Opinion | Rural Development in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir being a rural region with people dependent mostly on agriculture and trade has a lot of dependence on the development in terms of agricultural exposure to venture up revenue, create employment ,expansion of trade etc. Rural development is the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas, often relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas. Rural development has traditionally centered on the exploitation of land-intensive natural resources such as agriculture and forestry.  Thus, It ends up in economic development to sustain the livelihood of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

But from the past couple of years the businesses and trades are being boosted. Different government programmes are being implemented to help the natives of Jammu and Kashmir to expand their trade and business.
Yet, there is one most important factor that helps to develop rural society firmly that is the psychological factor. The future of any society is shouldered upon its youth then the revenue and resources of that place so the psychic of the youth has prominence in any society as it is for our society. Only a sound mental state begets a sound physique and  performance of a person. Our  youth who otherwise would be manipulated by the otherwise traders to lead them to violence, unemployment and stuff are  now more concerned about concrete choices about their career .They are more future centered. Now the power of our society is youth are more interested in going to art and craft. I have been noticing that a big bunch of youth have chosen pen to write. They have written books, some are aspiring ,some are poets and with God’s grace we have youth with fine poetic abilities among us .Many young boys and girls go overseas to study or work which adds to their intellect and perspectives further. This has all changed because education is made easy and accessible and the world is on every one’s fingertips now. Or maybe this is a revolution that our rural youth has chosen to develop their society with opportunity and platforms that are currently available to them. Our kashmir has got blessings from the Creator of the Universe in varied forms to help people settle up their livelihood. Be it our rich heritage, culture, saffron, paper mache,wickery,pottery,wood carving, other art and craft, agriculture, horticulture in or tourism and much more but what Kashmiris and people of this Nation needed is just to have ability to discover and a broader  perspective to modify and modernise these platforms to help the society with sustainable development. Now people have shunned to depend upon government jobs that would earlier land them into depression and other problems and helplessness. Even the rural women have chosen to earn livelihood and help their families and society besides their domestic chores. They have platforms like SELF HELP GROUPS (SHGs) that help them to pursue their aspirations and empower them.
Urban societies always have industries and companies to facilitate the population with opportunities to excel which would draw the attention of rural people as well. But to mark their existence with competence there with those firms, industries and factories in Urban cities would be very hefty for the rural people in terms of finance,  and psychology.
However, the easy access to education for the populace of rural Kashmir has helped the society to ease out their struggle with livelihood. Their mental state following the mantra of peace has allowed them with psychologically sound personalities to curb poverty and run the race of development.

– The writer, a ‘philanthropist’, can be reached at refatsocialwork.gearr@gmail.com