Omar and I went to the same school, Sanawar, but a few years apart, we have met there a couple of times during the last decade or so.
As a NRI of over 40-years standing, my connection with Kashmir is that our family moved south from there four or five generations back. More recently both my elder brothers, now deceased, served in the army there, the younger one was killed in action in one of the wars.
I was very impressed by the fact that after the formal functions Omar was invariably among an earnest group of friends and colleagues discussing matters - Kashmiri. His lovely young family completed the picture.
Taking leave after a sumptious lunch at a mutual friend's mother's house, I told Omar I would back his bid for the post of Prime Minister.
Yes, am going to apply for a NRI vote soon. Jiten B.
