India’s economic trajectory over the past decade has been nothing short of transformative. From the lower tiers of global rankings, the country has vaulted into the position of the world’s fourth-largest economy. With strong momentum, India is poised to become the third-largest economic power in the near future. These figures are more than statistics—they represent a promise of inclusion, empowerment, and opportunity.

For regions like Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), this national progress was expected to serve as a catalyst for local transformation. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in August 2019 was projected as a historic inflection point—aimed at fully integrating the region into India’s constitutional and economic framework. The underlying objective was to dissolve long-standing legal and developmental barriers, bridge the gap between the privileged and the marginalized, and create a platform for the youth of J&K to thrive through peace and progress.
Yet, nearly six years after that landmark decision, a critical question remains: Why has sustainable peace in J&K continued to prove elusive? Despite improved security conditions, reduced militant activity, and deeper administrative alignment with the Union, a sense of social alienation and economic stagnation persists. The answer may lie in an overlooked but essential ingredient for lasting peace: upward social mobility.

Upward Social Mobility: The Cornerstone of Lasting Peace

First introduced by Russian-American sociologist Pitirim Sorokin, the concept of upward social mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups from one socio-economic stratum to a higher one. In the context of post-conflict societies, it functions not just as a measure of individual success, but as a social stabilizer. It provides youth with alternatives to extremism, reorients identity around merit and opportunity, and fosters a stake in peace and governance.
However, upward mobility is not a simple function of economic policy—it is a deeply human process. It requires individuals to shed familiar constructs—family obligations, traditional norms, and rigid local mindsets—and embrace new roles shaped by competition, merit, and adaptability. For this transformation to succeed, three levels of trust must align:
Youth must trust in their own potential.
Families must trust their children’s ability to compete and succeed.
The nation must embrace them as equal participants in its collective journey.
But for this leap to happen, foundational building blocks must be firmly in place.

Key Enablers of Peace through Mobility

Access to quality education, particularly higher education for disadvantaged groups and women, is essential. It should promote critical thinking, empathy, and conflict resolution. Education is the bedrock of transformation. In conflict-affected regions, it must do more than impart knowledge—it must heal, connect, and inspire.
Women’s empowerment through vocational training, economic independence, and leadership development ensures inclusive growth and embeds stability within the family and community structures.
Conflict prevention mechanisms, including early warning systems and mediation initiatives, must be institutionalized. Security forces have a vital role to play here—not just in enforcing peace but in enabling dialogue.
Creative peacebuilding using art, storytelling, Sufi traditions, film, and photography can bridge fractured identities and foster shared understanding. Initiatives that creatively address long-standing issues—such as the return and resettlement of displaced Kashmiri Pandits—can serve as powerful models of healing.
Community engagement programs like the Indian Army’s Operation Sadbhavana have demonstrated the value of inclusive outreach. These efforts must now be institutionalized, expanded, and civilianized.
Mental health and trauma care remains an under-addressed need. Community-based mental health programs are vital to overcome the psychological aftermath of prolonged conflict.
Economic revitalization, with a focus on entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods, and rural inclusion, must complement infrastructure projects. Development should reach the remotest corners and the most vulnerable populations.
Women's participation in peacebuilding should be seen not as an add-on but as central to decision-making. Women-led initiatives have consistently shown transformative potential.
Grassroots peacebuilding, driven by local communities and civil society, must be fostered. Schemes must encourage local ownership, partnership with NGOs, and direct engagement with marginalized voices

The Missing Pillars: Trust, Access, and Belonging

Despite sincere efforts, certain critical gaps continue to undermine the promise of upward mobility:
Trust in Institutions. Opportunities must not only exist—they must be perceived as fair, transparent, and accessible. If youth view systems as externally imposed or politically manipulated, it breeds cynicism rather than hope. Ensuring institutional integrity—particularly in education, recruitment, and governance—is paramount.
Economic Access and Investment Climate. Large-scale investment in J&K remains tepid. Security risks, administrative delays, and limited local capacity have prevented meaningful private-sector engagement. Reviving the local economy requires ease-of-doing-business reforms tailored to the region, supported by infrastructure, skill training, and financial inclusion.
Cultural Integration and National Inclusion. Integration must go beyond constitutional alignment. Emotional and cultural inclusion is vital. When young Kashmiris feel accepted across India—and when India embraces their identity—the foundation of peace deepens. Stereotypes in media, workplace discrimination, or indifference to Kashmiri aspirations can widen the psychological divide, even in times of physical calm.
The Way Forward: Peace as Dignified Opportunity
We must now redefine peace—not as the absence of conflict, but as the presence of dignity, opportunity, and inclusion. This calls for a shift in mindset—from imposing policies to nurturing participation.
We must build trust where mistrust lingers, nurture enterprise where dependency prevails, and foster hope where despair once ruled.
Above all, success in Jammu & Kashmir must not be measured solely in GDP figures or infrastructure projects. It must be visible in the life of a young Kashmiri who chooses a future built on talent, trust, and peace—who believes in the system not because it demands loyalty, but because it earns it.
Only when upward social mobility becomes not just a possibility but a lived reality, will the foundation of lasting peace in Jammu & Kashmir truly be laid—not in speeches or schemes, but in the daily choices of its people.

Email:---------------------------brijeshpandey1966@yahoo.com