Adam Smith’s Invisible Hand and Kashmir

ahmadzai:
[The valley of Kashmir has its economic linkages with India through roads running from North to South. It does not have economic linkage with Pakistan with roads from East to West.]
This is true only of recent past. Historically the economic links of the state were more with Pakistan than with India: the eastern part of the state had its links with Sialkot and Lahore, the western part with Rawalpindi and Jhelum, and the northern part with Gilgit and Baltistan. There was not even an all-weather road connecting the valley with India until the Banihal tunnel was built. Still, it is frequently closed in winter when there is a heavy snowfall.
If and when trade is opened between the two countries, the economic links of the state with Pakistan are bound to re-emerge again.

pmishra2:
Only three stores in Kolkotta? That shows the bhadralok of that city have a lot of catching up to do:-).

Veeresh#34
Thanks. Do share any other similar info. you might have.
One of the unintended economic consequences of insurgency that I have noticed is the flourishing of home-grown Kashmiri journalism. Insurgency and Kargil increased the world apetite for news from the state and there was not sufficient supply of Kashmir based Indian journalists to meet the demand. The local boys - and they all seem to be male - filled the gap. Not only that, there seems to be a vibrant Kashmiri press which seems to be taking quite an independent stance on various issues.

P.S. Are you likely to be in Delhi in January?

samankhan:
I thought that those `numaishes` were a unique characteristic of Delhi. If you miss haggling, come to Delhi, the art of bargaining where both sides come away thinking that they outsmarted the other is still alive and well in the land of the badshahs and faqeers.


stuka:
[Also, keep in mind the huge inflows of federal aid that have flown into Kashmir since independence. The subsidies provided to that specific state, over and above what is provided to others.]
....and those subsidies did zilch in earning the loyalty of Kashmiris, as they were delivered by corrupt kathputlis of Dilli Durbar who kept most of the goodies for themselves. Giving people a chance to earn a livelihood on their own is much better than giving them handouts. But you should know that better than anyone else:-).

Urstrulty#33:
Sometimes one ought to come down from one`s rehtorical soapbox to deal with the more mundane issues of roti, kapada aur makaan.

anurag:
It would appear from Veeresh`s posts that what I observed were not isolated incidents. The construction of rail link and another highway will open up new opportunities. However, the problem lies somewhere else. Muslim Kashmiris in places like Delhi are viewed with suspicion and not fully trusted. While suspicions and mistrusts are understandable in the current circumstances, they are not conducive to Kashmiris feeling themselves part of the mainstream. Even in the story I narrated, the visiting salesman was carrying an identity card, something that I did not see with any other salesman - travelling or otherwise.

tahmed:
[Another example of how wars (including the kind going on in Kashmir) have unexpected consequences that neither side expected.]
Another unexpected consequence has been the significant reduction of poverty in Kashmir. According to various statistical surveys, Kashmir has one of the lowest, if not the lowest, poverty rates in India. All this thanks to all kinds of money flowing to the state because of the insurgency and counter-insurgency operations.

temporal:
[...that too...but they are ancilliary...first and foremost...it is the kashmiris decision...muslims, pandits, buddhists...they should decide!]
Questioning this statement would be like questioning motherhood and maple syrup. But the problem as always is in the details - what if what the muslims want is different from what the pandits do and what the buddhists want is different from the other two?

arjun-m, rsridhar:
It is good that muslim Indians have spoken up. But they cannot be a substitute for the voice of muslim kashmiris. Muslim Indians have freely chosen to be in India. This is not true of muslim kashmiris, no matter how we twist the facts.
Economic interests will help win the minds of Kashmiris. But to win their hearts, India will have to do a lot more. At the minimum they will have to be persuaded that a Muslim in India has as much dignity and self-respect as a Hindu. This is not the case currently despite the constitutional guarantees of equality.

This reminds me of a cartoon I saw some time ago ... portraying the downturn in the hi-tech sector ...

It showed two men ... one is saying to the other ... ``eversince I got laid off, I can`t help but think ... the invisible hand of free economy is giving me the finger`` ...

I was charmed by this story because it addresses a profound point in a human way. While I am not necessarily an admirer of Adam Smith, the fact is that most ordinary persons like ourselves manage to make the best of what we have and maximize our worth. In my book, that is not so much a lesson in economics as it is in governance and politics. Let the people have the opportunity to live freely, provide them with some social benefits and services and they will give of their best to themselves their families and in the process their communities and their societies. The haatos in this story were caught up in something larger than themselves with the politically orchestrated ``insurgency.` But fortunately they were not oppressed or killed. They prospered and helped us all to appreciate the ingenuity of the human spirit.

Nakhok

It is useless to present history and facts. Minds are made up. The same BS will be regurgitated ad infinitum until there is nothing left in the stomach.

#43 by ahmadzai on October 10, 2003 11:47am PT
A rather realistic view.... in some sense... I am quite surprised :-O

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3056133.stm

This won`t change any minds, but it surely gives us all non warrior non Pushtoons a chuckle at the bravery and fighting prowess of Pushtoons.

:) :)

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Romair,

Great News! Your long-lost brother has been found! (#43 by ahmadzai)
Ekdum aapki tarah dikta, I mean likhta, hai! Aur kashmiri bhi hai!!!

(Koi locket-shocket? Mummy-Papa ki photo?)

Badhai!

Just to report that last year in Calcutta I counted no less than 3 different kashmiri stores run by ethnic Kashmiris.

Don`t ask me why people need kashmiri phirans in Calcutta, though we locals are notorious for wearing enormous sweaters whenever the temperature goes down below 80. I agree that it is through commerce and education that old barriers can be lowered (no one is asking Kashmiris to become Keralites or (gulp!) UPites). I believe there are a good number of muslim students from the valley in engineering schools throughout North India. As you are well aware, the other kashmiri communities have historically been well integrated with other states for a long time.

Temporal:

BTW, Have you been to Indian Kashmir? Why don`t you write an article about your travels to India instead of boring us with your poems??? Kidding!! about your poems that is..I am sure they are very nice :)

Temporal:

``today is Oct 9...i am talking in the present... what-if discussions are unrealistic and untenable...what if the French had replied to Tipu in the affirmative?...what if that turncoat Nizam had not sided with the British?...what if....khair...

...all am saying is that Kashmiris` feeling and decisions should have paramountcy over GoP and GoI`s wishes...also let me clarify...i mean all Kashmiris``

No wonder you are called Kofi Annan of Chowk. Your positions are always so morally well fleshed out that I don`t even feel like arguing for fear of feeling like a prick. Bring me a UrsTruly type to fight with anyday. Then at least I can self righteously feel self righteous. :)

#42 by ahmadzai on October 10, 2003 11:17am PT
rsridhar at # 16:

the doctor disappoints you.... as always you are not aware of facts.. (or dont want to be?)
Just search and find out how many pakistani regulars were killed in Kargil.. how many of their bodies were left unclaimed by PAK....