Gender Gap Widening: A National Alarm, Not Just a Statistic

By Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer

Equality between genders is a myth in India. We may showcase ourselves as Female tolerant country but the truth is Gap is widening on every passing day. Men In India are becoming more intolerant against women and women is India is fighting for her rights and existence. A country where Women is worshipped in the name of Durga and Sita same country does not treat females at par with men.

India’s consistent decline in the Global Gender Gap Index should be a matter of national concern. In the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, India was ranked 131st out of 148 countries—slipping two positions from the previous year. This drop does not merely indicate a statistical decline but highlights the persistent structural and cultural barriers that women in India continue to face. In a world slowly inching towards gender parity, India’s regression underscores deeper systemic failures.

The Gender Gap Index evaluates countries across four crucial pillars: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. India’s overall score stands at 64.1%, falling short of the global average of 68.5%. Worryingly, within South Asia, India trails behind nations like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan—countries with fewer economic resources but stronger commitments to gender equity.

Economic Inequality: A Stubborn Divide

Despite some movement in women’s economic involvement, India’s female labour force participation remains low at 45.9%. Women continue to be overrepresented in undervalued sectors like caregiving, education, and health—often receiving significantly lower pay than men for similar work. The persistent gender wage gap—ranging from 20–30%—shows no sign of narrowing.

Crucially, unpaid domestic work done predominantly by women remains invisible in economic data. This unaccounted labour forms the backbone of India’s informal economy but is still not recognized in the country’s GDP. Such oversight perpetuates the idea that women’s work is secondary, both economically and socially.

Education: Access Isn’t the Same as Equity

India has made considerable progress in primary education, but secondary and higher education remain challenging for many girls, especially those from rural or marginalised communities. The female literacy rate stands at approximately 70%, well below the global average of 87%.

Participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields remains abysmally low among women. Girls continue to drop out due to societal pressures, early marriage, lack of sanitation facilities in schools, and conservative family mindsets. The education system, while expanded, has not adequately addressed these gender-specific barriers.

Health and Survival: Deep Disparities Persist

India’s ranking in health and survival continues to be a point of concern. The sex ratio at birth is approximately 929 girls per 1,000 boys—a glaring indicator of societal preference for sons. This is not merely a demographic imbalance but reflects gender-biased practices such as sex-selective abortions and neglect of girl children.

Rural women face heightened risks due to malnutrition, maternal health complications, and inadequate access to healthcare. Anemia is still prevalent among adolescent girls and pregnant women, while lack of awareness and accessibility to reproductive health services widens the health gap.

Within families, women’s health is often deprioritized, with nutrition and care commonly directed toward male members. These disparities are less about medical infrastructure and more about ingrained social values.

Political Participation: Promise Without Practice

While women’s political participation has grown marginally over the decades, it remains insufficient. Currently, women hold only 13.8% of seats in Parliament, and a mere 5.6% of Cabinet positions. This, despite the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2023, which aims to reserve one-third of legislative seats for women. Unfortunately, its implementation remains stalled due to delays in the census and constituency reorganization.

The disconnect between policy formulation and execution is evident. Without political resolve and urgency, such reforms remain symbolic rather than transformational.

Lessons from Neighbours

Countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, despite their own economic limitations, have managed to make significant strides toward gender parity. Bangladesh, through investments in female education and microfinance, has empowered rural women and improved their socio-economic status. Nepal’s constitution mandates women’s participation in local governance, setting a strong precedent in inclusive policymaking. These examples demonstrate that political will, not just financial resources, determines progress. India must adopt similar targeted strategies with a firm commitment to results.

The Economic Case for Gender Equality

Gender parity is not only a human rights issue but an economic imperative. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, bridging the gender gap in India could add $700 billion to the country’s GDP by 2025. A more inclusive workforce leads to stronger economic outcomes and enhances productivity and innovation.

Moreover, gender-inclusive policies in education, health, and governance contribute to more stable and resilient societies. Ensuring women’s equal participation isn’t just morally right—it’s strategically smart.

The Way Forward: From Plans to Practice

India’s development narrative will remain incomplete until it embraces gender equality as a core principle. The following steps are vital:

Prioritise the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill by expediting the census and constituency delimitation. Recognise unpaid domestic labour in national statistics and offer social protections like pensions and health insurance to homemakers. Create safe, inclusive, and flexible workplaces, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, to boost female employment. Ensure women’s representation on company boards and in leadership positions across sectors.

