By: Shoiab Mohmmad Bhat
Years come and go, months change, and days quietly slip away. This is the system designed by God through which the universe moves forward. Time never waits for anyone, moments pass silently. True change begins only when we change ourselves, our thoughts, attitudes and actions. If the entire world changes but we do not, that change holds little meaning. The arrival of a New Year gives us a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and begin that change within ourselves.
There are moments in every human life that encourage self-introspection, birthdays, the end of a year, or instances of joy and success. These instances of self-introspection instil self-accountability in us. During self-reflection, a person develops an inner court, in which he is the judge, the defendant, and the witness as well. In an inner courtroom, past actions are examined, mistakes are acknowledged, and valuable lessons are drawn from experiences. Sometimes, we must hold ourselves accountable, at other times, we must learn to forgive ourselves.
As the Valley embarks on this new year, it is filled with hope and confidence. There is no doubt that the year that has just passed has reinforced the belief that positive change can be achieved through joint teamwork and sincere effort. Change may be slow, but it is definitely achieved if it brings improvement in everyday living.
At this critical juncture, it is important to speak with the students about the future of the Valley. If you have a dream, no matter how ambitious or simple it may be, you need to believe in it and work with honesty to achieve it. With the dawn of a new year comes a new hope, a new energy, and new opportunities. Your previous setbacks and delays need not dictate your future. Your efforts today produce your tomorrow. Your education begins where your success ends. Your success ends where your responsibilities to society start.
The actual strength of the Valley is based on the common man. This is evident in the farmer tending his field with diligence, the merchant opening his business every morning, the teacher educating and serving as an inspiration for the minds that he shapes, as well as the women contributing actively towards the family and towards the economy. Their strength, courage, integrity, and unceasing labour assure the passage of another year, not when there are fewer troubles, but when there is hope.
One of the crucial foundations of this growth has been the collaborative efforts of the civil administration, institutions, civil society, and the people. Efficient governance, welfare of the people, as well as people’s participation, have contributed to the gradual build-up of people’s confidence and normalcy. People’s cooperation in a responsible manner, along with efficient institutions, has made development inclusive and sustainable.
Ending each year is also a time that calls for humility and correcting oneself. It is a time that encourages repentance for past errors, learning from past mistakes, and asking for forgiveness when called for. Each experience, whether positive or negative, brings with it a valuable lesson. These lessons, when implemented with wisdom, ensure that people learn from past errors and that society becomes stronger. A nation that analyses itself and people who are aware and organized continue on the path of success.
Allama Iqbal was absolutely right when he said, “A nation is like a sword; its strength will continue to be realized through its self-cognition and calculation of its deeds and actions.” Indeed, reflection rather than weakness represents strength in our lives. We need to learn to think and to explore our societies.
As responsible members of society, we are not just watchers of progress; we are also key participants in the broader process that the country is undergoing. Each one of us has a specific role to play, and this impacts the pace of development in the country. The goal of developing the country by the year 2047 is quite ambitious, but if we join hands and become a committed, knowledgeable, and socially responsible Valley, nothing is impossible for us.
However, our contribution will have to be multidimensional, in the sense that as learners, innovators, and socially conscious members of society, it will be important for us to develop our talent and skills in a bid to improve our own lives, and also for the betterment of society at large. The Valley and the country will flourish if we join hands and work with integrity and foresight in order to bring about a desired change in society. The more we focus on development and, at the same time, address the issues of today, the more we will ensure a shiny tomorrow for the future generation, who will be able to reap the fruits of our hard work in the realm.
New Year, New Hopes in the Valley is ultimately a call for hope, responsibility and faith. It holds within it a word of hope, but also a call to action and a belief in change, both personal change and the greater goal of transforming the nation whole. The Valley marches on in this season of a new year, inviting the Valley to move forward with purpose, reflecting on aspirations, dreams, and the possibilities that lie ahead.
shoaibhat2018@gmail.com
