AR Bhat
It is often said that happiness is a state of mind and no one but oneself is the sole cause of finding and yielding happiness. No matter how tough times may have been for the people of Kashmir but difficult it is to say that people were unhappy which enables them to endure even the most difficult of times with a pretty smile on their faces. It is this happiness in these people that radiates into the beautiful scenic beauty that we see around in the Kashmir valley with the serene mountains backgrounding the mystic Dal lake, the glowing flowers and tulips lined up by the majestic chinar. So, I would be breaking the much popular line of thought which says that Kashmir is have been unhappy with the existing circumstances and environment realities in this region. Yes, the people deserve much better and no doubts that such disturbed circumstances have had their toll on the life here but certainly, it did not whip away the smiles form their faces. So, I now write with this prospect as the bed rock that difficult times have affected Kashmir in a detrimental way and with things now moving in the right direction will make the lives better, but no matter what the times have been, Kashmiris have always been happy.
An event that was thought only to be in dreams was realized yester year with the abrogation of Article 370 that had since independence tarnished the essence of democracy in this area. With J&K now being, a union territory will only lead to bolstered progress and speedy development. No matter what the popular media out here say or write, for that matter notwithstanding the opinions of people’s representatives here, the ground feelings are very much known to the world and these are feelings of satisfaction and contentment. People are feeling more secure and delighted with this integration. This would only add to the smiles of people here. The smiles that would not be hiding any pains, bruises or cuts, but genuine smiles of a content and happy person.
There has been an enhanced approach towards development in this area with special focus towards youth to target better education facilities, improved employment opportunities, health sector and infrastructure development. State of the art tourism facilities will attract even more people to this beautiful place and make it even more prominent on the world map with growing scope in adventure activities and safer tourism. With the recently successfully concluded Panchayat & DDC elections that saw improved participation by the people of Kashmir only reflect the acceptance of the new order and the excitement in people towards this new transition and intern reflecting people’s happiness. As I remarked earlier that “happiness is a state of mind”, but I would amplify it further by adding that external factors play a vital role in keeping the happiness settled and not shaken now and then by small bits of disturbances. The external environment propagates establishing a well-settled base for a long lasting deeper form of happiness. So, it will not be wrong to say that even if happiness generates from within but it does require a reciprocal support from outside to keep it going.
With the present new order in place, the surety of long lasting happiness will only be revitalized and reaffirmed. People have started enjoying the safer lifestyle with focusing on their family development and positive progress of the society to ensure steady growth and better living conditions. People over times have realized the importance of happiness and this has been even better realized by people of Kashmir who even in hard times found happiness but with the new developments, are more energized to setup a system in society to further give incentive to the spreading of happiness amongst all.
So, I started off by saying that happiness has to be found from within and it is this happiness that spreads joys in the surroundings but as we well upon this conundrum of finding happiness, we do realize that feelings from within and the external factors contribute in a cyclic way to keep the quotient of happiness going and ensuring that people are content and happy. Yes, Kashmir is a happy place and people and people are with smiles and it is our duty as soldiers to add to this smile and keep spreading happiness. A smile for a smile will be a good tag line for ensuring a good connect with the awam and it will enable us soldiers to contribute to the well-being of people here and provide them with good memories and thoughts.
To sum it up, I would only highlight the strengths of the people of Kashmir by reemphasizing on the fact that even the worst of times could not shake these brave souls and they found happiness in the smallest of things. But with the new rejuvenated India it will only be easier to spread the simmering happiness and smiles in the valley that would make the crown of Kashmir shine even brighter. Each one is an equal contributor in achieving this goal and maintain happiness or spreading even more smiles amongst people, be it the individual himself or the surroundings or in particular us as the security forces in enabling establishment of true happiness where love spreads through eyes and words and feelings are woven by the thread of happy thoughts and generous feelings.