Bisma Nazir
In the story of Baramulla’s dramatic transformation, one factor stands consistently at the centre: its youth. In a district that once saw young people caught between unemployment, unrest, and uncertainty, a new chapter has begun—one that positions them not merely as beneficiaries of change but as drivers of development.
Between 2023 and 2025, Baramulla distinguished itself by investing in education, job creation, sports, and cultural expression, inspiring confidence in its one million residents. Today, the district stands as a living testimony to how channeling youthful energy can rewrite long-standing narratives of conflict into ones of growth and pride.
Youth as Partners, Not Problems
For decades, conversations about youth in Baramulla carried undertones of alienation, unrest, or wasted potential. That perception has shifted dramatically. District Administration initiatives, coupled with support from the Indian Army’s Dagger Division, envisioned young people as partners in rebuilding society.
The idea was not simply to ‘employ’ youth but to empower them—whether through skills, entrepreneurship, sports, cultural activity, or ecological stewardship. This multidimensional approach has electrified the district, creating a generation that sees itself as an engine of progress.
The Employment Breakthrough
Perhaps the most defining chapter of Baramulla’s youth-first strategy unfolded in the form of massive job fairs in 2024 and 2025. Jointly organized by the administration and the Army, these events drew more than 7,000 participants and hosted 28 companies from IT, retail, healthcare, banking, and government sectors.
More than 150 young people secured on-the-spot job offers.
Thousands attended workshops on entrepreneurship under schemes like PMEGP and Skill India.
Over 1,000 individuals graduated with certifications at the Chinar YUVA Centre, gaining market-ready skills.
Rather than just providing short-term employment, Baramulla is nurturing entrepreneurs who can sustain businesses in sectors ranging from eco-products to hospitality. The youth empowerment strategy aims to produce not only job-seekers but also job-creators.
This approach has been noticed across the Valley. A student from Pulwama remarked during a career counselling workshop: “If Baramulla can have companies knocking at their door, why should we not dream the same?”
Education as the Foundation
Baramulla’s rise would not have been possible without revolutionizing its educational outreach. Historically, literacy rates carried steep gender gaps—77% for males versus 55% for females in 2011. Interventions since 2023 have begun correcting these imbalances.
Army Goodwill Schools recorded pass percentages above 90% in recent board exams, offering affordable education to rural areas.
Gaash Academy, backed by the Army, extends free education to underprivileged children, emerging as a model for inclusion.
Dagger Parivaar School, focused on differently-abled children, provides therapies, tailored learning, and modern educational techniques for more than 120 students otherwise excluded from mainstream schooling.
By targeting gaps in quality, access, and inclusivity, Baramulla has begun to reshape its future workforce. The district now treats education not as a formality but as the first step towards empowerment.
The Sporting Revolution: Breaking Barriers
Nowhere is Baramulla’s youth energy more vibrantly expressed than in sports. Traditionally, limited infrastructure and opportunities kept many young athletes on the margins. Between 2023 and 2025, however, Baramulla staged a turnaround:
The Varmul Gindo sports festival in 2025 drew 1,600 athletes across 20 sporting disciplines, including handball, rugby, and kabaddi.
For the first time, girls emerged in large numbers—200 participating visibly in competitive team sports once reserved for boys.
Cricket flourished under the Chinar Premier League and the Kashmir Women’s Premier League, engaging 64 teams. Matches were live-streamed to global audiences using advanced broadcasting equipment gifted by the Army.
This inclusive sporting culture has proved transformative. Parents once uneasy about daughters on a playing field now attend matches as enthusiastic supporters. Local clubs report growing membership, and youth leadership is taking center stage.
One of the most symbolic images from 2025 was that of a teenage girl from Baramulla lifting a kabaddi trophy amid roaring cheers—something unimaginable just a few years ago.
Youth and Cultural Renaissance
Alongside sports, Baramulla’s youth are at the forefront of cultural revival. Tens of thousands participated in record-breaking events like Rouf dances and Ladishah folk performances. Festivals such as Kashur Riwaaj and the Chillai-Kalan winter carnival have infused Baramulla with a new identity: one no longer tied solely to conflict headlines but to celebration and heritage.
Young photographers, artists, and muralists have painted Baramulla’s town with vibrant public art, reclaiming dull urban spaces. For many, this cultural awakening is as important as economic progress, for it provides pride, expression, and healing.
Ecological Stewardship by the Young
Baramulla’s youth have also been at the heart of environmental sustainability. The plastic-recycling facility set up in partnership with NGOs and the Chinar YUVA Centre engages young men and women in producing eco-products, combining environment protection with livelihoods.
Student groups have organized plastic-free campaigns, plantation drives, and awareness walks across towns and villages. Many are trained in waste segregation and upcycling techniques, ensuring that environment is not compromised for progress.
The model has empowered young women in particular, who gain financial independence while contributing to eco-friendly innovation.
Youth in Democracy
Perhaps the most significant sign of Baramulla’s youth-led renewal came in the form of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The highest voter turnout in 35 years—58.9%—was driven decisively by young first-time voters. Even in villages near the Line of Control, turnout doubled.
In conversations with local youth groups, one consistent theme emerges: trust. The younger generation feels confident enough to cast ballots, perceiving hope in governance, rather than succumbing to disillusionment.
Baramulla has thus demonstrated that when youth are equipped with opportunities, they make democratic choices rooted in optimism, not despair.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite progress, challenges remain. Large sections of youth still seek long-term employment pathways. Climate vulnerabilities—floods, landslides—affect rural areas where many young people live. Yet what distinguishes Baramulla now is its spirit of resilience.
The youth no longer see themselves as victims of circumstance; they see themselves as active participants who can demand solutions and drive them forward.
A Radiating Example
What Baramulla has done differently is treat young people not as a problem to be managed but as a potential to be unleashed. This distinction is powerful enough to reorient entire societies.
Other districts now openly aspire to have their own versions of the Dagger Parivaar School, job fairs drawing thousands, or women’s sports leagues pulling crowds. Baramulla is not simply transforming itself—it is redefining the aspirations of Kashmir’s entire youth demographic.
The Future Belongs to Youth
Baramulla’s story is ultimately one of a generational shift. It shows how investing in opportunity, culture, and empowerment can reverse decades of alienation. By centering young people in everything from policy to art, Baramulla has unlocked the most renewable resource any society possesses: the energy of its youth.
No longer forced to dream of leaving, Baramulla’s young generation now dreams of building—building businesses, building sport careers, building schools, and building democratic faith.If development sustains its momentum, Baramulla will not just be shaping its present—it will be shaping Kashmir’s tomorrow.
Author
Faisal Khankashi
Sheikh Sameer
The Kashmir Dialogues
