Pulwama aftermath: Kashmiris believe education could be key to bringing peace in the valley

When the sun sets in the Kashmir Valley, it seems like heaven steps down for a while. The misty-mineral hues on the rippling Dal lake, the aroma of walnut wood, the snow-capped mountains gleaming under the peach sun – all seem ethereal. For the past few days though, heaven seems to have taken a bit of a detour. The whiff still lurks and the mountains continue to glisten but the warmth is missing.

The Pulwama episode has brought in an extra chill in the air for Kashmiris. More for the youth, than others. The fact that the Pulwama suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar was only 20, the country was quick to paint every Kashmiri youth with the same brush. Kashmiri students studying in other states had to find the shortest route to safe hideaway and for those back home, it was just distasteful.

Various governments have initiated schemes to get Kashmiri children and youth en route to an academic orientation. The logic being that if youth have many irons in the fire, negative taxis will be kept at bay. After all, according to the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, the last recorded figures (in 2014), the school dropout rate in J&K was a mighty 25 per cent.

"It is true that the dropout rate in J&K is very high. And I agree that education is a good way to bridge that," said Zia Ul Haq, Senior Assistant Professor at the Central University of Kashmir. He added, "Contrary to what is perceived outside J&K, the number of people and youth who get radicalised is very small. The youth in our state have dreams like any other. (See box for details of some of the education schemes)

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DNA spoke to youngsters in Jammu and Kashmir to know their brainwork. Some were too stunned to react, others gingerly opened up. Tabiha Khan, who is pursuing her MBA in Srinagar, said that her ideal career would have been in event management. "But there is nothing in J&K which can help me pursue my dream. I will have to leave the state if I want to follow my dream."

Tabiha adds that graduates, as a preferred choice, pursue MBA as it gives more hope than others.. "One can always join a bank if nothing else," she sighs.

Sahil K said he would ideally want to work in Sales and hope that his MBA will get him somewhere close. Sadiya S (name changed), who lives in the Valley, tried her hand working with the J&K Police. "I wanted to do something different and hence helped police organise many of its events. Sadly, after a few months (after thoroughly enjoying the job), I received threatening calls and had to quit." But that did not push Sadiya on to a one-way street. She resumed studies and is currently looking for other options.

Akram Thakur, who is a parent, said that career choices are limited and that leads to frustration.

BC Sharma, a Professor Of Management and Dean Trainings and Placements at MIET, Jammu, says that Kashmiri youth these days are pursuing higher education because jobs are more certain. "Either they accept offers from other states or find employment within J&K through campus placements." Sharma has been instrumental in getting a host of companies to recruit from universities in Jammu and Kashmir.

BC Sharma, who was the nodal office for Udaan, told DNA that the projects managed to garner interest in the student community. "Students got to travel to other colleges, experience studying and life there. The plans were well conceptualised but poorly implemented."

This correspondent had earlier spoken to students who had participated in Udaan. A group of Kashmiris students had visited the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, as part of the scheme. The students were ecstatic to be in a world where their daily movement was not disrupted. "I can study different subjects, roam freely and also sit in a class with students from diverse backgrounds," said a student while still in Lucknow.

There are few other drills that are working small wonders. According to Zia-ul-Haq, knowledge of Arabic is now opening doors for Kashmiri students. "Be it India or countries in the Middle East, we are increasingly seeing our kids being preferred over others. If this trend continues, our youth can think of a good life ahead."

Zia-ul-Haq has presented a proposal to the Entrepreneurship Development Institute in Kashmir to rehabilitate undertrials and prisoners. "If those in prison can learn a skill or two, chances are that when they come out, they can engage in a career instead of going the wrong way. This will, in some way, help the overall scenario in J&K."

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DNA also spoke to a few who left the state in search of greener pastures. Imran Tantray (25), from Poonch, who had to drop out of school because of personal issues, came to Mumbai and secured a job in a car rental company. "The main issue back home is joblessness. If you are educated, the options are few, if you are not, they almost do not exist," he said. Akram Thakur belongs to a family of Army and police officers but could not make it to any of the government exams. He came to Mumbai and now works in a private firm. "Government jobs should open in big numbers in J&K. That will really help," he said.

There is so much that can be written about Jammu and Kashmir, fondly and rightfully called as the 'Paradise on Earth'. For now, solving the job issue seems to be paramount. Government schemes and people's initiatives could make a difference. This Paradise needs to be regained.