Kashmiri general inspires youth

SRINAGAR: Mohammed Amin Naik, the second Kashmiri Muslim to reach the rank of major general of the Indian Army, has become a source of inspiration and pride for many youths here for his rewarding military career.

“I feel inspired, proud that someone from our community has reached the coveted position in the Indian Army, which we could have never thought of,” said Mohammed Saleem Qadiri, 24, a computer science student here.

Maj. Gen. Naik is the only serving Kashmiri Muslim general of the Indian Army after Lt Gen. Mohammad Ahmed Zaki, who also has roots in Kashmir and retired in 1993. Zaki was the first Kashmiri Muslim to reach the rank in August 1985. But his ancestors migrated from the valley before Zaki’s birth.

“Maj Gen Naik is the first officer born and brought up in Kashmir to attain the rank,” army spokesperson Lt Col VK Mathur said.

“It makes us to feel on top. It is a matter of pride for the Kashmiris, particularly Muslims—who feel a sense of deprivation,” said Hillal Ahmed Shah, 22, aspiring to be a civil servant. “It is an affirmation that we are no longer the children of a lesser god,” Shah said.

The 55-year-old Major Gen. Naik began his defence career in December 1974 when he joined the Corps of Engineers. He was conferred a Sena Medal in 1993. Now posted as assistant chief of the Integrated Defence Staff HQ, Delhi, Naik hails from Tral village in Pulwana district of south Kashmir.