28/09/2026
Kashmir: Alive, Active and Hopeful
From the Principal's Pen
After nine days across Srinagar, Anantnag and other parts of J&K, I came back with a very different perspective from what one often hears from a distance.
I spoke with taxi drivers, residents and some of my students, and observed everyday life for myself. It began with a welcome at the airport with "Vande Mataram."
Most people spoke positively about the changes they have witnessed in recent years — particularly better infrastructure, increased tourism and a greater sense of peace.
People moved freely late into the evening. In Lal Chowk and nearby areas, people were out as late as 10:30 and 11 at night. In Anantnag, areas that I had heard about in the past in connection with stone-pelting and road blockades looked very different. Saw children playing cricket, people involved in agriculture, businesses functioning and tourism activity all around.
There was also something else I noticed: Kashmir appears to be opening its economy. I was told by people I met that people and businesses from outside J&K are increasingly showing interest in investing in the region, including in Srinagar. I saw signs of new investment and development, particularly in hospitality. Major hotel brands are looking at Srinagar; for example, The Leela has a 170-room Srinagar project in its development pipeline.
One taxi driver did express a different view. He felt that earlier there were greater employment opportunities or reservations for locals and that these had changed after the removal of Article 370. I respect that this was his personal experience and perspective.
I was also told by some people about the decline of the separatist ecosystem and the reduction in the influence of organisations associated with the Hurriyat. There have certainly been major government actions against several separatist organisations in recent years. The Ministry of Home Affairs has declared Tehreek-e-Hurriyat unlawful and has also banned several other organisations associated with the separatist movement. Some people I spoke to described the old separatist network as having been effectively dismantled.
What struck me most was the normalcy I witnessed in everyday life.
I even saw a Muslim family travelling in an SUV displaying a BJP flag openly on their vehicle. For me, it was simply an interesting reflection of the diversity of political views and the freedom with which people appeared to express themselves.
Of course, nine days and conversations with a limited number of people cannot represent the views of every person in J& K. But these were my direct observations and conversations during my journey.
Whatever one’s political views may be, I believe it is important to acknowledge changes that people experience on the ground.
For me, the most encouraging sight was seeing people getting back to what ordinary people everywhere want — work, education, tourism, business, family life, sport and peace.
A Kashmir that felt alive, active and hopeful.
PMO India Ministry of Tourism, Government of India Gajendra Singh Shekhawat National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology
