Click to play videoSrinagar With elections in Jammu and Kashmir less than a month away, the key to understanding the fractious politics of the state, is its history.
One journalist is looking back more than 60 years to his first trip to Srinagar. That was way back in October 1947. Journalist Ajit Bhattacharjea walks down memory lane.
“It was a time of great tension and uncertainty. A friend offered to fly me to Srinagar while he was on a trip to take supplies. I was happy to go along. I was amazed, surrounded by Muslims. In Delhi that time, Muslims could not be seen on the streets. It was amazing to see Muslims helping Army to take supplies,” said Bhattacharjea.
The Maharaja had fled and the man behind this was Sheikh Abdullah.
Ajit Bhattacharjea has written to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Tragic Hero of Kashmir, in an effort to bring attention back to the man called the Lion of Kashmir, whose legacy is nothing if not monumental.
The reader gets a sense of Abdullah's charisma and popularity, but also his strong secular foundation.
“Who should read the book, I hope as I was telling you - when I mentioned to some of my younger friends I said I was writing a biography of Sheikh Abdullah, they said Sheikh Abdullah who?
To me he's a major figure in modern Indian history, no question. Jammu and Kashmir wouldn't be with India, without him.
“Hope more people do research. Many papers hidden should come out. Our man who stood by nation when many wouldn't part of whole history is revealed
It was as emotional moment for the man who the history. His son and grandson proudly carry his name. What the state and country are really looking for is a man of the stature of Sheikh Abdullah.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
