New Delhi

Saudi Gazette, leading newspaper published from Riyadh, has said the youth in Kashmir have taken to the changes coming with the abrogation of the Article 370 that revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, positively.

The Saudi Gazette has published a comprehensive report on a slew of developmental schemes and activities in Kashmir in its edition of March 31 “Youth join mainstream as India unveils development initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir.”

It concludes that “it’s very much relevant to point out that the decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and completely merge it into the Union of India, has already started paying dividends in terms of economic growth and development of Kashmir valley.”

The reporter gives credit to the Indian government for unveiling a slew of initiatives on promotion of sports and making Kashmir as hub of winter sports; developmental of 21 religious places – mostly Islamic site - push for tourism and refurbishing the image of towns and cities for Tourists to feel attracted to visit Kashmir.

It says, “Youth from the region have responded positively to these development initiatives and have shown their desire to become a part of the progress and prosperity of new India. The local militants who gave up arms after Aug 5, 2019, have been rehabilitated and have become a part of the national mainstream.”  

Interestingly the report comes soon after US State departments’s annual human rights report saying "the government continued taking steps to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir by gradually lifting some security and communications restrictions."

Story: Indian Govt working to restore normalcy in Kashmir: US report

Taking a dig at the Kashmiri leaders for saying that nobody would uphold the national flag if article 370 was removed, the reports takes note of the social media posts in which young Kashmiris are proudly showing off or raping themselves with the Indian flag while enjoying at the resorts.

Besides, the reports says several Kashmir youth have availed of the special scholarships offered by the Indian government for Kashmiri youth for studying in country’s leading professional collages. These youth, after completing their education, have been employed with  multi-nationals and corporate houses.

“The Indian government has remained firm in its decisions to ensure that the region is pulled from the quagmire of uncertainty,” the report says.

It lists all the projects like Smart city and organizing of skill development and job fairs for the youths in Kashmir.

The Saudi paper highlights the developments like start of the first night flight from Srinagar Airport on March 18 and says it’s bound to give a push to the tourism and trade.

Besides the Indian government, it says, is also considering opening of a portion of Siachen glacier for adventure tourism.

It says the biggest change observed in the post-August 5, 2019, Kashmir is the vanishing of the mobs of stone-pelting youth and presumes they have got better opportunities to pursue.

The reports also talks about how the government departments are working to ensure the benefits of schemes percolate to the people.