Abid Khan
Gulmarg, Feb 7: The foreign group of skiers on pretext of coaching and giving ski training to Kashmiri children’s at Gulmarg are running charity organization through which they ask foreigners to donate generously for the peasant Kashmiris who have suffered much during last many years of ‘war’.
The foreign skiers group from different countries under the banner of New Zeeland Ski Club of Kashmir (NZ-SCK) started their activities in Gulmarg from January 13 and since then are providing free coaching to the locals of Tangmarg and many others who throng to Gulmarg for skiing. The group is providing free coaching and till now has trained more than 200 skiers. They have the major plans for future and want to open ski school in Gulmarg.
The group is telling everyone that they are in Gulmarg for skiing and to teach local children’s skiing but upon visiting their official website (http://amandiks.fr/india/skiclub/) the different story comes out.
In their website they are saying that they are working in the conflict ridden and poor ski resort of Kashmir valley were they provide free coaching to the children’s of peasant farmers and other poor persons who have suffered much during last many year of war.
The website says, “The New Zealand Ski Club of Kashmir is based at the Kiwi House, in Gulmarg (India), as a not-for-profit charity with a focus on organizing and providing essential modern snow equipment for the local people. For more information on donating to NZ Ski Club Kashmir (Inc) or on visiting Gulmarg from 10 January 2009 - 10 March 2009 contact Martin Jones”.
Martin Jones is group head and has been visiting Gulmarg from last many years, one of the web post writes about him, “Keen to do what he could to help the local people, Martin has donated snow equipment, mountain safety avalanche training/equipment to help them to get their guiding up to international standard with a view to developing a local tourism industry. He has also established New Zealand's newest ski club: The New Zealand Ski Club of Kashmiri (Inc) based at the Kiwi House, Gulmarg as a not-for-profit charity with a focus on organizing and providing essential modern snow equipment for the local people.”
The post further reads, “New Zealanders who stay at the Kiwi House do so at a reduced rate of NZ $600 per person per week, the weekly rate includes delicious Kashmiri cuisine. In recognition of the reduced cost of accommodation, guests are asked to donate generously to the charity, with funds raised going towards the cost of modern snow clothing and equipment for the Kashmiri guides, instructors, tuition for university students and school children, equipment for peasant farmers and the cost of staff at the Kiwi House.”
“I have been blown away by the scale of the mountains, the natural beauty of Gulmarg Forest Park and the warmth and generosity of the local Kashmiri peasant farmers who have suffered much during the recently ended 12 year war,” says Martin in one of the web post.
Apart from these things the group has also posted pictures of Kashmiri villagers and nomad children’s in their website. They have also posted pictures of ski equipments of 500 pairs of ski, which they say would be donated to locals.
The web post reads, “Here are some pictures of loading the 20 foot container with 500 pair of donated used skis, boots and clothing for Gulmarg children which departed Christchurch at the beginning of December and is due at Mumbai in January.”
The foreign skiers group from different countries under the banner of New Zeeland Ski Club of Kashmir (NZ-SCK) started their activities in Gulmarg from January 13 and since then are providing free coaching to the locals of Tangmarg and many others who throng to Gulmarg for skiing. The group is providing free coaching and till now has trained more than 200 skiers. They have the major plans for future and want to open ski school in Gulmarg.
The group is telling everyone that they are in Gulmarg for skiing and to teach local children’s skiing but upon visiting their official website (http://amandiks.fr/india/skiclub/) the different story comes out.
In their website they are saying that they are working in the conflict ridden and poor ski resort of Kashmir valley were they provide free coaching to the children’s of peasant farmers and other poor persons who have suffered much during last many year of war.
The website says, “The New Zealand Ski Club of Kashmir is based at the Kiwi House, in Gulmarg (India), as a not-for-profit charity with a focus on organizing and providing essential modern snow equipment for the local people. For more information on donating to NZ Ski Club Kashmir (Inc) or on visiting Gulmarg from 10 January 2009 - 10 March 2009 contact Martin Jones”.
Martin Jones is group head and has been visiting Gulmarg from last many years, one of the web post writes about him, “Keen to do what he could to help the local people, Martin has donated snow equipment, mountain safety avalanche training/equipment to help them to get their guiding up to international standard with a view to developing a local tourism industry. He has also established New Zealand's newest ski club: The New Zealand Ski Club of Kashmiri (Inc) based at the Kiwi House, Gulmarg as a not-for-profit charity with a focus on organizing and providing essential modern snow equipment for the local people.”
The post further reads, “New Zealanders who stay at the Kiwi House do so at a reduced rate of NZ $600 per person per week, the weekly rate includes delicious Kashmiri cuisine. In recognition of the reduced cost of accommodation, guests are asked to donate generously to the charity, with funds raised going towards the cost of modern snow clothing and equipment for the Kashmiri guides, instructors, tuition for university students and school children, equipment for peasant farmers and the cost of staff at the Kiwi House.”
“I have been blown away by the scale of the mountains, the natural beauty of Gulmarg Forest Park and the warmth and generosity of the local Kashmiri peasant farmers who have suffered much during the recently ended 12 year war,” says Martin in one of the web post.
Apart from these things the group has also posted pictures of Kashmiri villagers and nomad children’s in their website. They have also posted pictures of ski equipments of 500 pairs of ski, which they say would be donated to locals.
The web post reads, “Here are some pictures of loading the 20 foot container with 500 pair of donated used skis, boots and clothing for Gulmarg children which departed Christchurch at the beginning of December and is due at Mumbai in January.”
Published in Greater Kashmir on Febuaray 8 link http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=8_2_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4.
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