Srinagar, Jan 26: While normal life remained disrupted in the wake of Hartal call by separatist factions on the Republic Day, many City youth preferred playing cricket on the deserted streets.
 In the City centre areas of Maisuma and Gaw Kadal, scores of boys played the game all day long. They had come out early in the morning and their shouting –appeals of bowlers and anger of competitors – could be heard all around.
 While talking to Greater Kashmir the youth said they had come out early in the morning to play cricket as to remain busy in some activity.
 “We came out because we wanted to engage ourselves in some activity. As there was no traffic on the roads and shops too remained closed, it sounded better to play cricket,” said a youth.
 Many of them said they had already decided to play cricket on the Day without going for any other activity as it was expected that roads would be deserted.
 This reporter came across ten odd cricket pitches –stretching from Maisuma Chowk to Habba Kadal Bridge.
 Youths said they were not disturbed by anybody. “We are playing the game to its fullest. We shout and enjoy; nobody disturbs us,” they said.
 “They are celebrating their day but they must also understand that we too demand something and they ought to provide,” said a roadside cricketer.
 While youth continued to play cricket for long on 63rd Republic Day, elderly could be heard discussing history including German War on the shop pedestals.
 Some elderly could be heard debating the revolutions of the world in the backdrop of Kashmir history. They were also heard discussing Jawahar Lal Nehru’s visit to Kashmir and his historic Lal Chock speech, Mughal Emperor Akbar, Habba Khatoon and Yousuf Shah-e-Chak.
 “We may be discussing the world in an amateur way and without much of knowledge, but there seemed no other way, today, than to sit on the shop fronts and discuss it in our own ways,” said Shams-ud-Din, one of the oldies as cricket matches went on nearby.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST