'Paradise on Earth' Story in English by Medhavi Davda | Summary | Question and Answers.
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The story 'Paradise on Earth' written by Medhavi Davda. The author wanted to witness the beauty of Kashmir since childhood. Finally she travelled to Kashmir by herself. She was all set to capture the most beautiful parts of Kashmir with her eyes. She went for a seven-day trek to the Great Lakes of Kashmir from Sonamarg to Narnag. she experienced life on the famous houseboats on the Dal Lake, especially the floating vegetable market. She took a shikara ride and saw the sights along the way...
- Paradise on Earth -
'Paradise on Earth' story in english :
If there is a paradise on earth, it is definitely Kashmir.
I've been travelling
soloAlone.
since 2012. I always had an intense urge to witness the beauty of Kashmir since childhood. I gathered a lot of courage and travelled to Kashmir alone in 2014. I was ready to put in all the efforts it takes to capture the most beautiful parts of Kashmir with my eyes. I chose to do a seven-day trek to the Great Lakes of Kashmir from Sonamarg to Narnag. I found the beautiful jewelled lakes hidden from the crowd, between the mountains at high altitude.After the successful completion of my trek, I had less than twenty-four hours in Srinagar, before I take my flight back home. I wanted to make the most of the time I had here. Kashmir had already stolen my heart in the few days I spent on the trek. I wanted to experience life on the famous houseboats on the Dal Lake, especially the floating vegetable market. In the process, I ended up exploring a lot more on the Dal Lake, which I had never heard of before.
I had a word with a
shikaraType of wooden boat found in Kashmir.
owner and he instructed me to be ready by four the next morning to start our ride to the floating market. I was getting to sleep in a comfortable bed after spending seven long nights in tents. But the excitement to have this experience was so high, that I managed to be ready by four. The shikara owner was waiting for me at the entrance of my houseboat. It was quite dark when we started. The darkness soon faded out and the lake looked breath-taking. We navigated through the narrow lanes, under the wooden bridges. Few houses stood on the sides and their reflections mirrored in the lake. There were few more shikaras on the lake riding towards the floating market.After a 45-minute ride, we reached the floating market. The vendors had already occupied the centre stage. All the shikaras loaded with fresh vegetables made the lake look colourful in the early hours of the day. Few shikaras would be loaded only with tomatoes, the others would be loaded only with cucumbers and some with cauliflowers and so on.
Did you know that barter system still exists in India? Barter is an age-old method of making transactions in goods and services instead of cash. It was adopted by civilisations across the globe before money was invented.
I was taken back in time when I saw this system still existing in India in its most authentic form. The locals here grow vegetables in lands near their house. Every morning they would stock up their shikaras with their homegrown vegetables and ride to the floating market to exchange vegetables with others. They don't transact with cash, they only exchange vegetables. The humanity was
amplifiedMagnified.
in my eyes when I saw them carefully extending their hand to transfer vegetables to each other's shikaras. Sometimes they would help the two parties exchanging vegetables by holding the shikara while the other two do their barter business. All shikara riders have their eyes on others' vegetables. An eye signal is enough for them to get to an agreement on the exchange. Within an hour, they all go back home with a mixed bag of vegetables, before the sun is out.There I met 'Mr Wonderful Flower Man' who was sweet enough to ride towards me and gift me a flower from his bunch. I was the only outsider there who was not participating in the barter. He perhaps did not want me to feel left out. The floating market wound up before sunrise and I asked my shikara rider to take me to the Nishat Bagh which is the famous Mughal garden. Travelling by shikara was way more expensive and time-consuming than visiting the gardens by road. But I was happy as this turned out to be a wise decision.
As we rode ahead, I learnt a lot from the shikara rider about the life of people in Kashmir.
Srinagar is divided into two parts - people living on the Dal Lake and people living on land connected with roads. Two extreme lifestyles exist in the capital city of Kashmir.
