Category: OPINION

By: Dr. Reyaz Ahmad      

Self-confidence is not a magical gift — it’s a skill. Just like learning math or playing an instrument, confidence grows when you practice it with intention. Whether you’re preparing for a presentation, starting a business, or simply trying to boost your self-confidence, this guide will show you how to build lasting self-confidence, with real-life examples to help you apply each principle.

1. Understand What Confidence Truly Is

Definition: Confidence is the belief that you can rely on your abilities and judgment.

 Example:

Imagine you’re learning to drive. At first, you’re nervous. But after several lessons, you begin to trust yourself behind the wheel. That trust? Confidence is built from practice.

Key Insight: Confidence is not being perfect — it’s trusting that you can figure things out, even if you make mistakes.

2. Identify Your Limiting Beliefs

Limiting beliefs are false assumptions that keep us small.

Example:

• Belief: “I’m terrible at public speaking.”
• Challenge: Think of a time you clearly explained something to a friend or led a group discussion.
• Reframe: “I’m still learning, but I can communicate well in small groups — that’s a start.”

Tool: Write your limiting beliefs down, and next to each, write evidence against it.

3. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Why it works: Achieving small wins builds momentum.

Example:

• Goal: “I want to become a confident speaker.”
• Step 1: Raise your hand once during a meeting.
• Step 2: Speak for 30 seconds in a group discussion.
• Step 3: Deliver a 2-minute talk at a meetup.

Tip: Break your goal into 3–5 mini-steps. Celebrate each one.

4. Improve Your Body Language

Why it works: How you carry yourself signals to your brain — and others — how confident you feel.

 Example:

• Before an interview, you slouch, avoid eye contact.
• Instead, you try this: Stand tall, take deep breaths, and maintain calm eye contact.

Try: Amy Cuddy’s “Power Pose” — standing like a superhero for 2 minutes. It’s silly, but it helps your brain adopt confidence.

5. Surround Yourself with Supportive People

The environment shapes belief.

 Example:

• You’re trying to write a book. One friend laughs at the idea.
• Another says, “That’s awesome. I’d love to read it.”

Action: Spend more time with people who support your ambitions. Join groups or communities where confidence is normalized.

6. Learn to Handle Failure Gracefully

Failure is proof you’re trying. Confidence comes when you stop fearing it.

Example:

• You apply for a job, but don’t get it.
• Instead of quitting, you ask for feedback, adjust your resume, and get the next one.

Mantra: “It’s not rejection, it’s redirection.”

7. Keep a Confidence Journal

Why it works: You often forget your wins. This journal reminds you of your growth.

 Example:

At the end of the day, write:

• “I introduced myself to a stranger.”
• “I handled criticism calmly.”
• “I completed a task I’d been avoiding.”

Over time, this builds a personal archive of evidence that you are capable.

8. Speak Kindly to Yourself

Your internal voice is the most powerful one you hear.

Example:

• You make a mistake in a presentation.
• Instead of “I’m so stupid,” say, “That was tough, but I did my best and I’ll improve next time.”

Rewire: Every time you catch a negative thought, rewrite it like a coach would.

9. Get Comfortable with Discomfort

Growth happens in discomfort, not safety.

Example:

• You’re invited to speak at a local event. You want to decline because it scares you.
• Instead, you accept and rehearse. You survive. You grow.

Tool: Weekly “Discomfort Challenge.” Do one thing outside your comfort zone: start a conversation, pitch your idea, or wear something bold.

10. Celebrate Every Win

Why it works: Recognition fuels motivation. Your brain likes rewards.

Example:

• You send a difficult email.
• Take a moment: say “Well done,” take a break, or journal about it.

Tip: Create a “Win Wall” — digital or physical — where you post victories, no matter how small.

Final Thoughts: Confidence is Compounded

Confidence isn’t one big leap. It’s the compounding effect of many small acts of courage and resilience. With every step you take, you reinforce the belief that you are capable.

“Courage comes first. Confidence comes second.” – Mel Robbins

So start now. One thought. One action. One win.

The writer is member of Faculty of Mathematics, Department of General Education SUC, Sharjah, UAE. Email: reyaz56@gmail.com

In May 2023, our urban visionaries dropped 900 bicycles and 100 docking stations onto the streets of Srinagar – from Batamaloo to Lal Chowk – with all the pomp of a tech revolution.

Slogans flew. Ribbons were cut. Bureaucrats beamed. And Kashmir was told: “Ride into the green future!” They were also told “Burn Fat, Not Fuel”.

Two years later, the only thing riding high is the embarrassment.

Rs 13 Crore Spent – Rs 4.48 Lakh Earned

Let’s do the math bureaucrats hate:

• Rs 9.06 crore was spent on “infrastructure” – basically some tracks that no one uses and signs no one reads.
• Rs 4.14 crore was given away as Viability Gap Funding to the private operator. Yes, we literally paid them to operate.
• Rs 1.2 crore of that has already been transferred.

All that – and what did the people of Srinagar pay back into this “public” service? A princely Rs 4.48 lakh.

That’s 0.34% return. Not a typo. Just a tax-funded joke. Even Azim Premji will wonder at novelty of this profit margin!

Who Signed Off on This?

Someone, somewhere, in some climate-controlled office, thought it would be brilliant to copy Amsterdam!

1. without the lanes,
2. without the culture,
3. without the law,
4. without even checking if people can cycle safely in our urban chaos.

Kashmir’s roads, already a game of chicken for pedestrians, were expected to welcome cyclists.
It’s like launching a boat in the desert – and being shocked when it doesn’t sail.

Get that “someone” on board and fire him. If it was a bunch of them, get the bunch. But, then, as they say ‘if wishes were horses, men would ride them.’

