യുകെയിലെ മലയാളി സമൂഹത്തില്‍ നര്‍ത്തകര്‍ ഏറെയുണ്ട്. സംഗീതം പരിശീലിക്കുന്നവരും നിരവധി. യുകെയില്‍ എത്തിയ ശേഷം സ്വന്തം പ്രതിഭകള്‍ വിട്ടൊഴിഞ്ഞ് ജോലിത്തിരക്കുകളില്‍ മുഴുകുന്നവരാണ് ഏറെയും. യുകെയില്‍ എത്തിയ ശേഷവും സ്വന്തം പാഷനോട് കൂറു പുലര്‍ത്തുന്ന ഒരു മലയാളി പെണ്‍കുട്ടിയെ പരിചയപ്പെടാം. പേര് - ഡോ. ഐശ്വര്യ പ്രേമന്‍. മാഞ്ചസ്റ്ററില്‍ താമസിക്കുന്ന ഐശ്വര്യ ഇവിടെ പങ്കുവയ്ക്കുന്നത് സ്ത്രീരത്‌നങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ചാണ്. കശ്മീരില്‍ തുടങ്ങി ഇന്ത്യയുടെ വൈവിധ്യങ്ങളിലേക്കു വ്യാപരിക്കുന്ന വനിതാ രത്‌നങ്ങള്‍ വാക്കുകളിലൂടെ വിവരിക്കുകയാണ് യുകെ മലയാളിയായ ഐശ്വര്യ.

The feminine jewels in the crown of India
- Dr. Aishwarya Preman
" If there is a paradise on earth it is this,it is this" thus read an evergreen quote by Mughal Emperor Jahangir about Kashmir.The legendary Sanskrit poet Kalidasa once said "Kashmir is more beautiful than heaven and is the benefactor of supreme bliss and happiness. It seems to me that I am taking a bath in the lake of nectar here".Forget about authers,poets and philosophers Kashmir has never failed to surprise every single visitor with it's charm and elegance.The harmony of the calm waters flowing across the Indus river,splendour of tranquil Aharbal waterfalls ,flavour of saffron in the Pampore fields, fragrance of pine trees in the dense Gulmarg forests,wondrous springs in the "Pleasure Garden" of Kokernag and the glamourous soft hearted people made the vale of Kashmir more vibrant.The dal lake known as THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF KASHMIR added to the glory of this coast.Sheltered by the auspicious Himalayan mountain ranges mother earth kept her angelic land safe and shielded.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Once quoted “Like some supremely beautiful woman, whose beauty is almost impersonal and above human desire, such was Kashmir in all its feminine beauty of river and valley..." This feminine state which is invariably known for its beauty has got something more powerful and stronger than the scenic splendour and the snow capped mountains and that is its feminine power itself.But like any other state, the pages of Kashmiri history has been patriarchal suppressing the name and fame deserving women.
Whenever we hear the word Kashmiri woman the picture that rings like a bell in our mind is a rosy cheeked fair woman clad in pherans, wearing heavy silver jewellery, carrying flowers riding a shikara.But other that just being pretty and enchanting ,daughters of Kashmir has been brave and strong who reached the pinnacle of success overcoming the obstacles and has a great role in the history of India. Since 1947, women’s share in Kashmir’s resistance movement is inevitable.The audacious women of Kashmir stood tall with men in every phase of the struggle whether it was social, political or armed. Being born fighters against tyranny, the Kashmiri women, took a prominent part in the freedom struggle.
This year India will be proudly celebrating women’s day with great zeal and enthusiasm because for the very first time in the history, women has outnumbered men in the nation.The number of woman would have been halved if centuries ago a Kashmiri woman had not refused the illicit Sati act which declined the rights of the woman to live.History has taught us about the heroic male leaders who opposed Sati but hardly about the legendary Kashmiri queen Diddha who was the first woman to refuse sati and became a role model to other widows.She was the first woman who challenged age-old patriarchal stereotypes to emerge with her own rulebook. Rani Didda’s ruling era represents the peak of women’s power in Kashmir. Didda was the only ruler who was able to rule Kashmir with an iron hand for more than four decade inspite of having a disable leg.
The queen who was born indestructible defeating death at birth went on to create the world’s first commando force and also invented the deadly guerrilla warfare strategy. Didda, despite being handicapped , is the world’s first para-athlete and serves as an icon and role model for people who hide behind their challenges. But like it has done to others strong women the patriarchal history has discredited queen Didda by imposing moral aspersions on her and often mentioned her as ruthless witch queen of Kashmir.Although her story was hidden or trampled, Kashmir can never forget this legendary warrior who ultimately became the saviour of Shrinagaram, the capital of Kashmir.

For centuries, women have played a very significant role in shaping Kashmir and Kashmiri culture, yet seldom have their contributions received the recognition they deserve.Kotha Rani, the last Hindu queen of Kashmir has saved shrinagar from disastrous floods by building canal Kute Kol on the River Jehlum. Even though she won the hearts of the common people by serving the state as a self less and powerful queen not even a quarter part of her history and victory is documented or popular.
Girls education or women literacy is one of the most common everyday topic now and the people who fought for escorting education to women are frequently discussed but the name of Miss Muriel Mallinson who strived hard to lead the way of books to Kashmiri woman and took up the arduous task of going door to door, making people aware of the need of girls' education often goes out of mind.While reciting the charm of Kashmir poetically, names of the legendary poetic daughters of Kashmir like Habba Khatoon,Mata Rupa bhawani and Lal led should never be forgotten .While singing the songs describing the snow clad valleys ,the tune of the melody queen of Kashmir, Raj Begum should not go unsung.
The talents of Kashmiri girls are not just limited to historical times.While narrating the beauty of a ‘Kashmir ki kali ‘ riding shikharas people often forget that the youngest pilot of India Ms.Ayesha Aziz is a daughter of Kashmir.Recent well known singers and poets like Krishna Hutheesing, Vijayalakshmi Pandit and Begum Akbar Jahan Abdulla proved that poems and songs are not just galavanting across the valley but residing in the heart of artistic Kashmiri girls.
Kashmiri conflicts are older than palastenian conflicts and weather the conflicts be social, political , religious or due to terrorism women are the worst affected.From striving in between the four walls to breaking the walls of conflicts and patriarchy to showcase their bravery or talent Kashmiri women have come across a long way.The theme for this women’s day reads “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” but Kashmiri woman deserves a bit more than equality because they have stood strong in sun and snow when the sight right in front of their eyes were gunfights and blasts.It is said that the beauty of Kashmir can’t be compared by the whole world. It is true because it’s not the external beauty that makes this land shrine in front of the world but the strength of the woman who are beautiful from outside and inside that makes it sparkle from within.Thus Kashmir is not a mere tourist destination it is an auspicious land were feminine power met divinity making the crown of mother India glorious studded with valour and glitter.