Assistance rendered to stranded tourists by locals in Gund wins praise

Gund ( Kangan), Dec 28: Assistance rendered to stranded tourists by locals in Gund has won the praise of people.

Over the years Kashmiri people are known for hospitality and brotherhood and the same was showcased on Friday when the heavy snowfall closed the roads for hundreds of tourists who were on a visit to famous tourist destination of Sonamarg in Ganderbal district.

The help and assistance to the tourists stranded amid the snowfall by local Muslims painted a portrait of communal peace and Kashmir’s old syncretic ethos.

These qualities, with which Kashmiri people have always been identified, have created a special place for them, in the hearts of tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir.

Heavy snowfall on Friday evening brought normal life to a standstill in Kashmir, and left hundreds of tourists stranded in between the Kangan and Sonamarg tourist destinations due to the slippery roads. With road conditions worsening and vehicles slipping on the snow, the visitors found themselves with no way to continue their journey leaving hundreds of tourists trapped in the area.

The local residents of tehsil Gund in the Ganderbal district, particularly areas like Gund, Kullan, Rayil, Gagangir, Sonamarg, Haknar and HariGaniwan , stepped forward to offer crucial help to stranded tourists.

With the Jammu and Kashmir policemen seen extending a helping hand to the stranded tourists in the face of these challenges, local communities including Civil Society Tehsil Gund members , Jamia Auqaf committees, volunteers demonstrated extraordinary hospitality, with many opening their homes to the stranded tourists, providing them with warmth, shelter, and food. The stranded tourists were also provided accommodation in Jamia Masjid Gund by the local committee. Apart from providing accommodation, the local residents came on roads serving stranded tourists with warm water, tea and rice. Many Kashmiri families were seen serving tea and water along the road from Gagengar to Hariganiwan.

“They are our guests and it is our responsibility to make sure they don’t face any inconvenience, “ Mehraj ud din Khan, a local resident told Greater Kashmir.

The gesture shown by the local Kashmiri people to the tourists has won praise from people across the country. The tourists, while praising the hospitality and warmth shown by the people here said that they were touched by the hospitality and help from the people during their tough times while being stuck amid the snow .

“The kindness of the locals was heartwarming, we won’t ever forget this in our life, “said a tourist from Maharashtra.

“When our vehicle got stuck, we had nowhere to go, but the local people at Gund invited us to their homes. Their generosity in such difficult conditions will stay with us forever,”a tourist from Malaysia told Greater Kashmir.

“The people of Kashmir are incredibly kind and this has been an unforgettable experience and memory for us,” said another tourist family.

In addition to the local residents’ efforts, police , SDRF, civil administration and army teams also played a crucial role in assisting stranded tourists and residents. They provided food and facilitated medical assistance for those in need, showcasing a united front in the face of adversity.

Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq praised the gesture and said it was heartwarming to see Kashmiris open their mosques and homes to stranded tourists amidst heavy snowfall. "This gesture of warmth and humanity reflects our longstanding tradition of hospitality and helping others in times of need," he said on X. Various social, religious, political organizations and people from different sections of society have hailed the efforts of the local civil society members and youth .