About Us
History
Founded in Kashmir by Fahad Shah, in 2009, as a blog, The Kashmir Walla began with a simple mission “To write stories of Kashmir”. It took birth in an internet cafe when its founder read some comments, addressed to him. Comments were like:
“…bloody hell, when you yourself aren’t being a part of the country as a whole, why should the country give a damn to you?”
“Go back to Kashmir then, and join the likes of ‘Rage boy’ and others who are voicing support in favor of Azaadi. Make no mistakes; you will not get independence from the Union of India, not now, not in a million years.”
It was then in February, 2009, he started a blog on blogspot to write about the real situation of Kashmir for people who don’t know it. The blog published stories, opinions and photos by him and also the contributions from many bloggers and journalists of many countries.
Then in 2010, the blog was converted into a full fledged website (www.thekashmirwalla.com) in which videos, fiction, poetry and paintings were added to the existing features. The website with all its features received a good response from readers throughout the globe.
After many months in service, it became an online magazine of society, art and politics. A team which comprises of journalists, activists, freelancers, artists, and poets, contribute to the magazine. Though, it doesn’t pay anyone. This magazine is run voluntarily.
Students, writers, poets, photographers, artists and journalists are submitting their work to the magazine. It has, so far, published contributors like Mridu Rai, Omair Ahmad, Siddhartha Gigoo, David Barsamian, Nitasha Kaul, Subir Ghosh, Raheel Khursheed, Huma Sheikh, Abir Bashir Bazaz, Zareef Ahmed Zareef, Mayan Austen Soofi, Suvir Kaul and many others.
We welcome submissions from everyone who believes in the power of words and express the world through the art of writing, photography, or poetry. Students, writers, poets, photographers, artists and journalists are wholeheartedly welcome to send us their piece of work. Read our Submission Guidelines for contribution.
In Press
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“Go to thekashmirwalla.com today, the website is an insider’s story book of life in Kashmir…”
“An online magazine The Kashmir Walla [that] mixes art and politics and covers everything from the disappearances to mass graves and all else…”
“There has been brutal murder on the streets of Srinagar and that has not been reported well in India, so they turned to new media…opened up websites like Kashmirwalla and I’m heartened by that.” —Mirza Waheed, author of The Collaborator.
“…story of ordinary Kashmiris, and the havoc that the conflict in the Valley has unleashed in their lives, that is mirrored on the Kashmirwalla website…the Kashmirwalla aims at painting the real picture of Kashmir across the world sans censorship and biases…Short stories, poems, profiles and autobiographical narratives published on the website poignantly reflect the chequered everyday lives of the people of the valley…has photo essays that chronicle the changing times in Kashmir.”
The Counsellor
“The Kashmir Walla has become one of the credible source of information on Kashmir.”
“There are many media houses all over the Kashmir and India who report about Kashmir but this magazine has only to work under the slogan of “report your story by yourself ”. The magazine helped people to get the view and knowledge of various aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir.”
“Fahad Shah…publishes the nascent monthly online magazine The Kashmir Walla.”
“A monthly online magazine called, The Kashmir Walla.”
Shortlisted as Finalist for Manthan South Asia Award 2011 in e-news and media category.
“The Kashmir Walla has been recognised by the Grand Jury of the Manthan South Asia Award 2011…for an online magazine focusing on the art, political and the social issues in Kashmir.” -Manthan South Asia Award 2011.
For feedback mail us at contact@thekashmirwalla.com.
We hope you would like to be our part and gift us your valuable support.
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