As winter tightens its grip on Kashmir, we are bracing for the inevitable power cuts that have long been a seasonal hardship. Yet, while power shortages in winter may be unavoidable, the erratic nature of these outages adds layers of difficulty to our lives. The government’s role in setting a transparent, reliable power schedule could mitigate the hardship faced by the people and would reflect a commitment to addressing the realities of winter in Kashmir. Unpredictable power cuts not only disrupt daily life but also have serious implications for education, business, and healthcare. In winter, with temperatures plummeting and snow often covering large swaths of the region, people rely on electricity to stay warm, keep food fresh, and, increasingly, to remain connected in a digital world. Many children, particularly in rural areas, are unable to keep up with their studies due to inconsistent power. Small businesses, which are integral to Kashmir’s economy, struggle as productivity declines. The healthcare sector, too, suffers, with medical facilities forced to turn to expensive backup power sources, often unable to maintain critical equipment during unscheduled outages. The government’s response to this issue should begin with ensuring that the existing infrastructure is maintained and upgraded, but a quick and impactful step would be to establish a clear, consistent schedule for power cuts. If people know in advance when power will be unavailable, they can plan around the outages. It is not just a matter of convenience but one of basic living standards. A reliable power schedule would allow families to plan their daily routines accordingly, businesses to allocate resources more effectively, and educational institutions to minimize disruptions for students. Moreover, transparency in power cuts would foster trust between the people and the government. When citizens see that their concerns are acknowledged and addressed, a sense of accountability builds. Critics may argue that setting a fixed power cut schedule could strain resources or prove difficult to implement. However, other regions in the country with similar challenges have managed to create reliable schedules that lessen the blow of power shortages. With proactive planning, and possibly even coordination with local communities, the government could take meaningful steps toward easing the seasonal strain on Kashmir’s power grid. As the winter approaches, the government must prioritize the needs of the Kashmiri people. Implementing a fixed, reliable power cut schedule would represent a pragmatic approach to addressing one of the most pressing seasonal challenges. Such a measure would not only lighten the burden on residents but also demonstrate a commitment to their welfare, helping build resilience in the face of winter’s harsh realities.