Kashmir- Heaven on Earth
"Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast." ― Amir Khusrau
(Farsi couplet meaning- If there is a paradise on earth, It is this, it is this, it is this”. Made famous by Jahangir who repeated it when he saw Kashmir)
I don't think one can even explain the relevance of today. The Indian independence was a great day in history that came with too many wrongs. We are so used to reading history the same way that we subconsciously accept that it is written in stone. No one can imagine India being one again, it's been way too long. No can imagine a world without terrorism, it's been too long. Our inferiority complex as Indians, us looking at English movies, their clothes, and their science like poor children look through glass windows of posh stores, our wanting to move outside India to find a place with less people and rule of law, us saying India is a 'developing' country. We get so used to repeating the same thing again and again that we accept that that's the only truth. You don't expect history to undo itself. But today is a sign that it can be undone.
We have been calling Kashmir a disturbed state for so long that we forgot to look at what it was, before it was that way. Kashmir is known for it's scenic beauty, hand knotted carpets, best quality saffron (in the world), finest and the most premium quality Pashmina shawls, and high quality cricket bats made from Willow wood that get sent across the globe. It has the potential to be one of the most thriving tourism destinations among other things. But the people of Kashmir, (of all religions) have suffered for too long. Some being forced to leave in the 1990's and the rest living a life of constantly being checked, frisked and having to show ID cards. The forces have done well to keep people safe for so many years, but it has not come without collateral damage on both the sides. One can debate endlessly about whose fault it is, but the only relevant truth is that no one should have to live like that- in a state of constant disturbance and having to move to bunkers every now and then.
What other options does Kashmir have?
1. Join the other country- a country that is only by name but exists as a deep state without any economy or polity. A country on paper that is actually 5 different regions on the verge of splitting ever since formed.
2. Become independent- And become another deep state where India, Pakistan, China, Russia, USA play politics endlessly. (China wanting to revive the Silk Route, finding methods like the Gwadar port to bypass the US dominated Malacca Strait, and vying for global dominance, Pakistan perpetually wanting revenge/dignity for the loss and humiliation of 1971, US& Europe and West Asia playing their never ending game of religious supremacy,going on since around 11th Century and finally, the spill-overs of the US-Russia ego issues.)
Today is an effort in the direction of the third option- Making it a full-fledged part of India (which it was not because of Article 370). One can even debate if this is the right way, but no one can deny that it's a step forward. Because when you've been at the same place for too long, taking a step ahead and moving forward becomes more important than worrying about where you will reach.
Though this a really good sign, the time is not ripe to celebrate. Kashmir is going through a difficult time (hopefully for the last time). There are videos of lines and lines of troops and trucks around J& K. Communication has been cut off and people are unable to find out if their relatives are doing well. The threat of separatists wanting to create havoc looms and vested interested are going to up the ante and their funding for anti-India activities. The state is heavily militarized at this moment for security concerns and it's going to take few months for things to start settling and some time to gain normalcy. The children of J&K must be confused and scared. We must wish for their well being.
Convicing the youth especially is going to be a challenge considering that the disturbance started in 1990's and there's an entire generation of children who have grown up and never seen a normal Kashmir.
In other news, Ladakh is very happy, it's an almost 30 year old demand that has been met.
The reason for my optimism is mentioned well in an article. Quoting it here:
"Reaching out to the people is seen as being best done by empowering local democracy to its fullest. In the past, the devolution of powers to the panchayats and urban local bodies carried little popular appeal with elected members of the Legislative Assembly, who saw this as directly eroding their authority and had a vested interest in centralising power. Since the imposition of Governor’s (and now President’s) Rule, the State Administrative Council has acted with remarkable alacrity to devolve powers to panchayati raj institutions in the State. Implementation of important schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Mid-Day Meal scheme, Integrated Child Development Services and social forestry projects has been devolved to the panchayats."
