Warmth In Winter

As the temperature plummets across Kashmir, various individuals and social groups are helping the poor brave the bitter cold, reports Saima Bhat

- Saima Bhat

On a spine-chilling January morning Hameed went out of his home in despair. A man in his early 60s is living in a modest two-room home in one of Srinagar’s uptown localities. His family lacks a facility to stay warm during winters.

Hamid wanted to get Kangri, a few kgs of coal, and a blanket. He had just Rs 500 rupee in his pocket.

A labourer by profession, as he reached Batmaloo by foot after hours of the journey through slippery roads, he did not find anyone selling kangri. He waited on the snow-covered footpath. Finally, in the latter part of the day, few Kangri sellers started and those dealing with blankets, and coal were visibly audible. He found everything beyond his budget.

“When a vendor said the blanket costs Rs 500, I decided to confirm it from other vendors as well,” Hamed said. “I had just Rs 500 in my pocket and I had to purchase kangri and coal too. I did the bargaining but to no avail.”

As the thought of trembling children came to his mind, he somehow purchased a blanket for Rs 420 and spent the rest of the amount on coal. “This too was a great relief,” he said. “We managed to burn coal in an open container to stay warm.”

Hameed was not always like this. Once earning modestly, he said his financial condition was badly affected after the 2019 siege, followed by the 2020 lockdown, otherwise, he could have afforded a better living for his children.

WALL OF HOPE