The everyday people and things that make Srinagar home

Sirinagar (as we, its inhabitants, pronounce it) is the city of serene lakes, history, hospitality, vibrant culture, picturesque gardens, and most importantly resilience. Its many shrines and the unwavering faith of its people, even during wartime, make it hard for you to not be a believer here. And that is what I love the most about people here. Their faith and their unwavering hope for things to become better even when they have nothing to hold onto.

Recently, I saw a woman quietly sitting against a tree in the garden of the shrine of Hazrat Syed Asim Shah and Syed Qasim Shah looking longingly at the shrine as if quietly praying for wishes that she knows may not be granted.

On my way to school every day, I come across many locals going about their life with a similar resoluteness. There aren’t many people around that time since its early, but I come across some of them regularly. The anonymous uncle in my neighbourhood daily feeding stray dogs early in the morning; another one, probably in his early 60s, dressed in a bright track suit, a black cap (even in summers) and black sunglasses doing his daily exercises. There is another old man who feeds pigeons every Wednesday and Saturday. His image of sitting on a bench and surrounded by pigeons always bring a smile to my face. There are more regulars I see daily — a chubby school kid waiting impatiently with his mother for his school bus, a group of elderly ladies on morning walk, gossiping and laughing.

I feel as if all these people are a part of my life. These everyday local people and things make Srinagar feel like home. Sometimes I feel, I cannot leave Srinagar or Kashmir, but if I ever do, it will remain my eternal home in thought.

Anush Fatima, Srinagar