Launch mentorship programs for women in technology, science, politics, and business to nurture future leaders. Bridge the digital gender divide by providing affordable devices and internet access along with digital literacy training at grassroots levels. Mandate the collection of gender-disaggregated data in all government schemes to assess progress and guide policy.

Conclusion: A National Priority

India’s slide in gender rankings is not just an international embarrassment; it is a national crisis. The statistics reveal a reality where half the population remains marginalized from the country’s progress. Without equal access and opportunity for women, the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ or developed India will remain aspirational.

The tools for change—laws, policies, and frameworks—already exist. What’s urgently needed is the courage to act. Only when women are equally represented, respected, and rewarded will India truly advance as a just, inclusive, and prosperous nation.

Kashmir in Climate Crossroads: Between Paradise and a Hot Hell

Musaib Bilal

Climate describes the typical weather of an area over many years, usually 30 years or more. It includes temperature, humidity, precipitation, and seasonal patterns, and gives us a sense of what to anticipate in an area. In contrast to the day-to-day changes in weather, climate is long-term and stable. Climate determines our seasons, farming, water cycles, and lifestyle.

As climate starts to alter, it disturbs such long-settled patterns. A couple of degrees of increase in average temperature or change in the pattern of rainfall can give rise to a series of environmental, economic, and social impacts. Climate change can cause increased heatwaves, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and melting ice caps, all of which can destabilize ecosystems, agriculture, and human habitats.

Climate may vary because of natural causes like volcanic activities, fluctuations in solar radiation, and ocean currents. Human activity has overtaken the natural causes in the last few decades. Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, industrial processes, and industrial-scale agriculture have elevated greenhouse gas concentrations, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). These gases strengthen the greenhouse effect, increasing the amount of heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and hastening global warming.

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that warms the Earth to a habitable temperature. The sun’s rays penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere, are absorbed by the surface, and radiate back as heat. Greenhouse gases capture some of this heat in the same way that glass in a greenhouse retains heat. Though necessary in balance, human presence has strengthened this effect, resulting in a warmer Earth and increased global temperatures.

Kashmir has been famous for its moderate and elegantly balanced climate for centuries. The valley was blessed with four clearly defined seasons: winter snows, colorful springs, mild summers, and golden autumns. Winters were marked by snowfall essential for water storage and cultivation, spring brought almond blossoms and greenery to life, summers were temperate relative to mainland India and did not go over 30°C, and autumns, which are referred to as harud locally, marked the harvest season amidst scattered chinar leaves. This regular cycle determined Kashmir’s ecological pattern, tourism seasonality, and farming schedule.

In recent decades, Kashmir has seen disturbing shifts in climate. Temperatures have increased on average by around 1.45°C during the last century, with the majority of warming taking place in recent decades. Winters are shorter, snowfall has decreased, and summers have intensified and become drier. Glaciers are melting at a rate that is nothing short of alarming, with some estimates suggesting as much as 0.5 meters annually. Spring comes earlier than usual, and rainfall is becoming spasmodic, leading to flash floods one day and weeks of unending dryness the next. The apple belt of the region is creeping up in altitude, while traditional crops such as saffron are being plagued by unpredictable weather.

The increase in temperature in Kashmir is closely associated with the strengthening of the greenhouse effect. As greenhouse gases build up in the atmosphere as a result of regional and global emissions, they retain more heat, disrupting the natural climate pattern of the valley. This has resulted in glacier retreat, changing snowfall patterns, and enhanced evaporation from water reservoirs. The warming is also shifting the timing and intensity of seasons, exposing the region to floods, droughts, and crop failure.

Though modernisation and globalisation have initiated development and connectivity to Kashmir, they have also played an important role in environmental degradation. Deforestation, rapid urbanisation, widening of roads, and uncontrolled building have decreased green cover and interrupted ecosystems. The usage of fossil fuels in transportation and energy, along with rising plastic waste and pollution, has added to the ecological imbalance of the region. Wetlands and lakes are encroached, and agricultural land is used to create concrete buildings, cutting down forests and the ability of land to hold water and regulate temperature.

Consequences of increasing temperature in Kashmir are many and interconnected. Glaciers, which replenish the rivers of the region, are melting, posing a risk to water availability in the long run. Lakes such as Dal and Wular are decreasing in size because of evaporation and encroachment. The decline in snowfall averts ancient water systems and farming, especially for temperature-dependent crops such as saffron and apples. Increased temperature also enhances the likelihood of forest fires and the outbreak of diseases such as dengue, which were previously a rarity in Kashmir’s chilly climate. Not only do these changes impact the environment but also have profound economic and social implications.

Kashmir’s natural climate has been a tourist hotpot, drawing people for snow in winter, tulip flowers in spring, and summer cool-offs. Tourism is an important sector of the economy, providing livelihood for thousands of people—from the owners of shikaras to hotel owners. Climate change, however, threatens this industry. Lower snowfall affects winter tourism and skiing activities in areas such as Gulmarg. Warmer summers and erratic weather deter travel. Flash floods and landslides are safety hazards. When tourist trends change, the local economy becomes insecure.

The idea that development requires sacrificing nature and heritage is a weak one. Rome, Prague, and many areas of Germany have proved that cities can be modernized without losing cultural and ecological integrity. Kashmir can also forge a different path. By putting money into sustainable infrastructure, curbing urban sprawl, encouraging eco-tourism, and conserving traditional architecture, Kashmir can develop responsibly. Growth here should be gentle, not violent; based on long-term strength, not short-term greed. The valley shouldn’t try to imitate concrete metropolises—it can pioneer as an example of friendly growth.

Kashmir is at a climate crossroads. It can either permit unregulated growth and increased temperatures to wipe its natural and cultural identity, or take action now to safeguard its heritage for the future. Global warming is not some future danger—it is already changing life in the valley day by day. The way forward needs consciousness, policy reform, community engagement, and a commitment to green development. With the proper vision, Kashmir can remain the paradise that it has forever remained—not merely in poetry or memory, but in reality.

The writer is an author, speaker and a Mental Health advocate currently pursuing bachelor’s in chemistry at Amar Singh College. Can be contacted at musaibilal.216061@gmail.com

Missiles & Manners: China’s Peace Lecture While Shipping Warheads

By Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer

The wars fought in Last 100 years were of different nature, the guns will blaze and soldiers will fall like pack of cards. The causality was human lives and destruction of infrastructure was not of that quantum. India and Pakistan have always chosen partners not politically motivated, but as per need based. India sided with USSR and Pakistan did join with China since its existence. India has always added new allies by having excellent foreign policies since 2000, who have acknowledged India being the 4^th power in the world and dominated in ASIAN BELT for long time. USA also acknowledged the supremacy of India at various events of international importance. On other side Pakistan had no option but to remain with China to survive as their Army has been always responsible to create instability for their personal Gains. During the times of Bhutto, Pakistan tried best to create a Muslim Front with People or countries have common goal and Mind set. This was not well received by USA and we witnessed elimination of Muslim leaders like Saddam, Gaddafi and Bhutto himself.

A twist of geopolitical theatre worthy of a tragicomedy, China, the global superpower that enjoys thundering around the South China Sea and baring its fangs at Taiwan, has taken up a new role: peace ambassador in South Asia. After India launched precise airstrikes on May 7 under “Operation Sindoor,” targeting nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam tourist attack, Beijing decided to break its usual silence.

Lin Jian, the foreign ministry spokesperson of China, draped in the usual diplomatic jargon, labelled India’s strikes as “regrettable.” Suddenly, the dragon that snarls over island disputes began preaching yoga-level calmness and restraint to India and Pakistan. The irony? China happens to be the principal arms supplier to Pakistan. If restraint were ammunition, Beijing would be fresh out of stock.

To understand China’s sudden transformation from military muscleman to monk, one needs to revisit its ever-blossoming friendship with Pakistan. For decades, China has handed over more than $20 billion in advanced weapons to Pakistan, from JF-17 fighter jets to state-of-the-art drones, satellite surveillance systems to PL-15A beyond-visual-range missiles. In fact, over 80% of China’s global arms exports are wrapped, boxed, and labelled “For Pakistan.”

So, the country calling for peace is also the one helping Islamabad point bigger, shinier guns at New Delhi. That’s not diplomacy; that’s supplying kerosene and then lecturing on fire safety.

