The good natured Kashmiris

On visiting the Valley of Kashmir, Jehangir, one of the Mughal emperors, is said to have exclaimed: "If there is paradise anywhere on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here." I guess when he said this not only meant the valleys and lakes and mountains but also the good nature of native Kashmiris. If the Atithi Satkaar culture is remaining in India, it is here in Kashmir.

Our Hotel attendant told us that if stuck approach any house, they will help you, give food , bed and provide for bath and will also inform us. This was so true. During out visit to the interiors of Kashmir, we once ran out of engine oil. We came to a marketplace. There was a group standing nearby , one of them went to house and asked for some guy to open his shop. That guy opened his shop. Fixed the bike. Gave us tea and offered us to stay overnight and leave next morning after bathing. It don't matter what problem you have, Kashmiris will always be ready with a solution and an almost customary "ismein kya hai?" in the end. It would also be very difficult to forget our attendant Yakoob who helped us utmost to get the camera, bike, giving directions, free food and what all not? This is the only tourist place where all want the tourist to have time of his life.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that that Kashmiris are arguably the most beautiful tribe alive. It was very difficult to find a girl you would not be attracted to. Almost a third had supermodel faces. So were the men. All tall, fair and handsome. More importantly, there was much more equality between the two genders as compared to rest of North India. All schools and coleges were co-ed. There was no special seating for women in public buses. Although there seemed to be an unwritten code which said women should not talk to men and different sexes formed different chat groups but women never cringed at male presence, anywhere.

A typical Kashmiri village comes to my mind. Almost everyone would be out there on street, walking criss cross and chatting idly. No fear. No care. One friend described it best.

"Kashmiri kumata 120 hai. Karch 140 karta hai. Must rehta hai. Ismein kya hai?"


We believed this carefree, guilt free nature and everyday cheerfulness is a result of their home being paradise. After all what else could one need. great people. Great environment. Zero pollution. I wish 1989 never happened in Kashmir.

People are so helpful that sometimes it might even freak you out. Always ready for a small tal, specially if one mentions Delhi. I remember our cab driver even wanting to have his honey moon in Delhi. If you ask directions, they will walk with you till the street you have to take turn so that you would not get lost. All in all a wonderful experience amidst incessant teas, hukkas, bollywood numbers and cricket.