Sajad Hameed
A 70 year old Kashmiri Pandit woman named Prabhavati, passed away yesterday in the Lalpora area of Kunzer in North Kashmir’s district Baramullah.
In another instance of the display of communal harmony, love and respect that Kashmiris share with each other, her last rites were overlooked, attended and arranged by her family as well as the neighbouring Muslim families.
The neighbours were seen together, collected around the deceased’s house, comforting each other, participating in the rituals as well as showering flowers on the deceased as is done in Hindu rituals.
Kashmiris walked shoulder to shoulder, with a family member leading the funeral procession, while Muslims and Hindus together trudged along, carrying the pyre covered with a white shroud.
The procession was made up of dozens of people, young and old, men, women and children silently waiting and walking around in the rain and mud, lending umbrellas to each other and talking about the loss of their loved one.
The family member of the deceased said to The Kashmiriyat, “In happiness or sadness, we are of use to each other. We distribute it amongst each other, whether its joy or sadness, there are no differences whatsoever.
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We live here together very nicely without any hindrances.”
He also mentioned another instance, “I was in Jammu but all my neighbours took care of my household and belongings. We are dependent on each other and it is reciprocated from our side too. Both sides help each other.”
It is these very words that come from the heart of the community that restores the faith of companionship in an era of hardship and violence. In Kashmir, it is not taken for granted but loved and cherished by everybody.