24/04/2025
Having visited Kashmir four times, I’ve always felt an inexplicable sense of belonging there—welcomed not as a tourist, but as someone returning to a place that embraces you with warmth, beauty, and grace. The people of Kashmir, with their gentle smiles and boundless hospitality, made it feel like home in a way few places ever could. That’s why the tragic attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, has left me deeply shaken—grief-stricken by the loss of innocent lives, angry at the senseless violence, and overwhelmed by a profound sense of helplessness.
To see a land so serene, a haven of natural splendor and soulful culture, turned into a scene of horror and bloodshed is heartbreaking. My heartfelt condolences go out to every victim, to the families whose lives have been shattered, and to all those still living in fear and trauma. This is not just a human tragedy—it is a searing wound on the conscience of all who believe in peace, compassion, and coexistence.
What pains me even more is that the people of Kashmir, who have already endured decades of strife, continue to bear the burden of conflict born out of divisive politics and ideologies that thrive on hate and religious polarization. In their eyes, I’ve seen resilience. In their stories, I’ve heard the echoes of longing for normalcy, for freedom, for joy. This violence is an assault not just on lives, but on the spirit of Kashmir itself.
My thoughts remain with the victims and their families, and also with every Kashmiri who wakes up each day under the shadow of fear, yet still chooses to hope, to welcome, to smile. Let us not forget that behind every headline are real people—mothers, fathers, children—who deserve a future free from fear.
