Kashmir: The Economics of Azadi

We reported a less explored aspect of the Kashmir debate; the search for economic autonomy, and it opened up a new visual landscape.

Separatists leaders, like Yasin Malik of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, at his office in Maisooma, Srinagar. He realizes the impact of strikes on the common man but argues that the Kashmir movement is not about economy.
One of the biggest drains on the State's exchequer is the transmission and distribution loss pegged at a phenomenal 65%, almost double the national average. Around 40% of this figure is attributed to power theft.
Otherwise in the news for militancy and as the hometown of Hurriyat leader, Syed Shah Geelani, Sopore is also famous for its Apple mandi, the 2nd largest in Asia and in dire need of modernization.

These waters could very well hold the key to J&K's power shortage. J&K has a potential of 20,000MW hydel power production capacity.
The 330MW Kishanganga Power Plant is the latest one by National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC). The company makes a Rs. 900 crore profit from J&K. There is, however, a growing clamor to get back power projects run by NHPC to the State.
Young entrepreneurs like Khurram Shafi, at his cold storage unit in Pulwama, are contributing to the Valley's changing economic landscape. Shafi strikes a good balance between his business interest and benefitting local farmers.

Shariq Farooqui, Director at the Crafts Development Institute (CDI) in Srinagar. Here Kashmir's traditional Pinjara work is re-modeled to modern tastes.
At the Srinagar Police Lines, boys from downtown areas, who have been recruited in a massive drive, under-going a medical check.
This is a clear bid by the Police force to try and neutralize the anger on the streets.

Friday prayers at Srinagar's Jama Masjid: The post-prayer unrest has not flared up, so far, a window to revive the state's bruised economy. Economic solutions need not wait for political ones.