Congress Reality Versus Expectations

 Two decades in politics is a long time. Leaders keep learning, but eventually they must account for their record and make hard choices. Moreover, the fast-changing political world won't wait forever. Ironically, after 20 years in active politics—including not taking the top job in India's oldest party, the Indian National Congress—Rahul Gandhi remains at a crossroads. Consequently, he seems unsure which path to take. He has become the party's unofficial boss, even as his aides insist that Mallikarjun Kharge is the duly elected president. No one denies the facts, but reality on the ground tells a different story. Mallikarjun Kharge has been Congress president for over three years after beating Shashi Tharoor, with full backing from Rahul Gandhi and his family. Furthermore, Sonia Gandhi openly supported Kharge. Since then, Tharoor—doubted by Gandhi loyalists—has been labeled a rebel. In practice, Rahul Gandhi remains the real boss, pulling the strings. Everything Rahul did in these three years bears his mark. Equally, everything he didn't do also bears his mark, and that dual responsibility shapes both credit and blame.

Recently, the Congress found a new alliance partner and a new lease of life in South India in the assembly elections. However, that alone is insufficient to win the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Therefore, ignoring the need to revive the party won't help if the strategy is only to come to power via alliance partners. This contradiction is dangerous and badly needs a fix. Worse still, the momentum from Rahul Gandhi's tough Bharat Jodo Yatras (BJYs) is fading fast. Without a clear, follow-up plan, divided party units—from the national All India Congress Committee (AICC) down to state units—aren't spreading Gandhi's message to the grassroots. Moreover, BJP sympathizers inside Congress are effectively running some state Congress committees (PCCs) in many places, creating a governance and organisational challenge.

If this points to Rahul Gandhi's weaknesses, it also reflects failures within his close team—either to keep the momentum from those huge events alive on the ground or to provide candid, strong advice. Indeed, party insiders at the AICC often complain—and the public frequently asks—"Who are Rahul Gandhi's advisers?" Frankly, no one knows. Another big gripe is how hard it is to reach Gandhi and his AICC team, especially general secretary (organisation) K. C. Venugopal. This applies to party leaders, ordinary workers, and the general public. In short, it's a problem only Rahul Gandhi himself can fix. He has a complex personality and strong knowledge, but he often forgets that top leaders must lead from the front through visible actions as well as strategy. His persistent advocacy for marginalized groups is admirable and defines part of his political identity. Nevertheless, his primary objective must be broader: to win back the party's core supporters, especially the urban and aspirational middle class who once formed Congress's backbone.

Today, Indian politics has changed fast and is now overwhelmingly governed by social media narratives. The Congress isn't prepared to respond cohesively or stay ahead of these rapid shifts. In contrast, the BJP and Modi's team are quick with damage control and adept at reframing debates. Therefore, Congress and Rahul Gandhi must shed complacency if they want to be competitive. He cannot appear as a lone warrior—he needs to build and lead a competent, visible team quickly and decisively. Indecision and secrecy within the AICC have exacerbated organizational challenges.

While Modi keeps his distance from many BJP workers, his popularity endures because the BJP's organisation provides solid backing and a willingness to make tough calls. Consequently, an opposition leader like Rahul—constantly watched by rivals—cannot ignore internal challenges or the need to adapt. For example, the J&K Congress renaming the Jammu office as ‘Rajiv Bhawan’ shows a symbolic disconnect—the new generation may not connect with Rajiv Gandhi the same way, having grown up watching Narendra Modi since 2014. Ultimately, reviving Congress requires courage, conviction, strength, and flexibility; therefore, political reality must be honestly scrutinised against political expectations for the party to recover.

New Lawyers Struggle To Survive

Ever since demands have been raised to establish a National Law University (NLU) campus in Jammu, I have wondered whether its graduates—trained at this prestigious institution—will practice in J&K. I am not optimistic. Another question stays; will they transform Jammu's legal system by making professional life economically viable for graduates from other law colleges? I lack answer to this question. These questions came to my mind because in India law degrees promise grand dreams and prestigious careers, but the vast majority of students face economically extremely challenging and disappointing outcomes.

