Navreh Mubarak

 Warm Navreh Greetings to you all. On this day we used to enjoy the outing to Badamwari (The fully bloomed almond blossom) under the foot of the Hari-Parbat hillock. Three days thereafter it would be followed by another picnic on account of the Zangtrai. This picnic was being hosted by the parents of the mother (Matamal). The third picnic was Baisakhi. This day Nishat garden was thrown open to the general public after winter. Nishat and other Mughul gardens were being decorated like a new bride of teens on this day. People irrespective of caste creed and colour, rich and poor would visit these gardens, some in 'Doonga' some in shikara and the rest in buses. Those days a few had their own conveyance. Comparing today's prosperity to that golden era, I believe, I personally have become poorer. That poverty was far better than today's prosperity. Baisakhi was followed after five days by Ramnavmi. On this day, Ramchandrun at Barbershah Srinagar would be the picnic spot. Specialty at Ramchandrun was spot fried nadrimonji (Aziki jawan kiah zanen naderi monji kiah ghaie). Very few would be equipped with a k-oil stove, a mark of HIG (Higher income group). Generally people were carrying samawar, tea -ingredients, charcoal, telveri and ketlam along with. Nadrimonji and luchi were locally purchased from the make shift halwai shops.

 Unfortunately the present MNC has devoured the whole of it and shifted us from Baisakh calendar (warm spring) to cold January calendar (the coldest month).

Today parents are divided, the couples are divided, the whole family is divided to serve the MNC, know not when to enjoy the dollars. Thanks to the latest telecommunication system that enables them to contact one another on phone/cell/internet/skype.