The ‘Heaven on Earth’ which is a synonym for the happiness to all the tourists who tread around here is often in question regarding the happiness of the own locals inhabiting it. The mystic land has a history marred with violence and political turmoil since its inception. Peace has always been a fragile subject in the valley. It has existed to some extent amid persisting internal and external conflicts. Peace in the valley has always been one step forward and ten steps back. Many internal and external forces thrive their various agendas whereas Kashmir keeps burning.
The likes of Late Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Yasin Malik, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have always and constantly peddled lies with the awam and kept them under a false hope of idea of exclusivity to keep their political relevance intact in the valley for several decades. Under the disguise of being a well-wisher for them, they have always tried to divide the awam on the communal lines and creating hostility amongst each other. The more Kashmiris suffer, the more they are able to further their propagandas narrative.
Various militant groups both foreign and locals operating within the valley have often been a constant source of trouble creators for the Kashmiris. The presence of terrorists in large numbers in the valley has prevented effective governance for many years. Be it attacking the innocent civil lives or the security forces, they have always derailed the peace process in the valley. The recent arrest of three youths from Uri who were attempting to cross the LC shows that the radicalization of the local youths is still prevalent. The awam of the Kashmir has spent their entire life under the gloomy shadows of the terrorism. Their children have been often indoctrinated to join the vicious propagandas of terrorism. Many have been saved successfully from falling in these traps with the help of the Indian Army/ security forces, many have surrendered to the security forces, but it is still a stark reality which the Kashmiri faces every day.
Pakistan has been actively involved in hampering the peace process by sponsoring the funding, training and arming the terrorist groups in the valley. Along the LC, it has consistently pushed the infiltration by providing them with launch pads. Investigations have clearly revealed the role of Pakistani support in gruesome attacks like Pulwama, Uri, etc. Their consistent nefarious efforts to disturb the peace building measures in the valley has serious consequences. It has regularly supported the various separatist groups. It celebrates the Kashmir Solidarity Day on Feb 5 each year by observing a national holiday in the state.
Political leadership has been a consistent story of failure in the Kashmir region. Even after having the special status, the region political leaders have failed terribly in improving the quality of life in Kashmir. Their aspirations to fulfill own needs at the cost of Kashmiri lives has forced the locals towards the insurgency and promote the so called ‘gun culture’. They have failed terribly in controlling the law and order situation leading to the loss of countless innocent lives. Their in actions led to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley giving a serious blow to the ethos of the Kashmiriyat. They have secured their well-being at the cost of the lives of these innocent Kashmiris using them as scapegoats. Scams like Roshni Land Act has left several senior politicians completely exposed.
The fall out of issues highlighted above have pushed the development of Kashmir in the doll drums. Some of the pertinent issues are Kashmir special status meant it getting 10% of the central funds with 1% population along with special grants to boost the quality of life for Kashmiris. Unfortunately, this amount has been exploited by the local politicians for their own needs, also inhibiting any kind of investments and progress under the garb of Art 370. Rampant and deep-rooted corruption has severely restricted the growth potential of the Kashmir. The gap between rich and poor Kashmiri is widened to such an extent that it requires immense amount of economic reforms to bridge it. The long drawn armed conflict had further deteriorated the economy. It has scored low on all the visible economic growth indicators.
Insurgency has been the major obstacle in imparting the education in the valley. It has turned the education of the valley into a detestable condition. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has given special focus to education reforms in the Kashmir region. Army Goodwill Schools is helping in educating the children in the remote areas up to a certain level, but a lot needs to be done by the civil administration. Lack of industrial and infrastructural development has left the skilled youth with limited avenues of employment within the region. Indian Army has conducted various seminars in making the youth aware about the job opportunities for them. A huge turnout has always been seen at the recruitment rallies organized by the Indian Army showing the local youth’s faith and dedication in serving the nation. This is the measure which Indian Army has adopted for the Kashmiris. For instance, it has changed the color of flags on its military convoy vehicles to blue from red for a people friendly look. Additionally, the walls of the cantonments will soon have pictures of young achievers who made Kashmir proud. Their efforts to put the welfare of the Kashmiris ahead of own in various forms under Op Sadbhavana is helping the locals immensely. Providing ample amount of opportunities to every age group in various activities of sports, career, education etc has helped in integrating the awam and jawan together. From population friendly ops to establishing medical relief camps during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a lot is being done to earn the respect of the awam.
One of the best ways to integrate the Kashmiris with the rest of the country and to improve the economy in the region. The successful organizing of various cultural festivals like Gulmarg Snow Festival and the Uri cultural festival showcased the glimpse of the unique cultural heritage of the Kashmir. The Tulip Festival saw an overwhelming crowd visiting the Tulip Garden from all across the country.
It has been the main reason for the widespread corruption and the alienation of the Kashmiris from the rest of the country. The abrogation of these two articles have severely dented the idea of exclusivity and the demands of autonomy by the anti-national elements. The region has witnessed a sharp decline in the terrorist activities as well as reduction in the infiltration on the LC since the abrogation of these articles. The support for the security forces has increased manifolds in the hinterland whilst the support for terrorists have decreased considerably.
While the perception management measures are being carried out on a regular basis by the Indian Army for more than two decades, a more focused and concerted approach is required at all the levels to make a counter narrative to the idea of indoctrination and radicalization. The awam needs to be aware of the lies and deceit of the Pak sponsored proxy war in the Kashmir. Opportunities like DDC elections to be utilized in winning over the population and making them feel an integral part of the country.
Happiness is contagious and there is no reason that the Kashmiris remained different from it. In spite of all the violence going around them, Kashmiris have always kept a spirited demeanor with a smiling face. The happiness of Kashmiris is detrimental to those who work against it. The normalcy in Kashmir is back on its way and the visit by an independent 24 member UN delegation has confirmed the same on the ground. All peace ensuing forces should continue working together to thwart any action that disturbs the peace in the valley.
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