My Kashmir My life, by Nazir Qadri narrates every thing about Kashmir. Snow clad mountains, lakes, springs, forests and lush green meadows , everything finds a mention.
The author of this book has traced the origin of Kashmiris as being from the Aryan stock with fair complexion resembling with Europeans whose social, political and economic history has been influenced by unique geographical situations.
The author has given a widespread account of Kashmir history- Kakhana to Peer Gh Hassan Shah Khoihami, Zain ul Aabdin (Budshah,) to Amir e Kabir, Sheikh Noor ud Reshi to Ghani Kashmiri, Dr Iqbal to Sheikh ul Hadith Anwar Shah.
Qadri in his book has woven the story of Kashmiris’ pain and grief that forced them to think deeply about their luminaries like Iqbal.
History is always considered to have four dimensions, namely people, places, time and ideas. Ideas have been the basis of all the actions because it is the idea that determines the action of men through ages. It is quite evident that history is not only the story of kings, queens, battles and generals but it is the reflection of the lives of great men.
Historian needs to tell the truth, nothing but truth. It has been said that the early history resembles a jigsaw puzzle with many missing pieces. Some parts are fairly clear while others have been reconstructed with controlled imagination, but still many gapes remain. History is not only a record of names, dates, or places but the outcome of ideas and events which have been unearthed through noble contribution.
Nazir Qadri in his short but noteworthy publication has narrated some glorious topics of Kashmir history. A peep into the pages of this book reveal that how geo-political factors from time to time have shaped and moulded the heart and mind of this nation. Qadri has written his works in English which of course is the need of the hour. I feel the author has tried his best to deliver the same with utmost care and command. It contains a fluent narration for its readers. There is a short but proper explanation of how, where, and when. Given the constraints of space the details are not enough for a compressive view. The author in his works has tried to exclude those things which no longer hold well and has added those which would play a significant role in future.
The author has entirely fallen in love with his mother tongue and his land. The author feels thrilled and proud for his great scholars, poets and noble men of his mother land. At the same time the author has extremely been critical of the people who have been at the helm of affairs from time to time. The author is deeply distressed at their moral decay. The author seems to raise an alarm.
Nazir Qadri has dedicated this book to his only son who disappeared in his prime of youth with a message for his motherland, rather painful. In the words of Khalil Gibran, “what do you seek my country men? Do you wish that l falsely promise to build great palaces out of words and roofs with dreams.? Shall I coo like a pigeon to please you, or shall l roar like a lion to please my self? I sang for you but did not dance, l lamented but you did not cry, l am no more but l believe that l am a young tree whose roots were plucked from the hills, yet l am deeply rooted here. In my veins runs the blood of poets and wisemen and it is my desire to come but not empty handed”. This is the lone son of Nazi Qadri – Basit- who never returned to his valley, and to his ill fated parents.