Jammu and Kashmir (JK), famously known as the crown of India, has been the center of politics and manifestos for decades. South Asian regional politics has always been on the agenda of national and regional political parties, considering the strategic importance, cultural legacy and development implications of this region. But in J&K, citizens are still struggling with issues that should have been resolved decades ago. A large part of the population lacks basic necessities including water, shelter, food, and electricity. This grim fact also raises doubt about the effectiveness of governance and development in the region.
Unfulfilled Basic Needs
The ministry also spoke about harnessing drones in developmental work in agri and forestry sector in J&K while the rest of India leapfrogs and exposes its citizens to advancements in healthcare, education, and other critical services, J&K remains stuck. Villages remain under water rota, the electricity in many households goes off regularly and proper housing is still a distant dream for many. The deficit of infrastructure not only complicates daily life but also hinders economic development. There are numerous government schemes and huge budget allocations, but the ground reality is different negligence and inefficiency.
Untapped Talent
Whether in art, sport, academics or entrepreneurship, J&K is a land of immense talent. Many have gone on to make a name for themselves on the national, if not world stage. Yet, there is much to be done in terms of providing the resources, infrastructure, and platform to harness and showcase this talent. A lack of appropriate training facilities, restricted access to opportunities, and limited funding often result in talented people choosing to abandon their aspirations or search for opportunities outside the state.
Education in Darkness
It paints a very grim picture about the education sector in J&K. There are no clean drinking homes here, nor proper classrooms. The quality of education has been further eroded by regular interruptions from political unrest. In the absence of a strong public education system, private institutions have proliferated, though their costs put them out of reach for many. Consequently, the quality of life for the youth of J&K is severely hampered, leaving them with scope for little else beside access to quality education, which directly impacts their employability and career prospects.
The Unemployment Crisis
The north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was already struggling with unemployment, one of the highest in the country, with the youth bearing the brunt of the crisis. 655 police posts a few months back drew 2 lakh applications from jobless youths, while the recent announcement of 4,000 police posts saw as many as 5 lakh applicants, indicating the desperate lack of job opportunities. Due to the lack of industrial development, the private sector is nearly nonexistent, making the public sector the primary source of employment. This has led to a bottleneck, with many qualified candidates sitting out unemployment due to an over-reliance on the federal job matrix.
Stagnant Private Sector
Inadequate investment and poor infrastructure are some of the reasons why J&K’s private sector has failed to grow. The absence of policy support has cost potential industries like tourism, which can be of immense value for growth and revenue. There has been little growth in other sectors like IT, manufacturing and agriculture. Without a vibrant private sector, the economy cannot grow sustainably and the local population struggles for meaningful work.
Healthcare Challenges
Healthcare system of the J&K is under-developed too. Public health institutions are typically short on staff, and people end up having to live on private hospitals, a whole in any case. The residents of rural areas face the brunt of this, sometimes travelling miles to even make use of basic health care facilities. The healthcare structure was exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as it made clear that the way things stood at the time was too wobbly, and thus also in need of reform.
Way Forward
A multi-pronged strategy is required to address the challenges in J&K:
1. Construction: Roads, schools, hospitals and houses.
2. Education reform: Professionalizing educators, building new schools, and rolling out vocational courses.
3. Study —Promoting private sector growth: policies, tax incentives, incentives to support agriculture, entrepreneurship and manufacturing]
4. Skill Development: Initiating Skill Development Programs to increase employability & decrease government job dependency.
5. Tourism Revival: Reviving the tourism sector by restoring confidence through security, connectivity and promotion of the unique region culture.
6. Healthcare Reforms: Investing in the healthcare infrastructure and making healthcare affordable and accessible in both urban and rural India.
Jammu and Kashmir, though constantly talked about, is a region of unfulfilled promises. The people of J&K deserve a life of dignity and opportunity. The time has come for a move from rhetoric to action, and to unleash the full potential of the region to the benefit of its people and the nation.
The writer is a student of Law hailing from Lolab