As a law graduate myself and then having taught law in a college, I have witnessed this bitter truth through close observations of peers and my numerous students who graduated with law degrees. Even after diligently completing several internships at law firms or courts, law graduates yet find themselves stuck in entry-level junior lawyer positions that pay a meager stipend of just ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 per month in J&K—particularly those who studied at mid-tier law institutions in or outside Jammu and Kashmir. These widespread experiences clearly reveal a deeply rooted and systemic problem within our country's legal education and employment framework of law graduates.

Additionally, India presently has about close to 2,000 law colleges that collectively produce around 100,000 new law graduates each year, but unfortunately, only roughly 4,000 of these graduates come from the prestigious group of top National Law Universities, often referred to as NLUs. India has an astonishing total of around 20 lakh lawyers, but a large segment of them either sits inactive without engaging in legal practice or find it difficult to make a modest living—indicating that the genuine count of fully active and employed lawyers is probably  near to only 13-14 lakh at most. Due to this oversupply, the most renowned top law firms carefully choose only a small number of exceptional students annually—for instance, merely 555 recruits from the whole 2025 graduating cohort of 100,000 students. Likewise, obtaining positions in the judiciary is an even greater risk, as the chances of success are extremely slim despite more than 5,000 open vacancies needing to be filled.

Furthermore, I recognize that for first-generation lawyers in any family practicing law in courts involves a tough 7-10-year journey characterized by persistently low salaries and unending hard work, which understandably deters numerous young hopefuls, particularly when paired with the soaring cost of living in today’s urban environments. Consequently, recent graduates opting to begin their careers in court litigation have to accept starting salaries ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹14,000 monthly, which inevitably compels many to pursue unrelated side jobs to make ends meet or move back in their family businesses due to financial constraints.

Conversely, I have observed that alumni from prestigious NLUs tend to excel financially and experience superior work opportunities. For example, the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru students get an average salary package of ₹16 lakh per year, alongside commendable placement statistics; NLU Delhi reaches even greater numbers with an average of ₹18 lakh; whereas West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) in Kolkata distinguishes itself with an average salary of ₹20 lakh and nearly flawless placement success. Nevertheless, the scenario shifts significantly for mid-tier NLUs, as average salaries fall to ₹7-14 lakh per year and fewer students find employment. It turns particularly bleak for students from smaller private colleges, who frequently only manage to earn ₹2-6 lakh with poor job prospects.

Moreover, graduates from institutions not ranked among the top 10 NLUs face a true and persistent crisis—a scenario that is entirely different from the wider prospects accessible to engineering graduates, who enjoy significantly varied job options—mainly because opportunities are influenced more by the perceived prestige of their college than by real skills or competencies. Therefore, it would be wise for new law graduates to contemplate turning towards different career options such as legal consulting, corporate compliance, public policy roles, or freelance legal advising—fields where transferable skills like strong analytical reasoning, ethical decision-making, and effective communication are particularly valuable.

Above all else, the key advice is to grab hold of any paying job opportunity that comes your way first and foremost, simply to achieve basic financial independence, and then strategically build and advance from that foundation over time.  To truly fix this broken system, we urgently need a set of practical, actionable steps implemented across the country. For students and recent graduates, the focus should be on prioritizing practical skills over mere academic degrees. Next in line, building a strong professional network early on is crucial—whether by joining active online lawyer communities on platforms like LinkedIn, participating in free webinars hosted by industry experts, or actively seeking out mentors from mid-sized law firms who can provide real-world guidance.

