Kashmir- A paradise turned into hell but still a good place to go and enjoy

Cradled in the lap of majestic mountains of the Himalayas, Kashmir is the most beautiful place on earth. On visiting the Valley of Kashmir, Jahangir,
one of the Mughal emperors, is said to have exclaimed: “If there is paradise anywhere on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.”
till very, very recent times it was paradise on earth. But now the paradise has been turned into hell. I went to kashmir after my marriage.
I heard a lot about it, my friends warned me for not going there as that place is not safe. Everyday you will hear some news about attack,
terrorism so many things. But still I decided to go there with my wife.

With the emergence of Islamic fundamentalism all over the world, this theo-fascist brand of political philosophy accompanied by hatred, intolerance,
and terrorism was pushed into and peddled in the peaceful valley by Pakistan. And now the rapture of birdsong and murmur of gentle streams of yesteryears
is replaced by the misery of physical and psychic violence instigated by the terrorists.

    But as soon as I landed in the valley, I got surprised the way people behaved. I everyone was showing that how good they are in hospitality.
This is a very good place for tourism. Where ever I went I found people were ready to help and after that they reapeated ” yahan kashmiri aapki bahut madad karega, aapki
mehman nawaji me kuch bhi karega, pura hindustan me aisa nahin milega tumko”. In starting i wondered why everyone is so much emphasizing that kashmiris are good people to Hindustani people.
I think they still not at heart able to accept that they are integral part of India.They are many reason for this. historical, political but one of the main factor that I realized is…
They still cut-off from rest of India. They don’t have much employment opportunity neither good education facilities. Indian economy is growing at 9.2% annually, this does not matter to any kashmiri, who is
residing in kashmir.

When I was traveling from Jammu to Srinagar, I noticed that its only 290 KM then why that taxi driver said it will take 12 hrs. But as we proceeded I got to know…Its a single highway connecting Jammu and Srinagar.
That is in so poor condition, I know that its very much difficult to make roads at such height and more over to maintain those roads but still in today’s world, where technology is at its
peak nothing is impossible. Like one Jawaharlal tunnel the constructed to cross on mountain range. It can be repeated for other ranges also. I read a slogan of BECON ( Govt body that takes care of roads and infrastructure at boarders)
” IT TAKES BLOOD,SWEAT AND TIME TO CONSTRUCT ROADS ON BOARDER, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THEM”. It really touched me. As anything happens, its a traffic jam or road block that thing needs to be cleared by army or CRPF.
Everywhere you will gunman, more den local people. And local man, police everybody is so much afraid of these people.

Every kashmiri have a identity card issued by the respective department of Govt. where ever he goes he need to show it for his identity. When me and my wife traveling from Srinagar to Gulmarg,  at on check post our taxi stopped for checking.
CRPF called everyone out and said show ID cards and sit down in a row. They saw me and one of the soldier asked ” kahan tai aaya hai bai’ I said “Haryana” .
His reaction was ” arre baithe raho andar”. No need to check as I am a north India or say belongs from rest of India. I was surprised that can’t any terrorist belongs from rest of India and come here as a tourist.

One more thing that made me to think is that in their villages they don’t have any privacy at all.In any street, at any filed or infront of anyone’s house these soldier will come and sit for petrolling purpose.I know what was the situation in kashmir
But just thinking, what was the life of those poor kashmiris.As our taxi driver told me that in his village he is the only guy of his age group who is alive…I was not able to react on his statement………….