Fishing is an important source of livelihood for people living on Dal Lake. The women here are seen extracting weeds from the lake and carrying them on their shikaras. These weeds are used to make compost for their home gardens.
People living on Dal Lake use shikaras for travelling. Everyone owns shikaras there, the way we own bikes and cars in the cities. The kids living on Dal Lake ride their own shikara to schools. They use shikaras to visit each other's home or have a get- together on the lake. The vegetable, plasticware and confectionary vendors provide doorstep services on floating stores on Dal Lake.
There is a marriage hall in the form of a houseboat in the middle of the Dal Lake with the mountains in the backdrop. I believe all the Kashmiris living on the Dal Lake celebrate a destination wedding by default.
There is a small island on the lake called Char Chinar, which has four Chinar trees. We parked our shikara on the side and hopped on to this island to enjoy the tranquillity of the lake. There are pieces of land floating on the Dal Lake. These are called 'Chori ki kheti' (stolen farmland) by the people here. These pieces of land are owned by whoever finds them floating and takes them along.
The shikara rider asked me to step on that floating piece of land that was just 5 sq. ft in size. He assured me that I won't sink in.
We finally reached Nishat Bagh. The garden opens at 8 am. We were there before time. We parked our shikara on one of the sides at the bank of the lake and walked up to the garden across the road. I had omelette from the roadside stall and waited for the gates to open. It was not the best time for the blossoms in the garden. But I had fun posing like the old actresses for pictures (which I'm never comfortable doing) as per the instructions from my guide - the shikara rider. I sometimes get out of my comfort zone to do things like this, just to build a bond with the locals.
We started riding back after the visit to Mughal garden. By now the shikara rider was a friend to me. I learnt a lot about Kashmir and the Dal Lake from him. He told me quite a few interesting and disheartening stories about Kashmir. He was now 'Aashiq Bhai' for me. I told him I wanted to try the local salty tea called 'nunchai'. He took me to one of his friends' house on the Dal Lake. The house was one from a fairy-tale. The people in this part are really shy. They served me excellent nunchai with some local bread. I also took a walk in the vegetable garden surrounding the house and plucked some cucumbers for myself. The vegetables tasted fresh and sweet being grown on a freshwater lake.
As the sunlight got stronger, the water lilies on the Dal Lake were in full bloom. The lake looked marvellous with the floating gardens of water lilies. Aashiq Bhai pulled out a water lily and made a necklace for me. I was touched by his gesture.
Aashiq Bhai dropped me back to my houseboat just in time for me to prepare myself for the flight back home. My friendship with Aashiq Bhai did not end there. He called me the next day to check if I had reached home safely. He also couriered a pair of Kashmiri dangling earrings (called athoor in local language) to me.
- Medhavi Davda
Medhavi Davda started her career as a software engineer. After working with many prestigious corporate houses, she left her full-time job to live her passion for travelling. She has travelled extensively in India and has recently started exploring international destinations. Her idea of travel is backpacking in some remote location, away from the cities and crowd, be away from the luxuries and live the way the locals do.
Medhavi Davda started her career as a software engineer. After working with many prestigious corporate houses, she left her full-time job to live her passion for travelling. She has travelled extensively in India and has recently started exploring international destinations. Her idea of travel is backpacking in some remote location, away from the cities and crowd, be away from the luxuries and live the way the locals do.
