The recent weather forecast has predicted heavy to very heavy snowfall in the upper reaches along with plains in Kashmir division which has raised alarms due to the impending inclement weather conditions.
People seem busy buying essential commodities to avoid any incumbrances during the murky-sky days. In the meantimes administrative divisions are kept at guard to face any challenging situation especially medical emergencies.
However, this is not something novel but rather the same old practice that is being repeated every single year. But just for a change, what if subways were introduced in Srinagar city? It would definitely enable people to reach their working places without much trouble for the snow will be literally above their heads.
Winters affect the economy of Valley immensely as most of the economic activities come to an abrupt halt and people prefer to stay indoors. Such a cozy lifestyle has proved counterproductive to our per capita growth rates and if only we realize its repercussions we may find some reliable alternatives to face the ‘wrath of winters’.
Kashmir has a moderate winter season in comparison to many European nations but still most of the people here annually go through an ‘activity hibernation’ primarily because of poor government infrastructure and unavailability of essential facilities. This is also complimented with our willingness to stay indoors and somehow our deliberate embracement of ‘Stay Home in Winter’ notion.
These outdated and preconceived ideas need to be shrugged off once for all. We need to realize that people work ardently from dawn to dusk in the coldest regions of earth where visibility of sun remains missing for at least six months. Our work culture requires an immediate fix otherwise our sun-dried veggies won’t last any further long.
There are regions which face ten times harsher weather than our Kashmiri Chillai Kalan but the difference is that they don’t wait for forty days inside their homes.
