Kashmir valley lives on tourism, and to limited extent agriculture. Fortunately, given the special status of Kashmir, no Multinational Corporation or local monopoly business of typical Indian variety has penetrated into the valley and molested the landscape. The rururban environment of Kashmir is a clear proof that virginity of its soil has been kept in tact. This does not imply that Government can remain indifferent to the growing demands for infrastructure. The very topography of land – the enchanting mountainous region and continual landslide carried out by heavy rain at discrete times, necessitate that there’s an imperative need for Government to repair the hairpin bends, the shapely curves on the mountain.
For safety and security of tourists, inclusive of local population strengthening of infrastructure is a must. Although, repair works are going on in different places I could see them in my later visit to Pegalgam valley and Atlab valley, developmental work is falling short of requirements. However, given the military expenditure (more guns), the lesser will be the development outlay (less butter). The familiar and much talked about Gun Butter economics is very much relevant in Kashmir. Unless the military occupation is reduced and more funds diverted to development without much leakages in the channel, it would be a Himalayan task to keep the Himalayan Mountains in good shape. Posterity will not forgive if both the Federal and the State governments show gross indifference to the developmental requirements and the social needs of the society.
A quick visit to the villages, which are closer to Srinagar main city, also showcased the same pathetic situation. All over the country, villages are treated like non- entities. We have to start from Kashmir to set things right. As India mostly lives in villages, the fundamental needs of the rural folk namely, drinking water, electricity, health care, connecting roads and so on, cannot be allowed to remain in a state of disarray. The entry point at Gulmarg was more muddy and dirty as was the case while visiting Taj Mahal nearly ten years ago. I am not able to understand why the authorities are not even bothered to keep these highly reputed tourist destination in a more hygienic condition without bothering about the bad name that Mother India will get in international market place.
Journey to Gulmarg was much delayed and the trip was just pleasing. When I stepped into that mountain slope I felt as if I was sitting on the lap of my young mother, looking at her face, with all smiles and wrinkles of happiness radiating on her face. Kashmir could be compared only to a caring Mother, an embodiment of creative energy, abundant love and tremendous patience. At Srinagar before starting, there was mild rain in the morning. Then sun appeared and reassured us that everything was going to be fine. Indeed we must thank our stars that during day time, rain God did not trouble us at all. Lunch was skipped, and the lengthy serpentine queue, took us to the Rope Car only in the late afternoon and we were lucky to get into the second stage of elevator just in time. Otherwise we would have missed the chance of landing on a sunny snow mountain.
It was the pleasantest feeling to be at the top snowy layer of Himalayan Mountain and look at the clouds more closely and kiss mountain breeze with the entire body. Kashmir valley is more like a lovely and lively girl full of innocence, and also energetic intelligence. The ardent beauty of the region is to be admired, smelt, touched and felt. You must have all the eager imagination and child’s fantasy, a poetic mind to get soaked in that beauty and just remain there alone in a crowd, thanking the creator for having taken you to that great height.
It was my sheer misfortune that I was unwilling or unable to do ice skating. But for a short distance, I just slided down on the snow like little kids play game in a national park and feeling thrilled while falling down. There were many young mothers with infants. They all could withstand that pleasant weather. Army camp on the mountain top could be noticed. I was just wondering how these personnel and also those soldiers safeguarding our national borders elsewhere in the entire Himalayan region would spent the time and what kind of thought they would think being alone with the task in their hands. Going to Kashmir valley and admiring those shapely curves is different from staying on the snowy mountain and eating tinned food away from family and friends. The quantum of sacrifice they make to make our life safe and comfortable cannot be just expressed in words. They deserve all our love because they may be having their own craving for love and affection from all corners of the world although the Mother Nature is meticulously taking care of them. Abundant sunshine, made us enjoy the beautiful landscape enveloping the mountain which was really a bonus. In the late afternoon everything changed suddenly and it became very dark.