But Why Does It Work in Some Foreign Cities?

Let’s be fair. Public cycling can work.

In Amsterdam:

• Over 750 km of safe cycling lanes.
• Priority traffic signals for bikes.
• Laws that actually protect cyclists.

In Copenhagen:

• Euros 35 million spent every year maintaining cycling infrastructure.
• Workplaces give incentives to cycle.
• Citizens are trained from school in road cycling.

Here in Srinagar?

• No dedicated lanes.
• No protection.
• No education.
• Just bikes – rusting like our public accountability.

The Script We Know Too Well

Here’s how it works:

1. Draw a glossy plan.
2. Throw public money at it.
3. Hire a private operator.
4. Deploy your “pimps”.
5. Strike “the deal”.
6. Blame the public when it fails.
7. Repeat with a new name.

This was never about solving mobility. It was about creating a photo opportunity that looks good in Smart City presentations and annual reports.

What Rs 13 Crore Could’ve Bought Instead?

• 300 well-equipped public toilets.
• Footpaths in old city localities.
• Complete modernization of dozens of government school labs.
• Clean water connections for thousands of homes.
• Or – just wild thought – fixing the roads we already have.

But no. We chose bicycles for a population given no place to ride them. Genius.

Smart Bureaucracy: NO Feasibility, No Shame

No demand survey. No public consultation. No education drive.  No enforcement of safety. Just buy. Spend. Smile. Vanish. And now that it’s failed, not one official will lose a chair. Because in Kashmir’s officialdom, failure is not punished – it’s promoted.

This wasn’t an accident. It was a deliberate circus. No one rides the bikes because the planners never intended to be ridden – just photographed. And if Srinagar is riding anything today, it’s a cycle of incompetence where the only wheel that spins is the one taking money out of our pockets.

Babu, the least Srinagarities expect is either ride them yourself or remove them. They look like tumours of your UPSC imagination. Please.

By: Bashir Ahmad Dar

​Kashmir is not just a valley cradled by sky-kissing mountains or traversed by glistening Naags (springs) and rivers. It is not merely the apple, the saffron, or the rustling chinar leaves that define it. It is more than that — it is the name of one of the world’s oldest living cultures. A land rich in heritage, wisdom, and timeless beauty.

Kashmir is synonymous with hospitality.It represents a deep sense of belonging — the essence of kinship and connection. It conveys emotional bonds, familiarity, and a profound sense of “own-ness.”Kashmir is the name of deep emotions,  a land of care, love, and affection.Here, even strangeness feels like a stranger. Wherever you go, you are embraced by a sense of belonging.Even the trees and stones seem to whisper, “You are one of our own.” 

As a famous urdu poet Chakbast Brij Narayan once beautifully wrote:

“Zarra zarra hai mere Kashmir ka mehmaan-nawaaz,

raston ke pathron ne de diya paani mujhe .”

(Every speck of my Kashmir is guest gracious, even the roadside stones have offered me water)

Kashmir has always been beautiful in a holistic way, and I pray it remains so forever. But I would never claim that it hasn’t changed. It has, and it has changed a lot. Change is the symbol of life. That which does not change is lifeless. And the dead tell no tales. But Kashmir is alive and, ah , it has many tales to tell, for those who are willing to listen.

One such tale is rooted in the fading tradition of  Kraaw– a legacy of healing, connection, and resilience that echoes through time.This tradition belonged exclusively to daughters, the married ones, and would arrive with the ripening of the bean plants. While most festivals in Kashmir are celebrated communally, Kraaw stood apart. It was quiet and personal, observed within individual families on different occasions.It was intimate, emotional and deeply rooted in love.

A few days before the designated day of Kraaw, a trusted close relative , often father, brother or uncle, would visit the daughter at her in-laws home. With humility and respect, he would appeal to the elders there, preferably the father-in-law, requesting that she be allowed to return to her maternal home for the celebration. Children were always welcomed with open arms at their nanihaal (maternal grandparents’ home). The arrival of the son-in-law, however, was rare, and symbolic. Inviting him was a quiet yet powerful gesture. It was a kind of litmus test: a sign that he was treating their daughter with love, dignity, and care.

This ritual was more than a formality. It was a symbolic bridge between two homes, one she was born into and the other she now belonged to. The children born in the new home were always received with wide arms and joyous hearts in their nanihaal, the home of their maternal grandparents. For them, it was a season of laughter, freedom, and unconditional affection. 

Daughters, meanwhile, would wait with anxious eyes and hopeful hearts, gazing endlessly at the path, longing for a messenger from home. The chirping of a bulbul at the window was the most cherished sound — more soothing than the trickling of droplets down leaves into a still pond, or the murmur of a brook kissing the roots of trees as it flowed. Chirping of bulbul was deemed a sign of comming guest.

When the blessed day finally arrived, fresh bean pods were plucked from the kitchen garden. Cleaned and cut into segments, they were lovingly cooked with home-raised desi chicken — a special meal prepared for the evening feast. At dusk, the daughter would arrive with her children, her pockets brimming with toffees, sweets, desserts and peanuts. No sooner had she stepped into her maternal home than she would be swarmed by nieces and nephews — not so much for her return, but for the treats she brought.

The night that followed was long and full of warmth. The family gathered around the guest daughters, and conversations flowed across topics both light and serious. Amid laughter and memories, mothers and aunts would gently remind them to preserve goodwill in their in-laws’ homes — to endure challenges with patience and grace.

