Shahid Showkat
In the past, Kashmiris used to work together in their own fields, homes, and villages. We helped each other in every kind of work — harvesting paddy, building houses, cutting wood, or doing small jobs in the neighbourhood. People worked with love and care. There was friendship, trust, and a strong feeling of unity among us.
But now, things have changed. The same work that we Kashmiris used to do ourselves is now done mostly by outsiders — especially workers from Bihar and other states. They come here for the season, do the same jobs, and take thousands of rupees every day. We pay them for work that we could easily do ourselves if we worked together as before.
Because of this, two things are happening:
first, our money is going out of Kashmir; and second, we are losing our connection with each other. Earlier, people used to gather and help one another in every task. That created strong relations in our mohallas and villages. Now, everyone just pays outsiders and finishes the work. The love and unity we once had are slowly disappearing.
If we Kashmiris worked together again — for example, if 4–5 neighbours helped each other in turns — we could save money and rebuild our bond. Instead of giving outsiders ₹1000 a day, that money would stay in our own area. It could help poor families, students, and small shopkeepers.
Even rich or royal families have started depending on outside workers for every small task — even for harvesting their own paddy. When poor people see this, they also start thinking, “If big families are doing this, I should too.” But the poor don’t realize that this habit slowly makes them weaker. They spend more money, and their local workers lose jobs.
This is one big reason why, in my opinion, many Kashmiris lack money today. The poor are becoming poorer, and the rich are becoming richer. Those who can afford to hire outsiders keep doing it, while those who cannot are forced to follow the same path just to look “modern.”
We need to understand that doing our own work is not shameful. It is something to be proud of. Our elders built everything in Kashmir with their own hands — houses, fields, and relationships. They didn’t depend on anyone. That is why there was peace, respect, and happiness.
If we really want development, it will not come from outside. It will come from within us. We must bring back the habit of self-reliance and cooperation. Working together will save money, increase unity, and give jobs to our own youth.
Real development is not just about buildings, roads, and money. Real development is when people stand with each other, support each other, and grow together. Let us remember that and start once again to build our Kashmir with our own hands.
Pic: Tanha Ayaz
