Tourism and Kashmir. Protect both as they are not mutually exclusive. Both have an indissoluble relationship that has an age. Travelers came here for centuries for the holy silence, heavenly tranquility, fragrance of its flowers and to experience the most hospitable and helpful attitudes of the Kashmiris. Tourism has also promoted commerce of world famous Kashmiri handicrafts and other local products like wood carving items as the buyer has been reaching the production centers and its local outlets compensating for Kashmir’s age old out-sourcing opportunities ever-since it lost its traditional trade links and routes. In the current scenario Tourism has been exposing criminal media projections on Kashmir outside the valley, which is of greater significance in the current state of our isolation.

World Tourism Day was celebrated on September 27, 2006 both in and outside Kashmir with usual customary rituals, statements, publications of advertisements, lectures, essay competitions and contests organized by Ministry of tourism of Central and State governments. Each year the day passes into the history without any assessment of successes or failures of this crucial industry. Neither the shot-comings are enlisted, evaluated or focused nor is the future course re-defined in view of the highly competitive world market. However those concerned with the tourism industry in Kashmir re-counted various impediments that stand still in the way of this foremost but delicate industry, in this region. In face of a few unfortunate happenings damaging the industry it seems important to re-define Tourism in Kashmir rather it has necessitated rediscovering Kashmir at least from this point of view. A leading personality from the tourism industry of Mumbai suggested that there was need to refresh and highlight to the world and to the new generation as to why visitors have been attracted to Kashmir, it being the first region in this entire subcontinent to have caught attention of early visitors. It will be thus important to trace the historical background of the tourism industry in this Himalayan region, its attractions, the instinct urge of its early visitors and their contributions.

Kashmir, it has been often said for centuries, is an indefinable beauty. Noted travelers and historians felt it is Nature’s blessing to the universe but failed to describe it appropriately as for them words proved inadequate to define beauties of this precious land, its mountains and valleys. Yet, for ages human endeavor has invested efforts to interact with Kashmir’s beauty, explore it and describe and highlight it to the outside world. Almost all explorers with their rich experience and knowledge could not mention any place or spot in the world that was comparable with this beautiful land which according to many historians and geologists was a ‘bottom-land’ in prehistoric times.

Kashmir has been often described as the Switzerland of Asia. However, in actual terms the main valleys of Switzerland are like the sideways of Kashmir. Talking of purple hills, dancing seas and clear blue sky of Greece, Young-husband, who had seen both countries, comments “Kashmir has the same blue sky and brilliant sunshine, but its purple hills are on a far grander scale, and if it has no sea, it has lakes and rivers, and still more impressive snowy mountains.
It has, too, greater variety of natural scenery, of field and forest, of rugged mountains and open valleys.” To the Mughuls Kashmir was known as “the terrestrial paradise.” Noted travelers and writers which include G.T.Vigne ( in a publication released in London in 1842) regard Kashmir as one of the most blessed spots upon the earth.

Undoubtedly, Kashmir is the world’s most fascinating experience offering variety in climate and landscape. The valley is surrounded by high peaks, diverse terrains and lush green forests all around standing as a chain with no parallel in the world and these lap glaciers, pastures and high altitude lakes offering amazing trekking opportunities and far behind these formations the ice clad summits provide a splendid view. Each spot in the valley plains or up on the highlands excels the other and every small elevation unfolds a new natural set-up bringing altogether new phase of climate and atmosphere. The Valley is quite different in each season. It is like a garden in summer and golden in autumn. Winter makes Kashmir yet another world. It is a romantic experience to travel to Kashmir in spring when snow over the slopes of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg still appears fresh while flowers appear in abundance in the Valley plains. Certainly, it is an all season affair in Kashmir.

It is not as cold in Kashmir as might be expected at such an altitude, the reason being that the chain of mountains all around save the valley from the cold blasts of the north and also the scorching winds from the south. Nature has put the shield of mountains also to save Kashmir from the monsoon miseries. There are no hurricanes in Kashmir. A strong wind that may cause some disturbance in the atmosphere soon turns into a gentle breeze. The lakes, rivers, streams and springs of Kashmir have caught attention of nature lovers for centuries. Similarly, trekkers have incredible experience of the beauty of its high altitude lakes, each altitude unfolding yet another terrain of mountains for the adventurer. They always felt that the cleavage between two mountains in Kashmir is un-paralleled, with bottom lines of each mountain serving as wide concourse. The confluence of different cultures has been at its best, when nomads of Kashmir with their unique culture have attracted full attention of trekkers from different countries on the high mountain ranges. The trekkers all over the world often share their experiences in Kashmir throughout their life time, as it is said the climbing friendship lasts long. They feel entertained and inspired while recounting their memorable times that they have spent in Kashmir, even after decades.

Different writers have described Kashmir differently in their best possible way. Yet most of them felt it was beyond description in the most appropriate terms and distinguished travelers and writers have admitted in-adequacy of words to define beauties of Kashmir. I have myself spent thirty-six precious years of my life, traversing all areas in and around Kashmir during my long official travel requirements (traveling was my job indeed). Much beyond the nature of my duty I always looked around, chased, but failed to catch words ( to define beauties of Kashmir) in my long journey and intimate gaze of each dimension of this superb land. Thus, while we still feel bankrupt in tracing words to define this land, for me it was quite amazing to learn how the greatest saint of Kashmir, Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Reshi has commented on the beauty of Kashmir in the following linguistics, more than 600 years ago:
 

“Every minute that I spend here
(at one of his usual and favourite look-out)
will be deducted from my stay in heaven”

This imponderable judgment on the description of the beauty of Kashmir, by the saint of saints, sounds alarmingly natural. It seems perfectly amenable and sound and with this finding (during my study on Sheikh-ul-Alam) ended my journey of discovery of the most exciting definition on the beauty of Kashmir. It appears a super-natural definition that does not require any comment or explanation.
Hospitality of Kashmir has been another matter of great interest among the travelers, which is indeed Kashmir’s precious holding even today. They have always been hospitable and forthcoming. Their specific art or act of welcoming or greeting visitors has been polite and friendly. The very first interaction between a native and a visitor has been always monumentally pleasant and impressive. Their way of wishing a guest with usual ‘Salam-sahib’ has been known much earlier in the Western countries than the ‘Sayonara’—the Japanese goodbye. Of Kashmiris it is said, “when asked for assistance, they leave their occupation to guide you to their best honesty.” Thus, much investigative is the description of Pandit Brij Narayan Chakbast Lakhnawi, who says, “How exceedingly hospitable is the land of Kashmir. Even the wayside stones offered me water to drink.”

To quote him exactly:
“Zarra Zarra hai mere Kashmir ka mehman nawaz
Rah mein pather ke tukdun ne diya pani mujee”

Visitors have come here both during Kashmir’s occupation by outside rulers or during their self- rule, during peace and war and also during good weather, rough weather or sub-zero temperature. Kashmir has been host to many distinguished saints, historians, travelers, writers and missionaries. It is interesting to note that Kashmir, in ancient times, was more intimately known in Europe and America than in many Asian nations. Baron Hugel says that the first authentic information concerning Kashmir which appears to have reached Europe was through the Portuguese, while propagating Christianity. The next noted traveler who acquainted the West with Kashmir is Francis Bernier, who had left France in 1654 when twenty-five, in his desire to see the world. Father Desideri, a Jesuit was the other important visitor to Kashmir whose observations on Kashmir are contained in a letter from Lhassa in 1716. Earlier several other members of the Organization of the Society of Jesus have come to Kashmir ever-since the Society started functioning in 1534 and they revealed to the Western world about existence of the God’s own land up in the Himalayas.

