Srinagar, April 17 -- In Waiting for Godot, two men pass their days in endless anticipation of someone who never arrives. They talk, argue, and hope, while life moves past them without consequence.

That absurdity feels uncomfortably close to the mood that has settled over Kashmir in recent years.

A habit of waiting has taken root in public life. Many people tend to believe that some external force will step in and fix what is broken. Streets gather waste, water bodies choke, institutions falter, and a silent agreement forms that responsibility lies elsewhere. Personal spaces stay orderly and cared for, while the shared environment receives little attention. That imbalance slowly erodes the foundation of a healthy society.

This mindset ...