Also, it pays to keep an eye on non-traditional, non-courtroom career paths such as contract drafting for innovative startups, or policy advocacy roles within non-governmental organizations—these avenues often deliver better and quicker financial returns compared to the slow grind of litigation. Likewise, law schools should assume accountability by specifically establishing collaborations and agreements with law firms and corporations to ensure compulsory internships for every student and highest placement opportunities. Simultaneously, it is crucial to adopt intelligent strategies to reduce student enrollment in ineffective or struggling colleges for which government and the Bar Council of India should adopt a strong stance on quality control by closing or merging institutions that do not meet standards and required job placement records as a prerequisite for renewing operating approvals. It is also crucial to enhance regular recruitment openings for judicial roles without long delays.

Finally, law firms and big companies can make a big difference by doing better when it comes to training new talent. Instead of using unpaid or unfair internships, they should create paid apprenticeship programs that have clear steps leading to full-time jobs. Overall, making better rules for colleges, using teaching methods that focus on skills and real-world practice will help the whole legal system improve. This would let law become a rewarding and realistic career choice again for young, ambitious people. Otherwise, more graduates will face the same struggles and disappointments.

Adulterated Food: A Silent Health Crisis

To begin with, food adulteration means adding poor-quality or cheap ingredients to food to trick customers and save money. The biggest problem is with milk sellers, who often add water to their milk to make it last longer. Also, many reports show that some people are mixing harmful chemicals and detergents into paneer. Similarly, spices are sometimes mixed with powdered bricks and artificial bright colors. Because of this, sellers make more money, but consumers end up with food that is not only of bad quality but also very dangerous to health, which can lead to serious health problems for many people. In the lively markets of Jammu, enjoying a glass of milk or a plate of sweets should be a simple joy for both families and visitors. But too often, these everyday treats come with hidden risks that people don't even realize. Food adulteration is a serious threat to health and damages the trust people have in local sellers. In Jammu, common examples include milk, paneer, and sweets that are sold in different markets around the city.

That's why it's important to look closely at the issue. Reports and real examples show how bad this problem can be for people's health. This shows the urgent need for stronger and faster checks to protect our communities properly. Moreover, the figures paint a grim picture that can't be ignored. From 2016 to 2019, many food samples failed rigorous tests across Jammu and Kashmir, indicating adulteration and unfitness for consumption. In 2024-25 alone Parliament data indicated that in the financial year, 6,955 samples were tested in J&K, of which 651 were found to be unsafe, leading to over 1,200 penalties. Furthermore, recent raids confirm this isn't improving, as in July 2025 police seized quintals of fake paneer in Jammu. Meanwhile, a cold store in Bishnah was busted with approximately 440 quintals of adulterated rasgullas loaded with harmful preservatives. Likewise, viral videos have repeatedly exposed poor food standards in Srinagar. As a result, Jammu's tourist-packed markets act like magnets, drawing in unchecked street food, dairy, and meat from outside states, all slipping past tax border points like Lakhanpur without proper scrutiny. As of February 2026, 5 quintals of decomposed meat and 6,000 kg of raw fish were seized, highlighting an ongoing issue of this silent health crisis.

Notably, this poison doesn't just sit idle; it builds up silently in our bodies over time. For example, toxic chemicals in adulterated spices directly cause liver damage. Likewise, fake milk contaminated with detergents or urea leads to severe kidney problems. In fact, Jammu and Kashmir reported a stepping number of active cancer cases in 2025, and health officials have explicitly linked a portion of this rise to long-term exposure to contaminated diets. Additionally, school canteens put our children's futures at risk with potentially unsafe meals. While festivals like Diwali flood markets with sweets artificially colored with banned dyes. For poorer families, who stretch budgets on the cheapest market options, this means they're often buying slow poison unaware. Ultimately, hospitals across Jammu overflow with cases of acute food poisoning, upset stomachs, chronic weakness, and diseases that linger for years.