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# Summary :
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Paradise on Earth Summary :
The author wanted to witness the beauty of Kashmir since childhood. Finally, in 2014, she travelled to Kashmir by herself. She was all set to capture the most beautiful parts of Kashmir with her eyes. She went for a seven-day trek to the Great Lakes of Kashmir from Sonamarg to Narnag. With, less than twenty-four hours in Srinagar before she flew back home, she wanted to experience life on the famous houseboats on the Dal Lake, especially the floating vegetable market. She took a shikara ride and saw the sights along the way. When she arrived at the floating market, she noticed all the shikaras loaded with fresh veggies. Surprisingly, the ancient barter system was still in use. The locals produce veggies in fields near their homes. Every morning, they stocked up on shikaras and traded vegetables with others. An eye signal was enough for them to get to an agreement on the exchange. Then she proceeded to the famed Mughal Garden, Nishat Bagh. As she rode ahead, she learned a lot about Kashmiri life from the shikara rider. People living on Dal Lake rely heavily on fishing for a living. The women there collect weeds from the lake to make compost for their home gardens. Shikaras are used for transportation by residents of Dal Lake. On Dal Lake, vegetable, plasticware, and confectionery vendors offer doorstep services from floating stores. There are land fragments floating in Dal Lake. These fragments of land belong to whoever discovers them floating and takes them along. The author expressed her desire to drink the native salty tea known as 'nunchai' to her shikara rider. He escorted the author to a friend's house on Dal Lake, where she was fed exquisite nunchai with local bread. The shikara rider took her to the houseboat to prepare for the trip back home. The bond between the author and the shikara rider did not end there. He called the author the next day to see if she had reached home safely. He also sent her a pair of Kashmiri dangling earrings (called athoor in the local language).
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# Word - Meaning :
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⚈ Solo : Alone.
⚈ Shikara : Type of wooden boat found in Kashmir.
⚈ Amplified : Magnified.
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# Question Answers :
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# Answer the following questions :
Q. Why was the narrator's trip to Kashmir a unique experience?
Answer. The narrator's trip to Kashmir was a unique experience because it was her first solo journey to a place she had long dreamed of visiting. She went on a seven-day trek to the Great Lakes of Kashmir, explored hidden lakes, stayed in tents, rode a shikara to a floating vegetable market at dawn, lived on a houseboat, interacted closely with the locals, and experienced their simple yet rich lifestyle- all of this made her journey memorable.The narrator's trip to Kashmir was a unique experience because it was her first solo journey to a place she had long dreamed of visiting. She went on a seven-day trek to the Great Lakes of Kashmir, explored hidden lakes, stayed in tents, rode a shikara to a floating vegetable market at dawn, lived on a houseboat, interacted closely with the locals, and experienced their simple yet rich lifestyle- all of this made her journey memorable.
Q. Describe the floating market in your own words.
Answer. The floating market on Dal Lake is held early in the morning, where shikara riders gather with boats full of fresh vegetables which made the lake look colourful in the early hours of the day. The vendors exchange goods through the barter system, creating a vibrant, lively atmosphere before sunrise. It's a unique market that operates entirely on water.
Q. Describe the barter system in your own words.
Answer. In the barter system which is performed on the dal lake, people do not use cash. Instead, they exchange vegetables grown in their home gardens. It's a cooperative and community-driven system where people help each other to hold boats and to exchange goods, maintaining a strong sense of mutual support.
Q. Why did the narrator prefer to go on a shikara to Nishat Bagh?
Answer. Although it was more expensive and time-consuming than travelling by road, the narrator chose to go by shikara because she wanted to enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake and she also wanted to make strong bond with the locals. The peaceful journey on water allowed her to learn more about the Kashmiri way of living life and to made the experience more meaningful.
Q. Describe the two different worlds in Srinagar.
Answer. Srinagar is divided into two lifestyles : one is the life on Dal Lake, where people use shikaras for transportation, grow vegetables on floating gardens, and rely on fishing; the other is life on land connected by roads, similar to regular cities. These two worlds are part of the same city, But offer vastly different ways of living.
Q. Describe the rapport shared between the narrator and Aashiq Bhai.
Answer. The narrator and Aashiq Bhai developed a warm friendship. He was her shikara rider, guide, and later a thoughtful friend who shared stories, introduced her to the local culture, and even made her a flower necklace. He called her after her return to home to check if she had reached home safely and also sent her traditional Kashmiri earrings, showing genuine care and kindness.
