Kashmir Bites The Bullet To Salvage Lost Glory

The threat of militancy still looms large over the hauntingly beautiful valley of Kashmir. But signs of normalcy are beginning to determinedly assert themselves even as the valley continues to witness a low-key war between the security forces and the militants.

All cinema halls, video shops, wine shops, beauty parlours and clubs were closed down during the early 1990s following militant diktats. However, several video shops have again opened up in Srinagar city, while several new outlets are coming up in different localities. The installation of dish antennae, which is also banned by the militants, is catching on fast with the locals. In the absence of cable operators here, most middle-class families have installed their own dish antenna to view different channels.

 

The militant ban on visiting the various Mughal gardens that enhance the valleys natural charms is also fast losing its efficacy, with local residents thronging to these gardens at every available opportunity.

The state government is understood to have decided to open at least one cinema hall in the heart of the city. Arrangements are being finalised with the owners in this regard. Most of Srinagars cinema halls have been converted into makeshift barracks by the security forces, while two of them were completely gutted. Shopping plazas are now planned at the sites of the gutted cinema halls as their owners have shifted their business interests outside the valley.

The high life is also set to make a come-back, with a beauty parlour being opened up after nine years. The parlour, which is located on the posh boulevard road on the banks of the famous Dal Lake, has received an enthusiastic response from well-to-do locals. But its real importance lies in its symbolic value, as a possible precursor of better days to come.

An exclusive club has started functioning in the high-security Sonawar area, although it does not serve beverages to members. State Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has been talking of opening up a casino in the valley, but such a plan still appears to be a little far-fetched given the present situation in the valley.

The governments plans to woo tourists back to the valley have failed to produce any appreciable response, although small groups of hardy souls have trickled into the valley this year, the largest being a 500 strong group from Singapore.

The state tourism department has already drawn up ambitious plans to throw open the valley for tourists in a big way this year with the assistance of the Centre. The success of these plans will depend heavily on the developments in the forthcoming months. But one thing is clear: the common man everywhere will always seek some signs of normalcy to cling to, even in in fact, especially in times of conflict.