Bus done, now putting across ‘Kashmir word’

Handelsblad is the only Dutch newspaper that has sent their correspondent to Valley. And De Wit explains the reasons. ‘‘We have been covering the Kashmir issue all these years to cater to a substantial Muslim population of our country.’’ Considering there is little comprehension of the complex Kashmir issue among the Dutch, De Wit feels it’s a tough time to explain the conflict to his readers.

‘‘People in Holland yawn as they come across the Kashmir word,’’ he says. ‘‘It is a touchy subject. I myself regularly read books about Kashmir dispute and conflict’’.

After 9/11, the world focus on the Muslim militants is one of the factors that has attracted the attention of world media to this conflict zone. ‘‘There is more interest in Holland for the terrorists post 9/11 and in South Asia for Pakistan.’’ But terrorism is not the only factor. India is emerging as big economic power, says De Wit. ‘‘India is perceived as an upcoming market.’’

How does he see the event? ‘‘The rolling down of the bus wouldn’t help in bringing a solution to the Kashmir problem,’’ he says. ‘‘However, if successful, it can mark a change in the life of the ordinary Kashmiris.’’