Praising Peace and Its Blossoming Dividends
I. Ahmed Wani
In the crisp winter air of Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, fireworks lit up the night sky on December 17, 2025, as locals poured into the streets in jubilation. The cause? Auqib Nabi Dar, a young fast bowler from the serene village of Sheeri in this picturesque town, had just been snapped up by the Delhi Capitals for a staggering ₹8.40 crore in the IPL 2026 auction. This wasn’t just a personal triumph for the 29-year-old uncapped Indian pacer; it was a beacon of hope for an entire region long shrouded in conflict. Auqib’s journey from the dusty pitches of Kashmir to the glitz of the Indian Premier League symbolizes the profound dividends of peace that are finally taking root in the Valley. As Kashmir emerges from the dark age of terrorism, its youth are stepping into the light, channeling their talents into sports, education, and innovation. This is merely the beginning—the fruits of just a few years of relative stability. It’s time to let peace revive fully, push the monsters of extremism to the back seat, and harness the innate hardworking spirit of Kashmiris. With proper channelization and helping hands from across India and beyond, we can safeguard the future of this paradise on earth.
Auqib Nabi Dar’s story is one of quiet determination and family sacrifice. Born on November 4, 1996, in Sheeri village, Baramulla district, Auqib comes from a modest, close-knit family. His father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, a dedicated government school teacher, initially dreamed of seeing his son become a doctor, prioritizing academics in a household where resources were limited. Yet, recognizing Auqib’s passion for cricket, he became his son’s biggest supporter and first coach, guiding him through the early years. “I supported him in whatever way I could. We were hopeful he would be selected because he worked very hard. Today, everyone is happy,” Ghulam Nabi said, his voice filled with emotion. The family now harbors a bigger dream: seeing Auqib don the Indian jersey. “The next big hope is the national team,” a family member shared, while Ghulam Nabi added, “I can’t express my happiness in words… Now the only thing left is to get selected for the Indian team.”
Auqib’s mother, Mehmooda Begum, played an equally vital role, warmly welcoming visitors during the celebrations and distributing almonds and sweets as neighbors thronged their home. His siblings—brother Imran Nabi, pursuing a Master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism at Kashmir University, and sister Nazia Nabi—have stood firmly behind him, sharing in the pride of his journey. Friends and local cricketers, like Zubair Ahmad Dar from the Baramulla Cricket Forum and Jehangir Lone, recall Auqib’s relentless grind. “Whenever I used to talk to Auqib, he would always say, ‘I will never give up. I will work harder until I reach the national team,’” Jehangir shared. Zubair, who captained him early on, said, “From day one, I had an intuition that he will get a big breakthrough.”
Hailing from Sheeri, a district once rife with militancy, Auqib honed his skills in domestic cricket, impressing scouts with his raw pace, swing, and accuracy. His performances in the Ranji Trophy—topping the wicket charts with 44 dismissals in the 2024-25 season—and other tournaments caught the eye of IPL franchises, leading to a fierce bidding war that ended with Delhi Capitals securing him for ₹8.40 crore. Local leader Ghulam Hassan Mir hailed it as a moment that “elevates the pride of Jammu & Kashmir,” proving that talent from the Valley can compete on national stages. Celebrations in Sheeri and Baramulla weren’t just about cricket; they represented a collective exhale—a sign that peace is enabling dreams long suppressed. As cousin Bilal Ahmad put it in a popular local saying, “Dair aaye, durust aaye” (Better late than never), emphasizing how Auqib’s hard work and dedication have finally paid off. Neighbors like Fayaz Ahmed noted, “It took us 10 years to see this happiness in our village,” while young fans bursting crackers declared his success proof that “hard work pays off despite limited resources.” Auqib’s success inspires young athletes, showing that with hard work and opportunity, Kashmiris can shine globally—turning him into the “Sheeri Star” chanted in the streets.
This isn’t an isolated case. Sports have become a powerful bridge to peace and recovery in Kashmir. Cricket, in particular, unites the youth, fostering camaraderie and diverting energies from conflict. Initiatives like the Kashmir Strike Sozieth league have become breeding grounds for talent, providing platforms for thousands of youngsters. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha recently emphasized how “one step by youth pushes India ten steps forward,” during the 6th Kashmiri Pandit Premier League, highlighting sports’ role in birthing new dreams. Umran Malik, another Kashmiri pacer, blazed a trail in 2021 when he clocked 150 kmph deliveries for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, becoming an icon for aspiring cricketers back home. His journey from Jammu’s modest grounds to international nets inspired a wave of enrollments in cricket academies. Similarly, Parvez Rasool, the first Kashmiri to play for India, overcame detention by security forces in 2009—mistaken for a militant—to captain J&K and play in the IPL. Abdul Samad, with his explosive batting for Sunrisers, further proves the Valley’s cricketing prowess.
Beyond cricket, other sports are flourishing. Ali Sports Academy in Srinagar, run on modest fees, has trained 14,000 youth across 18 disciplines, producing stars like martial artist Tajamul Islam, who won gold at the World Kickboxing Championship at age eight. In Pulwama—infamous for the 2019 terror attack—cricket is rewriting narratives of hope. Local tournaments draw crowds, with young fans declaring, “This is about restoring hope.” Nasir Aejaz Sufi from Baramulla recently represented India in international youth football, putting Kashmir on the global stage. These stories underscore how peace allows talent to thrive, turning potential militants into medalists.
The dividends extend far beyond sports. Education has seen a renaissance, with enrollment rates soaring and new institutions like IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu attracting bright minds. Kashmiri youth are excelling in competitive exams; in 2024, over 50 cleared the UPSC Civil Services, a record high. Entrepreneurship is booming too—startups in horticulture, tourism, and tech are sprouting, backed by government schemes like Stand-Up India. Take the success of walnut exporters or saffron cultivators using e-commerce to reach global markets. In arts and culture, young filmmakers and musicians are gaining acclaim, with local productions highlighting everyday resilience.
Yet, this revival is fragile. Incidents like past terrorist attacks remind us that threats linger. Proxy groups and external influences continue to attempt radicalization. But the youth’s response is telling: instead of succumbing, they’re choosing paths of progress. The quality of terrorist violence has weakened, leading to a decline in overall insurgency. Kashmiris are hardworking by nature—farmers toiling in orchards, artisans crafting pashminas—their talent is undeniable. What they need is proper channelization: more academies, scholarships, and mentorship programs. Let the monsters of terrorism—the ideologues and sponsors—take a back seat. Their era of darkness is waning; peace must be allowed to flourish unchecked.
Helping hands must come forward. The central government has invested heavily, but more private sector involvement is crucial—corporate sponsorships for sports, skill development centers, and cultural exchanges. NGOs, philanthropists, and diaspora Kashmiris can bridge gaps, providing resources and networks. International bodies should recognize India’s efforts in countering terrorism while promoting development. Education on peace-building in schools can inoculate youth against radicalization, emphasizing unity over division.
This is the beginning. The fruits we’ve seen—from Auqib’s IPL jackpot, born of family support and local pride, to global sporting feats—are from just a few years of sustained peace. Imagine a decade from now: Kashmir as India’s Silicon Valley of the North, or a hub for winter Olympics training. By saving our future through investment in youth, we honor the sacrifices of those who fought for stability. Let peace prevail, talents bloom, and Kashmir’s story inspire the world. The Valley’s youth are ready; it’s time we all step up to ensure their dreams soar unbound.
