The Kashmir valley is often in the news for all the wrong reasons. Be it the political structure of the state, where local politicians are power hungry or the youth who are often misguided to go against the established government. Amidst all this chaos, we often miss out on the positives which have come out in the recent years – ‘The Contribution/ Progress of Kashmiri Women’. The women folk have excelled in various fields and are representing the valley in its true spirit. So rather than focusing/highlighting the negative news/ agenda lets speak and spread the contribution and life story of these positive icons to the rest of the country. These icons like any other successful athletes have their share of ups and downs in the conservative society like Kashmir.
Few decades back, like most parts of our country, this part was yet to witness the full growth of women rights in most of the growth Index table transcending all the barriers in a patriarchal society. Be it availability of prudent education system leading to a decent job, making a future in sports, putting them in active leadership role etc seemed to be a distant dream many light years away. The act of terrors shattered the dreams of many, limiting them to a confined space in their own backyards. Their potential in bringing the peace and stopping the violence has not been utilized judiciously. The fact still remains that even after decades of counter insurgency, the women in Kashmir have remained non-violent and that can be the first step in including them in prominent leadership roles at grassroots level to see the visible signs of change. For sure, they can be a welcoming wind of change in the valley.
Historically, Kashmiri women have been a key to savor the artistic culture to include the likes of Lal Ded, Habba Khatoon, popularly known as Nightingale of Kashmir, Arnimal , Raj Begum, Hanifa Chapu to name a few in the illustrious list whose contribution to arts and culture defined the glorious era of the valley. During the times when the region was under the intense conflict, the women’s growth was full of severe impediments and there were limited avenues where they could explore themselves. The transition from past to present still remain a work in progress as it needs all the key players in the region to step up to their full potential.
The valley today has women achievers in all fields and in all age gps. The likes of Tajamul Islam, Nadiya Nighat, Iqra Rasool, Ishrat AKhtar in sports, Mevish Zargar as entrepreneur, ACP Ruveda Alam, IPS, Sami Ara Surury, first Kashmiri wowen to fly commercial plane, Mehvish Mushtaq, renowned computer engineer etc are few names who leads the flame of hope from the valley. Every story you hear or see is a testimony of the determination and standing up against many odds. Due to improved situation in the remote regions, these remote regions are hugely benefitted and the girls from these regions are now having a fair access to all the programs and welfare schemes launched by the administration. The success of the above-mentioned girls has opened a plethora of avenues for the rest of the girls in the valley and we can see their parents support who are leaving no stone unturned to fulfill their dreams. The first step is the most difficult and with the support from State Administration it seems easy. The climb on the ladder thereafter is on self-belief.
Though a lot has been achieved by these women, but as they say, Sky is the limit, so a lot still needs to be done. One thing to maintain is the continuity of the stable situation in the valley which may overturn in a blink and all the efforts may have to be started from ground again. Those girls and women from the valley who have achieved their goals should go around motivating the others to achieve their goals. Achievers and eminent personalities in various fields from the rest of the country should visit the valley as many are considered role models by the girls in Kashmir. Above all, Indian Army has to maintain the Peace in coordination with civil administration for a conducive growth in the region for all especially women folk. After witnessing the turmoil of conflicts for decades, the valley is gradually stepping to the dawn of the new Kashmir and it has been possible due to the stellar role of the women folk, who has been instrumental in turning the dreams into reality.
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