Rarely does the President of India spend three days of his precious time at any State capital. But Srinagar had the privilege of playing host to him for three days, something memorable. The grand scale 18th Convocation of Kashmir University was organized and attended by the dignitaries and students is something we did not witness in recent years. Though the President had come as the special guest of honour at the Convocation, yet he stole time to meet and interact with a number of delegations from civil society besides taking a pleasure boat-ride on Dal Lake. Understandably, the President has returned a far better informed person on the current situation of the State since the sources of his knowledge included not only the top echelons of governance and administration but also some sections of civil society and representatives of some social groups. He found the situation improving. The feeling is that the State has won the President as a good friend of the people who will value his matured advice of how they could think and act in the wider interests of the state and the country.
In his address at the Convocation, the President touched on the historical sentiment of the people of Kashmir by reminding them of their rich and historical past and the legacy of humanism, tolerance and harmony which they have inherited from their renowned saints, seers and savants. He also referred to the open-mindedness of the people of Kashmir in not only welcoming but also in showing great reverence to the saints, thinkers and men of religious learning who came to Kashmir from other parts of the country or from the adjoining regions. This helped in blending the thought process of the local people…
The President exuded confidence in the talent and intellectual ability of the youth in Kashmir, and hoped that they would become the model of leadership for new India that was in making. At the same time he advised them that no more time and energy ought to be wasted on what had passed. The time had come when the past had to be left behind and one had to move forward. The President said that the world was transforming at a rapid speed and it was but natural that India kept pace with that change failing which we would be left behind. India was in making and this offered immense opportunities to the youth of today for progress and development and for imbibing the spirit of modernity and universalism. The President lay emphasis on universalism as the new philosophy for the younger generation and advised them to keep their mind open for receiving fresh and constructive ideas from anywhere these came. He was aware that Kashmir University was connected through internet with the world wide sources of knowledge and this was precisely what was needed for the youth of today. The knowledge had to be disseminated and brought to the doorsteps of all who are desirous of equipping themselves with it. The President said that this was the age of technology and no progress could be made unless we had a grip on technology and scientific innovations.
A close analysis of President’s address shows that while acknowledging the past glory of Kashmir as a seat of learning and knowledge, he wants to inspire the youth with the urge to seek more frontiers of modern knowledge and utilise the search process to practical life. This he calls balancing of science and skills. He desired the youth in Kashmir to understand the political philosophy of the Indian state, its rule of law and its commitment to the rights of people and their equality before the law. A nation cannot survive on sentiments and slogans but on solid philosophy of life and state that are acceptable and workable in present day scenario. The address is a good fund for serious reflection particularly when circumstances and history have brought the Kashmir youth to a state of uncertainty. Only through cool-headed introspection can they wriggle out of that dilemma and proceed to the areas of light and hope.
Perhaps this convocation was an enviable occasion when the youth of Kashmir had the opportunity of listening to the most sincere and most balanced ideas from the highest intellectual elite of the country and the state. The addresses not only from the President of India but also from the Governor and the Chief Minister delivered at the Convocation will remain as the epitome of how the policy planners want the State of Jammu and Kashmir to step out of dark days of recent violence and march into light and brightness of future with hope, confidence and determination. These addresses transcend political and regional parameters; they are universal in spirit and from the base of social philosophy of the new world and new India. It is in the hands of the youth to usher in a new dawn and leave the sordid past to the dustbin of history. Values not emotions show the right path.
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