Following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, Kashmir is still in shock, but the strength and spirit of its people remain unshaken. Actress and avid traveller Hansa Singh ’s recent visit to Kashmir serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of its people and the unity of India. She visited just a week after the attack, on April 29, feeling the need to show her support and stand with the people of Kashmir.

Reflecting on her earlier trip, Hansa said, “I was here on April 12 for a three-night, four-day solo getaway. The valley was bustling with tourists, the air was full of energy, and everywhere I looked, there were faces filled with excitement. The tulips were in full bloom, and Kashmir felt like a dream. But when I returned this time, the change was striking. The once busy roads were eerily quiet. The shikaras were still, and there was a deep sadness in the air that I could feel.”



She visited Kashmir for a day-and-a-half-long trip, going straight to Pahalgam from the airport. She shared, “It wasn’t about tourism anymore — it was about standing with the people who had welcomed me into their homes with open hearts. I wanted to look into their eyes and tell them, ‘We are with you. We will not be divided’.”

She revisited the same hotel she stayed in before, her resolve unwavering. But as she walked through the familiar streets, the stark contrast between her two visits weighed heavily on her. She recalled, “The first time, the boulevard was full of tourists, the Dal Lake sparkled with boats, and the air was filled with the sounds of vendors calling out, their goods catching the sunlight. It felt like a vibrant celebration of life. But now? The lake was still, the roads were empty. The shikarawalas, who once called out for attention, now quietly said, ‘Pay whatever you feel like’. It was as if a wound had been inflicted, and the whole region was grieving.”

What struck her most were the quiet moments with the locals. She said, “Despite their warm smiles, you could see the pain in their eyes. They were shaken — so much had changed in such a short time. The energy that once filled the air had been replaced by an overwhelming sadness. Even the hotel staff, who had once been cheerful, shared how their bustling hotel had suddenly emptied overnight. It was heartbreaking. How could everything change so quickly? Same people, same land, but a world completely altered by violence.”

As Hansa stood in solidarity with Kashmir, she said, “This is exactly why we cannot abandon Kashmir. It’s not just a place — it’s part of us, part of our soul. Kashmir may be physically wounded, but its spirit will never be broken. The people here need us more than ever. If we stand together, no one can defeat us. This land, this heart of India, belongs to us all. We are one, and we will not let anyone divide us. To the terrorists, we say: ‘We stand strong, together. You cannot scare us. You cannot break us. We are one’.”