Kraaw was never about pomp or spectacle.It was a quiet celebration of enduring bonds of a daughter’s place that never faded, no matter where life took her. A celebration of roots, return, and the love that waits — silently, steadfastly — for the ones who carry its legacy forward. Unlike festivals celebrated with noise and fanfare, Kraaw was intimate and gentle,observed quietly in homes. Yet, its impact was deeply emotional and lasting. Though married, the daughter was never seen as someone who had completely “left” her family. Her place in her parental home remains unshaken, her identity was not thought to bes erased, but only expanded.  Kraaw reminded us of a heritage that values relationships, patience, and grace, acting as a cultural compass in uncertain times. 

But it is deeply disheartening to realise that this tradition has fast disappeared from our homes and hearts, especially here in the southern part of the valley. What was once a quiet ritual of love, connection, and care has now faded into memory for many. Yet traditions like Kraaw were never just customs. They were threads in our social fabric, knitting families together, preserving emotions, culture, and community.They reminded us who we are, where we come from, and what truly matters. It is never too late to remember.Never too late to rebuild and never too late to revive.

Let us pledge to revive dying traditions, to breathe life into our heritage before it fades beyond reach. Let Kraaw live again, not just in memory, but in practice. Let’s do it now.

 (The writer is a teacher by profession and can be reached at darbashir1234321@gmail.com)

In the last decade, India’s sacred geography has not merely been visited—it has been rediscovered. The mountains are no longer just landscapes; they are living sanctuaries. From the snow-draped shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath to the meditative calm of Bodh Gaya and the golden stillness of Sarnath, India’s spiritual soul has stirred—one pilgrim at a time. Tourism in this era wasn’t crafted through brochures but through bhakti, memory, and the civilisational impulse to reconnect.

Between 2014 and 2024, this spiritual awakening reshaped the country’s cultural map. Kedarnath, once a symbol of tragedy, rose like a phoenix—welcoming over 16 lakh pilgrims in 2024, up from barely 40,000 a decade earlier. Ujjain, rejuvenated as a city worthy of Mahakal, drew 7.32 crore visitors in 2024. Kashi, reborn in light and sanctity, saw 11 crore people walk its sacred lanes. Bodh Gaya and Sarnath quietly echoed across continents, drawing over 30 lakh seekers in 2023.

And then came a moment that transcended statistics—the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya in January 2024. It wasn’t an inauguration; it was a restoration of the civilisational heartbeat. In just six months, over 11 crore devotees arrived—not just to witness, but to belong. Equally monumental was the Mahakumbh 2025, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, with over 65 crore pilgrims at the confluence of faith and transcendence. Together, Ayodhya and Prayagraj became twin lighthouses of Bharat’s spiritual renaissance.

This wasn’t tourism—it was homecoming. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, this return was given shape, infrastructure, and soul. No longer a checklist-driven industry, tourism became a national mission to rediscover the sacred self. PM Modi’s visionary mantra— “Wed in India, Visit India, Invest in India”—recoded tourism into a cultural calling.

From the beginning, the Modi government saw tourism as a force for national revival. Through Swadesh Darshan and its upgrade Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Ministry of Tourism developed 110 projects under thematic circuits like Ramayana, Buddhist, Coastal, and Tribal. The original scheme launched in 2014–15 sanctioned 76 projects worth ₹5,287.90 crore. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 added 52 projects with ₹2,106.44 crore to develop sustainable destinations.

Under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) sub-scheme, 36 projects were sanctioned at ₹623.13 crore, while the SASCI scheme greenlit 40 projects worth ₹3,295.76 crore to enhance state-led tourism infrastructure.

Alongside this, the PRASHAD scheme revitalized 100 pilgrimage towns with upgraded amenities, lighting, and sanitation. These efforts helped India record over 250 crore domestic tourist visits in 2023—an all-time high.

In a landmark announcement, the 2024–25 Union Budget proposed developing 50 tourism destinations, adding them to the Infrastructure Harmonized Master List (IHML) to ease investment and financing.

The revival wasn’t limited to sacred spaces. The Statue of Unity, unveiled in 2018, became one of the nation’s most visited monuments, drawing over 50 lakh visitors in 2023. Around it flourished eco-tourism parks, tent cities, and tribal museums—transforming tribute into opportunity.

India’s civilisational confidence began reflecting in its diplomacy. Leaders from France, Japan, UAE, Australia, and South Korea were received not just in Delhi, but in Varanasi, Udaipur, Ayodhya, and Mahabalipuram. Soft power was no longer soft—it was immersive. River cruises, Deepotsavs, spiritual walks, and cultural showcases turned statecraft into soulcraft.

Meanwhile, Incredible India 2.0 rebranded the nation from a land of monuments to a land of transformation. Yoga in Rishikesh, Ayurveda in Kerala, tribal festivals in the Northeast, and craft trails in Kutch gave rise to vibrant niche tourism ecosystems. Marketing was now inseparable from memory.

The sector’s economic footprint grew equally impressive. Between April 2000 and December 2023, India attracted over US $18 billion in FDI in tourism. Major hospitality infrastructure projects saw US $9 billion in investment from 2014–22. In 2023 alone, India earned ₹2.31 lakh crore (US $28.7 billion) in foreign exchange, with 9.52 million foreign tourists, marking a 47.9% growth over the previous year. The sector generated 84.63 million jobs in 2023–24, up by 8.46 million from the previous year—emerging as a cornerstone of India’s development and employment.

Tourism evolved into a full-spectrum mission. The Adopt a Heritage scheme brought in corporate stewardship of key sites, while UDAN connected far-flung places like Shirdi, Ziro, and Minicoy by air. The National Digital Tourism Mission began unifying bookings, data, and itineraries into one integrated platform.

The Northeast—once neglected—emerged as a crown jewel. Thanks to the Act East policy and focused infrastructure, tourist arrivals in states like Arunachal, Sikkim, and Meghalaya doubled between 2014 and 2022. The Vibrant Villages Program transformed remote hamlets like Kibithu and Mana into destinations where patriotism meets nature and heritage.

