How a 9-to-5 with pension became Kashmir’s only definition of success – and why it’s suffocating a generation
In Kashmir, it’s not just flowers and snow that bloom; dreams grow here too. Yet, these dreams often begin to wither when they deviate even slightly from the conventional path, when they take a turn that’s a bit unconventional, a bit risky. At the heart of this issue lies a deeply ingrained cultural mindset: “If it’s a government job, it’s respectable; otherwise, it’s worthless.”
This is no longer just a belief; it has become a form of collective mental conditioning.
No matter how far one progresses in their chosen field, without a government-issued ID badge, many Kashmiri parents still won’t consider their children truly “settled.”
Imagine this: even if a Kashmiri becomes the CEO of Google, earning crores and gaining global acclaim for their brilliance, some parents might still say, “Had he studied a bit more, he could’ve secured a nice government job. Who knows, what if the private company shuts down tomorrow?”
This isn’t exaggeration, it captures the essence of everyday conversations echoing through alleys, gatherings, and roadside tea stalls across the region.
The Government Job Obsession: Why?
- Security and Stability:
In earlier times, a job meant livelihood. A government job fulfilled this promise: a timely salary, pension, and a peaceful retirement plan. In a place like Kashmir, where instability is often the norm, stability becomes a dream.
- A Badge of Honour:
My son is a government officer.” This single sentence encapsulates the full weight of social status. No matter how high your position in the private sector, it often pales in comparison to the prestige of a government title.
- Fear of Risk: Startup? Freelancing? Entrepreneurship?
These words are often interpreted as “He couldn’t find a real job, so he’s doing this.” Here, risk isn’t seen as bravery, but as foolishness.
The Absence Of Startup Culture: Is It Only The Youth’s Fault?
Out of 10,000 young people in Kashmir, perhaps only one dares to consider launching a startup and half of those give up halfway. Why? Because there’s no support system. When your own family mocks your dreams, it becomes that much harder to fight the world.
Anyone venturing into entrepreneurship needs trust before funding, the trust of their parents, their culture. Without that trust, dreams either get compromised or remain confined to the pages of a diary.
A Call For New Thinking
This article isn’t about blaming parents or previous generations. Rather, it’s an invitation, a gentle push toward a shift in perspective. It’s about believing in our children, understanding their aspirations, and accepting that success exists beyond the bounds of a government job.
Kashmir’s youth have potential, talent, and vision. What they need is a supportive nudge. Maybe then, Kashmir will be known not just for its beauty, but also as a hub of innovation.
Sheikh Shakir Hussain
sh********@***il.com