This is the exact reason why outdated practices are failing Jammu, and at this point, stringent, proactive monitoring is crucial. We require regular surprise inspections by FSSAI personnel, quick on-site laboratory testing at crowded marketplaces and border tolls like Lakhanpur, harsher penalties to discourage repeat violators, and extensive public awareness campaigns in villages and schools. Imagine, for instance, mobile testing vans speeding through Narwal or Talab Tillo, like Kerala's successful "Food Safety on Wheels" (FSW) models that reduced adulteration rates to large extent. Therefore, it's time for law enforcement, trustworthy merchants, and regular people to join in this struggle since everyone has a fundamental right to safe, pure food. To put it briefly, Jammu deserves food that you can eat with confidence.

 

J&K Forests: A Vital Natural Heritage

While driving out of Jammu towards Kashmir on the curvy roads, trees and green forests start flashing around us. Some moments come when we stop on the highway and it feels as if forests are alive and are standing tall like guards as they eat bad air from the passing vehicles.  Forests are the foundation of Jammu and Kashmir's environment as they keep life going. In fact, new data shows that about 20,194 square kilometers of area of the Union Territory's land is covered by forests which is around 48% of its geographical area. As a result, it ranks among India's greenest areas and a true natural heritage treasure. This green cover is more than just numbers—it's our living heritage.

I learned about them from my car and developed love for nature while watching trees everywhere as they hold animals, bees, birds, medicinal plants and add in many other ways to our life. For centuries, it has protected wildlife, regulated climate, supported water sources, and we must plant more and protect them as in present times they are being cut and need protection more than ever before. Moreover, local stories and traditions honor these woods as sacred gifts from nature. Different districts highlight this heritage's strength. For example, Doda district has most of the total forest area. Baramulla, Udhampur, and Anantnag also have significant forest cover. Likewise, Kupwara has the highest density of its land coming under forest area. In addition, these regions are heritage hotspots with habitats for rare species, and vital for biodiversity that generations have cherished and tell stories about.

However, there are variations across regions, places like Srinagar and Budgam have less forest due to expanding towns and development which appears like a danger to our life too. We need growth, but not at the expense of our irreplaceable heritage. Jammu and Kashmir's forests are especially important because they lie in the sensitive Himalayan area which serve as natural barriers, preventing soil erosion, landslides, and floods. Additionally, they maintain river flow for agriculture and drinking water—a lifeline our ancestors relied on. So, losing these forests would erase this vital legacy from our life because every tiny root in the soil is working hard to keep tress flashy and provide us clean air.

Nevertheless, threats loom over this heritage. Adding to it is illegal logging, land encroachment, fires, and climate change which pose serious risks. Next, rising temperatures and irregular rainfall damage trees and wildlife. Moreover, human activities in wild areas accelerate loss and lead to animal conflicts.  We need to take strategic steps to protect our natural heritage, like involving local communities that have been protecting forests for generations because they have the best knowledge of the land and can help monitor threats; planting more trees through community initiatives to quickly restore degraded areas; managing forests sustainably with techniques like selective harvesting to maintain healthy ecosystems; using satellites and technology for real-time monitoring of fires and illegal activities to address issues early; and responsibly developing eco-tourism to create jobs, draw tourists who value the heritage.  

Jammu and Kashmir's forests are a source of pride and an invaluable inheritance. There are different laws in various acts that address the protection of forests. However, laws and regulations alone won’t bring results unless we develop a sense of value toward our forests. For this, reminding people about fundamental duties in the constitution is more important, as Article 51 A-g clearly emphasises that we must protect our forests, which are an integral part of India’s natural heritage. Sustained efforts toward afforestation can lead to the conservation of forests in J&K. Ultimately, safeguarding them requires effective policies, decisive action, and increased awareness. Together, we can build a more sustainable future, as forests are not just scenic views—they underpin environmental stability and support life. In fact, preserving this heritage ensures a resilient future for all because healthy forests mean clean air and safe homes. So, we must act now for the sake of future generations despite all challenges.

