Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, May 16: As a gesture of goodwill and respect, the defence personnel and civilian passengers arriving at the Srinagar International Airport were welcomed with flowers on Friday.
The warm reception, shared by the airport authorities on social media, is being seen as part of a broader outreach and a gesture of goodwill.
The airport officials handed out flowers as a mark of welcome, with many passengers moved by the gesture.
“It was a beautiful welcome. In times of tension, such small acts of kindness go a long way,” said Anjali Verma, a tourist arriving from Delhi.
Another person, Rajat, travelling with Anjali, said they were not expecting such a warm welcome. “After all the negative news recently, this gesture reassured us that Kashmiri’s still hold onto their tradition of warmth and hospitality,” he said.
Moreover, the step comes in the backdrop of the recent Pahalgam incident in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed on April 22, 2025.
Another person, who was arriving at the airport, said this kind of gesture makes them feel respected and valued. “This gesture helps us bridge gaps that may emerge,” he said.
Srinagar Airport authorities also posted photos of the floral welcome on X (formerly Twitter), tagging the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and its Northern Region wing, adding, flowers were presented as a token of gratitude and goodwill, reflecting their deep respect and appreciation for their service and presence.
An official from Srinagar Airport said that the floral welcome was a small gesture to show our appreciation and promote a sense of harmony. “We wanted to convey that Kashmir welcomes everyone with respect and open hands and it is the real heaven on earth,” he said.
Pertinently, the step is being welcomed by civil society as a timely reminder of Kashmir’s famed hospitality.
