A shikara ride at Dal Lake that started a passion for philately

As a child, the arrival of a letter brought me joy in more ways than one. Not only would I get to hear from my father who was away at his Army posting and relatives, but also get to collect magnificent stamps that are attached on the envelopes.

One of my first memories was peeling off a stamp that had a picture of Dal Lake, with the iconic shikara floating on its sparkling waters in the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. For me, it appeared no less than a fantastical world.

Fast forward a few years, my mother and I were accompanying my father on a trip to Srinagar. We were taking a walk on a beautiful city street when, suddenly, a vast water body caught my eye. It was the lake from the stamp: the sparkling water, the shikara, the snow-capped mountain were all brought to life.

I was in absolute shock to see the world of a 20x25 mm stamp come to life so beautifully. It was like being transported to the fantastical world that I had only dreamed of. My father, seeing my fascination, asked me if I wanted to a ride on a shikara. I leaped with joy. As my parents and I admired the scenery during the shikara ride, I decided to collect more stamps and turn them into reality.

Philately, which began as a fascination, had since become my passion, and I have the trip to the picturesque Dal Lake to thank for it.

Neelam Chandel, Chandigarh