 

Cultural Unity Sidetracked By Social Media

The Jammu region has always been a place where cultures blended like colors in a painting. People of different religions coexist here like an extended family, sharing diverse languages, arts, and a deep traditional culture that connects everyone. The lively sounds of Dogri folk songs tell ancient stories, while the touching words of Punjabi and Urdu poems move the soul. Real-life tales in Gojri and Pahari come from the hill folk. Jammu's true essence shone through this shared life and culture. From the University of Jammu emerged "Jammuiyat," a meaningful concept representing collective peace, kindness, respect, and strong intercultural bonds. The University of Jammu planned to bring it to life with the event "Jammuiyat: Sahitya–Sanskriti Samagam." Despite its promise, the idea faced fierce criticism and intense social media pressure, leading the University to rename the event.

This change muted what could have been a bolder stand. Jammuiyat sought to reconnect local communities with fading traditions threatened by globalization and smartphone dominance. Endangered languages like Punjabi and Paddari, along with cherished practices such as oral stories from grandmother to grandchild, village folk plays, field songs, and intricate wall or cloth paintings, risked vanishing as youth chased repetitive TV and app stories. The Samagam aimed to counter this as a vibrant platform where teachers, writers, painters, musicians, students, and community members collaborated to preserve heritage and keep local stories relevant. By blending literature, traditions, and youthful energy, Jammuiyat could have ignited pride in Jammu's sense of one big family, emphasizing unity over division.

Had it proceeded under the original name, the event would have helped further to preserve and revive culture through grand gatherings of poets singing of love and land, thinkers posing profound questions, and performers dancing and acting out stories. Thoughtful discussions would have traced the evolution of local arts and customs, ensuring their endurance. Interactive sessions would have further sparked deep genuine exchanges among writers, scholars, artists, and students, turning passive audiences into active participants. Youth, as trendsetters, would have joined conversations under the banner of Jammuiyat on literature, shared history, and sustaining traditions, countering screen-induced isolation with real connections—leaving a lasting social impact on unity and revival.

Basically, Jammuiyat embodied peaceful coexistence—the true spirit of Jammu. In an era when neighbors became strangers, the Samagam under its original banner could have served as a powerful wake-up call, protecting and reinventing local languages and performances. Workshops might have seen children blend Dogri love poems with smartphone videos, hill folk infuse traditional tunes with modern humor, young creators turn Gojri hill songs into short audio clips, and artists merge ancient floral motifs with city lights and digital tools—all preserved in a grand hall. These activities would have documented Jammu's rich cultural history in a new manner and passed it to future generations, fostering widespread pride and innovation.

If the University had resisted pressure and kept "Jammuiyat," it would have signaled a new beginning, like the morning sun, positioning itself as guardian of yesterday's gifts and catalyst for tomorrow's success. The unchanged Sahitya–Sanskriti Samagam would have invited every citizen to nurture vibrant cultural pride extending far beyond the hills, proving Jammuiyat not just a one-time event but a lasting movement. Ancestral traditions could have united people, spark new kind of ideas, and ensured heritage endured for generations—creating the good cultural unity that the people on social media with criticism regrettably sidetracked.

 

Jammu's Sikh Youth Deserve Transformative Learning

If you know someone working in coordination with the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC) or the District Guruduwara Prabhandak Committee (DGPC) in J&K, then this piece will be a good thought-provoking read for you. The Sikh community in Jammu is a vibrant minority of the city's population and holds significant potential. However, it still faces educational hurdles that constrain its growth. For instance, fewer Sikhs from rural areas pursue college education, professional courses, or crack competitive exams compared to their numbers. This happens because families struggle with fees, transport, and a lack of guidance. Moreover, the situation of Sikh people living in urban areas is a little better, but still not something that can set a trajectory for the growth of the Sikh community in the coming decades.

