Kashmir – Laying the infrastructure Of Hope

It is mere trivia yet interesting to note that in the recently proposed vote on account the finance minister presented a USD 14 B budget for the Union Territory of J&K for FY 2023-24, only a fraction less than the total USD 50 Billion budget of Pakistan.

Comparison with our neighbor is relevant since that country has always postured as interested party in Kashmir in a putative dispute with some from our side even giving it legitimacy. But mere posturing does not fill stomachs. But empty stomachs are ideal to incite a desperate populace. And that in summary has been the strategy of that country to keep Kashmir hopeless.

Prime Minister Modis first rally in Srinagar after abrogation of Article 370 is itself a stark contrast to his own Ekta Yatra in 1992 when he unfurled the National Flag in Lal Chowk and exemplifies the contrasting fortunes of J&K. Last four years inclusive of the pandemic year has been an exercise in laying the foundation of hope aided by oodles of spending. The budgetary allocation has been consistently over USD 13-14 Billion not including the USD 0.75 Billion for Ladakh UT and other centrally funded projects.

Green shoots of hope can be seen. Infrastructure projects grab the headlines rather than violence. Barring stray & intermittent attempts by our neighbor, Kashmir is on its way to economically integrate with the rest of the country, and it is only a matter of time when artificially created fault lines will be ironed out and emotional and mental integration will follow.

It’s been a long hiatus of over four decades. Many hoped and gave up wanting to see Shammi Kapoor & Asha Parekh to romance in Chashmshahi once again, that the Shikara in Dal rocks, that the rug in the drawing room is a Namda and the writing desk of exotically carved walnut.

And that hope seems to be in sight. Maybe Ranveer & Deepika can create the same magic, honeymooners find paradise, Gulmarg has its ski slopes full, and the rocking Shikara has company of jet skis on the waters of Nageen ... and the youth have a mouse and kahwa in their hands and not a stone & Srinagar emerges as bustling T2 powerhouse of the country.

Hope now has a chance!