Ehsan Fazili/Srinagar

Downtown Srinagar, the ancient city on the banks of the river Jhelum that resembled a battlefield between stone-throwing and Kalashnikov-wielding youth and the security forces fighting terrorism, for three decades, has since turned into a hub of sports activities with over a dozen stadia having come up in two years.

On Wednesday, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha dedicated an Indoor Sports Stadium, constructed for Rs 4 cr at Ellahi Bagh, to the youth of Kashmir. This state-of-the-art stadium with all the modern facilities is built under the Prime Minister’s Special Package.

The change in the situation can be fathomed by the fact that Sinha was the first head of the government to visit the area in seven decades.

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Lt Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurating the Indoor Stadium at Illahi Bagh, Srinagar

Addressing a gathering of locals including sports persons and school children, Sinha said, “I was told by local people that for the first time in 75 years, the head of the government visited Downtown Srinagar. They said many areas were known for the wrong reasons. But, I believe, Downtown Srinagar has shed its past and it is now a new address of Indian Sporting Heroes.”

Sinha was honoured with dastarbandi, the tradition of making a revered guest wear a turban on the spot. The local Sikh community also presented him with a sword as a mark of respect.

Sinha recalled many names of youngsters from Downtown Srinagar who have proved their mettle in International Championships. “The day is not far when we will see the youth of Shahr-e-Khas representing the country in the Olympics and earning a new identity of heroes and the respect for J&K and the country.”

School students participating in the inauguration of indoor sports stadium

The J&K Sports Council headed by Nuzhat Gull has upgraded 12 sports fields and mini-stadiums in the area. All these facilities are equipped with world-class amenities to nurture young talents.

The growing sports culture in J&K is reflected in the remarkable revolution in different sports disciplines. In the last three years, Sinha said, his government has made unprecedented progress about infrastructure, career progression, and the future of sportspersons.

He said the Sports Council is scouting for sporting talent so that training and other facilities can be provided to them. “All sportspersons have the potential to become like Saqib Farooq, Rabia Farooq, Toria Gulzar, Tajim Fayaz, Soliha Yusuf, and Farhan Ganai and bring laurels to the nation.”

He told locals how the increased participation of Kashmiri youth in national sports is giving the UT a new identity. “Noon Chai (Kashmiri salt tea) with Football of the Shahr-e-Khas is being discussed across the nation,” he remarked.

Locals doing dastarbandi of Manoj Sinha

The old city of Srinagar from Lal Chowk to Safakadal is known for its rich cultural, political, economical, and religious activities. The city is connected by seven bridges across the river Jhelum and has several heritage sites, religious monuments, mosques, shrines, and buildings of cultural importance. 

Despite the violence and troubles during the past three decades, the Shahr-e-Khas has preserved its rich social, cultural, and economical heritage with the density of a large number of artisans engaged in the unique arts and crafts of Kashmir.

Since terrorism erupted in Kashmir more than three decades ago, the congested residential localities on either side of the River Jhelum had witnessed violence ranging from encounters between security forces and militants, protest demonstrations, stone pelting, and frequent shutdowns. 

Over the years with a steep decline in the number of militancy-related incidents, the area was known for frequent protest demonstrations and bandhs against alleged human rights violations. It was most affected during the unrest, particularly in 2008, 2010, and 2016.

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