Srinagar- Until recently no family in Kashmir Valley would even imagine holding a wedding close to August 15 as the date since 1990 was marked in separatist calendar as black day.
For the first time in three decades of conflict, marriages, walimas and other family functions went on as per schedule.
Kashmir Observer spoke to at least a half a dozen people who had a marriage function slated around 15th August with many saying that it was like any normal day for them.
“..Since the situation is peaceful, we decided to keep 14 and 15 August as the marriage date of my cousin and thanks to Allah everything went so smoothly,” said Sajad Ahmad Dar, a resident of Surasyar, Charoora area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Dar further said that there are at least four marriage ceremonies going on in his area on this day.
His cousin, Mohammad Altaf Sheikh is getting married with Jawahara Begum of Chadoora Budgam.
According to Ghuman Nabi Sheikh, a resident of Bandipora he also decided to marry his daughter Naseerna on this date as most of his relatives were home because of the August 15 holiday.
“While many of our relatives expressed their concern for keeping this day for marriage, however I could sense that nothing was going to happen and everything passed off peacefully,” Sheikh told Kashmir Observer.
Many people also drove to the countryside to spend the day with their families. Various health resorts like Pahalgam, Doodpathri and Gulmarg were clogged with people on Tuesday. Keran, situated on once dreaded military Line of Control is a new hot destination for locals and outsiders alike these days.
“There is a general sense of ease. People have largely accepted the new reality”, said Muhammad Iqbal, a retired Executive Engineer. He however hastened to add that there are many factors which have led to this changed public perception.
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