Kashmir is considered as a ‘Crown of India’. Historically, it has been located on crossroads of international trade between Central Asia, Western Asia and Chinese Silk Route. Therefore, It has always been a society with amalgamation of various cultures.
During independence, there was dissatisfaction for monarchy which created unrest in the valley. Pakistan, using this opportunity, through its non-state actors poured in money and ammunition. This armed youth of Kashmir with extremist ideology and disrupted peace of ‘Heaven on Earth’.
Separatist ideology led to unrest in the valley and provisions of Article 370 discouraged investors from outside to look at Kashmir as a probable investment market. Local industries, such as artisans, tourism, horticulture etc., do not get enough market exposure which restricts them to penetrate market space.
Youth is irreplaceable asset that India has, they are workhorses of Indian economy but due to ideological mind wash and limited employment opportunities, Kashmir is not able to yield demographic dividend of its populations Involvement of men in terrorist activities has disrupted families in Kashmir. This has also created financial responsibility on women of families.
Rise in separatist ideology has led to transformation in the mind set of Kashmiri people from accommodative and tolerant society to a conservative society which is not averse to use of violence and advocates extremist outlook. This is a threat to ‘Kashmiriyat’.
The abrogation of Article 370 is a way forward to bring ‘peace and prosperity’ in Kashmir. Empowerment of youth and women is the top priority of the government for which it has implemented various initiatives such as student exchange program where Kashmiri students develop mutual trust with students from imminent universities across country. Under Op Sadhbavana and Himayat initiatives Indian Army is running welfare programmes in the field of health, education etc. to develop trust levels between locals and government.
Moreover, Government should promote indigenous industries under MSME sector promotion schemes to generate employment opportunity and boost local economy. Education institutes with integrated curriculum should be conceptualized so that Kashmiri students should be aware of Kashmir’s and India’s cultural and economic history along with modern education.
Kashmir has immense cultural, economical and demographic asset. In order to use these efficiently Kashmiri people should stand along with government to contain and eliminate extremists who are enemies of essence of ‘Kashmiriyat’.
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