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