Trust them, guide them and watch them bloom
There is something profoundly beautiful about the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. After working with them for over two decades, I often say, with complete honesty, that our young people are like a newly planted sapling placed in the most fertile soil of this country. Just like a gardener (Bhagwan for many), who lovingly shapes a plant and guides every branch towards the right direction, we too must shape our youth with patience, vision and care. A gardener sometimes uses grafting techniques to produce high-quality fruits; he selects the best stem, nurtures it carefully and ensures it receives the right balance of sunlight, water and protection. In the same way, our youth are like that precious tree, full of potential, waiting to be guided, strengthened, and refined. As teachers, mentors and elders, we must mould them with the same dedication and intention with which a gardener moulds his tree, so that tomorrow our society may taste the finest fruits of their talent, character and hard work.
Some people call our land Heaven on Earth, others lovingly call it Peer Waer. And yes, there will always be a few who choose to label us differently, often without understanding our deeper realities. But from where I stand, after training thousands of young boys and girls, I firmly believe one thing: the youth of this land deserve opportunities, exposure, guidance and recognition. They are not only dedicated and sincere, but their minds are fertile and their hearts innocent. Their intentions are pure, their dreams are honest and their potential is extraordinary. What they need from us is not sympathy or doubt, what they need is encouragement, motivation, mentorship, support and trust.
For more than twenty years, my professional life has revolved around the young generation of Kashmir. I have taught them, guided them, trained them, pushed them and at times, even learned from them. In the University of Kashmir, whether I was conducting life-skills workshops or engaging with students through cultural, literary, or leadership activities, one truth became clear: our youth want to rise. I have trained students in management, discipline, leadership, personality development and public speaking. I have worked to instill in them the core values of life, teamwork, sincerity, dedication, time management, empathy, and social responsibility. It has been a privilege to witness their transformation. Many times, I begin with hesitant, timid faces who doubt themselves. But given the right platform, they stand up as articulate, confident and self-assured young leaders. One of the most inspiring qualities I have consistently seen in our youth is their willingness to surrender their comfort. They accept challenges without hesitation. They work tirelessly when the purpose is meaningful. Ask them to travel for learning, they are ready. Ask them to compete globally, they are ready. All they need is direction, empowerment, confidence, a little morale-boosting and most importantly, our faith in them.
Formal education in colleges and universities has been a long-standing strength of our society. But today’s world demands more. Degrees are no longer the only measure of success; skills, competencies, exposure and confidence now play a defining role in shaping careers. This is why we must walk shoulder to shoulder with our youth. They must feel that their teachers, mentors, administrators and parents are not distant authorities, they are partners in their journey. We must inspire them to think beyond the limits of conventional opportunities. They must dream bigger, aim higher and stop restricting themselves to the familiar paths.
Our youth have the potential to qualify for the toughest examinations in the world if they receive the right training. They can lead teams internationally, build companies, innovate ideas and represent Kashmir on global platforms. But for this to happen, we need to invest our time in them, not just money. We must encourage them, not discourage them. We must go beyond classroom teaching. We must protect them from the “touch world”, from the addiction to mobile screens and reels that reduce focus and weaken ambition. We must cultivate discipline, curiosity and purpose. Young people should feel that they are guided, valued and trusted. When they sense this, they flourish.
A recent experience reaffirmed my belief in the immense potential of our youth, the 17th National Youth Parliament Competition held at the University of Kashmir on 14 November 2025. Organised by the Department of Students’ Welfare under the aegis of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Parliament House, New Delhi, it was a day that brought remarkable pride to the entire academic community. Inside the Convocation Complex, one could feel the energy, the seriousness, and the maturity of our young parliamentarians. They engaged in Question Hour, Zero Hour, Calling Attention Motions, and Legislative Business with clarity, confidence, and responsibility. These were not ordinary students, they were young leaders demonstrating informed thinking and articulate reasoning.
I had the privilege of training them personally, teaching them parliamentary procedures, sharpening their debating skills, instilling leadership qualities and guiding them through the rigorous levels of preparation. The training was research-based, skill-oriented, collaborative, and transformative. Many of them began their journey quietly, unsure of themselves. They emerged as strong, expressive and disciplined individuals capable of holding their ground on any platform.
The Youth Parliament was a reflection of what our youth can achieve when mentored with the right strategy.
What makes the youth of J&K exceptional Over the years, I have observed qualities in our youth that set them apart. They possess rare emotional depth and sensitivity. They balance strength with humility. They learn quickly and adapt effortlessly. They value relationships, trust and sincerity. And they carry a natural resilience shaped by the environment they grow in. Their dreams are pure. Their ambitions are rooted in dignity and purpose, not just material success. This is why they require care, affection, love and encouragement. When given a positive atmosphere, they grow in ways that surprise even themselves.
The responsibility for shaping our youth does not lie only with teachers or institutions. It lies with all of us, parents, elders, policymakers, professionals, and every responsible citizen. Let us, Empower them, they will empower generations ahead. Engage them in meaningful pursuits, they will create miracles for society. Encourage them and they will rise higher than our expectations. Jammu & Kashmir is blessed with one of the youngest and most vibrant populations. While many regions across the world are struggling with aging societies, we have a treasure, youth who are intelligent, energetic, sharp, and full of life. Instead of tagging them, we should uplift them. Instead of doubting them, we should trust them. Instead of criticizing them, we should guide them. Our youth are not a challenge, they are our biggest opportunity.
As we look ahead, it becomes clear that if we want our youth to rise to their full potential, we must collectively focus on creating an environment that nurtures their abilities and enlarges their horizons. Skill-based education must take centre stage, where communication, leadership, digital literacy, problem-solving and teamwork become essential components of learning. Alongside this, our young people need national and global exposure through internships, competitions, exchange programmes and field experiences that broaden their understanding of the world. They require compassionate mentorship, guidance rooted in patience, humanity and understanding, so that they feel supported rather than judged. Most importantly, we must empower them to dream big and to believe that global opportunities are not distant, inaccessible possibilities, but well within their reach. At the same time, we must safeguard their mental space and help them navigate the distractions and emotional pressures of the digital age. After dedicating the finest years of my life to the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, I can say with complete conviction that they do not need miracles, they themselves are the miracle. All they need is a hand to support them, a voice to encourage them, a direction to follow and a belief that they matter. The day we invest our time, trust and hope in them, J&K will not only rise but will shine in a way the world has never seen before. Let us stand with our youth, guide them with love and allow them to fly, because when the youth of Kashmir rise, an entire generation rises with them.
Dr. Shahid Ali Khan is an academician, researcher and presently serves as the Cultural Officer at the University of Kashmir.
