The Earth’s most crying sore, Kashmir, cries for help. It’s been sixty-nine years, and they haven’t been able to see the light of freedom. We have fought almost three wars against India: one at Dhaka, the second at the Line of Control, and the third we can hardly trace. Still, we are at daggers drawn with each other.

The first question is, who will face the problem full in the face. Why are we ashamed of addressing the issue, as it is? Nothing is incurable these days. Our subcontinent has seen changes many a times. We have been invaded by outsiders since times immemorial. The British rule is over. It’s time for the natives to decide the issue themselves, on their own.

Our Earth is not a “birthday cake” that can be easily cut and distributed among the unknown entities. The political map should be respected and readjusted according to the geographical map. Kashmir is an independent entity – it has its own natural boundaries. If you look at the face of Kashmiris, you will easily find where the race ends, and a natural boundary is drawn which should not be called “Line of Control” anymore.

India should be realistic enough to withdraw its forces and agree to hold table talks with Pakistan. The third party should be called later or we may invite the third representative from the Kashmiris, in the table talk. First, India and Pakistan should hold talks and whatever the sum total is, should be shared with the people of Kashmir. The eastern border of Pakistan needs more attention than the western border, where we have two Muslim brothers as our neighbours. The eastern side is different: here we have our communist, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian friends. So the task on this wall is difficult. It needs more prudence and farsightedness because the area here is very sensitive, yet fertile. It’s time to give our Kashmiri brethren a breather so they can also step out as a decent nation and get their share of freedom.

The points neatly drawn by our prime minister at New York, while addressing the 71st session of the United Nations are smart enough to be readdressed. I would like to stress upon two of them: demilitarization and plebiscite.

I think if we follow the first, there will be no need for the second. Withdraw forces without any discrimination and see the result. A world without weapons. Let the poor Kashmiris see this light that most of us enjoy each and every day.

Conducting a survey based on needs analysis, questionnaire, and interview would be a wonderful idea. The world knows quite less about Kashmir. Let the people talk and share their solution-based analysis. I don’t know much about the intelligentsia of Kashmir, but common sense says that every nation has its intellectuals, the learned ones, even if they sit in the jirgas. We must address them, take their feedback, and ask for their own sketch – what would they like to see in Kashmir? How would they redesign the disturbed society? That needs remedies that are practical enough to be implemented. They won’t ask for stars or fairies, they would rather share their plea, which is unheard – “Heard cries are harsh, but those unheard are harsher”! Let them talk, first of all. Let the United Nation take the responsibility and conduct a questionnaire-based survey. We should give them freedom of speech, and use our resources to make them better equipped for the encounter. Give them a goodwill gesture: A smile, a flower, a pen, or a fairy tale. Let them open their eyes, and see the world that is full of beauty. Sing a lullaby, or a sweet song, for the children of Kashmir.

The United Nations is smart enough to take the bull by the horns, trying to bell the cat. If we can reach the sky, why can’t we bring peace to this race? Let them build their own infrastructure, according to their needs. Help them build a new nation.