Time for Kashmiri people to show their faith with India
Or
Understand the meaning of surge of tourism in Kashmir
RK Sinha
The pleasant breeze blowing through the valley of Kashmir is surely raising hope among the Kashmiris. The breeze of hope that the life is returning back to normal in the Valley. The atmosphere of fear and worry is almost ending there. Had it been a false statement then one lakh eighty thousand tourists almost 6000 per day, would not have reached Srinagar airport for excursion. This figure is much greater in comparison to last ten years tourist visit in a month. Additionally, the experts allied with the tourism sector of state government are predicting that in coming days and months this number will certainly boost. In order to beat the scorching heat of May and June, tourists from across the country, will surely like visit valleys, falls and religious spots in Jammu & Kashmir. In the time of terror, no one would have even imagined that the normalcy will return in that short period of time and tourists will not be troubled any more there. Presently, all the hotels are full and Shikaras also have long waiting period. The mindset of the people towards the valley is changing. Kashmir is welcoming tourists from Mumbai to Delhi and Bhubaneshwar to Kerala everywhere. One of my friends who is former Income tax commissioner, visited the valley along with his family last month. He was pleased by the reception offered by Kashmiri people which is similar to the one offered before the decade of 90s. They are joyous seeing the unprecedented number of visitors. Firstly, terrorism and then Covid completely destroyed the tourism sector there. People in this sector was even devoid of two course meal. They faced a harsh scarcity of food.
The atmosphere there is free from terror now. Still some anti India elements are existing there. Today or tomorrow, they will have to join and be a part of mainstream. They aren’t left with any other choice. If they continue their path, they will be and are being reined.
Now locals of Kashmir will have to make sure that they completely isolate themselves from anti India elements. Locals should report willingly the whereabout of these anti India elements to security forces. Along with it they will have to provide complete security to the non- Kashmiri people working there. They will have to assure that Kashmir belongs to every Indian like whole India belongs to Kashmiris also. With the increase in number of tourists, Kashmiri people should think that people from other states will migrate to Kashmir for small job opportunities also. Indians from other states have equal right over Kashmir as the people of Kashmir have on the entire India. Every year people from Kashmir move to different parts of the country to sell the products of handloom and carpet and woolen industry of the state. Have they been denied from entering any area? Similarly, they should allow other people to practice business in their state. In reality a poor person from Bihar selling golgappa is murdered. Despite all these mishaps, the Kashmiri society has not openly paid tribute to the poor deceased. It is also a reality that many migrants Bihari have fallen prey to terrorism. Few days back poor person from Bhagalpur named Virendra Paswan was gunned down. On his death no one was there to remorse except his relatives. Virendra Paswan used to migrate to Kashmir during every summer to earn livelihood. He used to sell tasty golgappas.
Actually, the main problem of muslims in the Kashmir is that they always remain in the victim mode. They continuously try to prove that they have suffered injustice. This is a wrong mindset. There is a need to come out of it. They become silent on exodus of Kashmiri Pandit. They don’t protest the murders of people like Paswan. Actually they haven’t face any injustice. They themselves have done injustices to the Kashmiri Pandits and poor Hindu labourers who have temporarily migrated in Kashmir.
Actually, as the Kashmir valley is changing, various development programs run by government should also be given due credit. Last Sunday PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stone for the development projects worth of 20 thousand crores. All the projects of central government are being implemented and executed in the valley. Kashmiri people are getting their full benefits. People who were devoid of benefits of reservation, are now getting its benefits. Shameful fact is that In the state Dalits and backwards have not received any benefits for last 70 years.
Amidst, the foundation stone of three sections of Delhi- Amritsar- Katra expressway was laid. It is a project worth more than 7.5 thousand crore. 108 Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Samba and Solar electricity plant of five hundred kilowatt is being constructed. Along with it, Banihaal- Kaazigund road tunnel has been inaugurated. Almost 8.5 kilometres long tunnel will dramatically reduced the distance between Banihaal and Kaazigind by 16 km and travel time is reduced by 1.5 hours.
If you have recently visited Jammu- Kashmir you will believe that the roads in the state is becoming world-class. The importance of road in mountainous region is known to all. As the central government along with the country are wishing that the state should get the deserving prosperity Kashmiri people should also perform their duty. They should show their allegiance. Pakistan has always led them to astray as a result they have always suffered losses .
(Writer is senior editor, columnist and Former MP)