We must start with small problems and then move to difficult ones
Ravi Nitesh
Calendar year goes with time and everybody welcomes the next year with full energy and vigour. Nobody can stop the movement of time because time is independent and never follow the rules made by others and therefore everybody prepare themselves accordingly. Everyone sets their goals and plans to achieve their new goals; they take resolutions to avoid all mistakes which they committed in last years.
This tradition isn’t going to change. In the context of this tradition, the one simple truth is that all these resolutions can be executed only when we posses absolute will; infact all plan will be executed and turn into the reality.
The issues which affected J&K most, in last years, were Stone pelting, killings, protests, shutdowns, and curfew. Last years were full of undesired things. Apart from the political problems, there were several other issues which were related with development. There are lots of challenges at present which need to be attended carefully from all sides. Years have passed without any change in valley conditions; even the conditions became worse with each passing year.
Now, with these challenges, there is ample of scope to ameliorate the situation. It needs penchant of governments/CSOs and individuals. All should participate in development, but still political problems are so strong that nobody is going to move on the road of development. Sometimes political leaders are responsible for it because they only want their own benefit and therefore raise slogans on political issues, and sometimes people are so orthodox, traditions and customs are so strong that common people are not aware about the effects and importance of developmental issues on their life. Very few times we have seen movements of people on issues of development. We need to prioritise our demands and needs. We must start with a small problem which can be resolved without much difficulty and then move to difficult ones.
Policy makers may categorise the problems in primary, secondary and tertiary levels or political and non political problems. For example, autonomy is political problem of primary level but development through education and health care are non political primary needs. Other issues regarding water, sanitation, road, rail, unemployment, trade, energy, human rights, women issues etc may be included and categorised. It will help to formulate a plan where targets may be fixed and a common strategy may be adopted to achieve all objectives.
CSOs and individual activists may form a group to formulate the plan and methodology through their own resources, and government too can form a group (including local CSOs) to fix and achieve the targets. Opportunities are unlimited in sectors of education, industries, hydro projects, trade and commerce and tourism.
We all know that non political problems can be solved easily because of less interference and therefore these should be addressed first. These are the problems which will get people support regardless their political interest and desires. These are the problems which are common to all and will give equal benefit to all and therefore attending these problems will make a big change. On one side people will get benefitted and become aware about importance of development and another side a common understanding will grow up among them for a common goal of welfare. Attending these problems and making efforts to remove these problems will generate high confidence among all and it may lead the way to solve political problems too after having certain understanding and maturity.
Opportunities are there, valley can be built as a centre of excellence in sectors of education, healthcare and tourism. Enough electricity can be produced by building energy projects, R&D centres may be established, and these will have no negative effect on environment and/or culture/tradition of valley. This initiative may be a good way when views of political leaders are nebulous. Besides it, it will help to give enough revenue to state, an international reputation and employment. Opportunities are there to catch up and there are no reasons to deny the challenges. There is a need to join hands together to make the valley once again a paradise. It will not the backward journey to history, instead it will be rebuilding the history, the history of development, love and peace.
Author is a Petroleum Engineer, Social Activist, Blogger, Student of Human Rights, and President Mission Bhartiyam. He can be mailed at www.ravinitesh.blogspot.com and www.raviniteesh.wordpress.com
(http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/challenges-and-opportunities-5507.aspx)