The idea of tourism also became aspirational. “Wed in India” translated into incentives, campaigns, and infrastructure support across wedding hubs like Rajasthan and Goa. Meanwhile, medical and wellness tourism drew over 6 lakh foreign patients in 2022—positioning India among the world’s leading healing destinations.

India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 was a masterpiece of cultural diplomacy. Rather than being limited to Delhi, over 60 destinations—from Khajuraho to Kumarakom—hosted global events, each curated with local art, food, and heritage. The world wasn’t just negotiating with India—it was experiencing her.

But behind the numbers, the real transformation was spiritual. India stopped asking the world to see her monuments. She invited the world to feel her memory, heal in her silence, and celebrate her diversity.

In this new Bharat, tourism isn’t seasonal—it is civilizational. It is where darshan meets development, where pilgrimage meets progress, and where festivals meet infrastructure. Under Narendra Modi’s leadership, India didn’t just welcome the world—she embraced it.

As monks circle the Bodhi Tree, as pilgrims chant in Kedarnath’s crisp air, as brides marry beneath palatial domes, and as border villages host curious travelers, one truth echoes through every sacred path and silent corridor: India is not just a destination you visit—it is a country you return to, again and again, in search of something eternal.

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is a Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India

 

Parenting is a journey that begins with love and ends with legacy. It is more than just raising a child; it is about shaping a human being’s character, outlook, and future. Parenting involves a combination of nurturing, teaching, setting boundaries, and modeling behaviors that help a child become emotionally intelligent, socially aware, and ethically grounded. Whether it is through daily interactions, the values imparted, or the emotional climate of the home, parenting has a profound and lasting impact. What parents do in the present becomes the emotional and psychological blueprint their child carries into the future. From behavior patterns and decision-making to relationships and self-worth, a child’s world is deeply colored by how they are parented. While no parent is perfect, the environment they create and the choices they make profoundly shape the kind of adult their child becomes. 

1. Emotional Security: The First Foundation 

Children thrive when they feel loved and secure. The emotional tone of a home—whether it is warm and accepting or cold and critical—lays the foundation for how a child perceives themselves and the world. 

A parent who consistently responds with affection, empathy, and understanding teaches the child that their feelings matter. These children grow up trusting their emotions and are more likely to express themselves constructively. On the other hand, neglect or emotional inconsistency from parents can lead to fear, emotional suppression, and social withdrawal. 

Emotional security gives rise to confident and expressive adults. 

2. Discipline with Understanding: Teaching Responsibility 

Discipline isn’t about punishment—it’s about guidance. How a parent disciplines their child can either foster growth or breed fear and resentment. 

Authoritative parents set clear boundaries but also take the time to explain why those rules exist. This not only teaches moral reasoning but also encourages children to think about consequences. Harsh, authoritarian parenting often produces either overly obedient or overly rebellious children. Meanwhile, overly lenient or uninvolved parenting can leave children feeling lost or entitled. 

Balanced discipline teaches accountability, empathy, and self-control. 

3. Role Modeling: Children Imitate What They See 

Children are always watching. Parents are their first and most influential role models. Whether it’s the way parents handle stress, talk to each other, manage time, or treat strangers—children absorb it all like sponges. 

If parents model respect, kindness, patience, and honesty, children naturally learn those values. Conversely, if children witness shouting, lying, or aggression at home, they may normalize such behaviors in their own lives—even if they’re told not to do it. 

Children do what you do, not just what you say. 

4. Communication Style: The Power of Words 

How parents communicate with their children influences how children communicate with the world. 

Active listening, speaking respectfully, and giving space for a child to express themselves help children develop strong communication skills. When children feel heard, they learn to listen to others, solve conflicts peacefully, and develop emotional intelligence. On the flip side, if a child is constantly silenced, mocked, or ignored, they may either become emotionally closed-off or seek attention in negative ways. 

A child who feels heard will grow into an adult who listens. 

5. Support for Exploration: Building Curiosity and Confidence 

Every child is born curious. How parents respond to this curiosity determines whether it flourishes or fades. 

When parents encourage exploration—be it through play, learning, or social interactions—they signal that it’s okay to make mistakes and try new things. This builds self-confidence and fosters a growth mindset. In contrast, overprotective or critical parents may stifle exploration, leading children to become anxious, risk-averse, or overly dependent. 

Encouragement fuels innovation. Fear of failure blocks growth. 

6. Academic and Career Influence: Future Planning Begins Early 

Parental involvement in education can directly influence a child’s academic success. Simple actions like helping with homework, attending school events, or showing interest in their learning make children feel supported. 

Parents who celebrate effort rather than just achievement foster perseverance. Additionally, when parents talk about dreams, goals, and the importance of hard work, children develop a long-term perspective on life and career. 

A parent’s belief in their child’s potential shapes that child’s ambitions. 

7. Love Without Conditions: Nurturing Self-Worth 

Conditional love—when children are only praised for achievements or good behavior—teaches them that they must “earn” love. This can lead to people-pleasing tendencies, low self-esteem, and fear of failure. 

Unconditional love, however, tells a child: “You are valued, no matter what.” It creates a solid foundation for healthy self-worth, emotional stability, and authenticity. 

Children loved for who they are become adults who accept themselves fully. 

8. Conflict Resolution: Teaching Peace Through Practice 

No household is free from disagreements. But how parents handle conflicts teaches children how to manage their own. 

If parents argue constructively—without yelling, blaming, or name-calling—it becomes a lesson in emotional regulation. Children learn that it’s okay to disagree and that problems can be solved respectfully. On the other hand, toxic or violent conflict creates fear, anxiety, and often, behavioral issues in children. 

How you fight teaches your child how to live with others. 

