Senge Tsering Hasnain

Mr. Senge Tsering has a Masters in Development Studies from
the University of East Anglia, UK and is one of the foremost scholars on Baltistan movement in Kashmir. Amongst all the sections of Kashmir, Baltistan is the least known and least-discussed region. In this region, Pakistan has been involved in widespread oppression of people. Mr. Tsering has recently spoken of the revival of the Balti culture and language at the Institute of Linguistics at Bern, Switzerland. He is currently settled in Baltistan.

Questionnaire

What topics would you be most interested in presenting at the conference?

Title of presentation: "Rendezvous at the Line of Control"

The paper will provide details about Baltistan, its people, land, culture, language, ethnicity and connection with Ladakh in every respect. It will elaborate the deprivation the region has faced in last fifty years and about how people feel towards their role in the Kashmir dispute. The way local economy is affected / benefiting, and adverse impact on social norms and culture due to division of State. The fact that Baltistan never receives a share of its participation at different Kashmir forums. The demand that Baltistan should be represented by their own citizens at every forum dealing
with the Kashmir issue; the issue of integration of Baltistan with Ladakh based on common ethnicity, language, history, traditions, and civilization, and that the peace formulas should respect the ethno-linguistic integrity of different regions within the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Why did you decide to join our conference and commit to engaging in this dialogue with speakers and participants?

To look for a peaceful solution for Kashmir, to hold dialogues to forward the peace process, to talk and understand and develop understanding. I welcome any meaningful dialogue on Kashmir especially those through which representation to areas like Jammu, Ladakh, Baltistan and Gilgit is ensured.

Please share a statement of your hopes for the conference or thoughts about the significance of peace initiatives in areas of conflict.

I hope that conferences could be arranged in future bringing peace to the region, while enabling the unification of ethnic groups, which share common language, culture, civilization and geography, but have been separated by the LOAC (Berlin Wall) - I hope that such conferences could enable us bring South Asia on a unified platform.

Could you suggest to us your preferred news source.

Dawn, Daily Excelsior

Contact information

E-mail: mhst@hotmail.com