'NO 'EID' IN FLOOD-STRICKEN KASHMIR

Khasmir-Onislam.png" alt="Incessant rains and floods have left majority of Kashmiri with no money to spend this `Eid." width="298" height="218" /> Incessant rains and floods have left majority of Kashmiri with no money to spend this `Eid. Photo: Onislam

Srinagar, 10 Dzulhijjah 1435/4 October 2014 (MINA) – Stricken by the worst floods in the past five decades, Kashmiri people are anticipating a somber celebration of `Eid Al-Adha, whose festivities could not find a room in makeshift camps and flooded homes.

“We have been devastated. The flood fury unleashed death and destruction in the valley and we lost everything,” Ali Mohammed of Abi Guzar locality in Srinagar.

“We don’t know how we are going to celebrate `Eid. Life has suddenly become difficult for us,” he said, Onislam quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Saturday.

Kashmir witnessed one of the worst flooding in decades this year which killed more than 280 people and rendered thousands homeless.

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Every year, the busiest market of Srinagar in the city center at Lal Chowk used to bustle with buyers as the festival approached.

But this time, the market wears a deserted look although `Eid Al-Adha is just round-the-corner.

“I have lost everything in this flood. My shop in the ground floor was submerged in water and all the material has been destroyed. It would take some time to start my business afresh,” Said Nisar Ahmed Wani, a shopkeeper in Srinagar.

The condition is bad not only in makeshift camps, but also in those places where water is yet to be drained.

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Incessant rains and floods have left majority of Kashmiri with no money to spend this `Eid.

“We don’t have money to eat. You can imagine our condition. How we are going to celebrate Eid? Last year, we sacrificed many sheep but this year it will not be possible to sacrifice even one sheep.”

He further added, “People have lost their belongings. They share the same pain and problems after deadly floods hit them.”

Another shopkeeper said, “When we are not able to sell anything to customers then how will we earn money and celebrate `Eid.”

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“The situation is the same everywhere. People need food to survive. They want to repair their badly damaged houses. All this will take a long time.

“Our concern is not `Eid at present. When we don’t have anything how can we think about celebrations,” he added.

Dear Help

Feeling their pain, Kashmiris in different parts of India have been collecting relief material and donations to help their brothers back in the valley.

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Asif Lone is a student in Bhopal in central India who wants to send maximum help to his people in Kashmir.

“We have asked the people to donate whatever they can so that we should help our people back in Kashmir,” said Asif Lone.

“The reports I am getting from my state are grim. People need basic things like food, clean water, medicines, clothes etc. There is risk of outbreak of diseases at many places,” he added.

He further said, “I don’t think anyone back home is thinking about Eid at present. They are left with no option except to pray on that day. For most of them sacrificing animal would be difficult.”

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After the floods, shop owners have suffered heavy losses after the goods at most of the shops have been ruined or badly damaged in the floodwater.

At present they are busy in draining water from shops and repairing them and salvaging whatever little goods remain.

They can’t afford to buy new stocks. In such a situation, they can’t even think about selling anything on the occasion of `Eid.

Kashmiris haven’t taken any decision about how they will celebrate `Eid. However, the magnitude of devastation and suffering wrought by floods won’t allow them to celebrate or enjoy.

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More than 100,000 Kashmiris were killed during 25 years of insurgency in the valley. But they always celebrated `Eid. But this year, the intensity of natural calamity will deprive them of revelries.

“I have not seen such bad days in my life,” said Zafar Mustaq, a resident of Srinagar.