A Sobering Tale of Wasted Talent in Kashmir
(Abid Hussain Rather)
In recent months, the stories of PhD scholars from the Kashmir Valley resorting to selling dry fruits, juices, and other commodities on street carts have gone viral. While some have framed these stories as inspiring tales of resilience, the reality is far more troubling. These scholars are not choosing these jobs out of passion or entrepreneurial spirit but out of sheer necessity. This phenomenon, far from being motivational, is a glaring indictment of systemic failure—a failure to harness and utilize the region’s human capital. It points to chronic unemployment, lack of opportunities, and a system unable to integrate its most educated citizens into meaningful roles.
Pursuing a doctoral degree is no small feat. It requires years of rigorous research, academic dedication, and personal sacrifices. Scholars often delay family commitments, shoulder financial burdens, and navigate the uncertainty of academic pursuits. The expectation is that their hard-earned expertise will translate into significant societal contributions—as researchers, educators, policymakers, and skilled professionals. When PhD holders end up selling dry fruits or pushing carts for survival, it exposes a stark misalignment between education and opportunity, rendering years of personal and national investment futile.
Education Without Opportunity
The unemployment crisis in Jammu and Kashmir has persisted for decades, and the statistics paint a grim picture. According to recent reports, the region’s youth unemployment rate stands at a staggering 32%, while female unemployment reaches an alarming 53.6%—both the highest in India. With an estimated 25 lakh youngsters seeking jobs, the promises of economic development and job creation have largely fallen flat. PhD scholars are particularly vulnerable, as the limited number of academic and research positions cannot accommodate the growing pool of highly qualified candidates. The result is a paradox: a highly educated workforce with no avenues to apply their skills.
This crisis is compounded by a lack of strategic investment in employment-generating sectors. Decades of conflict have further hindered development, making job creation a perennial challenge. Universities and research institutions often focus on theoretical knowledge without aligning it to industry needs, leaving scholars with expertise that is often irrelevant outside academia. The lack of a strong academia-industry connection exacerbates the problem, forcing many scholars into unemployment or underemployment.
A Societal Loss
The impact of this systemic failure extends beyond individual scholars. Each PhD holder represents untapped potential—opportunities for innovation, improved governance, and societal advancement that are lost when their expertise goes unused. The consequences are not merely economic; they are also psychological and social. Educated individuals facing unemployment often experience frustration, disillusionment, and mental health challenges. This can discourage future generations from pursuing higher education, leading to a potential dearth of researchers in the future.
Socially, the phenomenon erodes trust in institutions and governance. When a society’s brightest minds are reduced to menial jobs despite years of effort, it sends a message of systemic neglect. This breeds collective disillusionment and diminishes the perceived value of education.
Breaking the Cycle
Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach:
1. Creating Quality Jobs: The government must focus on establishing industries that can absorb the region’s educated workforce. Offering tax subsidies and incentives to companies willing to invest in Kashmir can create significant employment opportunities. A robust industrial ecosystem could prevent the intellectual capital of the Valley from being wasted.
2. Strengthening Academia-Industry Collaboration: Universities must align their curricula and research with market needs. Partnerships with industries can create pathways for PhD holders to transition into roles where their expertise is valued.
3. Promoting Research-Driven Entrepreneurship: Instead of resorting to survival-based entrepreneurship, the government and financial institutions should promote initiatives rooted in research and development. Creating an ecosystem for innovation could turn scholars into job creators rather than job seekers.
4. Leveraging Global Opportunities: Scholars should be encouraged to explore career opportunities in developed regions of India and abroad. Facilitating this transition can help individuals find roles that match their qualifications.
5. Framing a Comprehensive Job Policy: For scholars with teaching experience, the government must create targeted recruitment drives. Thousands of vacant posts in schools and colleges could be filled by these experienced PhD holders, providing them with stable career prospects while addressing the region’s educational needs.
6. Cultural Shift: Society must recalibrate its perspective on education and labor. While all work has dignity, it is essential to recognize that individuals who have invested years in higher education deserve opportunities proportional to their efforts and qualifications.
A Shared Responsibility
The plight of Kashmir’s PhD scholars serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the consequences of systemic inefficiency and neglect. Beyond individual struggles, this is a collective failure that diminishes societal progress. Scholars represent more than their degrees; they embody potential innovations, policies, and knowledge that could transform communities. Allowing this talent to languish in menial roles is a disservice to both the individuals and the society at large.
The government, academia, and private sector must work together to address this issue. From creating industries to aligning education with market needs, the solutions are clear. What remains to be seen is whether there is the political will and societal determination to implement them.
Until then, the sight of a PhD scholar selling dry fruits on the streets will continue to be a sobering reminder of what could have been—a story not of resilience but of wasted potential. For a society striving for progress, this is a loss it cannot afford.
(The author can be reached at rather1294@gmail.com)
