious atmosphere but that doesn’t mean that Kahmiri girls have got no freedom of getting higher education or there is any social bearer to achieve good aims and objectives. I got my early education from English medium schools, got my masters in Urdu from Kashmir University before going out of the state for further education. I did my masters in Philosophy from Lucknow University and masters in Psychology from Aligarh Muslim University. I lately did Ph.D in Urdu from Guru Nanak Dev University for which, I worked on the literary contribution of the veteran contemporary Urdu poet Makhmoor Sayeedi.
Question: what about your literary tastes and script writing?

I remember, I was composing small verses even during my school days. When I reached college I found ways to different literary forums. I started with Urdu and then started to write in both Urdu and Kashmiri. I have presented my poetry all over the country and abroad too. I have produced and directed a Current affairs mega series "Khoon Kay Ansoo" for Dordharshan. In addition to my own productions I scripted fifty episodes of diverse nature for other producers also.
Question: What about your various publications to your name?

My writings have been published in different leading papers and journals. Again my Urdu short story collection "Khoon Ki Lakeraein" has also been published. Other books include “Jahaar” (A translation anthology of Indian Poems) and “Tarakh Nabech tarakh Moth”.I have co-translated Ex Prime Minister V. P. Singh's poetry into Kashmiri which has also come out in book form. I have translated the world famous poet Pablo Neruda into Kashmiri. I worked with Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for some time as Editor of their periodical “Sheeraza”.
Question: How far you feel encouraged by the feedback to your literary works?

I was honored with some very prestigious awards for my literary pursuits that encouraged me a lot. The prominent among them are, Sahir Ludhyanvi Award , Shair-e-Wattan Award and very dear to me the Vijey Sammaan from Government of India for gallantry of my pen.
Question: You are a different voice in whole of J&K’s political arena. What inspires you to be unique in a terror enveloped state?

My love for my country. “Mein Bharat Ki Deewani Hoon”. My patriotism leads me to be brave and present the truth as it is. I believe people of J&K right from 1947 have been exploited by political leaders by their semi-separatist ideologies and sentimentalist theories. I want to tell the truth to the innocent people of J&K. That is what I am doing…….
Question: What about the present political slogans like “Self Rule” and “Demilitarization” ?

I believe it is mere separatism. It is the repetition of Sheikh Abdullah type of politics. “Aadha Idhar,Aadha Udhar”. People in militancy-infested areas are living a fearless life because army is there. Demilitarization means gifting J&K to terrorists, Self Rule is confusion synonymous with PDP. My party (SDP) will never allow this all to happen.
Question: You seem a staunch opposer of Hurriyat Conference also. Is it True?

Yes, they are killers. They are responsible for the genocide of our youth. They have used Islam, the religion of peace and universal brotherhood for justifying their criminal attitudes for their personal gains, amassed enormous wealth through Hawala and compelled the youth of the state to be killed and stay without objecting because of fear of gun. They are again exploiting the innocent Kashmiris.
Question: Do you feel yourself secure in the present situations of your motherland?

God is protecting me. The State government is trying to eliminate my presence. Despite my right to security, the police and the local administration has deprived me of my constitutional right. I respect constitution but am sorry to say that we have very biased law implementing agencies in Jammu and Kashmir. My party wants that our ailing system of governance should be properly treated.
Question: Have you been able put your voice forward in any of the forums out-side the State?

The majority of the people out-side J&K think that all Kashmiris are separatists. I have tried to break this unhealthy feeing. My slogan is “Hum Hindustan Say Hain, Hindustan Hum Say Hai”.
Question: You fought previous parliament election as an independent candidate but failed. Now you have launched a party (SDP) and have decleared your part's participation in the coming Assembly elections. What do you expect now?

We have already started the preparations. We are contesting in all the three divisions. Our party has earned the support of the people in many constituencies while as in some other constituencies we are working very hard. The youth of the state is identifying itself with the economy-oriented political ideology of SDP. I hope if there will be transparency in coming Assembly elections, my party will show its strength and win many seats Insha Allah.

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