“The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.” — A saying attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
HAROON RASHID BHAT
Sometimes, an ordinary journey can awaken memories of a society’s forgotten values. Recently, while going to the market, I came across a group of people, young and old, working together to fill potholes along a pathway. There was no formal announcement, no organised campaign, and no waiting for the concerned department to intervene. They had noticed a public problem and decided to address it through collective effort. As I watched them, I was reminded of Halisheri a beautiful Kashmiri tradition rooted in voluntary service, mutual cooperation, and community responsibility. Their initiative was more than a simple act of repair; it was a reminder that meaningful change often begins when ordinary people choose to act for the common good.
In traditional Kashmiri society, Halisheri represented the spirit of people voluntarily joining hands to accomplish tasks for the benefit of the community. People would come together to clean irrigation canals, clear roads blocked by snow during harsh winters, assist neighbours in times of difficulty, and support families facing hardship. Their contributions were not measured in money or personal recognition but in the willingness to share their labour and ease the burdens of others. Such collective efforts strengthened social bonds, nurtured mutual trust, and fostered a sense of belonging. Halisheri was not merely a practical arrangement; it reflected a way of life in which community welfare was considered a shared responsibility.
Unfortunately, these practices have become less visible in contemporary life. Changing lifestyles, growing individualism, and increasing dependence on institutions have weakened some of the bonds that once brought communities together. We frequently complain about damaged roads, unclean surroundings, and administrative delays, but sometimes overlook the contribution we can make within our own capacity. The incident I witnessed, however, reassured me that the spirit of Halisheri has not disappeared. It survives wherever people are willing to step forward without waiting for appreciation or reward.
For me, this was Halisheri in action and Ebadah in practice. In Islam, faith is expressed not only through prescribed religious observances but also through compassion, honesty, kindness, and service to humanity. Helping someone in difficulty, removing an obstacle from a public pathway, assisting an elderly neighbour, or contributing to the welfare of the community can become meaningful expressions of faith when performed with sincere intentions. The people filling those potholes may have considered their work a simple social responsibility, yet their actions reflected values that religion consistently encourages: concern for others, generosity, and a willingness to make life easier for fellow human beings.
The significance of their effort becomes clearer when we consider those who use the pathway. A pothole that appears insignificant to one person may create difficulties for an elderly resident, a child going to school, or someone carrying essential supplies. By addressing such a problem, the volunteers were contributing to the safety and convenience of others. Their work demonstrated that even modest actions can produce meaningful benefits when guided by a spirit of service.
Reviving Halisheri does not mean transferring the responsibilities of government departments to ordinary citizens. Maintaining roads, drainage systems, irrigation channels, and public infrastructure remains the responsibility of the concerned authorities. Citizens must continue to seek accountability and timely action. However, community participation can complement official efforts through cleanliness drives, plantation campaigns, assistance to vulnerable families, and the responsible reporting of public hazards. Technical or dangerous repairs must be undertaken by qualified personnel with appropriate safety measures.
What we need is a healthier balance between our rights and responsibilities. We should neither remain silent when public services fail nor become indifferent to the difficulties around us. Constructive participation can strengthen communities, encourage accountability, and inspire others to contribute. When people work together for a common cause, they develop not only a cleaner and safer environment but also stronger relationships built on trust and cooperation.
Our younger generation, in particular, needs to witness and experience this spirit. Civic responsibility cannot be taught through textbooks alone. Children learn its real meaning when they see adults cleaning their surroundings, helping neighbours, respecting public property, and working together without personal gain. Such examples cultivate empathy, discipline, and a sense of belonging that can benefit society for generations.
Kashmir is blessed with extraordinary natural beauty, but the true beauty of our Valley also lies in the character of its people. Our mountains, rivers, and gardens may attract admiration, but compassion, hospitality, and mutual assistance are what make a society truly beautiful. If we revive the spirit of Halisheri, we can strengthen our communities and preserve a valuable part of our cultural heritage.
The people I witnessed filling those potholes may never realise how deeply their simple act inspired an observer. Yet, their initiative reminded me that meaningful change does not always begin with grand announcements or elaborate plans. Sometimes, it begins when a few ordinary people decide not to remain indifferent.
Let us revive Halisheri not merely as a memory of our past, but as a living principle for our future. Let us recognise that serving humanity is both a social responsibility and, when performed with sincere intentions, a practical expression of faith.
May Almighty Allah bless all those who came forward for this noble cause, reward their sincere efforts, and ease their paths just as they sought to ease the paths of others. Ameen.
Haroon Rashid Bhat is a teacher by profession, can be reached at minamharoon123@gmail.com.
