In spite of all the atrocities committed in the name of for democracy by India or anti Indian Militancy – whether by our home grown militants or the terrorist exported from Pakistan – Kashmir has undergone a lot of suffering and pain, yet somehow seems determined to transform itself.

It is the common citizens who are longing for a better tomorrow and almost two generations who have lost out just because they were born Kashmiri’s seem to have decided that they will not allow their children to suffer the same fate and horrible future.

The Indian government forgot that it is important to win hearts and souls and successive governments only used the brunt of force...force and more force….along with rigged elections and walking away from agreements – looking at the misgivings and the discontent in the citizens as a Pakistan promoted problem.

This allowed Pakistan to mess around and play its thousand cuts and wounds game. However at all points when given a choice, Kashmir has voted in favor of democracy and the recent couple of elections have thrown up governments elected by popular vote and a very free and fair election process. However the Separatists have always boycotted the elections (moderates and the hardliners).

In a very stunning development with far reaching consequences, Sajjad Lone the younger son of the assassinated leader Abdul Giani Lone, Chairman of the Peoples conference is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla. Is this a sign of the New Dawn and a fresh beginning? Let us pray it is so!

The Kashmir voter has always been a sober voice even when totally provoked like when they chose not to boycott the recent assembly elections in spite of the call given by the separatists. What now will be their vote for their future? I dedicate the poem which I had written ages ago to the fearful times that the Kashmiri’s Underwent:

A curious silence persists
As if waiting...
Waiting....
Waiting for something to happen

No movement of man or vehicles
Even the winds too have fallen
Neither do the dogs bark
Nor do the birds chirp

Its broad daylight
Only the sounds of marching boots
Gun trotting army men
Accompanied by policemen

A flag march is going on
Yet they too seem less confident
Grim faces, suspicious eyes
Looking around from ground to sky

They move on to the next street
Yet the silence persists
As if waiting...
Waiting...
For something to happen

Welcome to the valley
Welcome to paradise
Have we gained Kashmir?
Or have we lost our voice.