The Vivekean Times

An Open letter to Kashmiris by Vivek Pereira, Author of the Novel 'Indians in Pakistan' (a book on ISI-sponsored terrorism with a strong focus on Kashmir) My Dear Kashmiri Brothers and Sisters, The recent events in and around the valley have stirred our nation like never before. For as Kashmir weeps, most of us weep with her; and when Kashmir bleeds, most of us bleed with her. The bullets, stones and pellets may continue to fly thick and fast but not thick or fast enough to destroy the great bond of brotherhood that exists between us. Being the author of a novel with a strong focus on Kashmir as well as a fellow Indian with deep-rooted secular credentials, I dare address you as my brothers and sisters, for that is what you are. Today hope manifests itself as a distant star blurring away in the horizon. Terrorists continue to sneak in from across the border with impunity despite the tough security measures in place. Homegrown extremists like Wani have started using...

My debut novel “Indians in Pakistan” should be released within a couple of months. I just hope it’s a best seller. It’s a book based on terrorism that will provide readers a wonderful insight into the world of jihadis, the global war on terror, the history of Islamic fundamentalism, the history of the Indian subcontinent (including the creation of the Pakistani state on the basis of religion and its failure), the Kashmir dispute, secularism in India and, above all, the magnificence of the human spirit. Of course, I'm not going to reveal the plot just yet. It took me nearly four years to complete this work as I had to do extensive research on Islam, Pakistan, weaponry and so on. There’s plenty of love, romance and action in this book. So, watch out for “Indians in Pakistan,” a unique and exciting novel!

Omar Abdullah has done it again by promising the withdrawal of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) in Kashmir. This is a miscalculated move by someone in political turmoil especially after a close aide was found dead in mysterious circumstances. With a vociferous opposition damning every move he makes, Omar seems to have committed a grave error by treading the opportunistic path. It is the AFSPA that keeps Kashmir and the country safe and if the army was removed from sensitive areas it would be easy for the militants to infiltrate into the valley and beyond. An increase in militancy would threaten the lives of the Abdullahs and the peace lovers of Kashmir. It is too easy to forget the bloody past. Omar must abandon this dangerous path and permit the army to provide safety to himself, the valley and the entire nation.