Sameer Showkin Lone
Shopian, Dec 10: A story that may go a long way in settling the breeze of peace float across the two communities- the Kashmiri Pandits and the Kashmiri Muslims.
In the tranquil village of Zainapora, Shopian, nestled in apple orchards, the remarkable story of Chaman Lal (85), a Kashmiri pandit and Mohammad Anwar Mir (80’s) , a Kashmiri muslim, has today come to an end-with the demise of Anwar Mir.
This friendship was not an ordinary friendship but something that has recorded the political story of Kashmir. After 40 years of unwavering friendship, political upheaval, the friendship has left behind countless memories and a void that can never be filled, locals said.
Mohammad Hafiz, a retired teacher from the locality said their friendship stood as a beacon of communal harmony during the tough times of 1990’s. This friendship always kept alive the ray of hope- the return of Kashmiri Pandits.
Chaman Lal, and Mohammad Anwar Mir have shared a bond that transcends decades amidst challenges.
When political upheavals in the 1990s forced many Kashmiri Pandits to flee the Valley, Lal chose to stay back in his ancestral village, even as his family moved away. Life took an unexpected turn for him when he lost his eyesight nearly 30 years ago. In this moment of vulnerability, it was Anwar Mir who stepped forward, embodying the true essence of friendship.
For the past three decades, Mir had visited Lal daily, offering him support and companionship. Their routine strolls through the familiar streets of Zainapora, where they once dreamed of their futures as young men, are now symbolic of a deep and enduring bond, locals recall.
Lal’s decision to remain in the Valley has been met with love and respect from his friend and the local community.
Today Lal lives in harmony… but is heartbroken today since his friend has left for heavenly abode.
Locals describe their friendship as a powerful lesson in unity, kindness, and resilience.
Lal says with gratitude… I was born here and I will die here,” he concluded. Their bond was not just a testament to personal loyalty but a legacy of peace that inspires hope across generations. (ANB)
