Peace in Kashmir enables cultural revival: Retd GOC of 15 Corps

Srinagar, Dec 07: Retired General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 15 Corps, D.P. Panday, hailed the return of peace in Kashmir over the past five to six years, attributing it to the region’s ability to host events like the first-ever Kashmir Literature Festival.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir on the sidelines of the two-day festival at SKICC in Srinagar, Panday expressed his happiness about the event.
“The Kashmir Literature Festival being organised for the first time here is a matter of great pride and joy,” he said, commending the organisers for their efforts to bring literature and culture to the forefront.
He emphasised the importance of such initiatives in fostering dialogue and engaging a diverse audience.
Reflecting on the region’s transformation, he highlighted the significant decline in terrorist recruitment over the past five to six years, calling it a major achievement. “The local youth choosing not to take up arms is a positive step towards sustained peace,” he said.
Panday recalled the challenging times of frequent shutdowns driven by protest calendars, which disrupted daily life. “Schools, colleges, shops, and offices were regularly closed, impacting children’s education, small businesses, and economic activities,” he said, adding that the disruptions created hardships for the common people while financially benefiting those orchestrating them.
However, he remarked that those turbulent times are now behind Kashmir. “With peace being restored, normalcy has returned to the region, comparable to other parts of India and even foreign countries,” he said.
He stressed the role of civil society in sustaining this progress. “The Government of India will support every initiative, but the onus is on civil society to embrace education and knowledge while rejecting negative forces attempting to disturb the peace,” Panday stated.
He concluded with an appeal to nurture the positive developments. “I would like to hope that you hold it like your children, nurture it, and help it mature so that future generations can grow in a conflict-free environment.”