Note From President Shernaz Vakil
PARADISE REGAINED
Srinagar is a city of roses and gardens and we dutifully visited all, delighted with the vibrancy and bright colours of the exotic flowers and foliage.
The highlight of the trip for most, though, was the long, languorous ride on a shikara from Nagin Lake to the Dal. We weaved our way through lotus gardens and weeds and rushes through villages and shops and even a marketplace! A ride to remember as we lay back relaxing on the serene waters with the mountains surrounding us and only the occasional tout to disturb our reverie.
As we moved back to the mountains the next day and to the Meadow of Flowers that is Gulmarg, we were greeted with milehigh conifers standing tall and strong, guarding the green valley.
Walking through the undulating meadow that evening we happened on an old church and trouped in to still our senses in
reverence to the magnificence around us.
We were surrounded by the majesty of the Himalayan range, snow laden and silent in its glory.
Another highlight of our trip was a visit to Karan Mahal, the home bought by the dispossessed Maharaja Hari Singh for his son and now the occasional historic home of Karan Singh and his family.
The elegant surroundings, the exotic flowers growing manicured and in wild abundance, and the liveried service at lunch, took us back to a cultured and glorious time gone by.
At the Royal Springs Golf Course, some of us spent a splendid morning under the walnut, cherry and mulberry trees, whilst others shopped their purses out on Pashminas and Kanis!
Our trip was curated towards experiencing nature in its most exalted form, and every day brought joy and delight.
We were a small group of like-minded Rotarians and friends who were able to enjoy the experience and fellowship that only such a group can!
We had arrived in paradise and a heaven of sorts, our minds and souls stilled and stirred.
And as we return to our city lives and hear the melodious call to prayer reverberate from the valley, we understand that this special place must be home to the Gods!
— President Shernaz Vakil
