Nuzhat Masooudi
Kupwara, Feb 2: In the border villages of Kashmir’s northern district of Kupwara, winter arrives not merely as a season but as a formidable adversary, testing the mettle of the residents, especially women folk.
The snow clad villages in Kupwara become isolated heavens, amidst the biting cold and challenging conditions. But the women here demonstrate a remarkable spirit as they navigate through the winter months.
As the first snowflakes descend, transforming the landscape into a pristine white canvas, the women take on the mantle of ensuring their families endure the winter. With temperatures plummeting to sub-zero levels, their daily routines become a testament to courage and determination.
Halima, 45, a housewife, Pushwari Machil village, said that women wake up before the first light of dawn, to lit wood-fired stoves to warm their homes and prepare for the day ahead. “It’s really challenging, but we are used to it now,” she beams. She is not alone in this battle against cold as many other women in her community do the same.
The crackling sound of burning wood accompanies the morning ritual, a melody that signifies not just the battle against the winter chill but also defines the borderland communities.
The border women embark on the various tasks that winter demands. One of the most demanding tasks faced by these women is securing water, as freezing temperatures turn local water sources into icy reservoirs.
“One of the biggest challenges for us is to embark on a treacherous journey to fetch water in heavy containers on our heads and shoulders. Walking through snow-covered paths is difficult,” said Shaheena Begum
Tabasum, a resident of Badwan Tangdar, the mother of two children, holding a cup of tea in her hand, having students of different classes from her neighbourhood, around her and a heating stove at the corner of the room narrates a tale of courage. “Teaching students is one of the toughest jobs during winter months. Children wither in cold but we ensure heating arrangements for them as they are our future,” she said.
She said that schools are often inaccessible during the winter months, so she has taken the responsibility of educating them at home. The living rooms transform into impromptu classrooms, where women become educators, ensuring that the flame of knowledge continues to burn amid the chilling breeze of snow.
“Despite the harsh conditions, the women of Kupwara remain the backbone of their communities, shouldering responsibilities with a quiet strength that resonates through the snowy landscape. Community bonds are further strengthened during the winter months, as women gather in shared spaces to engage in collective activities.
As the snow begins to recede and the promise of spring looms on the horizon, the heroines of Kupwara stand as living testimonials to the strength found within the hearts of those who brave the winter in these borderlands.