And it doesn’t stop with hardware. China has aided Pakistan’s missile development, generously extending its range to cover all of India. One could say Beijing’s contribution to regional stability is like handing a toddler a chainsaw and hoping he learns to garden.

Let’s add another layer to this absurdity. Back in July 2021, when nine Chinese engineers were killed by terrorists in Pakistan’s Dasu hydro project, the Chinese state media — including their favourite mouthpiece, Global Times — screamed for missile strikes inside Pakistan. Peace and dialogue? Apparently, those are only for India.

This time, the same Global Times claimed India’s May 7 operation killed 26 civilians and injured 46 others. They even conjured up a tale of three Indian jets being shot down, prompting the Indian Embassy in Beijing to send a “fact-check” note, diplomatically telling the Chinese tabloid to stop binge-watching military fiction.

Meanwhile, on the international stage, China has been Pakistan’s loyal diplomatic bouncer. At the United Nations Security Council’s 1267 committee on counter-terrorism, Beijing has repeatedly used its veto muscle to shield Pakistan-based terrorists from international censure. The recent Pahalgam attack? China made sure the resolution read more like a mild reprimand than a strong condemnation.

All this mollycoddling isn’t born out of brotherly love. It’s business. It’s real estate. It’s logistics. It’s the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $62 billion artery of roads, railways, and pipelines slicing through Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK — territories India rightfully claims. Since the 1963 border agreement where Pakistan gifted portions of PoK to China, the latter has been building its influence inch by strategic inch.

China’s infrastructural invasion is guarded by an entire division of Pakistan’s military whose full-time job is not fighting terror but protecting Chinese-funded highways, hydro projects, and whatnot. Sovereignty violations? Apparently, Beijing calls those “development opportunities.”

Back in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wasn’t buying any of it. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Qingdao, he firmly called CPEC a blatant breach of India’s sovereignty. Fast forward to 2025, and India’s surgical retaliation is a thunderous reminder that New Delhi will not sit back while Beijing plays geopolitical puppeteer with Pakistan.

But China wants it both ways: play the benefactor in Islamabad, the peacemaker in New York, and the regional hegemon in Asia. It’s a curious diplomatic yoga pose: one leg on military escalation, the other on strategic restraint.

India, however, has read the dragon’s playbook. It knows that a nation that weaponizes foreign policy can’t also claim to be the torchbearer of peace. Not when it blocks UN sanctions against terror groups on one hand and signs billion-dollar arms deals with their sponsors on the other.

And now, as India takes a firm stance against terrorism with its airstrikes, the same China that wants to establish police stations across Pakistan to protect its own engineers is urging everyone else to “calm down.” Maybe Beijing should send those messages to itself before posting them on state-run news tickers.

I would like to mention her China does not help Pakistan out of love, but for an agenda where they want to grab territory of India in North East and Jammu Kashmir. He is helping enemy of the neighbouring country.

So, next time you hear Beijing say, “We urge both sides to de-escalate,” remember — this is coming from the same country that fuels one side, with the problem, blocks the solution, and still wants applause for being neutral.

Because nothing says “peacemaker” quite like a crate of drones and a side of double standards.

Turkish Apple Boycott Sparks New Growth for Kashmir’s Orchardists

By: Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer

Jammu and Kashmir has seen many situations, where business like Tourism, Handicrafts and Horticulture have suffered, due to political situations, natural calamities and lack of Infrastructure like Cold storages and Transport facilities. Apple growers have faced price challenges against Iran, American and Domestic products.

A growing boycott of Turkish apples across India is being welcomed as a long-awaited lifeline by Kashmiri apple growers, who have endured years of falling profits due to foreign competition. Driven by geopolitical tensions and recent diplomatic strains between India and Turkey, the shift in trade dynamics is now offering renewed hope for the Valley’s struggling horticulture sector.

This surge of optimism follows India’s military campaign, “Operation Sindoor,” after which Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan prompted widespread backlash. In response, fruit traders in several key agricultural markets have begun rejecting Turkish apples — a move now creating space for domestic producers to reassert their dominance in Indian markets.

Revival Amidst Crisis

‘’This might be the turning point we’ve been waiting for,” said Bashir Ahmad Basheer, President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Union. “The influx of cheaper Turkish apples had severely dented our earnings. If a ban or strong restrictions are put in place, we could finally regain lost ground.”

