Hope Still Alive
By
Colonel Kanwar Badam, Veteran
(This poem conveys the tale of Kashmiri Pandits who were forced to flee Kashmir to save their lives and protect the dignity of women from being trampled under the barrage of bullets and evil designs of ruthless and heartless radicalized militants sponsored by Pakistan.
This resulted in exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir making them refugees in their own country.
The author is from Kashmir who has undergone heart wrenching bitter experiences during the exodus and feels betrayed by the Indian State. But now with the aborgation of article 370 he has a hope to return to his motherland Jannat-a- Kashmir)
HOPE STILL ALIVE
Militancy,bigotry,
Radicalism
Terrorist attacks
On innocent, unarmed Kashmiri Pandits
Abetted by Pakistan
Caused death and mayhem Blood splattered all over
In fright and fear
kashmiri Pandits flee
An unprecedented exodus
Kashmirayat at crossroads
Light eclipsed
Normalcy distant
Hope still alive
Peace shattered
Saffron smeared in blood
Violence perpetuated
Kashmiri pandits uprooted
Hapless and homeless
A desire
Couched in hearts
To return home in future
Hope still alive
Where had echoed laughter
Silence now spoke
Where once lived people
Gloomy it stood
Houses stood bare
Of people, emotions, life
Homes abandoned
By friends and relatives
At some point in time
Kashmiri Pandits will return
Hope still alive
In annals of time
Normalcy restored
Valley will beckon
Kashmiri Pandits
Will return
Red carpet will be laid
In an embrace
Old ties will come true
Prophets and Gods
Will shake hands
Fanaticism will die
Bigotry etched out
Hatred will melt
Foes will become friends
Hope still alive
Rough seas will smoothen
Turbulence will settle down
Tragedies will wither away
Time will heal
Human values will win
Militancy will die
Normalcy will prevail
Natives will return
Hope still alive
Houses once stood bare
Will come alive
Gloom cast away
Happiness will flow
Silence will speak
Laughter will echo
Kashmir will become
Jannat- a- Kashmir
Beautiful and peaceful
Hope still alive.
