Opinion | Bridging Aspirations: Youth, Engagement with the Indian Army in Kashmir

Peace is more than the absence of violence; it is not to be measured only by that. It is determined by the opportunities available. When a student from Kupwara dreams of becoming a doctor, an engineer, or a civil servant; when a footballer from Baramulla competes confidently with players from other states.

For decades, Kashmir has been talked about mostly in terms of security, politics, and conflict. The dimensions are undeniable. But they often obscure another, equally important story that I have witnessed unfolding over the years. It is the growing engagement of Kashmiri youth with institutions that shape their aspirations. In this, the Indian Army has turned out to be a major partner in education, skill development, sports, and career guidance. I have been to the Army Goodwill Schools and interacted with students from across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, and I have seen this transformation from very close quarters. There was a time when the relationship between the local youth and the Army was viewed almost exclusively through the prism of security. Today, though the challenges continue, a parallel story has been quietly unfolding, where stereotypes are being replaced by opportunities for many young people.

The most visible example of such engagement is the chain of Army Goodwill Schools in Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands of students from poorer sections have been educated in these schools, but only for nominal fees. Many students who once struggled to access opportunities in remote areas have benefited from modern classrooms, qualified teachers, computer laboratories, sports infrastructure, and extracurricular activities. I consider myself one of the people who have benefited directly from this educational ecosystem. The discipline, confidence, and exposure I got still resonate to this day in my journey. But education is only one side of the matter. The Army’s outreach has grown in recent years through initiatives that bring Kashmiri students in contact with institutions and cities outside the Valley. Educational tours under programs like the National Integration Tour have allowed students to visit premier educational institutions, historical monuments, Parliament, and military establishments across India. For many of the participants, it will be their first time traveling outside Jammu and Kashmir. This exposure widens horizons and allows young minds to realize the country’s diversity.

Sport has also become a strong bridge. Football tournaments, cricket competitions, volleyball championships, and winter sports events have promoted the participation of thousands of youngsters in different districts. “Time and again I have seen sports create a dialogue that politics cannot.” A football pitch or a cricket ground is a place where talent matters more than identity. After playing in such events, several local players have been recognized and motivated younger students to follow their own dreams.

Another meaningful area of engagement has been skills development. Vocational training programs in computer education, entrepreneurship, tailoring, hospitality, and other trades have made many young men and women employable. Such initiatives help in an area where unemployment is one of the biggest worries by preparing youth with practical skills rather than just academic qualifications.

We cannot forget the recruitment rallies either. Every year thousands of young Kashmiris are given rigorous training to join the Indian Army. In several districts early morning training sessions in public grounds, parks, and stadiums are a common sight. But there is more to this rising enthusiasm than a search for jobs. Serving in the military is about dignity, financial stability, and for many families an opportunity to serve the nation and build a secure future. The changing nature of this relationship is also exemplified in the response of Kashmiri youth to natural disasters. During floods, heavy snowfall, and other emergencies, local volunteers have often joined army personnel in rescue and relief operations. Such moments build trust that can’t be manufactured through speeches or campaigns. They are made in common struggle and collective action.

Of course, it wouldn’t be realistic to say that all challenges have disappeared. Decades of violence, mistrust, Pakistan and its ISI’s fake narrative dissemination had eroded the trust of Kashmiris in every institution. But now those days of fake narratives are not longer going to survive because Kashmiris have now understood who is on their side when they are in grief or in any challenge. Social media has just muddied the waters further. Misinformation spreads quickly, and often isolated incidents are presented as if they were typical of the whole relationship. Stories of students getting admissions to prestigious institutions, young athletes performing well after support, or entrepreneurs doing well after training programs are often not given similar attention. A balanced understanding demands that one honestly recognizes successes as well as shortcomings.

I was particularly encouraged to see Kashmiri students actively involved in career counseling sessions, science exhibitions, and innovation competitions held with institutional support. And these platforms send a simple message to young people: geography doesn’t have to define their future. Wherever they come from, their ambitions deserve encouragement. Peace is more than the absence of violence; it is not to be measured only by that. It is determined by the opportunities available. When a student from Kupwara dreams of becoming a doctor, an engineer, or a civil servant; when a footballer from Baramulla competes confidently with players from other states; when a young woman from a remote village acquires skills that enable financial independence—these are indicators of a society gradually moving forward.

The future of Kashmir is not going to be decided through political talks but through the hopes of the Kashmiri youth. Every classroom constructed, every scholarship given, every sports tournament organized, and every skill taught adds up to that future. The Indian Army’s engagement with the youth must therefore keep evolving from a security-focused model to one focused increasingly on empowerment, partnership, and opportunity.

I don’t believe the most powerful link between institutions and society is concrete or steel because I have personally experienced the benefits of educational initiatives associated with the Army. It is belief. Trust is established through meaningful engagement, shared respect, and continual investment in human potential. And if that bridge continues to grow stronger, the dreams of the youth of Kashmir will provide the bedrock on which to build a more peaceful and prosperous future.

Email: soulofkashmir1@gmail.com