Kashmir accounts for nearly 70% of India’s total apple production, yielding about 1.5 million metric tons annually. Despite this substantial output, local growers have faced steep challenges in recent years. Apple imports from countries like Turkey, particularly varieties such as Delicious and Red Gala that mirror Kashmir’s own offerings, have flooded Indian markets and sold at lower prices, undercutting Kashmiri farmers.

As competition increased, many orchardists saw their income shrink. Skyrocketing input costs including labour, fertilizers, and transport — have further worsened the situation, especially for small and medium-scale growers. Some families even considered abandoning the trade altogether.

Iranian Apples: The Bigger Threat?

While Turkish imports have been the immediate focus of the boycott, local horticulturists emphasize that another player looms even larger: Iranian apples.

“Iranian apples pose the greatest threat to our market,” Basheer added. “They enter India in huge quantities, often through indirect routes, and are priced 15-20% lower than our produce. We’re urging the government to impose a protective import duty on these apples to give Indian growers a fighting chance.”

Growers across Kashmir argue that unless both Turkish and Iranian imports are regulated, local cultivation will continue to suffer. Many believe that the current geopolitical moment should be leveraged to build long-term policies that protect India’s horticulture sector from market flooding and price suppression.

Economic Ripple Effect

Agricultural experts note that any improvement in the apple sector would directly impact Kashmir’s economy, which relies heavily on horticulture. With around 700,000 families in the region involved in apple farming, even modest improvements in pricing can create widespread socio-economic benefits.

“Apple growing is more than just a livelihood here — it’s the backbone of our rural economy,” said a senior agricultural economist based in Srinagar. “Half the population in the Valley is connected to this industry in some way. An upswing in domestic demand and pricing would be transformative.”

Early indications suggest this could be the best harvest in recent years. Weather conditions in spring have been ideal for fruit development, and growers are expecting a bumper crop. If Indian markets continue distancing themselves from Turkish produce, local farmers may be ideally placed to step in and fill the supply gap.

Himachal Pradesh Joins Forces

It isn’t only Kashmiri growers who are demanding action. Apple cultivators from Himachal Pradesh — another major apple-producing state — have also raised the alarm over Turkish imports. In a recent meeting with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, representatives of the Himalayan Apple Growers Society submitted a memorandum requesting an immediate ban on Turkish apples. The delegation emphasized that Turkish apples, subsidized by their government, were severely disrupting India’s domestic apple economy. They also raised security concerns, citing Turkey’s military ties with Pakistan.

“Importing goods from a country that supports our adversaries’ compromises both our economy and national interests,” the memorandum stated. “We must prioritize our own farmers and strategic autonomy.”

The Himachal growers stressed that apple cultivation supports millions across the Himalayan belt, and that the current situation is threatening their very survival.

Future at the Crossroads

Despite growing optimism, experts caution that the current momentum may not last unless it is institutionalized through policy. While market boycotts are effective in the short term, lasting change will require structured reforms, including import duties, tighter customs monitoring, and government incentives for local horticulture.

“There’s a real opportunity here,” said the economist. “But it has to be seized with clear policy actions, not just emotion-driven boycotts. Otherwise, the same problems will resurface the moment the public attention wanes.”

Farmers and trade unions are now looking toward the Centre, hopeful that the government will take concrete steps to protect India’s apple industry. They are also calling for support in marketing, cold storage infrastructure, and export facilitation to make Indian apples more competitive globally.

A Glimpse of Recovery

For now, Kashmir’s orchards are alive with cautious optimism. In villages across the Valley, apple growers are preparing for the coming harvest with renewed enthusiasm. They hope that a combination of favourable weather, reduced imports, and rising domestic demand will offer a new lease of life to their age-old tradition.

It is very important that Government provide sufficient support in terms of Technology, financial assistance, latest methods to improve production, packaging and Marketing for the Apple Growers, so that revival becomes eminent and prosperity returns to Apple growing districts.

While the future remains uncertain, the boycott of Turkish apples has undeniably shifted the mood — from despair to possibility. Whether this marks a temporary reprieve or the beginning of long-term reform depends on what happens next in Delhi’s corridors of power.

JEE Broke Me: The Dark Side of India’s Coaching Culture”

Musaib Bilal

SUBHEADLINE: How the relentless pressure of competitive exams is pushing students to the brink—and why we need to talk about it.

