In the kind of crisis that we are in, now for the entire summer, there is no activity of life that hasn't suffered in one way or the other. Education, business, and health – all spheres are the direct victims of the situation. This is not the moment to talk about how the adverse impacts  could have been minimised, or may be in certain areas completely avoided. But it does fall within the realm of urgency to make a statistical presentation of the losses that we have suffered and think of the possible methods that could reduce the loss, or lessen the impact of loss. Though we had earlier also witnessed extended periods of strikes and curfews during the  last two years, but never did the political leadership take up the matter in ways that could open up the possibility of making the most affected portions of population less vulnerable to the situations that can develop any time in the Kashmir Valley given the fact that politics here has less reasons to be at rest and more to be in a state of agitation. In the current phase of public mobilisation and the  associated  long spell of strikes the voices did appear in the very beginning alluding towards this facet of collective life in Kashmir. It would be at the cost of  honesty if one says that the leadership spearheading the agitation is dismissive of such concerns.  Yet it remains a fact that the quantum of the sense of responsibility doesn't match the level of the challenge that this situation poses. Beyond this one is compelled to express that there is a decided deficit of action and capability  on this count. In this backdrop any expression of concern about meeting the loss is highly appreciative.  If Geelani says that the private schools should reduce the amount of fee and doctors and technicians should charge the patients less than usual it should be taken as an acknowledgement of the deep impact that this situation has inflicted on the people of Kashmir. Whether it is practicable or to what extent it can work on ground   is a matter of detail. What is important here is to emphasize the fact that the loss is immense and unless some concrete steps are taken to compensate it will have a bearing on our society and politics in future. Just by saying that collective struggles need sacrifices doesn't suffice, to say the least. At times, in fact most of the times, it misleading and  allows the leadership to be less than responsible in their attitude and actions. This time the most important area of concern is the back breaking loss suffered by the business community. From a roadside vendor to an industrialist  it has been a blow that would stay painfully for many months to come. In some cases even it has resulted in the bankruptcy and closure of business ventures. Add to it the lay offs. If schools can be asked to curtail the amount of fee and  doctors are appealed to charge less fee, why can't a similar demand be raised in the concerned quarters to give a reprieve to the business class having various loan accounts in different financial institution. Here the mainstream parties are also under an obligation to use their influence and get some relief for the business community. Similarly those operating their businesses in the rented places can feel relaxed if the space owners are influenced to  consider the losses suffered by each business house. Ranted that it is not so easy for the financial institutions to forgo the amount of interest but there are options of cutting down on the rate of interest for an extended period. There can be other ways of relief too. Once the issue is raised with seriousness and sincerity the solutions will emerge. The question, however, remains that how this task is taken up and what degree of seriousness and consistency is displayed.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST