This is the excerpt from my book – Uprooted and Forlorn: The Tale of Kashmiri Pandits in Exile.
The book narrates the story of My Shattered Roots: A Heartbreaking Account of Exile and Loss.

It was a bright and hot day of June 1992 The clock was striking at 2 PM. I was just woken up to my drowsy medicines, my mom said,” Two respected people from my native village have come down to seek my welfare” These two men were AbdulAhad Wani and Ghulam Hassan Parry.

Seeing me alive was the hardest thing to believe and they hugged me so tightly as if they have never seen me before. I could sense the warm, affectionate love in their eyes. Tears were rolling down from their eyes in Jubilation. Wiping those tears from their eyes, Abdul Ahad Wani hugged me again saying affectionately that I would live for two hundred years.

I could not understand the mystery behind it; It was very hard for me to decode the message. Though I was curious to understand what transpired for them to hug me so tightly in awe with their moist eyes, I was unable to get any clue. Curiosity has its reason for existence and it was enough to try merely to comprehend this mystery before my dad revealed it all My Dad told me that in my village Qazigund, a rumour started that I died of my illness.

The fact was my illness was seriously overstated and spread by some miscreants in Kashmir. It was true that I was suffering from a vague headache for the last two years. By then I have consulted many physicians, neurologists, and ENT specialists but was of little help. Since some people from Kashmir visited intermittently to seek my parents’ welfare in Udhampur ( Jammu Division) they got to know of my headache which was exaggerated to a level that reprobates exaggerated it to declare my death. Since my dad was loved immensely in Kashmir for guiding and educating people of the area.

I was also loved by the whole village alike. Many families exhibit great grief at my death and did not prepare their usual food the day my death was announced. Many families decided altogether to condole my death by visiting my parents in Udhampur. They decided to hire a bus before they were stopped by Abdul Ahad Wani- One of the most respectable heads of my village agreed that a couple of people would understand the situation to see if death was the reality, then only others would follow accordingly.

As this had turned out to be a hoax, they were thrilled to see me alive hugging and kissing me incessantly. I was overwhelmed by their love and good wishes showered on me. The event took me back to the flashback memory of citing the reason for my headaches, which was still not understood by then. I went back to recall the dark cold night of 19th January 1990 when I was chilling to enjoy my winter with Uncle ( Mama Ji) in Chota Bazar to prepare the two remaining papers in English and Mathematics

From Exile to Enlightenment Welcome: A Literal Journey

From Exile to Enlightenment Welcome: A Literal Journal is a comprehensive account of my community’s experiences. This website is devoted entirely to celebrating and documenting the various aspects of my community’s journey, from the challenges of exile to the triumphs of enlightenment.

I am a Kashmiri Pandit author who has written several books on a wide range of topics, including the heartbreaking exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, the sacred teachings of the Upanishads, the world of yellow journalism, thrilling mysteries, heartwarming short stories, and thought-provoking essays.

My goal is to inspire, educate, and entertain readers with my writing. I believe that stories have the power to change the world, and I am committed to using my voice to tell stories that matter.

Uprooted and Forlorn: The Tale of Kashmiri Pandits in Exile

My book “Uprooted and Forlorn: The Tale of Kashmiri Pandits in Exile” is a personal account of the forced displacement of my community. I was born in Kashmir in 1970, and I witnessed firsthand the violence and chaos that led to the exodus of over 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits from their homeland.

In this book, I share the stories of my family and friends, as well as the stories of other Kashmiri Pandits who have been forced to live in exile. I also explore the political and historical factors that led to the exodus, and I discuss the challenges that Kashmiri Pandits continue to face today.

Kashmiri pandits: A tale of solitude & Survival
Kashmiri pandits: A tale of solitude & Survival is  one another book, which a reflection of the journey that my community has taken. We have been forced to live in exile for over 34 years, but we have not given up hope. We continue to fight for justice and equality, and we believe that one day we will be able to return to our homeland.

Upanishad: The Concentrated Wisdom

One more book that I discovered and
which is dedicated to my community is “Upanishad: The Concentrated
Wisdom.” As I began to delve into its pages, I found a treasure trove of
ancient philosophical insights from India. The Upanishads, with their profound
teachings, have always held a special place in our culture.

Within its sacred verses, I came
across profound dialogues between sages and their disciples, exploring the
deepest aspects of existence. The Upanishads reveal the essence of the Vedic
teachings, guiding us towards a better understanding of reality, the self
(Atman), and the ultimate truth (Brahman).

As I read on, I found myself drawn
into the world of meditation, karma, and dharma. The Upanishads emphasize the
importance of self-inquiry and direct realization, urging us to seek truth with
an open mind and heart rather than merely accepting beliefs blindly.

I feel truly blessed to have come
across this invaluable source of wisdom that resonates deeply with our
community’s beliefs and values. It has provided me with a renewed sense of
purpose and a greater understanding of life’s mysteries. I am eager to share
its teachings with my fellow community members, as I believe it holds the
potential to bring about positive transformations in our lives.

I dedicate all my books to my community because I want to forge a strong bond of solidarity among us. I don’t just want to write stories; I want to give a voice to those who have been silenced, ensuring that our struggles and aspirations are recognized and acknowledged. I want our history to be remembered, our identity celebrated, and our dreams cherished.

Each word I pen in these books is a testament to my unwavering dedication to my community. I believe that by sharing our stories, we can create understanding, empathy, and support from the wider world. It is my humble way of giving back to my community, preserving our legacy, and leaving a lasting impact for generations to come. Together, we stand united, from exile to enlightenment welcome, embracing our shared journey with hope and resilience.