The armed conflict in Kashmir valley has led to demise and displacement of people, destruction of infrastructure, and crumbling of support systems, etc. The general consequences of armed conflict in Kashmir (which started in 1947) are strife, death, loss of security and livelihood, disrupted schooling, displacement, and the like. Every section in the society has been gravely affected. The impact of this social-economic dynamics has been devastating, putting into challenge survival, development, health, and overall well-being of Kashmiri communities across the valley. Since 1989 when armed conflict started in the valley, property worth hundreds of thousands of crores has been destroyed.

This has led to social disorder, disorganization, educational backwardness, physical and mental health deterioration, mass psychological depression, helplessness and an overall degenerated of cultural moorings. The conflict has resulted in loss of a significant number of people. According to conservative official estimates nearly 90000 people have been killed since 1989, however unofficial estimates put the figure around 125,000 (half of them were civilians). Death of any individual due to the conflict creates a huge survival challenge to the entire family - socially as well as economically. Most alarming aspect of the conflict is that prominent victims of violence during the last two decades have been the youth. They are targets, perpetrators as well as survivors of conflict. As their childhood was lost in the incidents of armed conflict, they could not be socialized in the proper cultural and religious ethos of Kashmir – often referred to as Kashmiriat. During the last two decades the Kashmir society has scattered, leaving children either orphaned or as half orphans. The loss of a family member has generated several problems which manifests practically in many ways in day to day life of the survivors. More commonly the widows are under psychology stress and economically dependent on the labour of their children, who are often unemployed.

Kashmir Mental Survey 2015 conducted by Médecins Sans Frontières in collaboration with Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Kashmir and Kashmir University has done a commendable job in this direction. The survey has been conducted in all the districts of Kashmir Valley, focusing mainly on most prevalent disorders like depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite a limitation of use of only screening tools in the estimation of the prevalence of these disorders, the findings confirm a serious mental health situation, with highly prevalent common mental disorders and distress having continued to increase to reach epidemic levels among the traumatized population of Kashmir, with 37% of adult males and 50% of females suffering from probable depression; 21% of males and 36% of females from a probable anxiety related disorder and 18% men and 22% women suffering from probable PTSD.

One hopes and expects that these disturbing survey findings are sufficient enough to jolt all stakeholders from complacency and make them join hands to mobilise all possible government as well as community resources to handle the emergency situation and try to develop and strengthen comprehensive policies for promotion of mental health as well as evidence based efficient innovative programs for prevention, early identification, care and support to the people with mental disorders and their families in Kashmir.

The last 30 years turmoil has not only killed humans but has also devastated and almost destroyed art, culture, and music in the valley. Almost all main sources of entertainment were restricted or blocked by terrorists or militancy linked separatist groups. Many prominent faces of culture and music were also lost in between the sounds of bullets and bombs. With the passage of time people became addicted to drugs due to the prevailing depressing scenario. Due to increasing level of stress and anxiety the population of drug addicts, especially the young, has been increasing to an alarming level day by day. Activities of destruction (stone pelting, protests etc.) are now being chosen as tools of entertainment and stress relieving in Kashmir.

To engage the local youth in music, art and culture is basically an attempt to provide them sources of entertainment and keep them away from subversive and anti-social activities. It has been observed that whenever Kashmiri youth gets a chance, they possess enough talent to excel in the arts. This is likely to also help them de-stress and overcome the widely prevalent mental health disorders in the region.

Talented youth is being sent out online / offline for competitions, professionally performing at festivals/occasions/functions, and some of them would soon also be encouraged to become trainers, based on their talent, commitment, and aptitude. Thus, incremental livelihood enhancement opportunities are being explored.

The youth is also provided soft skills in English to further groom their personality. Computer training is also given to provide them IT enabled skills that are of use everywhere in today’s world.

Aim of this project is not only to provide local youth opportunities of entertainment and de-stressing but is also to help in promotion of local music (Sufi music). Aim is to train 60 male and female candidates on different instruments of music and provide them wings to fly as well. Opportunities for incremental livelihood enhancement would also be explored by developing a Chinar Music Group to perform professionally at functions, events, and festivals in the area. Individual talent will also be promoted for the same.

This initiative of Indian army with the support of ONGC has started a new beginning of promotion of art and culture in Baramulla district of the Jammu and Kashmir State.