Srinagar: After surviving a massive bullet wound, a 74-year-old Kashmiri Pandit, Roshan Lal Mawa, who had migrated outside the valley in 1990, has once again reopened his wholesale dry fruits store at a famous marketplace in downtown Srinagar. Talking to ANI, Mawa said, “I don’t have any words to express the gratitude. I am feeling sad and happy at the same time. I am feeling sad because I have stayed away from my land (mera watan) for 29-30 years and feeling happy because of the grand welcome I have received from the people.” “People have warmly welcomed me with garland and flowers. This is the best day of my life and a great honour to me.”
Mawa said, “The main reason for me to migrate to Delhi from this place was the attack which took place at my father’s shop. My father owned a famous shop here. On 13 October 1990, one man shot three bullets at me and tried to shot at my head too but somehow I got escaped from there.” “I survived from the massive attack and stayed at the hospital for four months. Then, I got shifted to Delhi. I had a big business in Delhi but still, I used to miss my city and used to dream about Hari Parbat. I said this many times my God lives in Kashmir, it is the only place I belong. It is my home,” said Mawa. “I am very much happy I am with my people now. I can write it with my blood Kashmiriyat will remain. I don’t know who divided us but whosoever wants to divide us should know Kashmiriyat will remain.” Mawa said one of his sons, Sandeep runs his own political party, J&K reconciliation front, a secular front which aims at the return of Kashmiri Pandits to home.
