Shah Basit
In a heartwarming display of honesty and compassion, a local resident of Sonmarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district returned a tourist’s lost bag—containing cash, an iPhone, and several important belongings—completely untouched.
The incident occurred on Saturday when a tourist woman misplaced her bag while enjoying the scenic beauty of Sonmarg, a popular destination.
Panic quickly set in as she realized the bag contained her phone, a significant amount of money, and other valuable items.
However, what could have been a distressing experience turned into a moment of awe and admiration when a local man found the bag and promptly ensured its return.
“I had given up hope,” said the tourist, who wished to remain unnamed. “But the way the local people helped me, I will never forget it. This kind of honesty—you can only witness it in Kashmir.”
Locals say this act is nothing new. “This is Kashmiriyat,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Sonmarg. “We were taught by our elders to never take what is not ours. Tourists are our guests, and we protect them like our own.”
The story has since gone viral on social media, with many users praising the people of Kashmir for upholding the timeless values of Kashmiriyat—a cultural ethos rooted in harmony, compassion, and mutual respect.
This is not the first incident. Just recently, during unexpected snowstorms, locals across the Valley opened their homes and even the gates of mosques to stranded tourists, offering them shelter, warmth, and food.
These quiet but powerful gestures are everyday reflections of the generosity and humanity that continue to thrive in Kashmir.
