Srinagar, Nov 10: After waiting nearly seven decades to visit Kashmir, Bollywood playback singer Kumar Sanu arrived in the Valley for the first time on Tuesday, describing it as the “heaven of India” and appealing to people across the country to overcome their apprehensions and visit the region.
During an interaction with Kashmir Convener, the bollywood singer said he had long wished to visit Kashmir but had never managed to make the journey. On his first visit, he toured Lal Chowk and Dal Lake before heading to Baramulla in north Kashmir.
“I have been waiting for 70 years to come to Kashmir. I have never been able to come here. Today I came here and visited Lal Chowk, Dal Lake, and now I am going to Baramulla. It is such a peaceful and beautiful environment. Everyone is so happy here,” Sanu said.
The singer said his experience had made him want to return to the Valley.
“I can see that I will come to Kashmir again and again because Kashmir is the heaven of India. We should see this heaven again and again,” he said..
Asked what he would tell people who were hesitant to travel to Kashmir, Sanu said there was no reason to be afraid, referring to his experience at Dal Lake, where he spent around an hour and a half enjoying a shikara ride.
“There is nothing to be afraid of here. I was in Dal Lake for an hour and a half. I went around in a shikara. There is nothing to fear here,” he said.
Referring to the security arrangements, he added, “Everything is controlled by the Indian Army, and that is why we are very happy. Don’t be afraid. Come to Kashmir.”
Sanu also underlined the importance of tourism for the Valley, appealing to people from across the country to contribute to its growth.
“Kashmir’s tourism needs your contribution. To settle a city, all the people of India have a responsibility. Please fulfil this responsibility,” he said, assuring prospective visitors that he had personally found the situation safe.
“I am assuring you. There is no danger here. I have seen it,” he added.
Later in the evening, the singer visited the Army’s Fearless Forty One camp and an adjoining Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Baramulla, where he was seen enthusiastically raising the slogan ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ alongside security personnel.
He also shared photographs and a video from his interaction with the soldiers on his official social media handle, expressing gratitude for their role in protecting the country’s borders.
“Salute to our brave soldiers! Aapko koti koti naman. Hamare soldiers ki wajah se hi hum sab surakshit hain (It is because of our soldiers that all of us are safe),” he wrote.
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