This drift not only acts as a source of geographical and cultural shock but also makes us realize our capabilities to adapt, evolve and keep ourselves rooted to our foundation of Kashmir. While you are evolving in the foreign land, you can easily be an integral part of both the cultures (where you live in and where your roots are) if willingness, intent, and efforts are your comrades.
In an endeavour to keep the wandering souls, connected with their founding land and culture, KASHMIR AS IT IS (KAII – कऺशीर यिछ़ छि, तिछ़ॖय), is a small but well driven attempt towards that. KAII is a brainchild of a person who realized the immense requirement of a well planned and executed formatted library that holds all the information related to culture and heritage, that is easy to access by the coming generation.
Journey so far –
Journey of creating the Kashmir As It Website started in 2011, when I felt the need of having a library that stores all the documents needed by Kashmiri Pandits during various ceremonies and occassions. Thes documents will not just have ‘vidhi‘ on how to perform a ritual, but will also have a logical explaination of why it should happen in a certain manner. With whatever ‘developmental knowledge’ I had, I kick started the creation of website. First in HTML in 2011, then in DRUPAL in 2012 & now upgraded to WordPress in 202o. I managed everything single handedly step by step – one thing at a time. Kashmir As It Is (KAII) is completely non-profit and now has a small team of voluteers (who joined in after 2017) take care of different aspects.
Kashmir As It Is covers various pertinent aspects of Kashmiri culture, religion, and practices.
Cultural aspects like background of various Kashmiri festivals, ways of celebration and most importantly the thought behind each of these customs are highlighted.
Additionally, the essence of Kashmiri religion is explained and emphasized in corroboration with history of Kashmir that includes various saints that were born who in their own ways made the Kashmiri people aware of religion and its importance.
KAII also includes features like daily updates on Kashmiri calendar, various Saath and Special occasions.
As cuisine constitutes an integral part of any culture, KAII also floats authentic Kashmiri cuisine recipes periodically, to help people relish the taste of Kashmir no matter how far they are from it.
Humour is also a significant part of any society that reflects its lighter and lively side towards life and people. Kashmir has also been a blessed land in this aspect as we have innumerable proverbs covering humour, satire and knowledge in a very lucid way.
Kashmir As It Is, makes sure to spread a word at a regular basis about all these topics, their meaning and easy representation that would aid its user to remember these via whatsapp updates.
All in all, it is a must, to have, Kashmir As It Is, application in your phone, if you are a Kashmiri at heart and soul, and have the desire to be a cosmopolitan Kashmiri.