Here's hoping that the people of Kashmir get to see what it's like to live in peace and prosperity. ✨
(Farsi couplet meaning- If there is a paradise on earth, It is this, it is this, it is this”. Made famous by Jahangir who repeated it when he saw Kashmir)
On Jammu and Kashmir's complete integration into India on 5th August 2019
I don't think one can even explain the relevance of today. The Indian independence was a great day in history that came with too many wrongs. We are so used to reading history the same way that we subconsciously accept that it is written in stone. No one can imagine India being one again, it's been way too long. No can imagine a world without terrorism, it's been too long. Our inferiority complex as Indians, us looking at English movies, their clothes, and their science like poor children look through glass windows of posh stores, our wanting to move outside India to find a place with less people and rule of law, us saying India is a 'developing' country. We get so used to repeating the same thing again and again that we accept that that's the only truth. You don't expect history to undo itself. But today is a sign that it can be undone.
We have been calling Kashmir a disturbed state for so long that we forgot to look at what it was, before it was that way. Kashmir is known for it's scenic beauty, hand knotted carpets, best quality saffron (in the world), finest and the most premium quality Pashmina shawls, and high quality cricket bats made from Willow wood that get sent across the globe. It has the potential to be one of the most thriving tourism destinations among other things. But the people of Kashmir, (of all religions) have suffered for too long. Some being forced to leave in the 1990's and the rest living a life of constantly being checked, frisked and having to show ID cards. The forces have done well to keep people safe for so many years, but it has not come without collateral damage on both the sides. One can debate endlessly about whose fault it is, but the only relevant truth is that no one should have to live like that- in a state of constant disturbance and having to move to bunkers every now and then.
What other options does Kashmir have?
1. Join the other country- a country that is only by name but exists as a deep state without any economy or polity. A country on paper that is actually 5 different regions on the verge of splitting ever since formed.
2. Become independent- And become another deep state where India, Pakistan, China, Russia, USA play politics endlessly. (China wanting to revive the Silk Route, finding methods like the Gwadar port to bypass the US dominated Malacca Strait, and vying for global dominance, Pakistan perpetually wanting revenge/dignity for the loss and humiliation of 1971, US& Europe and West Asia playing their never ending game of religious supremacy,going on since around 11th Century and finally, the spill-overs of the US-Russia ego issues.)
Today is an effort in the direction of the third option- Making it a full-fledged part of India (which it was not because of Article 370). One can even debate if this is the right way, but no one can deny that it's a step forward. Because when you've been at the same place for too long, taking a step ahead and moving forward becomes more important than worrying about where you will reach.
Though this a really good sign, the time is not ripe to celebrate. Kashmir is going through a difficult time (hopefully for the last time). There are videos of lines and lines of troops and trucks around J& K. Communication has been cut off and people are unable to find out if their relatives are doing well. The threat of separatists wanting to create havoc looms and vested interested are going to up the ante and their funding for anti-India activities. The state is heavily militarized at this moment for security concerns and it's going to take few months for things to start settling and some time to gain normalcy. The children of J&K must be confused and scared. We must wish for their well being.
Convicing the youth especially is going to be a challenge considering that the disturbance started in 1990's and there's an entire generation of children who have grown up and never seen a normal Kashmir.
In other news, Ladakh is very happy, it's an almost 30 year old demand that has been met.
The reason for my optimism is mentioned well in an article. Quoting it here:
"Reaching out to the people is seen as being best done by empowering local democracy to its fullest. In the past, the devolution of powers to the panchayats and urban local bodies carried little popular appeal with elected members of the Legislative Assembly, who saw this as directly eroding their authority and had a vested interest in centralising power. Since the imposition of Governor’s (and now President’s) Rule, the State Administrative Council has acted with remarkable alacrity to devolve powers to panchayati raj institutions in the State. Implementation of important schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Mid-Day Meal scheme, Integrated Child Development Services and social forestry projects has been devolved to the panchayats."
Here's hoping that the people of Kashmir get to see what it's like to live in peace and prosperity. ✨
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