Aasha Khosa

The turmoil in Kashmir, rooted in Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, has shaped countless lives. One voice that has challenged dominant narratives from within the Valley is that of Yana Mir.

If there is one Kashmiri face that has unsettled Pakistan’s terror-support ecosystem, it is hers. A Kashmir-born and Mumbai-educated journalist, media entrepreneur, and social activist, Yana Mir has carved a distinct path since returning to Kashmir in 2020.

I first noticed her through a report on the family of a policeman killed by terrorists in a village in central Kashmir. What struck her most was not just the tragedy, but the family’s reluctance to acknowledge his sacrifice.

Yana Mir as TV News anchor

“They didn’t want to own his sacrifice. They gave me the impression as if the martyr had done something wrong. The family insisted his wife must not speak to me,” Yana recalled.

Despite resistance, she persisted and eventually spoke to the widow, the person most affected. The policeman had been shot dead by unidentified terrorists while returning from a mosque after evening prayers.

Yana became one of the first Kashmir-based journalists to foreground the voice of a martyr’s widow, exposing how fear and social pressure often silence such narratives. Her reporting highlighted the deep psychological impact of years of propaganda and intimidation by terror networks and their overground workers—so much so that many Kashmiris hesitate to distinguish between a terrorist and a martyr.

Stories like these may be routine elsewhere, but at the time, in Kashmir, they were almost forbidden.

Yana Mir addressing audience as an invited Speaker

Her work gained wider attention across the subcontinent when she collaborated with a vlogger from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the eve of Eid. In a real-time comparison, she went live from Srinagar markets, checking prices of essential commodities—vegetables, meat, and cooking oil—while the vlogger did the same across the Line of Control.

The contrast was stark. Prices in PoK towns were far beyond the reach of ordinary citizens, leaving the vlogger visibly stunned. The video challenged long-standing narratives about economic conditions in Kashmir and went viral, garnering millions of views.

“That was the first time my video reached such a wide audience,” Yana said.

Yana’s own journey is rooted in displacement. Her family, originally from Anantnag in south Kashmir, was among thousands who migrated during the turbulent 1990s. “My parents struggled to rebuild their lives in Mumbai,” she said.

Yana Mir at the UK Parliament

She completed her schooling and MBA in Mumbai and was working with a multinational company when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her career. “Friends in Kashmir suggested I return and contribute to change,” she said.

Her return coincided with a historic moment—the abrogation of Article 370. For Yana and many like her, it signalled a new phase of integration and opportunity. “It was an exciting time. I wanted to be part of that change,” she said.

Back in Kashmir, she joined the Real Kashmir portal and became increasingly active on social media, documenting shifts in the region. However, the journey was far from smooth.

“We were inundated with legal notices and threats because of our coverage. There was pressure to stop real stories from coming out of Kashmir,” said Yana, now CEO of the Real Kashmir (TRK) Group, which runs a news channel, a daily newspaper, and digital platforms.

Her unapologetic assertion of identity has defined her public persona. It also led to global recognition. On February 24, 2024, she was invited to speak at the UK Parliament, where she made headlines for rejecting comparisons with Malala Yousafzai.

Yana Mir addressing a closed door meeting of women artisans in Kashmir

“I am no Malala. Please don’t compare me with her,” she said, surprising many in the audience. She elaborated: “Unlike Malala, I am living in my native place. I face no threat. I feel safe in my country.”

Addressing the gathering, she added, “I live in Kashmir—free and safe in my country, India. I will never need to seek refuge elsewhere. Please stop polarising Indians on religion.”

Yana has delivered talks through the platforms of many thinktanks and also TedX.

Beyond journalism, Yana is also focused on economic revival in Kashmir. She believes the region must evolve into a hub for industry and enterprise. “I am a trained investment banker, but I realised those skills had little application here due to the lack of large-scale industries,” she noted.

Determined to contribute, she launched a small enterprise, NourZuw, which produces traditional pherans using locally sourced wool and silk, employing Kashmiri artisans for embroidery and design.

“There are many Indians who buy Pakistani suits as a fashion statement. I want to encourage them to switch to Kashmiri suits instead because Kashmir is their own,” she said.

Yana says, besides steering her media organisation towards showing the “real Kashmir”, she wants to work towards bringing a robust private and corporate sector in Kashmir. “It’s important because in the end, the media can only survive through contributions and advertisement from local business houses.”

For Yana Mir, journalism is not just about reporting—it is about reclaiming narratives, amplifying suppressed voices, and contributing