“Actions speak louder than words.”
It’s an old saying, yet rarely does it echo so clearly through the valleys of Kashmir. When tragedy strikes, governments often respond with protocol and sometimes, in rare moments, with the hammering heart of empathy. One such moment unfolded after a devastating act of terror shook the very soul of the region, On 22 April 2025, Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam Known for its pine trees, verdant meadows, and pony rides, the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam was devastated by a vicious terrorist attack on April 22, 2025. Tourists were the target of armed militants who killed 26 civilians, injured about 20, and caused dread and sorrow throughout the nation. Among the dead was Syed Adil Hussain Shah, Adil, a tragic local hero, was shot dead after he tried to defend tourists by wresting a rifle from assailants. His selflessness highlighted the bravery of common people while shedding light on the human cost of terrorism.
The J&K government promptly announced ₹2 lakh for serious injuries and ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for each deceased. The Council of Ministers, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, promised to work with the LG's office to improve safety and rehabilitate victims. To coordinate investigations and counterterrorism operations, national leaders, including Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, personally visited survivors and presided over high-level security meetings.
The Sacrifice of Adil: A Sign of Peace With quiet pride, Adil's father explained what his son had given up: “I am proud of him … He died saving lives.” Nazakat Shah, his cousin, put his life in danger by pushing tourists to safety. The tale of a local Muslims who gave their lives to protect non-Muslim tourists broke hateful stereotypes and healed divisions within the community. In response to this extraordinary act of courage and humanity, LG Manoj Sinha stepped forward, not with words, but with meaningful action. In June 2025, LG Manoj Sinha used his discretionary powers under the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme to appoint Gulnaz Akhter, wife of Adil Shah, to a government position.
He personally handed over the letter, relaxing qualification norms to ensure no delay. What matters is the result, not the paperwork: a widow received support, and the LG's office took the initiative. “In those early days, I couldn’t sleep. Everything was dark. But when the LG came to our door, I felt seen, not just as a widow, but as a person still worth standing for,” Gulnaz recalled, her voice steady but soft. This one gesture made her feel human again, not pitied, but honored.
This is in contrast to some political voices who later claimed that the job order originated from state departments, citing departmental autonomy. This was similar to past efforts in which Sinha quickly found grieving civilians employment, such as the wife of a Kashmiri Pandit in Shopian in 2022 and the widow of a murdered circus worker in 2023. This incident stands out as one of the few times that the government handled grief gracefully, LG Manoj Sinha's prompt action demonstrated that the state values sacrifice and acts empathetically; it was more than just a routine service. He broke through the typical bureaucratic delays that frequently suffocate grieving families by personally intervening and using discretionary powers, substituting compassion for red tape.
His action restored a young widow's dignity, financial stability, and social standing in an area where these women frequently experience financial hardship. By challenging divisive narratives and reinforcing a sense of shared humanity, the act of a Muslim man protecting Hindu tourists simultaneously served to mend communal fractures, echoing the spirit of Kashmiriyat, which is based on coexistence, courage, and hope, this decisive act of compassion became a symbol of resilience during a period of fear and uncertainty. While the gesture won hearts, it didn’t escape political scrutiny.
The job order's origin was disputed by critics, who claimed that the state's Fisheries Department created it while the government was in power. Political credit, according to some NC leaders, should go somewhere else. But the LG's prompt public interaction with the family changed the topic of conversation from politics to humanity. The main point shifted to: A widow works. Families are dignified. An administration demonstrated compassion. While political debates simmered in the background, on the ground, gestures of compassion continued to speak louder. LG Sinha didn’t stop at the job offer. The reopening of tourist destinations like Baisaran on June 14, 2025 less than two months after the tragedy, symbolized resilience and hope for the local tourism industry. Other acts of kindness followed: the Waqf Board offered Nazakat Shah a job and a bravery award, while the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra extended ₹5 lakh and a house to the family.
In a valley that could have sunk into despair, these collective responses, memorials, financial assistance, and administrative outreach became beams of light, rekindling hope in a grieving land. This gesture wasn't unique; it established a standard. By lending support to Gulnaz, LG Manoj Sinha continued the humanitarian efforts of 2023 and 2022, creating a precedent in which grieving civilian families are provided prompt, respectable aid. It was recognition, not just relief.
The message was clear: we will never forget your loss. Your sacrifice counts. The government's "Caring List" has gradually expanded to include civil servants, circus performers, pony owners, and even well-known individuals; each is backed by significant action rather than just compassion. Each such action strengthens the public's trust in an empathetic governance model. Among the youth, often disillusioned by politics and bureaucracy, such a compassionate gesture ignited rare optimism.
