Question

write a paragraph on hardships you face in winter

Answer 1

The valley of Kashmir, tucked as it is in a ring of Himalayan hills, is one of the coldest parts of India. It is but natural that winter should stay longer in Kashmir than in the plains.It begins with October and ends with March. The two first months and the last are very pleasant and enjoyable. One enjoys long walks. According to the varying strength of cold, the season is divided into three parts. But 40 days from 20th December to the end of January called Chille Kalan are the best coldest. Then follows the Chilla Bachcha with its 10 days. Clouds bank up. The sky is overcast and threatening. A raw wind blows which makes people shiver. The sun loses its warmth and brightness. It often remains hidden behind clouds, mists and fogs.

In winter the valley presents a deserted look . Tourists and businessmen leave the valley and with them departs all hustle and bustle. The business in the markets and bazaar comes almost to a stand still. The government offices move down to jammu ; the gujjars drive their flocks down to the plains and a large number of labour class of the valley leave for Jammu or other places in the Punjab and Haryana to spend their winter and work for wages. Boatmen and coolies who have had their day, have practically no work to do. The craftsmen who are noted for their fine craftsmanship. However, do not remain idle. They ply their needle or do whatever their job requires them to do behind closed doors. There are no customers from outside, but buying and selling continues. Shopkeepers of course, do not do much business. They have to live on what they had earned during summer. Because of intense cold, little work is done in the offices. The schools are closed for the winter break. All outdoor activies remain almost suspended.

In winter the sky generally remains overcast with clouds. Often snow flakes accompany the rain. Sometimes severe snowstorm follows. There are heaps of snow everywhere. The streets and bazaars and fields and gardens are all covered with snow. No fruits and vegetables are to be had in Kashmir during winter. People have mostly to live on pulses and meat. Fresh vegetables are to be brought from the plains, but they sell very dear. There is not much of traffic in the bazaars. People cannot go from one place to another easily. The roads are cleared off the snow, but slush remains. Shoes get wet and clothes get soiled when you walk. The river and the lakes gets sometimes frozen. People cannot use Shikaras and Doongas for their conveyance.

During winter people have mainly to keep indoors. They avoid travelling during these days. To walk over the snow becomes a problem for them. If you do not have a slip you are very lucky. To keep the roads open for traffic, the government now employs bull-dozers and snow-sweepers, but still the buses , the cars and scooters are piled with the utmost difficulty. water is frozen into the taps like snow rods and one has to heat the tap to get water from it . People avoid taking bath. They are content with washing their faces etc., dry fuel is scarcely available. People take care to store it before the setting in of the winter. The wealthy and advanced families have taken to gas and electric stoves to cook their food. Electric heaters are used to warm the rooms.

Everybody in the valley during winter feels the string of the cold and their fingers become numb. Sometimes they get frostbitten. Children go about with their noses running. They have to use Kangris or room heaters to warm themselves. The biting chilly winds that blows, make moving about an uphill task. People find pleasure by sitting round the burning chimney or an electric heater working in an air-tight room only. Windows and holes that let in air are practically sealed. One should not form an idea that winter makes people unhappy. They enjoy themselves. There are festivities going on. They throw parties. They sit round the boiling Somavar or the tea-kettle. Hot tea without milk what is known as ‘Qahva’ but with sugar and salt refreshes them the most.