The entire Kashmir affair has become quite boring. Nothing sparks my interest anymore. The country is stuck on the same old song, and everyone is too scared to give the jukebox a whack so the next tune’ll play. Meanwhile, the incessant droning of the all-too-familiar chorus and nauseating notes cause widespread disorder and chaos.

 This dispute had been simmering since 1947, culminating into a Pompeii in its own right by 1989. And to what end? Every few years, a new farce for ‘peace’ is made. Eventually, talks break down, and foreign countries go to war on Kashmiri soil. Beyond the blood in the streets, the hunger for justice in the eyes of the masses, await the vampires, who jump in the fray only for profit. Recognize them. Our future isn’t in the hands of doddering old men or underdressed politicians anymore. We are equipped with the same mental facilities as our so-called leaders, but are more in tune with the needs of society from having actually suffered, as compared to their lofty comments of concern as they recline at ease, sipping tea and marking no loss of life, money, or hope.

 So how can we come about and give the proverbial sound machine an even roundhouse kick? Simple-- education of the masses. An open mind, a willing spirit, a passion! A heart bursting for the soothing recitation of literary greats, a brain yearning for constant intellectual tugs-of-war.

 Obviously the mainstream curriculum has its place. Attend to them as required in their prison of worship, blindly memorize and regurgitate. But steal away hours on you own, researching, questioning, exploring. Therein will you find your keys to freedom and unshackle the irons that have held you down. The true enemy is our own apathy.

 Get an outsiders point of view on various topics, watch and read the news from a variety of sources. Never limit yourself to the sky. Go beyond it to find your peace. Understanding the past will give you a steady foothold for the future. Be mature. The society and surroundings we have been raised in give no room for childish follies, for these were the very things that placed us in our current situation.

 Taking to the streets will do nothing but tire your bodies. Instead, energize your minds and bring strength to the public. Knowledge knows no boundaries, and not even the strongest of tyrants can contain it. Fate is fickle. Don’t try it by placing yourself in precarious situations. Life is too precious to be riddled with bullets.

 Iqra-- READ. Throw prejudices from you heart, become accepting of others, join hands in the fight, but do not meet fists. The best battles are those fought between minds alone. Never harbor hate. It is a fiendish ghoul that will rotten the purest of minds. Recall: “If you punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, indeed it is better for the patient. Endure you patiently. Your patience is not except through the help of God.” (Qur’an 16:126-127)
 Our economy is secure-- we have waterworks, textiles, agriculture, handcrafts, minerals, deposits, and timber (to name a few). All of these treasures slaved upon by the residents of the fertile valley, only to supply and enrich others. Our hydroelectric dams sustain the entire state of Punjab-- while Kashmir dwells in darkness from frequent shortages. We no longer need the training wheels supplied by our occupiers. We can stand just fine on our own, so long as we work with a goal in mind; think little of bettering yourselves, and more instead of beautifying our motherland.

 Do not instigate, retaliate, or hesitate. Question every reasoning. Ask  in a manner that will catch the eye of the world. Represent our nation with dignity. Bring the true nature of the Kashmir issue out. Set standards to accomplish the most, to be the best, to attain success at all levels, and earn renown. But recall the name of your home with every heart beat, every drop of sweat. Bring its story with you, rally a cry for it, and let the emotion within you reverberate. Only then will the airwaves stop sending out hypnotizing music in favor of lighter chords of delight, content, and happiness.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST