Visiting Kashmir valley in 2011 spring brought back the memories of my childhood. It was 29 years ago when I moved to Bangalore in a quest to learn and experience life beyond the limits of our own habitat. Life in the valley was normal those days but the preceding decades especially 60s & 70s were wonderful. We use to feel proud of our down-town tag for our bravery to stand united to deal with any intruder in our neighborhood who would harm our social fabric. Recalling those days when I used to start my day early morning to trek Hariparbhat along with a bunch of my friends. Memories of ‘urs’ (festivals) at Maqdumseb with steaming hot ‘warmuth’ & ‘lavasa’ (beans & bread) are still fresh. Those winter months with freezing temperatures and cold wave countered by the old movies of Dileep Kumar in Sheeraz theatre, with ‘Kangri’ (fire pot) under my Phiran (woolen robe) are also still fresh. No marriages were seen without the participation of our neighborhood who would invariably offer their homes for various functions  and decorated streets with shawls and dupatas to welcome and bless the bridegroom with vanavun (folk marriage songs).
                     Decades later, I got an opportunity, along with my better half, to experience the same love and affection during wedding of my friend’s daughter in the valley; and met some old friends after three decades. Customs and rituals even today are similar among Kashmiris - Pandits & Muslims both have common heritage. We were thrilled to feel and observe the bond in the back drop of divinity that prevailed and was evident in vibrant atmosphere at darghas of sufi saints and some ancient temples that we visited in the valley. Nature was at its best to bless the seeker who prayed for the peace and welfare of mankind. We were lucky to sight a rare bird ‘satuth’ that perhaps re-appeared after a long time in the valley, a good omen. Tourists from all over the country were seen in good numbers and were even guided by local auto-drivers to remote ancient temples and darghas – shrines -  deep inside downtown. Critics may say it is just business to earn more wages from the tourists but I felt it was perhaps an appropriate way at least to keep the identity and sanctity of those sacred places where a few brave hearts still live and maintain for the rest of us. Let us not be the victims of trust-deficit generated during turbulent times but contribute through our sincere efforts to rebuild a new Kashmir with essence of spirituality everywhere, paving way to reunite humanity and bring peace to all those departed souls of many innocent beings who may still be wondering what was their fault. Mothers have suffered the most due to loss of their near and dear ones besides those living in exile and raising their children in camps. Even though individually a few of us be doing well, let us revive our conscience that can guide us to be part of the solution rather than  cause of problem and bring back happiness and justice to this sacred land of rishis and saints. 
                     There is an end to everything that grows beyond its time, which includes injustice and suffering witnessed especially by the youths all over the world. Have we reached a state to co-exist together on this planet, a wonderful home for all living beings meant to grow side by side irrespective of variation in our faith and form. Can we go against this natural phenomenon meant for the very survival of the mother earth? Only the human species with the gift of intelligence can enforce their ideas/dictates through different means including threat to the life of others, mostly silent innocents. It is important to understand the dynamics of human action in relation to our thoughts, consciousness or systemic brain-wash that can be fatal to the very survival of humanity in the long run.
            Most of us think there is some higher power. We are more commonly used to the supreme power being an abstract one as Vedic Brahman, God or Allah. To the skeptics, God is a stranger but there is no such thing as a stranger; only friends we haven’t met yet, as very well quoted by the eminent physicist Dr. Mani. The new generation kids seem sharper probably because the brain is evolving and kids are more receptive to new ideas. Let us make honest efforts to give them a corruption free society and good governance where justice prevails. It is for us to discover our universe, both within and outside and thus search will go on. The journey itself may heal our wounds and the pain of suffering may disappear in pursuit of the absolute truth. Let us rekindle our quest for understanding the state of consciousness within us. In my opinion, our conscience has become hostage to hostile circumstances in general and terror of any kind in particular that is bound to resurface and triumph one day, as the survival of human race is linked with it.
“Just a feeling and personal opinion, I wish to share with my fellow human beings as my tribute to the divine valley.  

Dr Vijay Challu is Sr. Scientist, National TB Institute, Bangalore. Feedback at vc2911@ yahoo.com

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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