Voices from Dal Lake: A Shikara Driver’s Story
Times of Bennett | Updated: Mar 20, 2026 23:25
This is my audio podcast link: Listen to the podcast here
This podcast presents an engaging and insightful interview with Salim, ashikara driver from Srinagar, Kashmir. Through this conversation, listeners get a deeper understanding of his personal journey, his professional life, and his views on tourism and society in Kashmir.
Salim shares that although he belongs to the shikara community of Srinagar, he was born and raised in Goa. In Goa, he used to run a gold shop and had a stable life. However, he frequently visited Kashmir during vacations, as it was his native place. His strong emotional connection with Kashmir eventually influenced his decision to return. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he permanently shifted to Srinagar and started working as a shikara driver on the famousDal Lake .
In the podcast, Salim explains that returning to one’s roots is always a meaningful experience. According to him, Kashmir is not just a tourist destination but also a peaceful and welcoming place. He highlights that before COVID-19, tourism in Kashmir was active throughout the year. However, after the pandemic and due to certain political issues, the number of tourists has reduced. He believes that many of these issues are exaggerated and sometimes influenced by external narratives.
Salim strongly emphasizes that Kashmir is safe and that local people are very hospitable. He mentions that Kashmiri people treat tourists with respect and kindness. According to him, their livelihood depends on tourism, so they always try to make visitors feel comfortable and welcomed. He also expresses hope that the number of tourists will increase again, especially during the summer season.
Another important aspect discussed in the podcast is the way Kashmiri people are treated outside their region. Salim shares that many Kashmiris face discrimination or negative behavior when they travel to other parts of the country for business or work. He feels sad about this and believes that such misunderstandings should not exist.
He further adds that despite differences in religion, culture, or background, everyone is human at the end of the day. He promotes the idea of unity and mutual respect among people. Salim also shares personal experiences where he has helped tourists financially or emotionally, showing his generosity and respect towards visitors.
Overall, this podcast gives a human perspective on life in Kashmir. It goes beyond common stereotypes and presents the real experiences of a local individual
This podcast presents an engaging and insightful interview with Salim, a
Salim shares that although he belongs to the shikara community of Srinagar, he was born and raised in Goa. In Goa, he used to run a gold shop and had a stable life. However, he frequently visited Kashmir during vacations, as it was his native place. His strong emotional connection with Kashmir eventually influenced his decision to return. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he permanently shifted to Srinagar and started working as a shikara driver on the famous
In the podcast, Salim explains that returning to one’s roots is always a meaningful experience. According to him, Kashmir is not just a tourist destination but also a peaceful and welcoming place. He highlights that before COVID-19, tourism in Kashmir was active throughout the year. However, after the pandemic and due to certain political issues, the number of tourists has reduced. He believes that many of these issues are exaggerated and sometimes influenced by external narratives.
Salim strongly emphasizes that Kashmir is safe and that local people are very hospitable. He mentions that Kashmiri people treat tourists with respect and kindness. According to him, their livelihood depends on tourism, so they always try to make visitors feel comfortable and welcomed. He also expresses hope that the number of tourists will increase again, especially during the summer season.
Another important aspect discussed in the podcast is the way Kashmiri people are treated outside their region. Salim shares that many Kashmiris face discrimination or negative behavior when they travel to other parts of the country for business or work. He feels sad about this and believes that such misunderstandings should not exist.
He further adds that despite differences in religion, culture, or background, everyone is human at the end of the day. He promotes the idea of unity and mutual respect among people. Salim also shares personal experiences where he has helped tourists financially or emotionally, showing his generosity and respect towards visitors.
Overall, this podcast gives a human perspective on life in Kashmir. It goes beyond common stereotypes and presents the real experiences of a local individual
