For the young, love was never this sweeter in Kashmir

Love transcends all barriers. This adage is playing out in its fullest form in Kashmir.

With restrictions on communication networks in the Valley to keep hatemongers in check, young Kashmiris in Srinagar are heading to cosy corners of the city to spend time with their sweethearts.

Dozens of couples are seen sitting and chatting on the banks of Dal Lake and Jhelum river while trying to avoid a gaze with onlookers, considering the conservative nature of their society. Earlier, restaurants used to be the favourite spots of lovers.

"It's hard to fix a meeting on the phone. I am waiting for my girlfriend for 30 minutes since I last spoke to her from a telephone booth. First, her dad picked the call and I had to dial again after some time. Luckily, we could speak and fix the meeting location," said a young man, who didn't wish to be identified. He said he would be meeting his girl many days.

Dotted with Chinar trees that look gorgeous in the autumn is the Bund, one of the most prestigious addresses in Srinagar. The spot near the city centre used to be a star attraction for foreign tourists since the British era when beautifully carved houseboats in Jhelum river would evoke romance and mystique. As the Bund waits for the tourists to return, it is filled with young couples.

"I told my parents that I need to collect an assignment from a friend but came to meet my boyfriend here. We fix the day and time of our meeting in advance whenever we see each other," said a girl in her 20s.

For many Kashmiri men in their 40s, this is also the time to go back in time, particularly when there were hardly any telephones. "My wife is in Delhi and yesterday she tried to contact me when I was at work, but couldn't. Later, she called over the landline at home and it was just nostalgic," said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Lal Bazaar.

—Zee Media Newsroom