Therefore, this overall situation requires targeted action at the household, community, policy, and advocacy levels for Sikhs in Jammu. By implementing practical steps—starting from scholarships to minority schemes to education mentoring—the entire Sikh community can achieve upliftment. Consequently, this would lead to economic stability, social strength, and lasting pride for coming generations, because education is the surest ladder out of challenges for any community. In Jammu, many Sikh families have backgrounds in transportation, trade, or daily wage labour, and they often aren't aware of modern educational options. Thus, the SGPC and DGPC could have been more effective if they had planned to start "Education Clinics" in local gurdwaras. These clinics would help families learn about different schools and colleges in subject areas like science, commerce, and arts, as well as highlighting eligibility for competitive exams and professional courses.

Furthermore, since SGPC runs professional colleges and universities in Punjab, it can coordinate with DGPC in J&K to take needy and deserving students to those colleges by providing scholarships and free seats—which remain unfilled every year. When Sikh parents are well-informed, they are more likely to invest in their children's education, which can help reduce the number of students dropping out of college—a problem that is common in the community. For example, when families learn that financial help is available through different schemes, they would choose to send their children to do professional courses and coaching, which otherwise cost lakhs of rupees. This small change can create a culture of hope and ambition, making homes places where learning and growth take place. In addition, India's robust system for supporting minority communities offers easy access to various resources. Sikhs are eligible for government-sponsored programs run by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, including scholarships for students before and after matriculation, as well as merit-based financial aid.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Sikhs can also benefit from education loans that help them pursue higher degrees and vocational training in fields like IT, nursing, and entrepreneurship. Despite these opportunities, however, there are not many Sikh students enrolling in these programs. The issue seems to stem from certain so-called 'social leaders' who focus more on improving their social standing and moving into politics rather than helping young Sikhs build a strong educational background. If these government programs are implemented in the Sikh community, they can reduce costs by 30–50% for families who find it difficult to pay for coaching and books. Without this assistance, young people feel that their professional options are limited and prepare to relocate overseas in search of employment as a means of survival.

Therefore, the young administrators in different Guruduwara committees must start to go beyond langar, prayer, and internal affairs management, since gurdwaras must serve as community hubs. Similarly, Sikh Naujwan Sabhas or Sikh youth organisations should take up setting up "education cells" in every local gurdwara in the Jammu region. These “education cells” can raise money through crowdfunding for things like books, laptops, and fees, and help young people start enrolling in college and university courses. Because merely promoting Punjabi as a subject in Jammu won't be beneficial. Instead, the goal should be to increase cultural confidence and reduce alienation, which is the primary cause of the high dropout rate among Sikhs.

Successful models show communities raising lakhs every year—for example, the scholarships offered by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. This might involve pooling resources for 50–100 children annually in Jammu, establishing a cycle of individualised guidance to turn promise into achievement. In addition, Sikh professionals, including doctors, engineers, military officers, and media specialists, should "adopt" five to ten pupils by providing them with career guidance, exam hints, and internships to help them advance into their chosen industries. To make competitive exam preparation cheap, study circles for NEET, JEE, law admissions, and civil services should be started at 3-4 centrally located gurdwaras in the Jammu district. Research indicates that communities that implement youth mentoring programs find improvements in their young people's confidence and grades of between 50 and 70 per cent. So, why are Sikhs unable to embrace this?

In Jammu, this wide network of ‘clinics’ and ‘cells’ would bring out role models, inspiring youth to aim for other options rather than settle for migration plans as the first and last option. Moreover, those who call themselves ‘community leaders’ should survey 100-200 Sikh families in the Jammu region where youth drop out of college or haven't enrolled in universities due to barriers in educational plans. These steps, if adopted, would yield layered results. In the short term, such scholarships, schemes, and mentoring will lower costs and increase the number of Sikh youths in professional fields. In the long term, as more Sikhs gain access to professional courses and college admissions rise, this will strengthen social bonds and reduce divisions within the community.

