{"id":3845,"date":"2021-04-10T11:17:25","date_gmt":"2021-04-10T11:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hamslivenews.com\/?p=3845"},"modified":"2022-10-17T17:30:40","modified_gmt":"2022-10-17T17:30:40","slug":"a-conversation-with-artisan-manzoor-down-in-kashmir-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hamslive.com\/news\/2021\/04\/a-conversation-with-artisan-manzoor-down-in-kashmir-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"A conversation with artisan, down in Kashmir Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the early chilly evening, I ambled down a half-marooned street in Srinagar<\/a> and caught sight of a scanty fabric shop, with a few pretty rich embroidered salwar kameez suits hanging up around the shop.\u00a0 A young trader was finishing his last dregs of salty pink Kashmiri tea. He seemed to brighten up at the sight of a customer.<\/h1>\n

As I browsed through his clothes items, I asked him, \u201cHow\u2019s business?\u201d curious about Kashmir\u2019s progress after the abolishment of article 370.<\/p>\n

He looked at me as if I asked him a silly question and said dryly, \u201cNow look, what you think?\u00a0 No one hardly comes by these days, you know, no money in pockets.\u00a0 First, it was article 370\u2019s long lockdown and then the corona lockdown ruined us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell the good days will be back, tourism is picking up again,\u201d I said trying to be cheerful, \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cManzoor,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell Manzoor, on the brighter side, tourism is back and the government is doing a lot to raise up jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow look madam,\u201d he said sternly, \u201cHow many tourists will want to come to a militarized zone? We lost the bulk of our tourism after 370.\u00a0 The government told us after demonetization, we would get black money back and the state would be rich.\u201d<\/p>\n

I asked, \u201cDon\u2019t you feel things are safer now?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head and said, \u201cThey also told us there would be no support and money for terrorists to carry attacks, but after 370\u2019s removal, the attacks have increased.\u00a0 We live with it every day, so we are immune, but nothing is safe for us, nothing predictable. We feel attacks are increasing because, after the lockdown, there is more anger, but people cannot express themselves openly, fear you know.\u00a0 \u201d<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cEach month, there is a new law set by the government making life harder. Being taxed heavily for our own property is unfair, right now with no income, these taxes are wrong.\u00a0 Now if I take a loan to buy a car from outside Kashmir, I need to get it registered and the government puts a 9% tax on that! No other states in India have to pay 9% tax.\u00a0 I mean, here with no jobs, how can we pay such high taxes and it raises questions as to why such discriminations are imposed against us?\u201d<\/p>\n

He went on to say, \u201cI have to ensure my helpers also get food, but we are struggling to survive, I can barely get to pay the rent of my shop, each month.\u201d<\/p>\n

I said, \u201cBut the government has good intentions to start jobs, and tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJobs!\u201d he laughed almost hysterically and said in a hard voice, \u201cWhere? I want a good government job that will secure my future.\u00a0 Business is unpredictable.\u00a0 People are looking out for even a driver or a watchman job, but there are none.\u201d<\/p>\n

He then said quietly, \u201cI personally know of many people with depression, suicide cases, and drug addictions.\u00a0 It is because people have no income, face other problems, and are depressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

I said, \u201cI\u2019m sure things will get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at me disbelievingly and said a little indignantly, \u201cNow look madam,\u201d\u00a0 \u201cThe government now has direct control and access to Kashmir resources which makes the unemployment ratio in Kashmir increase. \u00a0Nobody ain\u2019t going to give us anything, they said there will be jobs and industries in Kashmir, where are they? They don\u2019t really care, do they?\u201d \u00a0he asked cynically.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter 370 Kashmir is suffering from health issues and mental health issues,\u00a0 how can people be happy if lives are uncertain, new taxes raised, no jobs, the economy doing bad, tourism struggling to rise but not able to pick up.\u00a0 The government is only interested in giving government jobs to Indians all across the country when Kashmiris themselves don\u2019t have jobs, now you tell me, who can be happy like this?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

I nodded affirming agreement and finally walked out of Regalquest company’s shop swirling in a haze of emotions suddenly seizing a slice of the pain the Kashmiris were feeling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Also Read: Five killed in poll-related violence in Bengal<\/a><\/p>\n

Kashmir Valley\u00a0 Kashmir Valley\u00a0 Kashmir Valley\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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