Vishal Sharma
It was bone chilling foggy evening of December end at Delhi and in the premises of Delhi University, students from union territory of J&K were planning to visit their parents after a long duration of lockdowns and rigorous studies. Zara, one of the most ignited and talented youngster from Kashmir was well known for her beautiful mind and jovial nature around the campus. Her father died of bullets by terrorist in her village long back when she was just a juvenile. It was the most tragic and dreadful day of her life. She recalls her father’s memory as a young girl when she would be gazing at the setting foggy sun by the aisle of the porch window waiting for him to bring her some naan roti after his day’s work. Her father Rehman wanted her to study and earn a name for our beautiful country India. She still recalls that haunted night when her father was mercilessly killed and she had to escape from terrorists in the darkest hours. Her mother Fatima raised her along with her siblings in those difficult times after her fathers death.
Terrorists in Kashmir don’t want locals to grow, to study and to move to other parts of India as it would broaden the minds of youth and tarnish their false propaganda. Terrorists don’t want children to cross the limits set by extremist religious preachers. They would declare fatwa against all those who would keep interest in singing and reading books that teach about freedom and brotherhood. But Zara was not a tamed tigress, she believed in freedom and prosperity of her brothers and sisters of Kashmir.
Zara and her four friends are part of a well-known musical band of Delhi named “ Live-Up”. In this journey, all of them decided to perform in a remote village of Kashmir just to show terrorists that youth of J&K is no more a puppet to their extremist strings. They decided to provide courage to students in the Valley to live a fearless life and a message that people from all around India love them. Zara had written a song by herself that she wished she could sing to her father incl sweet, melodious voice of Zara made her the best singer of the band and on the eve of New Year 2022, the band of Zara was all set to give a scintillating live performance with a motive to raise the Voice of Kashmir.
“Ammiiii….” Zara spoke in contented voice as she hugged her mother Fatima tightly.
“I love you and I missed you so very much Ammi” whispered Zara.
“I am so happy to see you back here Zara beti” said Fatima in deep husky voice hiding here tears in her eyes.
It was clearly visible from Fatima’s tears that wounds from terrorists were neither healed, not filled.
“I have made your favourite Naan roti that you crave so much for….Hahaha” Fatima tried to burst in to laughter to make her only child feel comfortable at home.
“Love you so much Ammi” Zara spoke with moist eyes.
30th of December 2021
Fatima and Zara were having dinner.
Fatima was worried about their performance in village as it was very dangerous to perform where extremists had already declared Fatwa in your name for breaking boundaries. But she was determined too as it was her husband’s wish her and own wish to do whatever is best for the overall growth of their children.
“I know you are worried about me Ammi…”
Zara hugged her mother
” But it is very important for the unity of our Nation….It is very important to show terrorists that we do not fear them…It is….It is very important because I want to take revenge and it will only happen when youth of J&K would stand against these barbaric activities of terrorists. Our Army is strong enough to kill all the terrorists but the false ideology that is inserted deep in the minds of youth cannot be taken out from the wounds of bullets but from the window of knowledge and a good ideology. It is not the bullet that kills a bad ideology but it is the good ideology that kills a bad ideology and moreover, Ammi….I am going to fight for good ideology.”
Zara spoke courageously.
Fatima kissed Zara’s forehead as she is now satisfied that her only child was very strong and on the right path.
It was the new beginning of the year. Stage was set up in cricket ground of a govt school. Invitation was sent to nearby villages to come and enjoy the live performance. The head of village along with local residents helped setup the stage. But the extremists refrained from joining the performance. Youth from nearby villages stated showing up. Fatima was sitting in the front row, although she was a bit tense as she knew the danger of going against the wish of extremist preachers.
Zara looked at her mother sitting in front cheering her up. Snow had covered the ground but the youth were determined. The sun was invisible, the earth was looking as white as a canvas. Zara recalled the memories of her father and wished he was here. Today was the time she was about to sing her own song written and composed by herself.
Zara grabbed the mic and music started in background.
“manais mul sund khawab,
Myon khoobsoorat hindustan mulk,
When she was about to finish the performance, two men with rifles started firing at the stage. Zara had fallen on the snowy ground with mic in hand. Villagers started running here and there but the terrorists kept on firing at the stage until two consecutive sniper shots burst the heads of terrorist . The terrorist were killed at once by our brave soldiers, but the spirit of Hindustan was still alive. Zara was lying half dead on the ground with her mom filled with bullet wounds. Zara’s voice was not coming out but she was trying to sing lyrics in her best melodious tone and asked her mother not to bow down in front of anyone, the battle against these anti national terrorists shall continue and one day we will achieve freedom in true sense with the help of our Army. Jai Hind, said Zara before breathing her last breath.
