{"id":91441,"date":"2025-10-06T15:43:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T10:13:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.khushalekashmir.com\/?p=91441"},"modified":"2025-10-06T15:43:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T10:13:40","slug":"farming-is-our-heritage-lets-preserve-it-kashmiri-farmer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.khushalekashmir.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/06\/farming-is-our-heritage-lets-preserve-it-kashmiri-farmer\/","title":{"rendered":"Farming is Our Heritage, Let\u2019s Preserve It: Kashmiri Farmer"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Renowned Educationist Calls on Youth to Protect Kashmiri Culture and Agricultural Identity<\/h2>\n

Budgam, Oct 06: In an inspiring address at a community interaction in Beerwah, noted educationist and social activist Manjeet Singh Gill emphasized that farming is not merely a profession but the very foundation of Kashmir\u2019s culture and economy. He said agriculture is the true heritage of Kashmiris, binding them to their roots and shaping their collective identity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gill underlined that the orchards, fields, and saffron farms of Kashmir are not just sources of livelihood but symbols of resilience and cultural continuity. \u201cFarming is our heritage, and it must be preserved with pride and responsibility. It is not only about crops and fruits, but about our identity, our culture, and our survival,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reflecting on the region\u2019s history, Gill explained that Kashmir\u2019s rich culture is inseparably tied to farming. From the world-famous saffron fields of Pampore, to the apple orchards of Shopian, and the paddy fields of Budgam and Baramulla, agriculture has been the lifeblood of the Valley for centuries.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He said collective farming practices, harvest festivals, and traditions of cooperation were once powerful symbols of Kashmiri unity. \u201cOur fields tell the story of our ancestors. Every orchard, every grain of rice, and every fruit we grow carries the legacy of hard work and resilience,\u201d Gill remarked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Expressing concern over modern lifestyle trends, Gill highlighted how Kashmiri youth are increasingly becoming disconnected from their roots. Instead of engaging in productive activities, many are drawn into excessive use of mobile phones, gadgets, and online distractions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe young generation must realize that while technology is useful, it should not take them away from the real wealth of life our land and our heritage. Farming is our identity. It cannot be ignored in the name of modernization,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gill urged the youth to strike a balance between adopting modern technology and staying grounded in their traditional values. \u201cOur future will be safe only if our fields remain alive. Without agriculture, Kashmir\u2019s identity will lose its essence,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Encouraging the youth to embrace both tradition and innovation, Gill suggested that modern irrigation systems, organic farming, mechanization, and eco-friendly methods must be introduced without discarding the age-old wisdom passed down by ancestors.<\/p>\n

We must combine tradition with modernity. Sustainable farming not only ensures food security but also protects Kashmir\u2019s fragile ecosystem. If we adopt smart solutions while respecting our culture, we can make Kashmiri agriculture a global example of sustainability,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Speaking as a representative of the Sikh community of Beerwah, Gill emphasized that Kashmiri Sikhs have always played a significant role in farming and community development. He said farming has been treated as a sacred duty, not just a livelihood.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether Sikh, Muslim, or Hindu, agriculture has united us all as Kashmiris. Farming is the cultural fabric that binds our communities together,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n