A rare day in Kashmir’s portal. When I see pigeons fluttering for food instead of rocketing in the sky to save themselves from a bullet, I sleep well. In a land riddled with violence, and stricken with poverty, this photo gives me hope that there will be a time when these flutters will echo everyday in the beautiful valleys, and the romantic mountains of Kashmir.

The Shikara commuters of Dal lake, Srinagar, Kashmir, India. For some, the Shikara-wallahs are the pillars of the public transport in Kashmir. Oftentimes, they have a monthly arrangement for fares for the workers in Meena Bazaar and sometimes, they ferry visitors and tourists. Meena bazaar is the only floating bazaar of India, and keeps the local economy of Kashmir alive.

Sindabaaz rows Shikara in Dal Lake of Srinagar. While escaping a crossfire, a sharpnel pierced his left eye. After being rescued and treated by the army, he is now self-sufficient. He owns a Shikara, ferries workers, consumers and visitors from one end of the Dal lake to the other. Somedays, when its misty during early morning, Sindabaaz is found sitting in his Shikara in the midst of Dal lake with silence echoing in the fading ripples of water. Oblivious to the world, he plays his bamboo flute after the morning azaan. Heart wrenchingly beautiful, unconscionably pure and immaculately clean are those notes, even the ripples dance to his rhythm.