Numerous travelers and writers have played a great role in introducing Kashmir to outside world as a heavenly and peaceful land. Some visitors though came for travel and adventure worked on culture, art and literature of Kashmir. Even Kashmir’s folk-tales and proverbs drew their attention and their contribution to study and compile the Kashmiri folk-tales has been significant. They felt that Kashmir is a land of proverbs. Some of the proverbs have been collected and arranged by Rev. J. Hinton Knowles. It has been known in France and England (about 150 years ago) that some professional reciters in Kashmir made their living by telling these tales and Sir George states that Kashmiris have been reciting ( with astonishing verbal accuracy ) stories that have been handed down to them by their predecessors containing words that have fallen out of use, and with the meaning of which they are now unacquainted. Sir Aurel Stein has made a collection of such tales as dictated by Hatim Tilawyn of Panzil, a professional story-teller of the Sind Valley in Kashmir. This collection was translated by Sir George Grierson and was published by John Murray in 1923 under the title of Hatim’s Tales. Revd. Knowles has also written Folk-Tales of Kashmir.

The Kashmiri riddles and folklores have greatly amused and attracted the foreigners as these helped them in their research in tracing the life and life-style of Kashmiris in ancient times. Noted visitors who made Kashmir known abroad more intimately are George Forester, William Moorcroft, G.T.Vinge, Baron Eric von Shonberg, Francis Bernier etc. These visitors have played a great role in highlighting Kashmir and its beauties to the world. The contributions made by other travelers and writers also deserve appreciation as their works have been of great significance and contributory in nature as these have helped in promoting Kashmir as a potential tourist destination. Some of these writers and their works which merit attention are: Petrocokino, A ( Three weeks in a Houseboat – London 1920 ), Pirie P . ( Kashmir, the land of Streams and Solitudes—London 1908), Schonberg, The Baron Erich Von. ( Travels in India and Kashmir—London 1853 ), Mrs. Hervey ( Adventures of a Lady in Tibet, China and Kashmir—London 1854), Dela Mare, Walter ( The Romantic East and Burma, Assam and Kashmir—London 1906), De Bourbel ( Routes in Jammu and Kashmir—Calcutta 1897), Darrah, H. Z ( Sport in the Highlands of Kashmir –London 1898), Coventry, B.O ( Wild Flowers of Kashmir-1923), Denys, F . Ward ( Our Summer in the Vale of Kashmir—Washington D.C 1915). Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha ( Kashmir “ The Playground of Asia—Allahabad 1942), Mrs. C.M.Villiers ( Garden of Great Mughals—London 1913) and Dr. W. Wakefield ( The Happy Valley—London 1879).

So popular became Kashmir in Europe that Thomas Moore (1779AC—1852) poet and musician made fortunes by his work “ Lalla Rukh “ which was published in 1817. No poem has ever had greater popularity than Lalla Rukh for it has been translated into all European and most Eastern languages. Many players composed operas based on parts of Lalla Rukh in Europe. Moore, who was an Irish, had left for England in 1799. His publishers advanced him money which relieved him of his debts and Moore’s fame speedily became European as Lalla Rukh was used in shows in London and Paris. These projections aroused intense interest and desire for people to visit the mainland Kashmir.

Thus begins Thomas Moore:
“ Who has not heard of the Vale of Cashmere,
with its roses the brightest that earth ever gave,
Here the music of prayer from a minaret swells.
The Valley holds its feast of roses……………”

Sri Sri Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri traveled all the way from Calcutta in 1920’s, with his noted disciple Paramahansa Yogananda the great yogi, in the company of four other disciples, to visit Kashmir. They visited Shankar Acharya temple and all Mughal gardens at Srinagar. At Gulmarg they ventured onto the steep Khilanmarg where they had a breath-taking view of snow-capped Himalayas. They remarked Kashmir is mountain-crowned, lake-garlanded, and flower-shod and that it possesses some of the charms of the Swiss Alps and of Loch Lomond in Scotland, and of the exquisite English lakes. Yogananda states Kashmir in many ways reminds of the rugged grandeur of Alaska and of Pike’s Peak near Denver. It will be interesting to know that Swami Sri Yukteswar who was greatly influenced by the tranquility and peace in Kashmir that he wished to leave this earth while in Kashmir. His associates however persuaded him for travel back to Calcutta.

Kashmiri owe too much to these early travelers and writers who made them and their civilization known outside the land-locked region of Kashmir particularly when Kashmiris had lived in isolation for centuries together. They visited ancient Kashmir traversing most difficult terrains in their spirit to discover the Nature. The Europeans in particular took pains to gather knowledge of the minutest aspects of the Kashmir’s art, culture, customs and literature. They studied crafts made in Kashmir and spend time sitting with the craftsmen making them more innovative by giving them creative ideas. They propagated crafts in their own homelands which helped Kashmir’s economy. Thus the arts and crafts of Kashmir became famous in Europe and America and the shawls of Kashmir in particular became a fashionable item in England in seventeenth century. It became an essential item of dress in England where the women used these to be considered as well dressed. It became a pride possession for an elegant wardrobe for all those who could afford, which today is true about modern citizen of India. Similarly, the original jewelry of Kashmir which was unique in design and very minutely worked attracted women from outside Kashmir. The Kashmiri handicrafts became important articles for the art galleries in many countries. For aristocratic families it became a craze to decorate their drawing rooms with items manufactured in Kashmir. Thus, while Kashmiris had no means and resources to export delicately manufactured products, the travelers to Kashmir helped advertising these products abroad. Today Kashmir is renowned throughout the world for its handicrafts thanks to the painstaking efforts of these early visitors.

Francis Bernier deserves a special mention for his enormous contribution to Kashmir. While in India he joined the royal caravan of Emperor Aurangzeb when it left Delhi in 1665 on its long arduous trek to the valley of Kashmir. During his stay in Kashmir, Bernier undertook in-depth study of Kashmiri art and culture, people’s traditions, way of life and customs. He thus observes “ Kashmiris are celebrated for wit and considered much more intelligent and ingenious than the Indians, and that, “ in poetry and the sciences they are not inferior to Persians.” He felt that Kashmiris have always been good at inventing things and have been solving their problems in their own way. The invention of ‘kangri’, the fire pot used in extreme winter conditions to warm themselves ( which is in use even today ) and the grass woven ‘pulhor’ a foot wear used as a chapel over the snow were some thrilling examples which attracted Bernier. He and other noted travelers have appreciated these ingenious attitudes of the Kashmiris, who felt that ideas to deal with life’s challenges have not been imported by them. Bernier appears to have been particularly struck by the industrious skills of Kashmir craftsmen and notes that the workmanship and beauty of their manufactured articles was remarkable and that these were bound to become most popular in every part of India.

As the demand for Kashmiri handicrafts increased manifold due to the efforts of these travellers a special commercial agent had been appointed from Paris, who resided in Srinagar and supervised the purchase and export of Kashmiri shawls and other handicraft items to France. The technique of manufacturing a Kani Shawl in Kashmir had no parallel in the world and this attracted exemplary attention more particularly in France. However shawl industry in Kashmir received its death-blow when war broke out between Germany and France in 1870. The shawl-baf (shawl weaver) watched with excitement and interest the fate of France in the war, and burst into tears and loud lamentations when the news of Germany’s victories reached him. The handicrafts industry in Kashmir received another set back on account of the famine in 1878 and 1879. Thus a number of shawl-weavers left Kashmir for Lahore, Amritsar, Ludhiana etc where they carried with the trade. The Kashmiri craftsmen and trader looked for other options and discovered that Calcutta could be far better choice for them to promote their trade. Having no other capable officer in his administration Maharaja Gulab Singh with a view to revive the dieing silk industry of Kashmir, first entrusted silk production to his Chief Physician Hakim Aziz and latter the Maharaja placed the industry under his Chief Justice, Babu Nilambar Mukherjee. Under his management sericulture in Kashmir improved and developed. As Bengal had a flourishing silk industry at that time Nilambar Babu, who himself hailed from Bengal took personal interest in promoting this industry after its set back. He engaged Bengalis trained at Murshidabad to revive the industry in Kashmir. Babu Nilambar made significant contribution in social uplifting of the artisans in Kashmir. Thus tourism, which survived here during frequent floods and famines, during wars and aggressions and during long tenure of oppressions, made significant contribution to Kashmir.

The golden era of tourism development began in Kashmir in the eighteenth century when British made Gulmarg and Srinagar their favourite destination. A British national namely H. Nedo opened up first hotels of higher standards one each at Srinagar and Gulmarg. Tourism, in Kashmir collapsed for the first time with the partition of India in 1947 with the closure of the Muzfarabad- Srinagar route, which has now been connected with the cross border bus service. It started reviving in 1970’s but suffered hick-ups now and then due to political uncertainties in the State. As and when peace prevailed though momentarily tourism thrived in Kashmir excitingly when foreign tourists also arrived in large numbers. Like the English lot many Bengalies opened up hotels at Srinagar as travelers from West Bengal have specific requirements particularly of boarding. Tourism however failed indefinitely at the beginning of the last decade of the previous century with the mass uprising in Kashmir. It did revive about fifteen years later, not by itself but when some people connected with the industry played a lead role in encouraging prospective visitors. The declaration of ceasefire by India and Pakistan, confidence building measures launched by the two countries and of course various militant organizations supporting tourism also helped in its revival.

The industry is once again at the crossroads following attacks on the tourists on July 11, 2006, a development which took place for the fist time in the history of Kashmir, to the disliking of the entire Kashmiri nation. Militant organizations denied their hand in the most unfortunate development. Tourists got scared though momentarily. The industry players are regrouping to find out how to fully revive the industry once again and the task this time does not seem to be an uphill task as tourists continue to visit the valley currently though in small numbers. It is encouraging to find that travelers from West Bengal, Mumbai and Gujrat are taking the lead again. Earlier there was an adverse effect due to the controversy connected with Sh. Amarnath Yatra, as well.

When the tourism revived after a period of fifteen years it was observed that travelers preferred to come to Kashmir in groups and having felt encouraged later started coming individually. Things became different gradually when those who dared first, encouraged others to come to Kashmir independently. The spread of word across various States thus made it to the peak. It was an evolution by itself, by good deeds and enormous traditional courtesy of the natives. It was amazing to see that the tourists were so much overwhelmed that it looked like Kashmir has been lately re-discovered. A different phenomenon was witnessed as large number of tourists visited Kashmir during winter period. During the winter season 2004-05 tourists visited Kashmir till early January and resumed arriving from first week of April 2005 with a small break in winter and the break was probably due to the snow storm causing road blockades over Jammu-Srinagar highway. But there was a regular flow of tourists during the winter season of 2005-06. The trend to visit Kashmir in winter also has been growing. It was quite interesting to find that individuals, young and old couples and small families started traveling to Kashmir all by themselves unlike 2003 and 2004 when they preferred to be in groups. All indications pointed to a sharp growth of tourism making Kashmir the ultimate resort for travel and leisure.

The urge to visit Kashmir at least once in a lifetime has been always there. This urge had been growing among people across the plains of India probably as Kashmir remained in news in the frontline for one reason or the other during the past almost two decades. As I have a small engagement related to the industry after my retirement I have felt that for some it has been a dream to visit Kashmir, irrespective of their advanced age or ill health. A few instances are worth mentioning. A tourist from Kolkata namely Mr M.L.Chanda a serious cancer patient visited the valley at the end of 2004 accompanied by his wife and during the stay the patient turned quite bad leaving no hope for his survival. He was given full medical support and survived the massive attack and was lucky enough to reach his home in Kolkata, before his ultimate death. Once while he had recovered and liked to talk to me about his life and on asking as to why did he take the risk of visiting Kashmir in such bad health, the answer was very amazing. Said he, “ during my long carrier of service I had not been able to take my wife ( Mrs Rita Chanda) any where excepting for a brief visit to Darjeeling and I had promised her a vacation in Kashmir and I feel happy to find that I have been able to do so before my death.” During his stay, despite his worst condition, while we gave him full attention and company, he would like his wife to see all places in Kashmir with the group they were traveling. We facilitated the couple’s air travel to Kolkata (on the explicit advice of a Doctor) and at the time of their departure Mr Chanda whispered in my ear “ Kashmir has in turn fulfilled my another last wish to once fly in an airplane with Rita.”

