EDITORIAL: A Mourning Valley: Lolab Draped in Grief!

The Lolab Valley, one of the most picturesque and serene regions of Kashmir, known for its lush greenery, breathtaking landscapes, and tranquil environment, now narrates a heartbreaking tale. Where once the rustling of chinar trees and the chirping of birds echoed through the valley, there now linger sighs, sobs, and dirges. A heavy shroud of sorrow has enveloped the skies of Lolab. Once a symbol of life, hope, and joy, the valley today stands as a silent witness to grief and tragedy.

Just a day ago, a devastating accident at Wadhpora shattered not only two young lives but also the spirit of an entire community. The tragedy unfolded during what was meant to be a joyful excursion. Students of Degree College Sogam had set out on a recreational trip when the vehicle carrying them met with a fatal accident. In an instant, two bright young college girls lost their lives—two families lost their beloved daughters, and their laughter is now confined to photographs and memories. Their fellow students now mourn their absence, haunted by moments that turned from joy to devastation.

In the aftermath, the streets of Lolab, its schools, mosques, and marketplaces, all share a collective silence — a stillness that speaks volumes. Classrooms stand quiet, homes echo with cries of despair, and hands raised in prayer bear testimony to a deep communal grief.

The tragedy has left the people of Lolab not only heartbroken but bewildered, prompting a wave of painful questions:

With the academic session just a month underway, what was the urgency behind organizing a picnic so soon?

Reports suggest the vehicle used for the trip was technically unfit. If so, why was it hired?

Considering the unpredictable weather — sunny mornings followed by rainy and stormy afternoons — was such an adventure truly necessary?

These questions hint at a broader issue of collective negligence — a negligence that needs serious introspection to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.

This tragedy is not confined to the two bereaved families. Tears continue to stream from the eyes of Lolab’s mothers, children have fallen into stunned silence, and the faces of the valley’s youth reflect fear and uncertainty. People try to comfort each other, but their embraces are heavy with sorrow, their words hollow with helplessness.

This is a moment for introspection — not just for educational institutions, but for society, administration, and parents alike. Why does the safety of our children not rank as our top priority? Let us not wait until another mother loses her child, or another father is left broken.

Lolab’s lament is a wake-up call — a piercing reminder that if we do not act now, these verdant valleys will continue to turn into mourning grounds. May we rise to this moment, and may such a tragedy never repeat itself again.

Written By: Editorial Team Member Noor ul Hassan Andrabi