During Paris trip last year end, I felt France means, romance, wine and perfumes. In the same vein, I said to myself that Kashmir means beauty, nature’s bounty and of course its wounded agony, like a caged tiger. It is debatable, to what extent, the caged tiger, when released, will find its identity and march towards the stated goals or targets; whether or not the new leadership will build a new Kashmir, without being molested/ dominated by any other external agency. I doubt very much the viability and sustainability of this region as a separate entity, with all my sympathy and concern for the poor people’s desire to be left alone, freed from the clutches of both India and Pakistan. . Though it’s a contested territory, I feel that as compared to many other troubled regions, Kashmir is better, and with the newly bought relative peace, the militants must bargain for more development for the poor and also for growth of the region, without affecting environment. I am indeed happy that this part of the country has been not exposed to foreigner’s penetration in the form of FDI.
I do understand that Kashmir is a wounded world, having its own agony and anger, but they are disguised in its ability to express the beauty and youthfulness, generosity and forgiveness and of course the smells and sounds of roaring rivers, dancing tall trees, moving rope cars, falling snow, chill breeze gently embracing both locals and tourists without any sense of discrimination. Both Kashmir and the Greater India can co-exist, inclusive of many troubled zones in the North and North-eastern parts not to speak of the problem ridden areas in the middle and Southern parts; this can happen only when there is more love and forgiveness on either side. Who should forgive whom is a difficult question. But the plain logic is, the oppressor, the violator of human rights, the aggressor sponsored corporate organizations raping the environment, must begin to learn how to keep the diverse population, consisting of mostly wage earners, marginalized labourers, educated unemployed youth innocent tribals and so on together, freed from the exploitation of vested interest both domestic and foreign.
A kind of nominal allowance for horsemen and boatmen operating at vital tourist destinations during the lean season shall be envisaged. More important they should not be harassed physically of financially by the authorities. Of course all these people can thrive even without government’s help. I am told that there is nothing like a lean season because even during winter there is a greater flow of traffic from foreign countries. But the most important, essential precondition for the free flow of traffic is that the relative peace bought between the militants and the government must continue and there should be more give and take. Shall we hope that the recent visit of Prime Minister (it was scheduled the day after our departure) and the discussion with various representatives of Kashmir group will yield and political dividend for the people of the land here.
As stated already, Kashmir with all its ideal and abundant hydro-electric potentials and resources, generate more electricity, but get starved of it for its essential basic needs, as they have to be transmitted to the Northern Grid, for illuminating the Capital city and neighborhood, I am told. This kind of sharing of resources perhaps may be there at other regions too. But, there is something called minimum power requirements for a small region called Kashmir which is fortunately consisting of only small, small villages. Why should they live in dark and forego the comforts of life. Should not they have entertainment at home? Especially when many womenfolk do not move out much and miss the opportunity to see the glass curtain economy elsewhere in the country; should not they watch television for information, entertainment and news?
Let the Federal government be advised about the state of real India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and take corrective and remedial measures to rebuild the neglected rural India, the marginalized tribal India and much harassed dalit India. It is high time that market lovers like Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. P. C learnt that there is life beyond Mumbai and Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata. More important there are many troubled zones in various parts of the country for various economic and political reasons. Therefore, to consolidate the macroeconomic gains, political security and stability are very much essential. For that to happen the economic, political and monetary union of India must be made to work for all the people in the country and not merely for the wealthy business class and a growing tribe called corrupt segment of politicians and their counterparts in other walks of life. Shall we start from Kashmir and do the repairing work?
Before I conclude let me say that during our one week stay there we did not come across any kind of untoward incident. I was told that one day there were some problems the details of which I don’t know which led to one day harthal. There are some elements which provoke peace loving Kashmir people and that must be firmly resisted.
In Srinagar and other surrounding places the public transport system is still governed by 1988 brand small town buses, releasing more toxic fumes on the road. With all multi-colour and make-up they looked like aged tribal ladies. It is high time the old buses were discarded at the earliest and the new modern small buses capable of negotiating small roads and sharp bends are introduced. From environmental point of view they do not have any right to exist and must be allowed to have a natural death. While the affluent and middle class can afford to travel by taxi, the tribals and the poor will rely on private and public transport system
On the first day when I was traveling from airport in a market place I saw a beautiful Kashmir girl traveling in that kink of old dilapidated bus taking a window seat and just smiled at me. Now I imagine how she would look like a divine angel if she happens to travel in a new car rolling on Kashmir valley befitting of its status as the ideal tourist destination. I pray to the almighty that both the Federal and state government should do the necessary homework to chalk out the various plans and generate more economic externalities to both local population and the tourists. The jewel like Kashmir cannot be allowed to accumulate dust, it needs to be polished again and again in order that there will be eternal beauty on its young face.
