EXCERPTS FROM MY DEBUT NOVEL:About this place, called Kashmir, there was a poet who was not wrong, when he said, “Agar Firdaus bar ru-e-zamin ast, Hami ast o- hami ast o- hami ast.”(If there is heaven on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here). Nestled in the lap of snow clad mountains, valley of Kashmir looks like a gorgeous bride adorned by Mother Nature herself. Kashmir valley is beautiful, and is like a stunning jewel in the crown of India. A jewel for which many battles have been fought and too many lives has been lost.