The shikara ride at Dal Lake continues to be a symbol of peace in Kashmir, even as the region deals with the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.
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In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, a woman decided not to cancel her shikara ride at Dal Lake and shared a video of her morning ride, showcasing her determination to continue with her plans despite the tragic events.
Vinita Chaitanya, a Bengaluru-based interior designer, frequently posts information on her Instagram profile about lifestyle, home design, and nature. Days after the Pahalgam tragedy, which claimed 26 lives, she has since shared a fresh video of her “soulful shikara ride” at daybreak in Srinagar on April 24.
She described how her peaceful and beautiful experience occurred during a period of “much anger, helplessness, and heartbreak” following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22.
New video of tourists from Kashmir’s Dal Lake
In her long caption, Vinita explained the circumstances on April 23, when she “decided not to cancel the shikara ride at Dal Lake booked.” In the accompanying video, she interacted with local Kashmiri vendors and took a tour of Dal Lake, exploring its hidden corners and scenic spots amid the best light and fewer crowds. One of the highlights of her “beautiful” video was the floating markets selling local flowers and handicrafts.
Vinita wrote: “Soulful shikara ride at Dal Lake this morning… we had booked this shikara ride at Dal Lake before we landed here in Srinagar… and the past two days, the atmosphere here has been of great loss and depression and an uneasy calm. We went for a drive with our local driver yesterday, late afternoon, when the traffic had started moving here… and felt a huge sense of loss amongst the locals, and much anger and helplessness and heartbreak…”
“And last night we decided not to cancel the shikara booked,” she continued. Yes, only a few tourist boats were out, but it was a beautiful morning. Naturally, word got around in the neighborhood, and some brave and incredibly astute sellers arrived on their boats. My favorites are the flower boats; I end up purchasing seeds and bulbs with great zeal, and they notice my interest and are really astute. and then the men selling trinkets and leather products, as well as the Kahwa tea merchants…
“A lot of humor and some money (as I mentioned, very clever) were traded,” she remarked in closing. However, I believe that we offered them a sliver of hope and happiness. And for us, we spent a lovely hour losing ourselves in their world while exchanging laughs and grins.
PM Modi Issues Statement on Pahalgam Terror Attack Amid Shikara Ride at Dal Lake Controversy
Days after the terrible incident in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which killed 26 lives, including tourists and security officials, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a strongly worded statement.
In a harsh warning to the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror assault, Prime Minister Modi said Thursday that India would pursue all terrorists and those who support them. The Prime Minister, speaking from Bihar, stated that the country is unified in its determination to see that justice is served. This statement comes amid the ongoing attention on Kashmir, with many people continuing their shikara ride at Dal Lake, despite the recent turmoil.
