Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 28: Actress Celina Jaitly has offered a poignant glimpse into her childhood in Kashmir, a time where the region's stunning beauty was constantly juxtaposed with the undercurrent of fear that defined her formative years.
In a deeply personal social media post, Celina, the daughter of an army officer, reflected on how her memories of the picturesque valley are inextricably linked to the pervasive sense of insecurity she and her family faced. The 'No Entry' star vividly recalled the unsettling normalcy of her school days, where armed guards were a constant presence accompanying her and other children – a sight that bewildered and frightened her young mind. She expressed her childhood confusion about why her family had to live under such circumstances, even though it was an inherent aspect of her father's military profession.
Celina's childhood was marked by frequent relocations between army posts across India, including Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh. While she cherished the breathtaking landscapes, her recollections of Kashmir are often overshadowed by the tense and fearful atmosphere that permeated the region during the peak of militancy.
Her heartfelt narrative was shared alongside a childhood photograph taken during her school days at Army Public School, Udhampur, capturing Celina as a young girl of approximately eight or nine years old.
Sharing the image, the 'Apna Sapna Money Money' actress penned, "A Soldier’s Daughter in the Land of Shaivism: Dodging Bullets, Not Fears - An excerpt from my childhood in Kashmir. This is me as a little girl in Kashmir, studying at Army Public School, Udhampur. This particular photo was taken at the North Star Camp in Patni Top — I must have been around 8 or 9 years old. As the daughter of a #pahadi Regiment army officer, I had the privilege of growing up across the breathtaking mountains of India from Kashmir to Uttarakhand to Arunachal Pradesh. But my memories of Kashmir are deeply tinged with fear.”
She continued, “I often asked my late mother, “Ma, why do we have to ride to school with armed guards? Army brats will relate to military three-ton truck or a Shaktiman school bus. I always thought Why must we live in fear like this?” I did not understand why.”
“I still vividly remember the protocols drilled into us..how to duck, how to stay silent if firing broke out around us. Having spent my earlier childhood in the peaceful hills of Ranikhet and Shimla, it broke my heart that in #kashmir , I couldn’t freely wander the meadows, pick wildflowers, or play safely with friends. It was even harder to understand how a land once known as Rishi Vaer, the “Valley of Saints,” a cradle of ancient Hindu wisdom, Shaivism, and Kashmiri culture, could fall into such sorrow. Kashmir, once a beacon of spirituality, philosophy, and natural beauty, had been slowly consumed by violence and terror,” she added with palpable emotion.
Celina's post further connected her childhood experiences with recent events, stating, “The recent terror attacks in #pahalgam have brought back many of these fleeting memories, a haunting reminder that for decades, terror has overshadowed the peace and grand beauty of our beloved Indian mountains. It is now or never. We must put an end to this cycle of fear that has gripped generations. Only then can we reclaim the true spirit and purpose of these sacred mountains to be places of peace, wonder, and spiritualism once again. Jai Hind !!”
Celina Jaitly's poignant reflection comes in the wake of the tragic attack on tourists in the Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir on April 22nd. The brutal assault by militants claimed 26 lives, with reports indicating that victims were segregated based on their religion before being executed. The Resistance Front (TRF), a terrorist organization, has claimed responsibility for this horrific act, underscoring the enduring shadow of violence that continues to haunt the region.