Q. Kashmir is not just a natural paradise but a humanitarian paradise too. Elaborate on the above statement.
Answer. Kashmir is a natural paradise due to its breath-taking landscapes-mountains, lakes, and floating gardens. But it is also a humanitarian paradise because of the warmth, kindness, and simplicity of its people. The locals are helpful, respectful, and still follow community-driven systems like barter. Their lifestyle reflects unity, hospitality, and human connection, which deeply touched the narrator.
Q. Describe the different aspects of life in the green valley which attracted the narrator to take a sojourn to this paradise on earth.
Answer. The narrator was drawn to Kashmir by its natural beauty, the Great Lakes trek, and the chance to experience life on Dal Lake. She was fascinated by the floating markets, traditional lifestyle, warm-hearted locals, and peaceful surroundings. The contrast between life on water and land, the cultural richness, and the simple joys of the people inspired her to explore and embrace the valley's uniqueness.
Q. Describe the experience of the author on the Dal Lake, especially regarding the houseboat and the floating vegetable market.
Answer. The author’s experience on the Dal Lake was both enchanting and unique. The stay in the houseboat gave him a sense of peace, comfort, and closeness to nature, as it combined luxury with the simplicity of the Kashmiri lifestyle. The floating vegetables market left a deep impression on him— it was bustling with boats filled with fresh vegetables, where vendors traded while drifting on the water. These experiences revealed the beauty, culture, and daily rhythm of life on the Dal Lake, making it unforgettable.
Q. What role did Aashiq Bhai play in Medhavi’s experience on the Dal Lake?
Answer. Aashiq Bhai acted as a friendly guide and boatman, sharing local stories and ensuring Medhavi experienced the true charm of Dal Lake, making the trip memorable.
Q. Imagine you are the narrator. Write how you would describe the barter system at Dal Lake to your friends back home.
Answer. I would explain that the barter system on Dal Lake is like stepping back in time. Instead of money, people exchange fresh vegetables from their floating gardens. Shikaras loaded with tomatoes, cucumbers, or cauliflowers meet in the early morning. Through gestures and trust, they swap their produce, returning home with a mixed basket of goods. It embodies simplicity, cooperation, and a way of life deeply rooted in nature.
Q. “Kashmir is truly a paradise on earth.” Justify this statement with reference to the narrator’s experiences.
Answer. Kashmir is called a paradise because of its breath-taking landscapes, hidden high-altitude lakes, floating vegetable markets, Mughal gardens, water lilies, and warm-hearted people. The narrator’s trek, shikara rides, barter observations, and friendships reflect both the natural beauty and human kindness, making Kashmir a heavenly place in both its scenery and culture.
Q. What role did Aashiq Bhai play in shaping the narrator’s experience in Kashmir?
Answer. He acted as a guide, shared stories, introduced the narrator to Kashmiri culture, offered hospitality, and later maintained their friendship.
Q. Why did the narrator choose to visit Nishat Bagh by shikara instead of road transport?
Answer. Although more expensive and time-consuming, it gave a deeper, richer experience of Kashmir and its people, making the journey more memorable.
Q. Where did the narrator start the trek to the Great Lakes of Kashmir?
Answer. From Sonamarg to Narnag.
Q. At what time did the narrator begin the shikara ride to the floating market?
Answer. At 4 a.m.
Q. How is life on Dal Lake different from life in cities?
Answer. On Dal Lake, people use shikaras like cars for travel, shopping, school, and social gatherings, while in cities people rely on roads and vehicles.
Q. Why did the narrator feel humanity was amplified at the floating market?
Answer. Because locals exchanged vegetables with care, helped each other hold shikaras during barter, and showed mutual trust through simple eye signals.
Q. What is the local name for Kashmiri dangling earrings?
Answer. Athoor.
Q. What is the barter system?
Answer. An age-old method of exchanging goods and services without using money.
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