Snow filled Bliss

My return to Delhi from Srinagar after my weekend visits is usually a somber feeling. It was for a change that I was looking forward to go back to Delhi on 27^th evening because I had a few lovely guests from Mumbai waiting for me in Delhi. My flight was at 5.40 pm and it started snowing around 3.45 pm. My staff from heart centers called me joyously, wishing a “Sheen Mubarak”. A joyous occasion after an intensely cold but dry winter with several weeks of minus temperature. I reciprocated but had the unpredictability of my travel in mind. I reached my Srinagar home before the snowfall became heavy and packed my hand bag with lotus stems (Nadroos) and winter Collard leaves (Wande Haakh) for my Delhi household.

On making enquiries I was informed the flight which had to go back to Delhi had left from Delhi before time and should land before time. The Taxi Wala who had to take me refused to come since he felt roads would be very slippery. My neighbor, a senior police officer, helped by sending his car with a driver. We somehow made to the airport. It was as usual full of people, tourists and small kiosks selling eateries doing brisk business. It was snowing throughout. I was informed unofficially by a senior engineer of the airlines that incoming flight has returned back because of poor visibility and runway condition. Thus, I wanted to return home and had no checked-in baggage; I got down to get out of the airport.

However, I was politely told by the Central Industries Security Force (CISF) staff on duty, an airline official needs to cancel the boarding pass and accompany me to exit. The hard-pressed airlines staff informed me that it can’t happen like this. First the cancellation has to be officially announced then all passengers would be asked to collect their checked-in bags and then all together with their boarding passes and identifications ready, will be escorted out. I understood the security concerns but did not to want to wait for hours and miss my joy-Sheen Mubarak experience which comes only once a year.

I, therefore, went to a CISF personnel and requested him as a personal favor being a senior doctor well known in the valley. He directed me to the Officer in charge. I had a chat with her and made a request showing my impatience to go to my home on this momentous day. She was very understanding. Once she spotted an airline employee whom she approached and made it possible for me to get out. It was such a sense of relief. Me and my hand bags, snow and an occasional vehicle passing by. So, I decided to walk down which I found enjoyable, the temperatures go up when it snows and it is only zero and usually not minus.

On the way there was a jam of the vehicles trying to go down the new airport road. I walked through all that and was faster than cars and busses. Luckily the snow had not frozen and was wooly and soft. On the way I found the car which had dropped me a few hours back still struggling. I wished the driver good luck and walked ahead, enjoying the exercise. Eventually I reached home by 7 pm. I was excited seeing the lawn and passages all bright shining white. My care taker at home Liaqat was surprised seeing me back. I asked him to assist me in cooking a nice hot meal and enjoy the evening, which eventually we did.

Sheen Mubarak in general is a happy occasion. This year the first snowfall happened one week after the beginning of Chilla -i- Kalan, the coldest 40 days of the intense cold. Children and young adults usually pick up fresh snow, make balls from it and hand over them to other members of the family and friends. Some of them put it in bowls filled with milk and sugar and allow it to freeze to make ice cream.

It is also time to take piping hot Harissa, a traditional winter dish of pounded mutton and rice heavily spiced with aromatic condiments. Meanwhile, the snowfall brought excitement to hundreds of tourists visiting Kashmir to have a glimpse of white flakes coming down from the skies. Residency Road, Lal Chowk, the Ghantaghar, and the Boulevard area I was informed was bustling with tourists who had been waiting for this to happen. The pavement shops were seen packing up at the same time also selling their woollen products, especially caps.

The down side of the heavy snowfall was the road communications especially the Jammu Srinagar highway with more than 2000 vehicles stranded en route. The University exams have been postponed. Tourists wanting to go beyond Tangmarg to Gulmarg are facing challenges. The buses are not allowed to ply and smaller vehicles have to use anti-skid chains.  Snow clearing machinery in Srinagar has been put into action and I am waiting for it to reach our colony so that I can get out in my jeep to have a drive through the white city after one full year.

Prof Upendra Kaul, Founder Director Gauri Kaul foundation