Washington, May 18: For 36 years, Kashmir has existed for Shirin Raina as fragmented memories. Stories shared at the dinner table in New Jersey, faded photographs, names of temples, and the haunting recollections of her parents who left Kashmir one night and never returned.
Now, at 21, Shirin is preparing for her first trip back to Kashmir. In a special webinar, leaders and activists from the Kashmiri Pandit community in the U.S. discussed how their journey to Kashmir in June is not merely a sightseeing trip but an effort to preserve their culture and identity.
Shirin expressed, “Since seventh grade, I have asked my father when we would return to Kashmir. At that time, I didn’t realize how profound and emotional that question was.”
In June, many Kashmiri Pandits from around the world will travel to Kashmir together. Organizers refer to it as a “Heritage Tour” and an “International Conference.” The aim is not just to visit old sites but to reconnect the dispersed Kashmiri Pandit community with their roots and homeland, which many now perceive as fading into mere memories.
For the older generation, this journey is tied to the pain of displacement, while for the youth, it is an attempt to understand their identity.
Rakesh Kaul, a writer and community leader from New Jersey, stated, “This is our seventh migration from Kashmir. But after the genocide and ethnic cleansing of 1989-90, we are returning in such large numbers for the first time. This is not just a trip; it is about passing down our heritage to the new generation that has grown up away from Kashmir.”
He added, “We are giving our children a priceless gift. The Kashmir they have heard painful stories about from their grandparents is also where their own heritage and identity reside.”
The journey, scheduled from June 6 to June 14, will include visits to temples, historical sites, and ancestral homes in Kashmir. Following this, an international conference will be held on the theme “From Exile to Excellence: The Resilience, Renaissance, and Return of Kashmiri Pandits.”
Dr. Surinder Kaul, a doctor in Houston and co-founder of the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD), emphasized that this effort is both emotional and essential.
He remarked, “The greatest threat to our community is slowly fading away. We are drifting away from our roots. Therefore, it is crucial for our people, our children, and youth to stay connected to their culture and identity.”
He noted that after the exodus due to terrorism in 1989-90, nearly 90% of the community has not been able to return to Kashmir. Dr. Kaul stated, “We are not going there as victims. We are returning as a strong and resilient community.”
Organizers from this globally dispersed community say this initiative has become a collective effort aimed at preserving memories that are gradually fading. Nirja Kaul Sadhu, the international coordinator for GKPD based in New Jersey, plays a vital role in advancing this initiative.
Many have spoken less about politics and more about their heritage, pondering what happens when an entire generation knows their homeland only through sorrowful memories.
Amit Raina, an IT professional in Houston who left Kashmir in childhood, shared, “My connection to Kashmir is now mostly limited to childhood memories. The memories of my home, our temples, and many such recollections are slowly fading. Yet, the community cannot remain silent out of fear. We want to return to our homeland, not as tourists or strangers, but as the true sons and daughters of that land.”
For some, this return is a deeply personal experience. Sunita Tikoo Bhan, a coordinator for GKPD in Houston, expressed, “It means going back to meet my mother. You are away from your mother, and you want to return to hug her, love her, and tell her, ‘Mom, I missed you so much all these years.’”
Romel Bhan discussed the emotional connection that ties him to his homeland. He reiterated that this journey is as crucial for their children as it is for themselves. Vinod Raina, an IT professional in New Jersey affiliated with the Kashmiri Overseas Association, emphasized the importance of the new generation visiting their ancestral temples and historical sites rather than just hearing about them at home.
Upahar Kotharu, president of the Kashmiri Overseas Association in California, stated, “Our children have the right to know where their roots lie. Kashmir is not just a story I tell my children. It is a place they should know.”
For young members like Shirin Raina, the valley represents both paradise and pain. She remarked, “It is known as heaven on earth, but there is also much darkness. However, things must continue. The important thing is that moving forward, we can only control our own narrative. No one else will do it for us.”
It is noteworthy that the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley in 1989 and 1990 is one of the most painful and politically controversial chapters in modern Indian history. Amid rising militancy, killings, and threats, thousands of Kashmiri Hindus fled their homes, ultimately dispersing across India and the world.
In recent years, public discussions about the community’s displacement have resurfaced, fueled by activists, documentaries, and films like “The Kashmir Files.” Yet, for many displaced families, the central question remains unresolved: Is return still possible, and what does “home” mean nearly four decades later?
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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