Srinagar (KNS): During the heavy snowfall, the beautiful district of Ganderbal in Kashmir turned into a beacon of hope, of kindness, and of charity. As tourists found themselves stranded due to the inclement weather, the locals of Ganderbal opened their hearts, homes, and mosques to provide shelter, warmth, and sustenance to those in need.
This kind of selfless hospitality is a feature that is inherent in the character of Kashmir, where guesthood is an integral part of its ethos. Kashmiri people are always reputed to be very hospitable and kind-hearted, and in countless instances they go the extra mile for the comfort and pleasure of their guests. The recent developments in Ganderbal are a great testimonial to this tradition, as residents have sidelined their own personal sufferings to cater to the suffering of others.
As the snowfall intensified, blocking roads and disrupting communication networks, the tourists found themselves in a precarious situation. Having no obvious escape or shelter, they were in the complete control of the elements. That's when the people of Ganderbal came and provided it not only in the form of physical protection but also by providing comfort from their hearts. They offered sustenance, hot beverages of chai, and the warmth of blankets to the ones without shelter, making sure that they would not be caught out in the weather.
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But perhaps the most intriguing is that the villagers did not stop there. They filled the streets, shouting from loudspeakers that any tourist in trouble was welcome to come to their houses to escape. "Our homes are always open for you," they declared.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel"We have food, blankets, and all the necessary things you need. Not only are you not ours in isolation, you are our guests, and we'll see to it that you are looked after.".
The spontaneous emergence of generosity and kindness, in no small measure, in spite of the hardships that the inhabitants of Ganderbal endure on a daily basis. Living in an area at risk to both natural disasters and political instability, they have adapted, and in crisis they respond with resilience and empathy. They have demonstrated a strong feeling of empathy and compassion by prioritizing the needs of the others over their needs.
As soon as the visitors moved out for their homes, their image lingered behind, that of the hospitality and philanthropy of the people of Ganderbal. They had learned firsthand about Kashmiri hospitality, going beyond the barriers of culture and language to offer comfort and relief during times of crisis.
Whenever the odds are looking so grim against us, the inhabitants of Ganderbal have proved to us that no matter how severe the circumstances are, humanity and compassion cannot be overruled. Their acts of selflessness as a goodwill act echo as a powerful illustration of empathy, giving, and communitarianism. Although we are attempting to understand the nature of the highly connected world at a global level, we have the privilege of witnessing some of the human stories from Ganderbal, where the most modest and altruistic acts of empathy can be priceless to the sufferers. (KNS)
About the Author:
Zaid Malik is a Kashmir-based writer, independent journalist, and social commentator from Bandipora.