Kashmir is changing, and it is visible. Abrogation of Article 370 is the best thing to have happened in recent times. Terrorism has tired out generations, and today the Kashmiri is craving for change. They want their state to be a key contributor to the growth story of the country (‘Regaining paradise, one day at a time’, September 17).
There will come a time when Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) will merge with India. But any unnatural demographic change in Kashmir is unacceptable. I hope the Union government is not contemplating it.
Mayank Malhotra,
On email.
Not all is well in Kashmir, and not everything is under control there, as is being projected by the lieutenant governor. There are frequent gunfights in Kashmir.
What was wrong in Kashmir having special status? We should have left the decision on its abrogation to the people of Kashmir.
A plebiscite should have been held in Kashmir long ago. The BJP wants to change the demographics of Kashmir and make the present population insignificant in the electoral sphere of action, which is unacceptable.
Shruthi Rajagopalan,
On email.
I enjoyed reading your editorial as well as the article on changing Kashmir. Like you, sir, I was also in Kashmir in 1971, building a bridge between Jammu and Kashmir. It was a challenging task. I had interactions with a lot of Kashmiris and frequently visited Srinagar. Kashmiris were a friendly and peace-loving people, and was a paradise where Hindi movies were shot, and people from all over India visited it without fear. The war with Pakistan happened in December 1971 when I was still in Kashmir.
I visited Kashmir again in 1991 to build another bridge in the Jammu region for the railways. This time I could not travel to Srinagar because of terrorists.
I am glad that peace has returned to Kashmir, but terrorism continues to plague the south of Kashmir valley. Hope that, too, will end in the next few years.
K.V. Jayaram,
Bengaluru.
Your cover photograph—of a girl in Kashmir practising football—was fantastic. It revealed everything about the mindset of Kashmiri women today.
Kudos to the photographer, the designer, and the editor of the best weekly in the country.
K.L. Prasad,
On email.
The cover story on changing Kashmir was insightful.
Restoration of normalcy and economic progress are significant indicators of the change in Kashmir. Industrial growth and outreach to widen participation are central to reducing unemployment.
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.
The cover story has unravelled the happy changes in Kashmir. I noticed that in the picture of a school in Anantnag it is written, “Enter to learn. Leave to serve.” This must become the ethos of every Kashmiri.
The description of the life and work of the changemakers of Kashmir was commendable. Kashmiris are embracing change and looking ahead to make a better world.
Sudarshan,
On email.
The cover photograph captured the crux of story and raised curiosity in readers.
The story was well researched and covered real progress made on the ground. It made me feel that the claims made by the government are genuine, and that Kashmir is in safe hands.
S.P. Ashta,
On email.
Press freedom
As Omar Abdullah said (‘Point blank’, September 17), no prime minister in recent decades has tried to control the news media as much as Narendra Modi. THE WEEK is perhaps one of the few publications in the country that have not bowed to pressure.
Press freedom is essential in a democratic society, and should be safeguarded at all costs.
Devika Singh,
On email.
Conserve ecological balance
Rahul Devulapalli has analysed the cosmopolitan nature of Hyderabad (‘Melting handi’, September 17), with people from all parts of the country and outside making the city their home and thereby contributing to its richness.
Hyderabad is rightly called the city of lakes, but there is a need to conserve the city’s ecological balance and protect its natural heritage.
M. Shanti Kumar,
On email.
India the favourites
India seems to be the favourites to win the ICC World Cup (‘Power plays, paradigm shifts’, September 17). The victory in Asia Cup will give them the confidence.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are a deadly combo, and I hope they don’t suffer injuries during the World Cup. I also like how Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill are shaping up. They are the perfect replacements for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the time to come.
Prahlad G.V.,
On email.
Perverted views
I take strong objection to your columnist Swara Bhasker equating the conditions of minorities in India with the condition of minorities in Afghanistan and Pakistan (‘Three countries, same story’, September 3). The column strikes a jarring note in your otherwise balanced magazine. Her views are perverted, highly biased and provocative.
Bhasker seems intent on furthering the divide between communities for reasons best known to her.
Sulata Shenoy,
On email.