A story of passion and the unbreakable spirit of a beautiful Kashmir.
WS/VP DESK
Kashmir’s Chillai Kalaan—the 40-day period of harsh winter—is here. Heavy snowfall on Tuesday draped the Valley in a breathtaking white wonderland, but it also brought daily life to a standstill. Highways disappeared, flights were grounded, and connectivity snapped.
But in the village of Tazroo in Sopore, something beautiful happened. Instead of waiting for the thaw, a group of young people grabbed shovels and brooms. They carved out a rectangle from the deep snow, strung up a volleyball net, and turned a snowfield into an arena of energy, laughter, and sheer will.
The sight was both simple and stirring: against a silent, white backdrop, the vibrant movement of youth, the sound of play, and clouds of breath in the freezing air. There were no floodlights, no bleachers, and no polished court—just pure passion and a refusal to let the season defeat their spirit.
“Yahan thand zyada hai, lekin jazba zyada hai (Here, the cold is great, but the passion is greater),” shared Aamir Bhat, one of the players, with The Web Story/The Varmul Post. “For us, this is normal. When winter comes, we don’t stop—we adapt. This keeps us fit, positive, and connected.”
This isn’t just a one-time act of enthusiasm. It’s part of a beautiful Kashmiri tradition of snow cricket and improvised winter sports, where challenges are transformed into opportunities. For generations, harsh winters have taught the people here resilience, creativity, and an unbeatable sense of community, said Bilal Ahmad, a village head.
And now, that very resilience is becoming Kashmir’s secret weapon on the national and international stage.
Across Kashmir, a sports revolution is quietly taking root. Young athletes from the Valley are now shining in football, martial arts, athletics, and even winter sports, bringing home medals and making the nation proud.
Kifayat Kufi, a sports athlete and famous commentator, believes that playing in such demanding conditions builds unparalleled mental strength, adaptability, and grit—qualities that define champions.
“These youngsters aren’t just playing; they’re training in the toughest academy there is—real life,” says Kifayat. “When they later get access to proper infrastructure, they soar because they’ve already mastered the hardest part: the will to begin.”
While the government’s push for better sports infrastructure in Kashmir is crucial and welcome, the heart of this change beats in villages like Tazroo. It’s a reminder that true development isn’t just about building facilities—it’s about fuelling the spirit that already exists, said Aijaz Ahmad, an activist.
