Its not new to hear someone speak highly of Kashmirs natural beauty. Often dubbed as paradise on earth, it attracts lakhs of tourists from the world over.
The Kashmir Valley is situated in the foothills of Himalayas and its summer capital is nearly 300 km from the Jammu province. While it can take about 7-8 hours by road from Jammu, reaching Srinagar makes the long ride worthwhile. From the snowy hills of the Pirpanjal range to the green crags of Gulmarg, Kashmir is sanctified with natural beauty, fascinating tourists from across the world. Whether its the spring, summer, autumn, or winter, Kashmirs beauty always astounds sightseers. From the green paddocks of summer to the snowy blanket of winter, its the finest place to visit.
Due to prevailing disturbance, its being told that Kashmir has turned into something thats short of being hellish. People think several times before they plan a trip now, because theyre being told by the mainstream media that its life-threatening to visit the Valley. But my message to the people residing outside the state is that, Kashmir is as it was. Besides the ongoing turmoil, our tourism sector is functioning like it was earlier.
Yes, wars have been fought over the land but that has in no way robbed us of our hospitable nature nor has it affected the tourism industry. We are always ready to receive for tourists and we in fact, treat them like our own people. We respect them and the culture they come from.
Kashmir has time and again displayed the finest levels of hospitality despite war. If one is still wary about the idea of visiting the Kashmir Valley, Id request them to put in their highest degree of faith in my words and just come for a while to see how positively different the reality is. By conversing with people who have travelled through the Valley in the past, youll know that they have carried only sweet and warm memories from the place.
My message to any potential visitor is that one trip can help you overcome any negative notion that youve had about Kashmir. The innate goodness of the people, will open your eyes to see the reality of the Valley. It will make you crown us as the most hospitable community out of all those youve explored.
The meadows of Gulmarg, paddocks of the Bungus Valley, monuments of Srinagar are calling you to come and enjoy. We invite you to visit our Kashmir, to visit our home.
I penned this down because many of my friends from different parts of India told me that they want to visit Kashmir but are sceptical due to media reports on war and violence. By this article I want to convey to them that we are always open to receiving them and Kashmir is a place safer than most.
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