This refers to the news “Kashmir calm: Germany revises travel advisory”. It is indeed a very good move which would send a positive signal  to other countries which have kept a bar on its nationals to visit Kashmir. The decision by the European Union member is laudable and comes at a time when Kashmir is witnessing a huge tourist rush, unlike 2010. As per news reports, the decision was taken after the visit of Ambassador Thomas Matussek to Kashmir in June 2011 and his interaction with journalists. The advisory regarding Kashmir gives an overview of the security situation in the Valley and clarifies that the situation has now calmed down considerably and foreigners are generally not direct targets of clashes. It must serve as an indication for other countries that Kashmiri is a safe place. Germany has also revised its travel advisory for Jammu and mountainous Ladakh. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has rightly appreciated the German Ambassador in Delhi and his Government for the pragmatic decision to revise the travel advisory related to Kashmir. Indeed Kashmir today is very peaceful. It would be great if other countries also lift the travel advisories. For this, the state government needs to project the state as a peaceful one rather than a troubled place. All efforts need to be made to ensure sustained peace to Kashmir so that we have tourists from all over the world visiting Kashmir. This would give a huge fillip to the tourism sector.

Shaista
Kreeri Baramulla

Lastupdate on : Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST