Kashmir, the land of unparalleled beauty, has always been praised as a paradise on earth. Tourists and outsiders glorify its snow-capped mountains, lush meadows, and enchanting valleys. Yet, behind this beauty lies a grim reality that is eating away at the very foundation of our society — the crisis of educated but unemployed youth. The question is becoming louder with each passing day: When will Kashmir become the adjustment area for its own unemployed youth?

In every corner of the Valley, young men and women holding postgraduate and doctoral degrees wander in search of suitable jobs. Ironically, for those without higher degrees, it seems relatively easier to earn a livelihood through manual labor, daily-wage work, or small businesses. But for the highly qualified, the "tag" of education becomes a burden.
How can a PhD scholar, a postgraduate, or a professional degree holder reconcile with working as a factory hand or a construction laborer in a city? Social expectations, self-respect, and years of investment in education do not allow them to take such paths. The cream of society, the very people who should be building its intellectual and professional backbone, are instead left stranded in uncertainty.
Disillusioned and desperate, thousands of Kashmiri youth leave their homeland to seek jobs in other parts of India or abroad. They carry not just degrees but also the heavy weight of disappointment. While outsiders come to Kashmir and sing praises of its natural beauty, they rarely witness the struggles of its brightest minds — many of whom are battling depression, homesickness, or even psychiatric disorders due to prolonged joblessness.
At this stage of their lives, these young men and women should have been teaching in colleges, researching in universities, or serving society in respectable government positions. Instead, they are left waiting, protesting, or packing their bags for distant lands.
The tragedy deepens when we realize that the government — the very institution that should nurture and empower this youth — has turned a blind eye. Recruitment processes are either too slow, marred with uncertainty, or riddled with delays. Instead of addressing the urgency, policies remain on paper, leaving thousands in limbo.
One wonders why the government does not recognize the protests and outcry of its unemployed youth as a priority. Why is there no roadmap for immediate adjustment? Why is Kashmir still devoid of industries, private companies, and public sector enterprises that could absorb this talent?
If Kashmir is truly to rise, it cannot merely survive on its beauty and tourism. It must build institutions, industries, and enterprises where the educated can contribute meaningfully. Universities, colleges, hospitals, IT hubs, research centers, and small-scale industries must expand rapidly.
The educated youth are not a burden but an asset. Ignoring them not only wastes human potential but also fuels frustration, unrest, and hopelessness. The government must realize that development is not merely about roads and buildings but about harnessing the intellectual strength of its own people.
Kashmir’s paradise-like charm hides a painful paradox: while the world sees its beauty, its own children see despair. Until the Valley becomes a land of opportunities for its educated youth, the tag of "paradise" will remain incomplete.
The time has come for policymakers to act. Kashmir must no longer be just a place to admire but a place where dreams of its educated youth find a home.

Email:-------------------aasifdar46@gmail.com