{"id":29562,"date":"2026-09-03T02:34:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T02:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/?p=29562"},"modified":"2026-09-03T02:34:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T02:34:03","slug":"seven-years-after-august-5-2019-the-new-jammu-kashmir-is-rising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/2026\/09\/03\/seven-years-after-august-5-2019-the-new-jammu-kashmir-is-rising\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven Years After August 5, 2019: The New Jammu & Kashmir Is Rising"},"content":{"rendered":"

The region has witnessed major investments in roads, railways, tunnels, healthcare, education, tourism, and other infrastructure. The real question today is not simply what happened on that date, but what has changed since then and where is Jammu and Kashmir heading now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Seven years have passed since August 5, 2019\u2014a date that fundamentally changed the political and administrative landscape of Jammu & Kashmir.<\/p>\n

The Narendra Modi-led Central Government presented the decision as a historic step towards fuller constitutional integration, equal rights and a new era of development. Since then, Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed major investments in roads, railways, tunnels, healthcare, education, tourism and other infrastructure.<\/p>\n

The real question today is not simply what happened on August 5, 2019, but what has changed since then and where is Jammu & Kashmir heading now?<\/p>\n

From The Politics Of The Past To The Development Of The Future<\/strong><\/p>\n

For decades, Jammu & Kashmir was too often discussed through the prism of conflict, separatism and political uncertainty. The post-2019 approach has sought to change that narrative by placing greater emphasis on development, governance, connectivity, investment and opportunities for ordinary citizens.<\/p>\n

The Central Government has highlighted major investments in infrastructure and public services. In 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and launched development projects worth more than \u20b932,000 crore in Jammu & Kashmir, covering areas including healthcare, education, railways, roads and civic infrastructure.<\/p>\n

The significance of such projects goes beyond their financial value. Better roads connect villages to markets. Railways connect people to opportunities. Hospitals improve access to healthcare, while educational institutions create possibilities for the next generation.<\/p>\n

Development, when it reaches ordinary citizens, becomes the strongest foundation of public confidence.<\/p>\n

The End Of An Old Political Model<\/strong><\/p>\n

The BJP’s central argument regarding August 5, 2019 is that Jammu & Kashmir needed to move beyond a political system dominated for decades by special provisions, separatist narratives and dynastic politics.<\/p>\n

The Modi Government has consistently presented the 2019 decision as a move towards greater constitutional integration and equal application of Indian laws and rights.<\/p>\n

Supporters of the decision argue that it created a framework in which Jammu & Kashmir could participate more fully in India’s wider economic and developmental journey.<\/p>\n

Whatever one’s political viewpoint, there is no denying that the political conversation has changed significantly.<\/p>\n

Today, alongside constitutional questions, people are increasingly asking about jobs, roads, tourism, education, healthcare, investment and development.<\/p>\n

That change in priorities matters.<\/p>\n

The Role Of The Army And Jammu & Kashmir Police<\/strong><\/p>\n

The role of the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police in this transformation also deserves recognition. Their courage, vigilance and sacrifices have helped create the security environment in which development, tourism, education and economic activity can flourish.<\/p>\n

From guarding the borders and combating terrorism to maintaining law and order and protecting civilians, the Army and J&K Police have carried out their responsibilities under extremely challenging circumstances. Many personnel have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.<\/p>\n

Any honest assessment of Jammu & Kashmir’s journey since August 5, 2019 must therefore acknowledge that peace and development go hand in hand, and the men and women in uniform remain an important pillar of that peace.<\/p>\n

Protecting The Future Of J&K’s Youth<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jammu & Kashmir’s youth deserve a future defined by education, employment, entrepreneurship, sports and innovation\u2014not violence and uncertainty.<\/p>\n

The security forces have a crucial role in creating the environment in which that future becomes possible. The Government’s development agenda and the security forces’ efforts therefore complement each other.<\/p>\n

One builds the infrastructure; the other protects the environment in which it can flourish.<\/p>\n

The ultimate measure of success will be whether a young person in Jammu & Kashmir can pursue an education, start a business, find meaningful employment, participate in sports and build a secure future without being held back by violence or instability.<\/p>\n

A New Generation Is Looking Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most important measure of Jammu & Kashmir’s future is its youth.<\/p>\n

Young people want education, employment, entrepreneurship, sports and opportunities to build successful lives. They do not want their future to be permanently defined by the political conflicts of previous generations.<\/p>\n

The expansion of educational and healthcare infrastructure, alongside initiatives aimed at entrepreneurship and skill development, can help create that new future.<\/p>\n

But the next stage must go further.<\/p>\n

The region needs more private-sector employment, technology-based businesses, industrial investment and opportunities for young entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

The youth of J&K should not merely be beneficiaries of development; they should become its principal drivers.<\/p>\n

