Teacher pens memoir on Sikhs who stayed in Valley

Docu-memoir set for release today
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 12: Belonging to the hardly-talked-about Sikh community of Kashmir, Bhupinder Singh Bali, an educator, has unveiled his latest literary work, “Those Who Stayed: The Sikhs of Kashmir.”
Scheduled for release on the eve of Baisakhi this Saturday, the docu-memoir offers an exploration into the lives of Kashmir’s Sikh populace.
The book, published by Amaryllis Press, delves deep into the intricacies of Kashmir’s Sikh community, illuminating their struggles, resilience, and enduring spirit in the face of adversity.
Drawing from his own experiences and those of his community, Bhupinder, who hails from Srinagar city, vividly portrays the challenges faced by Kashmiri Sikhs amidst the backdrop of tensions and existential threats over the years.
From the turbulent events of Partition to recent times, the docu-memoir chronicles the journey of a micro-minority “grappling with issues of identity, survival, and the pursuit of a secure future.”
“I have covered major events in the book which the community faced, from the Chithisinghpora event to the recent killings of minorities,” the author said.
He added that the book explores key historical events such as the Kabali raids of 1947 and the targeted killings in Chattisinghpora and Mehjoor Nagar.
Bhupinder mentioned that he has been working on the book for nearly two and a half years, during which he conducted interviews and gathered firsthand accounts to present the story in a gripping narrative.
The author informed that the book will be available on Amazon in India, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries.