By: Faizan Nabi

There is no doubt that our Motherland has been adorned and made beautiful by Allah. The mountains, rivers, forests, flora and fauna bestow towards the beauty of Kashmir. Mostly the villages enshrouded by forests and have a brimming river running across them makes our valley more mesmerizing. In the same valley there is a village called Baki Aker. I feel it necessary to introduce to my village first.
According to census 2011 information the location code of Baki Aker is 000159. The village is located in Handwara tehsil of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated 3kms away from sub district Handwara and 21kms from Kupwara. The total geographical area of village is 326 hectares. Baki Aker has a total population of 1799 people. Handwara is nearest town to my village. Also Baki Aker has higher literacy rate compared to Jammu and Kashmir. In 2011 literacy rate of Baki Aker was 69.58% compared to 67.16% of Jammu and Kashmir.
Since sports and playing games like cricket, volleyball and football fascinates people and play a vital role in maintaining body structure. The youth of Baki Aker and by support of people have brought the same to fruition. They have achieved eminence in each sport whether cricket or football. The village has a playground of about 50 kanals which is well fenced and well maintained. Teams from whole valley come to play and get a good hospitality from the people of the village. There are some official members who minister to the maintenance of playground. The talented youth of the village get invitations from many clubs of city to play with them as their players. In aspect of education the village consists of more than four government run schools and one private owned school. Since the village is within the stone's throw of town so most students of village are admitted in schools of town. They have well built etticates, good behavior, well educated and astuteness.
When we look to the above mentioned qualities of village it makes me venerated and so jovial like a child with a new toy that I am resident of same village. But it is well said that everything have its pros and cons. Likewise, there are some setbacks of the village. Let me mention and demystify each below.
? RIVER BRIDGE
Once you will cross the bewitching ground you have to cross a river bridge. The river bridge is dilapidated since 2016 and till date it is like that and because of the incompletion of bridge the students of a private owned school which is opposite to the playground have to toil and face many trials and tribulations to come to the school. Whenever it rains the ramshackled bridge don't let anyone to cross which ultimately results in the loss of those students who study in that private owned school. I think it is a big failure of concerned department additionally of government also who are still unable to connect people on either side of bridge.
? DRINKING WATER
The next and a big problem faced by the people of village is that we consume non potable water for drinking. We have to dawdle here and there for drinking water. Where at other places you would see the women who fall under the age group of 50 sitting at their homes but in my village the women of same age group would be seen with pots on their heads hassling for water. The taps which are in village can't even fill a single pot. Though the village is just 3kms away from town but still is unable to make ends meet of drinking water. Consuming non potable water for drinking have harvested in many health issues. I have seen this problem since 2000 and still it persists.
? ILLEGAL EXTRACTION FROM RIVULET/NALLAH
The village have a river running on one side of it which used to be brimming about 10 years ago. Presently that river had become a rivulet or nallah rather by dint of illegal extraction of millet, slit, and sand. This illegal extraction precipitates into this, that whenever it rains the water level of that river rises and takes catchment area with it. The river has taken almost 80b kanals of land so far. Not only land but the trees on its bank sway away with it. The concerned officials are still getting the comfort from the sophisticated seats in their offices.

At last I my humble request to the concerned departments is to delve into the matters and solve our problems so that we can have a happy and healthy life.

Writer can be reached at:faizannabi227@gmail.com
Note : views in the article are authors own.