In the main market of Langate, part of the Kupwara district in northern Kashmir, there is a brightly lit cafe with modern interior and eight neatly arranged tables. In one corner of this establishment, 29-year-old Akash Dhar greets visitors despite being blind.
Starting a New Venture
Dhar, whose family of Kashmiri Pandits migrated from Jammu and Kashmir during the escalation of violence in the 1990s, started operating the restaurant named 'Taste and Treats' about two weeks ago. He was pleasantly surprised by the local community's reaction to his establishment.
He told TOI that his landlord, Bashir Ahmad Beyg, refuses to charge him rent, and customers are actively visiting the restaurant. Dhar noted that opening a business in Kupwara seemed like a natural step for him, as he had previously attempted to enter civil service but unsuccessfully.
Hopes for Migrant Return
Dhar expressed hope that the success of his establishment would encourage other Kashmiri migrants to return. His mother, Chandra Dhar, is from Handwara, located about 4 kilometers from Langate, and his father, Ashish Dhar, is a local resident of Langate. The family left Jammu three decades ago, where Dhar was born in a migrant colony.
Health and Education
As a child, Dhar's vision deteriorated. His parents took him to Delhi, where doctors diagnosed him with retinitis pigmentosa—a hereditary genetic eye disease that usually begins with night blindness and eventually leads to complete vision loss. His younger sister suffers from the same condition, but both continued their higher education. Akash graduated from Jammu University and completed professional courses in computer science in Delhi, while his sister studies music. Dhar, who is an experienced cricketer, represented the Kashmir team in blind cricket in 2022.
Reviews and Support
Akash Dhar stated that this establishment became what he always hoped for. One employee, 22-year-old Yasir Amir, nodded approvingly, mentioning that a neighbor told him about the restaurant. Amir reported that he applied for a job and got it, which makes him happy, as does his family. The restaurant manager, Irfan Ahmad Lawn, is optimistic, noting that they receive customers from different areas. He mentioned that they had guests from Ganderbal yesterday, including Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits, and some came from Srinagar.
Latif Ahmad Ganai, 30, president of the local market association, shares this sentiment, stating that everyone wishes success for the 'Taste and Treats' restaurant and hopes it will serve as an incentive for other Kashmiri migrants to return.
