The land that’s divided by nations but connected by its people and the Himalayan mountains. I am a full-blooded Kashmiri; my family migrated from Kashmir to Lahore, Pakistan. My grandparents were all born there; they were the last of my family to be living in Kashmir. The reason they migrated to Lahore, Pakistan, was because of India’s military base being set in Kashmir. I wanted to share the beauty of Kashmir and its people. Kashmir is often called “Paradise on Earth” because of its absolutely breathtaking landscapes, from its mountains to its valleys. They are known for their rich and beautiful Sufi poetry, folk songs, and mysticism. They wear clothing called “pheran,” which is a long woolen garment worn by both men and women. In my opinion, they have the best chai. Kashmir chai is pink! Its taste is hard for me to describe, but it’s kinda salty with pistachios or crushed almonds in it as well. My favorite piece of art is called a “Pashmina Shawl”. It is basically something that a lot of women and also men wear during the wintertime. It’s kind of like a jacket because people wrap this shawl around their bodies. Overall, Kashmir is a beauty, and I have always thought of Kashmir as “home” because it’s everything I have ever thought was beautiful.