One Mr B.N.Chadra again from Kolkata, accompanied by his wife and little daughter Ishita, visited Kashmir in May this year. This little family attracted my attention due to unusual irritations they exhibited about their engagements in the valley. While having a chat with me Mr Chandra revealed that his 21 year young son had died in an accident and thus the little hapless family was always in a disarray. I could do little to console the family. Mr Chandra was to retire later this year and hence always remained engaged in his thoughts and often absent minded. The most important facet is that this traveler confided with me that the hapless family decided to go to Kashmir only to find their lost child on the “mountains of this God’s own land….Kashmir.” Probably there was no sole in his native land who could console and support this fate bitten family and despite his miserable health would like to come back one day, as he said that interaction with average and ordinary Kashmiri healed him. Another responsible duty came from Ahmedabad quite recently. This time a travel agent asking me to care for one Mr Romesh Mistry a patient requiring dialyses every third day who was accompanied by his wife, brother and a technician from Urology Department of Nadiad. A dialysis was done at Delhi before arrival and the mission was to see Gulmarg and few selected places in Srinagar during the short visit as the next dialysis was due at Jaipur which his Doctor had already tied up. This young patient of 45 years had a desire to have a glimpse of Kashmir valley in his life time, despite his fast deteriorating health condition. These developments have left lasting impressions on my mind and one would wish that all conflicts in this world would get resolved so that this universe would become a much better place to live in.

As the tourism revived in 2003 it was felt that tourists that arrived here expressed their apprehensions about their safety. Most tourists carried frightened looks, with deep wrinkles spreading on their foreheads. It looked as if an unwilling person had arrived to stay and move around. But soon, upon their arrival with a small adventure be it a leisurely stroll down the Boulevard to capture full view of the splendid and picturesque Dal Lake and on the way interacting with the locals, things became smartly reverse. The tourists usually felt overwhelmed with their interaction with local people, either connected with the travel trade or not. They are never tiered of appreciating hospitable attitude of the people and most of the time expressed concern over media projections. It is felt that the criminal acts of media (electronic media in particular ) have maligned the Kashmiri’s overall image which has over the years projected the Kashmiri as a violent community. The media, it appears has tarnished their image both in India and abroad as they stand projected as a violent community. It is felt that the growth of tourism that was witnessed in recent times had exposed the adverse media projections on Kashmir and Kashmiris ( across the Indian States and the world) in the last 17 years. Most of the tourists felt that the dramatic situations created by the electronic media has brutally demolished the Kashmiri out-look and character. Others thought the electronic media has assumed the role of a detective or investigating agency and at all times continue pronouncing their own conclusions and judgment over most sensitive issues and incidents. Some felt that it looked like a willful effort to dramatize various incidents or situations, in relation to Kashmir. Once the tourist arrivals reached its peak zenith, the media again over-played and projected the inflow of travelers to Kashmir as normalcy returning to Kashmir. Unfortunately, the only Doordarshan Kashmiri T.V.Channel is operational from outside the State and has remained hostage to vested interests. It has been often suggested to make it fully functional deservedly at Srinagar and not utilized as a propaganda forum to create bad blood and instead devoted exclusively to promote Kashmir as a tourist destination. In fact the channel could be used as a Discovery Channel as we have too much to highlight on Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The channel could be utilized fully to exploit nature, culture, monuments, heritage centers, museums, mountaineering, trekking and other riches.

Tarnishing the Kashmiri image is one of the core irritant factor as for as Kashmiri’s feelings are concerned and this deserves to be redressed appropriately as these irritants have and can lead to dangerous situations. In the present day world incidents do occur all over the world and Tourism still survives and in fact flourishes. Horrible and frightening incidents happen in almost all parts of the world today that includes India. Terrible incidents take place in the North-East, Andhra Pradesh, U.P, Bihar, Chhatisgard etc. Nexalites blow-up buses and slaughter scores of innocent tribals and the news is brushed aside as the naxalism menace. Foreign tourists have become victims of rape in the proud city of New Delhi. In Rajasthan, the Government had to take steps to protect tourists especially foreign tourists from organized gangs, one of these better known as “ Lapka” gang, which had been operative in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Mount Abu and Pushkar.

