The Lt Governor administration is all set to hold the Kashmir chapter of G20 in Srinagar and preparations are being made I full swing to make this event a successful one. The even is historical in many respects. The Kashmir, that had been, from past several decades, identified with violence and disturbance is going to host an international event and that makes the event historical. Emerging from the shades of violence and killings, the place is gradually reclaiming its status as the paradise on the earth. People, particularly those affiliated with tourism sector, are excited as the event is going to showcase Kashmir a safe and peaceful tourist destination. The countries, that earlier would issues advisory to their respective citizens against visiting Kashmir, would see for themselves that how peaceful the place is and thus take back a message that undoubtedly is going to increase the tourist footfall many fold.
Ahead of the main even, several functions are being organised that would be utterly beneficial for the people here. As revealed by Kashmir University authorities, delegates from nine foreign countries will participate in a Youth20 event on climate change titled “Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability a Way of Life”to be held at University of Kashmir. Four delegates each are from Russia and Indonesia, while two each are coming from the US and Brazil. One participant each is coming from Turkey, Japan, South Korea, Nigeria and Mexico. It will be an interactive session wherein all the participants, particular the local will benefit. The university has chosen this theme to address the local issues of climate change and man-made disaster management and all researchers, faculty scholars and students are involved in the organisation of the event. The event would definitely generate good ideas that help preserve the climate and mitigate the damage done to it. Hopefully during the interactions, the participants could come up with result-oriented recommendations so that we are able to preserve our climate and reduce all the man-made damages that are being inflicted on our climate.
Kashmir’s highest seat of learning has got a historic opportunity to host the meeting and it is therefore responsibility of the authorities there to ensure that the event achieves great success benefitting all the participants. It is praiseworthy that Kashmir University has invited from universities across the Union territories of J&K and Ladakh to make the event a great success. The meeting provides an opportunity to the youth from the two UTs to come forward and share their ideas on how they could contribute to addressing and mitigating the impacts of climate change. As rightly pointed out by the VC, Kashmir University this engagement and involvement of youth in conversation and dialogue on climate change is one big intervention that India’s G20 presidency has made.
The Union Government’s decision of holding a session of G20 here in Kashmir is a good step in right direction. Kashmir has had a lot of bad press during past three decades, it needs to be reintroduced in its right colour and spirit – scenically beautiful, culturally rich, spiritually exalting and situation-wise peaceful.
