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The unheard echo of the valley!


Let the beauty remain pristine,
Let the glory reflect in every scene...

Let the sound of valley echo happiness,
Let not such scars and spots fill it with darkness...

Let it not become a political gimmick to fight on,
Let it instead help the men there to get up and move on...slowly and steadily!


Kashmir is NOT a separate state, it is a part of our own Union. There have recently been vigorous verbal tussles over the Article 370 that provides special status to Jammu & Kashmir. This article has made the magnificence of this land opaque.
Read the newsfeed and take it as a daily dose! But this time, I paused and jotted down some critical queries that came to my mind.

After reading the history of this Article, one realises that this article, as envisioned by the makers of our constitution,  was to help this part of India to get well integrated with the rest of India after having faced violent struggles during partition. It was finally decided that the J&K Legislative Assembly elected by the residents of the state would be wielding powers for state's working. One fact that can't be disputed is that this state still remains more or less isolated either as a danger zone or as a primitively traditional tourist destination. Recently, the BJP leader Mr. Modi questioned the benefits of Article 370. And, as expected, out came the aggressive reply from the CM that he was ready to debate on the provisions of the Article anytime and anywhere. But, reading this newsfeed, Mr. Modi forced me to think in his direction. Has this 'special' article done any good to those for whom it was meant for? 
What people are unaware of is that this article has eroded many times since its inception. The power shield is not the same as it was legalised long back. The J&K government surrendered only four critical heads of defence, communication, ancillary and external affairs when the Article was first framed. However, over the years, many institutional powers have been transferred to the centre. The autonomy that rested with the state has withered gradually and there is no central institution that doesn't have jurisdiction on it. J&K doesn't possess the 'iron-clad autonomy' like it was envisioned by Sheikh Abdullah , one of the Constitution makers. While this remains the topic of concern for the legislators of J&K Assembly, I believe to the contrary. The strength of the Indian Union lies in its diversity and this Article creates a barrier for our existential harmony.
History is testimony to the fact that the special provisions accorded to the state hasn't developed the state till now. The state GDP has barely grown by 6% in 2012 in comparison to 12% for Bihar. Hence, this calls for serious course correction. Such legal bounds ostracise the Kashmiris and prevent them from merging with their true  national identity.For instance, one of the major clauses in Article 370 is that of property rights. It restricts any non-resident of J&K to buy/hold property in the state. If this Article is removed, then many corporates would like to tap the natural resources the valley is endowed with.
Another provision in this Article disables President's ability to declare Financial Emergency leading to excessive complacency on the part of the state legislators. No wonder there are strikes and curfews every other day.  The 'special' provisions are not making the residents of the state feel 'special' instead they feel excluded.
One more thought that just came to my mind was that by continuing the applicability of this Article, we are giving Pakistan an opportunity to attack this part of India. In today's scenario, the separatist treatment of this mesmerising  part of India endangers its future all the more. The vulnerability is rising! If we allow J&K citizens the same cover of laws and norms as their other Indian fellow brethren, we are sure to see a change.
We are unable to see the storehouse of immense potential that lies in these untouched valleys. The Kashmiris have been deprived of the enlightening spirit of education and lucrative job opportunities. I am not advocating extensive industrialisation and commercialisation of this bounty of nature but it is for sure that development will infuse if we do not consider it as a separate state.The handicraft skills that has left foreigners amazed , the rich food delicacies that have been appreciated by all connoisseurs and the evergreen tourism industry can be given a boost. Moreover, the residents would find it easier to migrate to other states for widening their horizons.
The Paradise on Earth waits for its calling...we must offer it a helping hand!
After all, "Agar firdaus bar me zamin-ast, hamin-asto, hamin-asto!" (If there is heaven on earth, it is here, it is here!)

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