‘Mother of all battles’ keeps valley indoors
As India and Pakistan, the two neighbouring countries clashed with each other in 2017 ICC Champions Trophy tie at Edgbaston in England on Sunday, people across Kashmir preferred to stay indoors and remained glued to their Television sets to watch the high octane cricket match.
Almost all business establishments remained closed and traffic was thin on roads.
Imtiyaz Hussain, a street vendor in the weekly flea market in the commercial hub of the summer capital Srinagar told Kashmir Vision: “We used to witness a huge rush on every Sunday as people from every walks across the Valley throng this market. Due to the cricket match between India and Pakistan the number of people is less and hasn’t earned even a single penny since from the wee hours.”
Ghulam Nabi of Ganpatyar in Habba Kadal area locally known as ‘Chacha’ said, “Since from my childhood I never went outside of my home when it is a match between the two neighbouring countries, even my family members also prefer to stay inside to relish the match on the particular day.”
Muhammad Altaf, who is professionally a mini bus driver, said that as per expectations the people stayed inside due to the first match of the world cup between India and Pakistan. “However, I hope that I may earn today too but all in vain as I haven’t earn today,” he said.
The cricket match between India and Pakistan also evoked mixed response from the people living across the Valley on social networking sites.
“As we know that the cricket match is between India and Pakistan but after having a look on Kashmiris, I think the match is between Kashmir and its enemy as the people across Valley are eager to win the match. Nonetheless it is yet to be confirmed that who it’s rival is,” wrote Ishaan Manzoor on his wall.
KV Correspondent
