Opinion | When Handicrafts disappear and Habits Take Over: Kashmir’s Culture Struggles

The youth of Kashmir is ensnared in troubles that overwhelms both their future and their culture.

There is a Persian Saying “Agar Firdaus bar roye zameen ast hami asto hami asto hami ast”

Which translates to “If there is a paradise on earth it is here, it is here, it is here” (Kashmir).

Written by Social and Peace Activist of Jammu & Kashmir..

Kashmir is undoubtedly, known for its beauty, but it is also known for its culture and traditions. For ages, it’s been home to amazing crafts. The scenery, mountains, culture, and traditions draw people in. But, Kashmir has also seen a lot of trouble, with closures, internet blackouts, joblessness, and rising drug use. Who would have imagined that this sacred land of peer waar, the pious place of Sufism, would one day become a hub for drugs and crime. The same Peer Waar was a shining example of pride and dignity, but today, the youth often find themselves lost in the shadows of their heritage and traditions. Its handicrafts for centuries including Pashmina shawls, wood carvings, carpets, were representations of traditional identity not merely items of trade. Yet even today, these assets do fight for relevance since So-called modern generations slipped further away. These generations are caught in new competition that coloured their origins.

The disappearance of the heritage and ethical virtues is because these true values are not being taken by our younger generation. They are drawn into a grimmer truth now. According to the 2023 Parliamentary Committee report about 95,000 are opioid addicts in Jammu & Kashmir and nearly 1.68 lakh children aged 10, 17 use drugs (Kashmir Observer, 2023). Our own blood, like our neighbours, our sisters, our brothers, they are not just numbers, it poses a serious threat to the peace, prosperity, heritage and culture of our heavenly Place “Kashmir”. Every young person lost is a loss of life and promise.

For centuries, rich values in Kashmir were given from one generation to the next children who learned the art of weaving, carving, and many other important stuff. A Kashmiri home was a living museum of heritage. The carpet in the living room was not just decor, but the sign of hardwork and patience. Today, though the youth often see these handcrafted things as out of date, their prominent importance will always be there and written in the history of heritage.

Why are Youth in Kashmir losing their Identity? The reasons Could be summed up in the following details.

1) The Unemployment graph is soaring.

Though the overall unemployment rate among those aged 15 and above has declined from 6.7% in 2019–20 to 6.1% in 2023–24, as reported by the Jammu & Kashmir government using MoSPI data, the numbers are far from reassuring. The Baseline Survey Report 2024–25 under Mission YUVA reveals that youth unemployment has increased to 17.4%, far exceeding the national average of 10.2% which is extreme. As of January 2025, over 3.7 lakh educated young people have registered as unemployed on the official employment portal—2,13,000 of them from the Kashmir Division and 1,57,800 from Jammu.

In order to eliminate the current scenario it is of utmost importance to provide jobs to the unemployed youth in order to protect the stability and tranquility of the valley.

2) Rise in Drugs and other rampant activities:-

Unfortunately the Valley of Kashmir is not only facing traditional decline but also a moral and ethical decline. Reports show that around 13.5 lakh people in J&K use drugs—nearly 10% of the population. Amazingly, 1.68 lakh of them are minors, and nearly 95,000 are already addicted to opioids. Studies show that over 77% of Kashmiri drug users depend on heroin, with each addict spending around ₹88,000 per month to make their addiction.

This has fueled a dangerous rise in crime. Between 2020 and 2021, juvenile crime in J&K nearly doubled, with cases of murder, drug peddling, and even UAPA charges. Crimes against children have also risen by 35%, with hundreds of POCSO cases and trafficking incidents reported. Police records show over 1.12 lakh kg of narcotics seized since 2018, with thousands arrested under the NDPS Act.

Behind these terrible figures are shattered families and a youth generation slipped away from their traditions, morals, ethics and cultural values.

(Reference, Kashmir In-Depth, Kashmir Observer, Kashmir Life, thehimalayanpost, Chatgpt).

3) Influenced by Peers and Modern Lifestyle.

In Kashmir there is a proverb “Akh tsok modur chu khotun gav gasaan.” (One rotten apple spoils the whole basket.). If the friend circle is spoiled, how can one expect blessings from them. In order to “fit-in”, even those innocent faces who are unaware about these wrong activities are forced to consume these substances So-called true friendships destroy their aspirations and dreams. Prophet Muhammad (May Peace he Upon Him) has advised us in the following Hadith which states

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk and the blacksmith. From the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell, while the blacksmith will either burn your clothes or you will be affected by his bad smell.”

— (Sahih al-Bukhari 2101, Sahih Muslim 2628).

In another Hadith Prophet Muhammad (May Peace be Upon Him) Said “A person is upon the religion of his close friend, so let each of you look at whom he takes as a close friend.”

— (Sunan Abu Dawood 4833, Tirmidhi 2378, Hasan Hadith).

So, it is a moral and a religious obligation to choose friends carefully otherwise the consequences of choosing and indulging in a wrong group Could be disastrous not only in this world but in the Hereafter. In the name of modernity one should never forget the values, morals, traditions, about the dignity of his family members and also keep in mind that these are unlawful both in the eyes of law and in the eyes of Allah Rabbul Alamin.

4) Psychological stress and Trauma:

Many educated Youth find themselves ensnared in a state of complete anxiety and trouble due to lack of jobs. In order to escape the reality they are often seen consuming these substances. Lack of Jobs has further spoiled the situation which has resulted in youth following these deteriorating ways.

5) Weak Enforcement:-

Despite the seizures and arrests, drugs remain widely available. Though the law enforcement agencies are breaking every possible effort, the situation remains ongoing. Strict laws should be made against the culprits and such individuals should he teach life lessons, So no one dares to do such activities.

The aforementioned is not just a story of statistics but these situations need to be demolished only when every individual takes the responsibility for the same. Let every individual support one another, if you find anyone doing such activities report to the nearest Police station. Community participation is important in this context, and rehabilitation programmes should be made to spread awareness. Government involvement is necessary, more and more jobs should be provided to protect the youth from these vulgarities. Family support is also essential, it is curable only if the right procedure is being followed. This is the time to rekindle the history of Kashmir and its deep roots.

Written by Social and Peace Activist of Jammu & Kashmir, Writer can be reached at; sheikhjamsheed751@gmail.com