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Monday, October 7, 2013

The Good Old Kashmir.

The Good Old Kashmir
 
 
I WANDERED lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze…William wordsworth




My father was a major in the army.  He was posted to Srinagar in
the year 1960.  Our happy go family of five sisters three
brothers mother and father travelled a lot.  Travel is your
best teacher.  We learnt the different languages culture
traditions of all sorts of people.  One gets to learn the
different art and knowlege of that particular region.  The
natural beauty, scenery has carved a permanent image of
paradise in our minds.  Kashmir was known as the switzerland!

The beautiful gardens the waterfalls the mountains the climate
the rich fruits and flowers, daffodils Nargis etc are breathtaking!  Where ever father
was stationed in gulmarg pehalgam tunmarg etc we children and
some jawans assisting us used to reach him by trekking.  Horse
ride skating skiing was a usual sport there. On reaching we
replenished our mugs of kashmiri chai(tea) and hot
kulchas(local bread).  It was simply amazing experience.

At Srinagar, our schools used to close during heavy snowfall in
winter.  On reopening we rushed to meet our pals.
Our teacher was very kind she used to warm our frozen
fingers with the help of Kangri(earthern pot basket with hot
charcoal). Unity of all religion hindu muslim sikh chritian etc
all sailed in the same boat with love and peace.
Incredible India it was!

Years passed we grew got settled in different states.  Once we
were in Roorkee, attending some conference. We ladies went for
sight seeing.  I encountered a Muslim family.  The middle age
lady  was wearing black dress called burkha.  Her two young
beautiful daughters  were with her.  Their beauty had definitely
won the glance.  I broke the silence and introduced myself. We
chatted during our visit.  I was thrilled to meet them my past
memories of Srinagar had flashed, but their serene faces
reflected anguish.  "You want to know how our land is" the
woman said.  She bent low towards her feet to show the scars of
the bomblast she suffered while shopping in the streets. their
tensions for the children return from schools and colleges
were constant.  There was no amount of security anywhere.  Daily
murder clashes and rape reigned.  The turmoil in Kashmir
Between the neighboring nations politicians had virtually killed
the innocent Kashmiris.  Many fled as the terrorist gunned the
civilians. A pall of gloom spread over the state.  Tears rolled
down her cheek, her voice choked, "we are strangers in our
homeland." I was shocked and felt the pangs.No amount of
consolation could appease their sorrow.

Years later, it seems there seems some peace is returning and
things being normalized.  It was heartening to hear Music
recitals from renowned personals reverberating in the lush
green valleys  A sincere prayer to the Almighty for peace and
happiness of the people of Kashmir!

My above writeup got published in The Hitavada dt 5th Oct.'13

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