Latest news with #SiddharthBakaria
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
In the face of war, India's spirit shines bright
At a time when India is at war with Pakistan, the country stands united. On May 8th, after Pakistan violated the ceasefire at multiple locations along the border and launched a drone attack, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and other sensitive areas declared a blackout. As a result, authorities had to halt the ongoing IPL match in Dharamshala. Spectators were asked to vacate the stadium, leading to sudden panic. In these difficult circumstances, the local people came together to help those in need, setting a strong example of national solidarity. 'No one expected the border tension to escalate this far, so people panicked; they were clueless about where to go. Airports were shut, and it was difficult to get a railway ticket. We connected with hotels, homestays, and nearby accommodations to keep their spaces ready. We also offered free stays, although some people had paid. Now, in the morning most of the people are leaving, and we are helping them with cabs and taxis at fair charges. We received more than 100 calls,' says Siddharth Bakaria, homestay owner in Jammu. Another local resident, Aaraynsh, a data consultant, also asked people to reach out to him for stay and food assistance. 'Most of the people were on vacation, and when they were asked to leave suddenly, a state of panic erupted. Since Pathankot is just 80 km away and was highly sensitive, even those who had trains to catch from there were scared to go. They were looking for shelter, so we opened our Airbnb to help,' he shares. While many individuals like them extended help during the crisis, compassionate groups were also active in the most affected areas like Poonch and Rajouri. Khushboo Shah, a 30-year-old engineer who runs a group called Helping Hands, said, 'There was heavy firing last night (May 8), and people were asked to vacate early. While some went to their relatives, others needed help with accommodation. Our group of 10–15 people has been assisting with stays, travel, food and other necessary support.' In addition, the Sunni Students Federation, in association with local authorities, has established several camps in hospitals and is urging people to donate blood. 'Due to the shelling, many people are getting injured, and to ensure we are prepared, we are requesting blood donations. We have set up camps in Poonch, Mandi, Jammu, Rajouri, and other parts, and people are turning up in large numbers,' says Farid Ahmad, a national secretariat member of the federation.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pahalgam terror attack: A 'deliberate blow to Kashmir's identity and values...its fragile peace'
The Pahalgam terror strike has left the nation shocked and grieving. The BBC reports that Kashmir newspapers including Greater Kashmir ran black front pages following the attack which claimed 28 lives, almost all of them tourists visiting the Baisaran Valley. Among the victims was a Nepali national, and another person of 'Indian origin who works in the Middle East,' V K Birdi, inspector general of police in Kashmir, told CNN . An editorial piece in the Greater Kashmir , headlined, "Pahalgam attack: Protect Kashmir's Soul," noted that the terror attack in Pahalgam "has cast a dark shadow over Jammu and Kashmir, a region striving to reclaim its legacy as a 'Paradise on Earth.' ' "This heinous act is not merely an assault on innocent lives but a deliberate blow to Kashmir's identity and values—its hospitality, its economy, and its fragile peace," it added. "Kashmir's soul stands in unequivocal condemnation of this brutality and offers heartfelt condolences to the victims' families, who sought beauty but found tragedy, it further said. "Such attacks, the edit noted, "threaten to unravel years of progress in reviving Kashmir. The timing—on the cusp of the Amarnath Yatra, a pilgrimage drawing lakhs—heightens the stakes, risking political stability, economic prosperity, and spiritual harmony. Each act of violence chips away at the confidence of tourists and the resilience of local communities, who bear the brunt of this fallout." Kashmir's people have endured violence for too long, yet their spirit remains unbroken. This attack must not sow division but unite us in defiance of terror. We urge all—government, security forces, civil society, and citizens—to forge a collective front. Only through unwavering resolve can we protect our land's future, ensuring that Pahalgam's meadows echo with laughter, not gunfire—and that Kashmir remains a beacon of peace and prosperity. The terror strike is sure to have political, social and economic implications. According to the BBC , Travel agency operators, tour guides and others who depend on tourism for their livelihoods fear their businesses will be hit badly. Siddharth Bakaria, who runs a travel agency, Go Jammu and Kashmir, says people have been cancelling their upcoming trips. "We've received about 270 cancellation requests so far," Mr Bakaria said, adding that this would amount to a loss of about 40m rupees ($468,000; £350,000), he was quoted as saying by the BBC . He also said that some of the clients calling to cancel their bookings had expressed anger towards "people like him" - meaning Kashmiris - seeming to hold them responsible for the attack. However, locals have condemned the killings and there have been several protests in the region since last evening.
