By Dr. Sofi Rafiq
Amarnath shrine is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India situated at an altitude of 3,888 m, about 141 km from Srinagar, and is located in the Anantnag District of Jammu & Kashmir. It is the most sacred place for the Hindu devotees, which can be reached through the world-famous tourist spots of Pahalgam and Sonmarg Baltal. The conduct of the yatra is Hercule’s and gigantic task for the government of Jammu and Kashmir as in addition to the security departments assistance from various departments is needed for making proper arrangements for the smooth conduct of the yatra. The yatra is organized by the Shri Amaranth Yatra Shrine Board (SASB) along with the Government of the UT. This year the Yatra is commencing on 30th June 2022 after a gap of two years (due to the Covid pandemic) with great religious fervor and deity.
The administration of Jammu & Kashmir has made exemplary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Yatra. I am not here to discuss the arrangements made by the government as it has done its part but my message and appeal are to the majority population of Jammu and Kashmir, especially to the people of Kashmir valley we need to understand our role and shoulder the responsibility to ensure smooth conduct of this yatra as we have done it in the past. We need to understand that this Yatra has many dimensions may it be religious dimension, economic, or tourism but to me, it has one more dimension that is more important than any other dimension which is the “Winning heart dimension”. This yatra provides an opportunity to understand and get understood by winning the hearts of each other. It is a platform to get acquainted with the culture of each other. This year at the commencement of the yatra let us all take a pledge and make it a trend that throughout the yatra period we have to “Win hearts”. Let us celebrate the 45 days yatra period as a “Winning hearts campaign” We all must abstain from doing any such acts which will hurt anybody.
The devotees are expected to come in large numbers from nook and corner of the country and outside to fulfill their religious duty but at the same time, they are our guests the way we behave and deal with them the same message they will scatter. It is high time to prove our true The devotees are expected to come in large numbers from nook and corner of the country and outside to fulfill their religious duty but at the same time, they are our guests the way we behave and deal with them the same message they will scatter. It is high time to prove our true nature and win hearts. Kashmiris have known the world over for their love, harmony, sympathy, and helpful and hospitable nature it is the right time to prove the same let us welcome our Hindu brothers, Sisters, and Lovely kids, with open arms, smiles, love, care, and open heart. The need is to deal with them in such a way that they should feel at home and should go back with positive thoughts about Kashmir. We must prove that as a community we are neither communal nor criminals. Our message should be loud and clear that we love harmony, and diversified culture and we are also accommodative. nature and win hearts. Kashmiris have known the world over for their love, harmony, sympathy, and helpful and hospitable nature it is the right time to prove the same let us welcome our Hindu brothers, Sisters, and Lovely kids, with open arms, smiles, love, care, and open heart. The need is to deal with them in such a way that they should feel at home and should go back with positive thoughts about Kashmir. We must prove that as a community we are neither communal nor criminals. Our message should be loud and clear that we love harmony, and diversified culture and we are also accommodative.
Our transporters, pony wallas, hoteliers, tourist guides, shikara wallas, and all others who directly deal with these guests are the true representatives of our true culture and nature. You have a responsibility to provide better services at reasonable prices, and avoid all sorts of malarkey, malpractices, and maltreatment with our guests; you need to be extra cautious as you act as a bridge between the majority community and our beloved guests. Your character, honesty, bravery, sincerity, sympathy, and Care will fetch unprecedented results and you have to decide the way you are going to represent our community. Our centuries-old value system has taught us to be respectable and dignified with our guests. We are the ones who sacrifice our comfort for keeping our guests happy. The safety of this unparallel value system wholly and solely depends on you. Remember a smile on your face will cost you nothing but will pay us a lot as a community. Now whether to preserve and set an example of our unparallel value system or let it perishes depends on you all. Think deeply and decide? Come let us join together to play our role in welcoming the guests and winning the hearts campaign.
The author can be reached at rafeeqgbl@gmail.com
