Rakesh Sharma
J&K is the “Crown of India”. Post independence this crown has been periodically battered and shaken by a combination of external and internal factors with three gruesome wars of 1947-48, 1965 and 1971 and Militancy. Resolution of Kashmir is a Politico-Socio-Economic-Military process, in that order of precedence with military instrument at the end of the spectrum to create a secure and conducive environment for implementation of the first three initiatives. Periodically varied pragmatic strategies have been adopted and numerous initiatives taken for resolution of the said issue. However, despite best efforts of the Government peace has eluded J&K and the militancy has reached the crescendo due to a combination of external and internal factors.
The Present situation in J&K though overall stable but is fragile in the midriff region i.e. Valley. As gleaned by the me, being son-of-the- soil the obtaining “Impasse and Imbroglio” is a cumulative effect of alienation of masses over unfulfilled aspirations due to opportunistic politics. Presently, it the youth which is riding the “Radical and Psychological Wave” in the Valley who have been misguided, astrayed and manipulated by few “Fundamentalist / Radical Mentors – H Factor” and “Proxy Support – P Factor”. Notwithstanding the need for a continues multi-lateral dialogue and development, the main strategy in J&K should have “Youth as the Centre of Gravity” by addressing four main issues of education, game and sports, Recreation and Employment. The core of the strategy should be to keep youth busy/engaged in some or the other activity thus not allowing them to fall pray to “Diversionist & Fundamentalist Forces”.
Education: Maximum youth of the state can ill-afford to go out of the state for getting quality education in other parts of country and hence get left out. Improve in-house quality in the state by establishing branches of renowned schools like Dalhousie Public School, Sanawar, Whellams, Sherwood School and reputed Universities like Amity, BITS Pilani, Lovely etc with lucrative incentives (Land & Tax Holiday).
Games and Sports: Keep youth engaged in Games & Sports which will negate the saying “An idle mind is Devil’s Workshop”. Brazil is an example wherein large scale country Football weaned away youth from drugs. Towards that end, make sports stadium at all levels i.e. in a group of villages, every tehsil, every district and region. Encourage mass following games like cricket and football. Some initiative already exists which needs to be institutionalized. But give special impetus to sports in which J&K has “Aptitudnal Talent”, which I witnessed during my four decades with JAKLI Soliders of J&K like wrestling and shooting. We have National and International level talent in these disciplines from JAKLI which can be built up from that core.
Recreation: Let state’s youth have maximum recreational facilities like rest of the country. Let them spend their spare time with their friends and families to drive happiness. Encourage setting up of (Govt. and PPP Model) sports nodes like rafting, rock climbing, paragliding/parasailing, aerial ropeways, adventure camps, modern amusement parks, mals with multiplexes and chains of McDonald, Pizza Hut, Barrista etc. This will not only keep the youth busy but also boost Tourism.
Employment: Govt. jobs will never be sufficient to meet the requirements and aspirations of youth. Hence, create informal sectors jobs. Give boost to micro-tourism and handicrafts with additional impetus to Jammu and Ladakh regions. Focus on marketing of handicraft products with assured purchases by Govt and quasi Government bodies. All above as I mentioned in recreation will create lucrative jobs for thousands of youth. If the Government is able to give the above to the youth of the State, it will limit OGWs, stone pelters, and agitators with more peace in J&K.
(The author is former Lt General)
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