Ultimately, the Jammu social system would also benefit from skilled contributions coming in the service and business sectors from the Sikh community, serving the public at large. Uplifting Jammu's Sikhs through education requires unity and persistence, starting at the gurdwara level with SGPC and DGPC coordination by thinking over and above kirtan programs. The rewards will be prosperous families, empowered women, and proud youth. As Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught—knowledge liberates—Jammu's Sikhs, acting now, will not only survive but thrive, inspiring minorities everywhere.

 

Parental Comparisons: An Intergenerational Practice

Exam season is around, and so is the time when parents often compare their children to others, saying things like, "Why can't you score like your cousin?" or "Look at the neighbor's kid who topped the class." Such parents feel that this habit pushes children toward success. However, if you talk to psychologists, it does more harm than good, especially to youth. Therefore, parents compare without knowing its negative effects on young minds, and hindrance to nurturing growth. In short, comparisons create pressure instead of progress.

Several reasons drive parents to compare. First, it's a habit passed down from their own childhood, mostly from their parents. Specifically, parents who faced comparisons themselves often repeat it unconsciously. Moreover, they grew up hearing similar words and believe it builds discipline and ambition. In fact, psychology calls this intergenerational transmission—parenting styles like comparisons pass from one generation to the next. As a result, parents copy what they saw, thinking it worked for them. Additionally, not all are "negative" people; many mean “well” for their children but lack awareness about the negative impact it causes. Besides, in places like India, society adds pressure too on parents and they start fearing that their child will lag in exams, jobs, or marriage prospects.

As a result, they observe high-achieving friends and start to worry about falling behind. Our brains naturally use comparisons to stay motivated, a concept known as ‘social comparison theory’. This is also seen in Jammu and Kashmir, where young people compete for limited government jobs and college admissions. Parents often compare their children's ranks or skills to help them face the challenges of life. The negative effects start at an early age but are most damaging during youth. Between the ages of 13 and 25, young people are developing their sense of self. During this time, their brains are especially sensitive to judgment, making them more vulnerable. Constant comparisons can really hurt their self-esteem and feel like they're not good enough. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and a lack of confidence.

Research shows that youth who compare themselves to others experience higher stress and are more likely to want to give up. They may also start to believe they aren't smart or capable. Sibling competition can make this worse, with one child becoming the "star" and the other the "failure." This leads to emotional strain within families. In youth, this stress often shows up as rebellious behavior, trouble focusing on school, or withdrawing from friends and family. This age brings peer pressure, also pressure by parents on children for exams like JEE or NEET add to the problem in young people’s lives because targets and comparisons steal joy from life of the growing generation.

Thus, creativity fades away; young people choose safe paths instead of pursuing their passions. Also, in sports and arts, they quit because they're afraid of failing. Because of this, mental health problems increase—surveys show that comparing oneself to family members is connected to youth depression cases. In areas like Jammu, youth unemployment makes things worse. In fact, parents use comparisons to "toughen" their kids, but this only makes them feel hopeless. Instead of strong, confident leaders, we end up with adults who are insecure and always looking for approval. Comparisons also don't work as a real source of motivation and in turn kids stop listening when they hear negative words. Instead, praising effort is more effective to take young people in the right direction.

So, experts suggest using positive role models who inspire without directly comparing. Parents can break this cycle. To start, they should become more self-aware. For instance, they can ask themselves, "Am I repeating the same behaviors my parents did?" Next, they should focus on their child's individual strengths—track their progress, not that of others. Furthermore, creating open and supportive conversations helps. As a result, young people grow in an open and supportive environment. At the same time, schools in Jammu should hold workshops on positive parenting before annual exams to help the families with young growing children.

Communities can also run campaigns that say "every child is unique" at different times of the year. The role of media becomes critical if it also focuses on showing different kinds of young people succeeding, not just the top achievers. Similarly, governments could offer support through counseling for families who are feeling stressed due to their child. Raising awareness even helps children from difficult emotional situations become better human beings who spread positivity rather than comparisons. So, celebrate what kids do, accept their differences, and watch them succeed because happy families raise confident children.