9. Identity and Belonging: Cultural and Moral Foundations 

Children look to their parents for a sense of identity. This includes cultural values, religious beliefs, traditions, language, and moral codes. 

Parents who instill pride in their heritage and values provide children with a strong sense of belonging. Even as they grow up and explore different perspectives, this core identity acts as a compass, helping them stay grounded. 

Children anchored in identity are less likely to feel lost in the world. 

10. Dealing with Failure: Turning Setbacks into Comebacks 

The way parents respond to their child’s failures sends a powerful message. Is failure seen as a shameful defeat or a learning opportunity? 

Parents who say, “It’s okay to fail, let’s try again,” teach resilience. But those who ridicule or pressure their children into perfection can unknowingly foster fear, anxiety, or avoidance. 

Children who are allowed to fail learn to succeed with courage. 

A Real-Life Example: The Story of Kalpana Chawla : 

A powerful example of how parenting shapes a child’s behavior and future can be seen in the life of Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman to travel into space. 

Born in Karnal, Haryana, Kalpana was raised in a conservative society where girls were often not encouraged to dream beyond traditional roles. However, her parents—especially her father—believed in giving her freedom, emotional support, and encouragement. From a young age, Kalpana was curious about the stars and airplanes. Instead of dismissing her dreams, her parents nurtured her curiosity and provided her with access to books and learning tools. 

They gave her emotional security, modeled gender equality at home, supported her exploration, and celebrated her academic interest without conditions. Even when she faced societal criticism for her ambitions, her parents stood by her. Their trust gave her the courage to go abroad for higher studies and later join NASA. 

Despite the obstacles she faced, Kalpana’s grounded upbringing helped her develop resilience, humility, and self-confidence. Her life is a testament to how nurturing parenting can shape a future of excellence. 

• The Lasting Impact 

There is no universal manual for perfect parenting. Every child is different, and every parent brings their own experiences into the process. But what remains constant is this: parenting is the most powerful influence on a child’s life. 

Your actions today—how you speak, love, guide, support, and correct—will echo through your child’s future. While schools may educate, it is parents who cultivate the emotional intelligence, values, and behaviors that last a lifetime. 

Be present. Be patient. Be the parent you needed when you were a child. 

The writer can be contacted at shahidhakla360@gmail.com

By: Prof. Bawa Singh / Dr. Mudasir Mubarik

The prospect of holding general elections in Bangladesh, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and exile in August 2024, is being shaped by the contradictions between the complex actors/factors. Political parties like Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and the military are demanding holding early elections, whereas on the other hand, Muhammad Yunus, supported by allied parties such as the NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami, intended to delay the elections until June, 2026 under the framework of his reform agenda. Against this background, a critical question has emerged: can elections be held by December 2025 or can put it off until June 2026? 

Under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, the BNP, has fortified its demand for Bangladesh’s general elections by December 2025. The BNP has been mobilizing the public support through large-scale rallies in Dhaka. The BNP is arguing that holding a prompt election is essential to restore public trust and democratic legitimacy and prevent the repeat of past electoral irregularities of the Hasina government. The party emphasized the need for a free, fair and inclusive election to reflect the public will. The BNP claims that a clearly defined election roadmap is critical to stabilizing the current volatile political environment in the country.

 The military under the leadership of its General Waker-Uz-Zaman is also pushing for a time-bound election by December- 2025. The military aligns with the BNP proposed timeline, citing the issue of rising public disorder since the July 2024 police strike. In his speech, General Waker-Uz-Zaman reiterated that the Bangladesh Military will never engage in any activities that would compromise the national sovereignty. He also assured  the interim regime that all ranks of army will  remain neutral while carrying out their electoral duties with honesty and integrity.

On June 2, 2025, a National Consensus Commission meeting was held by Yunus, in which more than 20 political parties have participated. These parties have expressed a preference for specific date for elections. This consensus reflects some broad political alignments on the urgency of restoring elected government through elections scheduled for December 2025. It has placed significant pressure on Yunus to re-adjust his timeline. However, the logistical constraints, such as the absence of an election commission, posing the significant political challenges. Moreover, he faces multiple challenges in holding timely elections in Bangladesh which included the urgent need for electoral and constitutional reforms, deep-rooted corruption and institutional decay from the previous regime. These challenges complicated by the prospect of holding timely elections. Concomitantly, almost all parties argue that there are no valid reasons to delay the elections beyond December. 

Conversely, Yunus’s interim government has prioritizing the electoral reform agenda. He is not ready to hold elections by 2025, rather proposed a timeline to hold elections by June 2026. He reiterated that the essential electoral reforms, encompassing the updated voter lists, can facilitate holding the elections by December 2025. While leaving to Japan, once gain he shared his timeframe of elections claiming that  politicians are impatient for power. 

In the beginning, Yunus commands support among youth but now he started facing public impatience due to lack of a clear elections date and slow progress on reforms. It indicates that  that the Bangladeshi public, particularly youth, is frustrated with the unelected government’s pace, with protests signalled the rising tensions.  Concomitantly, the external pressure, coupled with domestic demands, may further put pressure on Yunus to prioritize minimal reforms to meet the earlier deadline. India backs early election elections emphasizing the need for free, fair, and inclusive elections. It is aligning with the BNP and military’s call for a December 2025 timeline. 

Ultimately, the prospects for elections contingent upon, how Yunus navigates the competing demands for electoral reforms and urgency. There are two scenarios appear likely. First, if Yunus focus on minimum essential reforms—such as updating voter lists and constituting an elections commission—he can feasibly hold elections by December 2025, aligning with political consensus. Second, if Yunus insists on comprehensive electoral, judicial reforms, administrative structures and ensuring de-politicization, elections may be postponed until June 2026, risking heightened protests and instability. Ultimately, Bangladesh’s future hinges on balancing the democratic restoration and institutional reform. The holding of elections by deadline can bring political stability and global credibility, while putting off of the same risk unrest, economic strain, and erosion of public trust.

