Suhail Khan
In recent years, Kashmir has faced financial crises, business downturns, and rising unemployment. Yet, despite these hardships, the culture of lavish spending persists unchecked. Parents willingly spend lakhs on extravagant weddings or luxury cars but hesitate when their children seek support to start a business, often offering weak excuses instead of encouragement.
There’s no denying that entrepreneurship is challenging at any age, which makes a child’s ambition to start a business all the more admirable. Yet, before dismissing their dreams, consider the profound benefits such a pursuit can bring: heightened self-esteem, financial stability, self-sufficiency, and the transformation from job seeker to job creator.
As parents, we all want the best for our children—and that includes nurturing their aspirations, even if those aspirations involve becoming business owners. Yet, when forced to choose between funding a startup and financing a grand wedding, we prioritize fleeting extravagance—lavish feasts, gold, and guest lists—over lasting opportunities. When our son or daughter approaches us for help launching a business, we often respond with indifference or even discouragement.
Somewhere along the way, we lose faith in our children’s potential. Instead, we should ask ourselves: What happens to the enormous sums spent on weddings and ceremonies? That money vanishes in days, leaving no lasting value. But by investing in our children’s ventures, we contribute not only to their future but to society at large.
Upon reflection, we must confront the implications of our priorities. While weddings are noble celebrations, pouring vast resources into a single day—while neglecting long-term dreams—sends a troubling message: that fleeting spectacle matters more than enduring success. By prioritizing grandeur over growth, we inadvertently undermine our children’s confidence in their own potential.
Imagine redirecting even a fraction of wedding expenses toward a child’s business idea. Instead of funding a one-day event, that investment could buy equipment, refine a product, or expand market reach. Just as we celebrate love, we should also celebrate ambition—fostering autonomy, resilience, and innovation.
Our obsession with extravagant weddings often stems from societal pressure. In an age where social media glorifies opulent celebrations, it’s easy to get caught in a cycle of competition. But true pride shouldn’t lie in outshining others with lavish weddings—it should lie in nurturing our children’s ability to build, create, and contribute meaningfully to the world.
Supporting entrepreneurship unlocks more than individual potential—it strengthens the entire economy. Startups drive innovation, create jobs, and address unmet needs. By encouraging our children’s dreams, we teach them resilience, adaptability, and perseverance—lessons far more valuable than any wedding gift.
Let’s redefine what it means to celebrate. Instead of splurging on temporary indulgences, let’s invest in lasting achievements. The greatest legacy we can leave isn’t material wealth but the unwavering belief in our children’s ability to shape their own futures.
Dreams are priceless. When we choose to nurture them, we don’t just secure our children’s success—we pave the way for societal progress. Let’s not stifle their aspirations. Let’s empower them to build a future they’re passionate about.
In recent years, only minimal change has occurred—and at a painfully slow pace. Not only are people spending less on weddings, but they are also gradually opening up to their children pursuing business careers. While there is some progress, the momentum remains weak and far from what it could be.
In Kashmir, society remains overly fixated on rigid traditions rather than embracing what truly matters in the modern age. We are still trapped in archaic customs that do not just hold us back but actively stifle our growth.
Preserving culture is undoubtedly important, but blindly chasing modernization while neglecting our heritage is equally concerning. As parents, we are failing our children—instead of securing their future, we remain bound by outdated societal expectations.
The author is a Journalist can be reached at [email protected]
