Governor Satya Pal Malik is absolutely right in his observation that much of the problem in Kashmir is because of lack of activities and sources of entertainment for the children-youth between the age group of 13 and 23. He has read the pulse of the problem , and the context should be understood in the realistic terms , not necessarily as his definition of the political complexities that have become synonymous with the Kashmir issue. Though a link between the two cannot be ruled out completely.
What is this age group all about – the children who start dreaming big, prompted and promoted by parents and teachers. Don’t we remember that in our times, we were asked , “what would you like to become ( in your life).” Most of the times, our answers were well rehearsed ones : doctor, engineer or teacher.” There was a ring of nobility attached to these professions. Or, perhaps, this also is true that the options were limited. There were very few who were aware of the All-India services, like IAS or IPS and our parents and teachers also had a different view about our capabilities in which they refused to slot us as the future administrators, scientists. The whole atmosphere was uninspiring.
Today, the world has changed. Everything opens up on smart phones, readily available to the children. They watch the success of the astronauts, view with a sort of enthusiasm and will to compete in this new world order where Artificial Intelligence is defining the complexion of the work and work places .
Satya Pal Malik spoke from experiences of his childhood. That is the era of late 1950s, when he would return from school, throw his school bag into some obscure corner only to be discovered late evening to do the home work. After placing the school bag and the homework in the waiting list, he would head to playground and test his skills in kabbadi, cricket, football or few other sports that were common in those days.
There were no video games in that era. There was an inbuilt capacity building in the sports fields. That prepared the body with positive energy , sportsmanship, working in team and also activated the mind for future challenges in life . Sports and entertainment form the essence of personality building.
Kashmiri children have been subjected to life of siege within. In 1990s when Kashmir started hearing the sound of bullets and grenade explosions, the playgrounds were left deserted. The children were barred from peeping out of windows lest a stray splinter or bullet hit them. The schools were shut most of the time , and the cinema theatre was demonised as devil’s structures . ” See no evil”, that was what was taught to them.
Things have changed a lot, both for better and worse. The children are back in the playfields despite the risks that come naturally with the situation in which they are living. They have made their name. Let me ask , why did we celebrate success of Pervez Rasool , the cricketer of Kashmir who made his name at national and international level? And at the same time why “Real Kashmir”, Kashmir’s football team excites us and we wish and pray for its success. This is spontaneous. We want to see the real achievers , for they inspire confidence among the children and the age group that Governor was referring to . The age group does not propel itself into the exalted group because the Governor Satya Pal Malik said. But it is because that is the universal truth , and he was just reminding the people of that. The real-life heroes are palpable and palatable than those shinning with their selfies on the social media .
I am not going by what the political leaders tell us that we have to work for the youth. They talk and talk, and do nothing. Where are the sports fields, where are their commitments to keep schools open and bring opportunities to the doorstep of the children. They have failed the children and youth alike .
Some politicians, particularly PDP president Mehbooba Mufti repeatedly asked a question ,” why is it that the youth and the villagers throng the encounter sites now while they would runaway miles away at the sight of the army looking for militants in the area? The new generation has become fearless (not courageous)- there is a difference between the two . You lose fear of the person or persons whom you think cannot go beyond killing you. That is the ultimate . the courage is when you have an idea to confront them with ideas. The ideas have dried up . No idea can be forced down the throat of anyone , nor any attempt should be made. The idea is to generate a positivity in the mindset where the 13-23 age group should be aware of the consequences of what they do .
Malik has spoken of the home truth. His advice should be heeded. Let us save our generation and give them opportunities in all fields.
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