 The year was 1988. Every hotel, tourist bungalow and houseboat was packed to capacity. The Dal was a buzz. Nearly a million tourists were holidaying in Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately, in 1989, suddenly a different variety of tourists arrived in the area. Uninvited and unwanted. Militancy erupted and as things worsened with time, the actual tourists fled. A pall of gloom settled on the Dal. The Shikara stood in silent queues. The Hangees or boat people desperately sat in wait for someone to arrive. Similarly, when normalcy returned, with it came peace and the tourists began to return, first in trickles, then in droves. So lovely, I don't know, it's like a dream. Militaries are present everywhere, you see them, but very calm, very gentle, actually always smiling towards women anyway. And I must say I feel very safe. A definite indicator was the return of Hindi film industry crews which arrived for shooting in the valley. A boost both for tourism and the economy. Proving yet again peace and development go hand in hand. Since last couple of years, things are getting better and people feel very optimistic about the betterment of this place now. We have seen private sector investment coming in. I would say after 12 years, 13 years, you can say, private sector, they have started coming in. We have like LG, we have Pepsi, we have so many people coming in. There are some textile units coming up, then KK Birla, they are expanding their unit. While agriculture and horticulture has traditionally been the mainstay of the region's economy, tourism has been a close third and number one in urban areas providing employment directly and indirectly to thousands. The other important sector contributing to the economy of the state is the handicraft sector which is also directly related with tourism. As long as Kashmir is concerned, Kashmir ki pacham, to Kashmir it by itself, it is by itself a pacham. Then you know handicrafts definitely because you know there are handicrafts made in other parts of the country also but those are entirely different. Like Pepe Mashe for example, I'll tell you, that is not made anywhere else in India. Karpisar made now in Delhi, Jaipur, Badoi, Agra and other places but again those and our Karpisar are entirely different. As tourism declined and markets shrunk, the exploitation of the artisans by middlemen increased. The craftsmen then began to travel to sell their products. These actual manufacturers, they are producing and selling directly to the consumers. They go out during winter and sell their products. So their renumeration has improved. But perhaps one of the most important reasons for the economic turnaround is that their intentions have not been broken and our intentions have not been broken but we have not stopped the work. Peace for development and development for peace is the only way to ensure a smile on every face.