Srinagar, June 14 -- In a world that celebrates upward mobility, many people quietly discover that achievement can also bring distance, loneliness, and an uneasy feeling of leaving their own people behind

Success is one of the most celebrated words in modern life. Parents pray for it, teachers encourage it, and young people are taught to chase it with all the energy they possess. We associate success with education, financial stability, social respect, better opportunities, and a life of dignity. In principle, there is nothing wrong with this aspiration. Human beings should grow. They should improve their circumstances. They should strive to build a better future for themselves and for their families.

Yet behind this admired idea lies a...