#PlayMatters – Cricket In The Time Of Conflict

In a situation of perpetual conflict, children are held hostage within the four walls of their homes, exposed to prolonged periods of violence and curfew. They suffer the loss of loved ones – family members and friends who never make it back home. Homebound due to indefinite shutdown of schools and colleges, hartals, disengaged internet services, closed shops and playgrounds, they have little outlet for expression.

Children carry a fair load of the struggles in a conflict region, with not much to look forward to. Yet, the myriad forms of play that children can invent in situations of conflict, reflect a child’s resilience to deal with adversity, survive stress and rise above difficult times, if given the chance. “Children have a spontaneous urge to play and participate in recreational activities and will seek out opportunities to do so in the most unfavourable environments. However, certain conditions need to be assured, in accordance with children’s evolving capacities, if they are to realize their rights under Article 31 to the optimum extent.” (Committee on the Rights of the Child, 2013:10)

World Cup Cricket fever is gripping the agitated Kashmir Valley too, providing momentary refuge from reality, especially for its youth and children.

Here’s a photo-essay that underscores why play matters in reviving childhoods, when violence and conflict are gnawing away at the lives of children, every day, proving that the sun never sets on cricket season.

In the deep lanes of Safa Kadal a neighbourhood in the old city of Srinagar, boys play cricket, away from the crosshairs of the troops…

Kashmir - Children playing cricket amidst security forces

Photo : AP

In refugee camps in Muzaffarabad…

Refugee Camps - Children playing cricket

Photo : Roohan Ahmed/SAMAA Digital

During frequent shutdowns and curfews across the region…

Children playing cricket in a shutdown

Photo : Faisal Khan/Anadolu Agency

They rush to the nearest playground for a game of cricket…

Children playing cricket

Photo : AFP

Or at the Idgah in Tral, when school remains shut for months on end, and their right to education is hindered by the ongoing violence…

Children playing cricket

Photo : Sonia Sarkar

Under the shadow of Kashmir’s Zabarwan mountain range…

Children playing cricket

Photo : Saqib Majeed

On roofs top of old homes in the war-torn city…

Children playing cricket in kashmir

Photo : Unknown

In sprawling fields on the outskirts of Srinagar…

#PlayMatters - Cricket In The Time Of Conflict

Photo : Sportskeeda

Across the saffron fields of Pampore…

Photo : Sajad Rafeeq

And in the Lidderwath Valley of Pahalgam…

Photo : The Citizen

Together, with the jawans and policemen…

Photo : Unknown

And young girls in headscarves..

Photo : Associated Press

And boys in pherans…

Photo : Unknown

Even on a rainy day in Kashmir, with the military as an ever-present backdrop for their game, children find a way to play cricket.

Photo : Getty Images

Be it playing on the frozen interiors of the Dal lake..

Photo : Excelsior/Shakeel

On a slippery pitch on the hill roads of snow-capped Pahalgam, with make shift bats, an open road and players in coats…

Photo : Sportskeeda

On snow-fields at Heerpora along Mughal Road…

Photo : Excelsior/Younis Khaliq

At sub-zero temperatures with heavy snowfall…

Photo : Muneeb Ul Islam/The Quint

Nothing dissuades children from playing cricket across Kashmir…

Photo : Unknown

Photo Credits : Saqib Majeed

Words By : Leher

Leher

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