In the enchanting backdrop of Kashmir’s breathtaking landscapes, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar embarked on his first-ever visit to the region, revelling in the joys of Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Engaging in spirited gully cricket matches with locals, Sachin, accompanied by his family, embraced the picturesque surroundings. His visit coincided with a historic surge in tourist numbers, with over 1.88 crore tourists flocking to Jammu and Kashmir from 2021 to 2022. Kashmir alone witnessed an unprecedented 26.73 lakh tourist arrivals, more than double the previous highest recorded in 2016.
Amidst the snowfall in Pahalgam and the ski resort of Gulmarg, Sachin Tendulkar, often hailed as the “God of Cricket”, described the region as nothing short of heaven on Earth. However, just 100 kilometres away from North Kashmir, a strikingly different scenario unfolded in Pakistan, earning the moniker of “hell on Earth.”
As we delve into the contrasting tales of two neighbouring regions,…