The Other Side

“Our Rishies, Sufi sages considered the place around the spring spiritually consecrated. They preferred to sit there for hours to attain enlightenment. They planted trees mainly Chinar trees around the springs to beautify its surroundings. Locals especially our Pundit community used to do necessary cleaning to maintain their glory as they considered it a religious obligation”
The recent upsetting news regarding the springs across the valley is not a good sign Wali Kak- an elderly person from a remote village had very beautiful memories of the past related to springs. He narrated, Our Rishies, Sufi sages considered the place around the spring spiritually consecrated. They preferred to sit there for hours to attain enlightenment. They planted trees mainly Chinar trees around the springs to beautify its surroundings. Locals especially our Pundit community used to do necessary cleaning to maintain their glory as they considered it a religious obligation.During those times literacy rate was low but people were educated in a true sense. They believed that cleanness is a prerequisite for physical and spiritual sustenance. They knew the significance of these vital resources. But our so-called modern educated people don’t give that respect to these water bodies. They left no stone unturned to pollute these water resources and ruined their landscape”. While narrating his experience, he took a long breath and reflected on this worried situation, “Human beings are the best and the noblest creation that Almighty Allah created on this planet. Let us rethink our past and present, just contemplate whether we have retained that position or not. Are we moving towards sustainable development or self-destruction? No doubt, in this postmodern stage, we feel proud to erect sky-touching buildings, change the direction of rivers, establish tunnels or bridges through mountain peaks and oceans, and invent missiles and machines. But, Alas! Our individual and collective odd actions and irresponsible attitude led us into deep chaos and confusion. We became greedy and selfish. We have started a war against nature. Exploring nature and the utilization of natural resources for sustainable development is in no way wrong. It should be done judiciously. Unfortunately, Shrinking forest areas in the name of development, encroaching water bodies, grazing lands – Kahcharia, snatching the rights of both land and aquatic animals, and excessive use of pesticides and fungicides without caring about their impact on other living species. Food adulteration, sale of fictitious drugs, unnecessary prescription of medical tests by so-called doctors, the rising graph of drug abuse, growing immorality, cursing forefathers in the backdrop of the claim that they did nothing good for society, religious intolerance, and corruption have become a mere matter of the course. People don’t feel guilty, instead, they are enjoying such acts. If we do not change this irresponsible attitude and reshape our character, it will have serious consequences on our future endeavors. Our economy which is mostly based on agriculture, horticulture, and tourism will be affected. Snow-capped mountains, springs, flowing rivers, freshwater lakes, wells, green pastures, apple plants laden with fruits, and saffron fields glittering like golden sheets, tourist destinations packed with local and foreign tourists. This is the real identity of Kashmir which is currently in deep crisis due to this dry climatic condition. This crucial phase of winter without rain and snow is not a good omen. Let us go for collective forgiveness. Let us bring positive changes within ourselves and try to contribute towards our mother land-Mouj-Kasheer as per our knowledge and capacityto regain its glory”. Glimpsing through the window with hopeful eyes, and praying for rain and snow, Wali Kak pined a hope that Almighty Allah would bless this paradise again with a sufficient shower of rain and snow.

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