That fluttering of the Indian Flag in Kashmir should make a special news in the ordinary course appears somewhat strange as Jammu and Kashmir being a part of India like any other State /UT is but looking to what wide scale devastation and destruction, in every sphere of the activities, Pakistan sponsored terrorism brought in Kashmir for nearly four decades , unfurling of the Indian Flag everywhere in Kashmir is no mean achievement.
It is to be believed that in Jammu and Kashmir, this Independence Day a new history has been scripted in the sense that nearly 7 lakh functions , small and big, with over 17 lakh people’s active participation took place according the day a national festival of special nature in the Union Territory. The lines oft spoken rather casually that “Ek Pehloo Yeh Bhi Hai Kashmir Key Tasweer Ka…..” have today assumed historic connotations. Jammu and Kashmir is scripting history in every sphere , on the other, any amount of complacency could jeopardise the sustainability of security scenario and upset the entire applecart of achievements.
What we have seen in Kashmir post abrogation of the vexatious Article is not only unfurling of the Pakistani Flags at certain points now becoming a story of the past but people coming forward to embrace the Tiranga , hold it with reverence and adore their houses, shops and institutions with it by unfurling it at prominent spots all spontaneously and willingly. We saw it last year , we saw it more spectacularly this year on both the national events – the Republic Day as well as the Independence Day.
Since this year’s Independence Day celebrations assumed historical significance on account of the “Aazadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” coinciding with completing 75 years of independence, we saw right from August 13, chowks, lakes, rivers, institutions, buildings, clock towers etc bathed in the tricolour, similarly in district headquarters, tehsils and villages also well before the actual celebrations on August 15 across Jammu and Kashmir.
“Inspiring future generations by making them aware about the ”cost” of the freedom in respect of the quantum of invaluable contributions made by our heroes and martyrs. Even post independence in preserving and protecting it , innumerable sacrifices rendered by our valiant Armed Forces has made this nation remain indebted to these martyrs. In other words, unless we evaluate the hard earned freedom , probably we cannot precisely assess its importance of preserving it.”
The conditions in Kashmir undoubtedly have tremendously changed for the better. Secessionism and separatism have gone in deep hibernation never ever to wake up again . Incidents of terror attacks and stone throwing have considerably been less .
Overall development , increase in tourist footfall , trade and commerce has been picking up its momentum fast , hartals and bandhs have become extinct now which used to be frequent and of long durations.
Strategies, quite effective and sustainable , have to be evolved to wage a decisive war against Pakistan sponsored terrorism as continuously losing innocent precious lives cannot be taken as something of a ”routine”.
Courtesy : Daily Excelsior