As soon as we hear the name Kashmir, the picture of a beautiful landscape appears in our mind, but at the same time the fear also comes to our mind that terrorism is still present here. However, in the past years, especially after the removal of Article 370, the army personnel have taken major action against the terrorists. It has broken the back of terrorism.
In such a situation, there has been a continuous increase in the number of tourists here. The year 2023 is about to end. Today, we will tell you through this article how the year 2023 was fruitful and progressive for Jammu and Kashmir.
The most special event for Jammu and Kashmir this year was the G20 Summit which was organized in Srinagar. This was the first major international event after the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was abolished in 2019. The event witnessed the participation of G20 member countries, invited countries, international organizations and industry stakeholders.
The foreign guests enjoyed the summit as well as the valleys of Kashmir. It was discussed in the country as well as abroad. After this conference, a good trend was seen from a tourism point of view. Now not only Indians but also foreign tourists want to come here. The objectives of the meeting were to strengthen economic growth, preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable development of the region.
This year the number of tourists coming to the Union Territory was double compared to last year. Last year, 1.88 crore tourists (Jammu Kashmir Tourism) had reached Jammu and Kashmir and this time the number is estimated to cross 2.5 crore. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also said that about 2 crore tourists came to Kashmir this year, which indicates better security situation in the valley.
If we talk about the first six years, 1.27 crore tourists reached Jammu and Kashmir. Of these, 16 thousand are foreign tourists. Not only house boats, home stays, suites available on rent for Rs 40 to 80 thousand in big hotels of Srinagar are also already booked.
In the months of May-June, the situation became such that there was a shortage of rooms for tourists. Not only in Kashmir Valley but also in Basohli, Bhaderwah, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Patnitop, Sarthal, Rajouri-Poonch of Jammu division, the arrival of tourists has increased faster than before.
With the increase in the number of tourists, the business of local handi craftsmen and artisans has also increased. People say that after the removal of Article 370, a new dawn has dawned in Jammu and Kashmir. Tourism is back on track here.
After three decades of ban with slogans of ‘Ya Hussain’, the day of 27th July 2023 was recorded historically in Srinagar, as Muharram procession was taken out at Gurubazar dalgate on this day. After three decades of ban, a Muharram procession was taken out, beating chests and remembering Hazrat Imam Hussain, amid cheers and applause for Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
It is noteworthy that Muharram processions were banned in 1988. Eight Muharram processions have been taken out through the traditional route along Srinagar’s Guru Bazaar and Lal Chowk. Hundreds of people participated in the procession taken out by the Shia community.
The Supreme Court upheld the Centre’s decision to remove Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. During the hearing, the Central Government, while presenting its stand in the Supreme Court, had said that after the removal of Article 370 in the year 2019, tremendous progress and security has been seen in Jammu and Kashmir. There has been a huge reduction in the incidents of stone pelting in the valley.
In the year 2018, 1767 cases of stone pelting were reported, which will become zero in 2023. It was related to terrorist and separatist agendas. The Center told the SC that in the last 4 years, a big change has been seen in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. There has been continuous improvement in development activities, administration and security matters here. It has had a positive impact on the people there.
The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved since the removal of Article 370 in August 2019. According to a report, there has been a significant reduction in the number of terrorism related incidents and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. The report said that terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 were 417. Which decreased to 229 in 2021. Whereas the number of terrorists active in Kashmir has reduced to less than 100.
So far this year, around 125 people have died in terrorist violence across the state. Out of which around 65 are terrorists only. At the same time, there are two areas of Kashmir where 40 percent incidents of terrorist attacks were seen and these are Rajouri-Poonch areas adjacent to the Line of Control. Recently terrorists attacked army vehicles in Poonch-Rajouri. In which four soldiers were killed.
Ever since Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha implemented the ‘Film Policy 2021’ in Jammu and Kashmir. Since then it has been like a dream come true for the people associated with art there. Keeping in mind the Jammu and Kashmir Film Policy, applications for registration of dancers, fashion designers, actors, choreographers, cinematographers, sound recordists, set designers and other talented artists have started.
Therefore, overall Jammu and Kashmir is on the right path to become safe and prosperous in the times to come and the next year will be just another step in that direction.
