Defied family decision to leave Kashmir in 90’s, Manoj lives a lonely life since
Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag: Manoj Kumar Pandita lives a lonely life since his family decided to leave Kashmir in 1990 and now as the age takes toll on him he wishes that they come back to him to their home.
Pandita 51, lives at his residence in Hakura Badasgam area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag District.
His father Naranjannath Pandita had decided to leave the valley following eruption of armed insurgency however defying his fathers orders he decided to stay back
“I decided to live here, this was our place and i wont leave it,” Pandita said, who is determined to continue to live in Kashmir.
Since 1987, Pandita works as stamp vendor in District commissioner office Anantnag.
He says that he tried his luck in Government job however did not get selected for posts he would apply.
While he has lost mother at a young age his father still lives in Jammu and is almost 90 years old. He has four elder brothers all living outside state.
Still unmarried, Pandita says he was once advised by his father to tied tie the knot which he had callously turned down.
“I did not know that one day all my family will leave me alone and wont look back,” Pandita said.
According to him, his support and hope comes from his muslim community that has stood by him in thick and thin.
Pandita wishes that all his family including father returns home.
