Positive and negative are two sides of the same coin. There is always something good about everything that appears bad and vice versa. While we have so many of spine-chilling issues in the world, we also have some mesmerizing advantages of being alive as humans in the same world. There is nothing that can give you hundred percent happiness and there is also nothing that can take away hundred percent of your happiness. We are all born to face the killing heat as well as the relieving shadow. When we have nations we also have borders that define them and border disputes that try to define them. The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been hanging as a dispute since decades and inspite of being listed in the sixth chapter of the UN charter (which lists the global areas of dispute), most of us as Indians have been ignoring the fact of Kashmir-as-a-dispute while relishing our association with the so called paradise on earth. Now, what we have in Kashmir is a bunch of so called ‘war-lords’, around seven lakh* security personnel lased with weapons far more than their number, a few hard hiding militants--most of them being foreigners who believe themselves to be the only saviors of Islamic jihad--and millions of Kashmiries living in extreme misery among the drum dholes of word ‘development’ that they have never seen. In such state of affairs, what could be the attributes that Kashmiries can cherish about being born as sons and daughters of the land is what this section would through some light on through a series of interviews involving some of the eminent bureaucrats and leaders of the valley who have witnessed both, the heaven and the hell Kashmir. To begin with we have Mr. Shah Faesal, IAS Topper 2009, presently posted as DDC Bandipora expressing his intelligent views to Akhter H Bhat.
Akhter: What according to you are the things that Kashmiries should cherish about their moaj kasheer(mother Kashmir)?
Faesal: Actually there are loads of things that Kashmiries should feel good about. Kashmir is one of those most beautiful parts of the world. The immensely impressing beauty of the valley is one of the Kashmir’s biggest strengths. The valley of Kashmir has the potential to attract tourists from the farthest corners of the world. Kashmir is one of those fortunate pieces of land that have a diverse climatic situation. The winter sports held here attracts people from all across the globe. Activities like skiing, heli-skiing, ice-skating and snowboarding are a magnetic attraction for adventure lovers. Kashmir offers best options for white water rafting, trekking and mountaineering. Royal Spings Golf Course at Srinagar surrounded by splendid natural beauty along Dal Lake is one of the best golf courses in India. Kashmir also has the world’s highest golf course in Gulmarg.
Kashmir is gifted with plentiful of fresh water lacks, streams, canals and rivers which have the potential to generate loads of hydroelectric power. Kashmir is the valley of flowers. Horticulture is another sector that Kashmiries should feel proud of. It contributes about 7 to 8%to GSDP with an annual income of more than Rs. 5000 Cr. Tulip garden in Srinagar is the biggest of its kind in Asia. Kashmiri carpets and handicrafts are popular allover the world.
Apart from that, Kashmir has a quality human resource. Our youths are capable of yielding wonders if they are provided with proper guidance.
Another attribute that Kashmiries should celebrate about Kashmir is that we are not a very densely populated region. The population explosion that has affected most of the south Asian regions did not have any impact on our state. And the biggest thing is that inspite of the prolonged unrest that Kashmir has been through, our state has the lowest number of BPL homes in the country. What else other than that do you want to cherish about the fact of being a Kashmiri.
Akhter: What are the developments of progress that you have experienced over the past few years in Kashmir? Which sector do you think has progressed the most?
Faesal: Tourism is a huge industry in Kashmir. However, due to the political unrest, this sector had suffered the most. Tourists interested in visiting Kashmir held themselves back for more than fifteen years. They were scared of visiting the valley because of the militant situation that prevailed in the valley. Fortunately for us, the situation has changed now. We had more than eleven lakh tourists visiting Kashmir last year and the numbers have grown much higher this year. A huge section of Kashmiries are dependent on this sector and fortunately for them, the valley is yet again becoming one of the most liked tourist destinations of the world. Tourism is one important sector that we have seen progressing the most over the past few years. We just need to provide tourists with better options of accommodation and aesthetics. Our airport and particularly the roads connecting different tourist spots of the valley with cities like Jammu and Srinagar need an immediate attention. We need to upgrade our infrastructure to attract more tourists to the valley.
Apart from tourism, horticulture would be another sector in the valley that has seen an appreciable progress. It is contributing around 8% to our GSDP every year. Horticulture in Kashmir is another important sector that has the potential to grow folds and folds in the nearest future.
Akhter: It was great as well as a bit ironical to see Chinese apples in Kashmiri markets. When can we expect Kashmiri apples in Chinese markets?
Faesal: Yes! That’s indeed one serious concern that the government needs to work on. We need to learn few things from China and, infact, the whole word have something to learn from china. I think we lack proper channels of fruit transportation in Kashmir. There are times when huge portions of our fruits including apples get spoiled even before reaching our cold stores. That’s a huge loss. I think authorities are taking notes of this situation and we will soon have Kashmiri apples not only in Chinese markets but in all potential markets across the globe. And it is just not about apples, we should also try our level best to globalize our handicrafts for their unique quality and crafting.
Akhter: Finally, what do you think should be done to stabilize the political situation in Kashmir?
Faesal: I think we should provide our youths with diverse options of progress and prosperity. One of the best things would be to provide them with quality education and counseling. We should bring in different schemes of employment for our young crowds. We should also offer them full support to develop their own businesses in the valley at small as well as large scale levels so that they don’t get drifted away with any waves of extreme discontent or militancy. To curb the extreme corruption that exists in our system should be one of our utmost priorities.
Akhter: Do you think there is a need to dilute, if not revoke, draconian acts like APSAPA in the valley? What are your thoughts about article 370?
Faesal: Those are political issues that need to be handled politically. I would not be the right person to comment on that.
*November 11, 2011, the Asia Society, Kashmir: The Case for Freedom, Arundhati Roy and Pankaj Mishra.