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THURS, MAY 7 ELECTION DAY
Very little traffic. Went for a walk with Imtiyaz and Faizan in the morning. I cut oats with some ladies in the field, and took video footage of them. We were not allowed to walk into any villages, but had to stay on the road only. If there is going to be any trouble on election day, it will be in the villages. So we turned around after a while and headed back. Even though in most of Kashmir the actual voting turnout is only 3 or 4%, here in our Ganderbal district the voting turnout is closer to 60%. I found out one of the reasons why on Friday, when Sami and I visited the top military commander in Ganderbal. Commandant Vivik Sharma believes strongly in eliminating militancy, not just militants. I have learned that in Kashmir the independence fighters are called militants by some; terrorists by others. Commandant Sharma's job is only to find and stop the militants. But he does more. Much more. He organizes free cataract surgeries, field trips to Delhi for school children, free veterinary training for the small farmers, and locates funds to support efforts like the Hope Disability Centre. He brought out several photo albums of all the community assistance projects his troops have oganised in the 3 years he has been there. It was very impressive. He will be reassigned soon. And I think he has chosen to build a cricket stadium in Ganderbal as his lasting contribution to the community. It will be finished next month. But he is most proud of the fact that not one of his soldiers has troubled any of the students at the all girls school right next door. Not once in 3 years. He does not want recognition for any of these good works, however, because his superior officers would not approve. They want him only to find and stop the militants, and nothing else. But his approach works. There is peace in Ganderbal District. People turn out to vote. The Commandant General even requires his men to treat suspected militants with respect and consideration. There was a photo of a militant giving himself up in the room we were sitting in. The military found and took in this PakIstani militant who had come to Kashmir to help liberate the country, and asked him why he had chosen the militant path. The Pakistani said he had heard that Muslims were not allowed to worship at the mosques, and other offenses. So the commandant took him around Ganderbal and showed him the open mosques, and allowed him to talk to the local people about life in Ganderbal District. And the man, who had not killed anyone, ended up joining the army. If all the miliary commanders around the world were like this man, there would be no need for militaries at all. Sami considers him a friend, and I can see why. I hope his successor will have the same mindset, but it is highly unlikely.
Very little traffic. Went for a walk with Imtiyaz and Faizan in the morning. I cut oats with some ladies in the field, and took video footage of them. We were not allowed to walk into any villages, but had to stay on the road only. If there is going to be any trouble on election day, it will be in the villages. So we turned around after a while and headed back. Even though in most of Kashmir the actual voting turnout is only 3 or 4%, here in our Ganderbal district the voting turnout is closer to 60%. I found out one of the reasons why on Friday, when Sami and I visited the top military commander in Ganderbal. Commandant Vivik Sharma believes strongly in eliminating militancy, not just militants. I have learned that in Kashmir the independence fighters are called militants by some; terrorists by others. Commandant Sharma's job is only to find and stop the militants. But he does more. Much more. He organizes free cataract surgeries, field trips to Delhi for school children, free veterinary training for the small farmers, and locates funds to support efforts like the Hope Disability Centre. He brought out several photo albums of all the community assistance projects his troops have oganised in the 3 years he has been there. It was very impressive. He will be reassigned soon. And I think he has chosen to build a cricket stadium in Ganderbal as his lasting contribution to the community. It will be finished next month. But he is most proud of the fact that not one of his soldiers has troubled any of the students at the all girls school right next door. Not once in 3 years. He does not want recognition for any of these good works, however, because his superior officers would not approve. They want him only to find and stop the militants, and nothing else. But his approach works. There is peace in Ganderbal District. People turn out to vote. The Commandant General even requires his men to treat suspected militants with respect and consideration. There was a photo of a militant giving himself up in the room we were sitting in. The military found and took in this PakIstani militant who had come to Kashmir to help liberate the country, and asked him why he had chosen the militant path. The Pakistani said he had heard that Muslims were not allowed to worship at the mosques, and other offenses. So the commandant took him around Ganderbal and showed him the open mosques, and allowed him to talk to the local people about life in Ganderbal District. And the man, who had not killed anyone, ended up joining the army. If all the miliary commanders around the world were like this man, there would be no need for militaries at all. Sami considers him a friend, and I can see why. I hope his successor will have the same mindset, but it is highly unlikely.
I found this at the online edition of Kashmir Times, about Commandant Sharma:
SRINAGAR, Jan 17: Apart from anti-militancy operations, the 3 Sector Rashtriya Rifles (RR) claims to have served the people of Ganderbal and Mansbal on many other fronts last year. Giving details to Kashmir Times, Commander 3 Sector RR, Brigadier Jehangir said that a series of developments and people friendly activities were carried out last year by the troops of his sector. He said that GOC Kilo Force Gen Rajinder Singh supervised the developments and people friendly operations. The commander stated that they conducted a free mega medical eye camp in Ganderbal, which was inaugurated by the then GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen A S Sekhon and conducted more than 300 cataract surgeries on local people. Brigadier said a foot bridge was constructed at Shalbug. He said women empowerment centres are being run under the aegis of army at Gadura, Batwina and Anderwan. Similarly various computer centres were also being run in the areas. Brig Jehangir said that local students were sent on a tour to Jamnanagar, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Agra and Dehradun. He said, "Children are the future of the nation and we wish healthy and intelligent future," adding, "For future we are ready to help them." He said that the 3 Sector wants that youth of the area should take part in sports. "In order to cultivate the sportsman spirit amongst the youth of Ganderbal and adjoining areas, and bring these areas in the forefront of sports activities at the state and national level we initiated a project of multipurpose sports stadium at Gadura Ganderbal with an estimated cost of Rs one crore. The commander added that the project is executed by 5 RR and its commanding officer Vivek Sharma is supervising the project. He said that sector is at the disposal of the local people. "If the public needs any help, they must contact me or the nearest army camp in the area and any sort of help will be provided to them," Brig Jehangir said. He said people friendly developmental works will be continued in future. "I acknowledge the support of people in developmental works as well as anti-militancy operations" Brig Jehangir said.
Sami and I also visited a disabled girl who had been left too long for Sami to help her. She is disabled for life. 
Her legs are bad and so is her back. She stays at home and does beautiful, very detailed embroidery. 
Some pieces take two years to finish. I filmed her and used the close up feature on the video camera for the first time. Her aunt made us tea. It was the first time I had tasted it. Milk, sugar, and cardamom. Delicious ! This girl will be the first recipient of a wheelchair from the free wheelchair mission, if we can find the money to ship a truckload of wheelchairs from Kerala in the south of India all the way up to Kashmir. With a ramp into the house and a wheelchair, she will be able to go out and visit the neighbours. There is almost no traffic on her quiet side street, so it will be perfect for her.
Her legs are bad and so is her back. She stays at home and does beautiful, very detailed embroidery. 
Some pieces take two years to finish. I filmed her and used the close up feature on the video camera for the first time. Her aunt made us tea. It was the first time I had tasted it. Milk, sugar, and cardamom. Delicious ! This girl will be the first recipient of a wheelchair from the free wheelchair mission, if we can find the money to ship a truckload of wheelchairs from Kerala in the south of India all the way up to Kashmir. With a ramp into the house and a wheelchair, she will be able to go out and visit the neighbours. There is almost no traffic on her quiet side street, so it will be perfect for her. 