Hyder Ali
As someone from the plains of India, posted to the serene yet challenging terrains of North Kashmir for almost three years now, I have witnessed the valley’s rhythms up close. The summers buzz with tourism and activity, but winters paint a starkly different picture. Snow-capped peaks blanket the region in isolation, schools shut down for months, and the youth—vibrant and full of potential—find themselves with endless free time. Yet, this gift of leisure often morphs into a trap, with mobile phones emerging as the unchallenged overlords of their days.
In my interactions across Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts, I’ve seen it repeatedly: young boys and girls huddled indoors, scrolling through social media reels, gaming apps, and endless streams of short-form content. What begins as harmless entertainment spirals into hours lost, fostering addiction, mental fatigue, and a disconnect from real-world growth. Studies from across India echo this—excessive screen time correlates with rising anxiety, poor sleep, and diminished focus among adolescents. Here in North Kashmir, where winters already limit outdoor mobility, this digital immersion risks stunting an entire generation’s aspirations at a time when the Union Territory is poised for unprecedented development.
The irony stings. These are the same youth who, come spring, demonstrate remarkable resilience—helping families, engaging in community work, or pursuing studies with renewed vigor. But winter’s idleness, unchecked, breeds complacency. As someone who’s coordinated youth programs and interacted with hundreds of families, I’ve heard parents lament the “phone zombies” their children have become. It’s not just a parental gripe; it’s a systemic concern. With unemployment challenges lingering in the region, squandering prime formative years on virtual worlds undermines the very demographic dividend Kashmir needs.
Yet, hope lies in transformation. This free time isn’t a curse—it’s an opportunity. By channeling it productively, we can equip our youth not just for survival, but for leadership in a competitive world. Here are practical, actionable solutions, drawn from local realities and successful models elsewhere:
– *Embrace Reading as a Winter Ritual*: Libraries, though sparse in remote areas, can be revitalized. Suggest community reading circles in mosques, schools, or panchayat halls, stocked with affordable Hindi, Urdu, and English books on history, science, and Kashmiri literature. Imagine youth devouring biographies of Abdul Kalam or stories from Ruskin Bond—sparking curiosity that screens never can. Start small: 30 minutes daily, tracked via simple journals.
– *Gear Up for Competitive Exams*: Winters are ideal for UPSC, J&K PSC, or NEET preparation. Free online resources like Unacademy or BYJU’S offline modes work even in low-connectivity areas. Local coaching hubs in Sopore or Handwara could run winter crash courses. I’ve seen motivated groups form study circles; formalizing them with mentorship from retired officers could yield toppers who inspire their peers.
– *Pursue Extracurricular Skills*: Enroll in short courses on languages (English fluency via Duolingo or local classes), basic computing (coding via free platforms like Code.org), or digital skills (graphic design for tourism promotions). Tie-ups with NIIT or local ITIs can bring certified programs to villages. These aren’t luxuries—they’re employability boosters in a digital economy.
– *Revive Sports and Physical Pursuits*: Indoor sports like table tennis, chess, or yoga can thrive despite snow. Outdoor rinks for ice hockey in Sonamarg or community snow football leagues build teamwork and fitness. The Youth Services Department could sponsor kits and tournaments, channeling energy into medals rather than memes.
Implementing these requires a multi-stakeholder push. Elderlies from every village must lead with “Winter Productivity Drives”—awareness camps in January. Parents play a pivotal role: set “no-phone zones” post-8 PM and lead by example. Schools can assign winter projects with incentives, while NGOs like Pratham extend their reach here.
In my three years, I’ve seen Kashmir’s youth rise to occasions—be it during floods or elections. This winter, let’s turn idleness into ignition. A phone-addicted generation drifts aimlessly; a skilled, reading, competing one soars. North Kashmir deserves no less. The snow will melt, but the habits we build now will endure.
Jai Hind
