"One can now see signs of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, especially Kashmir. People have accepted Dr Farooq Abdullah's government. They have realised that one's well-being depends on the stability of the region's economy, and that neither terrorism nor supporting it does any one any good," said members of the troupe.

The troupe, which performed traditional songs and dances, are touring Navi Mumbai at the moment.

"One still can't wear a bindi on the roads of Srinagar for fear of being identified as a Pandit, and one has to bear the fact that a lot of people still keep their watches 30 minutes behind the Indian Standard Time tofollow Pakistan's, but there surely is a certain normalcy in the air,"pointed out Ritu Sharma, a dancer.

The troupe sang the national anthem in Srinagar this year on August 15, which had referred to curfews, killings, looting and arson as a ten-year-old phenomenon. Not anymore. Citing the formation of an elected government and its boost to tourism, the songs now are more hopeful. A golf course in the state - reportedly the world's highest - has been given a face-lift and shikaras have begun dotting Dal Lake again.

"There is an increase in the number of tourists, both foreign and from within the country. Tourism is the backbone of our economy, and people are beginning to realise that," said Anju Dullu, a dancer and former resident of Srinagar. She and another former resident of the capital city, Kamod Jhalla, have not been fortunate enough to see the change in milieu themselves as their families were forced to migrate to Jammu in 1989.

"We are now told that our houses, along with the furniture andother things we left behind, have been taken over by the neighbours. We receive calls that advise us to sell our property, but we will not sell it. Things will not continue to be as bad as they used to be; they can't. We will have a peaceful Kashmir one day and we will all go back to our own houses in the city and the valley," she asserted.

Their optimism is supported by the invitations the girls get to perform, not only in Jammu, but also from villages in the Kashmir valley. "The valley is beginning to slowly realise that peace and education are the only ways to progress," the troupe said.