Unemployment in Kashmir

Unemployment in Kashmir remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Thousands of educated youth are jobless, wandering between degrees and dreams, with no stable ground to stand on. But while we often blame politics, policies, or lack of opportunities, we rarely look inwards – at our own mindset – which silently holds us back.

One of the biggest barriers to economic progress in Kashmir is our suspicion toward outside investment. The moment an investor from another state or country expresses interest in starting an industry here, we raise red flags. “They’re here for our land,” we say. “They want to take what’s ours.” This fear, deeply rooted in our collective consciousness, stops us from seeing the bigger picture.

Ironically, it's not just foreign investors who are hesitant. Even local investors are reluctant to invest in Kashmir. Why? Because they too are afraid – afraid of instability, insecurity, and lack of peace. No one wants to build where things can fall apart overnight. Until and unless peace and normalcy are restored in the region, neither foreign nor local investment will come forward. This is the harsh reality we must accept.

But all is not lost. There is hope – and that hope lies in our youth. If the young generation of Kashmir decides to rise above fear and take initiative, they can become the architects of their own future. Startups, cooperatives, digital platforms, agriculture innovation, tourism ventures – the possibilities are endless. If the youth chooses, they can become their own support system.

Look at Bengaluru, Hyderabad, or even Dubai. In Dubai’s case, they welcomed global investors while ensuring locals were part of the growth. They maintained control, but not through fear – through smart policy and confidence. Today, Dubai is a hub of opportunities for both citizens and foreigners.

Kashmir can do the same. If we want jobs, we need industries. If we want industries, we need investment. And if we want investment, we must open our doors – not close our minds. Our educated youth deserve opportunities in IT, manufacturing, food processing, eco-tourism, and healthcare – but these sectors can only grow if we let them.

Land protection laws can be implemented wisely. Safeguards for local employment can be ensured. But rejecting investment out of fear will only deepen our crisis. The land will remain ours – but jobs must be created for our future.

It’s time we stop seeing every investor as a threat and start seeing them as a bridge to opportunity. Kashmir’s youth deserve a future built not on fear, but on ambition, growth, and courage.

Let us think big. Let us learn from Dubai. Let us restore peace, welcome development, and create a Kashmir where no educated young man or woman has to wait endlessly for a job – and where they can also create jobs for others.