Silent heroes of the valley

In the heart of Kashmir, where snow-capped peaks kiss the skies and rivers whisper tales of time, walk men whose stories are more powerful than any sermon on dignity or self-reliance. They wear wrinkled skin like medals of honour, hands calloused by years of work, backs bent not by defeat but by decades of relentless perseverance. These are our old men — silent warriors of our society — who, instead of extending a hand in plea, choose to keep their palms coarse with work.

Stroll through any street of Srinagar, or wander into the narrow lanes of Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara, or Shopian, Pulwama or any nook and corner of valley and you will inevitably come across them. An old man pushing a cart of fruits, another carrying a basket of vegetables, one more hammering nails into wood, or laying bricks under the harsh sun — each of them scripting a saga of silent dignity.

At a roadside in Lal Chowk, 72-year-old can be seen selling roasted corn during the summer months. Come winter, he switches to peanuts. A man who once worked as a mason in his youth, old man now earns just enough to keep his small household running. “I never begged then, I won’t beg now,” he says with quiet pride. “As long as my hands can move, they will earn my bread.”

At another place an old man aged 78, sweeps the sidewalks outside busy shops in exchange for small tips. Some days are better than others. “But no matter how small, it’s earned,” he says. “I could ask my sons for money, but what will I teach my grandchildren then? That we stretch our hands when things get tough? No. We bend our backs, not our heads.”

In the apple orchards of Shopian and Pulwama old aged plucks apples alongside men half his age. His joints may be stiff, his eyesight not as sharp, but his spirit remains untouched. “These apples feed my soul too. They remind me I still matter,” he chuckles, wiping sweat from his brow.

These stories are not isolated. They are scattered like stars in the sky of our society — glimmering examples of resilience, pride, and the timeless value of labour.

Yet, while we admire them from afar, what are we doing as neighbours, citizens, or fellow human beings? Are we honouring their courage, or simply romanticizing their struggle? Dignity should not come at the cost of hardship. If an old man offers to carry your load, perhaps let him — but pay him not for his strength, but as a gesture of respect. If a white-bearded vendor sells vegetables on your street, buy from him not out of pity but out of appreciation for a life lived in self-respect.

In a time when shortcuts and dependency often lure the young, these elders remind us that true wealth lies not in how much you earn but how you earn it. Their stories must be documented, celebrated, and shared — not just as tales of survival but as lessons in ethics, pride, and honour.

Let our children learn that self-respect is not for sale, that age is not an excuse for helplessness, and that hard work, even in old age, is the highest form of worship.

These old men are not relics of the past. They are the conscience of our present — telling us that no matter how hard life gets, dignity is never too expensive to afford.

Let us see them. Really see them.

Let us support them — not with charity, but with humanity.

And above all, let us learn from them — that age may wither the body, but it only strengthens the soul.

By celebrating these stories in print and in our hearts, we ensure they are never forgotten. For in their struggle, lies the roadmap to a more empathetic, grateful, and honourable society.