By Dr Arvind Kumar, President, India Water Foundation
Picturesque and enchanting, Kashmir is cradled high in the lofty green Himalayas and hailed all over the world for its incredible natural beauty. Surrounded by mountain peaks, lush green valleys, glistening lakes, temples and spectacular Mughal-era gardens, it has inspired poets through centuries but was lost for a while due toterrorist movement that erupted in Kashmir in 1989 and has devastated the State administration and its people’s lives.
To bring it from periphery to mainstream development andto alter the institutional framework in accordance with future aspirations of the stakeholders of Jammu and Kashmir the India’s federal government abrogated the Article 370 and has unveiled a number of initiatives and programs in Jammu and Kashmir as part of its developmental push for the region. Youth from the region have responded positively to these development initiatives and have shown their desire to become a part of the progress and prosperity of New India. Even the local militants who gave up arms after Aug. 5, 2019, have been rehabilitated and have become a part of the national mainstream. The initiatives that are being taken by the Indian government to boost sports in the Union Territory include recently organized programs like the second edition of the Khelo India winter games at Gulmarg in north Kashmir which ended this month.Recently, PM Modi in his inaugural virtual address pointed out that holding such an event is a step toward making India’s presence felt in the international winter games arena and also make Jammu and Kashmir a hub of winter sports. Prime minister Modiji stressed that these games in Gulmarg show that Jammu and Kashmir is eager to reach new heights of peace and development and these games will strengthen the resolve for “Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat” (One India, best India) objective. The government of India’s determination to build optimum sports infrastructure in the UT reflects in the development of two Khelo India Centres of excellence in Jammu and Srinagar and other Khelo India Centers in 20 districts, which will facilitate young players.
The central government’s special scholarship scheme for Jammu and Kashmir students has helped many youths from poor family backgrounds to get admissions in professional colleges across the country. In fact, many of them have completed their degrees and have even taken up jobs in big corporate houses within the country and abroad. The Indian government has remained firm in its decisions to ensure that the region is pulled from the quagmire of uncertainty. Though tourism industry has a potential to generate employment but this sector has suffered huge losses due to pandemic and thus has not much promise for the time being. Other main sectors are agriculture and horticulture. If the government takes step to realize the true growth potential of the local agriculture and horticulture produce, lots of unemployed youth could be encouraged to join these sectors.With a view to boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and to bring the Union Territory back again on India’s tourism map, a number of initiatives have been taken recently by the government of India and the government of the Union Territory. In addition to focusing on various sectors concerning the development of tourism activity in Jammu and Kashmir, the effort is also being made by the authorities on the renovation and redesigning of key religious sites besides renovating vital markets. Under the “Smart City” project, 20 religious’ sites in Srinagar are set to get a facelift to attract a footfall of tourists into the city. There is a need for multi-pronged measures and sustained efforts to address the problem of unemployment and the government must ensure effective implementation of all such schemes to help address unemployment crisis.
Besides renovation of religious sites which would be completed by the end of July 2021, vital markets in the downtown area of summer capital Srinagar would be redesigned while inducting modern technology into it apart from the uplifting overall infrastructural standard of the city. Religious sites are being renovated. Among other developments, the first night flight has started operating from Srinagar Airport on March 18, 2021, marking the dawn of a new era indicating improvement in air connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. This significant development will boost the tourism sector of Jammu and Kashmir as it will increase the tourist footfall in the region and this will substantially help in the economic growth of the UT as the tourism sector forms the core of the economy here. Jammu and Kashmir government is also geared up for a successful spring tourist season this year. With a view to boosting adventure tourism in this part of India, a proposal is also under consideration by the government of India to open a portion of Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, for adventure tourism. As per sources at least 2.5 lakh employed youth — including 1.5 lakh postgraduates and PhD scholars — have registered with the department of Employment(central). They are being counselled and provided self-employment schemes under the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute. Special funds are being provided to the women development corporation for the self-employment of women. There are trainers who go to schools and colleges to counsel unemployed youths about careers and different schemes like the Self Help Group of Engineers, under which unemployed engineers have been registered. Similarly the Seed Capital Funds Scheme, National Development Financial Corporation and other meant for helping youths to become entrepreneurs is helping hundreds of unemployed youths and are creating job opportunities for others too. The government is also committed to provide piped drinking water to every rural household by December 2022 under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a whole two years ahead of the national dead-line. As on 4th September 2021, the percentages of household that have that have tap water connections is at 56.1% and since the launch of the mission 4,54,114 households which is 24.74% was provided with tap water connections. The Union Territory has declared two districts i.e., Srinagar & Ganderbal as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ districts, wherein 100% rural households have tap water connections. The UT plans for 9 more districts as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ districts i.e., every rural household will be provided with tap water connection. J&K plans to get NABL accreditation for all district testing laboratories, with a target to accredit 20 labs in the year 2021. The Union territory also decided to take up sensor-based measurement and monitoring system in two districts where 100% FHTC has been provided. The water supply of villages in these districts will be monitored using sensors and data will be automatically captured for analysis, display and remedial action.
It is, in this context, very much relevant to point out that the decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and completely merge it into the Union of India, has already started paying dividends in terms of economic growth and development of Kashmir valley. The government departments were asked to ensure that the benefits of the centrally sponsored schemes trickle down to youth so that they are enabled to choose a progressive path in life. In addition to the great scope being offered by the high potential tourism industry in the region, many Kashmiri youth have been imparted training under the “Himmayat” scheme and have been benefitted in terms of getting jobs in companies across the country. During the past one and half year hundreds of youths have been placed and they are living decent lives. Recruiting agencies that had almost become defunct in Jammu and Kashmir advertised posts for the unemployed educated youth and the process to employ them was expedited. Many of them have been absorbed by different units in the country. The boom in sports activities allowed youth to come forward and showcase their abilities and skills. Youth-oriented initiatives taken by central government has infused new life and enthusiasm in Kashmiri youth, who during the past three decades were being misguided by evil forces to take up arms in a proxy war against a welfare state. — Agencies Where women and girls are empowered to make choices about their bodies and lives, fertility rates plummet. Empower them with freedom to pursue education and a career, economic independence, easy access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. Quality Education is at the centre of all solutions.
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