At a time when confusion has gripped Kashmir, people are again showing their true spirit and large heartedness. It was again on display at Ahmedpora village of Baramulla district situated along world famous ski resort Gulmarg road.
On Friday when an advisory issued by the government urgedtourists and Amarnath pilgrims to “curtail” their stay in Kashmir, it gave riseto speculations that Union government will issue some major order for theregion which may worsen law and order situation.
The advisory like other towns and villages across Kashmircaused panic among people, the news also reached sleepy Ahmedpora, a village ofaround 300 households in north Kashmir. The people of the village throughoutthe day see tourists and Amarnath pilgrims after completing their pilgrimage,flocking towards picturesque meadow Gulmarg.
The first thought after the advisory reached masses struckMuzammil Malik and AltafHussain. “We could understand the plight of touristsafter the advisory was issued. We decided to make arrangements for their foodand lodging. We at our villages decided to procure vegetables from our kitchengardens and made space vacant at our houses. In our land we didn’t want them tofeel alienated,” said Malik.
In order to reach out to the maximum tourists and Amarnathpilgrims, Malik took to micro blogging site Twitter where he posted: “If anytourist, yatri needs house, food on Magam, Gulmarg road, please call: …. Atleast I 10-15 people can stay at my home free of cost”.
Though no one turned until late night, Muzamil got callsfrom Delhi, Patna and other states for his “goodwill” gesture. Hussain, ateacher explains his point in helping others when many people are fending forthemselves. “We have to understand that there were people in Bangalore,Dehradun, Punjab and other places, who post Pulwama incident helped Kashmiris,during those testing times. It was a test. We have seen these precarioussituations before and we have faced them. We didn’t want that an outsidershould feel hell in a paradise”.
Sociologist DrWakar-ul-Amin explains this nature ofKashmiris as “accommodative culture”.
“We (Kashmiris) are actually like this. It is in our genes Iwould say. We have no history of being brute. We have shown this during everycrisis situation,” said Amin, who is currently pursuing research on Kashmir’sculture.
Amin added: “It is the nature of Kashmir’s accommodativeculture that we have accommodated and absorbed different philosophies”.