Prof. Bawa Singh is at the Department of South and central Asian Studies, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda. Dr. Mudasir Mubarik is Lecturer Political Science (Academic Arrangement); Govt. Degree College Soibugh, Budgam, Kashmir.

By: Dr Rizwan Yousuf

World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on 20 June and honours the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.  World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but thrive. 

While it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugees every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution. Many activities held on World Refugee Day create opportunities to support refugees. World Refugee Day was held globally for the first time on 20 June 2001 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. 

It was originally known as Africa Refugee Day, before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000. Each year, World Refugee Day is marked by a variety of events in many countries around the globe in support of refugees. These activities are led by or involve refugees themselves, government officials, host communities, companies, celebrities and school children among others. 

Refugees are among the most vulnerable people in the world. The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol help protect them. They are the only global legal instruments explicitly covering the most important aspects of a refugee’s life. According to their provisions, refugees deserve, as a minimum, the same standards of treatment enjoyed by other foreign nationals in a given country and, in many cases, the same treatment as nationals.

The 1951 Convention contains a number of rights and also highlights the obligations of refugees towards their host country. The cornerstone of the 1951 Convention is the principle of non-refoulement. According to this principle, a refugee should not be returned to a country where he or she faces serious threats to his or her life or freedom. This protection may not be claimed by refugees who are reasonably regarded as a danger to the security of the country, or having been convicted of a particularly serious crime, are considered a danger to the community.

The rights contained in the 1951 Convention include:

• The right not to be expelled, except under certain, strictly defined conditions;
• The right not to be punished for illegal entry into the territory of a contracting State;
• The right to work;
• The right to housing;
• The right to education;
• The right to public relief and assistance;
• The right to freedom of religion;
• The right to access the courts;
• The right to freedom of movement within the territory;
• The right to be issued identity and travel documents.

Some basic rights, including the right to be protected from refoulement, apply to all refugees. A refugee becomes entitled to other rights the longer they remain in the host country, which is based on the recognition that the longer they remain as refugees, the more rights they need.

The writer is currently working as an Assistant Professor   at the University Institute of Science, Chandigarh University. rizwanwar50@gmail.com

 

By: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

As India marches toward its centenary of independence in 2047, employment generation and social protection have been placed at the core of our mission for Viksit Bharat. Over the past 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s workforce has been at the centre of policy, planning, and progress. This shift has led to historic improvements in employment generation and the expansion of social protection coverage.

In 2014, India’s employment landscape was fragmented, social security coverage was limited, and a vast majority of workers particularly those in the unorganised sector, remained outside the protective ambit of welfare schemes. Recognising the scale and urgency of this challenge, Modi government undertook bold and structural reforms.

Flagship initiatives such as Make in India, Skill India, Digital India, and massive infrastructure development drives created unprecedented momentum for employment generation. According to RBI KLEMS data, only 2.9 crore jobs were created between 2004 -2014. In comparison, over 17 crore jobs were generated between 2014 – 2024. As per PLFS data, the employment rate (WPR) rose from 46.8% in 2017–18 to 58.2% in 2023–24, while the unemployment rate (UR) declined from 6% to 3.2% during the same period. Not just this, employment generation in formal sector has also seen a substantial progress, with EPFO data showing that more than 7.5 crore formal jobs have been created over the last seven years.

Empowering Yuva and Nari Shakti

At the heart of India’s growth journey lies the empowerment of Yuva and Nari Shakti. As a testament to this, the female employment rate (WPR) increased from 22% in 2017–18 to 40.3% in 2023–24, while the unemployment rate dropped from 5.6% to 3.2% during the same period. This shift has been even more significant in rural India, where female employment grew by 96%, and in urban areas, by 43%. These outcomes are the result of transformative reforms and focused initiatives implemented by the Modi Government in last 11 years. Today, more than 70 Centrally Sponsored schemes across 15 ministries are dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurship, making them atmanirbhar.

Youth employability in India has also seen a significant rise, growing from just 33% in 2013 to around 55% in 2024. This progress is result of robust digital public infrastructure. Platforms such as the National Career Service (NCS) portal have emerged as one-stop solutions for employment-related services. Launched in 2015, so far, NCS has connected over 5.5 crore job seekers with 46 lakh employers, mobilizing more than 5 crore job vacancies. As a result, the youth employment rate (WPR) rose from 31.4% in 2017–18 to 41.7% in 2023–24, while youth unemployment dropped significantly from 17.8% to 10.2% in the same period, lower than the global average of 13.6%. Through digital skilling programs, entrepreneurship initiatives, and innovation-driven platforms, India’s youth are evolving from job seekers to job creators.

Recognizing the Unorganised Workforce

One of the most transformative achievements of the last 11 years has been the recognition of India’s vast unorganised workforce. In 2021, Modi Government launched the e-Shram Portal, a first-of-its-kind national digital database for unorganized workers. In just 4 years over 30.8 crore unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers have been onboarded of this platform. This dynamic portal serves as a one-stop solution, connecting workers to various welfare schemes. Currently, over 13 Central Government social welfare schemes are integrated with e-Shram, offering seamless single sign-on and multilingual access. This is not just technological progress, it is a shift to a governance model that puts the worker first.

In addition, recognising the rise of the digital economy, we have also brought Gig and Platform workers into the policy fold. This year’s Union Budget included a major announcement to onboard them onto the e-Shram portal and extend healthcare coverage under the Ayushman Bharat PM-Jan Arogya Yojana. With this, Modi Government is ensuring that this emerging workforce receives adequate protection and access to opportunities.

Reforming ESIC and EPFO

During the last 11 years, significant measures have been undertaken to reform legacy institutions such as the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), which were long plagued by inefficiencies and red tapism. These reforms have brought not only unprecedented transparency but also greater efficiency to the system. Initiatives such as the introduction of the Universal Account Number (UAN), Aadhaar integration, simplified auto-claim settlement, convergence with various schemes, and robust grievance redressal mechanisms have transformed service delivery and enhanced the ease of living for our workforce.

As a result of this, EPFO membership has grown from 11.78 crore in 2013–14 to 34.63 crore in 2024–25. The number of registered establishments rose from 7.96 lakh to 27.05 lakh during the same period. Additionally, the number of claims settled reached over 6 crore in 2024–25, the highest ever in EPFO’s history.

Meanwhile, ESIC has also seen substantial expansion, now covering nearly 700 districts from just 393 in 2013-14. The number of insured persons has increased from 1.95 crore to 4.09 crore between 2013–14 and 2024–25. Beneficiaries have also doubled from 7.89 Crore to 15.87 Crore during the same period. Today, ESIC offers advanced healthcare services such as chemotherapy, robotic surgeries, and digitised health records, significantly enhancing healthcare access for workers.

Expanding Social Protection Coverage

As a result of Modi Government’s consistent efforts, India has made significant strides in expanding social protection coverage. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), India’s social protection coverage has more than tripled rising from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025. Today, over 94 crore citizens are covered under at least one social welfare scheme, making India the second-largest welfare system in the world in terms of beneficiary count. India’s social protection model is a testimony to our belief in “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” where economic growth and social security go hand in hand.

Over the past 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has undertaken significant measures to empower our Shram Shakti and lay the foundation for a Viksit Bharat. By prioritising employment generation, expanding social protection, strengthening institutional delivery, and leveraging digital infrastructure, the government has placed workers at the heart of the development agenda. As we move towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat, India is not only preparing to be the world’s largest workforce but also one of the most skilled, protected and empowered one.

The writer is Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports.

Courtesy PIB, Srinagar

By: Mohd Amin Mir

In the complex and often contested terrain of land governance in Jammu & Kashmir, the question of Shamilat land—or village commons—remains one of the most underexamined yet deeply consequential issues. Codified under Section 4 of the Jammu and Kashmir Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, these lands are legally owned by the government but traditionally used by local communities for collective needs: village footpaths, cattle grazing grounds, stream banks, graveyards, and public gathering spaces.

Today, however, these communal assets are witnessing a systematic and silent erosion—both in the legal sense and in the moral compact they once represented. From the northern reaches of Kupwara to the plains of Kathua, and from Pulwama to Poonch, Shamilat land is being encroached upon, sold illegally, and converted for private use—often with little resistance from institutional mechanisms.

This essay examines the issue through the lenses of law, administration, and community ethics, and offers a pathway for the restoration of what are, in essence, the spatial anchors of rural lif

Understanding Shamilat Land: A Legacy of Collective Ownership

Shamilat land—sometimes referred to as Shamilat deh—originates from pre-Independence rural customs and is codified in law as land held in common for the benefit of village inhabitants. Typically, it includes:

Village footpaths and inner roads

Riverbeds, springs, and embankments

Common grazing grounds (charand)

Burial grounds (qabristan)

Playgrounds and water reservoirs

Such lands are not privately owned; rather, they are recorded in revenue documents as Sarkari zameen—with the government as titular owner and the community as beneficiary. Panchayats, Lumberdars, and Revenue authorities were once entrusted with their protection.

However, a combination of weakened oversight, lack of updated cadastral records, and the declining functional role of traditional village officials has rendered these lands acutely vulnerable to encroachment.

Encroachment as Structural Betrayal

Encroachment on Shamilat land is not merely a matter of administrative negligence; it represents a structural and civic betrayal. In many instances, encroachment begins subtly—by extending private courtyards or fencing off a few feet of open ground. Over time, entire kanals are absorbed into private holdings, often with the tacit acceptance of neighbours and village elders.

More concerning is the phenomenon of secondary illegality: encroachers selling these lands to third parties, using fabricated revenue entries, manipulated inteqals, and forged Tatima maps. This creates a shadow land economy—beyond the pale of legal scrutiny—where residential colonies, orchards, shops, and even hotels are built on government land.

These transactions are subsequently insulated from accountability by stays obtained through lower courts, political patronage, or forged evidence of “settled possession.” What should have remained as public trust assets are quietly turned into private commodities.

A Territory-Wide Phenomenon

The issue is not geographically confined.

In Anantnag, for example, tracts of Shamilat land along watercourses such as the Bringi Nallah have been converted into parking spaces and private lawns. In Kupwara, grazing lands in Lolab and Handwara are under private enclosures, fenced off by those now claiming possession by “continuous use.” In Pulwama, instances of burial grounds being encroached have triggered local unrest. Even some religious and charitable organisations, under the pretext of public interest, have been accused of such occupations.

In Jammu’s urban peripheries, common lands designated for community cattle grazing have been sold as commercial plots or misused for industrial sheds.

What unites these cases is not just the physical encroachment but a breakdown of institutional resistance—the weakening of the very custodianship role that the Revenue Department was created to uphold

Institutional Failure and Legal Paralysis

The Revenue Department, tasked with field verification, record maintenance, and land classification, finds itself hamstrung. While some officers do raise concerns, they face serious impediments:

Stay orders based on forged or misleading documentation

Political or social pressure from locals

Lack of updated Jamabandis and digitized Tatimas, which makes physical demarcation nearly impossible

A near-total absence of spot girdawari (field verification of crop and land use), which has become a lost practice in many tehsils

These conditions foster a culture of legal ambiguity and administrative delay, allowing illegal occupations to harden into claims of ownership.

