Cry, my beloved Kashmir

Prakriti Gupta

(Unable to cope with the strain of living in inhuman and alien conditions, several Kashmiri women are suffering from mental disorders, reports Prakriti Gupta)

Haunted by memories of being uprooted and forced to settle in an alien land. Kashmiri women who have migrated to Delhi are living in constant trauma.

Unable to cope with psychological and economic strain, they spit venom against the government and the system. They are so upset that only after much persuasion a few women agree to talk about their anguish.

Sushma, 28, resides in Lajpat Nagar Kashmiri camp with her mother. She came to Delhi, penniless, four years Once bubbly and youthful, Sushma today wears the burden of her miserable existence on her face. She has taken up the job of a telephone operator for meagre Rs. 800. (The memory of her flight from Kashmir makes her shudder). "We had to flee at two in the morning from Anantnag. We never thought that things would get so bad. I wish I had been married. At least, I would have had emotional, social and financial security". In the beginning Sushma and her mother found it difficult to adjust to the fast lifestyle of Delhi. Travelling within Delhi was a nightmare.

"Twice, I fell from the bus and fractured my leg". says Sushma. The biggest problem for Sushma is privacy. She shares the camp with 100 other inmates Though their part of the space is separated by a curtain, she can't avoid the prying eyes of her neighbours. Changing clothes is also a problem.

No marriage proposals have come because of their poor condition.

Neelam, a teenager living with her family in the camp has the same complaint. "We have no separate place for ourselves. No separate bathroom for women. We get up at four in the morning, draw a curtain and then take our baths, before the men get up"

Young Shamalayi is among many other Kashmiri migrants who have compromised with circumstances. She gyrates to popular dance numbers at different dance- shows. A post-graduate in music, Shamalayi has taken this job with a local dance and music group to feed her large family. She dislikes the job, especially the lurid gestures some guests make. But there appears no alternative.

Wanted to recover their losses by demanding dowry. I am not qualified enough to take up a job. I wish I were dead," says Babli bursting into tears.

Majority of the Kashmiri women feel alienated from the rest of the society. Their self-esteem is totally shattered

A young bride then, Anju and her husband came to Delhi two years ago. They live in Palika Dham Kashmiri camp. She has rarely spent a private moment with her husband.

"They not only suffer from psychological problems like depression, stress and high anxiety levels' ', says Dr. Arun Kumar Gupta, senior psychiatrist at Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, "but also feel a sense of total despair and alienation. When a person has to migrate from one's homeland under terrorism, it is a big stress. It becomes worse, if it is combined with financial and physical problems."

According to Dr. Arun Gupta, the number of Kashmiri women coming to him for treatment is accelerating everyday. Most complain of constant stress, lack of appetite, weakness, memory loss, lack of concentration, feeling of restlessness, insecurity, breathlessness, palpitation, anxiety and sadness.

Adjusting to new climes and habits also causes psychological problems. Lajwanti, 65, regrets coming to Delhi. She hasn't been keeping well physically and has been hospitalised often for various ailments. The piercing heat, alien surroundings, inability to communicate in Hindi has made her sick.

All accuse the authorities of callousness. "The government only listens to terrorists", says one migrant.

The Government has ignored the sufferings of these women. Several promises have been made, packages announced, but nothing has changed. And the future remains bleak.

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article.

Courtesy: June 1995, Kosher Samachar