As against all this the tourists visiting Kashmir more often return quite satisfied. They seem to be only unhappy over media propaganda outside Kashmir. The foreigners ( including from Israel ) who came here feel that the world has been grossly misguided about the wonderful land of Kashmir. As the electronic media in particular is hypercritical about Kashmir particularly with its disinformation campaign this deserves to be countered. However, as Kashmiri lack facilities to do so in the present scenario, it is important to realize how important tourism could be as in the present conditions tourism alone could counter media’s adverse projections. Thus it is felt that revival of tourism is of greater importance today for the Kashmiri’s overall image than the economic benefit that is derived from the trade. Thus all those connected with the trade will have to frame their own code of conduct, rather a self made Trader’s Charter incorporating elements of fairness, honest dealings, ethnic hospitality tips and matters that would make Kashmir an epicenter of high values.  It would be unjust not to speak about our friends, patrons and the age old Nature lovers of West Bengal whose sentiments had been hurt in July this year in Kashmir. True to their nature an average Bengali make savings over the year for the outing during holidays and they follow their program very religiously. Kashmiris mourned the tragic death of their guests from West Bengal as they have been mourning loss of lives of over one lakh Kashmiris who died in this unfortunate conflict since 1990. They have not recovered from the terrific shock even now. They feel that their relations are very old as after the market for Kashmiri shawl was lost in western countries the once flourishing trade in shawls was still kept up by the Bengali’s passion for the shawl. Many Kashmiris shifted to Kolkata more than hundred years ago and established their business there and even today hundreds of Kashmiris shift to West Bengal during winter months maintaining most cordial relations. It is well known in Kashmir that the political system in West Bengal always supported well being of Kashmir and Kashmiris in as much as they have always supported the provision of special status of Kashmir in the Indian constitution and West Bengal has been the only State where Kashmiris were not harmed or harassed post 1990. Bengalis are the only people from outside Jammu and Kashmir who have taken Hotels on lease at Srinagar which are fully operational even today.

Many things are common among Bengalies and Kashmiris. Both are rice eaters and after Bengal, Kashmir had the next highest percentage area of land under rice cultivation from earliest times. Both are emotional people and both show a slavish devotion to their age old customs. Their languages are sweet and both love music. Interestingly both speak loudly, at times making a noise for nothing. Both communities have produced great people. Kashmiris have deep reverence for Tagore and the only auditorium at Srinagar is named as Tagore Hall. Kashmiris take pains to study contributions made by Mother Teresa to the suffering people. Learned people in Bengal have enough knowledge about great saints of Kashmir and that of the great Kashmiri poetess Lalla Arifa and Habba Khatun.

It is time for introspection. A renewed effort has to be made, as the attack on tourists (who were never touched before) has hijacked fortunes to a neighboring State, as before. Unfortunately the much publicized Tourism Alliance has failed to deliver. The combined effort and intelligence of all concerned people must be interlocked. The situation demands cohesion of all the players. Let us help to learn, heal and recover from the terrible experiences. That will allow us to remain reasonably optimistic. If we though, lack in sensibility and become hostage to disillusionment we shall deserve illustrative and appropriate verses to re-define us.

The world at large has not been, of late, an absolutely comfortable place to live in. Yet let us hope the worst thing will not happen in every situation. We feel embarrassed as our reputation has been harmed. But let us not hide our good feelings or intentions. We should not be un-willing to do something. Let us continue to be enthusiastic and epitomize Kashmir, as the most favourite destination once again. Taking one more initiative let us not shy away to invite and induce tourists to visit the God’s own land ‘Kashmir’, they desire to see at least once in a life time. Let us hope and expect that good things will happen. Tourism must be promoted and protected as this will defend us from continuous media’s tirade.

Article by: A Hameed , Ex-Managing Director, JandK State Transport Corporation.