Manoj Sinha
The annual Amarnath Ji pilgrimage begins from 3rd July. Around half a million devotees are ready for the spiritual calling that starts with an arduous journey through the physically demanding climate and terrain to reach the Holy Cave at an altitude of nearly 13000 feet. People of Jammu and Kashmir, hurt at Pakistan’s nefarious design to disturb peace, communal harmony and growing UT’s prosperity by carrying out April 22 brutal massacre of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, are eagerly waiting to extend pilgrims a warm welcome.Equally conscious is the entire government machinery and security apparatus, prepared with the resolve to make sure this great pilgrimage is incident-free and seekers return home soaked in divine bliss and lasting eternal happiness.
For me this pilgrimage is an alchemy, evolving a pilgrim from within. It is the path of mystics that pursues spiritual understanding. This godly expedition is incomparable not because it is tiring and challenging but for the virtues it seeks of pure awareness. This spiritual odyssey is overwhelming due to the hypnotic spell of the divinity overpowering the fatigued legs and extreme cold engulfed bodies along the trek.
The Yatra is also an opportunity to understand life through a rationale little understood in the grammar of modern-day rigmarole. It can hold the mirror for you. Another second, it offers deep trust and fills your heart with infinite gratitude. It allows you to interact with your own being. You may find yourself alone despite huddled together. On the trek to Holy cave, the un-essentials of life disappear. What remains is the realisation of inner awareness — that someone else up there guides your life.
Our ancient scriptures describe Amarnath cave as the holy address of the sacred secret. Lord Shiva is believed to have narrated the story of creation of the Universe and disclosed the divine secret of Amaratva (immortality) to Goddess Parvatiduring his sojourn in the mountains. In the Shiva Sutra, Lord Shiva says – “Pran Samchre Samdarshanam, Shiv Tulyo Jaayte”-Divine energy is blossoming. You need to experience it to become like me. This is a profound message to humanity, which can be experienced in total awareness.
Besides the confluence of spiritual consciousness, this year’s Amarnath Yatra is also a statement against terrorism.
The soul of J&K UT was wounded in this mountain range at Pahalgam, with the killing of innocent civilians by Pakistani terrorists after identifying their faith. The nation was in shock. Jammu and Kashmir decided to lead the national outrage. Massive protests followed against terrorism on the streets for several days. Women too stepped out of their homes, ensuring their voices are not lost. The outpouring of emotions though sudden had a legacy. It was in sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism after 2019 and the outcome it delivered for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, significantly transforming lives and snatching them out of the hand of masterminds of terrorism.
The administration had followed dual-pronged policy– protecting innocent civilians but at the same time ruthlessly targeting terrorists and their supporters. Our security operations were always committed to delivering justice and avoided any harm to innocent common citizens. We prioritised economic growth, infrastructure development, youth and women empowerment, incentivised social welfare and social justice to mainstream Jammu and Kashmir towards stability and prosperity – the benefits of democracy the region couldn’t afford due to persistent dark clouds of terror. Post-2019, we have worked hard to establish Good Governance and a transparent administrative system that encouraged speedy implementation of projects locals wanted and not the select few of Jammu and Kashmir. Over a period of time, the gap between resources and aspirations of masses was bridged to a great extent. This was possible because citizens, irrespective of religion and region, became fulcrum of policy initiatives. Perhaps, for this reason, Jammu and Kashmir in the last five years started to figure in different socio-economic growth indices – a breather from decades-long era when only bullet and blood unfortunately defined this rich and beautiful part of the country’s geography.
All-round human achievements, especially by the youth – recently three girls qualified for IIT entrance exam – by themselves narrate that Jammu and Kashmir is realising its potential. And the opening of highest railway bridge at the Chenab River only manifests that UT’s willingness to join the steeplechase for many global firsts.
The overall transformation of the region was also reflected in the way Amarnath Yatra was organised since 2022 when pilgrimage had begun post-Covid pandemic.This year, helicopter services have been suspended due to safety concerns. Only 8% of pilgrims used helicopter services in previous years, so this decision won’t affect the Yatra in a major way. I urge all the pilgrims, including those traveling in private vehicles, to travel only with the convoy from Jammu to the base camps.Last year, more than five lakh devotees paid obeisance at the Holy Cave. It was the highest Yatra figure in the last twelve years. Zero landfill-based approach was adopted by Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) for the disposal of solid waste, which is being cited as a model for social-spiritual gatherings across the country. Since 2022 considerable improvement has been made on both the Yatra routes. Wider Yatra tracks up to 12 feet was achieved on both the routes leading to holy cave. We have introduced RFID-based tracking systems for all registered pilgrims and service providers for real-time monitoring and to prevent unauthorised access. 24×7 surveillance of Yatra track through the live feed has ensured pilgrims’ safety. 100 bedded hospitals at both the Yatra base camps Baltal and Chandanwari have been made functional. Earlier there was no power supply on Yatra routes. We have ensured grid power supply all along the routes and holy cave. The underground optical fibre cable has been laid on both the Yatra routes for seamless tele-connectivity too.
Such development is no less than a miracle. What SASB and BRO has earned through blood and sweat to ease the pilgrimage is the immense capital for the bright future of the Union Territory. However, a frustrated Pakistan, that revels in every falling global database of human development, is resorting to terrorism to destabilize Jammu and Kashmir that is walking the path of prosperity. But we will not let Pakistan and its terror proxies succeed. ‘Operation Sindoor’ has not only avenged Pahalgam but it has also drawn a new body of response against cross-border terrorism. We will give a befitting reply to any terrorist attack in the future. With the same intensity we will take the development process forward too.
A successful Amarnath Yatra will strengthen our resolve to build Viksit Jammu and Kashmir and Viksit Bharat. The caravan of development that started in 2019 must move forward. The progress of Jammu and Kashmir is the responsibility of every person in this country. The massive footfall of tourists from outside the UT in the last five years indicated the resolve of the whole nation. Jammu and Kashmir is now vying for generational shift and every Indian will have to participate in this Mahayagya.
I appeal to the devotees of Lord Shiva to join the Amarnath Yatra. Your pilgrimage, this time will spiritually heal the Jammu and Kashmir wounded by April 22 terror attack. May Mahadevbless us.
(The writer is Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir).
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