I do understand that Kashmir is a wounded world, having its own agony and anger, but they are disguised in its ability to express the beauty and youthfulness, generosity and forgiveness and of course the smells and sounds of roaring rivers, dancing tall trees, moving rope cars, falling snow, chill breeze gently embracing both locals and tourists without any sense of discrimination. Both Kashmir and the Greater India can co-exist, inclusive of many troubled zones in the North and North-eastern parts not to speak of the problem ridden areas in the middle and Southern parts; this can happen only when there is more love and forgiveness on either side. Who should forgive whom is a difficult question. But the plain logic is, the oppressor, the violator of human rights, the aggressor sponsored corporate organizations raping the environment, must begin to learn how to keep the diverse population, consisting of mostly wage earners, marginalized labourers, educated unemployed youth innocent tribals and so on together, freed from the exploitation of vested interest both domestic and foreign.
A kind of nominal allowance for horsemen and boatmen operating at vital tourist destinations during the lean season shall be envisaged. More important they should not be harassed physically of financially by the authorities. Of course all these people can thrive even without government’s help. I am told that there is nothing like a lean season because even during winter there is a greater flow of traffic from foreign countries. But the most important, essential precondition for the free flow of traffic is that the relative peace bought between the militants and the government must continue and there should be more give and take. Shall we hope that the recent visit of Prime Minister (it was scheduled the day after our departure) and the discussion with various representatives of Kashmir group will yield and political dividend for the people of the land here.
As stated already, Kashmir with all its ideal and abundant hydro-electric potentials and resources, generate more electricity, but get starved of it for its essential basic needs, as they have to be transmitted to the Northern Grid, for illuminating the Capital city and neighborhood, I am told. This kind of sharing of resources perhaps may be there at other regions too. But, there is something called minimum power requirements for a small region called Kashmir which is fortunately consisting of only small, small villages. Why should they live in dark and forego the comforts of life. Should not they have entertainment at home? Especially when many womenfolk do not move out much and miss the opportunity to see the glass curtain economy elsewhere in the country; should not they watch television for information, entertainment and news?
Let the Federal government be advised about the state of real India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and take corrective and remedial measures to rebuild the neglected rural India, the marginalized tribal India and much harassed dalit India. It is high time that market lovers like Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. P. C learnt that there is life beyond Mumbai and Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata. More important there are many troubled zones in various parts of the country for various economic and political reasons. Therefore, to consolidate the macroeconomic gains, political security and stability are very much essential. For that to happen the economic, political and monetary union of India must be made to work for all the people in the country and not merely for the wealthy business class and a growing tribe called corrupt segment of politicians and their counterparts in other walks of life. Shall we start from Kashmir and do the repairing work?
Before I conclude let me say that during our one week stay there we did not come across any kind of untoward incident. I was told that one day there were some problems the details of which I don’t know which led to one day harthal. There are some elements which provoke peace loving Kashmir people and that must be firmly resisted.
In Srinagar and other surrounding places the public transport system is still governed by 1988 brand small town buses, releasing more toxic fumes on the road. With all multi-colour and make-up they looked like aged tribal ladies. It is high time the old buses were discarded at the earliest and the new modern small buses capable of negotiating small roads and sharp bends are introduced. From environmental point of view they do not have any right to exist and must be allowed to have a natural death. While the affluent and middle class can afford to travel by taxi, the tribals and the poor will rely on private and public transport system
On the first day when I was traveling from airport in a market place I saw a beautiful Kashmir girl traveling in that kink of old dilapidated bus taking a window seat and just smiled at me. Now I imagine how she would look like a divine angel if she happens to travel in a new car rolling on Kashmir valley befitting of its status as the ideal tourist destination. I pray to the almighty that both the Federal and state government should do the necessary homework to chalk out the various plans and generate more economic externalities to both local population and the tourists. The jewel like Kashmir cannot be allowed to accumulate dust, it needs to be polished again and again in order that there will be eternal beauty on its young face.
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