Ravi Nitesh
Civil Societies are always an integral part of development. These societies work towards development with or without government help and thus directly or indirectly fulfill the duties of government (that is towards development and welfare) without participating in direct representation of government. That is why sometimes they are also called non-governmental organizations.
The epitome of every human activity is happiness which comes from development. Every society needs development. This development may be of any type: economical, social, cultural, intellectual, spiritual etc. It needs participation from the side of public and government, and CSOs may bring fruitful results by acting as a coordination point between both. It is true that government alone can't do all the things. Government can't deploy manpower for all the work because of financial implications and other factors. Thus government joins hands with CSOs in policy making and its implementation. CSOs denote the general public participation and grips over the root level of cause and solutions.
Now, in Kashmir, there are several factors which are directly related to development and welfare. These are unstable peace, environmental factors, affect on culture and tradition, education and poverty. One can easily see the poor who are living in unhygienic situations, whose children are not going to schools and who are affected with malnutrition. One can see the increase of unplanned architecture which is deforming environmental balance, increasing numbers of vehicles, use of polythenes, sanitation at all levels; these are the few facts which may become a big barrier for any development.
On the political front, there are several political groups who used to organize idyllic and violent movements and they send their voice to the world. Unfortunately CSOs never show this kind of initiative. Apart from hearing sporadic initiatives, CSOs have been very quiet on the front of developmental dialogues. CSOs can raise their voice in support of peace by establishing a political dialogue of development. Media also should encourage these voices who are working for welfare and development. General public support will definitely be there because these organizations will be free from any political alignment rather than these organizations will talk about development through different ways, which will be a common and most necessary thing for the region. Government should also encourage the social activists and CSOs because in the present situation, valley really needs it. These activities may create an environment where all will feel free and dignified. People will understand their values of being a human and they will be concerned over their development rather than being pulled in politics of conflict.
There will be no antagonist of development. No political thought discourages human values and humanism, hence there is no reason that the initiatives of any individual/ organization/ government will be denied by different types of groups. It has to be accepted that human values are superior to anything else and hence development should be a primary issue. There is a need of initiatives from all sides for establishing and encouraging these welfare groups, who can bring a change. Please be united for peace and development, Kashmir is calling all of you. Lets start for a Kashmir of your dream.
(Published in Rising Kashmir dated 25 Mrch 2011. link is http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/role-of-csos-in-kashmir-7695.aspx)
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