Conventionally, there used to exist a notion among the people of Jammu region that the helmsmen who usually belonged to the Kashmir Valley as the political outfits that ruled the erstwhile State of J&K in the past were mostly Kashmir based often discriminate Jammu on various counts. Although, after the inception of BJP government-led by PM Narendra Modi and especially post scrapping of Article 370, the people's point of view was changed in Jammu region but still in the core of their hearts there exists apprehension that the government in power will do injustice with the region.
In this context, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said that government was working on a model to build better film-shooting on the lines of European countries as efforts are on to make the UT a global film destination. As far as the aforesaid statement is concerned it is good that he is talking about the UT as a whole but his following remark that he remembers show maker Raj Kapoor's love for film shooting in Kashmir raises many questions and it would be better if the head of the UT clears the stand that reviving film shooting is for Kashmir only or the entire region including Jammu because the region south of Pir Panjal range is no less than any location of Kashmir as it has more than what the Valley offers with varied form of terrains and constructions both ancient and ultra modern.
There is no doubt that Jammu region's representation historically remained weak with no political leader showing spine to highlight the cause of these people leading to lackluster and the place receiving things at whims and fancies of people sitting at helm. The statement made by film maker Madhur Bhandharkar in the J&K Film Conclave that the event will send a big message across the film industry and would also lure film directors and producers to Kashmir again indicates that the people organizing such programmes have put on horse's blinders as they are only focused on promoting Valley and leaving all other regions on the mercy of God, which should not be the case.
It is necessary that LG should ensure a balanced approach in this gamut and for that matter in all other issues where hobnobbing by Valley centric-people could lead to lopsided decisions. Promoting Jammu alongside Kashmir can bring many benefits. Increased film shoots in Jammu would boost local tourism, create job opportunities, and stimulate the economy. It would also help in portraying a more inclusive and diverse image of the region showing the world that J&K is more than just the Valley.