Everywhere, we were surrounded and chained by mountains and the gentle or violent stream of water loudly attempting to say something about its joy and agony. Oxygen was fresh, but was it adequate for everyone? There were many reaching the top by either walking or riding on horse. There were foreign tourists, taking documentaries, with camera positioned on the slope. Horses were simply obeying the master, without much grumbling. Oh beauty!! What is your price? A popular song rolled into my mind.
For safety and security of tourists, inclusive of local population strengthening of infrastructure is a must. Although, repair works are going on in different places I could see them in my later visit to Pegalgam valley and Atlab valley, developmental work is falling short of requirements. However, given the military expenditure (more guns), the lesser will be the development outlay (less butter). The familiar and much talked about Gun Butter economics is very much relevant in Kashmir. Unless the military occupation is reduced and more funds diverted to development without much leakages in the channel, it would be a Himalayan task to keep the Himalayan Mountains in good shape. Posterity will not forgive if both the Federal and the State governments show gross indifference to the developmental requirements and the social needs of the society.
A quick visit to the villages, which are closer to Srinagar main city, also showcased the same pathetic situation. All over the country, villages are treated like non- entities. We have to start from Kashmir to set things right. As India mostly lives in villages, the fundamental needs of the rural folk namely, drinking water, electricity, health care, connecting roads and so on, cannot be allowed to remain in a state of disarray. The entry point at Gulmarg was more muddy and dirty as was the case while visiting Taj Mahal nearly ten years ago. I am not able to understand why the authorities are not even bothered to keep these highly reputed tourist destination in a more hygienic condition without bothering about the bad name that Mother India will get in international market place.
Journey to Gulmarg was much delayed and the trip was just pleasing. When I stepped into that mountain slope I felt as if I was sitting on the lap of my young mother, looking at her face, with all smiles and wrinkles of happiness radiating on her face. Kashmir could be compared only to a caring Mother, an embodiment of creative energy, abundant love and tremendous patience. At Srinagar before starting, there was mild rain in the morning. Then sun appeared and reassured us that everything was going to be fine. Indeed we must thank our stars that during day time, rain God did not trouble us at all. Lunch was skipped, and the lengthy serpentine queue, took us to the Rope Car only in the late afternoon and we were lucky to get into the second stage of elevator just in time. Otherwise we would have missed the chance of landing on a sunny snow mountain.
It was the pleasantest feeling to be at the top snowy layer of Himalayan Mountain and look at the clouds more closely and kiss mountain breeze with the entire body. Kashmir valley is more like a lovely and lively girl full of innocence, and also energetic intelligence. The ardent beauty of the region is to be admired, smelt, touched and felt. You must have all the eager imagination and child’s fantasy, a poetic mind to get soaked in that beauty and just remain there alone in a crowd, thanking the creator for having taken you to that great height.
It was my sheer misfortune that I was unwilling or unable to do ice skating. But for a short distance, I just slided down on the snow like little kids play game in a national park and feeling thrilled while falling down. There were many young mothers with infants. They all could withstand that pleasant weather. Army camp on the mountain top could be noticed. I was just wondering how these personnel and also those soldiers safeguarding our national borders elsewhere in the entire Himalayan region would spent the time and what kind of thought they would think being alone with the task in their hands. Going to Kashmir valley and admiring those shapely curves is different from staying on the snowy mountain and eating tinned food away from family and friends. The quantum of sacrifice they make to make our life safe and comfortable cannot be just expressed in words. They deserve all our love because they may be having their own craving for love and affection from all corners of the world although the Mother Nature is meticulously taking care of them. Abundant sunshine, made us enjoy the beautiful landscape enveloping the mountain which was really a bonus. In the late afternoon everything changed suddenly and it became very dark.
Everywhere, we were surrounded and chained by mountains and the gentle or violent stream of water loudly attempting to say something about its joy and agony. Oxygen was fresh, but was it adequate for everyone? There were many reaching the top by either walking or riding on horse. There were foreign tourists, taking documentaries, with camera positioned on the slope. Horses were simply obeying the master, without much grumbling. Oh beauty!! What is your price? A popular song rolled into my mind.
1 comment:
Very nicely described.
I have visited Kashmir recently and I have fallen in love with its beauty.
It was a divine experience, one that I will cherish forever.
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