A 26-year-old Kashmiri Pandit, Arhan Bagati, is quietly making efforts to redefine Kashmir for the younger generation, aiming to move past the legacy of migration and communal tensions caused by violence in the region. Raised in Delhi after his family’s departure from the Valley, he returned to Kashmir after studying in the United States, now residing in Srinagar’s Nishat area with a view of Dal Lake and the Zabarwan mountains.
Arhan, undeterred by past terror incidents, is focused on establishing professional and civic roots in his ancestral land. Known for co-producing the film ‘Ground Zero’ and his role in Indian Paralympic initiatives, he prioritizes practical solutions over symbolic gestures. In Srinagar, he founded KYARI, a think tank addressing civic and social issues in Jammu and Kashmir through applied research.
Recognized for his social reform efforts, Arhan plans to work full-time with KYARI post his Harvard studies, emphasizing the importance of understanding local challenges for effective policy-making. His return symbolizes a push for harmony between communities, aiming to redefine Kashmiri leadership with a blend of global education and local commitment, despite facing various challenges.