Connectivity Is Changing The Geography Of Opportunity<\/strong><\/p>\n

Infrastructure is not simply concrete and steel.<\/p>\n

A road connects a farmer to a market.<\/p>\n

A railway connects a student to an institution.<\/p>\n

A tunnel connects remote communities to the wider economy.<\/p>\n

An airport connects Jammu & Kashmir to the rest of India and the world.<\/p>\n

The Centre’s focus on highways, tunnels, railways and other connectivity projects therefore has the potential to transform the economic geography of the region.<\/p>\n

This is particularly important for North Kashmir, where improved connectivity can strengthen horticulture, tourism, trade and local businesses.<\/p>\n

Tourism: Turning Beauty Into Opportunity<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jammu & Kashmir’s natural beauty has always been one of its greatest assets.<\/p>\n

But beauty alone does not create prosperity.<\/p>\n

Tourism requires roads, hotels, security, connectivity, investment and professional services. When these elements come together, tourism can generate employment for thousands of people\u2014from hotel owners and transport operators to guides, artisans, shopkeepers and farmers.<\/p>\n

North Kashmir has enormous untapped potential in this regard.<\/p>\n

Sopore, Baramulla, Kupwara and surrounding areas can benefit from a broader tourism strategy while preserving their agricultural and horticultural identity.<\/p>\n

Agriculture And The Horticulture Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Development must also reach the farmer.<\/p>\n

Jammu & Kashmir’s horticulture sector, particularly its apple economy, supports thousands of families and contributes significantly to the region’s economic activity.<\/p>\n

Modern storage facilities, better transportation, processing industries, market access and technology can help farmers receive greater value from their produce.<\/p>\n

The future should not be about abandoning traditional economic strengths. It should be about modernising them and connecting them to larger markets.<\/p>\n

Security And Development Go Together<\/strong><\/p>\n

No development model can succeed without peace and security.<\/p>\n

A peaceful environment allows businesses to operate, tourists to travel, children to attend schools and investors to plan for the long term.<\/p>\n

This is why security and development should not be viewed as competing priorities.<\/p>\n

Security creates the space in which development can take root; development creates opportunities that strengthen stability.<\/p>\n

The Political Challenge Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n

Seven years after August 5, 2019, political differences remain.<\/p>\n

Regional parties continue to raise questions about statehood and political powers, while the BJP and its supporters emphasise integration, development and the transformation taking place on the ground.<\/p>\n

Such disagreements are natural in a democracy.<\/p>\n

But the political debate should increasingly focus on the future.<\/p>\n

The people of Jammu & Kashmir deserve political discussions about employment, education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and investment\u2014not merely arguments about the past.<\/p>\n

The Modi Government’s Larger Message<\/strong><\/p>\n

The BJP’s larger message is that Jammu & Kashmir should no longer be viewed only through the prism of conflict.<\/p>\n

It should be seen as a region of opportunity.<\/p>\n

A place where young people can build companies, farmers can reach wider markets, tourists can travel safely, students can access better institutions and entrepreneurs can invest with confidence.<\/p>\n

The post-2019 approach seeks to replace a narrative of uncertainty with one of development, integration and opportunity.<\/p>\n

The Road Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n

The transformation is not complete.<\/p>\n

Unemployment remains a challenge. Private investment must grow further. Rural areas require stronger economic opportunities. Horticulture needs modernisation, and young people need more high-quality jobs.<\/p>\n

Recognising these challenges does not diminish the progress that has taken place.<\/p>\n

Instead, it highlights the work that remains.<\/p>\n

The next phase should focus on making Jammu & Kashmir an even stronger economic hub through tourism, horticulture, technology, industry, education, renewable energy and connectivity.<\/p>\n

A New Chapter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Seven years after August 5, 2019, Jammu & Kashmir stands at the beginning of a new chapter.<\/p>\n

The Central Government’s development agenda, the contribution of the security forces, the energy of the youth, the hard work of farmers and entrepreneurs, and the aspirations of ordinary citizens must all come together.<\/p>\n

The future of Jammu & Kashmir should not be dictated by the conflicts of its past.<\/p>\n

It should be shaped by peace, development, opportunity and national integration.<\/p>\n

August 5, 2019 changed the direction. The years since then have begun to build a new foundation.<\/p>\n

The responsibility now is to take that transformation further and ensure that every citizen of Jammu & Kashmir becomes a participant in its progress.<\/p>\n

The author is Founder, Sahuliyat Centre, Sopore<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The region has witnessed major investments in roads, railways, tunnels, healthcare, education, tourism, and other infrastructure. The real question today is not simply what happened on that date, but what has changed since then and where is Jammu and Kashmir heading now? Seven years have passed since August 5, 2019\u2014a date that fundamentally changed the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29562","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-opinion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29562","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29562"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29562\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29564,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29562\/revisions\/29564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}