Not long ago, the former Pakistani President General Zia ul Haq had also made a plan not only to annex the lands of Kashmir but dismember India which generally conformed to what was put together as Op Topac. Zia aimed to bring final victory for Islamic Pakistan over Hindu India and therefore his campaign was not confined to Kashmir alone. General Abdul Akhtar Rahman – a former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief – developed Zia’s plan for liberating Kashmir which was put in place in early 1984 and aimed to culminate in an uprising in the valley by 1991. Unlike the plans made in 1947 and 1965, Zia’s plan did not limit itself to the ‘liberation’ of Kashmir – it sought the ‘disintegration’ of India.
The state of violence only increased after 1988 due to the nefarious designs of Pakistani state and the state was gripped in the Pakistani sponsored terrorism, resulting in the deaths of innocent people including women and children. These Pakistan based inimical elements have only destroyed all the means of livelihood for the Kashmiri people save the gun. Thus, with the threat of the sword, the hoi polloi had no option but to save their own life and accept the inhuman dictates issued by these gun wielding violent men. Despite the heroic stand of the Kashmiri awaam, there was only darkness of violence and the macabre dance of death in the Vale of Kashmir, the paradise on earth of the poet Firdaus.
However, due to the synergised and concerted efforts of the valiant soldiers of the righteous Indian Army (IA) and the Security Forces, peace was maintained in Kashmir for many long periods, awaiting political settlement and peaceful conflict resolution. The dark ages of Kashmir were finally nearing its end. The last phase of despondent times which started in the form of proxy war by Pakistan and had gained traction from late 1980s was finally nearing its end. After the long, bitter and heroic struggle by the people of Kashmir for more than three decades, they firmly and repeatedly rejected violence and terrorism. Peace finally dawned in the valley firmly when the voice of Kashmiri awaam finally reached the ramparts of New Delhi. After many such peaceful phases earlier, the political will to resolve the conflict finally gained the upper hand. The perspicacious decision to finally abrogate Article 370 and fully assimilate the populace of Kashmir into the mainstream of peace, prosperity and harmony was finally taken on 5 August 2019, with the abrogation of Article 370. After the abrogation of Article 370, the dams of prosperity have only burst open. Gone are the days of exploitation of the Kashmiri awaam by the radicalised elements operating from abroad and propagating violence in the name of religion. Thus began a new tarang (literally meaning a wave) in synch with numerous others before, wanting to become another Rajtarangini aka the king wave. And today, the sun is once again getting ready to shine in Kashmir.
In the last more than three years since the abrogation, prosperity has once again entered Kashmir. National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) is developing five tunnels in the Union Territory (UT) at a cost of US$ 3.42 million. The tunnels will have all weather access and will be completed by 2024. In October 2020, construction work has started on the Zojila Tunnel at J&K. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity on NH-1 between Srinagar Valley and Leh (Ladakh Plateau) and will bring about an all-round Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) economic and socio cultural integration (UTs of J&K and Ladakh). It involves building a 14.15-km long tunnel under the Zojila pass on NH-1, linking Srinagar and Leh via Dras & Kargil. In February 2021, the second Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg were inaugurated with the objective of making J&K a hub for winter sports. In March 2022, the UAE pledged to invest Rs. 3,000 crore (US$ 391.8 million) in J&K. In April this year, the Srinagar International airport recorded the highest ever 102 to and fro daily flights as well as the highest footfall of 15,199 daily passengers. Seeing the year’s footfall, the Government of India is planning to build another terminal at Srinagar International Airport to cater to the increased rush in the future. The tourism sector witnessed remarkable achievements after the government allocated Rs 786 crores to the industry. This marked a 184 per cent increase in the funds allocated to tourism sector in comparison to the previous year. The officials had added the intent of the massive budgetary allocation was to boost tourism and allied services in the union territory. Along with horticulture and agriculture, tourism is an important industry for Kashmir, accounting for about 7% to its economy.
With the advent of peace in Kashmir, there is bound to be a logical reduction in the deployment of Indian Army – the saviours of J&K – in the region. While the Union Territory has about 63 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Battalions, it is unique from other units of the Army. Each of the RR Battalion has six companies compared to four of a regular infantry formation, and each company – comprising 100 to 150 troops – is headed by a Major. Sources said that one of the thought processes was to reduce two companies in each battalion. Another was to see whether the actual number of RR battalions could be reduced and whether the Area of Responsibility (AOR) be increased for each without affecting the counter-terrorism grid. This will augur well for the region and will enhance peace and stability.
Kashmir has recently hosted the first and biggest international summit this year. India successfully and peacefully hosted the G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar from 22-24 May 2023. To make this event beautiful and historic, the city of Srinagar was converted into a smart city. Everywhere it wore a bright and sparkling look. The people were happy to do brisk business and earn a better livelihood. There were no incidents of violence reported anywhere, depsite attempts by the Pakistan based terrorist groups. The awaam of Kashmir has firmly rejected violence and terrorism. Peace has dawned in Kashmir.
Today, as one roams the streets and by lanes of Srinagar town or struts along with an innate pride in the heart along the Boulevard Road around the hustling and bustling yet serene Dal Lake, one cannot but marvel at the fruits of that historic decision – abrogation of Article 370. Tourists from all over India and from many corners of the globe are here to satiate themselves in the tranquil nature of idyllic Kashmir. The shopkeepers are happy to have more rupees in their erstwhile empty pockets. Taxis are plying in brisk business. The parents – who have seen draconian times earlier in their youth – are happy for they can foresee a bright future for their children. Malls have started functioning and are the hub of bustling activities. Supermarkets have mushroomed all over the towns of Kashmir. Flyovers and new bridges are under construction. Roads are being widened. One can see all the young boys and girls talking and discussing myriad topics under the sun like the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its application in the form of Chat GPT and its unpredictable impact on the future of humans or the mundane topics of characters from the plays of Shakespeare. The new vistas are opening for the people of Kashmir. The brutal era of megalomaniacs blaring violent speeches and preaching hatred is now a thing of the past. During my discussions with one of the taxi drivers, Shafique Ahmed, I asked him about his family and children. He mentioned that he has two sons. I further asked him what was his plan for their future. He mentioned that he is quite optimistic about their future as there are many more opportunities available now vis-à-vis earlier times when he was young. He also mentioned that never he has seen so much of work and development in Kashmir as he has witnessed since 2019. All in all, he was visibly happy the peace has finally arrived in the Vale of Kashmir and that his children will have a brighter future than him. A new era has dawned in Kashmir. An era of peace, progress, vitality, and prosperity for the awaam of Kashmir. The Indian Government has done its bit. The world is watching. All eyes are now on the awaam of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat to walk towards that golden horizon of peace and prosperity. It is now in their hands to embrace this golden opportunity and take the baton of tranquillity and usher the age of prosperity in Kashmir. Just like the times of Rishi Kashyap, Kashmir is once again destined for greatness. There is a new sunrise in Kashmir. The future beckons. Is Kashmir ready?
Kashmir RootStock 