“When there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, then there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.” – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
India as a nation is home for people from different backgrounds. They follow different faiths, speak different languages and have different cultural backgrounds. People playing with colors on Holi, children waiting for Santa on Christmas and neighbors distributing sweets on Eid and Diwali portray the unity in diversity of India. Apart from these, there are a few festivals which complete our pledge as a nation to be an example of Unity in Diversity. The unfurling of flags on Independence Day, marching bands on Republic Day and patriotic songs make whole atmosphere reverberate with patriotic fervor. The citizens of this largest thriving democracy participate in these festivals breaking all divisions of faith, caste or creed.
For last few decades in valley, celebration of our national festivals was marred by protests, stone pelting and encounters. The scenes of anti-national rallies and slogans were common. Overall situation in valley post abrogation of Article 370 has changed a lot. Gone are the days when Independence Day in valley was defined by curfews, Internet shutdowns and protests. Street walls which were once filled with anti-national slogans have now been painted with Tricolor. Kashmiris are proudly taking part in different Tiranga rallies. Tiranga rally at Lal Chowk saw huge participation of students and youth. Lal Chowk which was once known hotspot for protests, stone pelting and terrorist encounters was seen designed with tricolor on recently celebrated Independence Day. Also iconic Ghanta Ghar of Srinagar was not far behind. There was a time when streets joining Ghanta Ghar reverberated with anti-national sloganeering and were pasted with illicit posters. Everything that gave a bad name to it went through a change.
Meanwhile, in a revolutionary move, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated newly prepared Clock Tower on the occasion of Independence Day. Jubilant Kashmiris gathered in large numbers around it to celebrate country’s 77th Independence Day. The national flag was unfurled atop this historic structure.
For years, the young minds of Kashmir were brainwashed and were pushed into extremism, stone pelting and terrorism due to the nefarious designs of our western neighbours. But things have changed now. The years of hard work of security forces and civil administration has helped youth to get back into mainstream society. Bright minds are now heading along the path of education and are assured to become the future architects of Kashmir. Now Internet is no more a means of spreading hatred. It has been used to spread the light of knowledge and wisdom. This Independence Day saw a number of functions and events organized at schools and colleges which saw students singing patriotic songs, painting the walls with tricolour, Honouring our martyrs and participating in Tiranga rallies; thus strengthening their pledge to be an important part of nation building.
Year 2023 saw Kashmir taking part in different events and functions organized under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav program. This huge participation is a radical shift from Kashmir which was once marred by extremism and terrorism. Celebrations saw participation of locals of all age groups and from all sections of society. The huge success of G20 in Kashmir has put it again on the international map. But this time it is not because of terrorism or some conflict but for its natural beauty and the massive potential it has to become a huge tourist destination. Apart from Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the government’s initiative of Har Ghar Tiranga also received wide acceptance in valley. The tricolour could be seen on houses, buildings and even on the iconic Shikaras of Dal Lake. Social media was filled with images and videos of Independence Day celebrations in valley. A large number of vloggers visited Kashmir this year and their vlogs are filled with Kashmir soaked in patriotism.
Absorption of surrendered terrorists has always been a difficult task for security forces and civil administration of Kashmir. Even after their surrender, many sections of society see them as anti-nationals. But this year’s Independence Day celebrations saw a number of former terrorists absorbed into society celebrating the national festival. It was a proud moment for them and shows their devotion for changing Kashmir and their acceptance by our nation. It has been four years since abrogation of Article 370 and after that winds of change have been blowing. Kashmir is no more inclined towards extremism and militancy. The residents of this Naya Kashmir want peace and harmony. They want education and career opportunities for their children. They want economic growth and prosperity and this change is indeed now an important part of the Badalta Bharat story.