Ahmad’s Story: Dreams Crushed Under the Weight of JEE

Today I want to tell a story of an everyday guy from India let’s call him Ahmad, Ahmad  was just 17 when he enrolled at Hikers Coaching Institute in Srinagar, dreaming of cracking the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and securing a seat at an IIT. But within months, his enthusiasm turned into dread.

“Every day felt like a battle I was losing,” he recalls. “The teachers said sleep was for the weak. My parents compared me to cousins who ‘made it.’ And no matter how much I studied, I never felt good enough.”

Ahmad’s story, is not unique. It exposes the brutal reality of India’s JEE coaching industry—where profit trumps pedagogy, and students pay the price with their mental health.

The Coaching Trap: Factories of Stress, Not Success

Coaching centers like Hikers and Shining Star (fictional) promise “guaranteed ranks” but operate like high-pressure assembly lines:

• Grueling Schedules: Students are pushed to study 18-20 hours a day, surviving on 3-4 hours of sleep. One teacher famously told Ahmad’s class:

“You have to only sleep for three to four hours. The rest is for JEE.”

• False Promises: Screening tests are often just formalities to fill seats. Ahmad scored 60/360 in his entrance test—yet was declared “passed” and pressured to pay fees immediately.
• Emotional Blackmail: When Ahmad considered quitting Shining Star, the owner guilt-tripped him:

“We treated you like our child. Is this how you repay us?”

Society’s Role: “If You Don’t Crack JEE, You’re a Failure”

The pressure doesn’t just come from institutes. Families and society reinforce the idea that JEE is the only path to success.

• Relatives’ Taunts: At a family gathering, Ahmad’s uncle dismissed his aspirations outright:

“He’s got no chance at a good college.”

• Parental Pressure: His mother fretted over “what people will say” if he failed, while his father dismissed his struggles, calling him a “brat” for wanting rest.
• The Topper Curse: Even after scoring in the top 5% in his board exams, Ahmad felt worthless—because in the JEE world, “only 100% matters.”

The Mental Health Toll: Anxiety, Burnout, and a Late ADHD Diagnosis

Ahmad’s breaking point came when he realized he couldn’t focus, no matter how hard he tried.

• Panic Attacks: Before mock tests, his hands would shake uncontrollably. He’d stare at physics problems for hours, unable to solve them.
• Undiagnosed ADHD: Years of being called “lazy” or “distracted” finally made sense when a therapist diagnosed him with ADHD—a condition his teachers and family had ignored.
• Suicidal Thoughts: In his lowest moments, he wrote in his journal:

“I promised myself I wouldn’t end my life… but I didn’t know how much longer I could take this.”

The Bigger Picture: Why This System is Failing Our Students

Ahmad’s story is a microcosm of a systemic issue:

1. Coaching Institutes ≠ Education: They’re businesses, selling dreams while exploiting insecurities.
2. Society’s Narrow Definition of Success: Engineering or bust—ignoring passions, creativity, and mental well-being.
3. No Safety Nets: Students crumble under pressure because nobody teaches them how to cope.

The Way Forward: What Needs to Change?

• Regulate Coaching Centers: Cap study hours, mandate mental health support.
• Parental Awareness: Success isn’t just a rank. Let kids breathe.
• Normalize Alternatives: Not every brilliant mind belongs in IIT. Careers in arts, writing, and entrepreneurship matter too.

As Ahmad puts it:

“I thought JEE would decide my future. Instead, it almost destroyed me. We need to stop treating this exam like a life-or-death battle.”

The JEE grind isn’t just about studying hard—it’s about surviving a system that often values ranks over well-being. How many more students like Ahmad will break before we change it?

Why This Matters:
This isn’t just Ahmad’s story. It’s the story of lakhs of Indian students trapped in the same cycle. It’s time to rethink what “success” really means.

2025 Tragedies: The System Still Fails

Despite years of discourse around the flaws in the JEE ecosystem, 2025 proved that little has changed—and if anything, the situation has worsened. A series of heartbreaking events, including falsified results and multiple student suicides, exposed the system’s continued failure to protect those it claims to serve.