For many, it reaffirmed that the state was not just a distant machinery, but a living presence that acknowledges its people’s pain and worth. This new trend is not coincidental; rather, it represents a leadership style based on values rather than media attention. In an era often marred by performative politics, LG Sinha’s decision cuts through with rare clarity. It wasn’t a press conference, it was a presence. It wasn’t optics, it was an obligation fulfilled with heart. That’s what statesmanship looks like.
Four fundamental characteristics of compassionate governance are embodied in LG Sinha's initiative. First, his prompt action guarantees that families are not left in bureaucratic limbo by avoiding red tape and delays. Second, he prioritizes human connection over formality by personally delivering the job letter, demonstrating his public compassion. Third, he offers a sustainable livelihood through structural empowerment, maintaining the dignity of those impacted, rather than merely providing short-term assistance. Last but not least, this strategy shows itself as a deeply ingrained policy rather than a performative act when comparable gestures are made during various crises. By providing empathy where it wanes and hope where it wanes, such care-centric leadership helps to rebuild public trust. Though the turbulent politics may overshadow it, that sense of healing is widespread. The terrorists' intention to use violence to divide communities upended Kashmiriyat, the long-standing philosophy of hospitality, peaceful coexistence, and respect for one another.
However, the story did not break this time. A clear message was conveyed by Adil's selfless sacrifice, LG Manoj Sinha's kind act, and the widespread outpouring of public support: Kashmiriyat endures. This tragedy actually served as a moment of confirmation. The country reacted with empathy, despite some online voices trying to sow discord and distrust. Humanity transcends sectarian narratives, as demonstrated by the tremendous support extended to a Kashmiri widow of a civilian victim. Compassion turned into resistance in the face of terror, and the loudest response was unity. The reaffirmation of Kashmiriyat through compassion must not remain a fleeting moment, it must evolve into a long-term commitment.
To guarantee that empathy becomes policy in the future, a number of actions are essential. First and foremost, a concerted effort must be made to scale these compassionate interventions by providing bereaved civilian families with regular aid and appointments. Second, in order to strengthen a common national memory, public ceremonies ought to be extended to recognize not only military personnel but also civilians who exhibit exceptional bravery. Third, governance must continue to be responsive and transparent in order to guarantee that such measures are prompt, repeatable, and devoid of bureaucratic red tape. Fourth, by holding events of shared remembrance that unite people and heal communal divisions, the state should actively foster healing. Lastly, the administration needs to convey a clear message: sacrifice is greeted with lasting respect and significant action, not just pity. Gulnaz Akhter's appointment was a profound act of recognition in the wake of terror, not just an administrative gesture.
It represented a government that is guided by conscience and compassion rather than just laws and regulations. When Kashmir might have descended even deeper into sorrow and division, LG Manoj Sinha made the compassionate decision to take the lead. He acted with heart instead of waiting for procedures to be completed or files to be moved; in doing so, he gave the people something that bureaucracy seldom provides: dignity, immediacy, and trust. For an entire region that was closely watching, as well as for a grieving widow, this one act restored faith. Kashmiris were informed that their suffering is not indiscernible. It demonstrated to India that effective governance can overcome politics. And it told the world that in the face of brutality, our truest strength lies in how we care for one another. In this instance, LG Sinha's leadership was fundamental rather than ornamental. He demonstrated what public service is all about by taking over directly, delivering a job letter by hand, respecting Adil's sacrifice, and securing his family's future.
His choice not only used policy but also his presence to mend the ripped fabric of a violently wounded society. That is important. This type of leadership has an impact that goes well beyond a single district or news story. It turns into a living memory and a standard by which subsequent reactions will be evaluated. That standard has been raised by LG Manoj Sinha, not with opulence, but with a quiet, resolute humanity. Don't let the news cycle fade this act. Let it endure, as a narrative Kashmir tells itself and the country, as a demonstration of how compassion strengthens rather than detracts from governance.
Let this moment not remain confined to a hill district in Kashmir. Let it ripple across the nation as a call to conscience, that dignity is not a privilege but a right, and leadership is not dominance but duty. LG Sinha has reminded us that empathy, when rooted in action, can be the most potent form of resistance and the most durable form of leadership, in a place where grief frequently strikes without warning. In the silence of the mountains, a widow found her voice. In the heart of terror, a leader found his soul. And in that fragile valley, Kashmiriyat whispered again: we will endure together.

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