Srinagar, Sep 11: For years together Waheeda, a Malaysian, had desired to visit Kashmir.
Every time she made an effort, professional engagements of her family members spoiled the plans.
Finally, after years of delaying, she convinced her family members and other relatives to visit Kashmir especially to celebrate her birthday.
At least 70 Malaysian tourists are currently on a visit to Kashmir especially to celebrate the birthdays of its five members apart from experiencing beautiful landscape.
These tourists on Tuesday gathered at Zabarwan Park on Boulevard, which was followed by traditional cuisines and folk music.
While others were relishing traditional dishes, five of their members cut their birthday cakes, followed by cheers from their members.
“I have been yearning for a long time to visit Kashmir, which now actually happened. It has been one of our memorable movements to gather and celebrate birthday on such a serene place,” Waheeda said.
The group is on a week’s tour to India, in which they had spent three days in Kashmir to experience the natural beauty.
The group is headed by Nursufinas Binti Othman, a Malaysian agent, who in collaboration with a local travel agent, arranged logistics for them.
Seriatin Binti Abd Rahim, a female member of the group, said they enjoyed the hospitality and culture of Kashmir.
“It is a surreal experience. There is no place more beautiful than this valley. We feel more comfortable here than in any other part of the world. People especially here are welcoming,” she said.
Another member of the group said the folk music of the valley fascinated them the most.“The folk music it is really amazing I can’t understand but instruments was very mesmerising,” he said.
The Kashmir Tourism Department this year decided to focus on Thailand and Malaysia for foreign tourists after receiving huge number of visitors from both these countries in last two years.
Both these contributed a huge chunk of the valley’s foreign arrivals as no advisory was in place from these two particular places for Kashmir.