Courts, meant to serve as instruments of justice, sometimes inadvertently reinforce the status quo. Encroachers secure interim injunctions that freeze administrative action. By the time litigation concludes, illegal structures are often complete, inhabited, and integrated into local economic systems—rendering demolition politically sensitive and legally complex.

Losing Commons, Losing Community

The encroachment of Shamilat land is not simply a technical or legal issue; it constitutes the erasure of a village’s shared memory and infrastructure.

Children are left without playgrounds.

Cattle have no grazing land, increasing the financial burden on marginal farmers.

Burial grounds shrink, triggering intra-community disputes.

Footpaths are blocked, creating daily frictions that spill into courtrooms.

Streams and ponds are filled in or diverted, affecting local hydrology.

In short, when commons are lost, communities are fragmented. The physical disintegration of shared spaces mirrors a deeper social erosion

What Can Be Done: Towards a Multi-Tiered Reform

1. Village-Wise Demarcation through Modern Technology

Using drone surveys, GPS mapping, and on-ground consultation with local officials, every village’s Shamilat land must be clearly delineated, digitized, and preserved in Revenue and Panchayat records.

2. Creation of Public Shamilat Registers

Every Panchayat Ghar should maintain a laminated and publicly accessible register of Shamilat land, countersigned by the Tehsildar, and updated annually.

3. Criminalisation of Illegal Sale and Purchase

Encroachment followed by resale should be treated as a criminal offense. Sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery), and 447 (criminal trespass) of the Indian Penal Code must be applied alongside provisions of the J&K Revenue Act.

4. Revival of Traditional Oversight Mechanisms

The roles of Chowkidars and Lumberdars—village-level informants—should be formally revived. Their monthly reports on misuse of Shamilat land must be made compulsory and incentivised.

5. Establishment of Dedicated Shamilat Tribunals

Fast-track quasi-judicial bodies should be created to deal specifically with Shamilat land disputes, empowered to order demolition, compensation, and criminal prosecution within a stipulated time frame.

6. Public Communication and Social Awareness

Government and civil society must run awareness campaigns across radio, social media, and newspapers to sensitise the public. Encroaching on commons is not survival—it is theft from one’s own community.

A Moral Call to Action

It must be said unambiguously: Voluntary vacation of encroached Shamilat land is not just legally prudent—it is morally essential. Those who occupy pathways, graveyards, and grazing fields today may themselves one day find no path to their fields, or no ground for their final rites.

States like Punjab and Haryana have shown that government-led reclamation drives can succeed when backed by legal clarity and administrative will. Jammu & Kashmir must take lessons.

Conclusion: Reclaiming the Idea of the Village

To restore Shamilat land is to restore not merely the government’s property, but the ethical centre of village life. Commons are not just about geography—they are about trust, reciprocity, and shared futures.

A society that passively watches its commons disappear is one that has abdicated responsibility. But one that rises to restore them affirms its civic identity and inter-generational compact.

Let this be the moment when Jammu & Kashmir chooses the latter.

Mohd Amin Mir is a columnist and land policy analyst based in South Kashmir. He writes frequently on rural governance, land rights, and administrative reforms in Jammu & Kashmir.

 

By: Saima Hameed 

Kashmir, a region of breathtaking beauty and rich cultural heritage, is at a crossroads. The traditional values and customs that once defined the region are slowly giving way to the influences of modernity and globalization. This article explores the impact of this cultural shift on Kashmiri society, particularly in the realms of marriage, social relationships, and cultural identity.

The Evolution of Marriage in Kashmir

The institution of marriage in Kashmir has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The traditional arranged marriage system, once a cornerstone of Kashmiri society, is being redefined by modern approaches to partnership. While this shift towards greater individual freedom and choice is welcome, it has also led to a sense of disconnection and fragmentation in the community. Many young Kashmiris are now opting for love marriages, which, although a personal choice, has led to a sense of isolation and disconnection from their families and community.

The Changing Landscape of Social Relationships

The old Kashmir was known for its strong social bonds and sense of community. Neighbors were like family, and relationships were built on trust, respect, and mutual support.

However, with the advent of modernity and urbanization, these traditional values are slowly eroding. The emphasis on individualism and materialism is leading to a sense of isolation and disconnection among people. Many Kashmiris are now more focused on their personal goals and aspirations, often at the expense of their relationships with others.

The Impact of Globalization on Kashmiri Culture

The influence of globalization on Kashmiri culture has been profound. The region’s youth are increasingly exposed to global trends and values, which are shaping their aspirations and worldview. While this exposure has opened up new opportunities for growth and development, it has also led to a sense of cultural dislocation and identity crisis. Many young Kashmiris are now caught between their traditional cultural heritage and the modern values and aspirations that are being imposed upon them.

Finding a Balance between Tradition and Modernity

As Kashmir continues to modernize and globalize, it is essential to strike a balance between preserving traditional values and embracing new influences. The region’s unique cultural identity, shaped by its history and customs, is worth preserving. Efforts should be made to document and promote the region’s traditional practices, such as its music, dance, and art forms. This will not only help to preserve the region’s cultural heritage but also provide a sense of continuity and connection to the past.

Conclusion

The cultural shift in Kashmir is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that requires a nuanced understanding. While modernity and globalization have brought many benefits, they have also led to a sense of disconnection and fragmentation in the community. By finding a balance between preserving traditional values and embracing new influences, Kashmir can ensure that its unique cultural identity continues to thrive and evolve in a rapidly changing world.

The author is working as teacher in the department of education and can be mailed at darsaimahamid@gmail.com