I SEE THE TWO KASHMIRS FROM SHAMSHABARI

Vinod Singh Negi

Perched on a hill, atop the Shamshabari
I see the two Kashmirs; close and distant
Juxtaposed in the middle of two Kashmirs
I see Majestic Nanga Parvat to the North in Other Kashmir (POK)
And ‘Heaven on Earth’ Kashmir Valley to the South in Indian Kashmir

Indian Kashmir sees smiles and cheers
Markets abuzz and playgrounds burst
Hustle, Bustle and the tourist rush
Faithfull bowed to Baba Barfani, Allah and Christ

The Other Kashmir has a pall of gloom
Populated with Terror Camps and Launch Pads is the scene
People are poor and roads are broken
Rickety pick ups are the only medium

Indian Kashmir celebrates ‘Ghar Ghar Tiranga’
People come out and dawns a new era
Gulmarg is full, Bangus is full and so is Macchal
Bless us Allah the merciful !

Other Kashmir see underdevelopment and poverty
Oppressed Kashmiri ‘Mohajirs’ and their vulnerability
For pushed into terrorism are they by the Pakis
Little does the ISI care about morality

Tanzeem Commanders spew venom and send the infiltrators
Disturb peace and development in Paradise is single point agenda
Spill Kashmiri Blood and create anarchy
How dare the Indian Kashmir at all party

In one Kashmir there is Kashmiriyat; Other Kashmir full of Haiwaniyat
On one side is Paradise; other side misery and vice
Oh Allah! May the situation change
Make the evil neighbour see reason;
Let him live and allow us to live in bliss as in heaven

Amen !

Note
Shamshabari (Abode of Fir Trees) Ranges with its wet climate, high elevation(average height 11500, highest 17500 ft) and snow clads peaks (20-30 fts in winters) makes the North western ring of Vale of Kashmir from Kala Pahar (North West of Baramulla) to Kaobal Gali(Boundary of Kargil Distt). In South East lies the pristine paradise of India – Kashmir valley surrounded by Pir Panjal and Great Himalayan Ranges where on the other side in POJK is Neelum Valley enamoured by icy waters of Kishanganga(Neelum), and either side having mountain scarps of indescribable grandeur.