Kashmiri youngsters have always held ambitions identical to those of young people in every other part of India. They aspire to clear competitive examinations, launch start-ups, represent the country in sports, study at premier institutions and build secure, fulfilling lives. These dreams are shared across the nation, from north to south and east to west. Yet for more than three decades, Pakistan’s proxy war worked relentlessly to stifle them in the Kashmir valley. From the late 1980s, militants trained and armed across the border targeted the very spaces that sustain youth and community spirit. Cinemas were bombed or forced shut until every hall in Srinagar closed by 1990.
Parks and public areas became unsafe amid grenade attacks and orchestrated violence. Schools faced endless disruptions due to fear and protest calendars. Pakistan pursued this strategy deliberately because destroying recreational avenues created emptiness in young lives. With no safe places to gather, relax or enjoy simple pleasures, many Kashmiri youngsters sank into depression and hopelessness. Smiles became scarce and a deep sense of confinement took hold. This void made some vulnerable to radical narratives that promised purpose through militancy, serving only Islamabad’s geopolitical aims while offering nothing to the Valley. The psychological damage ran deep, with surveys from the conflict years showing high rates of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, particularly among youth who dealt with interrupted schooling, lack of avenues and constant fear. Reports from organisations like Médecins Sans Frontiers highlighted how nearly half the population experienced significant mental distress, with young people reporting multiple traumatic events that eroded motivation and joy.
Winters intensified the despair. The sun sets early, often by five o’clock, leaving long nights of cold and darkness, especially during Chillai-Kalan. Snow blankets the landscape in stunning beauty, but without recreation the season felt oppressive. Short days and freezing temperatures confined people indoors with little to break the monotony, deepening gloom and restlessness. Many young Kashmiris became profoundly depressed in these months, some leaving temporarily for cities like Delhi simply to find activity, light and relief from the suffocating quiet. Pakistan exploited this seasonal isolation, using idle time to spread propaganda that turned frustration into recruitment fuel for its unending conflict. The lack of outlets meant no cinemas for evenings out, no parks for casual gatherings and no consistent sports or cultural events. Traditional joys like Harissa mornings or Kahwa sessions stayed confined to homes, unable to counter the broader sense of alienation. High dropout rates and brain drain became common as talented youth sought opportunities elsewhere to escape the cycle of boredom and trauma.
Change arrived decisively after 2019 with the abrogation of Article 370, removing barriers and fully integrating Jammu and Kashmir into Indian Union’s framework. Stability followed rapidly, violence declined sharply, stone pelting vanished and local militancy recruitment fell to almost zero. Development gained momentum, allowing Kashmiri youth to pursue their ambitions freely, on equal terms with peers nationwide. New institutions like IITs, IIMs and AIIMS opened doors to higher education locally, reducing the need to leave for studies. Infrastructure projects created jobs and improved connectivity.
Tourism boomed, bringing economic opportunities that directly benefited young people in hospitality and related sectors. Record visitor numbers revived dormant industries and instilled confidence in the future. Winters, once the peak of gloom, now radiate celebration and energy. Festivals like Jashn-e-Chillai-Kalan draw thousands across districts such as Shopian and Anantnag for sessions of live music, folk dances, comedy performances, handicraft displays and traditional food stalls.
These events, organised in collaboration between civil administration and the Army, bring young performers to the stage for Sufi songs and Rouf dances while families gather in the snow, laughing and reconnecting in ways long denied. Early sunsets turn into vibrant nights filled with cultural pride and shared warmth. The festivals revive traditions that had faded under unrest, giving youth a sense of belonging and pride in their heritage while countering the isolation that once dominated the season.
Sports tournaments, winter games and cultural programs run regularly, often organised through coordination between civil authorities and the Army, providing young people constructive outlets and platforms to showcase talent. Many athletes who later excel nationally received early opportunities through such initiatives. Cricket leagues, football matches, volleyball competitions and skiing events give structure to idle time and channel energy positively. Vocational training sessions help acquire skills for jobs in tourism, digital services or entrepreneurship, equipping youth with tools for independent futures.
Gulmarg has become a premier global winter destination, attracting over 10 lakh visitors in the 2024-2025 season, generating thousands of jobs in guiding, hospitality and snow sports. Local youth train as professional instructors, operate the Gondola and compete at high levels, earning with dignity on their own slopes. The revenue flows back into communities, funding better facilities and opportunities. Modern multiplexes have reopened in Srinagar and other towns since 2022, offering families comfortable evenings of cinema once prohibited. Screens light up with the latest films, drawing crowds that include young couples and friends enjoying outings that were risky or impossible before. The return of movie halls symbolises normalcy reclaimed from militant diktats.
Sonamarg and smaller meadows host trekking and snow games while emerging entrepreneurs succeed in handicrafts, homestays and tourism services, confident in sustained peace. Young Kashmiris launch online businesses, coach for examinations and participate in national programs without the shadow of strikes or violence. The consistent schooling and extracurricular activities mean better preparation for competitive exams and careers, with increasing numbers qualifying for civil services and professional courses.
Pakistan’s sporadic efforts to disrupt this renewal, such as the Pahalgam attack linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba that targeted tourists and killed dozens, only highlight the failure of a rejected strategy. Such acts expose Islamabad’s desperation as normalcy takes root. Security forces respond effectively, preserving calm and progress. Kashmiri youngsters today prepare seriously for examinations, train rigorously for sports, launch businesses and study without fear of interruption. Their ambitions remain the same as always. What has changed is the freedom to realise them. Winters bring festivals, events and gatherings that restore natural joy instead of deepening isolation. Smiles return easily to young faces, genuine and frequent. Snow falls thickly, but it covers a Valley where hope and opportunity grow unchecked. This renaissance shows that when Pakistan’s engineered terror recedes, Kashmiri youth flourishes with the same brightness and determination as young Indians everywhere. The trajectory is clear. Stability breeds progress and progress breeds hope. The youth of Kashmir are claiming their place in India’s story, one ambition at a time, proving that integration and peace unlock potential that proxy wars could never destroy.
