As political unrest and climate threats expose the fragility of a tourism-dependent economy, the youth must embrace skills, tech and entrepreneurship for a prosperous future
For decades, the breathtaking beauty of Jammu and Kashmir has been the lifeblood of our economy. Tourists from around the globe have flocked to our valleys, stayed in our hotels, bought our handicrafts, and become the backbone of our livelihood. Tourism has become the primary source of income for thousands of families, providing jobs to hoteliers, drivers, guides, artisans, shopkeepers, and many others.
However, today we must ask ourselves a crucial and uncomfortable question: Are we relying too heavily on a fragile pillar?
A Vulnerable Economic Model
Whenever political unrest, security challenges, or natural calamities strike, tourism is the first sector to collapse. We have witnessed this repeatedly — empty hotels, idle taxis, shuttered markets, and disappointed visitors. The economic consequences are immediate and devastating. Young people who have taken loans to build guesthouses or purchase tourist vehicles often find themselves buried under debt, with no stable source of income to repay it.
A region’s economy cannot afford to be this sensitive to disruption. Tourism, while important, is seasonal and highly vulnerable. It cannot be the only engine pulling our society forward. Over-dependence on one sector creates economic fragility, stifles innovation, and reduces our ability to respond to crises. It is high time that we diversify our economic foundations.
A Call to the Youth
This article is a sincere appeal to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir — the torchbearers of tomorrow. We cannot afford to remain trapped in outdated models of livelihood. The world around us is transforming rapidly with technology, automation, and a shift towards knowledge-based economies. We must equip ourselves with skills that are future-ready, resilient, and capable of generating consistent income, regardless of political or environmental conditions.
Our land is fertile not just in beauty but in opportunity. We have immense potential in agriculture, horticulture, apiculture (beekeeping), floriculture, medicinal plants, and food processing. These are industries that have global demand and local relevance. Our apples, walnuts, saffron, and honey are among the best in the world — yet we export most of them without value addition. Imagine if our youth learned how to process, package, brand, and market these products both nationally and internationally.
Unlocking the Power of Skill Development
The time has come to make “skill” the most valuable currency in Kashmir. From rural youth to urban graduates, everyone should have access to skill development centres offering practical training in a wide range of domains: tailoring, carpentry, solar installation, computer repair, app development, digital marketing, content creation, cybersecurity, graphic design, machine operation, organic farming, dairy processing, and more.
These aren’t just skills; they are survival tools in a rapidly changing economy. A skilled young person is not a burden on society but a builder of the economy. Whether as a freelancer, artisan, entrepreneur, or technician, skilled individuals can shape their own destiny.
In fact, it is essential that we transition from a job-seeking mindset to a job-creating mindset. Let us build a culture of local entrepreneurship where young Kashmiris are not just looking for employment but creating employment for others.
The Role of Technology
One of the greatest enablers in this transformation is technology. Digital platforms can open up opportunities for online education, e-commerce, telemedicine, remote work, and financial inclusion. A young Kashmiri woman sitting in Baramulla can now learn coding online and work remotely for a company in Bengaluru or even California. A craftsman from Budgam can sell his handmade carpets on platforms like Etsy or Amazon. The only requirement is digital literacy and connectivity.
We must bridge the digital divide and ensure that even the remotest villages have access to affordable internet, smartphones, and computer labs. Government, private institutions, NGOs, and civil society must work together to create a digitally empowered Kashmir.
Reforming Education
Another pillar of a self-reliant future is education. Currently, many of our brightest students are forced to leave the Valley in search of better colleges, coaching centres, and exposure. This is not just a financial burden on families — it also represents a brain drain. Our region loses some of its finest minds every year to other states and countries.
If we can build luxurious hotels and malls for tourists, can we not invest in world-class educational institutions for our own children? Why can’t Srinagar or Anantnag be home to a state-of-the-art science university or an international-level research institute?
We must invest in quality faculty, modern infrastructure, innovation labs, libraries, and research funding. But beyond that, we must also overhaul our outdated syllabus. Our children must be taught problem-solving, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, environmental awareness, and digital fluency — not just rote learning for exams.
Education must become relevant to the real world, connected to local needs, and empowering for the learner.
Reviving Traditional Crafts with Modern Vision
Kashmir has a rich heritage of art and craft — from Pashmina weaving and Sozni embroidery to wood carving and papier-mâché. These crafts are not just cultural treasures; they are potential income sources. However, many artisans are giving up due to poor wages, lack of marketing, and middlemen exploitation.
We need to modernise this sector without losing its soul. That means digital marketing, design innovation, better branding, and fair trade practices. Government and private investors should collaborate to create craft villages, e-commerce training programs, and international trade expos for Kashmiri products.
Harnessing the Power of Returnees
Thousands of Kashmiris have gone out into the world and achieved great success in medicine, engineering, academia, technology, and business. Many of them wish to give back — to return and contribute to the land that raised them. We must create an ecosystem that welcomes them back — through startup support, consultancy platforms, investment incentives, and policy support.
Let our successful diaspora become mentors, guides, and investors for the next generation. Let us build a Kashmir where success doesn’t mean escape but return.
Women as Economic Leaders
No progress can be complete without the empowerment of women. In many areas of Kashmir, women remain underrepresented in business, technology, and public leadership. This must change. Women must be encouraged, trained, and supported to start their own businesses, learn new skills, and take leadership roles in their communities.
Microfinance, SHGs (self-help groups), women-led cooperatives, and digital platforms can be tools of transformation. A skilled woman is a multiplier — she uplifts not only herself but her family and her community.
Sustainable Development — The Only Way Forward
As we envision a new Kashmir, we must ensure that our growth is sustainable. We must not trade nature for short-term gains. Whether in tourism, industry, or agriculture, environmental responsibility must be a core principle. Solar energy, water conservation, organic farming, and eco-tourism are not luxuries — they are necessities.
Let Kashmir become a model for green development — where progress doesn’t mean pollution, and prosperity doesn’t mean exploitation.
Conclusion: Time to Rise
Tourism is a blessing, but it cannot be our only identity. Real development happens when people become self-reliant, skilled, and confident in their ability to shape the future. Let us create an economy that survives every political storm, every lockdown, every disruption — because it is rooted in diversity, innovation, and knowledge.
The valley of Kashmir has always stood tall in the face of adversity. Now is the time for our dreams to rise even higher — bold, inclusive, and unstoppable.
Let us move from uncertainty to self-reliance, from dependency to dignity, from fragility to strength. Let us build a Kashmir that is not just a place of beauty, but a symbol of brilliance, resilience, and progress.
Khurshid Ahmad Mir
ka********@***il.com