Padma Shri Recipient Brij Lal Bhat Sees Hope Returning to Kashmir

Social activist Brij Lal Bhat’s selection for the Padma Shri has brought renewed attention to the quiet transformation taking place in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking after the announcement, Bhat credited his wife and the unwavering support of the local community for sustaining his mission through difficult times. He described watching the Valley endure unrest yet never abandoning his post. Today, he sees families cautiously returning and young professionals investing in the region’s future. Bhat singled out the youth—nearly 60 percent of his organisation’s members—for driving this shift, arguing that their energy will shape a modern, prosperous Kashmir. Bhat also drew attention to the growing drug menace, noting that girls are increasingly falling prey to addiction. He called for stricter action against traffickers and wider public backing for the Lieutenant Governor’s anti-narcotics initiative. In closing, he appealed to Indians everywhere to recognise the Valley’s changing face and contribute to its journey toward progress and stability.