• The False Result Scandal:
• Suicide Spike:
• The Kashmir Case: Faisal Bashir’s Death:
  Among the most heartbreaking incidents was that of 19-year-old Faisal Bashir from Gunipora, Kupwara, Kashmir. On April 19, 2025, just a day after the JEE results were announced, Faisal was found dead in his rented room in Dudwana. He had been under significant academic pressure leading up to the examination. Local residents remembered Faisal as a bright and respectful student. His death has sparked widespread concern about the mental health impact of academic pressures in Kashmir.
• Institutional Apathy:
  Even in the wake of such events, many coaching institutes continued with business-as-usual strategies—focusing on “damage control” PR campaigns rather than genuine reform. Instead of acknowledging their role in the burnout culture, they doubled down on aggressive marketing. Parents were handed new flyers, teachers held pep talks, and students were reminded that “only the weak quit.”

These 2025 incidents reinforce that the JEE system—backed by profit-hungry institutes and societal obsession—remains a deeply harmful machine. It continues to churn out numbers while crushing dreams, sanity, and even lives.

Degrees Without Direction: The Employment Drought in Jammu and Kashmir

Rameez Bhat

ramizspeaks77@gmail.com

In the snow carved valleys of Jammu and Kashmir, where rivers run deep and poplars sway, a quiet crisis brews not of storms, but of stifled hopes and unheard voices. From the rugged heights of Gurez to the plains beyond Poonch a generation walks burdened by silent despair. Degrees in hand, ambition in heart but no clear path ahead. A young man in Baramulla dreams of a stable job an honest living. Yet each morning greets him with the same uncertainty. His degrees lies unread, his aspirations slowly fading. His parents encourage him gently urging one more try. But dreams like the autumn Chinar continue to fall. The internet is full of knowledge, his skills are sharp but job opportunities remain scarce. Whether in law, science, arts, technology or trades, the doors seem closed. Academic accolades mean little in a system that offers no outlet. Reports reduce them to numbers, cold statistics in impersonal files. But behind each figure is a son waiting, a daughter hoping. Year after year, promises echo only to fade into bureaucratic silence. Government schemes come with fanfare and slogans, yet the youth still stand in lines, hands empty, spirits worn. In a land so rich in heritage, the irony is stark even the birds seem freer than its young minds.

Leadership remains distant ribbons are cut, photos taken but the real roads remain un-walked. The narrative of “self-reliance” rings hollow when self-sufficiency meets an empty plate. Startups and skilling are often touted, but persistent power cuts and inaccessible loans leave those dreams cold. Policies exist only on paper, while trust and execution are absent.

Time moves forward, yet progress stalls. Traditional crafts are vanishing, artisans left without buyers. Saffron fields lie uncultivated, the markets indifferent. Engineers graduate in droves, but employment evaporates. Tourism gives brief hope, but where is tourism development. The biggest battle today isn’t on borders—it’s in every home, where joblessness eats away at dignity.

A girl in Shopian pours her frustration into poetry, her words sharp and haunting. A boy in Kupwara paints with talent, yet hunger overshadows his creativity. A child in Bandipora whispers, “I’ll leave someday.” But who stays to rebuild if all the hopeful leave? A job isn’t just an income—it’s self-worth, purpose, and peace of mind.

To those in power: awaken. The burdens you don’t bear are crushing the youth. What we need are not just announcements, but real change—visible, sustainable, and sincere. Build institutions that offer more than structure. Nurture creativity, revive local industries, make markets accessible. Trust the old, train the young not every problem is solved with funding alone. We don’t ask for charity or applause. We demand action that lasts.

Let this message be heard—in offices, on screens, in homes. The valley sings, yes, but it also questions. Until every voice is heard, until every talent has a place, this land will ache. Behind every falling Chinar leaf lies buried potential. Jammu and Kashmir doesn’t just need hope it needs opportunity. Let us rise not with false promises, but with real progress. Let the slumber end. Let the state awaken.

Inclusion for All: Ambedkar’s Vision, Youth Voices, and Autism Awareness

Musaib Bilal

April isn’t only the time to remember the historical legacies such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar; it is Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month as well — a great reminder that inclusion is neither nice nor desirable, but a requirement. To autistic and other neurodivergent individuals, inclusion can mean empowerment or seclusion. As we celebrate Ambedkar’s dream of equality, we also recommit to building spheres where neurodiverse voices are heard, respected, and cherished.

