Single in Srinagar

In times like these, staying indoors seems a sensible option. ‘‘I generally listen to Vividh Bharti programmes on the radio,’’ says Beenesh Wani, an M.Sc student. Then there are others who spend their leisure time chatting with friends over the phone. ‘‘At times, I spend close to 4 hours on the phone,’’ says Shazia Khan, a media student.’’ Television too breaks the monotony. ‘‘I like the serials, like those on Zee TV,’’ says Furquna Ali Bhatt, a IIIrd year student at the Government College for Girls.

SCHOLARS in the city say there are hardly any options for the Valley’s girls. ‘‘Because of the situation here, daily activities are governed by things like how long is the curfew/hartal going to be,’’ says Prof Sabiha Mufti, Kashmir University. ‘‘Entertainment has gone into the background entirely. Earlier, we would go for a movie or a picnic at a garden. But now the girls have to be home before six in the evening.’’

There are limited sports activities for women, restricted to school or the college. ‘‘The two indoor stadiums are with the military now,’’ says Mufti. So family gatherings have become the main source of entertainment.

The Kashmir University had its first cultural programme three years ago—the first time since militancy started. The first Sufi music concert was held in the city just a few days ago. ‘‘Even in this concert, I found there were no young men or women,’’ says Mufti. ‘‘The young crowd here has seen insurgency for most of their lives. They don’t even know of the concert culture.’’

The recent sex abuse scandal has added further restrictions. ‘‘If I go out with 2-3 friends, we are looked upon suspiciously,’’ says a student. Also the Valley’s self-styled moral brigade, Dukhtaran-e-Millat’s recent ‘raids’ have also frightened the girls. ‘‘Nobody knows when will they (DM) come and cause humiliation publicly,’’ she adds.

Little wonder then that courting is considered synonymous with courting danger. Kashmir’s beautiful gardens that once were the favourite meeting point of the young are now silent. Much like many other haunts.