By Atinder Kour
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“Gar firdous bar-rue zamin asto hami asto, hamin asto,hamin ast.” “If there is a heaven on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.
These alluring words are often used to reflect the beauty of Kashmir valley.But behind these words are hidden millions and millions of grief and pain associated with this place. Controversy linked with this place is not new,it is going on from years claimed by both India and Pakistan.Many authors have also written books to express the misery of this place but those griefs and pain seemed to have been trapped in the pages only.
My Valley often called”Jannat-e-Kashmir” is known for it’s simplicity and natural beauty and it’s culture resides in the heart and soul of it’s people but the sad reality is that events of violence between Indian forces and terrorists had taken a physical and mental toll on this region and it’s people.Every year season of turmoil in Kashmir brings new kind of pain and had left generations traumatized.Unrest in the valley had shattered not only the economy but also education severely affecting the overall development of this place. Morever the situation as well as condition of Kashmir was always exacerbated to that extend that people started to get scared from the word “Kashmir” and “Kashmiri’s”.All this gravely impacted tourism industry and those who were dependent on tourism for their bread and butter.
Such is the fear among people that kashmiri people are asked millions of strange questions when they step outside this valley, such as:How do you stay there? Nobody Kills you? Which country do you favour,India or Pakistan?Heart always aches after being encountered with such questions. As rightly said by Martin Luther that,”Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.So it’s right time to radiate boundaries of love towards the entire country.”And media is the most powerful entity on earth, as it control minds of the masses, they have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent.We should start to radiate love and goodwill to others and if it starts happening the economy of this place will boost up which is suffering from a very long time.
Terrorism is everywhere and I strongly condemn it.Terrorism has no nationality and religion and we should not call every person wrong, because of the wrong path of some people.And Terrorism should not be associated with any religion, as “no religion has mandated killing others as a requirement for its sustenance or promotion.”~ as rightly quoted by A.P.J Abdul Kalam
Undoubtedly my valley “Kashmir” is the world’s most fascinating place offering variety in climate and landscape but it is suffocating in controversies since long.Someone rightly said the most powerful weapon on the earth is the human soul on fire and this quotation reflects the condition of thousand and thousands of people who are seen on thoroughfare shouting”Azadi.” Many have lost their lives, near and dear ones in these riots.But no authority came on the forefront to ask them, What they want?
Peace!Relief from bloodshed!Consolation! Evolution!Would have been their answer!!But no one came to forward to ask them.
When people are voiceless they have temper tantrums like a child who has not been paid attention to , and riots are massive temper tantrums from a neglected and voiceless people.These words depict the reality behind the anger of thousand of people on road as they have lost mental peace from years of violence.
Bringing peace in valley is much more important then bringing reform and it can be achieved by peaceful means there is nothing as negative as a group of people crying out for democracy, for attention.Peace does not just mean putting end to violence or war but to all other factors that threaten peace.
Another unrest in valley came with the scrapping of article 370 and with new Domicile rule which disappointed many people as well as passionate leaders as they were incarcerated and their voices were suppressed. On the other hand government expressed confidence that J&K will benefit immensely from revocation of provision of article 370 and I hope this change will greatly benefit the people of this place but for this involvement of all former state leaders in the affairs of this valley is must as they are the voice of thousand of people of Kashmir.
At the end i pray for peace and prosperity of this place years to come and want to finish this write-up with my words.
“Jannat hai mera Kashmi, pata nahi kisne likhe hai iske taqdeer.Sadiyo seh har koi ise chennai mein laga hai.Is jannat mein rehna b, kya ek saza hai? Lakho logon ne jaan gavai ise azadi dilwane mein.Kya keemti jaane gavana he is azadi mein likha hai!!Kyu galat samajte ho is azadi k matlab ko, Pucho toh sahi,ja kar kashmir k un logon seh! Kya pata khul kar zindgi jeena, aur is wadi ki aman shanti he unki azaadi ka maksad ho!!
The author can be reached at kourraiatinderpal@gmail.com