Azadi
or freedom is everybody's birth right. Every human being is born free
and wants the freedom of choosing his way of life. Basically there
are four sources of rights and moral values which stem from : Our
religion, our constitution/ laws, our society where we live and Our
personal values, which we decide for ourselves. These moral values
and rights define our freedom in real sense. The most important
factor out of these four is our personal values and the rights which
we want for ourselves. With the changing time, the sphere and
interpretation of one's rights and duties also keeps changing. With
the education, the right exposure and knowledge, progressive
viewpoints automatically take over and redefine our freedom.
Various
discussions and article have put forth a wide spectrum of ideas and
viewpoints about how much freedom should be allowed as per the
religious and societal norms. But, the basic points remains that What
is Azadi ? Slogan of “AZADI” has been echoing in this valley for
quite sometime now and everybody has been interpreting the meaning of
this term as per their thought process and to the type of exposure,
perception and knowledge they have about various things from time to
time. But has anyone tried to analyze the real meaning of freedom? In
a secular state or democracy the voice of descent will be there and
people will have different opinions , but, it's the voice of the
majority which matters and will be heard. Moreover, with changing
time the requirements of people have changed.
Going
back a bit in the past in history of Kashmir, the Muslims and Hindus
of Kashmir have lived in relative harmony and friendliness since 13th
century when Islam became the major religion of the valley. The
Sufi-Islamic way of life that ordinary Muslims followed in Kashmir
complemented the Rishi tradition of Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus),
leading to a synergistic culture where Hindus and Muslims revered the
same local saints and prayed at the same shrines.
The
situation changed dramatically due to external influence again and
unfortunate incidents propagated hate and the loss was of common man
again. What followed after that was not of any concern to any leader
or the politicians who just shifted their base out of Kashmir with
just a nominal presence now and then, here and there, whenever they
felt safe or deemed fit to make an appearance to instigate /propagate
their so called 'AZADI' among the population who actually suffered
and bore the brunt throughout these turbulent times.
Times
have changed and peace has prevailed once again in the valley. After
a long time there has been regular flow of tourists this year
bringing business and prosperity to the people. With changing times
it's natural to reinterpret our needs and redefine the meaning of
freedom as per changing times.
We
the common people can't forget the sufferings we have been through
and should ask our leaders what is the meaning of this 'AZADI' ? What
'AZADI' have we achieved after so much turbulence and from whom? Have
they ever asked us what do we want? What dreams do we have for our
kids and our families? What do we expect from the government that
rules us and the bureaucrats that help run the government?
No!
Nobody ever asks us what we want because, they know, they don't even
provide us with basic amenities, our daily needs like gas or
kerosene, electricity or clean drinking water. How can they ask?
Basic infrastructure which is the prime need of human civilization is
also missing! Good roads and helpful administration is a distant
dream for us. Situation worsens with the onset of winters when the
weather plays truant, even the Durbar moves out to a moderate
climate/place leaving behind the common people to struggle against
all odds. Do they bother when the common man has to struggle against
corruption, rotten health services, remote villages with no education
facilities and infrastructure development?
Crores
of rupees are allotted by our central government to the states for
various developments and infrastructure project, but, where does this
money go? Roads are made for namesake and of inferior quality only to
break within three months. Sometimes severe weather conditions are
blamed for lack of infrastructure and facilities but, for their
information , we are no longer living in medieval age. This is
internet age and the science and technology has progressed beyond the
natural boundaries and weather restrictions. All weather roads are a
common thing in developed countries where climatic conditions are
similar to J&K. During the times of heavy snow fall or any
natural calamity, the administration swings into action immediately
as they value human lives and their commitment to the citizens.
With
peace and prosperity in sight, there is need to fulfil basic
requirements of common people. Not only will the good infrastructure
make our life easy but will also bring investment and prosperity to
the region. A report by The Associated Chambers of commerce and
Indrustry of India (ASSOCHAM) says that Jammu
and Kashmir (J&K) has not been able to attract even half a per
cent of the total live investments made by both government and
private sectors across India, apex industry body ASSOCHAM has
therefore suggested an annual special package of Rs 10,000 crore per
year for five years from the central government to give boost to the
small and medium enterprises (SMEs), food processing, horticulture,
tourism and hospitality, IT/ITeS (information technology enabled
services), BPO (business process outsourcing) and other potential
industries. Constant flow of private investments and large industries
is imperative to bring about sustainable growth, development, jobs
and the
long-lasting peace in our
valley state.
“Out
of the total 7,109 live investment projects worth about Rs 58 lakh
crore from all government sources across India, J&K attracted 187
projects worth over Rs one lakh crore and of the total 9,950 live
investment projects worth about Rs 83 lakh crore from private sector,
J&K attracted 28 projects worth just over Rs 27,600 crore,”
according to the ASSOCHAM paper. “While the frontline states in
India are competing to attract domestic and foreign investors, J&K
on the other hand could not attract any foreign investment as of the
aforesaid period.”
While
analysing the growth scenario of J&K’s peer hilly states of
Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, it was observed that state economy
of J&K grew at the lowest growth rate of just over six per cent
between 2004-05 and 2011-12 as against over 12 per cent in
Uttarakhand and over eight per cent in Himachal Pradesh. India as a
whole clocked a growth rate of over eight per cent during the same
period, according to the ASSOCHAM paper.
“The
unfriendly investment climate in industrially backward J&K
portrays the inhibitions of the private sector because of low supply
and demand linkages apart from security and geographic concerns,”
said the paper. “Locational disadvantage owing to hostile terrain
and climatic conditions are certain major problems as main
consumption markets of the country are way too far from the
production centres in J&K.”
Considering
the report, it is quite evident that the good infrastructure, all
weather roads and good connectivity by means of reliable transport
system will bring prosperity and freedom from uncertainty and
turbulence. Why should we allow ourselves to be branded 'backward'
and be left behind in the revolutionary growth spurge that is
sweeping the whole world. We the Kashmiris are seasoned business
people and should be benefited with the latest technology and
investment opportunities. This is the new life we want, the rebirth
of Kashmiriyat.
This
is the “AZADI' in real sense when our elected repersentatives will
be sensitive to our demands and be instrumental in providing what is
available to the rest of the country and the whole developed world.
In
the words of our own poetess Lal-Ded -
Those
who have gain experience of knowledge – light, of that Self which
is compact of pure spirit and of bliss,
They,
while yet alive, have gained release ( from early births).
But,
to the tangled net of continual rebirth,
Have
ignorant fools added knot by knot in hundreds.
Amen.
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