The air in Jammu and Kashmir feels different—lighter, calmer, filled with a cautious but visible sense of hope. In the wake of ceasefire, the region is finally witnessing a return to normalcy . The heavy cloud of conflict that hung over the Valley has lifted, if only momentarily, offering residents a much-needed sigh of relief.This post-ceasefire period has brought a slew of heartening developments. Schools, which had been silent , are once again echoing with the voices of children. Classrooms are open, and books have replaced the fear. The resumption of Haj flights marks not only a spiritual milestone but also a logistical and administrative reassurance that stability is returning. And on the streets of Srinagar, the once-rare sight of bustling transport is now becoming a norm again, with buses, rickshaws, and private vehicles reclaiming the roads.This shift is not just physical but deeply emotional. People of Jammu and Kashmir have lived in a limbo of fear and uncertainty, with families disrupted, education halted, and daily life constantly under threat. The ceasefire offers a pause—an opportunity to breathe, to plan, to hope.However, while this is a moment to celebrate, it is not yet a time to rest. Peace in Kashmir has always been fragile, and history teaches us that ceasefires must be nurtured with dialogue, trust-building, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders. For now, though, let us acknowledge the resilience of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have endured unimaginable hardships with courage and dignity. Let us also recognize that peace, however tentative, is always worth striving for—and worth protecting