What is Inclusion?

Inclusion is the conscious effort to make spaces where everyone is treated with respect, supported, and enabled to contribute. It involves going beyond tokenism and intentionally breaking down barriers to participate. For autistics, this involves grasping communication difference, sensory requirements, and the need for understanding environments free of judgement and misconception.

Inclusion acknowledges that the world is viewed differently by individuals. Autistic youth, for example, may be confronted by worlds that fail to understand their sensory sensitivities or communication approach. Inclusion honours such differences and adapts to embrace them, not requiring people to conform to traditional norms.

Why Inclusion Matters

Exclusion creates isolation, and isolation is hope’s quiet assassin. For autistics, particularly in school and social settings, exclusion most often comes across as being excluded from conversation, possibilities, or even basic interactions. This exclusion stimulates “micro-depressions” — insidious, long-term emotional scars from everyday invalidation and misperception.

In non-inclusive settings, autistic individuals tend to experience “masking,” which involves hiding who they are to blend in. This continuous strain can result in burnout, anxiety, and extreme mental health issues. Inclusion, however, enables individuals to be themselves, minimizing stress and maximizing emotional well-being.

Dr. Ambedkar knew this well. He realized that being kept out of education, decision-making, and society in general was not merely a political wrong but an immense emotional and psychological wound. His struggle for Dalit dignity is akin to the current struggle for autistic acceptance — both are struggles to see the full humanity of all individuals.

Dr. Ambedkar and Inclusive Decision-Making

Ambedkar’s contribution to the making of the Indian Constitution was revolutionary. He constructed a system that had dignity and equality at its foundation. He was of the opinion that decision-making must be representative of the diversity of society so that those silenced in the past would be heard.

If Ambedkar were alive today, he would certainly champion inclusive policies that acknowledge neurodiversity and mental health as part of social justice. He would remind us that democracy truly means everyone — not just because of their politics, but also because of their neurological composition.

Youth Inclusion and the Role of NSS

Young people are the builders of tomorrow’s inclusive society. Through schemes such as the National Service Scheme (NSS), young people are being taught empathy, service, and active citizenship. NSS programs focused on disability awareness, mental health care, and neurodiversity education are crucial in developing an inclusive society from the ground up.

When youth participate in inclusion initiatives — through autism acceptance drives or establishing sensory-friendly community spaces — they continue Ambedkar’s legacy in effective manners. NSS provides them with the means to convert awareness into action.

The Interconnectedness of Youth, Ambedkar, NSS, and Autism Awareness

Ambedkar gave the marginalised the power to take back their place in society. Youth movements, particularly through NSS, have the ability to continue this vision by advocating neurodivergent voices. When young leaders advocate for autism acceptance, they break down destructive stereotypes and create empathetic communities.

This connection is cyclical:

Ambedkar’s philosophy instils the value of dignity and representation.

NSS gives the platform to young people to implement these values.

Youth engagement ensures that autism awareness and mental health advocacy remain at the forefront of social change.

Together, they create a force powerful enough to challenge exclusion in all its forms.

Oppression, Depression, and the Mental Health Costs of Non-Inclusion

Exclusion is a subtle form of oppression. For autistics, chronic exclusion can create a feeling of invisibility that fuels anxiety and depression. These are usually discounted, being categorized as “micro-depressions” brought about by everyday invalidations and micro-aggressions.

Additionally, chronic micro-aggressions — seemingly minor slighting or belittling remarks — build up over time, solidifying feelings of worthlessness. Identifying these damages is critical if we are to create truly inclusive communities that foster mental health.

Inclusion isn’t merely access; it is affirmation. It is affirming, “You belong here, just as you are.”

Towards a Truly Inclusive Future

As we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month and pay tribute to the life and cause of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, let us pledge to create a society in which inclusion becomes the rule and not the exception. Let us empower our young people, on platforms such as NSS, to spearhead this movement with grit and empathy.

By embracing neurodiversity and acknowledging the deeper effects of inclusion on mental wellbeing, we don’t just reinforce Ambedkar’s legacy — we build a world where any person, wherever they are, whatever they have, can exist with dignity, joy, and belonging.

The writer is an author, columnist, speaker and is pursuing Bachelor’s at Amar Singh College. Can be reached at: musaibbilal.216061@gmail.com