Videos circulating on social media show Kashmiris wholeheartedly engaging in serving food to tourists in their homes
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The generous and hospitable Kashmiris have once again displayed their genial nature in the face of adversity afflicting hundreds of tourists to the picturesque valley. Kashmiris of all hues opened their hearts, homes and mosques to the tourists stranded in Srinagar valley due to heavy snowfall.
The valley witnessed widespread snowfall on Friday, which disrupted flight and railway operations and led to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
Several tourists found themselves stranded as moderate to heavy snowfall blanketed Kashmir, including the season’s first blizzard in Srinagar and other plains of the valley. Southern parts of Kashmir experienced particularly heavy snowfall, while central areas saw moderate accumulations.
According to reports reaching here and the videos circulating on social media, Kashmiris are engaged wholeheartedly in serving food to tourists in their homes. Known for their hospitality, Kashmiris once again demonstrated their welcoming nature despite the region’s ongoing challenges.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, praised the people of Kashmir for their humanitarian response. Sharing his appreciation on X (formerly Twitter), he highlighted the community’s gesture of warmth and kindness.
Local politicians and activists shared videos of stranded passengers receiving aid, with some scenes capturing light moments like tourists playing cricket inside the Qazigund-Banihal Navyug Tunnel.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah provided updates on the situation, stating that around 2,000 vehicles were stuck between Qazigund and the tunnel. “While snow clearance has been completed, icy roads remain a challenge. Heavy vehicles are being allowed through, and efforts are ongoing to clear the rest of the stranded vehicles,” he assured.
The snowfall, a picturesque start to the winter season, brought unexpected challenges that were met with the trademark compassion and resilience of the Kashmiri people.
