Smiles are back in Kashmir

Srinagar, October 22: There's celebration in the majestic red-brick house in downtown Srinagar. In two spacious rooms on either side of the entrance, the family—men in one room and the women in the other—watches the replay of the final of Fame Gurukul, the TV show for singing and acting aspirants.

The joy is not confined to the house. The locality, the city and virtually the whole of Kashmir is celebrating the triumph of Qazi Tauqueer.

''Our locality burst firecrackers worth Rs 50,000. Hundreds of people thronged our house to celebrate,'' says Qazi Rafi, a singer and uncle of Qazi Tauqeer. The bursting of crackers last night caught the attention of some CRPF personnel staying in a nearby hotel. ''But when they learnt what it was all about, they too joined in the celebrations,'' says Zameer Ahmad Khan, Qazi's cousin.

Qazi has become a symbol of accomplishment for Kashmiri youth, and everyone knows the address of his house. That may explain why, and how so many people are reaching Qazi's house.


Fame Gurukul has no doubt made Qazi famous in India. But for Kashmiris he is very special. Men women, youth and children have been following the show closely. His antics on TV are on their lips. Kashmiri youth remember almost every word that Qazi has uttered on the show, and what celebrities like Shankar Mahadevan, Javed Akhtar, Anil Kapoor or John Abraham, had said about Qazi.


City-based sociologist Abdul Gani Madhosh tries to explain the craze for Qazi. ''Few Kashmiris have made it big on the national scene, which itself is a great cause of alienation from mainstream India. And when someone among them, in Bollywood style, wins a tough competition, it becomes a cause for celebration.'' He adds, ''It will boost the confidence of local youth. Every community has the desire that someone among them should excel, be it in games, arts or entertainment or any other field. When it happens, the whole community feels victorious.'' Madhosh admits that even he could not hide his joy when Qazi won.


For many youth here, Qazi's achievement is reassuring on another count; a sense of acceptance. ''I couldn't believe that he (Qazi) could get 87 lakh votes from across India. It suddenly melted my prejudices,'' says Muhammad Afzal Wani, a Kashmir University student.


The phones have not stopped ringing in Qazi's house. Calls are coming in, not only from the Valley, but also from other regions of the country. ''People are calling from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. We don't even understand the language of many of the callers,'' says Rafi.

Qazi's parents ae very lucky to have a child like him.

Originally posted by: fami

Srinagar, October 22: There's celebration in the majestic red-brick house in downtown Srinagar. In two spacious rooms on either side of the entrance, the family—men in one room and the women in the other—watches the replay of the final of Fame Gurukul, the TV show for singing and acting aspirants.

The joy is not confined to the house. The locality, the city and virtually the whole of Kashmir is celebrating the triumph of Qazi Tauqueer.

''Our locality burst firecrackers worth Rs 50,000. Hundreds of people thronged our house to celebrate,'' says Qazi Rafi, a singer and uncle of Qazi Tauqeer. The bursting of crackers last night caught the attention of some CRPF personnel staying in a nearby hotel. ''But when they learnt what it was all about, they too joined in the celebrations,'' says Zameer Ahmad Khan, Qazi's cousin.

Qazi has become a symbol of accomplishment for Kashmiri youth, and everyone knows the address of his house. That may explain why, and how so many people are reaching Qazi's house.


Fame Gurukul has no doubt made Qazi famous in India. But for Kashmiris he is very special. Men women, youth and children have been following the show closely. His antics on TV are on their lips. Kashmiri youth remember almost every word that Qazi has uttered on the show, and what celebrities like Shankar Mahadevan, Javed Akhtar, Anil Kapoor or John Abraham, had said about Qazi.


City-based sociologist Abdul Gani Madhosh tries to explain the craze for Qazi. ''Few Kashmiris have made it big on the national scene, which itself is a great cause of alienation from mainstream India. And when someone among them, in Bollywood style, wins a tough competition, it becomes a cause for celebration.'' He adds, ''It will boost the confidence of local youth. Every community has the desire that someone among them should excel, be it in games, arts or entertainment or any other field. When it happens, the whole community feels victorious.'' Madhosh admits that even he could not hide his joy when Qazi won.


For many youth here, Qazi's achievement is reassuring on another count; a sense of acceptance. ''I couldn't believe that he (Qazi) could get 87 lakh votes from across India. It suddenly melted my prejudices,'' says Muhammad Afzal Wani, a Kashmir University student.


The phones have not stopped ringing in Qazi's house. Calls are coming in, not only from the Valley, but also from other regions of the country. ''People are calling from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. We don't even understand the language of many of the callers,'' says Rafi.

tears came to my eyes when i read this article.since the time i was born i heard that kashmir is a beautiful place but its difficult to go there as it is terror struck.then i saw films like roja and i was terrified.

i cudnt understand how do kashmiris stay there among so much terror.

even now they dont have a normal life.

that is why i was even more amazed when i got to know that qazi is from kashmir.i just cudnt believe someone cud be so full of life and happiness inspite of growing up in such difficult conditions.

qazi not only gives hope to the kashmiri youth but to millions across india .he has changed my life.

earlier i wud complain about every single thing but now i always remember that "where theres a will ,theres a way"and "anything is possible".he taught me that u can win any battle with determinatin and hard work.

qazi deserves every bit of love that he has recieved from the indian public .

he has also changed the way ppl look at kashmir.earlier kashmir reminded of terror.but now kashmir reminds of qazi and everything beautiful that life has to offer.

kashmir india ki shaan hai aur qazi kashmir ki jaan hai.

GOD bless qazi!

Very well said, leo_maddy!! I agree with you whole heartedly.

i am sure that every1 is happy

Wow QAZI is a lucky person.I always wish 4 him. 👏