Music as therapy
Bilal Butt

In militancy-affected Jammu and Kashmir, schools are helping students de-stress with music

Schools in Jammu and Kashmir have decided that music is the balm that needs to applied to the mind and psyche of students ravaged by 17 years of insurgency.

To overcome stress, schools are now turning to music to soothe the senses, and special musical concerts are being held at regular intervals to help students to unwind.

"Definitely, the children here have faced a lot in the last few years...the atmosphere all around (of violence) definitely leaves a mark, and creates fear in the mind. But music helps overcome such feelings," said Abhay Sopori, who organised a music concert for the students of a public school.

The students also agreed that Kashmir’s ambience had no longer remained pleasant, and music helped them overcome stress and feel at peace.

"Yes, there is a lot of problem in Kashmir because of the firings and terrorism. But when one hears such nice soft...classical music, one thinks of the Kashmir of old times, of the peaceful world," said Suhail Rashid, a student.

The region has seen upheavals for the past 60 years, due to hostility between India and Pakistan, which had fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, divided between the two.

Although the overall violence levels have fallen since New Delhi and Islamabad launched new moves to make peace after going to the brink of another war in Kargil in 2002, there has been a spurt in militant attacks in recent weeks. — ANI

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